“Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own.” (Philippians 3:12 AMP)
“Fight the good fight of the faith [in the conflict with evil]; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and [for which] you made the good confession [of faith] in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12 AMP)
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.” (Ephesians 6:12 AMP)
Peace (with and from God) and prosperity (abundant provision) have always been my Heavenly Father’s design and desire (Will) for me. He wants me to be saved to the utmost. He longs for me to experience His forgiveness, deliverance, healing, provision, and blessing in every area of my life. I have to settle this once and for all in my heart before I will be able to take a stand against anything that tries to convince me otherwise. I can’t stress enough that anything short of complete Shalom, and full Salvation, comes from the enemy.
For some reason many of us make the mistake of crediting God with all of the “bad stuff” in this world. We create theologies and doctrines that try to turn “bad stuff” into “good stuff” and learn to accept it in our lives. Here are some questions that I started asking myself a couple of years ago… …If all of the “bad stuff” that I face is from God, and is His design and desire (Will) for me, why do I fight them? …If the “bad stuff” is from God, why isn’t it in the Garden of Eden, Heaven, or the New Jerusalem? …If the “bad stuff” is my Father’s way of teaching and maturing me then why didn’t Jesus use it? …If the “bad stuff” is so valuable, and I can’t grow or mature without it, what is the Holy Spirit and the Word of God for?
Bottom line: It has always been, and always will be, the Father’s design and desire (Will) that I be made whole and complete, lacking nothing, with nothing missing or broken. Now, and for all eternity, I am overflowing with Shalom and Salvation (preservation, deliverance, protection, completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, and the absence of agitation or discord. To be complete, perfect and full). I have the “good stuff.” Why in the world would I accept any of the “bad stuff” in my life?
Even though in His Grace, my Daddy will turn what was meant for harm into good in my life. And even though when I face trials and difficulties with the right attitude I will mature from them. They are inferior teachers to the Word and the Holy Spirit. They exist in this fallen world, and I do face them, however I am fully persuaded that it is a deception of the enemy that they are needed, or to be expected, in my life. I put my faith in the Lord and His blessings, NOT the enemy and his attacks. I expect to be taught before trials and difficulties come by the Word and the Holy Spirit so that I can stop the enemy in his tracks before he has the opportunity to hit me with his “bad stuff.” Knowing that there is “bad stuff” out there, and knowing how to deal with it when it has slipped through a crack into my life, is far different than constructing a religion that invites it, and even embraces it, in my life.
It is the enemy that fights to steal my Shalom, and keep me from experiencing the benefits of my Salvation. He does everything he can to make me think that the “bad stuff” he throws at me is from God. He also does everything he can to steal what I possess. He wants me dead, and settles for stealing from me, and destroying my life and ministry. I need to remind myself that just because I already possess all of these blessings, and the “bad stuff” doesn’t come from my Daddy. it doesn’t erase the fact that in this life I am in a battle. The good news is that Satan has no real power, and absolutely no authority. Jesus took back this earth, and stripped Satan of ALL power and authority. All Satan has is deception. He can only do what I allow him to do. His only power or authority is what I give him. Now that I know who I am, and what I possess, I will stand against the enemy until every bit of what I possess manifests in my life! The Kingdom of Heaven, with all of it’s benefits, is inside of me just begging to get out. No devil in hell is going to stop me from living, and sharing with all who will receive, the Shalom and Salvation that are within me!
I for one plan to fight for, and live in.,.
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 124: “Shalom and Salvation (peace and prosperity): Parallel Powers that have revolutionized my life.” Part 5: Fight for it!