Category: Patience

A Stiff Neck Leads to a Hardened Heart…

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Deuteronomy 9:5-7 New King James (NKJV)

It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you go in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord your God drives them out from before you, and that He may fulfill the word which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Therefore, understand that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people.

“Remember! Do not forget how you provoked the Lord your God to wrath in the wilderness. From the day that you departed from the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against the Lord.

Jeremiah 7:25-27 New Living Translation (NLT)

From the day your ancestors left Egypt until now, I have continued to send my servants, the prophets—day in and day out. But my people have not listened to me or even tried to hear. They have been stubborn and sinful—even worse than their ancestors.

“Tell them all this, but do not expect them to listen. Shout out your warnings, but do not expect them to respond.

Reflection:

It doesn’t happen often, but when it does it usually last for a few days – a stiff neck. There is no warning, you just fall asleep and the next thing you know you wake up and even the simple things become a challenge.  Not being able to turn your neck one way or another becomes a nagging reminder of a restful state becoming a restless state for most of your wakeful hours.

As you know, everything in the natural realm can be applied to the spiritual realm. The Bible speaks often about being vigilant in prayer.  Once awakened to the things of the Spirit through salvation, it is our assignment to keep ourselves awake and alert at our post.  Sometimes despite our best efforts, Believers do become weary and do fall back asleep to the things of the Spirit.  Drawing back from daily fellowship with the Lord and forsaking the assembly of the Saints can cause an induvial to fall back asleep. Then when one is “re-awakened” by the things of the Spirit through Godly relationships, at times, this person may be stiff-necked to receive the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Mark 8:33 – But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Stiff-necks come and go along our sanctification walk, we must make sure our hearts don’t become hardened in the process, because this will have a long-term effect. Just think about it, if the men that walked alongside Jesus missed it – why do we think that we as Believers won’t?

Mark 6:52 – For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.

Later on Jesus calls them out on it…

Mark 8:17 – But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened?

You should also pay attention to the same exact scripture that shows up in both the old and the new Testaments:

Old

Psalm 95:8 – “Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, As in the day of trial in the wilderness,…

New

Hebrews 3:8 – Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness,…

Across the ages the Lord has been communicating via His Word the same message to the world. We are all His vessels. It is our assignment to preserve this Word in its purest form in our hearts and pour it out upon the individuals around us. At any given time, what are you carrying out into the world? How do you show reverence onto the Lord?

Job 9:4 – God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against Him and prospered?

Proverbs 28:14 – Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

Each morning is a new day, we should always hold on to our testimonies, but at the same time these testimonies rehearsed to yourself or the same group of people is not spreading the Good News of Christ to the world. If anything, this rehearsal is like a reoccurring stiff neck and a good indication that the same convictions that you once had, don’t convict you anymore.  And if a Believer has gotten to the point that they can’t tell the difference between the devil condemning and the Spirit convicting…that is a good indication that person has a hardened heart.

Hebrews 3:15 – …while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

Again, when things are repeated in the same Book multiple times it is something for self-refection.

Hebrews 4:7 – …again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” 

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

If the Word is hidden from the foolish, how much more is it hidden from the ones that know better, but choose to be stiff-necked (stubborn) to the things of the Spirit.

  • Are there areas of your life that seem to be perpetually stagnant? Ask the Lord to reveal to you if you are being stiff-necked about something or worst if you have become desensitized to the things of the Spirit and your heart is hardened in certain areas.

Beloved, it is only through a constant fellowship with the Holy Spirit; honest self-reflection; and the exhortation of a home church, that you will remain awake and effective for the Kingdom of God.

Wisdom is like a Coupon

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Scriptural Foundation:

Deuteronomy 4:28-31 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

There you will serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. But if from there you will seek (inquire for and require as necessity) the Lord your God, you will find Him if you [truly] seek Him with all your heart [and mind] and soul and life. When you are in tribulation and all these things come upon you, in the latter days you will turn to the Lord your God and be obedient to His voice. For the Lord your God is a merciful God; He will not fail you or destroy you or forget the covenant of your fathers, which He swore to them.

Proverbs 10:13 New King James Version (NKJV)

Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding. 

