Monday, February 8, 2016

Need to Know Yesterday-Part FIVE

The Subtle Serpent

(Note* - February 8, 2016 - I just added an addendum - BP)

This part of the writing has been delayed by nearly a month. The spiritual battle that has been going on in my life since the end of August is like nothing that I have been through before. Yet the last two weeks has been surreal, which is saying much! I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that many in the Body of Christ are going through the same thing (intense battles, challenging everything in them).

There is a trying of the faith happening like never before, and many, just as I, have been through many battles prior. Yet this would be as the granddaddy of them all. Jesus warned His people that the last days would be so deceptive that if it were possible even the elect would be deceived (key or operative word being if). [Mat 24:24] Daniel warned of the wearing down of the saints. 
[Dan 7:5]

We were also warned in the Word of God that in the last days there would be a falling away. So many unsaved people (especially youth, and those hardened by cruelties in life) today avoid Christianity due to the falsehoods and hypocrisy that they see within many of the mainstream ministries and churches, as well as amongst those who call themselves Christians.

Multitudes into the millions of youth are turning to the Muslim/Islam faith, whilst hordes are turning New Age and to witchcraft, thanks to Satan’s worshippers and workers in the entertainment industry (not to mention other industries etc).

We do well to note those who author books such as the Harry Potter books, which interestingly enough are included in the curriculum as mandatory in untold grade schools. I have even heard that judges are now being sworn in on the Qu’ran, rather than the Bible. God is being pushed away and other ‘gods’ are honoured.

What about the falsehoods, false Christs and abominations that too many believers in Christ have allowed themselves to readily accept? They embrace doctrines of devils (visualization techniques, vibrations/sound waves), traditions of men and all the signs and wonders that come with it (gems, gold dust, apparitions, jerking, drunkenness in the Spirit, portals etc). Sin, such as homosexuality, is being downplayed, even coddled. People are hungry for prophecy and signs.

Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seek after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. [Mat 12:38-40]
In other words, Jesus was saying the sign they seek would be His death, burial and resurrection. Just as the whale released Jonah after three days in its belly, so would the grave release Jesus when the (Holy) Spirit of God Himself raised Jesus up alive. Countless would witness that He was resurrected from the dead. It would be the greatest sign that God is all-powerful and the victory belongs to Jesus Christ!

Satan began his subtle approach in the Garden of Eden and he has not stopped since. We can read about the countless ‘gods’ and ‘goddesses’ that he introduced to mankind not long after the temptation and ultimate deception in the Garden.

He brought in confusion, division (Satan loves to divide God's people) and rebellion (your will, not God's) against God, the Creator. He successfully influenced mankind to the point of such evil, sins, corruption and perversion that God destroyed all but eight souls in a great flood.

In our personal battles, indeed, the serpent is most subtle and so crafty that more often than not, we do not even recognize it as coming from the enemy. How often do we blame God for what man, by his choices (sin) or Satan with his temptations, deceptions and illusions, does? Indeed the serpent is subtle and if we can but remember that we are in a bloody spiritual war, then we also have to realize that it can and does get very ugly.

Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, has God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

For God does know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. [Gen 3:1; 5]

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 
[2Cor 3:11]

If we look again at the meaning of the word subtle in the dictionary, we may well read the above scriptures with a greater understanding. Yes, most believers who have read the Bible have read these scriptures before, more than once. Please allow me to refresh the memory. It certainly helped me in doing so.

We know the meaning of the word, yet do we not often skim over the understanding of the word without allowing it to truly illuminate or rather permeate the serious warning within the scripture and what it is truly revealing to us?  More importantly, do we see how that serious warning pertains to these times also and what multitudes are going through now…in these times, in these days, in this hour?  

I myself looked up the meaning of the word again, even though I fully understand its meaning.  When I did so, it was as if God Himself were saying to me, “Now do you fully understand your present battle?”  Truly, it was as if He shone brightly the light and I give Him glory.

Emphasis on words below is mine, just as it is when I post scripture. The purpose is to make one pay attention and ponder that emphasis more deeply, rather than just skim over it.

Subtle:  (especially of a change or distinction) so delicate, so slight or precise as to be difficult to detect, analyze or describe; delicately complex and understated; making clever use and indirect methods to achieve something; difficult to perceive and understand; subtle irony; hard to notice or see, not obvious; abstruse

When we are going through a crisis, whether it is our health (physical or mental) or the health of loved ones, finances, careers, personal relationships, a death, injustices (abuse, rape, torture, accusations, lies, accidents etc), spiritual anguish, is it not so complex that we have great difficulty in understanding it all, let alone try and describe it to anyone or even figure it out (analyze, makes sense of it all)?

Who cannot say that they have gone through very trying times and tribulations (very few, if any); or that they have not already endured some very heavy battles? All of us go through some tough times one way or another, whether a believer or not. 

We live in a sinful, fallen and corrupted world. Yet as a believer, we have an adversary (Satan) with his great armies (in both spiritual and physical realms) that do all they can do to steal, kill and destroy.

As real as the physical realm is and as devastating as it can be, we must not negate or lose our focus on the spiritual. We must keep our eyes upon Jesus. How difficult is that? It can be very difficult at times. It is hard not to look at the circumstances when they loom before you as great giants or immovable mountains.

It is hard not to blame God, especially as a Christian, when all we hear is how God is Sovereign; how nothing happens that God does not allow; that God protects His people. One only has to read the Word of God to see how His people throughout the millenniums had to look to Him despite the horrific circumstances that were surrounding them. It is not an easy task. God knows this.

The Onslaught
For me, the past half year (five months plus a bit, since the very end of August) has presented battles like never before. Like many, I have experienced a ‘dark night of the soul’ before, perhaps four or so years ago. I wrote about it.

I have also written about other battles that came my way. However, the past two battles have been the most intense in my entire walk with the Lord, and that is saying a lot! In fact, I called it a crisis of faith, which I will explain shortly.

Difficult to describe/explain? Oh, yes! Difficult to analyze? Indeed! There are many of you who know exactly what I am saying because you too have come up against this very thing, or in fact are going through such a trial right now!  It is not just the onslaught of negative thoughts that can overwhelm, or all the negativity present in circumstances, but there can even be doubts about one’s walk, purpose and faith.

When we go through these things, it is almost as if all else is put on hold, just so we can deal with the battle at hand. Does it not seem that way? It is as though all our energy, all our focus, every part of our being is enveloped in the crisis and all we can do is get up each day and go through.

So intense have been the circumstances, the distractions, the suspicious coincidences, the distractions and hindrances, the disappointments, the lack of understanding, the silent moments from God, the crises over the past month, and particularly the past two weeks, that I have not even been able to blog.

I had been sincerely praying over this treatise on false prophecies that come forth from false teachings. It is very important to me that I myself do not lead any astray with incorrect information, as I surely do not know it all, and I myself, continue to learn.  

It is a great responsibility (at least to my way of thinking) that if we are going to voice what we believe to be truth, we better be absolutely certain. God has to say. Yet, even still, all of us can make mistakes. I surely have, but the key is to learn from them and to tread more carefully, trying the spirit to see if it is of God.

