"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12
Remember these verses from Daniel 10:12-13 Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.
These verses tie in and support exactly what Paul tells us Ephesians 6:11-12. In verse 11 Paul says the devil has strategies. The Greek word for strategies is methodeia. You can see our English word method. It means cunning arts, deceit, craft, trickery. He is out to trick us in anyway possible. He will use anyone, anywhere, and anyhow to trick and deceive us. He goal is to prevent us from accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior or if we are saved, making us ineffective in the Kingdom.I think the knowledge of the unseen world is so important to keep in mind when we come across people who disappoint, hurt, and make us angry. When circumstances and situations arise to bring chaos and conflict in our lives, it will do us well to remember there are wars raging we know nothing about. Our enemy is not at work in the office next to us. Our enemy is not the house beside ours. Our enemy is not in the car behind who cut us off in traffic or the woman in front of with 20 items in the 12 items only line. Our enemy is the devil, satan, the liar, the thief and he resides in the unseen world.
Keeping this in mind will help us in our response to those people who disappoint, hurt, and make us angry. It will also help us as cope with the chaos and conflict that surrounds us. We are in Christ and through Him we are over-comers.
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10
16 Comments:
Battles in the Spiritual Realm are scary. Putting on the full armor of God will protect us in all our encounters with these forces and since we can't see them and they use their methods to attack in secret, we need to be fully armored all the time. Not only that, but we need to be praying in the Spirit "at all times and on every occasion." (Ephesians 6:18) We need to be in constant communication with our refuge, our strength, our help and our guide!
The passage I found myself parked on today is Colossians 1:15-20 with the heading Christ is Supreme (AMEN!). I am in awe of Paul's ability to sum it all up in a few words; from the beginning of time, and even before, to the end of time. From the creation of all things, to the sustainer of all things.
"19 For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
20 and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross."
I can see the Spirit speaking through Paul in every word and I am filled!
Lori, what a wonderful story you shared yesterday! Will the congregations be reading the Bible chronologically or as it is traditionally ordered? It will be nice to hear your stories of this journey next year!
Peace be with you today,
Karen, Basel
Well, the thief certainly did some stealing, killing and destroying last night!
Wendy, I wrote about the same passage today...unfortunately out of fresh experience. Again the Lord has been quick to deal with heart issues.
I titled my post, "War of the Worlds". I shared a quote from Lord of the Rings, "Open war is upon you whether you would risk it or not."
I should have anticipated this assault. Scheduled to speak at a Ladies Christmas Tea this morning the evil one is trying to undermine my testimony and make me feel inadequate and unworthy. A situation was totally blown out of proportion last night. Stress levels ran high. Again I failed in my response. I feel like the very last person who should be going and sharing with these precious ladies in just a couple of hours.
Open war is upon our family...upon me. The thief has come to steal my trust, kill and sacrifice my life and destroy my spiritual progress. Demonic opposition is delivering oppression. Hell has been enraged and satanic forces are hurling their mightiest weapons. Fiery arrows of doubt, anger, unkind words, resentment and judgement are positioned and aimed, waiting to make the kill.
It's not peaceful in the invisible. A war of worlds is being fought. The evil one has a plan and an army behind the scenes and he's looking for an intentional attack moment to terrorize and torture. He knows my weakness and the battle for my life is raging with intensity.
Lord, I pray you will bind satan from further assault. Father give victory. The powers of darkness and spiritual forces of evil are wielding weapons, but they cannot stand against You. Give me strength to take up all of Your armor. Lord, "deep inside this armor this warrior is a child" and again I fall before You, drop my sword, and cry for just awhile.
I'd covet your prayers this morning. I know it is when I am weak, that He is strong. As we read this morning, "And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God's mysterious plan...pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should." Ephesians 6:19-20
Needing to experience His peace that you wrote about this morning Karen. Confessing, repenting and leaning on Him,
Joy
Good morning, Ladies and dear Joy,
I was only going to stop in and read this morning due to lack of time...yet after reading, I wanted to share what happened to me last week before leaving the house for "Deeper Still."
After packing the car I realized that I left my cross necklace upacked and in the house. While retrieving it, I heard a knock on the front door. When answering the door with necklace in hand, I found an angery parent.
He wanted to yell at me because his fifth grade son couldn't multiply! He wanted to know why the teachers weren't doing their job and what was I going to do about it. Feeling the cross in my hand and knowing the Spirit of God dwells within me, I began to explain that his teacher stays late for tutoring two nights a week. She asked to have his son stay. (He was going home instead.) I acknowledged his anger, actually telling him that I was glad he was angry because we were anxiously trying to help him get caught up. I then told him that his son probably couldn't subtract if his dad was acting the same way at home as his dad was acting here. His son was probably afraid due to his dad's anger and couldn't possibly think. Dad admitted that was probably true and eventually left.
