Spiritual Weapons

“For although we live in the natural realm, we don’t wage a military campaign employing human weapons, using manipulation to achieve our aims. Instead, our spiritual weapons are energized with divine power to effectively dismantle the defenses behind which people hide. We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.” (2 Corinthians 3-6 TPT)

 

How do we fight evil? 

 

Can manipulation, passive aggressiveness, dishonesty, shaming, bullying, stealing, and other forms of wickedness be used to combat attacks against your spirit?

 

There is a popular idiom that says: “Don’t bring a knife to a gunfight.” A knife is no match against a gun.  I would argue that even a gun is not the best weapon against a gun-weilding enemy. If I had a choice, I would prefer to be inside an armored tank! A handgun is ineffective against a tank and would probably scare off any adversary. 

 

Why would we pick human weapons when we have access to spiritual armored tanks?  Perhaps it is due to a lack of familiarity. It takes some practice to know how to wield spiritual weapons. I’m sure driving a tank requires some training, too. Thus, let us pray for proper training in the art of spiritual warfare. 

 

Lord, please redirect our natural inclinations to combat evil with evil. Teach us to use spiritual weapons energized with divine power to effectively dismantle the defenses behind which people hide. Help us to demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. Show us how to capture every thought and insist that it submit to Your Anointing Power.

 

Prayer Ledgers

“Whatever you pray for or ask from God, believe that you’ll receive it and you will.” (Mark 11:24 VOICE)

 

George Mueller founded several orphanages in England in the 1800’s. More than ten thousand orphans were cared for by these organizations. Mueller’s leadership and management techniques were countercultural even for that time. He wasn’t rich. He didn’t ask anyone for money. He didn’t go into debt. Then how did he raise funds for such massive projects and manage such complicated logistics?

 

He prayed and waited expectantly. 

 

He would write down the date when he started praying for a specific need and then the date when the prayer was answered. Mueller’s narrative entries reveal his faith as well as God’s providence. 

 

After reading about George Mueller’s prayer ledgers, I decided to start something similar. I have decided to write down the dates when I start praying for something and then wait expectantly for God to take care of it. I go over the ledgers daily. I am eager to check things off on my list. If someone asks me to pray for something, I keep bugging them for updates. If I ask someone else to pray for me, I send them any signs of encouraging news. 

 

I have some huge requests on this list. I have some relatively easy ones too. These are included for my own encouragement. I am confident that God is able. I believe that I will receive answers to my prayers. They might not be in the form I expect or the time I expect. I shall continue to praise and thank the Lord as I wait expectantly. 

 

“When you deliver me out of this peril, it will bring glory to your name. As you guide me forth I’ll be kept safe from the hidden snares of the enemy—the secret traps that lie before me—for you have become my rock of strength. Into your hands I now entrust my spirit. O Lord, the God of faithfulness, you have rescued and redeemed me.” (Psalm 31:4-5 TPT)

Days of Trouble

“In the day of trouble, He will treasure me in His shelter, under the cover of his tent. He will lift me high upon a rock, out of reach from all my enemies who surround me.” (Psalm 27: 5-6 TPT)

 

Troubles are piling up. Things are beyond my capacity to manage. I feel anxious. The corner that I had tucked myself into for shelter no longer feels safe. My family is within the reach of the sharp claws of evil. 

 

During these days of trouble, I shall remind myself that God is my shelter. He will lift me and my family high upon a rock, out of reach from all our enemies. Since I cannot manage, I will let God fight my battles. The Lord is my ally. I have nothing to fear. 

 

“Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, Keep on waiting--for He will never disappoint you!” (Psalm 27:14 TPT)

God's Favor

“John grew up and became strong in spirit.” (Luke 1:80 NLT)

 

John the Baptist was a miracle--born to an elderly couple, infused by the Holy Spirit, and favored by God. 

 

“Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.” (Luke 2:52 NLT)

 

Jesus and John were cousins born months apart. Their mothers knew in their hearts that their sons were favored by God. Jesus and John were destined to be special.

 

John grew up and became strong in the Spirit. He prepared the way for the Messiah. He lived alone in the wilderness. He baptized people in the Jordan River. He preached unpopular truths. For this he was imprisoned and beheaded. 

 

Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. He was a nomadic healer with a band of followers. When Jesus spoke unpopular truths, He was imprisoned and crucified. 

 

God’s favor does not lead to a comfortable life. 

