Ecclesiastes 1:9 states: "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun." (ESV)
This topic is very difficult to write about. My mind wanders to the news stories of children kidnapped and forced to do unspeakable acts for the pleasure of those bigger than them. I am reminded of the anger displayed by those who use weapons to speak for them, even against the innocent. I think about the perversions we have embraced as a society by our silence or tolerance. All of these things and more are weighing on my heart today. But there is nothing new in any of it. We may think it is new because we have made sure it was hidden in the darkness for a long time, but it was there waiting to be set free by popular demand.
My thoughts all began when I started thinking of Christmas. In that silent night long ago we would like to think that the evil resided only in the King Herods and Roman soldiers of that time. I've learned from history that much of what we see in the news today was also rampant in the time of Jesus. That is why He came! That is why He still offers Himself as Savior to everyone.
My friends and family who follow Christ agree with me that the world seems to be more evil. Maybe we are wrong. Maybe the evil has been there all along and we were strong enough to keep it in the dark. Maybe we have been too lax in our spiritual warfare. We have closed our eyes and refused to see the enemy working to bring down the walls that kept them bound.
God, Our Father, Righteous Judge, Forgive us for not standing firm against the enemy! We have allowed him a foot hold in our nation and we seem powerless to rein him in. Thank You for providing us with the weapons that fight against the powers and principalities effectively. Thank You for prayer. As the world seems to be filled with evil let Your people rise up, stand firm and never give up our territory, our souls. Keep revealing Your truth so that we will not be deceived. We need You now, Lord!
Showing posts with label spiritual warfare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spiritual warfare. Show all posts
Monday, November 15, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Stand Firm
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the Devil." Eph. 6:10-11(NASB)
This verse was my memory verse for last week. As I facilitate a Bible Study class on The Invisible War by Chip Ingram, I am taking time to think through the truths about the battle against the enemy. Re-memorizing this verse in a new version made me more aware of my own stance when fighting the enemy.
Do I resist Satan by freezing and trying to become invisible by not moving? Do I think of standing firm as a soldier standing at attention? I am becoming aware that to be ready for the attacks of my spiritual enemy I must keep aware, being watchful but not being preoccupied, of his movements. My stance should be one where I am keeping a close watch on my Commanders' signals, ready to move where He guides. Ready to obey.
When I was a Girl Scout our motto was Be Prepared. When my husband taught Royal Rangers their motto was Ready, ready for anything. Ready to work, play, serve, obey, worship live, etc. Both seem to be great mottoes for our spiritual battles.
We must prepare ourselves by knowing who we war against. We must be ready with our weapons and not turn away from the fight. Our God has prepared us for this battle by giving us all we need to succeed. He has won the victory and we can be assured that He will bring us through the battle.
Almighty God and Father, You are mighty and strong, the Victor over the enemy! I am weak when You are strong! I admit that I am sometimes frightened by the battle and the underhanded ways of our foe. I want to be a good soldier, but I often cower when I should trust You to give me all I need to win. Thank You for preparing me and for providing me with the weapons that are powerful and effective! Thank You for teaching me Your ways of spiritual warfare. I stand firm in Your strength and the power of Your might!
This verse was my memory verse for last week. As I facilitate a Bible Study class on The Invisible War by Chip Ingram, I am taking time to think through the truths about the battle against the enemy. Re-memorizing this verse in a new version made me more aware of my own stance when fighting the enemy.
Do I resist Satan by freezing and trying to become invisible by not moving? Do I think of standing firm as a soldier standing at attention? I am becoming aware that to be ready for the attacks of my spiritual enemy I must keep aware, being watchful but not being preoccupied, of his movements. My stance should be one where I am keeping a close watch on my Commanders' signals, ready to move where He guides. Ready to obey.
When I was a Girl Scout our motto was Be Prepared. When my husband taught Royal Rangers their motto was Ready, ready for anything. Ready to work, play, serve, obey, worship live, etc. Both seem to be great mottoes for our spiritual battles.
We must prepare ourselves by knowing who we war against. We must be ready with our weapons and not turn away from the fight. Our God has prepared us for this battle by giving us all we need to succeed. He has won the victory and we can be assured that He will bring us through the battle.
