April 19, 2011 Tuesday afternoon:

I have been reflecting on the spiritual battle that rages in the heavenlies and that so often attacks us in the natural. Many times we are taken completely by surprise; as we have been recently with something going on with our family but often the battle is behind the scenes in our everyday life; even in the natural course of being born, living and dying...much like our friend experiencing the death of his aging father yesterday, the enemy is at work trying to destroy the beautiful glory of our God.

If Satan and his demons can get us to doubt God's goodness; to question God's faithfulness; to see ourselves in our image verse the image of God then he has succeeded in chipping away at God's glory...stealing from God himself. This should not be; it should make us angry and righteous in our anger. This one created being, beautiful and glorious, thought he could place himself above God, and by his pride and self will , destroyed his place in creation to be cast down and for eternity separated from the very One that created him.

Since that time, Satan has set out to destroy God. He believes, I am sure, that he stands a chance. After all, it is pride that blinded him in the beginning. It is pride that moves him forward and sets himself against God. When we are in a spiritual battle, we wrestle not with flesh and blood but against the very source of darkness and evilness that is set against God...not us; Satan and his demons are just using us to get back at God; to try and prove that some how he is better then the true Lord of Lords; King of Kings.

When we sense we are in a spiritual battle; remember it is the Lord's battle- not ours. We are just pawns in Satan's hand. God trusts us to remain faithful to Him just like God trusted Job when Satan asked to test Job; and just like Jesus trusted Peter when Jesus prayed that Peters faith would not fail when he was being tested by Satan.

When we place our trust in Christ; we also place our trust in His ability to keep us. While we may face all kinds of trials and tribulations in this life,  we should not be surprised, rather we should be in awe that the glorious God of heaven has found us faithful to walk through these afflictions knowing that what the enemy has meant to harm us and to steal the glory from God, God is actually going to make it work towards our good and His glory. 

For His Glory...I Still Stand!!!!! Holly