Daily Devotional for Sunday September 23, 2001

Spiritual Warfare - Part II

(Ephesians 6:13-17)

***MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT, WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR NATION IS A SPIRITUAL BATTLE. DID YOU EVER WONDER WHY THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION LAST DECEMBER WAS LIKE NO OTHER IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY? GOD KNEW WHAT THE UNITED STATES WOULD BE FACING, AND GOD KNEW THE LEADERS WE WOULD NEED TO SEE US THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME. PLEASE PRAY FOR PRESIDENT BUSH AND ALL OF OUR LEADERS. WE ARE NO LONGER REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, BUT WE ARE ALL AMERICANS. GOD BLESS OUR NATION AS WE ENGAGE NOT ONLY IN PHYSICAL WARFARE, BUT SPIRITUAL WARFARE!

God's protection plan. God, in His omniscience, knew that as we worked for Him we would face fierce attacks from satan. Therefore, He did not leave us without protection. Today's passage of scripture tells us about the armor of God, God's protection for His children as we battle each day. There are many eloquent and anointed teachings on this passage of scripture. Any message or book on spiritual warfare will give you a full and concise teaching on God's armor. My purpose here is to encourage you to use the protection God has provided as you battle the enemy each day. I do want to focus for a second on one aspect though. All of God's protection is defensive; however, God has provided us with one offensive weapon to fight with...His Word!!!!!

In past devotionals, as I have ministered to you about overcoming sin in your life, I talk quite a bit about a battle plan. The most simple and effective battle plan I have ever found for battling sin on a daily basis has been to carry a small New Testament with me at all times. In those moments of weakness as the attacks come, to pull it out and start reading, anywhere, and in just a few minutes know the sinful thoughts have fled because they can't stand up under the power of God's Word. I have always been a very offensive-minded person, not willing to just sit back and wait; so while I appreciate the defensive armor God has provided us with and I use it every day for protection, it is the Word of God I love so much because it is my best weapon in fighting the enemy. I can go into his backyard (the Internet) with no fear because God's Word tells me I am a conqueror. That with God with me, who can be against me. That I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Amen!!!!

I want to encourage you today that as you fight those spiritual battles in your life, use those defensive tools God has provided you with, but do not neglect the offensive weapon he gave you as well. It is time for God's people to get serious, quit being so passive, and get busy, in confidence knowing that God has given them all they need to go out and lift His name up before this sinful and dark world. My friend, today is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it....and go out and make a difference for HIM!!!

Liveprayer.com continues to be under attack on many fronts. I also need you to keep us in prayer. Satan would love to take us out, but God has shown me that no trick of the enemy will keep this work from proceeding, and growing. God has created this great technology that has been used so long for evil and ungodly purposes, to reach this lost, simplified world in these last days. Is it any coincidence that the very first LIVE 24/7 broadcast site on the Internet is Liveprayer.com??? I don't think so. We are touching a world with the hope and love of Jesus Christ, and after just two months, haven't even scratched the surface of the lives we will touch. As we come under attack daily, I am forging ahead in the confidence that with God on my side, who can be against me. With dear friends like you praying and supporting this work, we move forward in full confidence without fear, knowing that there are people hurting and without hope who need to know Christ as Savior. If you are in the midst of the battle today, don't retreat, don't give up, but fight on because we know in the end WE WIN!!!

I love you, pray for you each day, and want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers and support. Never hesitate to email me at bkeller@liveprayer.com with whatever battle or problem you are facing so I can try to help you. As you stand with me and I stand with you, together we shall see the Kingdom of God in all its glory in the changed lives of people worldwide. May His blessings be with you in abundance this day.