GOD'S ARMY
By Synthia Esther
God has an army of spiritual forces, an angelic host filled with power from on high. God's power defeated Satan on the Cross of Calvary , as Jesus Christ bore sins redemption plan (Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14-16; John 12:31-32). God's mighty hand of authority is no match for Satan (Psalm 91:3; Isaiah 54;17; Luke 10:19; 1st John 4:4; Acts 19:11-12). For whatever we bind on earth will be bound in heaven (Matthew 16:19). As is written in God's word, Jesus's name is so powerful, other vagabonds tried in vain to extend His power and authority.
ACTS 19:13-15 (KJV) READS:
"Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye."
GOD, THE MILITARY, AND CHRISTIANS
The fact that God uses military terms to describe our mission tactics as Christians demonstraits the importance of being prepared for battle. Standing firmly in faith and firm in our resolve to live Godly lives is described in 1st Timothy 4:7-8, “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales, rather, train yourself to be godly. (8) For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life, and the life to come.”
While God is our refuge and strength He involves us in the process. Phil 3:12-14, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (13) Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting What is behind and straining toward what is ahead. (14) I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
James writes in chapter 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever, you face trails of many kinds, (2) because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (4) Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. As soldiers in Christ, our trails should urge us forward as we start today to rebuild our life up in Christ Jesus. We can begin to see our progress and framework writing a new chapter within the story line of our future today!
EPHESIANS 6:10-18 (KJV) READS:
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but aginst principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And ;your feet shod with preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"
DEREK PRINCE, AUTHOR OF THE BOOK, "SPIRITUAL WARFARE," WHITAKER HOUSE, PAGE 51 READS:
"Early in the passage Paul says, 'Therefore, take up the full armor of God...' We are dealing with taking up the full armore of God. You may have head me comment before that whenever you find a 'therefore' in the Bible, you want to find out what it is 'there for.' The 'therefore' in this verse is there because of the preceding verse where paul says, '...our stuggle is n ot aginst flesh and blood, but aginst the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenlies.' It is because we are involved int his life-and-death struggle with the evil spirit forces of Satan's kingdom that we owe it to ourselves (and God's word requires it of us), to put on the full armor of God. It is significant that twice in this passage (v. 11 and 13) Paul says, "Put on the full armor of God."
THE AUTHORITY OF GOD
Luke 10:19 (NIV), "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
Copyright - 2009-2010, Synthia Esther. All Rights Reserved.
