Fully Dressed for the Occasion?
This blog was planned to be published in June 2019. It didn't happen. Later, I wanted to publish it on June 1, 2020, on Mr. & Mrs. Josh Reed's one year anniversary. So much was happening that year and continued to. I dismissed it; however, when I got back to writing this month, I reread what I had written and finalized it:
On June 1st of 2019, Chad and I had the blessed privilege of attending Josh's wedding. It was good to see Josh's smiling face and capture some memories together. Naturally, Josh and Summer were all dressed up in their wedding attire. Summer was beautiful and looked gorgeous in her wedding gown. Josh was looking so handsome for his bride-to-be. We enjoyed catching up briefly as we anticipated the wedding. The outdoor setting was so pretty and the ceremony Christ honoring. It was a joyful celebration of Holy Matrimony.
Upon arrival we were first greeted by Josh's mother, and she asked if we had seen the display of Clark's picture (they called him Clark) when we arrived, which we had not. She escorted us to it and from a distance I immediately saw the smile on his face. It was an emotion I cannot express. It was touching to see Clark David's picture along with the bride's friend, and Josh's grandmother displayed in remembrance of those absent, but still close to their hearts. Although it felt somewhat odd to be at this occasion without Clark David, we were honored to stand beside the old piano while his mom took a picture and be representatives of Clark David's presence.
When I received the wedding invitation, I started thinking about what I could give them for their new life together. Later, as I reflected on my life experiences, I was reminded of John 10:10. "The thief does not come except to steal, to kill, and to destroy. I (Jesus) have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly." My son's death by suicide had opened my spiritual eyes to a different world that I really had not previously experienced. Scripture became more personal to me, and God was showing me through His Word that we live in an unseen world. The "ruler of the power of the air" in Ephesians 2:2 which refers to Satan, is out to destroy any Christ-follower and Satan is on mission to destroy marriages because they're a picture of Jesus Christ and His Bride (the Church).
Satan would start his game plan to try everything in his power to destroy Josh and Summer's marriage. Satan hates God, marriage, and family because it's a portrayal of the Gospel (Ephesians 5:32). Satan does whatever he can to undermine any life and any marriage. The "loss" of my son has caused a more intimate prayer life (communication with my Heavenly Father), so I understand its importance and power behind it. That's one of the many thing's trials are designed by God to do, draw us closer to Him to make us more dependent on Him. We have a tendency to set our affections on the wrong thing and think we don't need Jesus Christ. Many times (without even knowing it) we want the giving, and the healing more than we want the Giver and the Healer. Scripture says, "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16b). We need to be in direct communication with God, and His Word to fight the battles that will come against us. We have to first recognize the spiritual battle and know and understand the devil's tactics, so we won't be caught off guard. Then, prayer can be a powerful tool as we rely on Christ to help us live our life the way He intends. Prayer is the lifeline. So, I knew one of the things I wanted to give them to hopefully impact their new life together was "The Power of a Praying Husband" and "The Power of a Praying Wife" books by Stormie Omartian for each one. I would recommend these books to anyone. Mine has definitely helped me.
Satan would start his game plan to try everything in his power to destroy Josh and Summer's marriage. Satan hates God, marriage, and family because it's a portrayal of the Gospel (Ephesians 5:32). Satan does whatever he can to undermine any life and any marriage. The "loss" of my son has caused a more intimate prayer life (communication with my Heavenly Father), so I understand its importance and power behind it. That's one of the many thing's trials are designed by God to do, draw us closer to Him to make us more dependent on Him. We have a tendency to set our affections on the wrong thing and think we don't need Jesus Christ. Many times (without even knowing it) we want the giving, and the healing more than we want the Giver and the Healer. Scripture says, "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16b). We need to be in direct communication with God, and His Word to fight the battles that will come against us. We have to first recognize the spiritual battle and know and understand the devil's tactics, so we won't be caught off guard. Then, prayer can be a powerful tool as we rely on Christ to help us live our life the way He intends. Prayer is the lifeline. So, I knew one of the things I wanted to give them to hopefully impact their new life together was "The Power of a Praying Husband" and "The Power of a Praying Wife" books by Stormie Omartian for each one. I would recommend these books to anyone. Mine has definitely helped me.
You name it...the possibilities are endless as to how Satan undermines families. He might induce a husband or wife to put too much emphasis on a career or to spend too much time pursuing houses, cars, and material wealth. He might introduce envy or jealousy or dishonesty into their relationship or entice one of them to be unfaithful to his or her mate. He can wait until the first fires of romantic love begin to fade and then plant whispers of doubt in their minds about the wisdom of their decision to marry.
