The Wilderness

04.25.2020 by Megan Abbott //

Hey friends! Welcome back to FACETS. We have been discussing what it looks like to have an enemy that is trying to silence us, and both Tracy and Jen had awesome things to share the past couple weeks. Take a look back at their posts here, and here. Whether we feel like we are battling the enemy mentally, physically, or even feel like we are wandering alone in the wilderness, we have a God who offers a way out. I encourage you to check back again next week when we get to hear from this month’s guest, Tammy!

I have been working my way through the gospels the last couple of months, considering how Jesus lived out His life and how that might change how I live out mine. Jesus demonstrated the importance of finding solitude with God. He showed us how to love the marginalized. He provided an example of teaching with authority. And He reminded us there is an enemy, an enemy that will try and separate us from God.

In Matthew 4:1-11, we find Jesus in the wilderness:

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: `Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “`He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: `Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'”

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: `Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ “

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

There are so many things in these 11 verses: the Spirit, an enemy, vulnerability, testing, temptation, deceit, and ultimately victory. Jesus was victorious over the enemy! Praise God, It isn’t impossible, because sometimes it feels impossible!

The Wilderness

Wilderness: an uncultivated, uninhabited, and inhospitable region (Oxford English Dictionary).

An inhospitable region. It is a place that is literally difficult to survive.

When the enemy sees us in community he must think “hey, this would be easier if I could get them separated first.” I believe we have a significantly different experience in the wilderness when we are divided or alone. There is strength in community.

Let’s take a walk together. Imagine we are wandering through a hilly forest preserve, full of trees, winding trails, beautiful flowers, and chirping birds. We find a spot where we can sit on some rocks and enjoy the view for a bit. We start walking back to our car as it is beginning to get dark. There is suddenly a loud snap of twigs and some rustling just next to us. We stop and look around to try and identify the noise.

Think of how you might feel at that moment. Now, replay the story, but you are alone. Wandering on your own when you hear the snap and rustling just next to you. You stop, and the noise stops. You look around and you don’t see anything. You move and you hear it again. You look around for reassurance, but all you have is what is running through your mind.

How were you feeling at that moment? Scared? Alone? Vulnerable? I think these are some of the wildernesses that the enemy finds us in, and then he speaks into those fears, magnifies the isolation, and exploits our vulnerabilities.

Surviving the Wilderness

If the enemy is ultimately trying to silence us, then how do we fight back? How can we conquer the wilderness – whether it be fear, isolation, weakness, grief, deceit, or any other lie that distances us from God?

Remember you are not alone

Whether you are in a community of friends, surrounded by strangers, or by yourself, you are never truly alone.

The Lord himself will go before you, and he will be with you. He never leaves you, nor forsakes you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Seek Truth in God’s Word

Look back up at Matthew 4, and see how Jesus replied to every one of the enemy’s statements. He knew God’s word, and He filtered everything He was hearing through that truth. When the enemy offered Him a way out of His situation that may have sounded somewhat reasonable or at least tempting, He knew where to turn to find the whole truth. When it didn’t line up with what He knew, He could identify the lie.

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 it says:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

The more we become familiar with God’s word, and by associated God himself, the more we are equipped.

Call on God for rescue

What did Jesus do when he was alone in the wilderness? He called on the name of His father, the devil left Him, and the angels attended Him. Jesus came to earth, lived, died on the cross, and was resurrected, so that we too could have access to God. Not just Him. Not just those that are perfect, but any of us that believe can cry out to God, and we know He will hear.

Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” Psalm 91:14-15

We have access to cry out to our Father for rescue, a promise that He will hear us, He will never leave us, and that we do not have to fear. Do you know what is great about being on this side of the resurrection? We already know the end of the story. We know God is ultimately victorious. We know He wins. We know the enemy is ultimately defeated.

This is War! And the Enemy Has a Plan

04.14.2020 by Jennifer Howe //

Hey, friend, welcome to FACETS. Have you checked out our topic this month? We’ve been wrestling with the question deeply because the war with this enemy has meaningful implications. This is war! And the enemy has a plan. Tracy shared here thoughts here, and you’ll have the opportunity to read Megan’s post next week. I’m super-excited to welcome back our guest, Tammy Chapman, this month, so don’t miss her thoughts the fourth week!

