by David Brenneman
Nightmares come to probably everyone regardless of age. Last night was one for me.
Satan's not to blame for it anymore than him being personally involved in my life. It's a fools cop-out to keep blaming ours sins on his involvement in our lives. Satan does not have that attribute of God where he can be everywhere at once. He is absolutely not omnipresent. My sin nature does its own number on me in most debacles of my struggles.
The same goes for everyone since Adam and Eve. Same is for all yet to be born.
My first course of action this morning has been to remind myself of who I am and who's I am. My identity isn't in this mortal flesh nor is it defined by the environment in which I live move and have my being. When I heard the call and came to Christ Jesus for salvation, I was adopted into the family of God. I am a child of God. Heir to the Kingdom of God. Sins forgiven.
Our enemies are all who oppose the will of God for all in Christ Jesus.
We who are in Christ are a new creation. The old things have passed away behold new things have come.
My Dear Reader this is the same for everyone who is in Christ Jesus. The same battles in varying degrees affect every single Believer.
We face those in-your-face battles as well as pacifistic battles where it's just our thoughts and feelings carrying us into temptations we don't realize until it's too late to get out of.
Another aspect of being alert is to be aware. Self awareness is both necessary and critical. Knowing that if you aren't careful stepping into a cow pasture you will indeed step in something you'd rather not will go along way.
My Friend, we can find ourselves in that cow pasture without leaving our bed. We can find it in our living room. Our car. In front of the television. A supposed innocent movie. A supposed innocent sporting event. Reacting to people in those settings rather than understanding the root cause of what just provoked our own reactions.
We are being trained by the Spirit to fulfill our purpose in being here. Our sanctification. We are being trained to know the enemys of God and Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.
We are admonished not to let out guard down. There's no time to let out guard down. We want a time where we can, but my Dear Reader, that will only be in the perfect peace and protection of Heaven.
Not here.
Here we fight what?
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:11-13.
We must realize some very distinct attributes of this.
Demons and Satan cannot indwell a Believer's life. They cannot be where the Spirit of God resides. It's impossible. This is another key reason we are admonished to be sure of our salvation.
Demons are real. They are as real today as they were 2,000 plus years ago. I have met more than one very very real demons.
Demons will respond to every single command of God. They must obey God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Expect them to entice every single Believer towards apathy. Towards what I'll call downgrading sins. To not think that particular sin is all that bad.
Expect them to convince you to hoard God's blessings "just in case".
Expect them to lull you into a false sense of peace and security. I do believe that the pre-ministry precautions that Jesus told the Disciples applies to all who are in Christ Jesus.
"Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16.
Lastly...and by no means is this a complete list...they cannot read minds. Expect them to influence your environment in order to manipulate your mind but they cannot read your mind.
It's why there are indeed times where I pray silently. They cannot know what we pray to Jesus about when done silently. I know that Jesus knows my heart. If people don't get me, I know that He does.
I know if people turn on me, He never will.
I know that I am forgiven, not forsaken.
"I'm forgiven because You were forsaken
I'm accepted, You were condemned
And I'm alive and well, Your Spirit is within me
Because You died and rose again
I'm forgiven because You were forsaken
I'm accepted, You were condemned
I'm alive and well, Your Spirit is within me
Because You died and rose again
Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love, I know it's true
And it's my joy to honor You
In all I do, to honor You
I'm forgiven because You were forsaken
I'm accepted, You were condemned
I'm alive and well, Your Spirit is within me
Because You died and rose again
Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love, I know it's true
It's my joy to honor You
In all I do, to honor You
In all I do, to honor You
You are my King
You are my King
Jesus, You are my King
You are my King
Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
(Amazing love)
Amazing love, I know it's true
It's my joy to honor You
Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
(Amazing love)
Amazing love, I know it's true
And it's my joy to honor You
In all I do, to honor You
In all I do, to honor You
In all I do, let me honor You"
-Newsboys Released 2003.
We are in a war. We aren't dismissed from nor will ever be excused from it until the Rapture of the Church or we are called from this world. The battles are real, the war was won at the cross of Jesus Christ.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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