So Sneaky


Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Let’s ponder war strategy for a moment. How do opposing sides attack each other?

Quietly. A sneak attack, surprising the enemy.

Plans are top secret. Spies infiltrate.

When the other side doesn’t expect you, it’s way easier to win.

D-Day even had rumors of other attacks, alternate landings, confusing the enemy.

Even though thousands of precious soldiers died that day, they won because the enemy was surprised.

If the Nazis had known, D-Day would have been a disaster. And our world today would likely look way different.

Shifting our attention to the enemy of our souls, it’s no different.

Do you honestly think the enemy will announce himself with large banners, shouting his presence to attack?

When someone is robbed at gun point, does the robber allow the victim to get ready to respond?

When an arsonist seeks to set fire to a property, do they call the owner, informing them of impending doom?

It’s absurd. Attacks are meant for harm. Understandable and necessary in war, but cruel in life.

We are living in a spiritual battle. And we must be ready. At all times, because the enemy will not announce himself.

He will come in quietly, swinging at your most vulnerable parts for fatal blows.

Be assured he watches you. Has known you for your whole life.

He knows your weaknesses. Where to strike you so it hurts real bad.

Are you prone to people pleasing? You’ll bend over backwards so others like you.

Rejection? His lies will confirm untruths still lying dormant in your brain.

Perfection? Same thing. You’ll feel less than every time.

Stand up. Take back your ground, given to you by God’s authority dwelling in you.

Romans 8:11 reminds us “if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you”.

God’s life in you. His power. His authority.

God is the victor. He has already won the war. And the enemy knows it.

He’s here to kill, steal, and destroy relationships, reputations, and lives. Yours, mine, and our family’s.

Don’t let him. Be ready. 1 Corinthians 16:13 says, “Be on guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong”.

God will stand with you, silencing the enemy’s accusations.

Dress for battle as Ephesians 6 describes.

Lift yourself and your family to God each day, asking for his protection, filling you with himself in your mind, body, soul, and spirit.

Don’t sit down in your soul anymore.

Stand and fight with God, whose power will slay the enemy to his knees.

Photos by stefan kroegerCatherine MerlinJonathan Kemper, & Nik Shuliahin  on Unsplash

God’s Continuing Provision

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He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He causes me to stand on the heights. 

Deer are so nimble.

Unlike us.

We tend to fall.

A lot.

But deer rarely stumble.

God made them that way.

When we trust God, He will cause our feet to stay strong.

Firm.

Securely on the path He has opened for us.

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He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 

God helps us fight.

He shows us what to do and just how to do it.

He gives us His incredible strength to accomplish great things.

Necessary things.

We are amazed at our strength when we are strong through Him.

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You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. 

God helps us, saving us, shielding us.

We do not falter with His right hand steadying us.

Keeping us upright.

More than upright, but successfully tall.

Standing tall and unharmed.

Perfectly whole.

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You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way. Psalm 18:33-36

God creates the path and walks with me, guarding every step, ensuring I don’t fall. 

All I must do is trust His way, holding onto Him.

The way is unknown, every step taken in faith; however, it is very good. 

Why? 

Because God is perfect. 

God is good. 

I am His.

And He is mine.

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Photos by Matt PalmerRebecca Prest,Guillaume Briard,Orlova Maria, & Karsten Würth (@inf1783) on Unsplash

Worth It

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14

My beloved recently told me I’m worth fighting for.

Wow.

Those are powerful words.

Comforting.

I picture peace and safety.

Why?

Protection.

Value.

Then I began to think about God and how He also thinks we are worth fighting for.

Know how I know?

Jesus.

God sent His only beloved Son to die on the cross for us.

Why?

Because we are worth fighting for.

We are valued that much.

Protected.

Loved.

Treasured.

Live like you are worth fighting for.

Because you are.

God, Himself, says so.

Photos by Lina Trochez on Unsplash

 

Worth the Fight

You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you. Deuteronomy 3:22

You can’t afford to lay down and die.

You can’t surrender yourself and your family to death or defeat.

You must fight.

Fight like you’ve never fought before.

When your family is pulled under, they are depending on you.

God is depending on you.

Future generations are depending on you.  Lives will be changed forever depending upon your will to fight.

What are you fighting for?  Stability.  Freedom.  God to be ever present during trials.

Walking through with God’s strength.

His peace and deepening trust in the end.

People are watching.  You.

Yes they are. Really? Yep.

Your children, your friends, your church family, acquaintances – “people you don’t know who know your people” are watching.

Sigh, I know, it’s quite the list.

Feeling a little pressure to perform? Well, a little pressure and push to fight is ok, just don’t take on any perfection guilt.

When you surrender your cause to God and allow Him to fight with you, He takes the battles and you are simply the messenger.

You are not performing for others, just your faithful God.

But your testimony stands.

It speaks louder than any word you shout from the hilltop.

When life overwhelms you, when your world is crashing down around you and you instead rise up to fight, people see.

When you fight and allow God to work through you and lift your family out of the pit,  people take note.

It’s your testimony.

Personal trials from real people speak volumes.  Don’t they?

God is real when we speak of His faithfulness through our tears.

God is real when our flesh is marked by trials.

God is real when the battle scars written on our faces show the testimony of our God.

Don’t for a minute think you are only fighting for your family.

No, there is even more at stake.  Your testimony.

And God’s.

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Others are watching to see what you will do, how you will respond, and what God will do for you.

Your fight only begins in your home, but it’s light extends to the world’s doorstep.

Bless yourself, your family, and the testimony of Almighty God by fighting for His work.

It’s a long journey.

Hard to say just how long.

Some of our fights are longer than others.

And weariness can set in at the most inopportune times.

But take heart – God’s faithfulness will endure and with Him by your side, anything can and will happen.

Miracles.

Go out and fight. Don’t give up.

It’s completely and utterly worth it.

Photos by Alicia Quan, Nikolay Maslov, Connor Simonson, & trail on Unsplash