I want to get personal with you. I’ve always been transparent with my walk in Christ because I see no reason not to be, and in doing so hope that the wisdom I continue again through my own experiences with help you as you endeavor on your own walk in Him, Who is calling you by name…
Many choose to turn a blind eye to the spiritual war that is taking place all around them. Choosing to do so does not negate the fact that it is happening! It is SO important to remember that the first line of attack is your mind! Whispered thoughts that the enemy whispers through your ear to get you to be filled with uncertainty, distrust, fear, anxiety, doubt. He plants seeds because his plan is to get you to doubt God’s love for you, God’s plans for you, God’s provision! God’s mercies! God’s forgiveness! And so much more! Just as he deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden, satan* uses the SAME tricks OVER and OVER again! Why? Because he HATES God and because God LOVES you, he wants to destroy what God loves.
If you are a follower of Jesus, part of God’s called remnant in which I mean have accepted Jesus as your Savior, made Him Lord OVER your life the enemy is FURIOUS with you! You’ve just turned his attention towards you, especially if you are sharing your faith with others, interceding on behalf of loved ones. I share this with you not to scare you, but to make you aware. We are not to walk in fear but in faith!
A couple of weekends ago, Holy Spirit gave me the opportunity to minister to a pastor, who was hurting and needed reassurance of who he was in Christ. As his Sister in Christ, I reminded him of what the scripture says in Deuteronomy 28:13:
“The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom”
By the end of our meeting, this brother in Christ left feeling refreshed and refocused. You see, the Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 tells us:
“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit”
And that being the case, if you stub your toe the pain radiates throughout the WHOLE body. That analogy should indicate the same to us as many members but ONE in the body of Christ. If a brother or sister in Christ is hurting – we should be there for them. Just as the church responded to needs in the book of Acts. Acts 4:32-35 showed this:
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.”
The Bible also tells us in Galatians 6:2:
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
The very last thing satan* wants us to do is to support one another, pray for each other, encourage each other and stand in Christ more firmly together as one. Why? Because he knows the power of prayer, James 5:16 indicates the following:
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Dear reader, we were NOT created to stand upon our own strength – but His! We CANNOT do ANYTHING in our own power! But we are MIGHTY in Christ Jesus Who defeated satan* on the cross! Jesus redeemed us! Jesus keeps us! It is IN Him and THROUGH Him that we can stand firm in ALL that He has promised us! Truly I attest to you that Philippians 4:13 IS true!
“I can do ALL things through Christ Who strengthens me!”
Psalms 18:2 declares:
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my rock, in whom I will trust”
Isaiah 26:4 reminds us:
“Trust in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.”
I’m not going to lie to you and tell you that trials and tribulations don’t press you harder into the arms of the Lord – they do! The spiritual attacks I encountered from ministering later on that week brought me literally to my knees in prayer. When you determine to do the will of God and walk in the way of God the battle becomes more fierce – but it is SO important that we walk in faith and NOT fear! As born-again believers we belong to the Father! Press in to Him and determine that come hell or high water YOU BELONG TO HIM! In other words:
GOD HAS GOT YOU! AND HE’S NOT LETTING GO!
The tactics of the enemy are already defeated by the One Who has given us the victory! The Lord Jesus Christ! When we encounter spiritual attacks on our lives, on our family, on our health, on our finances or whatever the attack is – we turn to the One Who is GREATER than us! Prayer should NOT be an “after thought’ it should be a constant in our lives! I know what it is to encounter situations where I am physically trembling and not seeing in the physical a way out – but we are NOT to look upon our situations, we are to keep our eyes focused on the One Who IS the Way, Who IS the Truth, Who IS the life! No matter what! Ephesians 6:13 tells us:
“Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground.”
Philippians 4:1 tells us:
“Stand firm in the Lord.”
For those of us who have been believers for years, draw strength by looking back at your walk in Him and reminding yourself of all the times that the Father was there for you in the past! All the things that He has made a way when you thought there was no way! All the times He confirmed by Holy Spirit that He has you!
