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by Bill and Marsha Burns
http://ft111.com
The Lord has spoken to us and given us direction so that we know mentally where we are going, and we have times of spiritual exhilaration, but those times are quickly engulfed and extinguished by the storms. The storms of life have often obliterated our spiritual visibility. It’s hard to see where we are, let alone have any vision for what’s ahead. As a people, we are tired and battle weary.
There seems to be no end to the onslaught – spiritual attacks against God’s people in health, relationships, work, and finances. The difficulties of this present time have caused a subtle, but deep-seated discontentment and insecurity. And, this discontentment, which is all storm-related, has opened the door to a seducing spirit that prods us to find contentment in our flesh through fantasy and trying to find ways to escape the trouble.
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
Thanksgiving will accelerate the spiritual process that will get us to a place of stability and of believing God for His direction and leading. We have to cooperate with the flow of the Holy Spirit as He re-establishes divine order in our lives, and the Lord said that our sense of contentment will be restored by making a decision to be content and by putting things in perspective through our faith.
Philippians 4:12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
1 Timothy 6:6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
2 Peter 1:2-8 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self–control, to self–control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Spiritual warfare is a spiritual (non-tangible) battle between opposing forces. The waging of war against an enemy are acts undertaken to destroy the strength of another.
The Webster’s Dictionary definition of warfare:
Military operations between enemies
An activity undertaken by a political unit (as a nation) to weaken or destroy another
Struggle between competing entities
The waging of war against an enemy
In Ephesians 6:12, the Apostle Paul teaches us that we are contending with an enemy. This enemy is an invisible foe. He is our adversary that seeks to oppose God’s plans for us.
“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”.
Many times believers refer to warfare as a position of attack by satan. There are very few of us who are willing to rest in our position with Christ, our rightful place seated with Christ at God’s right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and wage war against satan. We as followers of Christ must know that in any battle, the Holy Spirit that resides inside of us is greater than that of the world.
When engaged in warfare with the enemy we have to rid ourselves of all ungodly thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that do not align with Jesus’ teachings preserved for us in God’s word.
Our enemy’s military is made up with armed forces. Satan has an army of demons that are equipped with weapons that works against us to defile, destroy, harass, tempt and attempt to enslave mankind.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (NIV)
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the word does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary; they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
These weapons that are used are not physical weapons of flesh and blood, but for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds. By using the weapons of warfare, we are able to put an end to the attacks by our adversary which results in a victorious end.
Before we talk about our spiritual weapons of warfare, I want to first expose some of the weapons that are used by satan and his demonic assailants. Satan uses fear, afflictions, rejection, unbelief or doubt, rebellion, pride, shame and lust as weapons against followers of Christ to defile the hearts of believers in effort to prevent us from fulfilling our destinies. Fear has been his greatest instrument of attack used in the battle and a root issue or strongman in the factor. Fear is the enemy of faith. Fear is bondage.
The enemy uses fear as a weapon against the saints of God. Fear disarms and immobilizes the saints to prevent activity. If in fact a child of God is inactive, He or she is also ineffective for use and therefore is sitting dormant and can not wage warfare against the enemy. Fear is also used in aiding the delays of times and seasons. If you are crippled with fear you will not be able to move into the things of God and therefore enabling the enemy to win over your confidence. In Judges 7:1-8 God commanded Gideon to send those who were filled with fear home. They were not able to confront their enemy in fear. Many Christians have experience this fear in several avenues which has allowed the enemy access of possession and control over them. Fear of public speaking- which results in not answering the call of God for that particular purpose, fear of stepping out on faith- which results in standing still and missing God opportunities to be used by Him, fear of failure- which results in missed accomplishments that overcome obstacles, fear of being alone- which results in not waiting on God for the proper mate or settling for less. This will also allow insecurities and lack of confidence to take root.
Satan wants us to live in bondage to the past and even the future, but God wants us to live in the freedom of His love and power in the present. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father’”(Rom. 8:15). For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7).
God has given us weapons to counter all satanic influence and activity. We have been given authority over the enemy and the ability to oppose his weapons against us. We must be effective in our warfare. So let’s move into what some of our weapons are against the enemy. You may find that God has given you more weapons and even different ones, this is simply what the Holy Spirit led me to use while on the front lines of engaging war against the enemy. I’ve called them my 5 stones to defeat the giant.
Praise- Satan and demons just hate hearing people praise God. Praise releases the presence of God in a way that satan cannot resist. And we know that in His presence there is fullness of joy according to Psalm 16:11. Praise silences the enemy. Psalm 8:2 When the devil comes at you with his weapons of doubt, fear, rejection, you have to lift you voice and praise God anyhow. It’s a difficult thing at times when your soul has been crushed. Or even when you feel as though it’s the end of the world. But when using your weapons of warfare, there is no time for emotionalism. You are in a battle. You have to focus only of truth and that’s the truth of God’s word and what He has already said about your circumstances.
