“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16: 33 Spiritual warfare has been a heavy topic for me to write about. However, it has been encouraging to see the thread of victory and redemption God has woven into Scripture. Jesus Himself said He has overcome the world! He has the ultimate victory. That should give us so much hope and joy. Of course it’s easy for me to write that. Living it out is a lot …
Perseverance
If you haven’t read the previous four devotionals, I encourage you to go back and read them. Today’s devotional is about perseverance, particularly as it relates to spiritual warfare. I don’t know about you, but living a life devoted to Jesus is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I can easily get off track, frustrated or weary. So perseverance has become an important aspect of my faith especially when faced with a spiritual battle. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines perseverance as “the continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition”. Has your faith in Christ ever …
The Battlefield of 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 I touched on this subject in my last devotional but I think it’s important, so I want to write about it in more detail. Yesterday I compared our minds to a battlefield and I quoted Paul in 2 Corinthians about taking our thoughts captive. “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take …
Courage in the Battle
How do we move forward with courage into the spiritual battles we face? Going into any battle can be intimidating and scary. I honestly don’t know how our American soldiers do it, but I am so grateful for their courage and sacrifice. It is because of their bravery and diligence that we have the privilege of living in a free country. I admit that sometimes my first reaction to conflict or pain is to withdraw from it; to escape to a safer, more comfortable situation. But when it comes to spiritual matters we cannot afford to run from it or …
The Schemes of our Enemy
My precious sisters and brothers, we have an enemy. Are you familiar with his tactics? Satan is not a mythological being. He is very real. One of the strategies of any enemy is to remain hidden, because the element of surprise always gives the upper hand in battle. Our enemy is no different. He is strategic and skilled and he is hoping you aren’t paying attention. “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 …
The Unseen Battle
Have you ever experienced a feeling of heaviness in your chest accompanied by a convincing feeling that God doesn’t love you or has abandoned you? Even though intellectually you know it isn’t true and you know that God promises He will never leave you or forsake you, it still feels very much like truth. That’s just one example of my own spiritual battle I often face. There are many more examples. Fear is another one I struggle with. Satan can have me so paralyzed with fear that I become convinced I’m worthless. One thing I’ve learned from my years as …
Don’t Drop Your Sword!
How seriously do you take prayer? For most Christians, prayer is merely a side-item to their “feel-good” faith; this is a sad and terrible travesty. Prayer is one of our most powerful weapons in offensive spiritual warfare. Most of us can say that we know the Scripture referencing our spiritual armor… Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against …
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