NW 3667

Dear loves,

1. I'm so thankful to be able to share with you some beautiful, comforting, motivating, encouraging, refreshing, renewing words from our Husband. These words are especially for times of trial, times of persecution, times when your faith is under attack. The Enemy is always trying to hurt your faith, and at some point in life you'll probably also be in a situation where someone you really love is asking you questions or telling you things that shake your faith.

2. These messages from our Protector and Strong Tower, our wonderful Jesus, are for just such times. Let our powerful Defender and best Friend wrap His arms around you and bring peace out of the confusion and answers to your questions. Let Him give you back the heavenly perspective. Let Him reassure you through His Words that He understands. He cares. He's there for you. No matter what you're going through, He has a solution, and He will bring you through it as you hang on to Him. So let His Words comfort and minister to you now as you rest in His arms.

(Note: All messages are from Jesus unless otherwise indicated.)

3. (Jesus:) Everyone has times in their life when their faith is tested to the limit. The key is in identifying those times as tests, because that's what they are. But always remember that there isn't anything that comes your way that I haven't allowed--even tests like the one you're facing now.

4. I allow tests of faith in all My children's lives. It doesn't mean that you are weak; quite the contrary.

5. Most of the greatest men and women of God have had such tests‚ because of the very fact that they were destined for greatness. I had to allow such strong tests of their faith--tests that shook their faith to the roots. They had to reach the point where they stood before Me and found their faith in Me alone. But from that point--that ground that seemed to be shaking beneath their feet--sprang a new influx of faith and power that catapulted them to their ultimate destiny.

6. This is your test, My love, the time when it's just you and Me. That's what's really happening. These accusations, these questions, absolutely anything you're concerned about or feeling, though they seem to be turning your world upside down, aren't the real issue. The real issue is your faith. That's what's at stake here. And that's what the Enemy is after.

7. The Enemy frequently gets worked up in his agitation over you. Yes, you. You think you are nothing, of little value, but you are of great value. That's why this is happening--because of your value--and because I know you can pass this test. I have allowed this test because it will fortify your faith so that nothing will be able to move you or your faith. Nothing will be able to come between your love for Me and My love for you.

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8. The Enemy has always fought Me and the words that I have given My called and chosen. He has fought every new revelation, every new move of the spirit, every new direction. He has fought every word that has proceeded from the mouth of God, because he hates the truth, which means he hates Me, because I am the way, the truth, and the light--the Word of God made flesh (John 14:6; 1:14).

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9. Take a peek into My spirit realm. Look at the difference between the measly horde of the Enemy and the mighty army I have summoned to fight on your side. Just like Elisha prayed that I would open the eyes of his helper, if you'll ask Me, I'll open your spiritual eyes and you will sense the tremendous and thundering power of Heaven that is waiting at your beck and call. That measly horde of the Enemy didn't look so measly a little while ago, but if you look at things from My perspective, you'll see that they are just ants compared to the giants who are standing at attention, at your service. So rejoice, knowing that your redemption draws nigh, and the victory is at your doorstep. Defeat is not an option.

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10. You've heard time and again that the Devil only starts shooting once you go over the top, and that's exactly what's happening. You're going over the top. You're invading the Devil's territory. You're getting stronger by the day. Your faith is increasing. Your skill in using the spiritual weapons is being honed to precision, and the Devil is scared stiff. He's pulling out his big guns and doing whatever he can to keep you from taking any more ground from him. Are you going to let his "boo" scare you? Hell no!

11. Shout in his face‚ "We haven't even begun to fight!" That's it! Take up your weapons. It's time to charge! It's time to strengthen the frontier. It's time to launch an all-out attack. Don't run back into your cubbyholes, trenches, and hiding spots and wait until the dust settles. Don't wait for a "better time to attack." Now is the best time you've got, so get out there and give it all you've got. Give the Devil the Hell he deserves!

12. You're not about to let him walk all over you or corner you! The weapons you possess are powerful enough to not only back him into the corner, but to blow him clear off the map. He lashes out with everything he's got because he knows his days are numbered. He knows that you've got the upper hand and are going to give him the wallop of the century, of a kind that he's never felt before. Let him have it! Sock it to him! Fight! Don't let him confuse you or muddle your vision. Don't let him make you think that you're actually the one on the run, because doing so will make you lose the edge you've got on him. Keep the faith. Keep the vision. Keep the focus, and as you do‚ he'll be completely and utterly defeated.

