The Battle is Real

The Battle is Real. There is no question in my mind about that truth. As Princess Warriors for Christ, we face an adversary eager to orchestrate our demise. In my book, Soul Defenders, discover the powerful role prayer takes in defeating the darkness that threatens our lives.

I'll let you know when this is released as an Ebook. Hopefully, in print as well.

Take a moment and think of the books you've read (both fiction and non-fiction) about the topic of spiritual warfare. The Bible, of course, being our best resource. Share your favorites in the COMMENT SECTION. I'm always looking for good reads on this topic.

And always remember, if you are a daughter of the King of Kings, you are on the winning side. Amen!

Hear the Battle Cry!

http://sermoncentral.sermonspice.com/videos/1144/battle-cry

Please watch the above video clip.

I think sometimes we forget the warrior part of our identity. We forget that sometimes as Princess Warriors for Christ we have get tough and fight for our King's truth. What we believe may not be popular. What we say may not be well-received. What we do may be ridiculed. We are not of this world. We belong to another. Yet, so often, we spend our time overwhelmed by what's happening around us, instead of fighting the good fight, we get stuck feeling like we have no power and that we must accept the world as it is. So not true!

Friends, we serve a mighty God. His power is accessible to us. He gives us a sword -- His Word -- to defeat darkness.

Jesus faced the devil in a historic showdown in the desert when he was hungry (starving) and exhausted. The enemy tempted him with everything the world had to offer, yet, Jesus was able to defeat temptation from the master tempter by wielding the ultimate weapon -- God's powerful and eternal Word. The spoken Word of God forced the enemy to flee.

Yes, we are to love, but that doesn't mean we aren't supposed to fight. We can stand against our true enemy -- satan. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and dark powers of this age.

Is it time for a Armor check up? We make sure (well, most of the time) that our cars are fuelled and have received their 3,000 mile oil change. If our brakes aren't working, we get them repaired.

As this world continues to spiral into chaos, it is more important than ever that our Armor is battle ready. Is yours polished? Ready for battle? More importantly, are you putting it on? Every day?

I'd like to share the following prayer that has helped me visualize putting on the Armor of God. These are not words to simply say, but to believe ... to live by.

Dear Lord, I come before you today to put on the spiritual armor that you have so graciously provided for your Princess Warriors. First, I put on the Belt of Truth, buckled securely around my waist, for it is Your truth that sets me free. I then put on the Breastplate of Righteousness that covers my heart and emotions and shows I am in right standing with You. My feet are shod in the preparation of the Gospel of Peace, and I take those feet and I bring peace and love, not anger and discord where I tread this day. I grasp the Shield of Faith and use it to quench every fiery arrow the devil may fire at me, and I take the Sword of the Spirit, which is your precious and powerful Word and I use it to pierce through the enemy’s wicked plans. For Your Word states, all I must do is submit myself to You, and tell the devil to flee, and he must go. I choose to follow You this day, my Heavenly King. May I serve You with joy and perseverance, living boldly and lovingly as Your Princess Warrior. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, I pray, Amen.

Ladies, we can be victorious. Let's us raise our swords and stand for our King.

Reigning Real the Right Way: Learning to Fight

http://sermoncentral.sermonspice.com/videos/4967/warfare--training-for-battle

Have you ever found yourself arguing about your spiritual beliefs and presenting God's truth in such a way that people assume you are nuts, or, at the very least, a little Kooky?

Me, too.

Especially, right now, while the political battle rages. It's so easy to get caught up attacking those with opposing viewpoints from an emotional standpoint rather than using spiritual weapons to defeat the real enemy and cause of so much division - satan.
Yep. I'm going to blame it on the devil.

After all, he is the father of lies. His goal is to destroy mankind, and what a great way to do it - keep us fighting against each other.

Even Christians are debating amongst themselves and drawing lines. Is this how Christ would have handled the situation? Somehow I don't think so.