Reflection:

Couponing use to be my favorite pass time. I fancied myself being a good steward of our resources.  I used to feel so accomplished when I got to the register and our bill was cut in half due to my hard work. Granted, I spent a lot of time clipping coupons and waiting for sales to apply each coupon prior to them expiring for the maximum savings.  Although, I never got to the point of having a mini compound of stuff in my basement, for that season of life it was sufficient.

The Lord brought this time back into my remembrance. The Holy Spirit told me that wisdom is like a coupon.  It is something sawt after in the Word and there is only a limited window in which to apply it.  There is a difference between wisdom and a promise.   Wisdom has an expiration date, whereas as the promises of God have no expiration date.  As Believers, we should spend a lot of time in the Word seeking answers for the seemly insurmountable issues in our lives. The Word says if we seek the Lord we will find Him and He will answer us.  Wisdom gives specific direction for that moment in time; for that season of life.  That is why delayed obedience, is disobedience.  The wisdom or revelation that that Lord gave you months ago, may not apply today.  Circumstances change, every word we speak and every action that we make, sows a seed into your future. These words or actions may void out that wisdom.  Thank the Lord for His mercy and goodness! Wisdom can be “reissued” like store coupons with new expiration dates.

Don’t get me wrong, clipping coupons is a fun pass time, but always remember beloveds, the Lord is our provider and He will give you wisdom in the moment to get through every situation in life.

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. – Isaiah 55:6-7

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Take inventory the nuggets of wisdom that the Lord has given you in the past. List them out. Describe with as much detail as possible as to the circumstances proceeding hearing from the Lord.
  • Ask the Holy Spirit for each item if that specific Word of wisdom applies to your current situation.
  • Be at peace to know that some of those nuggets have “expired”. Ask the Lord to forgive you and then ask the Holy Spirit to navigate you back to that revelation in His time.

Stand ….even when you feel like sitting this one out…

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Scriptural Foundation:

Matthew 14:29 New International Version (NIV)

“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

Ephesians 6:13 New International Version (NIV)

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand

Reflection:

Happy Blog-iversary to me! I can’t believe it has been a year since, I actively started answering the call from the Lord.  Sadly, the Lord had been speaking to me about starting a women’s group and then writing years earlier.  Each time, I found a way to “convince” myself that what I was doing for the Lord in the background was good enough.  Well our Lord is a jealous lover and He wants to give us the best and He demands that we give Him our best in return. Despite what I see or how I feel about the changes that are being made in my life, I am determined to keep myself pliable in the Potters hands.

So, what I have learned in the last several months? Change is uncomfortable and discipline is hard.  The passage in Matthew 22:14, For many are called, but few are chosen. Has taken on a totally different meaning in my heart.  Jesus told Peter to come and he walked on water.  God is calling each one of us to do something amazing!  The task will be impossible…like walking on water, but all things are possible with God.  The one thing that sets you apart from the rest that are called, is when you chose to answer that call then you become one of the chosen.  As one of the chosen, you don’t have the luxury anymore of “sitting this one out”.  You have come too far in the Lord, see too many miracles to sit aside and let someone else claim your inheritance.  I am just one person, but I have the power of the living God in my belly.  I will stand at my post, even when I feel like sitting.  I will stand, even when things look impossible in front of me.  I will stand, because my Lord, my first love died so that I could live free and it is my duty to spread this message to my last breath.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Be honest with yourself. What has the Lord been asking you to step out in faith on or for? What is stopping you for responding to that call?
  • Remember any journey you will ever take begins with one step. Step out of your boat of comfort and start walking on water!

Reset…

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Scriptural Foundation:

Psalm 103:12 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Philippians 3:13-16 New King James Version (NKJV)

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

Reflection:

On your mark…get set…Go! [Poof…goes the gun] That phrase is a build up to an explosion of human adrenaline like you have never experienced. I used to run track in college. One race stands out in my memory.  I was in the 55-meter dash at an indoor meet.  I had been training hard in the off season and I was ready to show that out on the track.  The race announcer said “Runners, on your mark, get set….” Then I jumped in anticipation of the gun.  Well they charged me with a false start and I was disqualified from the race.  Just like that, I abruptly started over the preparation cycle for the next race.

Sometimes over the years you may feel this way. We have been plodding along preparing for the next “big” moment like a vacation, a birthday or some other special event and then in an instant it is behind you…the buildup to the excitement is gone.  In those instances, how do you reset your mind set? The Word tells us that we should be always pushing ahead not to the point that we don’t enjoy the precious moments in life, but also so emotions or disappointments don’t’ derail us to our assignments set before us in the Lord.

