Dear Friends:
(If it is welcome and a blessing, send it on to others,Lee)
Spiritual warfare.
Fasting and praying. Already I can hear flesh shrivelling up at the sound of those words. But they are Jesus' words and not mine. Sometimes drastic times take drastic measures. Frontal attacks require frontal measures.
So often I hear of spiritual warfare and I always wonder what do they mean. I know it means fighting in the spirit realm (for we battle not against flesh and blood,but against principalities, powers, rulers of the air and all spiriual wickedness). I understand it, but the key seems to be God's new thing. He is always doing a new thing, perhaps so we remain dependent on Him and not the weapon??? I have seen principalities scatter at the sound of a trumpet blast, sneak out at the kneeling intercession of a saint, and vaporize at the praises of His people.
I think the point is there is no one way, no only way. My way may work for me, but not for you (witness the Christian books on the shelf) and yours not for me. There are many ways to move a pebble. The foot may kick it, the hand may throw it. The eye can see it, the brain can view it off the road, conveying the message to the foot or the hand, but both are required. (Point is we need one another!)
Bu the opening sentences talk of fasting and prayer. In the last few days the attack has been much, even to the place of fatigue. I have received glorious insight from around this list, as well as prayers and encouragement. And they have been helpful. To date we have no meeting place. So it is time for a weapons check. Am I ready for battle? I thought so, but I am willing to admit there were some flaws in my armor. Time to get lean and mean! (fast and pray)
For some spiritual warfare is that exciting time when everyone stands together, but what about when the darkness is around you and its you, and the Lord does not "seem" to be at hand? What then? Too often people are picked off when their sensitivity is low. Fasting for me sharpens that, but there is also the issue of being "comfortable" and I admit I was getting there and not even realizing it.
It is so easy for "negativity" to settle on one's thoughts, that there is a dulling of senses.
And all of it comes down to this. Your pastor can not do it for you, your wife can not do it for you and I can not do it for you. There is a time of testing that seems to come where you feel like the lights are off and all of a sudden you start listening for the noises. And your senses begin to heighten. It is at this point that casting down every thought that exalts itself against the name of Jesus is important.
I see Jesus fasting and praying to get things to a spirit to spirit relationship with no outside static, pulling away from the disciples, finding the Father, and turning to Him for the strength. But often in battle our senses tend to go haywire and our flesh begins to move and not our spirit.
Is fasting and praying the way? Not necessarily, but I do see it as a necessary for warfare.
So if the enemy has been pulling on you and victory always seems an arm length away, perhaps it is time to employ special forces tactics.
Desperate times call for reasonable, Biblical measures.
Selah.
Shalom.
We pray for you, each and every day. If this is an encouragement to you. Please tell us, and please email it to someone else. If you have a prayer request, please mail it to us. We want to stand with you, battling spiritual wickedness, seeing people made free. We want to serve our brother and sister.
In the Service of Christ for His Glory,
Lee Johndrow
For more information on this ministry or to receive our newsletter
please mail us at:
154 Paddock Road
Springfield, Vermont 05156
For those who support us in prayer and deed we appreciate it.
Thank you,
Lee & Tina Johndrow
 |
 |
 |