War Games Lets start off with a definition of our enemy. Ephesians 6:12, For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ok so our war is not against people, but against the rulers and authorities that are controlling these puppets. The very next scripture in this chapter says, Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day and having done everything to stand firm. As you know, it continues to tell of all the full armor of God, I have a blog entry on the armor. Feel free to look it up again to refresh your memory. I was watching a movie the other day called the Blindside. Now, its a great football movie, tons of action, heart warming, but the part that stuck out for me the most is when Mike pushes the other teams defensive back all the way across the field. If you have not seen the movie, make it a point to. The last part of the verse we looked at says to stand firm. The defensive back was trying to stop Mikes team from making forward progress, instead he became part of that forward progress. Why is this important to us? We have an enemy that is hitting us and hitting us daily, trying to get us to back down. Are we gonna let him push us up the field or are we going to stand firm? James 4:7 says it this way, Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. What is the key here? Submission to God!! Sometimes we try to walk in the authority of Christ, but we are still just fans of Jesus, not fully devoted followers. Check out Acts 19:13, Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out. So far it sound like what Jesus would have done, minus maybe the whom Paul preached. Verse 15, One day the evil spirit answered them, Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you? The evil spirit knew exactly who Jesus was and had heard of Paul. Im not one to pick fights, but I want all the demons to know who I am, not because of me, but because of Him in me. So what happens? Verse 16, Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. Christians automatically think they are immune to attacks from the enemy, that is not the case. John 14:12 is a refreshing after reading that last verse, Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. Jesus says to us, that we will do the same stuff He has been doing and even greater stuff. Anyone raised the dead lately, healed the sick, anything greater than what Jesus did? There are places all over the world where the dead are being raised and the sick are being healed, what about our churches? I dont see it. Why? Lack of faith? If I was a betting man, I would say, we do not have fully devoted followers of Christ. Plenty of people want to be pew sitters for Jesus, not really give up anything to follow Him, be there Sunday and Wednesday but the personal relationship is not there. We are in a dark age where the occult and cults are springing up all over America. Churches are also springing up all over, but there is no power in them. You wonder why the occult and witchcraft is on the rise? There is nothing happening in the church! Its selfishness and pride that draws them in, but there is a real power, something not seen in the church. Keep in mind it is demonic power, but for once people are getting power. They mask things saying it is white magic, but it all goes back to the father of lies, Satan. Maybe you have been reading these posts for awhile and you said a prayer a few years back and said you were going to follow Christ, but when you think about it, you just said a prayer, there was no follow through, no change. A lot of us have been there, I know I have. Its time to fully submit to God and His plans. This is a war, time to stand firm, resisting the Devil at every turn. Maybe you are a fully devoted follower of Christ, but you are not walking in the authority that Christ has given you. Ask Him and practice it. It means stepping out of that comfort zone. When there is someone hurt, it means praying for them outside of Walmart. You never know what will happen when you pray. They can be healed, yes, they might just need that kindness that leads them to repentance and of course Jesus Christ. This is no longer a training exercise, this is a battle. First thing is first, keep Jesus the focus. No matter the fight, battle, or situation, it is not about you, keep Jesus as the focus. As soon as our eyes leave Him, we are sinking. Secondly, pray, praise, and worship continually. Not only does it build you up spiritually, but the focus doesnt shift back to you, it stays on Him. Third, read His word. It is full of promises that we must be equipped to use. Dont take a gun with no bullets to war. Finally, get an accountability partner. If you are a guy, this should be a guy. If you are a lady, get you a lady. My spouse is a great accountability for me, however there are areas that I do not understand where she is coming from because of her gender. The same is true when I talk with her. Men and women are wired differently. Point is, get you a foxhole buddy. Someone that will dive into the midst of the battle and pray with you, cry with you, praise with you, battle with you. Proverbs 27:17, As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Remember we are all in this together. Keep praying, Keep seeking, Keep reading.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 13:06:17 +0000
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