"Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.
Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset--rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world." 1 Peter 5:8-9 (The Amplified Bible)
It is not my life that needs balance, it is my thoughts - for it is His thoughts that should filter through my heart at every changed circumstance, good or bad, right? And, these last weeks, I have felt His presence almost at every thought, every moment through the good and the bad. Praising Him through it all. Psalm 42, comes to mind, specifically verse 8—“By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life.”
If we go through our lives “believing” that we are walking a tight rope, then the fall will be painful. If we go through life understanding that it is a journey, one where the ground is solid, because our guide is solid, then we will move up the mountain gracefully, as well as impactfully.
Although our journeys are very different, they are much the same. We live day to day, and experience our circumstances, make choice, reap the benefits of good choices and hold on to Him more during the bad. So, as you take the next step it’s time to realize what you are stepping on to, or in to.
I have come to realize that “balance” only comes when I allow God to be the focal point of my life:
My thoughts toward His – “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” ~2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
My eyes to see like His – “The Lord’s eyes scan the whole world to find those whose hearts are committed to him and to strengthen them. You acted foolishly in this matter. So from now on, you will have to fight wars.” ~2 Chronicles 16:9 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
My heart, pure and sincere – “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.” ~Psalm 51:10 (Amplified Bible)
My days filled with Him – “Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” ~2 Peter 1:4 (NIV)
Always remembering who I call on – “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
As I head into today, I remember all these things. And finally as I know that where I head is filled with unknowns, and things not of God – I must be prepared, protected and ready for the enemy’s hunt, so please join me in putting on the full armor of God and know that what He tells us is true, what He is, is truth and you are a child of God… a child of the King, loved, protected and cherished.
The Armor of God“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” ~Ephesians 6:10-17 (NIV)