I love comparing past experiences to my walk with the Lord. We are all on the same track team. Once it comes to our lives we all have our individual event.  It is up to us to be disciplined and encourage each other in the faith.  So, when that moment comes to witness, pray or lay hands on someone we will be ready.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Think back over the course of this year and list out your blessings and testimonies.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endures forever – Psalm 107:1

 

Grace Growers

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Scriptural Foundation:

2 Corinthians 12:6-9 New Living Translation (NLT)

If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.  Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Romans 12:18-19 New King James Version (NKJV)

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

Reflection:

The Lord spoke to my heart, “Grace growers are the dung that fertilizes your purpose.” Well that is a little graphic… For those of you that live near a farm, dung is used as an asset.  The Lord in this example uses fecal waste to help grow plants.  The same is true with individuals in your life, Believers and non-Believers.  Note I listed the Believers first…sometimes sisters and brothers in the faith are first line of opposition.

The Holy Spirt is constantly cultivating in you the fruit of the Sprit….But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:22-23). How is this fruit going to grow? In and out of season you have to prepare the soil of your heart to endure adverse situations.  The Lord prepares you daily with the Grace Growers in your life.  Individuals that are always correcting you; overly critical of you; people that play the victim card; etc.

Beloved, the only way the devil can attack a prayed-up Believer is in the mind and in the flesh. Paul mentions the “thorn in my flesh” and how he asked the Lord to remove on different occasions, however He didn’t for the purpose of growth and enlightenment.  Personally, I think these are the people that God allows in our lives to heap on the dung. That is the only way the fruit of the Spirit will grow.  The devil thinks that he is breaking us down, but if we stand on the Word of God all these mental/fleshly distractions will make way for beautiful blessings.  When family members, spouse, friends, or co-workers challenge you in the natural, remember the commission of Romans 12:18-19 and choose to live in peace instead.  My Pastor said recently, “correction gives us direction…time is a great teacher.”  We may never know why a certain person is so difficult, but we do know that the Lord is using it all for our good.  Embrace your Grace Growers today and watch how your harvest begins to flourish.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • List out all the “difficult” people in your life.
  • Ask the Lord how you can use challenging interactions with them for His glory.
  • Make it a point not to enable negative behaviors in others, if you actions feed them then change your approach.

Embrace the Wilderness

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Scriptural Foundation:

Exodus 3:1 New King James Version (NKJV)

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

Matthew 3:1-3 New King James Version (NKJV)

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’”

Matthew 4:1 New Living Translation (NLT)

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.

Reflection:

Since I was young, I dreamt of getting married, buying a house, having kids and living happily ever after. The funny thing is about dreams, is that they are far from reality.  At the time I had no idea how hard it was going to be obtaining that dream.  I have achieved pretty much the elements that my dream consisted of, however looking around it doesn’t look or feel like I thought it was going to feel.  I never knew how much work laundry was until I was doing ten loads a week….I have a particular separation and wash cycle.  The washing is not the issue, it is the folding, putting away and twice a year the season shift of everyone’s whole wardrobe.  It is in these repetitive mundane tasks that one gets lost in the daily grid.  It is when we have reached the end of ourselves that is when we enter into our wilderness time.   This process is necessary to bring about change in one’s life.  There are two paths in life, one that is wide and one that is narrow (Matthew 7:13).  Although life could be easier on the wide path, there is not a sense of satisfaction.  The narrow path is trying; however the reward that is attained far out weighs any of the suffering that brought you to this point.

There are several examples in the Bible, where the Lord had to draw individuals out into the desert each time for the purposes of reaching the end of self and depending solely on the Word of God. Anything outside the Word is fruitless, that is why the pursuit of certain objects, job titles, or experiences seems hollow when reached.  The wilderness periods of your life are not meant to break you down, but are to indicate that a certain season of your life is ending and is helping you build endurance for the next season of your life.  It is like having a test prior to looking at the all material.  Remember the Holy Spirit knows everything and where He leads you. He will support you and will be satisfied.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • What parts of your life is just not satisfying? What do you think that is?
  • Ask the Holy Spirit what are you missing?
  • Always remember the victory always comes on the heels of your wilderness season.