13. I'm right here by your side. We will go forward into the charge together. You can be sure that there's no safer place than by My side, even in the worst of battles. I'm watching your back, front and sides, and as we work together we'll be undefeatable. The Enemy will scream in terror as he sees us approaching, and he will flee before our very eyes. So come on, let's charge!

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14. You are a winner! You are not defeated, even if you're getting pummeled by the volleys of Satan. Even if some attacks have caused you to rock and reel on your feet of faith, even if you feel a little shaky, or a lot shaky, that's perfectly natural. But the fact remains that you are not defeated or beaten!

15. Claim the keys of strength, and then stand up! Lift the flag of faith high. Standing strong in times of adversity only makes you stronger. It's easy to hold on to your faith in times of peace, but when it's threatened, that's when you show what kind of strength you have. I know it's hard and sometimes you take a beating‚ but that's what war is all about.

16. I have put it in you to be stronger, to be more determined, more intent on holding on to your faith than any attack the Enemy can try. Now is the time to rally to the banner of faith and stand strong. Prove your faith. Prove your strength by standing strong. Even if that's kneeling in desperation, that's a good start.

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17. (Dad:) How the wounds of a friend hurt! I know them well. Jesus did, too. Every great apostle and man or woman of God has had their betrayers. Jesus had Judas, and a whole slew of enemies to boot. I had mine too over the years‚ those who turned on me and became so vicious that if they could have, they would have taken my life. But did that stop me? A thousand times, no! While it hurt, and I wept my share of tears and went through my periods of heartbreak over those I loved who turned against me, in the end I realized that it was part of life‚ part of being someone who stands up for truth and doesn't just go with the quiet majority.

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18. Blessed are those who suffer for My name. You have joined the ranks of My heroes. You are counted worthy to suffer persecution. You are right up there with Paul the apostle and the great martyrs of history. You may not have suffered physical torture and death, but you sacrifice many things to serve Me, for this is the life of a disciple. The long and arduous fight before that final moment is what is hardest. You have joined the ranks of those counted worthy to suffer for My name (Acts 5:41).

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19. I honor you with this fight, because you have proven yourself strong and ready to fight back. You have proven to Me that you are smarter and wiser than to fall for the Enemy's devices, so I have sent you into the battle. It's a tough fight and there might not be a single clear reason to fight in your mind, so you might wonder what on earth you're doing here.

20. I'll tell you what you're doing: You are engaging the Enemy, and he's trying to divert you with his lies. He sees that he can't win, so he's hoping to get you to desert like he has. But you won't hear of it. You're going to stay true to your calling and let nothing dissuade you from the fight.

21. I can see you refusing to listen to the Enemy's lies. I can see you doing your best to resist. You're holding on, and I'm going to reward you with heavenly reinforcements. The keys are rushing to your aid. The forces of Heaven are bearing down on your position and you have only to hold on a moment longer before they arrive, and we will launch an attack against the Enemy with all our might.

22. Here's your chance to stand strong and not give the Enemy any place. Here's your chance to activate the keys and raise your shields. Don't let the Enemy fire his lasers into your ranks. Raise the shields, ready your forward batteries, and give'm Hell!

23. It's time to stand strong and prove your worth as a soldier. Fight, and you won't be disappointed. Those who hold on and endure to the end will receive the glow and glory of the victory. You'll walk away from this fight with the glory of war upon you.

24. I'll pin badges of bravery and commendation on your chest and you'll be able to talk about this day with pride--the day that you stood strong, that you overcame, that you weren't swept away. The day that you held on, and even the wounds that you've received, will make you proud. You'll show them off and others will look at you with admiration for holding on and fighting the battle.

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25. The Enemy may be somewhat limited in how many tactics he can pull out of his bag of tricks, but it's never wise to underestimate your opponent. He plays dirty pool to confuse you and to try to get you to cave in before you've even begun to mount your counterattack.

