God is a warrior

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil.  He prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith".  

1 Peter 5:8-9

 

We were born into a war.  God has never been passive and neither should we be passive.  We must learn to fight, our lives and hearts are at stake.  Being sober and alert is the only option for the believer who wants to overcome and be victorious.  The enemy has confused and blinded so many believers who therefore have ultimately become passive and lethargic in their fight.  Our God is a warrior God.  Having a right understanding of how God has created us to fight is critical to overcoming the evil one.  Remember we are not fighting flesh against flesh.  Our battle must not be against one another, for the accuser of the brethren is waiting at the door to bring division and disunity.  It is vital to have a right idea about who God is, and what battle He is fighting on our behalf.  The stronghold of doubt and disbelief have also plagued so many in the body of Christ causing their prayers to not be heard and their faith to be weak.  If you believe in any corner of your heart or mind that God is silent, passive, and distant...then the battle has been lost in your life. Believe that He is near to you and fights on your behalf.  We need faith to move the mountains and obstacles in our way.  

 

"The Lord will march forth light a mighty hero; He will come out like a warrior, full of fury.  He will shout His battle cry and crush His enemies."  Isaiah 42:13 NLT

 

"But the Lord stands beside me like a mighty warrior.  Before Him my persecutors will stumble. They cannot defeat me." Jeremiah 20:11 NLT

 

Beloved we are created in the image of this warrior God.  We are created to fight and take ground. Let us fast and pray to take back ground that has been stolen by the enemy in our lives, our families, friends and those we minister to.  If the Spirit of the Lord is in you, then you are called to do battle.  

 

Prayer: Lord Jesus will you show us what is worth fighting for.  Lord today we fight for our marriages, our children, for morality and biblical values to be restored in this nation.  We fight for our friendships and relationships.  We stand for truth, absolute truth.  We fight for justice, the oppressed, those enslaved to sin and the enemy.  We fight for the orphan and the widow.  We fight and stand for freedom from sin, from bondage, and from spiritual slavery.  We are your sons and daughters...HEAR OUR PRAYER O LORD!

 

A fast to defeat the enemy...

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke.” Isaiah 58:6

 

It is a good fast when your motive is to defeat the enemy.  This passage speaks of cords, chains and yokes.  These all represent bondage, slavery and oppression.  When our fast is a fast to break the chains, and set the captives free, it is a good fast.  Jesus gives us a model for this kind of fasting.  After Jesus received His baptism through John the Baptist He fasted for forty days to confront Satan and his temptations (Matthew 4:1-2).  Like Jesus, our fasting comes against bondage or temptation Satan is seeking to put on us.  One church father, St. Hesychios, wrote,

 

     “He (Jesus) taught us, as feeble as we are, that we should fight against the

      demons with humility, fasting, prayer and watchfulness.  For when, after

      His baptism, He went into the desert and the devil came up to Him as though

      He were merely a man, He began His spiritual warfare by fasting and won the

      battle by this means.”

 

Our fasting will not only help bring freedom to our own lives, but it will also bring freedom for others who are in bondage and oppression.  Fasting and prayer together are a deadly combination in overcoming strongholds.  In fasting we choose to be weak, voluntarily, in order for God’s strength to be made manifest through us.  Be encouraged today in your fasting, and may it be a fast that is pleasing to the heart of Jesus. Our corporate fast in a spirit of unity will accomplish much in the heavenly realms that could never be matched through human strength.  It is amazing that we can come together in this way all over the world. Let us fast and pray for breakthrough in our own lives and the lives of those held captive to this world and the ways of the enemy.  Fast for a loved one, a friend, or someone who desperately needs Jesus.  We will see freedom and deliverance in Jesus name. 

 

Prayer: Jesus give us your strength today as we set aside natural nourishment for heavenly manna.  I ask Abba that each and every one joining in one accord today across the earth would feel your mighty presence and be encouraged in your love and truth.  We love you and set our gaze on you once again.  Amen. 

 

Troubled Hearts

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me." John 14:1

If your heart is troubled today, there is good news. If you are anxious, fearful, depressed, or even suicidal then this is for you. This world we live in is full of trouble on every side. People are living in need, in fear, in desperate situations, and most importantly alienated from God.

Believe in His promises today. Believe in His goodness and hope for your life. Believe that if you abide in Christ, and He abides in you then you will bear much fruit. Fruit of hope and peace and love. There is no fear in perfect love. Jesus is perfect love. He came for you today. For those in despair and turmoil. You are not a failure. Your failings only prove that you need Jesus and He longs to speak truth and love into your troubled heart.

Rise up sons and daughters of God. You are of great value and worth. A pearl of greatest price. You are worth fighting for and He fights for you today. Fight with Him and not against Him. He is for you then who can be against you?

Lasting Fruit

What's life in God all about anyways? So many have made it about being famous with big ministries, or seeking to be well known for a particular gifting or trait. Here in America the lines get a bit fuzzy. There are all kinds of ways to walk out a life of devotion and abandonment to Jesus. The one way that goes against the flow of our human nature and tendency, hiddenness. Most of the time we want to be noticed and complimented for the task performed, how well we led worship or preached. We are a culture of exalting man for what he has accomplished or what particular set of gifting he might have. It's okay to honor someone or to bless them when they are walking in their gifting. This is good and should be done. The key though is humility and cultivating a heart and attitude that would rather remain "hidden" than be known for something we did or accomplished. Our glory comes from being sons and daughters and walking the way Jesus himself did. Taking up our cross and following him daily. This is the fruit that will last. Spending time in the quiet and secret place. Knowing and listening to His voice. Loving our neighbor as ourselves. Doing good deeds and not letting your right hand know what the left is doing.

...to be continued.