Day 17: Drawing Closer to God (Battle of the Mind)

The book of Romans is one of my favorite books of the bible. It has a wealth of information about who we are as believers and where we came from. I see this a lot in my counseling of clients, the idea of our mind doing battle. Our sinful nature is a power within us that we have to battle to over come. It is the wrong in us that does everything it can to get the right in us to follow along and do the wrong. Because we as human beings have the power to choose, when presented with the wrong path as the snake did to Eve in the Garden of Eden, we, with the sinful nature within us have no means on our own to over come the sinful nature so we will choose the wrong path as Eve did. But our loving God, gave us a warrior who does the battle for us. I think of God looking down on his only son on the cross dying not because he was a criminal and did anything wrong like the other two beside him on their crosses but because he was doing the ultimate battle right than and there with sin. He died on that cross taking all our sins with us and went to Hell. He won the battle the day he rose from the dead and walked out of Hell. As a believer in Jesus, we are connected to him like a tea bag that needs water to produce any tea.  When we accept Jesus into our hearts his living water is poured into us. We now have the means to do battle with sin in our own minds. We just have to pick up the sword to do the battle each day. With Jesus, we are like a cup or glass of tea and the power of the Holy Spirit can heat up the tea to bring us comfort and peace and it can ice up our tea to give us inspiration and conviction. The sinful nature is still there within us but we have the connection to Jesus and the Holy Spirit within us to do the battle and help us choose the way of the righteous.
Romans 7:23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 301

I heard this line on a TV show recently regarding a girl who thought her brother was dead for 5 years and turns out is alive and back home. She had become a partier and doing drugs and she said to her brother “I did my best with what I had to work with”. In mulling this statement over, my opinion is she is not taking the responsibility for her own behavior but is making excuses that she was grieving. This is an apparent problem from the beginning of time with Adam and Eve. We seem to be disposed as humans to put the blame on someone or something else rather than honestly admit it was “me”.  She did the best with what she had which did not include God. This is a good example of how without God  in our daily lives and growing and learning through His word, we will not have the tools necessary to fight the devil who will do anything and everything to keep you separated from God and/or separate your already existing relationship with God. The first big hurdle to overcome in working to resolve our problems is to accept the responsibility for them rather than making excuses and passing the blame. Keep this in mind in the days ahead and start a list of instances where you see yourself or others not taking the responsibility. You will see just how much the devil has worked this into our world and realize you are going to have to put on the armor of God and get in the Word to battle the enemy.

The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from the nature will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Galatians 6:8

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 299

What does it mean to have an “open-door policy”? I had the natural assumption that when that person specifically said “I have an open-door policy” that you could go to that person with whatever is on your mind. On Monday, I was called into a meeting unexpectedly in which I ended up not being needed but I come to find out that the owner got very perturbed because the co-manager could not find me initially and told him she must be on break. He made the rash decision to implement scheduled breaks for the data entry department because of this. I wanted to set the record straight with him that I was not on an official break but had simply away from my desk because nature called and I had to go. I also wanted to give him my opinion on scheduled breaks vs. flexible breaks. I came up with an email and had a co-worker review it before sending it to him. Two minutes later, I was called into the co-manager’s office. Apparently, “open-door policy” is not what I thought. The one co-manager that I have had issues with in the past, was angry because the boss was going to come down on her because I did not go to them first. To make a long story short, I came to the point where I just felt beaten down to the point of despair. I cried and told them what do I do stand up to this or walk out. To make the issue even worse, an email was sent later in the day to everyone that no one was to go directly to the owner for anything that we must follow the hierarchy. My co-workers and team lead defended me and found the “open-door policy” in the employee  handbook to be very ambiguous with no clear direction in how to proceed. The owner did not respond to my very nicely put respectful email. My heart felt crushed by the weight of the lack of respect, consideration and courtesy given to myself and my fellow co-workers. I spent the evening looking for a new job and will continue my pursuit of a better work environment where people don’t treat you like you are nothing. Thankfully, I have my God who has an honest and true open door policy. God will never make you feel like you are nothing but quite the opposite. His love, acceptance and caring will heal me from this battle with evil. Please pray that God leads me to another job and/or gives me the strength and courage to go to this job for the next year while I get my schooling done. God is for me and will make good out of the suffering I am going through.

1Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 204

A friend of mine from bible study lives in Black Forest. Thankfully, her home was not among the 483 that were lost. She got word yesterday that they could return to their home. She said a 100 cars were lined up to get into her subdivision. There were 3 fire trucks with lights and sirens going there and about 30 firefighters cheering them on as they drove into their neighborhood. She said was very emotional. Firefighters are amazing and what a gift from God to give them a chance to celebrate with the people they were fighting for. Our souls are being fought for everyday. God wants to have and watch us grow in relationship with him and Satan wants to do everything to keep that from happening. Oh how the angels of heaven must be cheering for us when we win the battle. We know the war is already won thanks to Jesus but everyday is a battle to distract us and lead us away from our awesome God. I pray that today you and I can win the battle and give cause for the angels to celebrate and cheer.

Luke 10: 19: “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

http://sfc-hemet.org/the_ten_scriptures_satan_hate_most0.aspx

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 184

I have been reading about a boy named Alex Malarkey who was in a car accident and went to Heaven. This boy has had angels visit him and heal parts of his body and he has been attacked by the devil. My daughter asked me what I was thinking about last night as we relaxed in the spa. So, I told her about the boy and how the devil was attacking him. The boy couldn’t say the name of Jesus and was terrified. But with lots of prayer coming from prayer warriors and his family he was able to fight off the devil and say “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus”. Of course, my daughter asked how the devil was attacking him. So, we talked about how the devil is the liar of all liars and will say anything to us that might change our focus from Jesus to him. We talked about how even though the perceptions of this boy were acute and he literally saw angels and the devil that the more we open our hearts to the Lord the more we will be able to discern when the devil is attacking us. We talked about the armor of God and specifically about the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God. I told her that we will be attacked by the devil throughout our lives especially in those circumstances when we find ourselves weaker but if we are in the Word of God everyday and his truth is sinking into our hearts, we will be able to fight off the devil and his attacks. This part of our faith is tough for people. It is hard to imagine a war is being fought all around us everyday. It goes against what we see but things are never as they seem. We, as Christians, are soldiers of Christ so like any soldier we must prepare for battle. Put on your armor and fight the good fight.

Here is a good article on the armor of God:

http://www.battlefocused.org/articles/armor-of-god/

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 175

I have a weakness when it comes to food, especially desserts. It has been a constant battle over the last 15 years.  There is usually something that spurs me to stop and start eating better. I got the kick in the behind last week when I was getting ready for work. I started pulling out several cropped pants and one after another found them not to fit until I finally came to one that did. It was the straw that broke the camels back. I chose to be realistic and said just no dessert until Sunday which at that point would be 3 days.  I didn’t make it to Sunday. An apple pie was brought to our house and I was not prepared to handle that.  I cannot do this on my own. I found this scripture that really makes you think about what you do or don’t do to your body by what you eat and how you live. Desserts and entertaining TV shows have been taking me away from the Lord. So, I am calling on the power of the Holy Spirit within me to help me make wise choices regarding food and physical activity.  I will make it my goal to please God with my how I regard my body.

2Corinthians 5:6-10 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 161

My daughter was having pain in a baby tooth that was found to have a cavity. The dentist had said since it’s in a baby tooth to wait it out and see if it what will come first it falling out on its own or pain. The pain came and the tooth wasn’t wiggling even one bit. The pain was enough that my daughter was gung-ho about getting it pulled. She was very brave as they pulled out the tooth root and all along with another one right beside it. She was more freaked out about seeing her tooth with the root still on it. “Creepy”, she said. Overcoming fear will be a life-long pursuit but I am confident that God will be leading her and helping her. He gave her courage to battle the fear.

