Yesterday, I did an hour long radio interview on KBXL in Boise (Inspirational Family Radio). The host was Deb Krum, and I really enjoyed her questions and getting to know her. We talked about how I once felt I had damaged my testimony and therefore God would never be able to use me, of how (after a period of healing and restoration) God called me into a ministry of writing for Him and later of leading women’s retreats, and of how God has used lessons in my life to help others. We actually covered a lot of territory in those 60 minutes, but those were the key points I remember.
This morning, my lesson in Beth Moore’s A Woman’s Heart, God’s Dwelling Place Bible study was on the holy calling of the priesthood, and I the following really spoke to my heart:
Jesus’ words that we read earlier in John 17:13-21 reflect the spirit of the Nazirite—separated to God yet not separated from the people. We are the light of the world! We cannot hide our lampstands under the bushels of spiritual monasteries. Yet we cannot let the darkness rub off on us. How do we accomplish such a balance? The answer is found in Matthew 10:16: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
. . . Sanctification is not about long hair and abstinence. It is about purity—purity maintained in the midst of an impure world. Understand this vital precept: Maintaining purity in ministry is the result of nothing less than deliberate devotion. For those really fulfilling their calling of evangelism and ministry, purity is neither easy nor accidental. We must guard our minds and put on our armor. A war rages out there. And we are Satan’s favorite prisoners.
. . . In the world but not of the world. As shrewd as snakes but as innocent as doves. Are you up to it? The power to live this way was made available the moment Christ prayed that prayer in your behalf. You see, God’s precious Son gets anything He wants.
I couldn’t help thinking about the things I said during the radio interview yesterday and know how very much I want to be living that sanctified, pure life in this ministry of writing that God called me to. I want to be deliberate in my devotion to Him. I want to press into Jesus and press on in the faith (my words for 2009: press in and press on). And I certainly never again want to be taken prisoner by Satan. Not even for a moment. Been there, done that. Thus I’d better be wearing the full armor of God so that I can do battle.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, 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 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. (Ephesians 6:10-17, NASB)
May I be dressed in the full armor of God as I go about my business today. And may the same be true of you, dear reader.
~robin
