Laying Hold of Victory – Living a life of Faith (Prayer 1)

Victory over Fear, Unbelief, Anxiety, Worry, People Pleasing

(Originally Written October 4, 2023 for WOW — Women on Wednesdays Ministry)

Father,

I come to you as your beloved daughter that you have adopted into Your family knowing that by Your Spirit, I can call out to you as my “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:14-15) I know I can trust You because I know that You love me, and there is nothing that can separate me from that love.  There is no fear of death or fear in life because I know you are always with me.  There is no spiritual power- no angel, or demon that can tear me apart from You and Your love.  Nothing in the present or the future can divide me away from You.  No powers, no height or depth, or anything in all of creation can isolate me away from Your love, God, that is in Jesus Christ my Lord. (Romans 8:37-39) I can rest in this confidence!

I am assured that God is working in all things that I face now or in the future. God is working for my good and His glory because I love Him and am called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

It is Your precious and perfect love for me, Your will to good for me, that casts out all fear that comes against me. (1 John 4:18) I am not subject to anxiety or worry because I know you are my Rock, my Fortress, and My Deliverer! You are the God I take refuge in. (Psalm 18:2)   When the enemy comes in like a flood you raise up a standard against him. (Isaiah 59:19) He will not win!  You are victorious! And You have given me victory over fear, unbelief, anxiety, worry, and people pleasing because I love you and I keep your commands.  I am born of God, and I overcome the world. You have given me faith.  I believe in You, Jesus the Son of God. (1 John 5:3-5)

When fear tries to attack my mind, I call out to you God because you are my Help! (Psalm 18:6) When anxiety and worry try to drown me in their torrent, You reach down from on high and pull me out! (Psalm 18:16) When unbelief speaks lies in my ears, I will praise You alone my God because you establish a stronghold against my enemies and you silence the voice of my foe, the liar, Satan! You alone will I serve and worship with my whole heart and you alone will I long to serve, fear of man, people pleasing, has no hold on me!  (Luke 4:8)

I fix my mind and my eyes on you alone God.  I will not follow any voice of torment because I know Your voice, God, and follow You alone! You are my Good Shepherd.  You take care of me and love me greatly!  I am trusting that though the thief wants to steal, kill, and destroy, You have come to give me abundant and full life! (John 10:4-5, 10) I submit myself to You alone! I depend on You alone! I obey You alone! I am assured that I can rest in Your care and Your love! (Psalm 23)

In the precious name of Jesus, I pray!

Amen

Verse to commit to memory:

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.”

Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV

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WOW Ministry Weekly Devotion — The Word Our Indispensable Weapon

“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”  Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Dear Devoted and Determined Princess Warriors, 

Our WOW verse for this week comes from the section of Scripture that Paul wrote

regarding the armor of God. He shares about the weapons God has given all believers to combat the assaults and attacks of our enemy.

Paul used the familiar Roman armor of his time as an example. Most of the pieces Paul listed of the armor were used to protect the vital organs of a Roman soldier: the helmet, the breastplate, the belt, the shield… However, one of the weapons was meant to take on and defeat the enemy. This piece of armor was the sword. 

The sword of a Roman soldier was more like a dagger — short, double edged, and extremely sharp. The fact that it was double edged made it easier to penetrate, as well as to cut in every way. It was deadly and used during up-close and direct combat. Paul refers to this weapon as“Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Jesus modeled the use of this spiritual weapon as He was tempted in the desert (Matthew 4). Satan, himself, came to Jesus tempting Him to sin. Jesus answered each temptation with these words, “It is written.” He not only knew the Word of God but knew that it was all-powerful and effective against the enemy and his schemes. He used the “Sword of the Spirit” in the up-close and personal combat He was experiencing that day. The Word of God was His indispensable weapon. You and I need to know and understand that truth also! 

“We have an enemy, and that enemy is real!” These are the words I remember hearing the first time I attended WOW.  At that time, I did not know and understand how important it was for me to recognize my enemy and to stand against his schemes. It was also of upmost importance that I recognized the spiritual weapon I needed to pick up and use to combat the enemy — “…the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”

At that time, I was living in up-close combat with my enemy, but I did not pick up the Word of God to fight. Believe me, my enemy knew it. He would not let up on his assaults against me.

The Word of God was of no use to me because I did not pick it up and use it. I wasn’t studying the Word, praying the Word, listening to the Word, or living according to the Word. My lack of using the“Sword of the Spirit” was evident in my life. I did not live in peace, love, joy, patience, and the truth I needed to combat the lies of the enemy.

The Word is an indispensable weapon in the midst of spiritual warfare. Do you have it stored up in your heart so that you can pick it up and use it? As you are reflecting on what I have written, do you recognize that you are not using your weapon, “…the Sword of the Spirit?” Are you experiencing death and defeat in your life because you are not picking up the Word and using it? 

God desires for us to live in victory! We do not have to live helplessly assaulted by the lies of our enemy! We can “be strong in the Lord” and “stand firm!” (Ephesians 6:10 and 14) But we must “Take… the sword of the Spirit” and use the weapon God has given to us!

May we devote ourselves to God and the study of His Word. May we listen carefully and take to heart all that He says. May we receive it, believe it, and obey it fully!

This week’s song is “The Word is Alive” by Casting Crowns.

Love,

Janet

Devoted and Determined in the Word