When overwhelmed in Spiritual Warfare

Many of the intercessors are involved in spiritual warfare if this is your first visit you will find some useful articles in the April archive that may encourage, refresh & remind you -

The battle is the Lords - He is the Captain - With Him on our side we will win if we keep the focus on Him.

May the message & scriptures below encourage you to press the battle to the gate. Please go direct to the site (link at end of message) for the full message & useful resources.

Spiritual Warfare (Part Message)

In Christian teaching, spiritual warfare should not be separated from the Christ-given mission to make disciples of all nations. We are in a spiritual battle for the eternal souls of all humanity. Not simply securing a place in heaven after death, but redeeming this lifetime by yielding our lives to the work of our Lord Jesus Christ continued in us and through us. Our enemy, the devil, fights against us every moment.

Summary: Christians have victory in spiritual warfare by counting ourselves as dead ...crucified with Christ... and that the life we live is not our own, but Christ living through us. Our lives should manifest Jesus Christ as He continues His work in this world through us ... destroying the works of the devil.

Do not focus on the problem; focus on the solution. Be aware of the problem, but more aware of the purposes, promises, and presence of God.

If you are a professing Christian, but you are nevertheless overwhelmed by spiritual battles there are several possible reasons:

1. You've never truly been "born again". Examine your faith. (2 Cor 13:5; 1 John 5:5)

2. You have unconfessed sin in your life. Confess it. (Psalm 51; I John 1:9;James 5:16)

3. You're trying to live the Christian walk on your own strength. Lean on God. (1 Cor 1:25; 2 Cor 12:9-10)

4. You're doing God's will, ready to bear much fruit, and the devil's trying to make you quit. Don't quit. (Gal 6:9; 2 Tim 2:3)

5. Often, since none of us are perfect, eg: a saint who lives by grace some combination of items 2 - 4

* When Bomber pilots start getting surface-to-air flak, they know assuredly that they have arrived at the target. Likewise, the harder our enemy resists, the more likely that you've found a "high-value" target.

*Why then do Christians (myself included), once they get into an escalating spiritual battle, run for the hills? Is it a sense of entitlement to live in the land of the big PX (Post Exchange shopping mall)?

Some points to remember in the midst of battle:

* You can always ask for help.

* Fight as a member of a team.

* Resting one soldier, or team, while another one fights.

* Be aware of the situation. - The battle's not about you, but to keep you from doing your small part in accomplishing God's will.

* If you quit... the enemy wins. Faith overcomes the world.

* If you have already quit... stand up, put on the armor of God, re-establish communications with God and your fellow soldiers, sharpen your skills with the Sword of the Lord, ask for forgiveness and new instructions, and finally... get back into the fight!

* We are called to suffer hardships as good soldiers of Christ:

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. (2 Tim 2:1-4 NKJV)

* ...what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish... (Phil 3:7-8 NKJV)

* Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:12-13 NKJV)

* ...so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer... (2 Thess 1:4-6 NKJV)

* Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. (1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV)

*...time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. (Heb 11:32-34 NKJV)

* Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:13-14 NKJV)

Scripture References:

* ...the battle is the LORD's... (1 Sam 17:47 KJV)

* ".the enemy. is the devil." (Matt 13:37-39 KJV)

* "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad." (Matt 12:30 NKJV)

* We are human, but we don't wage war with human plans and methods. We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds... break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God... conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ. (2 Cor 10:3-5 NLT)

* Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Eph 6:11-12 NKJV)

* ...they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him. (1 Chr 5:20 NKJV)

* ...they cried, "The sword of the LORD and of Gideon!" And every man stood in his place all around... (Judg 7:20-21 NKJV)

* ...who through faith subdued kingdoms... became valiant in battle... (Heb 11:33-34 NKJV)

* For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight... I have kept the faith. (2 Tim 4:6-7 NKJV)

* ...in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:37-39 NKJV)

* ...what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be Mydisciple. (Luke 14:31-33 NKJV)

* For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. (I John 3:8-9 KJV)

* ...now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, * and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. (Rom 13:11-14 NKJV)

* Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. (Rev 12:10-11 NKJV)

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matt 28:19-20 NKJV)

Source: Battle Focused Ministries: Their goal - equipping the saints for spiritual warfare: Link: http://www.battlefocused.org/

Fiery Trials - Faith Testing

...That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. ... (1 Pet 1:5-9).

