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How to Regain Purpose and Hope

4/29/2019

Our mission agency, Christ For the City Int’l, spent a day serving during our bi-annual board meetings. During lunch, I sat down next to a man eating alone. I asked, “How’s your day going?”

After an awkward pause, he opened up. I sensed a melancholy spirit. He said his wife of 34 years died in his arms four years ago. She was the love of his life with a “beautiful spirit inside and out.”

This man turned to alcohol and his life spiraled out of control. He remarried, but temporarily lost touch with his second wife. I prayed out loud. Tears seeped out of his eyes. This man once had been a deacon in an evangelical church, but now seemed to have lost all hope.

How do we lose purpose and hope? How do we regain it?

We find a clue in Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness, mentioned three times (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-12). He was led by the Spirit and tempted by the devil. The first was self-gratification (lust of the flesh). If you’re the Son of God, meet the physical need by turning stones into bread. Jesus, like us, need God’s word to withstand the temptation (Matthew 4:1-4).

The second temptation was self-promotion (lust of the eyes). The devil had Jesus stand on the highest point of the temple and throw Himself down. The devil twisted Scripture. Jesus said not to put God to the test (Matthew 4:5-7).

The third temptation was self-exaltation (boastful pride of life). The devil showed all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor so Jesus would worship him. Jesus said to worship and serve God only (Matthew 4:8-11).

Before the temptations, Jesus had a mountain top experience--heaven was opened, saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and heard an affirming voice of unconditional love from heaven (Matthew 3:16-17). When things go well and you feel blessed, beware the devil will blast you with chaos, confusion, and criticism.

After the temptations, Jesus preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Jesus told Peter. Andrew, James, and John to follow Him to become fishers of men. (Matthew 4:17-22). The devil doesn’t want you to share the gospel or disciple others.

On the encouraging side, angels, ministering spirits to serve believers, helped Jesus and will attend to you (Mark 1:12-13; Hebrews 1:14).

If we resist temptation, share our faith and begin discipling others, evil forces will come against us. We must walk in Christ’s authority and drive out evil spirits (Mark 1:21-28).

Because we’re in a spiritual battle, we must fight with the spiritual weapons of prayer and God’s word.

It’s important we follow the example of Jesus and pray, preferably early in the morning (Mark 1:35).

The devil is crafty and leaves us until an opportune time. He knows our weaknesses. In Jesus’ case, everyone praised Him as the word got around (Luke 4:13-15). Seeking the praise of others may prevent us from sharing the gospel and discipling others.

Don’t love the world, which include the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and boastful pride of life. Those who do God’s will live forever (1 John 2:15-17).

The greatest purpose and hope we have in life are to follow Jesus in catching men for Him.

To read past blogs, go to https://www.markpomeroy.com/

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Do God's Agenda and Not Your Own (Insights in Psalms)

2/28/2013

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"Try to give your agenda to God. Keep saying, 'Your will be done, not mine.' Give every part of your heart and your time to God and let God tell you what to do, where to go, when and how to respond. God does not want you to destroy yourself. Exhaustion, burnout, and depression are not signs that you are doing God's will. God is gentle and loving. God desires to give you a deep sense of safety in God's love. Once you have allowed yourself to experience that love fully, you will be better able to discern who you are being sent to in God's name " (Henri J. M. Nouwen).

In order to do God's agenda and not your own, learn delegation; beware of disobedience to God; rely on Him and your supporters; equip culturally-sensitive leaders; beware of following men's counsel and not God's; and obey His strategy at each stage.

Delegate Responsibilities to Diverse People
Descendants of Benjamin were listed including Shaharaim who divorced his wives Hushim and Baara. The sons of Ulam were brave warriors who handled the bow. Judah was taken captivity to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. The priests were able men responsible for ministering in the house of God. Gatekeepers were assigned to their positions by David and Samuel. Their brothers shared duties for seven-day periods, spent the night guarding the house of God and opening it each morning. They entrusted the Levites, four principal gatekeepers, with responsibility for its rooms and treasuries. Others took charge of the articles, furnishings, flour, wine, oil, incense and spices used in the temple service. Musicians were exempt from other duties since they were responsible for the work day and night (1 Chron. 8:1-9:44). Delegate responsibilities to diverse people who labor faithfully everyday.

