Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Judges, Chapters 16-18 … To study these chapters, go to this link ...
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Highlight Reference Passage : Judges 16: 15-17 … 15 Then she [Delilah] said to him [Samson], "How can you say, 'I love you,' when you won't confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven't told me the secret of your great strength." 16 With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was sick to death of it.
17 So he told her everything. "No razor has ever been used on my head," he said, "because I have been a Nazirite dedicated to God from my mother's womb. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man."
My Journal for Today: There are several good lessons to be learned from reading today’s assigned chronological read in Chapters 16-18 of the book of Judges. However, the segment which came to my attention this morning was the conclusion of the account of Samson and Delilah in the highlight passage which is copied for your review above. And certainly it is pertinent to my called ministry which primarily deals with Christian men who make selfish and fleshly choices and are lured – by their own actions – into patterns of habitual sexual sin. So, I think you could easily see why I would be drawn to journal about this story in Judges 16.
Today, all men are engulfed in a culture and world which has become a super-weapon, designed by Satan, to lure visually vulnerable manhood into the tar pits of sexual sin. Mankind these days cannot escape the magnet sexual images which surround us almost everywhere. Sexual imagery is the primary drawing card of the advertisement industry; and all forms of media and entertainment these days have sexual images calling out to men to draw them into the clutches of the Delilahs of the world.
And if you’re a Christian man these worldly temptations are just as prevalent as they are for non-Christians. The difference is, like Samson, all Christian men are endowed by God with the power of the Holy Spirit to make Godly choices … rather than succumb to ungodly and fleshly ones. Samson, having God’s Spirit resting upon him; and he, having been called out to be a Nazirite, could have set himself into a pattern of discipline to resist the alluring charms of Delilah. BUT … he didn’t; and Delilah lured him – by HIS choices – to make himself vulnerable to her charms and reveal his weaknesses.
Today, in my Parsons Commentary on this passage/story, the writers posit some very good warnings and teaching for all of us, especially believers who have the Holy Spirit’s grace to empower our lives. They write: ”(1) You must decide what kind of a person you will love before passion takes over. Determine whether a person’s character and faith in God are as desirable as his or her physical appearance. (2) Because most of the time you spend with your spouse will not involve sex, your companion’s personality, temperament, and commitment to solve problems must be as gratifying as his or her kisses. (3) Be patient. The second look often reveals what is beneath the pleasant appearance and attentive touch.”
This is good advice for all Christians, but especially men who feel they are vulnerable to the sexual taunts with which the world bombards us daily. In the language of our ministry, BattlePlan Ministry [ go to www.battleplanministries.org ], would say that all Christian men need a “battle plan,” which is a carefully crafted and proactive plan (preferably written), which is guided by a James 1: 5-6 desire to seek God’s wisdom and guidance. Being PROACTIVE in the mental planning of one’s personal “battle plan” can often make the difference to prevent having to be REACTIVE when the world tempts our minds and hearts away from Godly wisdom.
If you’re a Christian man and you’re reading this, do you have a proactive plan to use God-inspired, Spirit-led principles to guide your decisions when you’re confronted by sexual temptations? … Is that plan methodically written out to be your manifesto of action for seeking God’s will rather than the will of the flesh? … Do you have at least one Christian man, but preferably a group of co-warriors, who will hold you accountable to your pre—planned principles for decision and action. … And finally, are you living the plan, utilizing the disciplines of the faith to bolster your strength and surrender to God’s will and way for your life?
Remember Proverbs 3: 5-6 (which I hope you can quote right now), which is take from Chapters 1-9 of Proverbs, where a wise Solomon was giving advice to his son on how to avoid sexual temptations. I pray that we’re all CHOOSING to live – proactively - as God would have us live and not falling prey to our enemies in this sexual charged world.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, I have Your plan from Your word to follow Your will and give me Your way of strength to do battle with my enemies today. Amen
Showing posts with label battle plan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label battle plan. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
January 25, 2012 … Flee … Flee … Flee!!!
Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: Genesis, Chapters 38-40 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
Genesis 39: 6-12: … [Integrity in the Face of Temptation] ... 6 So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.
Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 7 and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” … 8 But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”
10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. 11 One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. 12 She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.
My Journal for Today: If you’ve read through Chapters 38-40 of Genesis, which was my chronological reading assignment today, you read first, in Chapter 38, of the broken leadership and character of Judah, the oldest son and designated heir of Jacob (aka, “Israel”). Then, for a character contrast lesson, in these next two chapters, we read of the plight and walk of faith of Joseph, the young brother Judah and his brothers had sold into slavery in Egypt. And in the focus passage today from Genesis 39: 6-12, which I’ve copied for you this morning, we come to a passage which means a lot to me, … personally.
It’s the very revealing confrontation between the wife of Potiphar, the rich man who had become Joseph’s slave master, and Joseph, whom Potiphar had appointed as steward of his home. “Potipharina,” as my Pastor likes to call this sex-driven temptress, came after Joseph repeatedly, doing all she could to lure the young man into a sexual encounter. But we see Joseph being a model for us of Godly character, doing all he can to avoid Potiphar’s wife and finally just simply fleeing this sex-starved woman, … who then, unjustly, had Joseph thrown into prison because of the rejection.
I say here that this story is very close to me personally because for many years I was not able to do what Joseph did, … to flee from the temptation of sexual sin; and my unGodly behavior almost cost me my marriage, my family, and my career. It was only much later in my life, after I came to know Christ as LORD, that our merciful God, whom Joseph stood for (see Verse 9 of Gen. 39 above), was able to disciple me into learning the strategy of righteousness, taught by Paul in 2nd Timothy 2: 22, which Joseph exhibited as a personal model, … and that is to do all one can to resist sexual temptations; … and then – if all else fails – to simply FLEE – no matter what the human cost.
I now lead a Christian discipleship ministry, called Battle Plan Ministry (“BPM” – website linked here), formed to help men of God to become more Godly and battle-strong warriors in our hypersexual culture. We call Joseph’s battle strategy the “2.2:22” battle plan, which is labeled after Paul’s exhortation in 2 Tim. 2: 22 [which I hope you know by heart – if not, please look it up!]. This strategy of spiritual warfare was exemplified in the encounter Joseph had with Potiphar’s wife. In BPM, we teach our men to do all they can to anticipate and avoid sexual temptations in their lives (which are extremely pervasive these days); but when all proactive strategies of avoidance are exhausted, the “2.2:22” strategy MUST be implemented … and we simply do what Paul exhorted, … to … Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Today, we live in a world where sexual triggers and temptations abound. Men, and women, but especially men, are surrounded by a culture which tries to lure them into dishonoring God by giving in to the ever-present sexual temptations we face EVERYDAY. Quite often, all one can do is to go to the “2.2:22” battle strategy and FLEE … FLEE … FLEE, remembering that – as with Joseph – bad things may happen. However, … in the end we know that God always – as HE did with Joseph, honors the warrior who’s willing to stand in the gap for righteousness and do the right thing.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, help me flee any ploy of the enemy which is stronger than my own will to resist. Amen
Genesis 39: 6-12: … [Integrity in the Face of Temptation] ... 6 So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.
Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 7 and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” … 8 But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”
10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. 11 One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. 12 She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.
My Journal for Today: If you’ve read through Chapters 38-40 of Genesis, which was my chronological reading assignment today, you read first, in Chapter 38, of the broken leadership and character of Judah, the oldest son and designated heir of Jacob (aka, “Israel”). Then, for a character contrast lesson, in these next two chapters, we read of the plight and walk of faith of Joseph, the young brother Judah and his brothers had sold into slavery in Egypt. And in the focus passage today from Genesis 39: 6-12, which I’ve copied for you this morning, we come to a passage which means a lot to me, … personally.
