S.W.A.T. For The Lord

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

The acronym S.W.A.T. means 'Special Weapons and Tactics' and refers to the special teams in law enforcement called out in special situations to handle complex issues. I was in a local coffee shop one day when a group of them came in for coffee on way to training no doubt. They were in their camouflage and had gun holsters on and their badges.

As a believer we too are on a S.W.A.T. Team for the Lord. Our special weapon is prayer and claiming the promises in the Bible. We are armed and dangerous and with the armor of God can defeat the attacks of our arch enemy Satan who roams the Earth trying to destroy us. So many fall into his trap because they are unaware of his schemes and deceit. 

Most people own a Bible. It is your greatest weapon against the devil but has to be more than a coffee table decoration. Use it daily to fight the lies of the enemy. 

PRAYER: I thank you for the privilege of having a Bible and actually several Bibles. They will do me no good if I just look at them. I choose to get the power inside by opening and reading it daily. Satan will attempt to get me making excuses but I refuse to listen to him. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Eat or Starve! Once a Week??

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

How often do you eat every day? Normally this is three meals a day if you live in a prosperous country and are employed. There are those who eat way more than they need to and then those who starve themselves to try to lose weight. 

Imagine if you will, consuming only one tiny meal a day by choice. You would be very hungry for sure. Our spiritual body needs nourishment too or it will wither and die. By this I am referring to 'feeding' yourself the word of God on a daily basis. How do you expect to grow in Christ unless you take in His 'food' ,the Bible, each and every day. The opposition of course is Satan who will help you think of many excuses why you are too busy or worse yet, why the Bible is full of errors and is not for today so you do not bother with it at all. 

You need to read God's word daily if you expect to be able to grow. Plants need water to grow. We need food to grow. Do not neglect the most important thing for eternal life and that is feeding daily on His words. 

PRAYER: Lord I am sorry when I have put other things before you. I know it is vitally important to grow in Christ and I plan to stop allowing Satan to talk me out of studying the Bible each day. In Jesus' name. Amen.

PUT IT DOWN…..PICK IT UP

 Where is most of your time spent? These days it may be on our electronic devices. Seems as though the world is revolving around technology and to the point some may feel they can not escape from it. You need to almost purposely make yourself take a break. On WGN TV news there was a segment about a camp in California where people too saturated by their devices had to make up their minds to get away and unplug. This is a camp where people can learn to do that.

My challenge to everyone reading this today, on a device of course, is to make up your mind after you read this devotion of course, to get away from the world of computers for a while. If you work it is hard to do this but if you have a choice make up your mind you will let your mind take a rest for a while. Look around you and see how many people have their phones in their hands. Sort of similar to a life saving device. Let's see if we can't let the word of God be that device for a while and perhaps all the time.

Put down the phone and pick up the word of God. If it is on your phone then pick up a hard copy of the Bible and go somewhere quiet and open it up and read it. Check out what it says in Isaiah 30:15 (NIV) 'This is what the Sovereign Lord the Holy one of Israel says, "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.'

Start today and take a tech break with your Bible.

PRAYER: I need to be still Lord and let my mind rest from all the data flowing into it from so many sources. Help me Lord as I seek to prioritize my time better to sit and be quiet in your presence. In Jesus' name. Amen.

MAINTAINING

 

Life requires maintenance. Our cars need regular care to run properly.Our bodies need proper food, rest, and exercise to stay healthy. Our spiritual life needs daily work to stay strong in The Lord. Marriages need to maintain that "in love" feeling by remembering what made you fall in love. It may be necessary to mend a garment of clothing before it falls apart. You get the idea.

In relationships time together is critical. Value each other, respect each other, forgive if necessary, put the other truly first, show honor, display kindness, and leave God in the equation. If you do these things your relationship should grow and you should become closer not further apart.

Colossians 3:14(ESV) says 'And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.' Love, selfless love, truly does want the best for the one they love. Being this kind of person will surely make for a relationship that is maintained by God above.

PRAYER: It is my desire to show your love to friends, family, the one I love and to those I daily make contact with. I choose to maintain myself by keeping you in the center. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Note: Finish reading all of Colossians chapter 3.

READY FOR BATTLE?

Today is the day set aside in these United States to honor and pay tribute to each and every military veteran who ever served in the Armed Forces whether in peace time or in combat and regardless if they served 1 year or over twenty to achieve retired status. Those who defend our country often have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Today because of all battles or in peace we say thanks. The saying goes "Freedom is not free" or "If you enjoy your freedom thanks a vet."

