Tag-Teaming The Enemy

Tags

2 Timothy 2:15, Battlefield of the Mind, Demons, Ephesians 6:11, Holy Spirit, Prayer, Spiritual Warfare, Victory, Word of God, Worthless, Wrestling

Imagine this…four guys…one ring…two on a team with one starting the match for each side. The bell rings and there they go, circling each other, sizing their opponent up and then wham!…physical contact to inflict pain..to inflict damage.

This pain and damage is meant to make their opponent surrender the match while the whole time their partner is in the corner leaning over yelling tag me. If the one in the ring has not had too much pain or damage inflicted on them they will make it to the corner and tag his partner.

The partner jumps over the ropes and commences to beat the other guy up, as he is tired from the fight or caught off guard because he thought he had won and turned his back. It usually goes back and forth for a while till one team wins the match by pinning the opponent to the mat for the 3 count.

This parallels our life so well. We are in a wrestling tag team match daily as believers in Christ.

Here’s the scene I want you to envision:

You are in the ring with your enemy, this big ole demon. It’s a surprise tag team match for you do not know who his partner until he shows up. The demon knows your partner and keeps a watchful eye in the corner.

So here we go….

That ole demon is in the middle of the ring sizing you up trying to find that one weakness that he can use to inflict pain and damage.

He sees it and rushes in to make his move. It’s your mind, because you didn’t come prepared for battle in your mind. So he starts taunting you saying things like you’re no good, your worthless, and dude there is no way you can win this fight.

You, not being prepared mentally, fall for these words and lose hope in the match a little. He sees that the taunting has hurt you a little so he goes in for the loins. The loin is the part of your back from your lower rib to your hip.

One good sucker punch to the loins and he sees you reel in pain and trip. His partner, who just showed up, is just itching to finish you off.

Once your partner sees who the foe is he starts yelling Tag me! Tag me! I know this enemy, I know his weakness!

While you are trying to listen to your partner, your ole demon foe just sucker punched you, but he miscalculated. He brought you down, yes, not on your back as he had hoped but down to your knees…in the corner.

You reach up and tag your partner just as the ole demon runs to his corner and tags his, for he saw you tag yours. But just as he tags his partner; your partner gives him a swift kick and out the ring he goes. Your still down on your knees from the sucker punch. And that is exactly where your partner needs you to be..on your knees.

You see, your partner in this match is the Holy Spirit. And He gets his strength from you being on your knees.

The ole demon’s partner turns out to be the devil himself. He got hit by the Holy Spirit the moment he entered the ring. But he’s not down..it takes a lot to take down the devil. But that is why the Holy Spirit said Tag me! I know his weakness.

For every word the devil yells at you, the Holy Spirit is speaking the Word of God against him. He reels, for the devil does not like the Word. The devil leaves the ring shouting this is not over yet!!

Now these type of wrestling matches can go for hours, days or even years sometimes but the thing is this, the victory was won before you even entered the ring and both parties know it.

Praise God that through the Holy Spirit and the spoken Word you can have victory in this match! But you must do your part and be prepared!

Here are two verses that will help you in your preparation for the matches ahead.

Ephesians 6:11

2 Timothy 2:15 (Mind preparation for the match)

It’s time to win these matches and get the 3 count on the enemy and get victory. Once you can victory then when a friend is in need you can say Tag Me! I know his weakness! Then fight alongside your brother.

 

For Out Of The Hearts Of Man Comes What Is Sown

Tags

Anger, Celebrate Recovery, Corruptible Seed, Forgiveness, God, Habits, Hangups, Holy Spirit, Hurts, Incorruptible Seed, Jesus, Peace, Reaping, Resentment, Sowing, Unforgiveness, Word of God

I think everyone understands the concept of sowing and reaping. What you plant is what comes up in due season. If you have a garden and plant seeds of corn..well, corn will come up from the seed not okra. If you plant an apple tree in your yard it will not bear an orange, but an apple.

