Captain's Blog

Speaking of God's plan..."The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God." 1 John 3:8b,9.

God's work cannot be move ahead and satans work cannot be destroyed by a soldier defending their own castle. In her book, Dr. Linda Mintle writes " When I was a college cheerleader, we yelled the cheer, "Defense! Defense!" mostly when we were losing a game. Out of frustration, we wanted our team to defend the goal and prevent the other team from scoring. It was a strategy aimed at stopping the other teams offensive efforts. However, defense didn't put points on the board for our team. Consequently, a great defensive effort could still result in a lost game."

Instead of trying to avoid sin (defensive), you should be saying I can do all things through Christ (offensive). Protecting and defending yourself is good. Now I want you to "switch" to offensive mode. Sin will happen. You will mess up. But your focus will be so much on the victory that you will just pick yourself up and keep fighting. "No one born of God will continue to sin..."

Do you see how now is the time to switch from defense and move into offensive mode? Part of the next step is switching and moving forward.

Side note (the sex talk) for those married be encouraged....If sex in a defensive mode is good wait till you switch to offensive mode. If you think sex is not great in a defensive mode pray about it and move into an offensive mode in your walk with Christ and see what happens. Read 1 John 3

In life recognize that you are a child of God. As His child we need to "...set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask because we obey his commands and do what pleases him."

We can have full confidence in God and life. We need to be real though and be ok with our emotions.

Be ok with correction and growth.

Have a look at this question an answer and thoughts and ask yourself where you are at.

"How will I know when I have reached a mature relationship...?...we have made peace when we can take a personal stand on an emotionally important issue without attacking... or being defensive about ourselves.

Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Proverbs 13:10 There are times [others are] right and we become defensive because we don't want to hear it. The root of this is usually pride, and pride breeds quarrels.

Define the problem and consider what you are reacting to." Dr. Linda Mintle.

"Remember, the goal is to be less defensive and more honest in your relationship. In order to be honest you have to know what you think and feel. " Dr. Linda Mintle.

Ask God to show you who how He sees you. Ask Him to show you the next step. Switch to offensive and fight. (make sure your armor is on).

Bless you as you walk your path faithfully.

Alanne.