Who Is Your Best Friend

Excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs Evil

Chapter 17:  I Am, My Best Friend

As you look at all your relationships, who is your best friend?  Without hesitation, who can you depend on?  Who knows you best, your deepest thoughts, fears and concerns?  Many followers of Christ will quickly answer with the name of Jesus.  But in most cases, it’s more of a cliche.  It’s an intellectual response, not heartfelt and truthful.  The truth is, not many people can honestly answer with the name of Jesus.  Regardless of how we answer, in John 15:13–15 (NLT), Jesus declares we are His friends by saying, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command.  I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves.  Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.”  

Thanks to God for making His Word available, we know everything the Father told Jesus, which is everything Jesus told the disciples. We are included in this friendship if we do what He commands. When Jesus told the disciples there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends, He was telling them, He will die on the cross for them. He is telling us the same. Do you believe this Truth, God was willing to die for you? Do you believe God considers you His friend? Don’t you want to be a part of this friendship? Then you must be willing to make the effort to embrace His friendship. He’s done His part, are you doing yours? To reject and deny God is to reject His love, depriving ourselves of a friendship like no other.

Author’s comments:  Who is the last person you spend time with before going to sleep?  Besides God, who knows you deep within the recesses of your mind and heart?  Who knows how you really feel about everything?  When you look back on your life, how have you treated yourself?  How have you done with the choices you’ve made and the paths you’ve taken?  Have you taken good care of yourself?  Have you acted in your own best interest?  Even if you have a best friend in God, you must also be your own best friend.  Stop blaming everyone else for your shortcomings.  Stop waiting on everyone else to motivate you.  Motivate yourself.  Take more of an interest in improving yourself.  God will help you become the person He created you to be.  If you need help, reach out.  I’d love to be a part of your spiritual growth.

To contact Bruce personally, go to the website: battlecrygoodvsevil.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook through the website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.  To get the weekly blogs, be sure to “like” and “follow” Battle Cry on Facebook.

The Spirit vs Sinful Nature

Excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs Evil

Chapter 8:  War Wounds and Battle Scars

Galatians 5:17 (NLT) says, “The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants.  And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.  These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.”  Spiritual warfare is about fighting for the freedom to carry out our good intentions.  Galatians 5:19–26 (NLT) says, “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear:  sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these.  Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.  But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  There is no law against these things!  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.  Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.  Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.”

Author’s comments:  Go back and review the results of following the desires of our sinful nature and Satan’s lead.  Now, review the results when we don’t follow the desires of our sinful nature, and instead follow the Spirit’s lead.  When considering the spiritual condition of the world, whose lead are we following?  Considering the spiritual condition of your life, whose lead are you following?  If you’re not sure what the answer is, then consider this.  Is your sinful nature and evil ways being camouflaged and concealed by what has become the accepted and normal behavior of the world today?

Please don’t hesitate to reach out; Bruce would love to help you grow in your spiritual journey!  To contact Bruce personally, go to the website: battlecrygoodvsevil.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook through the website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.  To get the weekly blogs, be sure to “like” and “follow” Battle Cry on Facebook.

A Mother's Love

Excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs Evil

Chapter 14:  God Is Love

Before we are physically born into this world, while living in the womb, we depend on our mother for survival.  After we are born, our physical dependence slowly transitions to an emotional dependence.  As we age, we develop the desire to become more independent.  If our physical and emotional dependence on our mother was positive and healthy, as we become more independent, our relationship with our mother should remain positive and healthy.  It should be one of trust, which means being able to depend on our mother, no matter the circumstances.  This trusting relationship with our mother is our first love experience.  This is why the bond between a mother and a child is like no other.  This love experience should be further enhanced by the love of our father and extend throughout the entire family.  The family, another one of God’s provisions, is lovingly responsible to hold family members accountable for their actions. This does not mean family love should be conditional or judgmental.  Judgment causes family members to turn their backs on other family members because of faults, failures, mistakes, or choices they don’t agree with. Families should love one another through faults, failures, mistakes, and the choices they don’t agree with.  Judgment is hopeless; love is hopeful.

God’s provision of the family is but a glimpse into the depth of His love.  Jeremiah 1:5 (NLT) says, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.  Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”  Our love experience with God goes much deeper than the womb and way beyond the grave.  Our love experience with God is spiritual, so it relies on the Holy Spirit.  If we rely on the Spirit, our love experience with God will develop into a trusting relationship.  Trust faithfully believes we can depend on God, no matter the circumstances.  Our relationship with God is our first true love experience, because God’s love is faithfully unconditional. This means without fail, God loves us through our faults, failures, mistakes, and choices.  Because God is love, His design of the family is an extension of His love.  If the love of God is present in the family, the love we receive from our mother, father, and extended family, will shine the Light of God’s love.  This gives us insight and understanding into God’s love.  If the love of God is absent in the family, the family will struggle.  Based on how many families struggle, how present is God’s love in the family today?

