If Your Faith Is Shaken...

I have ran with the same friend for years. We meet at a small church parking lot near a stretch of sidewalk where we love to run. We have memorized what red light marks a 5K, what subdivision makes four miles and which fire hydrant adds up to five.

Along this path, our friendship has deepened. We have ran and laughed. Even jumping with excitement over victories the Lord has allowed. I have also ran and cried along that concrete trail. We both have. Sometimes we've been so deep with hurt we could barely speak a word. All we could do was slow down and keep moving.

Running. A parallel of life. Laughing. Deep joy. Victories. Grieving. Crying. Hurt. Silence. Endurance.

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31,32

Jesus and Simon Peter had ran some distance together. They did life. Peter was the chosen one - The Rock of the coming church. But Jesus knew that Peter was about to walk through the roughest terrain of his journey. The sifting of Simon Peter. The sifting of wheat? How does that translate to us today?

John Piper says, that the sifting of Peter and the others is "Satan's effort to destroy their faith. And this remains Satan's main goal today. It is relatively unimportant to Satan whether we are healthy or sick, rich or poor; what he wants is to sift out our faith. If he can do it by suffering he will try that; if he can do it by wealth, he will try that."

Do you know what astounds me the most about this passage? Here He is. Jesus - Fully God. Fully man. The power of His Word able to bring the world into existence. But, look at Jesus' response. "I have prayed for you...that your faith may not fail."

What? Why didn't Jesus pray for Satan to call it off? Isn't Peter important? I mean, He could have said no. "Sorry Satan. Peter is special. He's my Rock. I need him left alone. Pick on someone else."

No, Jesus allowed it. Why?
For Peter's faith to increase.

I am betting that Peter was a bit confused by this. Why would his Lord, his Teacher, his Friend let anything bad happen to him? I have felt this way, too. Haven't you? But Peter was about to learn that it is "through suffering and trial our faith is refined. We are drawn to rely ever more heavily on God and we are moved to cherish his grace more strongly. Satan has his role to play in fanning the flames of our refining furnace. We must be sober in our prayers, fight the good fight and anticipate the victory of God at the perfect time." -Piper, On the Sifting of Simon Peter.

Friend, is this where you are today? Are you being sifted as wheat? Do you feel as if you are on a big mesh sieve being shaken to your core? Are you tired? Torn? Weak? Desperate? Your faith on the brink of failing you?

When (not if) but when this happens, let us be of great courage. Faith can not fall through mesh. Continue steadfastly in prayer. Your wind may be knocked out... you may have to slow your pace, but for Heaven's sake, keep running. Your eyes staying fixed on the Prize. Place your hope in the one who can save you. In the one who runs beside you. Put your hope in the one who is praying that your faith may not fail.

Jesus.

I Need To Know This...

From the lips of infants and children you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. Psalm 8:2

Do you ever feel as if the enemy, the Devil himself, has a plot against you? Do you ever think that He is on your tale, bombarding you with conflict after conflict, illness after illness, affliction after affliction?

Well, your intuition is spot on. He does have a plot against you. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says the thief comes only to kill you, steal from you and destroy you. (John 10:10)

But we have Good News. Very, very Good News. We are fully equipped to fight.

And not just fight, but win.

We have the power, through the name of Jesus, to silence our foe.

When we praise our God, the Bible says our enemy has to flee.

Don't miss this: The ESV version of the Bible says that He has ordained praise to still the enemy and the avenger. - Psalm 8:2

In its original Hebrew text, to "still" the enemy means to cause to fail; to suffer; to be lacking.

Oh, how I love this Truth. The enemy’s plot against me FAILS when I praise Jesus. Satan suffers and recognizes his lack when we worship our God.

"Abort mission. Nothin' to see here fellas." His plan fails against the name of Jesus.

Goodness gracious, I need to know this.

This side of heaven, we will never fully know how powerful and just what all happens when we speak the name of Jesus.

What a privilege to even say it out loud. Jesus. There is just something about that name.

Will you take a few minutes to worship with me? This song, Your Great Name, by Natalie Grant, describes so many wonderful truths about the name of Jesus. Let us enter into His presence in praise while the enemy recognizes his lack and flees.