The first shall be last and the last shall be first….

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Scriptural Foundation:

Luke 10:38-42 Kings James Version (KJV)

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Reflection:

I have always put myself last, not to be a martyr, but because I really enjoy putting my loved ones first. It wasn’t until motherhood that I noticed the manifestation of my actions – overweight, worn out outfits, hair-do always in disarray, etc.  Without realizing it, I became a role model for my children and my outward appearance didn’t match the abundance of blessing in my life.  Today’s passage is simple the perfect parable about the struggle between our flesh and our spirit. This is where I find myself in the middle of the story about Martha…I can relate very much to Martha, but I can also understand Mary’s choice to stay at the Lord’s feet. If I could I would extend my devotional time for hours and hours.  There are always so many things to look up and study in the Word and the more you seek the Lord the more He shows up.

What I found out about the assignment the Lord has put on my heart is that in order for me to be encouraging to others, I had to first encourage myself. In order to help others change their lives through the Word of God, I had to first apply the same discipline I had learned to love in the spirit in the natural realm.  I already had a blueprint in my service to others; I just had to apply it to myself.  Realizing this nugget from the word, I look for areas to apply this principle.  This could be applied to finances in that we give away all our money and always lack, if we tithe and pay ourselves first (save) before we pay our bills we will not lack for any good thing from the Lord.  This could be applied to health in that we eat junk foods, because of lack of preparation of weekly meal planning.  If we take the time to plan and make wiser choices we improve the wellbeing outlook of our entire home.  If you are like me, you have put yourself last, but the Lord wants to put you first.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Who do you relate more to Martha or Mary?
  • Think of the areas of your life that you feel dissatisfied in.
  • Are you dissatisfied because you are putting yourself last?
  • Ask the Holy Spirit to shed light on that situation. Is there something that you are doing or not doing?

Coloring outside the lines…

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Scriptural Foundation:

Ecclesiastes 3:11 New Living Translation (NLT)

Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.

Matthew 19:14 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

He said, Leave the children alone! Allow the little ones to come to Me, and do not forbid or restrain or hinder them, for of such [as these] is the kingdom of heaven composed. 

Isaiah 55:8-9 Amplified Bible Classic Edition (AMPC)

My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Reflection:

My youngest daughter comes running up to me. Her face totally radiant as she proudly shows me her hand drawn picture! It was quite colorful; however she totally disregarded any of the lines.  I made much of her and then she ran off to show Daddy her master piece.  It made me start thinking how as young children we are in encouraged to color within the lines.  It makes the picture “prettier”; we have to make sure that we use the right colors to make the picture “look right”; and last but not least we have to hang it up next to our peers to see who did “the best job”.  It sounds like a simple thing, but isn’t. Everything in life is pretty simple….that is of course before we start interacting with others.

The bottom line as children we start off with an imagination for the purposes of catching the Lord’s vision for our life as we grow older. That vision will go against the rationale of this life.  In the perfect, God will be coloring outside the lines of life as you know it! It may look messy to others, but that is because they haven’t realized or caught the larger vision that the Lord has for your life.  In that larger vision, all the colors are in place and that picture is a masterpiece that you will present to the Lord when you get to Heaven.

Now this doesn’t mean that children are to rule the world. We as parents must be the Godly example so that they accept the Lord soon rather than later in life.  As adults, we must learn not to lean on our own understanding, but remember we are children in the eyes of the Lord.  I heard a pastor say “the opposite of faith is certainty”.  If you have your life figured out without God you are more than likely coloring within the lines.  Seek the Lord and find out what true freedom feels like.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Look back over the course of life. What are dreams that you have abandoned?
  • Why did you do that?
  • Ask the Lord if you should pick up that dream again.

There has to be a better way…

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Scriptural Foundation:

John 14:6 New King James Version (NKJV)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

John 14:27 New King James Version (NKJV)

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Reflection:

My husband use to work a job that had him working all sorts of hours. Fortunately, he has always loved what he did for a living, but long hours day after day was wearisome. The position was an hourly job that had amble opportunity to make a lot of money, the trade off was that he was hardly ever home.  Back then he would often say when he got up in the morning to go to work, “there has to be a better way”.

