Satan’s Lie: You've worked for me for too many years. Do you
honestly think "He'll" accept you after all you’ve said and done?
You’ve let God down. Do you think He wants you back after you fell into sin? Do
you honestly think you are worthy to do anything for God?
Counter
Action: BELIEVE that, “where sin abounds God’s grace does much more
abound.” (Romans 5:20) There is no sin too great for the grace of God. It
doesn’t matter what you’ve said – what you’ve done – where you’ve been – or how
long you’ve been there! And child of God, when He forgives, it is for all
sins…past, present, and future. There is now NO condemnation to those who are
in Christ Jesus! You are FREE from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2) REPEAT
God’s Word to satan. TELL satan,
“Get behind me satan because I am in Christ and He has all power and authority
over you! I AM FORGIVEN! My sins are under the blood of Jesus Christ and they
are removed as far away from God as the east is from the west. (Psalm 103:12) I
am in the palm of His hand and NO ONE can pluck me out! (John 10:28)
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God knew which direction I would
take even before the foundation of the world. He knew satan would discourage me
with his lies; sending me down a road I never meant to take. A road indelibly
inscribed in my mind. It’s a road that I must never travel again for it is a
road far away from God. It is far away from His protection, far from His provision,
and far from His love. Just like the prodigal son, I left my father’s house and
went to the far country…and there I wallowed with the swine. (Luke 15:11-32). BUT,
just like Joseph who was sold into slavery by his own brothers, what was meant
for evil God used for good.
I was saved at the age of seven.
My brother had been killed in Vietnam when I was six and I started attending the
church that had ministered to us during our time of bereavement. As a six year
old child, my sin was ever before me. I was told by well-meaning, un-churched
relatives that if you are good you’ll go to heaven when you die and if you're bad you will go to Hell. I couldn’t sleep at night because I wondered how I would ever know if I
was “good enough”. By the time I was seven it clicked…I would NEVER be good
enough. When I looked into the law of God it only left me guilty, condemned, without
hope, and a slave to sin. According to God, my punishment was death (eternal
separation from Him in a place called Hell). BUT, there was hope, forgiveness…and
freedom in Jesus Christ. He had taken my punishment on Himself. He died so that
when I believed in Him and His sacrifice that I would move from death to life.
In that moment I became his daughter…a princess and joint heir with His Son.
I immediately became zealous of
good works. I was telling anybody and everybody about what had happened to me
and I was determined to walk the straight and narrow. I can even remember while
being at a friend’s birthday party, a few decided to have a séance, I gathered
a group in the living room and had a prayer meeting. Satan was not pleased.
This little girl may win a few souls for Christ and winning one is too many
according to his devilish plot for mankind. She’s got to be stopped. Then the
evil seed was planted in the minds of a few willing souls.
I felt dirty and ashamed each
time I was violated, and the mocking and bullying at school was unbearable at
times, but I continued to believe that I belonged to God.
At fourteen, I felt the call on
my life to go to the mission field. I really didn’t know what it all meant then,
but satan did, and he wasted no time. His fiery darts and daggers came one
after another in the form of lies straight from the pit. “God doesn’t want you.
You’re no good to Him now. You’re not pure. You’re not good enough now…and it’s
all your fault.
I felt such shame and guilt. I
could no longer face my Savior, so I ran. I ran into the darkness of the night...away from my calling…and away from my God. I ran so far that I could no longer
see His face or feel His presence. Surely, this is the place I’m supposed to be
now. I’m not worthy to do anything for God, anymore.
I took the journey down
that long dark road. I fell into sin that grieved my soul, but I pushed ahead feeling that I could never go back to the place I was. I no longer felt
alive and free. I no longer felt anything…especially not forgiveness.
To hammer the nail into my
coffin, satan struck with another arrow. This one felt as if it pierced my soul. I
think they call it date rape. Personally, that sounds too tame, especially when
more than two people are involved.
Again, I felt dirty and ashamed
and again, I ran farther and farther from God…as far as I could possibly go…I was trying to get to a
place where His eyes would not burn into my soul. Is this what Adam and Eve
felt like in the garden when they knew evil far too soon? Just one sin caused
them to hide from their Lord, my sins were many. How did I ever get so far from
home?