Battles have been fought since the beginning of time. Not all are military ones but the biggest battle of all is the battle of spiritual warfare going on each and every day when Satan tries to trick us and drag us into his pit getting us to believe his lies, trickery,and deceit. Sadly he has gathered many into his trap to do his work for him. We must not condemn these "blind" people but instead must pray for them.

There is indeed a battle of good versus evil. Ever since the serpent deceived Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden a war has been raging for our souls.

Ephesians 6:10-13(NIV) says 'Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 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. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." Look up Ephesians 6 and read the entire chapter.

In the meantime you can not afford to not be "armed" against Satan. You do this by reading God's word daily. Make it more important than the morning newspaper. It is your shield. Make it your priority today to get ready for battle.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for being my shield and the lifter of my head and keeping me ready for the battle ahead. I love you Word Lord so help me not ignore picking it up daily and getting strng for the day ahead. In Jesus' name. Amen.

ROOTED OR WILTED?

Are your "roots" deep in the soil of God's word or when the first storm comes into your life do you wilt and blow away with the wind? Think about plants in a garden. The ones that get proper care in the form of water and fertilizer will usually have deep roots and grow healthy and strong. Those that get neglected will cease to become thriving plants and may even die before producing fruit.

In your spiritual life do you neglect reading the word of God? Do you feel Sunday is enough to suffice and get you through the week ahead? Has being called a Christian become mundane and more of a "title" more than something you really are?

As I sit writing this devotion I am in a coffee shop that plays Christian praise and worship music. It is lifting my spirit just being in here. I want to raise my hands and sing.

Do you seek more of God or have you become satisfied and are wilting on the vine of life? It is necessary to feed on the word of God on a regular basis to stay strong.

Psalm119:11(NIV) says 'I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.' How can you be armed for the battles coming your way without the word of God to make you strong? Start today and grow in grace and truth by feeding daily on His word.

PRAYER: Lord I do thank you for giving us your Holy word as our guidebook for life. Without it I am weak and become fearful. I choose to stay strong and grow strong by feeding on it daily. In Jesus' name.Amen.

Click link for a powerful song of worship.

http://youtu.be/6Jo3y_XoHHQ

STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF GOD

When you are depressed or in despair over something how do you react? Do you simply give up and worry or do you get out your Bible and look up verses to give you renewed strength and hope? That is what God's word does you know. You can claim promises in scripture and pray scripture over a situation. But first you have to know the word. To know it is necesssary to make it more than a coffee table ornament. It is meant to be used, and yes you can even underline things as you go.

What if some day your government made your Bible illegal? It could happen. There are many countries where a person can be jailed or executed for their Christian faith. If it were to be taken from you do you have any verses committed to memory that you could cling to each day? Do not think I am crazy or this is a fairy tale as many nations can not have God's word. There may be some readers from some of those countries. There are people in the United States, maybe some who even say they are Christians, who barely pick up their Bible except maybe on Sunday out of obligation. How many communist regimes do you know where the Bible is outlawed and Christians need to go "underground" to hold church and Bible studies or the consequences could be dire?

Why not commit today to start hiding the word of God in your heart? Do not take God for granted. Do not take your Bible for granted!

Each day write on your calendar "time with God" and do not allow "more important" things to squeeze out that time. What is more important than spending time with the King of kings? Learn to "stand on the promises" of God so you can have victory over Satan who works overtime to get you to stumble and turn your back on Jesus.

I am going to list a few verses with promises below. Do you think you can memorize some in the next few months? Do not allow the "tyranny of the urgent" to put God aside till Sunday. Busy people often shut God and church out of their lives entirely. Many have been hurt or do not trust God to help them.

2 Peter 1:4 'He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.'

Jeremiah 1:12 'God is watching over His Word to perform it.'

Isaiah 55:11 'so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.'

Do a word search on promises of God then claim them and speak them out for yourself. Do not allow the enemy to drag you into his pit. Stay strong and stand strong on God's promises.

PRAYER; Lord Jesus you have hundreds of promises in the Bible.I love the truth and I love your word. I need not fear for you are with me. Thanks for bringing hope through the Word of God. In Jesus' name. Amen.


Click on link below for a wonderful praise song.
http://youtu.be/FaUTv1pXRyU

DO YOU HIDE GOD'S WORD IN YOUR HEART?

