battle

Evil is not winning

I haven’t written in some time. So much seems to be twirling around in my life and so I put writing on the back burner.

But there is also so much craziness in the world and we need to encourage one another. There seems to be either a sense of hopelessness or anger or people are just ignoring the situation that is arising in our midst. Regardless there is a battle in the heavens. And the enemy appears to have become louder and more assertive. Like Goliath who taunted all of Israel, the evil voices today mock those who stand in their path.

But like David, we need to believe in something greater. I mean REALLY believe. We need FAITH.

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) states, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  

Think of it like this: Having faith is like having a ball of energy in your hands. That ball is like “the substance of faith.” It is alive and ready to be activated. You look at that ball and inside are your hopes, whatever they may be. You don’t see the answer to your needs in the physical realm. But hope is alive in the realm of faith. You just need to activate it by completely surrendering and putting your confidence in your Lord. It’s like throwing that ball of faith into your situation no matter what you might see with your eyes. Unfortunately, many hold onto faith that never gets activated.

Again become like David, who trusted God when Goliath mocked all of Israel and the God they served. What he and others saw seemed impossible. Those around him looked at the size of the man before them who appeared as a giant and who had never lost a battle. Goliath begged to fight someone in their camp who was brave enough or perhaps foolish enough, to challenge him. David’s confidence did not waver. Instead, his trust in the Lord was so adamant that it knocked down that giant of a man. David put action to his faith. He faced the giant who was mocking him and knocked him down with a few stones. Then he used the giant’s own sword to chop off his head.

We NEED to put our trust, our faith, and our confidence into action. We, each of us, need to believe without always having to see our miracle in the physical world first. Believe in the unseen. Believe that God is fighting on our behalf. Believe that he hears our prayers. Though others cower in fear we need to walk in confidence as David did.

In John 20:29, Jesus replied, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.” (CEB)

And that is what I am doing now. I am joining other believers in the land that are believing without necessarily seeing what they believe. We are believing that America will be saved and putting action to our faith by our words, by prayer, but taking a stand, by doing what God has called each of us, individually, to do by faith.

Amid all this: God is Faithful. He always has been throughout the ages, and he continues to be. He can supply our need, whether it is for gas money or food or whatever we are facing. None of this is new to him.

Personally, he has met so many of my needs even when I may have made foolish choices or when calamities knocked on my door. There has been time after time when I wondered how I got through situations that appeared bigger than me.

God is faithful. Wasn’t he faithful to meet the needs of those in the Bible who saw such calamity? Didn’t he feed the widow who was the middle of a famine? Her jars filled daily so she could make bread daily. (I Kings 17). God made sure there was food during the many years of famine in Egypt and the whole region by giving Joseph wisdom to store food for the days ahead. His action of faith saved many people. (Genesis 37-50). What about those who walked in the wilderness for 40 years? They had all their needs provided.

He is the same God today.

He is faithful to hear our prayers and meet the brokenness of our hearts. He is faithful to hide us under the shelter of his wings as found in PS 91. All of PS 91 is great. But listen to these words.

“He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” PS 91:4 (NLT)

We do not need to live in fear of tomorrow. We do not live in fear because God is not a god of fear but of love. He IS love.

His eyes are on those he loves.

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12 (ESV)

Lately I have been feeling like the gentle eyes of the Lord are on me. That may seem like a weird image to some. But it is like I see these gentle eyes on the world. He has the world in the palm of his hands, and he is watching those he loves.

You may see more evil screaming. It may even vex your soul. But evil is NOT winning. It is just being loud. We are not to shrink back in these days or compromise truth. We are to listen intently so we can follow the Lord’s lead. And then walk in peace, boldness, and confidence in our Lord who loves us unconditionally.

Become a David today.

God Bless.

WAKE UP! RISE UP! PRAY!

The other morning as I was getting ready for work, I felt like the Lord was saying to my spirit:

WAKE UP! RISE UP! PRAY!

I was obviously awake. This was a different awakening. This was an awakening in the spirit. This was a call to WAKE UP in the spiritual realm.

I thought about Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, praying in anguish as he knew what was before him. (Matthew 26)

He asked his disciples if they would stay awake and pray and said, “Stay here and keep watch with me.” When he returned, he found them asleep.

“Couldn’t you keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked.

Then he said, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

The second time when he approached them after praying in agony all alone, he found them asleep again and again said the same thing. When he returned the final time he said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look the hour has come and the son of man is delivered into the hands of sinners.

I felt him say this: WAKE UP! RISE UP! PRAY!

