Welcome to Campground USA
Log Cabins, Nature Trails, Canoes,
Paddle Boats, Bikes, Fishing
That’s where we are – over 125 women – camping at Campground USA, studying Girls with Swords by Lisa Bevere. During the day, women huddle in small groups throughout the campground, becoming “doers of the Word.”
- They have grabbed hold of Lisa’s statement: “We are a TARGET of the enemy, not because of something we have done, but most likely because of something satan knows we are going to do.” (Do I hear an “AMEN” to that!)
- A sight to see that will “bless your socks off, is women walking the nature trails quoting God’s Word from their Pink Bedazzled Sword. (Diane, the devil doesn’t stand a chance when he sees PINK coming at him!)
- Excitement has filled the campers’ hearts with Teresa’s urging to become a HERO in this battle, and join Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Rahab listed in the Hall of Faith. (After all, they are cheering us on!)
- Tonya put to rest any fears the women had of becoming a superhero: “It’s not by my might, nor by my power but by His spirit.” (You got that right, Tonya!)
- PRAYER is really shaking things up! Would you believe I saw Coleen, Erin, and Merol doing cartwheels? It excites them seeing women putting their armor on everyday and linking it up with prayer. (Check’em out behind Cabin #4 – -woohooo!)
- PRAISE AND WORSHIP at the end of each nightly session is just out of this world. Even the “city girls,” who would never set foot inside a campground think they are in heaven! (Let’s don’t tell them any different.)
As night approaches, they gather around the bonfire to discuss the assigned chapter. Tonight, Chapter 4, The Battleground, is the topic of discussion. My girlfriends will answer the questions “Where is the battle?” and “Who is my enemy?”
Jennifer
What I have to say may sound harsh, but I’m going to give you 8 points that are a reality!
- We spend our time and energy fighting each other.
- Our war is not with any political party, alternative lifestyle, social issue, family member, pastor, President of the United States, or any other worldly circumstance.
- Our war is with Satan.
- When he sees us fighting with each other, he laughs; when he can cause division and strife, he wins.
- Unbelievers are watching Christians. They are trying to see if we live our lives differently than they live theirs.
- We cannot have a negative spirit toward anyone and be right with God.
- We must take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
- We must model our leader, Jesus Christ, who tells us to:
- Love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:31)
- Love our enemies (Matthew 5:44)
- Pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44)
This, girlfriends, is the answer to how we defeat the enemy.
Teresa
Did you know that there is a prayer that Jesus prayed that has not been answered YET? How can that be? In John 17:20-23, at The Last Supper, Jesus prays for you and me:
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in me, and I in You, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that You have sent me. The glory that You have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and You in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent me and loved them even as You loved me.
God’s plan for redemption includes: One Heart One Vision One Purpose One Name One Kingdom One Mandate
I submit to you that we would then become the answer to the prayer Jesus prayed.
Tonya
Jesus fought a battle larger than any we could imagine. He died on the cross and won that battle so we could handle the battles He knew would follow. This means, that sometimes we must battle to become ONE.
Satan uses adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, and revelries to divide and separate us from our Heavenly Father (Galatians 5:19-21).
But, God created a list of tools to fend off these attacks: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-26).
There are times where we have to hold up our swords to protect our joy and peace. As Lisa says:
“You don’t set up camp in hell…you journey through it.”
All of a sudden, Christi, jumped to her feet. Ladies, I feel on FIRE tonight! God WANTS you to hear this!
Never be afraid to enter the enemy’s camp and take back what he has stolen from you!! God has already won this battle, and He will restore the years the locusts has eaten!!! Do not fear! We serve a Mighty God!!! He will never ask you to stand for something if He thought you were not able to!
Enter the enemy’s camp, get mad, put the enemy under your feet, and take back what he has stolen from you!! It is yours!! Stomp on his head and tell him NO!!!! No more satan!!!! You are defeated!!! You have not won this battle, God has, and I am standing with my God with the sword in my hand, and I send you back to the pit of hell where you belong!!
Ladies, please get this!!!! You have ALL authority, not just some authority, but ALL authority over the enemy!!! Don’t let him lie to you any longer and tell you that you are defeated!!! You are not!! You have victory in the name of JESUS!! Please get that!!! Take your marriage back, your rebellious children back, your health back!! Stand in victory with your sword in hand, and dance on the enemy’s head!!!
Oh baby, I’m preaching myself happy!!! Dance with me on satan’s head tonight!! I stand with you as you take back what he has stolen from you…what is rightfully yours!!!!
I (Martha) am a very conservative person, but something got a hold of me! I heard myself saying: “Preach it, Sister Christi, preach it! Come on ladies, let’s dance.” And with that, such dancing like you never witnessed went on around that campfire as we danced on satan’s head, and took back what he stole from us. They all began to sing “Look What the Lord Has Done”:
Diane finished the chapter with her personal testimony.
I would like to focus on the following TRUTH.
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 (Ephesians 6:12).
This reminds me of my past. At one point in my life it was easy for me to blame the someone who robbed me of my innocence and even easier for me to blame myself. I learned that the roots of my problems were not people or my own thoughts; they were the lies Satan was feeding me.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
Jesus has come so that WE MAY HAVE ABUNDANT LIFE. Satan will try to bring back the pain and memories of people who hurt you. BUT —
The more you grow in your relationship with God, the stronger defense you will have against Satan.
And so it was – -Diane, through her own experience, had been able to join Jennifer, Teresa, and Tonya in answering the questions: “Where is the Battle?” and “Who is my Enemy?”
Women lingered by the bonfire and continued to worship the Lord. The sounds of other campers filtered in and, what’s that other sound I hear? Could it be Heaven’s Angelic Choir joining us in Praise and Worship? (Breath-taking.)
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Let’s Pray: Father God, we are so grateful that You have taught us where our battles are and who the real enemy is. May we realize Your Word equips us for this battle. You and You alone are our strength, our shield, our strong tower. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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If you would like to join us for the “Girls with Swords” Online Bible/Book study, click HERE to be taken to our sign-up page. Once you complete the enrollment process, we will email you further details. We hope you will join us!
