Community Pentecostal

The Spiritual Battle

First off, do not fear, nor be afraid….
God said to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:8-9
God said to Abraham, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” - Genesis 26:2
God said to Jeremiah, “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you.” - Jeremiah 1:8
God told Elijah not to be afraid. Read the story in 1 Kings 19:9-18
Elisha once said, “do not be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” – 2 Kings 6:16
“When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God…. will be with you.” – Deuteronomy 20:1
Hezekiah said, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” – 2 Chronicles 32:1-23
Jesus says to all mankind: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14: 27
Do not fear. “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4

A Word About Weapons….
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. “– 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12
David once said, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” – 1 Samuel 17:45

Armor of God…
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” – Ephesians 6:11
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Stand firm then,
with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,
with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
In addition to all this,
take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” – Ephesians 6:13-18
“Let us be self- controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:8
“He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.” – 2 Samuel 22:31
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow.” – Hebrews 4:12
“Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience… Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” – Colossians 3:12-14
“The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self –control.” – Galatians 5:22
PRAISE!! The battle position of choice. “As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amelkites were winning.” - -Exodus 17:8-13
PRAYER!! “He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God.” – Colossians 4:12

Gods Weapons….
“The Lord has opened His arsenal and brought out the weapons of His wrath, for the Sovereign Lord Almighty has work to do.” – Jeremiah 50:25

Training is crucial…
“He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” – 2 Samuel 22:35-36
“All Scripture is God breathed and us useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Jesus is our teacher. “The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.” – Mark 1:22
The Holy Spirit is our teacher. “The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” Jesus says in John 14:26

So What is Your Role??
“Be on your guard.” – 2 Peter 3:17
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others.” – 1 Peter 4:10
“Be alert and always keep on praying…” – Ephesians 6:18
“Love one another.” – John 13:34
“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” – Psalm 34:14
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15
“Do not love the world or anything in the world.” – 1 John 2:15-17 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” – Matthew 6:24
“Live at peace with everyone.” – Romans 12:18
Follow Jesus. – see John 8:12

You are a Soldiers.
“Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs – he wants to please his commanding officer.” – 2 Timothy 2:3-4

You are a Guard…
“I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel.” - Ezekiel 3:17
“Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” Jesus warns. - Matthew 24:42
“You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:4-7

A Word About Hardships….
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
“I am not alone, for my Father is with me.”- Jesus from John 16:32
“Lo, I am with you always to the very end of the age.” Jesus from Matthew 28:20
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Jesus from Matthew 11:28-30
God only gives you what you can handle… (What He knows you can handle!) “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:13
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” – Jesus warns in Matthew 16:24. (He never said it would be easy, but he does say he will see us through it.)
God “daily bears our burdens.” - Psalm 68:19

A Word About your Enemies….
“Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” – 1 Peter 5:8
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” - Matthew 7:15
“By their fruit you will recognize them. A good tree can not bear bad fruit, and a bad tree can not bear good fruit.” – Matthew 7:16-20
Do not repay anyone evil for evil.” – Romans 12:17
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” – Proverbs 25:21-22
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44

The Role of Angels….
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him.” – Psalm 34:7
“For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” – Psalm 91:11

God is a Warrior.
“The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.” – Exodus 15:3
“Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.” – Psalm 24:8
“Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.” – 2 Chronicles 20:6
“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” – 1 Corinthians 14:33
“Our God is a God who saves, from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death. Surely, God will crush the heads of his enemies, the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins. “– Psalm 68:20-21
“Your right hand Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, O Lord, shattered the enemy, In the greatness of your majesty you threw down those who opposed you. You unleashed your burning anger; it consumed them like rubble. By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up.” – Exodus 15:6-8

Gods Armies….
“The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands.” – Jeremiah 50:25
“Elisha prayed, ‘O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” – 2 Kings 6:17

God is your strength….
“The Lord is the strength of His people.” – Psalm 28:8
“The Lord gives strength to His people.” – Psalm 68:35
“Be our strength every morning.” – Isaiah 33:2
“Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” – Ephesians 6:10
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Jesus from 2 Corinthians 12:8

