A spiritual battle

Ephesians 6:12 - "For 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 in the heavenly realms."

 

It is easy to get our eyes fixed on the people who are doing very bad things, and even wish evil upon them.  When our eyes are glued to this, we begin to think the battle lies in the natural realm. While in actuality, it lies in the spiritual realm. What we see being played out in the natural is being played out in the spiritual as well. Therefore, we need to go to the Lord in prayer. We need to wage a spiritual battle in prayer. We need to go to the source of the problems that are being played out in the natural, which is rooted in the spiritual realm. 

 

The rulers, and authorities here are evil spirits (fallen angels), who are battling against God and using people as their pawns (chess pieces). 

 

Yet, we as believers in Christ have spiritual weapons to fight them: the Word of God, power of the Holy Spirit, prayer, praise, faith, obedience and the fruit of the Spirit.

 

Matthew 16:19 - "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

We must bind the strongholds which are the spirit of division, greed, jealousy, lust, pride, hatred, prejudice, and underlying it all is a ungodly love of self that puts us at the center instead of God and others.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS #2

1. Deuteronomy 8:2-5 - We can count on God's full provision, although He might test and discipline us for a time.
2. Deuteronomy - 8:17-18 - Do not baost in your wealth, for it is who gives you the ability to produce wealth.
3. Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - Israel defeated the naitons because God was judging them, not because of Israel's righteousness.
4. Deuteronomy 9:18-25 - The heart of true leadership intercedes for the sins of God's people, and calls for mercy.
5. Deuteronomy 10:12-13 - The Lord asks us to fear Him, walk in His ways, serve Him with all that is with in us, and obey His commands.
6. Deuteronomy 10:14-16 - Circumcise our hearts and do not be stiff necked.
7. Deuteronomy 10:17-22 - There is no one like our God.
8. Deuteronomy 12:4-12 - Bring the whole tithe into God's house.
9. Deut. 12:32 - Do all that I command you; do not add to or take away from it.
10. Deut. 13:1-2 - False prophets can do signs and wonders.
11. Deut. 13:2 - Out of all the nations, Israel was God's treasured possession.
12. Deut. 18:13 - You must be blameless.
13. Deut. 20:19 - You must be environmentally wise.
14. Deut. 22:1-4 - We are to be good neighbors.
15. Deut. 24:16 - Each is to die for their own sin.
16. Deut. 30:11 - God's commands are attainable.
17. Deut. 30:14 - The commands of God are in us.
18. Deut. 30:19-20 - Choose life not death.
19. Deut. 31:6 - Be strong and courageous, God will never leave or forsake you.
20. Deut. 31:16-17 - God forsook Israel because they forsook Him.
21. Deut. 31:20-21 - God predicts the people's rejection of Him.
22. Deut. 32:4 - God's teaching is like rain that refreshes, not a hard rain that beats us down.
23. Deut. 32:11 - God covers us with His wings like an eagle who protects her young.
24. Joshua 7:11-12 - Sin is a hindrance to victory in God.
25. Joshua 7:24-25 - Our actions (sin) affect more people than just ourselves.
26. Joshua 13:14-21 - The tribe of Israel was to have no land that they might give all their attention to serving God's people,and not their own interests.
27.Joshua 14:9-12 - God keeps His promises, but we must take hold of them by faith.
28.Joshua 2 - Incomplete removal of evil, often means disaster in the end. Sin always has it's consequences. Disobedience brings defeat and testing by the Lord.
29. Joshua 13:18 - Sometimes God doesn't answer our questions because they are beyond our ability to understand.
30. Judges 16:20 - It is possible for God to remove His anointing without us even recognizing this.
31. I Samuel 1:22 - Hannah gave to the Lord what was most precious to her.
32. I Samuel 10:6,6 - The Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul in power, and changed him.
33. I Samuel 14:6 - God honors our faith and courage in Him and will act on our behalf.
34. I Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is better then sacrifice.
35. I Samuel 15:23 - Rebellion is like the sin of divination, and idolatry.
36. 2 Samuel 7:18 - Who am I Lords that you have brought me this far?
37. 2 Samuel 11 - To flee temptation, we must ask God to help us. Stay away from people, place, and situations that tempt you. Meditate on Scriptures thant combat the temptation. Find a believer to help you in the struggle.
38. 2 Samuel 14:14 - God always seeks reconciliation.
39. 2 Samuel 22:26-28 - Our actions influence God's actions toward us. He seeks those who are faithful, blameless, pure, and humble.
40. 2 Samuel 22:31 - God's way is perfect, and shields all who take refuge in Him.
41. 2 Samuel 23:10-12 - We must stand our ground. The Lord will give us the victory.
