Victors Amidst a War

Going through any type of warfare; whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, its easy for one to lose themselves when they focus on the present circumstance and take their eyes off the goal of overcoming the warfare as a victor. The great news about our spiritual warfare here on earth is that Jesus Christ already established our victory over death by three words, "It is finished!" Let us not forget the inheritance we are given as children of the great Victor! Because the enemy knows he's defeated, he will try every way he can to make us feel defeated, depressed, and empty while we're still here on earth. Talk about a sore loser! Know through Christ, you are a winner, an apple of His eye, and made whole and perfect in Him.

-Raquel

Spiritual Warfare

by Jesse Rose


As a Christian, you have probably already learned of Satan's hatred for you. John 10:10 Warns us that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He will try to steal your peace, your victory, kill your God given spirit, and destroy your right relationship with God. Satan is your number one adversary, he would like to defeat you and bring you under his control, but as the old saying goes; "I've read the back of the book and we win!"

We need spiritual strength and courage to resist this evil foe. We must learn to trust God who enables us to fight the spiritual fight. We must learn to trust the armor of protection, and the offensive weaponry that God has given us for the spiritual battle that is before us. We must learn to be spiritually strong in Christ. We are not struggling against flesh and blood but against wicked spirits in the earth's spiritually dark atmosphere. They are dictating the evil precepts of Satan into the ears of all who will listen. We must cast down thoughts that debilitate and undermine our faith, our right thinking. We must cast down foolish reasoning, fantasies and day dreams. The breastplate of righteousness protects the heart, the seat of all emotions and the door to the soul. It guards against and repels Satan's attacks against the tender emotions, the vulnerability of loving, caring Christians. The Sword of the Spirit not only makes us stand, but actually makes us the aggressor. It causes the enemy to fear us. The sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God is a spiritual weapon and not only repels but annihilates all that Satan brings against us. We are more than conquerors through Him that loves us. To make the devil flee from you, (flee means to run in terror) make the following confessions aloud and become more victory minded.



I submit myself to God, I resist the devil and he will flee from me. James 4:7



For though I walk in the flesh, I do not war after the flesh. 2 Corinthians 10:3



The weapons of my warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. 2 Corinthians 10:4



I cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5



I have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts, and I live and walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25



I am strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Ephesians 6:10



I have put on the whole armor of God, so that I may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11



I do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12



I have put on the whole armor of God, so that I may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand, I will stand having my loins girded with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And my feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:13-15



Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith I will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And I take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:16, 17



I will endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, and I will not entangle myself with the affairs of this life. 2 Timothy 2:3-4



I will resist the devil steadfastly in the faith. 1 Peter 5:9



I come boldly to the throne of grace, that I may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need. Hebrews 4:16



I will be strong and courageous; I will not be afraid or dismayed: for the LORD my God is with me...Joshua 1:9



I will be sober and vigilant because my adversary the devil walks about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8



I am praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Ephesians 6:18



My defense is of God which saves the upright in heart. Psalms 7:10



When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19



I am more than a conqueror through Jesus who loves me. Romans 8:37



I am born of God and I will overcome the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even my faith. 1 John 5:4



I will overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of my testimony...Revelation 12:11



No weapon that is formed against me shall rise against me shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against me in judgement I will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of Me, says the LORD. Isaiah 54:17

May it Be a Sweet Sound in Your Ears

As we worship the Lord with singing (like last Sunday with the Rock Resonate Choir!), the angels are also joining us with praise in heaven, worshipping the same Holy Father that also created them. Notice when one is offering their voices as worship to the Lord, they are compelled to give Him their very best. Let that same attitude resonate to all forms of worship to the Lord, such as presenting our bodies holy and acceptable to the Father. He is worthy of our honor and praise!

-Raquel

Worship with Angels

by Phil Ware

It is exciting to me to know that angels are God's messenger servants (that's what the word angel means) sent to serve Christians (Hebrews 1:14). Throughout the Old Testament and in the early life of Jesus, we read about angels helping God's people. The Holy Spirit says they do that for us, too!

One of the most exciting aspects of the angels' ministry is their worship. When we open Scripture, especially the book of Revelation, we find out that the angels are the original praise team. They lead the worship of heaven!

