Happy Monday!
I hope everyone had a super weekend! Mine was fantastic… although I ate too much yesterday… and went through some kind of bizarre spiritual storm yesterday afternoon. The clouds rolled in at about 9:30am… and the skies became darker and darker all day long. It almost felt as if someone was praying curses over my life.
No matter how much I tried to focus on the beauties of my life, all I could see were the negative things… and I ATE everything I could get my hands on, then felt worse. Could this have been a spiritual counter attack for the amazing service we had in Pikeville, KY? I’m still not sure where this came from, but it was FIERCE… and it was NOT of a natural origin!
Some things are NATURAL and others are SPIRITUAL.
NATURAL: When we put 30,ooo miles on a set of tires without rotating them a few times… and we get a flat tire in the most inconvenient place, at the most inconvenient time… this is not an attack of the devil! Our flat tire is classified as a trial of NATURAL ORIGIN.
SPIRITUAL: Then, there are times when we’re doing everything right… and out of nowhere, BOOM! We are smacked to the floor with a sucker punch! And nothing we do naturally seems to help the situation at all, but only make things worse. Our sucker punch is classified as a trial of SPIRITUAL ORIGIN.
Ephesians 6:11-13 NLT Put on all of God’s armor so that YOU WILL BE ABLE TO STAND FIRM against all STRATEGIES of the devil. For we are fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so YOU WILL BE ABLE TO RESIST the enemy IN THE TIME OF EVIL. Then after the battle YOU WILL STILL BE STANDING FIRM.
Notice from these verses, that the devil STRATEGIZES his attacks on our lives. He studies us to locate our weaknesses… and he attacks us strategically.
Many times, these attacks come when we are doing the most good with our lives. This is one of the answers to that age old question, “Why do bad things happen to GOOD people?”
John 10:10 AMP The thief (the devil) comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
1 Peter 5:8 AMP Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.
Time proven techniques for winning over an attack of spiritual origin:
- Obviously, pray far more than usual. As soon as you detect a bizarre spiritual storm… find a place where you can be alone, turn on some really good worship music, and pray with FAITH believing that God is far bigger than anything coming against your beautiful life!
- Think back over your past few months… and confess any sins that have crept up in your life. Ask God to forgive you and heal you… and give you NEW grace to live holy through the gift of righteousness. (Romans 3:21)
- Focus on the LOVE and MERCY of God. Confess out loud, how much God loves you and does not wish for your demise. Doing this will counter the accusing spirit of the devil… and give you the faith to believe that God is FOR YOU and he will NOT LET THIS DESTROY YOU.
- Once you are SUBMITTED to God in prayerfulness… and you have repented of any rogue sins… and you have meditated over how much God LOVES you and has abundant mercy for you… and once you are standing TALL in a POSTURE OF FAITH… RESIST THIS ATTACK OF SPIRITUAL ORIGIN and the devil behind it will FLEE FROM YOU! (James 4:7)
- Celebrate the victory as it rises… letting go of the darkness as it leaves your life. Refuse to stay in a trial any longer that you have to. Praise God, believing that he is working out ALL THINGS for your advantage… EVEN THIS ATTACK OF SPIRITUAL ORIGIN! (Romans 8:28)
Long blog today… but useful I hope! Have super day everyone… don’t get stuck in a funk this week… walk in GREAT VICTORY! It’s my PLEASURE serving you with this daily blog. Please leave your comments… I love to read them all!
Thank You Chuck. Awesome blog. I really needed it this morning.
Wow both pictures were awesome, as well.
I praise God that your funk is gone. I have those moments as well and I ask Randy to pray for me immediately. I used to give into the funk, but not anymore. I pray that you have an amazing week and that walk in perfect peace.
Hope you are doing better. Great blog again today. You are always able to change my mood around. Have a great week.
This is a great blog, and so true. It seems you always get sucker punch when you least expect it and at the worse times in your life it seems. The crazy thing was Jason and I was just talking about this today. So anyway great blog. Your blogs I think are a real big help. They make you feel good if your feeling down. On the days you are already feeling good they make you want to inspire or make a difference on someone elses life. So, great job.
Hey you guys… I’m out of town and just checked comments. Nice encouragement… So glad this is blessing you all. Sammy!!! So happy to read your comment… You’re am amazing person with a great big heart!! Hope everyone has a beautiful finish to a super day!! Love you all!
Hey Pastor Chuck. Another great blog!!I really needed it today, you and I must be in the same boat, trying to weather a storm.Thanks for taking the time to encourage us. We really enjoyed the fellowship yesterday,good food and GREAT PEOPLE!!! Have an enjoyable evening! See you on Wednesday!
Great Blog and You spoke an awesome message yesterday even though you were weathering a storm. I had a great day with graduation and the fellowship after wards. Thank you for everything! I hope you enjoyed your day today!