Thoughts for Life: #60 March Forward, Praising Him

Dr. Wesley L. Duewel- 6. March Forward, praising Him. Praise is not only a method of worshiping the Lord, bringing joy to the heart of God and expressing your love and thanks, but praise is also a mighty spiritual weapon.

Perhaps Jehoshaphat is the only king who won a literal war by praise instead of by weapons (2 Chron. 20). Judah had been invaded by a vast army from Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir. Jehoshaphat called the nation together to fast and pray at Jerusalem. They came from every town "to seek help from the Lord." (Google image, Franklin Graham's crusade in Australia)

King Jehoshaphat stood and led the nation in prayer, first rejoicing in God's sovereignty, and then interceding for the men, women, and children who were all standing before the Lord in prayer.

The Holy Spirit came upon one of the Levites in the middle of the congregation and He prophesied that they would not need to fight; the battle was the Lord's (v. 15). He told them not to fear, but to go out and face the enemy, and the Lord would be with them. The whole nation fell on their faces before the Lord in worship, and the Levites praised the Lord "with very loud voice."

Early the next morning they all arose; Jehoshaphat exhorted them to believe God, and then they appointed singers to lead the army into battle, praising God. "As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes" against the enemy (v. 22).

While the Israelites praised the Lord, the enemy began to attack one another, and they were all destroyed. For three days Judah gathered the loot from the defeated enemies.

On the fourth day they had a praise gathering, and then the king led the whole nation in a triumphal procession back to Jerusalem and into the temple. We have no record that Jehoshaphat ever again was attacked by another nation. Satan was absolutely routed.

Use praise to defeat the Devil. Praise strengthens your own spirit of faith. Praise brings the angels of God to help you. Praise clears away the dark clouds with which Satan would like to engulf you. Praise angers and frightens Satan and his demons. The name of Jesus is powerful in prayer, powerful in commands you give to Satan, and powerful in striking terror into the ranks of Satan.

Advance against the demon opposition, praising the Lord. Shout the praise of the Lord in the Devil's face. I have several times been used by the Holy Spirit to cast out a demon just by calling praise to Jesus in the ear of the demoniac as the demon convulsed him. Praise to Jesus routs the unclean spirits.

7. Command Satan in Jesus' name. I cannot overemphasize the importance of speaking directly to Satan in Jesus' name. "Satan, you were defeated at Calvary. By the authority of the name of Jesus I command you to go. By the name of Jesus I bind you and all your working."

When casting out demons, if the demon's name is known, use it in ordering the demon to leave as you command by the authority of Jesus' name. In cases of demonic pressure, oppression, or opposition, do not hesitate, if God leads you, to command Satan and all his demons to obey your command. (Other examples and more detailed instruction on the commands of faith were suggested in chapter 15). #48 When You Should Use the Command of Faith & #49 You Can Give the Command of Faith.

(Chapter 17, pp. 135-136, italics added for emphasis)

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Let's pray-

Father, as praise is not only a method of worshiping You to bring joy of heart, it is our mighty spiritual weapon Christ has given us. As king Jehoshaphat led his people in praise, and saw the victory that God created because they praised Him, may we be encouraged to use praise in our own battles! (Chron. 20)

Praise tends to clear any doubt that we'll be victorious, as it frightens Satan and his demons, causing them to bow to the name of Jesus. Our commands we give to Satan, in Christ's powerful name, strikes terror into the ranks of Satan.

It cannot be overly emphasized that we should speak directly to Satan in Jesus' name. We may use these words: "Satan, you were defeated at Calvary. By the authority of the name of Jesus I command you to go. By the name of Jesus I bind you and all your working."
May this day begin a new unveiling of Christ's power within us! In His name I pray. Amen

Today's Bible verses-

1 Pet. 5:8-9 "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith."

Matt. 18:18-19 "Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven."

John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Quotes for today-

~ Ron Hutchcraft- For 2,000 years, "wise men" have ended their search at the feet of Jesus. We came with the chains of our own personal darkness. And left forever free."

~ Max Lucado- "Worry gives small problems big shadows. Corrie ten Boom
said, 'Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength.' And Romans 8:28 affirms: 'Every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.'”
Most anxiety stems, not from what we need, but from what we want. Philippians 4:4 says, 'delight yourselves in the Lord, yes, find your joy in Him at all times!'

If God is enough, you’ll always have enough!"

Words of wisdom-

~ When we face fears, what is our natural response? Do we see it as an opportunity to trust Jesus? He's willing to replace our fears with His Love, as love casts out all fears. When fear has a grip on you, may you call out to Jesus for His help. He really will help, and enjoy doing it!

Today's question-

How do we judge preaching?

Apostle Paul advised Timothy to preach the Word of God, as the people needed to learn about Jesus and what He had accomplished on and through the cross. It was the answer for their every need, so Timothy needed to be faithful to keep the Word alive, heralding it as God's Word.

As man speaks the Word, involving the Holy Spirit, there's power to receive God's anointing for direction and empowerment. Personalities do play a big part in the delivering of God's Word, but the content is what's all important, as there's power in the words of the Bible!

The speakers of His Word need to prepare themselves and their messages to honor the Lord Jesus, and if that doesn't take place, then there is a void of truth they share. Unfortunately the time has come for many in the churches to want messages that sooth their consciences to where there's no conviction of sin or any wrong doing in their lives.

When churches do not receive the whole Word of God, they slowly die. We are to pray for our pastors to not have human-driven messages, as the people will fall away from the reverential fear of the Word of God. We're to guard the preaching of the Truth, and to expect it to be a stable presentation of His Word.

Let's pray for our pastors and uphold them to preach the messages that will help us grow in faith and to be more like Jesus over time. Church, Listen to the Word of God!

Pastor Rick's message on the Holy Spirit

Excellent! Every believer needs to listen to this short message!

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