26. So when you get zapped out of nowhere and feel like you've been sideswiped, it's time to realize "whodunit" and take a militant stance right away. Don't wait to fully get your wits about you, or to figure out why it happened, what the angle was, etc. All you need to know when you're hit below the belt is how to strap on your weapons and start firing them!

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27. "When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace" (Luke 11:21). Are you armed with spiritual armor and the full line of the weaponry of My Spirit? If so, then the palace of your heart will be well defended. The goods and treasures of My Word and your rich spiritual heritage will be kept in peace.

28. Enemies and conspirators breathe out accusations and threats‚ and even display a show of force, arming themselves and brandishing fierce-looking weapons. But as strong as they might look‚ you are much stronger than you look or feel. If you lean on Me and My Word, then you are strong in Me and My Spirit, and are more than a match for them.

29. If you have donned the armor of God, if you wield the sword of the Spirit, and carry the shield of faith; if you are armed with My potent spiritual weapons of praise, prayer, prophecy, loving Me intimately, and the keys; then your spirit is that of a strong, armed man and there is no taking from you the goods that are rightfully yours. The Enemy will still try to fight‚ and he will still hit you hard, but he won't be able to take from you what is yours, and he won't be able to seriously harm you. You are invincible and unconquerable when you are "armed" and "strong" in My Spirit and with My weapons.

30. If you are not wearing your full armor, put it on now. If you have not taken up all the spiritual weapons, or have not practiced and trained well enough in their use, then make yourself one with them now. For in this you will have all that you need to stand strong--steady, stable, stalwart. With these weapons you will not only guard and retain the goods that are already yours, but you will be able to move forward from there and take more goods from your Enemy and make them yours as well.

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31. You are the woman in the wilderness (Rev.12:6). You are My bride, and I have called you out of the world in spirit. You dwell in a place in spirit that could be considered "remote" or "secluded‚" and in a worldly person's eyes you could be considered an "outcast" or a "weirdo." The truth is that you are a queen, and you are destined to sit on the throne with the King of the Universe. You will be the guest of honor at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

32. But now, while you dwell on Earth, your glory is not apparent. Your "clothing," as far as your worldly popularity, intellectuality, and wealth, is bare and ragged. Your company is not sought after or welcomed by many. But this is only for a time. In due time you will be highly exalted and honored before not only all of Earth, but all of the universe. Until then, you will face hardship--but it will never be more than you can bear. You will be shunned by many, but you will also be greatly loved by Me.

33. The dragon‚ Satan, is wroth with you, and he seeks to slay you. He casts out of his mouth deep waters, a dark and murky flood, which he hopes will drown you in its doubts and despair. Do not drink in these waters. Come up to higher ground‚ above the valleys and plains of the flatlanders. Let them drink in the dark waters and absorb them, while you remain safely up in the hills of praise, and while you hide yourself in the cave of My presence and protection.

34. I will not suffer the flood to drown you. I will send you provisions and sustenance by whatever means is necessary. I will nourish you and cherish you all the days of your life. And, in the life to come, I will grant you the rewards that are your due.

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35. (Dad:) You reach a point in life when you just have to make a choice: Like Martin Luther before his inquisitors: "Here I stand. I can do no other!" Like Joshua: "Choose you this day whom ye will serve; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh.24:15). Like Elijah: "How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him; but if Baal‚ then follow him" (1Kings 18:21).

36. Like every man and woman of God down through the ages, you have to decide where you stand and what you will stand for, and how far you will go for it.

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37. (Dad:) Don't fall for the Enemy's lies or his misinterpretations or contortions of the Word. Stand firm on the rock and declare that you're following Jesus, no matter what!

38. Make the choice to stand and live and die for Jesus as His disciple! And if something comes up that attempts to stop you from doing that, just take the stand of faith and say, "None of these things move me! I don't care what anyone else does, I'm going on for Jesus! I hope you'll come with me‚ but if not, I'm going on anyway! I know what I believe and Whom I believe and am persuaded that nothing is going to stop me from taking up my cross and following Him!"

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39. The final key is being assembled. It's coming together, and it's gliding slowly along toward the final lock. Its progress is slow but steady, like a massive ocean liner gliding along on its momentum. It may not look like it's going very fast, but anything in its way would be completely crushed and knocked aside.

