So I left Jacob at home (by himself) this weekend...the first time since we have been married. And boy did I miss him!! But I had a fabulous time at the Ladies Retreat. It was very eye-opening. The topic of the weekend was Spiritual Warfare...and before you tune out, let me just say that there is a war going on right now.
In 1 Peter 5:8-9, it say's "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 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."
It was comforting to know that I am not alone in the struggles that I am going through...fear, being a wife, teaching, failure, etc. The devil is prowling and looking for any stronghold to use and slip in each believer's life. One of our speakers made a point that I have never heard "The devil's ultimate goal is to make sure that YOUR name is not in the Book of Life and that you will not be safe in the arms of your Heavenly Father. And if your name is in the Book of Life (and you do have the promise of eternal life) then the enemy sets out to make you doubt and think that your name is not in there". I think is so true. I don't know how many times I have doubted my faith in Christ. But John 10:27-29 states that " My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand." However, I definitely believe that there is a difference in a fan of Jesus and saying "I am a Christian" and a follower of Jesus that lives a totally sold out life for Christ.
Spiritual Wars are real...and so many times it is looked at like a make believe idea. Therefore, we are poorly prepared to fight. This weekend I realized how important it is to be ready and to be alert of the devil's schemes against me and my family. I definitely have identified my weaknesses that I let him get a hold of me. But it is so comforting to know that Satan cannot stand praise and worship and that he cannot be present in the name of Jesus Christ....Yes, the NAME! We are given the power and tools to fight back.. but so many times we forget to use them.
James 4:7 "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
On the last night, the speaker talked about Stolen Identities. There are many different things that we use to identify ourselves. But that is not how God intended it to be. As children of God we should be identified by Christ. Satan is out to still our identity in Christ...We must fight and stand firm:
In 1 Peter 5:8-9, it say's "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 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."
It was comforting to know that I am not alone in the struggles that I am going through...fear, being a wife, teaching, failure, etc. The devil is prowling and looking for any stronghold to use and slip in each believer's life. One of our speakers made a point that I have never heard "The devil's ultimate goal is to make sure that YOUR name is not in the Book of Life and that you will not be safe in the arms of your Heavenly Father. And if your name is in the Book of Life (and you do have the promise of eternal life) then the enemy sets out to make you doubt and think that your name is not in there". I think is so true. I don't know how many times I have doubted my faith in Christ. But John 10:27-29 states that " My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand." However, I definitely believe that there is a difference in a fan of Jesus and saying "I am a Christian" and a follower of Jesus that lives a totally sold out life for Christ.
Spiritual Wars are real...and so many times it is looked at like a make believe idea. Therefore, we are poorly prepared to fight. This weekend I realized how important it is to be ready and to be alert of the devil's schemes against me and my family. I definitely have identified my weaknesses that I let him get a hold of me. But it is so comforting to know that Satan cannot stand praise and worship and that he cannot be present in the name of Jesus Christ....Yes, the NAME! We are given the power and tools to fight back.. but so many times we forget to use them.
James 4:7 "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Ephesians 6:10-18- 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. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
On the last night, the speaker talked about Stolen Identities. There are many different things that we use to identify ourselves. But that is not how God intended it to be. As children of God we should be identified by Christ. Satan is out to still our identity in Christ...We must fight and stand firm:
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart;
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look, and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin.
I see how important it is to be ready and to stand firm in faith. It was an am amazing weekend.
WoW! What a blessing to read this, you know it is the LORD when He said to you that weekend the very same message that He spoke to me. I think my favorite part of the weekend was that song that you posted the lyrics to. I have heard those words before, but somehow He allowed them to enter in to my heart and I truly realize that He is my identity and my name really is engraved on His hands. I really am the apple of His eye and how I pray that in His grace, He will be mine.
ReplyDeleteMiss you sisters already and can't wait to see you again.
Rhonda de la Moriniere