DEFENSE

There's an old saying - that a good defense is the best offense! Believe this? When you study this word, defense, as related to yourself... you'll see that you have more defensive protection than offensive. Then again, we need only one offensive weapon - the Word. But defensively... what's missing? I would argue that we not only have the Who of our defense, but the What.

We have the WHOLE armor of God. [Ephesians 6] which provides us the protection we may need against the wiles of the devil. However, never forget that he isn't creative so he uses the same tactics over and over. Shame is one. Recognized and undealt with Pride is another. Unworthiness. And the list goes on. At some point irritation (by us) should set in and we finally say - 'enough is enough! I am no longer going to buy into your crippling lies. You (devil) have NO hold on me. I am a child of the Living God. Depart you evil spirit!'

Our offense is really our defense! Consider each of the pieces of the armor - all defense but also an offense when you look at the Sword of the Spirit. It does double duty! When we follow the example that Jesus used in defeating the devil, and we can, then the devil has no offense. It does require us to be hiding the Word in our hearts and studying to show ourselves approved. But it also is a solid and effective defensive offense.

There are some scriptures that we need to have at the forefront of our arsenal.

   "What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be

    [successful] against us?" [Romans 8:31]

 

   "No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And every tongue that

    rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness,

    security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the

    Lord, And this is their vindication from Me,” says the Lord. [Isaiah 54:17]

   "The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our

    weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are

    destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that

    sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every

    thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ, "

    [2 Corinthians 10:3-4]

All that is ours, who we become, what's available for us when we make Jesus our Lord. We never earn it nor can we purchase it. It's because of the unconditional love of the Father for His children.

   "The Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit [assuring us]

    that we [believers] are children of God. And if [we are His] children, [then we

    are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His

    spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that

    we may also share in His glory." [Romans 8: 16-17]

You did catch the 'joint heirs', yes? We have everything we need to overcome, be victorious. Personally, I believe the path is prayer - we have a relationship with the Triune God that provides all we need. Why do you think the devil hates us so? This is part of the answer in my thinking. What a marvelous defense we have… never buy into satan's lies.

 

Fruit of the Spirit

   "But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love 

    [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to

    wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

    gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law." 

    [Galatians 5:22-23]

Love/Joy/Peace/Patience/Kindness/Goodness/Faithfulness/Gentleness/Self-Control

Do we know the definitions of these words? Do we have the same definitions as other Christians? Do we express these? Do we see these fruits expressed? 

AND, did you see the 'requirement'? Fruit is the result of HIS presence within us. This is a kind of 'evidence' for us. Is your fruit ... that which will remain? And 'remain' can be a negative force as well as a positive one. I probably should have phrased it - in your partnership with the Lord, is there fruit that remains? I seriously doubt that the Lord would be upset with us if we asked Him to help us be more fruitful.

However, we do need to look at definitions - Spiritual definitions of the fruit. Are we all understanding this correctly, how the Lord looks on the behaviors that emanate and demonstrate our understanding. Quick definitions, because each of these words have mountains of books written on them. Look for YOUR personal examples - how you personalize your understanding. Most important question - are you continuing to learn about and share this?

I'm not going to add to the vast number of resources and give you my level of understanding and appreciation about each of the fruits that compose The Fruit. Personally, I'm still studying and growing and discovering how the fruit is displayed in my life. However, I do challenger you though to not just use the words but to do a deep dive to discover your understanding and grow in how you share fruit. And, to discover how the fruit works together such as peace and patience or love and faithfulness or the role of self-control. Yes, it will take a lifetime to grow in the fruit but our point is that we (through the Holy Spirit) continue to see how our behavior produces the fruit and the affect it has.

In my life I feel that I need to have the Fruit as part of my foundation and especially my mindset of how I live and react in my world and the other inhabitants that occupy my world. I may not impact The World, but I can be an active participant in mine and share all I know as a counterpoint for someone else. As a final 'challenge' why do you think scripture uses the single word, Fruit, to describe the 9 fruit?

 

Shame

Just so you know and realize... the Lord NEVER shames us. Period. He doesn't 'use' share to chastise or correct us. He knows the impact of shame and would never places this as punishment. Which leaves.... the source of shame - the devil. He does use shame and try to cripple us. He hates us so shame is a logical weapon he whips us with - if we let him.

Shame is one of the more effective weapons our enemy uses against us. He knows that we try and avoid shame. Also, it seems that there is always an element of truth to what's 'accused' so denial is futile. But, other than being an emotion... what is shame and how does it exert such control over us? 

