Thoughts for Life: #36 Seeing Our Cities as they Really Are

C. Peter Wagner continues with this
advice: "As I have mentioned, George
Otis, Jr., (in #25 Territorial Spirits, and
will be mentioned again in Peter's 8th
chapter of his book, Warfare Prayer,
which I will be writing about eventually),
is working on a fascinating concept, which he calls 'spiritual mapping.'

[The Last of the Giants (Chosen Books) written by George Otis, Jr. and is mentioned in my #25 post].

Among other things, he says we need to strive to see our cities and our nations as they really are, not as they appear to be.

It is crucial to discern the spiritual forces in the heavenlies that are shaping our visible lives here on earth.

Walter Wink, for example, has been trying to convince social activists that bigger and better reform programs have not nor in all probability ever will change society for the better if the spiritual powers behind social structures are not named, unmasked and engaged.

Frank Peretti, in his best- selling novels, This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness (Crossway Books), personalizes and dramatizes the struggle with the powers more than Salter Wink might be inclined.

Although their approaches differ from each other and mine differs from both, the point is that we are striving to see our world as it really is, not simply as it appears to be.

One of the most helpful biblical passages is 2 Corinthians 10:3 where Paul says,

'For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according
to the flesh.'

Jesus said we are supposed to be in this world, but not of this world (see John 15:19 and John 17:15). This means the real battle is a spiritual battle. In 2 Corinthians, Paul goes on to say:

'For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty
in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down
arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against
the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity
to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:4, 5)

The stronghold is the place where the devil and his forces are entrenched. Pulling down strongholds is obviously an offensive warfare action.

God apparently wants us to attack these strongholds much as Jesus invaded Satan's turf in the wilderness for His definitive power encounter.

Charles Kraft makes a helpful distinction between three kinds of spiritual encounters. All are found in 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5: truth encounter, allegiance encounter and power encounter.

The truth encounter is 'casting down arguments' and the allegiance encounter is 'bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.'

Warfare prayer needs to be directed against these two kinds of strongholds.

The phrase that most directly addresses the demonic in 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5 is, 'every high thing that exalts itself against
the knowledge of God.'

The Greek word for 'high thing' is hypsoma, which according
to the Dictionary of New Testament Theology is a term relating to 'astrological ideas,' 'cosmic powers,' and 'powers directed against God, seeking to intervene between God and man.'

This points to the need for engaging in strategic-level warfare,
which will push back these powers or territorial spirits that keep God from being glorified.

...social and evangelistic programs will never work as well as they could or should by themselves if Satan's strongholds are not torn down. This is the real battle, and our weapon is prayer. Warfare prayer.

(Google image and emphasis added)

Warfare Prayer

#36 Seeing Our Cities as they Really Are
By C. Peter Wagner

(pgs. 63-65) Regal Books

Mark I. Bubeck shares with us from his book The Satanic Revival "May the Holy Spirit so open people to the spiritual seeing and hearing of Your Word that they again will cry out in repentance. Thank You, also, that the Holy Spirit exalts righteousness by revealing the righteous things of Your Word. I ask Him to do that with powerful persuasion." (pg. 222)

Children’s Prayer Team Prays FIVE Days for Friend

by Lift the Cross of Jesus!

"The children in this video formed a prayer team and they pray every day--because they want to. I'm in tears. I love to catch these glimpses of children going after God. If only we adults will stand back and get out of their way, we'd find that they teach us how to pray, how to love, and how to touch the face of God."

http://nolongeraslumdog.org/the-power-of-the-meek/

Pray with me:

Dear God, please guide my thoughts today
so my words and actions will be what You
want them to be

I ask this before I get started so my whole
day would meet with your approval.

Please help me to stop and think before I act so I have no regrets. It's so easy to slip up and I've done it so many times.

I really want to be the best child of God that I can be. But I need your help so much with everything I say and do. I cannot do it alone.

On my own, I make messes. With Your loving help, I'll get it right.

I ask this in Jesus' blessed name. Amen.

(by Debbie McEwen's prayer, Dear God, adjusted by permission)

Today’s Bible verse: Joel 2:21 "Fear not, O land: be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things."

Today’s quote: N. Joan Huth - "Jesus released us from the power of Satan when He died on the cross for all mankind. When we, as Christians, acknowledged this truth and received Him into our lives as our Savior and Lord, we also received His power against the enemy. As we grow in the knowledge of who awe are in Christ, the desire to fight against Satan becomes more of a reality. Yes, God will fight for us; He will answer our prayers, but He also expects us to use His power by the words we speak in the mighty name of Jesus, His Son." Joan's book: Energizing Your Prayer Life

31st- Saturday’s post: Age-Appropriate Chores for Children
Marie Montessori

Feb.1st- Sunday evening's post: An Adventure in Prayer
Lucy Neeley Adams

3rd. Tuesday's post: #37 Biblical Examples - Daniel
C. Peter Wagner

5th- Thursday's post: #38 Biblical Examples - Jeremiah & Luke
C. Peter Wagner

A popular post: Doubt vs. Faith "Jean Oathout begins our thoughts on doubts
and faith today, with some questions
that should get us considering how the

one tends to take down the other. When

troubling thoughts come,..."

jean-oathout.blogspot.com (save to check in at another time)

Samples of Jean's crafts

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Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse

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