Saturday, March 13, 2010

DRAW NEAR TO HIM

JAMES 4:7 - 8 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you...

The subject of the devil is one I don't really like to dwell on much...But I do think it is important for us all to know the truth about this mysterious creature sometimes known as Satan or Lucifer. I think sometimes we all may give him far more power than he really has. That is a mistake. On the other hand, I know there are some who discount him altogether, even laughing at the idea of a real devil. They imagine some character with horns that runs around in a red suit with a pitchfork in hand. That of course is not what the Bible teaches. The devil is a magnificently beautiful fallen spirit being, with a well-organized network of demon forces. When we become Christians, we recognize that there is right and wrong, good and evil. There are standards to live by. So the devil begins to tempt us and tries to bring us down. There is a VERY real spiritual battle going on every day rather we are aware of it or not. However, our focus should NEVER be on Satan. We should always be looking to God instead. If we are in a state of humble obedience to God, submitted to Him, we CAN resist the devils temptations. God has put a protective hedge around every Christian and He will not let us be tempted beyond our ability to resist...1 Corinthians 10:13. We should never underestimate our adversary. He is real, and he is dangerous. We would all be wise to flee temptation, and not leave a forwarding address...I personally love the part of the verse where it says, when we draw near to Him, He draws near to us.

These last couple of weeks where I have been soo sick with pneumonia I have at times literally felt the spiritual battle going on around me. I have been weak and vulnerable and Satan as always knows my weaknesses and doesn't miss his opportunities to swoop in and mess with my spirit and heart. My husband prayed with me every morning before he left the house that God would send His mighty angels to do battle for me. How grateful I am that we have the authority in Jesus to do this and that He is our strength, for we are weak. We can put on His whole armor and He then battles for us. How wonderful is this?

I am feeling much better today; stronger, not only physically but spiritually as well. How very grateful I am that when we resist Satan he does flee from us, and when we draw near to God, He does draws near to us! Just doesn't get any better. Have a wonderful week, and may we all remember the power we have in Him.

To join the other Spiritual Sunday posts click HERE. Again, you will be soo blessed if you do.  Many thanks to Charlotte and Ginger for hosting this wonderful event.

33 comments:

  1. Good morning Debbie. I am so happy to hear that you are feeling much better! Finally! What a long time you were down. I know how that is, but I have never had pneumonia before, and THAT can be serious. So you take it easy and continue to pamper yourself until you are in the pink, and ready to enjoy your week with Melly!
    Hugs

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  2. I don't know what others are thinking, but I feel the spiritual battle is heating up. We need to put on the full armor of God and stand firm.

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  3. Good morning Debbie,
    I am glad you are starting to feel better! I hope you can enjoy your time with Melly.
    Your post describes the enemy well! I like what you said about "Fleeing temptation and not leaving a forwarding address."
    Though the enemy does his job well, we still have the victory over him through the precious blood of our Saviour Jesus! PTL!
    Thank you for sharing today and Happy Sunday!

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  4. May God continue to make you stronger.

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  5. I'm glad you're feeling better too and I enjoyed this post as a reminder that our enemy is already defeated.

    (I sent you an email via your profile last week.)

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  6. Debbie - I am so sorry you have been sick, but I'm glad you are feeling better (both spiritually and physically).

    I agree with Whidbey Woman, I believe the battle is heating up. But we know Who is victorious in the end.

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  7. Back in 2003, it was through a spiritual battle that the Lord put on my path to make me draw nearer to Him. And I'm glad He did. That's when my eyes opened up and knew the reality of this unseen battle. And my heart and mind gained more knowledge that we shouldn't be afraid because we have His weapons to use and that, our faith is already our victory. Praying for your complete healing [physically] and may the Lord bless you and protect you and your family always. Have a great weekend sister Debbie.

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  8. I'm glad you are feeling better. Thanks for sharing this real example of the real battle we are in as Christians.

    God bless you as you continue to recover, Debbie.

    Hugs,
    Bethany

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  9. Oh Debbie, thank you so much for this and all of your posts.
    I am praying that you continually feel better!
    Have a blessed weekend!

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  10. I'm glad you are feeling better. Great post.
    Cindy

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  11. This is a very good post....yes Satan is alive and constantly looking for someone to devour. I love how your husband prayed for angels to do battle for you....I am adding that to my prayer journal...too often I forget they are available to help us.
    So glad to year you are doing better Debbie....you are in my prayers..God bless.

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  12. This is a very good post....yes Satan is alive and constantly looking for someone to devour. I love how your husband prayed for angels to do battle for you....I am adding that to my prayer journal...too often I forget they are available to help us.
    So glad to year you are doing better Debbie....you are in my prayers..God bless.

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  13. Very interesting topic! We do need to know who our enemy is, and even more importantly, to look to the ONE who delivers us...

