Exodus 14:14
Good morning!
Good morning!
Since I have written the last blog – there have been a few
challenges that have attacked specific parts of the armor. So I thought today
would be a good day to start looking at some individual pieces.
Some of our greatest battles are in our mind. Do you ever
arrive at work in a total bad mood because of what you had been thinking all
morning?
Do you set up scenarios with people in your mind, where they
do something you don’t like and you are telling them what you think? Do they
happen to be people who rub you wrong? This can be family, coworkers, and
potential co-workers, specific friends you work out with, or go to church with?
The enemy has many strategies to play us against each other. Disunity is a huge
detriment to the church. The longer we are mad at each other and don’t trust
each other, the less we do for Christ.
I read a blog from the book of Nehemiah about using our
position to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. We take stands when
we see injustice, but do we cause injustice ourselves?
I think it’s easy as women to be intimidated by other women,
and some voices of authority. We cave, we think of ourselves as weak. We tip
toe around not to upset anybody. It’s time to claim our ground back.
We are daughters / and children of the King. We are heirs to
a throne. We have the power at work within us – that very power that raised
Christ from the dead. Do we tap into that power, and how do we do it?
First – I think we have to get a little mad. I am tired of
letting thoughts control me, my attitude, and my emotion. That thought can be
fear, anger, misunderstanding, etc. Our minds are the battle field.
Second – since I am over being controlled, I realized that
Scripture is in fact alive and active. Sharper than any two edge sword. The
offensive weapon in the armor we talked about last week (Ephesians 6:10-17) is
the Sword of the Spirit – which is
the word of God. God has given us His word, and I think we are too surrounded
by circumstances and distractions to hear what He is saying. Not only that – I don’t
think we believe in the power of His word.
We have the Lord God at our disposal – and we watch TV
instead. I do this. I let social media take over my night – or reality TV. The
way to win the battle is to know. We need to know that there is a battle every
day. As we draw closer to the Lord’s return – the battle increases. If we – as Christians
– are handicapped, or distracted – we do not have a divine impact on this time.
Some people are ok with that. Some can live their lives going to church once a
week – and then living their life as normal for the rest. There are a spare few
though – that want to become what they are made to be in Christ – and it begins
with knowing Him and His word.
So how do we do this?
1.
Dive deeper.
a.
Get involved with a Bible Study. I know the Lord
has greatly used Bible studies by Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, Kay Arthur,
Kelly Minter, Jen Hatmaker, and Jennie Allen. Find a book to read – most of
these ladies I just mentioned have also written books.
b.
Find an area where you struggle and work on it.
If something isn’t blessing you, put it aside and find another book.
Here are a few books that pertain to certain areas.
i.
The ‘Circle Maker by Mark Batterson is an
incredible book on prayer.
ii.
‘Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire’ by Jim Cymbala is an
amazing book on Faith.
iii.
Been hurt?
‘Breakthrough prayer’ also by Jim Cymbala is an incredible healing agent.
iv.
Feeling insecure – ‘So Long Insecurity by Beth
Moore is away to defeat those crippling behaviors of insecurity.
Don’t settle where you are. There is so much to learn out
there. God is so big, it is impossible to grasp – but I want to hear what He is
saying to me!
2.
Set aside a specific time to spend with God and
pour out your heart to Him. Tell Him where you are, what you are feeling, where
you fail, and where you hurt. Be open and honest with him. Just talk to Him. He’s
waiting to hear from you. Pick a time where you are uninterrupted.
3.
Read His word. Bible Studies will get you into
His word. But I love to read the Psalms as well.
a.
When you seek Him – He will start opening up scriptures
that relate to your day, your circumstances, and your life.
b.
Write those scriptures down. I use a notecard,
and record every scripture that jumps off the page – one of my favorite:
Matthew 7:7 ‘Ask and it will be given you, seek and you will find, knock and
the door will be opened unto you.”
c.
Keep a journal with you. I keep a journal and
the notecards with me everywhere I go. I pray in the journal. It’s perfect to
have at the Doctor’s office, dentist, long lines somewhere – or maybe a place
that I get to and have some time on my hands. Stay connected to the Father.
4.
Memorize His word.
There
are key scriptures that will counter act an attack. Research what those are –
and memorize them.
Here are a few.
Fear:
Psalm 56:3 ‘What time I am afraid I
will trust in thee.’
Psalm
34:4 ‘I prayed to the Lord and He answered me – he freed me from all my fears.
Anxiety:
Philippians
4:6 ‘Be anxious for nothing, but pray about everything.’
Crazy thought life:
2 Corinthians 10:5 ‘We demolish
arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of
God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.’
Temptation:
1 Corinthians 10:13 ‘No temptation
has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he
will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,
he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.’
Anger:
Proverbs
15:1 ‘A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.’
If there are more you are thinking of, google ‘scriptures
about _______________________’
God gives us ways to overcome in His word.
5.
Stand on His word. If He has given you a
specific word, stand on it, believe it! Why would He give it to us, if it wasn’t
for us to believe in?
One of my favorite scriptures is “God’s
faithful promises are our armor of protection.’ When a mind battle comes – of doubt,
or worthlessness – you call out the words God has given you. Say – God’s word
says I am chosen and adopted. God’s word says – that when I call to Him He will
answer me and free me from my fears.
Give the battle to God. He’s our
victor… How do I know?
Nehemiah 4:20 ‘Our God will fight
for us.’
Exodus 14:14 ‘The Lord God will
fight this battle, and you? Keep your mouth shut.’
2 Chronicles 20:15 ‘This is what
the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because
of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s…’
Go get your victory. Talk to
victor.
