Delve Into Jesus : Devotionals : World at War

Comments

You are correct. I think that Christians should be mindful that they must renew their minds with the Word of God. If you are not filling your mind with God's word, then you are ill prepared for attacks. (Ephesians 4:17-24).

More importantly, we need to understand that God and Jesus have already done everything. The price for our mistakes has been paid and the law and consequences for breaking those laws have already been satisfied. The words are already written to use. Our job is to use the Word. When Jesus was tempted He spoke the word. He said, It is Written... Let's be smart and wise. Jesus is our teacher.

As it relates to attacks, they are usually subtle at first. One of the things that Abraham did was to DO what God told him to do in faith. How many times have we received marching orders from God, but then allowed demonic voices and self doubt to steal it? In other words, we have talents and desires and visions from God, but we doubt ourselves and our hearing from God. We stay useless in our indecision to do God's work. Weigh what the voices in your head say about you. If it doesn't line up with what God says about YOU, (His children), then know that it is a LIE. Look at who you are in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-21; I Peter 2:9; Mark 16:17-18; Ephesians 4:8-16; Galatians 4:7). We are now, as followers of Christ, righteous through His blood (Romans 5:9). Read also John 15:13-17.

anonymous- 3/3/2008 7:36:30 PM

The biggest lie is that there is no spiritual warfare.
I suspect that is what allowed my husband to fall into the trap that took his life. We had been studying the truth from the Bible about 3 years as we grew together as a couple. He had asked to be baptised, then the enemy attached and he never fallowed through. He soon gave up his 23 years of sobriety and within 10 months, overdosed and left this world behind. He did not want to admit that there was a concequence for not believing and accepting Christ as Lord. He would not admit that the enemy prowelled like a lion on us in this world. He listened to Wild at Heart on Cd and other truth as we drove semi together, but... he would not listen when I played things that explained about the way we are tricked by the father of lies. When I tried to explain about Ephesians 6 and the armor of God, it made no sense to him. I know with peace in my heart from the Lord, that he was called to God's family. God makes each of us different, and he knows our strengths and our weaknesses. He has us all covered with his grace, we simply need to humbly stay under that grace as a shield. Some however, are called to stand and others to fight.

anonymous- 3/4/2008 7:42:57 PM

"We wrestle not with flesh and blood but with powers and principalities in high places"...How quickly I forget this in the heat of the battle and find myself full of doubt and hopelessness, fear and bitterness. I am determined to not give up on me since Jesus did not give up on me. "For I know the plans I have for, says the Lord, they are plans for good and not for evil to give you a future and a hope." "My peace I leave with you, my peace I give you, let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid." These passages are my stronghold. I have recently taken a new job and often find myself FEELING hazed by the staff and my mentor. It is then that thoughts of quiting come to mind and when I am at my weakest Jesus sends encouragement through the patients I care for with their appreciation for my efforts. These words lift my spirit and I am reminded that being a nurse is Jesus' will for my life. Thank You Jesus for sending your ministering angels to lift us when we can not lift ourself. These moments on the mountain restore my soul for the hours in the valley. I hope these words encourage others who find themselves in similar situations. All glory to you Jesus. "Having done all things to stand, stand"

anonymous- 3/5/2008 11:07:37 AM

this devotional blessed me very much this morning and encourage me.

thank you and God bless you.

anonymous- 3/7/2008 8:59:49 AM

this was a very helpful devotional! it was so interesting to to realize that "once the shooting starts, all you can do is choose sides." friends, the shooting has started and unless you have made the conscious decision to fight for Jesus, you're on satan's side! the other thing that amazed me was, "your best defense in this war is truth, righteousness, and faith. your best weapon is the Holy Word of God." so truth, righteousness and faith are your DEFENSE, and the Word is your WEAPON/OFFENSE!

anonymous- 3/7/2008 10:37:19 PM

Thanks for this helpful devotional. I suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. After many attempts to treat it at a physiological level I have become convinced that its causes are predominantly spiritual. One of my neighbours is a Freemason, another is into Buddhism, and another into Spiritism. I've seen tell tale signs of other occult activity in the area also. Yet because of the illness I struggle financially and am unable to move house.

This comment from the devotional is SO true: "Few combatants in war ever wanted to fight but they could not shake off the conflict once it consumed them. Once the shooting starts, all you can do is choose sides."

Yesterday was a day of HEAVY attack. It was one of the worst for a long time. For starters I woke up convinced it was Monday and so missed the opportunity to go to church. No amount of praying seemed to help. After railing at God for not helping me I sent a text message to a friend saying "Christianity just seems to be a bad joke!"

Sometimes the battle is not so much to recognise the attacks when they come but to fix our eyes and ears on Jesus, our Commanding Officer, while they are taking place -- rather than on the enemy. Listening to and obeying the promptings of the Holy Spirit is crucial. That's where the battle is lost or won.

Early in the day the Spirit told me to listen to the Bible at BibleGateway.com, but I didn't feel like it and ignored His prompting. Later I felt I should go out for a Jericho prayer walk so as clear my head, and so as to be able to engage the enemy more effectively. But I allowed my tiredness to keep me indoors. A spiritual warrior I was not! Hardly a wonder, then, that the day was a wash out.

