chapter one

The Mind is the Battlefield.

I love how this chapter started with Eph. 6.12.
I wrote it down on an index card and placed it in my purse.  I want to memorize this one.

Our Enemy is pure and simple -- Satan.  Not our family....our kids....our jobs....our circumstances...our ....
Jesus called Satan the Father of Lies in John 8.14.

I found this very interesting as I had never thought of it before -- Satan has studied us for a LONG time.
Satan knows what bothers us.  He is willing to invest ANY amount of time it takes to defeat us.  One of the Devil's strong points is patience.

Patience -- really?  That is one thing that many of us women struggle with ....the lack of Patience.  We were given the right amount of patience when God created us...we...maybe..just have not learned how to access it??  !!   Got to think about that!

So we have to learn to TEAR down the strongholds.  Stop and think about those strongholds in your life.

A stronghold is an area in which we are held in bondage due to a certain way of thinking.

I will be frank and personal.  There was a time in my life..my marriage where the stronghold of guilt and self-pity could of REALLY taken its toll.  It tried.  You see, my husband was unfaithful.  It is what it is...but I praise God that with HIS help...those strongholds that TRIED to get me...did NOT succeed.

I stated I did not want to be negative and I did not share that for pity or concern or to hurt him...just to simply be REAL.  Real.  I KNOW we can win this battle of our minds....It is a process, but it can be done. (PS, this is where I mentioned that what we share here...is shared in confidence. We can trust each other.)

2 Corn 10. 4-5 is how we tear those strongholds down.    I think it would be a GREAT idea to write that verse down in my..purse as well.

( Side note, at CVS/ Walgreens, you can get a spiral of index cards.  This idea is from Beth Moore.  I have done this now for 3 years..or this is my 3rd year.  I section it off and write down on these index cards ...that are bound in a spirtal...well, I write verses that people give me or that HE gives me and I carry them around DAILY.  I try and memorize at least one each month..or twelve.  It is just an idea, but when I say jot down the verse and place it in my purse that is what I am talking about.)

Then there was the Summary of the Situation...I thought this was GOOD.  It is on pg. 12 of my NOOK version of the book, not sure about the paperback copy...I just reminded myself, we ARE in a war.  Period.   And the other point that jumped out at me....#6  Satan is in NO hurry...he will wait us out.  There is that patience again.

The Word is our Weapon....John 8: 31, 32  

 If you abide in My word ( hold fast to my teachings and live in accordance with them), you are truly My disciples.  And You will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

So, I really need to learn everything about Jesus, really get to KNOW HIM and the Holy Spirit.  I want to also learn more of HIS word so I can use it as POWER in my prayers.

Ok - I got a little 'longwinded' there..just excited about the first chapter.  
Now our  two questions  for comment......

God fights for us.  I love the scripture from Exodus 14.14.  I have this one memorized.  God will fight for me, I need only be still.  God is fighting for us.  That makes my heart sing.

Question #1...Have you had a time when you KNEW God was fighting for you - would you share it?  How did you know HE was....HOW did it bless you?

Question #2 ... Did you relate to the Story of Mary or John?  You can share if you wish...


Ok,  so if you have not read chapter one yet...please do so and then respond.

God loves you dearly - have a great week!