*THE CROSS=TAKING ANOTHER LOOK AT SPIRITUAL WARFARE*

*THE CROSS=TAKING ANOTHER LOOK AT SPIRITUAL WARFARE*

by PastorJack Captain Sparrow on Saturday, 22 December 2012 at 11:26 ·

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Every Christian must understand, that every single problem that faces humanity, was addressed by Jesus/Yeshua at the Cross [Colossians 2:14-15]. This means that for every problem, the Christian should be directed to the Cross.The solution is found only found there and no were else.

~ Colossians 2:14-15~"Blotting out the handwriting of Ordinances that was against us[pertains to the Law of Moses, which was God's standard of Righteousness that man could not reach],which was contrary to us [Law is against us, simply because we are unable to keep its precepts, no matter how hard we try], and took it out of the way [refers to the penalty of the Law being removed]' nailing it to His Cross [the Law with its decrees was abolished in Christ's Death, as if Crucified with Him];  

v.15~And having spoiled principalities and powers [Satan and all his henchmen were defeated at the Cross by Christ Atoning for all sin; sin was the legal right Satan had to hold man in captivity; with all sin atoned, he has no more legal right to hold anyone in bondage], He [Christ] made a show of them openly [what Jesus did at the Cross was in the face of the whole universe], triumphing over them in it. [The triumph is complete and it was all done for us, meaning we can walk in power and perpetual victory due to the Cross.]

~Ephesians 10-18~

v.10~Finally, my Brethren, be strong in the Lord, my [be continually strengthened, which one does by constant Faith in the Cross], and in the power of His Might. [This power is at our disposal. The Source is the Holy Spirit. but the means is the Cross [1 Cor. 1:18].]

v.11~Put on the whole Armour of God [put it all on an not just some], that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil. [This refers to the "stratagems" of Satan.]

v.12~For we wrestle not against flesh and blood [our foes are not humans; however, Satan constantly uses human beings to carry out his dirty work], but against principalities [rulers or beings of the highest rank and order in Saran's kingdom], against powers [the rank immediately below the "Principalities"], against the rulers of the darkness of this world [those who carry out the instructions of the powers"], against spiritual wickedness in high places. [This refers to demon spirits.]

v.13~Wherefore take unto you the whole Armour God [because of what we face]'  that you may be able to withstand in the evil day [refers to resisting and opposing the powers of darkness], and having done all, to stand. [This refers to the Believer not giving ground, not a single inch.]

WEAPONS OF WARFARE

    For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.~2 Corinthians 10:3-6~

     As you come to God on behalf of others, there will be times you will need to battle against the powers of darkness. It is God's will for us to tear down strongholds in people's lives and loose them in areas in which they have not been able to freely function. This is a primary purpose of the spiritual weapons God provides for us. As we war on earth, it stirs divine intervention from heaven. God has provided all that is necessary for successful spiritual warfare; your part is to will to use the weapons His Word guarantees will destroy enemy strongholds.

   Warfare has four possible attitudes-offense, defense, detente, and desertion...Satan gets along very well with Christians as long as they are on the defensive, seeking detente, or deserting. Therefore, if we are determined to see him defeated in our own hearts and in our own society, we must always be committed to the offensive.-Arthur Mathews, Born for Battle, p.51

   We, like Paul, are merely weak humans, but we don't need to use human plans and methods to win our battles, praise God. God's mighty weapons are available to us as we fight against Satan's "strongholds." We as Christians must choose whose methods to use, God's or the world's. Paul tells us that God's mighty weapons are prayer, faith, hope, love, God's Word, the Holy Spirit and all are powerful and effective for use. (See Ephesians 6:13-18)! These weapons can break down the proud human arguments against God and the walls that Satan builds to keep people from finding God. When dealing with the pride that keeps people from a relationship with Christ,we may be temped to use our own methods. But nothing can break down these barriers like God's weapons.

Pieces of Armor

   Belt...Truth...Satan fights with lies, and sometimes his lies sound like the truth; but only believers have God's truth, which can defeat Satan's lies.

   Breastplate... Righteousness...Satan often attacks our hearts-the seat of our emotions, self-worth, and trust. God's righteousness is the breastplate that protects our hearts and ensures His approval. He approves of us because He loves us and sent His Son to die for us.

   Footwear...Readiness to spread the Good News...Satan wants us to think that telling others the Good News is a worthless and hopeless task-the size of the task is too big and the negative responses are too much to handle. But the footwear that God gives is is the motivation to continue to proclaim the true peace that is available in God-news that everyone needs to hear.

   Shield...Faith...What we see are Satan's attacks in the form of insults, setbacks, and temptations. But the Shield of faith protects us from Satan's flaming arrows. With God's perspective, we can see beyond our circumstances and know that ultimately the victory is ours.

