The opposition... continued...

"For 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 6:12

It can sometimes seem like our problem is with someone flesh and blood, can't it?  Just this weekend, as my family gathered to have a mini-vacation away from it all, circumstances occurred that brought out the worst in all of us.  For my part in it, I can never apologize enough... but I am thankful that the grace which covers my family also covers me.  There is nothing I can do to repay the forgiveness that was granted to me, and there is no way I can ever explain the broad-reaching qualities of that forgiveness.  I am truly blessed.

However, given all that happened, it became clear to me that what the enemy uses varies in size and scope.  It is not always a grand assault on our beliefs and core values.  Sometimes, it is as simple as a thought that arises, telling us something that we know isn't true (if we look deeply enough to really see it), which we assume to be an insult.  From that assumption, we need an analogy.  This seed of doubt gets planted into radioactive soil, which we have been sold as being the best thing for the seed.  That soil then causes rapid growth, one which replaces normal patterns that take more time.  And since it grows exponentially, it also grows out of control (as we are not capable of growing with it).  And yet we feed it still, and try and foster it.  We are not wise enough, in these moments, to just put it in the trash and throw it away.  We believe ourselves to be wise enough to take care of it without assistance... this is folly, through and through.

Today, more than any other day, I would emphasize that we need to take a moment to realize those moments when we must take the plant and throw it into the trash.  We must throw it into the trash and light that can on fire, sending the enemy back from whence he came, into the heat and flames that he has attempted to bring into our lives.  We must stand against it, regardless of where the assault comes from, and we must stand in commanding stature, with the full and complete power of Heaven behind us.  And with said stance, the enemy has no choice but to back down and cower in the corner, right where he belongs... and we will honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!!