The Word of God- When Jesus was tempted by the enemy in Luke 4:1-13 he overcame the enemy by using the Word of God. One of the reasons why Jesus was so effective in this victory over satan was that He knew what God’s word said. Not only was He is the Word made flesh. I found it very interesting how satan thought he knew what he could say in his attempts of temptations. He also knew God’s word. In fact he knew the Word before the Word became flesh. He even attempted to use God’s Word against Jesus. If you are going to be effective in your spiritual battle you must know the Word of God and know how to use His Word in the proper context. Don’t just be quoting scriptures for any occasion. Know the scriptures to declare for that given circumstances. If satan came to you with thoughts of feeling unworthy and worthless, made you feel as though you was less than the dirt you’ve walked on and tried to tempt your into worldly living in effort to serve him. Don’t start quoting scriptures like. “give and it shall be given unto you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your lap.” But declare that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, you are a child of the Most High God. You are more than a conqueror, You can do all things through Christ which strengthens you. You are not conformed to this world, but you are transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Amen? When we study and meditate on the Word of God that word becomes alive in us. The Word gives us victory over satan. Know the word to be more effective in spiritual warfare.
Prayer- Proverbs 8:34-35 Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord; Prayer is simply communicating with God. The importance of communicating with God in spiritual warfare is that when you release your concerns God is able to fill you with solutions. He imparts revelation into you that will give you the answers to whatever problem at hand. When communicating with God, He will release wisdom to you so that you will know the proper steps to take in a matter. Proverbs 15:29 states The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous. The Lord is a God of justice, He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry when he hears it he will answer you.
The Name of Jesus- Jesus has the name above all names. I found it very effective to just say the name of Jesus. There is so much power in the name Jesus. There is great authority exercised when using the name of Jesus. By using the name of Jesus you are using authority over all that His name represents. What does His name mean to you? Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Ephesians 1:18-25 “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparable great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority , power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
Fasting- Fasting when done according to the Word of God is a very powerful weapon to use. “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6 Fasting is a lifestyle for a spirit filled believer. I have applied God’s instructions on fasting to my lifestyle and have seen remarkable results, spiritually, physically, emotionally and financially. When engaged in warfare, fasting will enable you to successfully view God’s plans in any given circumstance. Even if God leads you to just fast for whatever purpose, fasting will pierce through darkness and lift false burdens from your path. I’ve also notice that fasting is a cure for busyness. Often times people become “too busy” for the things of God and are consumed with the cares of the world. Fasting will redirect your focus to a purposeful life with God. It was during a 21 day fast that I was able to purchase my home after trying three years. I didn’t fast to get anything, but while fasting I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to begin the process. While fasting, the Holy Spirit will lead you to make the proper decisions that are in alignment with God’s plans for that season of your life. Meditate on Isaiah 58 when fasting.
It is my prayer that God will continue to bless you and release revelation as you walk with Him on your journey!
By Paul Keith Davis
I wrote this article on Joan of Arc several years ago after reading Mark Twain’s incredible book on her life. The Lord has been bringing this article to memory often in recent days and I felt its truth is pertinent to this present transition season. We are entering a time when the deposit of God’s Spirit that rested upon prior great champions will be reinstituted on those who have been prepared for them. This will be a first-fruits harvest that will provoke the body forward into a season of great harvest.
There are very valuable Kingdom principles that we can learn from the life of this wonderful prophetess. Her courage, valor and obedience will typify many in this last days generation who will give themselves totally to God’s plan and purpose. I trust this article is a blessing to you.
The Maid of Orleans
Few women in history are as intriguing as Jeanne D’Arc, the French peasant girl born in 1412, who heard and obeyed heaven. To some she was a saint, to others a heretic, but history chronicles her as emerging from obscurity to become her nation’s youngest military leader.
In 15 months she changed the course of European history. Her eventual martyrdom was Satan’s attempt to destroy her divine gift, but that same impartation can be inherited by today’s “Joan of Arcs” through God’s divine justice.
A Supernatural Voice
For her, the unlikely destiny began one summer afternoon at the age of 13. On that fateful day she saw a brilliant light and heard the audible voice of the Archangel Michael, leader of God’s armies.
Michael addressed her as “Joan the Maid” with the added admonition to live a pure and virtuous life. He announced her destiny as a God appointed deliverer to lead the army of France. Joan reported “I recognized that it was the voice of an angel. This voice has always guarded me well and I have always understood it; it instructed me to be good and to go to church often.”
To Joan, the voices of God’s spiritual messengers could be distinguished in the same fashion as one person communicates with another. She received audible expressions from the spiritual realm that charged her with the formidable task of uniting a fragmented army and altering the fate and leadership of her nation.
A Deliverer is Born
The extreme hardship of one hundred years of war with England preceded the appearance of Joan. The English occupied considerable portions of France with plans of further expansion until the prophetess shifted the momentum to the French.
The messengers of Heaven conveyed to her a twofold commission: first, to lead an army against the English in defense of Orleans, a crucial and strategic city for the French; and secondly, to restore the throne to its rightful heir, the Dauphin of France, a term used to identify the heir apparent who later became Charles VII. France had not had a crowned king since the death of Charles VI in 1422. Instead, the French crown had passed to the infant king Henry VI of England through a treaty signed by Charles VI.
