Morning by Morning, November 19 - The Holy War for Hearts and Minds
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name and listen for Your voice. ...
"Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
There is a holy war, but it's not called jihad. There are weapons of our warfare, but they are not suicide vests and butcher knives. It's a war for hearts and minds to hear the truth and embrace the grace of a loving God who's created us all to live in peace. His kingdom is not a worldwide caliphate of terror and fear under an oppressive and cruel form of law, but rather "the kingdom of God is ... righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).
According to Your Word, there is "a time for war," and I thank You for the men and women who courageously answer the call of duty to defend our lives, our land, and our freedom (Ecclesiastes 3:8). But at the same time, we must also wage war in the war room of prayer and in the war room of our own hearts and minds.
By the power of the grace of God, we must take negative and fearful thoughts captive. We must continually humble our hearts to allow Your Holy Spirit to uproot hatred or vengeance, arrogance or pride, self-righteousness or judgment. And we must also continually embrace the leading of Your Spirit to fill us with hope and persevering faith to courageously confront the evil unleashed in this world (James 4:7).
Sometimes, You call us to take up a sword of steel, to fight for what's right, in the power of Your Spirit, rather than compromise and appease to settle for a false peace that only allows evil to grow. As You said, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34). But at the same time, You always call us to also take up "the sword of the Spirit," the sword of the truth of the word of God, to speak the truth in love that true peace may be established in this world (Ephesians 6:17). As You also said, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid" (John 14:27).
So come, Lord Jesus. Let Your Holy Spirit arise within us, as the sons and daughters of our Father God -- our God who is love and whose perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). This is no time to cower or appease, paralyzed or numbed by the aftermath and effects of terror and fear, but to arise and fight in this holy war for every soul on this earth. You're "not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). With the weapons of our warfare, You "urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:2-4).
We are Your ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). And we are Your warriors (2 Corinthians 10:4). In Your sovereignty and will, You have chosen to enforce the victory of Your cross through our lives and prayers here in our world (Matthew 16:18-19). Thank You for the promise that "the God of peace will shortly crush Satan under (our) feet" (Romans 16:20). "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" (1 Corinthians 15:57) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
I pray you will be empowered with courage to arise and fight in the power of the Holy Spirit and the name of Jesus as the child of our Father God you are to see the victory of the cross that makes way for the love and grace of our God to be poured into the hearts and minds of every soul in our world, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257
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