This may sound lame and/or a made up thinking but a few things I feel that I know about shame are:

   1. It NEVER comes from the Father. He would never use shame to correct or

       challenge or 'punish' us. What would that accomplish - and don't say to

       stop our behavior. Did that ever work?

   

   2. Scripture does speak to the issue of 'shame' - examples:

   Psalm 34:4-5

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed."

   Romans 10:11

"For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

   Psalm 31:17

"O Lord, let me not be put to shame, for I call upon you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go silently to Sheol."

These are only 3 verses out of many that discuss shame - you can easily see that the Father does not shame us... so guess where shame comes from. Micha 7:19 is one of my favorite verses on shame.

According to bibleresources.org 

   "Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary ¹ gives this definition: Shame – A negative

    emotion caused by an awareness of wrongdoing, hurt ego, or guilt. In the

    Bible, the feeling of shame is normally caused by public exposure of one’s guilt

    (Genesis 2:25; 3:10). Shame may also be caused by a hurt reputation or

    embarrassment, whether or not this feeling is due to sin (Psalm 25:2-3;

    Proverbs 19:26; Romans 1:16)."  [David Alsobrook]

Actually, Mr. Alsobrook does an excellent study on shame and reinforced my belief that "... Shame always results in a loss of dignity ...  and results in emotional pain." So it is very effective in handicapping and crippling us. Yes we do/say the wrong things but we can become healed. Why live with something, though it may originate with us, that incapacitates yet has a healing response? We have a loving Father that wants us whole and healthy. Besides, have we forgotten so quickly that the genesis of pain is typically guilt and we have an answer for guilt - 1 John 1:9.

Blessed???!

 Are you?  What do you do with/about being blessed? Do you hoard it - holding it tightly to you so it doesn’t ‘get away’? Perhaps you put it in a little box, under lock and key, and put it somewhere ‘safe’? Do you act on your blessing? Do you spread the joy around? Do you share (bless) others ? Do you believe that your blessing is a gift for you to treasure? Exactly how do you react when you realize you have been blessed? Is the lack of realization the issue?

www.gotquestions.org says:

   "Quite possibly, the most frequently used word in the Christian’s vocabulary is

    blessed. “Have a blessed day,” (etc.) ...  It’s even common among unbelievers

    to describe themselves as “blessed.” Some people think of blessed as a

    spiritual term for “good fortune,” like when we receive something good, the

    desired outcome, or an exceptional comfort.  ...

    The Greek word often translated as “blessed” is makarios, which means

    “fortunate,” “happy,” “enlarged,” or “lengthy.” Makarios is used in the

    Septuagint (a translation of the Old Testament into the Greek language) and

    the New Testament to define the kind of happiness that comes from receiving

    favor from God. Consequently, the word can also be translated “favored.” In

    the New Testament, it usually carries the meaning of being “blessed by God.”

    Mary, the mother of Jesus, was “blessed among women” (Luke 1:42–45, 48),

    it was the Lord God who had blessed and favored her."

I can almost hear the comments - OK, but what does that mean for me!!!? Got Questions:

   "Perhaps the most well-known use of the word blessed in the Bible is found in

    the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3–12; Luke 6:20–23). Jesus used the term blessed

    in the framework of the Beatitudes to describe the inner quality of a faithful

    servant of God. This blessedness is a spiritual state of well-being and

    prosperity—a deep, joy-filled contentment that cannot be shaken by poverty,

    grief, famine, persecution, war, or any other trial or tragedy we face in life. In

    human terms, the situations depicted in the Beatitudes are far from blessings,

    but because God is present with us through these difficult times, we are

    actually blessed by Him in them. 

    The true servant of God is blessed, regardless of circumstances, because God

    has favored him or her with a fully satisfied soul (Psalm 63:1–5; John 4:14).

    The material things we crave can never bring genuine happiness or

    contentment. True fulfillment can only be found in a relationship with God

    through His Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1–2)."

This should give a broader basis for understanding how, not if, you are blessed. And it gives the manifestations of blessed. One of our greatest foundations for understanding blessed is the Beatitudes. Read them again... in a variety of versions that will expand how you apply this word to your life. For a greater perspective, I have to share the Message version of Matthew 5:3-12:

   "You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there

    is more of God and his rule.

    You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then

    can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

    You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less.

    That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t

    be bought.

