Living Life Lessons – Page 4 – REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES

IN THE LIVING LIFE LESSONS COLUMN EACH MONTH I AM SHARING VARIOUS LESSONS GOD HAS TAUGHT ME. TODAY WE PREPARE FOR BATTLE!

In the Garden of Eden Satan knew exactly how to trick Adam and Eve. He was very cunning, knew their weaknesses and right where to attack. I sometimes think Adam and Eve were a bit unprepared. They lived in paradise, daily walking in the Garden with God which definitely equipped them to defeat the enemy. But did they know they were equipped?

Just like Adam and Eve we are blessed beyond measure with God’s goodness in our every day lives. But along with those blessings also come attacks from our enemy who wants more than anything to trip us up.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we are equipped with the Holy Spirit and God’s Word to defeat any enemy attack. But unless we are aware of the attacks how can we fight back?

Below are specific areas listed in my Life Application Study Bible that speak to this battle. I liken them to land mines on our life pathway.

Satan’s Plan of Attack:

- DOUBT ~ Makes you question God’s Word and His goodness.
- DISCOURAGEMENT ~ Makes you look at your problems rather than God.
- DIVERSION ~ Makes wrong things seem attractive.
- DEFEAT ~ Makes you feel like a failure so you won’t even try.
- DELAY ~ Makes you put off doing what you should do.

Rather than allowing these attacks to stay hidden as land mines buried on our life path; let’s put red flags on them so that when they appear we will recognize them for what they are. Then can we face the battle with The Weapon we’ve been given: God’s Word!

The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity. ~ 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 *MSG

Father God, help me to recognize enemy attacks when they come upon me. Help me to turn to You for strength and to use Your Word to fight against these evil attacks. I ask this in the mighty Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

If you cannot see the video screen below CLICK HERE for our battle song by Tye Tribbett.

RESOURCES

Life Application Study Bible
*The Message Bible

In the Living Life Lessons column each month I’m sharing various lessons God has taught me over these last eight years. Today I want to talk about living effective lives.

Whether we recognize it or not our lives effect others. If we want to have a healthy effect on our circle of influence we need to take care how we live.

Our strategy for effective living begins with SEEKING WISDOM. Some of us were fortunate to have parents that taught us right from wrong, others maybe not. So where can we find wisdom? The Bible says that wisdom comes from fearing God. This isn’t the trembling-in-your-boots kind of fear, but rather a reverential fear–appreciating God for who He is.

The second requirement in our strategy for effective living is MORAL APPLICATION. Once we have reverential fear we begin trusting in God. By allowing His Word to speak to us personally we come to place of obedience. Our heart lines up with what Scripture says, our spirit is convicted by the Holy Spirit and that makes us ready for changed actions.

The third requirement for effective living is PRACTICAL APPLICATION. Our hearts have been softened by God’s Word, we’ve sought His wisdom and have begun to obey in our actions. These are often challenges to our daily lives. For me the only answer is to keep God’s Word close to my heart and mind throughout the day. That may mean carrying a 3×5 Scripture card with me everywhere I go.

Results of practicing the above three steps is a healthy, positive and EFFECTIVE LIFE. How do we know? We will begin to actually experience what God does as He honors our obedience. It may not happen right away but we must trust, have faith and expect to see God’s blessing pour out. Just like earthly parents, God loves when His children are obedient and He promises to give us a reward!

Over the last few years I’ve been able to put these steps into practice. There have been times when it was easy and other times, like now, were more difficult. Today God has me under His refining fire again, taking me to a higher level, which always means change and a deeper surrender to His will for my life. But as I’m working this process again, I’m going back to what I know works… pulling out my 3×5 cards and relearning some lessons.

My child, listen to me and do as I say and you will have a long, good life. I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. If you live a life guided by wisdom, you won’t limp or stumble as you run. Carry out my instructions; don’t forsake them. Guard them, for they will lead you to a fulfilled life. ~ Proverbs 4: 10-12