The Targeted Place of Attack

Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 1 Peter 2:11 (New American Standard Bible)

The truth I must realize and embrace is that my unhealthy lusts, desires, passions, impulses, and longings can have an effect on my soul. My soul is that which houses my mind, will, and emotions. I am an emotional person. So much of what I do and think about is driven by my emotions. Once those emotions are ignited, the heat and flames are actually coming against my soul which is as much a real part of me as my skin and bones. What I think about, determine to do, and strongly feel are all birthed out of my soul. Affect my soul and you affect those three components of my soul.

The enemy knows this. God’s Word is clear that my daily battles are more against him than against my flesh or anyone else’s flesh and his target is my soul. He can’t reach my spirit because my spirit is already seated at the right hand of God in Christ. My spirit is alive in Christ and connected to Christ. It is not a place the enemy can touch but my soul is another story all together. If he is able to gain some ground in that area, he is able to effectively bring about some painful consequences and sinful behavior.

This is a more serious problem than whether or not something bothers me or my feelings get hurt. So often, those consumes my attention and energy. God is inviting me to see the bigger picture. It is the attack upon my soul that robs me of peace, joy, and contentment. It is the attack upon my soul that spirals me into pits of darkness. It is the attack upon my soul that causes me to withdraw into places of pain and back away from God given sources of encouragement. Most importantly, it is the attack upon my soul that makes me unproductive and limited within God’s kingdom work.

So how do I counter the attacks? First, I stand on the premise that the battle belongs to the Lord. That includes the fighting of that battle and the outcome. Second, I ready myself with the armor of Ephesians 6:13-18. Third, I stand in truth and resist the lies. Fourth, I connect daily to God and God’s people. Fifth, I renew my thinking with truthful thoughts. Sixth, I place my dependency and focus upon God more than upon myself and others.

It is going to be a busy day as God and I stand guard over my soul. When I come to the end of this day and retire for the evening I want to hear Him whisper to me, “Well, done, my good and faithful servant!”

Father, the puzzle piece of truth You gave to me this morning is a powerful one. Keep teaching me and showing me the truths that will protect me and set me free. Amen.

The Battle Belongs to The Lord - Spiritual Warfare
http://youtube.com/watch?v=DMZ8D6nTKhg

I welcome your questions and comments to any devotional thoughts. I am honored and delighted to share my journey with you and privileged to hear of yours.

The Promise of Accomplishment

The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; do not forsake the works of Your hands. Psalm 138:8 (New American Standard Bible)

There are times I mistakenly think the accomplishing of things in my life is left up to me. With enough grit, with enough determination, with enough self control, with enough discipline I can do it…or so I tell myself. But I have had to learn that the Christian life is not about self improvement. It is about God’s accomplishments in me. He is the One developing my character. He is the One molding me into the image of His Son. He is the One weakening and demolishing the strongholds of my heart. While I certainly must cooperate with Him, I must never forget He is the One doing the completing of my transformation.

He accomplishes His work in me through two avenues….His loving kindness and His persistence. Although His techniques may seem harsh at times, they are always driven by a heart of love. Though I may at times throw up my hands in despair and discouragement, He remains an ever present Help. Though the areas of change in my life may seem impossible to comprehend or realize, He knows the beginning from the end. He knows what He will use to change me and how long it will take. While I may continually realize, “I am not there yet,” God’s answer is always, “I am not finished yet.”

Last night, I met with a study group and we ended our study with a discussion about addictions and deliverance. I had one example of deliverance in my life I could attest to and it was a deliverance from the addiction to junk food. It wasn’t a matter of self control on my part but rather a transformation of my thinking and God setting me free from something that controlled me from youth up.

