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Sometimes I like to share tidbits from a sermon I listen to. This is one I want to share. When we first decided we were not going to get a lawyer or go through a private agency to adopt but foster care, the opposition started. To be honest, and not cover up and thing I was pissed. Yep. No, I'm sorry just plain angry does not convey how I felt. I was hurt. And a bit confused. Isn't it amazing though that God doesn't leave us when opposition does come. With God, my husband and my best friend I was reminded how important this mission is, that this isn't just something to do for the moment, but a mission He planned for us long ago. A mission specific for Doug, me, Olivia, Alex & Addison.
Opposition happens. It's not that these people were trying to hurt us with their words. But sometimes if we are not careful we allow Satan to use us.
- - - -
Our pastor talked about five attacks that are used in opposition.
1) Ridicule --> to make you feel stupid for following Jesus
Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not again flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of darkness and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
**The battle is not against people**
2) Trouble --> circumstances
God is not the author of pain & disease
Satan uses these times to wear you down and to doubt God's goodness
Satan wants to steal the word of God from our hearts
2 Corinthians 10:4 "The weapons we fights with are not the weapons of the world."
{Faith, His Word & Truth}
3) Compromise --> to make "soul agreements" with the enemy about a lie regarding who we are
There is no compromise with the devil --- don't agree with his lies
Genesis 3:6 "When the woman saw the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it." [First compromise made with the enemy]
I am carrying on and cannot stop. The call on my life is something bigger than myself
---- Nehemiah 6:3 "I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?"
4) Accusation --> to question your love for God & motivation for following Jesus - to drag you into false accusation of who you are
The enemy will say you are in this for yourself and not for God -- but God will humble us, not accuse us
God is in the business of making us whole, His interest in not to tear us down
5) The Insider --> to discourage you by using someone you know
Without knowing it we can allow the enemy to use us to discourage others for their mission
KNOW WHO YOU ARE & WHAT YOU ARE HERE FOR
If you really knew who you are in Christ -- it would shake you to the core
{for more promises of who you are and breaking free of the lies go to The Story Project}
Prayer at the end that is just too good not to share. I encourage you to make it your prayer if you're dealing with spiritual warfare & the enemy's lies:
Father that you for the truth of your love for me, the blood of Jesus that sets me free. I will no longer believe the lies of the enemy, no longer in bondage. In your name I break every soul agreements. I am free. Make me aware of who I really am and the mission you have called me to.
When you are on your mission. You will be tempted to quit. To take the easy road, but don't. Put that hope in God --- He will never leave you, He will never forsake you. His plans always reap way more blessings than ours ever will.
You can watch the full sermon here: 52 Days Week 6
Sometimes I like to share tidbits from a sermon I listen to. This is one I want to share. When we first decided we were not going to get a lawyer or go through a private agency to adopt but foster care, the opposition started. To be honest, and not cover up and thing I was pissed. Yep. No, I'm sorry just plain angry does not convey how I felt. I was hurt. And a bit confused. Isn't it amazing though that God doesn't leave us when opposition does come. With God, my husband and my best friend I was reminded how important this mission is, that this isn't just something to do for the moment, but a mission He planned for us long ago. A mission specific for Doug, me, Olivia, Alex & Addison.
Opposition happens. It's not that these people were trying to hurt us with their words. But sometimes if we are not careful we allow Satan to use us.
- - - -
Our pastor talked about five attacks that are used in opposition.
1) Ridicule --> to make you feel stupid for following Jesus
Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not again flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of darkness and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
**The battle is not against people**
2) Trouble --> circumstances
God is not the author of pain & disease
Satan uses these times to wear you down and to doubt God's goodness
Satan wants to steal the word of God from our hearts
2 Corinthians 10:4 "The weapons we fights with are not the weapons of the world."
{Faith, His Word & Truth}
3) Compromise --> to make "soul agreements" with the enemy about a lie regarding who we are
There is no compromise with the devil --- don't agree with his lies
Genesis 3:6 "When the woman saw the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it." [First compromise made with the enemy]
I am carrying on and cannot stop. The call on my life is something bigger than myself
---- Nehemiah 6:3 "I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?"
4) Accusation --> to question your love for God & motivation for following Jesus - to drag you into false accusation of who you are
The enemy will say you are in this for yourself and not for God -- but God will humble us, not accuse us
God is in the business of making us whole, His interest in not to tear us down
5) The Insider --> to discourage you by using someone you know
Without knowing it we can allow the enemy to use us to discourage others for their mission
KNOW WHO YOU ARE & WHAT YOU ARE HERE FOR
If you really knew who you are in Christ -- it would shake you to the core
{for more promises of who you are and breaking free of the lies go to The Story Project}
Prayer at the end that is just too good not to share. I encourage you to make it your prayer if you're dealing with spiritual warfare & the enemy's lies:
Father that you for the truth of your love for me, the blood of Jesus that sets me free. I will no longer believe the lies of the enemy, no longer in bondage. In your name I break every soul agreements. I am free. Make me aware of who I really am and the mission you have called me to.
When you are on your mission. You will be tempted to quit. To take the easy road, but don't. Put that hope in God --- He will never leave you, He will never forsake you. His plans always reap way more blessings than ours ever will.
You can watch the full sermon here: 52 Days Week 6
Thanks for sharing the 5 points on how opposition might be directed our way. Good reminders to be aware of and lean on the One who we can always trust!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing what you're learning with us. God is so good and speaks to us just where we need it.
ReplyDeleteI've been following along with you for a little while now, and am really enjoying your posts. I nominated you for the Liebster award here: http://alessandraferguson.blogspot.com/2013/03/liebster.html. Look forward to getting to know you!
ReplyDelete