I know I'm here for a purpose. By actively engaging in spiritual warfare -- something I have no choice about -- I'm showing the principalities and powers just Who is boss; the Lord Jesus, not me! If I didn't do it I know I'd be very ill indeed. But even in these circumstances it's too easy to relax just a little bit too much and pretend that the battle is all in my mind.

Last Monday I did go for a prayer walk. (Please be prepared for a shock.) My usual route took me through the woods next to my house. In a place known as the quarry I came across a man hanging by the neck from a tree. Two people had arrived just before me and were already calling the emergency services. His toes were just on the ground and I was concerned that he might still be alive, so on advice from the emergency operator I went to feel his wrist for a pulse. The 'body' was still warm. Paramedics tried to resuscitate him. I don't know whether he survived or not but I saw him being driven off slowly in an ambulance.

Whether this incident has any occult connections I don't know, but it followed a spate of particularly heavy attack, and counter attack on my part. One of the people who got there before me said that place is renowned for suicides. I'm praying now that that will cease.

Brothers and sisters, spiritual warfare is a reality. God puts us where He puts us for a purpose, and the devil will do anything to try to throw us off track. At one level (the spiritual) that event has strengthened my resolve to fight the good fight; with all my might! (see Col 1:29) But on another level (the emotional) the event has affected my willingness and desire to engage in the war. Knowing just how serious it is doesn't necessarily make it any easier!

All you and I can do is to continue to keep our spiritual eyes and ears open, praying for the strength and will power to do what the Holy Spirit asks us to do. He sees the end of the war from the beginning -- and visa versa. With Paul we need to continually affirm this truth: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom 8:38-39)

Jesus said: "In this world you shall have tribulation (tell me about it!): but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) Paul wrote: We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. (2 Cor 1:8,9)

Reliance on God -- that's what it's all about. Here we have many battles. But our General is Lord of the Universe, and He has already won the war! We're just engaged in mopping up operations.

'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow and every tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz by whatever way the devil thinks he can get at you -- you know your weaknesses, and so does he, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel don't just wait passively for the enemy to come to you -- take the battle to him in the power of praise! You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow and every tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.'" (2 Chron 20:15-17)

anonymous- 3/10/2008 6:59:31 AM

Thanks for this very helpful devotional. I went to the Gospelcom.net devotional page today and found you there.

God, in His wisdom (and by no merit of mine), has given me one of the gifts which Paul mentions in 1 Cor 12:10: the gift of discernment of spirits. As a result I frequently find myself engaged in spiritual warfare. I just wrote a piece in response to this devotional, but it's too long to be displayed here, so I posted it under Christian Living in the discussion forum.

If someone finds it helpful that will be great! God bless you all. (JoJoUK)

JoJoUK- 3/10/2008 7:30:50 AM

It is when you are at your weakest point that the devil takes advantage of the dent in your armour. In the past two years I have had short stays in hospital and it was here that he took his aim and came out fighting. The first time I was nieve and said 'bring it on'. Well you can imagine....I had no sleep that night and felt exhausted. I wanted to show him that I could stand against him. The second time in hospital, I took the approach of standing by my faith and saying 'I will not listen and leave now'. This gave me such peace and a restful night. I knew the Lord was please with me - I had proclaimed my faith and trust in him.

anonymous- 3/11/2008 5:03:42 AM

It is hard to believe that we as Christian fight an evil power everday of our walk the struggles we face are there because satan places them there. I know I have found my self being ill-equiped with the armor of Christ. It is when I fail in bible study, prayer, and communication with Him that we are at our weakest. I have strayed and it isn't Christ that has left but me that I have kept walking without giving Him a second to help, when I turn around and just simply need help it is Christ who has always been right beside me all the way.I am needing bible study, prayer life, and just treating Him like He is my most intimate friend in the world to get back on the track of fighting the war. We will always win with Christ leading the way !

anonymous- 3/13/2008 11:54:50 AM

Sometimes, things don't go as planned. We start doubting what God is doing on our behalf. When we suffer pain (physical or emotional) we can't understand why? God has a way of using the hardships and trials we go through. We must remember that our inner man is being renewed daily. The outward man does perish. We are not here forever folks!! We all die of some health problem or just aging alone. I have a hard time dealing with my trials at times, but know that the Lord will see me through. I also want to share with you some verses that the Lord gave me. Our faith is what pleases God, and he can do more than what we think or ask. Read Mark 11:22-25. The Lord gave me these verses to give me hope, and to share with others. God bless you all!!

anonymous- 3/14/2008 9:13:23 PM

hello my sisters an brothers. my eyes and ears have been opened many times and i find that the burden or struggle is to much. therefore i stop fighting and believing and the situations that arise from my lack of faith are many. my husband and i are continuously at spiritual warfare. it seems almost unreal how much we are truely fighting to keep this marriage in god. i hear god speak to me on a daily basis and only recently have i decided that i am ready to fight and to have faith unshakable faith in god. people i begin to pray in the middle of the night and find myself being attacked by my other half who would have never attacked me before. (not physical by the way). He has given up the fight and i have been told to stand and fight. fight for the promise that he has spoken to me. In the book of james it speaks of faith without works is worthless. you have to fight and stand in faith that what god says he will do. Marriage people is hated by the enemy. a godly marriage is something that is difficult, but not impossible. i have read the devotional and i hope that if god tells you to stand that you do not fear the unknown for he knows whats to come and will not put more on you than you can bare. therefore arm yourselves it is time.