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  14. Powerful Words Debbie,
    I agree with all that you have shared.
    In my life when I get physically sick, it seems satan attacks me harder than ever. And I am so thankful like you to have a husband that prays for and with me. We are so blessed!
    I am so thankful that you are doing better, and I think when Melly comes you are going to be fit as a fiddle.
    I think of you so often during my day,.
    Blessings, and many hugs,
    Sue

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  15. Oh, Dear, I'm sorry you have been so sick. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. I'm glad you are feeling better. Praying you will be well soon ~ Hugs ~

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  16. Hi Debbie, hope you are feeling better, I can so relate I have been sick as well and it's so easy to get so overwhelmed and tired not just in the physical. I felt a battle taking place and I really had to stop and speak the word of God against the enemy. I too am so glad he gives us the power and authority to bind that ole devil and tell where to go!!

    Hallelujah The Lord be magnified and lifted up.

    Hugz Lorie

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  17. I'm so glad you are feeling better and that you have an awesome husband who prays for you!

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  18. Wow. This is so timely b/c I was going to post on this too. This past week whas been awful and then just when I was feeling like I was falling off the cliff...a friend reminded me of the battle we're in.

    Debbie....glad to hear things in your world have changed for the better...and thank you for this reminder...we are engaged in warfare....

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  19. Our physical bodies will weaken and die, but we can celebrate that one day we'll have new bodies that won't ever die.

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  20. I'm glad that your feeling better physically and spiritually. God is good! I have always wanted to attend a study on Spiritually Warfare, hopefully they will offer that at our church someday, or better yet have a guest speaker who has study done lot of studying on the subject.
    God Bless,
    Ginger

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  21. Great post, Debbie! You are so right about our enemy...people give him way too much power in their lives, and others don't even recognize that he's controlling them. Other times, as in illnesses, he is just an annoyance, but we know that we always win the battle, as God's forces fight on our behalf in the heavens.

    I'm sooooo glad you are better...you have had your share of sickness this year...NO MORE! And glad to know that Mel is coming for another visit...I am praying that you are totally well and feeling wonderful when she arrives, and during the time that she is here. May the Lord give give you wonderful memory making moments with your family, and draw you all closer together than ever before. Will write soon!

    Love ya,

    Mary

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  22. So glad that you are feeling much better.

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  23. What a timely post. I think too many times it is so painful to realize that Satan exists that we tend to close our minds, not think about it. Like you said, we need to be aware that he exists and that he sometimes appears as an angel of light. We need to always be on guard by staying close to God and letting Him fight the battles for us. I'm glad you're feeling better physically and spiritually.
    Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  24. Great post, Debbie. How glad I am that God is bigger than the problems I face.

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  25. I'm with Whidbey, too! I believe there's a tremendous spiritual battle going on. I don't go anywhere without my full armor of God!

    Thank you for sharing this post with us. May God richly bless you today and every day!

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  26. This post is a good reminder - sometimes we feel so overwhelmed with our lives, that it is easy to get bogged down and forget that there is a spiritual battle raging and that we need to be aware of the things unseen. Thanks for stopping by my blog and glad to hear you are feeling better. I have had pneumonia and it is no fun. Take care and God bless.

    Tricia

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  27. I am so sorry to hear that it keeps lingering. I hope you heal up soon!!! I appreciate what you said about our enemy. I think you have stated it wisely.

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  28. Hi Debbie
    I am so sorry you have been sick , but I am glad you are better . I agree with your attitude about Satan.
    We do need to put on the Armor of God daily .You are in my prayers .
    Blessings,
    ~Myrna

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  29. Debbie - so glad you are feeling better. I know this is an exciting week for you:) I pray you will be 100% by the weekend and that you will have the most wonderful week with Mel!! Will look forward to lots of great photos:)

    Hugs - Jennifer

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  30. Hi Debbie! Once again, very good post. My sister and I had a conversation about this a few weeks ago. Not something I like to think about all the time, but it's definitely there. Your description of the devil was very good, I think I heard almost the exact same thing coming out of my sister. I think you'd like her.

    Soo glad to hear that you are feeling better. I'm sure you can't wait for Mel to get here! Enjoy your time with her Debbie! You deserve to be feeling 100% by the time she lands!

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  31. So glad to know you are feeling better Debbie!! Continue to take it easy, and I too am hoping you are all better by the time you get to visit with your Melly!

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  32. Its way too late for me to up and on the computer - but just stopped by to say hello friend! Hope your day tomorrow is a beautiful one:)

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  33. Happy St. Patrick's Day, friend. How are you feeling today? Hopefully....fantastic!! I hope you don't have too many things you want to get done before Mel arrives. I don't know why we do that do ourselves - but take it easy so you will be able to enjoy next week to the fullest!

    Enjoying lunch out you, my new friend, would - indeed - be a lovely treat! I know we would chat for hours:)

    Hugs- Jennifer

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I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!