Browsing Tag

spiritual warfare

Blog, Faith, prayer, Spiritual Gifts

Know when to run

How do you know when to stay in a difficult situation, or when to walk away, or even run?

You ask God.

Kenny Rogers, The Gambler Photo source: Google

Kenny Rogers, The Gambler
Photo source: Google

 

Kenny Rogers is one of my husband Ray’s favorite country music artists. I saw him years ago in a little restaurant-bar in California, but didn’t know who he was then. I really like one of the songs he sings, The Gambler. It is very prophetic about life and has wise advice. Some of the refrain’s lyrics are:

“He said, “If you’re gonna play the game, boy
You gotta learn to play it right
You’ve got to know when to hold ’em
Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
Know when to run.”

I believe there’s 4 spiritual principles to these lyrics, that I’d like to share with you today:

  • Hold ’em.Ā That we as believers in Christ are in a spiritual battle every day is a given. Ephesians 6:12, NASB, says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” There is a raging, unseen war around you and me every day. Sometimes we get tired and worn out, but weĀ must never give up or give in to our enemy Satan, as Christ has the victory. Ephesians 6:13, New Heart English Bible, says, “Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.” This is what “hold ’em” means when you’re fighting a battle , to stand your ground and not let the enemy advance or conquer you, despite being fired at by guns, tanks, and helicopters, a blockade cutting off food, water, and supplies, guerrilla attacks,, walking through mine fields, or more : in military terms, standĀ fast.
  • Fold ’em.Ā  In a card game, you fold by laying down your hands and stop playing the hand. You give it up and are out for that hand. You don’t place any more bets. In life, we fold ’em by surrendering. Not, and never, surrendering to the devil, but to God. You learn to let go of all control, let Jesus take the wheel, and allow God to have His way in and through your life. You die to self. You allow Christ to increase and you decrease for His glory. You trust God knows best for your life in this hard situation, and take it one step at a time, day by day (John 3:30)
  • Walk away. Ā If you were on Facebook at all since last year, you saw how the presidential election caused a storm of controversy, even dividing Christian family and friends. It was a shame, and grieved God’s heart to see so many of His children attacking each other, when the real enemy in this world is Satan. Titus 3:9, NASB, says, “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.” Sometimes we just need to walk away from a situation, and not engage in strife or drama because it will just result in division, hurt feelings, offenses, and more. Be wise and walk; walk toward God!
  • Run. In boot camp, soldiers areĀ trained to follow orders, be tough, andĀ the long term strategy is to defeat the enemy, not to run away in fear and hide. However, there is a conceptĀ in battle called “withdrawal,” which is retreating forces back while maintaining contact with the enemy or totally disengaging for a moment. Ā A withdrawal may be used as part of a general retreat, to consolidate forces, to occupy ground that is more easily defended, or to lead the enemy into an ambush. It’s risky, requiring discipline to keep from turning into a disorganized rout (a chaotic, disorganized retreat resulting in the enemy’s victory) or at the very least doing severe damage to the military’s morale. (Source: Wikipedia) There IS a perfect Biblical example for running from the enemy, though: Joseph, who ran from Potiphar’s wife who was seducing him to come to bed with her. (Genesis 39:12). Instead, Joseph did what was right and winded up going to prison for his faith, later being raised up by God to be second in command in the land. At times we need to run from temptation or a situation that is not good for us or our loved ones.

Pray to God and ask for discernment and His wisdom in your specific situation and what you should do. No matter what the hard circumstances are that you’re facing right now, remember that you are more than a conquer through Christ.

The Hands of a Woman

Buy it now at Amazon:
http://hyperurl.co/coqmyz

You can read my book on spiritual warfare, eight women’s stories of their greatest spiritual battles through faith in Christ, The Hands of a Woman: Everyday Women in Everyday Battles, by clicking on the link below:

http://hyperurl.co/coqmyz

You can hear Kenny Roger’s song The Gambler by clicking on the video below:

https://youtu.be/Jj4nJ1YEAp4

Blog, Faith, Marriage, Parenting, prayer, Spiritual Gifts, Writing

Thy will be done

woman looking out window

woman looking out window

This morning I was going to the dollar store and heard the beautiful song by Hillary Song, Thy Will, on K-Love radio station. The instruments are just incredible. 

It struck me because right now I’m going through some emotional storms:

  • My deeply troubled marriage;
  • Our uncertain rental house situation (the landlord is selling the house, and we’re not sure where we’re going to live yet);
  • Financial problems that seem to have no end in sight;
  • Our grown kids’ various struggles;
  • Many questions about exactly what God is doing in my life right now. 

I parked our car and just listened to the song, worshipping and praying.

Then when I came out of the store, Third Day’s song I need a miracle was playing.

I prayed,  “Yes, God, right now I need a couple of miracles!”

The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and whispered, “You are the miracle.”

It took me aback, but this is so true. God has done amazing, miraculous things in my life. 

Jesus is my Lord, Savior, Healer, Deliverer, Strength, Strong Tower, Rock, Best Friend, Husband, Mighty God and King. I give Him all the glory for what He’s done in my life. 

I know God is El Roi, and He sees me. (Genesis 16:13). He has goodness in store for me. (Jeremiah 29:11) It’s hard to count it all joy, and I’m distracted by the noise in my life. But He wants to use me in miraculous ways for HIS glory. I need to just trust Him, because God is faithful

Below are some of the lyrics to Thy Will, that really blessed me.

Yes, Lord, Thy will be done in my life. 

 

Part of Thy Will Lyrics

…Somehow I ended up here

I don’t wanna’ think

I may never understand

that my broken heart

may be part of Your plan…

I know you’re good But this don’t feel good right now

And I know you think Of things I could never think about

It’s hard to count it all joy

Distracted by the noise

Just trying to make sense Of all your promises

Sometimes I gotta stop

Remember that you’re God And I am not

So Thy will be done Thy will be done Thy will be done

Like a child on my knees all that comes to me is

Thy will be done Thy will be done Thy will

I know you see me

I know you hear me,

Lord Your plans are for me

Goodness you have in store

I know you hear me

I know you see me,

Lord Your plans are for me

Goodness you have in store

So Thy will be done Thy will be done.

 

Third Day Video: I need a miracle.

Blog, Faith, Homeschooling, Marriage, Parenting, prayer, Speaking, Spiritual Gifts, Writing

Cyber Monday Christian Books 99 Cents Sale!

Image source: http://hdguru.com/just-announced-new-cyber-monday-hdtv-deals/

Image source: http://hdguru.com/just-announced-new-cyber-monday-hdtv-deals/


Don’t you love great bargains? I wanted to pass on a special, Cyber Monday book deal to you.
I, along with several other Christian authors, have marked down the price of a selection of our Kindle books to just 99 cents!

You’ll find titles ranging from Christian personal finance, to devotionals, to Christian fiction and more. I have four eBooks on sale for just 99 cents!

You can find all of the books available here: http://ordinarybeliever.com/cyber-monday-15

Happy Reading!

P.S. Be sure to check these out :http://ordinarybeliever.com/cyber-monday-15 today, because the price on many of the books will increase tomorrow!

I pray you have a blessed week.