This twofold mandate was an unthinkable task for an illiterate teenager living in the 15th century. Even so, the messengers from Heaven gave explicit directions. Joan possessed the uncanny willingness to risk life and limb in obedience to their instructions. She relinquished herself totally to the cause of Heaven that launched her into this supernatural arena.
The Mandate Established
To share this vision with the Dauphin of France, Joan journeyed over 300 miles through enemy territory for her first encounter with Charles VII. Charles actually staged a test to determine the authenticity her revelations.
When Joan entered the huge meeting hall filled with over 300 guests the Dauphin was not seated on his throne. Instead, he was dressed as a commoner and had mingled with the crowd. Led by her supernatural Council, Joan walked directly to Charles and addressed him as the imminent leader of France. Moreover, she also divulged divine insight involving his life known only to he and God. This validated for the eventual king that Joan of Arc was no ordinary maiden.
Subsequently, Charles and his councilmen embraced her vision and allowed her to lead 4000 troops in support of the besieged city of Orleans on April 29, 1429. The victory was swift and sure!
Phenomenal Victories
After capturing smaller forts that bordered Orleans, Joan surrounded the occupied city and led the assault against the English. Joan was gravely wounded in the conflict, as she had earlier predicted. Nevertheless, by the end of the day she returned to the battle. The mere sight of their courageous leader rallied the French army who promptly routed the remaining English forces. So moved were these hardened soldiers by Joan’s anointing and heroism that they “gave up swearing and prostitutes and committed themselves to a virtuous life.”
Joan insisted the men under her charge conduct themselves in a manner becoming professional soldiers. She allowed no swearing or lewd behavior and expected commendable character. The men willingly followed her leadership and affectionately bestowed on her the title “maid of Orleans.”
In subsequent weeks, several other French cities enduring English occupation were liberated by Joan and her army. So convincing were the early victories that in one confrontation only three French soldiers perished compared to over 2000 English casualties.
After accepting the surrender of Troyes, Joan persuaded Charles to return to Rheims for his royal coronation. In fulfillment of Joan’s directive given by the Lord through Heavenly messengers, CharlesVII was officially recognized as monarch of France.
Her Betrayal and Death
Despite her conquests, betrayal from French leaders led to Joan’s capture; this too
according to her own predictions. In embarrassment, English rulers determined to prove her success resulted from witchcraft and sorcery. They added to her charges heresy-the act of challenging the authority of the Church. The representatives of the Church who tried her believed God spoke only to priests. It flew is the face of their belief system for God to communicate directly with individuals.
For nearly five months Joan of Arc was imprisoned, not in a facility for women but with English soldiers. Nevertheless, strengthened by the Lord and His Heavenly messengers, she remained steadfast throughout the ordeal.
To validate the charge of heresy, the English employed clergyman and theologians who strenuously examined Joan with the malice intent of discrediting her testimony. Remarkably, her wise and skillful answers alleviated their entrapping questions. According to Joan, Heavenly messengers regularly brought to her God’s perfect council.
Ultimately, the tainted court rendered a guilty verdict and condemned Joan to be burned at the stake. At 9 a.m. on May 30, 1431 the 19 year old messenger of God was wrongfully executed. As the flames began to consume her body, a cross held before her eyes was Joan’s sole request. Her final word was the name Jesus.
Five hundred years after being burned at the stake for heresy, Joan of Arc is declared a saint and revered by the country she saved.
A Call for Justice
The loving eyes of our Heavenly Judge see and record every action of humanity. In this end-time generation the books of Heaven will be opened and restitution offered for injustices committed against God’s covenant people.
As with Joan of Arc, Satan has battled the saints of God for millennia and seemingly prevailed. Nevertheless, God, as the Righteous Judge, will render a final verdict on behalf of the saints. Daniel recorded:
I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints an overpowering them until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom. -Daniel 7:21-22
Divine justice, released in this age, will be a key to empower God’s people. Joan of Arc’s life was a prophetic model. There will be many who follow her standard with faithful and obedient hearts and commissioned in awesome ways. Every seemingly lost commission, anointing, and spiritual gift will be redeemed and released to willing candidates.
For thousands of years God’s children have been martyred, persecuted, and plundered, but Heavenly justice will decree that all be fully restored and compensated.
All things take place under the all-seeing eye of God, and He has promised to restore all that our adversary has ruined. Clearly Joan and others like her, received a martyr’s reward in eternity. Moreover, they sowed spiritual seeds that will reap the most outstanding deposit of divine grace never before demonstrated.
I Will Restore
The Joel 2:25 promise of restoration is one of the paramount passages of this day.
God pledges:
I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. -Joel 2:25
Joan of Arc was God’s appointed representative during a crucial juncture in human history. Abuse of authority from corrupt political officials eradicated the Heavenly deposit entrusted to her. God’s just nature will mandate a manifold restoration of this and other lost anointing through faithful and obedient vessels prepared to apprehend and demonstrate this destiny and the Lord’s redemptive
virtues.
