Saturday, August 15, 2009

Waging War

“From the days of John the Baptist, until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.” - Matthew 11:12

We stand in the midst of a battle. Whether I choose to believe or not, the battle rages on. I see the wounded all around, hurting, broken, singed by the arrows of our enemy. I can cower overwhelmed at the evil hurled by our enemy, or stand and take my role in advancing the kingdom of heaven.

Spiritual warfare, I taught this week, I lived this week. Time to polish my weapons, fit myself with my armor, grasp my sword - the Word of God, that in the strength of my commander I can annihilate our enemy today and walk in the victory Jesus already won for me.

No longer can I close my eyes and watch my fellow warriors fall, pretending it didn't happen. The cries of anguish pierce my soul and I refuse to leave them down on the field of life.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” - Ephesians 6:10-12

Spiritual warfare begins with realizing that we are already in the middle of it.

Easily we believe that Jesus defeated our enemy on the cross, and yet, we continue to allow the enemy to push us around and take advantage of us. Jesus made me to be a victor, but sometimes I act more like a victim.

Pretending the enemy doesn't exist, weakens my defense. Ignorance covers its eyes and like a two year old says "I can't see you, you're not there." while he lurks waiting to devour.

I need not fear. The enemy clings to the darkness, but the light of the Word shines the truth. The sacrifice on the cross drips with a blood stained victory.

I choose to be aware of my enemy, but impressed with God.

No more sitting on the sidelines. It's time to wage war.

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48 comments:

Pam said...

Wow! Thanks so much for stopping by my little corner of the web. :) I can relate so much to what you have posted in this past months blog postings. I will surely begin following your blog. Yes, we are on the path to foster care adoption. I read in a previous post about your feelings about leaving Costa Rica for the US. I felt the same when I had to lay down my dream of another Indian adoption for a child from the US. I relate in so many other ways as well. In the past two years God called us away from everything we knew to leap in faith for a job in another state. It's been 22 months of faith stretching, doubt, sorrow, questions, desert places, but God has been faithful. He has never let us down yet. I can't wait to watch what God is doing in your life!
Thanks again for stopping by!
Pam

Ike said...

"The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet." Romans 16:20

When the angel came to a defeated man named Gideon, he greeted him with "The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor" (Judges 6:12). Even in defeat, that's who you are -- a mighty man of valor.

If you are in Christ, you are more than a conqueror. You are living proof that Satan is a loser. You are humiliating him every day. Not because you are strong but especially when you are weak and Christ is your only strength, your only hope. How frustrating for Satan -- to have weakened you and defeated you and brought you low, only to discover his Enemy strongly present, with you, at your point of need.

True for me too.

Did we in our own strength confide
Our striving would be losing
Were not the right Man on our side
The Man of God's own choosing
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus it is he
Lord Sabaoth his name
From age to age the same
And he must win the battle.

Dardi said...

Nice to hear from you on my blog! I look forward to hearing about the scenery on the path God is leading you on!

Unknown said...

You have done much splashing I see. Friends from all over are finding your light that is shining ever so bright for HIM!

There is no darkness where the light resides and you my friend are one BRIGHT LIGHT!

Oh how the enemy wants us to believe that we can be covered by his darkness - what a fool he is to think that we who know the truth will be held by fear of the darkness or walking in the light.

Oh NO! Not I! Not YOU! We are set FREE and VICTORIOUS in CHRIST JESU!

OH NO silly enemy! We are one with Christ and by His blood we are bought with the price of your loss forever and ever and ever! AMEN!

Oh NO silly loser - you may try to steal and be the thief in our lives and want our joy - but it is NOT yours to steal. See it comes to us from God - you know the one who kicked you out of heaven for thinking you were greater than HE!

Oh NO! We have the exceedingly great reward - and HE IS GOD ALMIGHTY - TO SAVE even those who have yet to call upon His name. We will stand together linking arms in full armor to call unto the nations - as deep reaches down into the deep for the souls the LORD is calling to HIM!

By the blood of the lamb that was slain for me and you! WE ARE FREE! PAID IN FULL! With a zero return policy!

I love you my precious broken pot! Every crack you have is shining my Jesus all over me! I praise His name for you in my life!

Now go have some fun and splash some more - I love seeing all the new people here at your blog getting to see and taste just how good our FATHER IS!

Love you,
Jill

Jessica said...

Hi, Sarah -

Thanks for stopping by my blog today, and for leading me to yours! Your words today are very, very true, whether we choose to believe them or not.....of course, choosing NOT to believe them only makes it worse.......

As for SITS, it's a network of blogging women that encourages everyone to stop by other women's blogs and encourage them with comments, comments, and more comments! It's a terrific way to find other interesting blogs. You can find them at www.thesitsgirls.com, or by clicking on the "Secret's In The Sauce" logo in my sidebar. Join us!

Blessings today and always.....I'll be back, I'm sure!

Jessica

Denise said...

March on my precious friend, march on.

Karen said...