Why is it a great responsibility? Consider this.  We can influence people and not even realize that we are. We can either point a person in the right direction or lead them over a precipice. We can help a person to see, or we can literally become the proverbial (and prophetic) “blind leading the blind” that Jesus (Yeshua) spoke of.

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. [Mat 15:14]

In my heart and in the writing of this treatise, my intent has not been to point to someone and say, “they are a false prophet”, but rather to point out the error in the prophecy due to false teaching. How can I say a person is false if I do not personally know them?  How would I know if they are a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a deceiver or if they themselves have been deceived by false teaching if I do not know them personally?

Well, I can not know which it is if I do not know them; only God Himself knows. However, we can discern a doctrine of devils, a false teaching, and a deception by knowing the Word of God, and holding fast to the Lord.

He certainly can reveal things to us, and He does. He is ever faithful, but there are times we have to wait for things to play out. We have to wait on God’s timing and that is never easy – never easy. We truly do have to learn patience, which does teach us endurance, just as the Bible says. Yet even still, waiting is hard.

The task I have been given is to be yet one more vessel amidst the multitudes that the Lord already uses to warn His people. The delay in the writing initially began due to much prayer going up continually to be sure that I myself am not going to put something forth in error. 
hill drive
Then, about three weeks ago, the weather took a turn and we had a heavy downfall of snow. I lost precious hours when my vehicle got stuck in a bank when my car literally slid at the crest of the small hill of the driveway that exits the parking lot. It was nerve-wracking as a small mountain cliff is on the one side of the hill drive. Then, after so much time and effort being lost in getting free from the snow trap, days later, the snow began quickly melting and grass was beginning to appear.
snow - Jan 6 2016
snow melt 
late Jan 2016
Feb 6.2016
During the melt, the snow became heavy and wet, causing ruts in the parking lot, and once again, I became stuck. More precious time lost. The weather has been so unstable, as if torn between two extremes over the past month that it has been surreal, especially for Canada which is known for its harsh and cold winters.

I had mentioned to a friend that the unstable weather (globally) is actually a sign of how unstable everything is around the globe today. Events are unpredictable, either sudden and extreme, or quiet and mellow. Things are indeed chaotic everywhere. It as if the whole earth is in great travail. It is as if the enemy wants all of mankind to be gripped in fear and void of trust in anything, especially God.

Yet, it is not just the weather that has presented challenges. If that was all it was, then that would be nothing except a part of life in this climate-changing, turbulent, dubious world today. No, there has been much more to it, and oh yes, it was ever so subtle, meaning I did not see it coming.

Even the laptop that I use to do my work of writing has been having serious issues. The display driver fails at times. My screen will black out completely and nothing can be done until it corrects itself. It is not a blue screen, but a totally black one, where not even the arrow for the mouse shows up. When it corrects, a small window pops up to alert me that the display driver crashed but has recovered.

Other times, my computer goes into a very slow mode, where even the typing of letters takes seconds before the letters actually appear on the screen. When I try to bring up a web page, or click on a link, it is slower than dial-up and it can be as long as a minute before the page or link opens up. It can take up to twenty minutes to half an hour just to write a simple paragraph or two.

I have cleaned up files, defragged, done scans for viruses etc and all seems well. Perhaps the laptop has been used too much and is too old. It is only four years old, but in “computer land” that is antique. It’s a dinosaur! If that is the case, then I am truly in trouble because I do not have the means to purchase another.

My car has also been acting up. I will spare you the details, but I am very cautious when I go out driving. I pray the Lord will keep the old mare on the road. Every area of my life seems to have been targeted and hit, but the hardest part of all has been matters of the heart. Satan does come against us body, soul and spirit.

Battle is On
During this time period, I forgot something the Holy Spirit told me once. I have blogged it several times over the past years. There is a cliché, in fact, books have been written by the title, which is: The battlefield is the mind.

The Holy Spirit added to it. He said, “The battlefield is the mind, but the target is the heart and reins, for therein lies your faith, hope and love, which all influence your will (power to make choices; our decisions and course of actions).

When your faith and trust are in God, it pleases Him and we can rest in Him. Oh, but how our faith and trust are challenged in very difficult situations! When your hope is in Christ, He is glorified by your trust. When you love as God commanded, there is no fear. Where there is no fear, you will trust Him. The desire is to follow (obey) His leading (His will). [Prov 3:4, 5]
There was such an onslaught of negative thoughts – poisonous or fiery arrows, so numerous that it had been near impossible to counter all of them.  It is enough to make one question their sanity, shake the walls of trust and threaten the very foundation of faith.  It was a merciless, relentless onslaught. We can even wonder, “Will I stand?”Has my house been built by God?”

Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman wakes but in vain. [Ps 127:1]

And through all this could I write? I think not. Over the past two months, I have noticed that fifteen (15) subscribers have left. Only one wrote to me, asking me to remove them from my mailing list.

I wrote a short, but sincere email to thank the person and expressed the best to them. I meant it; I appreciated the time she did stay. She believes in the reconciliation of all things (including the reconciling of Satan and his unholy angels) back to God, which is Universalism. I do not, so I understood why she left.

I understand that the reason in part regarding those who left because I am writing about things others may not agree with me on. However, I believe that for the most part, it is because for the past while, the posts have not been frequent enough. In today’s fast-paced, digital, technological world, people want a daily feed, or at least see some kind of schedule. It is perfectly understandable, but not a reality when one is in battle.
No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier. [2Tim 2:4]

Yet, it is not as in decades ago when people would wait anxiously for the next release from an author that they enjoyed. No! Today there is such a plethora of writers, videos, talk show hosts and more, that people do not need to wait around, nor will they wait.

Who can blame them?  It is very understandable. Be that as it may, we have become a very impatient world of people. There is a statement that has become so well-used and repeated that you could say that it has become an adage or cliché now. That saying is, “If I can only reach one, then it has all been worth it.”

Recently, I had jokingly said to a friend, “I don’t want to reach that proverbial one. If we are to do the greater works as Jesus said, then I want to reach three!” We both laughed at the silliness of it. Truly, it is not about how many followers or subscribers we have. It is about being molded into Christ’s image, doing the will of God and sharing the good news of the gospel, which is Jesus Christ.

If it were all about subscribers or followers, then we are no different than most of the mega-churches who would rather have “positive-thinking”, “seeker-friendly, “motivational”, “self-help” messages, rather than the harder messages that prick people’s hearts and expose sins, revealing their need for a Saviour, and their need for repentance.

Yes, as stated and acknowledged, many of us have gone through crises in life where it seemed like more than we could bear at the time. Yet, by the grace of God, we got (and get) through it. Yet I know for a fact that there is a “granddaddy” of onslaughts that is presenting itself these days.

This has been what I myself have been going through. I do believe faith is being tried to prove us, as well as a preparing and positioning of God’s people for that which is soon upon the whole earth, as foretold in the Holy Scriptures.

Yet from the beginning, God’s people have been tested, tried. We make choices. We can trust in God and obey His commands to us or we can go our own way. It began in the Garden of Eden – a simple command, a simple test.