It’s the very revealing confrontation between the wife of Potiphar, the rich man who had become Joseph’s slave master, and Joseph, whom Potiphar had appointed as steward of his home. “Potipharina,” as my Pastor likes to call this sex-driven temptress, came after Joseph repeatedly, doing all she could to lure the young man into a sexual encounter. But we see Joseph being a model for us of Godly character, doing all he can to avoid Potiphar’s wife and finally just simply fleeing this sex-starved woman, … who then, unjustly, had Joseph thrown into prison because of the rejection.
I say here that this story is very close to me personally because for many years I was not able to do what Joseph did, … to flee from the temptation of sexual sin; and my unGodly behavior almost cost me my marriage, my family, and my career. It was only much later in my life, after I came to know Christ as LORD, that our merciful God, whom Joseph stood for (see Verse 9 of Gen. 39 above), was able to disciple me into learning the strategy of righteousness, taught by Paul in 2nd Timothy 2: 22, which Joseph exhibited as a personal model, … and that is to do all one can to resist sexual temptations; … and then – if all else fails – to simply FLEE – no matter what the human cost.
I now lead a Christian discipleship ministry, called Battle Plan Ministry (“BPM” – website linked here), formed to help men of God to become more Godly and battle-strong warriors in our hypersexual culture. We call Joseph’s battle strategy the “2.2:22” battle plan, which is labeled after Paul’s exhortation in 2 Tim. 2: 22 [which I hope you know by heart – if not, please look it up!]. This strategy of spiritual warfare was exemplified in the encounter Joseph had with Potiphar’s wife. In BPM, we teach our men to do all they can to anticipate and avoid sexual temptations in their lives (which are extremely pervasive these days); but when all proactive strategies of avoidance are exhausted, the “2.2:22” strategy MUST be implemented … and we simply do what Paul exhorted, … to … Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Today, we live in a world where sexual triggers and temptations abound. Men, and women, but especially men, are surrounded by a culture which tries to lure them into dishonoring God by giving in to the ever-present sexual temptations we face EVERYDAY. Quite often, all one can do is to go to the “2.2:22” battle strategy and FLEE … FLEE … FLEE, remembering that – as with Joseph – bad things may happen. However, … in the end we know that God always – as HE did with Joseph, honors the warrior who’s willing to stand in the gap for righteousness and do the right thing.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, help me flee any ploy of the enemy which is stronger than my own will to resist. Amen
Friday, May 14, 2010
2010 – May 14 – The Best Laid Plans
Study from God’s Word… 1st Kings 8: 1-11 [2nd Chron. 5: 2-14]; 1st Kings 8: 12-21 [2nd Chron. 6: 1-11]; 1st Kings 8: 22-30 [2nd Chron. 6: 12-21]; 1st Kings 8: 31,-53 [2nd Chron. 6: 22-42]; 1st Kings 8: 54-61; 2nd Chronicles 7: 1-3; 1st Kings 8: 62-66 [2nd Chron. 7: 4-10] … Passage for Reflection: 2nd Chronicles 6: 8 – 9 … NIV [Solomon] 7 "My father David had it in his heart to build a temple for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 8 But the LORD said to my father David, … ‘Because it was in your heart to build a temple for my Name, you did well to have this in your heart. 9 Nevertheless, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son, who is your own flesh and blood—he is the one who will build the temple for my Name.’ …”
My Journal for Today: As I read through the wondrous accomplishment of Solomon overseeing the completion and dedication of the Temple his father, David, had dreamed to dedicate for the Lord’s glory, one can’t help but think about God not allowing David to be the one to bring this temple to fruition. But that was not to be in God’s planning; and I expect you may have had some great dream or idea, one which may have been, upon completion, a great way of glorifying God; but thus far in your life, and for the foreseeable future, it just doesn’t look like it’s in God’s scheme for your dream to become reality.