Your Great Name - Natalie Grant

Lost аrе saved; find tһеіr way; аt tһе sound οf уουr ɡrеаt name
All condemned; feel no shame, аt tһе sound οf уουr ɡrеаt name
Eνеrу fеаr; һаѕ no рƖасе аt tһе sound οf уουr ɡrеаt name
Tһе enemy; he has to leave; аt tһе sound οf уουr ɡrеаt name

Chorus
Jesus, Worthy іѕ tһе Lamb tһаt wаѕ ѕlain fοr υѕ, Son οf God аnԁ Man
Yου аrе high аnd lifted up; tһаt аll tһе world wіll praise уουr ɡrеаt name

AƖƖ tһе weak; find tһеіr strength; аt tһе sound οf уουr ɡrеаt name
Hungry souls; receive grace; аt tһе sound οf уουr ɡrеаt name
Tһе fatherless; tһеу find tһеіr rest; аt tһе sound οf уουr ɡrеаt name
Sick аrе healed; аnd tһе dead аrе raised; аt tһе sound οf уουr ɡrеаt name

Jesus, Worthy іѕ tһе Lamb tһаt wаѕ ѕƖаіn fοr υѕ, Son οf God anԁ Man
Yου аrе high аnd lifted up; tһаt аƖƖ tһе world wіƖƖ praise уουr ɡrеаt name

Redeemer, Mу Healer, Almighty
Mу savior, Defender, Yου аrе Mу King

Jesus, Worthy іѕ tһе Lamb tһаt wаѕ ѕƖаin fοr υѕ, Son οf God аnd Man
Yου аrе high аnd lifted up; tһаt аƖƖ tһе world wіƖƖ praise уουr ɡrеаt name

Now .. Where Did I Put My Passion?

This summer, the enemy made a solid effort around here ... trying to steal from God's people.

Like a little girl fumbling around in the dark, trying to find her favorite Lovie, I fumbled in the dark many days. Running my hands across hardship and life stress. Patting along chaos and confusion. I knew it had to be there somewhere. My Passion. Where did I put that thing?

I was so discouraged. Even in some of the darkest seasons of my life, I have still, by God's grace, been able to maintain my Passion for Jesus. I am crazy about Him.

I mean, "let me do a cartwheel" crazy in love with Him!

But this summer, my passion went from a cartwheel to a somersault, into a fire drill (stop, drop and roll) and some days I lay flat on my back. Being the roll-ie verses the roller.

Life rolled right on top of me. And knocked my breath out.

So where did my passion go?

Do you ever feel this way?

I think of Paul. He never seemed to lose his passion. In prison - passion. Stoned by Jews from Antioch - passion. Debating with Jerusalem council - passion.

So here I am, the year is 2011, a stay-at-home mom of three in Knoxville, TN ... where the heck did my passion go? I'm not being stoned to death, persecuted or thrown in prison!

In his study, A Call to Die, David Nasser writes this, "I am always amazed that God is willing to use somebody like me. His faithfulness makes me love Him even more. The more we see his power at work in us and through us, the more we are loyal to him. Passion takes root in gratitude. Take time to think about what God has done for you. No, many things may not have gone the way you hoped. But even in those disappointments, God is still God."

Passion takes root in gratitude. Bingo.

With that statement, the light went off. "Becky, you've taken your eye off of the prize. Your goal is not comfort, your goal is Me. Look to all I HAVE done. And be thankful. It is in your gratitude that your passion will return."



So I pulled out my fancy notebook and pen (kidding about the fancy) and started a list. And there it was. With each strike of my pen, my head shaking in awe that the Lord would bless me with ANYTHING, my passion started to make its entrance back into the stubborn doors of my heart.

I keep an ongoing list. And I have been practicing the act of thankfulness unto my sweet Jesus. The giver of every single good gift. Those aren't just words. They are TRUE words. Look around us. We are SO blessed.

Beyond. Belief. Blessed.



Shame on me for overlooking. Forgive me Lord for my unthankfulness.

A lesson learned for me this summer. I hope it blesses you, too.

On that note:

Gratitude

Children
Help my children to live lives that are always overflowing with thankfulness and always giving thanks to God the Father for everything.

Give thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Eph. 5:20

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Col. 2:6, 7

Myself and others
Help ME and _____________ live lives that are always OVERFLOWING with thankfulness and always giving thanks to God the Father for EVERYTHING.

