We just finished Memorial Day weekend, which is a time to honor those who have given their lives for all the freedoms we hold dear in America. The reason why we do this is that the men and women who have defended this country deserve the honor and respect that comes with placing yourself in harms way to defend our ability to be free.
 
I was thinking this morning about lives that invite honor. The definition of honor is “high respect or esteem” which are terms related to GIVING and not TAKING.
I woke up a few days ago with this statement in my mind – No one can TAKE honor from others. It is something that can only be GIVEN so live a life today that brings an invitation of honor. The reason why I share this the day after Memorial Day is two fold. One is to continue to not just post on Facebook how appreciative you are of our armed forces for one weekend, but that you lift them up in prayer for their protection and also for the families that are attached to each service member. The other important thing to keep in mind is to consider the power of living an honorable life every day. Even the Bible talks about the power of a good name in Proverbs 22:1:
“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver
or gold.”
 
When we ask Jesus into our lives to guide and direct our decisions we are saying, “God, I honor you with the highest place of importance in my life. Guide me and I will follow because I know you have the best plan for my life.” The key is to live a life that reflects the honor you have given Jesus. I know this sounds like an obvious statement but many times with people who call themselves Christians, there is no fruit of honor in their lives and they actually bring dishonor on themselves and God.

Today, live a life that reflects honor and that invites people to acknowledge the life you lead. Not so that you can take and keep that honor but that you can then say to people, “The honorable life you see me lead is only a reflection of the God IN me.” It really is the best way to witness to people around you who are looking for a true meaning to life. Have a great week and we are praying for you! 

The question is NEVER if we will have hope in life. The better question is WHAT or WHO will be put our trust in? The fear of God is not based on being afraid but on respect and understanding just how GREAT He can be in our lives!

​When we get a realization of his power we will not live in fear but in the HOPE of his unfailing love. A love that will carry us through any storm and will be there when everything and everyone else in life deserts us. 

Today, consider God's love in your life as the guiding force to help you get through the struggles and storms of life!

When we speak about “fighting the good fight” in Christian circles we have been misled in a huge way. We have been led to believe it is something that we are fighting TO instead of fighting FROM. Let me explain.
 
When we think of the term fighting in our earthly minds, we consider where we are and where we need to end up after we have “fought the good fight”. We consider the struggle and mentally prep ourselves for the long journey ahead planning on a celebration at the end of the sacrifices it took to get to victory. We consider the importance of Ephesians 6:10-12:
 
“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies
of the devil.
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

The problem with that thinking when it comes to spiritual struggles is that we have ALREADY won. Jesus already completed the victory over the devil and his perceived power on this earth. We are not fighting TO a victory over the devil but fighting FROM the place of victory. God is not waiting for us to be strong enough or powerful enough to overcome the devil and his schemes in the lives we live. His hope for us is that we would have a full revelation of the victory we have when we ask Jesus to guide and direct our lives.
 
So the struggle is still real because our natural inclination in life is to allow our flesh to be glorified and win or to take the easy road. The fight is not against the devil as much as it is against our flesh and reminding ourselves each day that we have already won!
 
When we get a full revelation of victory in our lives we won’t let the devil push us around, tempt us and make us think we are less than the loved creation that God created us to be.
 
Walk in your authority today over the devil and his schemes. Put on your spiritual armor with the mindset of TAKING ground and not just barely getting by. You have EVERYTHING you need in you right now to be successful in this life. The key is to ask God to give you a revelation of that power because when you do, the world around you will never be the same again!