Author’s comments:  Mother’s Day is to remind us to express our love and appreciation for our mothers.  Although we are reminded of the birth of Christ at Christmas, and His death and resurrection at Easter, why isn’t there a God’s Day to remind us to express our love and appreciation for God?  Because every day is God’s Day! Make God the most important part of every family relationship and He will truly bless those relationships.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out; Bruce would love to help you grow in your spiritual journey!  To contact Bruce personally, go to the website battlecrygoodvsevil.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook through the website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.  To get the weekly blogs, be sure to “like” and “follow” Battle Cry on Facebook.

Prayer

Excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs Evil

Chapter 11:  Prayer

When we think, God knows what we’re thinking.  When we talk, God knows what we’re saying. When we pray, God knows what we’re praying.  Although all three are wonderful ways to communicate with God, prayer is another one of His provisions.  It’s the most respectful, reverent, heartfelt, honest, and spiritually stimulating way to communicate with Him.  It’s an important feature of being in a personal relationship with God.  Ephesians 6:18 (NLT) says, “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.  Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”  When the Word teaches us to pray at all times and on every occasion, it doesn’t leave much to interpretation.  We need to pray every day, and we need to pray in the Spirit.  It strengthens our relationship with God, because through the Spirit, we hear God. During prayer, we need to be silent and alert to identify those spiritually stimulating times to hear and feel the Spirit.  In John 16:15 (NLT) Jesus says, “The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.”  Prayer is a spiritual experience that keeps us spiritually connected.  It improves our communication with God.  It lets the Spirit feel our heart, which in turn, allows us to feel the Spirit.

Author’s comments:  One of the most common questions I get when discussing spirituality is, “How do you feel the Spirit?” or “How do you hear God?”  Then, there’s usually a follow-up statement of, “I’ve never felt anything spiritual.” or “I’ve never heard God.”  What effort are you personally making to feel or hear God? Are you waiting for this miraculous experience to unfold where the Holy Spirit comes swooping down to engulf your innermost being?  If the process was that easy, everyone would feel the Spirit, everyone would hear God, everyone would be a follower of Christ, and everyone would be saved.  Our spiritual development and spiritual condition is influenced by every personal choice we make.  It requires a constant and exerted effort on our part.  The more spiritually developed we become; the more likely we will feel or hear God.  So again, what effort are you personally making to feel or hear God?

Please don’t hesitate to reach out; Bruce would love to help you grow in your spiritual journey!  To contact Bruce personally, go to the website: battlecrygoodvsevil.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook through the website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.  To get the weekly blogs, be sure to “like” and “follow” Battle Cry on Facebook.

A Spiritual Awakening

Excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs Evil

Chapter 1:  Spirituality

Genesis 1:1–2 (NLT) says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.” God is so massive, He created the heavens and the Earth, He hovered over the surface of the waters, and He can live in every one of us at the same time.  We can tap into our spirituality and become more spiritual by acknowledging the Spirit in us. The Spirit enables us to recognize God in all creation, starting with our miraculously created bodies. Study the design of the eye enabling us to see all the wonders of the world in living color.  Examine the design and strength of our bone struc­ture enabling us to stand upright.  From the ribcage pro­tecting our vital organs, to the skull protecting our brain, God’s design is specific. Observe the complex network of blood flow throughout our body, from the smallest veins, to our amazing beating heart.  Marvel at the complex func­tionality of the brain, from its ability to instantly think, to its capacity to store and retrieve information. Now tap into your raw emotion and your ability to feel and know love.  We have two choices; we can deny or embrace the Spirit. By denying the Spirit, we will remain spiritually dormant.  By embracing the Spirit, we begin a spiritual awakening.

As we continue to acknowledge and recognize God in all creation, we must also look at the external intricacies of creation.  Look at the miraculously created sky, trees, lakes, rivers, oceans, and mountains.  Look at our planet and how it exists in the solar system with the sun, moon, and the entire universe.  If you look around at all you see, hear, touch, and feel, and you’re not able to recognize or acknowledge God in anything, then you’re in need of a spiritual awakening.  You need the influence of the Spirit to help you set aside the noise and distractions from the brain.  You need the guidance of the Spirit to help you decipher what you truly think and feel.  The Spirit will help you acknowledge God in everything, so your heart can be touched by the Truth.  If you continue to deny God in everything, you will remain spiritually dormant and undeveloped.  

Author’s comments:  Lately, for all the obvious reasons, I’ve been getting more questions and comments regarding the virus and what we’ve been going through.  Most lean into God for comfort.  Many question why God would allow such suffering.  Some deny God exists at all. Jesus says in Matthew 10:32–33 (NLT), “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.  But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.”

Please don’t hesitate to reach out; Bruce would love to help you grow in your spiritual journey!  To contact Bruce personally, go to the website: battlecrygoodvsevil.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook through the website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.  To get the weekly blogs, be sure to “like” and “follow” Battle Cry on Facebook.

