The Weapons of Our Warfare

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world (carnal). On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Cor. 10:4

The weapons of our warfare do not make sense to the carnal or natural mind.  Prayer does not make sense.  It’s not in the sense realm (the 5 physical senses), it’s in the realm of faith. I had blogged previously that it says we are to pray without ceasing. 1 Thess. 5:17.  It tells us to pray for our government officials.  I know many people would rather criticize.  There are two scriptures related to praying for our country and our leaders as believers.   It talks about petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving.

 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people For kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 1 Timothy 2:2

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Cor. 7:14

We have the example of petitioning prayer as when the widow came to the unjust judge on several requests and Jesus said that her request would be answered because she was persistent.  (Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1). 

Jesus also gave the example of the man beating on the door in the middle of the night and he gives his neighbor the request not because he is a good neighbor (editorial note…must not be State Farm), but because he wants him to quit banging on the door.  When a friend tries to call my cell phone at 3:00 a.m. in the morning in need, they have to be a good friend, because I don’t always leave my phone on and answer it that early in the morning.  That is an example that sometimes we may wake up early and pray.  I heard gun shots in my neighborhood very early, so I did wake up praying recently.  But, if someone bangs loud enough on my door, I am going to wake up and see what is going on.

An example of intercession is Jeremiah who is known as the weeping prophet.  I was watching the news a few years ago and a Purdue college student had drove his car into a retention pond and drown accidentally, I broke out in this crying and travailing (intercessory) prayer for the couple who lost their son.  He was in the prime of his life.  I’ve heard of similar things, even at the school where I work, a student went on a overseas study program in Greece and she fell off a balcony.  These young people had their whole life ahead of them and it ended suddenly.  I interceded for the parents who lost them and it was with weeping and tears.

Many of the people of Judah were taken with Jeremiah and only a few of the poorer people were left in the land. Nebuchadnezzar and his army broke down the walls of Jerusalem and set fire to the temple of the Lord. They first took out all the vessels of gold and silver that they found in the temple, and carried those precious vessels to their own land.  Jeremiah was allowed to remain in the land of Judah among the poorer people. And he lived to be an old man. But as long as he lived he faithfully warned the people according to all the words that God spoke to him.  Because he lived during such a time of trouble, Jeremiah was a sad-face man. He talked more about the sorrows of his people than about their joys. And often he wept because of their sins. For this reason he was called the ‘Weeping Prophet.’"

I heard the example last night of a woman who goes and helps teens caught up in sex trafficking.  She put her arms around this one young teen woman and she cried for her. The teen said that no one had cried for her.  She gave her a hug and pulled her into her chest. That is the example of God as our Heavenly Father as he wrapped his arms around the Prodigal Son, and he pulls us into his chest.  He binds up our brokenness.  (He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3) It says he "carries them close to his heart."

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11

The other day I was trying to find this restaurant and it was a single’s group for dinner and they were going to have fish and chips.  My Tom Tom broke after one year, and I had this map I printed from the Internet that was not clear, and then I was trying to follow my new Smartphone.  I should have listened to my heart instead of my head on where it was, but I was going to be an hour late so I gave up on finding it.  I prayed, thanked God he is in control of my life, and decided to head home. I saw a Long John’s Silver’s, and I went ahead and got some fish there.  Then when I got home, it was very clear to me that the devil said “That is what you get in life you are going to get the consolation prize.  You had the real McCoy - your husband, now everything else is a consolation prize in life.”

I was watching Joyce Meyer that evening, and she talked about the weapons of our warfare – they are the blood of Jesus and the name of Jesus.  So I started rebuking the devil.   A good idea when you bind Satan is to “gag” him.  If you tie anyone up – you don’t want to listen to their mouth running.

But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. Mathew 12:28-29

I had a dream recently that I received three large packages in the mail Federal Express at work.  In my dream, I stuffed them in my desk for a couple months and forgot about them.  Later, I found a bunch of payroll checks in the packages that were filled out, but they needed to be signed.  I believe that was symbolic of praying in the name of Jesus for prayer requests (signing those checks).  I don’t have anything to do with payroll (it’s all automatic payroll at work through an online time clock).   I see that God is saying that he does not want me to live my life in “automatic pilot.”  Good way to run into a mountain at times unless you speak to the mountain to move!

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit--fruit that will last--and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. John 15:16

The name of Jesus and the blood of Jesus is for the believer, it’s part of the weapons of our warfare that are not carnal weapons like guns, missiles, knives, grenades or nuclear bombs.   Someone’s gossip or criticism got you down?  Remember the Lord is a sun and a “shield.”

no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD. Isaiah 54:17

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84:11

What this all boils down to is Satan is very annoyed that he lost a soul that he thought he had so he is licking his wounds – that is the main reason I believe he attacks Christians, and second he is trying to drag as many people down with him to hell as he can.  He is like a lobster or a crawdad.  I believe a great revival is getting ready to break out with the church, and I’ve had many friends attacked recently with life-threatening illnesses and serious car accidents so I believe it’s a deterrent (like a bear spray) from the enemy because of a great move in the spirit.  My plan is to head to June for a missionary reunion in Decatur, Illinois with friends where they are setting up a tent revival and have contacted around 39 churches in the local community.  I am looking forward to a powerful move of God.  But, I believe the first move of God is to get us on our knees in prayer.