Encouragement

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When in the heat of spiritual battle, your love is my oasis Father. "Not by might nor power, but by my spirit saith the Lord." Seeking the treasures of darkness along this perilous path -- to remind me of your ever-loving presence.

I cannot grasp the magnitude of purpose for which I find myself in toils and snares. I'll not dwell upon this vexation, this delimma. But upon the weapon of faith that tells me -- "Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped." Psalms 124:7 "Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withall escape." Psalms 141:10

Even in weakness the enemy is no match for me. When my strength wanes, Your strength reigns. "For in weakness is God's strength made perfect." You also, "Give power to the faint; And to them that have no might You increase strength." "For the joy of the Lord is my strength."

The challenge to stretch my faith is constant. Surely this exercise will strengthen my resolve to "... press onward to the high calling..." Though I falter you said you would, "Uphold me with the right hand of Your righteousness."

My first requirement for the day is merely that I rise. Be not deceived into thinking that I cannot. Ephesians 6:13-17 "... and having done all to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith .... the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Now I am armed and dangerous, ready to "fight the good fight".

When the enemy sees my strength, they want to exploit and defile me. They want me to lie down that they might walk over me. "But my God will laugh at them for he sees that their day is coming." Therefore, will I "Praise Him coming in and going out."

Isaiah 51:22-23

Thus saith thy Lord the Lord, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again.

But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: ...


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