I’m in a battle. One I haven’t quite identified, yet in a battle none-the-less.

Things to remember when in battle:

1. Often times instead of fighting the enemy we have a tendency to flee. When we flee, we have already been defeated. We can’t win the battles by running from them.
2. We are usually our own worst enemy and can defeat ourselves without help from a known adversary. Our choices can lead to our own defeat.
1. Choice #1:Unfaithfulness (isolates us from the Victory Giver and His plan of attack…we must stay close to the Lord of the Hosts to know the battle plans and to be equipped for battle)
2. Choice #2: We don’t believe (we must believe God; every time we choose to doubt we are on shaky ground and the enemy smells it and comes in to defeat. God is batting a 1,000 believe Him)
3. Choice #3: Don’t keep His Word (Just do it! Trust Him that He does know what is best and does what is best for us always.)
4. Choice #4: We loose hope (even when we don’t feel it or can’t see it; KNOW He is for us. He wants us to live in victory!)

*(not an exhaustive list)

3. When God tells us the land is ours to possess…It is ours! When God speaks to us a directive it is ours to take hold of. It belongs to us because God Himself has given it to us. We are to take hold of it with complete faith in God.
1. The enemy will tell you otherwise. He will say, God, didn’t really mean that. He must not know your limits.
2. We will have to fight to have what God has given. This bears repeating we will have to FIGHT to have what God has given us. The enemy is on our land but it belongs to us!
4. In the battle we must do what is necessary to protect the externals, and heal the internals. In fact I believe this is the battle. We must be able to use the shield of faith in one hand and the sword of the Spirit in the other. Our two greatest weapons in warfare
1. In the OT times they would build walls around the city for protection from the enemy

i. We must not go beyond the boundaries God has set up for us in fear of being caught off guard and unprepared by the enemy

ii. Shield of faith….is our wall of protection. Believe God and you are guaranteed a victory; no matter what you hear or see, BELIEVE GOD.

2. In the OT times the inner city often times found itself to be in ruins and in need of repairs.

i. We must take every effort for our soul, heart and mind to be continuously before the Master Repairer. He alone can keep us in a condition of spiritual wellness. In contrast to being broken, useless and in disrepair.

ii. The Sword of the Spirit; (Word of God) brings healing and builds us up to be whole, effective and established.

iii. The Sword of the Spirit is also our only offensive weapon against the enemy. We must defeat the enemy at his own game by stationing ourselves on God’s Word of promise. We defeat his lies with God’s truth (out loud because he isn’t God and can’t hear our thoughts!) He has forgotten he has no power over us because he has already been defeated by our Jesus. Kill the enemy thoroughly; he is truly dead to you when you don’t let him have any power over you and your life. Victory!

5. Be prepared to fight at anytime and in anyplace. We never know where we will have to fight; sometimes it will be in the valleys and other times in floods.
1. Valleys are our lowest points of despair and when we feel we don’t have the strength to get up and out. He is the Lifter of our Heads and the One who places our feet on a rock. Every strike you take with your Sword you are gaining ground; look up and see your victory.
2. Floods are when we cry out, ‘I can’t take another bad thing, I am overwhelmed.’ I heard Beth Moore say that’s when God just wants to get it all over with at once. In Him we can not nor will not drown! In Him we will do more than tread water we will walk on it. FIGHT.

*Make sure you are fighting the right battle and the right enemy!

**Thoughts God showed me from QT (1 Chro. 10-14)