What does it mean to "hide God's word in your heart"? Basically it is knowing enough scripture by memory that you are able to draw from your memory banks and pull it up in a time of need. In order to accomplish this you have to first be reading and studying the scriptures. Simply picking it up and following along with the preacher on Sunday will not really sear it in your memory banks. 

We may find ourselves one day in the future without our Bibles. There are readers to this devotion from several different countries according to the "traffic" statistics on blogspot. Some may even read this from a country where God's word is already banned and can get you killed, arrested and jailed. Why do people hate it so much? I will tell you why. Because the Bible stands for truth and freedom. Satan's evil henchmen roam around trying to take freedom away and trying to control people. The Bible is a threat to them so their idea is to ban it. 

Have we not already seen in this country groups trying to get prayer stopped at football games or before city council meetings? Religious conscience rights here in the United States are being disregarded in the Presidents' new health care law. Never mind you object to certain things like abortion,but you are forced to support a government run and controlled health care system that could care less about a persons right of conscience or freedoms. Forcing a military chaplain to perform a homosexual marriage ceremony is just plain wrong as well. 

In 1963 prayer, and thus  the standard for right and wrong and morality, was removed from the public schools. There are legal cases today where groups are trying to get rid of anything about the Bible on college campuses.

Back to hiding God's word in your heart. If someday evil forces come at gunpoint and confiscate your Bible would you know enough of it to write down some in a notebook to give you comfort? Not just the familiar John 3:16,but more? Psalm 119:11(NIV) says 'I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.' Psalm 37:31 says 'The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.' Psalm 119:97 says 'O how I love your law it is my meditation all the day.' 

If you are a parent of a small infant, start now getting God's word into their heart. Grandparents you can do this as well.  It is much more important than nursery rhymes. It will go into their little hearts. Many parents stand up in front of churches dedicating or baptizing their babies promising to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord but how many do not?  Oh yes Sunday school and church but nothing at home. 2 Timothy 3:15(KJV) says 'and that from a child thou hast known the Holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.' 

Today say yes to God's word and read it daily so when and if a crisis occurs you will stand strong and be able to have comfort and comfort others. 

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for my Bible. Forgive me for ignoring you and it at times. I am not on this Earth for my own pleasure but I was created by you to serve you and to share the love of Christ with others. Help me Lord as I seek to get the word of God in my heart in case some day someone takes it away from me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

DO YOU LOVE THE WORD OF GOD? REALLY?

What if some day your government made your Bible illegal? It could happen. There are many countries where a person can be jailed or executed for their Christian faith.  If it were to be taken from you do you have any verses committed to memory that you could cling to each day? Do not think I am crazy or this is a fairy tale as many nations can not have God's word.

I may have some readers from some of those countries. There are those in the United States, maybe some who even say they are Christians, who barely pick up their Bible except maybe on Sunday out of obligation. This should not be happening, the enemy can sure distract a person and get them to make all sorts of excuses. Oh we are so very busy but who gets last dibs? Jesus. 

At a conference I was at recently it was brought up that the word "busy" could be an acronym for "Being Under Satan's Yoke". Now that may put it in a different light. We are so busy, busy, busy doing so many things that do not even matter for eternity. 

Why not commit today to start "hiding" the word of God in your heart? Do not  take God for granted.  Each day write on your calendar "time with God" and do not allow "more important" things to squeeze out that time. What is more important than spending time with the King of kings? Keep the TV turned off and "turn on to" God for a change. 

I am going to list a few verses below. Why not try to commit them to memory in the next month or so? Do not allow the "tyranny of the urgent" to put God aside till Sunday. 

Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it. 

Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said to me let us  go unto the house of the Lord.

Hebrews 4:12 The word of God is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and of spirit,of joints and of marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 

Hebrews 3:15 Today if you hear His voice do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion. 

Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 

Take time and keep looking more verses up. Go to the book of John in the New Testament and have fun getting to know Jesus.

PRAYER: Your word is where I get my strength Lord. I know the enemy loves it when I am too busy for you but it makes you sad. I need your word to stay strong for the battles of life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

THE BATTLEFIELD OF LIFE

 

In life we are in a battle of good versus evil, right versus wrong. Life itself presents many challenges and hardships at times, and the enemy would love for Christians to feel defeated and overwhelmed.

We know we are in a spiritual battle with Satan and his demons. He can deceive even well meaning Christians to get mad at God over things. Ephesians 6:12 says that 'we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of darkness of this world; against spiritual wickedness in high places.'

Life comes with joys and with sorrows. It comes with happiness and sadness. It comes with victories and with defeats. We have to pick up that sword of the Spirit which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17) to defeat the enemy and win the battles that comes our way. People living in the flesh, or what is know as carnal life, do not recognize the enemies attacks as they are not spiritually discerning. The enemy has deceived many into believing his lies. But remember the enemy is not the person, but our battle is against Satan.

2 Chronicles 20:1-29 basically says that "the battle is not ours but God's". Take a moment and read those verses found in the Old Testament.

When you are in the midst of your battle to not succumb to fear and worry but keep looking up towards the cross of Jesus Christ. It is through Jesus that we have the power to stand strong and be undefeated.

Psalm 95:1-10 is a good passage of scripture to end with. 'You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling-- even the LORD, who is my refuge-- then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.'

PRAYER: Lord I do thank you for going to battle for me. I run to you and cry out and you are mighty to save. I need not fear . Strengthen me for the battles ahead. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click n link for awesome praise song.

http://youtu.be/PWXcRVZWTb8

DECEPTION CHOKES THE WORD

This past week as I worked out in our field picking green beans something struck me. No it was not lightening. Ha. There were these beautiful vines with a purple flower on the end but they were wrapping themselves around the beans and our sweet corn thus choking it. It made it hard to walk getting twisted up in them. Occasionally one of them would prick my hand with its' hidden thorns.

Isn't that how Satan operates deceiving the masses with things that look fun and pretty but in the end draw us away from Jesus and choke the Word? We can be lured into a trap that makes it hard to get out. Satan is a great deceiver. Satan likes to "trip" us up and he has fun doing it to believers who have not really picked up the Bible much to study it. It is all fine and good to go to church one hour on Sunday but that alone does not equip you to recognize the attacks on your life by the enemy.

Jesus can deliver you from the darkness and help you walk into His marvelous light! Colossians 2:8 is a great verse to pray for yourself and over your family.'See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.' Where the word "you" appears insert a name of who you are praying for.

When you have time read Matthew 13:1-23 about weeds choking out God's word. The more you know the truth in the word the less you will have a chance being led astray by the subtle tricks of the enemy.

PRAYER: Today as I hear your voice through the word of God I choose to stay on the path that leads me to you. I know it is important to spend time with you daily. Help me Lord to make you a priority each and every day. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link and worship the Lord in song and praise His name. Happy Thursday!

http://youtu.be/hSQL5wQpTnI

RECHARGE YOUR BATTERY

Mobile communication devices, known as cell phones, not only sometimes need a Wi Fi connection but they are also in need of keeping a "charge" or the battery runs out. On a recent trip to our Nations Capitol mine "died" numerous times and I had no place to plug it in. Now I have bought a portable charger for the next time.

Charging a cell phone only once a week would not get service for very long. People are so concerned about losing contact with the outside world when their battery dies, but what about the "spiritual" battery? By this I mean that one hour in church plus a whole lot more. A one hour "pep talk" in church each Sunday is not adequate for keeping your "spiritual battery" charged.

So what to do you, might say? First, fall in love with Jesus! Next, make Bible reading a daily priority. It is only through looking at "His book" and getting the words of Christ inside of you that you will be able to grow and be fully prepared to keep going and going and going.

Matthew 5:6(NIV) says 'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled.' Why not go to God's "charging station" today and fill your mind with the things of Christ in order to keep going when life throws you a curve ball.

PRAYER: Today Lord I am sorry to say I have not always picked up the word of God. Sometimes not even on Sunday. Forgive me for allowing the enemy to put thoughts in my head that Sunday was "enough". I need to have you in my life around the clock in order to keep charged up for you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

WORRY! WHO ME? NO WAY!

How many of us say we have the "worry monster" thing beat then you catch
yourself wondering what someone thinks of you or second guess a
decision you make or start fearing something? I know I have then I
have to say "Becky. Stop it. You know God is taking care of you so
just pray!"

It is easy to slip into this "worry mode" if we are not careful. Our
enemy, Satan, is waiting to take advantage of our weak points. Do not
let him. Stand up and say to him "Devil I have had enough of your puny
schemes. I am strong in the strength of the Lord and according to Isaiah 54:17(NIV) 'no
weapon formed against me shall prosper.' So Devil you can leave me alone right now!" Wacky you say? Not really.