A Spiritual Demolition Derby

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 2 Corinthians 10:3

I must remember this.

I am in a battle. And the closer I get to the front lines, the more dangerous the fight.

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh... 2 Corinthians 10:4a

Warfare: (strateia) military service. figuratively the apostolic career, as one of hardship or danger.

A career.

Have you ever thought of yourself as a soldier? You are.

Your apostolic career...to fight in the army of God.

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4b

And God trains his soldiers well. He equips us with divine power to destroy our enemy.

You'll love this... God's Word destroys the enemy, right?

The word for destroy in the Greek translates as demolition.

In the spiritual realm, we have the power to do this to the enemy:



And this...



I don't know about you, but I find this extremely encouraging.

Have an awesome and empowered day.

Fighting Over Nothing - 101

The van. Arguably, one of the most stressful places on the face of the earth. Confined space, three boys, a tired mama, unbalanced tires, a floor full of crushed Fruit Loops, torn interior and a whole lot of noise. Stress.

So, in hopes to minimize further chaos, I rarely allow Ethan and Grant to sit beside each other.

The temptation to pick one another to death is far too great.

But, when the grandparents came into town, the boys begged to sit by one another to make room for extra passengers.

"O.K. But no fighting. No picking. No teasing. No hitting. No grabbing. None of it. Got it?"

"Got it! We won't!!"

And they didn't. For a couple of days.

Until...

Ethan - "Stop it Grant! No!!! Let me have it!"

Grant - "Give me the book! It is mine! I decide what chapter he's on."

Ethan - "But he is my pumpkin! I get to decide. I say he is on chapter 7! Don't turn the page!!"

3 - 2 - 1.... "Ahhh! Stop!! Owww! Mommmm!"

"What is going on?! What are you fighting about?"

I turn around to find a large pumpkin, strapped in a seat belt. Seated between the boys. Reading a book.

Yes, I just said that.

The argument? What chapter the pumpkin is reading.

"Boys. You are fighting about a pumpkin - reading a book. A pumpkin reading a book. Are you kidding me? Something that isn't even real is causing turmoil in this van. It's make believe. You are fighting over nothing."

It frustrates me to think of all the time spent breaking up fights over silly things. Over nothing.

Hmm. I bet God feels the same way about me.

How often do I get worked up over nothing. Make believe. Thoughts I conjure up in my mind. Lies I dwell on.

Becky - If you called your friends more...
Becky - If you weren't so lazy...
Becky - If your house was a little nicer...
Becky - If you could only go to seminary...
Becky - If you weren't so selfish...
Becky - If you could only be a better friend...
Becky - If you were a little prettier...
Becky - If you were in better shape...
Becky - If you weren't such a selfish wife...
Becky - If you weren't so mean to your kids...
Becky - If you weren't such a loser....
Becky - If you didn't have such a sinful past...
Becky - If your kids were better behaved...
Becky - If you were a better mother....
Becky...Becky....Becky....

I wonder if the Lord gets tired of telling me..... Are you kidding me? Something that isn't even real is causing you turmoil. Becky - It's make believe. You are fighting over nothing.

Warfare starts in my head. So much turmoil begins with what I believe..

The battlefield of the mind.

The enemy wants to wear me out in my thought life. If he succeeds there, I am less effective for the Lord. I am discouraged, defeated and tired. I feel insignificant, useless and unworthy.

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. - 2 Corinthians 10:3

The enemy wants to steal my worth.

Game on.

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but have divine power to destroy strong holds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. - 2 Corinthians 10:4,5

I love this. Paul doesn't say, "Consider this....how about destroying arguments and lofty opinions. Maybe try taking your thoughts captive."

No. He says. WE DESTROY ARGUMENTS. TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE.

This is active! It is what we do. As Christians this is how we fight. Destroy the lies. Put them up against the Word of God.

Lies. Can. Not. Stand.

Let us not, for one more day, allow ourselves to get worked up over nothing. Let us not be in turmoil over make believe. Let's grow in our knowledge of what God says about us. How does he see us? What does he think about us?

How do we take a thought captive?
We replace it with truth.

Put that lie up against the Word of God and see how it fairs. It doesn't stand a chance.

Becky - If you didn't have such a sinful past... STOP. The Lord says my sins are blotted out. He doesn't even remember them. Isaiah 43:25.