40. The final key is made up of all your individual actions and decisions to activate My power in your lives, to believe My words, to use My words, to be obedient and to do your part to be a disciple. As each person does their part, they add their little piece to the giant puzzle, until the time is right and the power from Heaven is released to unlock your ultimate destiny and your full power.

41. The Enemy is trying to stop this process. He wants to delay you. He wants to foil My plan for the Family to be the ones to generate enough yieldedness, obedience, and spiritual power to become those who can open this door. He wants you to fail and to not complete this key. He tempts you with disbelief, lack of faith‚ doubts, lies‚ and everything that he can think of in order to stop you from doing your part.

42. But he's losing, and he knows it. He sees that you are becoming disciples, and that you are doing your part. You're learning about the spirit. You're growing in your use of the spiritual weapons. You're getting closer to Me, and you're becoming stronger. The pieces you are attaching to the final key are becoming more and more numerous, and so he's trying to get you to stop.

43. But don't stop! Keep at it. Ignore Satan and his lies and attacks. Know that you're on the right track, and that you're doing your part for the activation of the power of the Last Days. You're making it happen with each little decision that you make to believe Me and to obey Me. Don't let anything or anyone stop you. Keep on believing and yielding and making the right choices. The power is flowing up from you, and it's soon going to gather into the final act. Don't quit. I need each of you.

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44. I have a high calling and a crown for each of you. The dramatic story of the Christians on the ice is a good example of what your whole life for Me is like. (See "Crowns on the Ice," NW #3465, Wine Press 77 & 78.) You're all out there on the "ice" of this world--a place where it isn't easy to live the way I ask you to‚ and where you have to die daily, making sacrifices and putting Me first, even when you can't see Me.

45. It takes a lot of faith to trust that it's worth it at all. Some people can't take it. Some people run off the "ice" because they no longer believe that I really do have a crown for them, and that fulfilling their mission in life is worth all the difficulty that they encounter. But right now I'm talking to you who are still here, and trusting Me. I'm talking to you who are living your life by faith--not seeing, but still believing.

46. You are those who will overcome the world. You are My "stars," the ones who are living in a way that the world says is impossible, and who are succeeding against all odds. You are the ones who are putting more emphasis on the world to come rather than the world you see--"choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season" (Heb.11:25).

47. There is a great crown of life laid up for you. There is a world after this one in which you who hold on will shine as stars eternally (Dan.12:3). You will have succeeded in your mission to be in the world but not of the world. You will be a testimony to all creation that man can rise above his carnal mind and his mental limitations to believe in something greater, and that your love for Me superseded the restrictions of your mind.

48. I don't always necessarily show you proof of the next world and of your great reward, but I can put a feeling of certainty in your heart. That certainty comes through being close to Me and letting Me fill you with My words and with My love. The less you think about Me, the less life will seem worth living for Me. But the closer you draw to Me, the closer I can draw to you, and although you may still have no earthly proof, the feeling in your heart will be all the proof you need in order to keep enduring and trusting and doing your part to reap the harvest.

49. And when you have that faith, then nothing can conquer you or dissuade you! You'll see all the attacks of Satan for what they are, and you'll instead believe every word that I have said. You'll be steadfast and unmovable, trusting in your faith that is a rock-solid knowledge that I am real, and that living your life as I say you should live it is the only truth worth following. Find that faith in Me, and then none of these things will move you.

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50. You're in a boxing ring, the spotlight is on you, and the rest of the enormous crowd is in the shadows. Everyone is psyched up, as this promises to be an outstanding match.

51. You've been preparing for this moment all of your life. You've trained hard, you've worked hard to be fit and in shape‚ to maintain endurance. You've dealt with smaller fights before, but this is the big one, the one you've been preparing for for a long time.

52. Suddenly the crowds go crazy. Your opponent has arrived on the scene and is making his way to the ring with all the bravado and swagger of someone who has seemingly already won. As he steps into the ring, you can see that this is no small dude. His muscles are bulging, he is one rippling mass. The scar on the side of his face just seems to make him more menacing, proving that this is not someone to fool with; he's obviously been in fights before and he knows how to take people down. He looks over to your side of the ring and mouths the words, "I'm gonna make mincemeat out of you." Then that's when you lose it. Fear overtakes you, and you determine that there's just no way you're going to win this one, much less come out alive.

