Battles

So, I have wanted to write this blog for a couple weeks. I have struggled with how much to share and how it would be received. I decided that, like everything else I write, this is my blog. This is my way of getting things out of my head. Saying things that I may be too chicken to say in person.

I have also decided to be kind of vague this time (so unlike me). So, if you are looking for gossip material, sorry!! You won't find it here.

I need to start by saying that James and I are good!! But, we have been through some things lately that have shaken us up a bit. I have shared specifics with just a few very close friends. Friends who I knew would be on their knees before the Father on our behalf. Friends who love Jesus as much as we do. Friends who would pace their bedroom at 4 AM praying.

I am more convinced than ever that we are facing spiritual battles every single day. It is so easy to talk about God and Heaven. Who wants to talk about Satan and Hell? Well, guess what, if you believe in God and if you believe that His word is Truth, there is no way around it. Satan is real and he is here.

These words are written in red (that means they are the words of Jesus)--John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." NIV

That is a scary and yet comforting message. Yes, Satan is here and his whole agenda is to destroy us. He wants to kill marriages and families. He wants to steal the joy that only comes from Jesus Christ. But, Jesus is here too. He wants to love us and protects us. He guides us to make good choices that will strengthen us. His Holy Spirit lives in those who have accepted the free gift of salvation. He lives in us!!

There is a spiritual battle raging around us every second of every day. We are drowning in messages from the father of lies. It is in advertisements and on TV and certainly on our computer screens and smart phones. It is in the unsaved people who influence us. This world is full of darkness. As Christians, we are called to be the light. We are called to reflect the Light of Jesus everywhere we go. To expose sin and darkness so that it can be dealt with!

That's not always easy. The darkness can be so powerful and if we are near it long enough and if we do not come back to the Light often enough, we can be sucked in. We can stop feeling the prompting of the Holy Spirit. We can become cold to the One who chose the cross and died to pay for our sins. We can do things that we never, ever thought were possible. We can hurt people who love us.

But, go back and read the second half of that verse. Jesus came to free us from all that. He came that we may have life, and have it to the full. Hallelujah!! We are free!!

Have you seen James' new tattoo? It's the pic for this blog entry. That verse has been so healing for us. (I would have gotten a tattoo with him but I'm chicken!!) That verse is pure truth. As long as we can hold onto that, we can make it through anything. I'm not saying it will be easy, but that truth is more powerful than all the lies in the world.

One of the ways that we have decided to protect ourselves from Satan is to stay away from all alcohol from now on. This is a decision that we came to together for the betterment of our family. I'm sorry if that makes some of you uncomfortable but we have to do what we know is right for our family. Now, I'm not necessarily saying that alcohol is the source of all our problems, but it does not help. It leaves us numb to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and vulnerable to Satan. It opens the door for sin :-(

I know that we still have a long way to go. The things we have been through will be with me for the rest of my life. Things that have been done, cannot be undone. Words that have been said, cannot be unsaid. We will have good days and we will have bad days, but I know who wins this war. I have read the last page of the book!!

Friends, please take this seriously. Protect what comes from the Lord and steer clear of things that don't. Spend time in fellowship with other believers. Spend time in prayer and in God's Word.

Matthew 22:37-38 "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment." NIV

James and I are blessed to have incredible friends who have prayed us through some tough stuff. It is only because of them and my God that I stayed out of the black hole of depression. I toyed with the idea of jumping in that hole head first and staying there forever. Thank you to everyone who has prayed for us. Thank you for loving us!! Thank you for holding us up when we were not strong enough to stand on our own. We love you!!

Debbi