Look Up for the Battle is Truly the Lord's

I've always heard "God gives His hardest battles to His strongest warriors".  I believe that is true.  I'm sure that some of those warriors would not agree.  In fact I don't think those warriors felt like they were strong at all.

Let me back up and explain something first, actually a couple of things:

#1  Not every battle we face is because of God or because of our faith.  We bring some of our battles on ourselves.  i.e. bad choices, bad company, rebellion, neglect are just a few of the things that can get us into trouble.

#2  Our sole purpose on this earth is not to grow rich, grow famous, get married, have kids, have a career, etc.  Whatever prosperity we have is solely blessings from God, not what we deserve.  Our purpose is to bring honor and glory to God, our creator.
Shock!!!...  Do they tell you that in church.  Probably not.  Modern day churches preach as if God owes us something, when in fact it is just the opposite. We owe God EVERYTHING, literally.

Let's take a look back in history at some of God's warriors.  (These aren't in any particular order or if they happen to be it is purely accidental.  I am just listing them as they come to mind.)  

First, Job, he was a man dearly loved by God.  Did he do anything to cause the battles he endured?  One thing, he loved God.  He believed God.  His battles drew him even closer to God.  No matter what happened, he would not turn on God.  In fact, he said in Job 19:25-26, "As for me, I know my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on this earth.  Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God."

Can you imagine?  Job lost his children, all his livestock, his home, everything dear to him.  He had boils covering his body and yet HE DID NOT DENY GOD.
People tried to get him to admit he had done something to cause the curses that came on him.  They thought surely he had to have done something.  Job knew he hadn't but he knew God and he believed God.  He was a warrior, chosen by God.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego being thrown into the fiery furnace, DID NOT DOUBT GOD.  They told the king even if God did not save them, He was still God and they would not bow to another.    Daniel 3:16-18, 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. 17“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18“But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

God's only son, Jesus, chosen by God Himself to be the one to die on the cross for us.  

Every instance of every warrior, their faith did not waiver.  When little David went up against the giant Goliath, he trusted God.  When Daniel was thrown into the lion's den, he trusted God.

That is why God gives His toughest battles to His strongest warriors because through the battle their faith remains.  There may be  lapses of weakness but their faith does not waiver.

The war is not against death, infirmities, cancer, aids, autism, etc.  The war is against the powers of darkness that would separate us from God if they could.   To name a few: the parents who have lost a child to sickness, disease or accident, keeping the faith that God will reunite them someday.  The person who has fought cancer or has a family member or loved one that fought or is fighting cancer, keeping the faith that if not cured in this life, they will be cured in eternity.  The person who stares down the barrel of a gun being told to deny God, that says, I will not deny my God even in the face of death.  The missionaries over seas who are killed, beheaded etc for their faith in God.   I doubt any of these warriors would tell you they were strong.  I am sure most of them would have said they could never make it through something like that.  But they have.  How do they fight?  What keeps them going?  God.  Their faith in God, their insistence that God will get the glory regardless, their belief that no matter what happens,  God is still God.

The next time you face a battle, remember that even when things are hardest God is right there with you.  

Philipians 4:13 says, " 13I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

Not some things, but all things.  God has promised to never leave us or forsake us.  

I wish I could say the battles would be easy but if they were we wouldn't lean so much on God and we would lean too much on ourselves.  What I can say, with certainty, is that God will never leave you or forsake you.  God does not lie, what He says in His word He means.

Ending with this:  Ephesians 6:10-17, " 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

How did they all fight those battles, look up!

God bless.

Sticks and Stones

Psalm 139:14

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Do you ever find yourself weighed down by what others say or have said about you?  Who isn't?  Even the strongest among us can be disheartened by an accusation or a careless word.  It can come from anywhere, a loved one, a co-worker, even a total stranger.  Ever been cut off in traffic only to be cursed at or improperly gestured at as if YOU were the problem.  Ever let that set the course for your whole day? 
"I am wonderfully made, beautifully designed, magnificently engineered, created by God, strong and powerful! I am built Lord tough!" 

