Thursday, May 8, 2008

We are Warriors!

This week as I have been reading many, many blog posts (I have enjoyed them tremendously) I noticed a theme emerging. Many of my blog-land Siestas have been writing about Satan and his schemes. I am praising God today for the boldness of speaking out against Satan and the call to arm ourselves in this age of seduction! At times I think we are afraid to talk about Satan - whether in conversation or from the pulpit. It's not always comfortable conversation, but we cannot turn our back on the enemy. We have to face him head on!

In June 2005 I I had the privelege of attending a Living Proof Live event at the Hoosier Dome here in Indianapolis. The first words written in my workbook are these: "prepare my mind for action" and then a few lines down these words are written: "Stand Up - this is a war - do not conform. We are warriors fighting a full scale seduction of the mind.

1 Peter 1:13-16

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy"

God calls us to action! He calls us to be warriors! He calls us to fight the full scale seduction that is happening right in front of us! He calls us not to conform. God is different - so we too must be different. To be holy - to be set apart. Satan is working harder at destroying the faithful than many of the faithful are working for God's Kingdom. He is working harder at tempting us than we might be working at resisting Satan. Are there days in which I am not working hard for God's Kingdom? I am sure, no I know, there are those days. Are there days that Satan isn't working hard to seduce God's chosen? Absolutely not. That's what he is going to do while he still has time to do it. Sisters, Satan is out there... taking notes, prowling like a lion - ready to pounce. Arm yourselves w/the full armour of God - We are Warriors!

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
~ Ephesians 6: 10-17

Lord, I want to be a warrior for Christ. I want to be holy as you are holy. To be set apart from sin and impurity. I want to be set apart to You dear Lord. Give me the strength in these times as wickedness increases to be Your warrior. To be a warrior for Christ! To know Your Word - to be prepared at all times to make a defense for my faith and for Christ. Protect me and all my dear friends, family and those whom you love from the enemy. Gives us minds to discern what is evil - no matter how subtle. Give us hearts to love... I ask all of this in the saving name of Jesus. Amen.

16 comments:

LynnSC said...

The enemy is such a schemer and deceiver. We are not a match for him... BUT our Jesus has defeated him. Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.

I too want to be a warrior. The war is going on... whether we acknowledge it or not. It is best to be prepared.

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

So glad and honored to be standing alongside you, my friend, for the battle! How we need each other.

peace~elaine

Angela Baylis said...

I, too want to be a warrior for Christ! I know sometimes I make Satan's job easy because of some negative self-talk. I want to be fully clothed in Him. Thank you for this beautiful post.

Thanks also for reminding me of the Kathy Trocolli song on my post. It's perfect...

You have such a contagious heart for God and I am blessed by everything you share, Kristen! Have a great day!
Much love, sister,
Angie xoxo

Nicole said...

Kristen,
I apologize for taking so long to reply. Thank you for the kind words and prayer. I have yearned for his deliverance over the years...God's will, God's time.

Your blog is beautiful, and I am hooked. Count me in as a warrior...

I was quite down today...long story...and started reading some blogs of some beautiful Christian women, and I cannot testify enough how everyone's words have lifted me up from this dark place.

Blessings, Nicole

connie said...

Kristen,This what I am reading about right now, I find my self putting on the full armor of God all the time... Satin a hold of me for so long, that I have to fight every day for the right, keep my self close to God... Thank you for this post... Don't let Satin get a strong hold, when he does it hurts our witness to the lost...
Have a great weekend...
Connie
GBU

Paula V said...

I like when you said: "Satan is working harder at destroying the faithful than many of the faithful are working for God's Kingdom. He is working harder at tempting us than we might be working at resisting Satan."

That is very thought-provoking and I had never really thought about that in those exact terms.

Thanks for this.
Paula

Addicted to Beadz said...

You are so correct. Satan is hard at work these days. Over the last 7months my sister has been battling the most aggressive form of brain cancer. She is doing well. We give God all the praise and Glory. We have found that the more we praise God the more Satan attacks our family. The most heartbreaking part is my sister has 2 sons. One is married with a 9 month baby girl. The other son is getting married in June. Her sons were raised in church. They have chosen to be their wives girls that were not raised in church and who are not Christians. Satan is using these girls to try to break our family up. We are being attacked by people who first do can't get along with each other and now they are coming in our family and attacking us. Satan will use whatever circumstance he can. If he can find you at a weak moment, he will surely attack. We must be ready at all times.

We must set the world on fire for God!

May you be blessed!

Amy said...

Hi Kristen,

Thanks for stopping by again...I'm going to add you to my "Links I Like To Lurk," if that's okay?...Let me know.

I am glad to know that I am not the only person who paints my toes along with my toenails.:)

I am not going to be able to take a computer, but I hope to buy some time in the Internet Cafe on the cruise ship so that I can email my family.
It will be hard not posting blogs or reading blogs for so many days.....:) But the trip should provide me with much material to write about.

Thanks for your sweet comments.:)

God Bless,
Amy:)

Kristen Schiffman said...

This penned prayer of yours is my heart, as well! I want to be a warrior for Christ. I want to be set apart for His name. I want to know His word!
Thank you for reminding me to stand firm in the faith and to discern what is evil.

Beautiful post.

Angela Baylis said...

Thank you for adding your prayers to my comments. You sound like you have a lot of people in your circle who are in need of prayer, too! I'm honored to pray for them. Thanks for all of your encouraging comments!
Love to you and your whole family!
Angie xoxo

MelanieJoy said...

Thank you for stopping by tonight.
Amen to this post it reminded me of one of "battle call" scriptures
Genesis 4:6 "...sin is crouching at your door, it desires to have you, but you must master it."
Warriors indeed...
It is such a pleasure meeting you....blessings

MelanieJoy said...

p.s. Here's to being the greatest Aunt's of all times!! I would love to share stories about this someday..if that's okay

Jenelle said...

Satan is certainly working overtime in this age. Basically everything you said has really been on my heart lately. Amen! I definitely need to become a better armed warrior for Christ by becoming more familiar with His word, the weapon we were given. That's one of my many projects. :)

I'm glad you enjoyed my haunted house story! I wasn't sure if anyone would make it to the end, and really appreciate the comments. Thank you!

Yolanda said...

I've been told to speak out loud, and also to make posters and post them through out my home.

SATAN, NOT ON MY WATCH!



Glad to have found you on Sweet Pea's blog!

Blessings,
Yolanda

Kelley said...

Amen and Amen again! It is so dangerous to underestimate the scheming mind of the enemy and yet I know I do it all the time. I did some research on lions about a year ago (since Peter refers to Satan as a roaring lion) and wrote a devotion about it. Very interesting stuff...

Thanks for your comment on my "running post". I have done some spinning classes at the gym and I am scared to go back!!! Is that what it is really like to go out and ride?? If so, I will stick to running! LOL

Take care Kristen, I will see ya soon!

Love,
Kelley

Unknown said...

This is a GREAT post! I want to be a warrior, too! :) I often speak the armor of God into my life. My husband taught me how to do that when he prayed the armor over me when I was having panic attacks in the middle of the night. The armor is good! Verse 18 encourages to be in tune with God and pray in the Spirit, seeking to be in His will constantly. Oh, it gives me goose bumps just thinking about if all christians would consistently put on the armor of God every day! The devil wouldn't stand a chance!

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I really appreciate your comment and encouragement!

Prayers and Blessings!
Rebecca

Oh, and I LOVE the look of your blog! :)