Post by Wicked on Aug 7, 2008 11:09:10 GMT -5
.How do you fight? Do you feel as if you are ready to give up? Are you just tired of fighting the good fight of faith? Do you feel miserable, frustrated or defeated in your life? Do you try to serve God with your whole heart, and still don't know how to resolve your conflicts? Do you know how to make choices to change your situation and to be set free? Do you feel powerless in your battles? Are you stuck in that place and seem as if you just can't get out? Do you think that you are not making any headway? Do you think that you will never get past this time in your life? Ephesians 6:10 – 13 "Finally, my brethren be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his power. 11 Take up God's instruments of war, so that you may be able to keep your position against all the deceits of the Evil One. 12 for our fight are not against flesh and blood, but against authorities and powers, against the world-rulers of this dark night, against the spirits of evil in the heavenly places. 13 For this reason take up all the arms of God, so that you may be able to be strong in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore having your body clothed with the true word, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 Be ready with the good news of peace as shoes on your feet; 16 And most of all, using faith as a cover to keep off all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. 17 And take salvation for your head-dress and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: The first thing that we need to do is put on that armor which He has provided for our protection. Are you dressed for battle? Romans 13:12.The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light." When we are putting on the armor of God, we are putting on His armor of light. When we put on Christ, we are taking ourselves out of the natural, which is where we are vulnerable to attack. When we put on the armor properly, the enemy cannot touch us. It is an act of our will that we allow God to give us His power by putting on His armor. After we get suited up then we can hold our ground against the enemy. We become immovable and unshakeable against the enemy. We need to take off all the natural carnal man's armor and put on God's to fully appreciate our spiritual armor. This means that we have to let go of our will, our thoughts and ideas and pick up God's will, God's Word, God's knowledge. Every piece of God's armor is necessary, by not keeping His armor on we only get slowed down, and that will cause us to stumble in battle. “Ephesians 6:11. Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil .We must wear the armor if we are to stand against the devil. When we don't put the armor of Christ, we are on the same level as our enemy. Romans 13:14. But put you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. As the commander and chief of our army, He has provided everything that we need to stay victorious over the enemy. You can't expect God to protect you if you don't take part. We have one on the inside who is much greater than the one on the outside who wants to destroy you. I John 4:4 .You is of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. Great trials await us; we must stand strong in the power of His might. We cannot let the wind blow us this way or that, do not let your guard down. We have to continue to stand if we intend to keep what God has already given us. God has given us the armor and the faith to stand fully clothed as we stand. I Peter 4:12. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. So why should we be surprised that we are being tested? Being tested is just part of the Christian life. If we are not tried by the fire how then can we come out as pure Gold? Someone said that the pure Gold in heaven is different than the pure Gold we have here on earth. The pure gold in heaven is transparent, you can see right through it. The gold here on earth has a color, it has an element in it that gives it its color, but if you take that element out it becomes transparent.” I Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." What a better way to show how strong our love for the Father. There might be a lot of shortcuts that have helped you in everyday life, but there are no shortcuts in spiritual maturity. We cannot continue to mature in Jesus without having our faith tried and tested. Will we always like it? No. Will they better us; help us in life's journey? Yes. Rejoice. He is not done training you yet. He wants to cultivate new ground in your life. God wants to open up new territories, those that have never been explored. Through the tests and trial we will learn what God wants to do in us for His glory. Will it get hard? Sure it will. Will I be tempted to quit? Yes. Just keep your heart and your head focused on Him. Keep doing the will of God, He will bless you. Keep your eyes fixed upon Him through it all. Don’t get so focused on the problem that you miss out on what God wants to do in you. Thank Him for training you. Thank Him for giving you strength to make it through. Thank Him for the trial. Thanks Him for the end result. Just start to give Him praise for making a way where there seems to be no way, Thank Him for the opportunity to stretch your faith and make it stronger. ." Psalm 145:8-11"The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are all over His works. All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless." Proverbs 3:5-8 thee” Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not upon your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the Lord and depart form evil. It shall be health to thy flesh and strengths’ to thy bones.
Mark Falconer
May God bless you,
Mark Falconer
May God bless you,