God is your protection….
“You are my hiding place.” – Psalm 32:7
God “will protect me from trouble.” – Psalm 32:7
God “surrounds me with songs of deliverance.” – Psalm 32:7
“If you make the Most High your dwelling – then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.” – Psalm 91:9-10
“A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.” - Psalm 91:7
“He is my refuge and my fortress.” – Psalm 91:2
“He reached down from on high, and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.” – Psalm 18:16

God is your Guard.
God is watching over you. “He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you.” - Psalm 121:3-8
“The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ.” – Philippians 3:7

And Remember...
“No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.” – Psalm 33:16
“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.” God from Zechariah 4:6
Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:21
“Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58

The Battle is Not Yours….
“For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” – Isaiah 30:15
“Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” – 2 Chronicles 20:15

God’s Ultimate Strategy….
“Devise your strategy but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us.” – Isaiah 8:10
“The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” – Psalm 33:10-11
“There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.” – Proverbs 21:30
“What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.” – Isaiah 46:11
Job said, “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.” – Job 42:2
Amaziah was told, “God has the power to help or to overthrow.” – 2 Chronicles 25:8
“God had planned something better for us…” – Hebrews 11:40

Good news! We are on the winning side! Victory is guaranteed…
“Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.” - Psalm 60:11-12
“The Lord will march out like a mighty man, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies.” – Isaiah 42:13
“1 John 5:7
“He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 1 Corinthians 15:57
John 16:33
“With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies.” – Psalm 60:12
“The Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” – Deuteronomy 20:4
It will come true… “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, o death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” – 1 Corinthians 15:54-55

In Conclusion…
“Fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience.” - 1 Timothy 1:18
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. “ – 2 Timothy 4:7

Note: No matter what you are going though, I am praying that this will help see you through it. God bless my friend!!! I dedicate this article to Jeanelle VanOs, an incredibly brave young lady.

- used with permission by Michelle Wordley 2009

We are like the stars above us....
So many humans think they are above the law, above God, above reproach, above sin..... Stars must think they are above all things....
So many humans, so many stars.
Humans, like stars, are bright.
And when stars, like humans, are at their darkest, God is at His brightest. It is then that His true beauty shines through!!
Remember, like stars, we are stars in Gods eyes - super stars. We are super stars for Christ. So shine! God bless. - Michelle Wordley

WORDS TO PONDER.....

Sometimes when we are all alone it is important to remember that we are not alone. When things are at its worst, we need to remember that we are the best (through Christ)and it is the best that will see us through. When we are out of energy and all we want is our bed, we have to find our strength in Christ and remember that better days are ahead somewhere. When all we can do is frown, we need to stand on our head and turn the world upside down with a smile. When we are fighting depression we have to remember the good times and focus on the good in our lives, no matter how miniscule. No matter how big the impossibilities, we have to remember that somewhere in there is possibilities!! And in all things we must give thanks to God above!!! - used with permission by Michelle Wordley 2009 (written for the CFS support group)

The night was so dark,
I needed a tiny spark.
Lost, without a way.
I didn't know what to say.
Not sure where to go, what to do.
I needed something or somebody new.

Then in the silence I heard a voice,
slightly higher than a squeak.
It told me I had a choice...
And as I heard Jesus speak,
I knew I had found the light.

A beacon in the night.
For the blind, it is sight.
A candle on the hill,
light that chose to spill,
over a dark world.

Jesus is the light,
the way, the truth, the right,
the chosen path.
You don't have to be good at math,
to know He will show you the way;
lead you through the dark.
His presence leaves an indelible mark.

So when you need a spark,
turn to Jesus and he will light
the path
and bath your darkness in a loving alabaster white.
Sleep well my friend, good night!!!

Used with permission, by Michelle Wordley

CPC Church took the July 17-19 weekend to travel to Drumhellar AB to take in the live outdoor Passion Play as well as spend a weekend camping together. Have a look at some of the photos on our web site photo album as well as adding your comments and experiences in the comments below!