PREPARING TO FIGHT AND FIGHTING TO WIN!

Revelation 12:17.  And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

We are at war against the kingdom of darkness!

“We are at war….  The world in which we live is a combat zone, a violent clash of kingdoms, a bitter struggle unto the death.  I am sorry if I am the one to break the news to you:  You were born into a world of war, and you will live all your days in the midst of a great battle, involving all the forces of heaven and hell and played out here on earth.  

Matthew 10:34b  …I came not to send peace, but a sword.  

1 Peter 5:8:  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  

Exodus 15:3:  The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is His name.  (The Lord is  in us who have received Him so the warrior is in us!)  

Psalm 24:8:  Who is the King of Glory?  The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.  (He is mighty in battle!)

Revelation 19:11:  And I saw the heaven opened and behold, a white horse, and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  (One of the Lord’s main purposes is to make war against the kingdom of darkness.  To do this, He uses spirit-filled believers on the earth to make His enemies His footstool.) 

2 Timothy 2:4:  No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 

Soldiers in the Lord’s Army are willing to endure hardness.

Soldiers in the Lord’s Army wear the proper armor.  Ephesians 6:11.

Soldiers know their commander’s voice. John 10:2-5.

Soldiers walk in  obedience to their commander.  2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Soldiers enjoy the spoils of victory.  2 Samuel 23:10:

PREPARING TO FIGHT AND FIGHTING TO WIN.

OPEN FAVOUR!

The LORD was with Joseph and GAVE him FAVOUR in the sight of the keeper of the prison” (Gen 39:21)

When we have  OPEN INTIMACY with God, He will grant HEAVEN to be OPENED for us. And when we have OPEN HEAVEN, the FAVOUR OF GOD will rest upon us.

The word “FAVOUR” simply means: “friendly or kind regard; goodness; approval or loving-kindness.”

The FAVOUR of God simply means that, God will:

1. Regard you as his FRIEND – “No longer do I call you servant but my friend.” (Jn 15: 15)
2. Be KIND to you – “For he is Kind even to the unthankful.” (Lk 6:35)
3. Shine his GOODNESS on you “Do you know that the Goodness of God leads you to repentance.” (Rom 2 : 4)
4. APPROVE you – “Salute Appelus approved in Christ.” (Rom 16:10)
5. Show LOVING-KINDNESS towards you – “I will show my loving kindness toward you says God.” (Jer 9:24)

The OPEN FAVOR of God will give us:

1. UNEQUAL ADVANTAGE – This UNEQUAL ADVANTAGE will enable us to DEFEAT Satan,  who is already a defeated foe,  SUBJECT his demons under us, who have already been made subject to us through Christ and for us to KNOW the PLANS and PURPOSES of God, for which Satan will never know. (Rom 3: 1 )
2. POWER OF ATTORNEY – God will allow us to REPRESENT HIM, so that we can ACT on his behalf, to SPEAK HIS WORD for him and OPERATE in the same POWER and ANOINTING as He did. Satan cannot override us, because we have become the REPRESENTATIVES of Jesus Christ here on earth. (Acts 9:15)
3. TO GO AHEAD OF HIM – Jesus will SEND us forth ahead of him to PREPARE the way as John the Baptist did. We will go to every place that God wants his PRESENCE to be made manifest. Jesus will send us to places to ESTABLISH APOSTOLIC BASES and to OPEN HEARTS so He can come and reside. To open the CITIES and the NATIONS that will allow his PRESENCE to be seen and felt. (Lk 10:1)

When the FAVOR OF GOD is upon us, people will see and know that God is with us, they will hear what we have to say, they will act favorably towards us, hearts and minds will be open to us, Ministry will become our way of life, Power and Authority will be our sign of his presence, resources will come to us and we will not be in want, the Stature of God will encompass us, Government Leaders will seek us and Churches will align themselves to what we preach.  This is OPEN FAVOUR.

OBEDIENCE IS CRUCIAL:

Jer 18:1-3 “The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, ² Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. ³ Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.…” 

Obedience is crucial. I think sometimes GOD just wants to remind us we need the body, and sometimes He is watching to see how hungry we really are for more. If he tells us to go somewhere and receive, will we? 

Everyday obedience is essential in our journey of breakthrough. And going where GOD directs us to go. 