   Helmet...Salvation...Satan wants us to doubt God, Jesus/Yeshua, and our own salvation. The helmet of salvation protects our minds from doubting God's saving work for us.

   Sword...The Spirit, the Word of God...The sword is the only weapon of offense in this list of armor. There are times when we need to take the offensive against Saran. When we are tempted, we need to trust in the truth of God's Word.

   In the Christian life we battle against rulers and authorities (the powerful evil forces of fallen angles headed by Satan, who is a vicious fighter, see (1 Peter 5:8). To withstand their attacks, we must depend on God's strength and use every piece of His armor. Paul is not only giving this counsel to the church, the body of Christ Jesus/Yeshua, but to all individuals within the church. The whole body needs to be armed. As you do battle against "the powers of this dark world," fight in the strength of the church, whose power comes from the Holy Spirit.

   These who are not "flesh and blood" are demons over whom Satan has control. They are not mere fantasies-they are very real. We face a powerful army whose goal it to defeat Christ's Church. When we believe in Christ, these beings become our enemies, and they try every device to turn us away from Him and back to sin. Although we are assured of victory, we must engage in the struggle until Christ returns, because Satan is constantly battling against all who are on the Lord's side. We need supernatural power to defeat Satan, and God has provided this by giving us His Holy Spirit within us and His armor surrounding us.

   If you feel discouraged, remember Jesus'/Yeshua' Words to Peter: "On this Rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it"~Matthew 16:18.~

v.14~Stand therefore, having your loins gird about with Truth [the Truth of the Cross], and having on the Breastplate of Righteousness [the Righteousness of Christ, which comes strictly by and through the Cross];

*THE BELT OF TRUTH*

The "belt of truth" was named after the leather belt with an apron that hung in front of the Roman soldier's groin and lower abdomen. Small brass plates were attached to the apron to provide the greatest possible protection.

When preparing for battle, the belt would have been the first piece of protection equipment put on by the soldier. It clung closely to the soldier and shielded some of the most vulnerable areas of his body.

This belt prepares one to be ready for action. Belts were used to tie up the garments so they would not get in the way while fighting. The call to have "your loins girt about with truth" is a call to be prepared. We Christians always need to be ready to defend themselves against the powers of darkness and not be caught unaware.

Knowing the good news about Jesus and explaining why you believe in Him.

Living as a person of integrity-as someone who is honest and trustworthy.

~"Live such good lives...that, though they  accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God"...-1 Peter 2:12~

*THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS*

Putting on the breastplate of righteous~Ephesians 6:14~

The Roman soldier would have fastened the breastplate around his chest. There were two types of breastplates. The first type of breastplate was fashioned by joining several broad, curved metal bands together using leather thongs. the other was a type of chain mail, constructed by linking small metal rings together until they formed a vest.

Both of these breastplates protected the soldier's vital organs. Not wearing one or the other in battle would mean that an arrow could easily reach a soldier's chest, piercing his heart or lungs.

~Isaiah 59~says the Lord puts on "righteousness as a breastplate," and goes to battle against injustice and corruption, restoring peace and order to the land.

God offers His own righteousness to every believer in Jesus/Yeshua the Christ. No one can gain righteousness by doing good deeds. We receive righteousness by having faith in the Lord Jesus/Yeshua.~Titus 3:5; Philippians 3:9~

Knowing that God promises his protection against the forces of evil for those who have faith in Jesus/Yeshua.~2 Thessalonians 3:3~

"The righteous will live by faith."~Romans 1:17~

~Romans 3:22~ righteousness comes from God through faith in Jesus/Yeshua the Christ to those who believe.

~Isaiah 59:17~"He put on righteousness as his breastplate"

   *righteousness as his breastplate. The Lord's armor is compared to the believer's armor in the battle against Satan in ~Ephesians 6:14~

v.15~And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace [peace comes through the Cross as well];

FEET PREPARED WITH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE

And your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace~Ephesians 6:15~  

Marching was an essential part of a soldier's life, and no soldier could march far without sturdy shoe. Even before the Romans era, the breaking of a soldier's shoe was a metaphor weakness or defeat.~Isaiah 5:27 The Roman soldier's shoes were fashioned from thick leather and studded through the soles with hobnails.

The studded soles enabled the soldier to stand firm. They kept the soldier's feet from slipping in battle. Without his shoes, a Roman soldier could not maintain his position against his enemy's.

The Greek word rendered "preparation" or "readiness" in~Ephesians 6:15~can also be translated "prepared foundation"-in other words, a firm basis for a soldier's feet.

The Gospel of Peace is the good news that we can have peace with God. Before we turned to Jesus/Yeshua we

wanted to live for ourselves. We did not care about God plans. We were in conflict. But God loves us and made a way of being reconciled with him and living in peace.