Afterwards, I kept replaying the experience in my mind until I realized it was a ploy used by the enemy...I choose to be blessed at the conference instead of being consumed by anger released by this parent. Joy, you can do it, too. You realized the situation for what it is, don't let the enemy win. My prayer for you is that "you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need," Col 1:11
I am thankful for all of you,
Nancy
Dear Wendy, Thank you for your teaching today. Oh, now if we could just let this sink in, and know the devil's desire is to keep us ineffective as we try to further God's Kingdom! I underlined, "to be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil," but you really opened up the word, 'strategies,' by giving us the Greek knowledge.
Colossians points us back to His Word, once again. As we continue reading God's Word with a desire to please Him in all of our decisions, the Holy Spirit guides us and shows us His will and His ways. God wants us to know what His will is. Also, He wants us strengthened with His glorious power. How do we accomplish this in our day?
*praying
*reading His Word
The promises of God are over-the-top, exceedingly great and precious --to those who pray specifically and persistently.
Each day I so want to grow as I learn to know God better and better, as I listen to Him as I read His Word, and as I speak to Him while I'm praying. How blessed we are to have a personal relationship with our Father.
Oh dear friends, praise the Lord today with all of your heart, and tell others of the marvelous things He has done! (Psalm 73:28).
Lori - AZ
Grace & Peace-What encouragement to read about your husband's salvation! Thank you for your prayer's re Dave. I have joy in my heart as I eagerly wait to see God save my husband.
Brandee & Joy, Praying for you both, Brandee, today as you make your final preparations for tomorrow, and Joy for you this morning. May the Holy Spirit fill you up and speak right out of your mouth. Karen had the best advice: "We need to be in constant communication with our refuge, our strength, our help and our guide!" So, so true. That song, Brandde-ahh, love it! It's going on my ipod for sure! :)
Karen, Our pastor announced it briefly, with more info. to come,and on our church web page it said: Join us on a journey through the 66 books of the Bible in 2010. Route 66 was once a vital route of travel from the Midwest to the West Coast but has fallen to obscurity with the development of interstate highways. This same scenario could be said of the Bible and its 66 books that for many have lost their vitality in an overloaded world of super information highways. Join us as we travel and rediscover the roads and destination of Route 66 as well as the 66 books of the Bible as a church family. Our official guide for the journey will be The One Year Bible reading plan.
The printable plan includes a daily reading from:
O.T., N.T., Psalms & Proverbs.
Oh, I'm praying that God draws ALL Believer's ALL over the nation, back to what it is all about: The desire to read His Word. I was praying specifically for just my home church, but, now I'm praying bigger. All believer's, know matter where they are, oh, that we all would get back to where it is at, reading His Word every single day. The power of a united Church in America just about takes my breath away. The glory and the lives that could be changed. Let's unite in prayer and ask God to draw all Believer's to His Word.
It's raining! It's raining! Such a treat, as we don't see this very often! I'm enJOYing every minute of it! :) Hugs, Lori
Good Morning,
Joy, Because God is with you - you will be victorious! I have and am praying for you peace and comfort.
The Armour of God, such a great reminder that we need to clothe ourselves with it daily. I have always loved a teaching about it that told how we put the belt of truth on first to which everything else hangs on. God is truth and is the first source of all good.
John 10:10 is and has been one of my very favorite scriptures. It serves as a reminder to me that I need to be aware of the source of what is attacking me, when things go wrong.
Something I learned a long time ago, if there is No Peace in it (whatever it may be) - there is No God in it. (Not that God's not there with you just that if there is an attack God's not the one causing the pain). God will at times stretch you from your comfort zone to help you grow but He's not going to torment you. I appreciate this teaching of the spiritual warfare so much. I wish everyone would realize God does not cause them pain.
Have a wonderful day Ladies,
Lynn
Wendy, I am so glad you brought us back to the verses in Daniel. When I was reading last night that is EXACTLY what God placed on my heart as well. There are things going on in the unseen world that we can not see. God has heard our prayers from the first time we have prayed them, but there are things that we don't see, battles that are being fought. What do we have though? We have CONFIDENT HOPE! This phrase has popped out at me over and over again in our reading. It always grabs my attention when I see it. This morning I looked up on biblegateway.com all the places in the NLT where the phrase "confident hope" appears. Here is what I found:
Romans 5:4 "And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation."
Romans 12:12 "Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying."
Romans 15:13 "I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."
Ephesians 1:18 "I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance."
Colossians 1:5 "which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News."