Dr. Smith points to two of Solomon’s Proverbs which seem to point to the dreaming and fulfillment of projects which are dedicated to God and His glory. In Proverbs 16: 3 we read, Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. And then, there is Proverbs 19: 21, stating, Many are the plans in man’s heart; but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
As my devotional shepherd, F. LaGard Smith, points out, somehow when we dream up something which seems like a grand and Godly idea to bring glory to God, and then we put choices and actions into motion to make it happen, we must realize that God is still in control of all things; and it should be God Whom we allow to take charge of the timing and completion of HIS project. If we want to be in charge of the project, how much glory can God really get from its completion?
But Solomon repeatedly, in his dedication ceremony and prayers, gave his father both credit and affirmation for the project of which David conceived but was not given the opportunity to finish in his lifetime. Perhaps you still have some idea or dream which is yet to be completed; but it seems to be something that would glorify God big-time if your idea were to come to completion. I have always had dreams that BattlePlan Ministries, the ministry which God led me to found, would become so powerful that the XXX forces in the world would be defeated and eradicated; but for years my eyes have been way bigger than my stomach. But I refuse to stop dreaming that God can - AND WILL - bring down the strongholds and beachheads of sexual sin which we see proliferating in our culture. The fact that I haven’t been the leader force to bring that about does not diminish the dream; nor does it reduce God in any way. God can – AND WILL – bring about His victory … in HIS time and in HIS way; and HE will be glorified.
What I must do is continue to dream and pray for someone, like a Solomon, to take the dream and allow God to get the glory whenever God decides to bring about the dream … again, for His glory!
My Prayer for Today: Lord, it is the dream You planted in my soul; and I pray that one day, with the leader You have already designated, all the evil forces in this world which now have such a stronghold in our culture will be totally and glorious eradicated. Amen
My Journal for Today: As I read through the wondrous accomplishment of Solomon overseeing the completion and dedication of the Temple his father, David, had dreamed to dedicate for the Lord’s glory, one can’t help but think about God not allowing David to be the one to bring this temple to fruition. But that was not to be in God’s planning; and I expect you may have had some great dream or idea, one which may have been, upon completion, a great way of glorifying God; but thus far in your life, and for the foreseeable future, it just doesn’t look like it’s in God’s scheme for your dream to become reality.
Dr. Smith points to two of Solomon’s Proverbs which seem to point to the dreaming and fulfillment of projects which are dedicated to God and His glory. In Proverbs 16: 3 we read, Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. And then, there is Proverbs 19: 21, stating, Many are the plans in man’s heart; but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
As my devotional shepherd, F. LaGard Smith, points out, somehow when we dream up something which seems like a grand and Godly idea to bring glory to God, and then we put choices and actions into motion to make it happen, we must realize that God is still in control of all things; and it should be God Whom we allow to take charge of the timing and completion of HIS project. If we want to be in charge of the project, how much glory can God really get from its completion?
But Solomon repeatedly, in his dedication ceremony and prayers, gave his father both credit and affirmation for the project of which David conceived but was not given the opportunity to finish in his lifetime. Perhaps you still have some idea or dream which is yet to be completed; but it seems to be something that would glorify God big-time if your idea were to come to completion. I have always had dreams that BattlePlan Ministries, the ministry which God led me to found, would become so powerful that the XXX forces in the world would be defeated and eradicated; but for years my eyes have been way bigger than my stomach. But I refuse to stop dreaming that God can - AND WILL - bring down the strongholds and beachheads of sexual sin which we see proliferating in our culture. The fact that I haven’t been the leader force to bring that about does not diminish the dream; nor does it reduce God in any way. God can – AND WILL – bring about His victory … in HIS time and in HIS way; and HE will be glorified.
What I must do is continue to dream and pray for someone, like a Solomon, to take the dream and allow God to get the glory whenever God decides to bring about the dream … again, for His glory!
