Why prepare for action?

The Wild Boar and the Fox –Aesop’s fables

A Wild Boar stood under a tree and rubbed his tusks against the trunk. A Fox passing by asked him why he thus sharpened his teeth when there was no danger threatening from either huntsman or hound. He replied, 'I do it advisedly for it would never do to have to sharpen my weapons just at the time I ought to be using them.'

 

The Wild Boar knew that it was useless to wait to sharpen his defenses. If we aren’t daily preparing ourselves, we won’t be ready when trouble comes. Christ said in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33).What does God give us to prepare us for trouble? When there is danger we are told to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians). I have noticed four things that have helped me “have sharp weapons for when the huntsman and hound” arrive. I have also noticed I have a “tree” on which to sharpen these weapons. The four things that help me stand fast against the huntsman are knowing who my God is, submitting to Gods authority and choosing his opinion on issues, understanding how my enemy works and what are his traps that I fall in, and the lastly is what I know God wants me to work on and making a plan with him to develop that. Each of these points I will spend a lifetime trying to get my mind around and live out. I struggle with each of these concepts, yet God is always faithful to my cries for his help.

 

Which brings me to my first ‘tusk to keep sharp.’ Who God is. When I am struggling I can remember who my God is and stand on that truth. My favorite lately is Gods faithfulness. Lamentation 3:21-23 & Psalm 31 are my favorite verses for this truth, but there are over 800 to choose from just for faithfulness.

The second requires even more action on my part than just faith in who God says he is. Its submission. 1 Peter talks a lot about this topic. I had to decide if God was trustworthy. If he is and it’s His idea and His ways are good, THEN my selfishness needed to take a back seat and chose His way instead. If you want a full life go to the teacher who knows the most of what our lives are meant to be . . . Jesus! Specifically, Jesus’ sermon on the mount in Matthew chapters 5-7 is the cliff notes version of Gods vision of a full life. I have to learn how to submit to God in all the areas Christ talks about. God, my husband, my parents…. It’s hard because my selfishness gets in my way a lot. Especially, if Chips and Cheese or a nap are involved verses dishes and laundry. Selfishness robs me of the joy of being obedient and submitting to God’s authority in my life. God’s commands are God’s best plans for me.

Thus number three for me is recognize the traps that trip you up. What are the huntsman hunting tactics? For me its selfishness and recognizing the triggers so I don’t lash out and say it’s not fair when Christ has something much more important for me to learn (Luke 12:13-59). 

The last truth I have noticed is my need for God to continue working on my character. What God wants me to work on with him. In this season he is highlighting my desperate need for a “sound mind” and “self control.” 1Peter 1:13 “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober minded set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Ladies, this is a lifelong, no short cuts, no substitute kind of pursuit. If in 20 years I want to be a Titus 2 or Proverbs 31, kind of woman then I must start now! I will need help from older women who have been through it and younger women who keep me active in the fight. I need daily help from the Word of God and the Holy Spirit guiding, correcting, and rebuking me. I need encouragement from a family of believers to not give up or to not become “weary of doing good.’ (Galatians 6:9). Thus I need to reign in my habits and form a plan of attack in making sure I am “sharpening my weapons.”

My ‘tree that I use to sharpen my tusks’ is habits. God focused habits. Daily practice and commitment to what he is teaching me, wanting me to step out and help others with, and what I need to buckle down and get in line with. He constantly gives me “opportunities” to practice these. As well as giving me the trust and responsibility to work with him by taking active steps. Think, kids doing the dishes without being asked because they love you and know it’s the right thing to do.

Habit help 101:

1. Plan it out, what will help. Pray and strategize with God.

2. Swap Bad habits with Good.

3. Track it. (journal)

4. Rewards! Encouragement helps Motivate.

 5.Don’t Worry, Learn from Mistakes. Use that information about yourself to re strategize and call on God and accountability partners for help. We are here together.

Talk to God about your habits or goals and pour through his Word to find his truths on it, and move forward with prayer and petition and with thanksgiving make your requests, your plan of attack known to him. He has our backs and wants us to live His full life for us through his strength, in his timing, with his God sized moments. It’s His best I want, not my self-satisfaction or selfish design. His faithfulness never ends. So sharpen your weapons before you need them, because the enemy or circumstances aren’t going to wait for you to.

