I want to speak to you on\u00a0the following two principles:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Attack<\/li>\n
- Defend.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u00a0When you see two rugby teams play, there is always a combination of attack and defense strategies being revealed during the game.\u00a0 The team who only defends,<\/span><\/strong> will grow weary quite soon and start to loose the game.\u00a0 When you only want to defend your position, you will have to focus all the time on all possible areas and strategies where the enemy could penetrate your defense system.\u00a0 Therefore, your focus will only be on defense and you will not be in a position to attack successfully.\u00a0\u00a0 In a spiritual sense, you will have to be on your guard 24\/7, with no peace in sight \u2013 growing weary and despondent quite quickly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0But, when you are geared to attack,<\/span><\/strong> your mindset is right and focused on the desired outcome and you keep the enemy on the hind foot. You can decide on the attack strategy, the timing, place and method.\u00a0 You are in control with the guidance of the Lord Jesus Christ.\u00a0 Then the enemy has to defend and will not be able to attack. \u00a0\u00a0Deu 28:7\u00a0 declares<\/span><\/strong> \u201c The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. (KJV) <\/em><\/p>\n
\u00a0Let the enemy flee before you in seven different ways \u2013 scatter them in fear of the children of God! \u00a0You have the victory because God is on your side.<\/p>\n
Just two important points \u00a0before we continue: <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- I don\u2019t want you to focus on the enemy all the time and you will find that the following attack strategies place your focus squarely on God and on His Word where it should be.<\/li>\n
- When you are busy attacking the enemy lines (by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ; praying for people; delivering and healing people through Christ; etc), NEVER <\/span><\/strong>forget your defense strategies and NEVER<\/span><\/strong> let your guard down.\u00a0\n
- \n
- Gal 6:1<\/strong> Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.<\/span><\/em><\/strong> <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u00a0In history, we find the Trojan horse that was given as a present to a city that could not be penetrated by the enemy lines.\u00a0 History also reveals that this so called present was nothing else than a snare from the enemy and the city was attacked from within and completely destroyed.\u00a0\u00a0 The enemy does not want to give you a present because he likes you?<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 He hates you with a passion and wants to destroy you with any means that he can find.\u00a0 Joh 10:10<\/strong>\u00a0 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He wants to take your soul as a trophy with him to hell.\u00a0 Never let your defense guard down, especially over your mind and thoughts.<\/em><\/strong> <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
\u00a0What do we need to do? We need a strategy to keep us focused and on the attack.\u00a0 That is why the Word of God is so awesome, because it provides the guidance to us on a daily basis and the strength to persevere.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Please read \u00a0Col 1: 3 -14 <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
Paul acknowledges the love of the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae.\u00a0 It warms his heart that they are bearing fruit from the love they have found in Christ and he writes that they have not ceased to pray for them.\u00a0 The Church needs to pray for the Church \u2013 for each and every single soul and especially the leaders.<\/p>\n
And through these few verses, Paul gives us an excellent attack strategy. <\/span><\/strong>\u00a0When you pray for someone else and even yourself, follow this guideline from scripture.\u00a0 Pray for the people (call them by name before the Lord) and pray these verses over them and yourself: <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>That you (include the specific name of the person you are praying for) may be filled with the knowledge of his will<\/span> in all spiritual wisdom<\/span> and understanding,<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
a. <\/em><\/strong>Nobody will fall away to false doctrines and theologies with no salvation power.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>\u00a0So as to walk in a manner worthy<\/span> of the Lord, fully pleasing<\/span> to him,\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- In His perfect will<\/li>\n
- Fully pleasing Him<\/li>\n
- This speaks of a personal and intimate relationship with the Lord.<\/li>\n
- Completely focused on His will and voice.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
3. Bearing fruit in every good work<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- When you are filled with the knowledge of His will in ALL spiritual wisdom and understanding, and walking in such a manner that fully pleases God, then you can do nothing else than to bear good fruit. It will be in your nature to bear good fruit.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Live out your purpose in God!\u00a0<\/li>\n
- He has called you and ordained you to make a difference in someone else\u2019s life through the love of Jesus Christ.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>\u00a0And increasing in the knowledge of God<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- You cannot be in a personal relationship without ever increasing in the knowledge of God.\u00a0 (Eph 3:1-21)<\/li>\n
- He will reveal the mysteries and depths of His Word to you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u00a05.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>\u00a0May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- Be baptized with the Holy Spirit \u2013 it is the power of GoD<\/li>\n
