Tag Archive | war

Are you a POW?

Jun30

by Kathy Stanford

We are in a war. Every follower of Jesus learns this truth eventually. And though the ultimate victory is already known, we still must fight the daily battles of this world where “Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8. The good news is that we are not alone in this daily battle! God’s word has clearly laid out the fight, our protective armor and the weapons He’s provided for our use, in this passage from Ephesians.

Ephesians 6:10-18

“10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12For 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. 13Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.18With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints….”

Sometimes, however, we fail to put on the armor and pick up the weapons. What happens then? We become prisoners of war, my friend. I know I belong to Jesus and nothing will change that. [“My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father‘s hand.” John 10:29] But I have sometimes let myself be caught and held captive by the enemy. How does this happen?

It happens when I forget who the real enemy is and turn on those around me. It happens when I fail to surround myself with the truth of His word and believe the lies of the enemy that fill this world, telling me I need more yet never finding fulfillment. It happens when I don’t live in the righteousness He gives through salvation and spend all my energy trying to better myself, yet never being okay. It happens when I forget that it’s a gospel of peace and instead of giving grace, I spread hatred and discontent. It happens when I fail to strengthen my faith by arming myself with the word of God, allowing life’s trials to become overwhelming and steal all joy from my life. It happens when I don’t talk with my Father about my concerns, or fail to lift up those around me, so I lose all right perspective.

I’ve heard that soldiers are told to seek escape if they become a POW. We can escape our spiritual imprisonment by repenting our failure to embrace the instructions of Ephesians 6:10-18 and then faithfully, earnestly seeking God. He will help you escape because He wants us to live the abundant life only found when we are free to love and serve Him with our whole heart.

Are you a prisoner of war? Have you let the enemy capture your spirit through oppression? Are discouragement and the lies you believe keeping you locked away from living the abundant life that Jesus has for those who love and follow Him? You don’t have to stay there. Start digging that escape tunnel right now!

“Jesus please forgive my spiritual laziness. I want to live free in the abundant life you desire to give me. Help me to be faithful in putting on the armor you’ve given me and taking up the weapons you’ve provided. And Lord, keep me mindful of the true enemy.”

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Getting to The Point

Nov20

 

I had planned to post another poem this week. Like a lot of you, time is at a premium as the season of holidays approaches. Posting a previously written poem was the answer to my time crunch. No introduction necessary. Just copy, paste and post. Done, until next Friday.

So what changed my mind? Why am I awake, well past my bedtime on a work night, putting thoughts out there into that “cloud” I’ve heard about, but never seen, and certainly don’t understand?

I know I’m not the only one with thoughts of refugees, terrorists, political agendas, ideologies, pain, suffering, death, and grief on my mind. My body can hardly rest on my clean and comfortable bed. My spirit, usually calmed by the regular and easy breathing of my husband as I fall asleep, is restless. But the point is NOT that we’re losing sleep!

I had a point – about 1,500 words worth. Problem was – every keystroke was influenced by what I’ve watched on television or heard on the radio over the past week. My thoughts and opinions were based on incomplete truths, delivered in sound bytes and video clips intended to influence my vote, not provide me with news.

I deleted all 1,500 words. And opened up the Psalms – hoping. Not for a new point, but for some peace and clarity as only one loved woman in a world where hate is in every headline.

I found it in Psalm 116-117.

There’s a way to recover my 1,500 words, but I’ll leave them out there in that “cloud” for the Lord to read. Psalm 116 starts out by telling me He hears my thoughts. You, on the other hand, don’t need another persuasive essay, however skilled the writing or powerful the point. (Trust me it was good!)

Read Psalm 116-117. The Word of the Lord says it better than I ever could.