The Warrior

Thanksgiving last week was great. It was good to see some of Janna's relatives and her 96 year old grandmother.  I didn't eat too much, and really took it easy on the desserts.  I just don't get into gorging myself anymore during the holidays.  We also got together with my side of the family on Saturday, and that was great too.  We had great conversations, collected firewood for my parents, and just had an outstanding time.

We started back with my men's small group last night and started a new series called "The Warrior".  It sort of has the Wild At Heart feel to it.  It's one of those "men need to be men and not be ashamed to be so" type of study.  This first discussion was about the spiritual battle we are in, and how sometimes we may not relate our non-spiritual, natural world issues as having a spiritual issue at it's core.  It could be that we are just unaware, or just choose not to acknowledge that it is.  I smiled as I read the discussion outline because the first verse mentioned was one I used in a previous posting:

¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
                                                                                   Ephesians 6:12

I hope that the discussion encouraged the guys to not shy away from this fight, but to be on the front lines of the battlefield, and take on the challenges of life head on with Jesus on our side. Our encouragement came from this verses:

³ He shall say: "Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. ⁴ For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."
                                                                                Deuteronomy 20:3-4

 "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."                                                                                     

                                                                                          Nehemiah 4:14

What is your battle today?  What is your ongoing battle?  Find encouragement in these verses.  He has already won!

Communication with the Father at its most basic form is prayer.  Communication is one of the keys to any healthy relationship.  Take time to develop your relationship with Him and let Him know your hopes, dreams, fears, struggles, battles, and victories.  He wants to know.