Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7) Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26) Over the past few months, I have become more aware of the intense spiritual tug of warthat is not …
His Weapon of Mass Instruction
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV) For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 ESV) Guess what? We are in a battle. We have been in one …
Wars and Rumors of War
Matthew 24:6 “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. None will deny we are living during difficult times, During my 102 years, I do not know of a time people wore facial masks, practiced distancing, and faced a contagious disease such as the coronavirus. It reminds me of leprosy: a lingering disease during Jesus’ life on earth. Prayer: Heavenly Father, though we are living during a difficult time, still You are reigning on Your throne, and are …
Dressed to Kill
This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world. (Ephesians 6:12) The apostle Paul very well knew that we would engage in spiritual warfare, therefore he affirms that our spiritual battles are constant with an enemy who is crafty and full of evil. The enemy is masterful and cunning and will go to any measure to disarm us from our faith. He comes against us with different methods, and if he fails at one, …
Renewing The Mind
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 Do you ever feel like you spend all of your energy fighting? Do you feel like the enemy is working overtime to make you doubt, to give up? Well, I’m sure he is, but fortunately for us, God has given us direction on how to handle this battle and WIN. Our minds can become so cluttered with negative thoughts. Worry, anxiety, …
Preparing for Battle
2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. As we step out our doors, we must make sure we are fully equipped with God’s Word. We must put on the whole armor of God in order to fight the evils of this world. You know, I can remember, as a child, my parents would always protect me. Not only by watching out for me and teaching me what I need to know to be safe, but also by putting a helmet on my head before going out …
Battle Between Flesh and Spirit
Paul did not understand the war being waged in his heart after his dramatic experience on the road to Damascus. He wrote: “For we know the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want., I agree with the law it is good. So it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is in my …
The Unexpected Warrior
What do you think of when I say “warrior”? What do you see? Do you see a roughly cut man with bulging muscles, sweaty and dirty? How is he dressed? More importantly, what does God say about being his warrior? Does God mean me? I have found myself lately in a lot of turmoil. I am in the middle of a storm, a fight no doubt about it. As I read, Jesus continues to tell me to be “strong and courageous”. If I am totally honest with all of you there are times that I am tired of being strong …
Stand Firm and Secure the Victory
1 Peter 5: 8-9 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” The enemy is out there to make all Christians ineffective, each God fearing, God teaching church in turmoil and each family broken and hurting. To steal, kill and destroy. The enemy is alive and well and taking aim against each Christian individual, home, church, community and nation. I …
Keep Us Safe From the Evil One
“Do not bring us to hard testing, but keep us safe from the Evil One.” [Matthew 6:13] DO NOT BRING US TO HARD TESTING Testing is a reality in Scripture, beginning with Adam and Eve. Even Jesus was tested. Immediately after his baptism, the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the Devil. (Matt 4:1) During this time of hard testing, Satan tempted Jesus with everything from food to power. Jesus defeated Satan with the first commandment: Then Jesus answered, “Go away, Satan! The scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!’” Then the …
Faith in the Battle
As Christians we have ways of combating the devil’s evil plans for making us miserable: We can humbly pray and ask God to let us resist the enemy. We can remember the promise God make to us that He wouldn’t put more on us than we can bear. We can put on the armor of God. “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the …
Battle Plan
About the same time I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, my friend was battling addiction. I sent her scriptures and stood in the gap and prayed, but it was too late. She was in a firestorm and under intense attack. Her only option was duck and cover. Life is a battlefield. If you are not armed, you will be harmed. Prepare in advance. 1 Peter 5:8, “Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” HCSB Recognize the enemy of our soul is seeking to destroy us. He …
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