Warrior of Words

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  • Practice Life

    This morning, I was thinking about a conversation I had with my dad, several years ago. It was about the killing of a nurse in Buffalo. The alleged shooter, a surgeon, had served 18 years as a decorated special forces soldier. As we reflected on how tragic the situation was, my dad brought up another decorated soldier who in a maximum-security prison for a similar crime. Then he said something that stuck with me:

    “It’s sad because these men have been trained to kill and fight—but they have not been trained to live.”

    That statement hit me hard. And as I thought about it, I realized how much it applies to us as Christians. We are taught how to fight the enemy. We know how to resist the devil and make him flee. We put on the full armor of God and stand against the schemes of darkness. But do we know how to live?

    Yes, there are great sermons and teachings on family, relationships, and godly living. But listening to a message isn’t the same as training. A soldier isn’t prepared for battle just by watching videos or receiving instructions. He drills relentlessly. He disassembles and reassembles his weapon until it’s second nature. He practices marksmanship until he can hit his target every time. Training is what makes him effective.

    The same principle applies to living.

    According to Barna Research, conservative Protestant Christians have a higher divorce rate than many other religious groups, including Catholics and some mainline Protestants. Some studies also indicate that their divorce rate is comparable to or higher than that of atheists and agnostics. That statistic should make us pause. If we have so much teaching on marriage and family, why are we struggling so much? The research suggests that churches may not be providing truly life-changing, practical support for marriages. The issue isn’t just knowledge—it’s training.

    This isn’t about condemning those who are divorced. It’s about recognizing a critical gap. We don’t just need to know what to do; we need to practice how to do it.

    If you struggle with communication in your marriage, practice until you improve. Don’t give up just because you have a fight or get hurt. We must learn to live well, not just fight well. If apologizing is hard for you, practice until it becomes second nature. If serving others in love doesn’t come easily, train yourself to do it until it feels natural. A good attitude isn’t automatic—it’s a learned skill that takes discipline.

    When I look at Scripture, I see a pattern. Some of the greatest warriors, prophets, and kings knew how to fight—but they didn’t know how to live.

    • King David raised sons who fought and killed each other.

    • Solomon, despite his wisdom, had disastrous relationships, with 700 wives and 300 concubines.

    • Manasseh was one of the most wicked rulers in Israel’s history, even though his father, Hezekiah, was a godly king.

    • Samuel, a righteous prophet, had corrupt sons who took bribes and perverted justice.

    • Isaac’s sons, Jacob and Esau, were locked in bitter conflict.

    • Eli, the priest, had sons who defiled the temple and led Israel into sin.

    These men were strong in battle, but many failed in their homes. It’s a wake-up call.

    So, what will we do? Will we keep fighting without learning how to live? Or will we commit to training in the areas that matter most?

    As for me, I choose to practice until I get it right. I hope you will too.

  • The Friend Who Calls Us by Name

    Sitting in the living room of our temporary apartment, my husband napping on the couch beside me, I thought about how fast this mission trip had gone. We had spoken in different churches, Fred had taught in two Bible schools, and I had spoken at two ladies’ conferences. Fred had also checked on the orphanage. Along the way, we fellowshipped with dear friends—relationships forged over years of shared faith and ministry.

    Tonight, we’re having a final dinner at a friend’s home. I know what that means—more food than we could possibly eat. You know how it is when company comes over. You do your best and offer your most.

    And that made me think about Jesus having dinner at Zacchaeus’s house.

    You remember Zacchaeus, don’t you? The little guy who climbed the tree just to catch a glimpse of Jesus as He passed by? Jesus stopped, looked up, and called him by name.

    “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” (Luke 19:5, WEB)

    I can just picture him scrambling down the tree, splinters digging into his hands and feet—but I doubt he even noticed. Jesus knew his name. I imagine Zacchaeus, wide-eyed and breathless, stammering in disbelief:

    “Yes, yes, of course, Lord! You will have dinner at my house!”

