Good morning warriors!
There is a spiritual battle going on, and every believer is a SOLDIER IN THE ARMY OF THE LORD! Being unprepared for war can be dangerous. We are equipped through the Word of God to be victorious in every battle we face in life. It is important to become proactive in our stance as believers.
In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, we read that there is a time for everything, even a time for war. Paul instructs us in his letter to Timothy (1 Timothy 1:18) to,
- …Wage a good warfare.
He goes on to say in 2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NKJV),
- You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
I exhort you to earnestly content for the faith (see Jude 1:3). Fight with everything you have to hold on to your faith because the devil wants to rob you of it. Satan wants to destroy your trust and faith in God. He wants you to believe you have no victory. The truth is: You are armed well for the fight. This is what Psalm 18:31 says from the Message Translation!
When you study to know the Scriptures, you are preparing yourself for battle. I encourage you to be a champion for the cause of Christ! Hard times will only help to define who you really are. As a SOLDIER IN THE ARMY OF THE LORD, you have the strength by the power of the Holy Spirit to defend yourself against satan’s attacks. You have great influence through your authority and rank. In Luke 10:19, Jesus says,
- Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability], over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.
I want to encourage you that the Word tells us that the battle has already been won. 2 Chronicles 20:15 declares,
- “Listen all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, king Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
Make this your stand! It is not always easy to be pushed, pressured, perplexed or clueless, but this is where our faith comes in. Hebrews 4:11 says to,
- Labor to enter into that rest.
This is where we labor in the Lord. 1 Timothy 6:12 tells jus that,
- We are to fight the good fight of faith.
Satan wants us to think we can’t win but Colossians 2:15 says,
- [God] disarmed the principalaties and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross].
Let’s determine that we are going to be effective in the kingdom of God. Ask yourself these questions:
1. How important is it that you help advance the kingdom of God?
2. How enthusiastic are you doing your part?
3. How would your life be if you were to wholeheartedly live to carry out the will of God for your life?
Remember who you are family! Keep your sense of urgency. Put on God’s whole armor so that you can successfully stand against the strategies of the enemy. We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of wickedness in the unseen realm. Tighten the belt of truth. Put on the breastplate of righteousness. Lift up the shield of faith. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God. Finally, pray at all times; intercede on behalf of all the saints.
Walking in my authority,
Lisa Gordon
Assistant Pastor
Jesus City Church