If these strategies don't work, he can use greed, lust, pornography, drug or alcohol addiction, or obsessive gambling to drive a wedge between them. He can stir up rebellion among the children. He can incite mom and dad to blame one another for their children's social problems or academic failures. He can employ social pressures, media messages, or rivalries between friends, neighbors, and relatives to bring out the worst in everybody.
The key is to get you, your spouse, and your children to put love of self ahead of love for God and one another. Once that hairline fracture is introduced into the foundation of your family, it's only a matter of time before the entire structure starts to crumble - unless you take steps to reverse the process. There are a million different ways of doing this, and we can be sure that Satan is a master of them all. But we also have God's promise that Satan will flee from us if we're savvy to his wiles and have the gumption to resist his tricks (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8,9). --www.focusonthefamily.com (How the Devil Undermines the Home).
Satan is also a master at using distraction in many forms to get us away from the true Source of help. See, Satan wants you to be ignorant of God's Word and will keep you away from it at all costs. The Bible says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). The Bible also says in Ephesians 6:12, "For our battle is not against flesh and blood (people), but against rulers, against authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against spiritual forces of evil in the heavens." You're in a battle whether you realize it or not. The battle is for your mind, marriage, and ultimately your life.
There's a strategy for winning this battle though. But you have to be fully dressed for the occasion or a marriage will never be all God designed it to be
There's a strategy for winning this battle though. But you have to be fully dressed for the occasion or a marriage will never be all God designed it to be
Take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with [put on the belt of] truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints (Ephesians 6:13-18).
Once you understand that the Enemy attacks without warning, and you're made aware that there's protection to fight against this, that there's more than meets the eye, hopefully you will want to be fully dressed and armed.
The last sentence in Ephesians 6:18 calls us to pray. Prayer is what you need to be fully dressed for the occasion, for the battleground you will be stepping into. Prayer is the armor. The reason why prayer often seems difficult to us is because Satan seeks to direct us away from it. He knows how important it is. He will use every possible avenue to keep you from seriously communicating with God because he knows what prayer does --it activates Heaven's response on your behalf in accordance with the will of God. Prayer does not force God to do what is not His will, but it does release from God to us what is His will. And it is definitely His will for His people to wage victorious spiritual warfare (Prayers for Victory in Spiritual Warfare by Tony Evans).
"All day, every day, an invisible war rages around you --unseen, unheard, yet felt throughout every aspect of your life. A devoted, devilish enemy seeks to wreak havoc on everything that matters to you: your heart, your mind, your marriage, your children, your relationships, your resilience, your dreams, your destiny. But his battle plan depends on catching you unaware and unarmed. The enemy fails miserably when he meets someone dressed for the occasion." --Priscilla ShirerAre you fully dressed?
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NKJV)
When I saw the above picture of Josh and Summer in the field, I thought about Isaiah 41:10 and 13 which I memorized years before Clark David passed away and how God brought it back to me. He promised to uphold me with His righteous right hand. In other words, that was God's right hand holding me up, but in Isaiah 41:13 He takes hold of my right hand and tells me not to fear, He will help. He holds my right hand and gives strength over fear and my enemies. Sadly, many times we move away from God, but He never let's go. He's always pursuing us and using trials and tribulations of life to draw us closer to Him and in turn each other. So, the image I saw was Josh reaching out to Summer with his right hand symbolizing strength, power, and leadership which is a picture of what God promises He'll be in our life when we let Him. I saw Josh silently saying to Summer, I will hold you up when you can't hold yourself up, I will be your support. Don't fear, I will help you (with God's help).
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:7, 8a).
For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh: so, then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate (Mark 10:7-9).
HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY, JOSH AND SUMMER! HAPPY SECOND ANNIVERSARY!! HAPPY THIRD ANNIVERSARY!!!
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR LITTLE BABY GIRL ADDITION, Saylor Jay! :))
May the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26).
So today, in memory of Josh and Clark David's friendship and the day his friend's carried his earthly tent to rest...I clicked "publish" on this draft from 2019.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones (Proverbs 3:5-8).He gives and takes away. My heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be Your name
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You have to be born-again to have an open line of communication with
God the Father. Prayer won't work unless you have come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ by being born-again and are living to please Him. Click the above link to KNOW JESUS CHRIST and be guaranteed eternal life through Him and not be cast into Hell to pay for your sins for eternity. Praise the Lord if you've already been born-again to new life in Christ. You are fully dressed for any occasion.
