Ephesians 6:10-14, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 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. 14 Stand firm then..." (NIV) To Stand means to endure, to take one's stand, have a standing attitude, to rise up or against. I want to ask you a question, "Is there not a cause?" David asked this same question when he saw the Philistine giant name Goliath railing against the armies of Israel in 1 Samuel chapter 17. My question to you is this, is there not a cause to stand in prayer and intercession for your family, community, church, and country? Is there not a cause to stand upon the word of God and declare it over your family, community, church and nation? Is there not a cause to embrace a greater level of faithfulness to God than you've ever been before? When you see the family under attack, great economic and financial uncertainty, violence across the nation and the world, governmental/political instability nationally and globally, as well as a profane spirit that mocks everything that the word of God embodies and stands for, it's high time to awake out of sleep and apathy, and serve God wholeheartedly. IT'S TIME TO TAKE A STAND!!! Just as Goliath defied and railed against the armies of Israel until David stood courageously and defeated him as depicted in 1 Samuel chapter 17, there are demonic forces that are attempting to defy the body of Christ, and that are poised to destroy our nation as well. But we must take our stand and "be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might, and put on the whole armour of God." (Ephesians 6:10-11) God has given unto us weapons of warfare that are spiritual in nature, which surpass and supersede all of the weaponry of the wicked one. If we utilize our God given weapons effectively we can defeat our adversary, the devil. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. (Refer to Luke 10:19) I want to describe some of these spiritual weapons that have been provided for the believers. 1) Praise is a weapon 2) Prayer is a weapon 3) Unity in the body of Christ is a weapon 4) The blood of Jesus is a weapon 5) The Word of God is a weapon 6) Faith is a weapon 7) Giving & Wealth are weapons *Praise - Psalms 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. *Prayer - James 5:16b The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (Refer to Ezekiel 22:30; Isaiah 59:16) 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. 16 For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. *Unity - Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. (Refer to Psalm 133:1-3; Deuteronomy 32:30; Joshua 23:10; Hebrews 10:25) *The Blood of Jesus - Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. *God's Word - Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Refer to 2 Peter 5:14-15; John 15:7; Job 22:28; Romans 4:17) *Faith - Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. *Giving & Wealth - Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. (Refer to 2 Corinthians 9:7-13) Ecclesiastes 7:12 For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. Proverbs 10:15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty. (Refer to Deuteronomy 8:18) As Christians, we need to utilize and employ everything that God has given us to fight the enemy in our praise, prayer, unity, the blood of Jesus, God's word, faith, and giving and wealth. It is essential to make it all serve the purpose of advancing the cause of Christ and establishing the purposes of God's kingdom in the earth realm. When we take a stand utilizing and comprehending the purpose of everything He has put at our disposal, then nothing shall be impossible for us, and many multitudes of souls will be saved, delivered and restored unto God. Let us endeavor to aim towards to mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, and serve Him with every facet of spiritual machinery to destroy the works of darkness and pray, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done" (Matthew 6:11), until "the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ" (Revelation 11:15) in Jesus mighty name. There is a cause to stand!! Share your comments & please share the blog with a friend. |