Everyday we need to be faithful in prayer and in the WORD of GOD because it is so crucial for our spiritual growth. But obedience to what He says is equally important. And a key from my experience is, some of my greatest breakthroughs in my life have come when I’ve sensed GOD say GO somewhere to receive something. 

UNEXPECTED SUDDENLIES HAPPEN IN THE MIDST OF EVERYDAY OBEDIENCE: 

Going and obedience looks different to every person. But going and obedience is essential for every person. It could be get up now and speak to that person at the gas station about Jesus, or contact that friend you are thinking about, or go fishing and, or fly to that conference, or get up and pray, or be at that meeting, or say yes to that mission, or go to that nation or city, or go next door, or start that project or do now what GOD has been talking to you about. 

GOD STILL SENDS PEOPLE TO POTTERS HOUSES:

GOD still asks people to go to “potters houses” and receive a message from Him. I do believe there are times that GOD is watching to see how hungry we are to hear more from Him. The truth is there are times when you have to go somewhere to get an upgrade from GOD! 

My point, breakthrough happens when we partner in obedience to what GOD says. Sometimes you just have to do it now even if you're afraid And sometimes you have to extend yourself and go somewhere you're not familiar with. But every time, you have to obey the big and the little whispers from GOD if you want to experience GOD's overflowing blessings.  Selah.

THE BIRTHING OF THE INDESTRUCTIBLE GENERATION:

The word “diamond” comes from the greek “adamas” which means INDESTRUCTIBLE, UNBREAKABLE, INVINCIBLE, & BRILLIANT. The “Indestructible One” GOD has turned the tide and what threatened to break you, has instead made you. GOD is upgrading your weapons of warfare and sharpening your spiritual tools. I see a new sword being given to His bride and inscribed on the sheath is INDESTRUCTIBLE! Be ready to run and exploit the victory when the pressure “pops” and you find yourself in the midst of long awaited promise. Be ready to run.

Destiny transforming moments will suddenly appear and you will need to move quickly. The heat and pressure is forming an indestructible faith and resolve in you, and an indestructible resolve to see the harvest reaped.

You not only “will not be burned” by these fires surrounding you, but YOU WILL BE TRANSFORMED INTO A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH. An indestructible faith and new breaker anointing for INCREASE AND ABUNDANT HARVEST is coming upon his bride. HEALING, MIRACLES, FINANCIAL RELEASE and LONG AWAITED BREAKTHROUGHS……. the pent-up pressure is breaking out and breaking through into new victories!

Your past season is not wasted, it is precious unto the Lord and is a costly offering as you have surrendered your heart under intense circumstances only fully seen by the Father. A diamond is the hardest of gem stones as it was created under tremendous pressure and can now resist fracture under great pressure. This past season did not destroy you, it has made you and you are now “pressure proofed” for this “take the city” season. The birthing of the indestructible ones is upon us.

Get ready to run oh faithful indestructible ones! Your season of abundant harvest is upon you. And you were made, transformed and refined at a great cost for this hour! The Father celebrates your faithfulness in the heat and pressure, and He says, “keep pushing, the pressure is birthing the indestructible generation that will transform the nations.” The Father says, “well done good and faithful ones… well done”.

Diamonds most often suddenly come to the surface through explosive pressure that erupts and precipitates their breaking through the crust of the earth from hiddenness to discovery. Many are on the precipice of discovering what they are made for! Explosive pressure is surrounding many just now, and the pressure feels like it will break you, but instead it is breaking through the enemies plans and catapulting you into your destiny.

Do not fear precious pioneers. He is with you even in this. And He is for you!

Isaiah 43:1-2 “But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.”

GOD'S WORD IS OUR TICKET TO INCREASE!

1).  Increase happens when we continue with the word that God has spoken to us:

The word will lead us to our destination. A good example is the prophecy that we received this morning. We have the plane ticket with a particular date we will fly. We must be available to go on the journey. If the time has come and we are too busy, we will miss the flight. The ticket is not the place. If we are not on the plane, we will not reach the destination. The ticket is the entrance point.

God wants us to enter into the boat and the boat is God’s word. We must do what God wants us to do and practice what God wants us to practice. If we don’t go to the other side, there will be no increase. There is no increase without God’s word.

