Take up Your Sword and FIGHT!

"I was in a serious battle. Everything that was normally light and bright now seemed dark and dull. As I stood there in the darkness I felt I was in quicksand, knowing that if I didn't react and do something quick I would panic and drown.

"My battle wasn't taking place in the normal sense; this was a battle for my mind. The enemy was throwing accusations in my face. My emotions started spinning out of control as Satan's lies flooded my heart. Desperately, I tried rejecting them but my feeble attempts to ignore only cause the battle to rage more fiercely within. What a poor soldier I turned out to be! 

"Then, someone stepped to my side and offered a glistening, sharp edged sword. 'This is no ordinary sword. Listen to its promptings and be ready to use it wherever you go', he said.

Confessions of an ex-convict

Did you know I spent time in prison? No, this time I wasn't visiting Port Arthur but...I was in place that was just as dark and miserable. Instead of viewing crumbing remains of an ancient convict settlement, I was behind bars locked away in my own prison cell. Late into the night I would toss and turn in the misery of a guilty conscience. If only I had not commit the crime I wouldn't be in this horrid place. Would I ever be free again?

Then there was a day I will never forget...

"Laurie", a voice whispered to me from beyond my barred window. Startle, I cautiously approached the window. "What do you want?" My eyes strained to recognize the silhouetted figure in the moonlit night. He came closer but remained hidden in the shadows. "Laurie, the One I work for sent me to arrange for your release." 

"Here is the key to your cell...you are free to go."

I was free to go? Staring at the key I wondered if I really had the courage to use it. How strange it would've been for me to stay in such a place. I was free to go. Nothing could stop me...except myself. I didn't walk out of my prison cell that night nor did I find freedom until many years later. 

Now that you are entirely shocked that I am an ex-convict, I will explain my real predicament. My prison was one of spiritual bondage. Hidden sin had thrown me into solitary confinement while guilt held me in chains. Jesus handed me the key but pride kept me from escaping. In Psalm 139 David prayed, 

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. 

Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." 

The third aspect of prayer we are looking at today is confession. I used to be afraid to ask God to search me because of the guilt buried deep within my heart. Sin has a nasty way of creeping in to the unsuspecting heart, draining your zeal for God and keeping you in a self-made prison. Sin's greatest strength lies in secrecy. Is there sin in your life that no one is aware of? Are there things you are keeping from your parents? I use to think that if I confessed to God enough He would get off my back and that I would "feel" better but it never worked. I was still in that prison cell and I knew the only way out was to use that key.

"People who cover over their sins will not prosper. But if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy." (Proverbs 28:13) Don't waste another day imprisoned to sin. Grab one your parents and tell them everything. I remember the first time I found courage to talk with my mom about my struggles...I did NOT tell her everything. Afterwards I felt even more miserable because I only told her enough to "make myself feel better". I had to go back a second time and this time I did tell her everything. As you go to prayer today remember the words of Jesus, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." Don't remain in that prison cell but use the key of confession to walk through that door of freedom!

I know this is a tough thing to tackle so if you want to talk please feel free to send me an email: laurie@apassionforjesus.com 

A Weapon You Cannot Live Without

"A large army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are making good time which leaves us little time to prepare for the attack." The young messenger wiped the sweat off his forehead as he paused to catch his breath. He had travelled long and hard to warn the king of this approaching danger. Impatiently, he waited for the king's response but only silence filled the courtyard. A look of fear came over the king's face. This news could be fatal for the people in Judah. King Jehoshaphat began to pace the room.

"God, what am I going to do", he silently prayed. This was not the first time he stared death in the face. His thoughts drifted back to the time the enemy mistakenly thought he was the Israeli King. Their orders were to kill him but God supernaturally intervened when Jehoshaphat cried out to Him for help. Could it be that God wanted to show Himself strong once more? Turning to the messenger he knew what must be done. "Everyone in Judah must begin to fast. Have them gather in Jerusalem that we may seek the Lord's help".

News spread rapidly and the people of Judah assembled together in from of the new courtyard at the Temple of the Lord. The crowd restlessly waited to see what their king was going to do. Jehoshaphat solemnly stood before them He lifted up his voice to Heaven to beg for deliverance...it was their only hope.

"O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! Now the armies of Ammon, Moah, and Mount Seir are coming to invade our lands. They have come to throw us out of your land. Oh our God, won't you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack. We don't know what to do, but are looking to you for help!"

The king's earnest prayer was met with silence from the Lord. His eyes scanned the anxious crowd as He wondered if anyone had received a message from God. Slowly a man made his way to the front of the crowd. Jehoshaphat then knew that God had sent his spirit on this man.

"My name is Jahaziel and this is God's response to our prayers. Don't be afraid or discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is nor yours, but God's. Tomorrow, march out against them but you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord's victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you!" Responding to the Lord, King Jehoshaphat and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem bowed low with their faces to the ground, worshipping and praising the Lord.

Early the next morning, the army gathered together for the battle at hand. After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. "Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!" At the sound of praises, the approaching troops began to turn on themselves and fight each other. The Lord had sent a spirit of confusion into their midst and utterly destroyed the enemy!

There is a weapon you and I cannot live without...it is the weapon of praise. I love this story found in 2 Chronicles 20. To me, it is a beautiful spiritual analogy of our daily lives. Praise is our strong defense. It not only ushers in the presence of God but brings protection against the enemy of discouragement, fear, and depression. As you spend time in prayer today remember these words...

 "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, 

and into his courts with praise." (Psalm 100:4)

Our Lifeline

“The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray.” (Samuel Chadwick)

Why is prayer such a struggle for the majority of Christians? Perhaps it is because prayer is our lifeline. Without prayer the Word of God will just be dry and boring. Without prayer you cannot experience the presence of God. Prayer...moves us to do what we cannot achieve in our own strength. It helps us to see what God sees, accomplish what He wills us to do, defeat the enemy, and change the world for Jesus Christ. (just thinking about it gets me excited!) 

When the Impossible Becomes Possible

Before Jesus died He gathered His disciples together for one last talk. (you can read about it in John 13-16) The disciples were greatly troubled as Jesus soberly explained why He must go away and leave them.  I cannot imagine what it would've been like to have been one of the disciples that night; the foot washing, the sobering meal, and the troubling news of betrayal and death. That night the Lord gave them an impossible mission...

"So I give you a new commandment; Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other...If you love me, obey my commandments. Abide in me and I in you...I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love." (commands from John 13-16)

A "Green Chair Chat" with God

In my little blue room I have this ugly green chair. Although it has seen better days I'm quite fond of the little chair. It has witness many counseling sessions and has been a welcoming spot for all my friends who come to visit. But when I'm alone, the little green chair is my place of prayer. This chair has been wet with tears time and time again as I've visited the throne room of Heaven.

As I knelt by my green chair one morning my mind drifted from prayer onto the cares of the day. Finally I snapped back to earth with the realization that I was suppose to be talking with God. I bowed my head once more, letting my mouth lead the way while my heart trailed way behind. But as I prayed, the nagging thoughts echoed words of condemnation...

The Secret Place

"And now about prayer. When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I assure you, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you." (Matthew 6:5-6, NLT) 

Imagine receiving an invitation to spend the day with someone you greatly admire and love. What would be going through your mind? Obviously you would probably be wondering, "What do I wear?!" A millisecond later you'd be pondering, "What are we going to do together? Where will we go? What will we talk about?" You and I have a need to be loved and cherished which is why I want to deliver a special invitation to you...the One who loves you wants to spent time with you today!