My Prayer for Today: Lord, it is the dream You planted in my soul; and I pray that one day, with the leader You have already designated, all the evil forces in this world which now have such a stronghold in our culture will be totally and glorious eradicated. Amen
Thursday, November 19, 2009
2009 – Day 322.Nov 19 – Traveling well
Passage for Study: Acts 16: 11 - 15 … Linked for study …
My Journal for Today: Today Pastor Chuck, my devotional shepherd, got a bit more practical in his instruction, taking cues from the above passage about Paul’s missionary travels and his contacts with the people God led into his life along the roads of his journeys. It obviously reminded Swindoll of his own ministry travels, being on the road alone; and he provided his readers with some very practical guidelines to avoid troubles. And all of Swindoll’s travel instructions were exemplified by the Apostle Paul in his missionary journeys.
He gave such advice as the following …
• … Avoiding traveling alone whenever possible so that the traveler can avoid loneliness.
• … Staying accountable while traveling by staying in touch with home base.
• … Staying grounded in one’s relationship with God by staying fixed in the disciplines of the faith such as daily quiet times with God, fasting, prayer, and even journaling time in God’s word.
• … Avoiding the opinions of others whether they be too laudatory or negative.
All of these are good advice for traveling Christians; but as I read the passage today, being in a ministry which focuses on helping Christians, mostly men, deal with the pitfalls of sexual sin, I couldn’t help but be transported to give advice to Christian men, especially married men, like those in our ministry who must travel in their work or occasionally must travel alone for personal, business, or church reasons. So, please pardon this diversion while I give my own list of travel warnings and advice.
And to introduce my segment, let me say that we Christian men have to realize that traveling alone today is warfare. Satan and his system, the world, surround us with powerful sexualized super weapons; and if the lone traveler doesn’t know the enemy’s ploys, he becomes vulnerable to them. We men have trouble enough when we have a good battle plan and we’re on our own turf, let alone when we’re out there on the road alone, stripped of our normal control mechanisms, accountability systems, and fellow warriors to help in the struggles of life. So, let me give my fellow male Christian soldiers a few of the more important road warrior tactics which I’ve discovered essential should you be one who is forced to travel alone.
FIRST … plan ahead. Knowing why and where you’re going, have a battle plan and preferably one which you’ve written out and communicated with your fellow accountability partners, especially your # 1 partner, your spouse. Never assume that you can handle the ploys and pitfalls which you’ll encounter without planning ahead. What are you going to do when you’re in the airports alone, seeing all those comely lasses parading around, especially if it’s in the summer when dress is skimpy? What are you gong to do when you get to your hotel, having to deal with such variables as pay-per-view porn or even R-rated cable TV? And I could give you 20 other questions you need to have answered and accounted for in your plan, my brothers. If you don’t have a plan, Satan has you in the palm of his hand and can overwhelm you with his myriad of temptations.
SECONDLY … reinforcing one of Swindoll’s points, deal with aloneness and loneliness. Stay in touch with your spouse and accountability partners often during your journeys. Use today’s technological tools such as cell phones, texting, or email to stay emotionally close to your fellow home warriors. And this is especially true when you’re feeling vulnerable or under attack. There’s great power in knowing that you’re never truly alone with God (I hope you know Deut. 31: 6 or Heb. 13: 5); but He becomes even closer with the voice of your wife or accountability buddy is on the cell phone. It’s powerful when you can pray with your wife or friend, especially if you’re being tempted in some way. Remember the truth of Prov. 27: 17 and Matt. 18: 20; iron does sharpen iron in battle and God is always there with two or more who come together in Christ’s Name.
THIRDLY … avoid compromising situations, such as contacts with other females or going to places – maybe with a bunch of guys – where you know you’re going to be tempted. It makes no sense for a recovering alcoholic to go to a bar with a bunch of guys at a convention, does it? Well, when a group of guys at a work conference want to steal away to a XXX establishment – for some fun – you being able to stand and say no, even if one of those guys is your boss, is a powerful witness for Christ and will allow you to flee from potential danger (see 2nd Tim. 2: 22).
