Fighting Back!

The content of this particular blog post birthed out of an answer to prayer and supplication. Prayer for deliverance; prayer for renewed strength; a cry out to the Lord to come to my rescue and get me back up to my feet again. You see, I found myself on the ground. A much too familiar place. I tried to get back up again. But unconsciously, I was trying to get up by my own strength. Needless to say, that did not work out so well. As a matter of fact, I found myself receiving blow after blow from the enemy of my soul. As time went by, as hard as I tried not to believe his lies, my soul was getting weary, my spirit was getting weak, and my faith was running thin. But then, He came to me; Jesus came unexpectedly. I had no strength to pray. I had no strength to plead. But suddenly, the power of His Holy Spirit filled me. And I began to pray. I began to plead. I began to speak with God-given authority. In my time of need, God came to me. And I believe with all my heart, that He spoke to me; not with an audible voice. But rather, within my heart. 

As He was speaking to me-His voice so soothing to my soul, so tender, and full of lovingkindness-I began to see and understand what was happening to me. I suddenly realized that I had become too passive when it came to fighting; fighting in the spiritual battle which continually rages on between the saints of God and the powers of darkness. Somehow, I allowed myself for a moment to ponder upon the lies of the Deceiver and Accuser of my soul. And with that, I found myself trapped again. Unable to move. Unable to stand. As hard as I tried, I could not back up to my feet again. I was in that all too familiar "black hole"-yet again. But God, in His Everlasting Mercy and Grace, renewed me, and empowered me to plead. 
In fact, by His Everlasting grace, and Mighty strength, God Almighty empowered me not only to plead, but also to declare and believe in the Truth over the lies of the enemy. God dismantled the clever trap the devil had set for me, and renewed my faith to believe that in Christ we have victory! (Hallelujah!)

As a result of such Divine and glorious reassurance, that is, knowing that we have victory in Christ Jesus, I am also firmly convicted of this: WE MUST FIGHT BACK! We must stand firm upon the Rock of our Salvation, and put on the armor of God, as we press on to fight the good fight of faith. Fully confident in God's mighty strength, faithfulness, truthfulness, love, mercy, compassion, and most of all, knowing that God is God. There is no one in the entire universe more powerful than He. Therefore, "If God is for us, who can ever be against us?' (Romans 8:31b; New Living Translation). And as we are firmly convicted of such truth by the power of the Holy Spirit working within us, we must prepare ourselves each and every day. Using the weapons which God Himself has given us, to fight all the way, as we press on to claim our victory in Jesus Christ! (Hallelujah! Praise be to God Forevermore! Amen!)

As for me, God has placed the weapons He, Himself had given to me back in my hands, and ever so lovingly-yet with remarkable authority-encouraged me to put them to use again. So, now I am able to stand again, by the mighty hand of God who strengthens me! (Hallelujah! Glory be to God Everlasting! Amen!). Now, as I conclude this blog post, I would like to encourage those who for one reason or another find themselves in a similar situation today, by saying this: There IS hope. You are not alone. God is with you. He sees your struggles, He sees your pain. He is just itching to get you back up to your feet again. Even if don't have the strength to pray. Even if you don't have the strength to plead. God is still there indeed! (Hallelujah! Glory be to God Everlasting!) Seek him in silence, seek Him in thought, seek Him with all your heart. Even if you don't know what to say, or how to pray, rest assured that God knows you more intimately than you know yourself. He does not need words to understand you. He sees way beyond what you can see. His knowledge about you and your ways is limitless. So, be not afraid. Just lay your life before Him, and trust that He will lead the way. 

Now, I know I said I would conclude this blog post in the previous paragraph. In contrast, as we all know, things don't always turn out as planned :) (...sorry, bad joke.) On a more serious note however, I would like to finally conclude this blog post, by leaving you with some Scriptural food for thought found in chapter 6 of the book of Ephesians, verses 10-18, regarding the spiritual battle which we-as children and saints of God, redeemed and sanctified by the blood of Jesus Christ-face each and every day. So, here it is:

"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all the strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in the dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."  

(Ephesians 6:10-12; New Living Translation)

"Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so that you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then, after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of Truth, and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared."  

(Ephesians 6:13-15; New Living Translation)

"In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."  

(Ephesians 6:16-18; New Living Translation)

Let all glory, honor, and praise be given to the Lord of Heavens Armies!

Forever & Always!

Amen & Amen! 

(Hallelujah! Glory be to God Everlasting! Amen!)      

       

A Little Music for The Soul...

Hey Guys!

First and foremost, I would like to apologize for my nearly 30-day silence. As for the reason behind it, I can't quite put my finger on it. Perhaps it was the lack of something worthwhile to say; perhaps it was my incredible ability to procrastinate. Perhaps both. But either way, I'd like to say that by the grace and mighty strength of God, I'm back again! 

Therefore, I would like to re-start this "virtual blog adventure"-so to speak-by providing you, as well as myself, with a little music for the soul. Simply because, I believe true and genuine worship has the power to heal one's soul by bringing each and everyone of us closer to the Lord as we surrender to His presence in worship. That is, true and genuine worship; worship which is offered in spirit and in truth. Consequently, as our heartfelt praises rise to God's Everlasting Throne, God Himself revives our spirit(s) and renews our hope, faith, and strength in Him alone! (Hallelujah! Glory be to God Everlasting! Amen!)

So, without further ado, as I am firmly convicted of this truth, I humbly bring to you a worship song entitled: "I will Exalt You;" a song sung by Brooke Fraser Ligertwood. Here it is:

Video Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPSx1Svuo9E

May our hearts be open to exalt the Lord our God in spirit and in truth; always seeking His face and relying upon His grace. May we always have faith as we dwell in His woe embrace. May we always have peace and rest assured of our God-given victory in Jesus Christ. May we press on as we fight the good fight of faith; knowing that we are not-and we will never be-alone. The One who Is, Was, and Is to Come is always with us. He will never leave us, nor forsake us. For He who conquered death and won the victory, Is indeed our victory! (Hallelujah! Praise God Forevermore!) 

May we always be true and genuine in all that we do for the Lord our God. May we our hearts be filled with a  burning desire to please the Lord in all that we do. May our hearts rejoice in bringing Him praise and exalting His Most Holy Name! (Hallelujah! Glory be to God!)

This is my heartfelt prayer from me to you Lord. May it be of a pleasing aroma to You.

In Christ's name I pray,

Amen & Amen!

Scriptural food for thought: "Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life. I will sing praise to my God [for] as long as I live." (Psalm 146:1-2; NIV Study Bible)

All glory be to God!

Forever & Always!

Amen!