Me? A Warrior in Battle?

There is something in our home, one only parents would pick up on.  Something just isn't right.  I couldn't put my finger on it, so I just ignored it.  The something seemed to get bigger, but I still couldn't put my finger on it.  My first instinct was to ignore it, take the easy way out - you know the way.  The way that says, "well, God knows.  He is our warrior.  He fights for us.  He will step in at the right time."

Yes!  God is all knowing.  God is our warrior and will fight for us!  And God has proved himself over and over again that He will step in at the right time ... not a moment too soon, and never too late!

But the Holy Spirit kept on nagging me.  Something still wasn't right in our home and it was time for it to leave.

The Holy Spirit prompted a question to me this morning:  "Do I have peace or not about a certain person?".   Well, the truth?  NO!  I do not have any peace about this!  And so I sought God, and sought Him hard!  I started praying for this individual.   

The Spirit reminded me that I have all authority that was given to me to take back what is rightfully mine.  I have all authority to call on the name of Jesus to fight, and help me fight with him for this person.  God was calling me to fight.  But truthfully, I didn't want to be a fighter.  Perhaps it was the era I was brought up in ... I just want to be in love and peace.  God reminded me that He has equipped me for this, and I am more than ready to go to war. 

I drew a picture of my fighting attire:  the full armor of God described in Ephesians 6:10-18.

Now I'm not any scholar.  But I saw power in what God has equipped us each with and I was so thankful for what He has given.

The helmet of salvation.  I remembered that our minds have so much control of how we think and even how we feel.  I sought that I would be reminded of nothing but God's salvation, who He is and who I am because of Him.  I want that to control every aspect of my being, and how He sees me and who He calls me to be to control everything of who I am.  The helmet fits tightly, not allowing any other thoughts to come in and try to manipulate or take control.  I am His.  He is mine.  My salvation is in Him.  It will control my very being!

The breastplate of righteousness was the next thing I picked up.  It protects our heart.  Without our heart beating our whole body dies, for our heart brings life.  I called for God to bring life through His righteousness and that our heart will not beat for those things that we think we "love" or even think we are, but rather every beat will be loud and clear for Him!  The breastplate is marked to be right with God, and with it I call forward that everything I do will be right with God.  May we hunger and thirst for it so much that we will long to pick up this breastplate each day. 

And what is a girl without her shoes?  I put on God's shoes.  I remembered how much protection they provide.  They keep our feet from becoming blistered, torn burnt or even frost-bitten.  They keep us sturdy.  I knew with God's word in my life and God himself I stood in sturdiness...with God's word I can't fall, and can't even get off the path.  But those times that I do fall off the path, these shoes give me the ability to get back on! 

Then I picked of the shield of faith.  It is so big I could hide in it.  I know the faith He has put on me and my loved ones so long ago and found protection in it.  I choose to hide behind faith and ONLY faith.  With this shield of faith there is no access for evil to prevail.  I will stand behind my faith!

The belt of truth.  It is so big, and so heavy it can cause us to tumble over.  I have taken my stand and will gain strength through its weight and it will be encompassed by it.  It will be in every step, in every movement I make.  If I take a step forward, or take two steps back...truth will remain about me.  I was born in truth, and will die in truth and every moment in between will be nothing but truth!  Truth will reign!

Finally,  I saw the sword I've been so afraid of.  It is so violent and peace and love is how I choose to live.  But I have discovered the evil one doesn't play fair, and he will take me out if I don't hurt him first.  God knows this and gave the only offensive weapon I'll need...the sword of the Spirit!   I picked up my sword, and started swinging.  At first it is was so big and heavy, but I grew accustomed to it.  And I saw with it NO enemy will stand.  The Spirit leads it, and it would be wise of me to follow.  The Spirit is my friend and will look out for me.

I am so thankful God has equipped me.  I am thankful He has told me I'm ready.  I'm so thankful He is always present.  I'm thankful that with Him and with how He has equipped us, the battle isn't as fierce.  I'm sure the battles will get more tiresome and hard ... BUT GOD remains the Victor, and the Victory will always be His!   

Confess, So We May Experience More Than We Can Imagine

It wasn't too long ago, that I had to discipline one of our girls.  Part of the consequence for their choice was that they had to tell their daddy what they did.  What this child didn't know was I had already shared with Duane what took place, and all the details.  Duane was prepared to offer grace, forgiveness and mercy.  But most of all he was ready to extend his love.

But this child feared the worst, and chose to avoid telling her daddy. 

I watched my daughter agonize over speaking the truth to her father.  Through her agony, I saw her withdraw and her emotions turn in anguish and blame.  I saw something else ... I saw a father not only ready but eager waiting to extend so much love to his daughter.  As much as she fought the truth, the more her father's heart broke because he wasn't allowed to share all he had to offer.  

Then it struck.

How many times do I avoid and tip toe around the truth of telling my Heavenly Father of things I need to confess?  I have allowed my emotions turn against me and even others and lead me because of things I've done wrong, when all I had to say was a quick confession.  How many times have I blamed others, trying to seek out an excuse for what I've done wrong?  Bottom line, if I would just be quick to seek forgiveness I would experience more than I could comprehend.  I would experience a love that He wants to just pour out on me.  Forgiveness is already mine ... why do I forget?

I am so thankful God allowed me to see this, because now I think I am able to know His heart a little more, and will be able to step out and experience it even more on those days I just have to say "I'm sorry". 

"to the praise of his glorious grace,

which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

In him we have redemption through his blood,

the forgiveness of sins,

in accordance with the riches of God's grace

that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure,

which he purposed in Christ,"

Ephesians 1:6-9