 

Praying in the Spirit

“At times we don’t even know how to pray, or know the best things to ask for. But the Holy Spirit rises up within us to super-intercede on our behalf, pleading to God with emotional sighs too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26 TPT)

 

In the last post, I mentioned experiencing and knowing God. Yet there are aspects of spiritual life that I have not savored. I am unsure what ‘praying in the Spirit’ exactly means. I have read about it. I have spoken to trusted friends who have experienced some version of this form of prayer. I have  desired this type of Divine communion for a while, but it has remained an elusive mystery. 

 

If you have personal experience in praying this way, please share your insights in the comments.

If you, like me, are inexperienced but curious, read on.

 

Here is what I’ve gathered thus far about this phenomenon:

The Holy Spirit takes over and supernaturally intercedes on our behalf. We become the space where the communion takes place. 

There is more to praying in the Spirit than speaking in tongues. Words are not necessary. Sometimes there are sounds, other times not. 

Not everyone is blessed with this gift. Neither the presence nor the absence of this gift is a sign of one’s level of faith. 

Those who have experienced this form of communion seem to crave it. 

They want to stay in the Spirit and pray unceasingly. All other concerns seem to diminish in importance. 

 

Holy Spirit, take over my mind. Teach me to pray in the Spirit, to stay in the Spirit. Use my soul as a prayer room for Divine communion. 

Knowing Deeply

“If you brag, brag of this and this only. That you understand and know me. I’m God, and I act in loyal love. I do what’s right and set things right and fair, and delight in those who do the same things.” (Jeremiah 9:24 MSG)

 

I ‘knew of’ Molly before I ever met her. We were in the same local Facebook running groups. I saw her funny posts and sent her a friend request on Facebook. I met her in person at several races, and we exchanged pleasantries. A few years ago, she was a volunteer at a 50 km trail race that I was running. At a difficult point on the course, she held my hand as I crossed a waterfall. That moment drew us closer. Now we chat almost daily. We know what is going on in each others’ lives on a regular basis.  We can disagree about things, call each other out, hold each other accountable, and still remain friends. I have moved from knowing of Molly to understanding and knowing Molly. 

 

Similarly, there was a time that I ‘knew of’ God. I was born into a Christian family. I had heard and read about Him, participated in religious services regularly, and learned to pray daily. Yet, it took times of experiencing God’s presence through adversity for me to know Him deeply. I have witnessed the Lord setting things right.  I can attest to His loyal love. I have moved from knowing of God to understanding and knowing Him deeply.

Inner Hearing

“But when the Spirit of Christ empowers your life, you are not dominated by the flesh but by the Spirit.” (Romans 8:9 TPT)

 

I got a new pair of bone-conducting headphones. Instead of covering my ears, they transmit sound through the temporal bones on the sides of my head. The vibrations bypass my eardrum and go directly to my inner ear. Although they are meant to be used for outdoor sports, I use them indoors while doing housework. The headphones are paired to my laptop. This setup allows me to listen to music and still hear family members. The signal gets choppy when the microwave is on or I go out to the porch. I am conscious of these temporary interrupters and move away from the barriers as quickly as possible. 

 

These headphones remind me of another kind of inner hearing...

 

I have never heard God speak audibly. Unlike the sounds of this world, the Spirit bypasses my eardrum and goes somewhere much deeper. There are times when I feel cut off from Divine insights. This used to make me feel abandoned. I would wonder what sin I had committed. Now I know better. God’s love is unconditional and constant. The Lord continually speaks into my life, but my receptivity can be blocked by circumstances and emotions. I have learned to shift my posture and perspective--to move away from the barriers until I can sense the Spirit once again.

Contrapositive Statements

“I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13 NLT)

 

The following paragraph is a bit nerdy, but please stick with me...

 

In the study of mathematics, the truth value of a theorem is analyzed by written proofs. A conditional statement such as “If p, then q” is proven true or false through step-by-step logic. A contrapositive statement flips the original postulate around. For example, “If not q, then not p” is the opposite in both value and order. If the conditional statement is true, then the contrapositive is also true. 

 

Philippians 4:13 is one of my favorite verses from the Bible. Paraphrased as a conditional statement, it would say: If I am operating under the power of Christ, then I can overcome any difficulty. I can attest to the truth value of this verse from personal experience. The contrapositive of this verse is also true: If I cannot overcome a difficulty, then I am not operating under the power of Christ. 

 

When I am feeling overwhelmed, it is a sign that I am trying to manage on my own. When faced with challenges, I will say a quick prayer and proceed to problem-solving. I rely heavily on personal resources and skills. When that does not work, I look to other humans for support. I wait until I have exhausted all my options before I surrender everything to God. I need to remember that I cannot accomplish anything unless I am operating under the power of Christ. 