I have noted many are going through some trials - if you are asking why? In the July archive there is a message Why does God allow suffering? which may give some answers. I also pray these two messages below will bless you today & remind you that what ever you are going through you are not alone.

Refiners Fire - (Author Unknown)

Some time ago, a few ladies met in a certain city to read the scriptures,and make them the subject of conversation. While reading the third chapterof Malachi they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse.

And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. Malachi 3:3

One lady's opinion was that it was intended to convey the view of the sanctifying influence of the grace of Christ. Then she proposed to Visit a silversmith and report to them what he said on the subject.

She went accordingly and without telling the object of her errand, begged to know the process of refining silver, which he fully described to her.

After some thought she said, do you sit while the work of refining is going on?

Oh,yes madam, replied the silversmith; I must sit with my eye steadily fixedon the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured.

The lady at once saw the beauty, and comfort too, of the expression, He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. Christ sees it needful to put His children into a furnace; His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for them.

Their trials do not come at random; the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

As the lady was leaving the shop, the silversmith called her back, and said he had forgotten to mention that he only knows when the process of purifying is complete when he sees his own image reflected in the silver.
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Fiery Furnace

Followers of Jesus Christ often end up in the fiery furnace of affliction.

It happens by God's great plan and because of His mercy. To some people the idea of a God who allows us to endure trials seems foreign, but it is infact for our own good.

James 1:2-4 NIV Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Trials teach us how to persevere. Even many non-Christians will acknowledgethat the troubles of life can build character.

With God's help we learn to develop godly character.

We do not walk through the furnace alone. God does not just throw us in, walk away and hope for the best. He sits with us as a refiner and monitors everything.

We see confirmation of that fact in the trials and testing God allowed the nation of Israel to go through. He allowed them to go through the fire, but closely monitored everything.

A refiner must monitor temperature and timing to end up with just the right finished product. If the temperature is too hot or the time is too long he risks loosing his metal. Too cold or not in the fire long enough and too many impurities remain.

Malachi 3:2-4 NIV - But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiners fire or a launderers soap. He will sit as arefiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will beacceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years.

When we go into trials it is not an accident. It is at God's appointed time.

He chooses it for our benefit.

Daniel 11:35 NIV Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time

The whole concept is shown fully in the historical account of the three Jewish young men literally cast into a fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar only to come out unscathed.

(Read all of Daniel 3, it is a fascinating story of faith and of God's faithfulness)

Daniel 3:24-25 NIV Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire? They replied, Certainly, O king. He said, Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.

Even the pagan King Nebuchadnezzar could see that there in the midst of the fire with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego walked God's representative. They were never alone. God walked with them before the furnace. God walked with them in the furnace. God walked with them after they came out. He does the same for you and I when we face trials.

Until next time, rejoice in the trials of life. They come in God's timing. They bring us closer to God and we do not walk through them alone.

Used With Permission 2001-2006 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin, Gleanings From The Word Ministries International http:/gleaningsfromtheword.com

The Father's Song To You

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High. (Psalm 92:1)

Do you have a favorite song? Do you have favorite people you love to hear sing those songs? Do you have favorite songs you love to sing? Do you have moments you love to sing?

I am sure most of you had positive answers & some precious memories. I have found that when I have chores I am not so fond of such as dishes to wash or ironing to do that when I start singing songs to the Lord that the task is so much more enjoyable. I also find listening to praise music is so relaxing & before long I find myself & the family singing along with the music.

Whilst I was growing up my home was full of singing and some of my fondest memories are of my mother singing lullabies & songs to us during the day & on occasions at bedtime as a special treat my dad would sit on my bed and at my request sing one of my favorite songs. So it is no surprise that I also sang songs to my own children and hopefully they will continue to do the same when they have their own families.