I thought about the parable in Matthew 25 where Jesus shared the story of the 10 virgins and the kingdom of heaven. All 10 virgins fell asleep while they were waiting for the bridegroom to return. Five were wise and took oil for their lamps. Five were foolish and didn’t have any extra. Notice: they ALL fell asleep while they waited, but five had prepared themselves.

Suddenly there was an announcement that the bridegroom was returning. All woke up. But the five foolish had no more oil in their lamps and went to purchase more. While they were gone the bridegroom returned. When they came back it was too late to enter the wedding banquet.

I felt the Lord say: WAKE UP! RISE UP! PRAY!

If you have ever seen a movie about war in the days of old, you have seen an intense battle between two groups of determined people. They charge at each other with fierceness, boldness, and supernatural strength. As they run towards their opponents you can hear the roars of courage bellow out of their lungs. It gives them the extra valor to attack with all that is left in them.

That is what I am seeing.

It is time to be the warriors that God has called us to be. It is time to rise without fear. Fight for Christ. Fight for your brothers and sisters in Christ. And fight for those that need to hear the Gospel. We are NOT fighting people. We are fighting in the spirit realm.

“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” Ephesians 6:12

We fight or war in prayer!

I heard the Lord say: WAKE UP! RISE UP! PRAY!

This is the hour to wake up from the slumber that has swayed us to sleep. There has been a slumber that has been so heavy that it has caused most everyone of God’s children to sleep. (Yes, there are those that are alert and may have extra oil, but most have fallen asleep.) This slumbering spirit has caused us to compromise, embracing sin a little at a time. It has caused us to desire the pleasures of life more than the love of the Father. Most have more desire for entertainment or things than the desire to see people set free. (I am preaching to myself here.) It is far easier to do and more relaxing. Maybe it isn’t entertainment, as such, but we are preoccupied with this life.

I am NOT saying that we cannot enjoy ourselves. We need to take vacations. We need to have family time. It is fine to watch a movie or play golf. And it is a necessity to work. What I am saying is that sometimes other things can preoccupy our hearts and minds causing us to be distracted.

We may think: God is out there somewhere, sure, but not real to me. He is a part of heaven; we are part of the earth. He is so far away. He resides in a different dimension. He doesn’t really want us to “live out” the Gospel. We can just look like the world. I believe the Lord is calling out his own. He will shake what needs to be shaken. This recent pandemic has certainly caused us to appreciate the simpler things and has caused some people to seek the Lord in a stronger sense.

I heard the Lord say: WAKE UP! RISE UP! PRAY!

The enemy is at the door and he is preparing for a war like never seen before. His time is short. What we have been experiencing so far is just a foretaste of what he wants to arrogantly heave at us. I believe satan is trying to play his hand before his time because he fears what lies ahead. I believe the greatest move of the Holy Spirit is yet to come. Still, I hear the enemy’s feet stomping. I had a dream once that enemy troops were stomping in place. The only thing holding satan and his cohorts back was an invisible shield of God’s making. But one day the enemy and his troops will be released. The vileness will be far stronger than what we have experienced thus far. The only hiding place will be hidden in Christ. This is the hour to prepare and light your lamps. Are you ready?

And I felt the Lord say: WAKE UP! RISE UP! PRAY!

This is the time to wake up. This is the time to rise as warriors. This is the time to take the authority God has given us and PRAY. The Lord said if we have faith as a mustard seed, we can say to a mountain move, and it will. NOTHING will be impossible! (Matthew 17:20)

He also said that we will do greater things than he did while he walked this earth. (John 14:12)

It is time to rise in FAITH!

The enemy fears what is about to sweep across the nation, across the world. He fears the Spirit that lives within each of God’s children. Satan fears that we might really understand truth and it will set us free as we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit of the Lord is hovering upon the earth. He once told Ezekiel to speak life to the dry bones so that they will live. In this hour we can speak life to the inhabitants of the earth. I believe even where our feet tread, life is born. Declare life to your neighbors and to strangers. I believe we have the authority to declare life into every area where we walk, every footstep. We have not yet taken hold of the authority that belongs to us.

I believe the greatest outpouring is about to break forth throughout this planet.

I heard the Lord say: WAKE UP! RISE UP! PRAY!

I am not sure what the coming months or years will look like. But it is in prayer, that we will be given direction from the Lord. It will be through prayer that we will see the greatest outpouring of His Spirit on this earth.

I don’t believe that this message was for me alone. Will you wake up? Will you rise up? Will you pray?

You can be a part of something far greater than you have ever experienced.

