New Beginnings

Claim Him and Lame him

His favorite place to fight us is in our minds--our thoughts and our reactions.  He wishes to cloud our minds with confusion, fear, hopelessness, anguish, too much information, worry--even too much of good things at times. 

I much as I hate to admit it.  He is good at it.  He battles us day-to-day, even moment to moment. 

So, how do we fight him? 

I certainly don't admit to be an expert warrior in this type of battle.  I've lost more battles than I have won, but I am in training and God has given me a weapon that is helping me win more and more often.

The weapon is "praise and confirmation of what I believe".  Essentially, it is verbally "claiming Him (God) and His promises.  In doing this, I lame him (Satan).  I win the battle of that moment--even if it is just for that one brief moment.  God is pleased when we can win the small battles for that trains us to be strong warriors to win the bigger battles.  Thankfully, God has already won the war.  Even so, the battles can be quite violent at times!  My sister helped introduce me to this weapon. 

I have discovered that just reciting certain very quick statements anytime a negative thought comes to my mind helps me to win that battle. They are my "battle cries". If I catch myself, "shrinking back" and worrying about something old or running through a list of things that "could happen" or getting sad about what has happened or just any negative or impure thought, I am just start reciting one of the battle cries to help me.  Sometimes, I just say them in my head (I may not be in a position to randomly speak out loud.), but I do believe saying them out loud--even in a whisper is most effective on Satan. 

He cannot stand it when we can praise God in spite of his efforts. There truly is power in praise!  The Bible describes praise as a "sacrafice".  God is pleased when we use this to grow in Him and defeat Satan.

I wanted to share some of these "battle cries" with you.  You don't have to remember the verse or even get the words exactly right.  THe power is in your sincerity and belief of the words!   Just repeat any one or more of them in those moments when you need them.  Pick a 2 or 3 that your really like or make up your own and use them daily.  As you get them fully set in your mind, pick some others.  Post them around your home or office.  However you chose to do it, just use them to claim Him and lame Satan! 

"The Lord fights for me." (Joshua 23:11)

"The Lord is with me wherever I go" (Joshua 1:9)

"God is with me now." (Jeremiah 30:11, Deut 31:6)

"God will never fail or forsake me." (Hebrews 13:5)

"Jesus is my Strong Tower." (Proverbs 18:10)

"The Lord will direct my path." (Proverbs 3:6)

"I submit myself to God and resist evil." (James 4:7)

"The Lord is great and awesome." (Neh. 4:14)

"I know that my Redeemer lives." (Job 19:25)

"My God is Worthy." (Rev 4:11)

"The Lord is my Strength.  I seek His Face always." (1Chron 16:11)

"Jesus is my Light in the darkness." (Psalm 27:1)

"Jesus is my Joy." (Psalm 43:4)

"God will fight for me.  I need only be still." (Exodus 14:14)

"I can do everything through God who gives me strength." (1 Phil 4:13)

"I will not worry--Jesus is with me."  (Matt 6:25 and Phil 4:6)

"God is my Refuge and my Strength." (Psalm 46:1)

"There is power in His Holy Name." (Psalm 124:8 and Phil 2:9)

"God is good all the time." (Psalm 31:19)

"I will rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS!" (Phil 4:4)

"I will be strong and wait for the Lord." (Micah 7:7)

"God is my Rock and my Fortress." (Psalm 31:3)

"Into God's Hands, I commit my Spirit." (Psalm 31:5)

"I will stand firm because Christ has set me free. (Gal 5:1)

"God's Grace is all I need." (2 Corin 12:9)

"When I am weak, He gives me power." (2 Corin 12:9)

"Jesus is Lord." (Romans 10:9)

"The Holy Spirit will guide me." (Luke 12:12)

"My faith is not in men but in the power of God. (1Cor 2:5)

"The Lord will renew my strength." (Isaiah 40:31)

There are many, many other battle cries that you could use--other truths or verses from the Bible, lyrics to a favorite song or a special message from a book or sermon.  As long as it is sincere Praise, Satan won't like it and you'll win the battle of that moment.

PRAISE AND PRAYER REPORT:  Many of you have been praying for little "Victoria Faith" , cousin's baby that has her intestines on the outside of her body.

Praise the Lord!  Victoria Faith was born yesterday and we have miracles to report. 

*  Her mother was able to carry her a month longer than the doctors expected.  The doctors feared that little Victoria wasn't going to grow and her survival chances wouldn't be good.  I am pleased to report that Victoria came in to this world weighing 4 pounds and 15 ounces!  A miracle considering her condition!

*  The doctors were concerned about her tiny little lungs.  There was fear that they were not fully developed and surgery would be difficult on her.  I am pleased to report that Victoria let out a loud, strong cry when she was snatched into this world!  Tears streamed down everyones face as they heard those hardy lungs make all of that noise! Thanks be to God!

*  Her heart, lungs and liver were all inside and in the right place. Praise God.

*  All of her organs are there and properly connected.  Her intestines, bowels and female organs were on the outside.  They did surgery yesterday to put her uterous and tubes back inside.  They couldn't put anything else back because her mid section is too small and her skin is to tight.  The rest will have to go in little by little over multiple days and many surgeries,  but yesterday's surgery was a success. 

*  Victoria may be in the hospital for as long as 6 months!  Please pray with me that God works additional miracles and this precious baby may come home before then! Praise God with me that her first surgery was a success and that little Victoria is strong.  She is not on oxygen and she is BEAUTIFUL! 

Pray with me that her birth and the miracles that have ocurrred and are to come will lead her parents and all who care about her straight to God!  May He receive all the glory and may their lives never be the same because Victoria's life will lead her parents and family to victory in Jesus!

Thank you all for your prayers.  As you can see, they made a difference.  We definitely need you to continue them.  She has a long recovery ahead of her and her parents are hurting because they cannot hold her and hug her.  Pray that they bond with her without the physical contact and that more importantly they bond with Jesus through it all.

Love and prayers to all of you!

Brandi  

OKay.... You made me cry ..... AGAIN!

12:30 PM, Nov. 30, 2007 .. Posted by Belinda

I can't come to your blog and not cry! This is so incredible.

Fight the good fight of faith and Little Victoria is sure doing that!!

I can just picture Jesus whispering in her ear, "They aren't going to believe what we are going to do in this place!!! I'm carrying you to lead so many to their Salvation and they don't even know it!!!!" Stick with Me girl, I've got you and I'm not about to let go. You are My Child and together We can beat the world and all the enemy has planned!"

I love you, Sis and am filled with faith and praise when I see all the Lord is revealing to you and the fact you choose to share with others (including me.)

Sisters Twice,
Belinda

Hey,

6:25 AM, Dec. 1, 2007 .. Posted by storiesIwrite

You won't believe this, but I acually posted more to my story. 0_0 Yup! Shocking!! lol!

Have a blessed day,
Sarah

Hey,

9:41 AM, Dec. 4, 2007 .. Posted by dixiefiddler

Well, if you want, I can fix you up a christmas blog. What do you think? ^_^

Have a blessed day,
Sarah