Devotional Friday

Hello, my name is Melissa Manary a missionary wife living on the field of Romania with my 4 children and husband David. We have been on the field for 7yrs now, and God has done some pretty amazing things. I stand in awe so often, how He opens doors when they have been slammed shut. How all things are possible with my Savior, and what Satan intended for evil my God meant for good!!

I love my life, and the ministries God has given to me. My children will always be my first ministry. I homeschool my children, ages: 14, 12, 9 and 6. They are jewels, and I am so thankful for each one of them.

The past 3yrs, God swung the door open wide for me to begin a ladies ministry with the ladies of our church. I do a weekly Bible study, and the most recent study has been on the book Captivating by Staci Elderidge. Oh the things my God is teaching me through this study and these precious ladies!! The second week we were into it, the ladies opened up to me, shared personal stories of being married to unsaved alcoholics. The fear they have faced, and and with the strength of God has made it through..this past Th, we discusses what I believe is such a crucial topic for we ladies to understand. Its not easy to discuss, but necessary. It is Satan's hatred for women. Why did he approach Eve first in the Garden? Why are we on his hit list?? There are 3 main reasons I believe, but

The main reason: We give birth to a new life, something He has never had the ability to do, AND Satan hates life. He wants to destroy every person in this world. We discussed abortion and why it is such a big problem. Because satan wants to destroy life. Jesus is the way, truth and LIFE. Satan hates everything about life. but we have no reason to be afraid. Our God is much more powerful, we can be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might! Ephesians 6:10, also in 2 Timothy 1:7 it tells us, "God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of POWER, LOVE and a SOUND MIND."

We are also life givers in our tongue, by encouraging others. Our husbands, children, friends thrive on the encouragement of we women. We have a tremendous influence for good or for evil. Satan knows this, and I believe is very threatened.

#2 Satan hates our beauty. Satan was the most beautiful angel in Heaven before the fall, and in the highest position. As women we have beauty in our shapes, bodies that men do not have. He has tried to exploit this beauty through the media, pornography and other means to hurt the soul of women and cause disrespect. Although sin has brought pain, we can still proclaim victory in our precious Lord. We can smile in the midst of trials and heartache because our loving Savior is working on our behalf, and has an amazing plan. When things seem the darkest, then comes the dawn. We don't have to worry or fear, we can trust in Almighty God, for His thoughts and ways are high above ours! We are in the palm of His hand. I heard a preacher say recently, when satan attacks the best way of getting back at him is to rejoice in the Lord!!! No matter how difficult things are or appear to be, we can trust our Heavenly Father, and SMILE!! The Bible says in John 16:33, "in this world we SHALL have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" Praise God!!! We are overcomers through the precious blood of Christ.

#3, Satan hates us because of our nature is that of the Holy Spirit. Of the 3 Persons of the Godhead, the femine, gentle woman, is most like the Holy Spirit, if we allow Him to fill our hearts and minds with His love. One of the most famous Presidents in History, said the hand who rocks the cradle rules the world--Abraham Lincoln. Satan knows the powerful influence we have in our children's lives, and others. If he can get us to believe the lies of I have to get a job because staying home with my kids is not important enough. I want a title. I have to go back to school because otherwise people won't think I am smart enough..the list goes on and on....there are destructive thought patterns, told to us in our hearts and minds by satan himself to keep us away from what is most important in this life. First, taking care of our children, the Bible says we are to be keepsers at home..Titus 2:4,5 talking about women, it says, "they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, KEEPERS AT HOME, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Wow! This is pretty point blank in the Word of God what our first priorities ought to be, and that is taking care of our husbands, then our children, then the ministries God has provided for us. Yet, so often in our society today, everything is backwards. And we wonder why we are having problems with our children, and in our marriage and why we feel depressed and exhausted all the time. Its because we are not obeying what God's plan is for women. And Satan is doing everything in His power to distract us from our true calling. What the world calls old-fashioned and out dated, God calls holy and a wonderful plan, with a peace and joy as the result of our obedience.

I pray we will become the ladies we ought to be dear ones, you are a threat to satan. Don't let that stop you!! The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is still the same God with us today. We have His power, and He has so much He wants to do and say through you. Lets live our lives shine as holy vessels for our families, and others He puts in our lives for His honor and glory.

A Princess serving the King,

Melissa Manary