The War Is Already Won!

I've been studying Scripture lately on the subject of Satan and the unseen spiritual battle we, as Christians, fight every day. The battle between good and evil is strong and without God it would be a losing battle, for sure!

Ephesians 6:12 - ESV For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 

 

We are warned to be sober-minded and watchful. Satan is cunning and deceptive and his goal is to draw us away from God.

 

1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 

 

Ephesians 6:13  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

 Through Him, though, we have already overcome the world (and Satan)!

1 Corinthians 15:57 - But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 5:4  - For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 

 

I am reminded that we need to always claim these verses when we feel overwhelmed, tempted, or oppressed! We are victorious through Him! 

 

Chris August has a song about this battle between good and evil.  It is so appropriate on the subject of our battle! .....and our victory!

 Counting my blessings:  November Joy Dare

3 gifts from my window
1,082 - grass, rocks, water, and sky!!! (God's creation)

1,083 - A bird in the water, searching for food.

1,084- Sunrise on a foggy morning.

  
a gift sweet, sipped, salty
1,085- Sweet - donut
1,086- Sipped - vanilla chai

1,087- Salty - Being reminded that we are the "salt of the earth". -
 Matthew 5:13

3 gifts found in Bible reading
1,088- Along with books and study guides, Bible reading is my joy every day!

1,089- For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12
1,090- From the Bible, I am encouraged, strengthened and delivered!

3 gifts of remembrance
1,091 - Remembering in prayer, family and friends who are suffering.
1.092 - Remembering God's presence throughout my life - in good times, and bad....a great reason to keep a journal!
1,093 - Remembering Scripture, when I need to find encouragement and hope.

3 gifts at noon
1,094- The sun, shining through my window!

 

1,095 - The Lord provides! Food for nourishment!
1,096 - Warmth in my heated house, on a cold November day!

  

Linking over at these blog parties:

 Sharing His Beauty (Beauty In His Grip) 
Multitude on Mondays (A Holy Experience) 
Hear It, Use It (Graceful)
On Your Heart Tuesdays(A Pause in the Path)
Winsome Wednesday(My Daily Walk in His Grace)
Soli Deo Gloria (Finding Heaven) 
Heart Reflected(State of the Heart)
God-Bumps & God-Incidences(Getting Down With Jesus)

Being Thankful: No Matter What

It's hard to believe it, but on Thursday, Oct. 8, it will be the 1-year anniversary of my very first post. One of the main reasons I started a blog was to keep track of the gratitude list I began back in December of 2010, when I challenged myself to write down 100 things I was thankful for. That list grew and grew. In the spring of 2011, I purchased and read the book, "1,000 Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. By October, I was struggling to keep the list going, and so, I began to blog. 

God has continued to teach and bless me spiritually over the past year. Just last month, I posted my one-thousandth gift! Gratitude is such an amazing thing. It lifts me up when I'm feeling down, gives me a new perspective of my life, and helps me grow closer in my relationship with the Lord. That doesn't mean it's always easy to write down what I am grateful for. Sometimes I have to really dig deep and look around. 

The past few weeks have been just that way for me. Family illness, stressful circumstances, and the cold, overcast, fall weather has taken it's toll on my emotions and attitude. In spite of some rough days, God has allowed me to experience His love in extraordinary ways. Number one, I had the opportunity to go to a Chris Tomlin concert. Now, you have to know that Chris Tomlin is my favorite musician/worship leader of all times! I knew for awhile that he had a concert coming up near my hometown, but because of some circumstances, I didn't think we would be able to go see him. That was up till the day of the concert, when a few seats opened up, and my sweet hubby went to some great lengths and got them for us. 

And, what an amazing evening of worship and praise we had! I really needed to have that evening!

God has also been speaking to me through our pastor at church, as his sermons, along with a book I am currently reading (Unglued, by Lysa TerKeurst) have touched specifically on how our thoughts have such an great influence on how we view God and our lives as a whole. It's so amazing how the Lord brings things together to make a point and talk to us through others!

As Thanksgiving draws closer, we tend to think about all that we have to be thankful for. I have found that to be something I need to do every day, no matter what time of year or what circumstances I am going through. God made us to give thanks and look to Him for our joy in life. 

 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

When we go to Him with a grateful heart, He lifts us up and we find renewed strength through Him. 

 Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. 

My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

There are so many things I am grateful for in my life, each and every day. 

Today, though, I struggled to find things to give thanks for.  I decided to take my camera outside, on this cold, dreary, fall day. By the time I walked around my yard and even got down by the waterside of the lake I live by, I couldn't feel my fingers, it was SO cold! But I did find some extraordinary things, small as they may be, to thank our Great Creator for! Even on a day like today, God is so good and gracious!

Counting my blessings:  November Joy Dare

3 Gifts Overjoyed:

1,058 - Last minute tickets to see my favorite musician!

1,059 - An evening out, with my hubby!

1,060 - God's providence, in the midst of hardships.

3 Gifts Hallowed:

1,061 - A beautiful venue for a worship concert. (A gorgeous 75-year old theater).

1,062 - Being in and feeling the presence of God, through music.

1,063 - Each new day, that God shows His presence and love to me.

3 Gifts Eaten:

1.064 - A big pot of yummy goulash, made by my hubby!

1,065 - Chocolate - a little sweetness to energize me when I'm tired and worn.

1,066 - Subway sandwiches, filling and healthy!

3 Gifts Worn:

1,067 - Leaves that have fallen from the trees

1,068 - Water-worn, soaked, and stressed days

1,069 - My aging body, when winter winds blow and seem to go straight through me!

3 Gifts that start with N:

1,070 - Nature...a leafless tree, tall and exposed.

1,071 - New boots - my favorite footwear in the winter!(Any kind of boots.)

 

1,072 - "Nothing is impossible with God!" Luke 1:37

3 gifts:

1,073 -Gathered: some shells, pebbles, and seeds along the shore.

1,074 -Given: A reminder from God in sermon and book.

1,075 -Good: God's goodness, in the midst of so much evil in this world.

3 Gifts Acorn-Small:

1,076 - Double A batteries for my camera....allowing me to take pictures.

1,077 - Small treats for my dogs...and seeing their excitement as I get a few out of the box for them.

1,078 - Small stones and seashells - small, but so many different kinds.

3 Gifts Government:

1,079 - That God is in control!

1,080 - That I am still able to freely pray to and worship the Lord in this country. (Someday that may change and I appreciate it, while I am able.)

1,081 - Our government was established on Biblical concepts and by godly men and women.

 Always remembering to do this....

 Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].
1 Thessalonians 5: 18

  

Linking over at these blog parties:

 Sharing His Beauty (Beauty In His Grip) 
Multitude on Mondays (A Holy Experience)   
Hear It, Use It (Graceful)
On Your Heart Tuesdays(A Pause in the Path)
Soli Deo Gloria (Finding Heaven) 
Heart Reflected(State of the Heart)
God-Bumps & God-Incidences(Getting Down With Jesus)

The Great Physician

Haven't posted in a couple of weeks because I have been so very busy. I got a new part-time job at my church as a receptionist, plus my brother has had some major health issues and has been in the hospital. Because of this, my mind has been on doctors and healing..my brother, who can't keep food down, ended up having his gall bladder removed a week ago. That led to many complications and he recently was just moved out of ICU, but is still dealing with not keeping food down. Doctors have done and are still doing many tests, but can't figure out why. There are many, many people praying for my brother and sister-in-law, both saved and seeking a miracle from God. I know He knows what is going on with my brother's health and He is going to do something wonderful in this situation. We just have to trust our Great Physician! I read this poem and was encouraged, as I hope any of you going through a similar situation, may be encouraged!

The Great Physician

(Author Unknown)

Welcome to the Great Physician

Office hours are as you come,

He’s a Specialist in all problems

And His day is never done.

He can heal a heart that’s broken

He can mend the spirit, too,

No matter what your ailment

He does have the cure for you.

His fee for service never alters

He serves rich and poor as well,

He’s our one chance for Salvation,

He alone saves us from Hell.

There’s no fee for services rendered

All He asks is that we believe,

That He bled and died to save us

And all His blessings we will receive.

Do you have a special problem

That is troubling you this hour?

Then just simply leave it with Him

You can find no greater power.

Don’t delay in seeking treatment

Please, my friend, don’t hesitate,

For His office is soon closing

And He’ll shut and lock the gate.

