OK Mom!

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Galations 5:16, NKJV)

Gracie, my youngest child, really enjoys pretend play. No matter where we are or what we are doing, she finds a way to play something. Paper, sticks, grass...it doesn't matter what it is, she can make a toy out of it. She is very creative and has an amazing imagination. 

At times, it has been a challenge for her to stop playing. For example, when its time to start school, it has been difficult for her to transition from her play to her schoolwork. In order to help her (and me...I ain't gonna lie to ya) we made a rule. When it's time to start school, I say, "Time for school!" And her response is be "Ok Mom!", with a cheerful heart. 

That plan has been working really well. Today, we went through our normal routine. Once we settled into school she sweetly said "Mommy, this morning, when you said it was time for school, my brain told me I didn't want to stop playing and do school but my heart told me to do my school and then I could have free time. I should always listen to my heart and not my brain."

Cutie Pie Alert! 

Can she be any cuter?! Can she be more precious?! 

*Beaming Momma*

She may not have fully recognized the connection between her brain (flesh) and heart (spirit), but she is learning to be Spirit led.

This made me examine myself. When an internal war tries to engage, it is critical for to me:

Recognize the battle. (Ephesians 6:12)
Take every thought captive. (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Be led by my "heart" and not my "brain". (Galatians 5:16)

What leads you?

Battle!

Resist the devil, and he will flee. (James 4:7)

Ever been hurt? Ever been hurt and what you believed to have happened was truth but as it turned out, you were wrong? And you harbored hurt based on a lie?

Ever been hurt and what you believed to have happened was truth and as it turned out, you were right? And you harbored hurt based on a truth? 

What is the difference between the two when aligned with scripture? Do we have loopholes in scripture? If we were truly wronged, and not operating in a misunderstanding, are we allowed the "luxury" to nurture that hurt until it grows into a full blown root continuing to "bloom" even decades later? Or at least until a new hurt presents itself. And affecting all relationships, present and future.

No, we don't.  We truly have option. Submit to God by obeying His Word.

Of course, there is that other option. Pick up the offense caused by the hurt, hold it, pet it, baby it, feed it for years or even until death finally kills the hurt. After all, some people purposefully hurt others. But I know every person reading this is far too wise, far too full of The Word, and far too led by the Spirit to fall for the enemies schemes by fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. We immediately recognize this as a scheme of the enemy; therefore, we absolutely avoid it. 

How do we do battle against this scheme? I'm so glad you asked! 

First, please understand, we operate in two realms. Natural (what we see which is temporary, James 4:14) and the spiritual (what we don't see which is permanent, 2 Corinthians 4:18). The flesh wants to scream, cry, complain. We must not fulfill those lusts of the flesh. Instead, we must walk by the Spirit renewing our minds daily, having new mercies every day like our Father, and operate in forgiveness. (Galations 5:16, Romans 12:2, Lamentations 3:23, Luke 6:37)

Stay so closely knitted in His Word, there is no room for anything else. And as a result, we lack for nothing. Including freedom from offense. (Matthew 6:33)

We can operate in so much grace, everyone who comes into contact with us is changed! I've been learning a lot about grace lately. I believe one aspect of grace is continually meditating on and operating in the fullest definition of thanksgiving in everything Jesus is and refusing to meditate on anything that everything else and everyone else isn't. At the end of the day, isn't everything we do (including speaking and thinking) all about Jesus? In light of our redemption package, what else truly matters?

The secular world knows offense is poison to the mind, soul, and body. Deadly diseases that manifest in the body can be scientifically linked to an offense(s). How much more must we, as born again believers, avoid obvious traps. Choose life! (Deuteronomy 30:19) 

So somebody we know does something stupid to us...big woo (As Dr. Larry Ollison would say). 


We must spend more time meditating on Kingdom principles than we do on whether or not we are justified in an offense. Failing to do so, is a first step in the wrong direction. Consider this, the next time you are offended, don't tell anyone but Jesus. And then, pray for that person until you are free. That's freedom!

What would happen if we imitated our Father as dear children and focused on the good of others and disregard the negatives. God focuses on the good in us, let's do the same! (Ephesians 5:1)

Doing battle like this in the spiritual realm is not as difficult as some may think. This fight against the enemy is not ours but the LORD's. (2 Chronicles 20:15). My battle and your battle lies in the first part of James 4:7. So place yourselves under God's authority. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. (God's Word Translation) Hard for him to do battle as he is running away.

How are you going to do battle?