Warfare

It's time.

I am convinced now, more than ever, that I need to be prepared for war. I need to learn to wield my sword better than ever before. I am assured of my helmet. It's firmly in place. My breastplate is buckled on. Nothing can pierce me. I need to work on my footwork more. I tend to shake in fear, silently trembling, instead of stepping forward into the fray. For my footwork to be effective, I really need to learn to parry and thrust with my sword without fear of missing my mark. My sword is from the Lord, and he has promised me his word never returns void. I'm realizing my feet and sword are closely intertwined.

God is giving me more opportunities than ever before to be bold for him. To speak the truth in love to those around me. I have decided to go into battle. My heart is racing just typing that sentence. I refuse to let my enemy intimidate me anymore. My war is already won. God is giving me the privilege to participate in the battle. But it is my choice. I can be part of the victory, or I can sit by and miss out on the blessing of being part of it.

Pray for me. Pray that I will be bold. Pray that my words will be from the Lord, and not my flesh. Pray that I will be discerning in words I speak. Pray that lives will be changed.

I am scared. But, what is scarier to me is that people I encounter every day are lost. I fear saying the wrong thing, or not saying enough. That spirit of fear is not from the Lord. It is from Satan. He has deceived me into believing that I will drive them further from God by speaking his truth to them! The same truth that brought me to know Jesus! How ridiculous!

Again, I refuse to be intimidated any more. This is not about me. This is not about my comfort level, or their feelings toward me because of my belief. This is about eternity. This is about God and his plan for eternal salvation. How can I say I love God but be unwilling to share his truth with those around me? He has already defeated the enemy. He has already proven victorious. Why do I hesitate? God has promised me that He is more than enough. His word is all I need. I must be willing to use it. I must do my part to be victorious. Pray for me.

Did I mention pray for me? Well, in case I didn't, please do. Pray for me. I know that by stating my readiness for battle I will be attacked more fiercely than ever before. I have always feared this attack. I still do. I pray for protection, but I know it's already there. God is like a mountain that surrounds me. He will not be moved. I must rest in his security even as I arm myself for this battle.

But still......Pray for me.