I wasn’t prepared for some of the heart-dropping plunges of doubt and fear that hit me as I lived out my faith in Jesus, my Savior. Attempting to actively live my life in Christ I felt and saw God at work in my life. I had a need and the Lord would answer it. It was amazing-- like something straight out of the Bible. And then the doubt came… Doubt. Followed by fear. They were expertly targeted, extremely effective flaming arrows from the devil that hit their marks in my heart. Fighting faith crippling doubt accompanied by fear wasn't a first-time experience for me, but I this time wasn’t prepared. I didn’t have my shield raised. Using people, situations, and challenges in my life, Satan can stir the doubt pot and I start asking myself: "Am I sure God can be trusted?" "Am I sure Jesus is really the only way to heaven?" “Can God really keep me safe?” I start asking the questions to which I know the answers, but they rattle my trust in God at my core. We need to remember our Bible when our doubt arises. The Apostle Paul tells us that the devil is purposefully targeting us to mess with our lives. In Ephesians 6:16, the Apostle Paul reminds us, "In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one." (Ephesians 6:16 ESV). Satan’s flaming arrows will dig deep, hurt, and burn if we aren’t deflecting them with our shield of faith, the Lord’s fire extinguisher. Sometimes such arrows manifest as faith-challenging doubt, paralyzing fear, or isolating distrust. What flaming arrows are you trying to deflect in your life, Prayer Partner? Are flaming arrows hitting their mark, embedding and setting your life on fire OR are you firmly holding your shield of faith and watching the Lord extinguish Satan’s attempts to disable you? Though Satan’s arrows of doubt, fear, and distrust may darken our sky, in His Word, God tells us our defense is the shield of faith that He alone gives us. Faith is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8), given to us to bring us into relationship with God and shield us during spiritual attack. To strengthen my faith during a low time I continue to practice it even when it’s challenged. I practice my faith by humbling my heart in repentance and praying through the Bible. God’s Word applies personally to me and to you. Praying the Word of God, using Scripture as a personal petition, can be very effective in deflecting Satan’s arrows and renewing my faith in Jesus. If you feel the onslaught of Satan’s flaming falsehoods: fear, doubt, and distrust, make the Bible personal. I encourage you to pray Psalm 91 (about being under attack) or Psalm 23 (about God’s love and providing) within the next 24 hours. I don’t know how, but the Lord will answer you, possibly giving your heart His peace if He doesn't answer otherwise. I encourage you to open your eyes and heart to discern how He answers you when you pray. As believers in Jesus, through His forgiveness on the cross and resurrection from the dead, we are His shield bearers and armor wearers. We can trust the Lord’s promises of covering and protection. We can trust in the God of our salvation! I encourage you to remain in your faith in Jesus Christ when the physical, emotional, and spiritual battle is most intense. Fight fire with faith. Practice your faith, raise your shield, and smell the smoke as Satan’s arrows are each extinguished by the one true God. To God be the glory, Sarah Would you pray with me? Dear Lord, when the flaming arrows shoot my way please strengthen my faith and shield me. I know You are faithful. In Jesus Christ I trust as Lord and Savior. In Jesus Christ's name I pray, amen.
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I was living in Houston after Hurricane Harvey. The stories of love, compassion, hurt, fear, faith, ____ were incredible, overwhelming, surreal, ________. I didn’t have the words. So what could I do with that?
What do we do as believers in Jesus Christ in such a situation? What do we do when God allows a major storm, physical or otherwise, to touch our life? I stood still in God's Word when I felt overwhelmed. I had already learned to do calligraphy to help my quiet times with God because I can’t do calligraphy well and focus on anything else other than the words… one… by… one. And in that quiet time I meet with God. Writing in calligraphy helped me still my mind, pray, and listen differently. When I felt overwhelmed over it all I came back to the prayer my Savior taught me to talk to my Father, the Lord's prayer. So I shared Jesus’ prayer with you, though you’ve probably heard it before. I pray that you will pray with me, remember Jesus loves you, and trust that God already knows what you need (see Matthew 6:8 and Matthew 6:25-34). As Christians, when we are able, we need to do more than pray, though. We are also the hands and feet of Jesus. After the hurricane had passed my family was able to help others who had been affected. As I thought back to my response later, I think it fell into three categories that we can apply to any storm that enters our lives: 1) We pray. God is still in control even when our world seems like it is spinning out-of-control. No matter what happens God is Sovereign and we can ask him for help and for him to help others. 2) We serve and give where the Lord leads us. My kids were very little when this emergency happened and I was their primary care-giver. Due to health issues I also wasn't able to help with some of the more hands-on help. So I served my family first and I helped make some meals for those who were in need and for those who were helping. My husband was able to have a more hands-on approach where possible. God used us in different, but useful ways. 3) We believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior. When we’re overwhelmed we can recite the character traits of God. God's character gives us renewed hope. He is unchanging, just, loving, merciful, graceful, all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present, to name a few traits of his character. We can also remember the cross—that Jesus Christ, our God, loved us to death and then beat death with His resurrection. We trust in Him and live out our faith. To God be the glory, Sarah Copyright August 2017, Be Blessed Prayer. All rights reserved. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV I wrote Deuteronomy 31:6 on my blackboard at home where I could see it and remember. Moses spoke this commandment to the Israelites before they went to claim the land that the Lord had promised to them. The "them" in this verse are the Canaanites, inhabitants of that land, who were bigger, stronger, and in all odds likely to kick the Israelites back to where they came. BUT the Canaanites didn't have the Lord on their side.
Moses reminded the Israelites that the LORD their God, the LORD our God, went with them and that they/ we needn't be terrified or even fearful. When we believe in Jesus as our Savior, our Redeemer, our King, then God Almighty, Three-in-One, goes with us. (And God was faithful and delivered on his promise for the Israelite's home regardless of the Canaanites exterior appearances.) It's common for me to hit a wall of insecurity where I hear the deceiver whispers, "you're not enough compared to..." Yet I know what the deceiver doesn't. I don't need to be terrified or fear my "them" because "if God is for me, who can be against me?" (Romans 8:31b). Who or whatever the "them" is in my life, in yours, be it a person who makes life difficult, the fear of the unknown, etc., we need to:
Nothing is bigger than God and in Him all things are possible. Jesus promised his disciples (and us), that "And surely I will be with you always, even until the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). It's the same promise then (Deut 31:6) and now (Matt 28:20). May the LORD our God be with us. Would you pray with me? Lord Christ, please forgive me my sins and clothe me in your righteousness. Lord, lead me and I will follow for I know you go with me and ahead of me. I pray this in Jesus' name, amen. Copyright March 2016, Be Blessed Prayer. All rights reserved. |
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