Battlefield – Page 2 – Deep Thoughts & Little Happenings

February 18, 2021February 17, 2021

Surrendered and Spirit Strong

Today’s Scripture Passage:

Galatians 5:22-25

Key Verse:

A person without self-control
is like a city with broken-down walls. Proverbs 25:28 (NLT)

The ability to control another is only a mirage.

mirage noun
something that appears real or possible but is not in fact so.
Oxford Dictionaries · Bing Translator

I have learned but must be reminded…

I cannot control anything but myself!

You cannot control anything but yourself!

control
the power to influence or direct people’s behavior or the course of events.
Oxford Dictionaries · Bing Translator

I have learned but must be reminded…

I cannot control myself without help!

You cannot control yourself without help!

Will power is not enough!

Imagine you’re driving in a downpour of rain. You grip the steering wheel with white knuckled hands against heavy winds forcing you toward the center line. Sooner or later exhaustion takes over and you’re jerked into oncoming traffic. This is the struggle of will power.

That’s why Jesus gives ALL of His followers a Helper!

Our Helper’s name is Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit teaches, counsels, and reminds us of what we’ve already learned from Jesus about belonging to Him and being His follower.

Holy Spirit is our Helper whenever we do not understand, are unsure of, or forget the way of Jesus.

Holy Spirit helps us control our thoughts, our words, and our actions.

Many will seek to manipulate, deceive, and bully us into doing their will, but…

No matter how limited our choices, the choice is still ours to make.

Even when every choice leads in a way we don’t want to go, the choice is still ours to make.

We’re always free to choose what’s right.

To believe anything else is to be deceived.

Today’s verse reminds us a city without walls is vulnerable to attack from the enemy, and a life lived without self-control makes us vulnerable to attack from our enemy. Our enemy prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Our enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He’s the enemy of every Jesus-follower. Our accuser who wants us to live in the shame and condemnation of our old identity. Our enemy who wants us to forget our identity is in Jesus!

His name is Satan; and long ago, he refused to surrender his will to the Lordship of Jesus. Now, he wants us to do the same. He wants us separated from Jesus and vulnerable. He wants us to be distracted, discouraged, and defeated. He cannot rob us of our eternity, but he will do everything possible to turn our eyes from Jesus.

I have learned but must be reminded…

Self-control comes from Holy Spirit.

Self-control is only one of Holy Spirit’s nine characteristics; they’re called the fruit of the Spirit.

fruit
what is produced
can be taken from; seized, plucked, to take for oneself
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible – Greek Dictionary

Like fruit on a tree, Holy Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Holy Spirit’s fruit is ours to seize, pluck, take for ourselves.

I have learned but must be reminded…

The only thing I can control is myself, and self-control comes from my Helper, Holy Spirit.

Seizing Spirit self-control gives me (and you) strength to surrender to the way of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, while living faithful to Jesus and His way.

I have learned but must be reminded…

I am Spirit strong when I am surrendered to the way of Jesus.

LORD, we’re so thankful to be citizens of Your Kingdom. We’re thank You for the privilege of being your representative in the foreign land we live in now. Help us to grow in our relationship with You, so we will represent You well. Give us compassion and courage and teach us to love those around us as You love them. We want to love as citizens of Heavens and not citizens of this world!

Digging Deeper:

John 10:10, John 14:16-17 & 26, Romans 8:1-2, 1 Corinthians 2;15-16, Ephesians 6:10-18, 1 Peter 2:10 & 1 Peter 5:8,

If you have not yet met Jesus, you can meet Him today. He created you. He loves you. He wants you to be a part of His family. I encourage you to step into the life He created you to live. You will still have the troubles of this world, but you will no longer be facing them alone. I’m praying for you! https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

December 3, 2020January 8, 2021

The Joy Challenge: Casting Off

Today’s Scripture Passage:

I Peter 5:6-11

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:6-8 (NLT)

Last week we looked at Step One of The Joy Challenge: Thanksgiving and Praise.

Today we’re going to dig deeper into Step Two of the Joy Challenge: Cast all your cares on Jesus.

God’s word is filled with warnings about worry, anxiety, fretting, burdens, troubles, and the cares of this world. Why?