Their worship is especially helpful to us because they help us know who to worship: God's angels do not worship other angels, and in fact discourage humans from worshipping angels. Angels, however, worship God the Father, and Jesus the Son, the Lamb and King. They also show us how to worship: they bow down, they shout for joy with praise, the speak of the worth and glory of God and the Son, they are filled with awe and exuberant reverence as they make clear the glory of God in song, praise, and adoration.

But there is a special aspect of the angels' worship that is very intriguing to me: they worship with us! Tucked away in 1 Corinthians 11:10 is a reference that suggests that what we do in our Christian assembly must take into account that angels are present.

While not altogether clear, I envision it is this way. We know that when Jesus returns, he will come with thousands upon thousands of angels. We will join them and will worship Jesus with them when we are ransomed to glory. So the way it seems to me, our worship in our church assemblies is kind of a dress rehearsal, a pre-season version of the greatest praise service the world will ever know, the day Jesus returns. We're getting ready for the greatest worship experience ever!

Now that does not diminish the importance of our worship services. No, quite the contrary. We come together to offer each other comfort and encouragement in our Christian walk because we want everyone in our assemblies to be there on that day that Jesus returns.

We know that every knee will bow when he returns, we just want to be in practice so that we can bow as the victors who share in his conquest and not as the defeated.

Most of all, we want to join the heavenly chorus in praise and jubilation at Jesus' ultimate victory over law, sin, death, and Satan. So as we worship now, with angels in our midst, let's do it with the sense of high expectation that we are getting ready to worship not only with angels, but with the Father and with the Lamb!

God's Love Letter

Valentines day is just around the corner. As the world celebrates one day out of the year to love, our Heavenly Father celebrates everyday with us. Such a great Romancer! And as a romancer, He leaves a beautiful love letter for us to read and keep hidden in our hearts: the Holy Bible. May you all be blessed as you celebrate everyday with the true lover of our lives, Jesus Christ.

-Raquel

An Intimate Message from God to You
by FathersLoveLetter.com

My Child...
You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you recieve comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you recieve the gift of my son Jesus, you recieve me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever seperate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is...Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, your Dad
Almighty God

Vulnerability

What I love about us women is how emotional and passionate we are when worshipping our Father. We hold the femininity aspect of God: powerful, yet vulnerable.

-Raquel

Vulernable God
by Paul Faulkner

I guess one of the things I love most about the god I read about in the Bible is his vulnerability. He is the God who can roar, who can order armies and empires like pawns. Yet he willingly comes near to every day folks like us.
This God emerged in Palestine as a little baby who couldn't speak, couldn't eat solid food, couldn't control his bladder; he depended on a poor young couple for shelter.
At least three times, Jesus--god in human flesh--cried in front of his followers. He didn't hide his fears or hesitate to ask for help. He said, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death." And at Gethsemane he said, "Stay here and watch with me." How many strong leaders today would make themselves so vulnerable?
And this is what draws us to him. He absolutely understands us, and he still loves us! It's remarkable!
No man has ever seen God. But the only Son (Jesus) is God. He is very close to the Father (God). And the Son has shown us what God is like. (John 1:18 ERV)

To the Finish!

Persistence is what gets us through many obstacles in life, mine in particular: long distance racing. I love competing in races, but I can't say I love to run. It's the feeling of attaining the goal by reaching the finish line that drives me. It is said that it's easy to start something, but hard to finish it. Without continuous training and focusing on the prize in the end, all time spent preparing would have been wasted. I was inspired when I saw an elderly pass me up as fast as lightning with his shirt reading, "This is my 38th marathon at the age of 76!" Wow, talk about finishing strong!

-Raquel

Persistence
by Paul Faulkner

So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop these virtues are blind or, at least, very shortsighted. They have already forgotten that God has cleansed them from their old life of sin. (2 Peter 1:5-9 NLT 1st Ed.)

In America--pretty much all of what is called Western culture--we want it today, we want it now, and we want it to be great. You know, we want patience and we say "We want it right now!" It's kind of "our thing," isn't it?

But, it takes a long time to become the person you really want to be. It does take long suffering and persistence and not giving up and doing it over until you get it right and apologizing for the things you did wrong. You just have to keep on working on yourself to be the kind of person you want to be--the kind of person God wants you to be.

The neat thing is that God helps us in the midst of all this striving by giving his Spirit to us that works inside of us. Romans 8 reminds us that as we wait in patience the Spirit helps even in our weaknesses (Romans 8:26).

All you have to do is ask and persist. He will begin working on it now...today.