I wouldn’t want you to suffer

While the Doctor’s so close by,

Your whole life will be much better

If my Physician you will try.

*** IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ***

When You Have Sinned… Call Psalm 51

When You Deal with Fear… Call Psalm 34:7

When You Need Someone to Trust… Call Proverb 3:5

When Someone Comes Against You… Call Isaiah 54:17

When You Need Christian Assurance… Call Romans 8:1-30

When You Need God’s Mercy… Call Psalm 56

When You Get Tired of Doing Good… Call Galatians 6:9

When You Get Angry… Call Ephesians 4:26

When You Feel like You Can’t Go on… Call Philippians 4:13

When You Need General Help… Call Psalm 121

source

Counting my blessings:  
Gifts ugly-beautiful
1,040- All these "what ifs" that I need to be reminded of!

1,041- Pain and suffering
1,042- God's timing and ways

A gift
shared: 
1,043- Food, family, gatherings

saved:
1,044- My brother's life, when moved to a different hospital...I truly believe he most likely would not have survived. We are still praying and believing for a healing miracle!

surrendered:
1,045- "There is an essential difference between submission and surrender. The former is the conscious acceptance of reality. There is a superficial yielding, but tension continues...It is halfhearted acceptance. It is described by words such as resignation, compliance, acknowledgement, concession. There remains a feeling of reservation, a tug in the direction of non-acceptance. Surrender, on the other hand, is the moment when my forces of resistance cease to function, when I cannot help but respond to the call of the Spirit. The ability to surrender is a gift of God. However eagerly we may desire it, however diligently we may strive to acquire it, surrender cannot be attained by personal endeavor." source

unexpected: 
1,046- Again, seeing the beauty of life, nature, creation!(wildlife, seen when looking out my window)

undervalued:
1,047- Time in communion/conversation with the Lord!

unconventional:
1,048- Being content, in a world that promotes being discontented.

silent:
1,049- "Silence is the element in which great things fashion themselves together; that at length they may emerge, full-formed and majestic, into the daylight of Life, which they are thenceforth to rule. As the Swiss Inscription says: Sprecfien ist silbern, Schweigen ist golden (Speech is silvern, Silence is golden); or as I might rather express it: Speech is of Time, Silence is of Eternity."" from the poet Thomas Carlyle

still: 
1,050- Seeing how peaceful and still my friends in the animal world can be...

strong:

1,051- "He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.'" 2 Corinthians 12:9

humbling:
1,052- God's mercy and grace....always humbling!!! I am so undeserving!!

honoring:
1,053- worship through music...I am so thankful for the ability to honor God in this way! (love this Chris Tomlin song!)

happy: 
1,054-So many things of the fall season that remind me of His blessings...

3 Gifts in Christ:
1,055- bright fall colors (view out my living room window)
1,056- Reflecting on His love for me every day.

1,057- Finding peace in His presence!

  

Linking over at these blog parties:

 Sharing His Beauty (Beauty In His Grip) 
Multitude on Mondays (A Holy Experience)   
Hear It, Use It (Graceful)
On Your Heart Tuesdays(A Pause in the Path)
Soli Deo Gloria (Finding Heaven) 
Heart Reflected(State of the Heart)
God-Bumps & God-Incidences(Getting Down With Jesus)
Word Filled Wednesday(Internet Cafe') 

One Thing We Can Count On: A Promise of Many Blessings

People will always let us down. 
Money, things, jobs, and all this world offers us may fill a temporary need, but in an instant they can all be lost or taken from us.
Schedules, plans, goals, and dreams can even be changed or be out of reach for us.

Life isn't always a rose garden....There will be times of sickness, sadness, stress, and chaos.

When we are feeling like all is falling apart, what can we count on?
Not even our feelings are dependable. 
They change, day to day. Sometimes they will deceive us. 

In truth there is only One person and one thing we can depend on.

“For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. 

Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.” (Lamentations 3:31-32 NIV)

I consider how the Lord has gotten me through many times of hardship, when I have had questions about why or how things could happen. When I've been at the end of my rope and had no strength left, He is here to pull me up out of the depths of despair.

 "Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me." (Psalm 54:4)

And when I wonder if joy can ever return to my life, He plants a seed of hope and gratitude within me for even the simplest blessings. Even the long, hard, tiring days are seen in a different light, for He sustains me!

