Working in a War Zone

The Battle that Never Seems to End

In our war with sin, we're often looking for a breaking point--a point of rest and refuge where the battle thins and some of the dust settles to reveal the sunrise. But the reality is, all of us have likely noticed that it just doesn't "happen" that way.

Disaster at Every Turn

The true way to describe our daily battles, especially if there is an obvious area of struggle again sin we are facing, would probably be something like this:

"At every turn I face yet another temptation.

At every sign of hope I am reminded of my failures.

At every inch of growth I am crushed by a mile of backsliding.

At every Word of Christ's, the enemy is ready to smash me over the head yet again."

It really is hard to procede when we're working in a spiritual warzone.

Then Where is the Rest?

Does that sound like you? Do you ever feel that not even the Words of Christ can stay true in your mind long enough to have effect?

Know this, fellow Christian:

He Who does not let you stray hopelessly will neither let you fight battles hopelessly.

THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE.

He Who provides words of hope IS the hope.

THERE IS ALWAYS HELP NEAR.

He Who designed growth will give it to you.

THERE IS ALWAYS A PATH OF OBEDIENCE AND RESULT.

And "He Who did not spare his own Son but freely gave Him up for us all,

HOW WILL HE NOT ALSO WITH HIM GIVE US ALL THINGS?"
-Romans 8:32 (ESV)

The rest you seek is in His Word. Fill your mind with truth of God and weakness will dwindle. Rest your body with prayer in mind and trust that He will keep you from harm.

The battle rages on for life, but God blesses on for eternity.

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Recommended Resources
The Word of God

Too Late

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"

~Psalm 34:8 (ESV)

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Once you taste and see that the Lord is good...
...It's pretty much too late for you.
No matter where you go, where you stray, what you pursue,
There is likely always a nagging--a knowledge deep down--
That the Lord is the only good.
That the Lord is the only One Who can or will ever satisfy.

Can you relate?
Can you reminisce?
There are times upon which you reflect,
Times of goodness and assurance with Christ--
Times of surety at His being the only-way--
Times of satisfaction in what He has provided.

KNOW.
Know that you can experience those days again.

BE SURE.
Be sure that you will praise Him again, if you will only embrace and obey Him.
Be sure of it!

INSIST.
Insist that you make your body your slave and that it seeks the truth every day.

For without a pursuit, we are sure to go nowhere with Him.
But with one...

Who knows what treasures God has in store for those who seek Him?

So it is God's kindness that if you've tasted of His goodness before that it is not easily forgotten.

YOU WILL BE REFRESHED.

"The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever!"
~Psalm 22:26 (ESV)

"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God."
~Psalm 42:11 (ESV)

"The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him."
~Lamentations 3:25 (ESV)

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Recommended Resources
Psalm 35

The TV / Computer Addict's Prayer

Friends: Are we afraid, demotivated, or just plain discouraged to get out and make a difference? to live a life of significance? The following is sobering as it is likely the default option of choice in our generation when we retire from the idea that we can indeed affect others for Christ.

May it rightly nudge us push us in the RIGHT direction:

THE TV / COMPUTER ADDICT'S PRAYER
The computer / TV is my shepherd, I shall not want.
It makes me lie down on the sofa.
It leads me away from the faith. It destroys my soul.

It leads me in the path of sex and violence for the sponsor's sake.
Yea, though I walk in the shadow of Christian responsibilities,
There will be no interruption, for the TV and internet are with me.

Its cable and remote control--they comfort me.
It prepares a commercial for me in the presence of my worldliness.
It anoints my head with humanism and consumerism.

My coveting runneth over. Surely, laziness and ignorance
shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the house watching a screen and clicking a mouse forever.

(Author Unknown; slightly modified)

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