Wage Your War

a Run for toilet paper or a standing in God's truth

In 2 Corinthians 10:5 Paul the apostle gives something on the spiritual war! He wrote this in his letter to Corinth: 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

The warfare we encounter is that of the spiritual. The enemy likes to bombard our thinking with thoughts of lack, sickness and even death. But when we are attentive to hearing God’s words about us and speak them back to Him, we are submitting to life in God and agree with what is being spoken.

The continual speaking of those powerful words puts us on the track of alignment with God where there is no sickness, no lack, and certainly no death! We are to pull down anything that is negative and say, " God is more than enough".

Pressure is ever-present and on-going, whether you are a small child, an adult of 21 years of age, 35 years old, 65 years old, or 105 years old, pressures exist…..& we must not conform to the world, but conform ourselves to God. 

Romans 12:1-3…KJV I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Proverbs 30:7-9…..NKJV…..7 Two things I request of YOU (deprive me not before I die): 8 Remove falsehood and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches----“Feed me with the food allotted to me; 9  lest I be full and deny You, And say “Who is the LORD?” or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God.”

This person was praying and his prayer is toward that he not be tempted to move away from God. And he prayed his needs would be met by God. 

Matthew 6:11…NKJV…Give us the day our daily bread.

Our day must begin in the daily bread of life in Christ Jesus. He is the Bread of life! John 6:48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and are dead. 50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.

Paul was the example of living in Christ and living in the kingdom that had come. The kingdom that Jesus came to set up is not with a war of words, but in demonstration of the Spirit’s power in and through the person who is submitted to God! We wage our war according to that which is truth standing against all the lies of the enemy!
Kingdom ministry is for anyone who is  born-again unto Jesus, will live a life as an example of and to the power of the Holy Spirit.  A life lived out in faith is by speaking faith filled words. It is a place where signs and wonders will be seen, miracles will appear, and your voice will be of boldness for the things of God and for His glory and not ours….! Amen.

It will never be the place where fear is found! Fear is of the enemy. Fear is to take a person out, remove him from gatherings and remove his voice from speaking truth! It is God who gave us power, love and a sound mind. He gave us power in His authority to operate in His love with the mind of Christ. ( 2 Timothy 1:7, 1 John 4:16, 1 Corinthians 2:16)

The Genuine will speak truth and nothing contrary to God’s Word. They carry a right behavior in speech and conduct toward his neighbor and not their opinion of their neighbor. If we are seeking proof of Jesus in another person, then we must look to examine ourselves. For God will always reveal those who are His. Psalm 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.

We can either be an influence that is of a force that raised Jesus from the dead or we can act like the “world”. You can see that today. People taking out for a run on toilet paper. What will it be next week?

God has placed us here, positioned us to be at this place right now at this time, and in this we will speak, not that wage a war of words, but by and of the Holy Spirit that demonstrates the gospel in spirit and truth.  For in that authority, one speaks in boldness, disciplines himself in the strength and firmness of God’s word, declares His goodness and gives praise for His goodness in the land of the living. Today, we are to stand boldly in the face of the enemy and declare God, expecting His presence and seeing other’s changed by His glory in the place!

 To wage your war, you must be set on the things of God. If we truly abide in His kingdom, we believe by faith we have no lack, we have no sickness nor  death! And we behave in a manner that brings glory to our Father in heaven.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, The man who through faith is just & upright shall live & shall live by faith……………Amen.

Faith will speak. Our actions will declare in what and where our heart is satisfied. You and I are born again unto God’s purpose and through Jesus we are to shine ….for God’s glory. Amen. Make certain that faith in God is found in you! And then receive these words of truth that maintain a life holy unto God….live in a conduct of faith that glorifies God….

From Romans 12:9-21…NKJV.. I PRAY that my love be without hypocrisy. I abhor what is evil. I cling to what is good. 10 I confess to …..Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 I am rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14 I choose to Bless those who persecute(ME); bless and (to) not curse. 15 I will Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 (TO)  Be of the same mind toward one another.(AND that I) Do not set (MY) mind on high things, but associate with the humble.(HELP ME LORD TO)  not be wise in MY own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. (I truly desire to )Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on ME, live peaceably with all men.    I WILL NOT BE OVERCOME BY EVIL, BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD! (v. 21) 

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In Boldness, Vigor and Great Style

Psalm 37:7-11......7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret--it only causes harm.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off;
But those who wait on the LORD,
They shall inherit the earth. 
10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;
Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,
But it shall be no more.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth,
And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.  NKJV

Ever tried to hurry God in something you want or need to happen now? Has someone insulted you or ridiculed you in some manner that seems to be ongoing with no end to it? Are we wanting some uncomfortable face to face with someone to be over, yet know not how to handle it?