Becky - If you were a better mother...STOP. I may not be perfect, but the Lord says his grace is sufficient for me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Becky - If you would only go to seminary you could...STOP. The Word says the Helper, the Holy Spirit, will teach me all things and bring to my remembrance all that He says to me (John 14:26). He is growing me in wisdom. I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).

And on and on. Every thought captive.

Oh Lord, thank you for that silly pumpkin. Thank you for reminding me how to combat lies. Thank you for the reminder that I am armed, with your Word, to destroy EVERY argument. Grow me in this Lord. Grow all of us. Let us walk in freedom today - believing what you say. Free from turmoil...over nothing.

For more scripture of what God says about you click here.

I had my camera handy.

Forgetting How to Dress...In Battle

Roman soldiers were trained to lock shields in formation, creating an impenetrable defensive wall bristling with spear points. When shields were locked in place, they would march forward as a whole, advancing the enemy. They called it a Tortoise formation. Unstoppable.

Stronger together than apart.



In all circumstances, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. - Ephesians 6:16

"Paul is alluding to the large shield used by the Roman foot soldier of his day. This shield was not the small round one used by the cavalry; it was, instead, four feet long, two feet wide and resembled a door. (Wow) It was constructed of wood and wicker over which animal skins were stretched and the edges were studded with iron to protect the leather. The shield, in addition to providing the normal protection one would expect from a shield, was designed specifically to stop and extinguish the flaming projectiles of the enemy. (Ah yeah). The leather was stretched over the wicker so as to provide a space between it and the wood underneath. When the fiery arrows and darts passed through the leather and stuck to the wood underneath, they were extinguished." - Alan Turner

That is one heck of a shield.

This weekend my family has been in a bit of warfare. And it is true, true, true that we do not wage war against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12.

Our adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. [And we are to] resist him, firm in your faith. - 1 Peter 5:8

While prowling around, he made a pit stop at the Crenshaw's.

Time to practice what I preach. Time to grab my shield and stand firm.

But what happens when the attack is so great, I can barely stand?

What happens when I get all of the wind knocked out of me. I can't stand OR breathe.

What if I am too weak, beaten down and scared?

What then?

Then it is time to advance the enemy Tortoise Style.

Grab your people.

Lock shields.

And advance.

Sometimes, in spiritual battle, I go dumb. I forget, briefly, which end is up, how to pray, who my Victor is and how to dress myself in God's armor.

Today, I am thankful for my people. I literally feel as if one friend helped me fasten my belt of truth, another snapped on my breastplate. I was swinging my feet for one to place my shoes of readiness. Brent was slapping a helmet on my head and another handed me my shield and sword.

They peeled me off the floor, locked their door-sized shields with mine and off we went. Storming the gates of hell.

I bet the enemy tucked his tale between his legs and quivered at the sound of our coming.

Thank you, sweet body of Christ, for loving me. Please pray for my sweet Daddy. He is not well. Please pray that we brave the storm in victory. Not defeat.

If you are in battle, don't forget your people. We need eachother.

Crying Over Coffee

Before I typed the first letter this morning, I just sat and stared at the blank page. A full cup of joe sitting to the left of the screen. My Bible open. My nail kit in view sitting behind the computer. (Yes, I sometimes paint my nails while I read my Bible and blog. Just another quirk about Becky Crenshaw.)

Ahh. I have missed you all.

My week off was very refreshing. A lot has happened. And I got a lot done. Greater still, the Lord got a lot done in me.

Words and ideas I brought back down from the mountain...

- Training

- Satisfaction

- Prophecy

- God Bless my Lukie Pookie

- Wheel of Fortune

- Detox

- Let the children come

- I am the vine

- Healing

I am a walking blog post just waiting to be written!

But this morning, I am not going to write on any of those. Today the Lord sent me straight to Ephesians 6:10-18.

Warfare.

Now, I'm not one to walk around pointing my finger at the enemy. Sometimes, I know good and well that I am up against my own sinful nature. I am up against my own lack of self-control. I am up against my own laziness or apathetic attitude towards the Word. But today, as I write this, I know good and darn well that I am up against the schemes of the devil.

Yesterday morning was Grant's first day to a new school. I had prayed for this day for months and months. I was as nervous as he. But as this day approached, Grant's energy was starting to fade, his appetite was growing small, his tummy starting to hurt and by Friday night he was plagued by a stomach bug.

