Battle Ready

 Happy Sunday!

"The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity."(2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Message).

Years ago Joyce Meyer wrote a book entitled, "Battlefield of the Mind".  This title is so true, appropriate, and relevant today.  The Bible says it over and over again, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he."(Proverbs 23:7 Amplified).  The Apostle James said, "Where do you think your fighting and endless conflict come from? Don’t you think that they originate in the constant pursuit of gratification that rages inside each of you like an uncontrolled militia?"(James 4:1 Voice).  Even secular writers and mentors say, "Change you mind or thoughts, change your life".

The Apostle Paul reminded the Corinthian believers that we are fighting a battle, and as soldiers we do have weapons.  But our weapons are unconventional.  Our weapons are used to change minds and tear down strongholds that have been constructed by ungodly thinking.  In Ephesians 6:13-18 he encourages us to dress appropriately for combat, "So use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up.  But to do this, you will need the strong belt of TRUTH and the breastplate of God’s APPROVAL. Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of PEACE with God.  In every battle you will need FAITH as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. And you will need the helmet of SALVATION and the sword of the Spirit—which is the WORD of God. Pray all the time. Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit’s wishes. Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere."(Living Bible).

We know where the fight is raging, and we have on the right uniform and equipment, but what can we do daily to ensure greater success?  Great question.  I'm so glad you asked!  First remember your eyes and ears are gates or gateways to your soul.  Proverbs 4:23 warns, "Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life."(Easy-to-Read Version).  You don't have to listen and watch everything.  Remember the Children of Israel when the spies came back with their news reports?  10 spies acknowledged that the land was everything God promised, BUT they denied His power to take them into the land.  2 spies tried to encourage the group that God is always faithful, and he promised them the land, and they were well able to take it now.  The people let the evil message get into their minds. The scripture says they cried all night long.  You know the story.  They missed out on going into the land and everyone 20 years old and older was doomed to die in the wilderness.  Numbers 14:29 says, "You will all die here in this wilderness! Not a single one of you twenty years old and older, who has complained against me, shall enter the Promised Land. Only Caleb (son of Jephunneh) and Joshua (son of Nun) are permitted to enter it."(Living Bible).  OUCH!

Second, decide to always put God's Word first place.  It's not what I think, or you  think but what God thinks that matters.  Go to the Word to find out what God says about every issue.  Jesus comforted the disciples when he informed them that he would be leaving them soon.  He said, "But the Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will TEACH you everything and will REMIND you of what I said while I was with you."(CEV).

We have everything we need to WIN! 

Love and prayers, Cynthia