The Wrestling Match By www.girlfriendsingod.com

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. – (Ephesians 6:10-12, NIV)

It was the end of the school year.  The sun was blazing in the sweltering high 80s with not a hint of shade to be found on the treeless playground.  The boys were stinky from their sweaty schoolyard endeavors and the girls were now wilted versions of the fresh flowers they had been that morning.  It was almost time for the big wrestling competition.  Electric excitement lingered in the air.  I was a fifth grader at West Hempfield Elementary School in Irwin, Pennsylvania and I had signed up to participate in the wrestling match.

To this day, I’m somewhat amused and perplexed that I would’ve thrown myself into the middle of such a barbaric display.  Wrestling certainly wasn’t my sport of choice, or even a faint interest of mine.  So, as we all gathered around the red and white striped gymnasium mats for the annual, end-of-the year wrestling tournament, I was sweating bullets…not just from the relentless, yellow ball of heat in the sky, but also from the nerves that consumed my body.

Before the match even began, I was a captive to the bully in my brain.  What do you think you are doing?  This is ridiculous!  Caroline is not only three inches taller than you, but she’s meaner than you, and she’s in the sixth grade!  You are going down, Gwen.  Prepare to be humiliated in front of every fourth, fifth and sixth grader in the school.

At the sound of the whistle, the match was on. Caroline and I danced around like two alley cats with their backs raised high. She had a confidence in her eye that was foreign to me at that moment. A series of unskilled and ungraceful moves followed. (Cringe with me here!) She lunged and I retreated. I lunged and she retreated. Then came contact.  Within seconds we were on our hands and knees battling for control. Battling for the win.

The sounds of the crowd were deafening as Caroline moved in to get the better of me. All I could think was, Just DON’T let her get you on your back! Feelings of hopelessness and desperation flooded my heart as she and I exchanged move for move. There were several points allotted and several restarts from Mr. Gordon’s whistle.  In the midst of this primitive battle, my goal had changed from trying to win to just trying NOT to be pinned…therein lies the defeat.

As the match came to an end and the final whistle blew, it was Caroline’s victorious arm that was raised high in the sky.  I was defeated in front of half the school.  Cheers went up for Caroline as I shrunk back into the sea of students, longing for super powers that would render me invisible.  I was exhausted from the match, humiliated from my failure, and defeated by both Caroline and my own mind.

That was a dark day for me as a young girl.  But as dark as that day was emotionally, I was able to clearly see my opponent.  Ladies, when it comes to spiritual wrestling matches, we do not have the advantage of sight.  The Bible says: “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.”  (Ephesians 6:12, NIV)

Many of the battles we contend with each day are spiritual.  We can’t see our enemy.  And while at first glance this may seem disarming, look again at Ephesians 6.  The Bible clearly tells us that we can be equipped to stand firm with the Armor of God!

“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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 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 saints.” (Ephesians 6:13-18, NIV)

Though the wrestling match with Caroline seemed overwhelmingly daunting, the battles that I face now are so much greater.  I’m thankful that God’s word clearly says the victory is ours if we are in Christ. If God is for us, who can be against us?

What are you wrestling with today?  Is the enemy speaking lies to you?  Do you feel weak?  Strength comes when we call on Jesus!  We can stand firm against the schemes of the devil when we put on the armor of God!   Suit up girls…a battle is going on all around you.   Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power!

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, I thank You for being a Mighty God Who longs to cover my weakness with Your strength.  Please equip me for all that lies ahead today, protect me from attacks and schemes of the enemy, and help me to be strong in Your mighty power.  Cover me with Your peace, truth, faith, and salvation so I can stand firm in the battle.

I ask this in the powerful name of Jesus, amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

·         Make a list of the top struggles you are currently facing.

·         Take each struggle to the LORD and ask that He would equip you for the battle.

·         How will putting on the Armor of God will help you trust Him more? Stop by my Facebook page so we can discuss it. www.Facebook.com/GwenSmithMusic

More from the Girlfriends

Hey friend. I hope you’re suited up and ready to do battle now. If you are struggling to see how you can get from the wrestling mat to the winner’s circle, be sure to get a copy of our GiG book, Trusting God: A Girlfriends in God Faith Adventure.  (Today’s devotion is an excerpt from Trusting God by Sharon Jaynes, Gwen Smith and Mary Southerland.)