And it was relentless.

He was sick most of the day Saturday, all day Sunday and into the wee hours of Monday morning. He was weak. And tired. And extremely uninterested in going to school.

I called his teacher and she encouraged me to bring him for an hour. Let him get acquainted with his desk, his locker and meet his classmates. Just get a visual.

So in faith, I proceed with my "first morning of school" to-do list. And Grant is fighting me tooth and nail. With wet hair and my bathrobe on, I walk downstairs to get coffee. Brent is sitting at the kitchen table.

Standing at the coffee pot, I start to cry.

"This morning is death to me."

Brent - "What?"

"I have prayed and prayed for this morning and the enemy is stealing it away. He has ruined everything I hoped it would be. He is robbing Grant of his experience. He is robbing me of my joy. I want the enemy out of my house. I want him to leave my babies alone. Leave me alone. Ugh! I am so ticked off!"

Brent - silence.

Sweet Brent. I'm sure he doesn't know what to do with me sometimes.

Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

Yesterday morning the devil was plotting schemes against my family.

Schemes (methodeia) by definition means this... A method. A settled plan. To follow craftily. To frame devises. To deceive.

This is what he does. He methodically settles on a plan. He is crafty. He frames devices up against the body of Christ. He wants to decieve us. He wants to steal our joy. Our jobs. Our health. Our money. He wants our marriages. Our children.

He wants our lives.

The Word warns us, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. 1 Peter 5:8,9

So after I wallowed over my coffee a while, I picked myself up. Dusted off my bathrobe and went upstairs to get dressed. In the full armor of God.

I buckled the belt of truth around my waist.
The breastplate of righteousness strapped on.
My feet fitted with readiness in the gospel of peace.
I snapped on my helmet of salvation.
My shield of faith in one hand.
The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, in the other.

Then I stood... alert and prayerful on all occasions. Empowered by the Holy Spirit to move forward. Empowered now to resist my enemy.
Ephesians 6:14-18

Grant is doing better and enjoyed seeing his classroom and locker. We went to the doctor and the report was good. He is doing much better today. Praise the Lord.

Today I walk in victory. Aware of the battle around me, guarded and alert.

And thankful.

Thankful to the Lord for not leaving me in that kitchen floor crying over my coffee. I am thankful for His Word that is God-breathed and useful for instruction and teaching (2 Tim 3:16). I am thankful He leads me to overcome my enemy (Luke 10:19). And I am thankful that I can do everything in Him who gives me strength (Phil. 4:13).

Be encouraged today.

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - Jesus speaking. John 16:33

This blog is not about me...

Sometimes I have to regroup. What exactly am I doing with this blog? When the Lord stirred this blog in my heart, my prayer was to open up a piece of what God was teaching me to hopefully bless someone else. A place to grab a cup of joe and read some Bible. What a great way to start the day.

But over time, I must be honest....the blogging world can be very intimidating. There is so much out there. So many talented writers. So many Biblical scholars. So many creative thinkers. So many artsy people.

And all of this makes me want to curl into a spiritual fetal position....

...and doubt what the Lord started.

Here's my original blog prayer - that the Lord would use me and use what He is teaching me to encourage, refresh, renew and challenge someone else, based on His Word. Not my life. Not my family. Not my marriage. Not my boys. HIS WORD.

Now I do talk about those other things because He is constantly using them to refine me. But the day this blog becomes about me, and not Him, that is the day you post a comment below saying, "Becky - hang it up."

So it is with life. The day I believe the lie that this life is about Becky Crenshaw is the day I miss the mark completely. This life is all about Him. My family. My boys. My parenting. My house. My ministry. My hands. My feet. Every tiny detail. About Him.

I told you that I started reading Forgotten God, by Francis Chan. The book's focus is about "reversing our tragic neglect of the Holy Spirit." Now let me tell you...the Lord has been on a Holy Spirit mission with me for the past eight months. Last November, to be exact, I really started to seek out what it means to be filled with/led by the power of the Holy Spirit.

And this pursuit has changed my walk with God.

I won't go into it all right now, but worry not....my next post will not be titled "How to handle snakes."

In his book, Chan mentions Acts 4:13.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

This verse encourages my socks off.

