So much political tension out there still. Sup with that, the US election is over isn't it? What can you and I do about it? We can simply pray and obey.

We can express our faith -- we can worship, praise and pray biblically. 

Might not appear like it, but the battle happening in America isn't just political only. It perhaps looks almost all political, but it is mostly and fundamentally one of spiritual warfare. 

It has a lot to do with Leftism here (I’m not a Liberal, but did you know most traditional Liberals were either Christian or Jews back in the day, but now "Liberals" are off in leftfield. God loves Conservatives, Independents and Liberals--wants to save all individuals), but Leftism from the French Revolution to Karl Marx to Socialism to full on Communism (which doesn't work in any country, never did)..has always hated biblical Christianity, Jesus Christ and our good values. Note: Christianity is vastly different from mere religion. So what can we do today? We can simply pray to the Father in the Name of Jesus. Yeah, let’s keep it simple and to the point. We can show love to people and witness to them of Christ's love as well.. with the aim of winning them to Christ. All individuals need to turn and trust (repent and believe in) Jesus. 

Sure, in addition to praying.. there's of course practical foot-work of obedience to do as well. The Bible says... 

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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.” This text teaches some crucial truths: we can only stand strong in the Lord’s power, it is God’s armor that protects us, and our battle is ultimately against spiritual forces of evil in the world.”  Ephesians 6:10–12  

1. What does the Bible say about spiritual warfare?

2. Spiritual Warfare — what, really?

3. What can I do when I am under spiritual attack, or my country is?

4. Do we need to be aware of the spiritual battle that is taking place around us?

5. What is spiritual mapping and what does it have to do with this? It doesn’t, don’t worry about it.

6. What is warfare prayer? Let’s just keep it simple, like a child talking to their loving father. 

7. What is spiritual bondage?

8. What is spiritual dryness, and how can I overcome it?

9. Spiritual strongholds - what is the biblical view?

10. How can I overcome a feeling of spiritual emptiness?

11. How can I overcome spiritual apathy?

12. What is spiritual awareness?

13. What is the full armor of God?

14. What evidence is there of a spiritual realm?

15. Spiritual Life Essentials for me?

16. What does the Bible say about deliverance? Real Christians don’t really need demons cast out of them like they say they do in some churches. 

17. What does it mean to be strong in the Lord in Ephesians 6:10?

18. What does it mean to submit to Christ and resist the devil - why will resistance cause the devil to flee?

19. How interested are Christians supposed to be in the spirit world?

20. Does a believer have authority over Satan?

21. What is the breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14)?

22. Do Christians have the authority to rebuke the devil?

23. What is the conflict of flesh vs. spirit?

24. What is the belt of truth (Ephesians 6:14)?

25. What does it mean that God will fight our battles (Exodus 14:14; Deuteronomy 1:30)?

26. What does it mean to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5)?

30. How can I receive the protection of God?

We rely on God’s power, not our own. We put on the whole armor of God. We draw on the power of Scripture—the Word of God is the Spirit’s sword. We pray in perseverance and holiness, making our appeal to God. We stand firm (Ephesians 6:13–14); we submit to God; we resist the devil’s work (James 4:7), knowing that the Lord of hosts is our protector. “Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken” (Psalm 62:2).

All can know God well and make him well known. All can Fish4souls.org .. in the City .. or out in the Country.

You know Christ wasn't a pacifist, or some self-seeking bully.

Jesus is the prince of peace, He gives peace with God the Father through the forgiveness of sins. Why? Well, He is a peacemaker as we too should become, but Jesus is not a pacifist.

“Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” Psalm 144:1

Kinda similar thoughts to what we read in the 18th psalm. This was penned by David right before he was promoted..yes, before his accession to the crown, when he was troubled and persecuted by lost religious Saul. It seems he was still in trouble at this time (for all believers have struggles and none have an exemption from trials that are allowed in our lives to help us grow strong). The neighboring nations were pretty much harrassing and molesting him spiritually--giving him disturbances, especially the Philistines. (See 2 Sam. 5:17). Here David acknowledges, with triumph and thankfulness, the great goodness of God shown to him in personally advancing him forward as a leader.

