Reality

Reality 

by David Brenneman 

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 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,"‭‭ 2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:3‭-‬5‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

Of the last several days it seems that someone, somewhere, in this world is fighting this blog from getting out to be read by whomever God's leading it to be found by.  

Indeed there's a Spiritual war going on with regards to the spreading of the Gospel message.  The war is real. It's been real since before the fall of mankind, when Satan tried for the Throne of God.  

You and I are not innocent bystanders. There are none who are alive who are not impacted by this battle.  

The aim of God is the preservation of life through salvation in Christ Jesus alone. 

The aim of Satan is to prevent that from happening.  As I have seen in a picture, so it is. 

Satan's schemes are there to foil whatever the Spirit intends to do in your life. 

It's oh so important to not just live in the moment.  To not just do what feels good.  Those things may indeed be the doorway to sin and future troubles.  Consequences could still be attached to what thoughts we run with. 

My Dear Reader, what we do, why we do, must always be filtered through the Word of God.  Read in Deuteronomy.  The instructions being left by Moses to the children of Israel.  Thoughts can be dangerous if we're not careful to remember what God has said about them.

We can easily find thoughts that make us feel good.  But what good are those when they are not God honoring and come with consequences?

The reminders of the Spirit, the teachings of the Spirit, are to guide us into all righteousness of God through Jesus Christ.  Jesus said so.

Jesus is going to be returning.  He also said this as well.  All that this world holds dear and wars to own is meaningless in light of eternity, in light of the knowledge of knowledge Jesus.  

We are like sheep in most respects. The Bible says that we are like sheep having gone astray each doing our own thing.  

What good is it to have everything you think you have ever desired and yet find yourself standing before Jesus having done nothing that was for Him?   You might have enjoyed your time on this Earth but if there's nothing to show for your  work in the body of Christ, it was a waste.

When we come to Christ we're now in the body of Christ.  We have something to do in that body.  Satan's going to fight and is going to try to hinder you doing what you are to be doing.  He will mimic white blood cells and try to surround you to keep you from interacting with the rest of the body. 

His weapons are going to try to reach your heart and your mind.  In Christ he can't touch your soul.  He wants your sin nature to flourish. 

Prayer is one of our chief weapons in this war.  Willful sin is the only obstacle between our praying and Jesus responding to those prayers.  It won't be Satan.  You have the ability to hinder your prayers by allowing, desiring, and keeping, things in your life that the Spirit is telling you to remove.  

When you get up to go out into today, be ready.  Trust me, the enemy of God is always ready for you. He's not one to get tired.  You are.  

The world will say you are being closed minded.  That you are being intolerant.  

Me? I don't care what the world says to me.  My Dear Reader, my driving desire is to hear from Jesus "Well done".  People will either listen or they won't, but that cannot be allowed to silence me.  

The Bible says that each one will give an account of their lives before Jesus.  

What will your life show?  Will it show a life lived for you or a life lived in Christ?

Will there be a realization too little too late that you lived mostly for yourself?  That you missed the blessings of God because you settled for what you thought you desired?

Satan isn't going to let up.  You may think there's a lull in the storm or you may think he's somewhere else.  Truth is he's seeking someone to devour.  He's disguised as an angel of light.  He's a liar and the father of lies.  He's a twister of Scripture.  He's the greatest loser at the Cross of Jesus Christ.  He's the destroyer of life.  The thief. He will cause people to to be so twisted in their thinking that they will think that what they do is actually for God.  Read it in your Bible.  Jesus Himself says that there will be people who will have done much for Him yet weren't saved.  

Oh the truth of God that is being kept from the eyes of mankind. 

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. 

What thoughts do you entertain that shouldn't be?  What are you listening to that you think "isn't so bad"?   That it's not impacting you spiritually.  

Everything you expose yourself to impacts you spiritually.  Satan schemes include hiding things in plain sight.  Some of these include what I call "acceptable rage and anger" in the name of "fun".  Most do not want to hear it but this reality is based heavily in sports and is called competition.  Fans are encouraged to exhibit what is truly ungodly behavior towards one another in the name of fun.

This is but one example. 

What we do or don't do must be considered in our taking every thought captive.  If we're awake there's thoughts that need regulated.  If we're intentional on the Word of God, in prayer, in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, it's difficult for the enemy to get a foothold.  

Consider all the people you will interact with today.  Consider it well if you remember to rely on your own understanding or on the wisdom of God. 

Regardless of how many or how few read what God has me write, I will write.  I will continue to pray for those who might read it, for God to handle its being spread throughout the world.  This too is part of the war. 

How I am towards the world is a reflection of Christ towards me.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. Love your neighbor as yourself.  Leaning not on my own understanding and He will make my paths straight..

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. Lockman Foundation.