Ready to Go Deeper with God? In the Old Testament, the Israelites used to head into battle lead by the singers. Worship went before them and paved the way to victory. My new CD, Uncluttered is purposed to sweep you away from life-noise and to focus your heart and mind on the one thing that matters: your relationship with Jesus Christ. We are running a great CD Special now, so swing by www.GwenSmith.net… or you can download the songs from iTunesor Amazon.

May GOD bless Nigeria, America and Israel and take care of us; May GOD make His face shine upon us, And be gracious to us; May the LORD lift up His countenance upon us, And give us peace, In Jesus Christ Name, we pray! Amen!

A Way with Words by Kay Campbell

I didn’t even have a ticket when I arrived at my first Women of Faith event in Hartford last year.  I had decided to attend at the very last minute.  I didn’t know anyone there and certainly didn’t know what to expect.

God knew, though.  A multi-sensory spiritual pep rally was in store, complete with soul-stirring worship and heartwarming stories.  In an arena filled with tens of thousands of women, I heard God whispering in my ear and reigniting my passion for writing.

I’ve always loved words-from the time I was a little girl and my father taught me a new word every night when he tucked me into bed.  Now, four decades later, God was reminding me of that love through Women of Faith.

As I experienced the event, descriptive phrases were rolling through my mind like ticker tape:  the litany of lyrics weaving a melodious tapestry; the gifted speakers painting vivid word pictures; the enticing stacks of books inviting me to learn not only about God but also about myself.

When I returned home that evening, I dusted off my journal and began to write letters to God again.  Since then, I’ve written several inspirational stories, one of which was recently published by Guideposts.  I even had the memorable experience of meeting a very special lady whose life was changed by reading my article.

It is my dream to share my stories about faith and hope with others.  I know the Author of life has a plan for me and I want to thank Women of Faith for adding an exclamation point to my journey!

May GOD bless Nigeria, America and Israel and take care of us; May GOD make His face shine upon us, And be gracious to us; May the LORD lift up His countenance upon us, And give us peace, In Jesus Christ Name, we pray! Amen!

GOD Is Able. The Redeemed Evangelical Mission.

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Romans 4:21

We all must realize that God is always able. He has the ability, He has the dynamic power. What He has promised, He is able to perform. Even if it was not there God can create it because His word cannot fall to the ground. Even when there is no one to speak for you God will put somebody in place, just to speak for your interest and on your behalf. Abraham was fully persuaded saying “It is not up to me, it is up to Him. For me, my hope is already lost. I didn’t say it, I didn’t initiate it, it was not my idea but God’s idea and He is God; if He is God, all things are possible with Him” When you function that way, the next verse is automatic. Romans 4:23 says “it was imputed unto him for righteousness”

God was saying, Abraham, bring out your report because I am the final umpire, Abraham you have passed. God wants his children to be a demonstration of His kingdom to the world. If we obey His word, God shows us forth as signs and wonders on earth. That is why you must not function the way others function no! “The just shall live by faith”. The just shall live by the word of God because the word makes you into what God said and what God said pleases God.

Naturally when you come home with a good result to your parents, you make them happy. That is how God is saying my son, daughter, make me happy. I have already spoken about you. Dare you believe His word and leave the fulfilment to Him for He is more than able. I see you coming back with the ‘spoils’ of the battle, laughing at the devil. It is not up to you to do it, No! your part is to act in faith and obedience. God’s part is to fulfil. He is able to do all things. It doesn’t have to be the normal way. We are spiritual people, God still does the super-natural. The life of Jesus and His Apostles was filled with the supernatural. May God show up for you in every situation because He is able! Amen!!

Further reading: Isaiah 28:21, Ephesians 3:20, Philippians 2:13, 4:19.
Daily Bible Reading: Morning-Hebrews 4-7
Evening – Jeremiah 40-42

dailydevotional@trem.org

www.trem.org

May GOD bless Nigeria, America and Israel and take care of us; May GOD make His face shine upon us, And be gracious to us; May the LORD lift up His countenance upon us, And give us peace, In Jesus Christ Name, we pray! Amen!