Monday, September 19, 2022

Oh It's War Out There and in Here

Oh It's War Out There and in Here
by David Brenneman 
2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB "We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ".

Wars have happened since mankind decided that killing to take land, territory or possessions was a viable option. 

Wars in recent decades have escalated on so many fronts that people are unclear as to the scope of them.  You're at war and aren't even likely aware that you are. 

In the parable of the tares it's said that the tares among the wheat were put there by an enemy. 

"Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and left. And when the wheat sprouted and produced grain, then the weeds also became evident. And the slaves of the landowner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ And he said to them, ‘An enemy has done this!’ The slaves *said to him, ‘Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No; while you are gathering up the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and at the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the weeds and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”" Matthew 13:24-30 NASB 

We often don't think about such things but the Bible says specifically to pray for the guarding of our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 ought indeed to be our prayer each day.

We often don't check in with Jesus to see if the choices in front of us are of us or are of the enemy of the cross of Christ. 

We often think that only the "big things" need to be prayed about.

As one put it: If you only pray when you are in trouble then you are already in trouble.

People honestly put forth more effort in guarding their physical bodies than they do their Spiritual bodies.  Spending most of their non-working hours with physical fitness or diets but seriously neglect their Spiritual bodies.  I, personally, do not focus on my body unless given reason to do so. 
To me it's a distraction from what all God has for me to be doing.  

Garbage in garbage out mentally impacts your Spiritual body. Garbage in garbage out in eating does the same to your physical body.  Eat highly processed foods your body will eventually pay for it. Eat the way God intended and you live longer.  As only a side note that aligns with this war footing...corporations for decades have made processed foods addicting for a reason. Greed. They work with the so-called health industry to keep doctors and hospitals busy. Research it yourself.  A key item as I have learned from my Wife's research is statin drugs.  Your brain runs on cholesterol. Statin drugs intentionally drive the levels of cholesterol down. Statin drugs are pushed under the "standard of care" that doctors are taught to provide. But this is taking us off course...a little. 

Your mind and heart is a battlefield.
You must strive to take care of it. 
You must realize that the world isn't even going to be sunshine and rainbows.  Go back to 2 Corinthians 10:5. 

We also look at the life of Jesus.  He honestly was on a war footing at all times. Always ready for what would come His way by both friends and foes.  He constantly was in prayer to His Father to stay on course with His Father's plan. 

We will be enticed by the small thoughts and the big ones.  To be truthful the small thoughts are the more dangerous of the two.  As it's been said a mighty river can have its course changed by a correctly planted rock high enough upstream. 

We must pray concerning our hearts and minds.  Pray concerning the things that come up in life because only God knows where every option you will face can go and which one is right for you. 

In Ecclesiastes we read of how all is vanity.  We often know way, way more about things of this world than we do our Bible or even our God.  

We're told of the full armor of God in Ephesians. Are you wearing it if indeed you are a Christian?  

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 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 on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having strapped on your feet the 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 every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints," Ephesians 6:10-18 NASB 

Read this: "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be as wary as serpents, and as innocent as doves."

Read in Corinthians of all that Paul endured.  He went through a lot only because of standing firm in the faith. 

Satan's never going to go for all out assaults first.  He will entice you in the subtle things first.  He will try to get you to convince you that your ways are ok. 

Pray for today.  Jesus said not to worry about tomorrow because tomorrow has enough trouble of its own.  Pray for your heart and mind for today's things that you will face.  

Pray for your Spiritual body as well as your physical.  We easily can be misguided to misplace our passion in life.  

Praying without ceasing isn't a suggestion. 

What does your day look like?  It often seems tranquil enough.  But many a river, just below the surface, it's moving at a mind-boggling pace while the surface looks so peaceful.  

As with your physical body, what you feed your Spiritual body will either help or hinder growth.  In Ecclesiastes we read of Solomon essentially creating a Heaven here on Earth and yet found it to be like striving after the wind.  It was useless. He had a paradise to live in and still realized it was vain to strive for it.  We also strive for things in this life to find peace, rest and comfort.  Ever notice those things never last?  So did King Solomon. The wisest man to have ever lived next to Jesus Christ. 

How much do you guard your mind and heart?  Don't trust your feelings no matter what Yoda said in Star Wars.  Our feelings will get in the way.  Read Psalm 23.  Read in the Gospels of just what the Good Shepherd does. Regardless of what the sheep see, feel or do, His goal is the same. Sanctification. 

Pray pray pray.  Seek what God's wanting of you in your life today.  Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.  Expect the opposition.  Don't be startled when opposition happens. Expect wars to keep you off your game. Expect and prepare your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.  

Look at the people of the Bible. In every one, in every way, if God brought them to something, He brought them through it. 

Stand firm. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NASB "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love."


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