Understand How Disobedience to God's Word Causes Death
A wounded Saul took his own life by falling on his sword. The Philistines killed his three sons, including Jonathan. They put Saul's armor in the temple of their gods and hung up his head in the temple of Dagon. Saul's unfaithfulness to God caused his death by not keeping His word, consulting a medium for guidance and not inquiring of the Lord. His kingdom was turned over to David (1 Chron. 10:1-14). Understand how disobedience to God's word by following human guidance causes spiritual and physical death.

Rely on God and Those Providing Support to Extend Your Sphere of Influence
All Israel came together to anoint David king as the Lord promised through Samuel. He conquered Jerusalem and made Joab commander because he led the attack on the Jebusites. David became more powerful because the Lord Almighty was with him. His mighty men provided strong support to extend his kingship over the whole land. Three of the 30 chiefs came to David at the cave of Adullam when he longed for water. The Three broke through the Philistine lines but he refused to drink because they risked their lives to bring the water. Abishai, brother of Joab and chief of the Three, killed 300 men with his spear, Benaiah struck down two of Moab's best men and killed a lion. He snatched the spear from a 7 1/2 foot tall Egyptian and killed him with his own spear. Other mighty men were listed (1 Chron. 11:1-47). Rely on God and those providing support to extend your sphere of influence.

Equip Unified, Culturally-Sensitive Leaders for Spiritual Battle
Warriors armed with bows and arrows helped David in battle at Ziklag when he was banished from Saul's presence. Eleven brave warriors from Gad prepared for battle with shield and spear defected to David at his stronghold in the desert. Their faces were like lions and as swift as gazelles. As army commanders, they put to flight everyone living in the valleys. The Spirit through Amasai, chief of the Thirty, said they and God were to help David achieve success as leaders of his raiding bands. Brave warriors from Manasseh helped David until he had a great and mighty army. A list of volunteer fighting men from every tribe armed for battle came to David in Hebron with one mind to make him king over all Israel. Men of Issachar understood the times and knew what Israel should do. Experienced soldiers of Zebulun with every type of weapon helped David with undivided loyalty. Men of Naphtali carried shields and spears. The men spent three days with David eating and drinking because their families supplied provision. Neighbors from Issachar, Zebulun and Naphtali brought food and provisions on animals (1 Chron. 12:1-40). Equip unified, culturally-sensitive leaders for spiritual battle who know the appropriate actions to take.

Beware of Following Men's Counsel and Not God's
After David consulted with the commanders, he gathered the priests and Levites to bring back the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim. The whole assembly agreed to do it because it seemed right to all the people. They moved the ark of God from Abinadab's house on a new cart. David and all the Israelites celebrated with all their might before God using instruments. Uzzah died after steadying the ark when the oxen stumbled. David became angry, afraid of God's wrath and wondered how to bring the ark to him. God blessed the house of Obed-Edom where the ark remained for three months (1 Chron. 13:1-14). Beware of following men's counsel and not God's that causes disaster.

Ask God for Direction and Obey His Strategy at Each Stage
Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers, cedar logs, stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace for David. He knew the Lord established and exalted him as king over Israel for the sake of His people. David took more wives and became the father of more sons and daughters. David inquired of God whether to attack the Philistines when they raided the Valley of Rephaim. When God said He would defeat them, David and his men went to Baal Perazim. The defeated Philistines abandoned their gods and David gave orders to burn them. The next time the Philistines raided the valley, God told David to circle and attack them in front of the balsam trees. He moved out to battle after hearing the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees meaning God went in front to strike the Philistine army. When David obeyed God's command, they defeated them from Gibeon to Gezer. David's fame spread throughout the land and the Lord made every nation fear him (1 Chron. 14:1-17). Ask God for direction and obey His strategy at each stage in the spiritual battle.

