Prayer Arrows!

Jeremiah 50:13-15

For battle at close range, we have the Sword of the Spirit. But what do we use when trouble looms on the horizon? Our strategy for warfare must adapt with the distance of our enemy, taking range into account. When armies draw up their lines they do so just out of reach of the enemy's weapons. Range is an issue which affects all military arts. This concept is easily understood by picturing two boxers. If one of the fighter's arms is four inches longer than the other, it makes it very hard for his opponent to safely throw a punch. The boxer with the longer arms can stay out of the way of his opponent's swing while still being able to hit his mark. Gaining the benefit of range is highly beneficial for one, yet difficult for the adversary to overcome. Perhaps the greatest weapon of ancient warfare was the bow and the arrow. Many historic battles were won against all odds, through archery. Although attacking from a distance gives one great advantage, maintaining that advantage requires speed and accuracy.

Speed is achieved by acting quickly in order to hit your opponent before they hit you. If the other side manages to formulate a strategy before you can take action, you have given away the advantage of range. Accuracy is developed with traning and practice. Ancient warriors were able to shoot an average of 10 arrows per minute. The more they used their weapon under pressure of warfare, the greater the speed and the greater skill they developed. Archers also had mobility on their side. Since the bow and arrow are lightweight and easily stowed on their backs, they could move undercover easily on the battlefield.

The Egyptians were known to use chariots to carry armies of archers into battle. If the target were close in range then the archer would aim a little above the horizon. They were taught never to aim directly at the target, as the trajectory of the arrow would fall with gravity over distance. At long range, archers would aim into the sky above their heads at an angle toward the enemy target. If speed and accuracy were aligned, the trajectory would prove right on target.

--> Psalms 25:11-13

Prayer is our most accurate and speedy weapon against the enemy. It is also our most strategic way of providing impact without engaging the enemy at close range. Just as a skillful archer can accurately determine angle, we must focus our prayer in the direction of God's will.

In the movie, "The Patriot", Mel Gibson was reminding his sons of their training target and he said, "Aim small, miss small." His point was: don't aim at the enemy as a whole, but instead aim at the button on his jacket. That way if you miss the button, you still hit the enemy in the chest. This tactic applies so perfectly to our focus on prayer. Because prayer is primarily a private practice, there is not much attention made of skill level. But there is a right and a wrong way to pray. The only thing the disciples asked Jesus to do was to teach them to pray. And Jesus answered by laying out a pattern of prayer. An important part of this pattern was the model to pray our answers and not our problems. Most prayers look more like grocery lists for God than a Holy Spirit led conversation! Although our prayers should be focused, they need to be focused on the right things.

There are two main categories of prayer:

1. Our personal purpose
2. God's corporate purpose

Jesus stated the solution to all of our problems when He said, "Thy Kingdom come, they will be done." Since God's will is always perfect, praying His will over a situation will bring your solution. Although we don't always know the root of our problems we do know the sources of our answers. Prayer bring unity of force between Heaven and Earth. It is our pathway to God and also the method He uses to form us into His image.

With the focused aim of an archer's arrow, let's pursue the target of focused prayer.

Bow: As a bow is drawn back, it stores up enormous energy. When the arrow is aligned and released, the energy held in the tight bow transfers to the arrow instantaneously. Prayer is much like this coordinated effort of elements. Part of the process takes strength and another takes skill in the retraction and execution of the exercise. The bow represents our obedience. We must prove our submission through the flexibility of bending to God's will.

Archer: The archer must possess enough strength to pull back the string of the bow. Although it seems contrary to go back in order to go forward, a retraction of action is required to dispense energy for propelling. When we bend our will toward God's we create an enormous storage of energy. By pulling back from our own desires and yielding to the obedience of the Spirit, we strengthen ourselves as mighty warriors.

Arrow: The arrow represents the will of God. We learn the will of God by reading His Word and applying it to prayer. We should test the will of God by writing out our prayer of petition using scriptures. If our prayer is aligned with scriptures and kingdom priorities then it will create a straight arrow for God to use.

Our formula for focused prayer shold combine these 3 elements:

1.  Bind the enemy by ackowledging and uncovering his schemes
2. Deal with our flesh through repentance
3. Loose God by applying His Word to our circumstances.

Praying the way Jesus taught us bring corporate correction and deliverance and as a result we are set free personally as well.

Aiming our prayer is not an "each woman for herself" approach. It is a corporate strategy of unity and victory. Arrows aren't as effective or all that easy to use at a close range. So we cannot wait until the enemy is upon us to pray the will of God. Although praying for a miracle is sometimes a matter of life and death, we should not rely daily on reactive measures of prayer. If only amassed ranks of archers would aim their arrows up high and let heaven guide their destination; then the enemies camp will be destroyed.