Spiritual Sickness

Excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs Evil

Introduction

God is, and always has been, a loving God of relation­ship.  Although God’s Word reveals His love for us, His action speaks louder.  Because we couldn’t save ourselves, He took action by sending His one and only Son to die for us and save us.  Because we are weak in Spirit and predis­posed to follow our sinful nature, He took action by send­ing the Holy Spirit to provide spiritual strength and guid­ance.  Because He wants us to know and feel His love, He continues to take action by pursuing a personal relationship with us.  Matthew 9:10–13 (NLT) says, “Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with such scum?’  When Jesus heard this, he said, ‘healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.’  Then he added, ‘Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture:  I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.  For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.’”  When Jesus says “sick people need a doctor,” He is referring to spiritual sickness. Spiritual sickness manifests itself in sin.  Does the thought of you being spiritually sick bother you? Do you think you are righteous, or do you know you are a sinner?  

Author’s comments:  During this unprecedented time of so much physical sickness, let’s also think about this unprecedented time of so much spiritual sickness.  Spiritual sickness manifests itself in sin, and we have been sinfully spiraling out of control for some time now.  How many mass shootings?  We’ve all heard the horrific stories of pedophilia within the priesthood.  How many prominent members of the clergy have given in to infidelity and sexual promiscuity? How much alcohol, drug, spousal, child, and elderly abuse?  How much physical damage has been inflicted as a result of drug, alcohol, sex, and food addiction? How much wounding is associated with the abuse of women, children, and the elderly?  How much wounding is associated with pornography, prostitution, human trafficking, rape, and child molestation?  How much wounding is associated with bullying and cyberbullying?  How much wounding is asso­ciated with the hateful and violent response to a person’s religion, race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orien­tation, or political affiliation?  Since action speaks louder than words, what does our action say about the love for ourselves and the love for each other?  This is the perfect time to lean into, ask for, and depend on Christ, for the spiritual healing we so desperately need. 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out; Bruce would love to help you grow in your spiritual journey!  To contact Bruce personally, go to battlecrygoodvsevil.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.  To get the weekly blogs, be sure to “like” and “follow” Battle Cry on Facebook.

Respect for Authority

Excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs Evil

Chapter 18:  Fear of the Lord

God is a loving God, and He wants a personal relationship with each and every one of us.  He literally wants to be our best friend.  Then why would it be necessary to fear Him?  Fear is a reverent respect for God’s authority.  Proverbs 19:23 (NLT) says, “Fear of the LORD leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm.”  Luke 1:50 (NLT) says, “He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.”  So how much do you fear the Lord?  Despite knowing what God wants, regardless of the consequences, do you continue to do what you want? How disrespectful.

Embedded in our fear of the Lord, is the understanding that all government and authority has evolved under the providence of the Lord.  We need to obey God’s Word by maintaining respect for government and authority.  What would society be like without governing authorities?

Some people have the attitude that nobody should be telling us what to do, or dictate how we live.  Some confuse freedom with the right to act the way they want.  With respect to governing authorities, the structure of society in which we live, is founded on God.  In Mark 12:17 (NLT) Jesus said, “Well then, give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”  Rules and regulations are set forth to keep us safe and help us prosper.  Without rules or regulations, social and civil order would be at risk.  Romans 13:1–2 (NLT) says, “Everyone must submit to governing authorities.  For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.  So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.”  How often do we stop and think about what God is trying to accomplish through those in positions of authority?  How often do those in positions of authority think about what God is trying to accomplish through them?

Author’s comments:  Let’s get real.  There are some people in positions of authority who do not act like God’s servants.  They abuse their authority and do not deserve respect.  But even if we don’t respect the person in the position of authority, we must maintain respect for the position.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out; Bruce would love to help you grow in your spiritual journey!  To contact Bruce personally, go to battlecrygoodvsevil.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.  To get the weekly blogs, be sure to “like” and “follow” Battle Cry on Facebook.

Looking for the Light

Excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs Evil

Chapter 2:  Spiritual Warfare

Our biblical history reveals, since the very beginning, we have been vulnerable to the influence of Satan. To become less vulnerable to his attacks, we must become more enlightened and turn our backs on the darkness.  We need to turn our face toward God, and walk toward the Light.  If we’re not walking toward God, we’re either standing still, or walking away from Him.  Revelation 3:15–16 (NLT) says, “I know all things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold.  I wish you were one or the other!  But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!”  God is telling us, we must pursue Him with all our heart.

Spiritual warfare is similar to a game of chess.  It’s strategic and dependent upon the previous move. But unlike the game of Chess, the stakes couldn’t be higher.  It’s literally a game of spiritual Light and darkness, both in this life, and life eternal.  The Spirit helps us to recognize, that there’s more to life than what we see and experience in the flesh.  No matter where we are in our struggles, as soon as we make the decision to trust God, He will provide the strength we need to rise above our circumstances.