I wonder if sometimes we fool ourselves into thinking that if we had of been Adam or Eve, we would not have fallen for the serpent’s lies. But our test will not be as their test. Will we pass the individual tests given to us? Only if we love Jesus can we truly obey Him is what I believe.

Why the Crisis?

When everything that could possibly go wrong seems to do just that, what do we do? Do we wonder where God is in the midst of it? Do we wonder why He is allowing it? Do we even know how to sort out our thoughts, or are they coming at us so fast and so furious that we wonder if we have gone mad, bipolar or some other imbalance?

Do we search our heart and life for sins to see what has brought about the oppression or depression or whatever it is you are feeling? It is guaranteed that when this is happening, when it seems like all hell has broken loose and is coming against you, it is an attack of the enemy.

Satan likes to mirror God, but his work is in direct opposition. His ways and means are evil and intended for evil results. We are told in the Bible to be sober and vigilant, for he goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour and that he comes to steal, kill and destroy. [1Pet 5:8; Jn 10:10]

However, we need to differentiate between an attack from Satan (including witchcraft against us); or if we are in a trial, a testing of our faith; or if there is sin in our life, or if we are suffering the consequences of sin or just plain bad choices, either our own or those of others.  Life itself can dish out horrible things to just and unjust people alike.

There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?  [Lk 13:1, 2]

Yet, those who mentioned the Galileans believed that the deaths they suffered were due to their sins. Jesus even asked the Jews if they considered the Galileans to be the worst of sinners because of the way Pilate, almost as a mockery, had mingled their blood in with their sacrifices, which had been prepared as part of their worship to God, according to the laws of Moses.  

Perhaps by mentioning it, the Jews felt that the Galileans’ guilt was greater than the sacrifices could cover. Jesus assured them that it was not the reason at all, but if they themselves did not repent, they would likewise perish. Then, He mentioned another incident.

Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. [Lk 13:4, 5]

Again, Jesus mentioned another scenario where eighteen people were killed when a tower fell (a calamity, an accident, a faulty tower) and crushed them. His point was that those who died were not killed because they were great sinners. They were no different than any of Jews that stood before Jesus that day.

Instead of questioning why these things happened (including to those who were in the midst of worshipping God when evil struck), Jesus let it be known that the Jews should be more concerned with acknowledging that they too were sinners and needed to come to repentance.

Bad things can happen to anyone, to believers and unbelievers alike, not just to those who are considered the worst of sinners. Two different scenes were presented. With one situation, the people were murdered by an evil leader (his sinful choice/decision/action), and in the other situation, a calamity (accident) happened, a tower fell killing many.

However, there are also times that situations or circumstances are allowed because God fully intends to perform a miracle through which He shall be glorified.

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither has this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.  
[Jn 9:1-3]

When You are Weak, Satan Sends in His Armies
Yes, this has been a very dark season for me and I am not through it yet. But this one thing I know, I am going to trust God no matter what, and may every devil take notice. For greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world!

At the same time, I understand the enemy has power. He was once a holy angel of God, as were the devils that work with him. Yet, God is greater and He lives in me; His Holy Spirit resides in me. I cannot do this (nor would I want to) without Jesus!

We understand that when the Bible speaks of fiery darts, these can affect our thoughts, emotions/feelings or flesh/body. When we are going through a severe trial or tribulation (crisis), it is true that we must press into the Lord even more so. The truth is that sometimes these battles are short, and other times, it seems as though it is never-ending. It is hard to wait on the Lord, but wait we must.

Yet, we are part of a Body, the Body of Christ, made up of fellow believers. We are not meant to be “islands unto ourselves”, as the saying goes. It takes great humility to go to another believer and confide in them that you are having a very difficult time and need prayer.

The believer (whether a brother or a sister in Christ) who loves the Lord and walks in obedience to Him may even discern the source of the problem (sin, consequences, test of faith or attack from the enemy).

As previously mentioned, the cause that precipitated the event could be the suffering or death of a loved one, extreme physical pain or mental anguish.  Perhaps it is an ended career or financial ruin, great debt, or a strained or broken relationship that has a person at their wit’s end.

Perhaps it was the lies or betrayal of someone trusted, or perhaps it was some violence that another perpetrated against you. The list goes on. These are very real trials and tribulations, undoubtedly, and can shake the very foundation of our faith, rocking our world in a negative way.

Yet, the crisis of faith I am speaking of is when one has gone through much of the above, has already had many tests (trials) of faith, has suffered loss and pain, who has gone through life’s troubles and even spiritual attacks before.

I speak of the end times and the “increased” trying of our faith. Those who have walked with the Lord for awhile, whether it is two years, five, ten or more, have you not noticed that the testing of the faith and the attacks of the enemy have intensified, increased? 

Have you noticed that the tests of our faith have become distinctively harder? Have you been pushed to the brink? Have you wondered about your sanity, or how much more you can bear? Have you wondered where is God?

I have heard it said that the higher the calling, the more fierce the attacks of the enemy in order to stop a person from reaching their destiny. I have also heard it stated that each time you pass a testing of the faith victoriously the next test is more intense and harder. I have personally witnessed the latter. It would seem that from a biblical perspective, this is true.

When everything seems to be going along as well as can be expected in these dark days, then suddenly, you wake up one day and everything is wrong, in every possible area and everything you attempt to accomplish seems to fail, one could say they are having a bad day. That happens to everyone.

However, if it continues on and on, where a day turns into a week and a week into a month or months, and still continues onward with no end in sight, with circumstances increasing in pressure against you, one surely acknowledges that this is more than just having a ‘bad hair day’.

Does it not seem to come at a time when we are doing all we know to do, the will of God, in order to reveal good fruit, and to grow and walk in faith and in obedience to the Lord, or when we are believing Him for incredible promises?
It goes beyond the physical and into the soul realm, with a barrage of arrows pelting your mind, injecting negative thoughts that seem against everything you are or things you never even thought of before.

Finally it targets the spiritual. Our spiritual realm is invaded, trying every area that you were confident that you were strong in. The onslaught is aggressive, hostile and relentless.  I daily put my armour on. I verbalize it and mentally envision it, understanding full well what each piece represents (Christ) and the purpose of it.

Humility

Prayer has been constant, resisting, casting down thoughts as fast as they came, but they began coming faster than I could cast them down. In my heart, I came to understand that I needed backup. As hard as it would be to try and explain any of this to anyone, I had to reach out to a fellow believer in great humility.

I called a friend to confide in her and to humbly ask for backup in prayer. It was not easy to make the call. It took several days before I could do so. Why? When we look back at the word “subtle” which describes the serpent, Satan, we are reminded that it means that it is “difficult to detect, analyze or describe”; “difficult to understand”, “precise”.

I had no idea how I was going to describe or explain what was going on to my friend when firstly I did not know where to begin.  Secondly, how much should I share…is it not risky?  Thirdly, and really the hardest part, how do I explain that which I did not understand, something that made me question my very sanity, as well as where I was with my faith, doubting myself? 

Confusion enveloped it all. What was happening and why? I had to humble myself to my friend, in admitting that I was in a weakened state. She already knew it had begun at the very end of August, but I was not giving up. Yet, to still be going through was a hard one to admit to one’s own self, let alone another.

