Saturday, March 13, 2021

The Faith Battle

 

Gwen Smith-  Every day you and I live out a faith adventure that takes us to a different type of tug-of-war: a battle we fight against the invisible.

Let’s break down the competitors: (Google image, Tug of war)

TEAM DEFEAT: On the enemy’s side of the battle rope, the opponents are lined up and ready to take us down. They want to shove us into a dark, stinky pit.

These opponents aren’t visible, but they're very real. We know them: fear, doubt, guilt, insecurity, pride, comparison, inadequacy, indifference, and lies.

Power zappers, all of them!

TEAM VICTORY: On the faith side of the battle rope, the Holy Spirit is right beside us. He is the anchor that helps us gain traction. He leads with the help that enables us to stand firm and be ready to fight. He teaches us how to be confident, compassionate, forgiving, humble, wise, and content. He reminds us of who we are in Christ and defends us against the thugs on the other side of the rope.

Each morning when I wake up, a tug-of-war begins again.

Every. Single. Day.

The Enemy we face is real—the Bible tells us so—and our lives give us all the evidence we need to believe it.

Here’s the way I look at it:

The Word is truth, and Jesus is the Word (John 1:14).

Jesus is the truth and can speak only truth (John 14:6).

If Jesus said that His followers would be better off without Him (John 16:7) and would do even greater things because of the One He would send in place of Him (John 14:12)—then who are we to pretend that the Holy Spirit is inconsequential?

Since Jesus made it clear my life will be better with the Spirit of truth, I want all of the Holy Spirit. I want every vibrant connection possible between God and my life. I want every ounce of guidance, teaching, comfort, help, and reminder He will give me. Bring it on! This happens when—and only when—I live yielded to the Holy Spirit. (When I grab the rope on the faith side of the battle.)

I wish I could write from a place of perfection, but I can’t. The battle between walking in the flesh and walking by faith is as fresh as my morning mug of dark roast. And the pathetic thing is I know what I need to do even when I don’t choose it. I know I need the Spirit of God to fill and fuel my day with fresh power, which comes as He leads me in the perspective, peace, conviction, and truth of Jesus.

I need help from the Spirit of God because the battles are fierce.

Are you whispering “Amen”?

We simply cannot go into a gunfight with plastic knives in our hands. If I want to live with all the power that the Lord has for me, then I have to invite the Holy Spirit to lead.

Every. Single. Day.

We Jesus lovers need to be fully engaged and alert.

You don’t have to wear camo, but you need a battle plan. It begins with acknowledging that there is, in fact, a spiritual battle raging all around you, and it requires you to decide which team you’re fighting for and against.

The Faith Battle
Gwen Smith


Let's pray-

     "Dear Lord, You are all powerful. Please crush my insecurities and doubts so I will be an effective witness of Your strength. Cover me in Your Spirit today and equip me to fend off attacks from the Enemy.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen."  [By Gwen Smith]


Words from God the Father
By Dave Roberson Ministries

                                              I Do Not Hold You at Arm’s Length

  "I am pointing My children to Me—to the Father. I am teaching many by My Spirit to look to Me and all that I have put in place for them through My Son. You are My sons. Your relationship with Me is as a son to a Father. I do not hold you at arm’s length; I daily invite you into the open arms of My grace and My love."


451-455 one-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 

451- Ps.57:2 "I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me."

452- Ps. 119:173 "Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts."

453- Eph. 4:3 "Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

454- Ps. 105:15 "Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm."

455- Ps. 63:3 "Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee."


Quotes for today-

~ Billie Hanks, Jr.- Beyond man-made religions and philosophies, another barrier to our saying "thank you" seems to be innate in our human nature. It is the fear of admitting our own inadequacy. Our unspoken understanding goes like this: "If I have to thank God for something, it means that I cannot do it for myself. Therefore, I must be inadequate." This is true, though our pride makes it extremely hard to accept. We are both physically and spiritually inadequate from the very first days of our lives. Physically, we are born depending upon others and we die depending on others. To deepen your understanding of this reality, simply visit a hospital nursery and a convalescent home on the same day. [Taken from p. 131 of A CALL TO GROWTH, by Billie Hanks, Jr.]


                                                   Determined

Sixty feet high atop my tree
Clings one lone leaf tenaciously.

Through raging rain and heavy snow
That tiny leaf will not let go.

I watch it and I wonder why
That it alone remains on high.

I then compare the leaf to me
And Jesus to the towering tree.

I pray that when harsh trials blow
Like the leaf I won’t let go.

© Frances Gregory Pasch
   (Used by permission)


Words of wisdom-

~ Millions have trusted in Jesus for their eternal destination, and many the world over are turning to Him for their salvation each today. Revivals are harvesting many folks each day now, as there is such turmoil that folks are turning to God for answers and help.


Today's Popular post-

God (Really) Loves You


Kelly Balarie-  (1 Cor. 13:4-8) 
We often look at these verses and think, “This is how I need to act. This is how I should treat others. This is what I have to do to be loving . . .”
But, how often do we consider — this is how God loves us . . .


 

The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.



Upcoming posts-

#105 Rout the Devil By Praise
16th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

#106 Pray On Till Satan Is Defeated
18th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

Let Go Of Grudges And Expectations
20th- Saturday's post by Jane Ault

#107 Your Prayer Can Be An Eternal Investment
23rd- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel







 

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