Castle

I haven't been sleeping well recently, waking up between 2:30a and 4:00a.  I start thinking about my to-do list at work, and then I remember other things I need to add to my list.  But I feel like it is a spiritual attack on my sleep to try to get me discouraged and steal my joy.

I was telling Dalton yesterday that on the one hand, I see King David referring to God has his refuge, strong tower, etc., so I can simply rest in the goodness of God and his protection.  On the other hand, is God allowing this to happen for me to learn to stand up for myself and fight back?

Dalton shared a concept of me inside a castle, and the enemy is banging on the gate.  He can't get inside, but he can cause a disturbance.  This visual was really helpful.

I believe I have the delegated authority to tell the enemy to stop and desist. 

Father, you are my castle.  I am safe within your protection. Jesus, you are the gate.  Holy Spirit, please instruct me in how to issue stop and desist orders to the enemy.  I love you.

Defense alone is insufficient to win

I've been practicing a little chess recently.  I can usually do ok with respect to defense, but I lack offensive strategy.

This evening, Jude pinned his wrestling opponent in less than 15 seconds.  

You can't win without offense.  

Jesus's incarnation, ministry, death, and resurrection were offensive attacks against the kingdom of darkness.

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil.

I feel it is time for me to be more aggressive with spiritual offensive strategy.

Father, thank you for your light glowing through me.  Jesus, thank you for your living water flowing through me.  Holy Spirit, thank you for your presence and power.  Please teach me how to be like Jesus.  I love you.

Energy gradient

I heard someone postulate that a mechanical force (measured in Newtons or pounds) might be a mathematical construct to simply replace an energy gradient (N•m/m or ft•lbf/ft).

I want to be a conduit for God's goodness, hope, peace, and love to flow though me.  As his power (energy per time) flows through me, dynamically, it might look like waves of spiritual energy radiating out from me.  Springs of living water flowing from within me.

Father, please flow your goodness and love through me.  Please remove whatever hinders you from flowing more powerfully though me.  I break agreement with self-criticism, and I make agreement with your love, mercy, grace, hope, and peace.  Thank you for your peace through Jesus, and thank you for your presence through Holy Spirit.  I love you.