Day 126

Today was Day 126 of  The Red Shoe Project,  and I was adorned in my RED Jessica Simpson heels  for an important business meeting downtown.  As beautiful as they are, they are not great for "walking it out."  Talk about high!  They must be at least 4" and they are the only shoes that keep the hem of my white pants from touching the ground.


Sometimes, however,  it's not about how things look, it's about how things work. With that in mind, I headed to my Spiritual Wardrobe with a specific outfit in mind.
From the moment I awoke, I realized it was one of those days.  Arrows of defeat and discouragement were flying in from all directions.  I pulled out the Armor of God and got dressed.

"Therefore, put on the full armor of God..."

At Sozo, last week, the main focus was on dispelling the lies that I have come to believe as truth, so that I can move forward, successfully,  in all that God has for me.  Today was a constant onslaught of lies pouring down on me.  The voices in my mind pushed and pushed trying to gain back the ground they lost last week, and it was up to me to defend the territory of truth that I had won back.  It wasn't easy!  It was a day of  "walking it out!"  

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, 

but against the rulers, against the authorities, 

against the powers of this dark world and against 

the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms.  

 (Ephesians 6:12)

I've come to realize that  no one else can "walk it out for me."  That's something that I have to do myself.  I have to put forth the effort and  "just do it."  People can tell me about it.  I can read books on it.  My pastor may preach it from the pulpit.  I can even pray about it with a trusted friend.  But at some point.  I've got to put on my RED shoes and "walk it out."  I've got to do what God tells me to do.  I've got to put God's Word into action.  I've got to apply it to my personal life.   Does it really work?  I'll never know for sure until I give it a try.

It doesn't surprise me that the enemy has already attacked in hope of taking back the land. Today was "Bill Paying Day."  I love paying bills!  It's one of my favorite things to do.  But when there's not quite enough money to pay all of the bills, on the day I choose to pay them, the enemy sees that as the perfect opportunity to attack.  Watch out!  Here come the lies!

"Your God didn't really say that He'd provide.  That's just you thinking that!  See, there's not enough.  He's not doing it!  You're never going to make it.  Better just pack the whole thing up and get a real job.  If God were in this, you wouldn't be in need.  It's just not working.  See, there's that feeling again.  You're overwhelmed... and rightfully so.  No one can do this.  You're never going to make it.  What were you thinking?"

Okay... so I want to laugh hysterically after reading that because it's such a blatant attempt by the devil to bring me down!  But it didn't seem that way earlier today.  His voice seemed so loud and powerfully persuasive.  The Holy Spirit picked up on it immediately, though, and brought it to my attention that the enemy was on the offensive.

But you know what?  I'm tired of hearing that same old, same old dialog from the devil.  I've heard it all before.  And between Sozo,  dear friends praying on my behalf,  the angels of God,  great Biblical teaching and all this time I'm spending in the Secret Place with God...  Well  --  I'm stronger now!
No more pulling my tail between my legs and scurrying over to the corner in defeat.  That's not an option anymore.   I'm ready to fight back! I'm prepared to "walk it out!"

So I looked in the mirror, 

made sure my armor was fully in place, 

pulled out my sword and lunged forward!

 I've learned to dismember the lies of the enemy 

with the truth of God's Word.  

I know exactly what God spoke to me.   Jesus, Himself, said... 

"My sheep know my voice; I know them; and they follow me." 
(John 10:27)

His Word says "My God shall provide all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

"Abraham called that place, Jehovah Jireh - The Lord will provide."  (Genesis 22:14)  He is the God who sees the situation beforehand and is able to provide for  my needs. 

My God is faithful to deliver on His promises.  "His name is Faithful and True" (Revelation 19:11)

Today, I stand firm 
on His Word, believing!  

It was a rough day!  A day of holding down the fort, per say.  A day of repeating over and over again the scriptures I stand on when it comes to financial promises.  But it was also a day of praising God .  Later in the afternoon, I found myself singing that old chorus:

Jehovah Jireh, My Provider.

His Grace is Sufficient for Me.

My God shall supply all my needs,

according to His riches in glory.

He will give his angels charge over me.

Jehovah Jireh cares for me.

Jehovah Jireh cares for me.

With that song, the cloud of darkness seemed to lift, at least for now.  But sword in hand, I'm prepared for when the enemy returns.  I'm not sure how long this particular battle will last, but I expect to be Victorious!  I know that there will always be some sort of battle.  And I always have the choice to plunge forward or to retreat.  But in exercising my faith and "walking it out,"  I put God to the test, and God never fails! 

Will you take your place in the ranks of God's army?  Will you put on your RED shoes and "walk it out?"  Will you exercise your faith in your particular situation and watch God come through for you?

 I can't do that for you.  I've got my own "walking it out"  to do.   You have to do that yourself.  But know that I am praying for you.

You can do it!

Gail