 

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NLT)

Private Blessings

 “Let giving flow from your heart, not from a sense of religious duty. Let it spring up freely from the joy of giving—all because God loves hilarious generosity.” (2 Corinthians 9:7 TPT)

 

The phrase ‘hilarious generosity’ in the above verse makes me smile. Other translations use the word ‘cheerful’ to express the type of giving that God loves. But I can relate to the concept of hilarious serendipity. God blesses me in such unexpectedly joyful ways. The Lord lets me in on inside jokes that I can’t explain to others. Even when I try, the impact is lost. I am sure He does the same with every individual. 

 

When we partner with God, we get to be part of this hilarious generosity. There is nothing obligatory about this type of giving. A joyful idea pops up and flows freely through you. It brings delight to both the giver and the recipient. An unexpected word of encouragement, a thoughtful act of service, a private prayer, a covert benediction--are all ways to collaborate with God. We are invited to be secret agents in the blessing game with the Lord. All we have to do is be willing and responsive to the Spirit. 

Blessed Be Your Name

“The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21 ESV)

What do we do when the darkness feels overwhelming? 

In 2001, shortly after the bombing of the World Trade Center in New York City, Matt Redman wrote “Blessed Be Your Name”.  This song of lament and praise is based on verses from the book of Job. I am sharing a link to the song and the lyrics below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ULZ2GhE7BE

Blessed Be Your Name

In the land that is plentiful 

Where Your streams of abundance flow

Blessed be Your name

 

Blessed Be Your name

When I'm found in the desert place

Though I walk through the wilderness

Blessed Be Your name

 

Every blessing You pour out, I'll 

Turn back to praise

When the darkness closes in, Lord

Still I will say

 

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your glorious name

 

Blessed be Your name

When the sun's shining down on me

When the world's 'all as it should be'

Blessed be Your name

 

Blessed be Your name

On the road marked with suffering 

Though there's pain in the offering 

Blessed be Your name

 

You give and take away

You give and take away

My heart will choose to say

Lord, blessed be Your name

Soul Singing

“When you are filled with the Spirit, you are empowered to speak to each other in the soulful words of pious songs, hymns, and spiritual songs; to sing and make music with your hearts attuned to God.” (Ephesians 5:19 VOICE)

I like to sing, but the sounds that I produce do not always match what is in my head.  My vocal range and my capacity to stay on pitch are limited. Thus, I have a tendency to butcher songs when I sing out loud. This discordance is distracting, so I rarely sing these days.

When I am immersed in prayer, I often remember snippets of hymns I’ve heard before. Instead of blocking them out, I have learned to sing silently. The melodies and lyrics flow harmoniously in my mind. Unlike my voice, my soul has perfect pitch. My heart becomes attuned to God as I sing in the Spirit. 

Most days, I feel a nudge to find the song online and send it to someone else. While looking for one particular song, I inadvertently find other things that inspire me--similar songs, lyrics, images, verses, articles, etc. These discoveries lead to thoughts that end up in my writing. The blessing keeps flowing…

 

Mold Me

“You are like clay in My hands—I will mold you as I see fit.” (Jeremiah 18:6 VOICE)

I’m becoming quite the candle handler. Tea light candles are my favorite. These are little discs of wax that burn for about an hour. I’ve discovered that I can extend their usefulness by pressing the wax from the sides into the middle. The best time to do this is when the candle has been burning for a while and the wax is malleable. I scrape the wax from the edges and press it down closer to the wick. This method allows me to get the maximum light from each little candle. 

As I was pressing down the wax from yet another candle, I was struck by the following thoughts:

Are the trials of life meant to make me malleable? Does the Lord extend my usefulness by molding me when I am melted? When I feel hard pressed from every side, am I being moved closer to the Spirit burning in the center? 

Unlike candle wax, I have strong opinions about being handled. I don’t like being managed. I want transformation, but on my own terms. I desire sanctification sans suffering. I wish to be a light that shines without burning. Yet, I know this is not how things work, so I submit my will and pray with a trusting heart: 

Lord, melt me until I am malleable. Mold me as you see fit. Maximize the light of Your Spirit within me. 