Fast forwarding to present, my husband got promoted to a manager and went back to school and finished his undergraduate degree in hopes to “qualifying” for the director position once his boss retired.  Moving up into management meant moving from hourly to salary.  The trade off of reclaiming the time with the family was less money and a “fixed” income.  His ultimate goal was to get promoted to director and have the best of both worlds; the time and the money in the profession he loved.

When my husband and I got together I was an infant in the Lord. At the time, I sincerely believed if you made “good” plans the Lord would bless them.  We both went by the world formula for success – go to school + work really hard at what you do = you will get recognized and rewarded for all your efforts.  The Bible says “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Looking back, we never prayed and asked the Lord what we should do. There is no victory outside the total will of God.  We set sail in one direction and forgot our compass (the Holy Spirit).  We both knew, we were heading in the right direction.  We consistently plead the Blood over our lives and do our daily devotionals, but in this specific area of life we decided to be our own guides.  Thank the Lord for His mercy, the Word says later on in that same chapter, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” We as Christians are not perfect, but we have the Perfect One living in us. If we pray and seek the Lord for every decision big or small, we will see the difference over the long run.  The trajectory of your life and the impact you can make for the Lord depends on this habitual obedience.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your note book, remember to date the page.

The Old Testament is full of examples of men and women of God, waiting and seeking the Lord prior to making a decision.

Write out your plans that you have for each area of your life – love, family, job, finances, etc. Leave some space in between each area, then ask the Lord to speak to you. He will give you specific guidance.  Moving forward, make it a habit to write out potential decisions, walking away and coming back before moving ahead.   Remember what is God today will be God tomorrow, the enemy rushes us to get us off course.

Hands up, boots down warriors!

Warriors

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Scriptural Foundation:

Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

John: 16:32-33 New King James (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.

2 Timothy 2:3-4 New King James Version (NKJV)

These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.  These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

Revelation 17:13-14 New King James Version (NKJV)

Reflection:

In the Oxford Dictionary, the definition of warrior is a brave or experienced soldier or fighter. In the 15+ years I have been walking with the Lord, I have gone through some stuff. In the very beginning, I naively thought that as soon as you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior that all of a sudden life would become easier.  In the beginning, it was easy.  As a baby Christian, I feed on the milk of the Word and absolutely loved it.  I prayed and got a response almost immediately.  As I transitioned to the meat of the Word, things became a little more challenging.  The enemy would have you believe that you are the biggest failure as a Believer that ever lived.  These attacks will come showering down on your mind like a relentless missile strike.   The enemy hoping to discourage and disrupt the progress you have made with the Lord.  When the Holy Spirit started revealing my gifts then things became unbearable in the natural. Paul breaks it down very vividly in Ephesians 6 the Armor of God.  We as Believers have to come to terms with that we are at war in the spirit.  In everything we should turn to Jesus as an example.  Before He was taken away to be crucified and fulfill His assignment on earth, Jesus prophesied to His disciples as we draw closer to the fulfillment of our purpose things in the natural will become difficult, but He had already overcome the world (John: 16:32-33).  If you study out the lives of his disciples, they all encounter serious opposition, most to the point of physical death.

A couple of years ago, I came across a great book called Dress to Kill, A Biblical Approach to Spiritual Warfare and Armor by Rick Renner.  The author focused on each item in the Armor of God and broke down its significance to the battle that we face on a daily basis.  We as Believer can’t be naive to believe that passive faith is going to get us across the finish line.  It is not enough any more to say “I will pray for you” and walk away or post things on social media let “sending prayers”.  These statements by themselves are hollow if you don’t take the time to do what you actually say.  My Pastors tell us all the time that there is no better time in the present to pray for people.  Sure in the beginning it is uncomfortable to pray with a family member, friend or co-worker, but when you start realizing that you are sowing seed for the Lord with each connection it becomes easier.  You don’t need to be the in five-fold ministry; you just have to be available and willing to share your heart when the Lord calls. Take your place in the army of the Lord….helping to plunder hell and populate Heaven.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

    • List out the different “fronts” in your life. For example – home, work, traveling soccer, fire house auxiliary, etc.
    • Ask the Lord to put someone on your heart to pray for. Gradually the Lord will create opportunities to ask “can I pray with you?”
    • The more you pray with individuals the more testimonies that you will hear and will help strengthen your faith to advance in the Spirit.