Shattered Yet Seen

Sometimes the pain is so vast it feels like your heart has been broken into pieces you cannot gather back. In those moments, the enemy urges you to stare at the ruins instead of the Redeemer, and your thoughts become consumed by loss and confusion.

But being shattered does not mean you are unseen. In fact, it is often the place where God sees you most clearly.

When we are consumed by what went wrong, who hurt us, and what we lost, we can forget something eternal: God is already ahead of us. Whatever is coming, whatever feels uncertain, He is already there. He is making a way, preparing what you will need, and covering you with a protection you may not even fully recognize yet. It has never been luck. Even in the seasons where everything felt exposed and vulnerable, God had a hedge around your life.

And the enemy knows it. That is why he is strategic. If he cannot shake you directly, he will come through the people closest to you, stirring division, planting doubt, and twisting truth in ways so subtle you almost miss it. But you have authority in Jesus to shut the door on what he is trying to build in your relationships and your mind. Even when you break free from one stronghold, do not be surprised if he returns through a different door. That is not a sign that you have failed. It is a sign that you are making progress. Through every attack and every attempt, God is still fighting for you, and His presence does not waver simply because your emotions do.

There will be moments when you feel shattered, distant from God, like your hunger for Him has gone or been buried under the weight of everything you are carrying. But shattered does not mean unseen. It does not mean He has stepped away. Often, it means you are standing in the middle of a spiritual battle.

This is where obedience becomes vital, not easy or natural but powerful. Because even when your heart feels broken open, when you feel scattered and undone, you still choose Him. You turn on worship with trembling hands. You pray through the ache. You sit in His presence even when you feel shattered. And somehow in that choice, something deeper is happening. Your heart may feel like it is in pieces, but your spirit is being held together, strengthened, seen. Even here, especially here, you are not lost to Him.

God sees the tears you hide and the battles you fight in silence. Nothing about your pain is unseen, even when it feels like you are carrying it alone. You are not forgotten by Him, even if you feel overlooked by people. You are fully known, fully understood, and never out of His sight. Even in your brokenness and pain, He is near, holding your hand. He does not step back from your suffering but stays close through it all. And every time you choose to keep going and trust Him, even when it is hard and even when you feel like you have nothing left, He sees it and values it deeply.

So even here, in what feels like your most fragile place, you are not abandoned or overlooked. You are held with intention, carried with love, and seen completely by the One who never looks away from you.

Excerpt from "Seeing God In Your Brokenness" reading plan provided by "YouVersion"

Humility Cures Worldliness

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners;
and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep!
Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

James 4:7-10 (NKJV)

Although God and the Devil are at war, we don't have to wait until the end to see who will win. God has already defeated Satan (Revelation 12:10-12), and when Christ returns, the Devil and all he stands for will be eliminated forever (Revelation 20:10-15). Satan is here now, however, and he is trying to win us over to his evil cause. With the Holy Spirit's power, we can resist the Devil, and he will flee from us.

~

Can you imagine Michael Jordan coming back to the bench talking about, “I could score a whole lot easier if I didn't have that other guy putting his hands up in my face all the time”?

Michael's coach would tell him, “Michael, if there were no opponent, it would be easy to score. We're paying you millions to score with that guy in your face.”

As Christians, we have an opponent in our face too. Whenever you decide to do something significant for God, Satan will show up, usually in the person of people like Sanballat and Tobiah (reference Nehemiah 2). Not everyone wants their culture transformed by the influence of godly people. It displeased these men that Nehemiah had come to seek the welfare of Israel. They took it upon themselves to stop him. See, Satan's job is to keep God's people from carrying out God's will.

By the way, this isn't just true for the big projects such as rebuilding a community. Satan's job is to destroy you and your family because he knows Christian families populated by committed Christians are the foundation to transforming society. So he spends day and night plotting your demise. Just like we have angels assigned to us, Satan has demons with our names and addresses on their “to do” lists.

That is why the Bible says, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12). Do we need to fear Satan and his demons? No, not at all. We need to resist and overcome them in the power of Christ.