There is one thing we can count on...but it's not anything that this world values. If we trust in our Savior's ways, we are promised many blessings from the Lord.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." Ephesians 1: 3(NKJV)

 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Listing my gifts from the October Joy Dare list.

3 gifts orange:
1,001- Bright pumpkins, stacked and carved.
1,002- A beautiful autumn sunset.
1,003- The changing leaves, preparing to fall off their trees for winter.

3 gifts falling:
1,004- Many, many leaves.
1,005- Falling temperatures...even though I'm not a fan of the cold!
1,006- Jumping and falling into piles of leaves!

A gift caught, let go, mid-way:
1,007- caught: The sparkling of sunlight on the lake on a sunny afternoon. 

1,008- let go:  what is behind me.

Philippians 3:12 – 14 (NIV)
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, I do not 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.

1,009- mid-way: Midway between this earthly life and heaven....caught in the middle...I hold on to God's Word!

3 gifts reaped:
1,010- fields reaping the harvest of corn...
1,011- and soybeans.
1,012- Galatians 6:7-8: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."

3 gifts returned-
1,013- My wallet, when I left it at work and didn't know until the next day.
1,014- I returned home from a long trip with my son, who went to see a dental specialist...5 hour round trip.(so glad to be home!)
1,015- Having returned to the workforce, after 4 years of being a full-time mom/homemaker.

3 gifts redeemed:
1,016- "I thought I could have leaped from earth to heaven at one spring when I first saw my sins drowned in the Redeemer's blood."  Charles Spurgeon 
1,017 - "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace"  Ephesians 1:7  
1,018- - Beautiful song!!! "Redeemed"

A gift baked, stirred, eaten:
1,019- baked: fresh pumpkin rolls.
1,020- stirred:
1,021- eaten: homemade grape jelly, gifted to us from a friendly neighbor.

3 gifts prayed for:
1,022- a new job
1,023- my brother's healing/better health
1,024-my son to make wise choices and have more joy in his life.

3 gifts praised for:
1,025- my new job!
1,026- comfort and peace, in spite of not being healed immediately.
1,027- trusting God will answer my prayers, in His time.

3 hard eucharisteo:
1,028- Giving my son's future over to God (again, and again)
1,029- Trusting God to provide.
1,030- Praising God, when my family is feeling oppressed.

3 gifts of change:
1,031- Adjusting to a new schedule (working evenings)
1,032- The changing of seasons...
1,033-  The changing of how the lake looks, as summer turns into fall.

A gift small, smaller, smallest:

1,034- Small: My 4 pound Chihuahua, Jet...with his sweet temperament.

1,035- Smaller: My feisty 3 pound Chihuahua, Sophie, who waits impatiently to have her freedom...

wants to be out and about... 

and loves to investigate with her big "brother". 

but doesn't like the cold fall winds that blow off the lake...

1,036- Smallest: The unborn fetus (life)

Local pregnancy center,saving unborn babies every week.
(Annual fundraiser)

3 gifts of the promise of blessings:
1,037- Times of rest and relaxation. 

1,038- A rainbow of promise, after many showers! 


1,039- There is a day coming when Christ returns and takes us to live with Him in heaven!(What a wonderful promise and blessing!)

  Linking over at these blog parties:

 Sharing His Beauty (Beauty In His Grip) 
Multitude on Mondays (A Holy Experience)
 On Your Heart Tuesdays(A Pause in the Path) 

Soli Deo Gloria (Finding Heaven)

Heart Reflected(State of the Heart)

God-Bumps & God-Incidences(Getting Down With Jesus)

Word Filled Wednesday(Internet Cafe') 

The Greatest Gift, Multiplied

Hello, again, all my bloggy friends! Another week has flown by and I have no idea where it went! Anyways, I am here today because it is a special occasion for me.....I am listing my one-thousandth gift!!! I have kept you all waiting for a whole week, in great anticipation(I'm sure! haha). I wanted it to be special, something I would always remember. Of course, I've used this one before and it truly is the greatest Gift of all....you got it!

 

But as I was contemplating this, it came to me that this Gift is much more than just ONE gift. Through Christ, we have many other gifts! I found the list below and thought, WOW! This is just a small taste of all the many gifts we receive thru knowing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior!! Really, the list is endless! As you think about all you are thankful for today, and some days it can be more difficult than others, look over this list. It is an amazing eye-opener for those who sometimes can't find anything to be thankful for, including me.