Fantastically encouraging words! Time to rally the troups...

I wasted too many years doing what you wrote...
"Pretending the enemy doesn't exist, weakens my defense." No more....

Adeye said...

woohoo---putting on the FULL armor of God! The time has come for all of us, dear friend.

Fighting the battle right alongside you!!!

Love and hugs
Adeye

rcubes said...

"Be strong in the Lord's mighty power"-Ephesians 6:10 was the very first verse I had memorized as I went through a spiritual battle along with my family. We tend to slack after being saved, forgetting that it was only the beginning of entering that spiritual warfare. We must keep our guards up and with God's armor, we must remain standing in all of these evil days.

You're an encouraging warrior for Christ! God bless.

He & Me + 3 said...

Amen Sarah! It is time for us to be prepared to fight this spiritual war & put on the full armor of God.
Beautiful!
Doing what He has called us to do!
Hugs,
Mimi

Test said...

I enjoyed your post from today. Have you ever read any of John Eldredge's stuff? He has a lot of insight on spiritual warfare. I have a giveaway on my blog this month for one of his books Waking the Dead; http://forhisglory-alone.blogspot.com/2009/08/book-giveaway-waking-dead.html

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

What a great post....so glad that I stopped tonight. This summer has been so crazy that I have not visited some of my favorite blogs often. I always enjoy stopping by yours. Have a Happy Sunday! I have a giveaway going through Monday morning.

Debbie Petras said...

We belong to the One who conquered the evil one. But there is still a spiritual battle going on while we're still on this earth. He tries to use discouragement and things like this to keep us from our true calling. But we need to encourage one another too and pray for one another. Keep splashing Sarah Dawn.

Heart2Heart said...

Sarah Dawn,

I think people have become to think that there is nothing that one person can do to impact a change in people anymore. But just the opposite is true, if we just get out there and beginning entering this war and preparing for battle, perhaps the enemy won't be so victorious on all fronts and we can begin to take some of what is rightly ours back again!

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

TanyaLea said...

AMEN Sarah Dawn! It's time that we all prepare for battle and remind the enemy that he is UNDER our feet! When it comes to Satan, he would love us to take on the mindset that 'ignorance is bliss' ...but in reality, it is NOT! Ignorance is dangerous! Yes, we definitely need to arm ourselves in the Word of God and put on our full armor! "Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world." HALELUJAH!!

YES!...I, too, choose to be aware of my enemy but IMPRESSED with my God!!

Splash'in right along with you in the living waters, Sarah!! Blessings and Hugs to you! <><


Love ya!
~Tanya

Collette@Jesuslovesmums said...

A great reminder of this war we wage.
Love Collette xxx

christy rose said...

"I choose to be aware of my enemy, but impressed with God."
I like what you said here! In the long run, we win! We must be convinced of that! The devil's tactic is to make us think that he could possibly win, but the Truth is if we stand our ground, drenched in the blood of Jesus and recognize his power has been deflated, we will experience the victory that is ours. Award of our enemy, but only impressed with our God! Amen!

Lisa said...

Sarah,

Thank you for your words. May we all remember that God's Word is sharper than a two edged sword ... that it provides us with way to fight the enemy ... and "put it on" daily.

Lisa

Tara said...

thank you for your sweet words, love your blog, and what great words of encouragement, i really needed to read that, this is a battle and i need to put my armor back on!!!! thank you sister, hopefully we will have great news this week and leave next sat!!

Andrea said...

"Impressed with GOD" love it..me, too!

Territory Mom said...

Sarah, thanks for stopping by my blog. I love yours. This is truly inspiring. You have a new friend in Oklahoma.

Anonymous said...

You inspired and lit a fire within my soul! Thank You!

Debbie in CA : ) said...

I daily arm myself and hide behind God's every word. Standing in the shadow of the Almighty, shielded under His downy wing, protected by His loving grace -- it's the ONLY way to live. I walk with you, sweet warrior friend . . . let's pray on as we spread the Word.

Peace to you this Day of Rest.

Connie Arnold said...

Thank you for the encouragement and shining forth the light of the Word to us through your blog!

Elle Bee said...

You are wonderful and your blog is a delight and an inspiration! Thank you for your beautiful words and your timely reminder to me to be a victor and not a victim.
Elle

Jen said...

Sarah Dawn,

I am getting ready to do a post on spiritual warfare and then I see that you just did so. What powerful words and so beautifully said! Thank you for inspiring us to take up our armor and brandish the sword of His word!

Blessings to you, my sister in Christ,

Jenn

Anonymous :) said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog. We do have an enemy and it's good to know we have weapons against him. Bless you in Costa Rica. It's a beautiful part of the world.

Beth E. said...

Sarah,
Thanks so much for visiting my blog and commenting!

What an awesome post...I'll be back!

Blessings,
Beth

Dawn Jenkins said...