Enjoy
Theresa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aesop fable

The Wild Boar and the Fox

A Wild Boar stood under a tree and rubbed his tusks against the trunk. A Fox passing by asked him why he thus sharpened his teeth when there was no danger threatening from either huntsman or hound. He replied, 'I do it advisedly

for it would never do to have to sharpen my weapons just at the time I ought to be using them.'

 

My tusks to defeat my huntsman and his hounds…

1.       Learning who God says he is.

2.       Submitting to Gods authority

3.       Wisdom to know my weakness and the Enemies tactics

4.       Habits that sharpen my weapons (sound mind and self control)

 

My ‘tree’ I use to sharpen my weapons by is habits…

1.       Plan and pray. Make it a priority

2.       Track the habit. Keep it before me so I don’t forget.

3.       Swap a bad habit for a good one.

4.       Reward! Encourages Motivation.

5.       Don’t worry, Learn from mistakes.

6.       Humility to ask Jesus for help. You are not alone, and others need to learn how God got you through.

Back to basics

After our women's retreat on living in the fullness of God, I have been challenged to go beyond my quick snack devotionals into a fuller meal with God. Actually sitting down and going through a passage of scripture instead of my devotional app has been a lot more challenging than I thought it would be.  It was no longer fun, or quick and quirky. I am not using what God has taught me or remembering what I have learned. I've become spiritually lazy. Learning how to use a concordance or what was going on culturally or in history at the same time is too much effort. It's time for me to relearn some basics.

Starting with Prayer, Read, Writing it down, Sharing it with someone, Obeying what I learned. Accountability, Mentoring- passing on what we've learned!

       From this I have been able to learn different verses for life checks. For example if I'm questioning if This book, music, ad, television program, conversation is something that I should participate in, I check  with Philippians 4:8-9
    Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

I need to know scripture! I need to know the promises I can stand on no matter what. I need to know how disgusting sin is and what it is. I need to know how God views me and how precious I am, because He said so. What other instructions do scripture contain for life!

Here are some tools I am starting or have used that I have found very helpful in learning to read my bible without becoming overwhelmed.
 1. Prayer: all starts with hanging out with God. If I can do this he changes me so much.
2. Asking God to help me understand as I read.
3.Give myself grace as I learn. Its a relationship with the creator of the universe who loves me. Not cramming for finals.
4. Give myself permission to spend time to read

I still read devotional and use my quick 5 minute devotional, but I am trying to read the bible itself and that has been a daily struggle.  I am a work in progress. God is definitely trying to get my attention on my habits and priorities.

Just for fun, what habits help you have Christ focused perspective?



A Just for fun list of helpful tools:

Robin Sampson BibleJournalLove Psalm 119 Study
 Great variety of fun ways for me to add creativity, depth, and making bible studying a habit.

For us visual learners a quick synopsis of this study can be found on YouTube at
Bible Journaling in a Planner

Mrs Sampson also has a 7 minute YouTube video called Robin Sampson's passion, which is about the passion that God has given her. When I watched it for the psalm 119 study it reminded me of Pam Waites talk at retreat. When God gives you a passion for something, use it for his glory and to help others. Its amazing to watch how God given passions change lives and bring us to Christ.

Books I have found helpful:

7 lies women Believe and the truth that sets them free: Nancy deMoss

Adorn: Nancy Demoss Wolgemuth

Kneeling Christian by  Unknown Christian

Armor of God by Pricilla Shirer

Veggie Tales (they keep it simple for me :) )

Experiencing God by Richard Blackaby

Fox's Book of Martyrs by John Foxe

Voice of the Martyrs

Andy Stanley YouTube series on Guardrails

Passport 2 Purity (when through with my oldest when she became a preteen)

Ministries and people:

Inquest Ministries: Parenting disc profile

Creation Museum

Lamar and Sandy Brenneman's Creation Class and Solving the Mystery series for preteens

Short term missions trips changed my self centered perspective

Meeting with a more mature Christ like older women who have guided, challenged and counseled me.
Teaching and training up younger christians (when you teach, you learn yourself!)

The devil is vicious, but he is not victorious.