The Lord wants believers to live in peace and unity with one another. ~Thessalonians 5:13; John 13:35~This peace is the confidence that God has everything under control.

v.16~Above all, taking the Shield of Faith [ever mankind the Cross the Object of your Faith, which is the only Faith God will recognize, and the only Faith Satan will recognize], wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. [This part of the verse represents temptations with which Satan assails the Saints.]

THE SHIELD OF FAITH

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one~Ephesians 6:16~

The Roman shield was made of sturdy pieces of wood, covered with either goat-skin or calf skin. The shield stood four feet long and three-feet wide. Iron rims were fitted along the top and bottom edges, an iron circle was attached to the center of the shield. The boards curved inward and a leather strap was fastened to the shield's back.

Before a battle the Roman soldiers would drench their leather-covered shield in water, so when the fiery arrows of their enemies struck these soaked shields, the flames immediately were extinguished. Often these shields were interlocked together to make a wall to stop the attacker. With the shields locked it would give the soldiers more protection.

FIRST OF ALL the greatest weapon that we have against Satan, is the truth, the Word of God, TRUTH.  Without His truth we will always be defeated by our enemy. We must know the Word of God before we can stand against the devil and his evil ways. God's Word builds your  faith.  His Word is truth and truth is more important more important than anything, even faith! We receive faith by hearing and reading His Word.  Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of God! How, then, could the“Shield of Faith”be more important then the “Loin belt of Truth,” the Word of God?

The shield of faith is the Christian's protection against temptation. Whenever we trust God will provide everything we need, "the spiritual forces of evil" cannot tempt us with the lie that sin can provide a better life than God will.~Ephesians 6:12~

v.17~And take the Helmet of Salvation [has to do with the renewing of our mind, which is done by understanding that everything we receive from the Lord, comes to us through the Cross], and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God [the Word of God is the story of Christ and the Cross]:

Take the helmet of salvation~Ephesians 6:17

The Roman soldier's helmet was fashioned from bronze or iron. The helmet protected his skull and neck from the en enemy's weapons and from falling debris. Two hinged cheek-pieces protected the side of the soldier's face. At the time of Christ, a crest made of horse hair was placed on the top of the helmet. By AD 60,the centurion's plumes were dyed different colors to allow soldier's to distinguish quickly between the rank of different officers. Home

The helmet of salvation points to God's victory over the forces of evil. Jesus'/Yeshua' death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead provides the believers freedom from the bondage of sin, and gives eternal life with God in heaven.

A helmet is protective gear worn of the head. Helmets were among the oldest forms of combat protection, and are known to have been worn by Greets, and Romans, throughout the Middle Ages and up to the end of the 1600s by many combatants. Helmets protected the head from cutting blows with swords, and flying arrows.The head must be protected at all times from the evil attacks that comes at your eyes, ears, and mouth, all which are windows to your soul. God wants us under His protection of knowing that you are saved. What you hear, say, and see enters into your heart and soul and produces significant results in your life.

v.18~Praying always with all prayers and supplication in the Spirit [an incessant pleasing until the prayer is answered [Luke 18:1-8], and watching there unto [being sensitive to what the Holy Spirit desires] with all perseverance [don't ever stop] and supplication [petitions and request] for all Saints [Saints praying for other Saints;

~"Take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God".~Ephesians 6:17~

  

The Roman soldier carried a sword that was a little more than two feet long, and was crafted from iron. The blacksmiths hardened the blade by covering it with red-hot coal dust; the coal dust formed a hard carbon coating on the blade. The handle could be made from iron, bone, ivory, or wood. In the mist of the battle, Roman soldiers pressed back their enemies one step at a time by forcing their shields forward, using their swords to advance against the enemy.

The only offensive weapon mentioned in~Ephesians 6~is the sword. The belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, and helmet were not offensive; their purpose was defensive, to protect against the enemy. The sword was designed to defeat the enemy's and to rescue lives.

The "Word of God" has several meanings-The Gospel, is the message of salvation through Jesus/Yeshua Christ. The Gospel is the good news that Jesus/Yeshua came to save us and give us an abundant life, a life forever with the Lord who loves us."...if you confess with your mouth,'Jesus/Yeshua is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, then you would be saved"~Romans 10:8-9~.

