2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;  And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.

3 “For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I have given Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place.

4 “Since you are precious in My sight, Since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life.

5 “Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east,
And gather you from the west.

6 “I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring My sons from afar And My daughters from the ends of the earth,

7 Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.”   [Isaiah 43:2-7]

It never fails!  Just when I think I have nothing to say, nothing to share, the light bulb goes off!  God is SO wonderful!

I was talking with a very dear friend a few nights ago.  She is at a very bad place in her life, struggling to hang on to the love of God and His promises.

As an ‘outsider’ with an objective viewpoint, it is pretty obvious to me that Satan is attacking her from every angle!  Her love for God has been deepening more and more, and the enemy is in fear of losing her soul once and for all.

I reminded her of this verse:

But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”  [Matthew 16:23]

That is such an empowering verse!

You see, Satan has no place in your life.  No place in your decisions, dreams, thoughts or actions!  He is no more than a ‘stumbling block’!!!

It’s as simple as this, if you are living a life full of sin and not walking in the way of the Lord, the enemy has no problem with you.  You are on a path leading straight to him.

He is, however, concerned with those that are on the right path, on their way to God!  He will throw stones in your way; lay out road blocks and all sorts of speed bumps!  He will use anything and anyone to distract you!  He does not want you headed to Heaven!

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.  [Romans 16:20]

If you allow the Lord to be in control, allow Him to direct your paths, trust Him with your life, He will ‘crush Satan’ and destroy him and the power he has over your life.

We were not promised that it would be an easy decision.  But our Heavenly Father DID promise to get us through it until the day we go home to be with Him in Heaven for eternity!  Amen!

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,

7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.  [I Peter 3-9]