    Then he was off, running as fast as his short legs could carry him, huffing and puffing toward home, clutching his side.

    “Rachel! Rachel!” I imagine him calling to his wife. “We have company tonight! Call the servants! Make a feast! Only the best! No, I don’t know how many are coming—I forgot to ask! Just cook everything we have!”

    The table would have been spread with fine tapestries, bowls heaped high with fruit, bread, and steaming grains. A roasted lamb in the center, ready to be carved. How many times had Zacchaeus hosted politicians and dignitaries at his table? Too many to count. But this time, everything was different.

    Jesus knew his name.

    Out of all the people in the crowd—tall men, powerful men, men with influence—Jesus looked up at the one who had been ignored, ridiculed, and dismissed. And He spoke his name.

    Friends know their friends’ names.

    “A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17, WEB)

    Jesus is that friend. The one who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). The elder brother who sees us, knows us, and calls us out of hiding.

    Zacchaeus didn’t need healing. He wasn’t blind or lame. He didn’t need loaves and fish multiplied. What he needed was recognition. He had spent his life feeling overlooked—until the most important man to ever walk his streets called him by name.

    In many ways, that’s how this mission trip has felt. Not just about preaching or teaching, but about seeing people. Fellowshiping. Speaking their names.

    Because sometimes, the greatest gift we can give is the same gift Jesus gave Zacchaeus—the simple but powerful reminder:

    “I see you. I know you. You are not forgotten. And I know your name!”

  • Wrestling

    Jacob’s life was a relentless struggle from the start. Even before birth, he wrestled with his twin brother Esau. As a young man, Jacob used deceit to claim Esau’s birthright and blessing, leading him to flee to his uncle Laban. There, Jacob faced another long battle, as Laban repeatedly deceived him, testing his patience. Yet Jacob’s perseverance saw him through years of hardship until he decided to return home.

    The climax of Jacob’s struggle is in Genesis 32:24-30. Alone by the river, Jacob wrestled with a divine being through the night. This wasn’t just a physical fight; it symbolized Jacob’s lifelong struggle for control and blessing. As dawn approached, the divine being urged Jacob to let go, but Jacob, embodying his relentless spirit, demanded a blessing first. The being changed Jacob’s name to Israel, meaning “he who struggles with God,” acknowledging his perseverance and triumph.

    I faced my own profound struggle with God when I received devastating news: “You have cancer.” The shock shattered my world, and fear overwhelmed me. As I wrestled with this harsh reality, I heard God ask, “Will you go too?” This echoed Jesus’ question to Peter about abandoning Him. Peter’s response, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” became my own. Through this turmoil, I realized that true faith is tested in the darkest moments, not when things are clear and easy.

    James 1:3-4 reminds us, “Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Like Jacob, I wrestled with God, refusing to let go until I found peace and clarity. These trials reveal the depth of our faith and the strength gained through perseverance.

    Spiritual wrestling reveals the true nature of our battles. Ephesians 6:12 tells us our struggle is against spiritual forces of evil, not merely physical opponents. Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s story illustrates this. As the Nazi regime spread darkness, Bonhoeffer faced a moral dilemma on how to respond. His decision to join the resistance, despite his pacifist beliefs, led to his imprisonment and eventual martyrdom. Bonhoeffer’s life shows that faith requires action, even in the face of profound evil.

    Similarly, John Paton’s mission to the New Hebrides Islands faced fierce spiritual opposition. Despite physical attacks and threats from hostile tribes, Paton’s faith in prayer and divine protection remained steadfast. His journals describe moments of miraculous intervention and unwavering trust in God amidst spiritual battles.

    These stories—Jacob’s, Bonhoeffer’s, and Paton’s—demonstrate that spiritual wrestling is not just about enduring trials but transforming through them. As we face our own struggles, we must prepare spiritually through prayer, scripture, and faith. 1 Peter 5:8 warns us to be watchful, recognizing that our true enemy, the devil, seeks whom he may devour.