Almighty God and Father, You are mighty and strong, the Victor over the enemy! I am weak when You are strong! I admit that I am sometimes frightened by the battle and the underhanded ways of our foe. I want to be a good soldier, but I often cower when I should trust You to give me all I need to win. Thank You for preparing me and for providing me with the weapons that are powerful and effective! Thank You for teaching me Your ways of spiritual warfare. I stand firm in Your strength and the power of Your might!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Spiritual Warfare
We have an enemy that is unseen. We may not see his person, but we certainly know he exists and intends to do evil towards us. We hear his voice tempting us to join him in the evil he plans for ourselves, our families and others. The world does his bidding without much thought. As Christians we must recognize who is setting a plan before us and resist the Evil Ones' enticement no matter how convincing he makes it.
The knowledge that we have an unseen enemy can be frightening, but knowing that we have a Greater God to turn to for help is empowering. God is love and there is great power in love. It is our strongest weapon against evil. No good can come by trying to defeat evil with more evil.
Last night I caught the last part of a show on tv. I think it was Primetime. They were discussing that there are some people who have a certain type of brain function (or lack thereof) that are predisposed to murder. Studies seem to conclude that DNA and brain activity can be factors in determining why some people commit murder after seemingly living a normal life.
The most interesting part about the show was that the researcher began to talk to his mother, who encouraged him to study his family history. It seems his father had a linage of murderers on his family tree, including Lizzie Bordon. He then did studies on himself, his mother, wife and children. The results were surprising in that only one person had the genetic and brain function the same as those of killers he had studied. He had both residing in himself.
Why had he not exhibited the traits seen in the lives of those he studied? He knew there had to be a mitigating factor. He determined that it was the overwhelming love he experienced as a child and as an adult. He was drenched in the love of his family. The power of love successfully overcame his seemingly evil tendencies. He did not mention a spiritual source of the love given but certainly God is the God of all true love experiences.
So what does this have to do with me and you? I think it speaks clearly about the need for love in our lives if we are to overcome the temptations of the Evil One. We must have an unlimited source of love. We must have God!
God You are Love. You are the Source and Power of Love in the world. You are the only defense against the enemy who seeks to steal kill and destroy us. Lord, I want to love, but I so often fail to love purely or to love the unlovable. Thank You for proving to me that it is possible to love those who do not deserve it. Thank You for demonstrating love that comes from choosing not feeling. Help me to love. Let me be a vessel to pour Your love out to a hurting world. I need You and I need Your love!
The knowledge that we have an unseen enemy can be frightening, but knowing that we have a Greater God to turn to for help is empowering. God is love and there is great power in love. It is our strongest weapon against evil. No good can come by trying to defeat evil with more evil.
Last night I caught the last part of a show on tv. I think it was Primetime. They were discussing that there are some people who have a certain type of brain function (or lack thereof) that are predisposed to murder. Studies seem to conclude that DNA and brain activity can be factors in determining why some people commit murder after seemingly living a normal life.
The most interesting part about the show was that the researcher began to talk to his mother, who encouraged him to study his family history. It seems his father had a linage of murderers on his family tree, including Lizzie Bordon. He then did studies on himself, his mother, wife and children. The results were surprising in that only one person had the genetic and brain function the same as those of killers he had studied. He had both residing in himself.
Why had he not exhibited the traits seen in the lives of those he studied? He knew there had to be a mitigating factor. He determined that it was the overwhelming love he experienced as a child and as an adult. He was drenched in the love of his family. The power of love successfully overcame his seemingly evil tendencies. He did not mention a spiritual source of the love given but certainly God is the God of all true love experiences.
So what does this have to do with me and you? I think it speaks clearly about the need for love in our lives if we are to overcome the temptations of the Evil One. We must have an unlimited source of love. We must have God!
God You are Love. You are the Source and Power of Love in the world. You are the only defense against the enemy who seeks to steal kill and destroy us. Lord, I want to love, but I so often fail to love purely or to love the unlovable. Thank You for proving to me that it is possible to love those who do not deserve it. Thank You for demonstrating love that comes from choosing not feeling. Help me to love. Let me be a vessel to pour Your love out to a hurting world. I need You and I need Your love!
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