1 Corinthians 16:13 reminds us:
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
I know what it is like to feel vulnerable and small and of course the enemy whispers taunts in our ears that we have to rebuke and refuse to allow to take root in our minds. I know what it is like to feel weary and overburdened and unsure of what to do. But you see, those are the times when you turn to the Father. When you cry out to Him:
“ABBA FATHER!”
Press in and keep going forward in Christ. No matter WHO or WHAT stands beside you! Remember the enemy knows what things push your buttons, but if you determine to stand steadfast in Christ the victory that He has provided for us WILL come through! It may not be in the way you think, but His thoughts and way are GREATER than ours!
GREAT AND MIGHTY IS HE!
As you press into Jesus, Holy Spirit will give you perfect peace in the midst of whatever battle you are facing. And personally, I can tell you that that “peace that passes ALL understanding” is REALER than REAL! Think about how David faced Goliath and defeated him by allowing himself to be a vessel of the LORD! Think about Sampson coming into the full knowledge that it was NOT his strength, but God’s strength IN Him! Think about Moses fully aware that he was a mere man allowing himself to be used by God to guide the Israelites out of Egypt! He was not walking in his OWN strength but dependent upon God! Think about Joseph facing trial after trial not understanding the WHY of it but refusing to give up on God or turn away from God in the midst of ALL his trials! Or Esther who put her life in the hands of God by having to approach her husband, the king unbeckoned to do so on behalf of her people! There are SO many examples of faithful believers who walked BY faith and found their strength in God alone.
EXAMPLES OF HOW WE NEED TO WALK – WITH OUR EYES ON HIM! DON’T GIVE UP! DON’T GIVE IN! EYES ON JESUS! FEET ON THE ROCK! FAITH OVER FEAR! STANDING FIRM IN THE ONE WHO HAS ONE THE VICTORY FOR US! THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD!
Will you stand with me in prayer?
“Father, I love you so much… Thank You for giving me eyes to see, ears to hear, a heart to receive Your good and perfect peace no matter what the enemy tries to bring against me. Forgive me for the times when I have allowed fear to take root instead of faith. Forgive me for the times where I have allowed my heart to be panicked. Where instead of keeping my eyes on Jesus, I have focused on the storms that have tried to knock me off my walk of faith. Forgive me Father and see me as I run back to the protection of my Shepherd’s arms. There is nothing that I face that is not mightier than You. I put my faith in You for You have redeemed me, You have called me by name. I AM YOURS. My steps are ordered by You. I determine THIS day to focus on You! To praise You that I am NEVER alone! That YOU are with me! You make a way where there IS no way! You ARE the Way, the Truth and the Life and I am FULLY yours. Comfort me Father, protect me, provide for me, guide me, keep me for in You I move and have my being. I can trust in You. Confuse the plans of the enemy Father. Send forth my warring angels to defeat ALL the plans of the enemy. On Christ the mighty Rock I stand. I am solely dependent upon Your good and perfect will for my life. I trust in You. I have the victory in You. I belong to You. Be glorified Father. Fill my home with your Holy Spirit, let the light of Christ shine forth from me, keep me in perfect peace. I pray as Jesus taught us to pray: my Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give me this day my daily bread and forgive me my trespasses as I forgive those who trespass against me. Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil. For Thine is the power and the glory forever and ever. I love You Father. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
You should be feeling pretty confident in Christ right about now. The Father is holding you in the palm of His hand. Holy Spirit is guiding your steps and Jesus is interceding for you even as you read these words, as He is seated at the right hand of the Father. The victory has ALREADY been won we just have to remember to walk in it! No weapon formed against you WILL prosper, you belong to God and you can find peace and comfort through even the darkest of nights in Him. He will NEVER leave nor forsake you. Stand firm Soldier in Christ, know Who you belong to and walk in the victory and confidence you have in Him! Ready? Set? Go!
*I purposely choose not to honor satan by capitalizing his name.
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