Everyday I face an enemy that understands my human nature. I feel the blows from each spiritual boxing match and cry out in pain. Often I go down for the count without hitting back. My spiritual body needs an understanding of my enemy. He never gives up his fight to destroy God’s children. Ignorance to my enemy’s tactics is deadly. So, I decided to take a journey into the world of spiritual warfare. If I’m going to take some spiritual blows, I want to hit my enemy where it hurts. Over the next few days, I’m enlisting in spiritual boot camp. As a soldier of Christ, the discipline of standing when the going gets tough will become my second nature. "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6: 13 NKJV Certainly, these are evil days.
I must understand that standing for Christ starts with this truth: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6: 12 NKJV If my battle is not with human beings, then who or what am I fighting? According to this verse, my enemy has an army in the heavens – star wars.
The one truth that makes my enemy tremble in his boots is this: power in the blood of the lamb. "And they overcame him the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony and they did not love their lives to the death." Revelation 12: 11 NKJV This is the season to celebrate Easter. A time to reflect on death, resurrection and new beginnings. If Christ didn’t rise from the tomb, this boot camp adventure is fruitless. The blood of Christ shed on the cross- sealed the fate of Satan and his wicked angels.
It is with holy reverence and godly fear that I enlist in the Holy Spirit’s spiritual boot camp. From this training, I fight with vigor, discernment, and purpose. Warfare isn’t an enjoyable experience but greater is he who is in me then he that is in the world – Holy Spirit. Would you join me and enlist in this boot camp? If so, stay tuned for the next installment about our enemy.
Copyright ã 2007 Patricia Charlton
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Three Wishes
How would you respond to a challenging question with far reaching implications? If your knew beforehand, the person’s qualifications and authority dictated the granting of any reasonable request, what was your response? Would your circumstances influence your answer? Perhaps! Would you ask for wealth or power? Maybe! During that decision time, the world will tell you to trust your inner self or throw caution to the wind. But, do not throw caution to the wind! Some were challenged by this profound question and answered wisely. Today, I faced such a challenging question: "If you could have three wishes, what would you ask for?" No, there was no Jeanie in a bottle or Aladdin’s lamp but God’s Holy Spirit asking the question. How would I answer?
This is not a fantasy situation but a reality for Solomon. He was in the process of becoming King of Israel and was overwhelmed by the responsibilities. Ruling the throne after King David was a tough act to follow. The Bible explained Solomon’s situation this way: "And now here I am: God, my God, you have made me, your servant, ruler of the kingdom in place of David my father. I’m too young for this, a mere child! I don’t know the ropes, hardly know the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of this job. And here I am, set down in the middle of the people you’ve chosen, a great people – far too many to ever count." (I Kings 3: 7, 8 The Message) What a perfect situation to be asked a challenging question!
Solomon was asked this question: "That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, ‘What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!" (I Kings 3: 5 NLT) The world was his for the asking! He maybe tempted to ask for wealth, power and a healthy life. But, how would Solomon answer? I faced the same challenge that Solomon faced. Circumstances often overwhelm me. Often I feel inadequate for the tasks ahead. Would I be tempted to ask for relief? Would Solomon ask for relief from this situation? Solomon responded: "Here’s what I want: give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?" (I Kings 3: 9 The Message) God was pleased with Solomon’s answer! What was God’s answer? "Because you have asked for this and haven’t grasped after a long life, or riches, or the doom of your enemies, but you have asked for the ability to lead and govern well. I’ll give you what you’re asked for – I’m giving you a wise and mature heart." (I Kings 3: 11 The Message)
What a challenge to my soul! Would my three wishes include a God-listening heart, discernment and the ability to challenge others? It all depends on this one fact that God will often grant more than our wise requests. Before answering any challenging question, I remembered that God is not a Jeanie in a bottle or a granter of foolish wishes. Solomon sincerely and wisely asked and gained all. Would I gain everything by wisely answering the question for three wishes? God said to Solomon, "As a bonus, I’m giving you both the wealth and glory you didn’t ask for – there’s not a king anywhere who will come up to your mark. And if you stay on course, keeping your eye on the life-map and the God-signs as your father David did, I’ll also give you a long life." (I Kings 3: 13, 14 The Message) Because I answered wisely the request for discernment, a tender heart and an ability to challenge others, God has granted to me a rich and rewarding life. I gained everything by answering wisely the request for three wishes!
This is not a fantasy situation but a reality for Solomon. He was in the process of becoming King of Israel and was overwhelmed by the responsibilities. Ruling the throne after King David was a tough act to follow. The Bible explained Solomon’s situation this way: "And now here I am: God, my God, you have made me, your servant, ruler of the kingdom in place of David my father. I’m too young for this, a mere child! I don’t know the ropes, hardly know the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of this job. And here I am, set down in the middle of the people you’ve chosen, a great people – far too many to ever count." (I Kings 3: 7, 8 The Message) What a perfect situation to be asked a challenging question!