Why is it so easy to let reading my bible and devotions, praying for my husband, family and friends, and spending time with God fall off? It's so easy because we have a silent enemy who knows us very well who know the best way to bring evil into our lives. For me he knows that busyness distracts me from being with God. And if I'm not with God then everything else falls apart. I yell at my husband instead of praying for him. I become impatient with my child instead of enjoying every moment I get to spend with him. I become stressed and let my house become a mess and I don't put the attention into what really matters. But God is good in so many ways. He reminds me in the ways I can truly see that I've slipped again. That I've let other things fill my time instead of letting Him fill my time. So, I'm pulling back on other things and I'm diving back into Him. Listening to worship music instead of secular, letting my devotions be the first thing I pull up on my phone in the morning, trying to pull back my anger and pray instead. I'm also on getting parts of my life organized. A real budget, a chore list, a daily schedule for Malachi and I. So prayer for me in these things because when I am unorganized in my life that is how I become distant from God. What prompted me to share today was this little reminder from God in the form of my First 5 devotion. It's a reminder that God has equipped me to fight against the devil. That the devil is vicious and he is sneaky. He will use everything against you. But what we have to remember is when we have God in our lives the devil is not victorious. I encourage you to spend the time reading this, this afternoon. Also, the first 5 devotions always end in a prayer. The one for this was so good I was smiling, almost in tears. It's one I plan for n writing down and saying on a daily basis to God.

Clothed in Victory
Lysa TerKeurst
Today’s Reading: Ephesians 6

Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV) “Finally, be strong in the LORD and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

The armor of God. It’s something children learn about from an early age in Sunday school. And the enemy would love us to believe it’s simply a nice Sunday morning lesson for kids — one involving nothing more than felt board pieces of armor and harmless plastic swords.

But Paul included these words in his letter to the Christians of Ephesus because he knew putting on the armor of God was vital to their ability to walk victoriously with Christ. And what was vital for Christians then is still crucial for us today.

While most of us have probably never seen actual armor, Paul’s vivid imagery would have reminded the Ephesians of the Roman military and the armor they wore. They would have known that every part of Roman armor had a specific purpose and was designed to not only protect the soldier individually, but the army as a whole.

Ephesians 6 also draws imagery from Isaiah’s prophecy describing the armor of God. (Isaiah 11:4-5; Isaiah 49:2; Isaiah 52:7; Isaiah 59:17) A closer look at these references in Isaiah reveals God as a warrior who is fully dressed for battle as He goes out to restore and redeem His people.

But what does all of this mean for us today? I believe there are two important points God wants us to grab hold of with fresh clarity:

1. Spiritual warfare is real, and we have a very real and vicious enemy.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12 that, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood.” I know it often feels like our battles are against people. Boy does it ever! But, in reality, the battle is against Satan and his schemes.

We need to be equipped in every way to respond to the battle at hand. Our enemy isn’t just looking to distract us, tempt us or pull us slightly off course. John 10:10 tells us that Satan comes “to steal and kill and destroy.”

These aren’t words meant to stir up fear; they are meant to spur us to action. Both the words of Paul and John remind us it is imperative that we suit up and stand strong.

2. God does not call us to find a power within ourselves to overcome the battles we face.

Paul’s command in Ephesians 6:10 to “be strong” can actually be interpreted in the original Greek in the passive voice. Paul is saying we should be, “made strong, or be strengthened.” There is tremendous freedom to be found in this subtle difference.

God isn’t asking us to stand in whatever scraps of strength we can muster up on our own. The activation of our strength comes from the empowerment of the Spirit of God. We receive His strength as we put on the full armor of the King of Kings. And in wearing God’s armor, we are in essence putting on or abiding in God Himself. We are clothing ourselves in the victory He has already achieved through Christ. (Colossians 2:15)

Yes, the battle we face is of epic proportions. But God’s weapons aren’t silly little spiritual suggestions that might or might not work. His weapons are certain.

When the battle is raging around us, His belt of truth will help us park our runaway minds in the assurance of God’s love for us.

His breastplate of righteousness will equip us to stop reacting in the flesh and instead choose to battle with our praises and prayers.

His gospel of peace will remind us to walk in assurance and peace, knowing that even when we can’t see things changing, God is working on our behalf.

