Literal Opposition doesn’t just come from our work situation; many times it will come through family or friends. These people are the closest to you and the devil knows if he can’t get to you directly the next best thing is to get to you through the ones you love. With the divorce rate as high as it has ever been and the courts full of lawsuits between friends and neighbors it is easy to see the division.
To View the Entire Article, Click Here
To Download the Article Directly to Your Computer, Click Here
To View the Outline, Click Here
To View the PowerPoint, Click Here
By A.J. Dummitt
(Strength for the Fight)
READING: EXODUS 17
Key Verse: Exodus 17:8-9
Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.
Fighting? Opposition? That is not what we signed up for. Can you understand the state of mind that Israel must have been going through? They had just come out of 400 years of slavery; they were slaves — not trained fighters or soldiers. Nevertheless a fight was what God brought them to. Moses realized that they were going to have to mobilize an army and do it quickly.
Joshua was the man chosen to be the hands-on military leader and so he got an army together. Moses and the others took their positions also. Joshua and the army alone did not win the battle, but Israel was victorious because of the praying of Moses and the uplifting of his hands by Aaron and Hur. Every one had a part to play in the victory, but the fact remains THERE WAS A FIGHT!
The famous saying, “United We Stand, Divided We Fall” is applicable within the church, too. In the battle for Stalingrad during World War II, the Russian commanders ordered their soldiers not to give up any more ground. Without hesitation, the Germans were shooting any of their soldiers who fled. The Russian commanders knew that if even a just a few soldiers fled their post the Germans would have an opening through which the Russians could pour into the city. Likewise, when the church is divided, Satan finds it so much easier to attack and to conquer because of the division.
Some people may be on the front lines reaching out for souls, others may be teaching Bible studies and winning people to God. Then you have those who are prayer warriors and intercessors that can really get a hold of God and dispatch angels. However, there will always be a need for those who uplift the hands of the ministry and leadership. If any one area fails, they will all be defeated. Everyone is important and every one has a part to play when the fight is on.
Some would rather not fight; some people would like to think that if they ignore these fights they will go away. There will always be battles we have to fight in the wilderness. Paul talked about the constant struggle even within our own spirit. The flesh is warring against the spirit. We are foolish to act like there is nothing going on. It would be irresponsible of us to turn a blind eye to the battle at hand. For more on the in-your-face type fight we will have to participate in let’s take a look at Ephesians chapter 6.
Ephesians 6:13-17 (KJV)
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
To View the Entire Article, Click Here
To Download the Article Directly to Your Computer, Click Here
