PREPARE FOR WAR
At the start of this year the word came to me, “PREPARE FOR WAR.” It is time to awake and put on the armor of light. It’s time to put on the full armor of God and prepare for war. I pondered for months on this.
Then last week an angel showed up. When I enquired of the Lord its purpose, I heard “This is an angel of war.” If you look at Biblical history, it was an angel with a sword in his hand that declared to Joshua “I have come as captain of the host of the Lord ” (Joshua 5:14). This angel came at a time when the armies of Israel were about to enter into the Promise Land. With every new season there is a fresh anointing with an impartation of grace to accomplish the will of the Father. Ministering angels are also assigned to help fulfill our mission (He. 1:14).
Likewise, the church is about to enter into the Promise Land, which is our full inheritance in Christ. In order to preempt a coming move of God and those who are entering into a new realm of glory, the adversary is preparing a major attack. There is a major battle looming on the horizon and this battle is not against flesh and blood, but “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 5:12).
The apostle John tells us that “God was revealed that He might destroy the works of the devil” 1 John 3:8). What Jesus began when He walked this earth He is now completing through His church. When we think of warfare, we often think of combating witchcraft, demonic oppression and acts of evil. While this is true, what is most threatening is the unbridled tongue of Christians. Who, out of one breath will bless God but in the next breath, are not afraid to gossip, slander, find fault and make an accusation against their own brethren.
The apostle James addresses this stating, “How can out of the same mouth precede blessing and curses?” Are we operating in witchcraft when we speak ill of one another? Yes! James tells us where there is envy and strife and selfish ambition there is confusion and every evil work (See James 3:7-18). Have you ever wondered why the Church is plagued with so many problems? As children of God, our voice can either release the realm of heaven, or that of something different. The fruit of our lips determines what rules in our hearts.
The major force behind an unbridled tongue is the accuser of the brethren. Since Satan cannot come before the throne of God to make his accusations, he uses well-meaning Christians who, in worship may praise His name, but with the same voice proclaim the issues they have with others. The deception is that these Christians are operating under the banner of self-righteousness actually believe that God is using them. Thus, the results led to division and discord, which of course they see as the fault of another. Satan knows that a house divided will not stand, which is his major tactic.
The Spirit of God never speaks ill of His own creation, nor should we. As a matter of fact, of the 7 abominations that God hates one of them is “He that sows discord among the brethren” (Proverbs 6:19).
Guard Your Heart
I also heard for this year that we are to seek wisdom. The Wisdom of Solomon tells us to “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23.) Our heavenly Father longs for a heart to heart relationship where His love can be poured out as living waters to those who are thirsty and in need. Jesus said out of our belly shall flow rivers of living waters. Thus, it is the waters that flow from the fountain within that we pour out that determines where our heart is. The rivers of life that flow from the throne of God contains His divine nature of pure love and mercy that brings healing and restoration. His love will release rivers that cause even the desert to blossom and bloom.
What rules in our thinking and feelings? Is it faith, hope and love? Or is it jealousy, envy and strife? Was it not the 10 spies who gave “an ill report” of what they viewed in the Promise Land that God judged them and all those who believed their ill report? All thought what they saw in the natural may have been true; their perception of reality was not “the truth that is found in Jesus” (Eph.4:21). Thus, what may be appear to be true doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the truth that makes men free, but rather puts them in bondage to our way of thinking.
Unless we know one another after the Spirit, we will never see clearly with God’s heart that enables us to love one another in the Spirit of the Lord that has His life. All too often, we address the baggage we see rather than the person God created someone to be. What we address is what will manifest. Here is a test. Think of the Christians you had an issue with? What arises in our hearts reveals how close we are walking with God.
We cannot justify anything in our hearts that is not in the heart of God. Nor can we entertain that which does not originate from the mind of Christ. Many believe that God is in agreement with them simply because it is written in scripture that justifies their reasoning. However, It is the spirit in which we speak and the fruit of our lips that determines it’s source. Even Satan can quote scripture but he cannot produce godly love. Love must be the motive for all that we do.
God so LOVED the world that HE GAVE His Son while we were yet sinners. He didn’t wait until the people were perfect. But rather, He revealed the goodness of God through healing, miracles, signs and wonders. This is why the Bible tells us that it is the goodness of God that leads to repentance. Instead of trying to bring correction to someone, try bringing them into the presence of God. It is in His presence where they taste of His goodness that gives them the burning desire to turn from darkness to God’s marvelous light.
The Lord of Host
Many are praying for revival and rightly so. The desire of every heart is for the King of Glory to come and minister His life in the power of the Spirit in the atmosphere of heaven. We want to see people alive in Christ with thriving ministries where there is true Church life.
Although this is noble and right, we might want to understand what to expect when the King of Glory comes in our midst. King David tells us that when the King of Glory comes, He comes as the Lord of Host. “Who is this King of Glory” David ask, “The Lord strong and mighty in battle. Who is this King of Glory, the Lord of Host” (See Psalms 24:7-10).
Did you know God is known as the Lord of Host more times in the Bible than any other name? Why the Lord of Host? The reason is with every move of God, every outpouring and every infilling, there is an ensuing battle. These battles may come from without or from within. The King of Glory comes with the authority of the King to establish His Kingdom on earth as it is in heave. Thus, if we want the King of Glory to come, we must train our people in the art of warfare, the weapons that are mighty in God to the pulling down of strongholds.
We have heard that the battle belongs to the Lord. We must however prepare for war by putting on the full armor of God, the light of Christ. In doing so, the battle then becomes the Lords. He is our sword, our battleax and our victor. As we enter into His presence, the Lord goes out on our behalf with a great and might sword. (See Is. 27:20-21 and 27:1).
The battle that rages is often within. If we take up arms in the flesh, the Lord watches from above until we come to Him to put on the armor of His divine nature. We cannot take territory until we are transformed by His glory. Then the Lord of host will be revealed in us and through us as a God of redemption, restoration and healing. The battle is the Lords when He is present.
The Lord will not pour out His Spirit in an atmosphere that cannot sustain or host His presence. Thus, we need to establish a culture where the people esteem one another in the love of the Father. Th Son of righteousness is now rising with healing in His wings. We are call to build bridges that will enable people to enter into the heavenly realm. Those who have a heart to heart connection with the Father and with one another in the heavenly realm, become a bridge on earth that creates an open heaven.
To the degree that we love one another, is the degree we can host the light of heaven that reveals the light of God on earth. To the degree that God can trust us with our words is to the same degree He will trust us with His Word that has the power to transform nations. To the degree we are faithful to use that which we have been given, is to the same degree that He can trust us with the true riches of heaven.
Our Warfare
The warfare of the Church is simply to remain in God’s presence. His judgment is against anything that slays love. The first commandment is to love the Lord with all of our heart, mind and soul. We can only love others and walk in love to the degree that we abide in God who is love. Bearing the light of God that reveals His glory upon our face is the result of walking in His love. When we look in the mirror, which image do we see?
We must ask ourselves, are we abiding in God where our hearts are ablaze with His love? The real battle is to press through anything that hinders us from abiding in the light of heaven. Jesus said that we would know one another by our love, which is the fruit of the Spirit that never fails. Our weapons of war are not carnal, but mighty in God to the pulling down of strongholds.
The flesh only leads to more flesh. Jesus said that the flesh profits nothing, but the Words He speaks, they are Spirit and they are life( John 6:63). Evil cannot cast out evil. It is the peace of God that crushes Satan under our feet, and His love that never fails. James tells us to “Submit unto God, resist the devil and he will flee” (Ja. 4:7). It is by our submission unto God that causes the devil to flee. We resist by submitting to the heart of God to fulfill His purposes. To say as Jesus did, “Nevertheless, no matter how painful this is, or lackluster, let your will be done.” His light is greater than any darkness. We are able to pierce the darkness as we “Arise and shine for your light has come” (Is. 60:1).
I have heard it said “If the enemy cannot stop you from pressing in and moving on, he will seek to cause you to move forward too quickly.” Jesus is the I AM of right now. Moving too slowly due to hesitation will cause us to miss great opportunities. And moving too quickly will cause us to get ahead of God where burnout occurs. The scripture tells us that those who are aligned with God’s Word, “Shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace.” (Is. 55:12.) Are we going out with joy being LEAD FORTH BY PEACE? Or are we being reactive and anxious believing that it is our duty to perform or to seek justice?
His Perfect Timing
What is leading us today? Is it our vision, zeal and ambition? It is our faith in God or fear, suspicion and unbelief? Or is it the rest that comes from abiding where we are overtaken by the joy of the Lord? Let peace be your barometer. If the peace of God is not there, backtrack and find where you missed the turn. (Rather than blame shifting, look within)
In the center of a hurricane there is a great calm. Even in the midst of storms, Jesus declared, “Peace be still.” As we abide in the center of God’s heart, His love and peace will rule the day. Thus, everyplace we walk we shift the atmosphere with the peace of God. Although there may be winds of adversities swirling around us, we can abide in the center of the storm where peace rules. Let Christ be the center of you life for He is the Prince of Peace.
As agents of change created in God’s image, we are created to host His glory to shape events, not be controlled by it. Anything that keeps us from abiding in the peace of God and His love, will only serve to draw us away into needless conflicts. We must remain at the helm of our call moving steadily forward. This can only take place when our focus is upon the Lord and our affections upon the things of the Kingdom realm (Colossians 3:1).
GET READY
Get ready; Jesus is taking us out into the deep into uncharted waters. Though the storms may rage about and the winds of the world may be contrary, our trust is in the one who calms the storms. Jesus is at the helm as our pilot and navigator for He is Lord of heaven and earth.. The King of Glory is here and He is here as the Lord of host. We walk from the place of victory as we abide in the one who is victorious, for He has risen,
Far above all principality and power and might, and dominion, and every name that is names, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come after. And has put all things under His feet. And gave Him to be the head over all things to the Church. Which is His gory, the fullness of Him that fills all in all (Eph. 1:21-23).
We prepare for war by putting on the full armor of God. As good soldiers not entangling ourselves with the affairs of this world, but standing firm on the Kingdom of God for His Kingdom cannot be shaken. As David declared in Psalms 91, as we abide in the secret place we shall abide under the wings of the Almighty who is our truth, our shield, our sword and our protector.
Yours in His love and heart,
Roy Roden