    You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and

    drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. 

    You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find

    ourselves cared for.

    You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put

    right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

    You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of

    compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place

    in God’s family.

    You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The

    persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

    Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or

    throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that

    the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad

    when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do!

    And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My

    prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble."

Do you see all the ways you are ALWAYS blessed? Can you think of anything that has been left out of your blessings? Never doubt or question (especially in desert and times of stress) if you are blessed - you are! Just rest in the blessing you need.

Why do we buy the Lies?

I think I would argue that just enough of what the devil tries to entice us to believe IS truth. Just not the whole. A single word added or subtracted can make all the difference – remember how Eve responded. And you have to remember that the devil has honed his ability to lie over the millennia … and also his experience with how we’ve reacted to his suggestions. BUT, also remember that the last word that would define him is ‘creative’. He isn’t! He always returns to an approach that worked in the past. Which gives us the ability to recognize a similar thought or suggestion from our past. It should scream at us – LIE! We don’t always listen though.

Do we also buy lies when we remember who we WERE? Do we not trust that we have become a new creation [2 Corinthians 5:17-21]? Or maybe we just don’t think this new creation is strong enough to stand against the wiles of the devil? Look again at this scripture

    “Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in 

     Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit];

     the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away.

     Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new

     life].” [v 17]

1.‘ anyone’ does include you.

2. The power when you’ve made Jesus your Lord is, IS mightier than the devil

    [1 John 4:4]

3. OLD is passed away, your old – the mistakes, the sins, etc. is gone – you’ve

    confessed them and they only control them as YOU give them power over

    you.

4. NEW ‘have’ come – not coming, past tense. Yes, you have to put on the new

    man [Ephesians 4:17-24]

5. You don’t have to do this alone, you have a partner, because the Lord has said

    that He would never leave or forsake you! [Hebrews 13:5]

Consider those 5 points. When we stand ONLY on them – do you understand who you are? There are other points, other learnings that increase our understandings and confidence on Whose we are and Who we’re becoming.

We begin a grand adventure when we make Jesus our Lord and become saved. Salvation must come first but then …… such a world is open to us. We not only are new but we are loved and wanted and have a place. Each of us has a gift from the Lord so that we can become involved in our Father’s business. We can make a difference in our world.

Feeling guilty, shame, unworthy – all that comes with the lies. God NEVER corrects us in this way. He wants us to grow, to become, to live the abundant life He has always planned for us. When we act on the lies from the devil we really abet the devil’s desire to steal, kill, and destroy us [John 10:10, Luke 22:31, 1 Peter 5:8 tell us this]. What do we do? Certainly stop accepting and listening to the lies. We do act and not just stop listening. We use the same weapons Jesus did – the Word: IT IS WRITTEN.

When you compare this with accepting the lie from the devil – why? It has nothing to do with your unworthiness – and everything to do with Who you believe. Believe the Lord or you believe the lies – either/or.

Watch! Be Ready!

How often do we read these words in the Bible! It IS a warning but it is also a command! Jesus gave us the parable of the 6 wise and 6 foolish virgins. I think that part of the reason is because the focus of the 'watch' and 'be ready' is that our enemy wishes to derail and destroy us. He hates it when we change our allegiance and accept the free gift of salvation through Jesus, but he gets ballistic and absolutely livid when we begin to grow and become who we are designed and created to be. And he gets even more angered when we share Who has saved us, Who we witness about - the devil does not want us to act as the saved person Jesus has made us. And when you think about it... when EVER has satan given anything to anyone, especially free? Precisely. If anything, he wants us to bring all to him and serve him... and pay a steep price for this 'privilege'.

And our actions are to act... but sometimes there are times of waiting. If waiting, we probably should be doing 'something' like study, like prayer - it's not a time of inactivity - that's not rest... Yes, we have seasons of renewal when we are momentarily out of the fight. That doesn't mean satan is quiet - he will now shift his focus to make us feel guilty that we're not doing 'something'.

From a different perspective, if the title has a slight 'end times' flavor - not a mistake. Personally I do believe the time is short when I look at the world. It's getting uglier, violent and perverse. I do suspect, though, that God is looking at the people and never wants to be precipitous 

   "The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow

    about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient

    toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." 

