Warriors Arise: August 2, 2023
Matthew 4:1-4 (NKJV) Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 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.’ ”
"Man does not live by bread alone." Our physical body needs water and nutritious food. Yes, one can fast forty days and forty nights, but Jesus did eventually eat food substance. His physical body needed food to sustain, develop and thrive. However, water and nutrias food isn't all you need to sustain, develop and thrive each day. I am incredibly thankful for each one of you who reads Arise. The verses are part of our daily nourishment. Many would say, Scripture is what feeds their spirit and it does; however, Scripture feeds our soul as well. Our soul is our mind, will and emotions. When our soul is being fed "every word that proceeds from the mouth of God," there is a difference in how our mind thinks, the level of determination we have to follow God's path, and a peace that keeps our emotions from getting the best of us in a situation.
Proverbs 23:7a (NKJV) For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
This brings up the questions, what is in our heart? It isn't talking about the blood being pumped through it. It is talking about our deep rooted beliefs, our drive, our passion, and what we are dogmatic about. Those beliefs begin with a seed of information we have taken in and received. We plant the seeds of what we believe. This is why we are what we believe, just like you have heard you are what you eat. We act upon and respond according to what we believe.
When our thoughts are consumed by the media and what people think rather than reading God's word and taking in what He thinks, our soul is withering, losing life, the abundant life Jesus died to give us. In John 10:10, we know the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, but Christ has come to give us life and life more abundantly. Therefore, we look to Jesus, how He lived His life, the direction He gave us and the how He demonstrated living the abundant life. He had power over the devil because He became the word, He breathed the word, He ate the word, He spoke the word not from knowledge, but from deep within. It could not be separate from Him or removed in any way. The Word of God was and is a part of His being.
I go slowly through the Bible. I specifically said go instead of read beucase there was a time I read the Bible, but I wasn't getting much out of it. It was an assignment. There was little comprehension on my part. Then I began to really read, take in and comprehend. I was challenged to read it to get something specifically out of the Word. It didn't matter how much I read, it mattered what I got out of it. Now, reading the Bible is like a road trip where I want to notice everything along the way. If you follow me on facebook, you know I take pictures throughout my day and on my trips. Even when I am driving through the night I am looking, watching, observing and listening. My attention is not just upon where I am going, but also, what I see along the way even if I have driven that path countless times. Going from one place to the next is the a significant part of the adventure. I cannot blink and arrive at my destination. I can enjoy the trip along the way.
I happen to really enjoy my travel time, especially in a car because when all are asleep I get some precious time with God. I may worship, listen to Scripture or a podcast, a Christian audio book, or pray and listen to His voice. It is definitely a combination is not all of those. My car becomes a sanctuary to commune with God. Yes, there are times when He tells me, "Pull over and sleep." Even while I sleep at the rest area, He is with me. This precious time with Him is better than food. It is a source of strength to my body and soul. As my soul prospers so does my body (3 John 1:2).
What to eat? We can get hung up on what we need to eat. Should I worship, read my Bible, sit and listen, or go and serve? We can feel compelled to do all and if we do not do all then we have failed God in some way. But God doesn't have a list for us to check off. He doesn't generally have an amount of time. He wants to commune with you and I on a regular, consistent, steady intake throughout our day. He wants the times when we sit down and focus on Him, first thing in the morning, at noon time break or before going to bed. The time doesn't matter, it is that you and I have set aside time to specifically go behind closed doors and sit in His presence.
Matthew 6:6 (NKJV) But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
I had to learn the importance of "shut the door". Even when I am shutting the door so my family can't interrupt me, there was a bigger encroachment that I had taken into the room with me. I had taken my phone! I had to learn to not allow my phone to interrupt my specific time with God. I had to learn not to allow my computer or calendar to grab my attention. This was God's time. However, I cannot be dogmatic about that either, because there have been a handful of times when God specifically had someone call me while I was meeting with Him because what I was receiving from Him was for them. After a while, you will learn God's voice to guide you in comparison to the enemy's voice to distract you. I didn't get it right every time, I still don't. When I don't I ask God to forgive me. He is gracious and all loving. He is beautiful and caring in every way. I sit at His table and eat what He places before me.
Father, I am incredibly blessed by You. You desire to be with me. You prepare a table for me to sit and feast on what You have for me. You prepare a table of Your word to give m the nourishment I need that strengthens me for the day. Many times it is for my personal use and empowerment and then there are those sweet moments where what You have given me, I can share with another. Thank You for Your word. Thank You for bringing live to my spirit and my soul. Thank You for ministering to me body, soul, and spirit. I set my gaze upon You. You are the one I desire to meet with every day. You are the one I want to live every part of my life with. You give me purpose and I am filled with Your love. Your strength causes me to thrive no matter what shifts in my day. You are my source of strength, comfort, wisdom, and fortitude. I will feed upon Your word and receive Divine understanding of Your word to accurately apply to my life 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.
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