Warriors Arise: August 3, 2023
Matthew 4:3-4 (NKJV) Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
Feasting verses fasting seems like such extremes and it is. Many times we have to do one then the pendulum swings and we are doing the other. However, remember in the swing of the pendulum it only touches the extent of the swing (the fasting or the feasting) for but a moment while the majority of the time it is in between the two.
We do not know the eb and flow of our day. We can have a plan for what needs to be accomplished in our day, where we need to take the kids for their acitivtes and appoints, or the endless list of errands to run; however, things happen. In my mind, I never think, "This day is going to go crazy! So be ready for crazy!" No, I think everything is going to go smoothly, exactly as planned. I do not look ahead for the day and think, "I bet we are going to get in a car accident today." No, that thought never crossed my mind. Nor do I think of all the paperwork and phone calls that will come with the car accident. I started my day thinking, "Here's the list. Here's when each task is going to get done. Here is how is it going to get done." And then I begin.
There are times when the enemy is ready to pounce and God say, "Come, sit at my table. Look what I have prepared for you and eat." This is what I believe the Spirit was saying when He led Jesus into the wilderness. As they waited forty days and forty nights for the devil to arrive, Jesus and the Spirit were communing, feasting on the word of God. As the devil approached, Jesus was seated at the table God had prepared for Him. The devil had to watch. Maybe the devil had been there before the forty days and forty nights of fasting were over, but he couldn't stand it any longer so he had to engage Jesus. Either way, Jesus had a choice. He could remain at the table the Spirit set before Him and continue to getting filled or engage the enemy.
Psalm 23:5a (NKJV) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
Even though we cannot stay at the table all day and eat and eat and eat, it doesn't mean the nourishment from watch we have eaten doesn't go with us. The program I offer others is learning to eat the right foods and the portion needed to supply their body what it needs for the new two to three hours. This has helped me get in to the best physical health I can be in. I have learned to commune with God throughout my day. I am not a one and done worshipper of God. I have my time in the morning and then throughout the day. I have it at night before I go to bed. I have learned to commune with Him in different activities, stop my thoughts from running away from me and seeking Him to engage my emotions when they are not healthy. It has taken time to develop this pattern of communion with God, just like it took time to establish the healthy eating patterns for my physical body. I need my spirit and soul to prosper as well as my body. My spirit and soul need to have the nourishment from the Word of God to draw from throughout my day, to pour out to encouragement and empower others when they are faced with a struggle. I can't spend my entire day sitting with my Bible open and worship music playing. There comes a time when I have to get up from His table and go into the world, embrace my day, and do what He has entrusted me to do.
There are times when God says, "Rise and go, I will be with you every step of the way. I will fight in the battle along with you." It is very similar to what He tells Joshua at least 5 times.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV) 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.”
God is so very good to us. Whether we sit at His table or are called to face the Goliath before us, the victory will be our's because He is always with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. Jesus knew this when the devil came to tempt Him. He was not afraid of the enemy. He didn't think He would fail. The battle had already been won. He had to remain in the peace of the God's plan. Following God's plan always leads us into triumph.
2 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV) Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
Jesus' response to the devil reveals that we cannot really live without a regular intake of God's word. We cannot separate a person's body from their sprit or soul. They are only separated at death. We are to feed our body as well as feed our spirit and our soul. Just like meat, veggies, fruit, breads and dairy are food for your body so is every word written from Genesis through Revelation, each word is food for your spirit and soul. The more of God's word we take in and meditate upon, accurately apply to our life, the healthier we are in our spirit and soul.
Father, You are wonderful in all of Your ways. I desire to spend set aside time with You as well has have You be a part of my day. Even though I spend uninterrupted time at the beginning of the my day like a pendulum at it's extreme, then go through my day in full activity with You, finally finding myself at the other extreme in my day and spending specific time with You in the evening, I am communing with You. Thank You that our time together is not separated. Our time together begins and ends with my time with You. Thank You for being a part of every moment of my day. I relish that I get to call upon You at any time and ask immediately for Your wisdom and guidance. I do not have to wait until our set time alone. You are wonderful in all of Your ways. Thank You for loving me. I delight in communing with You throughout my day. I will listen, worship, and walk with You in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
Join together as Believers in Jesus Christ to pray and to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
Comments