It’s “puppy time” in my world this week, and I’m asking for grace. The timing of my post is a little off, but—you know, puppies! *Giggle* I hope you find the words thought-provoking. (I know I did, the whole time I was writing it!)

How does the enemy try to silence you?

Ahhh, there’s the rub. Look at all the assumptions made in that single question—that there is an enemy actively and nefariously working in opposition, and (in this instance) he is working to silence me.

We have an enemy.

Once upon a time I was oblivious to the reality of the two kingdoms at war in this world. Not surprising, since the unseen is often completely ignored or decidedly focused on with misleading information. One of my favorite reads on the subject is The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis. The beauty of the short book is to present a dialogue illuminating the existence of an evil empire and the plans of the enemy. If you haven’t read it, I recommend the 31-letter correspondence between a senior demon (Screwtape) and his nephew (Wormwood). As a point of clarification, when Lewis refers to “Enemy,” he is referring to the main characters’ enemy, God.

I’m quoting Lewis and Scripture because both point to a reality—we have an enemy, and he has a plan.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 ESV

Our enemy is at work.

When an enemy wages war, how does he do it? Two words: tailor made. Warfare goes after the target’s physical and emotional safety through geography, resources, and most basic needs. Every target has slightly different territory, means, core beliefs, and essentials. The “wise” enemy sizes up the situation and leverages everything to his advantage. Wouldn’t you?

“Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts,…Your affectionate uncle, Screwtape.” ― C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

If I had no belief in the God Who Saves, why would my enemy need to be concerned with an attack on that front. He would, in my opinion, spend more time keeping the reality of the Kingdom of God from entering my mind altogether.

“It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out.” ― C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

How destructive to our enemies’ plans if we knew and trusted completely in God, the Lover of our souls! And that has little to do with the perfect life, rose-colored glasses, or every answered prayer. The greatest warfare we wage on our enemy is through love and obedience in response to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

“Do not be deceived, Wormwood. Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy’s will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys.” ― C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

How does the enemy work in a life?

The enemy builds a strategy from the same playbook; there’s nothing all that novel. Identifying tactics you’ve seen before may be a window to the current attack. That’s definitely true in my own life. If the enemy can get me to distrust the goodness of God, doubt my core identity, or ride the spiral of pride and shame down to the pit, he thinks he’s got a successful plan.

And he might…if I begin to believe the lies and question the trusting faith that reunites me with my heavenly Father and saves me from sin and death.

“A moderated religion is as good for us as no religion at all—and more amusing.” ― C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

The lies are passing thoughts at first. Over time, Christianity becomes “weak.” The Bible becomes a dusty book on a shelf. My life becomes “a shameful story no one would want to hear”—and I wouldn’t dare share! And that is the desired effect, isn’t it? Moderated Christianity portrayed powerless, culturally irrelevant, and heaping guilt and shame.

I could become the silent observer in this world waiting for the next. After all, if anyone knew what really goes on in my mind…heart…life. It would be too easy.

Unless—

Truth wages war on lies and the “father of lies.”

When I think of the enemy’s warfare, I know one thing: truth trumps a lie. A mind occupied with truth doesn’t fall for the lie.

My victory and honor come from God alone.
He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. Psalm 62:7 NLT

Think about that.

God is victorious, so we are.
Any honor we have is from God.
And He is our safe place!

No harm or condemnation. We are loved, honored, and cherished. If we choose to join His life, He joins us in ours.

Who wouldn’t want to tell the unsuspecting sojourner in this world that there’s a good God who saves us from sin and into the Kingdom of light?

It’s a battle.

It really is a battle between two kingdoms, but it’s not as if the Kingdom of God is in jeopardy. We can and do know how the story ends. Until that time, I pray for you the way Paul prayed:

…I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:14b-19 NLT

Friend, do not be silenced! We have the honest truth, the real good news! I pray that we will know the truth, and that truth will produce freedom for each of us and the people in our lives. It really is something to talk about. We cannot stay silent.

Thank you for reading all the words. It is a blessing to know some of you personally, both face-to-face and at a distance. It would make my day to hear your thoughts in the comments below or at the Facebook Page.

And please, consider introducing the Facets to your friends and family. We’d love to meet them!

