The fight

Be absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life.  Just make sure you don't use that freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom.  Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows.
Galatians 5:13


Todays thoughts are based on yesterday evenings sermon at church....Thanks Peter :-)

Psalm 35:
David says: 'contend with those who contend with me.'  Which means fight those who fight with me.

The Message version:
'Harass these hecklers, God,
Punch these bullies in the nose.
Grab a weapon, anything at hand;
Stand up for me!
Get ready to throw the spear, aim the javelin,
At the people who are out to get me.
Reassure me;
Let me hear you say, 'I'll save you.'


There a 4 things we need to do when fighting (boxing match analogy):

1. You need to breathe
Without breath we are nothing but dust and bones.  God breathed life into us.  Without breath we get tired.  We need the oxygen to supply energy to our muscles, without oxygen to the muscles our muscles tire and we can't finish the fight, we'll get knocked out.  Without oxygen we die.

2. Listen to the coach between rounds
Without the coach we are vulnerable.  The coach sees the big perspective, when we are dropping our guard.  We need the coaches encouraging words regularly.
John 14:26 - but the advocate will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said.
Jeremiah 29:11 - I have pans for you, plans to prosper and not harm you.

3. We need to rest
If you get tired, learn to rest, not quit.  Sometimes we don't rest because we don't trust God....'If I rest who will finish...., who will do......, what will happen....'
Resting is a challenge of trust.  Rest in his promise.

4. Know your limits
Matthew 19: With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.
Never fail to make an attempt, but do it with God, not without Him.  Humans have limits, but God does not.
You weren't born to live in a little controlled circle.  Break free.


We can always do to remember and have a little (or a lot!) of all 4 points, but particularly points 2 and 3 resonated with me.  Just as I made the decision yesterday to make a doubly good effort to daily meditate of God's word, God spoke in the sermon: LISTEN to the coach!!  WOW!
Resting is always a big challenge too.  Constant anxious thoughts spring up....I'm not doing anything, but there is such a long list of things to do......!!  Argghhhh.  I definitely need to learn to rest more.