IS IT WARFARE?  10.28.18

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor 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 rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Ephesians 6:10-12

THE DEVIL’S PURPOSE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS TO CREATE FEAR AND DOUBT
IN MY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND THE PEOPLE HE HAS PLACED IN MY LIFE!

WHAT DOES THE DEVIL DO?

HE BLINDS THE MINDS OF UNBELIEVERS.  The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers…  2 Corinthians 4:4

HE STEALS GOD’S WORD FROM YOU.  When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.  Matthew 13:19

HE SETS TRAPS TO ENSNARE YOU.  ...and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.  2 Timothy 2:26

HE FIGHTS TO STOP YOU.   For we wanted to come to you-certainly I, Paul, did, again and again-but Satan stopped us.  1 Thess. 2:18

HE PLANS TO DESTROY YOU.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  1 Peter 5:8

GOD’S PURPOSE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS TO INCREASE MY FAITH AND DEPENDENCE
ON HIM AND THE PEOPLE HE HAS PLACED IN MY LIFE!

REMEMBER...
YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN YOUR BATTLES.

17And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17

26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Romans 8:26 (ESV)

10For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. 12And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.  Ecclesiastes 4:10, 12

16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (NIV)

Don’t Shift Your Responsibility. Shift Your Target.

REMEMBER...
GOD HAS ALREADY DECIDED AND DEFINED YOUR VICTORY.
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
1 John 4:4

For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our faith. [continuing, persistent faith in Jesus the Son of God]. 1 John 5:4 (AMP)

1 Peter 5:7-11 (NASB)
7casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion,seeking someone to devour. 9But resist him, firm in your faith… 10After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 11To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen

A VERY PARTICULAR SET OF SKILLS 10.21.18  ~ 1 Samuel 30
LOSE TO WIN
1 Samuel 30
9So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the brook Besor; there those [who could not continue] remained behind. 10But David pursued [the Amalekites], he and four hundred men, for two hundred who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor stayed behind.
Your Setback Was A Setup For A Comeback.
Just Because You’re In A Perfect Place, 
It Doesn’t Mean Everything’s Going To Be Perfect.
Who Stayed Behind In Your Fight? 
Stop Waiting For What You Want And Start Working With What You Have.

“IT’S JUST 400 CAMELS.” 
1 Samuel 30 
17“not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode camels and fled.  18So David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and rescued his two wives. 19Nothing of theirs was missing whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken; David recovered it all. 
Don’t let what you CAN’T DO keep you from what you CAN DO.
WHY? Because Whatever Overwhelms You Shapes You.
Raise Your “Cave In” Point.
CAPTURE INCREASED CAPACITY
1 Samuel 30
RECOVER LOSS
18So David recovered all…  and rescued… 19Nothing of theirs was missing…  David recovered it all. 
CAPTURE INCREASE
20So David captured all… [which the enemy had]  and [the people] ...said, “This is David’s spoil.”

If You Ever Get Knocked Down…  
Pick Something Up While You’re Down There.
When You’re Down To Nothing... God Is Up To Something!
GIVE LIKE A KING 

1 Peter 2:9
But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

1 Samuel 30   
24For as is the share of him who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage.” 
26to the elders of Judah, his friends, saying, “Here is a blessing (gift) for you from the spoil of the enemies of the Lord...”
31 … and for [those elders in] all the places where David himself and his men were accustomed to go.” 

LOSE
10 ...for two hundred who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor stayed behind.

IGNORE
17“not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode camels and fled. 18So David recovered all…  and rescued… 19Nothing of theirs was missing…  David recovered it all. 

RECOVER
18So David recovered all…  and rescued… 19Nothing of theirs was missing…  David recovered it all. 
CAPTURE
20So David captured all… [which the enemy had]  and [the people] ...said, “This is David’s spoil.”

GIVE
24For as is the share of him who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage.” 
26to the elders of Judah, his friends, saying, “Here is a blessing (gift) for you from the spoil of the enemies of the Lord:

Bring Me The Ephod

What Is An Ephod?

Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron's heart whenever he enters the presence of the LORD. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD. Exodus 28:30

Your Ephod Is Your Way Of Seeking God’s Decision. (1st Brainerd Story)

1 Samuel 30:3-8 AMP

3When David and his men came to the town, it was burned, and their wives and their sons and their daughters had been taken captive. 

4Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they were too exhausted to weep [any longer]. 

5Now David’s two wives had been captured, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite. 

6Further, David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all of them were embittered, each man for his sons and daughters. But David felt strengthened and encouraged in the Lord his God. 7David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought him the ephod. 8David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this band [of raiders]? Will I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you will certainly overtake them, and you will certainly rescue [the captives].”

1 Samuel 22:9,10 

9But Doeg the Edomite, who was standing with Saul’s officials, said, “I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob. 

10And Ahimelech inquired of the Lord for him, and gave him provisions and the sword of Goliath the Philistine.

1 Samuel 22:16,18,20

16But the king said, “You will surely die, Ahimelek, you and your whole family.”

18So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. 

20But one son of Ahimelek son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled to join David.

“Bring Me The Ephod.”     “I’ve Had Enough.”     “I Won’t Be A Victim.”     “I’ll Take God’s Decision.”     “Bring Me The Ephod.”

 A Victim Is A Person Without A Decision From God.

10 Signs You Are A Victim:

1. You complain rather than act.
2. You talk about the same problems.
3. You are never able to get to resolution.
4. You are always looking to people to save you.
5. You don't accept responsibility (always something or someone to blame). | 6. You take more than you give.
7. You are uncomfortable with being emotionally well.
8. You are in crisis more than not.
9. You make people around you tired.
10. You tend to harm others rather than show mercy.

1 Samuel 23:6,9,15,16 NIV

6Now Abiathar son of Ahimelek had brought the ephod down with him when he fled to David at Keilah.

9When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.”

15While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life.

16And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.

2 Samuel 6:14,15

14Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, 15while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets. 

10 Signs You Are A Survivor:

1. You are behaviorally a

WHO’S YOUR EGYPTIAN?


ACKNOWLEDGE who’s already in your life.
“And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.” 1 Samuel 20:17 (NIV)


BROADEN your perspective for who God is sending you.
“Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 12:2 (NLT)

“Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NLT)

CULTIVATE genuine connection.
“Don’t just pretend that you love others. Really love them... Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:9-10 (NLT)


1. Launch a question: “How are you doing?” Stay there with your eyes.
2. Listen to the heart: “That sounds hard... That makes sense.” Don’t fix
it... listen.
3. Love on them. “I appreciate you sharing that... thanks, that was big.”
4. Let them share more: “Anything else... is there more?”

DARE to risk deep with a few.
“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)


EXPRESS GOD’S LOVE more than your own.
“Dear friends since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.”
1 John 4:11 (TLB) 


“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God.” 
1 John 4:7 (TLB)