Are you prepared for the battle?

Are you prepared for the day of battle? Are you equipped with the tools you need if a surprise attack occurred?

The Word of God tells us as believers in 1 Peter 1:13-14, “Therefore prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.”

Do you know what those verses are telling us? Be prepared daily and do not live as you once did before you were saved by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. How do you prepare for the battle you may ask? You do it by arming yourself with the power of God’s word! You see many people think the Bible is only useful for spiritual things. Beloveds, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Our daily battle doesn’t even have to be a traumatic event, like cancer, death in the family, or divorce. It could be something along the lines of a boss who makes work a nightmare or someone who insults you/gossips about you. But no matter what you have to know and engrain in your heart and mind God is still God the darkness of life and we must act according to God’s word!! Someone being rude or treating you badly gives you absolutely no excuse for bad behavior.

Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 1:3-4 “Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you.” Meaning Praise God for He alone has given us hope in His precious Son Jesus, and that blessing will never die, never fade and will never be destroyed.

How often do we, when troubles come do we fly into panic mode? I mean we scramble to find a solution instead of waiting for the Lord to reveal to us wisdom on what to do during the situation. We don’t just get Godly wisdom on our own friend, but through prayer, reading God’s word, and from Godly men and women. The reason you must read the Bible daily is because it equips, encourages, and provides the tools needed to face the daily challenges. Knowing God alone is in control of every situation is comfort for me. Knowing He cares about my troubles and will provide hourly, daily, for my needs, strengthens for the day.

Alright, go a little further into 1 Peter chapter 1, we read in verse 16 Peter quoting Christ “Be holy because I am holy.” Christ is literally the perfect example on how we should live our life! Turn a few pages over to 1 Peter 2: 23 and look at how Peter describes how Christ dealt with situations and down right evil people.

“When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered He made no threats. Instead He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.”

Listen friend, God sees when we are mistreated, you don’t have to retaliate. God will judge accordingly.

What a beautiful picture. You know who ever said sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt must have lived in isolation because words do hurt. How great would it be if you could turn the other cheek when someone yelled hurtful words? Peter 3:8 says, “Live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. DO NOT REPAY EVEIL with EVIL or INSULT with INSULT but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” Christ wanted to be a friend to all, and we absolutely must do the same, even reaching out to those who may not like us. Christ was insulted and mocked by others, but the Bible says we should take joy in being mocked for His name. Love others even as Christ loves you and me.


Are you seeing the same picture I’m seeing? Listen up, if we don’t read God’s Word we miss out on the blessing of wisdom, love, grace, communication with God Almighty! One of the leaders at my Bible study said (paraphrasing what Linda said), “When trials come you need the power of God to help you. The Holy Spirit is given to believers, but if you’re not reading God’s word and memorizing scripture, verses are not just going to pop up in your head. You have to give the Holy Spirit something to work with.”

I suffered from anxieties/panic attacks. When I had some severe ones I didn’t know Bible verses to quote to calm my panic. But once I started writing them down and memorizing God’s word, I was able to quote scripture to calm my panic! God’s word is power friends!!! Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 “For we know brothers loved by God that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with POWER, with the HOLY SPIRIT and with deep conviction.” WHOA!! Can I get an Amen?☺

You can’t escape trials or suffering, but this is your assurance from God in 1 Peter 1: 7-9:

“These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may be proven genuine and my result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is reveled. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

I feel just overwhelmed reading that! My trials refine my faith like fire refines gold; that once I have suffered through my trial for a little while, my faith will be stronger and praise will be given to the Holy One who helped me through it. Beth Moore said once “Trails burn out what is fake and bring out what is real.” True right? We see people’s true character when hardships occur.

When you go through the storms of life, be a light and a witness of Jesus Christ! He is our example, read His word to live a life shadowing the Savior dear friends.

I see no shame in begging for the Salvation of those who are lost and when heaven is at stake. I beg you, if you don’t know Christ, I’m telling you, you need Christ. He will change your life inside out. He starts with the heart, and when you entrust your whole self to Him, He will radiate off you! You were made for His glory; He made you, loves you, and sent His holy blameless Son to die for you. There is no other way into heaven except by accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior!

I got to end with this verse, it is just too powerful to not speak of; Peter quotes it from Isaiah 40, but it is written as well in 1 Peter 1:24 “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall but the world of the LORD stands forever.” AMEN!