 |
Ball was a classic territorial spirit, the principality over the Phoenicians and the Canaanites. What his exact boundaries were I do not know, but I do know he was not the spirit over, for example, China, Scandinavia, the Andes Indians or Australian Aborigines, all of which existed in those days.
Baal succeeded in capturing the allegiance of King Ahab, who married Jezebel, converted to Baal worship, and built a temple and an altar to that evil principality.
God raised up Elijah to lead the strategic-level spiritual warfare, and the story is found in 1 Kings 17-19.
Elijah was not wrestling so much against flesh and blood (Jezebel and Ahab), but against principalities and powers (Baal and his forces of darkness). The climax of the story is a dramatic power encounter.
In preparation for the power encounter, Elijah publicly proclaimed a drought on the land. Through it, God sustained Elijah by bringing birds to feed him and by multiplying food at the widow's house.
God reminded Elijah of His power by raising the widow's son from the dead.
Then the Lord's timing (the kairos moment) came for Baal to be defeated and the drought to end. Elijah announced it would rain and then openly challenged Baal through King Ahab.
The events are well-known. Baal could not light the fire called down by his priests, but God did so even after the firewood had been soaked with water.
This was such a public embarrassment that 450 of Baal's priests were executed. Then the power of that territorial spirit was broken, the rain came!
But the counterattack came also. Jezebel was furious. Elijah, weakened by the warfare, fled.
God sent an angel to feed him but he went into a period of severe depression.
God met him and spoke to him in a still, small voice and told him there were still 7,000 followers of Jehovah."
Google image and my emphasis added)
#121 How Warfare Prayer Can Work
By C. Peter Wagner
(pp. 195, 196)) Regal Books
Father, may my efforts of prayer become effective
to where the ones I pray for will be touched.
It is understood that we're not to attempt serious
prayer efforts against principalities and powers
without proper covering.
Lead us to seek our leaders' acknowledgment
and approval in our efforts, so they can advise
us in our endeavors, and to pray for us to
be safe and successful.
It is a comfort to know we're being covered
by prayer when we go into a serious situation.
I ask for Your guidance in every effort to be
guided by Your Spirit, in Jesus' Name.
Amen.
Today’s Bible verse: Rom. 11:33 "O the depth of the riches both of his wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"
Today’s quote: Albert Lee - "For Mary and Joseph, Christmas began with submitting themselves to God in spite of the unthinkable emotional challenges before them. They entrusted themselves to God and in doing so demonstrated for us the promise of 1 John 2:5: 'If anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them' " [ODB 12/6/15]
Some thoughts today: The gospel of Christ changes our lives, or can, if we read it and follow what He and His early disciples said and did.
~ Throughout the Old Testament, God told His people about Jesus, but it was kept from their understanding until the time of Christ's birth. (see Is. 53). God now has revealed the mystery of salvation in the birth of His Son, Jesus.
~ The testimonies since then, and of the lives changed by His Holy Spirit, we now have evidence of God's Love extended in and through Jesus to all mankind. Those who believe this report, and who put their faith and trust in Him, take advantage of this great gift. The Holy Spirit indwells them, and is ready to impart His gift of the Holy Ghost to empower them to be His witnesses. (see Acts 2:4, 38, 39)
~ Throughout the Old Testament, God told His people about Jesus, but it was kept from their understanding until the time of Christ's birth. (see Is. 53). God now has revealed the mystery of salvation in the birth of His Son, Jesus.
~ The testimonies since then, and of the lives changed by His Holy Spirit, we now have evidence of God's Love extended in and through Jesus to all mankind. Those who believe this report, and who put their faith and trust in Him, take advantage of this great gift. The Holy Spirit indwells them, and is ready to impart His gift of the Holy Ghost to empower them to be His witnesses. (see Acts 2:4, 38, 39)
17th-Thurday’s post: #122 A Glorious Finale (Last one)
C. Peter Wagner
19th- Saturday's post: Our Strongholds
Max Lucado
20th- Tuesday's post: An Out-of-Body Experience
James H. Cagle
22nd- Thursday's post: Foreword of "Mighty Prevailing Prayer" Armin R. Gesswein
C. Peter Wagner
19th- Saturday's post: Our Strongholds
Max Lucado
20th- Tuesday's post: An Out-of-Body Experience
James H. Cagle
22nd- Thursday's post: Foreword of "Mighty Prevailing Prayer" Armin R. Gesswein
A popular post: #20 Intercession as a Spiritual Gift C. Peter Wagner shares with us that "Intercession is not one of the 25 spiritual gifts mentioned specifically as gifts in the New
Testament.
But, like the gift of exorcism, I believe it should be added to the list..."
No comments:
Post a Comment