We have got to keep our quivers full and ready at all times so that we will not be reactive to situations but will act in Godly ways and with steady and stealth fingers so that we will bring restoration to HIS Kingdom and not destruction.

Adjust That Crown!
Jonna

Be Still

Don’t let your mentality limit God, don’t let your environment limit God, don’t let what you see limit God, don’t even let what you have or who you know limit God. Is He not the same God that created the heavens and the earth, the entire universe belongs to Him. He said the silver is His and the gold also, and even the cattle on thousands of hills. He is faithful. His word cannot return to Him void, but it must accomplish that for which it is sent. Be still and watch Him work, the problem is that you have been too busy with your thoughts and plans that you have left God no room to work. God can only work in your stillness. Two people can’t control a ship at the same time, one has to control and the other has to relax. Which one will you rather be? When things are out of your control, why don’t you leave them to a God who never has things out of His control. Sometimes it’s easier said than done right? He is silently working things out together for your good. Romans 8:28

Adjust That Crown,

Jonna

See Saw Effect

I enjoy being on a see saw and I haven't been on one in years! It is a basic staple to traditional type of playgrounds. It is really interesting how children instinctively understand what actually is a very complicated physics concept. They get on the see saw and they just know how to make it work. The heavier child knows to go further up the see saw towards the middle or he or she will be on the ground and the other child will be in the air. With a see-saw there are a whole lot of adjustments you can make to determine just what kind of fun you are going to have.

Like a see-saw we all have balances and adjustments we have to make everyday in our lives that determine what goes on in our mind and life. Consider your imagination and your thought life; what is it that causes you to dwell on certain things that aren't the best for you? We have a playground of fun going on in our minds 24 hours a day! We have power to control our thoughts, imaginations, visions, dreams, etc. by taking authority over them. If we find ourselves focusing on the negative or fearful things; then the positive and victorious things are being put down or going downward. If we rebuke and cast down those bad thoughts that we are exalting in the forefront of our minds; then the good will be lifted up!

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5

When you allow the enemy to plant an imagination in your mind; you have two options; entertain it or recognize and cast it down. We can believe what we "see" in our thought life and perceive that it is real and take actions based on wrong perceptions OR recognize that it is contrary to the Word of God and overthrow it. We need to take every thought captive and make them a prisoner. Don’t ignore them and hope they will go away. Focus on changing those thoughts to what God would say over your life or situation by casting the lie down to where it came from and then releasing the truth out. 

 

 "Whatsoever is true, honest, pure, just, good or lovely; whatsoever things are of a good report. If there be any virtue to it, or there be any praise; think on these things."                                                                                                               Philippians 4:8

We cast down imaginations by our will. We "will" to stop thinking about bad things, wrong things, things that are against God’s Word. We "will" it through Jesus’ name. You can actually take your hand as if you are grasping the bad thoughts right out of your mind and then throw that down. This physical action brings a strong image to the mental action...but it might look a little strange!

We don’t give up or give in, we overcome by practicing faith that God’s grace will change our thought life. We will be the one in control of our thoughts and not let some random person take over our heads as well as give away the seat to someone who will sabotage our minds.

Adjust That Crown!
Jonna

*Peanuts: A Powerful Ingredient

So why do you think you are insignificant? A small fish in a big ocean, a little speck in the midst of millions. It is so easy to feel little and powerless but I want to remind you that little everyday things can be powerful ingredients to something big! 

Let me give you an example. The peanuts laying all over the steakhouse floor that you walk and squish are one of the components for dynamite. Who would have thought?! Nitroglycerin is what makes dynamite explosive and comes from glycerol that is extracted from the peanut. That simple peanut butter sandwich all the sudden does not look all that innocent!
 

So who are you to determine what is insignificant? Apparently your definition isn't a very good one. God uses every little thing in this world and that includes you! You were born with a very specific purpose and plan and if you are still breathing then there is plenty that you can do to make a mark in this life.

Significant defined: having meaning; having or likely to have influence; important; noticeable amount (according to Webster's online dictionary)

I want you to remember this: You have meaning. You have influence. You are important. You are noticeable. God loves you and has called you to a life of significance with the receiving of His name. You are the King's beloved child and He is pleased with you. And just like that peanut.....you have a powerful part to play in this life. He needs the ingredient of YOU.

    
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31

 
Adjust That Crown!

Jonna