53. Wait a minute! Rewind! Is that really what you want to do? You're going to let some punk fritz you out and gain your winners' right? Forget it! Not you! You're fighting material. I know, because I've been training you. I'm your coach and I know you're ready for this, or I wouldn't have set this fight up. He's the little wimp in disguise, not you. No matter how intimidating he may seem, he's got a weakness. Would you like to know what it is? He's too damn sure of himself, and it's his overconfidence that's going to bring him down. He's looking at you, and you might not look like much, but he doesn't realize what you're made of inside, that you've got determination that can't be beat, and you've got all of Heaven on your side to boot!

54. So let's take it from when he steps into the ring with you. You both start prancing around the ring, the starting signal has been given, and he's mouthing off at you. You don't heed his taunts. Instead, "I'm a winner!" is what you say to yourself. "I'm a winner!" you repeat again and again. "I'm a winner!" you keep chanting. You're starting to picture it in your mind‚ while waiting for the moment to strike. And because he's underestimated your speed and thinks you're an easy target‚ you get in there with one quick punch, and then another, and before you know it, he's been knocked down again, just where he belongs.

55. So who's the loser? He's the loser, because you've got Me on your side, and as a team we cannot fail.

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56. Children of light, show Me your strength. These are the battles we have anticipated and trained for. The attacks on your mind, as expected, have begun, and the Enemy seeks to confuse you and destroy your happiness. Think this day on the many others down through the years, even some of your brothers, sisters, and friends, who stood where you stand now, in the face of such attacks. Think of those that had to defend their choices, those that showed their strength of mind and spirit, and were undefeated--and do likewise.

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57. (Spirit helper:) We stand together against the darkness that attacks your faith. We fight with you and for you through these tests that all must face to earn the badge of honor and bravery. We stand together to attack the Enemy of our souls‚ the Enemy of our happiness. We stand together to defend our right to live according to our faith and choices. We will look back together and know that we didn't give the Enemy power over our feelings and perspectives, we didn't give him power over our lives.

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58. (Dad:) Our Family is not some delicate‚ pleasing-to-the-eye, ornamental vase designed to appeal to the masses, to the System's ideals, to the carnal mind, or to man's ways. And neither are God's words--His pure, unadulterated, radical, fanatical‚ revolutionary words that He has called us to live by--some pale-colored pansies that we peacefully flaunt as if we were a mere floral display to the world.

59. Hell no! Instead, we are like a blazing bonfire out of control--out of the world's control and man's control and the System's control, but under God's complete control. And God's Word is the wind that gives us life and fans our flame to keep us moving and growing and claiming the land. To the world, we're an eyesore, a fire out of control that they wish to get rid of and water down and contain, if they could. To those who hate the wind of God's Word and the flame of His truth in action, we're a burning, scorching heat that they can't stand. We're a ghastly smoke that chokes them up and singes their nostrils.

60. But to those who are searching, to those who love God and seek after His Spirit, we're the fire that warms them, the wind that breathes new life into them, the flame that ignites their fire and thus their happiness and fulfillment in living.

61. Only those who hate us and can't stand the alive and moving Spirit of God seek to stop us and drown us out. But what they don't know is that the tools they use to try to stop us are the very things that make us burn even brighter and spread even farther and grow ever hotter! Their little buckets of cold water only expand our flames. Their attempts to blow us away from them only bring our heat ever closer! We're the unstoppable fire, the wind that will never die down, the flame that will never let up, the heat that will never cool! We're the bonfire of God's Word in action, and we're gonna continue to burn out of control until the very End! Eventually the whole world will be consumed and destroyed by fire--a very real and terrible fire of God's judgments on a world that refused Him and rejected us!

62. Be a part of this flame of God! Jesus was the match that ignited the flame and got it moving; and just when the world thought they had put out the fire by putting out His life, little did they know that they had really lit the fuse! The fuse that ignited a Christian revolution--one that is still burning bright and powerful to this day through you and me! So think it not strange the fiery trial which is trying you, as though some strange thing has happened unto you, but rejoice (1Pet.4:12)! You are a partaker of Christ's suffering! That's the best proof you have that what you are suffering is due to righteousness' sake. If you are partaking in what Christ has suffered before, then rejoice! You're in with the greats! Hallelujah!