How to Do God's Agenda and Not Your Own:
1. Delegate responsibilities to diverse people who labor faithfully everyday
2. Understand how disobedience to God's word by following human guidance causes spiritual and physical death
3. Rely on God and those providing support to extend your sphere of influence
4. Equip unified, culturally-sensitive leaders for spiritual battle who know the appropriate actions to take
5. Beware of following men's counsel and not God's that causes disaster
6. Ask God for direction and obey His strategy at each stage in the spiritual battle.

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Implementing a Larger Vision of the Church (Insights in NT)

1/11/2013

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Jesus used on-the-job training in equipping His disciples as they served in the world. This became a starting point for implementing a larger vision of the church studied earlier in Eph. 1-3. Eph. 4-6 instructs how to implement the church's larger vision by equipping believers for works of service and teaching the truth of Christ so believers are filled with the Holy Spirit to do God's will in their home, work and city realizing their spiritual battle against evil forces.

Equip Believers for Works of Service
Paul urged them to live a life worthy of their calling in humility, gentleness, patience, love and unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. God called them to one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who was over, through and in all. Christ gave grace gifts to fill the whole universe when He ascended on high and led captives in His train. He gave some as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip God's people for works of service toward building up the church until all reached unity of faith, knowledge and maturity in Christ. Reject crafty and deceitful teaching in order to speak the truth in love so everyone would grow up in all things through Christ, the Head. In Him, the whole body was joined and held together by every supporting ligament to build itself up in love as each part did its work (Eph. 4:1-16). Equip believers for works of service toward Christ-centered maturity so everyone works together in love and unity.

Teach Truth of Christ
Futile thinking, darkened understanding and separation from the life of God due to ignorance because of hardness of heart led to sensuality, lust and impurity. Teaching the truth of Christ enabled people to put off the old self corrupted by deceitful desires. By renewing their minds, they put on the new self created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. They rejected falsehood and spoke truthfully as members of one body. They resolved anger daily to prevent the devil's foothold. Instead of stealing, they did manual work and shared with the needy. Rather than unwholesome talk, they spoke helpful things that met the listener's needs. They did not grieve the Holy Spirit who sealed them for the day of redemption. Instead of bitterness, rage, anger, slander and malice, they were kind, compassionate and forgiving just as Christ forgave them (Eph. 4:17-32). Teach the truth of Christ so believers renew their minds and practice truth, love and forgiveness.

Be Filled With Spirit
They imitated God through a loving lifestyle because of Christ's love and sacrifice for them. They rejected sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscenity, foolish talk and coarse joking and embraced thanksgiving. Immoral, impure and greedy idolaters experienced God's wrath without inheritance in the kingdom of Christ. Living as children of light in goodness, righteousness and truth, they pleased the Lord and exposed the fruitless deeds of darkness. Christ shined on those who woke up spiritually from the dead. Through wisdom, they made the most of the opportunity, understood God's will and filled with the Spirit. The fruit was speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs while making music in their hearts to God. They always gave thanks to God for everything in Christ's name and submitted to one another out of reverence for Him (Eph. 5:1-21). Be filled with the Spirit to expose darkness, do God's will, give thanks and submit to one another.

Love and Lead Your Wife
Wives submitted to their husbands as to the Lord since husbands were head and Savior like Christ over the church. Wives submitted to their husbands in everything like the church submitted to Christ. Husbands loved their wives as Christ loved and gave Himself up for the church. He made her holy by washing her with water through the word. He presented her to Himself as a radiant, holy and blameless church without blemish. Likewise, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies by feeding and caring for it as Christ with the church. For this reason, a man left his father and mother and united with his wife so the two became one flesh. Husbands loved their wives as themselves and wives respected their husbands (Eph. 5:22-33). Love and lead your wife as she submits and respects her husband as a positive demonstration of Christ's relationship with the church.

Train Children and Serve Christ Wholeheartedly
Children obeyed and honored their parents in the Lord so it would go well in living longer. Fathers trained and instructed their children in the Lord instead of exasperating them. Slaves obeyed their earthly masters with respect, fear and sincerity of heart just as they obeyed Christ and doing God's will from their heart. They served the Lord wholeheartedly, not men, knowing God rewarded everyone for good they did. Masters treated their slaves similarly without threatening knowing their Master in heaven showed no favoritism (Eph. 6:1-9). Train children in the Lord and serve Christ wholeheartedly at work to earn His reward.