I remember when I was a baby Christian (new believer). I was so excited and overwhelmed with the Good News of God's grace that I simply had to share it. I was also pretty threatened by sin. I could easily identify the planks in your eyes and I decided it was my duty to make sure that you were well aware of those planks as well. If you didn't want to hear about them, no problem. I'd point them out anyway, in spite of your protests.

I was fighting the good fight, right? -- Pointing out sin and paving the way for God's truth to reign. No-o-o-o-o-t! (That's "not" all drawn out if you're wondering)

Well, surprisingly (ehem), my method didn't work quite the way I'd hoped. I was running around pointing out problems and looking under every chair (figuratively, or course) for demons and disasters. I was kind of like the little boy in the above video. (Please, go to the link and watch!) I was wasting a ton of time and energy on the wrong things.

Since those early days, I've discovered one very important truth. My battles are best fought (and won) on my knees.

Prayer, without ceasing, is the most powerful weapon we can wield. Add worship, a whole lot of forgiveness, grace, self-control, and peace, in addition to God's truth, and you have the making of a successful strategy for spiritual success that ushers victory, often times, right on in to the physical realm.

I'm not saying that we shouldn't speak the truth boldly, but we often forget who we are fighting. It's not those people who don't share our viewpoints, it's a shrewed and capable creature that would like nothing more than to confuse the issues and keep us focussed on people, places, and processes rather than on the Truth, on God.

Friends, I'm not shaking my finger at anyone, I'm mostly reminding myself of the best way to be victorious in a difficult spiritual, emotional, and physical climate.

I have very strong views about the presidential candidates, but, more importantly, I have very, very strong views about who I really serve -- my Commander and Chief -- Jesus Christ. It is up to me to reign real as His Princess Warrior, representing His Light during dark times.

So, as the upcoming election approaches, let us do the one thing that is sure to change not only minds, but hearts, let's pray. Let's stop karate kicking our co-workers, friends, and neighbors and instead kick the devil's you-know-what from our ultimate battle stance -- our knees in prayer.

Please, if you are committed to praying daily for our nation and its leaders, send me a note. Together we can accomplish much more than we ever could alone. God bless you.

Keep your eyes on the prize

Have you ever noticed just how easy it is to get distracted from what is good and from God? Seriously, it can happen in a blink of the eye.

Just today, I was channel surfing. I landed on MTV, a place where I normally do not linger. I was shocked to see two women kissing to the obvious pleasure of the roaring and hooting crowd of attractive men and women. Wondering what in the world this insanity of a show was, I watched -- big mistake. Apparently, this is a dating show. Men and women vying for the "love" of one woman. After a few minutes of crazy dialogue with more bleeps than words, I turned the channel.

These are images that our children, if we're not careful, can stumble upon. This is the first time we've had cable in a very, very long time. Now I remember some of the many benefits to not having it.

My main point in this is that as Princess Warriors, daughters of the King of Kings, we must shield our eyes from what the world touts as normal. The beginning of sin begins with a thought. A gaze that lingers a second too long, just a taste of that scrumptious treat, only a brief hesitation and we can let our guard down. The devil is well aware of those times when we are not defending our minds, when we allow our thoughts to run rampant, when we forget to take our thoughts captive as our King commands.

King David was a prime example of this spiral downward. First he saw a beautiful woman bathing. Rather than turning from the sight, he stayed and watched. Temptation grew, and although he was a renowned fighter he failed to use the spiritural weapons at his disposal. As most of you know, the story ends in disaster. Adultry. Lies. Betrayal. Murder. Death of a child -- his child.

Ladies, we can't afford to let our guards down. Our enemy is waiting for us to forget just how serious sin is. Then he can sink his claws in and tear us to shreds if we let him.

The good news is that we can flee from sin. We can keep our armor well-polished and in working order. Will it take effort? You bet it will! But the victory is well worth the spiritual sweat.

Maybe there's something specific in your life that you need to flee from. A certain TV show, a specific book genre, hanging out with the wrong friends, buying things you don't need to fill your heart hunger, the list could go on for miles. Who knows? -- maybe you dwell on negative or sensuous thoughts. We have to take those thoughts captive and stop them from escallating into a full blown sin-attack.

