Thoughts for Life: #103 Do All In the Power of The Holy Spirit

Dr. Wesley L. Duewel- The Holy Spirit has come to represent Christ and to deliver the victory Christ won at Calvary. He has come to drive out Satan before you. Resist the Devil; he will run from you because the mighty Holy Spirit will back up your faith and your Christ-given authority (James 4:7). "When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will put him to flight" (Isa. 59:19 NIV alt.).

If the Spirit is filling you and leading you in your praying and you are invading Satan's territory to deliver Satan's captives, the Holy Spirit is right there with you to clothe your words with Christ's authority. In prayer warfare you do not fight alone. The Holy Spirit will be upon you and pray through you. "Pray in the Spirit on all occasions" (Eph. 6:18). (Unsplash, Woman in prayer, photo by Fa Barboza)

3. In holy faith resist, bind, and rout Satan. Let me give you a word of caution—don't become Devil-conscious. Don't be absorbed by your enemy. Don't keep talking about him. Resist him when you need to; command him to go. But focus your eyes on Jesus seated on the throne of heaven. Remember, through payer you are hastening the day when all things shall be put under Jesus' feet.

Resist every sign of Satan's working, every attack he makes upon a child of God. In the name of Jesus, rebuke Satan. Tell him to get behind you and Jesus. Call on Jesus Himself to rebuke him (Zech. 3:1-2). The Lord came to destroy the devil's work (1 John 3:8). In the name of Jesus, bind Satan's dark power by the almighty power of God.

Whatever you bind on earth will be ratified, enforced, and bound by heaven (Matt. 16:19). Don't worry about how it will be done. All Christ needs to do is to speak the word. Just believe it and bind the strong man from Hades (Luke 11:21). God has myriads of mighty angels ready to assist in enforcing your command of faith.

There are situations in which Satan is now dominating that will not change until you take the offensive and drive him out. There are people enslaved by Satan who are unable to free themselves. They will remain in Satan's bondage until you, or others of God's children, drive back the darkness, bind the demonic powers, and force Satan to release his captives.

Don't tremble before Satan; challenge his authority. Don't cower when he roars like a lion. Take the authority of the name of Jesus and the old lion will slink away with his tail between his legs; he will slither off like the old serpent he is. (Rev. 12:9).

(Chapter 28, p. 209-210, italics added for emphasis)

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Let's pray-

Father, we thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to help us drive out Satan before us in our battles. May we drive him back with our faith and in the authority of the name of Jesus.

As Your Spirit fills us and leads us in our praying, we are invading Satan's territory to deliver Satan's captives. We are not alone, as we're clothed in the powerful words of Christ and His authority.

Help us keep our focus on Jesus, and not be distracted or absorbed by Satan; not to even speak about him. May we remember that our prayers destroy the devil's work and hastening the day when all thing shall be put under Jesus' feet and Satan's dark power will be bound by the almighty power of God through His name.

We ask for Your favor, as we attempt to wage warfare against the evil one in the name of Jesus. This we ask in His name and for His glory. Amen

Today's Bible verses-

Isaiah 26:3 (AMP), Psalm 29:11 (AMPC) “You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].” For “The Lord will give [unyielding and impenetrable] strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.”

Colossians 3:15-17) “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Quote for today-

~ Fred D. Jarvis- There is no substitute for consistent Christian living and for soul-winning power. It is no enough to have truth. We must live it and share it. In order to do that we must have God's power. May God fill us with His Holy Spirit, ignite the fires of evangelism in our hearts, cut out the dross, and make us a going people for a coming Savior.

Jesus said, "follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matt. 4:19). God wants to multiply our lives and to give us spiritual children and grandchildren. We must go with Christ after the lost. "he that goth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bearing his sheaves with him" (Ps. 126:6)

Words of wisdom-

~ Are you willing to watch for positive outcomes to your trials? Do you notice God working in troubling situations for your good? We need to be thankful for answered prayers, though they may not happen just as we had expected. How about just trusting God's judgement in how He answers your prayers, and giving Him the freedom to do as He sees best?

Today's question-

Evangelism; who is to do it?

God's immeasurable value of each of us makes us the center of His concern, no matter who we are, or think we are. His desire is that all people everywhere come to repentance for their sin, and to realize that His Son, Jesus, paid the needed price to eradicate their sin, so we could have fellowship with Him.

Christ Jesus' life, death and resurrection by the power of the Holy Spirit, is what is offered to us today. Our sharing that news is each believer's responsibility, not just the preachers and "evangelists."

We are not to underestimate the ability of the Holy Spirit's enabling us to tell of the grace and salvation that God provides through His Son. Our individual witness is of utmost importance. The urgency of the message, is to get it out to those who are hurting, confused and seeking for help to deal with life.

If we do our part in sharing the Gospel, there will be a "domino" effect, as others will hear from those we shared with, and the Word will get around that God's willing to meet their desperate need, if asked.