praying for your family - part four

Now that we’ve put our armor on -

1. The belt of truth,
2. The breastplate of righteousness,
3. The helmet of salvation, and
4. The feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace,

- all of which declare that our identity is found only in Christ and that our God-designed destiny is a sure thing, it’s time for us to pick up our divine weapons and allow the Lord to teach us how to wield them effectively against the enemy of our families.

The weapons of our warfare are purposefully designed just as each one of us is purposefully designed by God.  These weapons are not just window dressing; rather, they are tactical weapons, and we need to practice them every day so that we know what to do whenever we face difficulties of any kind. These weapons are not intended to make us feel superior or invincible over any other person; rather, these weapons are the tools God has given to us to destroy all the works of the devil.  That is the reason Jesus came from heaven to earth, and that is the legacy He has left for us to carry on after His resurrection and ascension into heaven.

Remember, we are fighting the enemy of our souls and the souls of each member of our family.

1. We fight from a superior position. 

 
Ephesians 2:6 “He raised us up with Christ the exalted One, and we ascended with him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm, for we are now co-seated as one with Christ.” (The Passion Translation)
 
“The word of God to my Lord: ‘Sit alongside me here on my throne until I make your enemies a stool for your feet.’ You were forged a strong scepter by God of Zion; now rule, though surrounded by enemies! Your people will freely join you, resplendent in holy armor on the great day of your conquest.” (MSG)
 
    2. We fight with superior weapons.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 “For although we live in the natural realm, we don’t wage a military campaign employing human weapons, using manipulation to achieve our aims. Instead, our spiritual weapons are energized with divine power to effectively dismantle the defenses behind which people hide. We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.” (The Passion Translation)

   3. We have been given the authority to act.

Luke 10:19 “I have imparted to you all my authority to trample over his (Satan’s) kingdom. You will trample upon every demon before you and overcome every power Satan possesses. Absolutely nothing will be able to harm you as you walk in this authority. However, your real source of joy isn’t merely that these spirits submit to your authority, but that your names are written in the journals of heaven and that you belong to God’s kingdom. This is the true source of our authority.” (The Passion Translation)

   4. We do not fight these battles alone. God is with us!

Psalm 91 “When you sit enthroned under the shadow of Shaddai, you are hidden in the strength of God Most High. He’s the hope that holds me and the Stronghold to shelter me, the only God for me, and my great confidence.

He will rescue you from every hidden trap of the enemy, and he will protect you from false accusation and any deadly curse. His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you. You can run under his covering of majesty and hide. His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm.

You will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night nor have to fear a spirit of darkness coming against you. Don’t fear a thing! Whether by night or by day, demonic danger will not trouble you, nor will the powers of evil launched against you.

Even in a time of disaster, with thousands and thousands being killed, you will remain unscathed and unharmed. You will be a spectator as the wicked perish in judgment, for they will be paid back for what they have done!

When we live our lives within the shadow of God Most High, our secret hiding place, we will always be shielded from harm. How then could evil prevail against us or disease infect us?

God sends angels with special orders to protect you wherever you go, defending you from all harm. If you walk into a trap, they’ll be there for you and keep you from stumbling. You’ll even walk unharmed among the fiercest powers of darkness, trampling every one of them beneath your feet!

For here is what the Lord has spoken to me: ‘Because you have delighted in me as my great lover, I will greatly protect you. I will set you in a high place, safe and secure before my face. I will answer your cry for help every time you pray, and you will find and feel my presence even in your time of pressure and trouble. I will be your glorious hero and give you a feast. You will be satisfied with a full life and with all that I do for you. For you will enjoy the fullness of my salvation!’” (The Passion Translation)

   5. We have the assurance of victory.

Romans 8:31, 35, 37, 39 “If God has determined to stand with us, who then could ever stand against us?...Who could ever separate us from the endless love of God’s Anointed One? Absolutely no one! For nothing in the universe has the power to diminish his love toward us. Troubles, pressures, and problems are unable to come between us and heaven’s love. What about persecutions, deprivations, dangers, and death threats? No, for they are impotent to hinder omnipotent love…yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything!...There is no power above us or beneath us – no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One!” (The Passion Translation)

Revelation 12:11 “They defeated him (Satan) through the blood of the Lamb and the bold word of their witness. They weren’t in love with themselves; they were willing to die for Christ.” (MSG)

Now that we understand the purpose of our weapons, we will look at each tool individually – taking it apart, putting it back together – so that we may acquire the practical understanding of each weapon and know how to use each one effectively. 

May the Lord bless you today!
Linda
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© Linda Sue Harper 2018