We need confidence in Jesus!

Dearest Ones,

This is an unpopular topic, but that which carries a message of great importance. For some reason, most people I know do not want to talk about the devil and some of them do not believe in him. Some think if they ignore him, he will not be real. If we believe in the Bible, then we must believe there is an evil spirit, as he is talked about so many times. Our first parents were seduced by the devil, in the form of a serpent. Jesus, Himself, was tempted by the devil because the devil knew how much good Jesus was going to do and he tried his best to stop him.

The devil doesn't like it when we talk about him because he would like us to think he doesn't exist. The devil wants to take away everything we have and God wants to give us so much. Jesus came so we could enjoy life and the devil doesn't want us to enjoy anything. It makes the devil mad when we're happy. He doesn't want us to like ourselves because when we like ourselves, we're going to start loving other people. If you don't like yourself, you can't love anybody else. The devil wants you and me to feel so bad about ourselves that we have no confidence in ourselves.

But here is the good news: We do not need confidence in ourselves - we need confidence in Jesus! I have confidence in myself only because I know Jesus is in me.

We need to take time to realize how wicked the devil really is. He is the source of all the trouble in the world. The news could depress everybody - murder, greed, theft. The devil comes as a thief; he comes to destroy and deceive. "The thief comes to destroy and kill, but I came so you may enjoy life." (John 10:10)

He is the father of lies. Some of the greedy people don't even know there is a devil trying to steal their soul. If God is so powerful, why does it seem like the devil is winning? We Christians know the answer - but some people have never read the Bible, so they don't know that Jesus saved us and He won the battle for us.

"The devil is a liar. The truth is not in him." (John 8:44) The devil is more than a funny little Halloween character. Rather, he is a thief, a destroyer, the enemy, a tempter and much smarter than we are. As St. Peter says, "The devil goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." Believe it or not, Jesus talked more about the devil and hell than he did about heaven. Research into the Bible proves this to be true. Some people even go to church for years and don't even know the devil is a problem. It's sad that people don't know who's wrecking their lives. Every time you cling to unforgiveness or ruin a reputation, it shows that Satan is alive on this earth. St. Padre Pio used his rosary as his powerful weapon against the devil. He was never without it.

Some people don't realize the devil attacks at our weakest moment - when you are tired, or sick, you just got some bad news, lost a job, etc. Don't forget the most important thing he tries to do is to make you believe he doesn't exist. What can we do when the devil attacks? We are not helpless. We know Jesus is stronger than the evil one. Call on His name. Ask our Blessed Mother Mary to help you. We are not alone. We all have angels to assist in time of temptation. But first of all, we have to realize where the temptations are coming from and then deal with them. The devil is not stronger than God. He is a coward and I believe he runs when we turn ourselves over to God. That is why Jesus said so many times, "Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraid. I am with you always."

Often during the day, I pray this Prayer to St. Michael for protection:

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray
and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God, cast into hell
Satan and all the other evil spirits,
who roam about the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

God loves you!
Sister Francelle