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!

Teaching Kids About The Bible

"Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." Deut 4:9

As Christian parents our greatest responsibility is to help our children get to know and love the God who created them. I love God and I love my kids and I hate to admit it, but I sometimes struggle in my quest to get the two together. 

This wasn't a problem when they were small because they were a captive audience (so to speak). I could read to them, teach Bible verses, pray with them and watch endless Veggie Tales videos. 

This year when I began homeschooling, we started each day by reading the Bible together, and it was ok. They understood it well enough and we had some good discussions, but then I heard an interview with Phil Vischer, the creator of Veggie Tales, talking about his new video series. Phil explained that with Veggie Tales, he was teaching kids how to behave like Christians, but they didn't know about Christianity or the history of our faith. 

His new series, Buck Denver Asks... What's In The Bible?, teaches the entire Old Testament in a funny and engaging way.

I'm not joking. As soon as I heard that interview, I snapped up the entire 9 DVD set, and I'm not ashamed to admit that my kids and I are learning and laughing every morning with puppets.

I've been reading the Bible every day for the past ten years and even I'm learning things I never knew.

I feel good giving them something they can relate to and I know God's getting in there and doing His work in them. 

What a relief! 

Of course, it's just a jumping off point, but it's sparking discussion and reigniting their interest in building a relationship with Him.

Thank you God for creating Phil Vischer:)

 

Staying Worry Free - Part 1

Do you practice the habit of examining your life?

Almost every day I take a few minutes to write in my journal. I write about whatever: whatever God's impressed upon my mind, daily events, dreams and desires, prayers... My journals date back to when I first believed in Jesus. They go all the way back to 1994.

In them, I can read about my first steps of faith, my struggles, new experiences with prayer and remember the promises that God later fulfilled. And I can praise Him because I'm not the same person I was. There's another benefit as well.

 Journaling helps me to not worry.

Jesus frequently commanded his followers not to worry. He constantly counseled them against fear. That's awesome for those disciples who were literally in the boat or on the mountain with him, but what about us? How can we modern disciples clear the clutter of worry from our minds?

These are the 3 things that help me the most:

•    I spend daily time in prayer and meditation with my Savior. 
•    I diligently study the Bible.
•    I write everything down!

The journals I select often reflect the state of mind I'm in at the time - playful, serene, hopeful - like these...

I have a challenge to you today. Go out and buy yourself a journal that best reflects your current state of mind and take a minute to write out your worries. Literally put them before the Lord because worrying has no benefits.

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Luke 12:25

   See you tomorrow for Part 2!