    [2 Peter 3:9]

So what should we be doing. Hopefully what we already are doing: bringing hope to the hopeless, a Savior to the unsaved, studying to show ourselves approved, sharing the gifting the Holy Spirit has given us... and that's only the beginning. We need to be aware of what our enemy is doing and combat it with the weapons we've been given. Scripture tells us the signs and our preparation - idleness cannot be acceptable. This scratches the surface on what we should be about. It may be close but the trumpet hasn't sounded yet.

So until we hear the trumpet call... Watch! Be Ready! Occupy! And do your part in Matthew 28: 19-20 remembering that some plant, some water, and some harvest.

Instantaneous

If nothing else defines and describes us it would be the word - instantaneous. It is an 'attribute' of us all, regardless of ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status or any other way we seem to like to describe ourselves as different from the person standing next to us. All, we ALL. are drawn to instantaneous. We want what we want, when we want (it), how we want (it), if we want (it), where we want (it). But we sometimes don't remember that instantaneous doesn't necessarily mean easier, quicker, better. Sometimes the instantaneous is odorless, flavorless, colorless, and not worth the cost/price. 

So if mediately, instantaneous isn't all that desirable... why do we want our lives to reflect this? What's the hurry? What is it we think we gain by tis approach? I think my answer is that we don't stop to think on these questions... we just race from one thing to the next. Obviously rushing is the mate to instantaneous - the way we express and operationalize instantaneous. And sometimes, in our rushing, we miss something or someone significant to the effective approach to success. Honestly... what IS gained by instantaneous? And don't simply use 'moving on' as the reason. Sometime 'moving on' gives us no memory about how we got to where we are.

I tend to always ask questions and one that I always ask toward or at the end of a 'project' is: what have we learned in the process? We should have learned something about process, ourselves, others, planning, etc. What have been the significant learnings so we can apply them in the future? More often than not I get blank expressions. I'm not certain that learning is ever applied or sought.

If everyone is pursuing the state of instantaneous... why? What's its purpose? Webster's synonyms for the word: "immediate, instant, split-second, straightaway" and "fast, hit-and-run, prompt, quick, rapid, speedy, swift". Some of those synonyms are positively stated but split-second and hit-and-run have a less than positive eventual result. So if both extremes are ineffective responses then obviously the middle ground gives a more favorable opportunity for success?

I would like to propose a different way about going about our day. I can appreciate that dalliance and hesitation may be considered the total opposite to success and only waste time. But in my world, learning, discovering, exploring, enjoying are valued. As you go about your day, here are some questions to ask:

   1. Who and on What am I trusting - what should be my approach today?

         Answer: Proverbs 3:5-6

   2. What is my role, my responsibility - what is required of me?

         Answer: Philippians 1:6>

   3. How do I handle difficulties, obstacles to accomplishment?

         Answer: James 1:2-4

   4. If I don't hurry, how can the goal be reached in a timely manner?

         Answer: Isaiah 41:10

These may not be your answers or even your questions - they are a guide. However, Your answers to these simple 4 questions may become your guide and response to instantaneous and the pressures this brings. What is the goal? Quick or Effective?

 

Never is a Forever Word

and means NEVER. Our God has said: "I will never forsake you! [Hebrews 13:5] But these words aren't said only once, they are stated by our God over 100 times in scripture! You'd think we'd get this reality by now... but no. However, if you believe this statement by the Father then you begin to realize that His words mean what they say - regardless of the place we are in, He is there with us! Wrap your head around that!

In the desert times, in the seasons of despair or of apparent abandonment - there is not a time when we are our of His hand. It recently dawned on me about the everywhere-ness of this statement. He won't leave us when we walk away, or are in sin, or accept a lie of the devil - there is no place that we are that He isn't with us.

The Creator of the Universe is with us when we're sad, He smiles when we have success, there isn't a 'state' that He is unfamiliar with. One of my favorite scriptures is Hebrews 4:14-15

   "Inasmuch then as we [believers] have a great High Priest who has [already

    ascended and] passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold

    fast our confession [of faith and cling tenaciously to our absolute trust in Him

    as Savior]. For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and

    understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted

    [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet

    without [committing any] sin. "

Jesus Knows, He Understands. Even if it is we who get ourselves in these straits, He knows. Hiding when it is sin is stupid and illogical because He is with us when we do wrong. If it is something that blindsides us - He's still with us. AND MORE! Now read what Hw tells us in the next verse, 16:

   "Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the

    throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we

    may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in

    time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]. "

See all that awaits us, is available for us to live in our world? BUT being the frail and fretful beings that we are, we can easily be rabbit trailed into wrong thinking. Which is reason enough to hide His word in our hearts so it can be balm in desperate times.