42. I Kings 2:2-4 - Effectiveness depends on listening and obeying God's Word.
43. 2 Kings 18:5-7 - Success comes as we obey God and serve Him with all our heart.
44.  Nehemiah 9:21 - "For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen."
45. Job 1:20 - The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, may the name of the Lord be praised.
46. Job 2:3 - Job kept his integrity even in terrible situations.
47. Job 5:17 - Blessed is the man that God corrects.
48. Job 9:2 - How can a mortal man be righteous before God?  Impossible in himself
49. Job 22:21 - Submit to God and be at peace with Him. In this way prosperity will come to you.
50. Job 23:10 - God knows the way I take. When He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
51. Job 41:11 - Everything under heaven belongs to God.
52. Psalms 8:2 - From the lips of children you have ordained praise.
53. Psalms 8:4 - What is man that you are mindful of him.
54. Psalm 11:1 - In the Lord I take refuge, how can you say unto me flee.
55. Psalms 12:6 - The Words of the Lord are flawless, purified 7 times.
56. Psalms 15 - The righteous who walk in truth and love will never be shaken. 
57. Psalms 16:6 - The boundary lines have fallen fro me in pleasant places.
58.  Psalms 16:8 - "I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."
60. Psalms 16:11 - " You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
61. Psalms 18:2 - The Lord is my rock, deliverer, refuge, shield, and salvation.
62. Psalms 18:25-36 - A glorious passage of how God helps His people. 
63. Psalms 19:7-11 - The Word of the Lord is perfect, trustworthy, right, and those who keep them will be rewarded.
64. Psalms 19:14 - " May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."
65. Psalms 25:14 - "The Lord confides in those who fear Him.
66. Psalms 27:1 - I need not fear anyone.
67. Psalms 27:13-14 -  "I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
68. Psalms 37:4 - " Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."
69. Psalms 37:7a - Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. 
70. Psalms 37:16 - " Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked."
71. psalms 37:19 - God provides for the righteous even in the most difficult times.  
72. Psalms 37:21,25,26 - The righteous give freely, and always blessed.
73. Psalms 42:5 - " Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
74. Psalms 44:8 - Boast in the Lord!
75. Psalms 46 - God is our refuge and help. We are able to rest in His mighty power. 
76. Psalms 5:1-12 - Create in me a pure heart, O god. Do not cast me away from your presence. Grant me a willing spirit.
77. Psalms 62:6 - " Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken."
78. Psalms 62:8 - " Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."
79. Psalms 69:9 - " for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me."
80. Psalms 73:25-26 - "...  And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
81. Psalms 84:10 - " Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked."
82. Psalms 84;11 - " For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless."
83. Psalms 86:11 -  "Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."
84. Psalms 91:1-16 - Those who abide in God and trust in Him will be secure. 
85. Psalms 101:2-3 - I will walk in my house with a blameless heart. I will set before me no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me.
86. Psalms 103 - The Lord blesses, forgives, heals, redeems, and abounding in love.  
87. Psalms 112 - The righteous will be blessed. Even in the darkness, light dawns for the upright. He will never be shaken. He will have nothing to fear.
88. Psalms 127:1-2 - Our labors are in vain when we accomplish them in our owns strength. They only wear us out.
89. Psalms 139 -
      God knows me completely.
      God is everywhere, and with us.
90. Proverbs 1:7 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
91. Proverbs 1:19 - Ill gotten gain takes away the lives of those who take hold of it.
92.  Proverbs 2:7 - He hols victory in store for the upright.
93. Proverbs 3:3-4 - "
Let love and faithfulness never leave you;  bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."
94.  Proverbs 3:5 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart  and lean not on your own understanding;"
95. Proverbs 3:9 - Honor the Lord with your wealth.
96. Proverbs 3:25-26 -  Have no fear of sudden disaster for the Lord will be at your side.
97. Proverbs 3:33 - God blesses the home of the righteous.
98. Proverbs 4:18 - The path of the righteous grows brighter until the see the full light of the day (Christ).
99. Proverbs 4:23 - " Above all else, guard your heart,  for everything you do flows from it.
100. Proverbs 6:24 - Guard yourself from the immoral woman. 
101. Proverbs 8:13 - The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.
102. Proverbs 9:9 - Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still.