Satan is good at what he does, after all he's had thousands of years to practice.  He knows just what it takes to try and steal our joy!!  The first thing he wants to do is break our spirit, do something to cause us to take our eyes off God even if only for a moment, so he can kick us while we are down.
The next time satan uses someone to bring you down, remember what God says about you.  Keep in mind that being human you are going to make mistakes, you might get angry, you might get down but don't let careless hurtful words or deeds destroy your joy.  Remember your joy, (and strength) comes from the Lord-NOT people.  Remember you are wonderfully and fearfully made.  You were created in God's image.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Romans 15:13

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. 

Ephesians 5:2

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.

Remember the old children's line:  "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me."

We all know unfortunately, words can hurt but they don't have to.  If we keep our focus on God and remember that no matter what satan may bring against us, no matter what people say about us, no matter what lies are told on us, we are "more than conquerors".  We are wonderfully created, a chosen people, God's beloved.  What people say only matters if we react or respond... 

Romans 8:38-39

38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
The next time someone hurts you with words, look up and thank God that it was you and some one else was spared :)  Nothing can take the sting out of someone like thanking God for them anyway, blessing them, praying for them. 

Luke 6:28

Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which spitefully use you.

And remember, this is how very much God loves you:

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 4:16
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
God loves us so much He sent Jesus, that means we are very special to Him so no matter what lies satan tells us we have the word of God to stand on and God Himself to comfort us along with Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Man does not give us our joy, let's not let careless words or deeds steal it away.
A dear friend and sister in Christ posted this on my comments in facebook and feel like it just confirms what God gave me above so I want to share it with you all.  (God bless you Sis. Cathy for listening and obeying the Lord and being such a wonderful sister and friend in Jesus).
Cathy P:  I might have done what you said I did, but I am not who you say I am! I am still on the potters' wheel being molded and shaped in His image.And I have God's grace and mercy when ever I reach out and ask. If we could only forgive ourselves as GOD has already forgiven us, cast our misgivings into the lake of fire. It is our doing to keep digging up the past. Put away the shovel and move on. Be proud of who you are in Jesus.God bless.
His servant
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem 

Leave them with love

I've only got a minute as my husband and I are headed to Texas. His mom is in ICU and it doesn't look good BUT, we have a wondrous God and we are praying, not necessarily for healing but for His will for her. She has had a long battle with diabetes, Congestive Heart failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and a few other problems that have had her in and out of the hospital continuously. She and God knows what she wants and what He wants. We just have to wait and see.

That's the hard part. Giving up a loved one when they are ready to go. I've been there with my mom, my dad and my husband before. It's never easy. It doesn't get easier but knowing they are ready, knowing they want to see Jesus and they are just plain tired gives you a sense of peace, not at first sometimes when the grief is so strong but later when you think of them and remember them. My dad actually told me before he died that he saw Jesus and that Jesus had told him he would be coming home soon. Within two days he did go home, peacefully. What joy to know that he is in Heaven waiting. My mom did the same thing. My husband at the time had slipped into a coma but we talked some before and he accepted Jesus before he went. My point I guess is that for the believer, it's just as hard to let go of a loved one but when you know that loved one is looking forward to stepping from this life into the next to live with Jesus, you can't begrudge their leaving you behind.

For my mother-in-law, I hope it isn't her time but again that is up to God. I haven't gotten to know her very well since she lives so far away so I can only hope that her life is right with God, (I know at one time it was), and that she is ready because she is heavily sedated and we can't talk to her. So my prayer for her is that she is ready and of course we all hope this isn't the time but only time will tell.

We will be gone a few days so I won't be posting, hopefully all will be well and we will be back on Monday. God bless all.

Don't forget when you leave your love ones, no matter for how short a time, leave them with love, you never know when you will get the chance or IF you will get the chance to tell you that you love them again. We are none of us promised that last breath.