Don't give up on me

For those of you that may actually read this blog I'm very, very sorry that I have neglected to post anything in quite a while. I have no excuses for not posting anything but I could conjure up some if it would make us feel better! There has been a lot of things going on and it's taken me away from the computer which doesn't allow me time to post. I have also found that I have neglected other things in my Spiritual life due to moving, planting, etc... but I'm being reminded by the Lord that I need to change some things so that He gets the time with me that I need!! Notice how that last sentence was put - "I need to change some things so that He gets the time with me that I need." God wants to spend time with us for our nurturing, strength, etc... When we spend time with God through prayer, reading the Word, meditating on Him or whatever avenue that is used to get alone with Him, it is for receiving what we need that we can't get anywhere else!!!
"Lord, help me keep my eyes, hands, ears, thoughts, feelings, emotions, desire, etc... on you! Please don't give up on me!"

Sin kills

Ezekiel 18: 4b "...The soul who sins is the one who will die." The bible is very clear on sin. The bible is very clear that we as Christians have to live a life "free of sin". That means that we must refrain from those things that cause us to sin. It's not ROCKET SCIENCE! Why do we make it harder to live a Christian life than it really is? The bible tells me to "give no place to the devil" so this should be a reminder that if I go to a place where there is going to be drinking, smoking, sexual inticements, etc... then I am giving place for the devil to put something into my spirit that causes me to sin. I don't think that we can go to night clubs, sports bars, creek parties, etc... with a S on our shirt and think that we are exempt from being tempted of the devil. The bible is clear that we must live a holy life before the Lord and in the process of living holy we have to make right choices on where we should go and what we do.

We as Christians can't expect God's blessings and gifts to be manifest in our lives if we are continualy giving place to the enemy and living with sin in our lives. We can't be blessed beyond measure with sin in our lives. We can't please God with sin in our lives! I have come to hate sin because it robs us from receiving what is rightfully ours, from receiving the promises of God!

The good news - we have an advocate with the Father!!!! We have a Heavenly Father that is forgiving and that loves us! I'm amazed at how God can forgive us our sins and pick us up and put us back on the right track. It is up to us to stay on the right track and not go back to our old ways. Sin kills - Jesus gives life!

He trains my hands for battle

"You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn." Psalm 18: 28-36

Our strength comes from the Lord! In all our battles, let him be our General!

Spiritual Warfare - Are you ready?

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have devine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. - C. S. Lewis

The Lord has been dealing with me this week on Spiritual Warfare. I believe that we are in a battle that most Christians may not be ready for and that disturbs me. So many times we hear people asking questions like, "why did this happen" or "why did that happen" and "I can't seem to get my prayers past the ceiling" or "I just don't feel like ...". We have a battle to fight in the Spiritual realm as Christians and we have the tools to fight with, all we have to do is fight with them!

I will post more about this in a few days, but for now, ask yourself this question: "If God wants me to be the pointman in this Spiritual battle, am I ready?"