Finally, be STRONG in the Lord and in his great power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can fight against the devil's evil tricks.Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world's darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. That is why you need to put on God's full armor. Then on the day of evil you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing."---Ephesians 6:10-13 (NCV)
"Great men are they who see that spirituality is stronger than any material force; that thoughts rule the world."---Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Strong lives are motivated by dynamic purposes."---Vincent Lombardi
Strong: having, showing, or able to exert great bodily or muscular power; physically vigorous or robust; mentally powerful or vigorous; especially able, competent, or powerful in a specific field or respect; of great moral power, firmness, or courage; powerful in influence, authority, resources, or means of prevailing or succeeding; aggressive; willful; of great force, effectiveness, potency, or cogency; compelling; clear and firm; solid or stable; healthy; thriving; well-supplied or rich in something specific; having powerful means to resist attack, assault, or aggression; able to resist strain, force, wear, etc.; DECISIVELY UNYIELDING; firm or uncompromising; fervent; zealous; thoroughgoing; strenuous or energetic; vigorous
Synonyms: able, active, athletic, brave, capable, clear, compelling, determined, durable, effective, enduring, firm, fixed, gutsy, influential, intelligent, intense, keen, mighty, perceptive, reinforced, resilient, resourceful, secure, solid, sound, stable, steady, stimulating, substantial, tenacious, tough, zealous
Antonyms: complacent, feeble, irresolute, mistakable, uncaring, unhealthy, vague, weak
Well, after preaching for weeks about the importance of people needing to write out their "Love Vision" (Habakkuk 2:2-3), while in NYC, I have begun to work on mine. I dunno. I think sometimes things are a lot easier to see when you are on the "outside looking in" so-to-speak...a change of scenery does wonders for that.
Oh, how I love how the Godhead speaks to me. One day last week, I wrote a piece on Facebook about how God uses so many things in our lives as "dots" that "connect" to great "pictures" in our lives. While talking to one of my spiritual sistahs (Solomon 2:7) about something I am praying about this weekend, she said, "The Holy Spirit told me to tell you to stop looking over the wall...to stop sneaking a peek." Then, right after writing a part of my vision, one of my favorite movies "ministered" to me. I love how at the end, "Serendipity" talks about having passion and life is not a series of coincidences, but a tapestry...a quilt...one that takes time to complete.
And then, today, I attended a friend of mine's church in Queens (shout out to Christ Tabernacle) and the sermon was the conclusion of the "40 Days of Love" that Pastor Rick Warren has called several churches to. The message today? That lasting love extends grace...it expresses faith...it expects the best...and it endures the worst. (I Corinthians 13:7)
I couldn't help but to laugh. Here I am writing my love vision...what I desire in my marriage and family and God has a man preach to me about the endurance that is needed to love; that what kills relationships is that we stop loving...that a Greek translation of "patience" is "a roof that covers" (Proverbs 10:12)...that if there is fear in a relationship there is no love (I John 4:18) and finally, some of us are called to love the "socially crippled" so that we can lead them to the God who can turn their water into wine...their broken vessels into something valuable.
Yeah, I'm sure you're wondering what all that has to do with the lead scripture for today. Well, remember I said that from now on, I will share what I am led to say, but that it's the word and the Word that you should meditate on most. 2 Corinthians 12:9 tells us that our Lord's strength is made perfect in weakness (I love that! Our weakness actually develops his strength.) Some of you may need "strength training" to lose weight or get into shape (strong does mean athletic). Some of you may need "strength training" to get a budget together (strong does mean intelligent). Some of you may need "strength training" to quit your job, end that relationship, quit that habit (strong does mean determined). Me? I am realizing that God really does meet us where we are and where I am is praying for love...a love that endures (in the giving and receiving department).
Shoot, I've worked out...uh, before. I know what it's like trying to build up endurance. When it burns the most...when it feels like I can't breathe and I'm about to pass out...when I am ready to basically bless out my coach...it is then that progress is being made; IT IS THEN THAT I AM ACTUALLY GETTING STRONGER.
Some of us are so used to letting our emotions (i.e. our flesh) dictate our decisions that we think when it, whatever "it" is, gets hard or when it hurts that it's a sign that we need to quit. If it's a non-God directive (if it's something that goes against his principles), then you may be on to something. But, I have searched the Word over and I have yet to find "punk" (weak in spirits or health) in it. God is no punk and we are made in his image (Genesis 1:26-27); he didn't make us to be either. But, because the flesh and the spirit lust against one another (Galatians 5:16-17), you can best believe that the flesh fights against "working out". It likes being lazy and lethargic. It doesn't want us to make a decision and stick with it. That is a sign of strength. It doesn't want us to courageously go after our dreams, or rather, visions. That is a sign of strength. It doesn't want us to resist temptation. That is a sign of strength.
And do you know why it hates such things? Because it knows where our strength comes from: THE LORD. Our flesh's main objective is not to keep us from the rewards of strength training, so much as from the source of that strength. Because it knows when we "tap in" to that power source, we are unstoppable. (I John 4:4)
As for me, the last thing the devil wanted me to do was write my love vision because then the sermon today wouldn't have been as powerful. The writing was training...the listening was training...the processing is training. It doesn't feel the greatest (because I know God is giving me the head's up that I am about to be tested), but because I have been reminded that love requires endurance, I don't see the "stretching"...of my pride, my will, my way as a sign to stop, but a sign that I am getting stronger and that God is building me up in this area.
This week, I am sure that you are in need of strength...for something. You may be need to learn how to master your emotions (strong means stable). You may need to finish an assignment or project (strong means steady). You may need to speak up for yourself (strong means gutsy). Whatever the case may be, to become stronger, you have to train...and strength training in the spirit realm is synonymous with spiritual testing. Just because it doesn't "feel" good, doesn't mean it's not good for you.
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."---James 1:2-4 (NKJV)
God didn't make no punks (on any level...check out the other definitions-Romans 1). Tough it out. It's for your greater good.
God, your coach, knows what he's doing. He's got the knowledge to spot you...to train you...to push you to get you where you need to be. Let him.
You'll always be thankful (and stronger) in the end. And for the magnitude of his blessings...you'll need it! (Ephesians 3:20)
©Shellie R. Warren/2009
Links to Other Things...
http://sohowdidyouknow.blogspot.com/ http://beforeyoujumpthebroom.blogspot.com/ http://xxxchurch.com/gethelp/women/ http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Me-Lessons-Lu... Here's to a divine connection,
Shellie R. Warren
Posted By: The SISTAHS Ministry
Tuesday, March 24th 2009 at 4:05PM
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