It is in waiting in prayer and the Word that we find, what some may overlook or not even discover, but is His peace. Being captive by something that overtakes our thinking, causes us to overlook, and to not see the benefit of waiting in God's presence and can send us to a place of turmoil and upheaval. He surely knows our wants and desires, but all are not of benefit to us. Surely He knows bills have to be paid and the children cared for, and He also knows the messes we sometimes get ourselves into while making this journey through life. It may be some conflict at home, or at the workplace. It may be someone who just does not like you, and makes every effort to get some peeps on-board with their thoughts against you. But God is greater and He will show us how to walk through the ordeal and to remain meek, but bold in the Lord!

I think of the times when our daughter at a young age wanted something desperately. She would think her life would be over if she did not get some little thing right now. At even a young age of six, she could debate the issue with the best of them. She could maneuver as the Stealth through quiet and low key questions as to why she could not have the "thing she wanted". Even today, she moves through as the Stealth, but she is moving in the power of God and through the Holy Spirit that keeps her under the radar of ordinary man, to minister at just the right time the life and truth of God's word to someone on her radar. She seeks their good in God's plan.

In showing her from a young age the importance of waiting and working toward a certain goal came quicker than she ever thought it would. She could turn her focus in being happy where she was at and what she was doing at the time, and continually be persistence to hold before her the truth that a new toy, a new bike or a car could come into her hands. She became diligent to walk toward that which she desired, keeping the goal, and helping others get to where they needed to go as well with their goals. She walked the talk about the new thing she desired.

Today, she and her husband show our grand-daughter the same importance of speaking God's word and sowing finances toward that end! Anytime our grand-daughter gets money, she is ready to sow some seed into fertile soil. She is ready to sow some toys, that are still good condition that another younger child might like. She is looking out to sow where she can, even her clothes when she outgrows them too soon.  It is seen in her life and her parents as well, the importance of sowing. When we do, it will surely come back to us in that which we have sown.

Jesus told us that the meek shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5....5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  NIV

Those humble, expectant, and with all gentleness shall inherit the earth. They shall be those who have been hurt by insults, ridiculed, or even far worse, and turned to give all gentleness back to the one who insulted them, to the one who ridiculed them. Gentleness will harbor no anger or resentment toward another when the other gets a new home, or a new car, or another trip to Hawaii or abroad. The meek shall speak out in joy for the one who has received maybe something they were believing for from God and are still waiting expectantly for it.

Whatever the injury to our person, we are to rise above to that peace in God that He is with us. He will show us the benefits of walking in meekness of heart.

We are told in:

Titus 3:1-8....3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. 

NKJV

James 1:19-20.....19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 

NKJV

We are to be those who speak evil of no one, but being gentle toward others, even those who may be haters and who live in a place of envy. We are to be eager to hear, and slow to speak, slow to wrath, for that wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

James 1:21-22.....21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.KJV

Receiving God's word protects us in the workplace and the world. Any place we may have to partake of, we have the choice to choose whom we will serve. Will we serve ourselves, or be ready to humble ourselves and let God take care of the injustices? In serving ourselves, we are actually serving our emotions. Man's first response to any insult or ridicule is to protect himself! But Jesus told us to turn the other cheek when having a face to face with someone who is against us, who has envy or hate toward us.

I really like the scripture verse from the Living Bible. It states:
James 1:21-27.....21 So get rid of all that is wrong in your life, both inside and outside, and humbly be glad for the wonderful message we have received, for it is able to save our souls as it takes hold of our hearts.

22 And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. So don't fool yourselves. 23 For if a person just listens and doesn't obey, he is like a man looking at his face in a mirror; 24 as soon as he walks away, he can't see himself anymore or remember what he looks like. 25 But if anyone keeps looking steadily into God's law for free men, he will not only remember it but he will do what it says, and God will greatly bless him in everything he does.

