Spiritual Warfare?

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:12-13 NKJV

I am understanding more, day by day, that many of the problems and perils we accept as part of living in a "fallen world" are much more than that. We have become so desensitized by what has become the norm and so accepting and tolerant of blatant sin, that we have allowed ourselves to be fooled. Who has fooled us? Why, Satan--of course! How? By slowly introducing sinful elements (through media, government and education) and making us think they are acceptable, and through seemingly normal issues like family, health and finances.

America, as a country, must wake up and return to the GOD of our fathers if she is to survive and thrive. We need to get back to the basics and restore morality. The family unit has fallen apart. Most children no longer grow up in traditional two-parent homes. Frankly, it appears that more children are born out of wedlock these days than are born to married couples. Families no longer look to GOD for strength and guidance as they did when I was a child--many never darken the door of a church unless it is Christmas or Easter, some not even then...

As a people, we struggle with more and more health maladies daily. Where do they come from? GOD's desire is for us to live a full and abundant life. How can we do this when we struggle with bodily disease? Satan knows how to hit below the belt & he pulls no punches. If he can convince us that sickness is part of our lives and we are to put our trust in modern medicine rather than GOD, he wins.

What about finances? Isn't that also part of the abundant life? Isn't this America--the Land of Opportunity--The modern-day Promised Land? Why then are so many out of work, facing foreclosure, struggling to survive? My thoughts are because we have turned our backs on GOD. He is a GOD of mercy and grace, but unless we repent of our ways and return to Him--He can & will remove His hand from our lives and leave us to our make our own destiny.

My wife & I have had our share of hard times. We've dealt with family issues, where we made mistakes. We've struggled with lots of health problems, and still do. Financially, we've had our ups & downs. Recently, I missed a good deal of work due to Dee's health & hospitalization. As a result, I lost a good deal of pay. We had to hit our savings account pretty hard, money we wanted for our retirement years and for our traveling pleasure. Yet, I count it a blessing we had savings to fall back on--in earlier days, this episode would have bankrupted us. I know we are in spiritual battle. We attempt to die daily to self and live our lives for GOD. Satan doesn't like that & he throws everything he has at us. Frankly, it makes us all the more reliant on GOD & determined to live accordingly. When our earthly lives end, we want to be able to say as Paul did, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day..." (2 Timothy 4:7-8 NKJV)

Father, may we live our lives in accordance to Your Will and Instruction, so that You may be glorified. Help us to stand on Your Word and Your Promises. AMEN.

Blessings!
Tony