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I've Got Skills

When I am faithful, God is faithful. If, however, I should choose to go against God's commandments, He will reward me accordingly. 
The armies of Rueben and Gad were skilled and prepared, as I must be. I am in a spiritual battle for my very soul. My skills are strengthened through prayer, consuming the Word of God, and fasting. 
Prayer is communication with my Best Friend. Honest conversation with the Almighty God is the first and most important part of each day. I talk and I listen. Listening sometimes means brainstorming out loud. Speaking my thoughts is powerful. I speak the negative in all honesty. And I speak my options out loud. And then I choose the option that He would choose. Out loud. 
There is nothing like open, honest communication with my Best Friend. Speaking in tongues (praying in the Spirit) is also a key component in my daily prayer time. I am strengthened by praying in tongues.
Daily Bible reading is also key. God's word is literally alive. God's word sparks brand new, mind blowing truths in me every time I read it. God's word is specific to what I'm facing each day. Without fail. 
For me, writing strengthens and grounds each new truth that I am learning.
Fasting makes me weak physically and strong spiritually. Fasting strengthens my soul and my spiritual determination. My initial reaction to fasting is sadly and pitifully trudging through the day without food, my happy place. Instead, every time I feel hungry, I have decided to worship God with a loud voice (when appropriate) and thank Him for the changes He is working in me as I fast. 
When I choose to follow Christ, there is a one hundred percent chance that He will be with me in my troubles. 
God didn't shield the warriors of Rueben and Gad from the battles. However, He was with them as they fought, bringing victory. 
"There were 44,760 capable warriors in the armies of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. They were all skilled in combat and armed with shields, swords, and bows. They waged war against the Hagrites, the Jeturites, the Naphishites, and the Nodabites. They cried out to God during the battle, and he answered their prayer because they trusted in him. So the Hagrites and all their allies were defeated. The plunder taken from the Hagrites included 50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep and goats, 2,000 donkeys, and 100,000 captives. Many of the Hagrites were killed in the battle because God was fighting against them. The people of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh lived in their land until they were taken into exile."  1 Chronicles 5:18-22
Reading on, I find that the half tribe of Manasseh chose not to follow God's commandments. They had a great reputation as mighty warriors. But they were unfaithful to God. 
"The half-tribe of Manasseh was very large and spread through the land from Bashan to Baal-hermon, Senir, and Mount Hermon. These were the leaders of their clans: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel. These men had a great reputation as mighty warriors and leaders of their clans. But these tribes were unfaithful to the God of their ancestors. They worshiped the gods of the nations that God had destroyed. So the God of Israel caused King Pul of Assyria (also known as Tiglath-pileser) to invade the land and take away the people of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh as captives. The Assyrians exiled them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the Gozan River, where they remain to this day."  1 Chronicles 5:23-26
"Dear God, Thanks for the reminder that I must follow Your commandments. I must do the hard thing and I will be rewarded with Your presence and guidance. No matter what today may bring. How I love You, AMEN."

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