   "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy [every evil, abusive, injurious

    speaking, or indignity against sacred things] will be forgiven people, but

    blasphemy against the [Holy] Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a

    word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the

    Holy Spirit [by attributing the miracles done by Me to Satan] will not be

    forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. [Matthew 12:31-32]

The 'Therefore' refers to verse 30 - " He who is not with Me [once and for all on My side] is against Me; and he who does not [unequivocally] gather with Me scatters." In another scripture He says:

   "You know that when you were pagans, you were led off after speechless idols;

    however you were led off [whether by impulse or habit]. Therefore I want you

    to know that no one speaking by the [power and influence of the] Spirit of God

    can say, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is [my] Lord,” except by

    [the power and influence of] the Holy Spirit." [1 Corinthians 12: 2-3]

We have statement after statement that tells us who He is and what He does for us. There is absolutely NOTHING that can separate us from Him (Romans 8:31-39) - NOTHING, EVER! If you say that I don't know you - what you've done and said or didn't. True. But I know me and KNOW that He has forgiven me far more that the 70 times 7 (Matthew 18:22). He has given me grace and mercy in place of my words and behaviors. And He gave me the greatest of gifts with 1 John 1:9 - my path to restoration, relationship, and righteousness.

Unless we walk away or reject Him. And this is never an 'accident' - we have our guide as to what would be the unpardonable sin and place us outside the care. It's not an act that is simply done in a moment of anger, it is purposeful. This should ease any mind that thinks they may have committed the unpardonable sin. But do realize our enemy, the devil, will try and use our doubt(?), fear(?), worry(?), etc. against us and tell us we are a lost cause... Never. 

Never means never. You are never too old, young, wise, stupid, inept, talented, sinful, weak, etc., etc., etc. He shows no partiality. He is available for all. Just be a 'whoever'.

   "For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him [whoever adheres to, trusts

    in, and relies on Him] will not be disappointed [in his expectations].” For there

    is no distinction between Jew and Gentile; for the same Lord is Lord over all [of

    us], and [He is] abounding in riches (blessings) for all who call on Him [in faith

    and prayer]. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord [in prayer] will be

    saved.” [Romans 10:11-13]

Whither Thou goest...

There’s a whole word just outside Your front door. Do you know where your call will lead you? Just don’t close doors too quickly ,,, nor rush to take paths that aren’t yours to pursue. While we all are called to witness, it may be no further than the person sitting across from you. Will, Can you repeat Ruth’s words and tell the Lord you will follow Him? We’ve been given a destiny changing assignment. And yes, some of us are called to:

   "...And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses

    in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.”

    [Acts 1:8]

This verse was spoken by Jesus to His disciples before He returned to Heaven. The times are after Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose again. He had spent 40 days with His disciples and continued teaching them. He also directed them to stay until they had been endued by power through the Holy Spirit. He indicated where they would go and what they would be doing. We all have the same call. Be baptized with power by the Holy Spirit and be about our assignment.

Wither Thou goest doesn't tell us what we will experience but it does give us a direction, the knowledge that we wouldn't be alone in our journey and that we would be equipped to be and do who the Lord would want from and for us. It requires our obedience, our trust, our confidence. What if you mis-hear? Then we come to Him:

   "No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is

    not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond

    human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and

    trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist],

   but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always]

   provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without

   yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy]. [1 Corinthians 10:13]

Granted, it isn't always a temptation... nor a seduction... it may be mis-hearing, it may be 'unintentional' but it did happen. Don't look to blame, don't look to provide yourself with a 'but I meant' - seek help to resolve and move on. And tha help comes from the Lord. Then you can look at the 'mistake' and determine where improvement is needed. I think if we spent more time on resolution over blame, then we would be more effective.

Sometimes I think what the Lord is looking for/from us is our willingness to be who He wants doing what He would have us do. Follow Isaiah's example (6:8) and say - 'Here am I, send me.' We can always be assured of three things: one, we are never called to do something we can't and two, we will always be equipped, prepared for whatever is necessary to accomplish, and three, the Lord never gives 'make work' or teases us - the call is always meaningful, and  the goal whether or not we are able to see how we can do 'it' at the beginning will bring blessings to the worker as well as the receiver

Point being - it is always our choice to follow, to answer the call to go... whither the Lord goes. Ahhh, but if your answer is yes then you're in for the adventure of your life!