FINALLY … always carry a sharpened and well practiced sword of the Spirit to fend off the enemy when he comes after you on the road (and you know he will!). Having memorized and internalized God’s word, especially key verses which provide strength (such as Isaiah 41; 10, Phil. 4: 13, 1st Cor. 10: 13, etc.), can be life protecting when the world throws tempting visions in front of you or when you find yourself in an awkward place which sparks memories of past sins. Remember using your Spirit Sword (i.e., deeply memorized Scripture passages) is the method promised by God to help you avoid sin (see Ps. 119: 9-11); and it was Jesus’ method of warfare in dealing with Satan’s attacks (see Matt. 4: and Luke 4). So, when you walk into a surprise attack, my friend, whip out your Sword and do battle for Christ.
I could go on and on with this; because being vigilant and well armed for battle is what I do in ministry and in my life every day; but if you think that you can travel alone these days and be strong – in and of yourself – you are fool hardy; and you could become a fallen soldier in the battles of life. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard stories from Christian men who thought they were strong but fell in today’s XXX warfare because they fell prey to a much stronger and well equipped foe.
Oh, , my fellow warrior, how I pray you’re ready for the road battles of life.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, help us prepare to be swordsman and road warriors, wearing Your full armor and witnessing to Your strength working in and through us to keep us pure and righteous in a world which would want to take us down. Amen
My Journal for Today: Today Pastor Chuck, my devotional shepherd, got a bit more practical in his instruction, taking cues from the above passage about Paul’s missionary travels and his contacts with the people God led into his life along the roads of his journeys. It obviously reminded Swindoll of his own ministry travels, being on the road alone; and he provided his readers with some very practical guidelines to avoid troubles. And all of Swindoll’s travel instructions were exemplified by the Apostle Paul in his missionary journeys.
He gave such advice as the following …
• … Avoiding traveling alone whenever possible so that the traveler can avoid loneliness.
• … Staying accountable while traveling by staying in touch with home base.
• … Staying grounded in one’s relationship with God by staying fixed in the disciplines of the faith such as daily quiet times with God, fasting, prayer, and even journaling time in God’s word.
• … Avoiding the opinions of others whether they be too laudatory or negative.
All of these are good advice for traveling Christians; but as I read the passage today, being in a ministry which focuses on helping Christians, mostly men, deal with the pitfalls of sexual sin, I couldn’t help but be transported to give advice to Christian men, especially married men, like those in our ministry who must travel in their work or occasionally must travel alone for personal, business, or church reasons. So, please pardon this diversion while I give my own list of travel warnings and advice.
And to introduce my segment, let me say that we Christian men have to realize that traveling alone today is warfare. Satan and his system, the world, surround us with powerful sexualized super weapons; and if the lone traveler doesn’t know the enemy’s ploys, he becomes vulnerable to them. We men have trouble enough when we have a good battle plan and we’re on our own turf, let alone when we’re out there on the road alone, stripped of our normal control mechanisms, accountability systems, and fellow warriors to help in the struggles of life. So, let me give my fellow male Christian soldiers a few of the more important road warrior tactics which I’ve discovered essential should you be one who is forced to travel alone.
FIRST … plan ahead. Knowing why and where you’re going, have a battle plan and preferably one which you’ve written out and communicated with your fellow accountability partners, especially your # 1 partner, your spouse. Never assume that you can handle the ploys and pitfalls which you’ll encounter without planning ahead. What are you going to do when you’re in the airports alone, seeing all those comely lasses parading around, especially if it’s in the summer when dress is skimpy? What are you gong to do when you get to your hotel, having to deal with such variables as pay-per-view porn or even R-rated cable TV? And I could give you 20 other questions you need to have answered and accounted for in your plan, my brothers. If you don’t have a plan, Satan has you in the palm of his hand and can overwhelm you with his myriad of temptations.
SECONDLY … reinforcing one of Swindoll’s points, deal with aloneness and loneliness. Stay in touch with your spouse and accountability partners often during your journeys. Use today’s technological tools such as cell phones, texting, or email to stay emotionally close to your fellow home warriors. And this is especially true when you’re feeling vulnerable or under attack. There’s great power in knowing that you’re never truly alone with God (I hope you know Deut. 31: 6 or Heb. 13: 5); but He becomes even closer with the voice of your wife or accountability buddy is on the cell phone. It’s powerful when you can pray with your wife or friend, especially if you’re being tempted in some way. Remember the truth of Prov. 27: 17 and Matt. 18: 20; iron does sharpen iron in battle and God is always there with two or more who come together in Christ’s Name.
