The Attack

Have you ever noticed the pattern of attack that comes your way at certain times? Our enemy is not creative.  However, he is relentless.  His whole plan is to use people, things, and circumstances as tools to do his dirty work.  We must constantly remind ourselves that we are wrestling against spiritual forces.  They are the root of the problem.  It is not people and things.  

Photo by Sarah Pflug

Think about it.  You have just finished up attending a conference at church, listening to a spirit-filled sermon or podcast, and in the mode of feeling really hopeful and joyous about your future.  Right after allowing the joy to come in, you begin to meditate on how different your reality is in comparison to the miracle that you are believing in. 

If the enemy can get us to feel depressed and down-trodden right after allowing the spirit of joy come in, then he knows that he has us.  We begin to think thoughts like, “Well, you know what happened last time.  So, don’t even feel happy about it.”  Satan knows that if he remains relentless in stealing our joy, then he knows we will choose to squash it when it comes up.  We decide to forego the feeling of having joy altogether.

When we are feeling under the weather, it also becomes the perfect time for the enemy to attack. 

The following is a story that I shared as a guest blogger on another site a little over a year ago:

A couple of weeks ago, the air pressure had changed.  I was having problems forming thoughts in my head.  My nose had started running, and I could feel pressure in my head and nose. 

I started to think to myself, ” My sinuses and allergies are in full swing.”  I didn’t manage my time well that morning, and thus, I ended up rushing out of the house while my daughter was waiting outside in the car.  As we were pulling off, I could hear a voice inside my head stating that it was my daughter’s fault that we were rushing.  Right away, I rebuked it.  I noticed that there was a spiritual force trying to blind me from seeing and speaking the truth. 

It took a few minutes.  However, I had narrowed it down to a spiritual attack involved the spirit of blame.  It left.  When I arrived at my writer’s group, I was fighting against it again.

Ephesians 6:10-18 King James Version (KJV)

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

It was at this time, that I knew I needed an extra set of armor for the day.  I had to pray scripture over myself, and fight to keep myself grounded in the truth.  Praise God for his deliverance from this attack!  I also thank him for making me aware of what the real source of the problem was.  Satan always wants you to believe that you haven’t made any progress.  That you will always be the same.  We must fight his words with the words of truth that God tells us about ourselves.

Episode 51: I Can’t See

The Valley of Grace Podcast
The Valley of Grace Podcast
Episode 51: I Can't See
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I think everyone at one time or another have had the following words to come out of their mouths, “I Can’t See”. However, what does that really mean? Well, there are several different circumstances for each of us. Listen to this week’s podcast to find out what I couldn’t see.

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Photo by Adrien Olichon

I Can’t See Podcast Outline

  • Childhood Story
  • Adult Story
  • Recent Incident
  • Scripture Focus
  • Mark 8:22-26

Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida

22 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”

24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.”

Challenge Question:

What are you positioning yourself to “not” see?

Have a blessed week!

Katina

Comfort of Worship

There are times when life is challenging. There is no other way to put it. However, when we spend time alone in worship with the Savior, it changes everything. Enter his wings tonight! Feel his presence surround you as we prepare to enter the weekend. God bless!

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Photo by Anthony on Pexels.com

Comfort of Worship

Let me hide in your shadow.

In your wings.

Quite unrattled.

Let me worship in your glory.

Till I make it my own story.

Let me feel your connection.

Through your spirit.

It’s protection.

When the storm seems too much,

Fill my cup.

Need your touch.

Bible Passage to Meditate On:

Psalm 91 King James Version (KJV)

91 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Similar Poems for Reflection

Abide My Love, Dance with Me

Warmed and Filled

The Belt of Truth

Exposed

Have you ever been in such a rush to leave out the door that you left your belt at home?  I have done it before, and it’s not a pleasant thing.  Nine times out of ten, you are constantly pulling up and tucking in for fear of your bottom layer falling down, or your top layer coming out.  Wearing a belt helps to prevent this from happening.  Let’s say that we decide to put the belt on, but the buckle is broken.  Well, then it makes no sense to even wear the belt at all.

spiritual health, devotion, belt of truth
Belt of Truth

Our Charge

And so it is with our Christian lives.  When we leave out the door in the morning, and we leave off our belt of truth, we make ourselves vulnerable to the lies of the enemy.  We are all out of sorts, pulling up and tucking in trying to hide from Satan’s lies that he’s playing in our heads about our brokenness, insecurities, and identity.  He likes nothing more than to have us to feed off of them.  Ephesians 6:14 tells us:  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place…

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Photo by Mikes Photos on Pexels.com

There have been times when I’ve been invited somewhere.  I was so excited getting ready for “women fellowship” time.  Then, upon arrival, the devil started me up with the comparison trap.  I started worrying about whether or not I am overdressed or under-dressed, or if my life is such a mess that I shouldn’t even make myself vulnerable enough to talk about it.  After having the tape playing in my head like crazy, I have to talk myself down, and then tell myself, “My identity is in Christ.  I am free to be who God created me to be.”  Sometimes I calm down pretty quickly.  Other times, not so much.

We are all broken, and in our brokenness, we need to build each other up in love, and remember to not leave ourselves exposed leaving out the door.  God’s belt of truth is a buckler.  It shields and protects.  It keeps us together.

 

Have a blessed evening!

 

Katina