We are in Warfare – Stand Firm!
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 ESV
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“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12
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My very intense dream: I was being chased and barked at violently by a dog (pit bullish in form). I was with my youngest daughter. Fear gripped me and I began to run, I tried to hide, find a place where I could escape this dog. At one point in my mind, I was trying to figure out how to negotiate with this dog to leave me alone. Scene transition: Then I ran to a familiar house where my extended family was hanging out. I ran in a back room and locked the door. Then the door to the house opened. I peaked out and before I had a chance to warn one of my aunts not to let the dog in, she let the dog in. But the dog was quiet, lying on the floor calm, and with a familiar sneaky face.
Then I woke up. The Lord began to reveal to me what the dream was about, so I got up and went into my prayer closet and began writing what He was revealing to me.
The dog represented the enemy, my daughter represented a generation coming behind me and my family members were people I could influence.
Now here’s the thing. The attack of the enemy caused so much fear that I ran, tried to hide, and contemplated negotiating. This fear was setting the example to the generation coming behind me. It was also hindering me from exposing the enemy to those around me, thus, putting them at a disadvantage and possibly putting them at risk of being attacked or destroyed by the enemy.
God told me the enemy will come against us so loud and intense to try to intimidate us and cause us to shrink/run/hide & contemplate negotiating. DO NOT DO IT! Do Not Be Afraid, Do Not Run, Do Not Hide and Do Not Negotiate With the enemy. God has given you everything you need to stand against the enemy. Your focus can never be on the enemy your focus has to stay on Almighty God. God would not use you to impact the world around you and then allow the enemy to take you out. He has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power love and a sound mind. Stand flat footed on the Word of God and know that NO weapon formed against you shall prosper.
The enemy comes against you so hard is because you intimidate him and his kingdom. Your life proves that you are not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ when souls are being saved and lives are being transformed because you dare to walk in faith day by day. Everywhere you go the Kingdom of God is advancing, miracles follow you, sick people are being healed because you have the faith to believe God does what He says in His word. Living that kind of life qualifies you as a threat to the enemy. But get this. It also qualifies you to have that Hand of the Lord’s protection on your life and everything attached to you.
Do not lose faith, keep pursuing the Kingdom of God, keep being an instrument that God can use to bring about His purpose in the earth. There a generation coming behind and there is a people around you that is depending on you to Stand in Faith.
Do Not Fear….Stand In Faith!
Fear paralyzes you but Faith empowers you. Joshua 1:9 is a constant encourager and a command to “be strong and courageous, to not be frightened, and not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Remember when the enemy comes ,Your job is to stand firm and this is how you stand! You-Put-on-The-Whole-Armor-of-God. Ephesians 6: 13-19 tells us:
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
Blessings & Love from a daughter of the King
Priscilla J. Barnes