THIRDLY … avoid compromising situations, such as contacts with other females or going to places – maybe with a bunch of guys – where you know you’re going to be tempted. It makes no sense for a recovering alcoholic to go to a bar with a bunch of guys at a convention, does it? Well, when a group of guys at a work conference want to steal away to a XXX establishment – for some fun – you being able to stand and say no, even if one of those guys is your boss, is a powerful witness for Christ and will allow you to flee from potential danger (see 2nd Tim. 2: 22).
FINALLY … always carry a sharpened and well practiced sword of the Spirit to fend off the enemy when he comes after you on the road (and you know he will!). Having memorized and internalized God’s word, especially key verses which provide strength (such as Isaiah 41; 10, Phil. 4: 13, 1st Cor. 10: 13, etc.), can be life protecting when the world throws tempting visions in front of you or when you find yourself in an awkward place which sparks memories of past sins. Remember using your Spirit Sword (i.e., deeply memorized Scripture passages) is the method promised by God to help you avoid sin (see Ps. 119: 9-11); and it was Jesus’ method of warfare in dealing with Satan’s attacks (see Matt. 4: and Luke 4). So, when you walk into a surprise attack, my friend, whip out your Sword and do battle for Christ.
I could go on and on with this; because being vigilant and well armed for battle is what I do in ministry and in my life every day; but if you think that you can travel alone these days and be strong – in and of yourself – you are fool hardy; and you could become a fallen soldier in the battles of life. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard stories from Christian men who thought they were strong but fell in today’s XXX warfare because they fell prey to a much stronger and well equipped foe.
Oh, , my fellow warrior, how I pray you’re ready for the road battles of life.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, help us prepare to be swordsman and road warriors, wearing Your full armor and witnessing to Your strength working in and through us to keep us pure and righteous in a world which would want to take us down. Amen
Saturday, May 30, 2009
2009 – Day 149.May 30 – Cut Down To Size
2009 – Day 149.May 30 – Cut Down To Size
Passage of the Day: 1st Kings 17: 2 - 6 … 2 Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 3 “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. 4 And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 5 So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. 7 And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
My Journal for Today: Chuck Swindoll, from his experience in Marine boot camp in his years past, has an interesting take on this short passage in 1st Kings about Elijah after his confrontation with Ahab. Elijah is taken away into the wilderness; and his willingness to surrender to His Lord is tested. Swindoll likens this to his own former time in boot camp where the Marines did exactly what was needed to insure that the younger Swindoll would be cut down to size and reshaped into the soldier he needed to be to face his future in military service.
As Swindoll relates, the Marines used “… the isolation of the location, the absence of all creature comforts, the relentless, monotonous drills and demanding repetition of inspections, [and] … the constant harassment of the drill instructor;“ … all designed to reshape the naïve and untrained recruits into soldiers who could meet any type of warfare, knowing that they could follow their commanders into battle. And according to Swindoll, that’s essentially what we’re reading in today’s passage where God used solitude and surrender to focus His man, Elijah, and to prepare him for the battles he would face ahead.
What has God put you through in life to prepare you for the battles we must face in spiritual warfare? Do you have a “battle plan” which has been forged out of the boot camp of life? Are you focused in faith and ready to follow your Commander in Chief, the Lord Jesus, just as He has commanded of His disciples (see Luke 9: 23 - a verse you should have burned into your life from the boot camp of scripture memorization). You know, that verse says we, as Christ’s soldiers, must deny ourselves, take up the crosses of life daily, and follow our Lord anywhere He leads. Have you been reshaped into the surrendered soldier in God’s army who is willing – AND ABLE – to do just that?