How Does the Enemy Try to Silence You?

04.01.2020 by Tracy Stella //

Welcome to our FACETS community. We all need more community these days. Don’t let yourself isolate. We need each other. We’re vulnerable when we are off by ourselves. Remember, you are not alone (Immanuel). We are God’s kids and we’ll get through this period of isolation together by reaching out to one another from afar. Let us know how we can be praying for you!

As I (Tracy) consider our topic this month, I think a better question might be, “How DOESN’T the enemy try to silence you?” Sometimes, his schemes can feel overwhelming, never-ending, relentless even.

But there’s good news in that. (Really?) Really!

in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.”─2 Corinthians 2:11 NIV

We are not unaware of his schemes. We know he lies. He destroys. His desire is to kill everything in his path. (John 10:10) If you are living for Christ, he has it out for you.

But don’t lose hope.

He uses the same old bag of tricks. Again, we are not UNAWARE of his schemes.

If we were playing cards, he’d have to fold. We know what’s in his hand. And we can call his bluff every time in Christ.

I do not recommend fighting the devil in your own strength. He is stronger than us. He can outwit us as humans. But he doesn’t stand a chance against us in Christ!

Good news #1:

We are not unaware of his schemes. Knowing the enemy’s methods of warfare, helps us know how to fight the good fight.

Know Ephesians 6 like nobody’s business. The best defense is a good offense, they always say. Right? Okay, so then that means we should always use God’s Word as our offensive weapon. Know what God’s Word says. Know the truth in its pages. It is for us. It is for today.

God’s Word has gotten me through some tough times!

Recently, there were false accusations made against me – publicly. (Okay, accuser of the brethren, we are not unaware of your schemes.) I was fighting to hold my head up and keep walking forward. I couldn’t really defend myself in that situation, and I was feeling pretty downcast.

But the brilliance of God and His ministry through His Word, led me to this Scripture.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable─if anything is excellent or praiseworthy─think about such things.─Philippians 4:6-8 NIV

I’ve read this passage countless times, but God chose to highlight a few words that ministered to my heart. He wanted me to pay particular attention to “whatever is true”. It was like He had taken His holy highlighter, and made those words jump off the page.

Whatever is true.

Doesn’t that sound like the perfect anecdote to the schemes of the biggest liar of all?

Satan doesn’t stand a chance when God is in our corner!

God guided me to write that Scripture down and carry it with me. It’s still in my purse.

That way, whenever the enemy starts to taunt with his lies, I am fully prepared─not unaware. There are times when I don’t wholeheartedly believe the opposite of the accusations against me (initially). That’s okay. I might not have power in the moment, but God’s Word does. His Word will give my voice power. Say it enough times and it starts to ring true. Praise God!

Whatever is true─think about such things.

There’s more good news when we are under attack.

Good news #2:

The enemy doesn’t mess with us if we aren’t making kingdom impact. If we aren’t somehow radiating God’s goodness to others, we would not be on his radar. When we love God and try to fulfill the calling He has placed on our lives, the enemy doesn’t like that, of course. I’ve told others this, and sometimes I need to remind myself, when the enemy comes against us, we should consider it a compliment.

If we’re making no impact on Christ’s behalf, the enemy would leave us alone. How do I know? I have about 4 decades of proof before I became a believer.

Once the enemy had me mired down in sin – mine and others, he left me to my own devices. He didn’t need to put a wedge between me and God or the things of God. I was oblivious to them.

But now? Now, I love the Lord. I want to do what He wants me to do. But like Paul, I don’t always do the things I know God would want me to. So frustrating, can I tell you. I do find comfort that EVEN PAUL had this struggle. He was a brilliant follower of Christ, radically transformed, and talk about kingdom impact─we’re still walking in it today! Yet for all this man did for Christ, he didn’t execute flawlessly, the way he hoped he would, the way he thought Christ would want him to.

In the apostle Paul’s words,

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do─this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.─Romans 7:15-20 NIV (emphasis added)

Thank you, Saint Paul, for admitting your failures. It helps us when we have them too! We can fail forward.