Put On God's Armor
They relied on God's mighty power by putting on His armor. They stood against the devil's schemes since their struggle was not against humans but against rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. They stood firm with the belt of truth buckled around their waist and the breastplate of righteousness in place. They fitted their feet with readiness using the gospel of peace and took up the shield of faith to extinguish the evil one's flaming arrows. They took the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, God's word, to pray in the Spirit for all believers and their situations with all kinds of prayers and requests. Paul requested prayer for the right words in fearlessly making the gospel known as an ambassador in chains. Tychicus told them his condition and activities to encourage them. He prayed that those who loved Christ experience peace, love with faith and grace (Eph. 6:10-24). Put on God's armor using His word to pray in the Spirit so the gospel can go forth with boldness.

Pray through the following action points to see a larger vision of the church be implemented in your city:
1. Equip believers for works of service toward Christ-centered maturity so everyone works together in love and unity
2. Teach the truth of Christ so believers renew their minds and practice truth, love and forgiveness
3. Be filled with the Spirit to expose darkness, do God's will, give thanks and submit to one another
4. Love and lead your wife as she submits and respects her husband as a positive demonstration of Christ's relationship with the church
5. Train children in the Lord and serve Christ wholeheartedly at work to earn His reward
6. Put on God's armor using His word to pray in the Spirit so the gospel can go forth with boldness

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Reconciling the Internal and External Areas of Life (Insights in NT)

12/13/2012

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"Most of our conflicts and difficulties come from trying to deal with the spiritual and practical aspects of our life separately instead of realizing them as parts of one whole. If our practical life is centered on our own interests, cluttered up by possessions, distracted by ambitions, passions, wants and worries, beset by a sense of our own rights and importance, or anxieties for our own future, or longings for our own success, we need not expect that our spiritual life will be a contrast to all this. The soul's house is not built on such a convenient plan; there are few soundproof partitions in it. Only when the conviction... not merely the idea... that the demand of the Spirit, however inconvenient, rules the whole of it, will those objectionable noises die down which have a way of penetrating into the nicely furnished little oratory and drowning all the quieter voices by their din" (Evelyn Underhill).

Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ begins the process in uniting and reconciling the inward and outward areas of life. Otherwise, we compare ourselves to others instead of seeking approval from God.

Use Spiritual Weapons
Paul said he did not wage war like the world since his weapons were divinely power to demolish strongholds, arguments and every pretension set up against the knowledge of God. He took every thought captive so it would obey Christ and punish disobedience. The Lord gave him authority to build up even though some said his letters were weighty and forceful but he was unimpressive in person. Paul said he was consistent in his letters and in person. He did not compare himself to those who commended themselves as it was unwise to measure or compare themselves with others. Paul did not boast beyond the field assigned to him that included his gospel ministry to the Corinthians. He hoped their faith grew so Paul's team could preach the gospel in regions beyond them. Let people boast in the Lord and get their approval from Him (2 Cor. 10:1-18). Use spiritual weapons to destroy strongholds with every thought obeying Christ so you receive approval from Him and not others.

Be Devoted to Christ
Paul feared they would be led astray from sincere and pure devotion to Christ like Eve being deceived by the serpent's craftiness. They received a false gospel and Paul said he was not inferior to those "super-apostles." He preached the gospel free of charge because of his love for them. He robbed other churches and Macedonia supplied his needs because of his love for them. He warned them of false apostles pretending to be real ones. Like Satan pretending to be an angel of light, his servants pretended to be servants of righteousness. They accepted deceitful apostles who enslaved and exploited them but Paul was too weak for that (2 Cor. 11:1- 21). Be devoted to Christ so you are not deceived and enslaved by false teachers.