*Stand strong in the Word of God. Pick up that sword and get know it's purpose. It is the only weapon that will bring us victory. Don't be caught defenseless, read Your Bible.*

*We have our orders!*

*Many will fall because they were not ready for battle.*

The Evil is always ready to take from the weak. Stay strong in the Lord and His Word.*

*We will win as long as we know how to face the enemy, we have victory in the knowledge of the Cross.*

*Put on the whole Armor of God and be prepared for the enemy. Don't wait any longer, don't wait until you or a loved one needs something from the Lord. He has provided all that we need but you must believe that it is there. How can you receive if you have no faith. Take a good look at the Cross!*

*TO CHRISTMAS OR NOT CHRISTMAS by Steve Yong Kim*

To Christmas or not to Christmas?

by Steve Yong Kim on Friday, 30 November 2012 at 10:54 ·

           

   About this time of year, there are many misinformed Christians who participate in spreading out bad information regarding Christmas. Humans are visual creatures. We tend to more believe when something is put on video than on text. Even in the real world of news, just because it is from the mainstream media does not always mean it is truth. Many Christians utilize YouTube and the internet and they give it much weight and validity not even knowing the author or their fruit. However, we must first ask a basic question. Who is the author? The media venue can be manipulated to spin toward a bias opinion. Although, I am not against such mediums (internet/media) and I do utilize it myself, we must be more careful on who we choose to listen and believe as they present information. Do they have history? Do they have fruit? You must take it all in prayer and ask they Holy Spirit.

 

Christmas or Not to Christmas? The Feast of Dedication or Hanukkah during the season of Christmas is a Jewish holiday. It is also known as the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days and nights. It starts on the 25th of the Jewish month of Kislev, which coincides with late November-late December on the secular calendar. Jesus is considered the "Light of the World (Festival of Lights). Coincidence? Jewish Tradition states that the birth of the world is on the month of Elu 25th."   

 

John 8:12 (AMP) Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life.

 

Rosh Hashanah recalls the creation of the world, as we see from the prayer, "Today the world was born." According to Sages, however, the world was created on the 25th of Elul, so that Rosh HaShanah actually marks the sixth day of creation, the day on which G-d created man." If we take the words of Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning" in Hebrew and rearrange them, you get phrase "aleph b'Tishri" or "On the First of Tishri". Tishri 1st is the hebrew month after Elul.

 

"Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. Rosh HaShanah literally means “Head of the Year” in Hebrew. It falls in the month of Tishrei, which is the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar." Poplular Judism considers Rosh Hashanah as the date for the creation of the world. But Elul 25 is 6 days before Rosh Hashanah. Jewish tradition believes man was created on Rosh Hashanah and the universe 6 days before. Jewish numerology studies called gematria points the hebrew words for "Let there be" to equal 25 and therefore Elul is the date for the original work of creation. My point is Elul 25th. Coincidence?

 

There has been some argument in which some Christians believe Jesus Christ was really born during the Feast of Tabernacles or around October/September and therefore December cannot be the true month. Pastor Perry Stone did research on traditional Jewish counting of birth years. Unlike western culture where we count birth year 1 at birth, the traditional Jews counted birth at conception.  If you take 9 months back from the Feast of Tabernacles, we get December time zone. Perhaps, the Holy Spirit conceived Jesus in December and He was then born during the Feast of Tabernacles or Booth.

 

Last year, I was reading a book called "A Prophetic Calender, The Feasts of Israel" by Jill Shannon. The author had questioned Christmas and the Lord answered her this way. She had mentioned reading "Heaven is So Real" by Choo Thomas of Choo's testimony in which the Lord, Jesus, appeared in an elegant robe on Christmas Eve. Jill Shannon, herself, had for years believed Jesus was not born on Christmas 25th but during the time of Tabernacles. 

 

Jill Shannon wrote to Choo Thomas in regards to her dilemma. But as she waited, she had prayed to the Lord and asked if she had been teaching it falsely? She said she felt the Lord answer her in her spirit with the following. 

 

 

"The Roman calender is the only one available to many nations, including your own culture. I chose to be born in the midst of the Roman Empire, and its influence and calendar are still with us. It is important for My people to have historical dates to link with the critical events in My ministry on earth: My Birth, My Crucifixion, and My Resurrection. Since these dates are the only ones they know, I honor these days with My People if they are honoring ME in their hearts. I love them and want to be in fellowship with them as they celebrate ME."

 

We may not be able to determine the exact date but is the date really that important or is the event more important? Yes, I agree, Christmas is NOT a time of santa claus, reindeers, snowman nor honoring just a holiday. Christians need to discern and separate themselves from the world of santa claus and its secular influences and get back to the pure essence of God. Christmas is a time when our Savior was born. Let us celebrate and honor HIM. 

 

By the way, Jeremiah 10 does not talk about a Christmas tree. People have taken this text out of context as with many other scripture verses. You do not need the hands of a craftsman to carve out a tree. You do need the hands of a craftsman  to carve out an idol. 

