“Take with me your share of hardship (passing through the difficulties which you are called to endure), like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 2:3 AMP

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:10-17 NKJV

The devil, who is known to steal, to kill, and to destroy…
can’t stand against your shield of faith…and joy!

Whether the battle’s brief, or if it’s of greater length,
ask the Lord for His superabundant joy, for it’s your strength.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue”–don’t lose by default…
keep speaking words of faith and joy against any demonic assault.

P. A. Oltrogge

“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.” spoken by Jesus in John 10:10

“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” spoken by Jesus in Luke 10:19

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21

“…Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:7-9 KJV

“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:11-12

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” Hebrews 12:1-3

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14

“Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance.” Psalm 89:15

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:3-5

At Calvary:

“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His Spirit.” John 19:30

Rejoice, for Jesus is Lord!

If Satan Can’t Steal Your Joy, he Can’t Keep Your Goods, is a book by Jerry Savelle at http://www.jerrysavelle.org you may want to obtain. From Devastation to Restoration is another at his website.

As Christians, there are many battles of faith which we encounter that need our perseverance. Yet, read a wonderful testimony of healing today at http://www.josephprince.org simply through faith in Jesus’ finished work and partaking of holy communion.

Scriptures NKJV or as noted.

God has graciously sent out a worldwide appeal,
and now is the time to seal the deal.

Pastors and missionaries have spread the Word
that everyone needs Jesus, so that they can be assured

that eternal life is theirs…by way of “the new birth.”
The blessing of new life is offered for all people of the earth.

So it’s not only the planting of gospel seeds that needs to go through,
but praying for many to respond is a vital part of working in the Lord’s harvest fields too.

Just as, at Jesus’ birth, the angel proclaimed God’s good tidings of great joy to shepherds in a field, we also can tell of that “good news,” and even personally pray with some individuals…for their deal to be sealed!

P. A. Oltrogge

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.'” Luke 2:8-12

“For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2

“Jesus answered and said to him, (Nicodemus) ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'” John 3:3

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“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

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14

Scriptures: New King James Version

Visit “25 Songs of Christmas” at http://www.kcm.org, Day 7, “I Surrender All” and Day 8, “Who is this Baby?” (a beautiful Christmas ballad, which you may not have previously heard).

Though I’ve used the familiar expression, “seal the deal,” the more Biblical way of stating what transpires when you receive Christ as Savior and Lord is that you are not only receiving forgiveness of sins, but you are entering into a covenant relationship with God.

The following quote is from the booklet, A Covenant of Blood, by Kenneth Copeland. “Jesus became the sacrificial Lamb that established your covenant with God. His own blood was shed. The book of Hebrews says that we have a new and living way to approach God. Remember ‘the way of blood’? Well, the blood of Jesus has made the way for us to have a covenant relationship with the Father.”

This quote reprinted with permission from Kenneth Copeland Ministries