Intensified Battle Going On
"Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi." Matthew 2:16
In the days succeeding Jesus' birth, King Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the magi. He was furious and gave orders to kill all the boys who were two years old and under in Bethlehem and its vicinity, with the intention of stopping Jesus' destiny from being fulfilled.
So the same is happening today.
Satan, sensing that God is planning out something GREAT AND AWESOME is bent on stopping the realization of this great event. Just like Herod, he is on a rampage and is now unleashing his blind rage against God's people.
Our Heavenly Father is reminding us today NOT TO FOCUS ON WHAT IS SEEN. There is a great spiritual Heavenly battle going on and we who are God's warriors and watchmen are in the forefront of this battle. Just like during the times of Job, there is a greater drama unfolding in the Heavenly realm and just as God allowed Job to be tested, so we, His children, have been tested in the same measure.
What To Expect
God's children may experience different spheres of attacks and we may be affected on different levels and in different manners. Some who used to be active in ministry, but because of various circumstances happening in your midst (change of job, physical ailments, family troubles, financial difficulties), may find themselves having to stop doing what they love most, and at times will find themselves holding an empty bag, so to speak.
Others may experience great emotional attack. In the past, you have been moving in such strong anointing and now you may feel empty, detached, uncertain, and wonder if something is wrong with you and wonder if God has removed His protection from over your life.
What His children will experience will parallel what Job had experienced in his time. The area of attack and the intensity of the attack will be such that outwardly, it will appear to be very devastating to the affected ones.
This Is Not the End!
Our Heavenly Father is reminding us today that this is not the end. In fact, compared to the degree of suffering that we have been facing today, the blessing that He is preparing for us is FAR GREATER IN MAGNITUDE AND INTENSITY. This is the reason why the enemy is panicking and unleashing his wrath in such manner and intensity as well.
Beware Of the Spirit of Condemnation
This is the season to fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. He is faithful and He will not allow us to be tested beyond what we can bear. We must be careful not to pass judgment and to not make conclusions based on outward appearances. Things will not be as they seem.
Those suffering the most today are not "deserted children," but are the "favored beloved" of the Most High. For truly to whom much is given, much too will be required. And as people of God, when we see others suffering greatly, we are to ask for great wisdom and discernment on how to comfort each other.
We must be aware of the enemy's tactics this season--he will be TWISTING the meaning of much of what we hear and see from one another.
Those believers who are experiencing the fullness of God's blessings in this season must be extra careful with their words, as most times instead of bringing comfort to the suffering ones, it can cause them to feel more insecure, unsure, and even depressed, especially when hearing the words, "You need to have more faith," or "Just believe, etc. "
We must be careful not to act like Job's friends. Their well-meaning exhortation of "the causes of Job's difficulties" were useless then in ministering to Job.
The Weapons of Our Warfare--HONESTY, YIELDING and SURRENDER
Jericho was conquered not by physical fighting, but by silence and praise. So today, the weapons of our warfare will also be nontraditional.
As we struggle through our difficult situations (questions, negative thoughts and feelings that overwhelm us mentally, spiritually and physically, and grasp at why these things are happening to us, trying to make sense of what God is wanting to teach us)--our Loving Wonderful Heavenly Father is reminding us today that HE KNOWS WHAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH (see Psalm 139).
BE HONEST WITH OUR FEELINGS TO HIM. We need not be afraid to verbalize and express all of our negative emotions (doubts, anxieties, disappointments, questions, anger, frustrations, jealous feelings, etc.). Reading through the Book of Psalms, we can see how God's suffering saints of old had struggles with the same emotions and they were so open in expressing these feelings to God. We need to do the same today.
LETTING GO. We are to daily and continually practice the art of yielding and surrender. As these burdens overwhelm us, let us consciously learn to "pass the ball" back to God. It is not an easy task sometimes to learn and relearn to "live one day at a time."
Beyond What We can Imagine or Perceive
Our Father's message to us today:
"My child, I know what's happening. I know that 'you knew' that I am in control. I know in this season, you don't feel anything, yet your heart continues to trust in Me. I know about all these things and I Am pleased with you.
Don't let the enemy deceive you. He will make you feel unimportant, insignificant, useless, weak, and of no use to Me. But THIS IS FAR FROM THE TRUTH.
Where you are standing now, many times seemingly in the valley of the shadow of death--is where YOU ARE THE STRONGEST. Just like My Son Jesus when He struggled in the garden of Gethsemane, where His sweat became droplets of blood--that was His moment of triumph. So the same is happening to you, today.
Even as you struggle daily to just stay afloat, to just keep things together, to just stay alive--great breakthrough is happening in the Heavenly realm. Your life has become My most powerful weapon of breaking through the spiritual darkness of these times.
So be strong and be of good courage, your labor will not be in vain. I am taking your every sigh, every drop of your tears, and I am using them as powerful weapons to break down the spiritual walls of the enemy. Only in eternity will you fully grasp and see the fullness of your labor and surrender.
I love you dearly, precious one, and I have not forgotten you...remember this, and carve this once again in your hearts and minds today."
Ching Ten L. Co
Cebu City, Philippines
Email: Chingten_co@yahoo.com
Ching's Bio:
Ching Co currently resides in the Philippines, in Cebu City. Ching and her husband, Harry, are accountants by profession, they have four children and attend Word of the World Christian Fellowship.
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