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies..” Psalm 18:2

You are my strength, Heavenly Father and I’m thankful for Christ a mighty warrior. He fought and won as Your Son.

Jesus said, “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed.” ~ Luke 11:21

Now some days I feel a million miles away.. from god, but still I pray. Feelings are fickle--they lie. But I still want to pray and to hear all that You Lord have to say. You connect me in your Way and in your church. Feelings may sway--they come and go, but make me know as a real bro.. so I can go and show. Please show Yourself strong through me.

Connect me real tight. With You, let me burn bright and put up a fight..a good one. So that others can get redirected to Your light and connect as well.

I choose to worship You in Spirit and in truth. And I want to do that with JOY ahead of everything else I do and am. Yes, I want to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and trust you to provide all that I need--I know you will. You always have. Thank you. Your grace and kindness makes me want to tell somebody about you. It makes me want to type in right and explain how you really are. Perhaps if I write the truth in a way that accurately describes Your character Lord, yes, write about your holy, faithful, gentle and really good character, then others will want to draw near to You.. will come to You by grace through faith. If I was a musician I would play music with all my heart, I would pick riffs and strum on strings as best I could I'm right lyrics that would please you. But all this with make the devil and his minions squirm and fight To confuse, to deceive, to mislead people away from the cross.

What have you heard 'bout “spiritual warfare” lately..or ever? We can review what’s true about it. What does God in the Bible say about it?

There are two primary errors when it comes to spiritual warfare—over-emphasis and under-emphasis. 

1.) Some blame every sin, every conflict, and every problem on demons that need to be cast out. Well, real Christians can contend with their old fleshly nature, but they never need to have them (demons) cast out because the Holy Spirit who lives inside of the believer doesn’t have Mr. Lu-Cifer inside or any of his fallen-angel-buds as roommates enjoyin’ some time-share or seasonal vacation arraignment or other kind of agreement with them. Duh!

2.) Other people completely ignore the spiritual realm and the fact that the Bible tells us our battle is against spiritual powers. 

The key to successful spiritual warfare is finding the biblical balance. 

Jesus sometimes cast demons out of lost unregenerate people; other times He healed people with no mention of the demonic. The apostle Paul instructs Christians to fight the good fight of faith..to wage war against the sin in themselves (Romans 6) and warns us to oppose the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:10–18).

Ephesians 6:10–12 says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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.” This text teaches some crucial truths: we can only stand strong in the Lord’s power, it is God’s armor that protects us, and our battle is ultimately against spiritual forces of evil in the world.

Ephesians 6:13–18 is a description of the spiritual armor God gives us. We are to stand firm with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, and by praying in the Spirit. What do these pieces of spiritual armor represent in spiritual warfare? We are to know the truth, believe the truth, and speak the truth. We are to rest in the fact that we are declared righteous because of Christ’s sacrifice for us. We are to proclaim the gospel no matter how much resistance we face. We are not to waver in our faith, trusting God’s promises no matter how strongly we are attacked. Our ultimate defense is the assurance we have of our salvation, an assurance that no spiritual force can take away. Our offensive weapon is the Word of God, not our own opinions and feelings. And we are topray in the power and will of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is our ultimate example of resisting temptation in spiritual warfare. Observe how Jesus handled direct attacks from Satan when He was tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11). Each temptation was combatted with the words “it is written.” The Word of the living God is the most powerful weapon against the temptations of the devil. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).

A word of caution concerning spiritual warfare is in order. Nowhere in Scripture are we instructed to cast out demons or even to speak to them. The name of Jesus is not a magic incantation that causes demons to flee from before us. The seven sons of Sceva are an example of what can happen when people presume an authority they have not been given (Acts 19:13–16). Even Michael the archangel did not rebuke Satan in his own power but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 1:9). When we start talking to the devil, we run the risk of being led astray as Eve was (Genesis 3:1–7). Our focus should be on God, not demons; we speak to Him, not them.