We have confident hope ladies! Our hope is not in something that might happen, it is not in something that we wish would happen, it is in Jesus that WILL return, in whose name all knee will bow. Romans 12:12 stood out to me, we should rejoice in this hope no matter what is going on. Be patient, keep on praying. Lori and others, we can never give up our hope that God will save our beloved husbands. We can never give up that no matter what circumstances look like God is on the throne, large and in charge!
I just can not explain to you all in words how my heart is overflowing right now :)
Joy, you are in my prayers dear sister and I can't wait to hear what happened today and how it went. God's Spirit is going to pour forth in your life.
Thank you for all your prayers for me as well as I go into this last day of prep and for tomorrow. I am very excited. Can you guys please pray I find my baby Jesus that goes with our "What God Wants for Christmas" nativity and book? This is what I am springboarding my talking from and Will has misplaced the baby Jesus from the set. He took it to karate and now we can't find it.
Have a great day ladies!
Love,
Brandee, TN
Such good,good reading this morning!
Dr. Charles Stanley had an e-devotion on April 28,2007, that I kept. It explains the armor of the Christian better than any I have ever heard. I am going to copy it for you. I keep it on my night stand.
"Prepare yourself for each day's spiritual challenges by making the following prayer part of your morning routine:
Dear Lord, as I get out of bed today, I know I'm stepping onto a battlefield. But I also know You've given me everything I need to stand firm. So in the power of Your Holy Spirit, I put on the armor of God:
First, I place the helmet of salvation on my head. Protect my mind and imagination. Guard my eyes, allowing no sin to creep in. Focus my thoughts on the things of God. Let the breastplate of righteousness keep my heart and emotions safe. I pray that I won't be governed by my feelings, but by truth. Wrap Your Word around me alike a belt. And safeguard me from error. I put on the sandals of peace to guide my steps. Plant my feet in Your truth. Empower me to stand firm against attack.
Next, I take up the shield of faith. Protect me from Satan's fiery arrows. Place me shoulder to shoulder with Your army to appose the Devil's schemes. Finally I take up the sword of the Spirit, Your Word. Help me to read the Bible in a fresh, exciting way so I will always be ready to deflect attacks and pierce hearts with Your truth.
I know I'll face assaults today, Lord. But You've empowered me to stand firm. Give me strength for the battle today.
I am praying for you Joy, today, as you go speak for the Lord. Go in His might. And you, Brandee as you get ready to speak tomorrow.
The reading in God's Word, is getting "gooder and gooder" every day.
Jan TN
Thank you for the scripture today. I began participating in corporate prayer at my church 3-4 weeks ago. The devil has been in full attack ever since. He has attacked me financially in the most threatening way. He has attacked my 95 year old saintly mother and caused her to question her salvation. He has attacked my Godly daughter in her employment and family. I thank you for your encouraging and teaching words. The devil does not win. My God is more powerful, more awesome, more gracious, more loving, ....... and I will continue to pray.
Hmmm - it looks like the internet ate my post...
Talk about spiritual battle.
Let me do a shorter version this time:
This reading is so timely. We indeed need to be reminded that once we become children of God the enemy is out to get us. Just read the posts from Joy, Brandee and Nancy and we have Exhibits A, B and C.
Oftentimes the enemy uses those closest to us to launch his attacks. I have to remember that my husband is not my enemy. My enemy is satan and his minions. Otherwise why would two rational adults be at odds over...trash cans?
Every morning I pray the Warrior's Prayer. I received it 5 years ago from Turning Point Ministries, Dr. David Jeremiah. I don't just pray it for me but also for family and friends, including this group - by name. I imagine us all getting dressed in the armor and lining up to face the enemy.
"Heavenly Father
Your warrior prepares for battle
Today I claim victory over satan by putting on
the whole armor of God.
I put on the Girdle of Truth!
May I stand firm in the truth of Your Word
so I will not be a victim of satan's lies.
I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness!
May it guard my heart from evil
so I will remain pure and holy,
protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.
I put on the Shoes of Peace!
I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel
so Your peace will shine through me
and be a light to all I encounter.
I take the Shield of Faith!
May I be ready for satan's fiery darts of
doubt, denial and deceit
so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.
I put on the Helmet of Salvation!
May I keep my mind focused on You
so satan will not have a stronghold on our thoughts.
I take the Sword of the Spirit!
May the two-edged sword of Your Word
be ready in my hands
so I can expose the tempting words of satan.
By faith your warrior has put on the whole armor of God.
I am prepared to live this day in spiritual victory.
Amen."
Have a blessed day, ladies.
Me again; its 7:00 pm here and I just read all your posts. I am moved!
I also just read this devotion from Gwen Smith "Girlfriends in God" and I had to share because it is so fitting for all that is posted here! Here is the link: Pop on over, I have linked it to the date so no matter when you look it should be the right one. http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/girlfriends/11623317/
Summarizing,this is an in-depth look at a Christmas Carol "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen." Three things are pointed out:
1. the comma is in the wrong place. It should be God rest ye merry, gentlemen.