Boast About Your Sufferings
Paul boasted he was a Hebrew, Abraham's descendant and servant of Christ He worked harder, in prison more frequently, flogged more severely and exposed to death frequently than the false apostles. Five times he received 39 lashes from the Jews. They beat him with rods three times, stoned once, shipwrecked three times and spent a night and day in the open sea. He experienced constant danger from rivers, bandits, countrymen, Gentiles, city, country, sea and false brothers. As Paul labored, he was often without sleep, knew hunger and thirst, cold and was naked. He faced daily concern for every church feeling their weakness and sin. He boasted of his weaknesses so God would be praised. He was lowered in a basket when the Damascus governor tried to arrest him (2 Cor. 11:22-33). Boast about your sufferings, pressures and weaknesses so God is praised.

Delight in God's Grace and Power
Paul had a vision of a man in Christ caught up to the third heaven in Paradise who heard inexpressible things. To stay humble, Paul was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment him. Three times he asked God to remove it, but said His grace was sufficient since He made perfect His power in weakness. Paul boasted about his weaknesses so Christ's power rested in him. For Christ's sake he delighted in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties. He was strong through his weaknesses ( 2 Cor. 12:1-10). Delight in God's grace and power through weaknesses, hardships and persecutions.

Pursue Loving Relationships
Signs, wonders and miracles marked Paul as a genuine apostle. He wanted to visit a third time desiring them, not their money. Since parents save for their children, he invested with love and gladness to strengthen and not burden them. He feared there may be quarreling, jealously, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder causing him grief over their unrepented impurity, immorality and sensuality (2 Cor. 12:11-21). Pursue loving relationships to strengthen others so they repent of their sins.

Pursue Church Discipline
Paul gave a warning in his second visit, but in his third visit, every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. Just as Christ was crucified in weakness and lived by God's power, Paul's team lived with Him in serving them by not sparing any who sinned earlier. They must examine themselves to test whether they were in the faith and realize that Paul's team passed the test. No one could do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. He prayed for their perfection and hoped he could eliminate harshness in his God-given authority to build up and not tear down. They should aim for perfection, listen to his appeal, be of one mind and live in peace so the God of love and peace would be with them. May Christ's grace, God's love and the Holy Spirit's fellowship be with everyone (2 Cor. 13:1-14). Practice church discipline by building up and not tearing down sinning believers as you are being perfected in your weakness through God's power.

Consider the following process to unite and reconcile the internal and external areas of your life so weaknesses, hardships and persecutions don't upset you:
1. Use spiritual weapons to destroy strongholds with every thought obeying Christ so you receive approval from Him and not others
2. Be devoted to Christ so you are not deceived and enslaved by false teachers
3. Boast about your sufferings, pressures and weaknesses so God is praised
4. Delight in God's grace and power through weaknesses, hardships and persecutions
5. Pursue loving relationships to strengthen others so they repent of their sins
6. Practice church discipline by building up and not tearing down sinning believers as you are being perfected in your weakness through God's power

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How to Possess and Regain Territory Lost to Evil One (Insight in Prophets)

9/7/2012

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Cindy Jacobs in her book, "Possessing the Gates of the Enemy," quoted Ed Silvoso's definition of a stronghold: "a mindset impregnated with hopelessness that causes the believer to accept as unchangeable something that he/she knows is contrary to the will of God."

Rights we have to give up in order to tear down strongholds:

The right to be offended.
The right to our time.
The right to do what we want with our possessions.
The right to self-pity.
The right to self-justification.
The right to be understood.
The right to criticize.

Isaiah 10-12 explains how to possess and regain territory lost to the evil one. We judge idolatry, injustice, pride, self-confidence and independent spirit. We return to God and rely on the Mighty One to remove burdens. We receive godly wisdom to decide correctly about the poor. We raise the Lord’s banner and fight spiritually to fill the earth with His knowledge to transform and possess every cultural sphere for His glory. We praise and trust God for salvation to share His deeds with the world.

Judge Idolatry and Injustice
Woe to those who make unjust laws and decisions to deprive the poor of their rights and rob the oppressed of justice. At judgment day, your riches are worthless and God's anger remains. God sent and commissioned Assyria to trample a godless nation like mud in the streets and destroy many nations whose idols and graven images were greater than those of Jerusalem and Samaria. God judged both Jerusalem and Samaria (Is. 10:1-11). God judges idolatry and injustice against the poor.