 

God does not counterfeit or copy anyone or anything. It is the other way around. The devil will come to defile and overlap his poison onto Truth. Trees are not a symbol of paganism. In the bible, trees are used to describe and symbolize different things. We are even symbolized as trees to either bear good fruit or bad fruit. In the Garden of Eden, there were many trees including the TREE of Life!  

 

Genesis 21:33 (AMP) Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the Lord, the Eternal God. 

 

Abraham planted a tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the Lord. Was Abraham worshiping the tree? No, obviously not!

 

Last year because some Christians were so adamant about Jeremiah 10 regarding the Christmas tree, my wife and I called up Pastor Kim, Yong Doo. For those who know him, he is the author of "Baptize by Blazing Fire." He said his church celebrates the Lord's birthday and they have a Christmas tree.

 

If we dig things up, you will find paganism roots in many things including our calender such with word for Sunday through Saturday. Many of our corporations have symbols of paganism. Our US Dollar bill has a paganism symbol of the Masonic symbol of the all seeing eye. This world is under the authority of Satan. He has the lease hold right if you will. We Christians must discern and separate certain things. We are not of this world but in it. We will have to deal with some things of the world. Otherwise, you can go live in the mountains and not use money or anything the world has.

 

We have TV but we have the choice not to watch licentious, violent, or demonic shows. We have alcohol and drugs in this world but we have the choice not to participate in it. The secular world is going to attempt to commercialize and defile Christianity. It is our choice whether we participate such added things of the world or stay pure and holy celebrating the core essence of Christmas which is the birth of our Lord and Savior. Let us be a people separated from the world. A people walking in holiness and truth.

 

I will choose to celebrate Christmas and Resurrection Day to honor HIM. May HE be Glorified.

 

Psalm 98:2-4 (AMP)The Lord has made known His salvation; His righteousness has He openly shown in the sight of the nations.3He has [earnestly] remembered His mercy and loving-kindness, His truth and His faithfulness toward the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have witnessed the salvation of our God.4Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!

Fire of God Ministries International
Steve Yong Kim
December 3, 2011

*HOW SATAN STOPS OUR PRAYERS*

Debbie Jones

How satan Stops Our Prayers.

COMBAT IN THE HEAVENLY REALM

MP3 (Human Voice) PDF DOC

by John Mulinde, Obsteig (Austria) Nov. 2000 Full Version MP4

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I would like to share with you part of a testimony of a saved person who once served the devil. When I heard him give his testimony it so challenged me I did not want to believe it. I had to fast before the Lord for ten days, asking Him, "Lord, is this true?" It was at that time the Lord began to teach me the things that take place in the spiritual realm when we pray.

This man was born after his parents had dedicated themselves to lucifer. When he was still in the womb, they performed many rituals to dedicate him to the service of lucifer. When he was four years old, he began to exercise his spiritual power, and his parents began to fear him. When he was six years old, his father brought him to some witches for them to train him. And by the time he was ten years old, he was doing tremendous exploits for the kingdom of the devil. He was feared by the common witches.

He was still a young boy, but he was so terrible in the things he did. He grew to be a young man in his twenties with a lot of blood on his hands. He killed at will. He had the ability to leave his body through transcendental meditation. And he could levitate; at times his body would rise off the ground and hang in midair. Sometimes he would go into a trance and leave his body; his body would remain behind while he went out into the world, by a practice called “astro-travelling.” He was used by satan to destroy or divide many churches, and to ruin many pastors.

One day, he was assigned to destroy a church that was full of prayer. There had been much division in this church, and much confusion. He began to work against it, but at that time, the pastor called a fast for the whole church. As the church began to fast, there was much repentance and a lot of reconciliation. The people came together and began to pray for the Lord to work in their midst. They continued interceding and crying out to God to have mercy on them and to intervene in their lives. As the days went by, the man came again and again against the church with demon spirits. But a word of prophecy came forth telling the Christians to rise up and wage warfare against the powers of darkness that were attacking the church.

So one day, the man left his body in his room to go astro-travelling. He led a powerful force of demonic spirits against the church. Now this is his testimony: His spirit moved through the air over the church and tried to attack it, but there was a covering of light over the church. Suddenly, an army of angels attacked them and fought against them in the air. All the demons fled, but he was arrested by the angels.

Yes, arrested by the angels! He found himself being held by about six angels. They brought him through the roof right before the church altar. He just appeared there as the people were praying. They were deep in prayer, engaged in spiritual warfare, binding and breaking and casting out. The pastor was on the platform leading the prayers and the warfare. The Spirit of the Lord spoke to the pastor, "The yoke has been broken, and the victim is there before you. Help him through deliverance." As the pastor opened his eyes, he saw the young man lying there. His body was with him; he was in his body. The young man said that he doesn't know how his body joined him; he had left it back in his house. But there he was in his body. He didn't know how he had entered it; all he knew was that the angel had carried him through the roof.

