by David Brenneman
The Christian life is not always easy. There are joyful moments of walking with Jesus, but there are also times when nothing makes sense and when your world seems to be crumbling. The world will mock your Lord, and you may grow
discouraged. At those times, you need to peer into the empty
tomb. It is the abandoned tomb that gives you hope, for it symbolizes the life that is yours from your risen Lord. The empty tomb promises that nothing, not even death itself, can defeat the purposes of your Lord. Are you weeping beside an empty tomb? - Experiencing God Day-by-Day for August 15th. Blackaby.
"Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:12.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8.
Each day we live we are to: "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." Galatians 2:20.
We are not given a suggestion concerning the truth about life but a command.
"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 in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with 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 all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." Ephesians 6:10-20.
Remembering that: "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." Ephesians 6:12.
"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, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete." 2 Corinthians 10:3-6.
My Dear Reader we're in the thick of it, the battle of the ages, the battlefield being our minds.
There is no point in time where our guard can be let down. When we awake we should be ready for what's to come.
Our enemy takes no vacation days.
Our enemy is constantly obsessed with observing us.
Our enemy does not want anyone who has placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation to succeed in one iota of progress in growing in Christ.
Our enemy is restless.
In reading through the New Testament much slower this year its made it more easy to see the constant, daily, aggressive, difficult, challenging, battles that Paul faced. Yet we read earlier of him telling Timothy to fight.
These words are for us as well.
Taking thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus.
We must be on our guard at all times. Our enemy is always looking for an opportunity.
Even in our thoughts of "doing the right thing" might not be what God wants to have happen. The Bible says: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9.
To also "Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight" Proverbs 3:5-6 eludes to not trusting yourself.
All who are breathing are at war. The unbelieving just haven't had the light of Jesus Christ to see the true state of their lives.
While Satan was defeated at the cross of Jesus Christ, he still is deluded enough to believe he can still get his victory against Almighty God.
Fight back against the excuses for not being alone with God in prayer.
Fight back against the excuses for not being daily in the Word of God.
Fight back against the excuses for not living in obedience to God's Word.
Fight back.
Every single reason we can give for not obeying God is an excuse.
What will you say, what will you feel, on that day you stand before Jesus to give an account of your life before Him? Everyone in Christ has been given ample opportunity to make full use of the Spiritual Gifts bestowed upon them as their part of the body of Christ.
There are no conscientious objectors in this Spiritual War.
There are none who have no fight to fight.
Satan's against all who claim that Jesus Christ is their personal Lord and Savior.
Fight the good fight, finish the race. Paul's admonition to Timothy is ours.
So what that you'll miss a television show, a movie, a game, a this or that in your life. You're in training in righteousness by the Spirit of God. Get off the bench and fully realize you are in the game.
Satan's schemes include feelings of utter satisfaction in life coupled with no cares in the world. Because such people aren't digging into the Word of God. They see no reason to rely on God in Christ Jesus for anything. They have it covered in their own strength and their own mind.
Satan's a liar and the father of lies.
Satan's the great deceiver.
Satan's minions do not rest.
Get back into the whole armor of God. You're in the thick of it whether you want to be or not or think you aren't but really are.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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