Scripture teaches us of our being in a spiritual warfare against Satan and his angel/demons in Ephesians. This warfare is not against nations, countries, peoples, races, languages, law enforcement officers, or military armies of men and women.

The warfare which Christians are fighting is, therefore, not against visible enemies of human bodies which can be slain by an earthly weapon, but against the unseen enemy Satan who is a spirit being and his army of evil spirit beings/demons. The army of Satan is everywhere deceiving all who can be deceived and used as his chained slaves of bondage to death and evil.

Remember Satan is anti-God, anti-Christ, anti-Jesus, anti-man, anti-woman. He is the enemy. Scripture tells us of his many disguises: serpent, roaring lion, angel of light, dragon, Devil, tempter, accuser, slanderer, liar. He works against every Christian throughout his/her life on earth. Saddest of all, he will deceive and use a Christian whenever he can find an opening.

Unbelief is Satan's great point of attack in that he attacks the Word of God by lying to the human heart. Satan vigorously fights against faith in the lives and hearts of Christians. If he succeeds in his fight against faith in Christ Jesus, he plans to take that soul/person to hell's death and eternal separation from God.

To be victorious over Satan we have to be fully surrendered to Christ in heart and body as Paul tells in Romans 12. The believer, "obedient Christian," is to be under the control and leadership of Christ's Holy Spirit. So, he/she has the armour of the Christian's battle gear as found in Ephesians 6.

DEVOTIONAL 8 "POWER" Human strength fails when it meets great force and trial. No one can stand before a fast moving train and stop the train. No one can turn back the clock of time. No one can swim, walk, or run across the ocean. No one can stop death's call. Human strength fails and falls short in its extremity. Many people spend hours weekly trying to create and increase their physical strength and endurance. Yet there are always the limits of human power and strength. People need the Lord as the song says.

People need the Lord for strength and power. The word for power in the Greek is "dunamis." This power can overcome every obstacle. The Apostle wrote in Phil. 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."KJV. There are two different Greek words for strength and power in this one verse. The first is "iskuo," meaning to be strong, to have strength or to be able. This the strength in "I can do," "I am able." The second word is "endunamounti" from "endunamao" and "dunamis:" to empower, to infuse strength into someone.

So with the enduement of power from the Lord, the Apostle was strengthened for times of testing and human or earthly limitations which he had faced and would face in the future

As Christians we need the power of the Lord to enable us to overcome temptations and earthly personal limitations which could defeat us as Satan stands to challenge us in our faith battle with evil and spiritual darkness. Devotional 13 "ONWARD"

Every day is a measure of time in our lives. Sometimes we forget that our time is always moving onward in this world. With the passing of days we are adding to our volume of spent time. When the day is over and you lie down to rest, are you usually satisfied and content that you met your obligations and moved ahead toward your purpose/goal?

God has a special purpose for our lives. It is the mark of our calling in Christ Jesus. It is the blessing and glory of fellowshipping with God the Father in Christ and knowing that His will has been done in our life today.

One thing we all need to remember as we advance in age is that we cannot relive our past. But, we should remember the lessons learned in our past days and then let today be the best day of our lives with a view of a greater tomorrow in Christ Jesus.

Scripture teaches us of today being a day of God's creation, and we should rejoice and experience blessings for He has redeemed us in Christ Jesus our Savior and Lord. Those who have personally repented of sin and have been cleansed by the blood of Christ will experience a greater day ahead in obedient faith-walking in Christ who is the "Way...," (Psalm 118:24, John 14:6).

Devotional 18 "Dealing with Enemies"

You've probably said or heard it said: "With friends like this who needs enemies?" Of course this sounds humorous because we really do appreciate our friends. But an enemy is often an obstacle or adversary with whom we have to deal or satisfy. We are on different courses or opposing courses. Our aims and wants or purposes are crossed. Sometimes we have never met our enemy face to face.

The word for enemy in the New Testament comes from the word "ecthros" which means: hated, under disfavor, hostile, or adversary. Jesus dealt with His enemies by loving them as He set the example for us to follow. Jesus said: "But I say unto you...,love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you," (Luke 6:27,28)(Trans. of Greek).

Someone could, say: "You are a follower of Jesus so I hate you." Could you with real concern ask: "Why? What's the problem?" It is possible some real understanding could be established and your compassionate reply bring the beginning of a change of heart/attitude.

We may be too ready to write off someone who needs a real friend's help and care. Maybe we could close some of our jails and prisons. Jesus always gave time to enemies who had not come to faith.

By doing the good and right thing towards our enemies we show convincing compassion and love while in our heart's prayer closet we are at the same time praying for the well-being and salvation of our enemy.

We Christians must look to enemies as mission fields, white and ready for harvest.