Under Attack

The last two and a half years have been madness, it all started just a few months before my husbands accident. I'm not going to go into detail but I'll say this life has been a real struggle. Some days I just walk away feeling so defeated, bruised, depressed but God is so good and gracious He always picks me back up and puts me back together. Fast forward after enduring surgeries, unfavorable health results and all the other things that life has throw at us, fast forward to being in the midst of the madness to making a decision to be all in for God. I had wasted enough years playing games, I know who my first love is and I always have, Jesus Christ. I decided I wanted to live radically for him. Over the next year I would start getting more involved in church, more immersed in my studies, more bold in my discussions. I believe I am where the Lord is calling me to be right now, I believe I am on my path. Next week I have the privilege of co-leading a women's bible study at my church and I will lead that same study by myself for couple ladies who can not make it out on Wednesday nights.

That's the short background of my story now let me tell you about today. The last few months and definitely the last two weeks I have been hit from every direction, the Devil I know is seeking to destroy me in little and big ways. Everyday it has been something. Sometimes its something small and sometimes a bigger distraction, like my mom ending up in the ER almost having surgery just 24 hours after I woke up a sweaty crying mess dreaming that she had died. Its been random its been brutal. But I am pressing forward. 

Monday (yes less than a week ago) My new lap top arrived. I took a leap and bought me a lap top, I got a good deal too. I have it all loaded with my bible software, my favorite websites and I am excited about having this tool to help me with my study of the Word. I wake up this morning and my lap top is on the floor. It took a random (not so random) spill sometime in the night??? I open it up and the touch screen is just destroyed, my heart sinks. BUT immediately I recognize what's going on here. See the Devil wants to stop me in my tracks, he doesn't want me to have this laptop to aid in my work for the Lord and even more than that he wants to utterly destroy my faith and confidence. There have been so many things like this the last couple of weeks it is almost laughable. See what is happening to me is happening all over the place to people heading in the right direction for the Lord, its called Spiritual Warfare and don't bat an eye because it is real and if you let Satan drag you down he will gladly pull you to the depths of hell himself, ESPECIALLY if your a follower of Jesus.

That's why we have to keep fighting. 1 Timothy 6:12 says "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called..."

We have to fight with awareness too! We must know that our enemy is real and he is roaming and seeking hearts to devour! We have to be ready at any moment for battle. Ephesians 6:10-18 is a clear instruction for this spiritual warfare "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints"

1 Peter 5:6-11 is one of the first verses I memorized after committing myself to being radically his and I still have it on reserve for days like today "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

The Devil may try but keep fighting the good fight and remember He who is in you is GREATER than he who is in the world! That's what I am walking away with today oh and my laptop is under warranty so just a short delay :)

Cast Out Fear

I have spent my entire life being afraid of something, maybe it was that test when I was young, maybe a long trip or a sudden illness. There are times I can distinctively remember giving into my fear and anxiety so much that it ruled me. One common thread among my fears was always the "unknown", I just wanted to know it so I could know it would be ok whatever it was (that's the controlling side of me :) This verse is such a breath of fresh air to someone like me though 1 John 4:18-19 says “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.” I know that even though I don't know the future, His Word tells me not to be afraid of today, tomorrow, or even the end of time because perfect love cast out fear and God is love, His love is perfect. If our lives continue to be geared towards Him we are also being perfected and our love is being perfected! 

More Perfected Love = Less Fear

I believe the more I focus on the Lord the less I have to fear! Just knowing His promises are reassuring, it leaves my flesh less room to worry because my spirit knows His truth! How powerful is this verse in Isaiah 35:4 "Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.”

If your afraid of the known or the unknown you can rest assured that the Father, having perfect love, dissolves those fears completely with the hope and assurance of eternity for those who love Him and seek Him. He is never far away either whether you know him already or you you want to know Him. His word promises this: ".The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.” Psalms 145:18 

Worldly Love

Good Morning! I am so happy to be writing this with the out a dizzy feeling like I had yesterday. This verse I read today in 1 John 2:15-17 has become so real in my life the older I get (don't I feel old just saying that!)  But it's true. The verse says “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

That might sound harsh to some but if you really take a look at this world it is just a mess, people are being beheaded, lies are being told, money squandered, lust fulfilled, drugs are rampant. These things may seem distant but believe me they will find their way to the hearts of the ones you love. The enemy came to steal and destroy and it only takes a little seed of a worldly idea for them to stumble. 