One thing I did speak forth to my friend was that no matter what, I was not going to let go of the Lord. He would have to let go of me, and He would have to pry my nails out from His garment because I am clinging to Him that much.

The one thing that is true is that if one has already been weakened by a circumstance that has gripped them in life, Satan will often come at that person when they are already weary and tired from fighting another battle. When an onslaught begins, it is as though the warrior is facing many opponents at one time.

Reinforcements – The Body of Christ
This is when that warrior needs reinforcements to show up. This is precisely when one must call upon the members of the Body of Christ. We cannot be too proud in thinking that we can go it alone when surrounded, no matter how skilled in battle. There comes a time when a warrior can be outnumbered or overwhelmed.

My friend assured me that God will never leave me (He does not leave or forsake His people). Back in 2009, the Lord had me write: “I Am with You Always”. Is it not strange how even though we know certain things, a timely reminder brings it forth from the dungeons of our memories, and back into the Light?

Every member of the Body is important and needed, and how I thank God for His wise ways. When I told my friend that I was praying and reading the Word, she agreed that was the right thing to do. My friend also discerned that it was an attack from the enemy, and possibly a testing of the faith. She committed herself to pray.

We talked a bit more and she continued to encourage me. After we hung up, I laid down for awhile because through all of this my sleep has been interrupted. The searching of my own heart had been intense, with prayers to the Lord to purge me of anything not of Him…and more, much more in private prayer.

One scripture that I had mentioned to her that I have gone over since (in fact, reading the entire chapter) was this:

For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. [Is 9:5]

There has definitely been confusion and indeed, it has been a bloody battle. I know that my friend prayed because when I awoke there was a peace in the spirit. Now mind you, before I had lain down, I was upon my knees once again, repenting of fear and unbelief, and even for the negative thoughts.

I had fought with all my strength to continue to cast down the thoughts, but it seemed never-ending, even relentless. After I awoke and noticed that the “arrows/fiery darts” had stopped, I began to thank the Lord.

When I awoke from my nap (from sheer exhaustion due to sleep interruptions), as previously stated, the thoughts settled. I believe that the prayers of my friend were a powerful weapon at that time. I pray God blesses the vessel unto honour for her faithfulness in trusting Him to hear her and to mercifully move on my behalf.

Choosing to Use the Shield and the Sword of the Lord

A choice had been made and it is inspired by the Word of God. Outside of the onslaught of thoughts dissipating and ceasing, all outward circumstances remain the same. The battle is not over; I am still in the midst of it.

The battle is not over, so now what? I choose to take God at His word; He is for me and not against. [Rom 8:31] For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, and are the called according to His purpose. [Rom 8:28] I know that I must trust in the Lord with all [my] heart, and lean not on [my] own understanding. In all [my] ways, [I shall] acknowledge Him and He shall direct [my] paths. [Prov 3:4,5]

I know that in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor thing to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. [Rom 8:37-39]

Now the peace that passes all understanding is upon me. Is it still a battle? Yes. Do I have a part to do? Yes. How do I get through a battle? I choose to trust God! As tough as it is, I wait upon Him.

We shield ourselves by our faith in Him. God is our shield. [Gen 15:1; Ps 18:2] Without faith, it is impossible to please God. [Heb 11:16] Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and shield. [Ps 33:20]

It also came to me what I had written in the last part of this treatise. I will put the part below. The highlights are added for this portion, but it was not highlighted at all when I first wrote it.

The last thing I saw where hundreds of arrows up in the sky and falling upon a target on the ground. So numerous were the arrows that the target upon the ground was blackened, covered in them. Two times I saw the hundreds of arrows in the sky.  There was nothing to indicate ‘where’ in the world this was.

What I understood was that a powerful attack was going to completely wipe some area out. It would be ruins. It will be done in one successful attack, obviously with ‘weapons’ from the sky.

When I wrote it, I was sharing many scenarios that I had seen when I had laid down some time back. The scenes replayed in the exact same order when I had lain down a second time. 

I still cannot say that this attack that I am under was given to me prophetically from the Lord in the above writing, as I had thought and understood that all the scenes that had flashed through my mind pertained to the physical realm, since war is going on in Syria, Yemen and many other places.

Perhaps it is two-fold, as the Lord often speaks that way, even in His Word. As I said the first heavy onslaught began the end of August, the beginning of September. It settled for awhile, then it came upon me again as previously stated.

A scripture can speak for the present time and what was happening at that time, and it can also pertain to the future.  We see this within certain writings of the prophets, as well as in the words of Jesus (Yeshua). The same is true of prophetic words, dreams or visions. We must remember, God is not caught up in the space/time continuum. He is eternal.

I admit that at the time I called my friend, I did feel “completely wiped out”, in “ruins”. Where was my strength? What were all the thoughts and where were they coming from? Did I have no good fruit or was I a bad tree? Have I even grown in my walk? To what purpose am I here? 

I searched my heart for bitterness, to see if there were any I had not forgiven; searched for impurities; repenting, repenting of anything I could think of, even repenting of things that were actually sins of another.

It felt like madness. I kept crying out to God. His silence at times was deafening, yet I could not, would not let go. As I said to my friend, He would have to remove my fingernails from His garment because I was clutching that desperately to Him.

The Adversary
Some people do not believe in a devil or Satan. Some worship him as their own personal god. Others make light of him, even saying that if Christians are walking right with God, Satan and his hordes cannot or will not bother us. Still others see Satan or demons in everything, behind every bush, in every bad action people do and blame all negative things on him. Not one of these perspectives is accurate.

Satan is indeed a very real adversary. There are times that we can immediately tell if Satan is hindering or coming against us, just as Paul discerned the spirit of divination in the woman following them around, saying all the “right words”.

The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation.
(How many people, if they heard the woman speak those same words today, would think the woman was a disciple of Jesus Christ, a Christian?  Probably, many would.)

And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.  [Acts 16:17-18]

Interesting to note also, that the spirit did not leave ‘immediately’, as stated in other cases in the Bible, but rather that he came out the ‘same hour’. Sometimes, the demons do not want to leave, if they have resided in a host for a long while.

Other times, we may not be so sure. We may wonder if it is a test, just life itself in a corrupt and fallen world, people making wrong or sinful choices, consequences of some sin in our lives, or what the heck is happening. Finding the source or the cause of what we are going through means seeking God and yes, waiting upon Him for His truthful answers.

Then, we have Job, who did not have a clue what was going on. He lost thousands and hundreds of livestock (camels, sheep, oxen, asses/donkeys). A great number of his servants were killed, and if that were not enough, his seven sons were in their houses with their three sisters, and a great wind (probably like a tornado) destroyed their houses and killed all ten of Job’s children. Everything was taken from Job.

Yet, his integrity was still intact. Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there: the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. [Job 1:20, 21]

Without getting into it too much, we can see that over time, as the trouble persisted, Job began to complain. He did not understand why everything had befallen him, and he felt that he was in the right and God was in the wrong.

