Storms on the Horizon
| |

Storms on the Horizon

The skies are dark. The boat begins to rock back and forth. The waves toss the boat higher and higher. The boat begins to fill with water. The questions begin to consume their every thought. Why are we facing this storm? I thought God had called us to move? I thought Jesus wanted us to go to the other side? The small waves turn into massive breakers that are about to tear the boat apart. Jesus’ disciples look at each other, and the situation goes from bad to worse. They look back at Jesus being tossed all over the place, yet He’s fast asleep. They ask themselves, “Why isn’t Jesus dealing with this storm? Why is He still sleeping?” They say to each other, “I don’t think we’re going to make it out of this one alive!” Then they all begin to scream in unison, “WE’RE GOING TO DIE! JESUS, HELP US!!!”

I’m sure that day, when the storm was raging, they were sure it was the end. This was no ordinary storm. It was a demonic storm. One that was sent to destroy them. Why was this storm sent on this day? There were unreached people. In particular, there was one tormented soul destined to receive freedom and become a great proclaimer of the Gospel to people who were unreached and lost in spiritual darkness.

This month, our Joshua Nations blogs are focusing on spiritual warfare. The month of October is a heightened time when the world focuses on ghosts, goblins, horror movies, fear, and death. For some, this time of year is a fun time for kids as they dress up as their favorite cartoon character, superhero, or movie star. For others, this is a very dark time full of fear and despair. I’m not here to preach to you about my convictions about Halloween (psst… I hate the holiday! Did I just say that?!) But I want to share about the real spiritual battle we are fighting.

When I was a child, I had a very acute awareness of the spiritual realm. I grew up in a family where the spiritual realm was talked about, and the battle between Jesus and satan, as well as angels and demons, was well-known. For most of my childhood, I was tormented by the dark side of the spirit realm. I saw many demons and lived in terror of the dark; I hated the nighttime. I fought the spirits of depression, hopelessness, anger, lust, rejection, death, and suicide. It wasn’t until I turned to Jesus during my senior year in high school that I found freedom. And boy, did I get free!

Then, my spiritual eyes were opened to the Kingdom of light. It was beautiful! Visions and dreams from God. Encounters with angels. Powerful encounters with the Holy Spirit from holy laughter, losing my ability to stand and having gifts and freedom imparted to me, and speaking in tongues uncontrollably for hours, just to name a few. I stepped into the authority Jesus had given me to cast out demons and lead people to freedom from demonic oppression. Thank You, Jesus, for the Holy Spirit!

Back to our story (See: Mark 4:35-5:20). Jesus had called the disciples to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. He laid down in the back of the boat and went to sleep. As Jesus often does, He didn’t reveal to them the play-by-play plan of what was going to happen. He simply told them to get in the boat and go to the other side. Many of our assignments from God are like

this. They require faith, trust, and obedience. And you can pretty much count on it – there are going to be some barriers, spiritual roadblocks, and hindrances that try to stop us from accomplishing the mission. When attacks come, and they will come, we need to stay faithful to the call and not get off course.

Jesus rose from His deep sleep and rebuked this demonic storm. He also brought a word of correction to His disciples for not taking authority over the storm, because He had already trained them to overcome this type of demonic attack. By this time, He was expecting more out of His disciples. He had removed the metaphoric “training wheels” and was now calling them to do what He had taught them.

When they arrived on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, they were met by a demon-possessed man, a man living among the tombs. He was yelling with hate-filled rage. There were self-inflected cuts all over his body. Through demonic powers, he broke chains people had put on him to try and stop him from terrorizing the community. Jesus and His disciples arrived on the scene with a mission. Jesus knew who He was coming for, and He was coming to set him free!

We don’t have much of the back story on this man. We don’t know how or when the demons entered him. We just know their time was up! It was deliverance time! The man was set free when Jesus commanded the demon (called Legion because there were many demons) to be cast out of the man and into a herd of pigs. A great miracle happened. The man was freed and returned to his right mind. He was found at the feet of Jesus learning from Him. Jesus calls him to go to the Decapolis (a ten-city region) and share with the people his story of deliverance.

This is an awesome story! A story of God’s love for the hurting, broken, and tormented. The man is freed and then sent out. I believe this is a strong representation of what we’re called to do locally in our cities, as well as globally in foreign missions. We’re called to go and free those in spiritual chains then release them into their role in the Great Commission!