If not, my friend, you need a drill instructor (i.e., a mentor) who can take you through a boot camp of Spirit-led preparation, reshaping you into a hardened and ready warrior. I lead a ministry called BattlePlan Ministries [link provided to website]; and that’s part of the training we try to impart to men who have been in bondage to habitual and selfish sinful living. We try to get them to become self-disciplined warriors who are surrendered to God and willing to follow the lead of their Commander, Christ, anywhere He would lead them.
And when the bootcamp of life has reshaped them, they are self-surrendered soldiers who have been armed for battle with God’s full armor (see Eph. 6: 13-18 - linked). They know how to carry a well sharpened and practiced Sword of the Spirit; and they know how to take the high ground of prayer in the daily battles they will face.
Are you ready for battle today? Do you have a well formulated and written battle plan? Are you wearing God’s full armor? Do you carry a sharpened and practiced Sword of the Spirit? And are you disciplined to go to the high ground of prayer every day, preparing for the battle’s you will face TODAY?
If you are not, you are naked and vulnerable to your spiritual enemies. I pray that God is preparing you and reshaping you, as He did Elijah, for the battles you are going to face.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, You have prepared me for battle; and I choose to follow only You. Amen
Passage of the Day: 1st Kings 17: 2 - 6 … 2 Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 3 “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. 4 And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 5 So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. 7 And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
My Journal for Today: Chuck Swindoll, from his experience in Marine boot camp in his years past, has an interesting take on this short passage in 1st Kings about Elijah after his confrontation with Ahab. Elijah is taken away into the wilderness; and his willingness to surrender to His Lord is tested. Swindoll likens this to his own former time in boot camp where the Marines did exactly what was needed to insure that the younger Swindoll would be cut down to size and reshaped into the soldier he needed to be to face his future in military service.
As Swindoll relates, the Marines used “… the isolation of the location, the absence of all creature comforts, the relentless, monotonous drills and demanding repetition of inspections, [and] … the constant harassment of the drill instructor;“ … all designed to reshape the naïve and untrained recruits into soldiers who could meet any type of warfare, knowing that they could follow their commanders into battle. And according to Swindoll, that’s essentially what we’re reading in today’s passage where God used solitude and surrender to focus His man, Elijah, and to prepare him for the battles he would face ahead.
What has God put you through in life to prepare you for the battles we must face in spiritual warfare? Do you have a “battle plan” which has been forged out of the boot camp of life? Are you focused in faith and ready to follow your Commander in Chief, the Lord Jesus, just as He has commanded of His disciples (see Luke 9: 23 - a verse you should have burned into your life from the boot camp of scripture memorization). You know, that verse says we, as Christ’s soldiers, must deny ourselves, take up the crosses of life daily, and follow our Lord anywhere He leads. Have you been reshaped into the surrendered soldier in God’s army who is willing – AND ABLE – to do just that?
If not, my friend, you need a drill instructor (i.e., a mentor) who can take you through a boot camp of Spirit-led preparation, reshaping you into a hardened and ready warrior. I lead a ministry called BattlePlan Ministries [link provided to website]; and that’s part of the training we try to impart to men who have been in bondage to habitual and selfish sinful living. We try to get them to become self-disciplined warriors who are surrendered to God and willing to follow the lead of their Commander, Christ, anywhere He would lead them.
And when the bootcamp of life has reshaped them, they are self-surrendered soldiers who have been armed for battle with God’s full armor (see Eph. 6: 13-18 - linked). They know how to carry a well sharpened and practiced Sword of the Spirit; and they know how to take the high ground of prayer in the daily battles they will face.
Are you ready for battle today? Do you have a well formulated and written battle plan? Are you wearing God’s full armor? Do you carry a sharpened and practiced Sword of the Spirit? And are you disciplined to go to the high ground of prayer every day, preparing for the battle’s you will face TODAY?
If you are not, you are naked and vulnerable to your spiritual enemies. I pray that God is preparing you and reshaping you, as He did Elijah, for the battles you are going to face.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, You have prepared me for battle; and I choose to follow only You. Amen
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