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God Loves Me Enough To...

for I am convinced because neither death nor life nor angels nor leaders nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing has the power to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.*

God loved me enough to send Jesus.* This is good news, God loved us so much He would send a Savior. We could spend a lifetime talking about the blessings we have in Him. We see also in the scriptures God loves me enough to discipline me.* Discipline at the time seems unpleasant, so we do not talk much about how God disciplines the ones he loves. Now, what if I told you God loves us enough to allow spiritual warfare, that he allows the devil and evil forces to attack me.

I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me so that I am not exalted. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'*

Paul due to the extraordinary revelations he was receiving says he was given a thorn in the flesh. Like a thorn in his side, always bothering him. A demon, a fallen angel of Satan, was sent to torment him and God said to him "my grace is sufficient for my powerful ability is fulfilled (finished, completed) in weakness." How God's power is completed in us is a lesson in itself. Some think this attack is referring to his eyesight, but while this might be frustrating, especially in his day, to me that doesn't live up to the level of "torment" mentioned. Now, life-threatening circumstances, and Paul experienced many, or life threatening health conditions might fit? Either way, it pushed him to draw near to God and to rely on the might of His strength that comes from His power.

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me." What was Paul praying and petitioning to God? What did he plead, how did he pray against this demonic attack? The common response given today to someone under attack is to bind the demonic activity in the authority of Christ. And if it doesn't work it's a lack of faith. But we see the sovereignty of God in this, God allowed this demonic attack against Paul. Just like He allowed Peter to be sifted by the devil. I hear God say to me the devil wants to sift me, I try to ignore it even though the devil himself I sense. Weeks go by and daily I can feel the sickness being oppressed upon me, I fought for a while but then one day faith is right there within reach but I can not seem to grab it, I have lost heart. I think I can understand Elijah, he fought the priests of Baal but now the top ruler, authority, force, and all her power are after him. Not a messenger of, but Satan wants to sift you the Lord said. God loves me enough to allow me to experience spiritual warfare because there is a purpose in it. If you haven't noticed, we are at war.

be vigilant, watchful, your adversary prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.*

Spiritual warfare is a rude awakening to the believer. I would like to live a comfortable life so there is a moment were you just want to ignore it, maybe it will all go away, can my life just be like it was before. But God loves us enough to say no. Some theology today ignores the reality of spiritual warfare just like it ignores the teachings of discipline and training for godliness. The scriptures say the thief comes if not to steal, slaughter, and destroy.* If this is not literal then what weight does it have? The devil is a roaring lion trying to devour people, but he has no power because I am in Christ? But what if God takes the hedge of protection around us away like he did Job, for whatever reason He is sovereign, then what? What weight does steal, slaughter, and destroy have if there is no real threat, no real warfare, no possibility of persecution, of dying, nor of getting beat up a bit? as the two disciples of Jesus did, who ran off naked and wounded after they were beaten up by a demonically possessed man.* Of course, people with little strength to help will distance themselves from spiritual warfare, and people under it, lest they get beat up themselves. The warfare makes us strong and courageous.

I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation, but take courage, I have conquered the world.*

Just a few things Paul went through outside of having messengers of Satan sent to torment him, he was stoned and left for dead, shipwrecked, beaten with rods, flogged, thrown in jail, and to fight wild animals... Jesus was crucified, most of the disciples died for their faith, but we don't have to endure warfare today? Jesus said in the world you will have tribulation, but take courage, I have conquered the world. He wants us to have peace and joy that transcends even persecution, life-threatening circumstances and illnesses and...

take courage, I have conquered the world.*

He wants us to take courage because he has conquered the world. This is not a passive role, where my life is like a feather floating around in the wind, thinking God is in control. I need to be active, take a stand, and have courage. The courage that is mentioned throughout the new testament.* Take courage your sins are forgiven.* Take courage, your faith has made you well.* “Take courage, it is I! Do not be afraid.”* Take courage and testify about Jesus. "Take courage men for having faith in God, because it exists this way, in a manner according to what has been told.* It exists for us to have courage and strong faith. This requires continued action on our part, "stay on guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, grow in strength, all coming into existence in love."*

awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.* 

Victory comes through Jesus.* But we must take up the fight of faith and since victory comes through faith we must be intentional so to be strengthened in faith and to walk in his love, "in all things victorious through the one who loves us."* Our faith is energized by God's love, and this is important in warfare, as we have been founded knowing he loves us and will never leave nor forsake us, and that nothing, no created thing, power, ruler, spiritual force can separate us from the love of God. The authority given Christ is over all these created things, all spiritual forces of evil, all authorities are placed at His feet. But as Paul prays, our hearts must be enlightened to this power available to all who believe.* It is a heart awakening.

who can separate us from the love of Christ? can tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or the sword? as it is written 'for your sake we face death all day long, considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' Rather in all things we are overpowering in victory through him who loved us.*

We see a reason for the warfare, we face these things, we become aware of the reality of the world we live in, how weak we are, and how we need to grow strong through God's power to have victory over the world. As Paul writes in the context of spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6, "finally, grow strong in the Lord and the might of His strength."* Pray at all times in the Spirit.* Think about that requirement, praying in the Spirit, praying in the flesh is not going to do much, but to pray in the spirit we must draw near to God. Such is the power to pray and do according to His will. We must also put on the armor of God, take up the sword of the Spirit, the word of God. Total reliance on his power, walking in faith in which is our victory. May we be awakened from our slumber and take courage to fight the good fight. Yes, God loves me enough to awaken me to the reality of this world, to awaken my heart, because he wants to show me mighty and wonderful things. 
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