Chapter 4:  The Mind Is the Battlefield, the Heart Is the Fort

As we examine the condition of the world and what we continue to witness, can we deny the devil has a foothold on the hearts of many?  Can we deny the evil associated with the amount of alcohol, drug, spousal, child, and elderly abuse?  Can we deny the evil associated with the hatred and rage in response to religion, skin color, sexual preference, and politics?  Watch the news, surf the internet, or simply observe other people and the choices being made.  Do we see the love of God, or the hate of Satan? God is love, the devil is hate.

Author’s comments:  As we go through this very dark time for our nation and the world, we are beginning to hear there is light at the end of the tunnel.  What does the light look like to you?  Is it simply getting back to normal?  What did our normal look like?  What did we see more of, the love of God or the hate of Satan?  Don’t miss this opportunity to find the Light at the end of the tunnel by pursuing God with all your heart and mind.  He’s looking for us to come out of the darkness enlightened.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out; Bruce would love to help you grow in your spiritual journey!  To contact Bruce personally, go to battlecrygoodvsevil.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.  To get the weekly blogs, be sure to “like” and “follow” Battle Cry on Facebook.

Worry Is All Emotion and No Action

Excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs Evil

Chapter 5:  The Fiery Arrows of the Devil

Looking back on your life, what problems has worry actually solved?  Has worry ever accomplished anything at all?  What positive effect has worry had on your problems, or the problems of the people you worried about?  Has your worry ever fixed anything?  Worry is all emotion and no action.  We are created to exist in a world dependent upon God, so why do we insist on depending on ourselves? We can be free from anxiety and worry, so why do we insist on taking on all this worry that causes undue stress?  Aren’t we overwhelmed enough with the things we actually do control?  Identify the things you try to control, but shouldn’t.  Give that control to God and let Him take some of the stress away.  Just give it away.  Satan knows that if we stop worrying and start putting our trust in God, we will learn to rely more on Him.  He knows if we rely more on God, our relationship with God will strengthen and become a barrier to his attacks.  So he keeps launching the fiery arrows of worry.

Chapter 14:  God Is Love

Life as we know it is not always a bowl of cherries, or a walk in the park.  It can be very challenging, because we don’t know what’s around the corner.  In a split second we could encounter calamity, misfortune, hardship, or disaster that can result in pain, suffering, and sadness.  We must learn to depend on God and trust Him to love us through the challenging times of our life.  By the strength of God, we can persevere and come out on the other side stronger.

Chapter 15:  God’s Gifts and God’s Calling

Tomorrow isn’t promised, so don’t miss the opportunity to follow Christ today.  We only get one chance to live this life.  We don’t want to look back and wish we had done things differently.  It’s never too late to change direction.  God is always with us.  We should be confident that no matter where we find ourselves, God still has a plan.  We should watch for God to direct our path.  He could be opening a door we didn’t know existed, or He could be closing one He doesn’t want us to walk through.  He could be providing a path we didn’t see, or He could be providing an out, at just the right time.  Proverbs 3:5–6 (NLT) says, “Trust the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

Author’s comments:  Have the faith to trust God and give Him the final control.  He is God, so let God be God.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out; Bruce would love to help you grow in your spiritual journey!  To contact Bruce personally, go to battlecrygoodvsevil.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.  To get the weekly blogs, be sure to “like” and “follow” Battle Cry on Facebook.

Wake-up Call

Excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs Evil

Chapter 7:  The Holy Spirit

As we go through life and the challenges it brings, we can find ourselves becoming very frustrated and at times overwhelmed.  Sometimes it can feel as if we are doing our best just to survive.  We accept most of what happens as coincidence, luck, fate, or destiny.  Then, when we consider God as a part of our life, we get even more frustrated, because we can’t grasp or understand why certain things happen in our life.

Author’s comments:  This certainly is a time when we are all feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.  Is this a wake-up call?

Chapter 2:  Spiritual Warfare

Over time, our disobedience and sinful behavior got incessantly worse.  Genesis 6:3 (NLT) says, “Then the LORD said, ‘My Spirit will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, their normal lifespan will be no more than 120 years.’”  God was obviously not pleased.  His disappointment is felt by the fact His Spirit would not tolerate what we had become, so therefore, He limited our normal lifespan.

Author’s comments:  Do you think He’s anymore pleased with us today?

Chapter 7:  The Holy Spirit

Because God knew our need, the Father sent the Holy Spirit.  With the strength of the Spirit, we no longer have to depend on just our own strength.  In John 14:15–17 (NLT), Jesus promises the Holy Spirit by saying, “If you love me, obey my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.  He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him.  But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.”

Author’s comments:  Do you love Jesus?  Do you obey His commandments?  Are you looking for the Holy Spirit?  Do you recognize Him?  Do you believe the Holy Spirit is in you?  If so, lean into the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  This is a time to trust God.  Trust that He will see us through.  Trust that He will provide the wisdom to our leaders.  Trust that on the other side, we will be stronger!  If not, please reach out to me.  I’d love to help!

