What are you willing to fight for?

What are you willing to fight for?

Are you equipped to fight?

The opportunities for frustration and disappointment are plentiful, especially if you care enough to make a difference in your world.  However, I have discovered the challenges I face are worth the risk, for nothing can compare to the rewards of overcoming.  God’s promises are for those willing to stand and fight for what is right.  I can boldly proclaim these truths because I have experienced many victories in areas once considered hopeless and/or impossible.  Once the battle was over, the blessings that followed were more than I could have imagined or even prayed for.

It is the promises of God that keep me standing when all else is falling around me.  The truth is, you either believe what God says or you don’t.  Your actions always reveal what you truly believe.  Too often people will walk away from a conflict because it is easier to do so.

My biggest challenge is in the arena of trust.  Once my heart is broken, it is very difficult to trust again.  This is when my help comes from the Lord. It is during these times that the Holy Spirit reminds me of the power of faith.  Faith to believe that change is possible; and I am only required to trust in the Lord.  If I can believe in the possibilities of what God could do for me and not lean on my own understanding, somehow that empowers me to do more than I could otherwise.

Life is not easy; troubling times are inevitable.  Rewards do come and so does the rest but only after the battle is fought.  I have to remind myself not to prolong the fight which only delays the victory.  I must face whatever enemy is standing in front of me, knowing that God has already gone before me to prepare the way for a glorious outcome.

When God said “now, is the day of salvation” or “do not worry about tomorrow,” He knew the perils and the losses I would incur, if I prolonged my struggles.  When God told us not to let the sun go down on our anger, I believe He wanted those issues resolved today.  The longer I wait, the more intense the battle becomes. Even if I walk away, my enemy returns to torment me again and again, until I stand and fight.

Remember time is a precious gift from God and should be used wisely.  No one knows when their time or someone else’s time is up here on earth.

Remember what Jesus said when He left.  He was going to send us a helper, the Holy Spirit.  Jesus did not leave me or you helpless.

2011′s Hidden Treasures

     After all the years of heartaches, disappointments and triumphs, I have been through; I would think that nothing else could shock my system.  However, once again clouds of dismay cover my world.  However, God in His infinite wisdom and grace is not surprised or unprepared by the strategies of my enemy.  The attacks of my enemy are often directed to those closest to my life, my precious loved ones.  The enemy’s tactic has the double edge sword effect.  It tries to destroy the one it is aimed at and because of the love connection; I sustain injuries from the battle too.

     You see my enemy is not made of flesh and bones, so my battle is not with a man or woman but it is with principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  However, rest assured, because of this, I do win!  God promised me that the battle really belongs to Him.

     Remember God is a Spirit…perhaps that is why Jesus had to return to the Father before returning to reign as the King of kings.  Jesus had to prepare us to receive Him as the Lord of Lords and learn how to spiritually reign with Him. The crucifixion of Jesus proves mankind did not understand spiritual matters.  Mankind wants a savior, a loving King, but are we prepared to receive Jesus in the image of God or as our Lord?  Jesus learned while He lived on the earth how to live, move and breathe in the Holy Spirit before He ascended to heaven.  His Holy Spirit returned on the day of Pentecost to help us become who we were created to be. Apart from the Holy Spirit, we are limited to our own senses.

     As I enter into 2012, I am reflecting on the past year.  Each year has treasure hidden in it for me to discover and use in the new year.   My 2011 discoveries…

1.  If you are setting goals with God, expect the goals to be fulfilled His Way.
2. Truth is either a connector or a separator, depending on how the truth is received.
3. Intimacy is about communication.
4. God’s presence is often the unrecognized blessing in any circumstance.
5. The Holy Spirit will bring to remembrance everything you need to become victorious in any given moment.
6. Actions based on feelings produces external pleasure for a season but actions based on righteousness produces internal peace that passes all understanding.
7. Trusting God produces love for one another.

Wisdom Speaks…

“I am Wisdom –Common Sense is my closest friend; I possess knowledge and sound judgment.  If you respect the Lord,  you will hate evil.  I hate pride and conceit and deceitful lies. I am strong, and I offer sensible advice and sound judgment. By my power kings govern, and rulers make laws that are fair. Every honest leader rules with help from me. I love everyone who loves me, and I will be found by all who honestly search. I can make you rich and famous, important and successful. What you receive from me is more valuable than even the finest gold or the purest silver. I always do what is right, and I give great riches to everyone who loves me”…Proverbs 8.12-21 (CEV)

Who are you talking to?

What are you quizzing yourself about?

What motivates me? 

What inspires me to action? 

What relationship matters most? 

What makes the dark clouds in my life disappear?

What makes my heart sing? 

What makes me happy? 

Whose pain do I feel?

Where can I make the most difference?

 

God has always given me opportunities to make changes in my life…changes that often improve the quality and quantity of living.  As I ponder what avenue of education I should pursue, my mind becomes crowded with questions and my heart overwhelmed with thoughts of understanding.

 

God obviously does not work within the concepts of time.  Most would consider me to old to become a student again.  However, I feel that if one stops learning, they stop growing as a person of character.  Character is a collection of choices; I feel education gives you the opportunity to make better choices… 

 

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth…2 Timothy 2:15

 

Perhaps I should follow the path of journalism and learn all I can about blogs and the social media.  I love reading and writing.  I really do want to be the best me I can be!

 

What are you quizzing yourself about?

God intervenes…

If  my life is fueled by what I see, hear, and feel…

“Who has my attention?   What has captured my focus?”

 

As I meditated on this concept, I began remembering all the times God intervened when I needed to  change my perspective…

 

You are my Eyes when I loose my sight;

You are my Protection and Comfort in my darkest night;

You are my Strength when I have to stand and fight;

You are my Rest when my soul takes flight;

You are the Way when I have lost my might;

You are the Bread of Life when I hunger for more;

You are my Wings when I soar to new heights;

You are the One who has clothed me in His Wonderful Light!

 

Remember everyone has difficult days and trying moments but the difference in people still remains in who they have chosen to trust.

Some people trust the power of chariots or horses, but we trust you, LORD God. (Psalms 20:7 CEV)