The Battle

We have already had some bumps in our preparation for our mission trip and this verse is a reminder that God is our fortress and strength in times of trouble.  If we are doing His Will He will provide, we not know when or how, but His Will does prevail.  At this time we have had some financial set backs due to mistakes I had made this spring and now we are searching for some interesting ways to help raise funds for the reminder balance of our mission trip.   I have also had some health issues, asthma and blood pressure, and am praying to get them under control soon so that they will not interfere with our service here in Columbia County and also in the Dominican Republic.

As part of the Short Term Missions Team, each of us is going through the book: CALLED, Mission Trip Devotions and Journal by Lena Wood.  My reading from it today was, In God's Hands, and a good reminder that the spiritual battle is worldwide not "just" in Africa, Cuba, etc...  We face the same spiritual battle here in America, online, in schools, downtown, urban areas as places we "go" to serve.  1 John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.  Satan is everywhere, our focus should not be this though but in God and HIS presence and mighty power is everywhere and within us who chose to believe in His almighty power on the cross.  Our Truth and Training lesson this week is GOD IS WITH YOU, what an amazingly encouraging Bible study I have had today as both my preparations are the same.  The memory verse for this lesson is:  Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you. 

So as you prepare for battle along side us, remember to put on your armor of God.  Ephesians 6:13-20 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything to stand firm.  Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.  Many of us do not have the literal chains that Paul was wearing but we have social chains of today that are not visible (do we pray or not in public, in schools? are we visible lights for God at home, school, work, within our communities? what about our social media presence, do we filter what we post or feel so we don't offend?).