Category Archives: Spiritual Warfare

Choose Your 5 Stones!

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And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.  Romans 16:20 (NKJV)

Almost a year ago I wrote the devotion “Wrestling with Abba Father,” ironically published exactly one week before we left our home forever due to a mold outbreak, not knowing I’d do more wrestling in the coming year than ever before!  I have to say that when you spend several hours a day on the mat wrestling for months on end, you learn more about fighting the good fight of faith! 

I haven’t written much about spiritual warfare in My TEA CUPP devotions in the past, focusing more on other parts of prayer. But as our world continues its moral decline and trouble of all kinds abound for God’s children, it is important that we put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11) and battle the enemy in prayer. Though Jacob wrestled with the Angel of God, our spiritual warfare is not against the Father, but rather in the name of Jesus we fight against evil forces of wickedness, Satan and his fallen angels with names like Leviathan, Legion, Baal and many others. Paul tells us, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).

Our Lord Jesus knew all about spiritual warfare. Right after He was baptized, the Holy Spirit took Jesus into the wilderness where He fasted for 40 days. At the end of those 40 days, Satan came to tempt Jesus.  But Jesus did not give in to the devil’s tactics.  He fought back with the Word of God, using the Sword of the Spirit to defend Himself (read Matthew 4:1-11).  When Satan showed up again in the doubts of Peter, Jesus proclaimed, “Get behind Me, Satan!” ordering the devil away with His words (Matthew 16:21-23).  

As I was reading the familiar story of David and Goliath a few weeks ago, I saw how it is a perfect example of using spiritual warfare in our prayers (1 Samuel 17). You all know the story of how David gathered the five stones to fight the giant Goliath for mocking the God of Israel.  With only one stone, David won the battle, perhaps because the battle had already been won in prayer.  Let’s look at what steps we must to do to be victorious like David in his spiritual battle over God’s enemy: 

  • We pray (Psalm 27)
  • We obey our Father (1 Samuel 17:17-20)
  • We practice on a lion and a bear (1 Samuel 17:34-37)
  • We size up the situation and ask permission (1 Samuel 17:20-30)
  • We gather our stones (1 Samuel 17:40)
  • We fight with the Word of God (1 Samuel 17:45-47)
  • We claim the victory! (1 Samuel 17:48-51)

I feel like I’ve been practicing on the lion and the bear this past year as we battled in prayer for healing and a home. I’ve progressed to gathering my stones and fighting the enemy with the Word of God.  What does this look like?  When I was on the verge of completing my third book, More TEA CUPP Prayers, I gathered my five stones.  I knew the enemy did not want me to finish this as he had used every tactic to try to knock me out, from sickness to despair.  So, on my final afternoon of writing, I wrote five promises from God’s Word in my prayer journal. These were my five stones to throw at the enemy if he came along during my writing. I wrote that day, Dearest Jesus, be with me to press on and finish More TEA CUPP! I claim these five stones of promise against Goliath in Your Name, Yeshua!

  1. No weapon formed against me shall prosper (see Isaiah 54:17).
  2. He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world (see 1 John 4:4).
  3. He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (see Philippians 1:6). 
  4. I shall not die but live to declare the works of the Lord (see Psalm 118:17).
  5. He shall give His angels charge over me to keep me in all His ways (see Psalm 91:11).

I also rebuked, in the Name of Yeshua Messiah, the “prince of the power of the air” from messing with the internet and computer (Ephesians 2:2)!  And I’m delighted to say that day was a victory for God’s side as More TEA CUPP Prayers is now at the publisher!  HalleluYAH! God be praised!

As I continued reading 1 Samuel, I remembered again David and Goliath. I noticed that David didn’t assume his first victory would guarantee the next victory over the enemy.  When he came to battle again, David first …inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah.” (1 Samuel 23:2).  That is a lesson for us, too: Keep asking the Father before battling the enemy, or we might become like the people in Acts who cast out demons in Jesus’ name and were attacked (see Acts 19).  

Paul tell us, “for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). This reminds me of 2 Samuel 17:13 when Hushai gave advice to Absolom, saying they would use ropes to pull the city down into the river.  That’s what we do with our prayers!  Our prayers are like ropes, pulling the evil strongholds into the river!  Dear one, you can do this! Stay in God’s Word, claim His promises, always keep on His armor as you pray and go through your days.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.  1Timothy 6:12 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Read 1 Samuel 17.  Now it’s your turn.  Pick your five Bible verse “stones” to have ready for the next spiritual battle.  Put on the whole armor of God and stand!  Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57)!  

…be valiant for me, and fight the Lord’s battles.  1Samuel 18:17 (NKJV)

…the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s... 1Samuel 17:47 (NKJV)

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  Ephesians 6:11 (NKJV)

But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.  1Thessalonians 5:8 (NKJV)

Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 1Corinthians 9:26-27 (NKJV)

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. 2Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV)

This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare. 1Timothy 1:18 (NKJV)

Blessed be the Lord my Rock,
Who trains my hands for war,
And my fingers for battle.  Psalm 144:1 (NKJV)

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.  2Timothy 2:3-4 (NKJV)

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

 

Wrestling with Abba Father

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And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Galatians 4:6 (NKJV)

It was the match of all time.  In one corner was Jacob, the supplanter, the deceiver, the polygamist.  In the other corner was the Angel of God, the pre-incarnate Son Himself, the Mighty, all-powerful One, Creator and King of the Universe.  They met on the open plain.  Jacob had sent his wives and children ahead.  He was alone, much the same as his first journey when he saw the ladder going up to heaven (Genesis 18:10-22). Yet this time, he had to wrestle for a blessing.  The odds were stacked against him.  The angels placed their bets on God the Father, and in the end, guess who won? (Genesis 32:22-32).  

Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. 

God: “Let Me go, for the day breaks.”

Jacob: “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”

God: “What is your name?”

Jacob: “Jacob.”

God: “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”  Genesis 32:24-28 (NKJV)

If ever there was a time in history where we need to wrestle with God and prevail, ’tis now. If ever there was a time for people to cry out, “Abba, Father!” ’tis now! With every page of the newspaper, with every change of the channel or website, with every inspection of our cell phones, we come across bad news… heart-breaking stories, immorality, deaths, mandates, lies, deception, tyranny… It is often so much, we don’t even want to look at it! But God the Father already knows all about it and He is waiting for us to call Him. So, let’s not keep Him waiting any longer, let’s call on the Lord today!

Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:1-2 (NKJV)

What should we pray for, and what should we cry about? God says we can ask anything in His Name, and He will do it (John 14:14). Dear One, you may cry out to God with whatever He puts upon your heart, whatever the Holy Spirit leads you to pray. When King Hezekiah received bad news in 2 Kings 19, he took it to the temple and spread it before the Lord. We can do that, too, spread your newspaper or cell phone before the Lord and pray King Hezekiah’s prayer in 2 Kings 19:16,19:

“Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God…  O Lord our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, You alone.” 2 Kings 19:16, 19 (NKJV)

What am I wrestling for right now? Our children and grandchildren, our country, healing for loved ones, salvation for so many, for My TEA CUPP mission, for the USA, for Israel, for healing for the nations… If you need ideas for your wrestling prayers, Scripture tells us many things about which we can pray,,,

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— Ephesians 6:18 (NKJV)

And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.  Matthew 24:20 (NKJV)

Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.  Luke 21:36 (NKJV)

…Pray that you may not enter into temptation. Luke 22:40 (NKJV)

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
May they prosper who love you.  Psalm 122:6 (NKJV)

…Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left. 2 Kings 19:4, Isaiah 37:4 (NKJV)

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. Romans 10:1(NKJV)

…pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. Matthew 5:44,  Luke 6:28 (NKJV)

…pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Matthew 9:38, Luke 10:2 (NKJV)

Ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain. The Lord will make flashing clouds… Zechariah 10:1 (NKJV)

I was asked recently if my prayers bring me peace and I had to stop and think for a minute.  I come to Him everyday with a heart heavy-laden with the concerns of this world, and He promises He will give me rest and carry my burden for me (Matthew 11:28-30).  When I’ve prayed every prayer and unloaded my concerns, I should walk away with the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). 

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.  Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

Why don’t we always feel that peace?  Perhaps it’s because we’ve been wrestling in prayer. Perhaps we are taking all the cares of the world upon ourselves.  Our prayers are more like those of Jesus before He went to the Cross. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He was praying so hard, His sweat was like drops of blood (Luke 22:44).  Or perhaps, for all our wrestling, we are hurt like Jacob, who wrestled the Angel, receiving a life-long injury, yet at the same time, he was given the blessing of the Father for all eternity. Why does prayer often hurt so much?  Because we are not wrestling with our brother or sister or neighbor or even the government, our battle is against principalities (Ephesians 6:12), powers, rulers of the darkness, and spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavens whom we can’t even see, but God sees and knows all about them. 

When we wrestle for the Lord here on earth, we are joining in the battles already in progress up above.  Do you remember when Daniel started praying for his people in Daniel 9 and 10?  It took almost three weeks for an answer to come. When the angel Gabriel arrived, he declared that he had left the moment Daniel had started praying three weeks before, but had been detained by evil angels and the angel Michael had to assist him (Daniel 10: 12-14).  It seems those evil angels have been busy detaining the answers to our prayers, and so we must keep praying, just as Daniel did, and hold onto to God until He gives us a blessing, just as Jacob did, and keep sweating those drops of blood in prayer, just as our dear Savior Jesus did before He went to the Cross on our behalf, trusting that peace and rest is coming on the other side.

Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.  Daniel 12:10 (NKJV) 

And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  Luke 22:44 (NKJV)

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Oswald Chambers said, “Prayer is not preparation for the battle, prayer is the battle.” Dear Ladies, thank you for joining Jesus on the battlefield every morning in prayer for your loved ones, our nation, and our world. Keep your armor on! Keep wrestling!  Always looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13). Jesus is coming soon (Joel 2:1)! God bless you always!  

p.s. Read Genesis 32:22-32 for Jacob’s wrestling match with the Angel.  Who won?

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  1 Corinthians 15:57 (NKJV)

He took his brother by the heel in the womb,
And in his strength he struggled with God.
Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed;
He wept, and sought favor from Him… Hosea 12:3-4 (NKJV)

And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.” Mark 14:36 (NKJV)

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”  Romans 8:15 (NKJV)

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
You who lead Joseph like a flock;
You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!  Psalm 80:1 (NKJV)

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.  1 Peter 4:7 (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982
 
To my faithful readers: I’m so sorry to keep you waiting on this devotion, I’ve been busy wrestling with God :-).