At the same time, I had to admit there are still areas in my life wherein I seek deliverance. I live with an internal frustration that those areas of weakness and addiction are still very much a part of me no matter how much I detest them. What I know is this. The same principles of deliverance in the area of eating are necessary for my other areas. Deliverance will come through the avenue of renewed thinking, acknowledging of the truth, and the over all work of God in my life. I cannot change myself but I can experience change as I go through the steps of metamorphosis that God designed for me. Today is not the end of my story. There is still much for God to redeem, renew, and restore in me. His potter’s wheel and His gentle hands still move to the beat of His own heart.

Father, I have grown impatient with the process and timing of Your work in me. Forgive me for doubting that You will indeed accomplish that which concerns me. I know in the end it will be astounding. Amen.

Kathy Troccoli sings "My Life Is In Your Hands"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlmYxZAgrGI

He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. Job 36:16

Eyes Fixed On Him

O our God, will you not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You. 2 Chronicles 20:12 (New American Standard Bible)

When the children of Israel journeyed through the wilderness they kept their eyes on the cloud during the day and on the pillar of fire at night. These signs assured them of two things: God's presence and God's direction in their life. There are many instances in Scripture when God would display a physical manifestation as a way for His children to be reminded of who He was. The rainbow after the flood reminded them that God keeps His promises. The bronze serpent on the pole reminded them that He is a God who heals.

This morning God wants me to see what it is I need to remember about Him. The times when I feel powerless to withstand the storms of life I am reminded that He is my protector and provider. When I have no idea what to do, He can give me direction. All the things that overwhelm or confuse me are opportunities for me to keep my eyes on Him.

How intently am I watching Him? Like an orchestra who watches and follows the conductor, like a well trained dog who watches his master's every move I don't want to miss the slightest movement of His hand or smallest inflection of His voice. It is so easy to try and come up with my own plans and my own sources of security. But when I learn to fix my gaze on Him and tune my ear to hear what He has to say to me, then I am poised for His direction and enablement.

The Christian life is not meant to be a solo journey lived out in my own strength and wisdom. It is a cooperative effort between God and me. He has so much to teach and show me. Any attention I place on Him is not wasted or in vain. He delights when I depend on Him, wait on Him, listen to Him, obey Him, look to Him, confide in Him, follow Him, and trust Him.

I have no trouble knowing when my eyes are directed on to someone or something other than God. Those are the times when hurt, disappointment, and discontentment mark my mind and path more than peace, joy, and delight. While I may not always be able to avoid a shift in my focus, I definitely can choose to redirect my attention back toward God at any time. He is aware of the times I fail in this area and He is also aware of the times I get it right and do it right. Today is a day to ask for His anointing and touch on my eyes to keep them directed toward Him. To allow Him to be my focus.

Father, You have my attention. May I hear and see what you have for me today. Amen.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus - Newsboys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQzAYQE-U4Q

I welcome your questions and comments to any devotional thoughts. I am honored and delighted to share my journey with you and privileged to hear of yours.

Getting the Right Picture

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32 (New International Version)

There are times when I struggle with concepts because I fail to have a good picture of what that concept looks like and means. Such has been the case with forgiveness. While I could be told what forgiveness is and what it isn’t, there was still a part of me that needed a specific picture of it that made sense. Something that I could hold up as a standard for myself and use as a key to unlock chains of bitterness, resentment, ill feelings, and discomfort at not only seeing an individual but at the very thought of them. I needed something beyond just saying, “I forgive them.” I needed something for me.

One of things that continue to touch me deeply about God is that He is willing to go to any lengths to give me the pictures I need. He knows when I am grasping a truth and when I am floundering. He knows the discouragement that can set in when I know I am not “getting” it! Yesterday, during a walk I poured out my heart to God on this very issue. Forgiveness! My struggle wasn’t really with people who wronged me purposefully. That is not usually the case for me. My struggle was with people who unintentionally and even unknowingly hurt or disappointed me. I knew they had not sinned against me….their words or actions (or the lack thereof) hurt me but they didn’t violate a command of God by any means. My problem was that I didn’t know what THAT kind of forgiveness looked like. I wasn’t even sure forgiveness was the answer to my dilemma.