So with that in mind…

If you sow into your heart bad things you will sow out of your heart bad things.

If you have resentment towards your spouse, friend or family member and you continually water that seed of resentment in your heart all that will come out of your heart and mouth is negative things towards them.

If you have anger in your heart and you continue to fan the flame all that will come out towards that person you are angry with are words of anger, which in turn hurts them and starts the cycle in their own heart.

If you have unforgiveness in your heart towards your spouse, friend or family member for something they did or said to you….I believe you end up with all three seeds, unforgiveness, resentment, and anger, all growing together.

Then you have this big cluster of negative emotions sprouting and taking root, to where you truly do not know the reason for your attitude and actions towards that person.

If you plant visions of naked women or men into your mind all that will come out when you look at either sex is…”I wonder what they look like naked” or ” I wonder what they do when they have sex”. So you reaped adultery, for the Word of God says in RED (meaning Jesus himself said it) that if you look upon a women with lust in your heart you have committed adultery with her.

And we wonder why divorce is so rampant in our country, whether Christians or not. Why friendships do not last.

Everyone holds onto their hurts, habits…”my precious” for too long and just like Gollum in The Lord of the Rings films, it turns them into something totally different and sort of corrupts their mind and heart.

But praise God, for He has given us a means to which we can seek forgiveness and have peace. A means to get to the roots of our “issues” and pull them up. But there are steps along the way by renewing our minds and hearts.

We must first have a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for our sins.

In John 14:6 Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

It is by building that relationship with God that we will want to let go of the things that are weighing us down like the hurt, the anger, resentment and unforgiveness we carry.

We must forgive the person who has wronged us. And when we do so it will lift a heavy burden from our heart.

Mark 11:25 & 26 tell us that if we do not forgive then the Father, who is heaven, will not forgive you of your sins.

We must confess our faults and sins to God.

1 John 1:9 states that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We must get into God’s Word for the truth which is critical in the renewing process.

Romans 12:2 tells us not to be conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1 Peter 1:22 & 23 says since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.

For me the renewing means to put in the good (scripture) and get rid of the old (bad thoughts, hurts or habits).

And then let it go. Lay it down at the feet of Jesus and do not go back to it.

I know, it is easier said than done…trust me. I held on to resentment and anger for decades before I allowed God to truly start moving in my life and He used the 12 step program at Celebrate Recovery to get me to that point.

Don’t be like Gollum…be like Christ.

Dear Friend…I Have Been There

Tags

Alcoholism, Anger, Daily Prayer, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Pornography, Sinfulness, Words Spoken

Dear friend,

I just want you to know that I have been there. I also understand that each story is different, though they are all filled with some hurt and disappointment.

I was that child that, despite many friends, was still lonely.

I was that kid who was very sexually curious.

I was that young adult who let that curiosity take him places he should not have gone.

I was that child who was molested…sadly. No child should EVER have to fall victim for someone else’s sin.

I was that teenager who could not figure out if he was gay or straight.

I was that young Christian who really did not understand what it meant to follow the REAL Christ and went astray.

I was the new husband who did not know what it meant to be one, in mind, body and soul, with my wife and made a lot of mistakes.

I was that new daddy who tried as hard as he could not to let his temper flare and be the “bad” dad…and…yet I did. I will remember the look on my daughter’s face the first time I yelled at her for the rest of my life. The hurt I saw in her eyes will forever be etched in my memory.

I was that husband who watched his marriage fall apart and let thoughts of suicide creep in.

And yet…..

I am the man who sought God!

God forever changed me from the inside.

I am the broken and sinful man who found forgiveness through Jesus Christ, the Son of my Creator.

God, through the shed blood of Christ has forgiven me of my sexual activities, my addiction to porn and alcohol, the bad words I said to others..as well as the ones I called myself, my anger and resentment towards my dad and a slew of other offenses.

I know what it is like to have victory one minute and total defeat the next. I know the ups and downs of trying to clean your life up. I’ve been on top of the mountain and in the deepest darkest hole imaginable.