In the end, Job repented of his self-righteous attitude and complaining before he prayed for his friends, who had basically accused Job of landing in all his troubles due to some sin that Job was not confessing. The Lord ended up not only healing Job, and fully reversing everything, but He restored all Job lost and doubled it.

We have to be careful not to do as Job did, complaining and blaming God for allowing it all when we have done ‘everything right’.  The Lord has always been faithful and true, always. In retrospect, throughout other trials and tribulations, He brought me through victoriously.

Each time was horrible at the time, and indeed uncomfortable, but He was training me all the way through, teaching me, purifying, purging the dross. He has never let me down and He never will, nor will He let YOU down if you are going through a horrific time in your life right now.

Darkness Swirls Around
I had also had a visit from a woman (I will give no more details than this, so as to protect her identity) that I have been witnessing to, as opportunity arose. She and her husband are New Age; even have a ‘Book of Shadows’ (spells, rituals and other secret information on magic/witchcraft). She claims to be Wiccan and to ‘love Jesus’, but she clearly knows only ‘of’ Him and does not ‘know’ Him.

She came to my house, and long story short, she visited for quite a time. She shared much, which I am not free to divulge here. Whether she is sincerely searching for truth or not, only God knows. I remember 2 Peter 3:9, in that it is God’s desire that none should perish and that all should come to repentance.

The days blur as to the timing of certain things, but one morning whilst it was still dark, yet close to dawn, as I looked out my kitchen window, I saw something that I have not seen since perhaps 2009? There are two trees a short distance apart when I look out my window.

I saw what appeared to be someone running in-between the two trees. The person disappeared from sight because from the window, the side of my home ends where I saw the shadow run. As my brain acknowledged that someone ran past, at the same time (perhaps a nano-second later), I realized that as they ran past, I could see the tree right through their body.

Immediately I understood that it was not a physical person I was seeing, but a spirit. There is an open field that the trees face. A small drop-off (small cliff) skirts the one side of the field (the building was constructed upon the side of a mountain).  Below is the main highway that runs through town and even through a good part of the province.

It was around this time, the visit, the manifestation of the spirit, my open vision (as mentioned in the last part of this writing) – all of it happened quickly and within close proximity to each other. That is why it all blurs, but it was also the time period that the great onslaught began, and everything that could go wrong began.

Physical problems (headaches, stiff muscles, numbness, pains out of nowhere and more), problems with my car and my laptop, finances, personal relationships, the bombardment of fast-moving thoughts (like a hundred times one hundred pelting arrows) that left my head spinning; 15 people unsubscribing from the blog…anything and everything went afoul.

We are Accountable and Responsible

People say that everything that happens, God allows. Some use God’s Sovereignty to excuse their actions, always ready to lay the responsibility of what we say, do or think, or even at times, what others say, do or think, right at the feet of God. God allowed it, so we are not responsible. Say what?

Adam blamed God and Eve: And the man said, The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

Eve blamed the serpent: And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.  [Gen 3:12, 13]

Did God intervene in the temptation of Eve? He could have. Some even blame God for putting the tree in the Garden in the first place. Think about this. A father set up a beautiful buffet outdoors in a backyard garden, and adjacent to the garden was a garage, and in the garage was a brand-new car with several gifts on a table nearby.

The father intended to leave for awhile and instructed his child, “If you are hungry, go ahead and eat. There are presents for you in the garage. If you cannot wait until I return, you may open the gifts. However, stay away from the car, or you will regret it for life.”

A friend came over and the son told him what his father had said. The friend laughed and tempted the son, saying, “You won’t regret it for life. Your father knows that if you get in that car, you will see how cool it is. You will be like him, an adult, able to drive anywhere.”

The friend hot-wired the car and both of them went joyriding. The friend told the son that he was going to be in a lot of trouble when he got home, and he began laughing. The son became distracted by his friend’s laughter and turned to say something, when suddenly, he crashed the car.

The son panicked, exited the car and ran home as fast as he could, thinking his friend was hightailing it behind him or running to his own house. When the son heard his father driving up, he raced to his bedroom and shut the door.  After awhile, the father knocked on his door, asking why he was in his room. His son told him that he knew that he was in trouble, so he hid in his room.

The father asked him, “Who told you that you were in trouble? Did you take the car out to drive? The police were here. They traced the license plate. Your friend was in the passenger seat of the car and was pronounced dead at the scene of an accident.”

The son was horrified by the news. He remembered the words of his father. His father told him he could eat what he wanted, and even open his gifts, but he was not to touch the car. Little did the son know that the father had one gift wrapped up that held a key to the car, along with a gift certificate for a ‘Driver’s Education’ course, a manual on learning to drive and money to cover the cost of a ‘learner’s’ or ‘beginners’ license.

Now the son would never have the car or the other gifts that came with it. Now there was death involved and his good friend was dead. His father knew that by telling his son to stay away from the car, he would be all the more curious, but he was testing his son’s obedience.

If he could trust his son with a simple request of not touching the car, he could trust his son to drive that car. If his son obeyed, great was his reward. If he disobeyed, it would be his ruin. Indeed, just as his father forewarned, the son reaped the consequences of his disobedience and regretted it for life.

Perhaps that is not the strongest parable, but it does demonstrate how a parent may test a child’s obedience, to see if he is trustworthy. The parent has every right to test the child’s obedience, but what a wonderful surprise would in store if the child obeys.

But sadly, his son was tempted by his friend and chose to disobey his father’s command.  Both the son and his friend who tempted him reaped horrific and serious consequences for the choice to disobey the father’s command.
The decision to disobey his father resulted in the loss of his father’s trust, charges by the police, a criminal record and a jail sentence or probation. Yet worse, he lost his best friend and there was nothing he could do to bring him back to life again.

Not everything that happens to us is condoned by God either, nor does it mean people have slipped one over on Him. He sees and knows all. Yet, how do we know whether or not an onslaught or great trial or tribulation is part of a bigger purpose or plan which we do not yet realize?  Is it possible that what we are going through is perhaps for grander purpose?

He is for us, not against, remember? He works all things together for good – works it all together! Nothing is without rhyme or reason with the Lord. It is just that we may not understand at the moment. It may seem cruel and meaningless.

As I’ve frequently said, oftentimes, we get angry at God when bad things happen, yet if He interfered in all we do, we would then accuse Him of creating us as puppets or reneging on His gift of the power to make our own choices.

So which is it? Shall He intervene and stop every single wrong thing that humankind does? Or shall we trust that when or if He does intervene, He is Sovereign; and when or if He does not intervene, is He not still Sovereign?  

Only He knows the end from the beginning. His plans are for good and not for evil. We must also remember that He is not caught up in the continuum of time and space, we are. He sees all; we do not.

After calling my friend, I know she prayed. Is it not true? Can we not just sense when a child of God is praying? She reminded me of something that is true, the Body of Christ have need of one another.  We are to be there for each other, all of us. That is how it was intended to be. We do know these things (unless you are a new believer), yet, we are in constant need of reminders. As it is written:

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. [Jam 5:16]

Our Forerunners Despaired Also

Well, I took comfort again in the scriptures. Elijah shouted to the heavens, It’s enough! Now Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”  
[1Kin 19:4]

Paul the apostle wrote: For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:”  [1Cor 1:8]

How long can the battles last before God’s personal promise manifests? Sometimes, it can be a long time. The Bible is silent about how long Job’s trial lasted. When Joshua and the Israelites were promised they would be given a land. Then, all the kings of the surrounding lands came together as one unit to fight the Israelites.

