Flyswatter Focused Frenzy: A Simple Lesson in Spiritual Warfare Revealed

Yesterday I was assisting a group of ladies in throwing a baby shower. There were several flies taking off and landing on our beautiful buffet spread. They were landing on the covered saran wrapped dishes. It was almost time for the event to start, but there was no flyswatter in sight. So, I grabbed an extra thick black graded plastic spatula for the available serving utensils and went to town. Swat! Swat! Swat! I killed each fly on the first attempt. My friends marveled at my adroitness, but I knew on the inside that had this been at home, it would have been swat, miss, swat, miss, etc. I usually get the flies sooner or later, but at home, I have to hunt them down, chasing them from window to window. What was different about this fly swatting showdown, and why did I call myself the “flyswatter diva” that day? If you’re like me and most ladies, you feel like you have to analyze almost everything.

That’s exactly what happened. The ladies began to marvel at my skill in killing the flies. I told them it was luck. They compared me to them and their abilities to kill flies at their homes. One lady said she should call me to exterminate their flies at home. We chuckled. I bet they had no idea that I was thinking to myself I was a fly slayer at church but certainly not at home. So, I let this secret out.

We began to examine the spatula’s design. Was it the thicker gridded design that made the difference? I even said why haven’t they tested this design to the traditional flyswatter plaid, short-weaved, tight design? Yes, this was all in pure fun, but was the lesson for me and for you? What was different about me?

When I think back, I was determined to kill those fly on the first swing. This is what made the difference. We were ten minutes away from starting. It was a showdown, and I won. I had no doubt I could kill those flies- one after another- I put those nasty flies in their place. Focused, I waited for them to land and swatted with explicit strokes. You see, I did not want to get any fly guts on the food or table. The ladies were coming in and I knew that if they saw me killing flies on open food etc, they would be disgusted and not eat. I had a mission and little time to complete it!

I see a simple lesson here as it relates to spiritual warfare in the kingdom of God. God has given us tools and weapons to fight the enemy. Sometimes we play with these tools or use them improperly. God wants us to swat the enemy with full authority in Christ the first time around. No swatting amiss. Instead, determined, focused, and executed swats that are delivered with urgency and authority. Do you believe that Christ lives in you? Do you believe that He has given you authority in His name to fight the wicked darts that come from the devil? If you do, get swatting and winning. Be a devil slayer and swat with fierce intensity. Fight the good fight!

Cobwebs and Dust Bunnies Alert

Yesterday I got up at 4AM. I couldn’t sleep. I laid there for a long time resisting the urge to get up and clean. I prayed and tried to fall back a sleep. To no avail, I gave in and got up! I hit the deck up and running: dishes, laundry, dusting, etc.

Today I got up and noticed cobwebs and dust bunnies about the house. How is this possible? I questioned. I wondered how they got there so fast, or had they been there all the time. Were the dust bunnies magically moving around as I cleaned or responding to the thrush of wind as I walked by? Either way, one truth still remained. They were there, though I had not seen them before, and I had overlooked them.

The Lord began to speak to me about this situation. He reminded me of the importance of surrendering our hearts fully to God, which means every part. We need His bright illuminating flashlight shining in every chamber of our heart. When we don’t take the time to do our regular heart maintenance, which is prayer; before you know it, there are cobwebs and dust bunnies everywhere.

I hear my skeptical readers saying but there will always be cobwebs and dust bunnies. I actually agree with you. One, God only gives us more than we can handle, and two, healing is like pealing an onion. He reveals things in our heart one thing at a time, so we can handle them.

In short, we always have to be on the lookout for cobwebs and dust bunnies in the natural and the spiritual. When they are found, they need to be handled both carefully and quickly.

We Had a Frightening Porch Fire at One AM

I was awakened with the following horrifying words this morning at one AM: “Mom, there is a fire on the back porch! GET UP!” My first instinct was to run and see what he was talking about. I saw the fire that was blazing in the garbage can and its connected flames engulfing my serving area outside. Without thinking, I sprinted to get water. My husband began yelling at my son to get a bucket and a broom. First, we put the fire out. Then we moved the items that were being poisoned by soot and water runoff, like our designer bamboo rug and outdoor furniture. The danger ended like that, but we have a lot of clean up to do out there today. After this burst of adrenaline, I could hardly sleep. My mind was going a mile a minute. All I could think about was the fire. The Lord spoke to me about precarious spiritual fires as I reflected on this scary incident.

Fire Unaware:
Not everyone is aware that there is a dangerous fire burning. They have become so desensitized to what is perilous because they have relaxed their beliefs and fallen away from the word. They are living their own gospel or mixture. Neither is okay with God. This fire becomes a conflagration, which is a great fire. It burns everything it comes into contact with. These fires are the most dangerous and destructive.

Thank God we were blessed to have been awakened this morning. We were able to take the tools we had in our house to fight the fire, and we won. When you are in a spiritual “fire unaware” situation, you are the easiest target for the enemy. It’s that sample. How do you become “fire aware”? You keep yourself in the word, you pray, you read your Bible, and you do not surround yourself by those who are desensitized and walking in the same risky lifestyle. You will have to ask God to help you make changes and give you renewed spiritual eyes to remove the people and things (idols) in your life that are unsafe.
Maybe you are looking at the aftermath of this fire; you didn’t see it when it was happening, but now you see what it has done. This is a good place to be and perfect ground for got to implant or replant some foundational principles you are lacking. It’s a great time to rededicate your life and allow God to sharpen your spiritual eyes. Aren’t you tired of waking up and asking yourself the question: God, how did I get her? We often blame God for things that we take into our hands. Some have turned their backs on the things of God. How can one blame God?

Fire Aware:
You may have felt like you have been slapped in the face with the most recent trial that has caused you fear, dread, and or even doubt. It may have caused you to run and let the fire blaze. Remember that we are to not think of these trials as odd (1st Thessalonians 3: 2-4). In fact, we are given a recipe in the word for fighting these types of fires. This is not the right way to fight a fire unless it’s temptation. You fight these spiritual fires by putting on the armor of God (Ephesians 6). You can withstand “the fiery darts from the enemy’”! 2nd Peter 1:9 tells is that God will rescue us from trials. In order to be rescued, we need to be aware. If not, then the unaware wild fires will burn and overtake us. Isaiah 43:1-3 tells us also that these types of fires will not burn us and that He will walk with them through us. This is the biggest difference between the two types of fires that the Lord showed me. I’d rather be aware with the proper tools in my hands to fight the fire. I’d rather have Jesus right there with me telling and showing me what to do when I am at my wits end.

If you are in a fire situation, don’t panic. He is with you! You will not be burned or overtaken. Don’t walk by your feelings. Walk according to the promises in His word! If you did discovered there is a blaze going on or it has just burnt a pathway around you or through you, turn to God now. He can help you put the pieces back together.

Isaiah 43:1-3 (NJJV)
The Redeemer of Israel
1 But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“ Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
3 For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I gave Egypt for your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+43:1-3&version=NKJV