There are many lessons to be drawn from this story.

The primary point I want to make is for us to recognize the reality of the spiritual battle that’s going on all around us. The storms we face are meant to be spoken to, rebuked, and cast down. Those who are tormented by demons, maybe even out of their mind, are called to be free in the name of Jesus. Once more, some of those who are in the worst bondage will become mighty spiritual warriors for Jesus when they are freed.

When the man in this story received his freedom and a little training from Jesus, he was then sent out on a mission to bring freedom to ten cities. He wasn’t a seminary-trained, Christian professional. He hadn’t been ordained as a minister. He was simply a man who was freed in Jesus’ name and sent on a mission.

Let’s overcome every demonic storm!

Let’s set the captives who are tormented and lost in darkness free!

And let’s send those people out on mission to free others!

Check out this video from the land of the Gadarenes now called Kursi in Israel:

Victim or Victor?

Victim or Victor?

Change your vantage point for spiritual warfare!

Who are you when it comes to the unseen realm?

Does the enemy know your name?

Do you believe that you are a victim?

Or are you a victor?

You might give a cursory answer as a Christian! You are naturally going to say something like, “In Jesus, I am a victor. Through Jesus, I am victorious!”

But the reality is that as we move or leave this moment of feeling and believing in our victorious state, the everyday onslaught of reality and life comes crashing back in. Whatever progress we might have made on Sunday, seems to be lost by Monday morning.

Often, the problem is we have misinterpreted the “appropriation of victory.”

We have become confused about our “identity” in Christ.

We have relinquished our “authority” in Christ.

We have diminished the “sacrifice” of Christ.

Instead, we have replaced it with:

  • An insurmountable debt of sin
  • An unquenchable thirst for the world
  • An insatiable striving of selfishness

This then translates into anemic Christianity that discounts who we are, what we are supposed to do, and how we are supposed to do it.

From this weakened state is how we approach our days, weeks, and years. It is from this vantage point that we view our problems, trials, and tribulations. It’s this pre-packaged, pseudo-Christian worldview that allows us to attend a service on Sundays for our weekly fill-up so that we might be able to make it through another week of this thing we call life.

This state of life just flat-out stinks. I have been in that state before, and I understand how it feels. Unfortunately, once we spend a little time in this state of mind or spirit, we simply don’t remember what it’s like to be in any other position. This state I am describing is an effectual rut. And a rut is just a grave with its ends kicked out.

For us to move beyond this rut, this place of the mundane, this poor pathetic halfhearted Christianity, we must change our mindset and focus upon that which is just, pure, holy, and pleasing to God.

Let me help by describing a few steps, like steps on a ladder, which will help you climb out of the rut. And it is not just focusing our attention upon those things. AND it is more than just acceptance of His grace in these things …it is a giant bear hug of an embrace that we must squeeze and become “one with”. It is an affectionate coming together, allowing it to course through your entire spirit. Yet, beyond that – it is even more. It is His covenant that we are talking about.

Generally, the word covenant causes people’s eyes to glaze over in dread as they realize covenant requires effort from both sides. The amazing thing is that God already knows that our side of the covenant is severely inadequate. There is nothing we could ever do in our entire lifetime, or many lifetimes over and over, that would ever allow us to come close to fulfilling our end of the bargain.

Rather than us feeling like we are utter failures, even though we are, there was incredible provision made. Provision that is not to be minimized as scraps, crumbs, or leftovers. This provision is literally the finest of all morsels that one could imagine. It is through Jesus – the sacrificial lamb that met and exceeded all requirements to enact this covenant – that we are made righteous and upstanding in this covenant agreement.

Through Him, we can move from victim to victor. Through Him, we can view life, people, trials, and triumphs through the proper lens. Through Him and through Him only!

Spiritual Strategies to Experience God’s Victory and Peace:

Philippians 4:4-9

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

1. Develop a Lifestyle of Rejoicing in the Lord. (Verse 4)

Let’s consider how this verse is written. We are given a clear command to rejoice in the Lord – always. But then immediately we are told again to rejoice. I wonder if Paul knew something that we didn’t. Perhaps he knew that we could easily be discouraged, depressed, or defeated when we allow the enemy to steal our joy.