I pray today stories will bless you and encourage you to sing out praises to Abba and those you are with. May you find a new song on your lips! To those of you who perhaps do not have special memories I pray the 'Fathers song' (see link below) will bless you and become your own precious song.
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Dear Friend,
We should never allow our past mistakes to keep us from starting afresh and accomplishing every goal that God has placed within our hearts. We must see ourselves as redeemed and forgiven children of the Lord who were once lost, but now are found. Just because we fell short in the past does not mean we cannot succeed now and in the future to come.

We must remember what the Bible declares in Psalm 40:3 "And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord."

God is able to put a new song in our mouth leading us on the right path that leads to life and happiness in Him. Trust Him with your life because God is able to do extraordinary things with the most ordinary of people. (Psalm 51:8-13) (1 Peter 2:9-10) (Ephesians 3:20-21)

I hope this message speaks to your heart to never give up on yourself because a new beginning is available each day that you awake.

THEY ARE PLAYING YOUR SONG - Author: Alan Cohen

When a woman in a certain African tribe knows she is pregnant, she goes out into the wilderness with a few friends and together they pray and meditate until they hear the song of the child. They recognize that every soul has its own vibration that expresses its unique flavour and purpose. When the women attune to the song, they sing it out loud. Then they return to the tribe and teach it to everyone else.

When the child is born, the community gathers and sings the childss song to him or her. Later, when the child enters education, the village gathers and chants the childs song. When the child passes through the initiation to adulthood, the people again come together and sing. At the time of marriage, the person hears his or her song.

Finally, when the soul is about to pass from this world, the family and friends gather at the persons bed, just as they did at their birth, and they sing the person to the next life.

When I have shared this story in my lectures, a fair amount of people in the audience come to tears. There is something inside each of us that knows we have a song, and we wish those we love would recognize it and support us to sing it.

In some of my seminars I ask people to verbalize to a partner the one phrase they wish their parents had said to them as a child. Then the partner lovingly whispers it in their ear. This exercise goes very deep, and many significant insights start to click.

How we all long to be loved, acknowledged, and accepted for who we are!

In the African tribe there is one other occasion upon which the villagers sing to the child. If at any time during his or her life, the person commits a crime or aberrant social act, the individual is called to the centre of the village and the people in the community form a circle around them. Then they sing their song to them. The tribe recognizes that the correction for antisocial behaviour is not punishment; it is love and the remembrance of identity. When you recognize your own song, you have no desire or need to do anything that would hurt another.

A friend is someone who knows your song and sings it to you when you have forgotten it. Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes you have made or dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose when you are confused.

If you do not give your song a voice, you will feel lost, alone, and confused. If you express it, you will come to life. We attract people on a similar wavelength so we can support each other to sing aloud. Sometimes we attract people who challenge us by telling us that we cannot or should not sing our song in public. Yet these people help us too, for they stimulate us to find greater courage to sing it.

You may not have grown up in an African tribe that sings your song to you at crucial life transitions, but life is always reminding you when you are in tune with yourself and when you are not. When you feel good what you are doing matches your song, and when you feel awful, it doesn't.

In the end, we should all recognize our song and sing it well. You may feel a little warble at the moment, but so have all the great singers. Just keep singing and you'll find your way home.

Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Isaiah 43:18-19 "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."

Joshua 1:9 "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

Psalm 28:6-8 "Blessed be the LORD, because He hath heard the voice of my supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him. The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving strengthof His anointed."

Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

Used with permission: Dwayne Savaya Gods Work Ministry http://www.Godswork.org
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Introducing a New Father's Song

In Zephaniah 3:17 the Bible says... The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. NIV Bible

Have you ever wondered what the Father's song sounds like?

I am pleased to share with you that Michael Mulroy from the UK has asked the same question and in response he has recently arranged and recorded a new 11 minute musical piece that features all of the words of the Father's Love Letter sung by Dan Shiells. If you want to listen or download the Father's Love Letter in song, go to www.fathersloveletter.com/song.html

Author: Barry Adams'Father's Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications Copyright 1999-2006' contact: http://www.fathersloveletter.com/
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