In summary, what are the keys to success in spiritual warfare? Glad you asked. We rely on God’s power, not our own. We put on the whole armor of God. We draw on the power of Scripture—the Word of God is the Spirit’s sword. We pray in perseverance and holiness, making our appeal to God. We stand firm (Ephesians 6:13–14); we submit to God; we resist the devil’s work (James 4:7), knowing that the Lord of hosts is our protector. “Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken” (Psalm 62:2). 

God, I'm willing to change, to mature, and to grow strong. I'm willing to turn the page to engage.. in biblcial spiritual warfare however you want me to, Lord. Please fill me with Your Spirit. Thanks.. that You train my hands for war and my fingers for battle. Amen.

Truest Love is genuine and has already won. Calvary was not in vain, and Christ will triumph over all. So "why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." Psalm 43:5

http://kurtwvs.tumblr.com/post/122586621903/christ-followers-there-are-times-where-we-start

America needs God more than God needs America. 

Is there spiritual compromise in your life today? Simply.. turn to Jesus. 

Lord, help us by giving us Your anointing to pray earnestly alone and together as a nation! 

Man, what's started out here in the USA as freedom of pure religion, is becoming freedom from pure religion.. I mean real relationship with God through Christ. Didn't we ditch dead religion and the trouble with it in old England?

The ultimate solution here is a biblical revival. Meaning here.. restored real to it's original authentic condition. It's time for it. Let it start with us. Why? Ginormous need.

"For they sow the wind And they reap the whirlwind." Hosea 8:7

"Jesus used the institution of marriage as a picture of His love for the church and our love for Him. This gives us an opportunity to let our light shine and show the watching world a beautiful example of a good and loving marriage. Have we done that? Even as Christians, have we done as good of a job as we can with marriage? Marriage is a big deal to God. He thought of it, created it, blesses it and uses it as a picture to a lost world. The Bible tells husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the church. It’s as though Jesus is saying, 'See how that husband loves his wife? That’s how I love the church!' In the final chapter of Revelation, the church is pictured as the bride. Your marriage should be a testimony and example to nonbelievers watching. Nonbelievers should see it as an example of God’s love for them. When as Christians we break up our marriages for no biblical reason, divorce, marry another, and commit adultery, do we not undermine marriage? Resolve your conflicts, forgive one another, and move forward! Don’t tell me about your 'irreconcilable differences.'" ~ Greg Laurie

"If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under." ~ Ronald Reagan

“The choice before us is plain: Christ or chaos, conviction or compromise, discipline or disintegration...The time is come- it is now- when we ought to hear about the duties and responsibilities of our citizenship. America's future depends upon her accepting and demonstrating God's government.” ~ Peter Marshall 

Hey, don't stubbornly be a superior elitist know-it-all independent of the Lord. That won't help you or anyone. There's better choices for you. Dumb laws that go against the Scriptures have been made many times before by dumb men, but Christians must be wiser and obey God rather than men. Here are some more verses to study. Go check the Greek and Hebrew if you like, go check these verses in their own context--see what the rest of the Bible says on this stuff too.

Leviticus 18:22 - Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 nkjv - Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Romans 13:8-10 - Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 

John 8:7-11 - So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 

James 4:12 - There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

Galatians 5:14 - For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Isaiah 56:3-5 - Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, the LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, behold, I am a dry tree. 

Romans 1:24-27 - Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves...

Matthew 22:39 - And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Mark 10:6-9 - But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

Leviticus 20:13 - If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

1 Timothy 1:8-11 - But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully...

Romans 1:26-27 - For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature...

Are you like.. running through life all suited up and ready, or more like one of those vulnerable spiritual streakers dashin' for the door?

Okay, this for sure dates me, but I went to high school back in the day when streakers would surprisingly zoom through the lunch area of our school's mall in so called daring and creative fashion. Did it help anyone? Nope, but it happened. 