WAKE UP! RISE UP! PRAY!

The Warrior

The battle blazes and the fight continues. The warrior looks up and sees another flaming arrow flying towards her and her comrades. Without hesitation she maneuvers her shield high into the air, stopping the arrow from piercing her or those she has grown to love and admire. It almost knocks her off her feet. She is not wounded, but exhausted.

This particular battle has been raging for some time. She has been using all her training techniques but lately she has been distracted by other cares. Her mind is on things that take her thoughts to places that her commanding officer has warned is a distraction. Lately it seems she cannot focus.

She knows she has to learn to think about things that bring hope and not allow thoughts of despair to paralyze her. The commander has warned her to think about things that bring peace, especially while in battle. She must stay sharp.

Whoosh…another burning arrow flies right towards her. Suddenly a shield swoops in front of her and she hears the thud of the arrow bouncing off of it. This time the shield belongs to her friend. She turns towards her friend. They lock eyes. A smile crosses her friend’s face.

“Don’t worry,” she says. “I got this one.”  They nod at each other as they turn to continue the fight.

The warrior thinks to herself, “My commander is right, my thoughts are distracting me. That arrow could have hit me.”

“Charge!” demands the commander.

The orders produce a power that shakes her from within. With no more distracting thoughts filling her mind, the warrior and those with her charge the enemy with all of their strength. The battle turns from defense to offense. The warrior does what is second nature to her and begins the hand to hand combat with her sword. Strength infuses her weary body.

Suddenly the enemy runs in terror. The hooves of horses can be heard pounding away from the battle ground. The warriors holler in unison as they chase the enemy away. The slaughtered enemy that lay at their feet begin to disintegrate into black smoke, then disappear. They are not of human form but come from devilish soil. At that moment a shout of victory echoes throughout the camp. Another battle has been won. 

Joy fills the air where despair once resided.

Tonight there will be a celebration, a celebration of victory and hope. The tired soldiers can rest for a time. The grateful warrior turns to thank the commanding officer for the training and the tenacity he has taught her. As she reaches out her hand, he pulls her close for a huge papa bear style hug.

“Well, done my child,” he says patting her on the back. “Well done. You didn’t give up when you wanted to. You didn’t quit.”

“But I was distracted by despair. An arrow could have hit me when I lowered my shield,” the warrior says embarrassed by her actions.  The commander simply laughs a hearty laugh as if it isn’t a big deal. “But you weren’t hit. Your friend shielded you. That is why you need one another. Besides, I already won this battle. Did you notice how fast the enemy ran?” he said in triumph between deep chuckles.

She did.

“They always run when they see me pull out my sword. They know that I will only allow my children to go through just so many trials. Once I pull out my sword they screech in their tracks, abruptly turn around and run in fear.”

She knows that his sword is extremely sharp and destructive. As he swings it  in demonstration a brilliant light radiates off the metal causing the entire land to flood with the light.

No wonder the enemy runs away with such speed. There is nowhere to hide. They understand they can be annihilated by the commander at any time so they cower at his greatness. 

A thought rushes through the warriors mind. “If  the commander is for me, then who can stand against me?”

As she lets that sink in, peace floods her mind and her heart.

The battle was his all along.

_________________________________________________

That is a synopsis of a moment in the spiritual realm of a warring believer in prayer.

As believers we will always be in some sort of battle. Here are a few things we must remember as we fight in the battle of prayer.

  1. Ultimately every battle belongs to the Lord.
    “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15 (NIV)
  2. We do not fight people.
    “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the power of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
  3. We need one another.
    “As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’; nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.”
    I Corinthians 12: 20-21 (ESV)
    “Help carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will obey the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (GNT)
  4. There is a time for rest.
    “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

God is merciful but also fierce. He will defend his own. We have to trust him. We may be warriors but we are also his children.  Be strong, fight diligently and rest in his grace.
God bless

What then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31  (NIV)

 

“The Warrior is a Child”
Twila Paris

Lately I’ve been winning
Battles left and right 
But even winners can get
Wounded in the fight
People say that I’m amazing
Strong beyond my years
But they don’t see inside of me
I’m hiding all the tears

They don’t know that
I go running home when I fall down
They don’t know Who picks me
Up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
“Cause deep inside this armor
The warrior is a child

Unafraid because his armor is the best
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
People say that I’m amazing
Never face retreat
But they don’t see the enemies
That lay me at his feet.

They don’t know that I go
Running home when I fall down
They don’t know Who picks me
Up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
‘Cause deep inside this armor
The warrior is a child.