Jesus Christ is the Greatest Gift of All 80 Gifts From Jesus		Self-Help E-Bookstore
Jesus Christ gives life-changing gifts of freedom to whosoever follows him as Lord and Savior.  Gifts are in random order.  All links contain scripture promises.  Many links will contain Words from the Holy Spirit, visions and interpretations relating to a particular gift.   Gift of love Gift of spiritual protection Gift of Eternal Life in Heaven Gift of power Gift of joy Gift of peace Gift of a sound mind (Protect Your Mind) Gift of living above circumstances (Standing on the Mountain) Gift of Spiritual Truth Gift of ability to forgive others  (Mat 6:12; 18:27; Eph 4:32) Gift of the secret place Gift of faith  (Jam 1:6, Phil 1:25) Gift of a kingdom that cannot be shaken (Heb12-28)  Gift of the anointing of the Holy Spirit (1John 2:20) Gift of inner healing (My Presence) (Inner Healing) Gift of physical healing  (1 Cor 12:9) Gift of helping others  (1 Cor 12:28) Gift of light to my soul  (John 8:12) Gift of a church  (1 Cor 11:18) Gift of a shield   (2 Sam 22:31) Gift of patience (Gal 5:22) Gift of strength (Psalm 28:7) Gift of spiritual armor (Eph 6:13) Gift of deliverance (Dan 6:27) Gift of righteousness (Eph 6:14) Gift of sacrifice (Rom 12:1) Gift of prayer  (1Cor 14:14) Gift of hearing God's voice (Rev 3:20) Gift of adoption as God's child (Rom 8:15) Gift of knowing you are precious to God (Ps 116:15)   Gift of a good night's sleep  (Pr 3:24) Gift of the Word of God  (Heb 4:12) Gift of salvation  (Ps 27:1) Gift of cleansing of your sin  (1John 1:7) Gift of the favor (Ps 5:12) Gift of witnessing (Cross and the Jackhammer) Gift of thanksgiving (Ps 26:7) Gift of His gentleness (Gal 5:23) Gift of self-control (Gal 5:23) Gift of a clean heart  (Ps 51:10) Gift of high priest (Heb 7:26) Gift of comfort (Is 51:12) Gift of the ability to order your life (Ps37:23) Gift of our rest (Heb 4:11) Gift of mercy (Heb 4:16) Gift of grace (Eph 2:8) Gift of a friend who will never leave you (John 15:13) Gift of a guidance for your life (Ps 23:3) Gift of living water (John 4:10) Gift of the delight in Him (Ps 37:4) Gift of equipping in every good thing (Heb 13:21) Gift of overcoming the evil one (1John 2:13) Gift of purity (1 John 3:3) Gift of abiding in Him (1 John 3:24) Gift of the power of His resurrection (Phil 3:10) Gift of Hope: Hachette and Pick Ax Gift of righteousness (Is 61:10) Gift of dreams and visions (Joel 2:28) Gift of His presence (Jude 24) Gift of His refuge (Psalms 46:1) Gift of His safety  Gift of His strength (Psalms 59:11) Gift of His security Gift of courage Gift of rest Gift of the mind of Christ Gift of discipline Gift of signs and wonders Gift of impartation Gift of understanding  Gift of angels (Psalm 91:12) Gift of help Gift of prophesy Gift of pleasure  Gift of His will  Gift of wisdom Gift of blessings of good things Gift of Lovingkindness Gift of abundance Gift of compassion.   Source Since this was a special one-thousandth gift post, I will wait till my next post to start listing my gifts from the October Joy Dare list. Here, in Indiana, our trees are all starting to really turn and the colors are beautiful! I hope to be posting some awesome photos, as well! Have a blessed Autumn week!    Linking over at these blog parties:  Sharing His Beauty (Beauty In His Grip)  Multitude on Mondays (A Holy Experience)  On Your Heart Tuesdays(A Pause in the Path) Word Filled Wednesday(Internet Cafe')    Soli Deo Gloria (Finding Heaven) Heart Reflected(State of the Heart) God-Bumps & God-Incidences(Getting Down With Jesus)