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63. Nothing can destabilize you when you're standing on the power of the keys. But you say, "Lord‚ I am destabilized! I'm shaken. I feel my feet of faith wobbling beneath me. How can the keys keep me stable when I don't even know how to stand on them?"

64. Do you want to stand on the keys? Do you want the keys to keep you from falling? Do you want to stand stable and sure through the power of the keys, amidst any of the Enemy's attacks? If this is what you want, and if this is what you have claimed in full faith through the power of the keys‚ then your next step is stating to the Enemy that you will not be moved.

65. "You cannot shake my faith, Satan, for I have claimed the keys!" Even if you feel that your faith is shaken, if you have claimed the keys‚ then you will not be moved and you can have full faith that your stand is sure.

66. "I will not be destabilized by your lies or horrible attacks on my faith or my lifestyle, for I have claimed the keys!" Repeat it often. Yell it out to your adversary, and believe it! Even if you feel unstable and wobbly, because you have claimed the keys, you can have faith that the keys will keep you from falling. Remember‚ the keys are about faith, not feeling.

67. "Though I stumble, I will not be cast down, because the keys will keep me from falling!" You might stumble and fear as a result of the things thrown against you. You might even doubt and seriously question--but if you claim the keys, though you stumble, you will not fall or be cast down‚ because the keys will be a barrier between you and the ground. Your stumble will only bring you closer to the keys and their strength; the keys will lift you up and set you back on your feet.

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68. There are many things that can be said against My Word that can shake your faith in it and cause you to disbelieve. But if your faith is shaken, the only thing that has changed is your perception of My Word, not My Word itself. My Word changes not. My Word can stand on its own. Nothing can chip away at the truth of My Words. The only thing that can be chipped away is your faith in it.

69. So when you find your faith in My Word shaken, you need to realize that the only thing that has changed is your faith and your perception of My Word. My Word has not changed, and its truth has not changed, and its power has not changed.

70. That means that the real issue at hand is with you--it is the issue of you needing to get ahold of your faith and ahold of Me. You need to take a good look at your faith and see what has changed, what has moved, what has been chipped away. Then, work hard to repair the damage, to strengthen that weakened part, to restore and build up your faith.

71. As you know, the best way to build your faith is through My Word. My Word changes not. It is Me! It is the written code of My Spirit. As your DNA is the code and information of all that you are, so My Word is My DNA, for it is the written code and information of all that I am.

72. By taking in My Word, you take in My spiritual DNA, the substance that will make you like Me. As you take Me in, you will begin to see more as I see, you will begin to understand with My understanding and wisdom, and thus you will be strengthened and enabled to face the battle, and to win.

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73. Has the bugle sounded when you didn't feel quite ready? Has the call to arms resounded through the air when you felt you needed a little more time for spiritual preparation? Have no fears, My courageous soldiers, I am here beside you, marching into the fray with you. I'm charged; I'm eager to force the Enemy from your midst. Come march alongside Me; let's win this battle!

74. You may not feel courageous at this moment. Your resolve may not be as steadfast as you'd hoped, but if you'll come fight with Me, you'll find renewed vigor in spirit. You can overcome your fears as you begin wielding your spiritual weaponry against the Enemy. Fight with Me‚ soldiers! Feel the godly ire against the Enemy rage within you! Let it stir you up to stand militant and ready to charge the forces of the Enemy.

75. Hear the rallying call to all My troops! I'm calling you by name; I'm calling you personally to come join Me in the fight for your faith, the fight that will proclaim your love for Me, your conviction to be a part of this army and fight this war.

76. Satan may seem to have a large and increasing army, and the noise and clamor of his forces can sometimes seem to roar louder and make it hard for you to find peace in your heart and mind. Block it out by tightening your helmet of salvation on your head. Make sure it's firmly attached as you prepare the rest of your spiritual weaponry to march into the fray. Set your heart like flint and charge! We'll win this battle together; we'll fight it together as one. We'll conquer our foes and rejoice in the victory!