October 30th, 2012

What picture comes to your mind when you hear the word "warrior?" Do you think of yourself? The Bible tells us that we are in a battle.  Yet many of us don't think of ourselves as warriors.  This shouldn't be the case!  We live in the midst of a spiritual battle of epic proportion in which casualties fall daily. Yet, we do not see, so we do not prepare.  This battle I am talking about is a battle for our hearts and mind.  Make no mistake about it,  there is an enemy who is seeking whom he can devour. 1st Peter 5:8 reads: “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” His war strategy is three pronged... to steal, kill and destroy.   We see the evidence of his destruction all around us.  2nd Timothy 3 1-5 Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people.  We are in a battle that we should prepare each day for.   The Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 6, that we are to put on the full armor of God! The Helmet of Salvation, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Belt of Truth, our feet shod in the Gospel of Peace!  We stand firm armored and holding up the Shield of Faith in one hand and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God in the other! Friends we must stand our ground! The Bible says in James 4 to draw near to God and resist the Devil and he will flee.  It's time to stop getting beat up, battered, and bruised by an enemy who is trying to keep us shackled in darkness! The victory is in Jesus Christ! Thanks for letting me share.  Randy Young

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