Never Give Up!

  That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying,
our spirits are being renewed every day.
  For our present troubles are small and won’t last
very long. Yet they produce for us a glory
that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
     2 Corinthians 4:16,17 NLT

Have you been in a battle that you feel will never end?  Know that you are not alone.  Our enemy the devil has released powerful spirits of deception, mind control and manipulation and we can see the results in increased confusion, blindness to the things of God and violence.  He is the prince of darkness in this world, and he knows his time is limited, so he is out to destroy all and everyone who would point people to Christ.

So, hang on!  We know Jesus has already won this battle and defeated Satan in his war against the Father’s beloved children.  Look to the Cross and Christ’s words, “It is finished.”  Jesus is alive and leading his troops in battle. 

Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to open our spiritual eyes and ears, and cause us to love and understand all that Christ’s victory means for us, even today and for our personal skirmishes.  We are forgiven of all our sin.  Jesus has taken all our shame.  In Christ, our fear is defeated.  The Father’s truth, his eternal light, overcomes all darkness.  We have all our wonderful promises, like Jesus will never leave nor abandon us.  Even when we can’t feel his presence he is with us and for us.

Christ is the one who knows the end from the beginning.  And his Word says the end of our stories will be “glorious”, beyond our wildest imaginations.  Even now, we are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms, at the right hand of the Father. (Eph.2:6) We are sealed with the Holy Spirit, God in us, as proof we belong to the Father.  Satan is defeated.  He knows it. 

Let’s choose to believe the truth.  Our God is bigger, more powerful, compassionate and merciful, and his love for us is eternal, unchanging. We really have nothing to fear.  Our future is sealed.  We are one with Christ forever.  We are on the winning team.  Praise God!  That is something to smile and shout about.

Dear friends, be blessed as you daily remember to whom you belong. You are dearly loved and cherished by your heavenly Father.  There is no fear in his love.  The Holy Spirit is at work in you and through you to grow you more beautiful and more pleasing to God.  The enemy is afraid you will believe the truth that has set you free.  So, be blessed to believe, and be filled with joy as you become all that God created you to be.  Amen.
Mary Sumner ~ June 4, 2024