If we listen and don’t do the word, we will only be deceiving ourselves. If God is talking to us it is because God’s mercy is still upon us. Imagine going to a church when God is no longer talking but only the church people and the pastor talking. God is merciful and He is kind and that’s why He keeps talking to us. When God manifest, everything will be blessed.

Act 11:20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene; who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus.
Act 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

It is the some of them that makes the difference. They are not average people but people who can make a difference. Ordinary people are many but extraordinary people are few. There are ordinary church members and there are extraordinary church members. That goes the same for churches, restaurants, etc. Choose to become extraordinary.

2) Increase happens when we break people limitations:

Sometimes we can be afraid when we see people and people’s opinions. People can be our worse enemy. When certain person is there, we cannot do or operate. Our biggest problem is people. Sometimes the closet people to us can be our greatest enemy. Increase will not happen when we don’t break people limitation. We must not hide what we have. What we carry is important and we can change everything. Everywhere the river went can bring life. We may be surrounded by people who don’t like us but when we rise up, the God of increase will be upon us.

Stop complaining about other people. Let God love us when others don’t love us. Don’t use other people to stop ourselves. If we want the God of increase, then we must break people limitation. Speak what God has placed in our heart and not to be intimidated by people.

Act 11:22 And the Word was heard in the ears of the church in Jerusalem. And they sent out Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch;
Act 11:23 who was glad when he had come and had seen the grace of God. And he exhorted all with purpose of heart to remain near to the Lord.
Act 11:24 For he was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And many people were added to the Lord.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE SAINTS GETS DISCOURAGED?

Numbers 21:4; Galatians 6:9

INTRODUCTION: Discouragement is one of Satan's big weapons. Some of the greatest men, of the Bible were defeated because of it.
 

When we get discouraged we will:
 
PRAY THE WRONG PRAYER:

A. Moses prayed to die ~ Numbers 2
B. Elijah prayed to die ~ I Kings 19
 

SAY WRONG THING:

A. Jobdid~Job3
B. David did ~ Psalm 116:11
 

THINK WRONG THING:

A. John in prison ~ Matthew 11
B. Martha and Mary ~ John 11
 

DO THE WRONG THING:

A. Moses smote the rock ~ Numbers 20
B. Elijah ran ~ I Kings 19:3
 

SEE THE WRONG THING:

A. Giants instead of God ~ Numbers 13:30-33
B. Difficulties instead power of God ~ Mark 5
 

GO TO WRONG PLACE:

A. Jonah in fish ~Jonah 1
B. Elijah under the tree ~ I Kings 19
 

GET IN THE WRONG SPIRIT:

A. Spirit of defeatism
B. Spirit of murmuring
C. Spirit of grouchiness

 

NOW FINISH THE WORK!

Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work" (John 4:34).

Notice the two words "sent" and "finish." Jesus was sent by the Father, and His desire was to finish His mission. This verse connects being sent with finishing. This is why I call the apostolic anointing a "finishing anointing." It will take an apostolic Church to finish the Great Commission. To finish not only means to reach the end of a task or course, it means something that completes, concludes or perfects.

The Lord is preparing the Church to complete its task, and the apostolic ministry is absolutely essential to prepare the Church for this purpose. Without the ministry of the apostle, the Church will lack the necessary grace, power and authority to finish or complete its mission.

And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:22-24).

Notice Paul's attitude. He was determined to finish his course. Nothing could dissuade him from completing his ministry. There was a drive and a determination to finish. This must be the mindset of the Church today. We must have an apostolic mindset; we must be driven and determined to complete the Great Commission. This mindset overcomes all obstacles and hindrances that stand in the way of finishing.

Trials, tests and tribulations do not deter true apostolic ministry. There is a grace resident within this anointing that overcomes all opposition and breaks through every barrier. And it does not cease until the task is complete.  NOW FINISH THE WORK!

Pulling Down Strongholds:

"Warfare" in 2 Corinthians 10:4 is translated from the Greek word strateia, meaning apostolic, career, military service (as one of hardship and danger). It is related to the Greek word strateuomai, meaning to execute the apostolate (with its arduous duties and functions) and to contend with carnal thoughts. Paul was saying that the weapons of his apostolic ministry were mighty for the pulling down of strongholds.