As I think about some of the rough patches of life, I look back and see that I was not rejoicing enough. I lost focus on those things that were worth rejoicing about and focused on the struggle. By then, I didn’t feel like rejoicing, and it became more of a challenge to find the motivation to rejoice. Don’t lose momentum in your joy. Be continually rejoicing!

Find ways to make rejoicing a lifestyle.
Celebrate God.
Celebrate His blessings and His goodness!

2. Pray about everything so as not to worry. (Verse 6)

What is supplication? To pray humbly; make humble and earnest entreaty or petition.

When is the last time you took your entire life before the Lord? When was the last time you came to the Lord in complete humility to basically beg Him for His intervention, direction, and control in the situation?

Most of our prayers are “Jesus to do” lists.

I find that generally we give up after a period of time, whether that is seconds, minutes, hours, or days. The prayer becomes an item on our checklist rather than a true petition that is from a place of burden on our hearts.

In a proper posture of prayer and supplication, we remove ourselves from control and place control of the situation into God’s hands as we surrender it at the foot of the Cross. When we leave our burdens at the foot of the Cross, we can move forward in life without worry, without struggle, without the weight, and we can walk in peace and victory.

Hebrews 12:1-2 
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3. Win the Battle of your Mind by keeping it on Godly Attributes. (Verse 8)

Meditate: to engage in contemplation or reflection. When is the last occasion you have spent time contemplating and reflecting the amazing attributes of God?

Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Also, read Psalm 1:1-3 and James 1:13-15.

We win and lose battles in the mind. The mind is where the game is played. I have learned this in a new way as I have stretched myself into endurance running in recent years. As soon as I begin to argue in my mind, the battle has begun. Will I stop? Will I go? Will I continue? Will I make an excuse to slow down or quit? Will I push forward and complete the race ahead? These are the questions we ask ourselves as we walk and run in our Christian journey.

4. Determine to Move from Theory to Practice in your Daily Life. (Verse 9)

We must move from theory to practice. Each day, we need to seize the moments one at a time and apply these powerful Biblical truths and allow Jesus’ victory to overshadow all situations.

Applying these principles is easier said than done. In conclusion, here are several ways that practical application can be made.

  1. DEVELOP that lifestyle of rejoicing. Each time the world is turned upside down, rejoice. Each time the news on TV shares something that doesn’t sounds uplifting, rejoice. Each time you receive bad news, rejoice in the Lord, for HE is still on the throne.
  2. PRAY about everything! Pray, pray, and pray some more! It can be in the morning, in the night, or it can be in the daytime. You can pray while you are driving. You can pray anytime, anywhere, for anything!
  3. WIN by MEDITATING. You win the battle of the mind, by keeping your mind in the proper form. Like a soldier who is ready for battle, his armor is on, sword or gun at the side. In Ephesians, it says we put on the helmet of salvation. Win the battle by keeping first things first and focusing upon God’s word.
  4. MOVE from THEORY to PRACTICE. Do not walk away from here and go back to doing the same things the same way, every day. Practice these things. Do these things. Verse 9 of Philippians 4 assures us that the God of peace will be with us as we implement these things.
Those who are called vs. the hireling
|

Those who are called vs. the hireling

Over the course of 20 years of full-time ministry, another 5 years or so of volunteer ministry, along with growing up as a third-generation minister – I have noticed a few things. One of those things that I would like to discuss today is that of “The Calling.” Briefly, I will contrast those who have been called to ministry and those who are hirelings.

There is the one who is called by God to ministry:

This person experienced a catalytic moment in their life that led them from one position to another. This moment could have happened in a variety of manners such as a dream, vision, prophetic word, an overwhelming burden for a perceived need, or a coordinated set of circumstances that point the person towards serving in some form or function.

The person who is called by God offers themselves to respond in obedience to the leading and direction of the Lord. Scripture makes it clear – “to obey is better than sacrifice.” The called person is asked by God to be an obedient person. Obedience to whatever God directs is key to this person’s success. If the called person deviates from a life of obedience, you will see their influence and effectiveness wane. Should that person continue down that path of blatant disobedience, or even distracted obedience, their fruitfulness will altogether be forfeit.

On the other hand, we have the hireling. What is a hireling?