Joshua had his part to do to see the promise fulfilled. He had to trust God despite the outward appearance of the armies facing him. The Bible says the armies were numbered as the sands upon the seashore. They had horses and chariots which the Israelites did not.

That would be frightening to any man, to be so greatly outnumbered. The Lord understands our tendency to fear when the odds are stacked against us, when everything seems so impossible.

Do Not Be Afraid
I’m not the first to speak forth these things nor shall I be the last, but sometimes in the sharing of a thing, we inadvertently help others. It can be confirmation or a ray of hope, a safety net below a tightrope, or a lifejacket amidst turbulent waters; an aid in bringing things back into balance, to help us refocus. Keep our eyes upon Christ Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords. Praise be to God!

Yet, what does God tell us, time and time again?  “Do not fear. Trust Me.” Will we take Him at His word? Will we set aside fear and trust Him? Even Joshua must have had his moments of fear as he saw the multitudes and greatness of the armies and analyzed the situation. Yet, it is written:

And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them (because of the outward circumstances and what you see and hear): for tomorrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: you shall hough (hock/hamstring) their horses, and burn their chariots with fire. [Josh 11:6]

Hough is an archaic expression (old English). It means to hamstring the horses, or to render them useless for war by cutting the lower back legs of the captured horses, the “tendon of Achilles”.  Why would God command Joshua to do that? Perhaps the answer lies in a verse written in the book of Psalms.

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember [trust] the name of the LORD our God. [Ps 20:7]

Joshua and the Israelites had their part to do in order to attain God’s promise. They had to trust God and they had to go to battle. How long did they have to battle? Unlike Job, we have a little bit more knowledge. Although we still do not know how long the battles raged, we do know that it was a long time.

Joshua made war a long time with all those kings. [Josh 11:18]

Some things in life are just distractions; some things are sent to try our faith. We have to choose our battles wisely. Yet, not everything negative should be taken on as a battle – sometimes it is just a rustling in the grass of a field by a brisk breeze, just to keep us alert (watching and praying).

Yet, when we have no choice but to go into battle, we then must choose to lay aside fear and trust God. Our battles may be for a short time or they may be for a long time. Either way, we must choose to trust God and obey His instructions. Faith quenches unbelief and our obedience will not be hindered.

God does know that a sudden crisis will result in fear that washes over us. That is normal. God is patient with us, fully understanding the frailties of flesh. Yet He will cause us to hear or see: Do not be afraid. Trust Me. Be patient for yet awhile longer. Do your part and I shall surely do Mine.

If you are not sure what to do, then put on your armour that you may be able to stand in that evil day, and having done all, to stand. [Eph 6:13] Fear ye not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord […].

When Moses and the Israelites were up against the Red Sea and the Egyptians were charging after them, what did Moses say to the people?

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more forever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. [Ex 14:13, 14]

Even if our Egyptians (circumstances or Satan and his armies) have placed you in a seemingly impossible situation, remember how God has delivered you before. Know that He will be faithful to deliver you out of your present situation too.

He understands your fears, but choose to trust Him. Do not allow fear to cause your mouth to get in alignment with Satan’s plans and lies. Our God is a good and faithful God, fully Sovereign. He knows our fears, treasures our honesty and truthfulness in our prayers, but He treasures our faith more.

Do not let Satan steal your hope, kill your trust or destroy your faith in God.

Inspiration from Other Believers
When I was a young preacher, I didn't give much thought to spiritual warfare. I thought anyone who walked in victory shouldn't have any problems at all against the devil. To me, it was simply a matter of resisting him. But soon I found a roaring lion pouncing on my weaknesses with all his might - and I felt helpless to do battle with him.

All too often I see the devil doing the same thing to other sincere Christians. I know multitudes of godly servants - people pure in heart, walking in grace - who have suddenly been overwhelmed by demonic floods of confusion and despair.

Such Christians can labor diligently for the Lord for years. Then, one day, Satan injects accusing thoughts into their minds. And overnight they are overcome with awful troubles - unexpected temptations, covetousness, depression. Their trials are so deep, strange and mysterious, these saints have no idea where they came from.

I believe there is only one explanation: Their troubles are a demonic onslaught. Time after time I have seen this happen to Christians who are growing by leaps and bounds. At the very peak of their spiritual growth, Satan puts an old seduction in their path. It may be an old lust - something they thought they had overcome years before. But now, after years of living in victory, they're walking a tightrope - teetering on the brink of a lustful indulgence that could lead them back into terrible bondage.

I received a heart-wrenching letter some time ago from a dear senior pastor. He wrote, "I'm sixty-five years old, and the people in my congregation know me as man of prayer. But now, out of nowhere, evil thoughts have begun to plague me. A lust has come upon me that I have never experienced in my life.

"I have not succumbed to the temptation. But I have been in a constant tailspin for months. I know it is an attack from the enemy. He wants to destroy the ministry God has allowed to prosper here. Please pray for me." This, I believe, was Satan's attempt to devour that dear saint of God.

Christian marriages are now under attack like never before. A couple can love each other for years and then suddenly get mired in a horrible struggle they don't understand. One minute a faithful spouse says, "I love my mate" - but the next she shouts, "I can't stand that man. I don't even want to be around him." What can this be but a satanic attempt to devour and destroy a godly marriage?

Day after day, these couples grow more discouraged, tempted and despairing. And soon Satan floods them with other accusing thoughts: “You can't do anything right. And you don't know God intimately. You're a phony, a hypocrite. You aren't what people think you are. You are a poor example of what a Christian mate ought to be."

Beloved, what is happening in that relationship can't be diagnosed by a counselor, pastor or psychologist. No one can fathom the destructive spirit that has gripped that marriage. Why? It is supernatural, demonic - an attack straight from hell. Satan is on the attack against every home where Jesus is Lord. And he won't rest until he exhausts every device to devour and bring ruin and chaos.

All of these trials, troubles and temptations are known as the devil's flood. John writes, "The serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman,
[that she might be] swallowed up which the dragon cast out of his mouth" (Revelation 12:15-16). Isaiah also warns that Satan will bring a flood against all who "fear the name of the Lord...the enemy shall come in like a flood" (Isaiah 59:19).

I have experienced this flood. And multitudes of believers are being caught up in it right now. They're being flooded with persecutions, physical attacks, mental harassment, fiery temptations and lusts out of hell, friends turning against them as enemies. Satan has aimed an all-out, last-days assault meant to sweep us away in utter despair.

Satan isn't interested in turning you into a reprobate. All he wants is for you to rebel in just one area of your life. That will allow him enough room to gain a foothold.

Right now, he has his principalities and powers on alert to provide him with intelligence reports on our lives. These demonic entities read our actions and hear our conversation. And when they pick up on a fleshly weakness in us, they aim all their hellish temptations at that weak area.

