Small Things #120

Joshua 7:3
3 And they returned to Joshua and said to him, "Do not let all the people go up; only abouttwo or three thousand men need go up to Ai; do not make all the people toil up there, forthey are few." (NAS)

How big is your enemy? What do you struggle with in your relationship with God that tries to defeat you? Sometimes it’s the small enemy that gets the upper hand over you. After the great victory in the Battle of Jericho the Children of Israel came up against a much smaller enemy; the City of Ai. After spies checked out the city they returned with a report of “easy victory.” They noticed that Ai was a small city in size and in number and after such an incredible victory at Jericho it seemed relatively easy to capture.

They recommended that only two or three thousand soldiers go up to battle. Their reasoning was simply “they are few.” Few or small does not mean easy. Some of our greatest spiritual battles are not the gigantic enemies, but the small things and the few numbers. As you face the spiritual battles in your life never look at something as insignificant or easy. In the journey of life the war is real and the enemy is ready to bring you down over the easy and the few. The nation of Israel lost the battle at Ai for many reasons.

One of the major reasons for failure was the evaluation of the enemy. Anything that is against God is to never be taken lightly. Another reason was the assumption that just because they were few in number that it was going to be a snap to defeat Ai. Your enemy may look small,but it is often the small things that will defeat you. Be on alert!

Probably the number one reason for failure was the presumption that God would defeat the enemy when He had not even told them to march against Ai. Faith is believing what God has instructed and spoken. In this case God had neither given them instructions to battle Ai or had He spoken to them concerning His will in the matter.

Don’t allow the enemy to lull you into a false sense of security. Only as we follow the guidance of God will there be real victory. Beware of the small enemies which can quickly defeat your spiritual life. Be alert!!

__________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in Tempe, AZ!

Can you believe it is almost Thanksgiving time? Last Thanksgiving was really special for me and my family. It was a time of real thankfulness for all of us. Hard to believe a year has past.

Sandy and I will be speaking at Church on Mill, November 17, Dec 1 and 8 at 6:30 PM. We will be sharing our "Celebrating Life" conference. Looking forward to the opportunity to share the encouragement with them of how God has encouraged us.

We will be speaking at the Mission Service Corp retreat Friday and Saturday (18-19) in Avondale, AZ. The MSC volunteers from around the state of AZ will be in attendance. We are eager to encourage them in their important ministries. I asked you to pray for opportunities for ministry for both Sandy and me. God has certainly answered your prayers. Thanks.

Our daughter, Mandy and her husband John, are currently asking all the immediate family to make suggestions for a name for the new baby. Due date May 21, 2011.We still don't know the gender, but Tapaw wants a little girl to balance the three grandsons. So I am majoring on girl names. If it is a boy it will be John Joseph Koleszar IV.

Susan and Collin are preparing to move into their new Condo. It needed lots of TLC so for the past six weeks that has been Susan's main avocation. Roger, Jen, Bennett and Burke have moved into a new home also. We are excited for all of them.

May God give you a season of thankfulness as He blesses your life. ~ DGW