This person is one who has been hired to fulfill a role. The hireling often has special skills, experience, or charisma that engages others around them. The hireling seeks positions that fit their skillset and then serve in such positions. They are a hired hand, a contractor, a ministry mercenary. These people can easily be perceived as exceptional in their roles. Their success is not built on the Lord, rather it is built on their own accomplishments or skills. Their success comes from acquiring more knowledge, developing new skills, and gaining new experiences. Without prophetic insight or discernment, it can be difficult for many well-intentioned Christians to evaluate or determine if a person is a hireling or if they are truly called and anointed by God.

Maybe you are more confused now than when you started reading this article! Don’t misunderstand me.

The need for a person called by God to pursue additional education, skills, experience, and grow in new ways cannot be understated or minimalized. However, this desire to mature and excel should be an outgrowth of their love for the Lord and in response to His calling. The hireling, conversely, seeks more so that they can achieve higher levels of income, status, and influence – not necessarily to do more for the Lord.

Interestingly, the hireling does not necessarily seem to have the ups and downs of success and failure, health and suffering, or growth and stagnation that may seem to be consistent with a person who is called by God. Why would that be? A hireling is seeking their own success, and that success is not contingent upon their obedience to God. Success is achieved by their own strength. Therefore, the more they do or the harder they work – often the more perceived success is in their grasp.

At this point you might be wondering, should we prefer the hireling over the called person?

Absolutely not! To follow a hireling is to follow a man. Sitting under the leadership of a hireling will not deepen your relationship with God. Being mentored by a hireling will not bring you success in terms of Scripture.

“There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21
God’s counsel, His word, and His calling are what will stand!

As I have experienced, served, and observed decades of ministry, I have found that there are many hirelings out there leading churches and ministries. I have also observed that many of these “hirelings” didn’t start out that way. Most of them began their service in ministry – in response to a call from God. However, through distraction and a loss of focus, these men and women began to no longer serve a call, but to serve a position. Having lost sight of the call and serving the activity of ministry, these people often do not realize that they have made “ministry” their god. Sacrificing their call on the altar of ministry success, these folks surrender their lives to the role of a hireling.

But, does it have to end that way? No.

For the last 24 years I have traveled to 72 nations. In many of these nations, the Lord asks me to challenge the leaders with a message about the call of God. He asks me to invite or urge them to return to the call and stop serving the activities of ministry, as well as the goals of numbers, dollars, and buildings. He calls them back to a life of simple obedience to His calling.

There is one other kind of a hireling.

This person is one who never was called by God. This person may be a so-called believer, but they are misplaced in their role. For this person, there was something attractive about ministry. Some stated that it seemed like a good profession to help others. Some even have confessed that they like the idea of working only on Sundays and spending the rest of the week doing whatever they want (clearly, they have no grasp of the realities of ministry).

This hireling should not be involved in ministry at all. These are the kind of people who we now find as false teachers, motivational speakers, and self-help teachers. They are often consumed with financial gain. These are the people that have never had their faith stretched, their theology challenged, and the devil comes after them. Does this mean that this hireling is exempt from attack of the enemy or free from failure? Again, the answer is no. However, I have observed that the hirelings do not typically endure the difficulties and hardship of serving the Lord and pursuing God through obedience like those whom God has called.

A man or woman who is called by God is on a different path. I recall several instances over the years in which the Lord called me, gave direction to the calling, and on occasion, would refine the calling with new specifics or directives. This calling has been reiterated in some form or fashion since I was very young. It is my responsibility to be faithful and obedient to this call of God.

I have observed in my own life, and the lives of others, that when you begin to drift from the call and pursue your own aspirations the fruitfulness and effectiveness in life begins to slip away. Why is that? I believe it is either an intentional or unintentional journey away from what God has anointed the person to do. To live and operate in the anointing of God is much preferred over anything else. It is the only way to live and minister. Without the anointing, we are worthless! Those who are called by God can attest to this truth.

I have preached with the anointing, and I have preached without.
I have led ministry with the anointing, and I have led without.
I have implemented plans and strategies with anointing, and I have implemented without.

Let me tell you, I don’t want to do ANYTHING without God’s anointing, in response to His calling.

So then, where do we go from here?

