Basketball is one of my favorite sports to play. I haven't played in quite a while, I'm a little too old to play. Yes, I may be in my mid-twenties but I'm telling you, your girl's joints, muscles and bones are not like what they used to be in high school.
I do however miss playing at times.
I was thinking how all basketball games usually get pretty crazy. WNBA, NBA, college, high school, middle school, elementary and even preschoolers all share one thing in common - loud crowds of family members, fans/students and even announcers screaming and shouting. There was always one word you would hear everyone stomp their feet to, voices blaring out the action in each other's ears and poster signs being swayed right to left hoping the team would see it to do it and that is DE-FENSE!
And of course, I thought of it in a spiritual way.
Sometimes I have found myself wondering how I will get through this. What if I can't get through this? I'm struggling God. What am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to fight? There were times I didn't know if I was ever going to make, and maybe I should quit. Just like you, blocking the opponent with the ball, who has been scoring three pointers in your face, and this whole time you thought you could guard them, but realize you can't defend what you've been trying to protect on your own.
Then I realized in Ephesians 6 God tells us how we can defend the enemy and his evil wicked ways!
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 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. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
If I knew how to work this blog page, I would be highlighting all the verses! However, I did want to point out some verses that really stood out to me about defense. I notice how God used the word stand here, and knowing me, being an analyst and needing to know the depth of everything, I had to look up the meaning.
Stand means to remain firm, to be upon the feet, to remain upright, not to fall, to support, to defend.
Wow! I love it! Remain firm, though to be unshakable! To be upon the feet, as if "the Lord put your feet on the rock to stay." Not to fall, as though to be rooted and cannot be taken down. To support as though someone cannot stand on their own and need help. And of course, to defend. Guard. Protect. Be alert as God says in verse 18.
Pause for a moment.... I just love God's word!
Okay, we can continue.
God is has given us what we need right here, in His word, on how to defeat these spiritual, even physical, mental and emotional battles and attacks. Against, not "flesh and blood" but against darkness, evilness.
God's word says, "so that when the day of evil comes," remember that it does "rain on the just and the unjust." When we became part of Jesus team, basketball talk again, we were never going to be exempt from the game of battles and attacks. Matter of fact, seeing that you have decided to switch teams, the devil will try his hardest attacks against you. He will try to get an argument to breakout and cause division. He may try to use someone at your job to make your days at work horrible. He'll use a guy/girl to distract and tempt you away from Gods will. But know there is hope!
"...you may be able to stand your ground..." So good. You may be able. Yes, I looked up the word, you should know me by now. Able means in the dictionary: having the power, skill, means or opportunity to do something. God has given us the ability to stand, of course, with Him. Putting on the full armor of God gives us these abilities. The power. The skill. The means. The opportunities to do something and that something is to stand, to defend! As I read in Enduring Word it says, "Without the strength of God and the protection of spiritual armor, it is impossible to stand against the attacks of spiritual enemies."
"...after you have done everything, to stand..." Keep on standing. Keeping on defending. Don't stop here. Don't give up now. You can't quit. God is telling you to stand, right now! Your coach is calling out to you -De-fense! De-fense! De-fense. Jesus says defense! Hold that shield up! Raise that sword high. Pull that helmet on tight. Adjust that breastplate right. Fasten that belt. Tie those loose shoestrings. It's time for you to take back what the devil stole. It's time for you to take that stand in your marriage. It's time for you take that stand in your family. It's time for you to take that stand in your friendships and relationships. Don't back down! That's what Satan wants. He wants to steal that authority and truth God has purposely placed in you to stand against Satan and his strategies.
You have purpose on this team! You have a calling. You have been entrusted with something from God and can no longer allow the devil to attack! De-fense!
I know this was short, but I believe in my heart, what God has shared to me, to also share with you, this has been encouraging, powerful and has brought back a fight back sprit within.
I'll be vulnerable for a moment. I've been facing too many attacks with finances, health, friendships and other things and wondered how am I going to make it God? Do you see all of these things against me? But it was as if Jesus prayed for me to God and said like Elijah, "open his (her) eyes that he (she) may see. (2 Kings 6:17). And that is exactly what God has been doing. Opening my eyes to see that though I may be surrounded with the worries and storms of this life, He is forever surrounding me and taking care of everything.
33"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." -John 16:33
7"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." -1 Peter 5:7
Please don't give up. Your breakthrough is around the corner. Your blessing is on its way. Your healing is coming from the Father's hands. That financial miracle will come. Don't give up. Keep on standing. Keep on defending!
The best place to stand is on your knees.
Pray with me.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I can't do this on my own. I need you. Show me how to stand in the midst of these raging storms that surround me. Help me to not forget who you are. Jehovah Nissi - the Lord is my banner. Thank you for protecting me, by giving me this armor to stand with you against all wicked things. Remind me to stand guard, to defend, what needs protecting. I give you all things. I lay it all at your feet. I will continue to fight, be calm and know that you are God.
Amen.
Scripture of the Week - "13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 14 And do everything with love." -1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Song of the Week - Firm Foundation by Cody Carnes or Maverick City Music (whichever you prefer :)
See ya next week peeps!
