"The Battle Belongs to the Lord..." Yes, indeed the battle (see GoodnewsEverybody: Military) does belong to the Lord. We sometimes try to fight our own battles, but we forget that the battle has been won through Jesus Christ (remember the scene in "The Passion" when Jesus died on the cross and the camera zooms downward where Satan cries in the pits of Hell)! I heard a sermon recently on how the real battle is our own flesh (e.g. pride, sinful desires, etc..) because the battle with Satan was won already Jesus' crucifixion.
I (Sal) was just watching a scene from the first of 3 series of "Lord of the Rings" (on TBS 12/12/04) (see more..) , which the men that belong to the Fellowship of the Ring face various battles....
LOTR the last battle
" this is the last battle in the return of the king extended version but i've edited all of the scenes of frodo and sam out."
After watching all 3 and watching the first again, I now realize that the battles they fought in the beginning was just preperation for the final battle at the end. I somehow picture that's how our Christian walk is. God lets us go through daily or seasonal wildernesses/struggles to get us prepared for tougher and more challenging times in life. Next time you face a challenging circusmastance in life-don't give up! It just makes your tougher and more confident/faithful to face the next challenge. As I reflect on the name "Fellowship of the Rings", it is important for us believers to be in fellowship (curently telling this to my sister at home and friend on the phone). God can use us mightily when we come together in unity (John 17) under Christ!
*see more "Evil vs. Good" movies....
Personal Advice
After co-starting/organizing a campus ministry called Alpha & Omega, I've learned about intercessory prayer like I never had before. Before each Friday night gathering, the core-leaders would get together in prayer at the Minority Resource Center T.V. Lounge. After 30 minutes, we publicly (through e-mail and word of mouth) invited any members (usually the committed and dedicated ones) to come join us in prayer. By the time our get-together starts @8pm, we feel a strong presence of our Heavenly Father. Various gifts are manifested and people are touched! Unfortunately, this group is not going on still (long story-see ministry challenges), but another group called Chi-Alpha somewhat is following its' shadows (please pray for this group). However, my experience with Alpha & Omega has taught me to apply this prior/during/after each Sunday service at my local church. These are somewhat the steps I take:
-start my day with worship (sing a familiar praise & worship song that comes to mind/heart)
-then read a Bible verse (usually in the New Testament as a way to challenge myself to "act" upon the word)
-before I eat throughout the day, I try to remember what verse I read before I "chow down" to keep me in line
-on Sundays or some services/biblestudies/important session, I try to fast (e.g. food, t.v., ). This puts my mind and heart focussing on God!
-even before getting to the location, I start praying, singing, or speaking in tongues to get into that spiritual level
-by the time I'm at the location, I try to be ready and continue to pray, sing, or speak in tongues
-during praise & worship time, I start praying for everyone there and anyone that couldn't be there...
"Heavenly Father, I pray for everyone here and everyone that couldn't and should've make it. I bind any strongholds or any unclean (sins) spirits that each one may have brought here and I cast it out into the abyss, in Jesus' name. Father God, I invite you to come in dwell in this place, so that each one here will feel your presence. I pray that everyone here and those that might be coming late will not leave here without getting touched by your personally. I pray that each one will not leave here without something (e.g your word) that will help grow them to get through the rest of the day, week, month, up-coming season's in life, rest of the year, and rest of their life....in Jesus' name. Speak to them through the praise and worship, the shares/testimony time, and the word through (name of speaker/pastor/teacher).
-I pray right now for the worship team and leader. Protect them against any temptation (e.g. pride) or spiritual attacks (e.g. lies or voices). Cover each one with the armor of God. Touch each one that they'll be able to play and sing for your glory"
-speak in tonuges between, during, and after the above prayers. Then I pray this, "I pray that each of the spiritual gifts (see teaching) will be each manifested. Show your power, signs, wonders, and miracles....co shat aba ik a lata to...!
-then I try to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and wait on the Lord for the next level, move, or action (e.g. ask God if he wants me to share, and if he does; I then ask Him to speak to others about this "theme" and then I act upon it)
-I try to also mixed my prayer with reflections on what I'm thankful for..."When the praises go up...the blessings come down" (a popular line between prayer sessions at Alpha & Omega)...."Hallealuah, praise the Lord...thank you Jesus for...."
Ministry
Music
-Acoustics
Jason Gray- Blessed Be (ending) then I'm Not Going Down
Lord I Need You Now
'Written By: Matt Cain 2008
This is a new song that is a call to Jesus for deliverance, help, and a request for his powerful presence. Sing it when the enemy has you down and is tempting you. Jesus will provide a way out!"
-Pop
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."
-Rock
Good Fight
"Good Fight from Hyperstatic Union "
-Reggae
Christafari - To The Foundation (With Lyrics)
"Christafari - To The Foundation
Lyrics:
Inspired by Matt 7:24-27, I Cor 3:9-15, Eph 2:19-22, I Tim 3:15, II Tim 2:19, I Peter 2:4-8, Isaiah 44:8b, I Peter 2:4-8 & Luke 6:46-49"
Armed with strength (Part 1 of 3) ~ Pastor Joel Osteen
"Podcast#343
Artwork by John Bell copyright 1998-2007 (www.jrbell.com) used with permission
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Once we believe in Jesus, God has armed us with His supernatural strength to overcome problems and difficulties in life. Listen to this message and be encouraged by the Word of God concerning who we are in Christ, and what we have in Christ. God bless you. :)
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1 John 3:1 (NIV)
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God!
And that is what we are!
1 John 5:5
Who is it that overcomes the world?
Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith.
Take hold of the eternal life
to which you were called
when you made your good confession
in the presence of many witnesses.
Ephesians 6:10-12
Finally, be strong in the Lord
and in His mighty power.
Put on the full armour of God
so that you can take your stand
against the devil's schemes.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the powers of this dark world
and against the spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly realms.
Romans 8:37
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors
through Him, who loved us. "
*be a "Victor" NOT a "victim"!
Armed with Strength for the Battle
(Part 2 of 3)
"Podcast #343
by Pastor Joel Osteen
Lakewood Church, USA
Artwork by John Bell copyright 1998-2007 (www.jrbell.com) used with permission
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Ephesians 6:13-18 (NKJV)
Therefore take up the whole armour of God,
that you may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with TRUTH,
having put on the breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS,
and having shod your feet
with the preparation of the gospel of PEACE;
above all, taking the shield of FAITH
with which you will be able to quench
all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
And take the helmet of SALVATION,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the WORD OF GOD;
PRAYING ALWAYS with all prayer and supplication IN THE SPIRIT,
being watchful to this end
with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints
2 Corinthians 2:14
Now thanks be to God
who always leads us in TRIUMPH IN CHRIST,
and through us diffuses the fragrance
of His knowledge in every place.
Psalm 118:24
This is the day the Lord has made;
we will REJOICE and be glad in it. "
*see GoodnewsEverybody: Health-Cancer
Armed with strength (Part 3 of 3) ~ Pastor Joel Osteen, from youtube.com
*"same power that rose Christ from the dead is in me!"
Book
Comedy
ApologetiX - Kick In The Wall
"I used clips from Monty Python and The Holy Grail, and Lord of The Rings. This is Kick in the wall, a parody of Brick in the wall by Pink Floyd. "
Music
Video
Pray Fu (Japanese style)