Journals of the Heart

The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance and victory are of the Lord (Proverbs 21:31 Amplified)Lift up your heads, O you gates; and be lifted up, you age-abiding doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; yes, lift them up, you age-abiding doors, that the King of glory may come in( Psalms 24:7-9 Amplified)

Word of the Day

Beloved, don’t let struggles in relationship with others become like the proverbial wet blanket and hinder your progress. Like a dark cloud, they can cover the already shadowy visions in your heart. Instead of becoming an intercessor on their behalf, you allow them to become a distraction. At times you even allow them to be used to lead you into resentments and the like.

Be careful, My love, and remember, wrong thoughts and attitudes lead to resentment—and resentment leads to bitterness. When this happens you do not have a clear vision to see who they are—who you really are— or where you’re going. How this delights the enemy. If he can distract you and cause you to be bitter, he has won.

Battles you fight always begin in the thought life. It is what you do with your first thoughts that determine how the battle ensues. It is best to start out from the winning position I have made available to you. Like a horse, if prepared for battle, you must prepare yourself and your thought life and I will bring the victory (Proverbs 21:31).

The enemy already knows your struggle due to lack of self-worth and how it seeks to disable you from acknowledging all I have said about you. Then he adds the words, actions, opinions and weakness of those around you, endeavoring to make it impossible for you to believe. Again, the battle is Mine and I have already won.

You must always start from this vantage point each and every time, no matter how many times you have sunk among pounding waves before. Sinking once, twice or seventy times seven does not change who I am, invalidate victory or diminish the overcoming conqueror I have called you to be. Open your gates. I am coming in (Psalms24:7-9)…Read Complete Love Letter…

Prayer

Lord, I have let my struggles weigh me down in ways the enemy uses to discourage me, to prevent me from moving on in You. Worse than this, I do not intercede on their behalf the way I should. I let personal things keep me from being the overcomer You have made me to be. Today I choose to put an end to all distracting and harmful thoughts and enter the fray on the behalf of others. The words, plans and actions of men which are contrary to Your word have no power over me. You contend with those who contend with me and I am set free. No matter how many times I have failed, You still shed Your love abroad in my heart and life. I am Your overcoming conqueror. Amen.

Reflect and Journal

1. What interpersonal struggles have you allowed to consume your thoughts or, at the very least, interfere to the point where they distract you?

2. Where have you given the battle in your mind over to negative thoughts and allowed the enemy to say, “Hath God said?” or “What if it never happens?”

3. Reflect on how to prepare yourself like a horse for battle and open the gates of your circumstance and let the King of Glory come in.