ali's Corner. [We Battle. And Then, We Rest.]

"Friends!
Do not be surprised at the fiery
trials you are going through,
as if something strange
were happening to you."
-1 Peter 4:12

The moment we pick up our cross
and decide to follow Jesus,
we become aware of an ongoing
battle and an incredible spiritual realm.

The enemy's den is disturbed
and his hunger to steal,
kill, and destroy is amplified.

His ears, eyes, and evil schemes
become fixated on stealing our joy,
killing our ministry, and destroying our hope.

BUT!  This is also the realm where Jesus
resides and conquers.

MercyMe's song, "You Are I Am"
says it this way,

"You're the one who conquers giants.
You're the one who calls out kings.
You shut the mouths of lions.
You tell the dead to breathe.
You're the one who walks through fire.
You take the orphan's hand.
You are the one Messiah.
You are I am."

And the song "The Great I am,"  
says,
"The mountains shake before Him
The demons run and flee 
At the mention of the name
King of Majesty
There is no power in hell 
Or any who can stand 
Before the power and the presence of the 
Great I am."

This is who God is.
He proves His faithfulness
over and over in the
Old Testament,
the New Testament,
and presently in our lives.

He is for us,
not against us.
And since He is on our side,
there isn't a spiritual battle
that we cannot fight.
And there isn't a spiritual battle,
that He leaves us to fight on our own.

He is always willing,
ever faithful,
never changing,
and always good.

"...take heart! 
I have overcome the world."
-John 16:33

So if you are fighting some spiritual battles
right now, take your battles to the
one true King.
And take heart!
In fact, rejoice!!

The battles get stronger,
the more we fix our eyes on Jesus.
When our feet are pointed to the cross.
And our hearts are pointed upward in adoration.

But our Heavenly Father has a power
that overcomes all evil.
And cannot be diminished.

He always has a tenderness that
allows us to breathe easy
and rest in the shadow of His wing.

So...
Rejoice!
Be Thankful!
And may your joy increase abundantly
as you boast in the Lord!