Every thought

It’s not just that I am getting older, just 10 years ago things were way different.  Words have changed their meanings and even history is being erased.  Have you ever wondered how everything has gotten so crazy? I believe it is that spiritual warfare has been upped a level or two.

In today’s world with one saying this and another saying that how can we know what is true?  No matter where we look there seems to be another reason to fear or get angry.  So how can we obey JESUS who tells us not to let (allow) our hearts be troubled but to simply believe in GOD the FATHER and to believe in HIM (John 14:1).

According to the Bible, we have been in the last days for some time now (since our LORD JESUS was on the earth -Hebrews 1:1-2) and we are told the last days are days of deception.  There is a battle going on for our minds and though it may not seem that way our battle is NOT with flesh and blood people but with principalities and powers, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies (Ephesians 6:10-13) against us and influencing people.

In this spiritual war GOD has weapons powerful enough to pull down the strongholds of wrong thinking and every deceptive argument that rises up against GOD’s knowledge (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) For really GOD is still in control, does know what HE is talking about, and all of HIS ways are right and do work.  We are instructed to take every thought captive, we cannot let them run wild.

JESUS said abide in ME (stay close to ME), without ME you can do nothing (John 15:5) and HE said if we let HIS words abide in us our prayers will be answered (John 15:7). Then in 2 Corinthians 3:5 we are told that we are not sufficient as of ourselves to think anything as coming from ourselves, our sufficiency comes from CHRIST. So, we need to abide in HIM- meet with HIM in HIS word and prayer.

Hebrews 4:16 tells us to run to the throne of grace for mercy and grace to help in time of need. So, I just take troublesome thoughts in prayer to the throne.  GOD has an amazing way of taking my thoughts and through the HOLY SPIRIT showing me HIS.  For when I am in HIS presence things become clear as I am reminded of Bible verses.

When fears, frustrations, anger or rebellious thoughts come, do what I have learned to do.  I arrest them by taking them to JESUS who sits on the right hand of GOD the FATHER’s throne in heaven for HE understands (Hebrews 4:14-16).  Why should you struggle in your own strength (or lack of it) with the thoughts that the enemy is shooting at you like fiery darts?  Just take those thoughts to throne and HE will show you the truth and give you strength to cope.

Hugs

Sharon

The war

Just days from now will mark a year from the beginning of the war in Ukraine and although many of us have prayed, most of us have never endured the horrors of a physical war like they have and are experiencing.  But each of us have had arguments and fights.  Our arguments are generally with people, although the Bible tells us that they are not our enemy.  We need to know who our enemy really is.

We see government and global leaders and activists doing stuff we just plain don’t like, but GOD says they are not the enemy.  They may be being used by our enemy, but most likely they are just people, people who need JESUS.

For we do not wrestle with flesh and blood, but against (evil) principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts (armies) of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).

We are human but we don’t wage war with human plans and methods. We use GOD’s mighty weapons not mere worldly weapons to knock down the devil’s strongholds of lies and take captive those tempting thoughts by talking them over with CHRIST JESUS (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

What are those weapons?

In the beginning, the Bible tells us in Genesis 1, GOD spoke and everything was created. HIS word created. At the end of the Bible, in Revelation 19:15, we see JESUS riding a white horse, followed by all the armies of heaven all riding white horses. But it is JESUS alone who slays all the enemy armies single handed with the double-edged sword coming out of his mouth.

Hebrews 4:12 “The word of GOD is living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword…”

Ephesians 6:17 “The sword of the SPIRIT is the word of GOD…”

In Matthew 17:20-21 tells us of another of GOD’s weapons. It says anything is possible if we have faith. “Faith comes from hearing and hearing from a word from GOD” (Romans 10:17). Again, we have GOD speaking and showing us what to pray or speak aloud.

In order to get what we need, we are told to run to the throne of GOD to obtain HELP in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). We call that prayer. In prayer GOD the HOLY SPIRIT directs our minds to what we should do.

Three mighty weapons: GOD’s word, faith in GOD’s word and prayer according to GOD’s word. GOD offers these to each of HIS children. Yes, they are available to each of us. And just like physical weapons, we need to use them for them to do us any good. The weapons are GOD’s Word, faith in GOD found by grabbing a hold of HIS promises (HIS word) (2 Peter 1: 1-4), then praying and being directed according to HIS word.

