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 91

I picked up a book the other day at the library that sounded interesting. It is a fictional story about the world a hundred years from now in which there are 9 nine-year old children around the world who are the “trumpets” or prophets that must come together to bring the light back into the world. The world is going into an ice age of sorts and it is because humankind has turned away from God. There is no freedom of religion there is only no tolerance for religion of any kind. There are angels in the story that are in human form and are there to help win the war against the devil. However, the story seems to be leading towards the idea that all religions must come together and even said at one point there is not just one way to God. Well, that ruffled my feathers a bit because the real truth is there is only one way to God and that is through his only son, Jesus Christ. Thankfully, the spirit of the truth is within me and I can easily see the lies within this story but others who do not have a solid foundation in their faith may be swayed to believe such lies. The apostle Paul is very adamant about those who would preach another gospel and makes a point of saying whether it comes from a man or an angel. I love the idea of angels being around us and helping us but we have to be careful to not think of angels too highly. Jesus is the one we are to look to, love and worship.

Galatians 1:8 But even if we or an angel form heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!

Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 90

Men don’t change hair styles like women do. My husband has had the same hair cut for 17 years except for a brief try after we were first married to go a little longer. So, he proposed to me that he was going to try going shorter on the top. He talked to a guy at work that had just got his hair cut and decided he might want to try it but he wanted to get my thoughts first. I told him to go for it. Even if it didn’t work for him, it would grow back. So, he went and did it yesterday. He came back looking like a new man. Okay, now I am exaggerating but it was a nice difference. He told me how he always used a certain cutter size on the sides but always told the hair stylist to do an inch on top. This time he got a lesson in haircutting. He learned that he could use the cutter on the top too but with a different size. He tells me, “all these years I have been explaining to them what I want and nobody ever said a cutter size for the top until now.” This whole experience made me think of how people don’t go to the right source. They do it their own way or they try a different source that is not of God. The one right source is God and his Word. Of course, I am not saying when you need haircut advise the answers are in the bible. I am talking about spiritual decisions and choices we have to make throughout our lives. Our horoscope isn’t going to lead us on the right path; the TV isn’t going to lead us on the right path; a person without Jesus in their heart isn’t going to lead us on the right path. The only right source is Jesus, the Father and his Word. Be careful of what leads you and guides your choices. The devil will use anything and everything to make any kind of separation between us and the Father.

Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 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. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 99

Ever feel like someone is trying to keep you from doing what you are supposed to do? I have been getting that sense a lot lately with all that has been dumped on me. It seems like when one body part that's been hurting starts getting better another starts hurting. I discussed this a bit at my mastermind group as we talked about any obstacles that are getting in our way. I know the devil is working overtime to stop me from moving forward with this ministry. And when you are really trying hard to work for the Lord, the devil does that much more to you. Having an awareness of this is probably the most powerful piece to keeping my sanity at this point. My Lord can give me all the strength, peace and resilience that I need but I have to be continually asking for it and putting my focus onto God. It's tough to do when you have too many phone calls to return, emails to go through, answers to find, training others to help you and keep it all organized and keep them prioritized. Ugh. It a giant juggling act and things are going to fall to the ground but I have to keep my focus on God and let his strength and peace fill me so I can be the best juggler I can be. Do you feel pulled at both ends? Open your bible and find the strength and peace to endure.
Phillipians 4:13 I can do everything through him who give me strength.
Phillipians