Who's In Charge - GOD IS!

Okay. Lets go out and show the lil' devil...and all his helpers...who is in charge of us today.

It is the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY! HE will walk with us all day long. Ready to help us in any situation! Let's take HIM with us in everywhere we go and keep HIM in everything we do! Praise HIS name!!!

Ephesians 6:12-13 (The Message)

A Fight to the Finish

10-12And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

13-18Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

FORGIVEN

Sometimes I find it hard to share what the LORD asks me to share. This is one of those times. It's hard at times for a couple of reasons. One...it puts me out there and makes me vulnerable to criticism. Some think that you should only write about things that make everyone feel good. But I have to say this. When I knew that starting this blog was something I had to do I also knew that it was for this reason. To share what the LORD can do...will do...and has done...in my life and in the lives of others. To do that...I was called to tell the truth and relate my life to you in ways that would somehow show GOD'S love to everyone. Two...it makes me very transparent and everyone knows what I have struggled with and what I'm struggling with now.  However, there is an upside to sharing also. Other Christians can relate to your experiences. They may not be the exact same thing but they are still attacks from the enemy of our souls. Satan is fighting for each and everyone of us all the time. There is nothing he would like better than to make us depressed, worried, lose sleep, get sick...and a number of other things. 

Whenever I decide to make changes in my life for the better there is always a battle. Satan knows what my weaknesses are and that's where he attacks. He does that to all of us...attacks us where we are vulnerable. Lately I have been trying to make changes...with the LORD'S help...and I believe that's why things have been happening.

I'm going to start with a scripture.

Ephesians 6:12

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

There have been some times in my life when I have slept with the light on because of fear of different things. When I was not a Christian I had terrible nightmares and also had some "things that go bump in the middle of the night" experiences. I have written of these in past posts. Even since becoming a Christian I have had some nightmares and times of fear. Well...last night it happened again. I remember having some crazy dream off and on for a while. It started out okay but as it went on someone was going to kill someone else. The someone else started out as a man but before it was over they were after me. That part didn't last long. Next thing that happened was this...I knew I was in my bed and I felt like someone was laying on top of me. I could feel a heavy pressure from my legs to my chest. They were holding me down but someone else was there also that was actually going to kill me. I remember thinking...Pray, just pray! I started praying silently and then asked whomever it was to wait just a minute and let me pray. The pressure just got heavier and I thought again...Pray...Pray! So I was.Then all of a sudden I heard someone whistle...just one time...very loudly. Immediately the pressure on me was gone and I sat up. That was at 3:55 a.m. I didn't go back to sleep. I thought about it all for a few minutes then decided to just get up and get started.

By 5:45 I was on my way to work. I was praying while I was driving when a song I haven't listened to for a while came into my thoughts. All that kept playing over and over were these three words. Forgiven...I'm forgiven. All I could think of was...Why am I thinking of this song? So, when I was at work I got my iPod and found the song. It is by Sanctus Real. The name of it is simply...Forgiven. I still couldn't remember the words so I listened to it. The words of that song tell exactly how things have been for me lately. Here are the lyrics...

Well the past is playing with my head
And failure knocks me down again
I’m reminded of the wrong
That I have said and done
And that devil just wont let me forget

In this life
I know what I’ve been
But here in your arms
I know what I am

[chorus]
I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry
The weight of who I’ve been
Cause I’m forgiven

My mistakes are running through my mind
And I’ll relive my days, in the middle of the night
When I struggle with my pain, wrestle with my pride
Sometimes I feel alone, and I cry

In this life
I know what I’ve been
But here in your arms
I know what I am

[back to chorus]

When I don't fit in and I don’t feel like I belong anywhere
When I don’t measure up to much in this life
Oh, I’m a treasure in the arms of Christ ‘cause

[back to chorus]

I believe the Holy Spirit put that song in my thoughts to remind me that no matter what I don't have to worry...I'm forgiven! The devil will remind me of my past. He will do things to try to make me fearful...lose sleep...whatever! But the bottom line is this...

I'm Forgiven and I'm a treasure in the arms of CHRIST because of that. So are you. If the devil keeps playing in your head and you can't forget...if you are reliving your past...if you are struggling...if you fail sometimes (I have)...and even though you don't feel like you really fit in or belong, anywhere!...You fit in with JESUS! HE has you in HIS arms and engraved on the palms of HIS hands! Because of HIM you are Forgiven! Remember that next time the devil comes calling!

Isaiah 49:16a World English Bible

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.







Linking today with Tracy for Winsome Wednesday

Manipulate and Tempt

Manipulate; to negotiate, control, or influence (something or someone) cleverly, skillfully, or deviously.

Tempt; seduce, coax, lead astray.

Satan; manipulator, tempter.

Tonight I was just sitting and thinking about how my Saturday ended and my Sunday started. It was a scene that's played out in my life many times. Sometimes it ends well...sometimes not.
The deal is...sometimes I let satan win...sometimes not. I don't let him win this battle nearly as much as I used to but it is still a battle! The big question really is...WHY do I listen to him? That was what I was trying to figure out tonight. While thinking about it the word "manipulate" came to mind. So I looked it up. Then "tempt" was the next thing I thought of and I looked it up. Right then I realized that really, that's what is going on with me most every Saturday night and Sunday morning. The "master manipulator and tempter" is working on me...in my head...telling me all sorts of things that I don't need to hear. The problem is "I hear" and "I listen" far too much. Instead of doing what I have been told to do so many times...put him under my foot and crush him into the ground...I start believing what he's feeding me. This weekend however, it all ended well...

On Saturday night I was aware that it was satan that was making me feel and think the way I was. By Sunday morning though all I knew was that I didn't really want to go to church...because I was still listening to the wrong voice. But, the closer it got to time to leave I started hearing another voice and I finally begin to listen. Finally, with an hour to go, I got my act together. I made the decision to get ready and go to church regardless of how I felt. I'm so glad I did. As the service went I started to relax and could feel the change taking place inside me. It was a good service and definitely where I needed to be.

We all go through different battles with satan in our lives. What ever the battle is, he fights them all the same way. He uses "manipulation and temptation."  Thankfully for us we have the LORD on our side and we can win. Really it's all up to us. No matter what he tells you that you can't do remember this;

Philippians 4:13

¹³ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

When satan starts getting in your head, you need to respond. Tell him you are a child of the Living GOD and that nothing he says or does can deter you from living for the LORD. Get in his face and quote scripture to him. One of the things Jesus said to him was;

Luke 4:6-8

⁶ And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. ⁷ Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”
⁸ And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve. ”

Remember where your strength is to get through these battles;

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Psalm 121:2

 ² My help comes from the LORD,
      who made heaven and earth!