How’s your December been? Mine has been enjoyable, with a trip away with my family. It has also been marked by hours and even day long stretches of intense spiritual warfare. The enemy didn’t take December off.
As we continue to move forward in a time of spiritual darkness, remember the following.
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
God doesn’t abandon His children. “I will never…” is a rock solid, cast in stone guarantee. No matter what hell you might be going through, He is there, with you, available to help and strengthen you. It’s easy to forget He is near when the bottom’s dropping out of our life, which is what the enemy wants. The most powerful being in the universe is with you. You are not alone, nor are you rejected.
“But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
That I may tell of all Your works.”
– Psalm 73:18
“I will strengthen you.”
Another cast in stone promise. This isn’t just a pleasant Bible verse for a little study time. The Christian life is supernatural; there have been many times when I had nothing in the tank, asked Him for the strength I needed to persevere, and He showed up big time with a shot of Holy Spirit-fired power. This happened just last week after a 36 hour stretch of intense warfare; I hadn’t slept, and was worn out. As I admitted my weariness to God and put all my hope on Him, He came through with the win. Are you living the supernatural life? Hopefully your walk with God is about far more than head knowledge.
“Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
“Fight the good fight” (1 Timothy 6:12)
When I’m working with an individual or couple, I’ll encourage them to remember spiritual warfare as they move forward. I’ll often say that around half of what they’re going through involves spiritual warfare. Much of the rest of their healing journey involves building the right structure in their lives, healing of the heart, and putting the flesh to death, but even then the enemy opposes them in those areas. Many Christians, including those who have been in the church for decades, are blind to the spiritual battles that are set against them. One of the great tragedies of the modern church is that we have ignored and not equipped God’s people in spiritual warfare. You will have to stand up and fight often. Be discerning of the thoughts running through your mind. Every blood-bought son and daughter of God who desires to make their life count for eternity will encounter opposition from the enemy.
“It is God who arms me with strength,
And makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of deer,
And sets me on my high places.
He teaches my hands to make war,
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.”
Psalm 18:32-34
“Be devoted to prayer.” (Colossians 4:2)
Without a strong prayer life, I would have quit this ministry years ago. Prayer is the key to everything: hearing from God and receiving His guidance, wisdom, and discernment, receiving His strength, putting the flesh to death and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit, overcoming in warfare, healing, and especially, helping others. One survey showed that 70% of pastors pray 5 minutes a day. And we wonder why so many are falling. Prayer and prayer meetings must be at the top of your list of priorities.
Allow God to heal your heart. “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
If you’ve built walls around your heart, stuffed your emotions, or compartmentalized your Christianity in your head, now is the time to allow the Lord to heal you. The heart was made for life and light; to flourish in the love of God so we may fight the battles He gives us and live the abundant life Jesus promised. Deep down, many know the places in their heart that need healing but don’t want to go there or have built booby traps around them. The depth we experience pain will equal the depth we experience healing, joy, life, and love. Get help if you’re ready; reply to this email for information on our groups, prayer meetings, and counseling.
Pour your life out.
“And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.”
– Titus 3:14
“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”
– John 15:7-8
Don’t waste your life. None of us knows how much time we have left; you or I could be gone in several months. Retirement is a lie. Without a compelling purpose to live for and a battle to fight, the heart wilts. We are made for a purpose; to overcome, to be a part of God’s army and take back what has been lost. The average American will spend more than 2,200 heart-killing and mind-numbing hours in entertainment a year, wasting their life in the process. Ask God for great fruit from your life… and be prepared to pay the price.