Love, love your blog!!! So easy to read, but so full of God's wisdom and fresh revelation. I can see the love you have for God shining through every crack of you broken pot. I sat and read all of you posts back through May because I couldn't get enough of God's Word working through you. Thank you for visiting my blog and PLEASE continue to share how God is showing you to sharpen the arrows He has given you in your two sons. I covet any wisdom God has shared with you. God bless you and your sweet family in your new "mission field".
All for His glory,
Dawn

Cutlerama said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog! How did you find mine?
I enjoyed reading your posts, and my husband and I were missionaries in Ukraine for two years and with some difficulties trying to enter Belarus we ended up with denied visas and then back home in the U.S. Quite a trying time for us for our hearts are for Eastern Europe and I struggled with being back home, but God's ways are not ours. We've just remained faithful and waiting for His call to return overseas.

We just celebrated our 12 anniversary as well...may the Lord continue to bless your family and your ministry.

Mich said...

Amen, my friend!

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Hi Sarah Dawn,
So nice to meet you and so glad you stopped by today and left a comment. Want to thank you
for that sweet encouragement- Keep writing, the world is reading. I have really enjoyed blogging since May, it is a new adventure to me as well. At times the enemy tries to make me feel it really isn't useful, yet I feel the Lord continually gives me things to blog about, and because I have the gift of encouragement I also feel I am using my spiritual gift. So it is great to hear those
kind words. Enjoyed your blog as well hon.
So when will you be going to Arizona??? and
what do you guys have in store for you there??
And Happy 12th Anniversary. What a great engagement story. Lovely!!
Have a great day,
Blessings, Nellie

Yolanda said...

Came away splashed with encouragement and lifting my shield of Faith! Lovingly, Yolanda

Anonymous said...

Hello Sarah Dawn,
We often can feel defeated, but we have the power of prayer. It is easy for us to think there is nothing we can do to change things or make a difference, but we have the power of prayer. We forget how powerful prayer is.

Like in this present political situation…so many Christians say to write your congressman, or such…I do not hear often enough…get on your knees and pray.

2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

We Christians have a spiritual battle to fight here.

Thanks for this great post!!!
♥Hope

Lory Howlett said...

Beautiful. And insights to meditate upon as we ponder and pray about bringing these two "big" boys home to our family...thank you!

Searching for God in the everyday said...

Amen! That's all I can say...AMEN!
Blessings,
Cory =)

Lora said...

Amen and Amen! I needed to be reminded of these verses in Ephesians today. Had "my enemy is not flesh and blood" written on my hand this last month. I needed the visual reminder that who I see, is not my enemy. So blessed that you stopped by The Lamp Light and left encouraging words. Bless you Sarah Dawn!

Jill said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Loving your blog.. it's so encouraging. Looking forward to following.

Pia said...

my friend and i were just talking about spiritual warfare last night. it seems God is showing me that i am indeed in a spiritual warfare.

Tonya said...

Well amen to this post!

Pretending something doesn't exist does not make it go away. We have to stay on guard at all times and not let our guard down. Thanks for the reminder!

Elizabeth Mahlou said...

It is indeed easy to pretend that evil does not exist. That seems to be the trend these days. But every once in a while, evil raises its head, and we cannot pretend any more. It's good that you remind us to be en garde.

Rachel Beran said...

Spent some time looking around your blog and enjoyed it so much! You are a terrific writer...and very glorifying to the Lord.

Thanks for this post in particular. I really liked it when you said,"I choose to be aware of my enemy, but impressed with God." Sometimes I think we make the devil out to be bigger than He really is. Don't get me wrong, I know he's big, but our God is sooooo much bigger, mightier, stronger, more powerful. If He is for us who can be against us and the spirit that lives in us is greater than the spirit that's in the world. I'm so thankful for his presence.

Thank you also for your comment on my blog. It really encouraged me. Sometimes I wonder why I continue to write, then God sends someone like you along with a word of encouragement. :)

Tea with Tiffany said...

This post again speaks to my heart. This morning God spoke about Him being the commander and me, going to battle. HMMM.

I'm listening, LORD.

Andrea Hill said...

Thanks so much for leaving a comment on my blog. I love when people do that since I am not blog searching anymore and suddenly I see a new awesome blog. That was a really great post on spiritual warfare and it is so true. So many people are in denial about this subject and we cannot talk about it enough.

Unknown said...

Woo Hoo!!! War cry. I'm hearing it everywhere I turn today and my heart is strengthened within me. We stand united!

Lelia Chealey said...

Thanks for visiting my blog. I signed up to follow you from Nebraska. ;)
If you haven't heard Cece Winans song Waging War you need to look it up on You Tube. It's awesome and matches this post, even the verse you have at the beginning she said in one of the live performances. I have it on my blog if you can't find it. It's my youngest daughter's favorite song...mine too. :)

Anonymous said...

Rise up Princess Warrior!

Angela said...

YES, YES YES!! Ephesians 6..I have been crying out to the Lord, 'Father God, I do NOT want to be weak kneed soldier, hiding in the trenches instead of fighting on the front lines'