Sounds cool right, so did I slay a few demons? Did I see breakthrough in many people lives? Did I pray so that the city could accept God and bind the powers of darkness of this city?
Or did I believe a lie?
Well, you can probably guess what happened. I believed a lie, and that my friends, is Spiritual Warfare. In a nutshell, it is fighting against the things of satan, and for the things of God. Satan's main tool is lies, deceit, fear, etc.
God is truth, He is light, He is the grace to continue and the strength to fight on, and emerge victorious.
I believed that I didn't have to push forward into the things that God has for me, that I didn't have to fight for more, and that it would all be ok.
It wasn't. I got sucked into thinking that yeah God has stuff for me in the future, but not right now, right now I just need to be quiet and submissive. That what I have to offer is not at this time what people need.
Well, God showed me what a pile of crap that was.
God has an incredible purpose for my life, He has plans for me right now, He desires that my life be changing others and using me to allow His will to be done in their life as well. He desires that I change this world, one action at a time.
The reason why I am saying this is because there are people out there, and people who will read this who have believed the same.
That you believe you have a purpose, but maybe not right now. Or that you aren't good enough, you don't have what it takes to see the change that God wants to bring to this world, to these people.
That you will in the future but right now you aren't skilled enough, strong enough and wise enough. That you don't have to fight for the things that He wants to do. That if we just sit back then it will all be ok.
Well, to be blunt with you, that is a lie.
Can I say that? Will you get offended if I tell you that you have a purpose and destiny in Him that starts today, right now, with the people around you, with the people on the street.
That He is all you need, not another 5 years of study, not validation from others to say that you can do it. Your life right now can be used to forever impact and influence every single person you meet and bring them closer to God and others.
Is that too bold?
Well I am no longer afraid.
What brought me to this point of no fear?
A few things which I also want to share with you, this is what God has shown me a lot in the past few days.
“If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:31
I have always loved this passage and yes I have understood it before, but God has shown me what it truly means for me, and how it is outworked.
How can we live a life without fear?
Because many of us are afraid. We are afraid of doing the wrong thing, of the schemes and plans of satan, of others opinions, of hurt, of pain, of suffering, of pretty much any thing that somebody can be afraid of, we are increasingly fearing more and more as a society let alone personally.
How can we move into what God has for us confidently, boldly and without hesitation?
By understanding who God is.
Do you know who God is?
That He is faithful, He is just, He is loving, He is kind, gracious, powerful, mighty, ever present, all-knowing, never changing, relational, understanding. He is beautiful, He is with me, but He is with others. The list will go on forever.
When we understand just who He is, then we are not afraid.
After all if this is our God, and He is for us, then truly I say to you...
What can possibly stand against you?
I can stand here now and say with confidence I am not afraid of the schemes of the devil.
Do I need to put my armour on? Yes
Do I need to pray for God's protection and wisdom? Yes
Do I need to get so worried about what the enemy can possibly do and affect that I no longer take steps of faith to see how God might move? No
Satan got a good shot on me this week, its true, but how great is our God that here I stand, better than before, more wise, stronger and closer to God!
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”
Romans 8:28
It is better to learn these things without getting hit. Without taking that hurt from the enemy, and I will do what I can to be in perfect will of God, but I have realised that my God is strong enough for my weakness.
Is yours?
Is your opinion of God, that He is not as strong as your weakness? That when you stuff up, he can't make it better or make it new?
My God is mighty to save, He delivers me from all evil, and restores my soul.
Please friends, let us step forward boldly in faith into the plans that God has called us for.
Understanding His goodness, and His grace.
The second part to this is understanding who we are in Christ. If I do not know where I stand in this battle, then I am susceptible to the lies of the enemy.
I am a child of God, created in His image and covered by His blood, moving in the same authority and power that Jesus had. He loves me, He saved from all death, and is always with me.
Stand on that, trust in the Lord, and please let us see this world begin to change.
Peace,
Daniel.