 

Candle Light

“He will baptize you into the Spirit of holiness and into his raging fire.” (Luke 3:16 TPT)

On winter evenings, I like to light decorative candles. The flickering flames can be mesmerizing. The melting wax gets molded into abstract shapes as it drips down and cools. The warm ambiance of candle light feels cozy...as long as I also have electricity. During a power outage, candles are no longer decorative accessories but a necessity. I rely on candles to provide a steady light when electric lights do not work. When I am in desperate need of functional light, I do not wax poetic about the ambiance of candles.  

Like a decorative candle on a winter evening, faith can be used for its cozy ambience. The warm glow of religious traditions, music, fellowship, and  food can be comforting. However, in dark times, we realize our absolute need for Divine light. We crave to be immersed in the Spirit of holiness and fire. Out of our deep desperation, we cry out for help. The Lord is merciful and always near. He lights a fire within us. In our weakness, His power takes over--purifying and transforming us. The Holy Spirit saturates us with the power to submit, trust, and live with purpose. 

Personal Lions

“My God sent His heavenly representative to shut the mouths of these hungry lions so that they could not hurt me.” (Daniel 6:22 VOICE)

I’m still thinking about Daniel and the lions. 

If the lions represent treacherous temptations, each of our dens of danger would look different. We may find ourselves surrounded by our addictions: alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, shopping, stimulation, validation, attention, etc. 

What personal lions do you face? 

My lions’ den would be filled with emotions like concern over loved ones, shame, uncertainty, frustration, anxiety, etc. I used to imagine the lions I faced were in the form of difficult circumstances, but now I realize my reactions are the real peril. Pernicious thoughts can tear my peace to shreds. This is what I need help with. 

Lord, shut the mouths of my lionized emotions. Do not let them cause harm. I pray that you would reveal the personal lions in each of our lives, so that we may be on guard. Teach us to trust and seek Divine help when we are in these lions’ dens. 

Lions' Den

“Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?” (Daniel 6:20 NLT) 

I’ve been mulling over the story of Daniel in the lions’ den. Like other parts of the Bible that involve animals, this story is often relegated to children in Sunday school. I didn’t think it had much to offer me as an adult. 

As I mentioned in the previous post, I have been carving out time to pray at least three times a day. Like any new habit, I have to be intentional and disciplined. There are multiple timers and reminders involved--which makes the whole process feel inorganic, pointless, and forced. 

As I was questioning the value of ritualistic prayer, I got a call from a relative. He described struggling with various temptations. I suddenly realized the symbolic relevance of the lions’ den! As adults, we each face different kinds of weaknesses. Some are merely annoying like rodents while others are as dangerous as lions. Our willpower alone may not be strong enough to escape these predators. 

A consistent connection with God allows us to call on Him without hesitancy. There is no awkwardness in a relationship when you talk to someone regularly. Daniel was able to face the lions unscathed, because he relied on God’s power. He was able to do this comfortably because of his undeviating faith.  An awareness of God’s presence and dependability enables us to confidently call on Divine power to shut down the temptations that wreak havoc in our lives. 

The Daniel Prayer

“Daniel always prayed to God three times every day. Three times every day, he bowed down on his knees to pray and praise God.” (Daniel 6:10 ERV)

The Prophet Daniel is admired for his faith, dedication, and self-discipline. He is best known for remaining unscathed in a den of lions. For the last few years, ‘The Daniel Fast’ has been gaining popularity among Christians. This 21-day,  vegan diet is used as a spiritual practice by some, but most use it as a weight-loss program. When I first switched to vegetarianism, the structure of the Daniel Fast was helpful to me. Since then, I have changed many other habits by committing to 21 to 30 days of practice. 

Today, I would like to focus on Daniel’s prayer practice. Even though Daniel was busy with an important job, he carved out time to pray. Thrice every day, he bowed down on his knees to pray and praise God. He did this privately in the upper room of his home. 

Setting aside time to pray at certain intervals is not unique to Daniel. Muslims and Catholics have used structured prayer times for centuries. However, the practice has faded in popularity in recent times. 

I want to try the ‘Daniel Prayer’ practice for 21 days: private prayer three times a day. 

Would you join me? 

Broken Glass

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” (Psalm 34:18 NLT)

I have a mosaic candle holder that looks like it is made of fragments of broken glass. I do not know how these vessels are made, but they are pieces of art. When I place a candle inside, the pieces of glass refract the light in unexpectedly beautiful ways. 

I can identify with the brokenness of this candle holder. I have been shattered and put back together multiple times. When I am crushed by pain, the Lord draws near.  He picks up the pieces and makes something new. He creates a mosaic from my disappointments, failures, and sadness.  He mends me and makes me whole. The Lord lights His fire within me.  This light is refracted in unexpectedly beautiful ways. In God’s hands, my afflictions become pieces of art that display His glory. 