Please don’t hesitate to reach out; Bruce would love to help you grow in your spiritual journey!  To contact Bruce personally, go to battlecrygoodvsevil.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.  To get the weekly blogs, be sure to “like” and “follow” Battle Cry on Facebook.

Strength in Christ

Excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs Evil

Chapter 1:  Spirituality

Our response to the ups and downs of life is a reflection of our spiritual condition.  Even when things don’t seem to be going well, if we are strong in Spirit, we can still see the positive and good in our life. Paul tells us in Philippians 4:11–13 (NLT), “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have.  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything.  I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.  For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Paul reveals the secret of being content no matter the circumstances.  It’s finding our strength in Christ.  No matter how spiritually developed we become, we do not have the intellectual ability to understand everything spiritual, and everything God.  If we are influenced into thinking we have developed such a level of understanding, this thinking would never come from the Spirit of Truth.  This is important to understand because as we share the love of God, we must remain humble.

Author’s comments:  While living in the flesh, we will never understand everything we encounter in this life.  This is why we must collectively rise up as a nation and show God we still depend on Him and trust Him.  Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT) says, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”  Romans 8:16–18 (NLT) says, “For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.  And since we are his children, we are his heirs.  In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.  But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.  Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.”  What a promise, right?

Chapter 11:  Prayer

Because tomorrow isn’t promised, don’t take any day for granted.  Start every new day prayerfully thanking God for the opportunity.  Let Him know how you’re looking forward to what the new day will bring.  As you pray, keep mindful of God’s power, God’s love, and God’s grace.  Ask Him for forgiveness where you fail Him.

Author’s comments:  During these challenging times, don’t stop praying.  Don’t lose hope.  He has provided throughout time and He will see us through this.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out; Bruce would love to help you grow in your spiritual journey!  To contact Bruce personally, go to battlecrygoodvsevil.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.  To get the weekly blogs, be sure to “like” and “follow” Battle Cry on Facebook.

For Granted

Excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs Evil

Chapter 8:  War Wounds and Battle Scars

One of the reasons God allows us to experience pain and suffering, is to keep us mindful that it was our sin that caused Christ to endure such pain and suffering. Christ suffered not because He deserved it, but because we deserve it.  If God were to take away all our pain and suffering associated with living in this fallen world, would we take Him for granted?  Sure we would.  Even knowing He sent His Son to shed His blood to pay for our sin, we still take Him for granted.

Although God doesn’t always take our pain away, He knows our needs, and He hears our prayers. So why doesn’t He just answer them?  Think about it, if every prayer was answered immediately upon request, it would eliminate the need for faith.  God knows what’s best for us at all times. Although we might think we really need something, God gives us what we need, when we need it. God is the creator, omnipotent or all powerful, omniscient or all-knowing.  God is dealing with things we can’t see, or imagine.  He’s working in a time frame of eternity.

How many times have you reached out to God and promised Him, if He’ll just give you this, or get you through that, you’ll never ask for anything again?   We mean it at the time, with all our heart and soul, but how many of us break our promises?  The Good News is, even though we break our promises, God never breaks His.  

Chapter 9:  Faith

If we want to further strengthen our faith, we must acknowledge God in how we have survived, multiplied, and evolved, since the beginning. Not only do we continue to survive, but thanks to our God-given ability to make life-changing discoveries, we are blessed with comforts, many take for granted.

Author’s comments:  We are currently going through a very challenging time.  We are losing things we take for granted, like attending school, flying on airlines, and attending large gatherings.  Let this be a stark reminder, we need God.  Don’t stop praying.  Don’t lose hope.  Depend on Him and trust Him.  He has provided throughout time and He will see us through this.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out; Bruce would love to help you grow in your spiritual journey!  To contact Bruce personally, go to battlecrygoodvsevil.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.  To get the weekly blogs, be sure to “like” and “follow” Battle Cry on Facebook.

Book Contents

Battle Cry GOoD vs dEvil was a five year labor of God’s Love; four years writing and one year editing. What does it all mean? God has a plan. One relationship at a time. The book was written to spiritually inspire the reader to go to the Bible to study God’s Word, and to acknowledge the personal spiritual battle within. So you’ll know what topics the book covers, here’s the Table of Contents with a short explanation.

Spirituality: What does that even mean? How does it affect our lives?

Spiritual Warfare: The battle that exists with the unseen spiritual world.

Satan the Enemy: He’s real and he’s relentless.

The Mind is the Battlefield the Heart is the Fort: The battle occurs within the mind.

The Fiery Arrows of the Devil: His attacks are personal.

The Battle Plan: In the Bible, God provides a defensive and offensive plan.

The Holy Spirit: Advocate, teacher, comforter.

War Wounds and Battle Scars: We’re all wounded and scarred. How to rise above it.

Faith: The importance of it. How to maintain and increase it.

Grace and Forgiveness: God freely gives it, so we should give it to ourselves and others.