Another excerpt:

We constantly give God deadlines and time limits. We cry, "Lord, when are You going to do something about this? If You don't act now, it will be too late!" But God is never too late. He always acts according to His schedule, not ours.

Our God is always searching the earth for those who will trust Him in every crisis, trial and hopeless situation. Indeed, He often leads us into situations that are critical and difficult in order to test us. He wants to see if we are willing to stand still and wait for Him to bring supernatural deliverance.

God is absolutely faithful to His children, in every crisis. He is always asking us, "Will you be one I've been searching for, one who will not panic, who will not charge Me with forsaking, abandoning and hurting My children? Will you stand still in your crisis and trust Me to see you through?"

Excerpt:

Satan envies and fears most those who have been with God in prayer and are determined to stand up and fight in faith. Satan fears even a small army of those who are girded up in faith for a fight. He cowers before those who are up on their feet and ready to resist. And because he fears you, his design is to neutralize your fighting spirit.

The devil does this by trying to flood your mind with defeating, distracting, hellish thoughts that breed mistrust and questions about God's power. He'll scream into your mind and spirit, "It's no use fighting any more. You are too weak from your personal struggles. You're never going to be an overcomer. The powers of hell are just too big to overcome. So, you might as well relax.
You don't need to be so intense about the battle anymore."

This is all a distraction! Satan's entire strategy is to get you to take your eyes off the victory of the Cross. He wants to turn your focus onto your weaknesses, your sins, your shortcomings - and that's why he turns up the heat of your present problems and sufferings. He wants to make you believe you aren't strong enough to go on. But your strength is not the point: Jesus' strength is!

The fact is, we're all going to be in a fight until we either die or Jesus comes back. We may be given seasons of calm, times of reprieve. But as long as we are on this earth, we are engaged in spiritual warfare. And there is simply no end to these battles. That's why Paul says Jesus has given us weapons that are mighty to the pulling down of strongholds. We have been equipped with weapons that Satan cannot withstand: prayer, fasting and faith.

The time has come for us to get our focus unstuck from our current afflictions. We must take our eyes off our trials and fix them on the Captain of this war. Jesus holds the key to all victory and he has promised us: "I have supplied you with every weapon needed for battle. And I am ready and willing to give you strength in times of weakness."

Excerpt:
Dear saint, very soon you're going to understand your present fiery trials. God is going to bring you into the promise he gave you and suddenly it's all going to make sense. You'll see that he has never forsaken you. He had to take you this way, for he has been training you, preparing you, teaching you to trust him for everything. He has planned a time for you to be used—and that time is just ahead!

(Satan will also do his utmost to steer you off the path God has planned for you by finding just causes to send you to some place where God has not ordained for you to be. 

You may be married or in a relationship that from the beginning you knew was blessed and ordained from God. You even thanked Him for the relationship, but step by step, Satan interfered. You did not know it was Satan though. You were taken things slow, to be sure.

As time passes, things happen. Satan hits full force and he sends out his best to turn you aside off the path God has ordained, to halt your destiny. His minions have you looking in another direction and convince you that it is God's will. So convincing it is that you get to the point where God or no God, it is what you must do. It would be your ruin. Turning from God and stepping out of His will for you, robbing you of faith, hope and love is always the work of the enemy.

Suddenly, temptations will beset you. You are lured in and pulled further from God's will and plan. Convincing ideas will plague your thoughts.  

Satan can see how God is working things to bring you to your destiny. Lucifer (Satan) was at one time a holy angel, in high rank and very close to God. He knows God; however, Satan does not know God's thoughts or plans for you. 

He can only speculate. Satan seeks to divide and sever godly relationships, steal your joy and happiness; bring you into unholy unions and rob you of your destiny. He will kill you if he can. All he can do is tempt and throw fiery darts (ideas, thoughts) into your mind. Only you can make the final decision. Beware! Do not give him the victory. Repent and turn back toward God. He will forgive and get you back upon the right path, the straight and narrow path. Eternity is forever. This life is temporal. The second death is real!

Beloved, there have been times when God has shown me things he has wanted for me—ministry, service, usefulness—yet every circumstance was the very opposite of that word. At such times I thought, "Oh, God, this can't be you speaking; it must be my flesh,"I was being tried by God's word to me but God has given us his promises and we can trust them, all of them!

Excerpt:

The Lord allows trials to come our way to test us, but that is not His primary purpose. Rather, our afflictions are to teach us to walk rightly before Him. The Bible says: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous . . ." (Psalm 34:19). According to the psalmist, the point of all our afflictions is for us to learn from them.

One of our missionary couples wrote about the situation in the African nation where they are working. One of the poorest on earth, its situation has been worsened by the long, bloody civil war there. 

The missionaries recently drove to this desperate country in a truck with a group of Christians from a neighboring country. They were delivering a load of supplies and were scheduled to attend a meeting that night across the border. About five miles from the border, their truck started slowing down. The driver floored the pedal, but the truck’s speed kept dropping. The team was dejected as they watched the car in front of them pull away into the distance.

Finally, the team arrived at the border and instantly the truck’s engine died and simply would not move. Everyone on the team wondered, "Lord, what is going on?" Suddenly, the border guards started racing about, shouting excitedly, "There was an explosion across the border not far from here! One of the warring factions blew up a car that had just driven in." The missions team realized the car that had been attacked was the one directly in front of them. If the missions truck had been running properly, they also would have been attacked.

The next morning, the driver from the missions team turned the key in the ignition—and the truck started right up. In fact, it ran fine all the rest of the trip. They recognized that God’s purposes had been accomplished through this seemingly troublesome circumstance.

All of the above excerpts are from David Wilkerson’s sermons at:  tscpulpitseries.org

Excerpt:

One of Satan's most effective strategies--and one of a believer's greatest dangers--is the delusion that no seriously threatening conflict between good and evil is raging in the invisible and supernatural realm. But that sort of thinking not only is naive but also leads to lethargy, indifference, and spiritual stagnation. The war between God and Satan has not diminished but intensified, and so has its front on this earth.
Ephesians 6:12 says, "
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." 

Paul reminded his readers that the Christian's strug­gle is against not only Satan himself, but also the host of his demon subordinates--a vast army of adversaries, who, like the devil, are not made of flesh and blood. Our greatest enemy is not the world we see, corrupt and wicked as it is, but the world we cannot see.'


"Rulers...powers...world forces of this darkness...spiritual forces of wickedness" describe the different strata and rankings of those demons and the evil, supernatural empire in which they operate. Human beings who pro­mote paganism, the occult, and various other ungodly and immoral movements and programs are but the dupes of Satan and his demons. They are trapped by their sins and weaknesses into unwittingly helping to fulfill his schemes.
Each mention of those supernatural powers is preceded by "against," and each seems to represent a particular category of demonic activity or hierarchy. Paul's purpose, however, is not to explain the details of that hierarchy but to give us some idea of its sophistication and power. We are pitted against an incredibly evil, potent, and well-organized enemy. Our response should be to turn to God, who is our source of protection and victory. Source: gty.org
Excerpt:
The life of Joseph began with great promise. Earlier in his youth, the Lord gave him a dream that showed him that he would be elevated to a position of great authority. He would rule over his brothers. 
Even his father and mother would come bowing down before him. What happened next? The very opposite of what God had promised. His brothers betrayed him, sold him as a slave into Egypt, and, because he was faithful to his Egyptian master, he eventually ended up in prison. He was in fetters, his soul was in iron.