Let us evaluate ourselves first and foremost. Be sure that you are indeed only responding to God in obedience and not seeking position in your own selfishness. Confess and repent as needed. Secondly, we should look at those whom we follow, read, and listen to. Are these leaders operating in response to a call from God, or does it seem they are seeking their own success and promotion due to selfishness? I know this is a sensitive thing. Don’t go running to this person and call them a hireling! If the Lord leads you to discontinue reading their book or listening to their podcasts, then do so.

As I conclude this “short” post, let me share one final thought.

Just because someone is not doing ministry the way you think they should, this does not necessarily make them a hireling. I have observed Christians tearing down other Christians far too many times. There are some well-known Christian pastors, authors, evangelists, worship leaders, etc. that may seem to be shallow or seeker sensitive. Don’t classify them as hirelings because they may not have the depth you want. Often these men and women are serving a specific demographic that you may not fit within. They are reaching an audience that you and I may not be able to reach. Don’t throw stones at them. Don’t tear them down. Pray that God would use them to reach the lost and the broken whom we may not be able to reach.

Let’s pray that all of us do only what God asks of us.
Nothing more and nothing less.
Obedience is the key to fruitfulness and success.

Stay the Course
|

Stay the Course

I find myself grappling with a trend that I’ve seen happening in the Church for the last few years.

When I reference the Church, I don’t have a particular church in mind. “Church”, in this context, is the global church, the church around the world, or the Body of Christ. I’m not singling out a particular person or church as I’m writing this blog. The trend that I am talking about is people leaving the Church. Not just a few people here and there, but people leaving in droves…

Some are hurt or disappointed by the Church or leadership. On this subject, there is little that you can tell me that I haven’t experienced. I don’t want to sound arrogant, but when it comes to Church, I’ve seen more than most. Church split? Lived through it. Abuse and manipulation from church leadership or fellow church members? I’ve received these types of attacks often!! Observing moral failure or financial mismanagement? Sadly, I have witnessed this more times than I can count…

The only thing that I can equate a church split to is a really messy divorce. I saw family and friends during this time get so preoccupied and disillusioned with the things of God, that they turned their back on the God of things. Many of them have never returned, vowing never to go back to church, ministry, or God.

What I find really interesting is that they blame God for what has transpired – as if man had no hand in the whole ordeal!

It’s too convenient to forget that God is not the One who causes these things… Unfortunately, it’s His kids (who are so far from perfect and still struggle with sin) who are most often the perpetrators of these hurtful situations.

Covid, in my view, was a huge catalyst in people withdrawing from the Body of Christ. I’d like to think that Covid took the “Church” out of the four walls – that it took it back into the homes where families can sit around the dinner table at night. Then, after sharing a home-cooked meal, they study Scripture together. That is my utopian thoughts on the matter! I know some friends who have done just that and replaced Sunday church with a healthy Bible study at home. But, the reality is that the vast majority of Believers are not doing that.

Does the Church have a part to play in what is happening? Absolutely! The majority of churches have become a big show. The focus is on the dimmed lights, smoke machines, the right music and – of course – we have to be careful not to offend anyone in the way we conduct our services. Pursuit of presence has been forfeited for convenience.

Mathew 24 talks about a time when there will be a great falling away, where offense and betrayal and hate will abound, and that the love of many will grow cold. This is the portion of Scripture which talks about the Signs of the Times and the End of the Age. Is this the time in which we find ourselves? If so, what are we as “the Church”, as the children of God, supposed to do?? I may never have all the answers, but I know that the author of the book of Hebrews says in chapter 12 that we should fix our eyes on Jesus, to consider Him and to not grow weary and lose heart!!!

As for me and my house we will buckle down and do the work of the ministry with more fervor than we have before. Our assignment and mandate as the Church, or the Body of Believers, does not and has not changed! Matthew 28:18-20 is still applicable! We are still commanded to make disciples of ALL nations, baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and to teach these disciples to observe all the things He commanded!

And while we carry out this Commission, we must remember a few things:

Ensure our lamps remain FULL of oil and that we anticipate His return (Matthew 25).
Pursue an even deeper, more intense relationship with our Savior.
Take every opportunity to make Him known to those with whom we come into contact.

In the end, my primary motivation (regardless of if I have been in or out of full-time ministry) has always been that when I finally stand in front of Jesus one day, I will hear the words:
“Well done good and faithful servant…” Oh, what a glorious day that will be!!!