26 Anyone who says he is a Christian but doesn't control his sharp tongue is just fooling himself, and his religion isn't worth much. 27 The Christian who is pure and without fault, from God the Father's point of view, is the one who takes care of orphans and widows, and who remains true to the Lord-not soiled and dirtied by his contacts with the world.     TLB

In our daughter's Junior High years, she had eczema over some of her body.  Some of the "kids" in school would make fun of her. But it was no fun for her. She had such a time of pain and itch. Her sheets would look like someone had bleed on them overnight. In those times, she kept her focus on her school work. She was given the award of Student of the Term three times in those two years. She kept a perfect 4.0 GPA in those times of pain and chaos.  With those new friends she made and kept, she gave them encouragement.
I remember our daughter in her first year of high school had a friend who had a car.  He would sometimes come by and pick her up for school so she would not have to ride the bus.  Some of those who ridiculed her in Junior High had to ride the bus everyday. So our daughter's friend, a young man who lived in our neighborhood would come by and they would go to school together. He would talk of his needing a paint job on his car. His car ran really well for an older model but he surely spoke correctly about the paint job. Our daughter believed with him for new paint. She did not complain about her "desires" at the time but only spoke of her friend. Well the young man got his paint job. He was so joyful about it and wanted to show everyone when he got his car back from the Paint and Body Shop!
We choose each day how we will act to any insult or ridicule made against us!
From scripture we see meekness as a Christian grace. In Galatians 5:22-23.....it is one of the fruits of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23.....22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  KJV

2 Corinthians 10:1-9.......10:1 I plead with you-yes, I, Paul-and I plead gently, as Christ himself would do. Yet some of you are saying, "Paul's letters are bold enough when he is far away, but when he gets here he will be afraid to raise his voice!"

2 I hope I won't need to show you when I come how harsh and rough I can be. I don't want to carry out my present plans against some of you who seem to think my deeds and words are merely those of an ordinary man. 3 It is true that I am an ordinary, weak human being, but I don't use human plans and methods to win my battles. 4 I use God's mighty weapons, not those made by men, to knock down the devil's strongholds. 5 These weapons can break down every proud argument against God and every wall that can be built to keep men from finding him. With these weapons I can capture rebels and bring them back to God and change them into men whose hearts' desire is obedience to Christ. 6 I will use these weapons against every rebel who remains after I have first used them on you yourselves and you surrender to Christ.

7 The trouble with you is that you look at me and I seem weak and powerless, but you don't look beneath the surface. Yet if anyone can claim the power and authority of Christ, I certainly can. 8 I may seem to be boasting more than I should about my authority over you-authority to help you, not to hurt you-but I shall make good every claim. 9 I say this so that you will not think I am just blustering when I scold you in my letters. TLB

Paul directed his letter to say, I plead with you gently as Christ himself would do. He wrote that others would say "that he was bold while far away, but when present with them, that he, Paul would be afraid to raise his voice."  In truth, being humble, does not look like the weak and the ordinary.
Paul stated that he was not using human plans or man's way to win the battles. Paul wrote that he used the mighty weapons of God to knock the devil's strongholds. Those weapons were breaking down every proud argument against God! Paul wrote that he could capture rebels and bring them back to God and see their hearts change to obedience to Christ. Paul stated in verse 7 that the authority was beneath the surface. He was claiming the authority he walked in was that given him by Christ Jesus. Paul said, " I shall make good every claim, not to hurt them but to show them the way in which to walk. Paul was exhibiting boldness and vigor in his letters. Paul wrote many letters and he always illustrated everything by his life. He always referenced Jesus in the things he wrote about. Paul knew of his trust in the Good News. He was held by the peace of God in knowing he had seen God do great things in and through him. He continued to walk in that place in looking out for others even when they rebelled against what he preached and taught!

I close with this:
In ministry, I found times like when ministering at the jail one of those places that was a delight but a hard place to give the Word. Not that the Word of God is hard to give, no, not at all. What I am saying is that you can face those who come to hear and face those some who just go to chapel to get out of the cell or out of the module.

 I found those who did not care for the Word of God, and would try talking during the message! If the chatter continued, all I had to do was walk back to the back rows of the chapel where the "chatter" was going on, and continue with the scriptures and the examples the Lord wanted me to give in that teaching. I would look them in the eye and continue to teach. I can tell you that the "chatter" would stop immediately. We need to know that being humble and meek, is being submitted to God, His plan and His Word. It is not appearing weak and sickly! No, He will direct our paths in boldness, when we look out for others. Ours was not to go into the chapel to cause problems, to cause others pain, but our's was to go in and minister life to those women in jail. Our hope was to make a difference in others lives as God had made in ours. And we certainly saw many continue to receive and walk in the Word and prayer to God for their lives. We saw great things that God did for some of those women in the jail. They would even show up coming out of the elevator with the guard and be singing songs of praise to our God! And this was before chapel began. Yes, it was awesome to see. We stood our ground with a boldness, vigor and a great style that comes through Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory!
Look out for others today and you will see God move on your behalf!