Peter and John were standing before the Sanhedrin. We are talking about the Spiritual big wigs of the day - the elders, the rulers, teachers of the law, the high priest and members of the high priest's family. Big. Wigs. But Peter and John did not shy away. The Word says, "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit said to them, 'Rulers and elders of the people! Salvation is found in no one else [speaking of Jesus], for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved'." Acts 4:8,12

Peter - this takes some spiritual guts.

But Peter was not standing before them in his own power. The Word says he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Peter had 100% confidence in everything he said to them because he was given authority and courage through Jesus.

This is what the Holy Spirit is capable of doing in our lives.

We all need to hear this. With all respect, I would say that at least 99% of Joyful Java readers (and the writer) are average, common, somewhat Biblically uneducated men. But the Lord still reveals Himself through us, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The world can still be astonished......because we've been with Jesus.

Lord, let this be the prayer of our lives (and this blog). That, yes, we may be a bit common and some of us less Biblically educated than we'd like, but that you would still use us. Astonish others, by the power of you Holy Spirit. Give us courage to stand before the Sanhedrin of our day and proclaim you as our God. I pray that this scripture would encourage us in our moment to moment lives. Give us courage. Remind us that this life is not about us. Nor is this blog. Its about You.

Today I am more than O.K.

I'm surprised my cell phone didn't explode in a Holy Fire yesterday morning. Seriously.

I received this text from a friend in regards to my "Today I was not O.K." post. How's this for the best text ever...

You first win spiritual victories in your mind. If you cave into feelings of fear and doubt, you will lose.

When you focus on the truth of God's Word you win every time.

Before David fought Goliath, he remembered that God delivered him from the paw of the lion and the grasp of the bear.

David entered the battle shouting to his arrogant opponent the memorable words, "This day the Lord will hand you over to me and I will strike you down and cut off your head. The battle is the Lord's and he will give you into our hands."
1 Samuel 17:32-37

- Charles Stanley on the battle of David and Goliath

Bring it Charles. David entered into the battle, reflecting on the faithfulness of the Lord, empowered and victorious already.

He had won before he began.

What if we did the same?

Today I was not O.K.

One word....attack. Spiritual attack that is. You know, you'd think the enemy would get a little more creative. Maybe pick something new to come at me with. A new trick. But no. I am attacked in the same areas every stinkin' time. And you would think I could see it comin', be prepared or at least know what to do when attack comes. But again, no. I am surprised every time, never prepared and I trip all over my spiritual feet when it comes to defending myself.

Ugh.

I won't go into all the details right now. But I promise, I will. I'm just too tired. But know this. I am seriously ticked at the enemy and I am over him. Done. Today I locked shields with a dear, dear friend and we prayed. We stood in agreement that we, as believers in Christ, are not sentenced to "life without parole" in the same areas of bondage over and over and over again. Christ died for all my crap. All my sin. All my struggles. All my hurt. All of it. Died. And then rose victoriously. I've said it before and I'll say it again - The devil is a defeated foe. Today he had his way with me, but now he is back in his place. Defeated. He has no power over me.

The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

Walk victorious.

A Bombshell's Battle

Oh, yes I did. This plaque is impulse shopping at its finest. SO precious. I love it because it is my "pray for Joyful Java" reminder as I'm pouring my Joe. That second coffee cup is yours, by the way. ;)

O.K. Let's get started. I'm fired up today.

I have had two conversations over the past couple of days. Two very different women. Two different walks of life. One very similar problem. BODY IMAGE.

Woman one: She is precious. Just precious. A joyful, tender heart for the Lord. Girlfriend is GROUNDED. She's been walking with the Lord for years. Solid family. Awesome husband. She is filled with deep, deep joy. She knows Scripture and gets it. She's just awesome. period. Oh, did I mention she's a bombshell? A blond bombshell. A fitness bombshell. Total hottie. Lord, we all might as well just throw in the towel if she struggles with body image. She is seriously the most fit person I know. So for all purposes today, let's call her 'Bombshell'.

Woman two: College-aged cutie pie about to graduate and move on into the business world. This girl, too, is on fire for Jesus. Seriously, go fetch her some locust and honey. She is wild for Him. She knows scripture. Loves theology. Very passionate for the Lord. And cute, cute, cute. Just darling! Beautiful. Let's name her 'Cutie-Pie'.

