*By Mary Salamon, CLW Church Liaison and Founding Member
Here we are in the first week of September and the world has changed again; unfortunately, not for the better. The darkness is moving in all directions trying to confuse and confound people of faith. Every day there is something to make our head swim and it feels like we’re treading water. Our strength must come from the Lord and his word. The battleground is the family and you’re a leader in this family called to come forth and protect those that God has entrusted to you. Do not fear. According to 1st Timothy 1:7, God has not given us the spirit of fear, but love, power, and a sound mind. God will empower you as you focus on Him and your faith to see this through.
Parents have the responsibility to protect their children. Pray for wisdom. Right now, in the state of Washington, burdens are being laid on us that are unjust and unfair. The new mask mandate and the vaccine mandates are affecting many in Washington State. These mandates cause a clear division between the vaccine and the anti-vaccine groups. Within those two groups, families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors are split apart. Seattle decided to turn away hundreds possibly thousands of patrons in their city by demanding vaccines to dine and attend events. Sports franchises brought down the gauntlet on who can attend their games. The worse of all, is many workers in our state are being cast out of their beloved careers and employment due to government overreach. How do we navigate through these waters? By Faith. It is only by faith that we quench the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Ephesians 6:10-18 describes specifically the requirement in engaging this battle.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but the rulers, the authorities, the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:10-18
According to the scripture above, we are at war. It’s a spiritual war. Notice the scripture says we don’t wrestle against human agents, even though human agents brought down this evil. No, those of us that live in Washington State are wrestling against powers and spiritual forces and rulers in heavenly places. According to these scriptures, we’re in an army and these are our weapons to fight, so let’s fight, resist and stand. This is how we begin and end our day.
As leaders in this army over our family, other things can be done to build up the troops.
Here are some suggestions:
- Open up your home. Use hospitality as a weapon of war. The vaccine mandates are keeping families out of dining and entertainment venues, but that shouldn’t stop the gathering of friends and families. Plan weekend dinner parties and invite those people that are like-minded with you over to enjoy food and games
- Open up your home for prayer with your family, friends, and neighbors. There are many confused and hurting that need prayer and support. The confused ones also need wisdom and guidance through these dark waters. Prayer is powerful in delivering people.
- Have small group meetings to cast vision and brainstorm for a better tomorrow. For example, small businesses can network to discuss new ways of conducting business, and how they can stand against the injustices together instead of separately. People in the medical field, in education, law enforcement can come together to discuss their concerns, their rights, and what new things can come out of this mayhem.
- Believe for the best, but prepare for the worst. Natural preparation for emergencies is a good thing. Open up your home for earthquake and power outage preparation. Gather your family and discuss the importance of preparation for health, safety, and peace of mind. Here is a link that Steve Bannon’s War Room recommends for all types of emergency supplies: https://mypatriotsupply.com/
- Lead by example for your children. Write letters, send emails, sign petitions, and attend rallies. Consider running for office at the local level.
- Shut the noise off. I call the local news the “Bad News Bears.” All the media does is vomit garbage day in and day out. They are used by demonic forces and flip flop like fish out of water on every issue. The media instills fear, confusion, and anxiety. If it’s not terrifying to the public, it’s not reported. Pull your family away from all of it.
We are asked to take up the shield of faith. This shield extinguishes All the fiery darts of the wicked one. Faith is an act. Abraham moved. Sarah received. Noah built. One of the feats in the faith chapter is in Hebrews 11:23. “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.”
We recently witnessed the same type of faith when Afghan mothers tossed their babies over a wall. What great acts of faith and courage! They released their children to God and a foreign nation believing in life instead of death. They protected their children at all costs. I believe if we pray and act (by faith), we will not have to come to those choices. Let’s continue to bind together and build up each other until we see the victory.