We have God's word as our authority. God is greater than the devil. The enemy is out to torture us and to try to get us off track for the Lord. He knows where we are vulnerable and will keep attacking because he knows how we react. Why not surprise the devil and quote scripture to him?

When you are tempted to start worrying cry out to God and start reading scripture. Start praising the name of Jesus. The enemy has to flee at the sound of His name. We have to get serious about walking with the Lord and taking authority over bad junk in our lives or that of a family member. Worrying does not bring you closer to God but trusting Him does.

The Bible is not there to be a coffee table ornament but it is to be used and studied. If the enemy can get us too busy to use it or make us think Sunday is enough then we remain in the same rut with the same issues hanging over our heads. Now is the time to get powerful and serious about walking with the Lord. Start reading in the book of John in the Old Testament for starters. 

1 Peter 5:7(NIV) tells us to 'cast our cares on Him for He cares for us'. Can you "cast" that worry away? You say, "I am just a worrier". Now is the time to stop saying that and pick up the "sword of the spirit" and instead know that Jesus can help you. Worry is not from God. It is not a fruit of the spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. We can overcome this and be filled with peace instead. Would you like that? Cry out to God. Do not allow worry to become a stronghold in your life.

PRAYER: Today Lord I choose peace over worry. I know worrying does not change a situation but only keeps me tied up in "knots" and I know also that Satan loves to see children of God all weak and worried. Now is the time I choose to be strong and trust in you. I know you have a plan greater than I can imagine and I need to trust in you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below to start your week off praising Jesus.

http://youtu.be/HzNsEBPB-Z8

SNACK OR MAIN COURSE?

 Would you rather have a yummy main course meal full of wonderful things to eat or just a simple snack? Snacks are great but we need more to grow, survive, and thrive.

In your walk with The Lord do you treat Him like a snack, main course, or are you dieting? By this I mean do you crave God's word or do you barely "eat" enough to consider it a meal? Do you fast or starve yourself from your spiritual nourishment or are you hungry for it on a regular, hopefully daily, basis. Maybe you are a "spiritual anorexic"?

If you ate only one meal a week your body would soon become weak and sick. Similarly if we partake of God's words in the Bible for only a few minutes a week do you suppose you would have the spiritual strength for the battles ahead in your life? The answer is of course "no". Why is it in life when people get busy their schedules rarely include a daily quiet time? It should be right up there with showering, brushing your teeth, and dressing. A quiet time is a "spiritual dressing" of sorts. Satan convinces many well meaning people it is a little overboard or fanatical to do more than just that "sacred" hour on Sundays.

Would you have friends long if you did not give them time? Of course not. You get to know people by spending time with them. Jesus wants you to want to spend time with Him. If there is no desire maybe you need Him in your heart.

Psalm 107:9(NIV) says 'For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.' Matthew 5:6(NIV) may be a familiar passage for some readers but have you really given it much thought. 'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled.'

Are you ready to feast on Jesus?

PRAYER: Lord I confess at times I have been too busy for you. I go through my day and at times give you little thought. Forgive me. I will no longer allow Satan to distract me with other seemingly more important things. Nothing is more important than reading the word of God and praying. In Jesus' name.Amen.

DISCIPLINED?

Discipline and self control are two things that go hand in hand. You need discipline in many  areas of your life.

Let's say you are a student, you would need to discipline yourself to study. If you are trying to lose weight you need discipline to eat right and get to the gym. If you are addicted to something you need discipline to overcome the addiction. Young adults starting out on their own need to have financial discipline to build up a savings account for emergencies and their future. When you are angry or upset you have to use discipline and self control to not spout off and start a fight.  These are  just a few examples.

Where in your life do you need to improve your discipline? The United States military is a great place to learn discipline. Some of my military readers  know the rigors of training and things they just do not tolerate in the armed forces. You have to be disciplined in order to be effective in war time.

Are you disciplined in your spiritual life? Do you regularly spend time with God reading His word and praying? Why is it many feel Sunday,for one hour, is quite enough? How can we grow to be more like Christ if we are not practicing His presence in all areas of life?

1 Timothy 4:8(NIV) says 'For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life that is to come.'

Does Jesus have first place in your life? If not what do you need to do to get disciplined for a godly life?

PRAYER: Today Lord I will ignore the devils' attempts to get me to busy or distracted to spend time with you. Help me Lord discipline myself to re- do my daily schedule to make sure I give you quality time. In Jesus' name. Amen.