“Pray in the Spirit AT ALL TIMES and on every occasion. STAY ALERT (agrupneo: to be cautious, attentive, ready) and BE PERSISTENT in your prayers for all believers everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.” (Eph. 6:18-19) We need to pray like this because “…we are NOT fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against EVIL RULERS and authorities of the unseen world, against MIGHTY POWERS in this dark world, and against EVIL SPIRITS in the heavenly places. (Eph. 6:12)
God has truthfully defeated Satan and his agenda AMY. He has delivered us from sin’s penalty and power and ultimately will deliver us from sin’s very presence. In the meanwhile, we are involved in guerilla warfare with demonic forces. Jesus said, “Look, I have given you authority over ALL THE POWER OF THE ENEMY, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.” (Luke 10:19)
The spiritual battle we fight involves a responsibility on our part to “put on” the spiritual protection that God has provided for us AMY. We can and will resist the enemy’s attempts to “deceive,” “accuse,” and “cast doubt” when we stand firm against him by:
- Being honest with God, ourselves and others as a requirement for all spiritual battle.
- Responding to the truth that God shows us about His will for our lives – which involves righteous living.
- A clear understanding of and readily sharing the “Gospel message” of grace.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham