Scripture:
Nice try. Look this one up yourself.

Reflections:
There has always been a ongoing battle. Some may point to the past and say the battle was then but not now. While others may disagree and say the battle has just begun. When in truth the battle started long before the Earth was formed. Long before God chose to create Man. It started when one of the High Angels decided to challenge God. To raise himself above the one who created him. And entrusted him with many responsibilities and honours.

I am referring to the High Angel Lucifer. Who believing he could be as good if not better then God, challenged the very throne of authority. And in doing so was cast out of heaven. Losing heavenly power. And endowing himself with the dark powers of lies and dissension. He then continued his battle by tempting Eve. By playing to the dark side of human nature. That side which took its' place in the human heart at the first transgression. And is with us still.

He has been called Satan (the adversary) Lucifer (the prince of the air) and at times mistakenly;y called Beelzebub (the Lord of the Flies and one of many daemons of Hell). And if anyone should say he doesn't exist; then he has won the greatest battle of all. To convince people he doesn't exist makes it all the easier to fool people into trusting him.

In today's World we are being told that Christianity is no different then the rest of World Religions and Belief Systems. To argue this as not true is to become a target for scorn, ridicule and abuse. In fact we are told we now Must acknowledge other religions as valid in a Ecumenical World Faith. There are even some Ministers entrusted with the care of the Church who will brazenly bring into service the Bible long with a range of Spiritualist Books. Claiming they are all much the same. And to deny this is to be out of step with the love of Christ.

The age old battle between Christian and Moslem has once again taken centre stage. With Humanists and Atheists denouncing both. While a wide range of Worldly religions (some Christian and Moslem's fall into this group) are calling for a truce. A sort of agreement to disagree. Which on the surface sounds good. But in practice becomes fascist.

In many state run schools it is not acceptable now to wear a cross or to pray before taking a test or exam. Yet it is permissible to wear the traditional religious clothing of a Muslim. The double standards is a harsh reality. One that will only get worse as time goes by. Don't be surprised if wearing a cross in public becomes Politically Incorrect.

As a Christian I wear a Cross on my lapel. For me it is a sign of my faith and a wonderful talking point for ministry. Yet I have lost count how many times someone has asked me why I wear it if I'm not a minister. Or what's the point it means nothing. I'm expecting the time to come when someone decides to take offence and try demanding I remove it. Not going to happen.

We may not be able to say with any surety if these are the so called End Times But we can see how Satan has slowly poisoned the World and to a sad degree the very Church. A time when standing up for ones faith is no longer just dangerous for those living in third World countries. But dangerous for all Christians who refuse to accept a weaker diluted faith.

Stand fast and hold dear to the precious gift of Salvation we have been given through the Grace of God in the redeeming blood of our Saviour Christ Jesus. And constantly stay close to the scripture where our strength and comfort is found. In such verses as found in;

Roman 8:35-39

35 Who shall separate us from the love of the Christ? tribulation, or distress, or persecution , or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 (according as it hath been written--`For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long, we were reckoned as sheep of slaughter,')
37 but in all these we more than conquer, through him who loved us;
38 for I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor messengers, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present,
39 nor things about to be, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of god, that [is] in Christ Jesus our Lord.



Prayer:

Heavenly father,
I am weak and lowly.
My fear of pain keeps me worried.
As the World threatens.

Yet say the Word and fill my Spirit,
With the strength of the Holy Spirit,
And I will face any challenge.
That your name will be honoured.

Grace my lips that I speak boldly.
Ready my heart that I may stand firm.
Not for the sake of saving myself.
That I may lose myself for your names sake.

I pray this in my Saviours name,
Christ Jesus.

Amen