He knows those things not only weigh us down, but they will gradually consume our every thought. They grow bigger and bigger, and heavier and heavier, until they conceal His presence and goodness in our lives.

In today’s Scripture, Peter reminds us to

(1) be humble,

(2) give God all our worries and cares, and

(3) stay alert.

The order of these verses is important!

We may tell God about our troubles, but we won’t give them to Him unless we’re humble. My Grandma used to say, “Take it to the LORD and leave it there.” It takes humility to leave our worries and care with Jesus. It takes trust.

We have to believe God cares about us before we’ll give our worries and cares to Him.

Worries and cares endanger us because they distract us. We have an enemy. He wants to destroy our lives. He wants to rob us of anything good God has for us. We need to get rid of the distractions and stay alert!

Our enemy cannot take our salvation, but we can lose the joy of our salvation. We lose our joy when we allow the cares of this world to consume our lives. I’ve experienced that loss of joy, and like King David in Psalm 51, I had to ask the LORD to restore to me the joy of His salvation. He retored my joy; He’ll restore yours too! All you have to do is ask.

Digging Deeper:

Nahum 1:7, Matthew 6:31-34, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 13:18-23, Ephesians 6:10-18, Philippians 4:6-7

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

October 22, 2020October 22, 2020

Growing Through the Hard Places, Wicked Winds, and Broken Places

Today’s Scripture Passage:

Jeremiah 29:4-14

Key Verse:

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT)

I’ve always been fascinated by trees. It doesn’t matter the season. Full of leaves, bare, green or decked in an array of colors. Trees are beautiful. They grow in all sorts of climates and terrain. Their differences are beyond numbering (for me anyway).

Trails are a great place to see trees and witness just how tenacious they are when it comes to living.

Lost Mountain Trail in Sky Meadow State Park – September 15, 2020

Trees are unbelievably persistent in their efforts to reach the light and water they need to live.

Thornberry Loop Trail in Manassas National Battlefield Park – September 27, 2020

Some are clinging to the soil, others reaching into the water.

Fern Hollow Loop in Bull Run Mountain Natural Area Preserve – October 9, 2020

Some have faced destructive disease or pestilence.

Stoney Man to Little Stoney Man Loop Trail in Shenandoah National Park – October 15, 2020

Some twist and turn their way toward sunlight while others push their way through and around huge rocks.

Thornberry Loop Trail in Manassas National Battlefield

Each of these trees are a beautiful example of how I can be spiritually healthy no matter my circumstances or location. First, I must remember:

Jesus is the Light.

Jesus is the Living Water.

Just as trees need water and light, I need Jesus. He’s the Light and the Water I need. He’s the Giver of life to all of us!

In today’s scriptures, Jeremiah is talking to the people of Israel about how they are to live in bondage to Babylon under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar. He was a cruel king and there was nothing wonderful about being taken from their homes and made to live in this foreign land under his rule. They were facing adversity!

The promise in verse 13 requires participation. We’re to look for the LORD wholeheartedly. Not for a little bit or halfheartedly. We’re to be as tenacious in looking for the LORD as a tree is in seeking water and light.

What’s the promise for those who wholeheartedly look for the LORD? We will find Him. It’s the old testament equivalent to what Jesus said, “Seek and you will find.”

I think these trees perfectly illustrate the wholehearted looking for described in these verses. They persevere in their search for water and light. They know they need both to live and they don’t let anything stop them from finding the light and water they need.

So, although this is not a new verse for me, it has me evaluating my life. I’m asking some tough questions of myself and I invite you to ask them of yourself as well.

—What do I spend my time and energy trying to find? Am I wholeheartedly looking for Jesus?

—Who or what am I expecting to sustain me through the difficult times of my life? Am I placing unreal expectations on someone in hopes they’ll give me what only Jesus can give?

—Am I making excuses for not following Jesus and His ways? Am I blaming my locality? My circumstance? Others? Am I pointing to the adversities meant to strengthen me as a reason for not living the abundant life I’m created to live? Do I compromise and miss out on all the benefits?