Now these things are difficult to believe. The pastor silenced the church and told them what the Lord had spoken to him, and then asked the young man, "Who are you?" The young man was trembling as the demons began coming out of him. So they prayed for his deliverance, and afterwards he began to share his story. The young man has now come to the Lord, and is an evangelist preaching the gospel. He is being used by the Lord mightily in setting other people free through deliverance.

One night, I (John Mulinde) went to a dinner. The only reason I went was that someone had told me about this young man and I was very curious to see him and to find out if his story was true. So I attended the dinner, and in the evening he was given the chance to give his testimony. He spoke about so many things. At times he cried because of the things he had done. As he finished, he made an appeal.

There were many pastors in the room. He said, "I appeal to you, pastors. Please teach the people how to pray." The people who don't pray can be taken in anything, in anything by the devil, and there are ways that the enemy can exploit their lives and their prayers. The enemy knows even how to exploit the prayers of those who don't know how to pray. "Teach the people how to use the spiritual armor that God provides."

Then he shared how he led expeditions through the air. He would go with other satanic agents and many demon spirits. It was as if they were working a shift, in the same way that you've got to go and work your shift. He had a regular, time that he was required to go and wage war in the heavenlies. He said that in the heavenlies, in the spiritual realm, if the land is covered by a blanket of darkness, the blanket is so dense it is like solid rock. And it covers the whole area. The spirits are able to go on top of and below the blanket, and from there influence the events on earth.

When the evil spirits and human satanic agents finish their shifts, they go down to earth at the points of covenant, on water or on land, to refresh their spirits. How do they refresh their spirits? By the sacrifices that people give at these altars. They could be sacrifices in open witchcraft, sacrifices in bloodshed of all types, including abortion, warfare, and human and animal sacrifices. They could be sacrifices of sexual immorality, in which people practice sexual perversions and all kinds of promiscuity. Such acts strengthen these powers. There are many different types of sacrifices.

He said that when satanic agents are up in the heavenly realm, and Christians begin to pray on earth, the Christians’ prayers appear to them in three forms. All prayers appear like smoke that is rising toward heaven.

Some prayers appear like smoke that drifts along and vanishes in the air. These prayers come from people who have sin in their lives that they are not willing to deal with. Their prayers are very weak; they are blown away and disappear in the air.

Another type of prayer is also like smoke. It rises upward until it reaches the rock; it cannot break through the rock. These prayers usually come from people who try to purify themselves, but who lack faith as they pray. They usually ignore the other important aspects that are needed when someone prays.

The third type of prayer is like smoke that is filled with fire. As it rises upward, it is so hot that when it reaches the rock, the rock begins to melt like wax. It pierces the rock and goes through.

Many times, as people begin to pray, their prayers look like the first type. But as they continue praying, their prayers change and become like the second type of prayer. And as they continue praying, suddenly their prayers ignite into flames. Their prayers become so powerful that they pierce through the rock.

Many times evil agents would notice that prayers were changing and coming very close to becoming fire. These agents would then communicate with other spirits on earth and tell them, "Distract that person from prayer. Stop them from praying. Pull them out."

Many times Christians yield to these distractions. They are pressing through, repenting and allowing the Word to check their spirit. Their faith is growing. Their prayers are becoming more focused. Then the devil notices that their prayers are gaining strength, and the distractions begin. Telephones ring. Sometimes, in the middle of very, very intense prayer, the telephone rings and you think you can go answer it and then come back and continue praying. However, when you return, you go back to the beginning. And that's what the devil wants.

Other kinds of distractions come your way. They may touch your body, bringing pain somewhere. They may make you hungry, causing you to want to go to the kitchen to prepare something to eat. As long as they can get you out of that place, they have defeated you. He said to the pastors, "Teach the people to set aside some time, not just for some casual praying, they can do that the rest of the day. Once a day, they should have a time when they are focusing wholeheartedly on God, without any distractions.

If the people persist in this kind of prayer and allow themselves to be inspired in the spirit and to keep going, something happens in the spirit. The fire touches that rock, and it melts. The man said that when the melting begins, it is so hot that no demon spirit can stand it. No human spirit can stand it. They all flee. They all run away.

There comes an opening in the spiritual realm. As soon as it appears, all this trouble in prayer stops. The person who is praying on the ground feels like their prayer has suddenly become so smooth, so enjoyable, so powerful and intense. I've discovered that at that moment, we normally lose all awareness of time and other things. Not that we become disorderly; God takes care of our time. But it is as if you lay down everything, and hook up with God. The man said that when the prayers break through, from that moment on there is no resistance at all, and the person praying can continue as long as he wants. There is no resistance to stop him.