Prayer: The importance and effects of it.

God is Real God is Alive: He’s real. He lived and died in the flesh. He’s back with the Father.

Knowing God: How do we know God?

God is Love: He is pure Love!

God’s Gift and God’s Calling: We are all gifted. What is your calling?

Abundant Life: What does that mean. How to live it.

I Am My Best Friend: God is your best friend. Are you your own best friend?

Fear of the Lord: Fear means respect.

The Church: What it is. What it isn’t.

Saul of Tarsus Becomes the Apostle Paul: From persecutor of Christians to Apostle.

If these topics interest you, go to the website battlecrygoodvsevil.com and order the book. Not only do you get a copy of the book, but as you read it, you can reach out to me via the Contact Bruce page. We can communicate by email and if agreeable, by phone. Don’t miss the opportunity to grow in your spiritual journey.

The Battle Within

Excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs. Evil

Chapter 1:  Spirituality

Paul says in Ephesians 4:22–23 (NLT), “Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.  Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.”  Paul is teaching us, the Spirit has the ability to actively renew our thoughts and attitude, inspiring us to make more good choices.  It will give us the courage to make fewer bad choices, influenced by our own personal desires, and the desires of Satan.  First John 5:19 (NLT) says, “We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under control of the evil one.” Ephesians 2:2 (NLT) says, “You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.  He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.”

Chapter 3:  Satan, the Enemy

Paul gives witness to his own spiritual battles in Romans 7:21–25 (NLT), by saying, “I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.. I love God’s law with all my heart.  But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind.  This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.  Oh, what a miserable person I am!  Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God!  The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.”  Paul, a devoted follower of Christ, is struggling with a power within him that is at war with his mind.  This gives testimony that the spiritual battle doesn’t end because we decide to follow Christ.  To the contrary, the battle gets more intense.

Author’s comments:  What do your thoughts and attitudes say about your heart?  If you’re not changing, you’re not growing.  Dig deep into the scriptures with an open heart and mind.  Only God’s Word can convict your heart and mind.  Do you like who you are or would you love to be who God says you are? You control your destiny.  Change only comes if you desire to change! 

Don’t hesitate to reach out; Bruce would love to help you grow in your spiritual journey!  To contact Bruce personally, go to battlecrygoodvsevil.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.  To get the weekly blogs, be sure to “like” and “follow” Battle Cry on Facebook.

Godly Love

Excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs. Evil

Chapter 14:  God is Love

God’s provision of the family is but a glimpse into the depth of His love.  Jeremiah 1:5 (NLT) says, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.  Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”  Our love experience with God goes much deeper than the womb and way beyond the grave.  Our love experience with God is spiritual, so it relies on the Holy Spirit.  If we rely on the Spirit, our love experience with God will develop into a trusting relationship.  Trust faithfully believes we can depend on God, no matter the circumstances.  Our relationship with God is our first true love experience, because God’s love is faithfully unconditional. This means without fail, God loves us through our faults, failures, mistakes, and choices.

We tend to approach our relationship with God, the way we approach our earthly relationships.  If someone we love upsets us by not responding the way we think they should, we resent and withdraw from them.  Have you noticed how quickly pride rears its ugly head, creating disputes between loved ones?  How many severed relationships?  The devil will use the opportunity to spiritually attack, because he knows a family divided is a family vulnerable.  The longer Satan can keep family members separated, the better chance of completely destroying their relationship, and ultimately affecting their relationship with God.  We will begin to question where God is in all of this.  Do you react to God in the same way you react in your earthly relationships?  If you feel He isn’t giving you what you want, think you need, or deserve, do you resent God and withdraw from Him?  Here’s the Good News.  No matter how your love waivers for God, His love remains constant.

Author’s comments:  Because we are not perfect, and vulnerable to the attacks of Satan, our execution of God’s plan for the family often falls short.  We fail to obey God, and we judge and turn our backs on family members because of their personal choices.  We give in to our sinful nature and fail to love the way God commands us to love.  Because our love is conditional, it becomes hopeless. The family must continuously strive to imitate God’s love, by never failing to offer Godly love. Godly love is unconditional. It’s always hopeful.

Don’t hesitate to reach out; Bruce would love to help you grow in your spiritual journey!  To contact Bruce personally, go to battlecrygoodvsevil.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.  To get the weekly blogs, be sure to “like” and “follow” Battle Cry on Facebook.

Severed Relationships

Excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs. Evil

Chapter 10:  Grace and Forgiveness

Although none of us deserve it, because He loves us, God offers His grace and forgiveness. Through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, God’s grace offers the opportunity to be forgiven, free from the guilt and shame of our sins.  Ephesians 2:8 (NLT) says, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.”  Matthew 6:14–15 (NLT) says, “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”  After what God did for us, can we justify withholding grace and forgiveness from another?  Can we justify withholding it from ourselves? Withholding grace and forgiveness does not come from the Spirit of God; it comes from the influence of Satan.  Satan is the opposite of love, he is hate, and he’s all about severed relationships. He wants us to judge one another.  He wants us to judge ourselves.  Isn’t it interesting how quick we are to so harshly judge and then hold a grudge? Don’t we all know people, friends, and families, who hold grudges?  Some last a lifetime.  If we profess to be followers of Christ, what kind of an example is this for those looking on?  Does it tell a story of a loving and caring God?  Does it shine Light into the darkness?

