One more acquaintance is diagnosed with frightening COVID-19…

Riots and racial issues flood our country…

Hurricane waters devastate cities in South Brazil – the images reminding me of the time my own hometown was destroyed by floodwaters twice during my youth.

In each of these circumstances, it’s not difficult to lose hope and allow our hearts to believe that the worse is yet to come.

“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 6:12

I know – That is a weird insert in the middle of this blog post. “What on earth does spiritual battle have to do with these devastating issues?” you may ask.

Oh, but it does.

I’m absolutely NOT saying that every evil happening out there is CAUSED by the devil. That is certainly not a biblical concept. But this I know: trials certainly present fertile ground for spiritual attacks.

Not every trial is orchestrated by the enemy. But our valleys certainly present fertile ground for spiritual attacks. #MondayMotivation #SpritualAttacks
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This idea has been playing repeatedly in my mind, as I pray for the people I know, who are deeply hurting today.

It may be because I have gone through cancer and other draining health problems; through unemployment and the financial uncertainties that it brings; through natural disasters and their devastating consequences. I know firsthand how the enemy takes advantage of our weakness and pain to bring us down.

As I stand today, on the other side of these trials, however, I see it – “clear as a bell.”

The enemy was near each time I felt too weak to stand.

Think about it: It’s the perfect opportunity for his attacks! He watches when we are weak, and pins us down when we fall. It’s in our weakness that he looks for a breach. It’s when we are hurting that he sends his fiery darts to pierce our hearts. It’s during sleepless nights that he whispers: “It’s all over. God is done with you.”

I don’t know what you may be going through today, but if you are a born-again Christian who is going through a valley, I would be surprised if you are not under spiritual attacks. That’s simply because trials present the perfect opportunity for the devil to try to annihilate every trace of hope from your life, render you ineffective for the kingdom and, ultimately, defeat you.

Trials present the perfect opportunity for the devil to try to annihilate every trace of hope from your life, render you ineffective for the kingdom and, ultimately, defeat you. #MondayMotivation #MondayDevotional #Spiritualattacks…
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But Praise God! He gave us the strategy to remain standing, and on the fight. This may not be something new to you, as this has been the subject of numerous sermons and books, but I felt compelled to share my personal experience regarding the Armor of God.

Years ago, when my husband and I visited Rome, we brought home a small statue of a Roman soldier. We bought it from a street vendor, near the Coliseum. This statue remains in our bathroom, and we look at it often. It reminds us of a war “secret” that God gave His children through the apostle Paul.

Ever since we bought this statue, I often use it as a visual during my prayer time, while quoting Ephesians 6:10-17.

Below are the biblical principles behind my War Preparation Prayer:

1) Be strong in the Lord:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” Ephesians 6:10

The first step is to realize that, when in battle, we are naturally weak – physically, spiritually and emotionally. Paul reminds us that we are to draw our strength from the One whose strength never fails.

You do that by repeating words of life. You do that by staying in the Word. You do that by surrounding yourself with those who love Jesus and will pray for you.

2) Deliberately choose to get dressed for battle.

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11

The verb “put on” here in the original Greek is an action verb. It doesn’t just happen. You deliberately get dressed for battle.

Call me weird, but when I am facing a battle, I literally imagine myself putting every item of the Armor of God. I do the hand motions and everything! I’m sure it’s quite a sight, but I don’t care.

3) As you put on each item, remember what they mean:

I declare, out loud, and so every spiritual being hears loud and clear, that I am choosing to put on each item of the Armor. I say something like this:

“Lord, I thank you for the Armor you have given me by faith. I claim it for me, personally, as the protection and weapon I need to stand with you today.

I put on the Helmet of Salvation, that I may never forget that I am yours, and that you promised that nothing can separate me from your love (Romans 8:35.) Because I am saved, I can stand on the truth that you are in this trial with me.

I put on the Belt of Truth, that no lie from the enemy or from men may enter my life. Every time the enemy whispers a lie, remind me of one more precious Truth from your Word.

I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness and the Shield of Faith, remembering that it’s because of Jesus’ righteousness that I have been accepted by you… Remembering that because I believed, His righteousness covered all my imperfections and sins… Trusting that the shield of faith will stop the darts of the enemy from entering my heart to steal my peace. And declaring, by faith, that You are my victory, regardless of the outcome of my trial.

I put on the sandals of the gospel of peace, that even in the fiercest battles, the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7) will lavish my soul… Also, help me to be an ambassador of peace, wherever I go. Help me to sow seeds of peace, not strife.

And finally, my weapon – my precious Weapon – I pick up the Sword of the Spirit, which is Your Word. Bring to my memory the verses in Scripture that I can use to defeat the enemy and his schemes. Just like Jesus did in the desert (Matthew 4:1-8,) give me the boldness to speak life into my wilderness. May Your Word pierce the darkness of my circumstances and resurrect the hope of glory in me.”

Lord, may Your Word pierce the darkness of my circumstances and resurrect the hope of glory in me. #MondayMotivation #MondayDevotional #Spiritualattacks #spiritualbattle
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There is no question about it – putting on the Armor of God does not end a battle. But it certainly equips you for it. Because what I have learned through the many trials I’ve faced is that the war is inevitable, but defeat is not.

What I have learned through the many trials I’ve faced is that the war is inevitable, but defeat is not. #MondayMotivation #MondayDevotional #Spiritualattacks #spiritualbattle
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Victory for the Christian does not depend on our circumstances. Victory rests on the fact that God is on our side: “If God is for us, who is against us?” Romans 8:31

4) “…and having done everything, stand firm.” Ephesians 6:13b

Yes, soldier. You may be too weak to fight. If so, just put on your Armor and Stand. Not just stand. Stand Firm.

