Fight Our Battles

Life lately has been fast paced and tiresome. Still, I feel so blessed to climb out of bed everyday knowing I am in a country that I can read my Bible without censorship, pray without ceasing, and have the worse of my "persecution" be friends and family making fun of my Christian faith by quoting Scripture to me. "So what?," could cross my mind, but it doesn't. In actuality, it does tear a little at the heart. If we are saved, having the spirit of Christ within us, we should have that nagging feeling that there are people out who do not have Christ, and therefore are never going to have rest for their souls. This should be a burden upon each believing heart in Christ so as to share the gospel to our neighbors before it is too late. This has been something the Lord has been working on my heart since I have gotten saved, but since coming to Northland, I see a greater need globally for others to know the truth of Jesus Christ. I'm excited to see where this passion may take me!...

Now, onto what I really want to share with you today (not that the other thing wasn't important =).

We can all admit to strongholds. I will repeat. We can ALL to admit to having a stronghold. There is no one on this green earth without one. Whether it be a the need for control, fear, hate, selfishness, pride, envy, or anything else that you want to name right now, we have at least one root of sin that developes into the weed we have in our lives we call sin.

Now what if I said something I have been battling for years is something the Lord is driving home to me recently? By that I mean I have better recognition of the struggle as well as recognizing God's strength, protection, and promises from His word I need from the things that tempt me into this sin. That is not to say I don't fall into it at all (I find my ways), but lately I will say things I have been struggling and dealing with make me realize I need to get focus and battle this war that is for my soul.

Below is Psalm 54, which has been the crutch I lean on for support. I broke it down to where when I am faced with any temptation, I need not to worry what to do any longer because God's word clearly has it laid out on what to do. I hope this may help anyone of you battling a sin right now, or any struggle for that matter. May God be your refuge and strength. If you have time, check out Psalm 91 too, which has become one of my favorite Psalms right now. Peace.

Psalm 54

Call out to God~
1Come with great power, O God, and rescue me!
Defend me with your might.
Pray and plead your case (struggle)~
² Listen to my prayer, O God.
Pay attention to my plea.
Identify what it is~
³ For strangers are attacking me;
violent people are trying to kill me.
They care nothing for God. Interlude
Remember who God is~

⁴ But God is my helper.
The Lord keeps me alive!

Recognize God's provision~
⁵ May the evil plans of my enemies be turned against them.
Do as you promised and put an end to them.

Offer thanks to God...

⁶ I will sacrifice a voluntary offering to you;
I will praise your name, O Lord,
for it is good.

...and remember what He will/can do!
⁷ For you have rescued me from my troubles
and helped me to triumph over my enemies.

 

Sidenote: Giving thanks to God amongst trials and struggles helps A TON! Check out Psalm 103,  1 Peter 1:6-9, James 1:2, and even Philippians 4:8. Imagine being focused in hard times on bad things. That is not going help your cause at all. All you can do is focus on truth. Focus on the Lord and who He is. Bless His name. You will find joy, and you will find peace. Because there is hope found in seeing your need for Him and His willingness to face your battles with you.