"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
~Jesus, John 10:10
- Satan's mission = To steal and kill and destroy.
- Our mission is the opposite.
- The opposite of stealing = giving; being generous in offering our time, energy, finances, and connection.
- The opposite of killing = to revive, resurrect, and breathe new life into something or someone.
- The opposite of destruction = creation and restoration; to build up, strengthen, preserve, protect, and repair good things.
I forgot about that until his video this morning reminded me.....
It appears we are in the middle of it now.
So this is me reminding you to take heart, to stay close to God, and to be prayerful in your personal decisions - especially if you feel pulled to give up in some area!
What's happening around us right now is much bigger than clashing political parties. There is a clash of Kingdoms, a spiritual war where our common enemy is ramping up the intensity in his global mission to steal, kill, and destroy all that is good and hopeful. In major and minor ways, he is increasing the darkness, chaos, confusion, and despair. And rather than cooperating with that by giving up or retreating from the fight (the pull toward that is stronger than usual right now)... our God-given role is to ENGAGE, to push forward, to shine, to be intentional in what God is uniquely calling us to do.
Where our spiritual enemy seeks to bring division, God's people are called to bring UNITY.
Wherever he is bringing death, we pray for and bring LIFE!!
He brings despair... we bring HOPE.
He brings chaos... we bring ORDER.
He brings anxiety... we pursue PEACE.
He pulls us toward sadness... we lean into JOY.
He dehumanizes... we lead with LOVE.
He brings darkness... we shine the LIGHT.
He assaults us with fear... we choose proactive FAITH.
He destroys... we RESTORE.
It's more natural for me to think big-picture when it comes to God's Kingdom, but this stuff applies to our personal lives, as well. I have felt quietly overwhelmed and verrrry pulled to give up on everything lately... motherhood, PhD, LPC, etc. To walk away from it all and start fresh. Portions of that may be coming from God, but I need to be very prayerful in these decisions and recognize the layers of spiritual warfare surrounding all of it.
We all do.
Be vigilant, friends. Your decisions matter, and as John reminded me this morning, "There is no neutral ground."
Lord Jesus, we are under attack, and we are all tired. You are the Lord of life, and we need Your help and strength to revive us. Today, I bring the blood of Jesus Christ and the river of life through my mind, body, soul, and spirit to cleanse me from the demonic sting of death, from all traumatizing imagery, and from the aggressive pull toward fear and disengagement. Death has no mastery over me, for I am united with Christ, rooted and grounded in His love. Jesus, strengthen me for what lies ahead and show me where and how you want me to bring life, hope, and restoration. In big and small ways, I pray that You would strengthen Your people who are called by Your name. Show us what matters most, and remind us of the part we are called to play. I specifically pray against the spirit of apathy and learned helplessness and passivity, the pull to disengage and disconnect and believe we are small and powerless. Help us to understand and claim the power and authority You have given us, to walk in it with increasing strength and integrity. I pray that we would be bold, active, and united in advancing Your Kingdom! We have the victory in You, but we have to take action and enforce it. In the authority of Jesus' name, Amen.
❤ ❤ ❤
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