Stand firm on His Truth.

Stand firm by Faith.

Stand firm on His promises.

Simply… keep Standing… until the battle is won.

Victory for the Christian does not depend on our circumstances. Victory rests on the fact that God is on our side: 'If God is for us, who is against us?' Romans 8:31 #MondayMotivation #MondayDevotional #Spiritualattacks #spiritualbattle
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Have you ever “put on the armor” during your spiritual battles? Please share your experience and insights in the comment section below.

The post Spiritual Attacks Escalate with Trials (Here’s what YOU can do) appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

The scene is puzzling and eye opening.

The angels of the Lord came to present themselves before the Throne, and Satan came with them. He was there with a purpose and God knew it. He had been “roaming about on the earth.” He had seen Job and his devotion to Yahweh and became convinced that the only reason he worshiped God was because of how much he had been blessed.

So, in Job 1:9-11, he bargained with the Almighty (pardon my interpretation):

“Of course he blesses You! You put a hedge about him and his house and on all that he has, on every side. You have blessed the works of his hands, and made him the richest man in the land. Let me touch his life. Let me strip him off of every blessing you bestowed upon him. Then let’s see if he still worships you.”

You know the story. God gave the green light for Lucifer’s attacks.

And all hell broke loose in one of the bloodiest, darkest stories in the bible.

Sometimes, spiritual attacks are hardly detectable.

They may come in the form of that tempting situation where we have to make a decision…

Or through words that are thrown at us by someone we love dearly.

They may come through dark thoughts of hopelessness and fear…

Or through bad dreams that taunt us, all of a sudden.

Other times, spiritual attacks are so fearlessly evident, that we can even sense the presence of evil in our homes, jobs, or when we are around certain people.

Truth is, spiritual attacks are as real as God’s blessings are.

I have recently been the victim of intense spiritual attack. As I was praying, putting on the Armor of God as Paul calls us to do in Ephesians 6, the Holy Spirit gave me insight into five things that we all must know about spiritual attacks.

I would like to share them with you.

#1 – Satan has ONE objective: DESTRUCTION!

When Lucifer asked God to allow him to touch Job’s life, God’s objective for allowing it was to strengthen and prove Job’s faith. He knew the outcome, but His desire was to make Job aware of the depth of his love for God.

Satan’s objective, however, was only one: To completely destroy Job’s life.

When Satan attacks, he doesn’t mean to simply weaken you. He wants destruction.

He attacks your marriage to destroy your family, which in turn will impact each member’s testimony and effectiveness for God’s Kingdom.

He attacks your finances in order to destroy your peace and make you question God’s  faithful provision.

He attacks your children so that the blessings of God will not pass on to the next generation. He wants salvation to stop with your life.

DESTROY, he says. Not hurt or touch, but DESTROY.

#2 – He uses those you love the most.

Let’s look at Job once again: His wife (Job 2:9) and closest friends (Job 4-23) were used by the devil to get him to question and deny God.

He will do the same to you. He will use your husband, parents or children to provoke you to sin and deny God with your actions.

Remember that sometimes love is the greatest weapon. Pray for them, and CHOOSE to respond in LOVE. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

# 3 – He wants you to ignore that you’re under spiritual attack.

There’s such a division among Christians regarding spiritual attack. There are many Christians who are part of denominations which act as if  Satan is behind everything. Indeed, I’ve known some Christians who talk more about the devil than about God! However, on the other hand, there are certain denominations which almost completely disregard the devil as a present force in this world, and therefore never equip the saints to understands how he operates. What a tragedy!

He would love nothing more than to be ignored!

Because, if and when we do, much as soldiers caught by surprise, we are ambushed and become spiritually defeated.

# 4 – He HATES the BLOOD

“And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die” Revelations 12:11

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” – Philippians 2:9-10

Death and Hades will be cast in the lake of fire because of His sacrifice. (Revelations 20:14)

The blood of Jesus, which covered our sins and defeated Satan’s dominion over our lives has incredible power.

And that same blood covers you and me. We have been purchased by His precious blood. When we are under spiritual attack, we must stand on that truth: Because of redemption, “no weapon formed against us shall prevail.”

# 5 – If You Stand Firm, There’s Great Reward

“The Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased all that Job had twofold.” Job 42:10

I believe it. I do.

I have walked through many valleys, where spiritual attacks were real and they were meant to destroy my life and testimony. I’m going through one right now as my husband’s job was eliminated in early January. God is proving our faith and steadfastness by fire. Once again…

and the devil has been trying to fiercely attack us.

But as I look back at the many years I have walked with Christ, and the valleys we have walked hand in hand… valleys of physical, emotional and even spiritual darkness, I can boldly testify, that each one was meant to strengthen me, never destroy me.

All God asks of me is that I stand firm, resist the devil, and watch him flee from my presence. (James 4:7)

Are you under spiritual attack today, my friend?

Welcome to the team of those selected to be strengthened, refined… victorious in battle!

Open your spiritual eyes.

Take up your Sword.

Stand Firm.

Remember: The battle is not yours.

All you have to do is get dressed for it . Resist.

And watch as the enemy flees.

PS: I created the frame to the right containing Scriptures to be used as you stand strong against the enemy. There is one scripture for each of the 5 things I listed on this post. Print it, share it, memorize them.

They’re powerful in battle!

The post 5 Things You Need to Know About Spiritual Attack appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.