Deuteronomy 31: 6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 139

We watched the re-make of the movie Red Dawn. The classic movie with the late Patirick Swazy in which the US is invaded by enemy countries and the stand they take. My husband found out a tidbit about the new movie that was kind of disturbing. The new movie had the invading army as the Chinese but they digitally changed it in post-production to be North Korea. It is no coincidence with all that is going on with North Korea currently. In the movie, a group of youth, escape up into the mountains. They are led by the older brother named Jed and choose to stand up and fight for their home. But not all of them make that choice to fight. It was said well in the movie when they showed an American wearing a black uniform with a red band on it. They were the collaborators.  The main character Jed said it well, “that always happens”. There will always be people who will stand and fight and those who out of fear will choose to take up sides with the enemy. It is the same in our spiritual fight against the forces of darkness in our world. We can choose to fight or we can choose to be apathetic and let the darkness invade “our” world. Unfortunately, for many, they will go the route of apathy or ignorance simply because they do not truly believe in God or in the battle that is being waged for our souls with Satan. But there will be a day when not believing won’t be an option. The evidence of God will be fully revealed when Jesus comes again. In the final battle there will be those who will choose to collaborate with evil. It is part of who we are. God gave us the free will to make our own choices. But those choices for some will be made out of fear. “Do not be afraid” is said so many times throughout the bible. God is for us. He is the good guy. And it is for Him and the love he has shown us through Jesus that we must stand and be firm.

Ephesians 6:14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 348

I heard the news of the outcome of the election and went to the bathroom and cried. I am saddened by the direction our country is in and looks like will continue to be in. But I went to bed and woke up several times during the night with different words of songs coming to my mind. In the end, God helped me to get passed this moment in our history and see the bigger picture of his plan. He is in control and Jesus has already overcome. The war has already been won. Our real battle isn’t getting the right person elected but reaching each individual person out there that doesn’t know Christ or a “believer” whose view is warped or stagnant. If anything, how the vote went shows how much work we have to do for the hurting right here in our country. But it’s not about relying on the government to help the hurting. It needs to come directly from the body of Christ.  We have to be the example and teach that all our needs come from God and our reliance should be on Him. I am praying for the Lord’s guidance in how to reach out to the hurting, the disillusioned, the stagnant Christians and help them have their needs met through the body of Christ and not through the government.

Pslam 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 148

Everyday we are assaulted from all sides by the evil in our world. I am comforted and feel strengthend just knowing I have the Lord on my side. He will give me everything I need to conquer my fears, to stand up for the Lord and to be strong in the face of adversity. It doesn't matter what the issue is; God is with us and for us. Go to the one who can give you what you need to win the battle. I know I am. Thank you Lord for your strength and your shield.
Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my sheild; my heart trusts in him and I am helped.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 74

As I was cuddling with my daugther in her bed last night, she commented "you're the perfect mom". When an opportunity presents itself like this to talk about Jesus, I take it. I told her nobody is perfect only Jesus is perfect and we just have to keep trying. Her response, "you're perfect to me". But than she added that we aren't perfect because we have sin. That's right our sin pulls us away from the Lord but thankfully we are forgiven. She finished it with "because Jesus died on the cross". I was immediately impressed with how much our teaching with the help of our church has sunk in. The sin that I am sure that my daughter thinks of and confessed to me last year, was that she secretly got into the Splenda packets downstairs and ate them. What pulls us into sin? For her, at this point in her life, it is her sweet tooth. There are two broad-termed ways we are pulled into sin: Temptations and Fears. Does one of these strike a cord with you? I know for me at this time in my life, it is fears, especially the fear of what others think of me or what I am doing. It is a constant battle but being in the word everyday, praising God everyday, praying everyday is helping me conquer my fear. The encouraging words that my daughter said to me last night are just another way of God telling me you are loved just as you are and you are doing what I want you to do so do not fear but strive for perfection. My prayer for you is that your heart will be open to hearing what God is speaking to you today.
Proverbs 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.