battle belongs to lord

Tools used by devil

A modern parable has been written about the tools of the enemy that I believe we can really learn from. “Some time ago, an advertisement appeared in which the devil was putting all his tools up for sale. On the day of public inspection, each one of his tools was marked with its selling price: Hatred, Envy, Jealousy, Doubt, Lying, Pride, and so on, were each on the block. Set apart, however, from all the rest of the pile, was a harmless-looking tool, well-worn, but priced very high — it was discouragement!” Someone asked the devil, ‘why is that one priced so high?’ He replied, ‘Ah, that one is more useful to me than all the rest. With it I can pry open a man’s heart and enter, when I cannot get near him with any other tools. Once inside, I can lead him any way I choose. The tool is much worn because I use it on almost everyone, since few people know it belongs to me. The enemy loves to sow discouragement — but believers have a tool much more powerful — encouragement! We can speak a word into the lives of those who desperately need to hear it: to the college student adjusting to his new environment; to the missionary who may feel alone in the harvest field; to the disillusioned newlywed young couple; to the forgotten servants of God who labor in an obscure and difficult ministry; to the orphans and the widows; to all those who need to hear a word in due season! We have the power in our lips to rekindle a discouraged soul. Let’s inspire one another with words of encouragement! It costs nothing, and reaps an eternal reward…encourage one another daily, as you see the Day draw near. [Hebrews 10:25]

Let’s throw it out

A couple travels so much that it seems like the wife is always packing suitcases. With the luggage laid out on the bed, she begins: This "little thing" and that "little thing." She never thinks she is packing much until she tries to pick it up. It weighs a ton! Walking with it seems impossible; running with it would be absurd. Yet that's exactly how "weights" of pessimism and negativity which block your relationship with God, are established. Bit by bit, this "little thought" and that "little thought" that isn't of Him gets shoved into the "suitcase" of your mind. Each small act of choosing your own negative or pessimistic thoughts over His thoughts of faith and hope add one more weight. Soon your soul is so oppressed that fellowship is lost. In the night you doom the next day by deciding, Things won't get any better. Tomorrow will be just like today. What's the use? God wants to set you on the road to freedom tonight. He wants you to start throwing off those weights of pessimism and get back in the race! He's telling you, "let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:1-2, NKJV). Before you sleep tonight, think of one "weight" (pessimistic attitude) that you will refuse to carry anymore. Then call on the Lord for His strength and throw it off and you will rejoice in freedom from oppression.

Birthmark on face

Charles William Eliot, former president of Harvard University, had a birthmark on his face that bothered him greatly. As a young man, he was told that surgeons could do nothing to remove it. Someone described that moment as “the dark hour of his soul.” Eliot’s mother gave him this helpful advice: “My son, it is not possible for you to get rid of that hardship. But it is possible for you, with God’s help, to grow a mind and soul so big that people will forget to look at your face.” Yes, it’s true. All of us have things we’d love to change about our bodies. And many of us tend to spend an awful lot of time and money trying to change, fix and cover those things up. But I think there is much truth in Mrs. Eliot’s words. When we are shining boldly for the Lord, I don’t believe anyone sees them! Do you REALLY want to make a drastic difference in your appearance today? Let’s stop focusing on our outward issues today and start focusing on what really counts — walking uprightly and wholeheartedly with the Lord — a spiritual extreme makeover! We will glow like never before, at a low price and 100% guaranteed! And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalms 90:17.

God will answer your cry

Once there was a man, who goes to the doctor due to some problem. He tells the doctor that, his wife is acting being deaf these days, i.e. no matter what this man says she is not replying to any of the things. The doctor says, "I do not have a treatment right now for this problem, I can suggest you something through which you can know her level of deafness then we can start treatment." The doctor says, go home and try calling your wife from 30 feet far and then go little closer and then call her again and go little further and repeat the same. Do this in order to know her level of deafness. The man says, "Ok doctor I will try this out" and left that place. The man goes home. He tells his wife, "Honey what's for dinner?" He does not get any reply. He goes little further and asks the same question. He does this ten times; he was almost near to her. Then for the 10th time she answers him saying, "How many times should I reply saying that today is the special dinner for you." It means it was not his wife who was deaf but he himself.  Friends, it is same with Our God. We think that we ask him so many things in prayer many times and Lord is not answering us. But it is the other way around. He always listens to our cry and answers our prayer as our Lord is gracious and merciful but we never realize them. He may give answers to our prayers to us but in different ways. Because he says, my thoughts are not your thoughts and my ways are not your ways. O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you." Isaiah 30:19.