Fit For Battle

Colossians 3:2-4
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

We believe that we would be ready for the battle if confronted with crisis – but the crisis does Not build anything into us – it only reveals what’s inside of us already. Some have said, ‘When the time comes – I’ll be ready for battle, but you’re frustrated because, we’re in battle and we’ve been there since Post – Conference and it’s realized that you are NOT ready.

Let me ask you a question – can you handle life’s struggles as a child of God, or do you handle life’s struggles as a child? One of the examples I use as crisis reactions is that of Mary and Martha…

John 11: 17 - So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days.
John 11: 20 - Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house.

We see these 2 women respond differently in the loss of their brother. We see the anger and confrontation in Martha…and we see the despair and isolation in Mary. Eventually, they surrender to faith and God does a miracle – but the real question is, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE?

There’s nothing like a good ol’ fashioned trial to get you going…you really know what’s on the inside whenever things go against you.

I’ve seen people isolate themselves / Backslide / Become Angry and Cynical…I’ve also seen people pray harder…read more…attend services more faithfully…IT’S HOW YOU PROCESS WHAT YOU’RE GOING THROUGH…that’s the key…

2 Corinthians 4:8-10
8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

Can this scripture be your testimony? Of course it can, when Personal Devotion is in full effect in your life!
Getting closer to Jesus through worship - reminding yourself of who He is, and who you are...is the key...