Welcome to Issue Two

Ah spiritual warfare. To a lot of people it is a part of the christian life that we just don't want to think about. To some it is a scary thought, to others simply unfathomable. How can we actually pin down what is happening in the spiritual realm? Is it Satan attacking or our human nature complicating our lives?

Confusion is one of Satan's choice tools. It is often in the mind that he does his 'best' work.

For instance, how many times have you been at church, seen a new person and the first response is something like this: "What if they have been going to church for three years and i've never noticed. It's safer not to say hello. I don't want to offend them. I'll just walk passed and smile."

Meanwhile the person, who has only been coming for a few weeks, walks out of church feeling unwelcome and unloved.

Such confusion produces fear, insecurity and despair which leads to paralysis. That is Satan's end goal; a numb christian. Be not alarmed. This is not God's plan for us and He has already won the war! I love the scene in 'The Passion of The Christ' when Satan screams when Jesus dies. It signals God's victory over death and Satan knows it.

God calls us into this victory. To live a life looking outside ourselves. Yes we fail, we stuff up. But that's not the end. Because we are God's kids the battle has already been won. Satan wants us to despise ourselves and live small. But we are destined to live BIG. Free of fear, of paranoia, free of despair and low self esteem. Does this sound impossible? It isn't. When we daily surrender, God goes to work in us and nothing is impossible for Him.

We are more than conquerers in Jesus. So spiritual warfare should not be frightening to us. We have the tools to fight; "the belt of truth...the breastplate of righteousness...feet fitted with the ... gospel of peace...the shield of faith...the helmet of salvation... the sword of the Spirit. And pray(er)" (Ephesians 6:14-18). And remember, we are an army that will not be defeated.