    Our wrestling with God, like Jacob’s, is an opportunity for deeper faith and transformation. By engaging in spiritual battles with persistence and reliance on God, we can navigate trials, grow in faith, and ultimately find victory in Him.

  • True Enemy

    Our daughter had gotten into trouble for something—though the exact reason escapes me now. What I do remember is her dramatic outburst after being punished. She looked up at me and shouted, “I hate you!” In her eyes, I was the enemy for taking away her TV time. It’s a classic reaction of blaming the person enforcing limits. I chuckled and said, “Oh honey, you’ll get over it. I’m actually your best friend.” Though she didn’t see the humor, my intent was to show her that I wasn’t the enemy—the rules were there for a reason. It was a small lesson in recognizing who’s truly on your side.

    Understanding your real enemy is crucial, especially in spiritual warfare. David, while fleeing from King Saul, exemplifies this. Despite being relentlessly hunted, David never saw Saul as his enemy. Even when he had the chance to kill Saul, he refused, saying, “I will not lift my hand against the Lord’s anointed.” David understood that Saul was not his true adversary.

    In 1 Samuel 27, David’s situation becomes intriguing. Hiding in Ziklag, a Philistine town, he befriends Achish, the king of Gath—the very Philistines he had once fought against. When Achish invites David to join him in battle against Saul, David agrees, but the other Philistine rulers distrust him and send him back to Ziklag. Returning, David finds his town in ruins and his families captured by the Amalekites. His men, devastated, turn against him.

    In this crisis, David doesn’t succumb to despair. Instead, he seeks God’s guidance. God tells him to pursue the Amalekites, promising recovery of all that was lost. David follows this direction, and his faith is rewarded with victory. Saul meets his end in battle, clearing the way for David to become king. David’s real battle was against spiritual forces, not flesh and blood.

    Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” David understood this and fought accordingly.

    In the garden, as the guards came to arrest Jesus (Luke 22:50-51), He knew His true enemy wasn’t the men before Him. Peter, seeing only the immediate threat, struck one of the guards. But Jesus, recognizing the larger spiritual battle, told Peter to put his sword away and healed the man’s ear. Jesus understood that the real adversary was the spiritual realm, not the flesh and blood before Him.

    Similarly, in Acts 6 and 7, Stephen faced an angry mob ready to stone him. Instead of responding with anger, Stephen prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” He saw beyond their actions to the spiritual forces at work and chose compassion and forgiveness, reflecting the heart of Christ.

    Before antibiotics, bacterial infections were often fatal. Medical professionals struggled to combat infections effectively because they didn’t always identify the true enemy. The breakthrough came in 1928 when Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, a mold that killed bacteria. This revolutionized medicine by targeting the real cause of infections rather than just treating symptoms.

    Jesus assured us in Luke 10:19 that we have authority over the enemy. James 4:7 encourages us to resist the devil, who will flee from us. We are empowered to confront spiritual forces with divine authority. David Livingstone’s life is a testament to this. His missions in Africa, fraught with peril and illness, were driven by unwavering faith and a sense of divine purpose. Even amid dire challenges, Livingstone’s resilience highlights the importance of recognizing and confronting the real adversary.

    As believers, affirm your authority in Christ daily. Address the spirit of fear with 2 Timothy 1:7, the spirit of discouragement with Psalm 42:11, and the spirit of sickness with Isaiah 53:5. Remind these forces of Christ’s authority as Philippians 2:10-11 states, and rest in the confidence of Romans 8:37 and Exodus 14:14. Stand firm, knowing that with Christ, you are equipped to overcome any challenge and defeat the true enemy.

  • Stand Firm

    In a time of severe oppression, when the Israelites were suffering under the Midianites, Gideon was hiding, threshing wheat in a winepress to avoid detection (Judges 6:11). This scene painted a grim picture of Israel’s plight.

    Amidst this, the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and declared, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12). Gideon, confused and doubtful, asked, “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened? Where are His wonders?” (Judges 6:13). He struggled to reconcile his dire circumstances with the promise of God’s presence.