Removing Labels

“He made us completely new through the Holy Spirit, who was poured out in abundance through Jesus the Anointed, our Savior. All of this happened so that through His grace we would be accepted into God’s covenant family and appointed to be His heirs, full of the hope that comes from knowing you have eternal life.” (Titus 3:5-7 VOICE)

I try to repurpose jam jars and other glass containers once they are empty. The manufacturers of these products must use some strong glue to keep their branding intact! Getting the sticky labels off jars takes some work. First, I peel off as much of the sticker as I can with my fingers. Then, I use a mixture of oil and baking soda to coat the jar and let it sit for a while. Then, I use a serrated knife and scrape off another layer. I repeat this process several times until the jar is completely clean. Once I get the labels off a glass jar, it stays that way. I may fill it with spices, herbs, or homemade salsa. I can see what is inside, so there is no need to put another label on it. 

Like stickers on a jam jar, the labels that have been affixed to us from an early age can be difficult to remove. These logos are branded into our sense of identity. Scraping off old labels that no longer represent who we are takes time and effort. First, we must recognize what no longer fits. Then, we must coat ourselves in the anointing of the Holy Spirit and be still. Then, comes the hard work of peeling off the layers. The process must be repeated over and over until we are completely clean. Once we are free of these external stickers, we know better than to replace them with new ones! We remain transparent, so that whatever we hold within is visible. We are no longer defined by our labels, but by whom we are inside. 

Your Name

“I will give you a good name, a name of distinction...” (Zephaniah 3:20 NLT)

In the previous post, I included the lyrics and video to the song “Remind Me Who I Am” by Jason Gray. This song reminds me of so many uncomfortable truths. 

I see myself entering a large conference hall. By the door is a table with preprinted name tags. I reach over and pick up the name that was given to me by my family, the descriptors that have been assigned to me. 

“Responsible...for everyone’s discontent”

“Selfish”

“Disappointment”

I voluntarily attach these labels to myself, because that is what I’ve been told I am. I have difficulty accepting or responding to any other names.

God calls me by a different name: BELOVED

I am unable to recognize myself in this new name. I feel undeserving.

Fortunately, God’s grace is not merit based. His unconditional love is equally poured on everyone, including me.

Remind Me Who I Am

 

"You are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.” (Isaiah 43:4b NLT)

Jason Gray released his song “Remind Me Who I Am” back in 2011. The accompanying video is as profound as the lyrics. This song and video have helped me over the last decade. Over the next few days, I will write out the lessons I have learned from this song. I am including a link to the video and the lyrics below. 

Jason Gray - Remind Me Who I Am (Official Music Video)

When I lose my way

And I forget my name

Remind me who I am

In the mirror all I see

Is who I don't wanna be

Remind me who I am

In the loneliest places

When I can’t remember what grace is

Tell me, once again

Who I am to You, who I am to You

Tell me, lest I forget

Who I am to You, that I belong to You

To You

When my heart is like a stone

And I'm running far from home

Remind me who I am

When I can't receive Your love

Afraid I'll never be enough

Remind me who I am

If I'm Your beloved can You help me believe it

I'm the one You love

I'm the one You love

That will be enough

I'm the one You love

Songwriters: Jason Ingram / Jason Jeffrey Gray

My Hope

“All our activities and energies are spent for things that pass away. We gather, we hoard, we cling to our things, only to leave them all behind for who knows who. And now, God, I’m left with one conclusion: my only hope is to hope in you alone!” (Psalm 39:6-7 TPT)

 

According to the dictionary, hope is defined as the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best. We commonly use phrases such as: 

I hope you get that promotion. 

I hope and pray that you get well soon. 

We hope you have fun on your vacation. 

 

Hope is often reduced to wishful thinking. We want things to turn out according to our will. Our happiness is conditional on a trouble-free life of ease. Could there be more to hope than the desire for our wishes to come true? 

 

“Hope is the patient and trustful willingness to live without full closure, without resolution, and still be content and even happy because our satisfaction is now at another level, and our Source is beyond ourselves.” —Richard Rohr

 

We spend our energy on activities that give us what we desire. We gather, we hoard, we cling--only to realize that all of our pleasures, accomplishments, and assets are temporary. We wait for resolution and closure to all our concerns. Hope is more than this. It is patient trust. It is a willingness to surrender. It is a refusal to take back that which has been consecrated. Hope is the satisfaction that comes from complete dependence on a Source beyond ourselves.