Search This Blog

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Battle vs. Surrender

It seems my spirit has been a little restless over the past week.  Confusion has set in and peace is fading.  This has been a slow process.  I think if the enemy used a torpedo to hit us, we would stop immediately to tend to our wounds.  There would be no question of an attack, but he does not work that way at least in my life.  He comes subtly and quietly, slowly gnawing away at my spirit and mind. If the enemy can get you thinking incorrectly, the downward slide has begun. 

I have tried to fight this battle with spiritual weapons as 2 Corinthians 10:4 tells us to do. I sought the Lord in regard to unconfessed sin in my life. I attempted to crucify the flesh.  The battle was raging and I was feeding into it by listening to the enemy.  You see friend, he starts with a very subtle thought.  Once you grab that thought it begins to take root.  Once the roots are in place, the enemy is effective in having you fight against it.  You see if you are fighting against him-the thought or the behavior, you lose sight of God and the work He has planned for you to do.  You are so caught up in the battle of "what is wrong" that time and energy is wasted away. 

I believe Scripture teaches we have to come to the place of surrender.  Not surrender to the enemy but surrender to the Lord.  To bow before Him to lay all our "arms" down.  1 Peter 5:6-11 tells us:

 Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (there can be no fighting here-to be humble you must surrender your will, thoughts, behaviors, etc)
Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.  (He knows every emotion you feel.  He knows and understand the struggle going on inside of you. Share the details with Him)
 Be alert and of sober mind. (be aware-the allurement of the world will intoxicate and distract you) (be steadfast and self control looking forward to Christ's return)
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (I seem to be an easy target.  Make me doubt my motives and/or my self and the battle is on)
Resist him, standing firm in the faith,  (not fight against him, but draw near to God-find your protection under the shadow of the Almighty)
because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.(I write this blog as a source of encouragement-You are not alone in your battle)
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.   (it will not last forever-God will bring peace, He will restore, He will settle you in HIS time) (Can you trust Him in this?)
To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen
Lets look at some other encouraging verses 1 Peter and Ephesians
Live for the will of God (God has you at this specific place at this specific moment-live for Him)
Be serious and watchful in your prayers.
Be hospitable without grumbling
Use the gifts God has bestowed upon you.
Rest your hope fully upon the grace that is brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Live anticipating Christ return.
My prayer for each of you reading this blog-Surrender humbly before the Lord.  Bow before His throne and lay all the fleshly weapons down.  Put on the spiritual armor as shared in Ephesians 6 and WAIT for the Lord to move. And as you wait, walk using your gifts and anticipating Christ return!


3 comments:

Aaron W. Matthews said...

Thank you, Bobbie! Very encouraging indeed.

Unknown said...

ninest123 16.03
ugg boots, polo ralph lauren outlet, ugg boots, michael kors outlet, ugg boots, michael kors outlet, louis vuitton outlet, tiffany jewelry, ray ban sunglasses, prada handbags, michael kors, replica watches, longchamp, ugg boots, oakley sunglasses, burberry, ray ban sunglasses, gucci outlet, louis vuitton, chanel handbags, louboutin shoes, burberry outlet online, nike air max, replica watches, michael kors outlet, tory burch outlet, oakley sunglasses, polo ralph lauren outlet, nike air max, louis vuitton outlet, louis vuitton, jordan shoes, oakley sunglasses, oakley sunglasses, nike outlet, christian louboutin outlet, longchamp outlet, prada outlet, cheap oakley sunglasses, louboutin, michael kors outlet, ray ban sunglasses, michael kors outlet, louis vuitton, longchamp outlet, nike free, tiffany and co, uggs on sale, louboutin outlet

Unknown said...

nike air max, nike free, louboutin pas cher, mulberry, nike roshe run, sac guess, lululemon, kate spade outlet, abercrombie and fitch, converse pas cher, kate spade handbags, vans pas cher, burberry, nike air max, michael kors, sac longchamp, ralph lauren uk, nike air max, longchamp pas cher, michael kors, ray ban pas cher, north face, coach purses, vanessa bruno, true religion jeans, oakley pas cher, air force, hollister, michael kors, coach outlet, nike roshe, replica handbags, new balance pas cher, tn pas cher, ray ban uk, true religion outlet, nike blazer, hermes, true religion jeans, nike free run uk, lacoste pas cher, timberland, hogan, north face, michael kors, true religion jeans, coach outlet, hollister pas cher, air jordan pas cher, ralph lauren pas cher, air max