Father, thank You for the Word of God that has manifested in our lives. His name is Jesus and He is the way, the truth and the life to us.
We are told that those who are meek shall inherit the earth, and delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (Psalm 37:11)
We ask for help, Your guidance in keeping to a walk of being the meek man. Lord, we seek to be governed by the love of God. It is by faith that we clothe ourselves with the new man giving ourselves to the Word of God and to prayer. We know that we cannot do this by ourselves. It takes power of the Holy Spirit to direct us into that perfect love, to love others, as we work, as we play, and as we live with our families.
We loose the Holy Spirit to mortify our inner man purging out any insecurities, intimidation, and lusts that have hindered our lives.
We are looking to live by the Spirit and have the fruit of the Spirit that is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, and faith. (Gal.5:22-23)
Whatever the injury to our person,  help us Lord to rise above any insult or injury to our person, and invade us with the peace in God that He is with us. Show us the benefits of walking in meekness of heart and we will always give thanks. It is in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV 

This is Not a Dress Rehearsal

Knowing God and His goodness is spending time with Him. It is to be our ultimate goal to know Him and expect His plan to unfold before our eyes. In 1 Peter 4:1-6 we see that we are to arm ourselves with same the thoughts and purposes as Jesus did. We are told in verse one that those who have suffered in the flesh are done with the intentional sin. They are no longer pleasing themselves and the world, but they are pleasing God. It is written that our lives are to be lived for what God desires and wills for our lives. Now Peter was sent to the Jews, and to teach them of Jesus. But in this scripture Peter is referring to the Christian and to those scattered abroad.
It was written to tell them that we are saved because of Jesus and dead to the things of the world. It was given to show that we were not to be conformed to the world's thinking and doing but to be conformed wholly to God!
Our lives should certainly mirror verse six in that we should live in the spirit as our God does.
No, this is not a dress rehearsal!
We are going through once, living life given to us, not as the world lives but as God desires for us.
We are to live righteous, and holy before Him. As His children, we should be those who ask a lot of questions in prayer. Much like raising our children, and hearing them ask why, we too, should ask, "why Lord"! "How can I serve You Lord?" "Where shall I take my place Lord to serve You and speak to a dying world?"
Why you and me? Why did He choose us to live at this time and receive our salvation?
How could He ever love us so much as to offer us His son, the son of His love for us?
Each day, it is a walk of getting to Know HIM, to understand why we are to be involved and what to expect of His plan through us to a dying world.
As we spend our time with Him, we discover that our spirit man is now in the ascendancy and should have the strength over our flesh-creature or flesh nature. The more we feed our spirit man with the word of God, we find God's goodness toward us and His love expressed in so many ways. Our communication with Him is through His word and prayer. It is looking into His perfect law of liberty and to find the mirror that reflects HIM in and through us always.
It is God's goodness and His love that should be revealed in our daily lives.
We should be examples to others and have the expectancy of looking for our Lord's return! Are we anchored in His truth? Do we know He is for us?  In scripture we find many asking, "is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary,......and are not His sisters here with us?" and they were offended at Him.
 Mark 6:2-6
"Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! 3 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" And they were offended at Him. 4 But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." 5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.  NKJV
When we spend time in prayer with our Father God who is spirit, standing firm in the Word of God that is spirit and truth, then we gain a firm foothold to stand against an enemy who desires our demise. We can stand as Jesus did and face the enemy gaining victory through the truth that God is for us, He is more than enough, He is the great " I am" in our midst.
As Jesus, we too, can live a supernatural life!
People can see us mirror the very image of our God in His love, stand against the enemy, declare truth and see victory over and over again. People can surely see us being empowered from on High. When we talk differently than the world, act differently than the world, and speak with wisdom of God and laugh at the enemy of sickness and death, through our obedience to come out of the world, live and walk in the spirit like God, we too, can see others come to know Jesus and receive Him as well. They can come to know HIM who came from on High and walked among those who became the disciples and then apostles. We can know freedom in the Word of God that set us free to be who God created us to be. For those who knew you and I before we were saved, may see us as those who saw and thought they knew Jesus," oh yeah, Mary's son.........the carpenter, right?"
But many who have never seen us before and only know us since being saved, will know us as the one who speaks the same as the Father speaks. Others may know us as those who can pray and see the sick made whole. And still others may see us become stronger and bolder to preach and teach the Word of God to a dying world.
This is not a dress rehearsal!
Let's take our place to stand, in face of any enemy, and with defiant boldness speak and declare God's Word that if God be for me, who can be against me? Spend time in prayer with God our Father, look to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith and expect to see the miraculous among those who are serving the world come to the One true God. May they see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ through you and me! May they truly speak the salvation prayer confirming with their mouth their Lord is Jesus Christ!

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at (http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV)