Showing posts with label strong foundation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label strong foundation. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 08, 2014

God is Greater and His Weapons are Powerful!

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Although I don’t play many games there is one that I have gotten pretty addicted to. It’s a hunting game and there again, I don’t hunt and wouldn’t shoot an animal  “in real life”. Part of the enjoyment of the game is that the two youngest grandsons love it as well. They will come over and as soon as they can they’ll say, “Can we shoot some animals?”  The game begins with easy shots and fair guns. You get to buy better ammunition, sharper scopes and steadier barrels. You point and shoot and an animal takes a hit and you rack up cash and gold.  Shooting the bears and larger predators is a little scary because they will come out of nowhere while you are aiming at something else and get you. You have to watch and be aware of them or you will lose the game.
Life is no game and there is a real predator out there. His name is satan and his desire is to steal, kill and destroy.  He lunges at you in any way he can. He literally comes out of nowhere to knock you off your feet and get you down. Unless you are prepared to shoot, he will win the skirmishes every time. He will come into your life and take everything he can. He will take friendships, fellowships and relationships. He wants your finances, your welfare and your family. He is the ultimate predator who will stop and nothing and it’s not a mere game.
God wants you to know that although the enemy is ferocious, He is greater! And He has ammunition for you that is out of this world! The ammunition in God’s arsenal is all for you. It’s not locked away or blocked from you to use and it costs you no silver or gold to use it. As believers we all have access to the same wonderful abilities. God speaks to our hearts and reminds us that we are overcomers and our shartshooting abilities are honed as we learn to live in the light of His Word and take up our weapons of warfare in the Spirit. When we are attacked by the enemy, our weapons are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. The Word is our only weapon of choice. But when we speak the Word over our situation and in the midst of enemy assault, he has to flee.  Each and every time we praise the Lord, whether through song or with our voices speaking the Words, “Praise the Lord” the assaulter has to flee –for he hates the praises of God’s people. God speaks again and He wants us to learn the Word, speak the Word, live in the light of the Word and know that no weapon formed against us will prosper.
Oh beloved, it’s been a real assault on your life hasn’t it? The enemy has been coming out of the bushes and coming at you with all his might. You’ve been down and out, worried, afraid, concerned. You’ve begged for relief. You’ve been cast out, rejected, removed, blasted, and left bleeding and dying with wounds of the spirit that are nearly fatal. But God says arise and take your rightful place as a believer. All the strength of the Army of the Lord is with you. All the Lord’s arsenal of praise, worship and the Word are with you. What was intended to harm you, God is going to turn for good. You are not done in, you are only beginning to fight with the Spirit of the Lord. Everything that has come against you will fall at your side as you quit looking at the situations and begin to look at God’s Word. The focus of your scope is where you will find the overcoming ability to move on, move up and move into God’s plans to prosper you in the Spirit and in life.
Rejoice this day as you learn to live powerful in the Spirit of God and overcoming every fiery dart of the enemy. Whatever you are facing God is with you, the power of the Word is strong and invincible and you are able to aim with accuracy and send the enemy running. God’s purpose for you will not be overthrown as you live in the Truth and walk in the Spirit. You are more than a conqueror and you will stand still and see the salvation of the Lord in spite of the circumstances. God loves you and He’s for you and that’s all that matters as you take aim in praise and march on with the Word of God as your shield.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 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. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
Ephesians 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
2 Corinthians 6:11 We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense.
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.
Romans 8:37  But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Is Your Walk Wearing Thin?


I have a pair of tennis shoes I really love. They have always been very comfortable. Problem is they are starting to wear thin. I didn’t realize how thin they were until I was walking down my driveway to the mailbox. Between the drive and the street there are rocks. As soon as I stepped on those rocks it felt as though I had no shoes on at all! It hurt! And it was hard to walk! I found myself gingerly trying to avoid some of the bigger jagged rocks and feeling as though I might stumble or fall.

When shoes begin to wear out, their foundation – the sole – gets thin. Without a good solid foundation to walk on, you feel every little irritation and even thorns may shoot through to your tender feet. If not taken care of you can become injured and unable to walk. Ask a hiker or a biker – the shoes you have on make all the difference when you’re sidestepping boulders or avoiding road hazards.

Just like our natural bodies need a good set of shoes to walk without danger, our spiritual life must have a great foundation as well. Without the proper basis for our faith, we just might walk in anything, or find ourselves completely barefoot. There’s no way for us to be secure without our lives having strong protection.

There are many salespeople out in the world who will sell you a poorly made pair of shoes without any qualms.  There are many in the world who will sell you a poor imitation gospel as well.  For whatever reason, they’ve gotten hold of something that was never intended to fit you and most certainly will not protect you. It may make you feel good, it may look fashionable, it may be the right style, color and something everyone else has. But when the test of walking out your faith comes – it will not hold up.

Often we want to go around in faith sandals. We don’t want to do anything but stroll with God and tiptoe in the tulips of life. Then we wonder why things feel so bad. We wonder why we’re falling or stumbling or hurting in our faith walk. It may be time to check your shoes and make sure you have the right pair for the life God has asked you to walk.

Oh beloved, do you have your foundation secure? Are you walking out your faith, able to leap troubles, climb trials, overcome obstacles and face all your responsibilities? Rejoice that you are dressed by the best – the Lord Himself! He has provided exactly what you need for life and godliness so that you can travel wherever He sends you and endure. Yes, He will let you walk some easier roads, but this life of faith is full of pitfalls and jagged rocks. Thank Him today that you are His beloved and that because you are His beloved, He gave the ultimate price to give you a real faith that you can walk out all the days of your life! Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and have a wonderful walk with Him forever!

God loves you and He’s for you and that’s why you can trust His fit!

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Habakkuk 3:19 The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! (AMP)

Isaiah 33:6 In that day He will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure.

Ephesians 6:15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

Proverbs 10:25 When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.