Paying the Price
|

Paying the Price

I have often received the question, “What does it take to be in full-time ministry?” This question comes my way about once a month, or sometimes more frequently if I am traveling  and ministering in churches or Bible schools. 

Please allow me to me share what I used to think. 

In 1999, I was nearing the completion of my two-year Bible program at Christ For the Nations Institute in Dallas, TX. I recall talking to Anna, who was my fiancée at the time, about our future. We sat in my car in front of her apartment, and the conversation centered around being called to the nations for ministry. During the conversation I stated, “I don’t know exactly how, but I know God will make a way for us to minister in the nations.” This statement was one of faith, but also one of ignorance. Little did I know that there was a high price to be paid for a life of ministry. Today, I am grateful for that ignorance! Had I known the price ministry required, I likely would have chosen a different path for my life. 

Fast forward 23 years… I am grateful to say that we have been faithful to the call of God and have not deviated one bit! 

What was the price? 

I cannot tell you simply one thing that would equate to “a price” for giving our lives for ministry. That list would go on for pages… For the sake of brevity, I will only share a few things: 

Of course, I could go on much longer, but that would seem like a rant, which is definitely not the intent or purpose of this blog! 

What else does “the price” require? What does it take to persevere in ministry?? 

The price of ministry is high. The ultimate price is laying down your own pride and selfish ambition. It is absolute and complete submission to God – no matter the situation or the cost. Ultimately, this means that you must lay down your life for the Lord. For many believers and ministers, they pay this price with their mortal life. I have friends who have literally given their lives for Jesus and now live with Him in eternity. 

For those who are truly interested in serving the Lord in full-time ministry, my encouragement would be to first count the cost prayerfully before doing anything else. Second, you must be confident that God has indeed asked you to give your life to Him in ministry. Without a call of God, your pursuit of ministry will be filled with additional challenges and heartache. Third, prepare yourself. Many men and women are trying to hack their way through ministry without any preparation, education, training, mentoring, etc. This is recipe for failure. Don’t use the excuse that Jesus chose a few unruly fishermen to turn the world upside down as your reason for trying to cut corners. These men walked with God! I don’t care how much time you think you have spent with God, you have not walked with Him like they did. Therefore, find the training and mentoring necessary to become equipped. Lastly, allow God to refine your character and integrity to a place that is unshakeable. You are not going to be perfect. But if you have weak character and a lack of integrity, the devil will eat your lunch and you will become another headline failure and mockery. 

I would offer one last thought to those who want to know about the price that must be paid. Are you willing to have your pride obliterated and your life humbled to new lows? If you are not willing or ready, then “buckle up, buttercup!” Your world is about to get hammered! I can make a strong and compelling case that all sin finds its roots in pride. 

Galatians 5:24-26 says, “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” 

To follow Christ is to crucify the flesh and all our fleshly desires. The price is high and cannot be understated. If you are willing to pay the price, the Lord is looking for more laborers in His harvest. 

Finally, in Luke 10:2 Jesus said, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” 

War in the Heavenlies

War in the Heavenlies

Understanding your Spiritual authority is crucial for your ability to do spiritual warfare – and if you did not know that there is a war going on in the heavenly realm – you only need to look around you at your own life. You will see that there is some thing or someone trying to stop you from growing and prospering as you press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:13-14)

There is absolutely no way that a believer should go into battle with the enemy without knowing or understanding that you have a God-given authority as a believer. As I journey through life, it is sad to see how fellow brothers and sisters in Christ have no idea of this authority that has been given to them, mostly due to the fact there is a lack of discipleship in the body of Christ at large. Believe you me, the enemy does not want you to know that you have any authority to go to war with him and that you have the God-given ability to defeat him.

The war that exists in the spiritual realm is clearly described to us in Daniel 10:10-14:

“Then behold, a hand touched me and set me unsteadily on my hands and knees. So he said to me, “O Daniel, you highly regarded and greatly beloved man, understand the words that I am about to say to you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” And while he was saying this word to me, I stood up trembling. Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was standing in opposition to me for twenty-one days. Then, behold, Michael, one of the chief [of the celestial] princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision is in regard to the days yet to come.”

