Battles

There is such a huge battle going on. While it is in fact invisible most of the time, there comes a time when it DOES become visible and that is often unsettling. I think that is why North America is the way it is. Set-Apart Believers from almost all denominations out there have turned their eye from anything unlovely and just discards it. I am guilty of this myself. I took Philippians 4:8

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely,, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things."

to a legalistic level. I not only used it as my guideline for entertainment (which I think is the appropriate use for this verse) but I also used it as a way to set boundaries for myself. I rejected those people who were struggling in areas and were not seeking live to a holy lifestyle. I look back now, and Abba knows I've repented of this behaviour and I've repented to many who I know felt the sting of my rejection. The apologies are ongoing though as I renew my mind and allow Abba to change my heart into a heart like His. And this unlovely behaviour is something we need to address as a body of Believers. We've turned a blind eye so long, that society in general is embracing the most unlovely abominable behaviours. Sure we could focus on the alphabet movement that is definitely listed as an abomination in Scripture, but let's instead look at the 7 things Abba hates and calls an abomination in Proverbs 6,

"A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift to run to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren."

Interesting that lying is spoken of twice here! As I've been studying and learning, I've been seeing how very unlovely "I" am. How it's my thoughts that make me unlovely. How I need to be wearing Abba's armour EVERY SINGLE MOMENT, because the Adversary is not wanting to let up anytime soon. He wants to destroy me. He wants to destroy you. 1 Peter 5:8 says

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

The Adversary is chirping in our ears constantly! Wearing us down! Am I taking every thought captive? Am I vigilant? I can't let anything through that is going to cause me to question my identity in Messiah. Sure my doctrinal beliefs change as I grow in wisdom and understanding in my relationship with Abba, but the core of Whose I am, doesn't change. And so, I battle on, and encourage you to do the same. We need these daily skirmishes to strengthen us for the bigger battles. For me, daily skirmishes look like, choosing to get up with my alarm instead of hitting the snooze button. Choosing to stay off my phone until after I've had time with Abba in the morning. Choosing joy instead of frustration when parenting a disgruntled child. Choosing to die to self and press on to be more disciplined in my life. I don't always win these skirmishes, but I'm starting fresh every morning, not letting past failures hang over my head. I am being chiseled into the image of Yeshua....I've got a long ways to go. I'm keeping my eyes on Him, He is my goal. Abba continue to show me the areas I need to repent and turn from. Thank You for Your faithfulness!