This Means War

There’s something that has been bothering me for a while. But the more I think about it, the madder I get until I am at the point of fury. I AM FURIOUS.

We have an enemy and he’s not just here to ruin your day or even your life, he’s here to steal your HEART.

The problem is that we think attacks from the enemy are the bad things that happen to us, but if the enemy’s goal is stealing your heart away from God, he has to win it over through deception.

And a lot of times, he doesn’t even have to deceive us, he only has to distract us.

And we fall for it over and over and over.

NO. MORE.

Do you want to know the REAL reason you aren’t reading your Bible everyday?

There’s someone stopping you.

He’s filling up your calendar and your schedule with important things to make sure you don’t have time.

He’s distracting you with your surroundings, and if that doesn’t work he’s filling your head with distracting thoughts and an anxiety that makes it impossible to focus.

He’s got you convinced that you’re just not really a reader, it’s too hard to understand on your own, or that a devotional book or sermon is good enough.

He’s shaming you when you make New Year’s Resolutions to read your Bible everyday, but then you miss three weeks in a row.

He has you convinced that it’s ok, you’ll be fine, you’re doing fine.

This is his most important battle for our hearts, because it affects what we believe to be true, and if we knew the Truth it would destroy all his hard work in getting us to swallow his lies.

He desperately doesn’t want you to get to know God, or know who God created you to be.

He definitely doesn’t want you to to know how to have healthy relationships.

And he knows that reading God’s Word will result in both of these things happening. He wants nothing like he wants to cut off God’s line of communication with you.

Are you angry yet???

I am FURIOUS that someone is messing with my friends and keeping them from God and all of the good that God has for them.

I’m ready to fight back.

Are you with me??

LET’S. DO. THIS.

But first, we need to get ready for war:

Expect Opposition

No one goes to war expecting it to be a cakewalk and then walks away unscathed.

Anytime you commit to pursuing God, things are going to happen to discourage you.

Your husband is going to pick a fight, your kids are going to turn into little nightmares, your boss is going to give you hell.

If discouragement doesn’t work, it may escalate to full-on assault. It might get really ugly, but it’s at that moment that you know that what you’re doing is going to make a huge difference, or else why would he bother?

Know your “Why”.

Instead of adding “read Bible” to your to-do list, commit to spend time with God every day.

Turn your focus and attention to the one who loves you, sustains you and gives you life. Read His Words to get to know him and learn how to have a relationship with him. Pray before you begin reading or listening and give your undivided attention to God.

Don’t let anything distract you. Wait on God. Submit to His authority over your TIME, and your life.

Nothing is more important that spending time with God. Nothing will change your life like reading His Word.

Draw Up Your Battle Plan     

Schedule time with God into your daily routine.

Some people have success having their ‘God time’ later in the day, but for me, if I don’t do it FIRST, it’s a lot less likely to happen.

Have a spot and a Bible, notebook and pen ready to go. Print a Bible reading chart to track your progress.*

Set a timer and no matter how far you get, or if you have to reread the same verse ten times, commit to focusing on God during that time.

(Studies show that it takes 20 minutes for our brains to fully engage in text, but start with whatever you can until it’s a habit)

If you’re really not a reader, get an audio Bible.

Do whatever it takes to get out of the enemy’s grip of lies. Print a habit tracker to keep track of your consistency. It takes a while to build habits and we always overestimate how consistent we are. When you can see the row of check marks, it builds momentum.

*If you don’t know where to start, I always suggest reading one chapter out of Psalms every day for two reasons: 1. It’s easy, anyone can do it & 2. It is the best in-depth example of a personal and real relationship with God. Once you finish Psalms, start at the beginning again but this time read another chapter in addition to your daily psalm. Start with Genesis, then Exodus, Leviticus & Numbers (don’t get bogged down by the numbers and priestly laws, skip it and come back to it later if you need to), then read Deuteronomy twice (Deuteronomy is arguably the most underestimated book of the Bible).

Bring a Battle Buddy

Ask a friend or mentor to keep you accountable.

Talk about what you’re learning and experiencing.

If you have kids and aren’t able to have time with God before they wake up, include them. Teach them by example. Make it a family activity.

Keep On Keeping On

You might get sick or go on vacation, miss five days or two weeks, but you’ll still be doing better than you were before, so JUST. KEEP. GOING.

If you miss your scheduled time, make a point to never go to bed until you’ve connected with God through His Word, even if it’s only five minutes at the end of your day.

It’s about training, not trying. Build your endurance.

Everyone has “off” days, but don’t let today’s discouragement steal your future.

DON’T. GIVE. UP.

Expect Victory

You CAN do this.

God’s Word is living and active. It gives you LIFE. Expect to hear from God. Expect to be challenged, convicted, and comforted.

Nothing changes your life like God’s Word.

I’m done standing by while my friends are being lied to.

This. Means. War.