I believe that there are certain strongholds that cannot be destroyed without the apostolic anointing. "Stronghold" is the Greek word ochuroma, meaning a fortress, a castle, a fortified place. Satan and his demons have fortified themselves from invasion. They have built strongholds and fortified themselves in every region of the world to resist the advancement of the Kingdom. These strongholds must be dealt with if we are to see the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Apostles have the ability to confront and pull down these strongholds.

The apostle Paul links these strongholds with "imaginations." This is the Greek word logismos, meaning reasoning, thought, computation or logic. It carries the idea of holding something safely. It is simply the way people think based on their way of life, tradition, experience or past teaching. Unfortunately, most thinking is against the knowledge of God.

The stronghold is also made up of demonic influence. There is a wisdom that is earthly, sensual and devilish (see Jas. 3:15). Logismos can also be translated as "arguments." Strongholds are the mindsets of people in a particular territory. These mindsets are fortified places that keep out truth and hold in lies. Unbelievers have mindsets that prevent them from receiving the truth of the gospel. Spiritual warfare involves demolishing these mindsets so that people can receive and walk in the truth.

DO YOU HAVE A PIONEERING SPIRIT?

A pioneer is a catalyst. Pioneers cause things to happen. They do not sit back and wait for things to happen. They initiate new movements. They penetrate new territories. They preach new truths and birth new churches and ministries.  Jesus was a pioneer. The early apostles were pioneers.

The pioneering spirit is apostolic. God always desires to do a new thing, and He will use apostolic people to do it. Apostolic people have the ability to persevere in the face of opposition. They have the strength and mentality of a pioneer. The apostolic anointing will set the tone for your life and ministry. You will become a pioneering believer. You will invade and possess new territory— naturally and spiritually.
 

Pioneers have a breakthrough anointing. The word "breakthrough" is defined as an act or instance of breaking through an obstruction; an offensive thrust that penetrates and carries beyond a defensive line in warfare.

Pioneers have the ability to break through ignorance, fear and other obstacles that keep people from advancing. Apostolic ministry has the ability to penetrate the defenses set up by the powers of darkness. This is why God has set it to be first. Someone must break through first before any significant progress can be made. Someone must have the courage, ability and power to break through the obstacles set up by the enemy.

It's Time To Get Back To The Basics!

And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.1 Corinthians 12:28.

Each and every believer has been gifted by God to fulfill his or her calling and purpose. For some, their gifts will place them in a visible ministry; others are gifted for "behind-the-scenes" ministries. No gift makes anyone more important than anyone else. We are all equal in Christ—equally loved by God and equally necessary to the Body of Christ. And yet, as we have seen, certain offices within the Church are designated by God as being higher in rank than others. The reason for this is that someone has to be first; someone has to be a pioneer.
 

What 1 Corinthians 12:28 tells us is that the Church should be first and foremost apostolic. This is the divine order of ministry given to the Church. There is a wisdom behind this order. It is not to elevate men or exalt the flesh. God has a purpose in everything He does.

A Divine Order:  Each of the gifts has a certain function that operates best in divine order. When the Church neglects this order, it will not be able to progress toward the goal of fulfilling its commission.  When things are out of order, the result is disorder and confusion. The anointing and power of God flow through order. The anointing flowed from Aaron's head, to his beard, to the skirts of his garments (see Ps. 133:2).
 

The head represents authority. Order is always based on authority. Again, the authority of the Church should be first apostolic, second prophetic, third teaching. The amount of authority we operate in is based on this order. The flow of the anointing is based on this order. Our ability to fulfill the Great Commission is based on this order.
 
The apostolic prepares and opens the way for the prophetic. The prophetic in turn prepares and opens the way for the teaching. Each one precedes and paves the way for the other. Each gift and ministry is designed by God in this way to open the way for the other to follow. Each territory needs all three to operate in order to establish God's purposes in that region.

Evangelism and pastoring are utilized as ways of reaching and overseeing the people. These gifts are important and necessary to perfect the saints and help fulfill the Great Commission. If the Church is apostolic, it will also be evangelistic in order to reach the lost; it will also be pastoral to protect and cover those who are saved. The apostolic cannot function without these two gifts and the others as well.