What happened? There I was, skipping along my merry way when BOOM! Satan just attacked me like crazy. Not with physical or material stuff either. No, I'm talking heavy-duty spirital warfare here. Just slamming me and telling me that I'm not worth God's time--and what's worse, that he's not worth my time (of all the stupid.....). Just all kinds of crazy lies all at once. And so I did the only thing I know to do: PRAY. And cry and pray and pray and cry...(Boy did Monday night's message at Stand hit home). Well, 3 boxes of tissues lots of prayers later, I opened my Bible--still feeling a bit confused about exactly what was going on--and I said, "God, please. I am begging you. I really need you to speak to me and tell me that everything is gonna be okay." And this is the exact place in my Bible that I opened up to:
Isaiah 54:7-12;17
"For a mere moment I have forsaken you, But with great mercies I will gather you. With a little wrath I hid my face from you for a moment; But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you," says the Lord, your Redeemer. "For this is like the waters of Noah to Me; For I have sworn that the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, So I have sworn that I would not be angry with you or rebuke you. For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, But my kindness shall not depart from you Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed," Says the Lord, who has mercy on you. "O you afflicted one, Tossed with tempest, and not comforted, Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, And lay your foundations with saphires. I will make your pinnacles of rubies Your gates of crystal, and your walls of precious stones."
"No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tounge which raises against you in judgement You shall condemn. This is heretage of the servants of the Lord, and their riteousness is from Me," Says the Lord.

Now, just reading this may not mean much to you, but man, I had just been through the exact struggles that the whole chapter mentioned. I was at the point of exhaustion from crying to God and begging for him to comfort me and he shows me this just out of the blue!!! God answers prayer. God is awesome. God is good!!!!!
YEE HAA!!!

Got this from a friend of mine at another forum I frequent. I thought it was certainly worth passing on! It was part of an email-devotional I do not know the author.

- Steve -

ACCUSATION AND CONVICTION

The sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death (2 Corinthians 7:10).

A graphic example of the contrast between accusation and conviction is found in the lives of Judas Iscariot and Simon Peter. Somehow Judas allowed Satan to deceive him into betraying Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (Luke 22:3-5). When Judas realized what he had done, he was so remorseful that he hung himself. Was his suicide the result of Satan's accusation or of God's conviction? It had to be accusation because it drove Judas to kill himself. Accusation leads to death; conviction leads to repentance and life.

Peter also failed Jesus by denying Him. It apparently began with pride as the disciples argued over who was the greatest among them (Luke 22:24-30). Jesus told Peter, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat" (verse 31). That's right--Jesus allowed Satan to put Peter through the mill because Peter had given the enemy a foothold through pride. But Jesus also looked at Peter and said, "I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers" (verse 32).

Peter vowed to die with Jesus, but Jesus told him that he would deny Him three times (verses 33, 34) which he did. The remorse Peter felt was every bit as painful as that which Judas experienced. But Peter's sorrow was from conviction which led to his eventual repentance and restoration to Christ (John 21:15-17). When your feelings of remorse drive you from God, you are being accused by Satan. Resist it. But when your sorrow draws you to confront Christ and confess your wrong, you are being convicted by the Spirit. Yield to it through repentance.

According to Revelation 12:10, Satan's continuing work is to accuse the brethren. But the good news is that Christ's continuing work is to intercede for us as He did for Peter (Hebrews 7:25). We have a persistent adversary, but we have an even more persistent, eternal advocate who defends us before the Father on the basis of our faith in Him (1 John 2:1).

I rejoice, Lord, that You are constantly defending me against accusation before the Father.


*****
God bless you all
Steve

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WhenGod is all you've got; God is all you need!

Men's Ministry Home!

Bam!

Both of you just gave me chills!

Michelle, I will continue to pray for you, and Steve, thank you for that Word - very much needed.

I have been reading your stuff here for a while now. It is really a blessing to that both of you are on here.

Thankyou,


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- David
- http://www.truckwerks.com/

Thanks Steve and David. Your encouragement and prayers are much needed and appreciated.
Luv you guys!