I recently experienced this myself with my children. No matter how I try to protect and guard them I have to know that the enemy is planting worldly seeds and I must be even more aware to plant seeds of truth in their hearts. This world makes me sad and I believe it is not our real home BUT until that day we can be the light, filled with Joy in all things planting seeds of hope. After all our Father in Heaven does not want to see a single soul lost so we must continue on mission in a broken world with the unbroken truth!!! What are you planting today?

Faith + Works

Faith with out works is dead, what does that mean? It means believing isn't enough, we are called to put action behind our Faith. I am so glad too because it means we have a purpose! Our purpose is not just to believe but to do something with that belief! And it is something God has called us too and for! Look what James says in verse 19 "But someone will say, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!" Wow! The demons even know God is real and fear Him. Just the knowledge of God isn't enough we have to trust Him and be obedient. In this chapter James asked if a man were cold and hungry would it be ok to just wish him well and say "be warmed and filled", no do a good work and give him some food and clothing, that's putting faith to action.

Here's my favorite example of faith with action: Think about where Christianity would be if Jesus had just had faith but no action. Had his faith been dead the many miracles would never have been performed, many lives would not have been saved, and the cross would just be the death bead of another man. But He had a mighty faith, one strong enough to complete the work on the cross. Without that work there would have been no resurrection, and that is foundational to our belief! Whew I'm glad Jesus had faith and works! 

Next time your being called to put your faith to the test would you endure it? Would you walk in that action? Sometimes it's scary when God puts that impression on my heart to move but I know with Him all things are possible and He who started a good work is faithful to complete it! 

Completely...

James is one of my favorite books of the bible, I love how boldly he speaks to the heart of the reader. One day I am excited to meet him and chat for a while. My daily reading landed on James 1 today. I'm actually studying a section of this scripture for a class I am taking. James 1:2-4 is one of my favorite verses in the whole bible “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

I don't really want to focus on the trials of life but on being complete. Our life has a purpose. God is orchestrating that purpose. In fact Proverbs 19:21 says “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”

As far as trials go I think we can establish that they are a necessary part of life, this verse says they create patience in us and we need to let patience have its perfect work so we can be complete, lacking in nothing. Here's what I want to hone in on, did you know that word "complete" is actually a verb? Complete is an action word! We can not be passive and be complete, we can not let the various trials of this life steal our joy and be complete, we can not give up and be complete! Completed does not equal passiveness, complete requires action on our part! Action to endure, action to preserve, action to ask and pray for wisdom in trial, and action to believe the Lord is directing your path! Believe is a verb too by the way... 

We have to do something, we have to make a decision to get up, to fight through. These action we choose either bring us closer to a state of completeness or they keep us chained right where we are. Could you run in the direction of faith today? Could you decide to take action when it feels like there is nothing left? Start with prayer, that is the best action we can take, the Lord will cover the rest!!!

Don't Suffer Alone!

When life brings on struggles sometimes doesn't it feel like we are made a spectacle for the world to see. Here is my weak point go ahead and laugh... I love how this verse reminds us that during struggle we can put aside that which is making a spectacle of us and become companions with others who suffer, having compassion and being joyful in our earthly loss knowing that we have a better treasure in heaven. 

Read the verse in Hebrews 10:32-39 “But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.”

Folks we believe in Christ and are promised a better day! Can for His sake we endure this one? Can we come along side a fellow suffering soul and lift them up to see the joy of the Lord! I believe there is beauty in sharing our brokenness all for the Glory of God who is our true savior! Let us not fall into a pit of our own problems but be encouraged to come alongside another and climb out of the pit together! Happy Friday!!!

Anchor My Soul

According to Wikipedia an anchor is a device, normally made of metal, used to connect a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the craft from drifting due to wind or current.

Hebrews 6:19 is one of my favorites "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil." 

Anchor is the perfect word here because we are a vessel that drifts and bounces with the ways of the world, Jesus is the living water, our lifeblood, and our hope in Him is what keeps us connected and stable. He is reliable, trustworthy, devoted and constant. Jesus is unwavering even when we waver. He has entered into the inner sanctuary of Gods presence (behind the veil) so we have a firm anchor for our soul.

I feel the most grounded when my hope is in Him. This world is going to toss us around, bad things will happen, people will hurt us, sickness and death are a reality but we can choose not to be a ship lost at sea by setting our hope in the One True King!