Then he said that after the person finishes praying, the hole remains open. He said that when people rise from their place of prayer, and move on, the open hole moves along with them. They are no longer operating under the blanket. They are operating under an open heaven. He said that in that state, the devil cannot do what he wants against them. The presence of the Lord is like a pillar from heaven resting on their lives. They are protected, and there is so much power inside the pillar that as they move around, the presence touches other people as well. It discerns what the enemy has done in other people. And as they talk to people who are standing with them, they too come inside the pillar. As long as they stay inside the pillar, all the bondages placed on them by the enemy weaken.

So when people who have experienced this spiritual breakthrough share Jesus Christ with sinners, the sinners’ resistance is low. It is very easy to bring them through to salvation. When they pray for the sick or pray about other things, the presence that is with them makes all the difference. The man said that the devil hates such people. He said that in places where prayer regularly breaks through in this way, the presence comes upon that place and does not leave. When people who don't know God enter such a place, all their bondages even suddenly weaken.

If someone is willing to minister to them with patience and love, they could easily be pulled through to salvation, not by power nor by might but by the Spirit of God, Who is present. But he said that if no one bothers to reach out to them, they merely come into His presence, feel convicted, and begin to debate whether or not to yield. If they are not pulled through to salvation, when they walk away from that place, their bondages become stronger. And the devil tries his best to prevent them from entering such an environment again.

As you can imagine, we all sat staring at the man as he told us the things he used to do and see. Then he told us what they would do to those who broke through in prayer. He said that they marked such people and studied them. They would dig up everything they could find about them, so they knew their weaknesses. When someone overcame them in prayer and broke through, they would communicate with other spirits saying, "Target him with this and this and this. They are his weaknesses." So when the person walks out of his prayer closet, the spirit of prayer is upon him, the presence is with him, his spirits are high, and the joy of the Lord is his strength. However, as he goes the enemy tries to bring things that can distract him from focusing on the Lord.

If his weakness is in the area of his temper, the enemy will cause people to do things to make him angry. If he is not sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and he allows himself to lose his temper, he takes his eyes off the Lord. He gets angry; he feels furious. Then after a few minutes, he wants to put it behind him and move forward in the joy of the Lord; however, he doesn't feel joyful anymore. He tries to feel good again, but can’t. Why? While he was yielding to the temptation, they were working hard to close the opening above him. Once they have restored the rock, the presence is cut off. The person does not cease being a child of God. But the extra anointing on his life, the presence that worked apart from his own effort, is cut off. They seek to know his areas of weakness.

If his weakness is temptation to commit sexual immorality, the enemy will prepare people or events, something to suddenly arouse his passion to move towards the temptation. And if the man yields to the temptation and opens his mind to receive and entertain its thoughts, when he is through and wants to again move in the anointing, he discovers it is no longer there. You might say, "That's not fair!" Just remember what the Bible says, "Put on the helmet of salvation. Put on the breastplate of righteousness." We normally do not understand the part these weapons play in warfare. But remember what Jesus told us to pray towards the end of the Lord's Prayer, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."

Every time after you have a breakthrough in prayer, remember you are still a weak human being. Remember you have not yet been made perfect. Say to the Lord, "Lord, I've enjoyed this time of prayer, but as I walk out into the world, lead me not into temptation. Don't allow me to walk into the devil's trap. I know the enemy is setting a trap out there. I don't know what form it is going to take, and I know I am still weak in certain areas. Given the right circumstances, I will yield to temptation. Protect me, Lord. When you see me turning the corner where the trap has been set, cause me to turn the other way. Intervene, O Lord. Don't let me move in only my own strength and ability. Deliver me from the evil one."

God is able to do it. He is able. That is why things happen sometimes. All you need to say is, "Thank you, Jesus." That is why the Apostle Paul wrote in the book of First Thessalonians, "Thank God in everything, for that is the will of God in Christ for you." Some things are not good. They are painful, and we wonder why God allows them. But if we only knew what He is saving us from, we would thank Him. When we have learned to trust the Lord, we thank Him in everything.

Beloved, I do not know if I should go deeper, because I do not want to start something I cannot finish. But let me just try to go one step further. The man said that when prayer breaks through like that, the answer will always come. He said he did not know of a single case in which prayer broke through and the answer did not come. He said that the answer always came, but that in most cases, it never reached the person who asked for it. Why? The battle in the heavenlies. He said that after they succeeded in cutting off the open heaven and restoring the rock, they would watch the person and wait because they knew the answer would definitely come.

Then the man said something that really shook my faith. It was because of what he shared next that I fasted for ten days asking, “Lord, is this true? Can You prove it to me?” The man said that every Christian has an angel who serves them. Now we know the Bible says that angels are ministering spirits who minister to us. He said that when people pray, the answer comes in the hands of their angel. The angel brings the answer, just like we read in the book of Daniel. Then he said something that was difficult to receive: If the one who prays knows of the spiritual armor and is clothed with it, the answer comes by an angel who is also clothed in full armor.