His shield of faith will give us the ability to trust in God’s timing and in His ways.

His helmet of salvation will remind us that God’s ultimate desire is to have a close relationship with Him. Though a battle might seem like an unlikely part of that process, God can bring good out of it.

His sword, which is the Bible, will act as both a love letter to our hearts and a fierce and accurate weapon for our souls to use against the devil.

And His gift of prayer. We can choose to remember that it’s not something to turn to as a last resort but the very thing God’s most courageous followers turn to first.

Ephesians 6:13-18 assures us with these in place, we’ll be able to stand and tap into a power beyond ourselves. And while the enemy may be vicious, we know he won’t be victorious.

Let’s put on the full armor of God, sweet friends, so that we can stand strong against Satan’s schemes.

Prayer: Father God, You know how many days I end up feeling weak and battle-weary, all because I keep trying to fight the enemy in my own strength. Thank You for reminding me yet again that true and lasting strength comes from You. And thank You for perfectly equipping me to stand strong against the enemy. Today I lift my prayers and my praises up to You, reminding myself that I’m fighting from victory, not for victory. In You, I’ve already won. And Satan is a defeated foe. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!!

Lions

It's been a few weeks now since Women's retreat. I know personally you come back strong right after retreat and then as life happens we start to stumble and maybe we continue to fight (still no Facebook for me! And I'm journaling as I write this) or maybe we go back into everyday life and let what we felt during retreat fall to the floor. So as I was jorunaling and going through my notes from retreat I wanted to post these words as a reminder to keep fighting strong ,to keep filling your life with God, and pouring him out throughout all aspects of your life. Walk like lions, fly like eagles, and do not fear evil, rise by The Spirit and with boldness.


Today we live, today we breathe
Today we know that we are strong when we are weak
Today we trust, we overcome
Take every chain that kept us slaves and throw em' off

We're not waiting for permission
We defy our inhibition
Like our middle name is "fearless"
Unafraid

If we're gonna fly, we fly like eagles
Arms out wide
If we're gonna fear, we fear no evil
We will rise
By your power, we will go
By your spirit, we are bold
If we're gonna stand, we stand as giants
If we're gonna walk, we walk as lions
We walk as lions

Today is ours, it's always been
Before we face the fight
We know who's gonna win
We live by faith and not by sight
We don't want safe and quiet
We don't wanna run and hide

This is not an intermission
It's our time, not gonna miss it
You've already called us fearless
Unafraid

If we're gonna fly, we fly like eagles
Arms out wide
If we're gonna fear, we fear no evil
We will rise
By your power, we will go
By your spirit, we are bold
If we're gonna stand, we stand as giants
If we're gonna walk, we walk as lions
We walk as lions

Oh, everywhere we go
The battle has been won
We know you've gone before us
So, we take it hard in faith
With every step we take
We know we'll rise victorious

If we're gonna fly, we fly like eagles
Arms out wide
If we're gonna fear, we fear no evil
We will rise
By your power, we will go
By your spirit, we are bold
If we're gonna stand, we stand as giants
If we're gonna walk, we walk as lions
We walk as lions.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." Ephesians 6:10

