For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.--Ephesians 6:12
To My Girls...
This verse is so helpful to remember when you are in the midst of an earthly battle....with...you know, people you profess to love and care about. We need to see the offenses that will undoubtedly come our way with the eyes of faith. Satan often will use people or things knowing that we will forget and be drawn into the battle we can see...which is exactly what he wants. It is then that he has the advantage. Our eyes are not focused above but on people and circumstances. We get discouraged, depressed, angry, bitter, overwhelmed and worst of all we get self-focused. We forget that our job is to glorify our God in all things. We forget that we are to watch and pray lest we enter into temptation. We forget that we are to put off offenses against us and in so doing shine the light of Christ in a fallen world. See your battles for what they are for you as a believer...spiritual. Fight against the principalities and powers not with earthly things but fight against them with the resources and armor that our Lord gives us.
If you find yourself wrestling with people and things you are fighting the wrong battle. Respond biblically to provocations! Responding in any other way will create more chaos and unrest. God wants to perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you. This is done as we go through trials and learn obedience through submitting to His will. The settling comes by focusing on Him...it comes from the wisdom that He gives freely when we ask in faith. His wisdom is pure and peaceable...willing to yield. The wisdom from the world filled with self-seeking and envy. It will bring confusion, chaos and every evil thing to your life. Be serious and watchful in your praying...our spirit is indeed willing but our flesh is so weak! And above all have fervent love for one another...
Imitate the Lord Jesus Christ who watched and prayed, whose soul was sorrowful even unto death...who was despised and rejected, a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief. Behold Him who was oppressed and afflicted and yet opened not His mouth. WHY SHOULD WE DO THIS???? HERE IS THE BEST PART!!!! AS HE SUBMITTED TO HIS FATHER'S WILL...WAIT FOR IT...
The pleasure of the Lord prospered in His hand!!! He saw the labor of His soul and was satisfied!!!!
Isn't that what we want as believers....for the Lord's will to prosper in our lives...to see the labor of our souls and be satisfied? Look up and see your God work as you pour out your soul for those He has placed in your lives. Meditate on some of these biblical responses to provocation.
Love
Mom
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.... Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.--Romans 13:8,10
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. --1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Let your gentleness be known to all men.--Philippians 4:5
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.--Philippians 4:8-9
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore
“ If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.--Romans 12:10-21
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.--James 1:22
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.--James 3:13-18
Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.--Philippians 2:14-18
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” --Mark 14:38
