Spiritual Warfare

In the secularized world we live in today, there is no doubt that a spiritual war is being waged for the hearts and minds of men and women across the globe. In post-Christian America, people of faith struggle to influence our culture with the things of God. It seems we have lost our edge. Perhaps we have discounted the most effective and powerful weapon at our disposal: prayer. The adversary has convinced us that our busy schedules should reign supreme in the battle for our time. Our enemy is subtle and clever in his twisting of the truth. It seems harmless to adhere to a fast paced schedule, but it skews our priorities. If we are not careful, every waking moment of our day will be consumed with the non-eternal worries of everyday life. We must carve out dedicated time for persistent, desperate prayer. How else can we be attuned to the Holy Spirit's leading? How else can we be equipped to repel the accusations and condemnation of the enemy? In my own personal evangelism, many times I have failed to step up to the Spirit's lead because I heard that ancient accusation: “You aren't good enough to share your faith”, or “God won't use you”. I know I serve a victorious savior, and I fight a war with a predestined outcome. I know the truths of Scripture. If I do not pray, I am not being obedient, and I am not prepared. To be effective in this war, we must find a way to unplug from all of our distractions and get on our knees. The fight is fierce, and time is short, but we have assurance. It is Yahweh that fights for us, and He is a “more formidable foe than can be imagined”.

My Testimony

My name is Mathew Speakman. I grew up in Pleasant Grove, AL, a suburb of Birmingham, AL. I have been exposed to Christianity and the Gospel since I was young. Like many children that grow up in the “Bible Belt”, I have had Bible stories read and recited to me as long as I can remember. My family attended church some, but we did not stay at any one church for a long period of time. I accepted Christ and was baptized when I was eight years old. I had no idea what that meant or what the ramifications for such a decision were. I believe I just did what I thought was the “right thing” to do. This lack of transformation is evidenced by my teenage and young adult years that were full of rebellion and sin. I began drinking and using drugs when I was in high school. By twenty I was addicted to prescription drugs and anything else that would provide a momentary high. I lived in total opposition to God's Word. The teaching I received in my youth must have stuck with me, for by His grace God revealed to me my folly. I knew if I turned to Him, He would deliver me just as His Word promises.

 

When I was twenty, God set my feet on a crossroads. It took failing college, totaling several vehicles, and nearly dying of an overdose to bring me to rock bottom. I was at the end of my rope with my addictions and my relationships when I fell in love with a beautiful young lady named Marilyn. In spite of everyone's advice and anything resembling common sense, she agreed to allow me to court her. I still clung to my sinful lifestyle, but God began to pursue me. For the first time I felt guilty, convicted even, of my sin. I saw in her the regenerated heart and a transformed spirit that I had not seen in myself. She encouraged me to attend church, to read the Word, and look to the living God for deliverance. My choices were clear, continue on in sin and perish, or choose life.

 After several months of dating, Marilyn convinced me to go to church with her. We went on a Sunday night to a place called the Vineyard. I don't even remember what the sermon was about that night, or if it was even any good. I only remember that during the whole procession I felt an irresistible pull to go down front and request prayer for deliverance. When I went down, the pastors and deacons laid their hands on me and prayed for some time. I was cut to the heart. I laid all my sin, all my addictions, all my past at the feet of the cross. I trusted Christ for my deliverance and eternal hope. The door was open for me to be free from the rebellion that plagued my early years. Now all those stories I heard as a child made sense. Hallelujah, I was finally free from my sin!

 Since that day, I have been miraculously drug free. By God's powerful provision, I have grown tremendously in my walk with God, but it was not without struggles. The first years of my married life I was still focused on myself and my own agenda. In typical American fashion I called myself a Christian, but my life was about me. It was indistinguishable from every other casual, complacent church member. I have been a church member since 2004, but it was not until three years ago that it all began to come together for me. I was asked by our pastor to teach adult Sunday School. At first I resisted, but the pastor was persistent and I caved. It was a struggle at first to conquer my nerves and my inadequate knowledge of the Word. I am not a man of great oratory skill, so teaching in a group setting was difficult. Nevertheless, something strange and unexpected began to happen. The more I dove in to the Word, the more I desired to delve deeper and learn more. I started listening to and following what I was teaching. The words my pastor so passionately preached began to make sense. I broke down in repentance for my life of lukewarm, worldly, Christianity. I committed my life, and the life of my family as a blank check for God's Glory. Now I hunger and thirst for His Word like I never could have imagined.  God has reordered all of my life's goals, plans and dreams. My relationships have been renewed. I am currently a deacon, Sunday School teacher, I am involved in a drug ministry, and I am working towards a religion degree.  I believe God will use my testimony to reach those who find themselves in the darkness of addiction; a place that only Yahweh can deliver a person from.

Intro

I created this blog to post some of my schoolwork.  I recently decided to make my second attempt at college.  Although it has been challenging, I have thoroughly enjoyed it.  To my surprise, my interests have changed over the thirteen years I have been out of school and hard at work.  I have taken a liking to writing, and developed a disdain for math.  Who would have guessed?  I am studying for a b.s. in religion, so say a little prayer for me, and my sanity.  I hope you enjoy my interpretation of life!