Satan's Grasp.

2 weeks ago I made a post that received a lot of love, and I appreciate it. 2 days after making that post, I fell into temptation; at that point, I was 8 days clean, but the urges were very strong, almost palpable. Now I am 5 days clean again, but the urges are gone through prayer and giving it all into the gracious hands of the Lord and asking him for his unwavering strength. Philippians 4:6 (KJV): “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” I remembered something someone wrote on this platform that I had copied and saved for personal encouragement; it helped me not dwell on the past and not fall into a state of despair. Here it is: The devil's greatest tactic is to keep you looking backward, constantly replaying the past in your mind, so you don't recognize what God is calling you to do in the present. He wants you to stay stuck in old hurts, regrets, and mistakes, keeping you distracted and paralyzed by what's already happened. But the truth is, you cannot change the past, no matter how many times you replay it. What you can change is how you move forward from here.God has a plan for you right now, in this very moment. The future He is preparing for you isn't defined by your past but by your willingness to trust Him today.Don't let the devil rob you of this time by convincing you that you're not worthy of a fresh start. The enemy wants to keep you distracted, but God is always offering you new beginnings. You have the strength, with God's help, to let go of the old and embrace what's ahead. -------------------------------------------- Something I came to realize was that when the urges were strongest was when I told myself I didn't need God today; I could do it on my own. I can see now that these were Satan's tactics against me, making me think I could do it on my own, but we cannot do it on our own. We need Jesus in every nanosecond of every day. His strength is what will help sustain us and embolden us. I was also not going to church after I relapsed because I didn't feel worthy. That's what the evil one wants; he wants us to feel sad and empty and unworthy, but God has helped me see that church is the hospital for the hurt and broken. Come with your pain and sorrow and let God's light shine upon the darkness within our fleshly nature to work in us and change us from within. Shortly after this, I began going to church again; the pastor was discussing the book of Ephesians. This verse specifically: Ephesians 6:12 (KJV): “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” On February 5th in the afternoon, I was singing along to Waymaker (acoustic version) by Will Morrison and No Longer Slaves (acoustic version) by Will Morrison shortly after I lowered down the volume, read this verse from Corinthians, said a prayer, and partook in Holy Communion. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NIV): “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” Prayer Before Communion: Heavenly Father, Thank You for this moment to come before You and remember the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ. As I prepare to partake in this holy communion, I reflect on the depth of His love and the price He paid for my salvation. Lord, I ask You to forgive me of my sins and cleanse my heart. Help me to receive this bread and cup with humility and gratitude, recognizing them as symbols of Christ’s broken body and shed blood. May this communion renew my faith, draw me closer to You, and strengthen my commitment to walk in Your ways. Thank You for the gift of grace and eternal life through Jesus. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. -------------------------------------------- That very night, as I slept, a demon came to me in a dream with a distorted, commanding, and loud voice screaming, YOU'RE MINE. I was scared, but in the dream I remembered that the Lord was with me and that I was shielded and protected by the armor and weapons of God. After I recalled this, a glorious courage and strength came into my heart and soul, and I yelled back at the demon, saying, I AM A CHILD OF THE MOST HIGH KING OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. MY SOUL BELONGS TO GOD. Then he screeched at me very loudly after I said that, and he yelled back. NO, YOU'RE MINE. I began yelling, I REBUKE YOU IN THE NAME OF MY LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. It was a dark, bleak, and desolate location, but after I uttered those words, a bright light shone from above, lighting the whole place in an overwhelming light that caused the demon to flee from me, and then I woke up. My dear brothers and sisters, remember that we are not wrestling against flesh or blood but against Satan's evil influence in this world. His darkness is strong, but God's light is stronger. We cannot do this alone. We need Jesus. He went through a horrific amount of pain and agony for us because he loves us and cares for us deeply. Never underestimate Satan. Be prepared and diligently pray and study the word of God. Don't get ready; stay ready. 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV): “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” This video graphically depicts what Jesus went through for us: https://youtu.be/QDRCwJHBCXc?si=4PtvosQFuZNeqdrf Whether I live or whether I die, Jesus Christ remains the love of my soul, the anchor of my heart, and the light that guides my every step. In joy or in sorrow, in triumph or in trial, He is my sweetest devotion, my eternal comfort, and my greatest treasure. My life is His, and in His love, I find all that I need and more. I love you all, my dear brothers and sisters. Keep going; don't fall into despair, and always lean on the strength of the Lord.