The lies
of the evil one had done their deed, just as satan planned…or had they? Did he
really forget about this verse: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath
begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ…”
(Philippians 1:6)
I had hardened my heart on
purpose. No one would ever hurt me again. No one would take me without my
permission. I worked hard at making myself physically and mentally strong. I
went to Karate classes for three years, attending five nights a week, taking
all three classes every night (beginner, intermediate, and advanced), sparring for four hours on Sunday afternoons, and fighting in tournaments. Then it was on to the Marine
Corps. I went to school to become a Military Police Officer, no less. The first
impression given and the last when entering or exiting a Marine Corps base is
that of an MP. A hard heart was developed indeed, but it was only putty in the
Master’s hand. He was waiting for the right time, His time.
One of the worst decisions I ever
made while out of the will of God was to marry a non-believer and not pray
about whom I should marry. My marriage ended after eight years with four years of mental cruelty
and infidelity. Children were born during this time…a boy and girl. It was
because of those two little precious souls that I found my way back home to my Father's house. The
Holy Spirit tugged on my heart concerning their tiny souls. Where would they
spend eternity? Will they be with you?
I still remember that day we
walked into the church where it all started. The place I loved as a child…a
place that always felt safe. I don’t even remember what the sermon was about.
All I knew was I had to get to that altar and I had to get to my God. I wanted to make things right and enjoy the fellowship that I had longed for, but that shame had kept me from experiencing.
The Father’s daughter had come home and I know there was rejoicing in heaven.
His lost sheep was found and tucked safely back in the fold.
I told the lady that dealt with
me at the altar that I didn’t know if I could get past all my sin and live a
holy life and she showed me Philippians 4:13, “I can
do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Ever since that day I have not
looked back and I dove headfirst into the Word of God. I was angry with
myself when I realized the life I had forfeited for a life of regret. Thankfully, satan will one day pay, but for now, his reign of terror and pulling me to the dark side is over. My sin was great, but the grace of God was so much
greater. My iniquity was as high as a mountain, but He hurled it into the
depths of the sea. (Micah 7:19) Satan is right about one thing…I am not worthy
to live for God. No one in this life is
or ever will be “worthy” to serve God. For all have sinned…all
have come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
I am a
sinner by natural birth and there is nothing good in me. My righteousness was
like filthy rags, but I’m now saved by His marvelous grace and when He looks at
me He no longer sees Wanda, He sees His perfect Son, robed in pure white. I'm accepted and loved and He has taken this broken vessel and molded it into a vessel of honor. What others meant for evil, God has used for good...to save many alive. Many need to hear this message and find life and hope in Jesus Christ.
God knew from the foundation of the world what we would go through in this life...living in a world ruled by sin and having a free will to do as we please. Because of that free will and our sinful natures we will make mistakes and wrong choices that lead us down wrong paths, especially when we listen to the evil one instead of our Creator, but not only that, we must deal with the sins and free will of others who can reach into our lives and take our innocence, destroy our trust, and crush our hearts.
Without Christ, these things can destroy us, but by His power we can rise out of our ash heap of a life and shine brightly for Him...showing the way to a Help and a Hope that transcends what this world has to offer. Thank you Jesus that someone showed me the way and by Your grace I too will point others to the Source of life and love and the Healing Balm of Gilead. He is all we need to make it through and one day He will take us to His home to live with Him forever and there will be no more pain, no more sorrow, and no more shame. This life will be forgotten and we will never have to cry again. Glory to God and the Lamb forever!
So, satan, let it
be known, starting today…”I AM FORGIVEN!” and you no longer have power over me!
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© 2009 The Princess Warrior Ministries. All articles at 31 Days Closer to God
are owned by The Princess Warrior Ministries and are copyrighted on the date
they are posted, unless otherwise indicated. All rights reserved. Permission
granted for not-for-sale reproduction in exact form including copyright and web
address. Other uses require written permission. Unless otherwise indicated, all
Scripture references are taken from the King James Bible.
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