February 16, 2010
The Wonder Bat
"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV)
Devotion:
"An asset to the team." That is how my daughter's coach described her. Madi was great behind the plate. Her arm could get the best of them out at second base. She could move from catcher to first base position with ease, and was flexible in the outfield. Yet her batting was weak and she was last on her team. Her coach's diagnosis: her bat. Madi had grown over the summer and needed a longer, heavier, stronger bat.
My husband began his research. Best bats for girl's softball was his Google criteria. He studied their size. He read recommendations and manufacturer's guarantees. He compared results, tests and costs. After days of investigating, he purchased the "weapon" as he called it.
The instructions said my daughter needed at least fifty good hits with that bat until she would be comfortable with the new feel. They were right; at first she didn't like it. It was uncomfortable and heavy. But she kept on using it. We played in the yard and went to batting cages. We put in the time and effort to be sure she would be well adjusted to her new equipment before she used it in a real game.
My daughter is now batting at the top of the order! Doubles, triples, even home runs are her norm. She wields that bat, smacks the ball and racks up points for her team.
Often, we are getting along pretty good in life, but there is just that one area where we are a bit weak. Maybe life has ramped up; trials have gotten harder and we haven't evaluated the tools we are using. Self-help books, chatting with friends, infomercials, time on the internet can be helpful, but there are other tools we can wield that will help us even more: the Bible and prayer.
As we grow in our faith, we need to look for passages in God's Word that will empower us in this game called life. We should ask Jesus what He sees that needs to change so we can live in His victory. When fear, doubt, anger, lust or pride are thrown our way, we can get equipped to swing back with memorized verses of the Word. Instead of allowing complaining, grumbling and discouragement to slide into home plate, we can strike them out of the game with continuous prayer.
The Word is called a double-edged sword, but unless we practice applying the verses to our lives, it does us no good. Unless we read the reviews, the testimonies of the men and women in the Bible, we may not be convinced that it will really make a difference. Unless we invest time to use the Word and prayer as our "weapons,", we will never know what it is like to bat at the top of the order.
Now, when Madi gets up to bat I feel confident. Her father and I have given her the "weapon" she needs to be successful in softball. Just like Madi, your Father has also given you what you need for life. Just like Madi, you are going to need to grab hold of those weapons and practice many, many times until you are comfortable with them. And, just like Madi, as you step up to the plate, you can hit a home run!
Dear Lord, I need You today. Show me where I need to use the weapons You've given us, Your Word and prayer, in my life in order to be victorious. Give me the strength to learn Your Word, meditating on it over and over and over again until I am comfortable with using it as a weapon against the enemy of my heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Holding His Hand: A devotional for teen girls by Beka Dewitt
When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference by Carolyn Custis James
Visit Lynn's blog
Application Steps:
Go to BibleGateway and do a word search on your greatest struggle - jealousy, envy, conflict, etc. Write out one of the verses regarding this difficulty that speaks to you and read it several times a day until you know it well.
Visit our Everyday Life section to read how other woman are finding victory in the areas where you need a stronger weapon.
Reflections:
What areas in your life do you currently feel like you are losing a battle?
Do you have a friend that you could ask to pray for you on a regular basis in your battle?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 6:17, "Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (NIV)
Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
Originally published Tuesday, 16 February 2010.
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