Solomon was asked this question: "That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, ‘What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!" (I Kings 3: 5 NLT) The world was his for the asking! He maybe tempted to ask for wealth, power and a healthy life. But, how would Solomon answer? I faced the same challenge that Solomon faced. Circumstances often overwhelm me. Often I feel inadequate for the tasks ahead. Would I be tempted to ask for relief? Would Solomon ask for relief from this situation? Solomon responded: "Here’s what I want: give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?" (I Kings 3: 9 The Message) God was pleased with Solomon’s answer! What was God’s answer? "Because you have asked for this and haven’t grasped after a long life, or riches, or the doom of your enemies, but you have asked for the ability to lead and govern well. I’ll give you what you’re asked for – I’m giving you a wise and mature heart." (I Kings 3: 11 The Message)
What a challenge to my soul! Would my three wishes include a God-listening heart, discernment and the ability to challenge others? It all depends on this one fact that God will often grant more than our wise requests. Before answering any challenging question, I remembered that God is not a Jeanie in a bottle or a granter of foolish wishes. Solomon sincerely and wisely asked and gained all. Would I gain everything by wisely answering the question for three wishes? God said to Solomon, "As a bonus, I’m giving you both the wealth and glory you didn’t ask for – there’s not a king anywhere who will come up to your mark. And if you stay on course, keeping your eye on the life-map and the God-signs as your father David did, I’ll also give you a long life." (I Kings 3: 13, 14 The Message) Because I answered wisely the request for discernment, a tender heart and an ability to challenge others, God has granted to me a rich and rewarding life. I gained everything by answering wisely the request for three wishes!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Give It To Me!
For several years, fifty to be accurate, a stench permeated throughout my thoughts and actions. Often a reminder of a stinging remark flooded my thoughts with revenge. The more I tried to push my past transgressions into my secret place, the more I failed. Even though Christ Jesus redeemed my soul, I still carried the blooded bandages from old wounds. The truth about the resurrection power eluded my thoughts and actions. Until I read this: "Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor." (Proverbs 3: 16 NKJV)
Within my right hand was a key to my secret place. Over and over again, Christ whispered, "Give it to me!" Within my secret rooms resided all the good, the bad, and the ugly experiences from fifty plus years upon this earth. I never claimed that: "It is finished!" The stench and festering hidden actions never saw the light of day from a healing, gracious Lord Jesus. My refusal to open the door brought tears to Christ’s eyes. Again, Jesus whispered, "Let me clean house. Isn’t it time to get rid of all that festering mess?" The realization that I must: "…. put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communications out of your mouth." (Colossians 3: 8) caused many a sleepless night and many a panic attack. If the truth was known, I lacked confidence in myself and shamefully in the power of Jesus Christ. Resurrection power began and ended with the heavenly promise that "It is finished." What was finished? The power of sin to bind a believer in a prison of fear and shame.
Let me encourage you today. If your secret world was revealed, what would Christ find within you hidden sanctuary? Sooner or later, all the festering resentments and the stench of hatred from unjust actions blow the door of any secret chamber. Today, Jesus Christ whispers to you and me, "Give it to me!" Trust me on this! When the cleansing grace of Jesus flows throughout your secret chamber and the panic attacks begin, Jesus Christ never leaves of forsakes a hurting saint. Whatever you face today, the blood of Jesus Christ is greater than any hidden sin. So, come! Put the key to your heart and secret chamber of horrors in the hand of the man who walked on water. Come! Exchange the key in your right hand with the honor and riches in Christ’s right hand. You may hurt from the initial encounter but you will never regret it.
Copyright 2009 Patricia Charlton
Within my right hand was a key to my secret place. Over and over again, Christ whispered, "Give it to me!" Within my secret rooms resided all the good, the bad, and the ugly experiences from fifty plus years upon this earth. I never claimed that: "It is finished!" The stench and festering hidden actions never saw the light of day from a healing, gracious Lord Jesus. My refusal to open the door brought tears to Christ’s eyes. Again, Jesus whispered, "Let me clean house. Isn’t it time to get rid of all that festering mess?" The realization that I must: "…. put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communications out of your mouth." (Colossians 3: 8) caused many a sleepless night and many a panic attack. If the truth was known, I lacked confidence in myself and shamefully in the power of Jesus Christ. Resurrection power began and ended with the heavenly promise that "It is finished." What was finished? The power of sin to bind a believer in a prison of fear and shame.
Let me encourage you today. If your secret world was revealed, what would Christ find within you hidden sanctuary? Sooner or later, all the festering resentments and the stench of hatred from unjust actions blow the door of any secret chamber. Today, Jesus Christ whispers to you and me, "Give it to me!" Trust me on this! When the cleansing grace of Jesus flows throughout your secret chamber and the panic attacks begin, Jesus Christ never leaves of forsakes a hurting saint. Whatever you face today, the blood of Jesus Christ is greater than any hidden sin. So, come! Put the key to your heart and secret chamber of horrors in the hand of the man who walked on water. Come! Exchange the key in your right hand with the honor and riches in Christ’s right hand. You may hurt from the initial encounter but you will never regret it.
Copyright 2009 Patricia Charlton
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