Tag: equipped

Stand & Fight

Karla Lees
Via Unsplash, Mikhail Odintsov

It has been quite the battle I have been fighting over these past three days. From a spontaneous fire breaking out in a dry load of laundry which had been out of the dryer for over 2 hours, a flare of arthritis in the hand I predominantly type/write with, loved ones about me struggling with illness, depression, loss of loved ones, and aging parents. All while I was waiting to decide on how I was going to respond to a recent invitation.

God clearly confirmed for me which way I should choose in my church service yesterday. Part of which is the renewed determination to stand and fight at His side, to deliberately practice His ways, to intentionally follow His lead.

For the God I serve? He is both daily battling in the spiritual realm for me 24/7, and present walking beside me, equipping me to head into battle with His strength, vision, and weaponry.

This week, I’ll be sharing some of what I am learning about battling as His soldier. I hope it will not only encourage you to know you are not alone, but offer you some insight into new ways He can equip and walk beside you along the way.

One key way I battle is through intentional worship. On my playlist right now is a reminder of who He is and how I can trust Him in whatever battle I am facing.

šŸŽ™SCATTER by Pat Barrett

“I don’t need to be afraid of the darkness, I belong to the light. Every shadow’s got to run from the fire coz You own the night. I don’t need to be afraid of the battle when I’m by Your side. I’ve seen the end of this story – You win the fight!

CHORUS: Light the fire in my soul, tell the darkness where to go!

I don’t need to be afraid of the battle when I’m by Your side. Cause I’ve seen the end of this story – You win the fight!

CHORUS: Light the fire in my soul, tell the darkness where to go!

When we praise, when we praise the enemy scatters. In Your name, in Your name strongholds shatter. X2

Tell the spirit of fear he’s gotta go, he’s gotta go.

CHORUS: Light the fire in my soul, tell the darkness where to go!”

Songwriters: Jason Ingram / Patrick Barrett / Steven Furtick

#hopefortheharddays #praiseisaweapon

ten things I like about you

Karla Lees

I really like ten things about you.
Even though i may not have met you yet.

That may sound strange, but as an observer of people, I have finally figured these things out.

And you probably need to know what these things are.

1. I like the fact that you aren’t me.
I spend more than enough time with myself, so I like that you are not me. I find our differences interesting. Think about how boring it would be if we were all alike.

2. You are here on purpose.
You were not an accident, no matter what anyone else had told you. God planned you, on purpose, from the spark that He first set off when He created you in your mother’s womb. You are handcrafted, and a one of a kind original. There will never be another one of you, ever. He designed you after Himself. He intentionally placed you in this place and time.

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3. God has equipped you with talents and gifts.
Sometimes you need to be reminded that you are good at something. We all have strengths, and when we get to know each other, we begin to see these in one another. It may take a friend or coworker to point it out to you before you may begin to see it in yourself. You likely are good at a few things, not just the one you may be best at.

4. God cares for you.
Each and every person who ever has been, is or will be is important to God. So much so that Jesus died for each of us, to pave the way for us to draw close to Him. He is the closest friend you can ever have, will never leave you and always wants the best for you. He is in your corner no matter what.

5. You are here for a purpose.
You are meant to do wonderful things with your life. Bless people through your profession, invent something, raise your kids well, mentor or teach others, encourage and help others. God will reveal the things you are meant to do as you get to know Him, and yourself through His eyes.

6. You are worth being heard.
If no one has ever told you so…what you feel and think matters. You have a story worth telling, and it deserves to be told. And heard.

7. You look great when you smile!
That’s right, a smile makes you look your best. And when you smile, it increases the likelihood that those around you will smile back at you.

8. Things may be tough, but they will get better.
This world is just our temporary home, and it’s a hard life most of us are living through. But its not our final destination if you believe in Jesus, and place your hope in Him. Heaven will be your forever home. No more tears, sickness, disease, pain or loneliness.

9. You always have something to be thankful for.
As bad as things can get, take some comfort in the small things around you if you can’t see any big things to be grateful about. Being able to breathe, read, hear, walk. A roof over your head, food on the table, a job. A cloud in the sky, sun, rain puddles, flowers, cat purrs. Whatever you can find, remember to be thankful for having it.

10. Someone is thankful for having you in their life.
They are. Whether a family member, close friend, coworker or a stranger you helped out…someone has been blessed to have you in their life.

I hope we meet, whether virtually, here on earth or in heaven one day.

Until we do, remember these ten things that you need to know about yourself.

It took many years for me to reprogram the lies and believe these truths about myself. May you cast off what needs to go to make room for these truths you were meant to know about you.

I am glad you are here.