Struggling

The newspaper, tv news, favorite news sites: all highlight what is wrong in this world.

Why are we surprised? We live in a fallen world.

Our non-believing friends, neighbors, family members struggle with sin and temptation, with evil thoughts and actions.

Why are we surprised? We live in a fallen world.

We, or our Christian friends, family, and neighbors fall to temptation, again.

Why are we surprised? We live in a world at war.

Our struggle is against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph. 6:12)

Our world falls into decay because we are a world at war. We should not be surprised.

Those who are unsaved fall because they do not know we are at war and so are slaves. Those who are still in the world are not evil, they are slaves to evil and the Lord longs to give them a new, clean heart.

We, the redeemed, fall because we are at war with the powers of darkness and we forget. We forget that He, our Savior, has given us a new heart, a good heart, that we may withstand the wiles of the devil.

18 “They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols. 19 I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. 20 Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God. (Ezekiel 11:18-20)

Show Christ to the world that they too may see and have a new heart. Remember that you too are at war and as Paul writes you too must:

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:10-12 )

Dear Heavenly Father and Lord of the Armies of Angels, remind us of Your love for us and prepare our hearts for the battle to come, help us to stand strong in You.

Are you prepared for the battle today? The battle will be fierce for our enemy longs for you to fall. Be prepared. The battle belongs to the Lord but we are in the midst of it whether we see it or not.

5 thoughts on “Struggling

  1. Pingback: Graced by Christ ? Blog Archive » Laced

  2. LynnLynn

    Heather. Fantastic!

    The enemy is relentless and ruthless. He never stops.

    Continuous and purposeful prayer is our power over darkness. I am amazed a mere mortal can bind such great evil. If only believers would use this power more. Blessings, Love, Lynn

  3. eph2810

    Heather, what a powerful post. Yea, we do have to put on the armor of God as described in Ephesians, because that is the only weapon that is powerful enough.

    Blessings to you and your this Holy week.

  4. Terri @ in His hands

    Amen! Thank you Heather! What a perfect photograph for this powerful post!