God was gracious to let me know an aspect of forgiveness that would definitely apply to such times. For each person, forgiveness entailed a conscious decision on my part to no longer hold particular things against them. Holding something against someone means I dwell on it, I define them by it, I refuse to give up my negative feelings toward them, and I continue to walk with the weight of being offended and hurt. When I could see that picture, I had something tangible to act upon. I had no trouble knowing what it meant to hold something against someone and I had no trouble knowing what it meant to not hold something against them.

This morning, God took delight in each decision I made to no longer hold things against individuals. Tears came as I not only chose to release them from what I was holding against them, but as I also spoke the truth about them. Before my prayer time was up, God nudged me to be gracious to myself as well. He encouraged me to stop holding the many things against myself that I had been so prone to do. What a precious God!

Father, I can no longer say I don’t understand. You have made it clear and painted an incredible picture for me. I praise Your name! Amen.

What Sin? By Morgan Cryar
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qaMIeOKQVDs&feature=related

I am honored and privileged to share these devotional thoughts with you each week. Feel free to forward them on to those whom you think would benefit from them. Also feel free to copy them for your personal files or notebooks. May God individualize each message for you personally.

God's Recipe for Success

We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 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. 1 Thessalonians 5:14,16-19 (New American Standard Bible)

As the Thanksgiving season approaches, many will find themselves looking up old and new recipes. They want to give their Thanksgiving dinner a special touch. Maybe they are after recipes to help reduce calories or recipes that enhance flavor….or both if that is possible. Whatever the case may be, finding the recipes and following the recipes are necessary for success.

This morning I am seeing God’s recipe for unity in the body of Christ as well as intimate fellowship with Himself. His “ingredients” include admonishing, encouraging, being patient, rejoicing, praying, being thankful, and not grieving His Spirit. I don’t know about anyone else, but one look at THAT list makes me realize more fully my inability to do any of them without His help and enabling. My flesh pulls away from every one of them. Yet, God is inviting me to seek His help and walk in obedience with His help.

He knows that within each of these areas there is power to change me and power to change those around me. I have no trouble being patient and encouraging around people I am comfortable with and feel accepted by. I have no trouble rejoicing when things go my way. My thankful heart is most evident when I am truly thankful for the circumstances of my life. But God wants me to notice the usage of the words everyone, always, without ceasing, and everything. That realization brings me to my knees before Him and causes me to admit my weakness apart from His strength. It shows me how much I limit my actions and attitudes to what feels good and brings delight.

I have heard it said that God is not interested in my comfort but rather in my character. The development of my character happens as I begin to live beyond what is comfortable for me. It happens when I am willing to exchange my desires for His, my wishes for His, my will for His, and my ways for His. He never said it would be easy. I can attest to that! He said it would be possible as I rely upon Him and walk in obedience to Him.

He has much to do in me, but as Creator of the universe and Divider of the Red Sea, I know He is willing and able to do it all!

Father, You have my attention and I have Your instructions. Transform my heart so that changes of my actions and attitudes will follow. Amen.

In The Potters Hand - Hillsong (HQ sound)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6beNoG0H0E0&feature=related

He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. Job 36:16

Pain Killers

But I am afflicted and in pain; may Your salvation, O God, set me securely on high. Psalm 69:29 (New American Standard Bible)

I have learned a lot about pain killers in the past week. I have learned how necessary and effective they are for relieving pain. In my case, their sole purpose is to make me comfortable while I wait for my fractured sternum to heal. If I give them time to wear off, I am once again made acutely aware that complete healing has not yet taken place. That is why it is necessary that I abide by the restrictions of my physician even during the times when the pain is not there. I also must keep in mind that the pain killers cannot speed up my healing or even assist in it. Their job is strictly for pain relief and meant only to be temporarily used.