Judge Pride, Self-Confidence and Independent Spirit
When God finished His work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, He punished the king of Assyria for the willful pride of his heart and haughty look in his eyes. Assyria trusted his strength, wisdom and understanding to defeat nations and gather their riches. A tool cannot exalt itself over the one who wields it. Therefore the Lord Almighty sent a wasting disease upon their sturdy warriors. The Holy One burned thorns in a single day and destroyed soul and body like a sick man wasting away (Is. 10:12-19). God judges pride, self-confidence and an independent spirit destroying a person's soul.

Return to God and Rely on Mighty One to Remove Burdens
The remnant of Israel would rely on the Holy One instead of Assyria. They returned to the Mighty God but He planned complete destruction according to righteousness for others. Do not fear the Assyrians since God would eventually destroy them like Egypt at the Red Sea. He would remove your burden and break their yoke (Is. 10:20-34). People return to God and rely on the Mighty One to have their burdens removed.

Receive Godly Wisdom to Decide Correctly About the Poor
A shoot will bear fruit from the stem of Jesse with the Spirit of the Lord resting on Him consisting of wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He will delight in the fear of the Lord and not judge by what His eyes see nor make a decision by what His ears hear but judge and give decisions for the poor according to righteousness and justice. He will slay the wicked with the breadth of His lips. Righteousness will be the belt around his loins and faithfulness the belt around His waist (Is. 11:1-5). The Holy Spirit provides godly wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge and the fear of the Lord to make righteous and just decisions concerning the poor.

Raise Lord’s Banner to Fill Earth with His Knowledge in Transforming Every Sphere
The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the kid and the calf and lion will be together with a little boy leading them. The cow will feed with the bear and their young will lie down together. The lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra without being hurt. For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. In that day, the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples. The nations will rally to Him and His place of rest will be glorious (Is. 11:6-10). God's people raise the Lord's banner to fill the earth with His knowledge in transforming every cultural sphere.

Fight Spiritually for His People to Possess Land in God’s Glory and Peace
In that day, the Lord will reach out His hand a second time to reclaim the remnant from various nations. He will raise a banner for the nations, gather the exiles of Israel and assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth. Ephraim will not be jealous of Judah nor Judah hostile toward Ephraim. Judah's enemies would be cut off and they will possess Edom and Moab with Ammon subject to them. The Lord will dry up the gulf of the Egyptian sea and break up the Euphrates River so men could cross over it with sandals. A highway for the remnant will be left from Assyria like Israel when they came up from Egypt (Is. 11:11-16). God fights for His people so they can possess the land for His glory resulting in true peace.

Praise and Trust Lord for Salvation to Share His Deeds with the World
On that day you will praise the Lord for His comfort and salvation. You will trust and not be afraid since the Lord is your strength and song. He has become your salvation to joyously draw water from the springs of salvation. You will thank the Lord, call on His name and make known His deeds among the peoples so they can remember His name is exalted. Praise the Lord in song for He has done excellent things. Let it be known to all the world. God's people shout for joy because the Holy One of Israel is great among you (Is. 12:1-6). God's people praise and trust the Lord for salvation in order to share His deeds with the world.

Sylvia Gunter in "Prayer Portions" says the first step in victory is to recognize the war that we are fighting. The next step is to know how to fight the enemy. Finally, the last step is to actually take a firm stand and intentionally go after the enemy. Lift High the Lord Your Banner helps aggressively fight the enemy and push him out of our territory. We stand on higher ground and have an advantage over him.

Choose a few of the enemy banners that you see in your life today. Use one of God's names to wage war against the enemy. Pray the prayer using the format below:

Lord, I renounce_____________________

You, Lord, are greater. I praise you that you are_________________

For example:
Lord, I renounce my bitterness, keeping accounts, hard-feelings, and ill will towards others.

