JOURNEY TO “A Better Life” Let's Get Spiritual No How To Combat The Enemy

Journey to “A better life” TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS “JOURNEY” “U” MUST BE SPIRITUALLY PREPARED

For A Better Life Oh, do not pray for easy lives! Pray to be stronger Vessels! Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal to your tasks! Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle. But you shall be a miracle. Every day you shall wonder at yourself, at the richness of life which has come in you by the grace of God.

TRIVIA QUESTION Why were the Hebrews so careful not to partake of blood?

TRIVIA answer Who staged a praying contest between two religions? “Elijah” 1 Kgs. 18:20-40 “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him…And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken”

Journey to “A Better Life” Spiritual Warfare From the song writer: “I’m a Soldier; On the Battlefield” “And I’m fighting;” Fighting for the Lord!!! Make sure you know who your enemy is, And how to fight!!

Journey to “A Better Life” Spiritual Warfare I.The Battle Plan A. Our Adversary (Eph. 6:10-13) Hang on this: Eph. 6:10 “Finally; be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” Be sure and get your daily supplement of strength and power 1. Be warned against “Over Confidence”.. 1 Corin. 10:12 “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall” Don’t make the mistake of thinking you are all that; even at our greatest strength time, be sure God is at the fore front!!!

Journey to “A Better Life” Spiritual Warfare I.The Battle Plan A. Our Adversary 2. Suit up for battle…Eph. 6:11 “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” It would be stupid, as well as dump, for the Christian warrior to go into battle with the adversary, half-dressed. No protection means you are vulnerable to injury and would have to be taken out the fight. So dress for the whole war!!!!!!!!!!!!

Journey to “A Better Life” Spiritual Warfare I.The Battle Plan A. Our Adversary 2. Suit up for battle… a) You don’t have to take the fight to him Jm. 4:7b “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” Make sure the first part applies to us; and the second is a piece of cake. Without it, we are doomed to failure b) Remember: He is a Spiritual Enemy Eph. 6:12 “For 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”

Journey to “A Better Life” Spiritual Warfare I.The Battle Plan A. Our Adversary 2. Suit up for battle… b) Remember: He is a Spiritual Enemy So remember how we open each class session: TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS “JOURNEY” “U” MUST BE SPIRITUALLY PREPARED

Journey to “A Better Life” Spiritual Warfare I.The Battle Plan A. Our Adversary 2. Suit up for battle… c) He has the upper hand in the world; But!! 1 Jn. 5:19b “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one” B. Our Armor (Eph. 6:14-17) 1. Dawn Your Equipment…Eph. 6:14a “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…” Why!! Jn. 8:32 “Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” In order for the truth to apply you must know His Word

Journey to “A Better Life” Spiritual Warfare I.The Battle Plan B. Our Armor 2. Keep getting dressed…Eph. 6:14b “Put on the breastplate of righteousness” Keep in mind he is looking for that opening that will make you weak and vulnerable to unrighteousness a) No opening for him…1 Thes. 5:22 “Avoid every kind of evil” 3. Keep your feet planted…Eph. 6:15 “And with your feet fitted with the readiness that come from the gospel of peace”

Journey to “A Better Life” Spiritual Warfare I.The Battle Plan B. Our Armor 3. Keep your feet planted… a) Be prepared to say something for Christ! Like This: 1 Pet. 3:15 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepar- ed to give an answer to everyone who ask you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentle- ness and respect” 4. The first of the defensive ware… Eph. 6:16 “…The shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one”

Journey to “A Better Life” Spiritual Warfare I.The Battle Plan B. Our Armor 4. The first of the defensive ware… a) Compliance to the Word is critical Therefore we: 1 Thes. 4:4 “That each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable” 5. The last of the defensive ware… Eph. 6:17a “…the helmet of salvation…” a) Our blessed assurance that Jesus is mine! For this we stand on: Phil. 1:6 “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” What he starts, make no doubt about it, He will complete

Journey to “A Better Life” Spiritual Warfare I.The Battle Plan B. Our Armor 6. Our only offensive weapon… Eph. 6:17b “…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” a) Take the fight to the enemy… Matt. 4:1-11 “…It is written:‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that come from the mouth of God’… ‘It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test’…‘Away from Me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only’” He spoke the Word of God ( RHEMA ) against Satan and he had to flee

Journey to “A Better Life” Spiritual Warfare I.The Battle Plan C. Our Ally (Eph. 6:18-24) (His Holy Spirit) Eph. 6:18 “And 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” 1. When we are speechless…Rom. 8:26b “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express” When you can’t find the words to say; allow His Holy Spirit to intercede and ask Him for what is needed according to His will

Journey to “A Better Life” Spiritual Warfare I.The Battle Plan C. Our Ally 2. God’s peace on you…Num. 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face towards you and give you peace” What a blessing is to do: Its five parts con- vey hope that God would (1) bless and keep you (favor and protect); (2) make His face shine upon you (be pleased); (3) be gracious (merciful and compassion- ate); (4) turn His face towards you (give His approval); (5) give peace

Journey to “A Better Life” Spiritual Warfare —The Adversary— He is a crafty and cunning opponent and I have found that it is best you know and understand how your enemy operates. I’ve found it’s best to know what it takes to combat a foe like Satan, and your best offense is to have a constant de- fense, up and all around you. There must be daily preparation to meet the enemy on his bat- tlefield. Without a Holy Spirit, daily empower- ment, Satan would have the upper-hand. It’s important that you know what the enemy’s capabilities are and what it is he will come at you with. remember: “The more you know the more you grow” —!!I’m Trying To Be A Giant!!—

Journey to “A Better Life” Spiritual Warfare THE PHRASE THAT PAYS!!!!!!!!!! MY FAITH WILL NEVER RISE ABOVE THE LEVEL OF MY CONFESSION

Journey to “A Better Life” Spiritual Warfare B.elievers I.nformation B.efore L.eaving E.arth

Journey to “A Better Life” Spiritual Warfare WHAT IT SAYS This is my Bible, I am who my Bible say I am, I can do what my Bible say I can do. I have what my Bible say I have, my Bible teaches my spirit, my spirit teaches my mind, and my mind teaches my body. My Bible is full of promises and command- ments, my Bible has good and bad examp- les. How do I know my Bible is true? By comparing scripture with scripture and spiritual things with spiritual things. I study my Bible to show myself approved, rightly dividing the Word of God.

Journey to “A Better Life” Spiritual Warfare Next Week!!!! Final Exam