Twas the night before the New Year and all through the world, the devil roamed like a lion seeking whom he could destroy.
His spirit of fear released in 2020 had succeeded in its dastardly deed, to deceive the nations to cower and concede.
The political puppets showed their alliance to the beast for they willingly enslaved, impoverished, and silenced the people as they robbed them of peace.
The devil smirked with glee for his biggest triumph was to blind God's shepherds so they could not spiritually see.
No gathering
No singing
No worship or praying aloud.
God's shepherds closed their churches leaving the addicted, despairing, and feeble to fend on their own.
The sheep without shepherds, no rod of protection to fend off the wolves.
The sheep left defenseless were now battered, bloody and worn.
The devil could not believe how easy the majority of God's shepherds had surrendered! Of this easy conquest the devil was most proud.
Within the span of a few months, many of God's children stopped going to church, neglecting the fellowship of believers as they lounged at home lulled into apathy.
The LORD knocked on the doors of his church, locked from within, pews empty of His children, no prayers lifted to the throne room. The LORD wept for His children, crying out, "Did I not command you, be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. In the midst of this deception, open your eyes to the truth and see."
In 2021, the love of God's children grew cold as they succumbed to the fears and cares of this world. The seed of God's word choked and strangled as they chose safely and security instead of faith and belief.
The devil raised a glass to himself and made a toast.
"Do what they will!" was his demonic boast.
The devil reflected on his greatest covert operation that deceived even some of the elect.
For as the churches were closed and pastors preached from the comfort of home, the devil slithered into some of their hearts and made them lukewarm. Deceived by demons to embrace social justice, globalism, and to preach "all roads lead to heaven" and there is no place as hell.
He deceived these pastors into doubting the truth of God's Word so that hell was non-existent and Jesus' 2nd coming a myth. The devil whispered into their hearts, "Preach prosperity gospel and focus on self. Teach them my demonic motto, do what they will, and make them forget eternity exists."
All seemed lost and hopeless at the end of 2021, and the devil could not be more pleased.
But, on the first day of 2022, a remnant of God's people arose from their slumber. "We are God's army," they seemed to remember.
Like the Sons of Issachar, they knew their God and knew what to do. Resist the devil and from you he must flee. Flee from your nation, state, city and family.
As this Gideon size army arose one by one, they put on their armor of God and recited Psalm 91.
As they lifted their eyes to the mountain of the LORD, they called out to Jesus and prayed, "Holy Spirit empower us, please."
Suddenly there appeared a bright light as a flame of fire came down from above, igniting every willing heart who was ready to fight.
The remnant shouted, "Jesus, not my will but Thy will be done."
The devil roared like a wounded lion before the battle even begun, for the LION of the Tribe of JUDAH had strengthened His army to restrain the powers of darkness until it was time for His return.
2022 is the year that the battle lines have been drawn.
You must pick a side.
Jesus said, "You are either for me or against me."
I know which side I am on, the side of the Victor who has already won.
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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.
Strengthen us, LORD. Help us to stand. Give us wisdom and spiritual discernment. For You did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love and self-control. In Jesus Name I pray Amen.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Love,
Yolanda