A Note from Joyce

I hope that 3rd time is a charm, because this is my 3rd time trying to complete this blog.  We were asked to give our WEEKEND GET AWAY WHERE WE COULD GET CLOSE TO GOD.
I did not get the true experience of what the RETREAT meant to me until my GRANDSON asked me "WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE RETREAT". At 1st I said, "It was good".  Then I got to think about it. "What would GOD have for me?"  It didn't take long.  What do I love? (This was answered many times) I love being with people and talking about GOD. I did very much. God provided me with some very close new friends.  This was truly wonderful.  Also, I love to walk. This covered the whole weekend, starting on Friday night in the NIGHT WALK.  This was outstanding. Even though it was cold, it didn't seem to matter.  Being able to see in the dark, being near everyone, hearing people's comments, having someone we had to trust to know that he would not lead us to get lost or to stumble was truly satisfying. It was certainly a reflection of how we MUST trust in GOD, since HE is the only one we can trust to put our lives in. Since I am an early riser and just don't like laying around and doing nothing, naturally, I went for a walk.  It was beautiful.  Going in the same area from the night before and seeing ,in the daylight, the actual beauty of the rocks and trees was overwhelming. Since I couldn't walk on the same path as the night before, I saw a wider path. Thinking to myself, (I am going to stay on the wide path, so I don't get lost) It was so beautiful with the purple flowers than yellow flowers. It was just simply breathtaking.  Than I saw a sign saying PRAYER WALK. I thought to myself, (I will take this 1, Certainly they wont allow you to get lost on a PRAYER WALK).  So I went walking, but what do I find but a dead end.  I took a side path and found a PRAYER WALK sign and continued to follow the path. Where did this lead me but to a water crossing. It was not deep, it had branches and rocks in it.  If it were summer, I would have gladly taken it. But it was cold, I have hurt myself several times in the past year and debated on trying it.  I have been BLESSED WITH A GREAT DEAL OF FAITH. However, I guess I chose the common sense thing and turned around. When I got back and was telling people about this, Jessica was the only 1 that asked me, " Did I cross the water?" She stated that Several times. It got me to thinking, WHY DIDN'T I CROSS THE WATER? I KNEW I COULD. The next time, I will do it unless they have it closed off, like the other place that was closed.  In finishing this walk, there was 1x that I thought I was really lost. I thought about calling PAM, but instead continued to ask GOD to guide me. As you can see, GOD helped me to find my way back. Sunday morning the same thing.  I was up before everyone, so naturally I got my things together and left for another walk.  Here I found the BIG PRAYER SIGN and walked to it.  It was absolutely a beautiful area where you could see 3 crosses standing there and their reflection in the water.  It was very thought provoking. Then I walked in another direction and found water flowing like a small waterfall. Other things that I love is doing something different.  Thanks to Megan I have a video of me zip lining. that was sooo much fun. Thanks to Shannon, I did the craft which I had never done. As soon as I saw the picture, I knew I had to do it.  I love it.  I also love to volunteer.  I am no seamstress, but found ways that I could be of help. To put the icing on the cake, "The emotion and sincerity through the singing and speakers topped it all.  It truly made for an awesome experience in which GOD FOUND A WAY FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO APPRECIATE ALL THE HANDIWORK OF THE PEOPLE WHO ALLOWED GOD TO LEAD THEM IN THIS BLESSED EXPERIENCE.


 

In Over my Head

When Jaki referenced me in her lyrics post it was because I had written this post, saved it as a draft, but not published and then deleted it. But after she posted some music lyrics I decided to re-do this post. Jaki sang this song at retreat and it was such a beautiful song to go with the theme of Fullness in Christ. Thomas is a musician and for him he likes lyrics of songs but I can tell for him it's more the beat and the music he really loves, but for me it has always been about the poetry of the words. Getting to why I wanted to share this song with you. Most people sing along to songs but don't really deeply think about the lyrics unless you actually read them. I love to pull up the youtube video and look at the lyrics while i'm listening. And I will post the link to the youtube video at the bottom. Watch it! Bethel did a bunch of live songs in the most AMAZING location it's one reason I could watch the video over and over.

I have come to this place in my life
I’m full but I’ve not satisfied
This longing to have more of You
ANd i can feel it my heart is convinced
I’m thirsty my soul can’t be quenched
You already know this but still
Come and do whatever You want to

I’m standing knee deep but I’m out where I've never been
And i feel You coming and I hear Your voice on the wind

Would you come and tear down the boxes that I have tried to put You in
Let love come teach me who You are again
Would you Take me back to the place where my heart
Was only about You And all I wanted was just to be with You?
Come and do whatever You want to

Further and further my heart moves away from the shore
Whatever it looks like, whatever may come I am Yours
Further and further my heart moves away from the shore
Whatever it looks like, whatever may come I am Yours

Then You crash over me and I’ve lost control but I’m free
I’m going under, I’m in over my head
And You crash over me, and that's where You want me to be
I’m going under, I’m in over my head
Whether I sink, whether I swim
It makes no difference when I’m beautifully in over my head
Whether I sink, whether I swim
It makes no difference when I’m beautifully in over my head
I’m Beautifully in over my head
I’m Beautifully in over my head



And Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry. And whoever believes in me will never go thirsty." John 6:35

Night Hike Observations

From  retreat, anyone want to throw some observations out from the night nature hike?