"Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.
This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)
Just a word and a question (or few)…just a little something to
"fan the flame" of your creativity!
And, to further fan those faith-filled flames (try saying that 10 times in a row!) – I'm adding my favorite devotional from the week!
Today's word: warfare
What does the word warfare mean to you?
What do you think is the toughest aspect of spiritual warfare? Why?
How do you prepare yourself for warfare against the enemy?
What promises of God do you hold on to in the midst of spiritual warfare?
Let me know what you think!!
"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." (2 Corinthians 10:3-4, NASB)
"This charge I entrust to you...[that] you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience..." (1 Timothy 1:18-19, ESV)
"...God is against the men of pride, but he gives grace to those who make themselves low before him. For this cause be ruled by God; but make war on the Evil One and he will be put to flight before you." (James 4:6-7, BBE)
"Take up God's instruments of war, so that you may be able to keep your position against all the deceits of the Evil One." (Ephesians 6:11, BBE)
"When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God...will be with you." (Deuteronomy 20:1, NIV)
DEVOTIONAL OF THE WEEK:
What a misconception many people have of the Christian life! The average church member today does not seem to know anything about conflict...It is just at this point in today's Christianity that one may find its greatest defect. There is little or nothing of the soldier element in it. The discipline, self-denial, spirit of hardship and determination so prominent in and belonging to the military life, are lacking. Yet the Christian life is warfare. We need to fight the good fight and endure hardships as good soldiers of Christ.
*Please strengthen me to endure hardships of many kinds.
"Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus."
(2 Timothy 2:3, NIV)
(Devotional from: "Grace for Each Moment" Compiled by Kylie Munger from devotionals by Solly Ozrovech, c. 2008, Christian Art Gifts, RSA)
"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"
Hi Sharon! I agree that the spirit of the soldier is getting a little weaker in me. But that's because I think I'm the General, not the soldier! I love your point about the need for self-denial, you know that reading my post from today.
ReplyDeleteLooking to The Lord to find my way and lead the charge is the best way to fight the spiritual battle, don't you think? He will arm me with him gifts so I'll stay safe. I can't do it without him, that's for sure.
Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!
Ceil
I think one of the scariest things about spiritual warfare is how lax we can become in realizing it's existence and staying armed for battle.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I like about the warfare we fight is that the battle belongs to the Lord so once we truly realize that and get that into our thick skulls, then it makes the fighting of it easier. I think the best way to attack the warfare with the enemy is with scripture, just like Jesus did.
ReplyDeletebetty
For me, the primary battleground in spiritual warfare is in my mind. It isn't only about the way that I think, it's about the way I perceive situations. I think Satan studies us so carefully and knows exactly which situations will push which buttons.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Betty that the most important thing we can do is rely on scripture just as Jesus modeled for us. That's one of the 4,728 reasons that it is so important to be fully immersed in His Word. It's our only offensive weapon against it. There have been times when my battles have gotten so exhausting that I have opened the Word and read the last two chapters of Revelation aloud just so the enemy would be reminded that I knew the end of the story.
I think warfare is from the devil. And you have to be constantly aware of Jesus - and what He says in the Bible - and be constantly aware...of His desire. sandie
ReplyDelete