If I had my own church , the service today would be spent entirely in Praise and Worship. It has just been one of those weeks. The enemy has appeared strong and the constant theme seemed to be deception and destruction. Well, he tried anyway but he did not succeed.
Every afternoon , when I pick up the kids from school , I know within moments there is going to be a battle escalating to great proportions , usually until someone ends up crying , or fake crying as they like to do also. So , before its time for them to walk in the door my mind and spirit are gearing up for battle. I have to be compassionate and loving , yet firm and forceful if necessary and to tell you the truth it can be very exhausting. My husband comes home and I sometimes have to say " Get these children please. I'm wore out. " Which of course , with one word from dad , they are perfect angels, for a moment, until the next battle.
The same is true for us all that breathe air and live in this world. Jesus said :
John 16:33 These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world
As long as we are here we are going to have trouble. It's not bad luck, fate, a curse from mother nature or even the fact that a black cat walked across your path. It is the fallen state of the world we live in.
Some times are far worse than others and this week was very difficult. It seemed every avenue of our lives were under constant attack and I continuously had to keep my guard up . I say "my guard" but in reality it isn't me at all. The me that you see is weak and afraid , lazy and disobedient , but there is a me that you don't see. My spirit, who is inside , is to whom I am referring and is guided by the Holy Spirit to do good and not evil . He, is whom I put in charge of my day.
The Holy Spirit is the one that gets me up in the morning. He's the one that shuts my mouth when I get so mad I wanna cuss. He's the one that whispers words of comfort in my ear when I'm so tired and scared of the future.He's the one that turns me away from temptation. He is the one of the best presents ever given to man. Jesus died on the cross for our salvation, Praise God and to which we owe our lives, yet he loved us so much that he left, so that the Holy Spirit could come and reside inside of all those that ask Him to.
Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
My brothers and sisters, do you realize how much your Father loves you? Do you know how much is available to you , if you just ask.
Have you ever been in love ? I use this example because not everyone has children which is the example used in the scripture. Do you remember loving them so much that you just wanted to give them a gift? It didn't matter what it was, big or small you just wanted to bless them , because you loved them. You couldn't wait to see them , not because you wanted to look at them but because just being in their presence brought you such great joy. The Father of heaven loves you so much more than this. He can't wait to have your attention so He can shower you with His love. A great place He finds you is when you are singing to Him in praise and worship. When your hands and hearts are raised to Him in adoration He is there pouring His love upon you. It is one of my most favorite places to be. It is here He speaks to your spirit through the Holy Spirit . It is here the battles of everyday life are fought, and won.
Eph. 6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
In the spirit, is where the enemy is and in the spirit is where we worship.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
With every battle that was brought before me this week I knew that complaining about it, arguing about it, or even manipulating it was not going to accomplish anything. Who can manipulate the power of a tsunami , which we were faced this week? Only God , who is Spirit , can do anything to save us from so great a power.
So , just like I ask my husband for help when I can not continue on my own , I ask my Father to help me when the battle rages on. He is the one who calms the seas. He enters the scene and with one word from Him there is peace, for the moment , until the next battle.
I encourage you, as you face your battles , pray to the Father, cry out to Jesus , and heed the words of the Holy Spirit which are written in the word of God and you will see great victories. Remember you are not alone. God has placed warriors by your side to help through prayer and what a blessing Godly friendships are.
One last note, as you prepare for the battle , remember the words in Ephesians:
Eph. 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph. 6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Eph. 6:13 Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.
Eph. 6:14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Eph. 6:15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph. 6:16 withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.
Eph. 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph. 6:18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
I'm praying for you many mighty victories . God bless you in all you do. Have a great week.
