War……

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

This past weekend was a big answer to prayer, about prayer, a ministry opportunity that God laid heavily on my heart about three months ago. I shared it with a few prayer warriors, then I saw God open doors in ways I could not, and I found myself being allowed to pray to start a national race series we started running. I found myself incredibly nervous, which is so unlike me, yet I think I realized the depth of my testimony coming full circle back to what I idolized above God for many years. As I simply prayed with thanksgiving, and for our safety, I inwardly prayed God will form a trackside ministry from this simple obedience, to reach those like myself only a few short years ago. This weekend was a family high if you will, quality time together, unity, and a combined hope for the future ministry opportunities and racing. I angered my enemy, so he launched an attack.

As I sat last night reflecting, I posted on social media, “One of the hardest realities of boldness in your faith, is the directly proportional attacks from Satan. Highs=lows. #prayer #onedayatatime #realwar” Satan had come at our family through my words, through the power of the tongue, through words you cannot take back, the lion who seeks to devour was on the prowl. James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. (read James 3:1-11) Satan always seeks to divide, a simple military strategy in a heavenly war for your soul. A divided army, family, church, self…..is easily conquered. Satan always wants to knock you back down any spiritual mountain you have just climbed, but God is always in the valley to pick you back up again. Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. I asked my family for forgiveness, shared of what I am speaking of here, and sat last night and prayed….for myself. I asked God for a renewed heart, for sin struggles, for focus, for many things I cannot share, and I prayed for him to wake me up at 4:30, as an answer to my prayer…..I almost felt shook awake at 4:29.

Will you join me in this pursuit? Will you join me in seeking God more than just on Sunday’s for an hour? Will you join me in doing the only thing that will effect your eternity in life? Awake early enough to simply pray and open your Bible. That simple act shows your heart for God, will realign your focus on God, and will begin the transformation by God until he calls you to paradise. It matters not your age, nor the condition of your heart or spiritual life, that simple act at any point is life transforming; you cannot remain the same person, if you seek God first today. You will find yourself immersed in the same war as I, as all of God’s saints for centuries; you will say to Satan I am not yours, but Jesus’ who defeated you at the Cross, and the daily preparation will enable you to do battle, in a war you cannot see, but can feel the effects of. Be a good soldier, and dedicate your life, to the One who gave you eternal life. Then you will be on the side that wins the war, and have eternity to reap the spoils of victory in Christ.