Nehemiah wasn't afraid of his adversaries, but neither did he take them lightly. For the rest of his rebuilding project and well beyond it, he kept a close eye on those characters.

But too many of us are like puppets on a string to Satan. All he has to do is yank our string a little, and we go where he tells us to go and get mad when he tells us to get mad. Once you understand what Satan is up to, you will get down on your knees and say, “Not today, Satan. Not me, not my marriage, not my family, not my community - because we are submitting ourselves to God.”

Stand firm for God and against Satan, and the Sanballats and Tobiahs of this world will melt like snowmen in summer.

Excerpts from: "Life Application Study Bible" by Tyndale House Publishers and "Time to Get Serious" by Tony Evans

Your Devine Armor

The apostle Paul knew a thing or two about spiritual warfare. As a missionary and church planter, he regularly faced intense opposition. Sometimes that even included jail.

And it was in jail, guarded by Roman soldiers, that Paul gave us one of the most powerful Scripture truths about overcoming Satan: the armor of God. Just as a soldier would never have thought of going to battle without armor, so we shouldn’t go through our day without being fully equipped.

The list, found in Ephesians 6, helps us understand what we need to be protected against attack and able to fight back. As you read this list, I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you, revealing any areas where your armor might be missing or need an upgrade.

The first piece of armor is the belt of truth (verse 14). Truth is essential, because what we believe - about ourselves, about God, about life - dictates how we will act. Our beliefs need to be grounded in the truth of God’s Word.

The second is the body armor (or breastplate) of God’s righteousness (verse 14). Body armor covers our heart and other vital organs, protecting us from deadly blows. Spiritually, that body armor is Jesus’ righteousness. We are protected from guilt and condemnation by his righteousness, not our own.

The third is the shoes of peace (verse 15). Peace gives us steady footing amid the chaos and unpredictability of life. No matter what we face, we can stand firm in the peace of God.

The fourth is the shield of faith (verse 16). Faith deflects lies and other attacks like a shield blocks fiery arrows from the enemy. Our trust in God protects us from Satan’s attempts to deceive, discourage, or derail us.

The fifth is the helmet of salvation (verse 17). Salvation covers our mind like a helmet protects a soldier’s head, guarding our thoughts with truth. The more we understand God’s love for us, shown through Jesus, the more our mental health can flourish.

The sixth is the sword of the Spirit (verse 17). This is God’s Word. In the same way that Jesus fought Satan’s temptations with Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11), we also fight his lies and temptations with the truth of God’s Word.

Just like a soldier receiving his armor, Jesus equips us with his truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and power.

Are there any of these that you feel are missing or weak in your own life? Right now, tell that to God and ask for his help. The armor is his gift to you, and he is ready and willing to help you put it on.

Reflection Questions

1. Which of these articles of armor feels most present in my life today? How do I see them at work protecting me?
2. Which of these articles feels lacking or weak? What holes are in my armor? Am I believing any lies that are causing this, and if so, what truths from God’s Word can I use to quench those fiery arrows?
   
   Excerpt from "Understanding Spiritual Warfare" devotional by Dr. Mark Jones

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-11

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

~

Our nation is faced with a crisis of social deterioration the likes of which we would have thought unimaginable a generation ago. We seem to be a culture gone berserk.

To say that our society is in need of radical transformation is to state the obvious. We're in a “culture war” today, but before we go off waving our swords, we need to know who the real enemy is.

The real enemy isn't school administrators or the media or liberals. The one behind the scenes pulling the strings is the evil one, Satan himself. He's the enemy.

One reason there is so much satanic influence in schools, media, and government is that Christians have abandoned the culture and handed it over to the world. If you hand culture over, Satan will take it over.

The Bible calls him a “roaring lion” because, like real lions, Satan rules by intimidation. Lions roar to scare and intimidate their enemies. They roar after the kill so the jackals and hyenas will be too afraid to run up and snatch it away, even though they can if they work together. Satan rules our society with a lot of noise, because he knows he cannot stop the people of God from taking society back if we ever decide to be the people of God in society. But we're intimidated by the roar. The reason our culture is deteriorating is that Christians are nowhere to be found except in church. There is no morality being handed down anymore.

