Happy Veterans Day to all our men and women who have served and are now serving our country. I am humbled with gratitude for their daily protection of our rights and freedoms. They and their families have offered sacrifices both big and small.
Leslie Wayne Williams was my boyfriend in high school. He joined the Marines and was sent to Viet Nam. He was one of our great service men who gave his life in the service of our country in 1969. His family gave their only son, and brother. They are all remembered today with a grateful and saddened heart.
Without our soldiers we would be at the mercy of evil men who would strip us of our God-given rights and freedoms. Without our soldiers we would lose more than we can possibly imagine. We need our soldiers.
In the same way we need to be soldiers against our spiritual enemy. Those who are disciples of Christ have been enlisted into an army of soldiers ready to do spiritual battle. We are commanded to take up our armor and use it wisely for our own protection and the protection of others.
*We must be honest with God,
*Apply to our lives what we know is true from Gods' word,
*Understand the Good News of the gospel,
*Hold up our faith having total trust in God; who He is and His plan for us,
*Being sure that we are freed from the bondages of sin,
*Know what is written in Gods' word.
With all of this, and in His authority we can stand firm against our enemy who is tough, but already defeated.
I give thanks for those veterans who have fought for our country. I also give thanks for those brothers and sisters in Christ who have taken up their postions beside me to help me fight the enemy through prayer. The battle rages. We need good soldiers. Chrisitans, we need you!
God the Almighty, You are Commander in Chief. Our orders have been given to put on our armor and fight the good fight. I am ashamed to say that I have not always been willing to fight. I have let down my guard at times and felt the fiery darts of the enemy. I would like to think that I do not need to fight this enemy, but I must. Thank You for giving me a vivid picture in our countrys' veterans who would prefer not to fight an enemy but obey their authority for the good of all. Thank You for supplying me with all I need, including a victory already won! Thank You for teaching me that, "We do not fight 'for' victory we fight 'from' victory"* Jesus, I give You thanks today for our many veterans of both the U.S.A. and Your spiritual army.
*This quote and much of the insight in this blog is from Chip Ingrams' study: The Invisible War. This blog shares my notes and my understanding of what Chip taught. Ephesians 6 is the basis of his study.
Showing posts with label battles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label battles. Show all posts
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Life Long Battle
One week ago today, my daughter, Briget, was in labor to give birth to her first child, my fifth grandchild. Abigail Grace was born after a grueling labor and a c-section delivery. I watched the battle from the early stages. I entered the arena several times always leaving with more determination to pray and support this new Mommy and Daddy and their child as they fought for life.
God offers us a choice of life or death and He entreats us to choose life! He is the giver of life and desperately wants us to embrace its fullness. However, we do have an enemy who would deceive and discourage us from accepting the life given by God. It becomes a life-long battle to hold on to life and life abundant!
Not all battles are won with a perfect plan that is perfectly executed. Abigail needed intervention in order to enter this world with the least of complications. There have also been other battles that raged over the last week. Our sons' wife, Laura, battled an infection and won with the help of antibiotics. A miracle brought our pastors' daughter safe , though bruised, from a severe car accident. We know that more war needs to be waged in the upcoming months when my husband returns to the operating room to fix the knee that was supposed to be fixed last year. In all of our battles we must remember that God said the battle was His. The victory is ours, even if we may not see the present skirmish resolved as we desire.
Yesterdays' battles offer faith and courage for today. Each day has its own troubles. We can face this days' trials knowing that God is faithful. He will get us through, make something good come to us despite the wounds, and deliver the ultimate victory if we remain truly His.
This day we celebrate a new life joining our family tree. We take time to thank God that the one who steals, kills and destroys was bound. He may have taken some little pleasures but he will never steal life everlasting that Jesus gives. Abigail is healthy. Briget is mending, Jimmy is relieved! God is mighty and faithful and always good!
Almighty Father, You are the strength we need. You are our strong tower. We run to You and are safe! You have brought us through a storm because You are our protector and Savior! Thank You for Your love and watchful eye. We trust You to care for Your children in all ways. I pray we trust You for life and life abundant even through our wounds.
God offers us a choice of life or death and He entreats us to choose life! He is the giver of life and desperately wants us to embrace its fullness. However, we do have an enemy who would deceive and discourage us from accepting the life given by God. It becomes a life-long battle to hold on to life and life abundant!
Not all battles are won with a perfect plan that is perfectly executed. Abigail needed intervention in order to enter this world with the least of complications. There have also been other battles that raged over the last week. Our sons' wife, Laura, battled an infection and won with the help of antibiotics. A miracle brought our pastors' daughter safe , though bruised, from a severe car accident. We know that more war needs to be waged in the upcoming months when my husband returns to the operating room to fix the knee that was supposed to be fixed last year. In all of our battles we must remember that God said the battle was His. The victory is ours, even if we may not see the present skirmish resolved as we desire.
Yesterdays' battles offer faith and courage for today. Each day has its own troubles. We can face this days' trials knowing that God is faithful. He will get us through, make something good come to us despite the wounds, and deliver the ultimate victory if we remain truly His.
This day we celebrate a new life joining our family tree. We take time to thank God that the one who steals, kills and destroys was bound. He may have taken some little pleasures but he will never steal life everlasting that Jesus gives. Abigail is healthy. Briget is mending, Jimmy is relieved! God is mighty and faithful and always good!
Almighty Father, You are the strength we need. You are our strong tower. We run to You and are safe! You have brought us through a storm because You are our protector and Savior! Thank You for Your love and watchful eye. We trust You to care for Your children in all ways. I pray we trust You for life and life abundant even through our wounds.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Dying to Self
I've been thinking that the struggles we go through in our lives and the inner battles we fight are signs of the Holy Spirit revealing to us the places where we need to die to self. It is hard to recognize in ourselves, but God sees all. He also knows that dying to self will set us free to live the abundant life He wants us to live!
Think about this: When we are in a battle of our own or others' making don't we begin with a tirade of "I" statements? "I don't need to put up with this!" "I am miserable", "I am....whatever." The focus is on me and my uncomfortable situation. If we would die to that problem that comes against us, and die to our selfish ways, our vision of God would be clear and focused!
Dying to self seems harsh and against our natural instinct of self preservation. In God's kingdom the opposite is true: to be a leader we must become a servant, if we die we will live! God's ways are not our ways but they are always the best way!
Think about this: When we are in a battle of our own or others' making don't we begin with a tirade of "I" statements? "I don't need to put up with this!" "I am miserable", "I am....whatever." The focus is on me and my uncomfortable situation. If we would die to that problem that comes against us, and die to our selfish ways, our vision of God would be clear and focused!
Dying to self seems harsh and against our natural instinct of self preservation. In God's kingdom the opposite is true: to be a leader we must become a servant, if we die we will live! God's ways are not our ways but they are always the best way!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
A War against Faith
There is a battle waging. This battle is being fought against my faith, but I stand on a solid foundation:Jesus Christ!
Today my faith took a great hit. I have been left slightly dazed and stunned at the turn of events, but I know in whom I believe. He is good and He is able! His ways are not my ways, and His thoughts are not my thoughts. Whatever comes I will praise Him. Whatever comes I will give Him glory. I will never deny His goodness or power.
I hold on to the hope of what lies ahead.
Today my faith took a great hit. I have been left slightly dazed and stunned at the turn of events, but I know in whom I believe. He is good and He is able! His ways are not my ways, and His thoughts are not my thoughts. Whatever comes I will praise Him. Whatever comes I will give Him glory. I will never deny His goodness or power.
I hold on to the hope of what lies ahead.
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