How did Joseph respond to that situation? Did he say to himself, “Everything’s gone wrong! The Lord’s promise will never come true”? No, I don’t believe that. It says, “Until the time that the promise came, the word of the Lord tested him.”
How important it is to see that when the Lord gives us a promise, many times everything that happens next will seem to be the very opposite of what God has promised. It’s so important that at times like that we don’t give up on the promise, we don’t say, “God has forgotten; God has failed.”

You see, that promise that God gave us is testing us. It’s testing our faith and our constancy to see if we’ll hold on in the darkest hour. And when we pass the test, then, like Joseph, the promise will be fulfilled.
Source: Derek Prince  
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. [Ps 27:13, 14]

Sometimes the things we think we ought to do are not the things God planned, but is a diversion of the enemy. Take everything to the Lord, then wait on Him!

ADDENDUM - Feb 8.2016 - I corrected the date from the 7th to 8th.2016, today

As I was looking over the archives, it seems that I have written MUCH about trials of faith. It is true. The longer we walk with Christ Jesus (Yeshua), the more frequent the trials, and the harder it would appear.

It is like going from kindergarten to university - that is the difference in the intensity and the longevity of the trials it seems. I am going to post part of what I had written in March 2013.

There is a prophectic word given, as well as a piece and link from pastor David Wilkerson. 


March 13, 2013 - [o3.13.2013] 

A Trial like Never Before 

I know you seek answers.  You will soon have them.  Fear not.  Remember that you war not against flesh and blood.  I comfort My people when they look to Me.  Believe Me for the things I speak to you.  You must trust Me.  Keep looking to My promise, not swaying, as surely as you believed in the past.

What I have promised, I AM well able to perform. 

He [Abraham] staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform.   [Rom 4:20, 21]

I will not fail you.  Your obedience shall be rewarded.  This fire must be, this water of separation, most necessary.  Fear not; neither be dismayed.  I have not lied to you.  I AM not man that I should lie.  All is in My hands.

Every thing that may abide the fire, you shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation: and all that abides not the fire you shall make go through the water.  [Num 31:33]

God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: has He said, and shall not do it? or has He spoken, and shall He not make it good?  [Num 23:19]
Each obedient step you take is one more step towards victory, and one step further away from defeat.  Continue to praise and worship.

I know and realize how difficult this is.  Many of My people are going through this difficult, sometimes painful process.  The entire body of Christ shall go through - this trial of your faith is to purify and strengthen My people for that which is coming.  

Evil of immeasurable proportions is almost here, yet so are the long-awaited miracles.  Hold fast to Me, so you will not fall away!  I will not work around unbelief.  Faith pleases Me.

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.  [2Thess 2:3]

 And all wept, and bewailed her: but He said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleeps. And they laughed  (unbelief) Him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
And He put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and He commanded to give her meat [Lk 8:52-55]

And He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.  [Mat 13:58]

And He marveled because of their unbelief.  And He went around about the village teaching.  [Mk 6:6]

It is a battle over you - against My true children (God's people); fear not for you will come out and through victorious, as you cleave to My Son, as you trust in Me.  
Do not look around in and fear.  See the fire in My eyes and know that I AM walking with you, though the flames in this furnace of affliction are intense.  
Fear not.  I AM not a cruel Father, yet this is a necessary process - the perfecting of your faith.  Trust Me.  Know Me and rest - knowing that all things work together for good, to those who love Me and are the called, according to My purpose.  Speak My word.  Stand on it and believe.  Fear not.

I understand the challenges and struggles of the flesh. Trust Me.  No matter what report you see or hear, know that your victory is in My hand, as you willingly obey and follow My instructions.

Continue on in the dying to self, for after you have completed that which I ask of you, I shall call you forth, just as Lazarus was called forth, and all shall marvel at My resurrection power.

 Go thru, go thru, go thru - it is almost time.  Finish the course - I AM with you.  It is only for a little longer.  Though the vision seem to tarry, it shall not tarry.  It shall be right on time and as suddenly as things were in the past.  You must have faith to believe that you can overcome - overcome the enemy and the flesh.  For if the enemy overcomes you; you shall over come him at the last.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace.  In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.  For they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, and loved not their lives unto death.   [Jn 16:33;Rev 12:11]

Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last [Gen49:19]

You must come to the place where you truly believe the unbelievable and trust Me for the impossible.  Again I say, this trial is for the perfecting of your faith - My people shall walk by faith and not by sight.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: 
Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  [1Pet 5:9]

Against hope, believe in hope.  I have been waiting for you to obey Me in all things, no matter how trivial it may seem to be.

Who against hope believed in hope, that he (Abraham) might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall your descendants be.  [Rom 4:18]

Man always has so many questions.  When one question is answered, more present themselves.  all My people struggle within themselves in one way or another - even the proud. [Gal 5:16, 17]

Are you willing to do that which I ask of you?  Will you take it from head knowledge, which says, 'Not my will, but Your will be done...', to heart service, which does perform that which I ask of you?

How many times have I told you that flesh will fight you?  When the adversary sees you walking in obedience, humbling your flesh, he will come at you.  If Satan came to My Son Jesus in the desert wilderness, as He humbled himself with fasting, shall he ignore you in your moments of humility and weakness?

When Satan spoke My words, twisting them in order to cause My Son to sin, shall he not use My words against you, to cause you to sin, to doubt, to fear?  You must cling to Christ Jesus, My Son and be grounded in My word.  Fear not.
You are believing for a promise as impossible to you, as My promise to Abraham seemed impossible to him.  Yes, he struggled; yes, he had doubts.  Abraham and Sarah had no internet to research miracles and testimonies.  They could not pick up a phone and ask for prayer.  They did not have a book that contained My written word.

They had My spoken word.  They had each other - they looked to Me, yet they still went through struggles.  Ishmael was the result of struggle and doubt, as well as impatience in waiting for Me to fulfill My promise.


Do what I ask of you.  Time is short - all know it.  I desire to perfect your faith and bring this chapter to a close with the fruition (manifestation) of My promise to you.

Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 
It shall be health to your navel, and marrow to your bones.  [Prov 3;5-8]

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God.  [Rom 4:20]

And Jesus looking upon them said, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.  [Mk 10:27]

After I wrote the above, I was looking for something and came across a sermon by David Wilkerson. Below, David Wilkerson said: (emphasis is mine - BP)

We are facing in the Church of Jesus Christ a crisis of faith. The hardest part of faith is the last half hour and just before the victory; we give up, turning away from God with a evil heart of unbelief. 

God will lead us into places where we are shut up and nothing short of a miracle  will get us out of the situation. It is in these places of hopeless crisis that God will come through to glorify His name

We must stand on the promises of God with a heart full of faith declaring that God is faithful. Our faith will be tried, as by fire. 
Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils  [1Tim 1:1]

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations


for His glory

Bonita                         dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com

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