SO WHY!? Body image? Really? These two? Well, knowing what we now know about insecurity, we shouldn't be surprised.

I would go so far as to say we ALL struggle, to some degree, with body image. We are all somewhat aware of ourselves - How we carry ourselves. What we look like in (or out) of our clothes. Our complexions. Muscle tone. Cellulite. Wrinkles. Graying hair. Hair loss. Belly fat. etc... Even if body image doesn't consume you, I'd say there is some degree of awareness. Men - you, too!

But here's the difference...for some women, like Bombshell and Cutie Pie, body image can EAT THEIR LUNCH. While for others, its not necessarily a stronghold. When Bombshell and I talked, she said, "You know it doesn't bother me all of the time. But every now and then it rears its ugly head." Well put. So true. She appears to be the most confident person you will ever meet. Confident in the Lord! But you know, the enemy doesn't want us to stay confident long. Confidence is too effective for the Gospel.

Same for Cutie-Pie. She is super involved in her church, super single and a super great catch. The enemy doesn't want her to walk confident in who God made her. The enemy needs her to be a little less secure. If she's insecure, she feels less attractive, therefore, she thinks a Christian guy wouldn't be interested. And the enemy doesn't like Christian marriages. They cramp his style.

Anyway. So I said something along these lines to both women.... "If we could only learn to really take every thought captive and make our thoughts obedient to Christ."

But my favorite question to ask the Lord these days is....What exactly does that mean? Take a thought captive? What? Tie it to a chair? Duck tape? Lasso? I want details.

Let's investigate...

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4,5

It's war. Military lingo for a warlike problem.

So, we are to use divine power to destroy our strongholds. This is referring to Ephesians 6:10-18. The Armor of God. I encourage you to read it in full, but in brief, Paul is referring to the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. Paul says to BE ALERT! Be on watch. The battle will come. Pray this over yourself. When you recognize that "old feelin'" comin' on....PRAY. Gear up. Half the battle is TAKING PREVENTIVE MEASURES.

Remember what Miss Bombshell said about her stronghold of body image "rearing its ugly head." Well, it is true. The meaning of an argument "setting itself up against the knowledge of God" literally means to raise up against. Strongholds literally raise up against God.

Strongholds oppose Truth. The Truth About You.

To take captive means to lead away. To bring it under control. To make those lies submit to the authority of Christ. The authority of His Word. To make them OBEY Him.

Paul says the key in battle is putting on the Armor of God. Being alert. Aware. Here's an example of how to pray this over yourself...

"Lord, I know my struggle is not against flesh and blood. It is not against my body. Or my image. It is against the powers of this dark world. Today, I put on the full armor of God so I'm able to stand my ground WHEN attack comes. I stand firm with the belt of truth around my waist, the breastplate of righteousness (Your righteousness!) and the gospel of peace. I hold up my shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit (Your Word!) to protect my heart and mind from the flaming arrows of the enemy. Help me be alert and to remain prayerful. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen."

The enemy must submit.

One day, every knee will bow to the authority of the Father.
But for today, may it be our thoughts.

I urge you to, "make war with your sin."
Lasso those lies and lead them away. Captive.

Be Blessed.

Becky

Gearing up

"...Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:10-12

Let's call a spade a spade.

We have a very real enemy who wants to devour us. And I must confess he has been eating my lunch.

Yesterday, the bottom fell out for us.

Two words: Sick Kids.

They were dropping like flies. One went to the doctor and came back with a diagnosis of croup and an ear infection. Another came in the door and threw up. The third woke in the middle of the night...sick. Nothing wears me out more. I have compassion for my little guys. No doubt. But, Lord, have compassion on us all.

The Devil is a credible foe.

He "prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." The Word says to "resist him, standing firm in the faith" 1 Peter 5:8-9. Resist here means to oppose.

What is in opposition to the enemy? God. What is our weapon? The Word.

So, today, I am gearing up. Putting on the full armor of God and taking my stand - Ephesians 6:13. Standing firm in my faith in God, His Word, His power, His healing, His peace, His rest. Resisting, withstanding, opposing the Enemy with the Word of God.

The Devil may be a credible foe, but he is also a defeated one.

Jesus won.

This is where I land today. In a bit of warfare, mad about it and ready to fight. Claiming victory. Claiming healing, strength and encouragement from God's Word.

Be blessed.