Duct Tape Works for That Too

A few months ago, I was listening to a sermon by Jack Hibbs. He described a large Sycamore in his backyard. It reminded me of Isaiah 61:3, “they will be called Oaks of righteousness.” He said the limbs were all so high no one could climb into it, but then a severe storm rolled through, and one of the lower limbs broke off, leaving just a nub. The nub was just big enough that if you wanted to climb up now you could. And that’s how Satan is. He only needs a nub, a small foothold, a crack, to slither his way right into our lives.

I thought to myself, isn’t that the way it usually is too? During a storm in our lives, and let’s be honest, it doesn’t even have to be a full-blown storm, we may just be experiencing “heavy winds,” and there goes our branch of patience. Then the branch of peace tumbles to the ground.

I’ve been contemplating how many times have we been the ones who’ve let Satan in? The obvious way we give him access to our lives is through our sin, but WORDS is what keeps coming back to me.

During the winds and storms of life how often do we let negativity take over our attitude, mindsets, and words? All of a sudden, we’ve come into agreeance with the enemy. It happens so quickly. I’ve heard myself do it. “I hate my life! Nothing’s going to change. What’s the point? etc.”

Beware my friends. Genesis 4:7 says, “sin is crouching at your door.” The enemy is just lying in wait for his prey. John 10:10 says, “the thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy.”

He's been watching and studying us since we were born, possibly before. Some days I wonder if he knows me better than I know myself. I don’t believe Satan is omniscient, so he can’t read our thoughts, but he’s observant, and he can hear our words. He knows what irks us and gets under our skin. He’s just waiting to throw the thought out and for us to take the bait.

As I’ve been meditating on this, scriptures about our mouths, tongues, and words keep popping up, but let’s be honest, it’s in the Bible EVERYWHERE! Just take a month and read one chapter of Proverbs each day. You’ll quickly get what He’s putting down.

As my kids and I were putting on the Armor of God one morning- Ephesians 6:10-18 - something came to me. I thought, “Why didn’t you give us something for our mouths?” I chuckled to myself and thought, “you probably should have given us Duct Tape!”

As silly as that sounds I’ve started including Duct Tape when we put on our Armor each morning. Lord knows we need it over here! Truthfully, it’s what I hear the most throughout my day, “Don’t say it! Heather, close your mouth. If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all!” And my favorite, “I don’t need a junior Holy Spirit!” 🫤 I can envision Him doing the zip your lips gesture.

But it’s not only the words we speak over our lives, or about our people, where Satan starts tangling us up. For some of you the lies Satan keeps attacking you with are against your worth and identity. He says, “You’re worthless. You’re not going to make it. Really? Look at your life.” But friend, your problems, your sins, are NOT who you are!

Your heavenly Dad has a plan for you. A purpose. He knit you together in your mother’s womb- Psalm 139. He knows every hair on your head- Luke 12:7.

2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to take every thought captive. Put your helmet of salvation on - Ephesians 6:10-18. When he attacks you, pick up your sword, the WORD, and fight with it! Because those are lies. Stop agreeing with him! Stand on the promises He’s given you. If you’re not sure what they are, ask Him to give them to you. He will, and when He does, you hold onto them for dear life until you’ve walked into your promised land.

He tells us in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Isaiah 54:17, “no weapon formed against you shall prosper, BECAUSE John 4:4 “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world!”

In Judges 6:12 an angel appears to Gideon and says, “The Lord is with you, O mighty warrior.” That applies to us too. He’s the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow- Hebrews 13:8. He’s still with us, and He’s calling us to be his mighty warriors. He’s calling us to take a step of faith, put on our armor, and pick up the weaponry He's given us, and get into the fight. You’re a warrior my friend. You may not know it yet, but he’s created you for so much more!

Jesus is referred to as the Lion of Judah in the Bible. Over the last few years this is the name I’ve clung to. Earlier this year I was listening to a sermon by Lisa Bevere called Lioness Arising. As I listened, I heard, “You’re a lioness.” Our Papa is a fierce, protective, loyal Lion, and through the blood of Jesus we’re grafted into the family!

A few weeks ago, I was in a funk. It was after Mother’s Day. My middle son came home one day and handed me a small package wrapped in blue tissue paper. He said, “Mom, I forgot, I made you this!” It was the clay lion in the picture above. Tears streamed down my face. Some days we just need reminded who He’s called us to be!

As I’ve been writing, these three songs came to me. As you listen, my prayer is that the words flow over you and saturate your heart, soul, and spirit. He’s calling your name, and He has more for you than you can imagine!

This Far//The Belonging Co “The road may get harder, but you’re always stronger. When the valley gets deeper, you’re closer still. The storm may grow louder but lightning and thunder won’t change you or shake you. It never will. You didn’t bring me this far to leave me here. You didn’t ransom my heart to forget every wall you’ve torn down, every chain on the ground, you didn’t bring me this far to leave me here. You never change. You stay the same, even if it all falls down. You’re faithful then and now.”

Good Plans//Red Rocks Worship “He has good plans; He has good plans for me. So, I will take heart in deserts and gardens. He has good plans for me. If I know my Father, He has good plans for me.”

Come Away//Red Rocks Worship “Come away with me, it’s never too late. It’s not too late for you. I have a plan for you. It’s going to be wild; it’s going to be great; it’s going to be full of me. I have good, good things for you.”

“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21

"I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:3