By withholding grace and forgiveness, we are not following the example of our Savior, and we are not obeying what God tells us to do.  Colossians 3:13–14 (NLT) says, “Make allowances for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.  Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”  We must humble ourselves by remembering, God allowed His one and only Son to suffer and die for our sin.  Because of this unimaginable display of love, we have been given the opportunity to once again, be in a loving relationship with Him.  This should spiritually inspire and motivate us to clothe ourselves in love, and offer this same grace and forgiveness to one another, and ourselves.  

Author’s comments:  How has our failure to offer grace and forgiveness affected our personal relationships?  How many marriages founded on God’s love has failed?  How many relationships between family members, friends, and neighbors, have been damaged or destroyed?  God is a God of loving relationship.  God’s design of the family provides the foundation for loving relationships that makes us stronger individually, and collectively as a family unit.  We should see the foundation love of God’s design for the family in all other relationships.

Don’t hesitate to reach out; Bruce would love to help you grow in your spiritual journey!  To contact Bruce personally, go to battlecrygoodvsevil.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.  To get the weekly blogs, be sure to “like” and “follow” Battle Cry on Facebook.

Spiritual Strength

Excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs. Evil

Chapter 7:  The Holy Spirit

As we go through life and the challenges it brings, we can find ourselves becoming very frustrated and at times overwhelmed.  Sometimes it can feel as if we are doing our best just to survive.  We accept most of what happens as coincidence, luck, fate, or destiny.  Then, when we consider God as a part of our life, we get even more frustrated, because we can’t grasp or understand why certain things happen in our life.  Why are there so many unanswered questions? We feel this way because we lack faith.  Without faith, we fail to recognize, acknowledge, and interact with the Holy Spirit.  Without tapping into the strength of the Spirit, we lack spiritual inspiration and motivation.  We have difficulty knowing and feeling God’s love.              

Because God knew our need, the Father sent the Holy Spirit.  With the strength of the Spirit, we no longer have to depend on just our own strength.  In John 14:15–17 (NLT), Jesus promises the Holy Spirit by saying, “If you love me, obey my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.  He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.  The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him.  But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.”  Do you love Jesus?  Do you obey His commandments?  Are you looking for the Holy Spirit?  Do you recognize Him?  Do you believe the Holy Spirit is in you?  In Acts 1:8 (NLT) Jesus says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Author’s comments:  God sent the Holy Spirit to guide, support, and comfort us through our entire lives. So as we struggle with the challenges and the frustrations of life, we must learn to rely on the strength of the Spirit.  The Holy Spirit will not only help us to get through our challenges, He will help us to be more successful at living life to the fullest.  As we learn to depend more on the Spirit, we develop more faith, trust, and peace.  We will begin to gain more insight into what life’s really all about.­

Don’t hesitate to reach out; Bruce would love to help you grow in your spiritual journey!  To contact Bruce personally, go to battlecrygoodvsevil.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.  To get the weekly blogs, be sure to “like” and “follow” Battle Cry on Facebook.

The Light and the Dark

Excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs. Evil

Chapter 1:  Spirituality

Spirituality is about recognizing the unseen spiritual forces at work attempting to influence our decisions and direction in life.  Where there is potential for Light, there is potential for dark. Where there is potential for Good, there is potential for evil.  Where there is potential for pleasure, there is potential for pain.  It all comes down to the personal choices we make.  Every personal choice affects our reality and what we experience. 

Chapter 6:  The Battle Plan

The sin in our lives directly impacts our spiritual and physical condition, and Satan uses both against us. He will use our brokenness to squelch the Light within us.  He keeps attacking in an attempt to cause us to spiral out of control, into the darkness.  Once in the darkness, Satan wants to keep us there and continue to have his way with us.  We need to study the Bible to become more knowledgeable, but more important, we must believe the knowledge.  The Truth leads to faith, and faith is our shield.  No matter what Satan throws at us, we always have the Good News, God loves us and He is always with us.

If you find yourself losing faith and drifting toward the darkness, don’t despair.  The Light shines brightest in the darkness.  We must never stop believing that God knows everything and He is everywhere.  He embraces us in the dark to walk us out of the darkness, and back into the Light. In Acts 26:18 (NLT) Jesus says, “To open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.”

Chapter 15:  God’s Gifts and God’s Calling

God has a plan, and we are all an important part of it.  If God is a part of your life, you should be able to find joy, no matter the circumstances.  Joy is a byproduct of truly embracing our relationship with Christ.  We should be joyfully shining our Light, and inspiring those around us. The key is to depend on God in all circumstances.  It’s not about what we don’t have; it’s about what we do have.  It’s about who we are in Christ.  It’s about how we live our life.  It’s about our faith and trust in God.  This is what it means to have abundant life.

