This word is submitted by Teresa Seputis [ts@godspeak.net]

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                           A Halloween Word

   [Note: This word addresses a "holiday" celebrated in the Americas
        that is used to glorify the devil.  Other cultures may not
        celebrate Halloween, but most cultures have a similar holiday
        that the devil works through for his glory.  This word is
        intended for all of those type of holidays around the world,
        and not just for Halloween.]


This is a season of spiritual barrenness for many of My dear children.
It is a time when many of My own feel like they are in the dessert and
walking far from Me, even though they desire to be closer to Me.  It is
a time when the enemy is wrecking havoc in many people's lives, far 
above his authority to do so.  It is a time of difficulty and hardship 
and sickness and frustration. Many of My own think of this season of 
increased power for the enemy of your souls, where he is better able 
to accomplish his evil plans against My elect.  That is just another 
one of his lies and deceptions.

Precious child, do not be tricked by feelings and appearances--just 
because you do not feel close to Me, that does not mean that you are 
spiritually separated from Me.  Just because the world is presently 
giving a lot of authority to the enemy does not mean that I have given 
him power over you.  Remember that his main strategy is deception and 
misdirection.  

Your enemy the devil wants to do all he can to interfere with your own 
sense of intimacy with Me.  He is able to do that, but only for short 
seasons.  Do you remember when Daniel prayed and I immediately 
dispatched My angel with his answer?  The prince of Persia delayed My 
angel for a short while, until I sent Michael to assist him in breaking 
through. The enemy can likewise make you feel that I am far from you 
when I am not. It is only a short delay, and his purpose in doing so 
is psychological. He is trying to discourage you and get you to 
disqualify yourself.  He is trying to get you into a mental state where 
you will not raise up to walk in the authority that I have given you 
over him.  He hopes to get you to a place where he can beat you up and 
make you miserable, and he uses his strategies of treachery and deceit 
to accomplish it. In other words, he causes your heart and your feelings 
to lie to you so that he can derail you.

Child of Mine, do not believe appearances, but believe what I have told
you in My word and what I have spoken to you prophetically.  I have 
indeed given you authority over all the power of the enemy--he does not 
gain some special power over you at certain times of year because of 
what the world is doing and what evil practices they are celebrating.  
Your authority is not based on the time of the year; nor is it based 
on the seasons of man. Your authority is based solely on what My Son 
did for you when He died for your sins and rose again.

At that point in time, all of the enemy's power to separate you from Me
was forever broken.  Do not trust your feelings, for at times they will
lie to you.  Your faith is not based on feelings or circumstances, but on
My faithfulness.  Know that I have cleansed you through the blood of My
Son, and condemnation has no place in you.  You are forgiven and you are
no longer separated from Me.  I have adopted you into My family and no
force on earth can cause Me to disown you. You are Mine.

I am faithful to what I have promised; I will do what I have said in My
word.  The authority that has been given to you is real--it does not 
wan just because you don't feel as connected to Me as you think you 
should be at the moment.  That authority does not wan just because you 
have a bad day (or a bad week or even a bad month) spiritually.  I have 
given you authority over snakes and scorpions and over all of the power 
of the enemy, and My power shall not fail you.

So do not lean on your feelings and do not allow them to lead you or to
obscure My reality.  Do not assume you are defeated and do not give up
hope.  Precious child, do not wander off of the path that I have selected 
for you.

It does not matter what mind-games the enemy tries to play with you. He 
is a liar and the father of lies.  But I am truth and I am the One Who
sustains you.  I will cause you to overcome, and I will place the crown
of life on your head.  That is why I do not want you to give mental 
assent to the lies of the enemy that he perpetrates at this time of 
year.  His power right now is no greater than at any other time--and 
it is much weaker than the power that I have placed in you through My 
Spirit Who resides in you.  You are not overcome by your adversary the 
devil, for you are the overcoming one, and I have ordained you to walk 
in My victory.