—When the struggle gets intense, do I turn to Jesus, cast my cares on Him, and allow Him to help me through the struggle? Or do I turn to the distraction of busy-ness, eating, exercise, mind-numbing entertainment, or something else to make me feel better or give me the illusion of control?

—Do I see and acknowledge the beauty emerging from my struggle? Am I learning to release my worries and receive His peace? Am I growing in the joy of living and trusting Jesus through it all?

Digging Deeper:

John 1:1-5, John 10:10, Romans 5:3-5, Philippians 3:7-16, James 1:2-4

October 15, 2020October 15, 2020

I Was Just Trying To Help!

Today’s Scripture Passage:

Matthew 7:1-5

Key Verse:

How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Matthew 7:4 (NLT)

I started paying extra attention to the numbers of downed trees on the trails after reading these verses in Matthew.

Notice how these trees are cut at both sides of the trail’s edge to create a passageway.

Pictures taken by George on the Bull Run Mountain Fern Hollow Loop Trail – October 9, 2020

These were left uncut and create an obstacle course.

Picture taken by George on the Hawksbill Gap Loop Trail – October 2, 2020

Jesus was talking to the people about what happens when we try to help others before letting Him remove the log of sin from our own eye.

Jesus created a vivid word picture of terrible pain, struggle, and abuse with His words!

Read the key verse again…

How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?

This verse is what prompted me to take the following picture during a hike on the Thornberry House Loop Trail. I wanted to “see” what it would be like to have a log protruding from my eye. I set my camera on the cut end of the log and snapped the picture.

Imagine with me…

This log is lodged in your eye. It’s protruding outward. Imagine the pain. Notice how little you can see. Consider the damage you inflict on everyone around you.

Sin fills our vision and hinders our ability to see and follow Jesus.

Sin creates division and distance between us and others.

Sin grows when left unchecked.

Every relationship is affected when we have a log of sin painfully embedded in our eye.

Digging Deeper:

Psalm 51:7-13, Psalm 139: 23-24, Luke 11:34-36, John 3:17-21, Romans 12:1-5, Galatians 5:14-15 & 24-26, James 1:13-15 James 4:17, 1 John 1:9, 1 John 5:17,

October 1, 2020October 1, 2020

Trail Thoughts on Temporary Treasures

Today’s Scripture Passage:

Luke 12:13-34

Key Verse:

“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Luke 12:21 (NLT)

I believe “cloudy with a chance of rain” days are for taking a quick walk someplace close. That’s why we chose to walk the Matthew’s Hill Loop Trail last week.

We stood at the top of the hill and admired the beauty surrounding us. That’s when I noticed the hay in the field across the way. Seeing those giant hay blocks stacked beside rolls and rolls of hay reminded me of what Jesus said in Today’s Scripture Passage.

All that hay had me thinking about the focus of my daily choices.

LORD, what motivates my choices? Am I trusting You to take care of my needs? Is my mind fixed on the things of the Spirit or the things of the flesh? Am I rich in my relationship with You?

Now, please don’t misunderstand. I believe the owners of the field should reap the benefits of their hard work. A workman is worthy of his wages. The LORD brings increase by blessing the work of our hands. He shows us His goodness in the land of the living, and absolutely everything we have comes from Him. He wants us to enjoy it and be generous with it!

No, as I thought about all that hay, I began to feel the LORD calling me to set aside some extra time with Him; a time other than our standing morning appointment together.

This was a special time set aside for a specific purpose: to seek the LORD’s point of view on what I’m gathering, stacking, and storing away. This was a time to let Him take out my daily activities and reveal the motives behind each one. A time to ask if my riches are temporary or eternal treasures in His sight.

The encounter was both sweet and salty. My relationship with Jesus was strengthened and enriched. It was a time to be savored, but it also left me thirsty for more of the living waters of Jesus. I was humbled by His gentleness in revealing the answers to my requests with such clarity. I was encouraged to be diligent in seeking His full exposure of my heart more often.

I learned much of what appears eternal is not.

and

Not everything I consider temporary is.

George took this picture so you could see what we passed on our way over to Thornberry Loop Trail — the very next day! We’ve passed this barn a zillion times since moving to the area ten years ago.

Now it’s become another constant and gentle reminder to store my treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust can destroy.

