Galatians 5:19-21

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Here we are again – -continuing our study in Girlfriends With Swords, by Lisa Bevere. Tonight, we will try to grab hold of what Becoming a Warrior means. But, first let’s play a game with Chapters 1-5.

You might say these chapters took us through Basic Training, preparing us to be a warrior in God’s army. In an effort to make sure their groups are spiritually fit for the front line of duty, Amy, Christi, Laurie, and Kim devised a Girls With Swords Trivia Game.

Here’s how it works: Christi made cards with words or scriptures taught in Basic Training. A contest is going on between Group 1 and Group 2 to see who can be the first to answer all the questions on the cards.

If you missed the games, take a minute and play. On your mark! Get Set! Go!

Wasn’t that fun? I need to review several of those scriptures. I think I’ve been grazing and not feasting on the Word. (Ugh) Time to head over to the bonfire. I’m anxious to hear Teresa, Jennifer, Tonya, and Diane speak on Becoming a Warrior.

Teresa

Lisa gives us words a WARRIOR would understand: strategy, intuition, vision, wisdom, patience, persistence, tenacity, a unified voice, and concerted effort. This requires us to develop Maturity as a Spiritual Warrior.

The Apostle Paul spoke to people in Hebrews 6 about becoming mature Christ followers.

“So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.” (NLT)

The basic teachings are very important. Once a new believer understands the basic lessons, it is time to practice what was learned and “move forward” toward maturity.

We have a CHOICE to believe, a CHOICE to mature,
and a CHOICE to live in a way that brings Honor and Glory to God the Father.

Jennifer

Girlfriends, warriors are not hired; they are called. David had an elite group of men fighting with him. They were not soldiers, hired to do a particular job. They were called to the task.

As Lisa said: ”You are at once a daughter and a warrior.” There is no separation between the two. If you are a part of God’s family—a part of His army—then you are one of His warriors.

I think many of us are scared to be warriors. We want to just “get by.” But, I am challenging you today to rise up!

Face Your Fear Today and
Put Your Trust in God!

Tonya

All soldiers are trained, but in addition to being trained, a warrior will be tempered. For example:

A warrior isn’t quick to teach a lesson; they aren’t quick to avenge a wrong done.
They are compelled to offer grace and compassion, and to show God’s love.
They are led by God to do what is needed when it is needed, whether it is to offer grace, or to stand up and fight.
Warriors seize the opportunity to make a difference in an area where they can bless others and where God’s love can shine through them.

Lisa said: “the processing of tempering may not be pleasant or quick,” but the outcome is this: “the warrior woman, not only sees what our enemy is doing, but can follow God’s lead into battles with His promises in our hearts.’”

Are you ready to sign on to be
more than a soldier?

Diane

Have you opened your ears and heard the Lord call your name? Are you covering your ears with fear of the unknown after you hear Our Mighty King whisper His warrior-princess’s name?

Fear will always be a part of our lives, but it does not have to be the driving force behind our actions or lack thereof.
Fear, when placed in the right manner, will only drive us closer to God Himself.
We must fear God and keep His commandments. We do this by coming to a revelation of Who God truly is and what He has truly done for us. This revelation drives us to be obedient because of the deep love we possess for our One and Only King.

All of us have a perfect will for our lives, and also a perfect love that drives out any fear that tries to prevent us from living out God’s perfect will for us. 1 John 4:18 says: There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.

As warrior-princesses-in-training,
we all possess God’s perfect love in our hearts.
Where God’s love is, fear doesn’t stand a chance.

**********

After Diane spoke, praise and worship lasted into the midnight hour under the glow of the heavenly lights.

Something else very exciting has been taking place at our meetings. Word has gotten around the campground about “those women” who gather nightly at the bonfire. First there were one or two outsiders who visited the meetings, and now a big crowd has joined us. Lisa said: “Warriors will lead and irresistibly compel others to join the cause.”

You go, girlfriends! MIGHTY WARRIORS YOU ARE!

Let’s pray: Father God, I thank You that You have called us to be warriors. May we not take Your calling carelessly, but serve You with honor, and free of fear. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen

*****

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I often wonder why it seems as if life is a daily battle…. Why we have to fight for things that seem so basic, so common, as Lisa says, we don’t have to fight for the words of Galatians 5:19-21.

Galatians 5:19-21 (NKJV)

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But we do have to fight for the words of Galatians 5:22-26.

Galatians 5:22-26 (NKJV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Jesus fought a battle larger than any we could imagine. He died on the cross and won that battle. He won that battle so w could handle the battles He knew would follow. “This means, that sometimes we must battle to become one.” We must battle to become one with Him. We must battle to become the mothers He created us to be, to become the wives He designed us to be, and we must battle to become the women He designed us to be. He knew what we would be facing. He knew that our lives would seem like battlegrounds, that’s why He gave us the tools we would need. He placed the sword in our hands, and told us what to look out for, what to avoid. He told us what Satan would use to attack us, what weapons he would throw in our path.

When I am counseling someone at work one of the things I tell them that they can use to their benefit is the knowledge of what may happen—knowing what may come down the road can help prepare them for it. We have a list printed up of some common reactions to their situation. This list can be used as a tool when things arise. It allows each person to develop the tools needed before the “attack” comes.

The same has been done for us. Listed above (Galatians 5:19-21) are the attacks Satan uses on us and will continue to use on us, to try to divide us and separate us from our Heavenly Father. God has also created a list of tools (Galatians 5:22-26) we need to carry with us to fend off these attacks. We would be wise to use these God-given tools each and every day in our lives!

“You don’t set up camp in hell…you journey through it.” Life was designed to be peaceful and pleasurable, but yes there are times where we have to hold up our swords to protect our joy and peace; times when we are walking through rough patches in our lives. As Lisa says, we journey through it.

Ladies, keep this in your heart, “There are times you must battle to become one.” So, let’s pick up our swords and push forward.

*****

Let’s Pray:

Lord, I pray Galatians 5:22-26 over our lives. I pray for love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as we journey through our battlefield. I thank You for the tools we need to counter Satan’s attacks. I thank You that no weapon formed against us will prosper. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Girls With Swords: Chapter 6 Weekly Review – “Becoming a Warrior”