Are you, am I in HIS word daily giving GOD an opportunity to prepare us for what we will face each day?  Do we allow the Word of GOD to speak to us and direct us so that armed with GOD’s weapons we are ready to use them when the enemy attacks?

Looking unto JESUS, the Author and Perfecter of my faith.

Hugs

Sharon L Manning

A weapon from GOD

Have you ever wondered how to fight the escalating evils you see all around?

 ^“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through GOD to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of GOD and bringing every thought captive to the obedience of CHRIST” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Today I was reminded of one of the mighty weapons GOD has given us but we don’t talk about.

As I sat out in the back yard praying for drug addicts and alcoholics, I believe it was the HOLY SPIRIT directing me when an old song rose from within me and I began to sing “Set them free to worship, set them free to praise YOU, set them free to rejoice around your throne, they’ll laugh they’ll shout, they’ll dance they’ll sing, Hallelujah AMEN let the praises ring. Set them free to worship evermore.”

Then as I open the good book to where I left off reading, Isaiah 30:29-32  in essence it spoke that GOD will bring down HIS punishing arm to the beat of the music.  And I remembered 2 Chronicles 20:22.

“When they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the (enemies) who had come against them” 2 Chronicles 20:22.

What wonderful words telling of the weapon of song that GOD has given us to fight the evil around us.  It also was a fun confirmation that I was hearing HIM correctly.

Hugs

Sharon

It’s your choice

Did you ever consider that your attitude can be a weapon in the spiritual war we are in?

Forasmuch then as CHRIST hath suffered for us in the flesh, ARM yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 1 Peter 4:1.

Notice the context is suffering.  Not a pleasant matter for sure but GOD in HIS infinite wisdom has chosen troubles and suffering to achieve for us, (see 2 Corinthians 4:15-18, James 1:2-4 and Hebrews 2:10) and to teach us (see Hebrews 5:8).  As you found in the Hebrew texts that even JESUS was not exempt.

As I read 1 Peter 4:1 the word ARM jumped out at me… pick up a weapon.  What weapon are we supposed to ARM ourselves with?  The same mind/ attitude/ intention/ resolve/ determination of JESUS CHRIST.

What was that mindset that enabled JESUS to endure suffering and avoid sinning?

It is recorded three times in scripture/ twice in Hebrews that JESUS said, “Lo, I come to do THY will, O GOD” (Hebrews 10:7, 9).  JESUS was determined to do the will of GOD.

We are told to ARM ourselves with (pick up the weapon of) the mindset of JESUS that we will do GOD’s will regardless of what comes our way.  If we have chosen to do that we will be enabled to endure hard times and evening suffering.

 By seeing HIS creation we know GOD is wise, by knowing how GOD planned our salvation we know GOD loves us and wants the best for us, but how do we know what GOD’s will is for us?  When in doubt always check out GOD Word (Isaiah 8:20). 

Speaking about what will come into our lives we are told it is all “according to the purpose of HIM who worketh ALL things after the counsel of HIS own will” (Ephesians 1:11).  GOD ALMIGHTY even preset the exact times and places when things will happen and each one has a purpose. (Acts 17:26-27, Ezekiel 14:22-23). 

Yes, GOD sets the stage, but we are far from mere puppets for we have been given the gift/responsibility to CHOOSE how to act in each scenario we are placed in.

Since GOD allows us choose, how can GOD work all things after the counsel of HIS own will?  The simple truth lies in GOD’s  infinite (unlimited) knowledge. GOD has known ALL things from the beginning.  Psalm 139 gives us an example and tells us HE knows the words we will say before we have even collected our thoughts let alone opened our mouths to speak.

When we choose to do GOD’s will, we ask for direction and go with HIS leading (Philippians 2:13- nudges).  But isn’t that works?

Although we choose to RECEIVE the free gift of GOD’s salvation and the forgiveness of sins by believing that GOD sent HIS only begotten SON who died on the cross for our sin and was raised from the dead for our justification (John 3:15, Romans 4:25) there is no merit in taking the gift.

But when we choose to co-labor with the LORD by doing what HE shows us to do with the strength HE gives (Philippians 2:13) we are not doing it to live eternally with GOD the FATHER and our LORD JESUS CHRIST- that was settled when we called upon the name of the LORD (Romans 10:9-10, 13) to receive the gift of salvation.  When we choose to do GOD’s will we do it to please our GOD and Savior who has done so much for us and we get peace and joy and hope during the darkest times.

Do you go with HIS nudges?  Hope so.

Hugs

Sharon