It hasn’t taken long for me to begin seeing the spiritual implications through my physical situation. Just like my body can experience pain, so can my heart, mind, and emotions. Addictions of any kind are a result of seeking relief from pain. I have known people to be addicted to drugs, alcohol, work, sports, material things, entertainment, and immoral life styles. They would go to any lengths to find relief from the pain of guilt, loneliness, insignificance, regret, and shame. For me, it was the acceptance and approval of people. Being in relationship with significant people became my pain killer. But it was temporary and limited. People could ease the pain but could never supply the necessary healing. They could affect my heart but not heal it.

I know that my bones will take six to eight weeks to heal properly and I know that my mind and emotions will also take time (much time) to heal properly. During that time, God is helping me to see where I have been wounded and how much of my heart pain is built on faulty thinking and blatant lies. While He will certainly use people to relieve some of the pain, the ultimate healing and wholeness come from Him and are a result of living connected to Him on a daily basis. Learning to cry out to Him, wait on Him, hope in Him, seek Him, obey Him, talk to Him, listen to Him, and just be with Him. As I derive my sense of value, worth, and significance from who I am in Christ and what He says about me, I will look less and less to people to do that for me. I will also stop making them responsible for my well being.

Indeed, healing is coming but it is coming through God and in His time. I praise Him for the temporary pain killers He provides but I bow before Him as my True Healer.

Father, You are my Great Physician of not only my body, but also of my mind, will, and emotions. I seek Your touch. Amen.

Heal the Wound - Point of Grace
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g_dhYDQIdg

Pain is the raw material from which can be made a soul increasingly sensitive to the existence of God's love. ~ John Woolley

The Way to Walk

Your ears will hear a word behind you, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left. Isaiah 30:21 (New American Standard Bible)

Throughout my Christian life I often missed the “this is the way, walk in it” moments that God was whispering to me. Time and time again I felt if given enough time I could figure things out for myself and somehow muster up the needed changes on my own. That has not gotten me very far. I cannot be my own compass on the path I walk. I cannot be my own rudder on the sea of life. I cannot be my own guide through the minefields of each day. I cannot be my own therapist, psychologist, or surgeon. God meant it when He said, “Without Me, you can do nothing.”

The most recent way I have been shown to walk is in the area of asking and depending. My mindsets and thought processes have often been my undoing because I wasn’t asking for God’s help or depending upon Him to give me the help I needed. I had no trouble looking to people and books to give me the answers. They certainly have their place in God’s kingdom work, but they cannot have a prominent place when it comes to changing the way I think, act, and feel. Many have been the times I was enslaved to false perceptions, wrong judgments, and needless skepticism. Rather than walk in joy and freedom, I was in bondage. To make matters worse, I thought it was up to me to set myself free. The truth of the matter was that I did not possess the ability, ambition, or will power to become free.

It wasn’t until I learned to ask for help (God’s help) that I began to experience victory in areas that previously saw only defeat and discouragement. Asking God to give me what I lack in place of what I possess unlocks the soul chains that formerly ensnared me. No matter what the attitude of my heart is, I can simply ask God to replace it with the opposite attitude and He does! In the past week, I have asked for replacements countless times and never once was there a delay in the answer. Not once!

What is it He has graciously given time and time again? Peace, security, sensitivity, confidence, joy, acceptance, settling, and serenity. I can bring the most despicable aspects of myself to Him and He faithfully transforms them. My asking puts me in the position to receive. I use to wonder if it would work. I wonder no longer. Now I approach Him with anticipation and expectancy. As a child, I ask. As a Father, He gives. This is His way and I choose to walk in it!

Father, last night I laughed at the way You so quickly changed my heart beat and mind set. It was a laughter that sprung from the joy of You. Amen.

When I Call on Jesus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwMw16eocuU

Thank you to all who prayed for me in the past week. Those prayers have been effective and outside of some tolerable discomfort in my chest, I am back!