Let's remember as we go about God's business to keep our eyes on the prize. When resisiting seems hard, and it will, remember the reward at the end of road -- a permanent place in Heaven with Jesus Christ.

Royal Reminder: Staying focussed on the "right things" and will make it easier to stay on the right path. Amen!

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers (sisters), I do no consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12 to 14

Tiaras and tennis shoes

I know, I know. You're still waiting for the fourth installment of Reigning Real from your Throne. I promise; it's "in process." It must be inspired, though. And, quite frankly, I need time. That terrible "T" word ... ahhhhh.

However, as I was preparing to head to bed, I heard something very disturbing from the TV in the family room. The broadcaster was talking about a growing trend among teens. This so-called trend involves teenagers (and tweens) sending naked photos to others via cell phones and My Space.

Ladies, how can we help young girls embrace their true and precious identities as daughters of the King of Kings? How can we help them understand their worth in light of God's Word?

There is a battle raging for the hearts and minds of every young girl. This is a blatant, front line assault that is directed at their desires to "fit in," to be loved, accepted, and approved of. These desires don't simply disappear when we hit age eighteen, do they? Go on, tell the truth!

Unfortunately, without an understanding and acceptance of our identities in Christ, we will continue to search for that elusive person, place, or thing to "fix" and "fill" us. You're probably wondering how I know this. Let's just say I've acquired a wealth of information in this area. Maybe you have, too.

Consider some of the messages high school girls tune in to via radio, TV, Internet, other kids, and, well, everywhere. Just turn on a music video and these seductive messages are acted out for the world to see, enticing our youth to trade their purity for poverty of spirit.

Buy this dress and you'll be "hot."

Learn to dance like a seasoned stripper and you'll be the queen (trash queen) of the prom.

Do this sexual act and everyone will think your cool, sexy, daring ...

Everyone's doing it. Don't be a prude.

Look at the divorce rate, why wait?

You've gotta show some skin to get attention and approval like the hotties in those music videos.

And what about THIS ...

Another technique boys are using to look, and girls are using to show, is "fashion show" at the mall. With all the lingerie shops and risque clothing stores, all boys have to do is take a seat, prop up their legs, and watch their own personal porno presentation. Girls, hungry for approval, prance around half-clothed (or less) right in front of their school mates. According to retailers, there is nothing they can do about this. You've got to be kidding me?!

But, ladies, we can do something.

The best way to demonstrate just how much God values women is to review the lives of biblical women. God uses women all through scripture to perform mighty deeds and change the world's destiny. We have great power as women. We can use this power to honor God or dishonor ourselves and Him in the process. I don't think I have to tell you what's best.

I want to challenge you too take a long, close look in the mirror. What example are you setting for your own daughter, her friends, or other young women who are watching your example? Believe me; whether or not you are aware of it -- you are an example to someone, somewhere.

Back to that not-so-comfortable scenario at the clothing store ... in the article that I was reading, a concerned woman, who was watching the boys ooh and ah over this girl in lingerie, approached the group and explained what they were doing was wrong. The boys, sadly, mouthed off and told her to mind her own business and gave the ever-popular "your not my mom" response. The girl, however, who had appeared embarrassed and pressured from the start, gratefully fled to the fitting room and came out fully clothed. This strange woman gently informed this misguided princess that she didn't need to bare her body for boys to like her. The woman went on the tell her she was a precious creation and that God had plans and a future for her.

Ladies, as Princess Warriors for Christ, reigning real involves risk. As any leader, we have a duty to help others, to love others. Sometimes "loving" involves doing things that society might consider narrow-minded, silly, and prude. It is good for us to remember that our approval doesn't come from the world, oh, no, it comes from God. I'm going to say that again: Our approval comes from God. His opinion matters. Ultimately, ladies, we report to Him.

Let's do something! Let's help these young princesses discover their destinies, because, personally, I'd like to see a whole bunch of tiaras and tennis shoes marching proudly as Christian Soldiers ... if you know what I mean.