When we were growing up, even if your mama and daddy didn't give you a moral frame of reference, your schoolteacher did. Or the people next door did. Why? Because Christian morality permeated the culture. Not everyone was a Christian, but most people had a moral frame of reference by which they made decisions. That is no longer the case, because the influence of God is no longer being felt in the culture. We've got to raise a whole new generation of people who know and follow God.

If we Christians will humble ourselves under God, He will give us the power to take our culture back.

Excerpt from “Time To Get Serious" by Tony Evans

Meme: In The Darkest Times Of Your Life...

Application Of God's Word: Ephesians 6:12

Verse: Ephesians 6:12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,
against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Application:

These who are not "flesh and blood" are demons over whom Satan has control. They are not mere fantasies - they are very real. We face a powerful army whose goal is to defeat Christ's church. When we believe in Christ, these beings become our enemies, and they try every device to turn us away from him and back to sin. Although we are assured of victory, we must engage in the struggle until Christ returns, because Satan is constantly battling against all who are on the Lord's side. We need supernatural power to defeat Satan, and God has provided this by giving us his Holy Spirit within us and his armor surrounding us. If you feel discouraged, remember Jesus' words to Peter: "Upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it" (Matthew 16:18).

The purpose of putting on God's armor is to be able to stand against the schemes or stratagems of the devil or adversary. Christians are not to attack Satan or advance against him; they are only to “stand” or hold the territory Christ and His body, the church, have conquered. Without God's armor believers will be defeated by the “schemes” of the devil which have been effective for thousands of years.

The struggle is not physical (against flesh and blood); it is a spiritual conflict against the spiritual “Mafia.” Though the ranks of satanic forces cannot be fully categorized, the first two (rulers and authorities) have already been mentioned in Ephesians 1:21 and 3:10. Paul added the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil. Their sphere of activity is in the heavenly realms, the fifth occurrence of this phrase, which is mentioned in the New Testament only in Ephesians 1:3, 20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12. Satan, who is in the heavens (Ephesians 2:2) until he will be cast out in the middle of the Tribulation (Revelation 12:9-10), is trying to rob believers of the spiritual blessings God has given them (Ephesians 1:3).

Resources:

"Life Application Study Bible" by Tyndale House Publishers
"The Bible Knowledge Commentary" by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck

Taking Up The Shield Of Faith

Lord, I confess: sometimes the fiery darts hit close and my grip on faith shakes. But today, instead of shrinking back, I lift my shield. I remind my heart that these attacks aren’t proof I’m weak; they’re just proof the enemy sees my purpose. So I choose to speak Your truth over my fear. I choose prayer over panic. Even when the arrows keep falling, Your promises are my defense. Faith doesn’t mean I never feel the heat; it means I trust You even when I do. Help me stand firm, eyes on You, knowing every flaming arrow can be extinguished. Amen.

above all, taking the shield of faith with which
you will be able to quench all the fiery
darts of the wicked one.

Ephesians 6:16

Provided by "Word Of Encouragement"

Public Enemy Number One...

If you are facing heavy spiritual attacks right now discouragement, temptation, chaos - take it as a compliment. A thief doesn't break into an empty house; he only targets a house that has treasure inside.

​The enemy is attacking you because he sees the value of what God has placed in you. He knows that if you keep going, you are going to do damage to his kingdom. He is trying to stop you now because he is terrified of who you are becoming.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10 (NKJV)
Provided by "Devine Insight"

Motivational: "Strength Is Born In The Dark"

Spiritual Enemies

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,
against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)

These who are not "flesh and blood" are demons over whom Satan has control. They are not mere fantasies - they are very real. We face a powerful army whose goal is to defeat Christ's church. When we believe in Christ, these beings become our enemies, and they try every device to turn us away from him and back to sin. Although we are assured of victory, we must engage in the struggle until Christ returns, because Satan is constantly battling against all who are on the Lord's side. We need supernatural power to defeat Satan, and God has provided this by giving us his Holy Spirit within us and his armor surrounding us. If you feel discouraged, remember Jesus' words to Peter: "Upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it" (Matthew 16:18).