The angel tells Daniel that he was sent with a message, but that the prince (principality) of Persia was set against him and prevented him from getting to Daniel for 21 days. It was not until the angel Michael, one of the chief princes as described in the book of Daniel, came to assist – that he finally got the breakthrough to deliver his message.

From time-to-time God will let us have a sneak peek into the war that happens around us on a daily basis in the spiritual realm.

Growing up in my teenage years, my parents were pastoring a church in the Northern Provence of the Nation of South Africa. God was pouring out His Spirit at the time and we saw all kinds of supernatural things happening. It was a season of growth and excitement as the believers came to fellowship and worship together in unity.

The enemy would have none of it! Through a series of events some of the leaders came to disagree with the direction the church was heading into. Instead of resigning and going their separate ways, they decided to lead an Old Testament “Kora” style revolt (church split) in that fellowship. As the enemy started sowing dissention amongst the brethren, the move of the spirit was quenched and the church started falling apart.

One night during this time, friends of our family came to visit. After the kids went to bed, the adults entered into a time of prayer and intercession. It was during this time of prayer that the supernatural made an appearance in the natural realm over our family.

As they were praying, there was a knock on the front door. When my father answered the door, he found a fireman standing at the door. No, the fireman was not a supernatural being. The firemen said that the department had received calls from some of the neighbors and the neighbors had reported that our house was on fire.

My Dad promptly invited him in and showed him around the house explaining that they were praying over a certain situation and of course there was no fire to be found in or around the house.

The fireman left. Mom, Dad and our friends continued again in prayer seeking and petitioning our Heavenly Father like in the book of Daniel trying to come to an understanding off what was happening in the church. After some time had passed there was another knock at the door, but this time a much with more intensity it could be said that it was more of a banging than knocking.

It was the same fireman, but this time exclaiming that he had seen the fire for himself!

“The fire is all over the roof of your house!” he exclaimed. “It is so bad that the tall trees in the backyard is on fire! It must be something with the electricity because I can see the bolts of electricity running on the electrical wires from the house all the way to the end of the street! The transformer that supplies the neighborhood with electricity has sparks flying all over the place!”

Of course there was no physical signs of fire or electrical burns when inspected.

The poor firemen! What a sight it must have been. What a spectacle it must have been to watch as the heavenly supernatural powers of good and evil fought while the saints of God pressed in and interceded – advancing the Kingdom of heaven on earth.

We have to come to the realization that when you pray and invoke the Name of Jesus, the Name above every Name, the whole of the spiritual realm has to come to attention! They pitch their ears knowing that something is about to happen, and all “Heaven” is about to break lose and cause havoc in their different precincts.

That is why we as saints of God cannot just throw around the Name of Jesus. His Name is precious and packed full of power. Maybe, just maybe the reason why you cannot exercise your full authority as a Christian is because you have used that precious name without any regard to the power that it packs.

Jesus is the one who brings the miracle, we are only vessels the He uses to pour his authority through. He reconciled us back to the Father and I think for those of us who understand we can take it for granted that we can enter into the throne room of the Heavenly-Father with boldness. (James 4:16) Then there is the larger part of the body of Christ, that did not even know we could enter or think they are too sinful to enter into the throne room of the Father.

Understanding that you have been brought into right standing with our Heavenly Father (been made righteous) through what Jesus did on the cross is a big part of discovering your authority as a follower of Jesus. (Rom 5:1-11)

The prayers that you pray on earth matters. God’s Word states that the prayers of the righteous accomplish much. (James 5:16) 

What God says or thinks about you is the only thing that matters in this life. Maybe it is time for you to get in the Word and find out how Father God sees you. Ask God to show you how He sees you. When you come to the realization that when you pray the God who commands angel armies is backing up your prayers, you will have the impact you desire in you prayer life. Prayer is not complicated, it is as easy as having a conversation with your Heavenly Father. Remember, your prayer life will be tested. I can guarantee you this from my life experience, that God will be faithful when you, as His word says, pray without stopping. (1Thess 5:17)

Don’t get discouraged, discouragement is the first line of attack by the enemy.

Daniel prayed for 21 days and then the breakthrough came. We win or lose battles in our Christian walk daily. It is your prayer life, your relationship with Father God that makes the difference.

This is a reminder that we are at war! We win this war by applying pressure to both knees and ending prayers with: “In the Mighty Name of Jesus, the Name Above Every Name, Amen!”