However, if the one who prays doesn't care about being clothed in spiritual armor, their angel comes to them without spiritual armor. When Christians are careless about the kinds of thoughts that enter their minds and do not fight the battle for their minds, their angels come to them without helmets. Whatever spiritual weapon you ignore on earth, your angel does not have it when he serves you. In other words, our spiritual armor is not protecting our physical bodies; it is protecting our spiritual exploits.

The man said that as the angel was coming they would watch him to find the areas that were uncovered, and then attack those areas. If he didn’t have a helmet, they would shoot at his head. If he didn’t have a breastplate, they would shoot at his chest. If he didn’t have shoes, they would make a fire, causing him to have to walk through fire. Now, I am just repeating what the man said. Actually, we asked him, "Can angels feel fire?" You know what his reply was? Remember this is the spiritual realm. They are spirits dealing with spirits. The battle is intense. When they overpower an angel of God, the first thing they go after is the answer he is carrying, and they get it from him. They then give it to people who are involved in cults or witchcraft, so people might say, "I got this because of witchcraft."

Remember what the Bible says in the book of James? All good things come from God. So where does the devil get the things he gives to his people? Some people who cannot have children go to witch doctors and satanists and become pregnant! Who gave them the baby? Is satan a creator? No! He steals from those who don't pray through to the end. Jesus said, "Pray without ceasing." And then He said, "But when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith?" Will He find you still waiting? Or will you have given up, and the enemy stolen what you prayed for?

Then the man said that they were not satisfied with just stealing the answer. They were also interested in detaining the angel. They would start fighting against him. And he said that sometimes they would succeed in holding and binding the angel. He said that when that happens, the Christian on earth becomes a victim as well. They can do anything to that Christian because he is left totally without ministry in the spiritual realm.

I asked him, "Do you mean that an angel can be held captive by demonic forces?" The man did not know the Scriptures at the time he was saying all this. He did not know very many verses. He was just sharing his experience. He said that they could not hold the angel very long because as other Christians prayed elsewhere, reinforcements would come and the angels would go free. However, if the Christian responsible did not pray through, he remained a captive. Then the enemy would send his own angel to them as an angel of light. That is how deception comes—false visions and false prophecies, false leading or guidance in the spirit, and the making of all kinds wrong decisions. And many times this person is open to all kinds of attacks and bondages.

And I asked the Lord. I left that dinner extremely troubled. I said, "Lord, I don't want to even try to believe this." It takes away all of my confidence, my security. During the ten days that I sought the Lord, the Lord did two things: He not only confirmed the things I had heard, He also opened my mind to understand a lot more of what happens in the spiritual realm that the man could not tell us. And two, He led me to see what we are supposed to do as the things are happening so that we are not defeated, but can overcome. We need to know and really come to terms with three things.

First: How to use the weapons of our warfare. The Bible calls them the armor of God. It is not our armor; it is God's armor. When we use it, we allow God to fight on our behalf. Second: Understand the relationship between ministering spirits—angels—and our spiritual lives, and be sensitive to what is happening in our hearts as a leading regarding what needs to be done in the spiritual realm on our behalf. That brings us to the third thing: The Holy Spirit.

We should not regard the Holy Spirit as our servant, who is serving us and bringing us things. He does not run back and forth between us and the Father to tell Him what we need. That is the angels’ job. He stands by our side. Doing what? Guiding us, teaching us, leading us, helping us to pray in the right way. And when these things are happening in the spiritual realm, He lets us know. Sometimes He wakes you up in the middle of the night and says, "Pray." But you say, "No! My time has not yet come." And He says, "Pray now!" Why? He sees what is happening in the spiritual realm. Sometimes He says, "Fast tomorrow!" But you say, "Oh, no; I'll start on Monday!"

But He understands what is happening in the spiritual realm. We should learn to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. He guides us in paths of righteousness. Beloved we've got to stop here. Maybe tomorrow morning we will talk about how we can pray through—knowing the battles in the spiritual realm and how we can break through. And how we can maintain our breakthrough once we have achieved it. Once we learn this, it becomes enjoyable. Then we will learn one thing: The battle is not ours; the battle is the Lord’s! Hallelujah!

Let's stand up. Look someone in the eye, and think about how many times that person may have missed what God had for him. Join your hands if you can, with two or three people, and tell each other, "There's no need for any more defeat! We can overcome! There is enough power to overcome! Jesus has already finished the work." Pray for each other that the Lord will help us to overcome. We should not lose. There is enough grace, enough power, for victory.