If you are reading this and you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, never judge Him by His followers. We are not Him. We will get it wrong a lot of the time. Even when we don’t want to. I have no idea why He thought it was a good idea to use normal, everyday people, to help others know who He is. That might not have been my plan, just saying. Except for, maybe this, it’s coming to my mind:

God loves us and uses us for good, beautiful, purposeful things in spite of us and our sinful nature. He has this attribute called grace. And in His goodness He extends it to us, me and you, if we are saved. And if you are not saved, if you didn’t say “yes” in your heart to Christ, He would want you to know He accepts you flaws and all. You don’t have to be a certain way, to be perfect for Him to love you deeply just as you are.

In spite of our imperfect nature, God still uses us.

That leads me to one of the weapons the enemy tries to hurl my way, and I’m wondering if some of you can relate.

I have this deep root of perfectionism that trips me up. I can put unbelievable pressure on myself to perform. It’s really off the charts sometimes. I’m not fully sure how that root got wedged in place, but it’s deep. In my mind if I do one thing wrong, the whole thing is bad. Might as well toss it, or not do it at all. If it can’t be done with excellence, it shouldn’t be done.

While that sounds good, maybe even noble or godly to want to do things with excellence (and I think it is okay to want to do your best), God doesn’t expect perfect. He just doesn’t. He is the only One who could ever achieve that. Intellectually, I’m on board. Practically, I still trip over the root.

I say things I shouldn’t. I do things I shouldn’t. And even when I can keep those things in check, I think things I shouldn’t. Ugh, Ugh, Ugh

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.─Philippians 3:12-14 NIV (emphasis added)

Did you catch that?

Sometimes, we need to strain toward what is ahead. Push through the resistance. When we do? We are walking toward the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus to receive.

Just like Moses.

Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. ─Hebrews 3:1-2 NIV (emphasis added)

As I read Priscilla Shirer’s words, I had to chuckle.

Excuse me? Moses? Faithful? Really?1

For those of you unfamiliar with Moses’ story, he was a bit flawed. For starters, he murdered an Egyptian. He wrestled with anger and insecurity. When the Israelites did dumb things (which was a lot, LOL), he’d lose his patience. He wouldn’t be the poster child for righteousness, but we find him being called out as faithful in all God’s house.

Say what?

Here’s the thing: God knew Moses’ heart. Lean in a little closer as I share this next little nugget. He knows your heart too, dear one!

God never, not once, assigned us to walk out life or our faith perfectly. In fact, He knew well in advance we wouldn’t. Our imperfect nature reminds us that we need Him.

Well, that gives me some hope! How about you?

I love Priscilla’s words here. They are so encouraging.

In spite of all kinds of spills and sputters in the execution, Moses held fast to the calling the Lord had placed on his life. “He was faithful to the one who appointed him” (v 2 NIV). Even in the noisy wind tunnel of guilt and regret, even with loud music inviting him to dance with the decadent, he could still catch the faint whisper of heaven compelling him to forsake temporary feelings and pursuits for the sake of God’s will. And herein lies what separated him and his people from all others. He was not perfect, but he was purposeful. He wasn’t without mistake, but he was marked by God’s presence. … And even when it meant picking himself up off the deck of defeat and discouragement, he did not stop until God Himself allowed him to go no farther. He was called by heaven─an appointment that ordered his priorities, pursuits and passions. Not perfectly but persistently.1

The enemy would love nothing more than to silence me through the weight of perfectionism, even in my faith walk. But that’s when I take a deep breath, literally. Breathe and seek God. Listen to what it is He has to say.

I pay attention to the places He leads me (like Priscilla’s book with well-timed words).

None of us can ever be perfect. But we can be purposeful. When I read that, I cried – a sure sign God was reaching my heart to encourage me. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for your tender ministry toward my heart!

None of us can ever be perfect. But we can be persistent about getting back up, dusting ourselves off, and reminding ourselves God doesn’t even expect perfection. So if He is a giver of grace toward us …. maybe we should extend some to ourselves.

None of us can ever be perfect. But we can fix our eyes on His presence.

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. ─2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV

We’re perfecting holiness, not perfect. And that’s okay. Don’t believe the enemy’s lies that perfectionism is required to be used by God. It’s not true. Remember, what is true. Believe the truth.

Join the conversation here or on our Facebook page.

1 Shirer, Priscilla Evans. The Resolution: for Women. B&H Pub. Group, 2015.