These last few months have been very challenging to me in many ways and yet I see the Lord's hand at work in my life. "Count it all joy my brethren when you encounter various trials for the testing of your faith builds endurance." (James 1:2,3)
Why is that so important? Why does God need to test us? Can't we live our lives in peace and then go on to be with Him in eternity? For one thing, you'll never be more alive when your doing something to preach His kingdom. Forces of evil immediately rise up against you and God uses them to build His character in us. Why? Because He is building us for greater works. Jesus suffered greatly and we are to do greater things than the Master, so we will suffer. The longer we suffer, the longer we endure, the deeper the foundation Jesus is building in us.
Sin wastes valuable and irreplacable time in a spirit warrior's life. If we are dabbling in the temptations of this world, the devil has pulled us off God's path. Any diversion that he can facilitate in our lives, takes us the purpose of our lives. Sin is pleasurable for a season, so its a tough battle. But by reading the Word, prayer, and fasting we can build the strength in our armor to withstand temptations of greed, lust, depression, oppression, anger, and desire for worldly things.
Why is this important? Because we're going through the fires in this lifetime, especially if we are out spreading the message of His kingdom. The more we are focussed on the kingdom and not the world, the easier it will be to spot the attack of the devil. When we live a compromised life, the devil can slip in and began to throttle our witness. If he can prove we are hypocrites, he has compromised the King's message.
But great is the Lord. He walked this earth as a man and He understands. That's why I love Him! He knows me. He understands me. He never leaves me, so get up spirit warrior. "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of the Lord leads you to repentence?" (Romans 2:4)
That scripture, one of my favorites, leads me back to Him when I've gotten off track. When I get back up, He is there giving me a helping hand and encouraging me to go on. All is forgiven. He's already paid the price on Calvary, spirit warrior. We need more of Christ's kindness in dealing with our fellow man, more forgivness, more patience. Too often, I see leaders beating down the people for their own agenda and not serving like Jesus. He washed the feet of His followers. He humbled Himself and came down from heaven. He was more concerned for people, than agendas.
Control your emotions, spirit warrior, the world needs love, God's love flowing through us. We are to lead like Jesus, through kindness. That's why we turn the other cheek and bless those who persecute us. Our lives are but a vapor. What are you doing to spread the kindness of the Lord to others?
What will your life stand for? What will be your legacy? Will it be kindness? Will it be servanthood? Think about your life's answers to the the above questions, oh mighty spirit warrior and think of others first!
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