Are you an Interceder?

God has planned for us to intercede

Jeremiah 38 As often as we read stories like this, we get caught up in the excitement and danger of the storyline, we call it a “cliff hanger” and we wait for the savior to rescue the one in danger. Those are fiction, but this is real and we see that in the midst of danger, God always has a “man of the hour” ready to step in. God may not call us to confront a king or a president regarding the plight of another, but He may call us to serve through intercession. Ebed-Melech had the heart to serve no matter the cost. He was willing to step in and confront the vacillating cowardly king Zedekiah. Over and over through scripture, we see how God orchestrates events and places people in places to serve His chosen ones.

In Genesis, we read about Joseph being placed unjustly in prison, just like Jeremiah. There, an unlikely series of events brought Joseph face to face with Pharaoh’s servant, who had a dream that he interpreted.  The cupbearer promised to speak to Pharaoh, but it would be two more years before he remembered. Because God used the cupbearer, Joseph was released and elevated. Because Ebed-Melech was God’s servant, he was willing to be the man of the hour to step in and save Jeremiah from certain death.

Has God placed you in a position to save another? We have the gospel message to save men from sin; are we sharing it? Have you stepped up to the plate, or are you like the cupbearer who failed to remember his promise?

War Ain’t Pretty But….

Nope, war is ugly and there are more victims than victors. but, spiritual wars are even uglier. Let me explain:

Here’s what it looked like. Ephesians 6 battle mind2

Before I began this post I experienced an onslaught of the powers of darkness overshadowing me. It was more powerful than I have experienced in a long time. That is what happens when you come against these strongholds of the “enemy” Satan. But, just as Paul prayed for the Ephesians I began to pray: Strengthen me Holy Spirit in my inner man for Satan is my enemy and he does not want me to write this nor to share it. Just as quickly as the forces of darkness began to diminish. How often do we not utilize the tool of prayer in such strong words. But, Jesus and the Holy Spirit were interceding for me and I must believe that this is why Satan’s or his demon’s powers were thwarted. And now precious ones to the post!

This is War and It Ain’t Pretty!

ephesians 6 armor2This is the truth regarding a believer’s battle! This is real war Beloved lest we think otherwise!

Paul was all too familiar with walking in the flesh as well as walking in the Spirit and what lay ahead for the Ephesians. Recall what he told the Ephesian elders: “after I am gone fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.” Jesus said “I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves.” Who better than Peter to remind us that Satan himself roams about seeking whom he may devour and audaciously demands that we be sifted as wheat for he experienced it in real life. BUT, just as Christ prayed for Peter that his faith not fail, he sits at the right hand of God interceding for us. In addition, the Holy Spirit “intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.”

Take heart Beloved and prepare for the spiritual battle you will face daily moment by moment. Pray boldly that God would “grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person” because the real battle begins in the mind.[See above for my real life experience today!] Our real enemy is not flesh and blood but spiritual forces that are invisible to the naked eye. Yet, Satan cannot vanquish: truth, righteousness, the good news of peace, faith, salvation and the word of God. Be conscious that a spiritual battle is raging; be knowledgeable of Satan’s schemes of deception and untruths. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

Imitate Christ, put on your armor!

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