Fight to the Finish!

We should not be surprised that difficulties and challenges arise in our lives / relationships on a daily basis as believers, even more so after a service like we had on Father’s Day (it has happened before and it will happen again in the future). The devil heard some worrying news ~ his chances of tearing apart families and causing division had lessened. The men in our church stood together in unity, some listening and some spoke that they were going to make themselves better husbands and fathers. The devil knew he was in trouble. He had to act fast.

We need to recognize that we live in a spiritual world. Our struggles aren’t against flesh and blood but against the powers of this dark world, against the spiritual forces of wickedness. This is a fight to the finish.

We need to be prepared, have the armour of God on and be strong in the Lord and in His Word, ready to do battle with the real enemy. Read Ephesians 6:10-18 over and over again if you have to, say it out loud if you have to.

God is strong and He wants you strong. Put to use the weapons He has given you – His Word – prayer – the Body of Christ – so you can stand up to everything the devil throws your way and WIN! This is no walk in the park ~ this is our lives – our relationships we’re talking about. We need to be prepared!

Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than just words. Learn how to apply them to your daily life ~ for the rest of your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your natural family and your spiritual family. Keep your eyes open, keep alert and look out for one another.

Let it be said of you that you fought the good fight, you finished the race, you kept the Faith. Be confident in the Lord, not fearful. Know that with Him we win and don't be so surprised by the victory - expect to win! Say this with me, "Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world." We must have faith in God. He is our leader. The army that does not have confidence in the ability and courage of its leader is half defeated before it goes into battle.

If God's promises are true, then the ones that relate to our particular needs are true, and they are true now. If they are true to others, they are true to us, for God is no respecter of persons, He does not show favouritism. And if they are true to us, they are true to us now as well as they were yesterday or will be tomorrow. It is so easy to think that God would help others. They are more worthy then we are. Do you feel this way? Do you feel that if it were somebody else in your place, you could easily have Faith that God will help you?

This brings us to the next important thought: We must have Faith in ourselves as well as in God. We must have Faith in our integrity and loyalty. Do we mean real business for God? Have we thrown ourselves unreservedly on the side of God in this battle? Do we intend with all our souls to fight the good fight of Faith? Are you constantly afraid that you will fail in doing this? This is not Faith. Have confidence in yourself, not only in your loyalty and integrity and purpose to serve God, but also in your ability to do it. You can do it. You can do it as well as any one else.

Together as a team ~ we can do it. The devil is a liar ~ we will overcome!!