What is spiritual Warfare?

Unseen hosts are in the heavenlies.

There is the story of Michael the archangel who fought 21 days the demonic forces in the unseen world after Daniel the prophet prayed his prayer.

There are laws God has set up to keep his children safe and healthy. If we choose to break those laws or refuse to obey or even accidentally disobey those laws, there is a price to pay as the wages of sin is death, but there is hope because, “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  So through His atonement for sin and resurrection, we have forgiveness of “missing the mark” as some call sin, and we can be forgiven and the wages we would have received have been canceled and we now can receive His grace, mercy and forgiveness, healing, wellness, joy, life, truth, abundance.  We don’t realize how easy it is to break God’s laws.  When we miss the mark, there is grace immediately to atone for that mistake or even if it was an act in rebellion.  Why?  Because that’s why HE gave HIS life…..to COMPLETELY ATONE FOR ALL your mistakes all your anger, all your rebellion.  There is that much love in HIS Hands, feet and voice and actions.  Do not grow weary…just because you don’t “FEEL” His presence, doesn’t mean HE isn’t holding you in the palm of HIS hand.  You have not because you ask not.” encourages James

There are so many stories of warfare battles in the spirit of friends and family and other men and women of faith, there would not be room in this little book for them all.  However, there are some that are very powerful and meaningful that have made the news and history books. (Share some of these here)

Perry Stone tells of a story regarding his uncle who was living in sin and disregarded any kind of honor to the Lord.  He happened to be driving one night in front another couple and pulled over to get something to drink.  Perry’s father woke up earlier and had been praying all night for his brother to come to know the Lord and be saved. He was in the heat of a battle in warfare, as he felt his brother’s time was short.  The uncle (or brother) pulled over to get something to drink at a gas station and the other car behind them drove on ahead.  After leaving the convenience store several miles up ahead there was a massive wreck involving an 18 wheeler and the driver of the vehicle traveling behind them was killed as they smashed into the back of the truck, decapitating the driver.  Perry’s father received a call the next morning and his brother was on the other end of the line saying, “I need to see you.” He told them how it should have been him in the wreck and not his friends. They met and the man surrendered his life to the Lord.”  He realized that his brothers prayers had saved his life.

 

Sometimes we wait to go to God because we think he is a mean God, an exacting God or as Oprah explained a jealous God.  Jealous for our love and life is only for our good when you consider that the goodness of God leads us to repentance, a letting go of our ugly past, guilt, condemnation, fears, failures….and yes, even successes.  He wants you to just be that little child and let him take full charge of your life.  How does he do that?  With your surrender to Him.  Most of us live our whole lives not understanding the grace of God came ….did all the work for us,…..so we would not have to work so hard.  He said I am your provider, I am your healer, I am your friend, I am your comforter, I am your exceeding great reward, I am your wisdom, I am truth, I am life and I am THE WAY!  WoW  What an amazing Hero!  All our superheros rolled into one.  Except this one chose to give up his ways and his life so that the Holy Spirit could come and live inside of us and make us the “super hero'” Now that is crazy, Right?Not really, Jesus said, “I go to the Father for if I do not go the comforter cannot come, and then greater works shall you do because I go to the Father.”  The Body of Christ is suppose to be able to  “run through a troop and leap over walls” That’s what David sang.  Why did he sing this?  Because he knew the power he had through the Holy Spirit.  In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit moved on individual prophets and people intermittently, however now since Christ came and ascended upon high, the Holy Spirit was sent to bring many sons to glory that He might live through us and have His name glorified.  Sounds a bit selfish, maybe.  Not really. The amazing loving creator is not selfish, but only is jealous for your soul so that you may “prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers.”  as James puts it.  However, we must cooperate with the Holy Spirit for that to be a reality.  HOW?  By letting go; By surrendering.  “Remember the hymn: “I Surrender All, I surender all, All to Jesus I surrender, I surrender all.  Lots of the same words, but sometimes it is hard to make our soul understand that without surrender it is impossible to please God.  Those that come to God must believe that HE is and is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him”  How do we surrender?  That is a difficult journey and one that requires much depth of thought and contrition of heart.  We must come to Him.  How do we learn who He is except in the word of God.  The bible tells us in the old testament of the acts of God (Moses shared with the Israelites the “Acts” of Jehovah.) But God shared with Moses His character and reasons behind those acts.  So who is this amazing Creator?  He is a sovereign entity that exists all by Himself and needs no one or nothing to exist, unlike us.  If it wasn’t for God’s grace we could not even be able to breathe.

Thee place of surrender sometimes is best found on our knees.  I wonder why that is?  Maybe it is because we stand in front of our friends and find ourselves equal to them, or we stand in front of a class or group of people and find ourselves more educated.  On our knees there is only one think you can look at……the floor.  You are not distracted by your own abilities, the creation or another person.  Nothing to think about but the floor?  Yes, that’s a pretty good place to be when you are trying to think of nothing but God.  Why would we want to think of nothing but God?  Because to surrender we must compare our doings with His greatness and the sloppy way we live our lives before Him.  He desires faithfulness, diligence and obedience in order to expand you and your life of blessing.  Oh you can have his love.  That’s free!  His blessings require much more than just a “coming”  It requires,……yes you guessed it!  Surrender.  So you ask, what or how do I surrender?

How did i come to surrender when I started with Spiritual Warfare?  You cannot fight an unseen foe without surrendering to the Holy Spirit on a daily basis.  Acts says we “live and move and have our being IN HIM.”