If you have been following my Faith The Evidence Bible Studies Blog you know that the Church of Divine Guidance is wrapping up a study of the book Prayer Warrior: Praying Your Way To Victory by Stormie Omartian. In the study we’ve talked about a lot of things:
The study started by recognizing that we are in a war. A spiritual war against Satan and all his forces.
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
It doesn’t matter if we believe in Satan or not, or believe that we are in a war or not, or believe that we have an enemy or not.
We talked about the authority that we have in prayer.
The basis for our authority in prayer is that Jesus gave it to us.
John 16:23-24 (NKJV)23 And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
We have to make sure that we stay in condition to fight. We have God’s armor and weapons.
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NKJV)10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--
2 Corinthians 10:4-6 (NKJV)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.
Our weapons are; God’s word, worship, grace, prayer with fasting, faith, and prayer alone.
Being armed with the authority of Jesus, God’s armor and our spiritual weapons we must now be prepared to and willing to engage the enemy wherever and whenever we encounter them.
We are confident because the one who equips and certifies us as, leads us, and protects us, also fights along with us. Our Commander In Chief, Jesus Christ, is Himself a warrior.
The study started by recognizing that we are in a war. A spiritual war against Satan and all his forces.
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
It doesn’t matter if we believe in Satan or not, or believe that we are in a war or not, or believe that we have an enemy or not.
We talked about the authority that we have in prayer.
The basis for our authority in prayer is that Jesus gave it to us.
John 16:23-24 (NKJV)23 And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
We have to make sure that we stay in condition to fight. We have God’s armor and weapons.
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NKJV)10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--
2 Corinthians 10:4-6 (NKJV)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.
Our weapons are; God’s word, worship, grace, prayer with fasting, faith, and prayer alone.
Being armed with the authority of Jesus, God’s armor and our spiritual weapons we must now be prepared to and willing to engage the enemy wherever and whenever we encounter them.
We are confident because the one who equips and certifies us as, leads us, and protects us, also fights along with us. Our Commander In Chief, Jesus Christ, is Himself a warrior.
Read this devotion from Craig Groeschel’s Daily Power: 365 Days of Fuel for Your Soul
Daily Power: Fight the Good Fight of Faith
Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. — 1 Timothy 6:12 NLT
If you’re a follower of Jesus, then you’re also a fighter.
In Exodus, we’re told:
The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is His name. — Exodus 15:3, emphasis mine
So if we’re created in God’s image, then we, too, have this fighter inside us as part of our nature. This is not just a cultural, patriarchal thing. It’s a God thing — for all of us, both men and women — inherent to our Creator’s design.
And don’t forget the greatest warrior who ever lived, Jesus. Surprised? Many of us imagine Christ based on pictures of Him, all meek and mild, smiling as children gather at His feet with sheep grazing nearby. But if you look at his life, this picture is incomplete.
The Son of God was not a divine doormat.
He was overwhelmed with righteous anger, violently toppling the tables of the money-changers in His Father’s temple. He was the scandalous Messiah, willing to buck the Pharisees and their religious establishment. He is the fierce King of Kings whose eyes are like blazing fire and who wears a robe dipped in blood (Revelation 19:13).
Jesus is both the Lamb of God and the Lion of Judah, the Prince of Peace and the Risen Savior, overcoming sin and death once and for all. We must consider all of what the Bible tells us to fully appreciate God’s character and Jesus’ example. No doubt about it, Jesus was a fighter.
And so are you.
Power Lift
Jesus, I want to be both gentle and defiant, meek as a lamb and fierce as a lion, just like You. Today I will fight whatever stands in the way of growing in my faith.
Excerpted with permission from Daily Power: 365 Days of Fuel for Your Soul by Craig Groeschel, copyright Craig Groeschel.
Editor’s Note: Daily Power: 365 Days of Fuel for Your Soul as brief, practical devotions to help you develop a consistent, daily pursuit of Jesus that releases his power in your life. Daily Power is here to help you grow and become strong every day of the year.
You’ve got to have it to stand strong in these times and become who God says you are. Daily Power will help you develop a consistent, daily pursuit of Jesus that releases his power in your life.
Craig Groeschel will help you fortify your life with 365 brief devotions. Each devotion includes a Scripture quote followed by a short reading and concludes with a simple “Power Lift” prayer.
RSS Feed