Yeah, and I remember seein' a few of those bleached blond surf rats at Dana Hills High slip, hit the floor, and take some high speed spills ..all sprawled out spread eagle on the concrete with their beards in the wind and all in the buff. Ouch! It was like watching a contact sport. Didn't really look like much fun though.. sliding into those hard nearby fold-able tables or those laughing students they were trying to avoid. Not sure if any got caught by campus security or not, but did see em get chased out. 

So many people go through life and do this type of thing (a 'lil differently) today even, and some actually get hurt. Don't want that to ever happen to you, no no!.. so I've got a few contexts for ya to check out when you get some moments free. 

Go read in the Bible (Eph. 6:17), "And take the helmet of salvation (sure, there's nothing more important than that), and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.." 

Yup, God says we each need to take up the sword which is the Word of God (it's the word "rhema" in the original—this is our only offensive weapon for our most important battle we will face. Not sure when you will face it, but it's good to be ready. "For (though we might feel like it at times..) 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" (v. 12 emph. mine). God wants us to recognize our real (ultimate) enemy who is Mr. Lu-Cifer, it's not really contentious people and guess what. He wants us to fight the good fight of faith..not really with people physically..and wants us to win. 

You were born to be a Bible-believing overcomer in this life, not some passive, out-of-shape soldier gone AWOL just when things heat up. So, how often do you fight the good fight of faith and pray for your lost or once lost loved ones? Listen, everyone of them is worth fighting for. 

You (and I) are to learn it, live it, apply it, and yes ..speak it, believer, in the most kind and fit way (depending on your specific situation). Too many use the Bible in a mean way to hurt people. Don't do that.  

The Gospel advances through prayerful one-on-one and one-on-more than one biblical evangelism. Be wise and tactful. I'm not sayin' go have extended communication with the enemy as too many believers seem to enjoy doing. That's so lame, but remember that sometimes the best defense is a good offense. 

Initiate believing prayer ..either alone or better yet with some others praying biblically too. Sometimes the best way to keep the devil and off of our own territory is to keep Lucy (as my friend calls him..) busy off on his own, just defending his kingdom from being plundered via our faith.. yes, from our bold attacks as we pray Christ-focused and simply share His Good News. Sure, many of our battles are fought in the sight of God alone, and they're all for His glory alone.

"The first step on the way to victory is to recognize the enemy." ~ Corrie Ten Boom

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4-5

Now this'll sound kind of weird, but the Bible is basically full of swords. The Apostle Paul challenged us to take hold of the true sayings (plural) of God. And the word rhema means the individual true sayings of God found in the Bible, not really meaning the whole Bible here, though that Book is way good to read from cover to cover as long as you live.

And don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the Bible becomes the Word of God when we believe it, or when we use it in a certain way.

It's a Book for committed soldiers that was literally breathed out of the nostrils of God—theopneustos. And the Bible just is the written Word of God no matter what we feel on different occasions, no matter what we face, see, or how we use it—it can never not be the Word of God and Jesus Christ will never not be the Living Word of God. He is God, He never sinned, and He never spoke or lived anything contrary to the Bible. That why our attitude towards this soul-winning inerrant Book is such a good indicator of our attitude towards the living God directly.  

"Prayer plumes the wings of God's young eaglets so that they may learn to mount above the clouds. Prayer brings inner strength to God's warriors and sends them forth to spirit.ual battle with their muscles firm and their armor in place." ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Galatians 3:27

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds." 2 Corinthians 10:4

"Fight like a good soldier; and if thou sometimes fall through frailty, take again greater strength than before, trusting in my more abundant grace." ~ Thomas a Kempis

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8

None of us can afford to ignore God's Word or our times in biblical prayer, or even afford to speak dogmatically where the Bible remains silent. But where the Bible speaks clearly ..yeah, that's where we can speak boldly in love..speak confidently and clearly i.e., "Jesus answered and said to him (a Pharisees named Nicodemus), 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God'" (Jn. 3:3).. "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again'" (v. 7).  

If God has called you into the military for the sake of a just war to protect innocent people, you are of course called to fight physically. Please do prayerfully read these passages in their own contexts and in order to receive more challenging quotes about this stuff, just click like at: facebook.com/shareJesus