We are warriors…

We, as believers, are at war…whether we want to believe it or not! And we are called to the battle front to stand firm against the enemy. The Lord has provided us with the armament to defeat the enemy but we must put it on and stand firm in it. And the battle rages onward - we must not ignore it nor back down - it is ever present around us.

In pondering upon this the situation of Sgt Bergdahl came to mind. It seems that within the body of Christ (the church) we have 'walked away' from the battle front and wandered into the enemy's camp. We live a life in captivity to the enemy not realizing that the Lord has provided us with the weapons of warfare to overcome the enemy. The Lord has already made the prisoner exchange for us - His crucifixion. Yet, we stay bound up in the enemy's captivity when the prison gates have been opened to those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

The time has come church - For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 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. 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might you warriors of the Living God. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes (captivity) of the devil.

New creations

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is  a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

If we are indeed a new creature (creation) why do we spend so much time dwelling upon and dealing with the old one? I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me! Let us live in the new (and amazingly improved) version that Christ has created us to be…as we are conformed into His image. We no longer have to walk in the darkness - we are able to walk in the True Light (for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord). And the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth. That is where I desire to walk!

John 8:12-13 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."

Ephesians 5:6-10 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

quote for the week

Perseverance = Endurance + Assurance

Perseverance is more than endurance. It is endurance combined with absolute assurance and certainty that what we are looking for is going to happen.... If our hopes seem to be experiencing disappointment right now, it simply means that they are being purified.

Oswald Chambers

Is it all just a game anymore….

Where is truth? Where is integrity? Where is honor? How about taking responsibility for one's actions? Accountability where have you gone…humility has left the building….and arrogance has filled the house…..selfishness reigns…'love one another' has become just another lot of empty and meaningless words…the 'golden rule' has evolved to the 'he who has the gold wins' rule…..power and money, money and power - these are the only drivers of today's self-titled and self-obsessed elite.

Words…..only words…no action…points without effort….form over substance…this is what we have become.

Does anybody think beyond today? Does anyone even stop to consider where the path that we are presently on will ultimately lead us?

As believers and followers of Christ here is our charge:

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.

For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.                             

(2 Corinthians 2:14-17)  

what can man do to me...

We spend so much time worrying about what man can do to us instead of faithfully dwelling (focusing) upon what the Lord can do through us…

In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Psalm 56:11)

The LORD is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me? (Psalm 118:6)