The Battle

"From the Word: 1 Chron 5:20, 22 the people are said to have cried out to God in battle. God hears their prayer because they trusted in him. Then it says that many men fell because the war was God's. At the point of our trust God hear's our prayer and takes on the battle."

I hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend. I know our celebrations of the resurrection were well attended and left a lasting impact on our church and on our lives personally. What a time we had! 

It was sad to come home after such joy and celebration to news that Christians were being targeted by a suicide bomber in Pakistan. Our hearts were grieved and we mourned and prayed for our brothers and sisters who were suffering on the other side of the world. We continue to pray that in the wake of such tragedy that the hope and healing power of the gospel shines in these dark times. 

This morning my wife and I were talking and she said she woke up with the song we sang at the beginning of our church service in her heart with the people of Pakistan on her mind. She commented that if it were us we would happy because we would get to be with the Lord. It's true. You will find the martyrs in Revelation asking the Lord how long and He comforts them. This is good news. With terrorist activity on the rise we need some good news. 

If we look at loss and pain we will get depressed and end up questioning God in the wrong way. God is open to questions but not to unbelief. We can ask why with a heart that believes God is good. We can ask God what He is doing without doubting His motive. 

If you are going through a personal battle, physical, spiritual, emotional, financial or whatever else, cry out to God. Give God your questions but also your faith and trust. He will meet you there. God knows our limits and the battles we face. He also is ready and willing to fight for us. When you trust Him and bring Him into your battle you can rest and know that you will come out victorious. 

I would encourage you to go back and read 1 Chronicles 5:20-22 and also study the battles of the Bible. What did the people who trust God do? What were their prayers like? How did they act in faith? What did they speak about with God and other people? As you see these things incorporate them into your life and your battle plan. 

Be encouraged that God loves you. He will fight for you! When God gets involved the battle is already won. 

What battles are you facing? What scriptures help to overcome in these battles? 

Day 242 - Everyday Choices

"Everyone has choices and issues they deal with though and none are exempt for any reason. We all have to fight the good fight and put the flesh under."

There are people who think that because I am a pastor that I don't deal with any issues. Like my father in law taught our church we as pastors are anointed to preach and teach the Word of God, but, we are no more anointed that anyone else to live the Word of God. We have to hear it, believe it and apply it just like everyone else. 

I often am shocked, even though I should know better, when I see people who have everything going for them and they are still struggling with issues that they should know better. But the truth is that we all stumble in many things like the book of James tells us. We all need to follow diligently the Word of God. 

As long as we are living in the flesh we will be fighting with it. The flesh wars against the Spirit. That is where we choose to walk in the Spirit and put the flesh under God's control. Once we make the choice the battle ensues. Thoughts and feelings will come, the devil will attack. If we stay the coarse and follow the Word then we will come out victorious. How could we not when God is on our side? 

How do you deal with battling the flesh? How do you deal with spiritual warfare?