After spiritual revival and cleansing, the rain will come.

Kings chapter 18 is the well know story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. There has been 3 years of no rain. Elijah meets with Ahab and asks for a showdown between God of Israel, and tells Ahab to call 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah. In short, each side built an alter and asks their God to send fire down to burn up the sacrifice. The false prophets called on their gods all day without any fire coming down. Then at the end of the day, Elijah with a simple prayer asked God of Israel to show his power, and fire fell from the sky and burnt up Elijah's sacrifice. He told the people to then seize the prophets of Baal and kill all of them. After this, Elijah calls on the Lord to send rain.

The story ends in verse 45-46, " Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. The power of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel."

It is important to see here that the rains were not able to be released until there was a spiritual cleansing of the land and the people called on the Lord and put their faith in Him.

Let us stand up for God and righteousness today. Let us send out a call of repentance, and take our stand against false prophets and teachers. Let us take every thought or imagination that is exalted against Christ, and make it captive unto Him.

Then even as Elijah, We can pray and look for the rain from heaven. The reign of Christ will come. We must put our running gear on, and throw off what ever may hinder us from running. Then run ahead of the rain, and proclaim His coming reign.

Various Laws from Leviticus chapter 19

1. Respect mother and father.
2. No idol worship.
3. Make a proper sacrifice.
4. Care for the poor.
5. Do not steal, lie or decieve.
6. Do not mistreat you laborers.
7. Do not mistreat the handicapped.
8. Do not pervert justice.
9. Do not slander.
10. Don't do anything that would endanger another person life.
11. Do not hate or take revenge.
12. Do not practice divination or sorcery.
13. Do not cut your bodies for the dead.
14. Do not put tattoo marks on your body in worship of other gods.

The presence of the Lord.

Exodus 33:14-16 - "Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

Do you desire the intimate and personal presence of the Lord in your life. It does not happen automatically or naturally. The first step is asking God for it. The second is developing it. The third step is remaining in it.

The result, it will distinguish us from other people.

Iron sharpens Iron

Proverbs 27:17 - "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

As a believer in Christ, we are not able to grow, shut up in a room, praying and reading our Bible all day. We need friction, trials and the correction of others to mature.

Often, we look for people who are like minded. People who always agree with us and never challenge us. It is in our nature to seek the path of least resistance. These things are not necessarily bad, but often weakens us. Some of the strongest people are those who have gone through the toughest times, and came out victorious on the other side.

Many a believer in Christ do not attend church because there are certain things they do not want to hear. They do not want to be challenged in their faith or to grow. Also, many leave the church because someone in the church is rubbing them the wrong way, challenging their ideas and theology, or God forbid, don't agree with them.

On the flip side of the coin, their are those believers in Christ who insulate themselves from the non-believer or worldly person. They only mingle with the believer in Christ. (I Corinthians 5:9) We do need to be on our guard from worldliness and temptations. the Bible does tell us to watch and pray. (Matthew 26:41) The Bible teaches us that we are in this world, but not of this world. Those who isolate themselves from non-believers will weaken themselves as well, because there will be no friction in their life or be challenged in their faith. Yes, there must be balance and precautions taken to guard ourselves from sin.

The underlying idea here is that friction is not necessarily a bad thing at times. While constant friction is a bad thing. Even as iron sharpens iron, if you sharpen a knife all day, you will destroy it.

I rasied you up for a time such as this.

I like the following passage - Exodus 9:16 - "But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

Here, God is speaking to Pharaoh and his rebellion. He is saying that I raised you up to this mighty position and hardened your heart, that my mighty power may displayed in all the earth. Egypt was one of the super powers of the day. Therefore, God was going to humble Egypt and deliver His people through His mighty power. All the other nations would see it and hear about it, and be in awe of the God of Israel.

Here, God was using a wicked man and a bad situation to show His glory. Often when hard and difficult times come or times where there seems to be no hope. It is in these very situations that God chooses to display His power.

Also, God may be raising you up for a specific purpose that he may show His power, even as He raised up Joseph to save His people and later Moses to deliver them.