Wrestling with Evil

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age.

Ephesians 6:11-12

When wrestlers compete, they rely on both strength and strategy to overcome their opponent. Even before the match begins, a wrestler takes a moment to size up his opponent, looking for his opponent's potential vulnerabilities, while remaining fully aware of his own. The passage in Ephesians uses the image of a wrestling match to convey the ongoing struggle and preparation that standing strong against evil entails - and it reminds you to be sure that you are fighting the right opponent.

People may do evil things, but your battle is not with individuals. Your battle is with evil itself. The Ephesians were well-acquainted with principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness - different kinds of evil spirits. The society was heavily involved in sorcery and magic. Even those who chose not to follow God were aware there was some kind of spiritual battle going on behind the scenes of their everyday lives. Ephesians 6 provides readers with God's guidelines on how to effectively fight that battle.

Mixing metaphors between wrestling and fighting a battle, Ephesians 6 instructs you to cover yourself with God-given armor. This protective gear is described in more detail in subsequent verses, but it includes things such as truth, righteousness, God's Spirit, God's Word, and prayer. As you choose to don God's armor each day and remind yourself who your opponent really is, you'll find yourself well prepared to hold your ground against evil.

Being prepared to encounter evil and focusing on it are two different things. Stay focused on God. His Spirit will make you aware of any battles you need to face.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God for his guidance and strength in your personal spiritual fight against evil. It is not flesh to flesh, fist to fist battle that we prepare for but a spiritual battle against the enemy. God's truths are the armor he has given us to protect us through the journey. Let us not take it lightly that we need to prepare daily through prayer and time with scripture to feed our body, mind and spirit with all the goodness God provides us. Let us not be spiritually starved or else the enemy will take away our victory. ~ MME Team

A Brand-New Beginning

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, unless one is born again,  he cannot be in God's kingdom.

John 3:3

The people of Israel were much like people today. They were constantly seeking restoration. They wanted broken bodies whole. Broken relationships mended. Their broken nation restored to peace and prosperity. Their broken link to eternity reforged. Yet God did not settle for restoration. He sent Jesus to bring regeneration - a totally new life.

This new life is what Jesus was speaking about when he talked to Nicodemus, a Pharisee of rare character who was honestly seeking God's truth. At first Nicodemus misunderstood the whole concept, arguing that there was no possible way for a baby to reenter his mother's womb and be reborn. But the birth Jesus was speaking about was a spiritual rebirth, a radical reawakening to who you were created to be. The spiritual rebirth was a brand-new way of relating to life that is possible only through the gift of a totally new nature.

The "old" nature was focused on self. The "new" nature is focused on God. Like a newborn who is predisposed toward certain traits because of his DNA but nonetheless has to positively participate in the maturity you need to live a godly life. To mature in that life, you must choose to nurture your new nature. Nourish yourself with the Bible. Exercise your spiritual muscles by acting on what God asks you to do. Rest in God's promise that the past is gone and that you have been born again.

Use Jesus's words as a touchstone anytime you get discouraged about how long it takes to become spiritually mature. You have the right DNA. Adulthood is inevitable. It just take times to get there.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God to keep your eyes on the prize - the prize of eternal salvation. The process of spiritual maturity is a gift God has provided us on earth to condition us to what awaits us in heaven. Through each transformative trial and tribulation that we encounter God wants us to glorify Him in the process. He wants us to focus on pleasing Him more then ourselves. That means loving when it's unfair (when we are hurt). That means forgiving without regret (do not keep a score card) sure in the knowledge that God is in control and He will guide you through all turbulence that this earthly life might push towards you. Actions taken by a spiritual mature Christian heart will yield the peace and love on earth that which awaits us in heaven. ~ MME Team

Seize the Moment

Be very careful how you live. Do not live like those who are not wise, but live wisely. Use every chance you have for doing good, because these are evil times.

Ephesians 5:15-16

Life is filled with opportunities - and obstacles that can prevent you from grabbing hold of them. The secret to making the most of your life lies in making the most of your time.

The first three words hold the key: be very careful. In the original language, this admonition is much stronger and fuller than what sounds here like a mother's passing comment to her kids as they head outside. The words describe a way of living (or "walking," as the Bible often describes it) that is precise, accurate, and deliberate. It involves both forethought and a heightened sense of awareness. It's similar to the way you drive a car. You need to be constantly attentive, responding appropriately to the ever-changing situations you find yourself in. You swerve to avoid hazards, brake for pedestrians, and follow the rules of the road. Your skill, knowledge, and vigilance help you make wise decisions at a moment's notice.

