"Only one life, 'twill soon be past
Only what's done for Christ will last."

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Warfare

My daughter-in-law sent Ed a soldier's cap with a sign she embroidered on it that symbolizes the fight against leukemia. It's an orange ribbon.

She thought it appropriate, because Ed is fighting a battle. His older brother, her husband, the army officer, donated the cap with our last name on the back. I think it is appropriate too.

But really, we are all engaged in battle right now. It's spiritual, you know.

The world is full of corruption, as it isn't what God intended. It's fallen. It's amazing to me that the world functions as well as it does in its corrupted state! God is amazing.

Believers must fight corruption. We must engage in spiritual warfare whether we like it or not. It's simply a fact of spiritual life.

The devil doesn't need to bring many reinforcements to take down the spiritually lax. If you aren't into spiritual warfare you might want to check your spiritual pulse. No need to fight dead soldiers.

If you are in the heat of the battle, know that the spiritual war is already won. Battles can be extremely hard. We're in this to win, of course, but most of us have lost battles. Despite that, our hope is in the ultimate win.

Bi-polar disorder is one of those battles that end up being both physical and spiritual. One must deal with the spiritual end of things as well as the physical. Today there was a discussion of a necessary new path for Ed's bi-polar treatment. There is a link to leukemia with one of the drugs he was taking for bi-polar. This troubling connection should be examined. I'm thankful our psychiatrist is perceptive. He's going to research new possibilities.

As believers in Christ, our view is that people are spiritually dead without Him. This is based on the book of Corinthians, written by Paul. Spiritual death is not understanding the message of the cross and Christ's sacrifice, not turning away from sin. Not believing, not having faith, not trusting.

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me," said Jesus.

How this makes us cringe! Can't Jesus be a little more tolerant?

No.

Our battle with bi-polar began last fall with weeks of mania, nightmares, and demonic warfare in the middle of the night. We survived that by God's grace, until the medications started to stabilize the chemicals in Ed's brain.

I was made keenly aware of spiritual warfare. It's real.

It's a battle on both fronts.

How real it has become again with leukemia. Now we fight the dying, sick cells with chemicals again. Chemotherapy is doing a number on the cancer.

The spiritual warfare continues too. I have never experienced so many battles so quickly!

Do you know how to fight spiritual warfare? There is an example in Jude, the book I read each day last year. Michael, the archangel, is engaged in battle with one of the evil princes of darkness. He states that the LORD rebuked that evil entity.

The LORD does it. It is by Christ's blood, shed on the cross, that the power against darkness prevails. Demons hear our praise to God and they run. In the Old Testament Daniel had a similar spiritual battle. We must remember that we fight the fight by putting on the armor (Ephesians 6) and wielding the Sword of the Spirit. It is by God's power that spiritual battles are won. (And please check your God. Too many people have made God into something they like, not the one that is actually GOD)

KNOW THE BIBLE. It's our armor and our weapon.

Ed and I discussed this today as we drove from appointment to appointment. What weak soldiers we'd be if we didn't have that armor or weaponry. Please go to Ephesians and get armed.

We have found peace and safety in knowing God's protection for us regarding our present circumstances.

So what if we get taken down?

Just remember the war is already won. Battles are lost, but the ultimate victory belongs to God, our Creator.

Demons, run. The LORD rebuke you.


To experience the totality of being a person created by God you must become spiritually alive.

I just love Paul Tournier and his book 'The Healing of Persons.'  We were reading it for our home-school this past winter. This Swiss doctor addresses the total person, and his success at healing was exemplary. Fascinating book. So helpful regarding what we are going through right now.

Mind and Body. Spirit and Soul. Good and Evil. Power and Weakness. Circumstances and Eternal Purpose.

What a journey, and what comfort to know God.

The fight continues.




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