4. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NIV)
I often think back of the time I was first introduced to Jesus. I was 9 years old, and our church was having a Summer revival. The pastor was preaching on hell and all that Jesus had suffered to keep us out. I remember a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, and with tears falling down my face I made a beeline to the pastor before they barely started singing the invitation.
I knew that Jesus had died for my sins so that I could be saved and spend eternity with him forever in heaven, and I knew that without him I was destined to spend an eternity in a place called hell. That was enough information for me, I needed Jesus and I didn’t want to go to hell. Fast forward a few years and try to remember what’s it’s like to be 13. New church because we had moved, new school, and new pastor.
Growing up I had witnessed people claiming to be a Christian, but their lifestyle didn’t quite reflect their profession of faith. However, this new pastor and his wife had piqued my curiosity. I wasn’t a very trusting soul, but in time they earned it and I witnessed a new perspective on what it meant to be a Christian. They weren’t just words but actions, and they challenged me to grow in my faith in ways that I never knew was possible.
I thank God every day for sending me such wonderful life mentors, and we are still very close to this day; so close that I refer to them as my family. They are like a 2nd set of parents for me. We have been through a lot together through the years and I don’t know what I would do without them. This new perspective on having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ brought more than just temporary joy to my life, it taught me the importance of continued growth and how important it was to work on that relationship.
Just as I take the time for my everyday friends by learning about them and developing a relationship with them, I should invest my time in my personal Christian walk with Jesus. If you have any doubts that you got it right the 1st time or ever at all. Take it from me be sure that you know that you know that you know… For my sisters who know, are you investing daily in your personal relationship with Jesus?
I’ve shared the following story with my teens before and thought I would share it with you today:)
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life: “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. “It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil–he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.”
He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you–and inside every other person, too.”
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf will win?” The old man answered: “The One You Feed”.
We as Christians have a constant battle between the spirit and the flesh, and unfortunately as long as we have this fleshly body the struggle will continue until Jesus calls us home. We also have spiritual weapons that God has made available for us each and every day to help us defeat the flesh and surrender to the spirit. (Ephesians 6)
- The Word of God: Spend time in the word daily and meditate on the word to increase your awareness of pitfalls that Satan tries to put in your path.
- Prayer: Time spent in prayer draws us closer to the Father so that He can instruct us and equip us for every good work.
- Worship: Worship is a condition of the heart. It is purposeful and intentional elevation of God above everything else.
- The Name of Jesus: The name above every name. There is power in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Our Testimony: The enemy tries to rob us of our joy and make us forget what Jesus has done for us, but we must profess and live out the Truth so others may come to know.
- Thanksgiving: There is nothing the enemy wants more than for you to be riddled with discontentment, anxiety, worry, depression, envy, covetousness, gossip, complaining, slander and the list goes on. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7)
Never forget where you came from and who brought you through. My story could have been very different, but God had a different path for me; he sent someone to point me to the truth of God’s word and introduce me to a personal relationship with my Savior. The battle within will continue, but I will choose to feed my fire so that it will grow and mature and shine so bright that others may see and come to know my personal Lord and Savior.
Equip yourselves my sisters, get on those knees and get in the Word. Shine bright that others may see and come to know.
Surrendered Heart 