His kingdom consists of fallen angels, demons, and sinners. He is constantly seeking to discourage, delay, and defeat Christ's workers and Christ's work. He is determined to oppose in every way he can. One of his names is "Destroyer" (Rev. 9:11). He seeks to destroy people, homes, nations, and the plan and work of God. (Google image, Spiritual Battles is for Keeps) [Good instructions]
Satan coordinates a host of unclean spirits called demons. They seem to have power to afflict people whom they indwell. Satan times seems able to exert some control over forces of nature, and to counterfeit the work of God by demonic "miracles" (2 Thess. 2:9-10). He has such power and evil authority that even the archangel Michael called on the Lord to rebuke Satan (Jude 9).
How could you and I possibly resist or defeat Satan? Surely only God can restrain, bring under control, and defeat such a powerful enemy. But no, the Bible clearly gives this power to ordinary Christians like you and me.
We must not yield to temptation. Jesus set an example of how to do this by using God's Word (Matt. 4:1-11). He urged Peter to be victorious by watching and praying (Matt. 26:41).
We must stand firm in faith. Scripture promises, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). The Greek word for resist means "to stand against." When Christ is with us, we can resist Satan.
We must pray. This is our most powerful weapon. Prayer brings the presence of Christ into manifestation, and Satan and his demons have to fall back like the mob in the Garden (John 18:6). Prayer grasps hold of the promises of God and erects them like a wall between us and the powers of darkness.
Prayer can bring God's angels rushing to our assistance (2 Kings 6:15-17).; Dan. 10:13; Heb. 1:14). Prayer can overthrow the plans of Satan. Prayer can battle any combination of Satan's forces.
When Paul describes our spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6, he says, "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 to the heavenly realms" (v. 12).
In the previous verse Paul had spoken of our need to take our stand against the Devil's schemes. He then lists the various aspects of the spiritual armor which we must wear in the warfare with Satan.
But when we are fully armed, how do we fight? Paul suggests two ways—with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and with prayer.
Prayer is the master strategy that God gives for the defeat and rout of Satan. "Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kind of prayers and requests" (Eph. 6:18). Through prayer the Holy Spirit can so empower us that Satan's hold on lives is broken, Satan's hindrances to the kingdom are removed, and Satan's work is destroyed.
Christ came to destroy the work of the devil (1 John 3:8). He did this potentially at Calvary, and Christ enforces Calvary's victory through the prayers of His bride, the church. That is why the people of God are also the army of God.
If God's people would only accept their sacred role as the army of God, if they would call one another to God's priority of prayer, if they would join one another in militant, Spirit-guided, Spirit-anointed intercession, we could see Satan defeated and revival visitations descend from God. We could see the greatest harvest of souls we have ever known.
We are called to stop Satan, to drive back Satan, to defeat Satan through prayer and fasting. But we are too prayerless, too passive, too content with spiritual mediocrity and comparative spiritual barrenness. We seem content to let the Devil gain the victory.
God, wake us up! God teach us to pray! God, lead us to such prayer warfare that we claim key people, whole families, and even entire continents for Him! To your knees, and world evangelization can be revolutionized! To your knees, and Christ's triumphs will be manifest!
(Chapter 3, pp. 23-25, italics added)
Used by permission
of the Duewel Literature Trust, Inc,
Greenwood, Indiana
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Let's pray-
"Lord of all, I am thankful that You have given me the authority to become a child of God. I belong to God, and everyone who knows God will listen to me. But the people who don’t know God won’t listen to me. That is how I can tell the Spirit that speaks the truth from the one that tells lies. I submit my emotions to the control of the Holy Spirit who helps me imitate You, my Father.
I must love others because Love comes from You and when I love others, it shows that I have been given new life. All who have received Jesus are Your children and we know You. Father-God, You are love! When I walk in love I will know completely in the same way that I am completely known, in the name of Jesus!" Germine Copeland
Scripture References: John 1:12 (AMP); Ephesians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 13 4-13; 1 John 4:6-8
I must love others because Love comes from You and when I love others, it shows that I have been given new life. All who have received Jesus are Your children and we know You. Father-God, You are love! When I walk in love I will know completely in the same way that I am completely known, in the name of Jesus!" Germine Copeland
Scripture References: John 1:12 (AMP); Ephesians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 13 4-13; 1 John 4:6-8
Today's Bible verses-
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Today's quote-
~ Oswald Chambers- Huge waves that would frighten an ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. Let’s apply that to our own circumstances. The things we try to avoid and fight against— tribulation, suffering, and persecution— are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. “We are more than conquerors through Him” “in all these things”; not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A saint doesn’t know the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it. Paul said, “I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation” (2 Corinthians 7:4).
From My Utmost for His Highest Updated Edition (italics added)
Special post:
Ken Barnes-
"Some will finish the race well; others will not.
Cliff Young, a sixty-one-year-old farmer from Australia, entered the 544-mile inaugural Sydney to Melbourne Ultramarathon Race in 1983. He showed up for the race wearing overalls, a white t-shirt, and work boots. The other runners wore promotional running attire. They laughed and made fun of him . . ."
Words of wisdom-
~ As you run your race of life, keep in mind that you have the Spirit of Jesus to help you. Knowing that He endured the cross, to cross His finish line, so can you! You have witnesses to cheer you, so don't give up!
Words of wisdom-
~ As you run your race of life, keep in mind that you have the Spirit of Jesus to help you. Knowing that He endured the cross, to cross His finish line, so can you! You have witnesses to cheer you, so don't give up!
Today's popular post-
Ron Hutchcraft- "Full disclosure here. I'm not the guy you want to call when you need a guy to do a job with a hammer.
But I do know the fundamentals. A hammer can be used to build something - or to tear it down. Either way, what a hammer hits can't possibly stay the same."
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Upcoming posts-
#8 The Power to Transcend the Laws of Nature
19th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. DuewelABCs of Faith
21st- Saturday's post by Jean Oathout
#9 The Power to Obtain Angelic Assistance
24th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#10 The Power to Move Mountains
26th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
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| Under His wings, we will safely abide! |
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