- 1Co 4:20<\/em> For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. <\/em><\/li>\n
- He will strengthen you with His might to overcome all situations and tribulations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u00a06.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>\u00a0For all endurance and patience<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- We all need to go through trials and tribulations \u2013 because it strengthens us, it builds our faith and trust in God and in Him alone.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- He strengthens us for the difficult situations so that we can go through them with endurance and patience \u2013 which is part of the fruit of the Spirit.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- On a regular basis we need to crucify the flesh and its desires<\/span> to walk in His perfect will on a daily basis.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- This is the most difficult part in following Jesus,\u00a0 and that is to die in yourself.\u00a0 Not my will, but Your will O God.<\/li>\n
- And Paul adds this one word to the process: JOY!\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>With joy,<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- Rejoice in the Lord always.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- 1 Petr 1: 6-8 \u00a0\u201c \u2026..rejoice <\/em>with joy unspeakable and full of glory.\u201d<\/em> <\/em><\/li>\n
- Delight in the Lord with songs of praise, dance like David with all your might and worship Him. <\/em><\/li>\n
- Rejoice in the love of the Lord and His amazing grace.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u00a0Paul provides 7 attack strategies with an eight one that will \u201cseal the deal\u201d. \u00a0The number 8 means: New life\/ new beginnings.<\/p>\n
\u00a08.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Giving thanks to the Father<\/span>, <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- When we give thanks to our Father, it is as if we place a seal on our faith in Him \u2013 we fully trust Him for our prayers.<\/li>\n
- We release His awesome power and might concerning the scriptures over the people that we have prayed for.<\/li>\n
- And we have lots of reason to thank our Father:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
- \n
- Who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.<\/em><\/li>\n
- He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, <\/em><\/li>\n
- In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u00a0<\/em>There is no room for negativity here when we praise our Father and give Him all our thanks.<\/p>\n
- \n
- There is no room for unbelief in His promises<\/li>\n
- And definitely no room for a pity party. Give thanks and rejoice in the Lord!<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0Please get a life in Christ!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\u00a0The Word of God is the true word of God and when He said he will not forsake us, He meant it.\u00a0 Through the Apostle Paul, God also provides a defense strategy<\/span><\/strong> to us:<\/strong><\/p>\n
The following verses\u00a0 also provides much more reason to thank our Father:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Col 1:21\u00a0 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, <\/em><\/li>\n
- Col 1:22<\/em>\u00a0 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, <\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u00a0<\/em>And the next verse is very important to look at: <\/em>Col 1:23<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n
9.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard<\/span><\/em><\/strong>, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.<\/em><\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n
- \n
- You need to continue in the faith \u2013 stay on the attack.<\/li>\n
- Build up your faith and trust in God.\u00a0 Get rid of the same emotions as Job.<\/li>\n
- Be stable and steadfast \u2013 discipline yourself in your walk with God.<\/li>\n
- Don\u2019t allow yourself to loose hope in the gospel.\u00a0 Rom 1:16<\/li>\n
- Keep your mind and heart clear from all sin and fill it with the Word of God.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\u00a0The Church is being bombarded from every point and angle and the main purpose of the enemy is to steal your hope in the Word and gospel, to provide to you a \u201cgospel\u201d with no salvation power, to let you feel worthless and powerless and finally to oppress you with fear and terror.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t allow satan to oppress and terrorize you with fear.\u00a0 Fear is the master key for the enemy to empower you.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0But Isa 54:14 gives you assurance in the Lord:\u00a0 In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear<\/span>; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
\u00a0Hve a blessed day \u2013 and comfort someone else in the same way you have received comforting from the Word!<\/p>\n
Please feel free to add other scriptures.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Message preached at End Time Pentecostal Ministries (Danville, Pretoria) by Past Eric Heath – 26 July 2009. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
- Col 1:22<\/em>\u00a0 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, <\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Col 1:21\u00a0 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, <\/em><\/li>\n
- He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, <\/em><\/li>\n
- Who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.<\/em><\/li>\n
- Delight in the Lord with songs of praise, dance like David with all your might and worship Him. <\/em><\/li>\n
- He will strengthen you with His might to overcome all situations and tribulations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Gal 6:1<\/strong> Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.<\/span><\/em><\/strong> <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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