The Battle is Raging

6:20 AM My first text of the day. A cry for help. A plea for prayer. A call for warriors to unite, armed with the full armor of God, and GO TO BATTLE! There is a war going on, Beloved. It's not a new battle. This fight has been going on since the beginning of time, ever since the serpent of old decided to seduce Eve, and Adam, in the Garden with that beautifully enticing and, no-doubt, delicious piece of fruit that promised nothing less than equality with God. Satan's schemes have not changed. They have been the same since his fall and ours; lies and deception in order to gain power and authority over all of creation; an attempt to make himself like God Almighty.

But now, Beloved, in "these last days" there is a difference! There is a difference in his determination. There is a difference in his urgency. There is a difference in his intensity. "Satan knows the biblical signs of Christ's imminent return far better than we do, and he is furious because he knows his time is short (Rev. 12:12)." Beth Moore, Praying God's Word.

Can't you just FEEL it? Can't we all SEE it? It becomes more and more evident with each passing day, with each breaking news story, on every television show or Hollywood platform, with the on-slot of political agendas that push distortions or complete dissolutions of any moral absolutes. Satan is frantic. Satan is furious. And Satan is out to destroy God's people (1 Peter 5:8). I believe more so now that ever before in the history of humankind.

But we do not have to fear. We who are in Christ Jesus are already victorious because the battle was won at the cross! By the blood of Jesus, we have been set free from sin and death and the power of darkness. There is a place reserved for Satan and his angels (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10) in the lake of fire where the flame is never quenched and the worm dies not. And he will do everything within his power to frantically and desperately snatch, rip, tear, claw and grab anyone and everyone he can take with him as he goes, screaming, blaspheming and accusing, into the eternal pit of Hell.

We do not have to fear, but rest assured, WE MOST DEFINITELY HAVE TO FIGHT!

Ephesians 6:10-20

10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. 12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. 13 This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore,

with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.

Please join me, and all of our beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, in this battle. But I urge you, do not enter the battle lightly. The battle begins in our hearts. Prepare your armor; make sure there are no chinks, holes, or areas of weakness. As Paul stated, our armor consists of truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation. Are these the earmarks of your life? Does your armor need strengthening? Ask God to remove any weaknesses. Get your armor right before a Holy God first! We have a very formidable enemy, Beloved, who knows where every weakness is. Then arm yourself carefully, so that you may be able to defend yourself, resist the devil and stand firm. Now take up your weapon, the sword of truth, which is The Word of God. Paul tells us we only need one weapon, that is because it is a divine weapon, full of supernatural power! (Heb. 4:12)

Once you are properly armed, you are ready for battle. NOW FIGHT! But exactly how do we fight this spiritual battle? How do we wield our Sword of Truth? Paul tells us:

18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. 20 For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should.

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! Pray for our Pastors, our Christian leaders, and our churches by name, and for all of our brothers and sister in Christ. Pray The Word of God. His word never returns to Him empty, but accomplishes what He has purposed it to do. (Isa. 55:11) Lace every prayer in battle with it! And pray at all times. In the Spirit. With alertness, perseverance, and intercession for each other. And for boldness to share the gospel, for ourselves and for one another. We are not just fighting for ourselves, Beloved. We are fighting for lost souls who are perishing. Who will be eternally separated from God in that pit with Satan apart from hearing, believing, and receiving the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Rom. 10:14) What the enemy cannot foresee, is that when he turns up the heat in his war against God's chosen ones, it only drives us to our knees in prayer, which is how our sovereign and all-knowing God strengthens us to effectively fight against him.

Therefore, this is what I am asking you to do right now, today, tomorrow, and without ceasing, until we see the Victorious King Himself, the Son of Man come again, descending on a cloud from Heaven. Then and only then will our fighting cease. The time is short, Beloved. His Kingdom is at hand (Mark 13:26;32-37). BE READY! BE ALERT! PRAY!

"Lord God, look upon the enemy that oppresses (us) and let smoke rise from Your nostrils! Let consuming fire come from Your mouth. Part the heavens and come down! Mount the cherubim and fly! Soar on the wings of the wind! Shoot Your arrows and scatter (our) enemy." (prayer adapted from Psalm 18:8-10;14) Beth Moore, Praying God's Word.