To live wisely you need to do the same thing. You need to face each day spiritually alert. You need to recognize evil, so you can avoid it like a dangerous hazard in the road. At the same time,  you need to be on the lookout for opportunities to show love to others and to God - and to grab hold of them. The good news is that God is in the car with you. His Spirit will help guide your daily journey toward a life full of well-utilized opportunities.

When you start your car, recall the words from the book of Ephesians. They can be a reminder to keep your eyes open for opportunities to make a positive difference throughout your day.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God and be very careful in how you live. ~ MME Team

Time to Change Your Mind

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

Romans 12:2

Your mind is like the control center of your body. It helps direct your thoughts, your actions, and your emotions. Before God's Spirit made his home inside you, you ran that control center the way you thought was best. Chances are, the culture and practices of those around you helped shape your thoughts and consequently your actions. But once you invited God's Spirit into your life, there was a change in influence, leadership, and direction.

Choosing to renew your mind is the key to making that change complete. God guides and directs your mind, but he does not control it. God provides you with the power to transform your mind, to change the way you think so that your mind is more in line with his heart - to allow your mind to become all he originally designed it to be.

The Greek word for conform actually translates as "masquerade." Without God in you life, you live a charade and are not your authentic self. God's transformation of who you once pretended to be into who he created you to be is an ongoing process. Part of this process is testing what you believe by putting your faith into practice. Experiments help prove scientific truths. Living what you believe helps prove spiritual truths. As you practice what you have learned about changing the way you think, you will better understand who  you are and what God's desires is for your life.

You can help renew your mind by providing an environment that's favorable to the process. Carefully choose what you watch, take part in, and listen to, making sure that your choices line up with what pleases God.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray for spiritual strength from God to devalue all that is not from him and to honor all that is from him. Value of life comes from the love of the Father; from God's Spirit made home inside of you. ~ MME Team

God's plan for our life.

We may think we are in control of our destiny, our future, but how wrong we are. God is at the head of all our success and blessings. It is not how hard, how smart, or how brave we believe ourselves to be that defines our purpose, our placement, or even our success in this world. 

It is only by the grace and mercy of God's love that we live in peace, tenderness, love, and hope... all descriptive words that define how Jesus lived his life in this world. A world that is hurt and many times heart broken. It was not by the flesh that Jesus found salvation and eternal life but by the spiritual father's love, OUR GOD, that he/we are all saved and have the Holy Spirit to lean on daily during our battles with temptations and weaknesses. 

Let us not rely on ourselves but instead put all energy in our faith in our Lord that His plan is active and living in us. When we struggle then that is when we must fall to our knees in prayer and speak with our God in a private intimate relationship that only He and us will ever know. Your relationship with God is as unique and special as His unique individualized plan for each of our lives. Rejoice in God's goodness that His love is perfect and always available. We must only ask for it and we will receive it. 

God Bless  ~ MME Team

Matthew 11:28

Matthew 11:28

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Consider giving a donation of $1.50 today to help feed a child in need in Ventanas, Ecuador. When we are weary, tired and hungry God provides us nourishment and rest. Today when you sit down to take comfort in your home to rest and give thanks to God for his generosity will you remember that He also wants you to show that same generosity to the children of His nations. What is $1.50 to you... as they say "a mere cup of coffee" but for a child hungry, tired and anxious of where he will find food today it is EVERYTHING. We are grateful for the blessings God has provided us and we verbally call out to him in prayer and say "Thank you Lord for I have asked and you have provided"...Let us give to those who do not have a voice, let us give to the children in need. The children who are orphaned or otherwise under nourished because of single parent households that cannot provide them the meal they need. One meal a day to sustain them in good health to be a testimony to God's good work. Please give today - donate what you can to Ministry Minjah Elohim's food program in Ecuador. All money goes directly to feed the children. May you always know God's love and generosity in your life. 

God bless,
Ministry Minjah Elohim
  

Proverbs 25:11

Proverbs 25:11 

The right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl. Let's take time to hear each other during this busy holiday time. Your words can be a blessing to someone in need. God is Love

Hebrews 12:1-2