Yes, Jesus has a great sense of humor. His word tells us laughter is good medicine. I think He pointed this corn field, silo, and barn out to me, so I would laugh with Him. Reminding me of His presence and soothing the sore places of my heart.

I encourage you to set aside a special time with Jesus. A time to ask Him to let you see the treasures of your heart. I promise, you’ll be glad you did!

Digging Deeper:

Matthew 6:19-21, Matthew 6:24-34 & 1 Corinthians 3:12-15

September 3, 2020September 3, 2020

Trail Lesson 101

Today’s Scripture Passage:

Psalm 25:4-9

Key Verse:

The Lord is good and does what is right;
he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
He leads the humble in doing right,
teaching them his way. Psalm 25:8-9 (NLT)

Maps help us figure out how to get where we want to go.

Truth? I’m horrible when it comes to reading a map. I’m one of those directionally challenged people who’s continually twisting the map one way and another trying to figure out where I am and how in the world I’m ever going to get where I want to go.

That’s especially true when I look at a Manassas National Battlefield Brochure Map. For instance, just last week, we walked Chinn Ridge Loop twice.

The first time we misread the map and found ourselves on the opposite side of the loop than we thought we were on. We discovered what happened while retracing our steps. We’d missed a turn!

It’s easy to see where we went wrong…now.

The map seems so easy to understand…now.

We went back later in the week and walked the entire loop without a single difficulty.

Map Reminder:

Point of View is important!

Point of View is the position from which something or someone is observed.
(Oxford Dictionaries – Bing Translator)

To properly use a map, I must see it from the map maker’s POV.

The same is true when I read God’s word.

Reading my Bible helps me see things from God’s POV.

The more I align with His POV, the more I understand what I’m reading. The more I understand, the easier it is to know which way to go; the more confident I am in following the directions I read in His word.

Have you ever noticed how the LORD will bring us back to the same place of decision more than once? I like to think it’s His way of helping us practice what we’ve learned.

Digging Deeper:

Psalm 119: 35, 59 & 105, Psalm 139: 23-24, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 47:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, & Hebrews 4:12

April 23, 2020April 23, 2020

Words…

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)

To encourage is to give courage.

To give courage, our words must be both good and helpful.

Who are we to encourage?

Those who hear our words.

I’ve always taken this to mean even those who are not even a part of our conversation but are within hearing of our words.

Okay, why am I pulling this thread?

In recent week’s, we’ve been ordered to shelter-in-place for the purpose of stopping the spread of Covid-19.

Wow! I’ve been amazed by the controversy.

I’ve also been sad to hear all the reports of increased domestic violence during this time.

Why are people hurting the very people they’re supposed to love? I’m guessing there are a couple of base level reasons.

1-life feels scary and/or out of control, and

2-aggressive words and behavior give them a feeling of control

Of course, we all know abuse is not control.

Self-control is the ultimate control.

Jesus-followers have an advantage when it comes to self-control. It’s been given to us in full measure.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)

What’s the catch? We must take the self-control given to us and use it! And…

We practice, practice, practice using our self-control every single day of our lives!

My old piano teacher used to say, “Practice makes perfect when you practice right.”

So, although I’m not abusive with my words or deeds, I am asking myself what kind of word usage I’m practicing.

Where are my thoughts? I need to know the answer, because my words and actions will soon follow the direction of my thoughts.

LORD, thank You for giving me everything I need to successfully live the full and abundant life You created me to live. Help me be intentional about my thoughts, so my words will bless all those who hear them. I ask alongside David…

May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (NLT)

And, LORD, for those reading this today, I ask You to surround them with Your presence, power, protection, provision, and peace. May they see evidence of You this day. May they know You are there and really do care about them. Amen.

February 20, 2020February 20, 2020

Which Way?!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

George was off on Presidents Day and we were headed over to the Stone Bridge trail on the Manassas Battlefield. I looked at our map on the drive over and our discussion quickly squirreled its way from Manassas to the AT to GPS to using a compass to taking an orientation class.

Okay, I know the battlefield trails are smack dab in the middle of civilization; I’m just thinking ahead. I know I’m directionally challenged.

