No Weapon
No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 54:17
Author: Lori Casto
The God of Peace
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9
Polluted Principles
Time and life circumstances can cause our principles to become polluted, and we may not even realize it.
Polluted– contaminated with harmful or poisonous substance
Principles– fundamental truth or position that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior for a chain of reasoning which leads to a watered-down version of Christianity. When a fire becomes watered down, it smokes and becomes uninviting
How do we clean up the pollution?
A Priority Shift
Prioritize:
1. Prayer
Reading God’s word and pray daily. What time of day can you designate as quiet ‘God and you’ time?
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
2. Praise
We get caught up in negativity. We must have praise coming from our lips daily.
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty [b]firmament!
Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
Praise Him with the sound of the [c]trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord! Psalm 150
A. Praise scriptures
B. Praise music
3. Peace
What steals our peace?
- Relational issues
- Work
- Daily grind
- Social Media
- News
- Health Issues
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9
Meditating on His word brings peace
Every Opportunity
So be careful how you act; these are difficult days. Don’t be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good. Don’t act thoughtlessly but try to find out and do whatever the Lord wants you to. Ephesians 5:15-17 Living Bible
Rooted & Grounded
…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Ephesians 3:17-20 NKJV
Heaven’s Hands
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:4-10
Heaven’s hands are kind. He holds mercy’s wealth & the gift of grace. His hands hold memories of how He suffered to give me everlasting life. Heaven’s hands are strong when I am weak. Heaven’s hands have wide shoulders that carry the weight of the world. I am His world. Heaven’s hands have a heart full of life-giving love. He shares His love with me. I’m so thankful I can hold Heaven’s hands. More than that, I’m thankful when I can’t seem to reach His hands, He can reach mine.
Grace
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:4-10
Complacency vs Discontentment
Scripture Study
Complacency– self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies; a feeling of calm satisfaction with your own abilities or situation that prevents you from trying harder.
an instance of usually unaware or uninformed smug self-satisfaction
* take things for granted
* Monotony, boredom
* Lose ambition and initiative
* Avoid risk
“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:15-16
“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34, 36
So that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:12
Discontentment – lack of satisfaction with one’s situation.
* Frustration
* Unfulfilled
* Not fulfilling purpose/ call
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Philippians 4:11-12
Restless– unsettled, uneasy
* Is discontentment & restlessness needed to motivate complacency & cause a call to action?
* Can The Holy Spirit allow a feeling of discontent to move someone forward?
The Crystal Fountain
So long of thirst, my weary soul did languish
and naught of earth my soul could satisfy.
But when to Christ I turned in bitter anguish,
I found in Him the answer to my cry
O I have found it, the crystal fountain
Where all my life’s deep needs have been supplied
So freely flowing on calvaries mountain
And now my soul is fully satisfied
Satisfied– Fulfilled, content
“For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” – Psalms 107:9
My Hope
“May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you.” – Psalm 25:21
Looming
With the blink of an eye, July is in full swing. The more I want to hang on to time, the faster it moves. I find myself counting the days in hopes that it makes me feel like the inevitable won’t happen so fast. It’s there, though. It’s looming. It hovers over me as if it wishes to suffocate.
What is it? It’s me knowing the baby of the family is about to spread her wings and fly. My “baby” is 18 and ready to pursue a life outside the confines of Morrow and Richland counties. Random tears seem to escape me as my heart prepares for drop off.
During these countdown days, I find myself thinking about what we could have done differently. I’m also reminded how God has been faithful. He has watched over, provided, and taken care of this priceless gift from God.
I also continue to be amazed at her level of maturity, talent, and giftings. I wonder how God will use her. I wonder what her new life will be like. I wonder if we did enough to equip her for what life may throw her way.
We now have less time left in the summer with her than when June started. Every moment is important. Every memory is gold.
Dear Heavenly Father:
She’s your daughter and you love her so much. Please continue to watch over her. Be her guide, protection, and comfort. Help her to listen to your voice and not a stranger’s. Help her to pursue you above all else.
Your Heart’s Desire
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10
Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NIV
Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5 NKJV
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 NKJV
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:7-8
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Comfortable (Are you comfortable with your calling?)
Confident (Are you confident in The One who called you?)
Calm (Are you calm & settled instead of restless?)
Complete (Comfortable + Confident + Calm = Complete) (Ready)