Yet through it all God has held my hand and kept me from going back to my past lifestyles.

Do I still want to drink? Yes…I do and have. Just not in excess! I know my limits. I think my total drinking has been maybe five times in eleven years.

Do I still look at porn? I HATE porn and yet..the urge is still there. I’m not gonna lie…I have fallen several times in the last four years. That first year was hard!

Even now it is hard sometimes to say no when the stress and loneliness takes its toll.

Does my anger rear its ugly head? Yes, but for the most part I walk away, take a breather and then carry on the conversation with whomever or address my children.

As you can see my life has been a journey to say the least. It still is. It is just that my journey now is a renewal process. I am becoming righteous, working out my own salvation with the help of the Holy Spirit.

I hope you can see that I am no longer the person of old, though occasionally it does rear it’s ugly sinful head. I’m a sinner who has found forgiveness.

My prayer for you dear friend is that you will diligently seek God as I have. That you will follow the real Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to move in your life.

If you would like help along your journey please know that I am here for you. I will pray for you. I will pray with you. I am only an email away at stubaby777@gmail. I am also on Facebook and Twitter.  You can message me there as well.

God Bless,
Stu

Just As A Flower Is Pollinated So Are We

Tags

Bearing Fruit, Daily Prayer, Friends, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Marriage, Pollination, Pornography, Struggles

Flowers are beautiful. I believe that most people would agree with me on that one.

I love going out in the morning time and looking at the new blooms in our pumpkin patch we are trying to grow. They are so vibrant in color. Sadly the will not last long if they are not pollinated.

We have a lot of male flowers at moment that have bloomed but sadly the female flowers are just now beginning to bud up. So with no pollination going on, the male flowers are wilting so fast. I’m hoping the male flowers will continue to bloom after the females bloom so they pollinate each other and the fruit can come.

I did happen to see some bees flying around this morning. I was very pleased to see this, as they will help in the pollination.

It hit me this morning as I was checking on our pumpkin patch that the process of pollination is much like our spiritual walk, at times, if you think about it. There are times in our walk when we get inspired by a sermon, a word from song or a friend only to let that word wither away because it was not pollinated by prayer, getting into the Word of God for verification or by applying it to our lives.

Just as a flower wilts from lack of pollination so will our desire to overcome our struggles. There are many times we say things like man, I can do it this time..I’ve got this. Only to have those desires for recovery and healing thwarted.

I feel many times we desire true freedom from our struggles and addictions but we try the wrong way, thinking we can do it by ourselves. And we simple can not.

Just like if you are having marital problems and you try to fix everything yourself. Well…we all know how that will turn out.

Every marriage has struggles. Yet, it takes more than one person in said marriage to make it evolve into what it should be.

Half of all men and one third of all women view porn monthly if not more. Those statistics include all folks whether married or single.

Despite the lie that it “helps” a marriage, more and more married people are filing for divorce and porn is usually ranked in the top five reasons.

I talk to many people on a daily basis who struggle with this. I offer them prayer, scripture and advice from dealing with my own struggle. Now what they do with it is up to them.

Over the years, I have found that many of us will hear a good word and say “Wow, that could help” but then we do nothing with it. And by doing so, we have not pollinated the potential cure.

Words given by a friend (the bee) should be prayed over, thought over and possibly applied to our lives in order to help overcome our struggles. Especially if that friend has had victory in their lives.

And just like in the Bible, when phrases or words are repeated to give emphasis, you should take heed when two different people tell you the same thing as a confirmation and pollinate that word. Especially if that still small voice whispered into your heart those exact words.

Come on folks, it is time to pollinate the positive word spoken into our lives and allow it to bear fruit and change us to be more Christ like.

God Bless,

Stu

Who Do You Say I Am?