2. Merry meant "strong" or "mighty"
3. rest meant "make" or "keep"
Okay, so here is the song as it should sound in modern language and gendered to feminine and targeted to the blogs today (apologies you gentlemen, you can change it back). Thank you Gwen!
"God make you mighty, girlfriend! Do not be upset, discouraged, or frightened!
Jesus came to earth to Save us all from Satan's power and take on our brokenness and sin so that we could be made beautiful and whole in Him! This is great news, which should bring you comfort and joy! Rejoice!"
Be blessed,
Karen
Thank you for all your prayers this morning friends. I just arrived back home and the morning went really well. The ladies were so welcoming and responsive. The Lord gave me complete freedom to share and His presence was very real and dear. I was blessed by this sweet group of women. My heart has been so encouraged.
Sorry this is so quick, but I have to leave in less than 10 minutes to take my parents to a Dr's appointment. I just wanted to say a quick 'thank you'.
Also...Wendy...my heart was thrilled to receive a package from P31 today in the mail. A thousand thank you's for forwarding those magazines to me. I hadn't realized I'd missed so many, but the last one I had was May 2009. Looking forward to some inspirational reading and if I don't receive the January mag. I will check with my Post Office as you suggested. Thanks so much. You went above and beyond. Hugs!!!
Love & prayers,
Joy
Joy just read your post and praising with you that things went so well this morning! An update on my missing Baby Jesus, I went through my whole talk this morning and I am not going to need him :) It was going to be too long to use the whole nativity so I am going to only read the book and use the 7th box with the mirror in it and not the whole set. I still don't know what Will did with baby Jesus, but God worked it out so I don't have to stress to find him today :)
Also wanted to let you all know that I have emailed some friends about joining us this next year. Lori inspired me to get more women on board with our reading. I sent them your devotion Wendy that ran last month and a link to the Bible. I told them what a blessing it has been to me and that even as busy moms, they can do this. How important it is to let God fill us with His Word daily. I will let you all know if they decide to do it.
Back to laundry...
Thank you all again for blessing my life. Once again God showed Himself to me through you.
Elizabeth AR
Oops, I posted as "tcp" earlier. I received a call in the middle of my comment so I had to log in to my other account. Oh well, that explains the missing post.
Karen,
That is an awesome song when the words are substituted. I have never really paid attention to it before seeing as how I don't fall under the "gentlemen" category. And sometimes not even "merry."
Joy,
Praise God for His work through you this morning! He always comes through.
Brandee,
Maybe you can use your missing Jesus as a metaphor for how people are missing Him still?
Jan,
I love Charles Stanley. He's an awesome bible teacher. Thanks for sharing that armor prayer.
Have a blessed day everyone!
Grace and Peace- yes! How so many times Jesus is missing from our Christmas celebration, too busy focused on the wrong things. Love it sister!
Checking in late tonight and after yet a few more days away...have been staving off a rather nasty virus since Friday and feeling pretty much wrung out.
I really wanted to comment today though, on the timing of this lesson and all of your comments. As ever, I am so in awe of what a wonderful teacher God is - how he uses each of us to speak and to teach one another. Watching friendships grow and encouragements touch lives is too often just beyond words. It is the fullness of God, isn't it?! :)
I am so excited so many more sisters are joining us each morning - how rich you make our tapestry!
Back to the timing of the teaching this morning. I join my new church in SE AK this Sunday. It has been a bit of a bittersweet experience, to say the very least. I still receive the newsletter from my previous church, and I am still on the prayer chain. While I was sick it just seemed like every day one more person I knew was seriously ill or facing a heartbreaking hardship. Last night I received the email one of my absolute favorite people is going in this week for chemo. I literally dissolved all over my keyboard. It was too much. I have been trying to go forward but the pull backward was so strong...I wanted to go "home" to worship and to pray and to hold people I love and miss...I sobbed and sobbed until God finally whispered to me and reminded me I AM home.
He reminded me 1) surrender and 2)self-control. Give it all to him, and don't get upset. Trust him. Suit up in the armor and walk on along the path he chose for me before time began.
The he reminded me to pray. Pray with faith and boldness and confident hope, and let his peace...the peace of the season, wash over me.
An amazing day, indeed. God is so faithful, and you all are such treasures. Thank you all for your witness and your faith. You strengthen me each and every day.
We live in the in-between time when the battle of the spirit world continues. We know, though, that there will be a day when We Win. Because of our heavenly bridegroom Christ Jesus on That Day and forevermore the battle will be silent.
Praising His Almighty name,
Liz
AK
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