Header Graphic
Thoughts Archived > Pressing Forward...Fighting Satan


11 Oct 2009

                                      

 

 October 11, 2009

 Ephesians 6: 10-18

  Pressing Forward...Fighting Satan 

 

Ephesians

A final word:  Be strong with the Lord's mighty power.  Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil.  For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.

Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.  Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared.  In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.

   

***

 

Thoughts...

 

Last week I said, "Ready to crank it up a notch?  The minute you decide to enjoy what you are going through, you are going to crank it up a notch...Satan roars.  And he will try to get to you, take you down, mess with your head and body, and overall try to 'take you out'.  But you must...MUST..."Press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God."  Phil 3: 14" 

This week is all about how to fight him once 'you've cranked it up a notch'.  Fasten your seatbelts, stow everything in the overhead cabin (your brain), know where your oxygen is (take a deep breath) and be prepared for the ascent....VICTORY!  Paul tells us exactly what we need to fight clean.

Who are we fighting?

The Devil, evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, wicked spirits in the heavenly realms, the enemy in the time of evil, the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan, and Satan. 

What are we fighting against?

Strategies and tricks, time of evil, fiery arrows aimed at you [and me] and more.

What do we need to take into battle?

Strength....be strong with the Lord's mighty powerAll of God's armorResistance.  Sturdy belt of truth.  Body armor of God's righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News.  Faith as your shield.  Salvation as your helmet.  The sword of the Spirit which is the word of GodPersistance.

What do we need to do?

Stand your groundPut on your armorBe fully prepared.  Take what you need Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy SpiritStay alertBe persistant.

What will be the outcome?

You will still be standing firm...in and with God.  The victory will be won!  Hallelujah!

Now, if all this seems simple....it is not.  Most of us having lived any kind of life at all, know that sometimes it feels like every day is a battle.  And it is essentially.  But, God, being the wonderful person he is, has given us guidelines on how to deal with those moments.  Because Paul chose to listen, he has taught us what we must do to win the prize of eternal life.  We need to listen, too.  And teach, and share with others, so they, too, can win the victory.  

When we first read the reference in Ephesians, we might think, "Whaaaat?"  This is weird.  Yup.  It is.  Especially if you are not in Christ and he is not in you.  But I'm guessing that since you have opened this and are reading this, you are either a Christian or searching.  If you are searching, it is going to seem even more weird.  Sorry...hang on tho'.  If you read it broken down, it makes a little more sense and takes some of the weirdness out of it.

Essentially what God is trying to tell us through Paul is that there is good and evil.  God, Jesus, Holy Spirit and their assigns, like Angels, represent good.  Satan, the Devil, and his assigns, represent bad.  The good folks are supposed to be expressing good stuff with their intent to have eternal life by obeying God and fighting for the good life.  We are freely forgiven of our sins.  We are given eternal life, if we obey, and have life with them.  This is true salvation.  The bad guys are Satan and his crew that try at nearly every turn to keep us from achieving that oneness with our Savior, Jesus Christ, God and Holy Spirit.  The fight can reach epic proportion.  

But we do not battle alone, if Christ is in us.  With Christ, comes God, and Holy Spirit; without them we cannot hardly attempt to win and claim victory.   

Last week I was reminded laughingly of the commercial for autos where someone sings, "Maniac on the floor."   Reading last weeks thoughts, I could have seemed as such to most of you.  This week I am reminded of the songs with words that can ring true, "Victory in Jesus" and "Onward Christian Soldier".  

We know what God's response to us will be when we first turn to him.  And we know what his last response will be as well, if we have been in him all along.  Pity those who let the seed drop and it is not watered, allowed to blossom and fruitfully multipy.  So be sure that you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.  Get to know God and Holy Spirit.  Don't be alone in the battles of life.  Call on them and put on their armor.  If your intent is to win and 'come out on the other side', you have no choice but  to do so.  You won't be sorry...you will have life and have it abundantly.  Satan will roar.  But you can put on God's armor!  Don't wait until there is a battle....every moment of every day that you are not one with the Lord IS the battle!  Everyday you have to make choices in life like to breathe, or go to work, or get out of bed, there is a battle.  Satan will attack you constantly, and the stronger you are, the more you have to share with others about the Lord and attempt to do so, you will have a battle royale on your hands.  So fasten your seatbelts, stow everything in the overhead cabin, breathe, and prepare for the ascent....it's going to be one hek of a ride, but worth every moment for the opportunity to be in God's arms.  