Tags

Christianity, Disciples, Father, God, Godly Life, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Walk of Faith, Witness

This question was asked of the disciples by Jesus himself after asking them another: “Who do men say that I, the Son of man, am?” Their answers varied on this question as many people had seen Jesus and had thier own opinions. Some thought He was John the Baptist, some Elijah, some thought He was Jeremiah and yet others just thought He was a prophet. (Matthew 16:13,14)

But when Jesus asked the disciples “Who do you say I am?” Peter, answers and said “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” I can just see the disciples sitting around in a circle and Peter, with excitement in his eyes, jumping up like a child who has suddenly realized he has the answer. Then Jesus says to Peter “Blessed art thou, Simon; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father, who is in Heaven.”(Matthew 16:17)

I can see the crowds associating Jesus with Elijah. Remember he is the one who called down fire from Heaven that burned the offering, the water that he ordered them to place on the offering and the altar. Jesus had been seen doing many miracles not withstanding feeding four thousand with only seven loaves of bread and a few fish.

The disciples walked with Jesus. They talked with Jesus. A chosen few of His dearest had prayed with Him…standing guard for Him as He prayed. They had a realtionship with Jesus…especially Peter who was one Jesus’ dearest. And yet upon Jesus being arrested Peter denied Him three times.

Why? I believe it is simple…Peter was scared for his life. Jesus had just been arrested and there was a mob of folks there asking him if he knew Jesus. He did know what would happen to Jesus much less himself, had he answered yes to anyone.

How many of us today are scared? I mean come on we have Christians being beheaded just because they follow Jesus. Not too much has changed over the centuries. Think about it. Disciples were stoned, hung upside down on crosses, some were placed in the arena only to be killed by the gladiator or animals, usually lions, in the ring, and some I am sure had harsher deaths.

I do not neccessarily mean scared for your life, though that time may come. How many of us do not stand up for Jesus due to fear of what others will think? How many of us do not share the love of God that has been given to us through the death of Jesus and the Holy Spirit because we are just simply afraid to get out of our comfort zones? How many of us are scared to truly follow Jesus because we do not know what will happen to us or our loved ones based on our choice?

Stephen was stoned. Word got out fairly quickly I am sure for that day and time. The disciples heard of his death. I am sure some where afraid for the safety of their family much less their own life. But Jesus asked Peter after His resurrection that sums it all up. Jesus asked “Peter, do you love me?” Peter, of course said “Yes, thou knowest that I love thee.”. Jesus said “Feed my Sheep.” (John 21:15-17)

We as disciples of Jesus, those of us who claim to follow Him are, as Peter, called to feed His sheep. Peter, knowing the risk at hand still shared the Gospel of Jesus to the people around him. Remember the disciples walked with Jesus. They had a personal relationship with Jesus. Therefore, I doubt very seriously that they had forgotten Jesus’ word “The servant is not greater than his lord, If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you, if they have kept my saying they will keep yours.” (John 15:20) They were living that statement.

Today, we know of the beheadings ISIS carries out. We know of the persecution of believing business owners who stand behind their convictions. Heck, I have been persecuted for my stances..even by my own family at times. I know that many of you have been persecuted in one form or another in your life.

I have a question for you…If Jesus came to you and asked you the question “Who do you say I am?” What would your answer be? Would you be as Peter, jumping up with joy because you know the answer because of your relationship with Him? Or..would you be like many in today’s society that still consider him to be just a prophet. Or worse…a fairytale. This, I find strange considering it has been proven that Jesus Christ did in fact live…but with that knowledge they still deny Him.

The thing is that I know I will be persecuted for my beliefs because I am following Jesus. i do know who He is. HE IS the son of God. He is my Savior. He is the one who died on the cross for my sins. It was through His life and death that I have forgiveness.It is through His resurrection that I have the Holy Spirit living inside me giving me direction. The Holy Spirit also convicts me when I am wrong or even after doing something that I did not know was wrong. I have a realtionship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

I will feed His sheep because I, like Peter, love Jesus.

Do you love Jesus? If so, will you feed His sheep? Will you share Jesus with others even if it means getting out of your comfort zone?

I hope so…for there is plenty of room on the front lines.

God Bless,

Stuart