Through a time of Testing

I hate the devil.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
- Romans 12:9 (NIV)

Using my closed ones against me. To falsely say all kinds of evil against me. Using my closed ones to doused the flame of my faith, to hurt me..

Been threading on enemy grounds lately... sharing the gospel almost everyday... and the devil ain't happy with me. I sense that strong spiritual warfare.

I'm pleased... I got on the devil's nerves. The more he tries, the stronger my armor gets.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
- Ephesians 6:13-17 (NIV)

For at least this day I know I'm pleasing God and not the devil.

Salvation is not a one step process, and I shouldn't feel discouraged or dejected... even though rejection and persecution from family members are hard... But like what Elysaa said, they love me and that's why they want me to know what I truly am doing.

Why did I even succumb to the lies of the devil initially, despite knowing it is partially wrong? The Lord knows my path and yearns for His children to draw closer to Him all the time, not further. And never will He allow me to leave, unless I choose to... even so that wouldn't be a overnight thing, and His Holy Spirit is always within me as I choose to obey and be guided by Him.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
- Romans 8:28-30

Yes... why am I so worried about the future? The Lord has my life all placed in the end and He sees my whole life...

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
- Matthew 6:34

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
- Jeremiah 29:11-13

Yes... God has plans to prosper me and not to harm me... Those disturbing thoughts that took peace away from my heart were definitely not of the Holy Spirit. God will never device a plan for me to leave Him... He may bring me through trials and testings... but He will teach me the way to overcome them too.. And never will they be harder than I can take.

And the Lord brought to me last night a comforting reminder..

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say al lkinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
- Matthew 5:11-12

The Lord has never failed me.... and the Lord has given me insights and promises. I will hold on to them.. Salvation is a process... and I'm thankful for the opportunities the Lord has given me to plant seeds.

Despite this persecution, I'm thankful for the chance to share.

I need to trust more... and really even during this time of crossroads... pray that God will open up doors for me...

Thank you for the so many ones who encouraged me over the past few days..