SCRIPTURE:

Book of Job - Chapter 1 v13-19 b

"God’s Blessings and Satan’s Attacks"

*ORDERS OF BLESSINGS (v 2-3)*	ORDER OF LOSS (v 13-19)
Sons and daughters	1. Herds / donkeys / servants
Flocks and camels	2. Flocks / camels / servants
Herds and donkeys	3. Sons and daughters
Servants

INSIGHTS:

Blessings from God are under direct attack from Satan.

Satan does not waste his time on the trivial !

Satan probes and probes until he finds our point of vulnerability - - and then he attacks !

Genesis 3:1-4

2 Samuel 11:1-4

Daniel 4:28-30,37

Matthew 4:1-11

Satan attacks:

When the Christian is newly converted

When he is afflicted

When he has achieved some notable success

When he is idle

When he is isolated from others who share his faith

When he is dying

William Gurnall, Puritan Minister, in his 1,200 page book on Ephesians 6:10-23, The Christian in Complete Armor

(Need a reference from CS Lewis Screwtape Letters)

Job’s greatest blessing is his sons & daughters which were killed by a great wind (an "act of God" not by people)

Who else could Job blame but God?

APPLICATION:

Recognize and give thanks for your blessings

Now that the blessings you hold most dear to your heart are the ones that Satan will ATTACK !

Be prepared !

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 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. Ephesians 6: 10 –13

"Get acquainted with the weapons of warfare, and do it with Calvary’s love." - Pastor Charles Lake, Community Church of Greenwood, Indpls, IN.

APPLICATION:

Weapons of warfare – PRAYER & The Word

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." 2 Corinth 10:3-4

"And pray in the Spirit on all occassions and with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Eph 6:18

"Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." Luke 18:1

"Be joyful always; pray continually" I The 5:16

"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." Eph 6:17

Result – PRAYER

"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." Mat 16:18