Okay, I have started to write three blogs on various subjects this week, and fell asleep at the keyboard on the last one. I have been trying to keep up what I feel is kind of a responsibility now, to encourage those who tune in regularly. But the fact of the matter is this, I have been depressed, my brother’s illness has been a serious blow that has knocked the wind out of me.
I was sick for a week with a migraine, then several days of recovery from that, and then before I could catch my breath, my brother was diagnosed with ALS, the cruelest of diseases known to man. Last night, I went to my girl’s high school football game (they are cheerleaders), and it was my first social outing in three weeks. I have been sleeping night and day, and I know the signs of depression, and I know I can’t keep giving myself over to them. I haven’t ridden my mountain bike in weeks, which is a passion you know. So he has succeeded, he has derailed me. Satan has knocked me for a loop this time. It just goes to show you, on the heels of every great achievement follows a great challenge and I am in that challenge now.
It is at times like this where the depth and breadth of ones faith are truly revealed. Is my faith like a mountain stream that flows rapid and tempestuous, yet is shallow and seasonal? Or is it like the mighty Mississippi, deep and wide and long, forever flowing. I would like to think the latter.
So, it is necessary for me to get out of this funk I am in and get back to being Jim, so for the time being, I have made the decision to double my caffeine intake and get back to being who God wants me to be.
I think one of Satan’s biggest tools is confusion, hitting us where and when we least expect, from the direction we most do not expect. I had a breakthrough a couple of weeks ago that I wrote about here, about how I was able to close a back door the devil was using into my life, and I was exuberant. In the background of my celebration, I wondered if he would now go after my family, less than a week later, that question was answered.
When we make the choice to follow Christ, to take up our cross and follow him wherever He leads, we have to be prepared to be targets, but we also have to be prepared for our loved ones to be targets too, and here is the hard part, “sometimes the people we love get hurt because of our faith”. Yes, if we are making life hell for the devil, he will strike out at us, and if he can’t reach us, he will take what he can get, he is a sulfur stinking rotten to the bone opportunist. When we take up the cross of Christ, we must know that it may cost us our wives; it may cost our children, our parents, brothers, and friends. Those are the hard losses; the easy ones are job losses, home losses, monetary ruin, etc. Satan is a sore loser, and he is ruthless in his pursuit of those he considers his.
Now while I haven’t been his for a very long time, I have been making life hard on him, doing my best to steal his followers at every turn I can. I pray to God every day that he will place me in the path of someone who I can share the news of Jesus Christ with, and I have been praying that prayer for more than two years now. And guess what, God has answered that prayer favorably, when I have been sick for a week and don’t leave the house, God doubles up folks on me when I am well. I don’t keep track, but if I did, I would bet that it would be exactly one for one since I began praying that prayer. Did all of those folks come to the Lord? I have no idea, God gives the increase, but all of that talking is bound to make the devil a little anxious, wouldn’t you think?
So, When folks ask us what is most important in our lives, most of us Christ followers will say, God, then family, then friends, work, etc. …………
But, what if being a Christ follower means your child, your wife, your son, your mother, your brother, your dad are under attack, will be killed because you are on fire for the Lord, how strong will your faith be then? When your family is on the line, will God still be number one?
I know how strong my faith is, I know who is at stake, I know how much I love them, and I know this life is just a trial run for Heaven. I know if my family continues to get harmed because of their or my faith, God will see us through it, so here is what I have to say to the devil. Is that your best? You fight like a girl, when you are really ready to fight, bring it, I’m ready!
God Bless-JFT
Encouraging post! While I admire your faith, do you think it wise to challenge the devil like this? Even Christ simply told him, “Get thee behind, Satan” and quoted the Word. I hope your brother feels better. God is more than capable of healing him! SJB
Thank you, When I wrote this post, I read it to my wife, and she asked the same question. I then read her the story of David and Goliath, David knew God was on his side, and he knew the philistine would fall under his stone. And while I can’t say that I will slay Satan, to cower from him, or to even shy away from him is to acknowledge his power of fear over us. He is a worthless coward who covets everything God has, and should be called out as such. To fail to rebuke him for what he is, to fail to challenge him “knowing” that my God is all powerful to cover us is to let him win, and I am not willing to do that.
If Satan does attack us, and we fall victim to him as many around the world have done, then we will be martyred for God, for which there is no greater honor. Either way you look at it, it’s a win-win.
I am praying for my brothers complete healing, and I know God can do anything he chooses. Thank you for commenting, I am glad you stopped by. God Bless-Jim
PS I edited this, I accidentally wrote Daniel instead of David-oops
Oswood Chambers in, “My Utmost For His Highest,” covers your point exactly on page one (January 1) of the devotional:
“…When we think seriously about what it will cost others if we obey the call of Jesus, we tell God He doesn’t know what our obedience will mean. Keep to the point – He does know. Shut out every other thought and keep yourself before God in this one thing only – my utmost for His highest…”
Keep hot on the trail of God, brother.
Great book, excellent quote. Thanks for the encouragement brother. God Bless-Jim
So glad to hear from you, to know you are still running the race, fighting back, keeping the faith . . .the Mississippi kind. Praying with you and for you, for you and yours, that we see God being all He is in your lives. . .King, High Tower, Savior, Healer, Friend.
God bless you and thank you for posting such an inspiring piece!
Thanks Deb,
And thanks for the prayers, they were felt! God always carries us through if we just give Him the chance. God Bless-Jim
Jim, I was with you until that “fight like a girl” remark. Being a girl with God on my side, I don’t think Satan can hold a candle to my fighting skill! This was a great post, though, and made me realize something I’ve been praying about and been confused about this past week. Peace, Linda
Hahahaha, Linda, you just made me laugh out loud. You are one girl that I doubt would fight like one, as you are a Godly warrior woman. I am glad something in the post clarified somethng for you, I know there has been many struggles that have led to many answers for us in the last month, and much faith building God Bless-Jim
Ya . . .I kind of let that comment slide too. 😉 I studied martial arts during my teen years. I’m not counting on my fighting skills in this though, but His!
haha, you guys are cracking me up, I am sure if the other Linda wakes up from her two week long nap, I will get another earfull 😉
I just might have to email the other Linda and tell her to get her typing fingers over here. 😉 Peace, Linda
hahaha, go for it