Author’s comments:  The dark can at times overwhelm us.  Lean on God to help you to see the Light.  Lean on loved ones for emotional support.  If for any reason you’re going it alone, don’t hesitate to reach out.  I would love to help!

Don’t hesitate to reach out; Bruce would love to help you grow in your spiritual journey!  To contact Bruce personally, go to battlecrygoodvsevil.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.  To get the weekly blogs, be sure to “like” and “follow” Battle Cry on Facebook.

Life's Challenges

Excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs. Evil

Chapter 14:  God Is Love

Life as we know it is not always a bowl of cherries, or a walk in the park.  It can be very challenging, because we don’t know what’s around the corner.  In a split second we could encounter calamity, misfortune, hardship, or disaster that can result in pain, suffering, and sadness.  We must learn to depend on God and trust Him to love us through the challenging times of our life.  By the strength of God, we can persevere and come out on the other side stronger.  When times are good, we need to stop and enjoy every moment and thank God for His blessings.  When times are not so good, we need to lean on God, to help us through the pain, suffering, and sadness.

Philippians 1:29 (NLT) says, “For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.”  Suffering a privilege?  When we encounter hardships, pain and suffering, do we think of it as a privilege?  But as Christ suffered for us, we must suffer for Christ.  Our pain and suffering connects us to His pain and suffering.  He hung on a cross and died a slow agonizing death as if He had committed unpardonable sins.  This should have been our destiny, our cross to bear, not His. Yet He took our place.  He took the burden of our sin, because God is love.  So as we suffer, we should always be reminded of how God suffered for us, because He loves us.  When we suffer, Satan wants us to embrace the darkness, but God wants us to embrace the Light.  God is the difference between the darkness and the Light.

Yes, even in our suffering we can find joy.  First Peter 1:6–7 (NLT) says, “So be truly glad.  There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.  These trials will show that your faith is genuine.  It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.        

Author’s comments:  As we face the many trials in our life, what does it reveal about our faith?  Embracing the darkness causes us to lose faith, resulting in sadness, depression, and the feeling of hopelessness.  Embracing the Light helps us to endure and persevere through the trials, which keeps us hopeful.  How we respond to the trials in our lives reveals the Truth about our faith.   

Please don’t hesitate to reach out; Bruce would love to help you grow in your spiritual journey!  To contact Bruce personally, go to battlecrygoodvsevil.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.  To get the weekly blogs, be sure to “like” and “follow” Battle Cry on Facebook.

New Life Resolution Part 2

New Life Resolution: Part 2

If you didn’t read the last blog New Life Resolution, please go back and read it. It asks “what stops you from stepping in a new direction?” Since this is still the beginning of the New Year, I’m interested in knowing, did you start stepping in a new direction? If not, why not? Or, did you start stepping yet began having difficulty? This blog provides insight into why you might be struggling to achieve your goals.

Excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs. Evil

Chapter 3:  Satan, the Enemy

Job 1:6–7 (NLT) says, “One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the LORD, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. ‘Where have you come from?’ the LORD asked Satan.  Satan answered the LORD, ‘I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.’”  Isn’t it interesting, Satan would be allowed to come before the Lord with the members of the heavenly court?  Then, he uses the opportunity to tell the Lord he has been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.

The continued existence of Satan and evil is evident by what we experience in our personal lives, by what we observe in the lives of those closest to us, and by what we witness going on all over the world.  One of our biggest mistakes is we marginalize Satan by lightheartedly visualizing this little figure with a pitch fork and a tail.  This depiction is false.  There’s nothing at all lighthearted about Satan.  He’s foul, cruel, and heartless.  His spiritual presence is so massive he can patrol the earth and watch everything that’s going on.  With this kind of presence, is there any wonder why he is successful at spiritually attacking and keeping us separated from God? God is love and Satan is hate. Satan’s hate is revealed in his relentless campaign of evil and darkness.  He hates that we have the opportunity to be in a loving relationship with God, and he wants us to miss it.  He wants us to fail, and fail miserably.  He wants to foster hate within each one of us.  He wants us to hate ourselves and he wants us to hate one another.

Author’s comments:  These chapter excerpts may seem to be a lot of gloom and doom when it comes to Satan and how he has his way with us.  But don’t be discouraged. Satan never has the last word because God is the Word.  God’s Word says, no matter what you’ve done, no matter how you’re labeled, you are who God says you are.  As a child of God, the Father is always there for you.  He desperately wants to be a part of your life, every single day.

Don’t hesitate to reach out; Bruce would love to help you grow in your spiritual journey!  To contact Bruce personally, go to battlecrygoodvsevil.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.  To get the weekly blogs, be sure to “like” and “follow” Battle Cry on Facebook.