You, Lord, are greater. I praise you that you are God of all grace (1 Pet. 5:10), Jehovah-Rapha (Healer) Exo 15:26 and Father of Mercies (2 Cor. 1:3-4). In Jesus' name. Amen!

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Outcomes and Spiritual Weapons (Insights in Prophets)

7/2/2011

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How do we know that the enemy of our souls is winning the battle against us? If so, what can we do to fight our spiritual enemies: world, flesh and devil. The conflicts you have in your family is a spiritual battle. The conflict you have with others is a spiritual battle. David found himself in a battle against Saul, which was ultimately a spiritual battle.Let's examine the weapons to fight the spiritual battle and the outcomes when these weapons aren't used because of disobedience.

Defensive Weapons for Protection from Spiritual Enemies
David said to himself that Saul would despair of searching for him if he escaped in the land of the Philistines. David and 600 men lived with Achish, king of Gath. When Saul learned that David fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him (1 Sam. 27:1-4). Removing yourself from evil and activate teamwork to protect you from spiritual enemies.

Achish gave Ziklag to David so he could live in the country. As a servant, he asked not to live in the royal city with Ackish. David lived 16 months in Ziklag, the country of the Philistines (1 Sam. 27:5-7). Humility protects you from spiritual enemies.

Offensive Weapons to Defeat Spiritual Enemies
David and his men killed everyone among the Geshurites, Girzites and Amalekites, the original inhabitants, and took away their cattle. After returning to Achish, David said he raided Negev of Judah, Jerahmeelites and Kenites. He killed everyone saying, “Lest they should tell about us, saying, ‘So has David done and so has been his practice all the time he has lived in country of Philistines.’” So Achish believed David, saying that he made himself odious among Israel to become Achish's servant forever (1 Sam. 27:8-12). Diligent spiritual warfare in prayer and serving others defeat spiritual enemies.

Outcomes When Spiritual Weapons Aren't Activated Because of Disobedience
Philistines gathered to fight against Israel. Achish expected David and his men to fight with him and for David to become Achish's bodyguard for life. Samuel was dead and Saul removed the mediums and spiritists. Saul was afraid and his heart trembled greatly when he saw the Philistines. When Saul inquired of the Lord, He did not answer him, either by dreams, Urim or by prophets. Saul asked for a medium at En-dor (1 Sam. 28:1-7). God ceases to answer prayer when you disobey Him.

The woman medium asked Saul why he was laying a snare to bring about her death. He asked her to bring up Samuel. She asked why Saul deceived her by not revealing his identity. When Saul saw Samuel, he bowed to the ground and did homage (1 Sam. 28:8-14). Worship man instead of God when you disobey Him.

Saul told Samuel he was greatly distressed that Philistines were waging war and that God departed from him and wouldn't answer him. As a result, Saul called Samuel to make known what he should do. Samuel said that the Lord has become His adversary after departing from him land torn the torn kingdom out of his hand and given it to David. Saul did not obey the Lord by executing His fierce wrath on Amalek. Samuel said He and his sons would die and the Lord would give over the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines (1 Sam. 28:15-19). Lose ministry effectiveness when you disobey God.

Saul became very afraidand lost all strength because of Samuel's words. The woman provided a fattened calf and unleavened bread to nourish Saul and his servants. Become emotionally afraid and without strength when you disobey God.

Do a personal assessment:
1. Are your prayers unanswered?
2. Do you ask people people for advice instead of God?
3. Is your ministry ineffective or stagnate?
4. Are you afraid and without strength?
If you answered yes on any other of the above items, consider doing one or more of the following things:
1. Remove yourself from evil
2. Engage team members in your ministry
3. Humble yourself before God
4. Pray diligently about everything
5. Serve others instead of yourself

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How to Regain Purpose and Hope

Do God's Agenda and Not Your Own (Insights in Psalms)

Implementing a Larger Vision of the Church (Insights in NT)

Reconciling the Internal and External Areas of Life (Insights in NT)

How to Possess and Regain Territory Lost to Evil One (Insight in Prophets)

Outcomes and Spiritual Weapons (Insights in Prophets)

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