anonymous- 3/24/2008 12:33:47 PM

We fight everyday against the evil spirits of this world. But this war is not only waged in the heavenly realms, it is also waged in our mind. The devil has setup this evil system to keep us focused on him day and night. The TV has become an agent of the enemy. We must focus our minds on Gods word and let it feed our souls. Matthew 16:26 says what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world but lose your soul.

anonymous- 3/25/2008 7:34:34 PM

Thank you for this devotional. Spiritual warfare is so very very real and I go through it every single day. The good fight will not end until we are in paradise. The Good, Just & Godly must always prevail.

anonymous- 3/31/2008 1:55:56 AM

Yes! It is so true about spirtual war fare. Always put on the "Armor of God", each and every day. Each moment of life you have here... Always focues on the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the all in all. Just recently I dealt with it(spritual war fare). No one would believe that all will be fine for traveling alone to TX. I told everyone that I have my Lord Jesus, guardine angles, and the Holy Spirt with me while I travel alone to TX and driving back alone. They were and are with me at all times. Even the changles that I face in TX. I knew and felt the evil around me. So I focues on the Lord. Just as Paul looked on the Lord while he was walking on the water. Never loose focues on the Lord. He will see to it. Make sure always give him praise and the glory.A Military Mom

anonymous- 4/2/2008 3:59:35 PM

we are in spiritual warfare but thaks be to God who alway's leads us to victory.So fight the good fight of faith Saints.For the battle isn't ours it's the Lords.

anonymous- 4/4/2008 9:43:54 AM

I very much needed this today. I have been fighting many spirtule battles lately & had become battle weary. I had laid down my sword for a time just seeking rest & escape. but as I already know but need reminding of sometimes, the battle is never truly over, & it will not stop just becuse your tired. thank you, very few talk about the battle were in & sadly when your fighting it can feel your less faithful then most or that God has left you do to falling into temptation. but really if your not fighting you've already lost, so it isn't your weak for fighting but learning & growing through the struggles

scarredkid- 4/8/2008 11:26:26 PM

I am so encouraged..its very true the enemy is just waiting for the chance to devour us..& its so nice that we are reminded that we have seek God all the time & in those times that we are already enjoying gods presence & his goodness in our lives this is also the time that the enemy will try to intervene..sometimes if we do not know that it is part of the enemies plan, we tend to ask God why it happens to me?(trials) when i am already serving you..the truth is that the enemy tries to divert our attention.from GoD.the enemy dosnt want us to get close to JESUS..but the good thing is that Jesus promise us that in every battle He is there for us & He will never leave us..He just want us to remain in His presence & everything will be alright. God wants us to be a good soldier in advancing for His kingdom thats why he allows trials to come for us to be strong & become a good evangelist to the lost. To God be the Glory..Thank LORD JESUS for saving us.

SBH

anonymous- 4/16/2008 3:18:29 AM

i agree a 100 with paul we should put on the armor and stand for god he died for us and we owe hime evrything and through the tribulations and temptations we should be faithfull to him and also thank him for everything

in psalms 107 vs.31 is says we should thank him for his faithful love and also for the miracles he has performed and i know that i will be ready to stand for god when the end is near nad when i die i know im going to heaven full armor and all

isnt the love of the lord great and loving

anonymous- 4/21/2008 6:43:55 AM

I have been going through spiritual warfare and so have a great many others in my community. God has shown a spiritual tidal wave coming our way from the west and the north.
Satan tried to tell me I had a brain tumor, just like what my husband died of but I was thinking about it and I called him a liar. God would not have big plans for my life that I would not be able to complete.
I was being so tormented I could not sleep at night and one morning when I went to bed, all I heard was that it was a mighty battle.
Then in my bible study one day, I read that whatsoever you ask, it shall be given and I read about the armor of God so that night I was so tired I prayed before I went to sleep that God would put a hedge up round about me and that He would warrior angels round about me and my family and that God promised that He loved me and would never hurt me and He would be with me always, so I was accepting Him at His promise and thanked Him for His love and care for me. I had a very good nights sleep.
The warfare still rages on though but I am not as tired as I was then. The other morning I had a dream of large footsteps in the sand that sounded thunderous and the feet reminded me of the relaxation beads. When I woke up God said that He is always with me. It is reassuring when God lets you know He is really big against any of your storms.
Every time I begin to doubt or worry He leads me in someway to reassure me such as all the brothers & sisters in Christ who have been contacting me online & praying for me and by bringing me to sites such as this one.
Thank-you.

shurdell- 4/22/2008 10:55:07 AM

It is indeed a spiritual war.....God protects chritians and fights for them and he expects us to fight against Satan. Amen.

anonymous- 5/12/2008 6:13:28 AM

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