Pursuing Our Enemies

So maybe by now, you've figured out who your five kings - your five greatest enemies - are, or maybe, you're still thinking about it. Either way, it's time to defeat them. The way we do that is by reading further down into Joshua for more instructions...

But don't stop; pursue your enemies! Attack them from the rear and don't let them reach their cities, for the Lord your God has given them into your hand. Joshua 10:19

The captured kings come with large armies, and it's our job to pursue and attack them. We have to resist this assault with all the spiritual weapons at our disposal. Satan doesn't just come alone, he has demons to do his work. He's prepared to come at us in full force and lay us to waste, but the army of our God is bigger and stronger.

Read Ephesians 6 to learn more about our battles and weapons:

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. 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. Eph 6:10-12

We have, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit.

I'll give you an example of how I'm going to use this armor today against my king of illness who comes with his army of frustration, anger, helplessness, self-pity, impatience, hostility, fear, anxiety, disappointment, exhaustion, and pain.

    First, I'm going to believe God. I'm going to believe the truth that he's my deliverer and    rescuer.

    Second, I'm going to focus on the peace of Christ and not worry or be anxious.

    Third, I'm going to wield my sword by praying scriptures in the Spirit of Christ:

Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.  Psalm 109:12-13

                                                                            I keep my arsenal close by on notecards and in my phone notes

     Fourth, I'm going to pursue my enemies by making and keeping all the necessary doctor's appointments and continuing to educate myself on our conditions. I'm going to serve the sick ones in my home and be gentle and forgiving of myself.
   

I'll be praying victory for you today as you defeat the enemies of your life.

                                                                                             God is wonderful and faithful!

The enemy

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Do you know that we have an enemy and that every day he tries to defeat us?

Each morning when I wake up, the same thing happens. My dog and two cats go on a bathroom walk, beg for treats, eat breakfast and then this...

One of my cats, in this case it's Lucy, will want to go outside. My dog will go on the prowl. Now mind you, they've just taken a walk and had breakfast together.

                      But he just has to play his game.

                                                   He's got to be the enemy.

Then he and I will get in a foot fight. That means I will try to let the cat out of the sliding glass door while holding him back with my foot. Invariably he wins, and then this happens...

 He's tries hard to act nonchalant, like he's just minding his own business.

It reminds me of that scripture about Satan roaming around. Here's another verse as an example:

One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the Lord, "From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it." Job 1:6-7

Every day, Satan has to do his thing. It's who he is. He roams, tempts, lies, destroys, and generally tries to block our progress and throw obstacles in our paths.

He'll do anything to try to separate us from God's love and purpose for our lives.

The Bible gives us many ways of fighting back, so here are two:

Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
1 Peter 5:9

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Cor 10:13

                                                                    Our heavenly father is faithful and wonderful.
 
May you recognize His way out when you need it!

Pity-Party

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

                                                              Hebrews 12:3

This is my new favorite verse. I'm going to use it as a sword to slice away at the sinners who oppose me.

Just kidding.

   Ok, not really kidding.

Opposition is exhausting. Have you ever been opposed by people on a continual basis? It's the most spiritually discouraging thing I've experienced.

I'm not evening doing anything to make it happen. It's just....happening.

I've been slow to recognize it though, so it's a little like being buried over a long period of time. Just small handfuls of dirt thrown at random times by random people.

sneering
 
    subtle mocking

         sarcasm cloaked in humor

 tiny jabs in the softest places of my heart

It's the perfect environment in which to throw a pity party and I have been pity-partying away!

Sorry God, I thought I'd moved beyond that.

Now I understand and will take my mind off of myself and my circumstances and

                                            consider him.