For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers,
against the powers,
against the world forces of this darkness,
against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore, take up the full armor of God,
so that you will be able to resist in the evil day,
and having done everything, to stand firm.
Ephesians 6:12-13
faithcoffeeandbluejeans.blogspot.com
Everyone has struggles. Everyone has times of chaos and fear. Everyone has moments of pain and frustration. Everyone experiences heartbreak and sadness. Everyone suffers at some point in their life. But guess what?!? It is all part of a bigger plan that will, if we let it, lead us to a place of peace, pure love, and complete joy.
We fight in this life for what is true, noble, righteous and just, yet it seems that no matter how hard we try, we always end up getting hit by powers beyond our control. I was once told, and have had it reiterated many times, that it is not people we fight against, but against the demons of this world. You see, people are people, flawed and human, and by our very nature, sinful. We fight a battle that is bigger than us, bigger than the things of this world. We fight against Satan, against his minions who run rampant upon this earth. Scripture tells us that we fight against world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly realms….Ephesians 6:12. So then, what are we to do for we are mere mortals, not spiritual beings?
We are to put on the spiritual armor of God, stand strong on His promises to fight with and for us, and pray without ceasing for His strength, wisdom, and discernment through the fight. We are to press on, taking hold of what God has done for us.
eisakouo.com
Therefore, take up the full armor of God,
so that you will be able to resist in the evil day,
and having done everything, to stand firm.
Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth,
and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with preparation of the gospel of peace;
in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith
with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one,
and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit,
and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.
~ Ephesians 6:13-18
May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might,
for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father,
who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness
and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
~ Colossians 1:11-14
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing;
in everything give thanks;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit;
do not despise prophetic utterances.
But examine everything carefully;
hold fast to that which is good;
abstain from every form of evil.
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
You see, Christ has already fought the fight, given himself to death, that he might rise again victorious. He has crushed Satan under his heel, freeing us from the bondage of evil principalities. He has made the path for us victorious as well. However, just as his victory came at a price (his life), so too does ours. In order to win the battle against darkness, we must give our life to receive life! We must surrender the things that separate us from the love and power of God, and walk in obedience and faith that the Lord will heal us, fill us, and illuminate the way. We must speak in bold love, being true to God’s plan for our life rather than our own. We must continually focus our minds on him so as to see the lies and deception that Satan throws our way. We have to think on the things of the Lord if we are to win the battle between right and wrong.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute,
if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me,
practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
~ Philippians 4:8-9
For if we are not cautious, not buried in the Word, not consistently in prayer, not seeking him in all we do….then we open the door to give Satan a foothold on our heart and mind, which later leads to actions that hurt and bring pain to ourselves and others.
My dear friends, please take hold of victory by releasing your grip on the things of this world that hold you back. Take your fears, your pain, your anger, your bitterness, your resentment, your insufficiencies, and anything else that hinders your walk with God, and give them up to God who can replace them with hope, joy, peace, comfort, forgiveness, and grace. Win the battle with God leading the way. Stand strong and know you can overcome all darkness with the One who LIGHTS the way!!
set-apartheart.blogspot.com
Battlefield
Life is a battlefield
Between right and wrong
Walk away and give up
Or stand up and stay strong
We fight principalities
Evil reminds us where we have been
Focusing on our insecurities
Seeking to destroy from within
Stop waiting and wondering
Let God lead the way
Live faith with reckless abandon
Following His plan each day
With God all things are possible
In Christ we can do all things
Surrender your hopes and your fears
Let God bring you His dreams
Journey with God 