Taking from the words of Paul in Romans 15: 19, I can identify with him and also say:  "I am fully convinced, dear brothers and sisters, that you are full of goodness.  You know these things so well that you are able to teach others all about them.  Even so, I have been bold enough to emphasize some of these points, knowing that all you need is this reminder from me.  For I am, by God's grace, a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles.  I bring you the Good News and offer you up as a fragrant sacrifice to God so that you might be pure and pleasing to him by the Holy Spirit.  So it is right for me to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God.  I dare not boast of anything else.  I have brought the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I lived before them.  I have won them over by the miracles done through me as signs from God--all by the power of God's Spirit.  In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ all the way from Jerusalem clear over into Illyricum."                                                                    

Dear Gentiles...my Christian brothers and sisters, I hope you do know these things,and if not, that you will continue to learn, and I trust you will grow....and me, too, as we all attempt to do everyday amidst the battles of life.  And I thank God for the computer that can indeed present the Good News everywhere in the world.  I hope that as I pray for you, you will "pray for me, too.  Ask God to give me the right words as I boldly explain God's secret plan that the Good News is for the Gentiles, too....pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should."  Eph 6:19.  

"Onward Christian soldiers marching on to war.  With the cross of Jesus going on before." 

 

***

 

Let Us Pray

Dear God, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world.  Please forgive mine.  Happy am I that you are willing to take mine.  Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.  Thank you for healing me, Lord.  I thank you, God, for forgiving Paul's sins and helping him along the path to righteousness.  I praise you God that you love so fully.  I thank Paul, for being willing to listen and understand and convey all truths from you.  Help me to do as he has done in living for and with you, and helping others to know who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are.  I know this will mean a daily battle with Satan, the Devil, and all of his assigns.  I know, too, Lord, that you will be in that battle with me, as I accept you as my Lord and Savior, and go forth obeying you, and doing for you in thanksgiving for what you have done for me.  I am so grateful.  I know the victory is yours...and mine.  Alleluia.  And now, I want to honor you, as I boldly proclaim:  MY Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.  May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give me today your daily bread, who is Jesus, and forgive me my sins, as you forgive those who have sinned against me...help me to forgive them, too.  And let me not be led into temptation.  For you are the kingdom, and the power, and the glory.  Forever.  And ever.  Amen.  Thank you, Lord.  Thank you.               

 

***

        

United We Stand *

There's nowhere in the world that I would rather be, than with you my love.

And there's nothing in the world that I would rather see, than your smile, my love.

 

For united we stand, divided we fall, and if our backs should ever be against the wall,

We'll be together, you and I. 

 

And if the world around you falls apart my love, then I'll be here.

And if the going gets too hard along the way, just you call, I'll hear.

 

For united we stand, divided we fall, and if your backs should ever be against the wall, 

We'll be together, you and I.    

 

As the Deer *

As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee.

You alone are my hearts desire, and I long to worship You.

 

You alone are my strength, my shield,

To you alone may my spirit yield. 

You alone are my hearts desire, and I long to worship You.

 

You're my friend and You are my brother, even though You are the King.

I love You more than any other, So much more than any thing.

 

You alone are my strength, my shield,

To You alone may my spirit yield.

You alone are my hearts desire, and I long to worship You.    

 

 ***

 

 Benediction

 

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resouces he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

 

*** 

  

Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rythms of Grace'.

 

***

  

Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation.  

 

***

  

 

 

***

 

If you feel that the Church of the Holy Spirit has inspired or helped you, we'd like you to prayerfully consider tithing regulary to us or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:16 NLT

 to

 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

 

***

 

  Our NEW Current Cause

My family and I, and the church, are in crisis and could desperately use your prayers and financial support.  Due to medical concerns, employment crisis, and economic devastation,  I do not have funding to meet everyday expenses right now for the church, or family, and home, nor those necessary to keep this website afloat, for those shut-in or needing spiritual support, nor the ability to help others along the way.  But I am confident that, with your help, balance can be achieved.  As God touches your heart, I hope you will pray earnestly for the church, my family and me, and send any amount of money you can to help.  Please note 'Church and Family' on your check, and, I will see that all funds get divided appropriately.  The church, I and my family, as well as to those to whom we reach out, will be sincerely grateful for anything you can do to help.  

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and may God bless you!

 

***

 

Checks can be made out to

Church of the Holy Spirit

and sent to

Church of the Holy Spirit

P.O. Box 86076

Tucson, Arizona

85754-6076

If you have any questions, we can be reached at:

1-866-402-GIFT

10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Mountain Time

As we grow, you will have options for allocating your gifts.

In the meantime, we hope you will trust us to direct them to where the need is the greatest.

 

  ***

 

  One last thing....

 

Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rythms of Grace'

 

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

 

And the people said,

"Amen."

 

***

  

 

 

***

 

I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.

 

***

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

* United We Stand by The Brotherhood of Man.   

* As The Deer by Martin Nystrom.     

 * 

  

Bible Authors and Minister