In a battle, it is imperative to identify your enemy. If you are not aware of the point of your attack, you are vulnerable. Paul had many enemies. Some resented him, others hated him, and others wanted to kill him. Some, who were supposedly on his side, sought to harm him and his ministry (Acts 9:23; Philippians 1:17; 2 Timothy 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:20; 2 Timothy 4:14). In spite of the persecution he faced, Paul never lost sight of his real enemy. Paul was wary of Satan. When people attacked him, he knew they were not his real opponents. They were simply unwitting instruments of the spiritual forces of darkness.

When you meet opposition to your faith, your first reaction may be anger toward your antagonist. This may divert your attention from the deeper, spiritual dimensions of your conflict. Your adversary may be hopelessly in bondage to sin. Rather than retaliating, you should immediately and earnestly intercede for that person. Your opponent's hostility is your invitation to become involved in God's redemptive work to free him or her from spiritual bondage.

Head Protection

Scripture:

“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” - Ephesians 6:16-18

Reflect:

What should we do when negative, destructive thoughts assault us? 

A friend of mine recently told me a story about her struggle with anxiety. She said it feels like her mind is under attack. All of these untrue, destructive thoughts just pop into her mind over and over again. Like Satan is throwing fiery darts of lies at her head. Have you ever experienced this? 

The fact is, we are under attack. But Ephesians 6:12 says that our battle is not physical. It is spiritual. There is a war going on and we need to defend ourselves and fight back. And much of this battle takes place in the mind.

In Ephesians 6, the Apostle Paul reminds us that God has not left us defenseless against the enemy. He says to stand firm and put on the whole armor of God. He lists out several pieces of armor. When we get to today’s verses, Paul assures us that the shield of faith can extinguish the flaming darts of the evil one - the lies the enemy throws at us. Your faith in God can protect you so Satan’s lies are not able to penetrate your mind. Your faith shield also has the power to put out the fire! 

The helmet of salvation is also key in defeating destructive thoughts. Satan’s lies may be trying to get you to doubt that God will save you. Don’t let Satan mess with your head. Put your helmet on! Remember that your salvation is secure in Christ and that there is nothing Satan can do to change that. 

In addition to our defensive suit of armor, God gave us an offensive weapon. The sword of the Spirit is His Word. How are we supposed to wield it? 2 Corinthians 10:5 says: “We destroy arguments, and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” With God’s Word, we can demolish the deceitful arguments and faulty opinions that mess with our minds and with the minds of others. When we speak the Word of God, we speak the truth and destroy the enemy's attempt to deceive us. 

Finally, God has given us one more way to protect ourselves from the lies of the enemy and that is prayer. Prayer helps us guard our minds because it shifts our focus from our circumstances and our destructive thoughts to God. When we pray, we meditate on who God is, what He’s done for us, and what He is capable of doing. And when we do that, we experience the peace of God. Isaiah 26:3 promises: “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” 

Every day we have to put on the whole armor of God. We especially can’t forget our head protection! It has always been Satan’s strategy to use deceit to mess with our minds, trip us up, and wreak havoc in our spiritual lives. But God gave us what we need to defend ourselves and overcome. Use your shield of faith to block and extinguish the enemy’s fiery darts, put on your helmet of salvation and remember Who has saved you, wield your sword of the Spirit and speak His truth out loud. And pray, pray, pray. In Him, you can have victory over destructive thoughts. 

Pray:

Jesus, thank You for the protection of Your armor. Help me to use it to find victory over the battlefield of my mind. When I am under attack, bring Your Word to my mind so that I can destroy the lies of the enemy. Amen.

- Nat Crawford

Provided by “Back To The Bible”