    God reassured Gideon, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel from Midian. Am I not sending you?” (Judges 6:14). Gideon felt inadequate, protesting, “How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest, and I am the least in my family” (Judges 6:15). Despite his doubts, God promised victory, saying, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites” (Judges 6:16).

    Gideon assembled an army, but God instructed him to reduce it. He first sent home the fearful, then chose the soldiers who drank water with their hands to their mouths, leaving him with just 300 men (Judges 7:4-7). With this small force, Gideon faced a vast Midianite army. Instead of traditional weapons, Gideon’s men had trumpets, jars, and torches. They broke the jars, revealed the torches, and blew the trumpets, causing chaos and confusion among the Midianites. The victory came not through might but through divine intervention.

    This story mirrors 2 Corinthians 12:9, where Paul says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Gideon’s story illustrates how God often works through our weaknesses to demonstrate His power. True victory comes from relying on God’s strength.

    History offers another example: the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC, where 300 Spartans held off a vast Persian army. They used their superior tactics to their advantage, fighting in a narrow pass. This battle serves as a metaphor for our spiritual struggles. Just as the Spartans used strategy and discipline, believers use prayer and scripture to face challenges.

    Prayer connects us to God, offering strength and guidance, while scripture provides truth to counteract spiritual deceptions. Our spiritual resilience, like the Spartans’, comes from unwavering faith and strategic use of these tools.

    Ephesians 6:13 calls us to fully equip ourselves with the armor of God to withstand evil. Nehemiah’s leadership during the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall shows the importance of readiness. He had workers build with one hand while holding a weapon in the other (Nehemiah 4:16-17). This balance of labor and defense is a metaphor for our spiritual battles. We must build our faith while remaining vigilant against spiritual adversaries.

    Ephesians 6:13 instructs us to put on the full armor of God to stand firm. Like Gideon and the Spartans, we face challenges with preparation and resolve. Romans 13:12 reminds us to “put on the armor of light.”

    To apply this, dedicate time each day to immerse yourself in Scripture. Use tools like digital Bible searches to find verses that strengthen your faith, such as Romans 8:37 and 2 Timothy 1:7. Speak these verses aloud as declarations against spiritual forces. Address challenges with the authority of Christ, recognizing them as spiritual battles. As Ephesians 6:12 teaches, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil.”

    By applying Scripture, invoking Jesus’ name, and using spiritual weapons, you stand firm against the true enemies of your soul and uphold God’s authority in every aspect of your life.

    We are living in both amazing and alarming times. The world around us seems to be unraveling, but God remains unwavering in His faithfulness. Just as He stood with Gideon, He stands with us today.

    Gideon’s story reminds us of how God moves in our fear and uncertainty. When the Israelites were under severe oppression by the Midianites, Gideon was hiding in a winepress, threshing wheat, consumed by fear (Judges 6:11). In this dark moment, the angel of the Lord appeared and called him a “mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12). Gideon, like many of us, questioned, “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened?” (Judges 6:13). But God saw beyond Gideon’s fear and doubt, reassuring him, “Go in the strength you have… I will be with you” (Judges 6:14-16).

    Gideon obeyed, even when it didn’t make sense. With just 300 men, armed only with trumpets, jars, and torches, he faced an enemy too vast to count. His victory was not through human strength, but through the power of God’s presence and intervention (Judges 7:4-7). As 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us, “My power is made perfect in weakness.”

    Gideon’s story shows us that true victory comes not from our own abilities but from trusting in God’s strength. We too, in these challenging times, are called to stand firm. Ephesians 6:13 tells us to put on the full armor of God, to fight not with fear but with faith, armed with prayer and the truth of Scripture. These are our spiritual weapons that hold us steady in the battle.

    Don’t be discouraged, my friend. Though we face dark days, remember that we are “more than conquerors through Him who loved us”—Jesus. Keep standing, trusting, and pressing forward in His strength. Victory belongs to the Lord.

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