The Author Of Life

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12 NASB

Every day in life we face challenges: be it in our homes, the job, in our relationships, health or finances. Every one of us is subject to battles, but the way we deal with our challenges will make the difference in the outcome. I’ll say it again! Take hold of Jesus’ hand! He is right beside you, reaching for yours! Reaching for mine! 

And I’m sure we have heard it said time and time again, "the battle is won or lost in the mind" and this is so true, apostle Paul admonishes us to renew our minds daily. Dive into the Bible, read a verse a day, read a chapter a day, but read God’s word, it renews our mind and refocuses our attention onto the author of life. 

Romans 12:2 NET Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God – what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.

God designed us to be consumed with Him, but the enemy infiltrated, and now we spend His time thinking about us, our needs, our problems, our trials, our tribulations and a way out. While we may not have control of all the thoughts that run through our minds, we have the power to decide what stays, and our point of focus will determine where we end up. 

1. Surrender fully to Jesus. There is no wavering in this matter. There’s no crossing the line here and there yet never fully committing. God is calling us to holiness. He invites us to surrender completely to him. In Matthew 16:24–25, Jesus teaches, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”

2. Stay alert at all times. Open your eyes. Wake up. We must always stay alert against the enemy’s schemes. We must also wait and watch for the coming of our Lord. Matthew 24:44 tells us, “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

3. Remain in community. Those who know Jesus receive grace to extend grace to others. Our battle is not against flesh and blood. We need each other; We must be united and stick together. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

4. Stand firm. When the enemy is coming at you, stand firm. Pray, sing praies, worship mighty God, and keep praying. The fight-or-flight instinct tells you to run, but stand firm in the Lord, James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Jesus understands, He loves, He corrects, He teaches, He repairs. 

Praise God! 

As we study, deeply reflect on, God’s holiness, justice, goodness, and truth, and meditate on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, let us remember to examine our own hearts. Are our sins being addressed? What must we grab hold of by absolute faith? My friends, I pray we are receptive to the convicting work of Holy Spirit and the ministry of the Bible. 

God wants us to be changed by His forgiveness, seeking Him, admitting to Him our sins, because trust me He knows every single piece of shrapnel in us left by sin, and ask for redemption, repent and stop doing what it is we must repent of! Like stop! Holy Spirit will be with you through the breaking of the enemy’s chains! He will pull us through and out of the mud! and then to offer that same grace to others. God commands humble hearts which in gratitude show mercy to others in the same way we are shown His mercy.

Psalms 18:30-36 NASB As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the Lord is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God, The God who girds me with strength And makes my way blameless? He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, And sets me upon my high places. He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, And Your right hand upholds me; And Your gentleness makes me great. You enlarge my steps under me, And my feet have not slipped.