We park and start walking. The sun is shining. The sky is blue. George is snapping pictures and I’m feeling super confident as today’s navigator.

We round the Farm Ford loop and come out from under the trees. Left or right? I take a very confident right. We walk and talk and greet others with a “Good Morning.”

After a bit, we approach a crossroad. We have three different options. Well, we have four. I think we should go left, but I’m feeling a little less confident.

I pull out the map. I look at where I think we are but don’t see a straight across or right option.

I hand the map to George and point out our location. George looks and says we’re in another place entirely. He points it out on the map and explains all the reasons he knows this.

I can’t reconcile it in my mind. It just won’t compute.

George says, “We need to turn around.”

“Okay, we’ll go your way.”

“I can tell you don’t think it’s the right way.”

“I don’t, but I trust your sense of direction way more than I trust mine.”

We backtrack for a bit, pass the point where we took a right and continue straight ahead. The sky is blue. The sun is shining. George is snapping pictures and I’m feeling confident I made the right decision.

We approach the Stone Bridge from the opposite direction. That was my plan, but I’d taken a wrong turn.

I think that’s what today’s verse is talking about. I don’t have to understand why my way is wrong before I follow Jesus. I just need to trust He knows more than I do!

Problem is, there are times when I do just like I did when we broke from the trees and went right. I was so sure of my own understanding of where I was and the best way to go that I didn’t even pause to look at the map or ask George.

I often do the same in life. I put my confidence in myself instead of in Jesus. And I don’t even realize I’ve done it until I come to an unexpected crossroad.

LORD, thank You for this wonderful reminder to trust You. Help me pause and seek Your way. Help me throw off my need to make sense of Your way. Give me the added measures of humility and faith needed to choose Your way every time. Thank You!

And LORD, for those reading this right now, please help them to believe You know the best way for them too. Give them faith to overcome their struggle. As they stand at their own crossroad, help them see they don’t have to reconcile Your way with their own understanding before they follow You. Amen.

January 23, 2020January 29, 2020

Location, Location, Location!

George and I have visited a lot of Battlefields during our forty-two plus years of marriage, and I can tell you the location of the battle and the positioning of those on the battlefield play a huge role in the outcome of the battle.

The same is true in spiritual battles. I need to be in the right place at the right time. How? It’s guaranteed if I’m walking by Holy Spirit.

Another important thing I’ve learned about location is it will not always be comfortable, but if Holy Spirit takes me there it is definitely beneficial.

Jesus was led by Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted (Matthew 4:1, Mark 1:12-13 & Luke 4:1-2).

Temptation does not come from God, but temptation is used by Him to expose our desires (James 1:14). Thankfully, God promises to always provide us with a way of escape (1^st Corinthians 10:13).

Temptation is a place of spiritual battle; a crossroad of decision.

Will I do what is right according to God, me, or someone else? What I choose reveals the depth of my faith in that particular area of my life. Sometimes I learn from defeat and sometimes I learn through victory.

God doesn’t do this to crush me, but to show me where I’m still operating in my own strength and power instead of His. Wow! That’s a very gentle and guiding love, right?!

He’s leading me to a location of learning. A place that causes me to worship Him and celebrate His strength in me.

Or a place that causes me to recognize my need for Him. He presents me with a new perspective of what I previously thought was not a place of weakness (2^nd Corinthians 12:9), so I can become strong in Him and stand firm when faced with similar temptations/battles.

Another important thing I’ve learned about location is what happens when I’m not where I’m supposed to be. King David did not go where kings go during times of battle and found himself in a place of temptation that led to adultery and murder (2 Samuel 1:1).

I find myself in the wrong place when my confidence is in myself (1^st Corinthians 10:12). I’m giving myself God’s position of Lordship when I don’t follow His lead; basically, I’m saying I know better than He does!

I’ve not murdered anyone but I’ve most definitely found myself justifying my choices and surrendering to temptation in the heat of battle. What did I learn?

I want to be in the best place possible when it comes to battle time, so I’m going to continue to practice following Holy Spirit’s lead.

“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” Galatians 5:25 (NLT)

How about you? Share a time when you experienced the joy of being in the right location and how it led you to trust the LORD and stand firm in the face of our enemy.