The Open Word (Audio)

Jesus encourages us in His word to pray always, not just when it’s convenient, not when we have time, but always, staying in constant communion with the Lord. It is a long range weapon of warfare. Throughout the Bible are examples of saints who prayed, saints who realized this is a spiritual battle and are armed with a dangerous weapon. Pray so that you may be counted worthy in His sight, pray for yourself and for those around the world.

Pastor David vividly illustrates how prayer is the Christian’s long range weapon of warfare. In his past teachings he’s spoken about the full armor of God and how useful it is for hand to hand combat. Well you’re also armed with a weapon that can be used around the world from the comforts of wherever you are. If you are able to pray, to pray for people in other countries, such as Pastor Saeed, our prayers are the drones of spiritual warfare. Even from a distance you can make a difference.

Here in Ephesians Paul tells us to put on the full armor of God that we can withstand the devil. He says to gird ourselves with truth, to put on the breastplate of righteousness, shod our feet with the Gospel and have the shield of faith. We need all this as preparation, we can’t go into battle with the devil not knowing God’s word. Having it hidden in our hearts is what will protect us. Being able to recall it when we need it can be what saves us from a fiery dart, just like Jesus did

In today’s message we hear a speech General Patton gave as preparation for the allied invasion of France. The speech was to mentally prepare the soldiers for what was ahead. A warrior unprepared puts himself and those around him at risk. Likewise we need the word of God as our preparation for the battles that are ahead of us. When we hide God’s word in our hearts we put on the full armor of God, making us able to fight off the fiery darts of the enemy’s attack.

We’d be fools to walk into a battle unarmed, wouldn’t we? We would never go to the front line without some sort of armor or weapon. Well, we are in a battle, though our battle is not of this world. It’s a spiritual battle of principalities and powers. It’s against the devil who has a well laid out plan against us. He is skilled and cunning in deceit, trying to slander the name of the Lord. This is why we need the full armor of God. It’s God’s battle and He will have the victory.

We all know people believe in different things when it comes to spiritual warfare. We know those that don’t believe there is any going on. That demons aren’t real or aren’t around us. Then there is the other side of the spectrum where someone believes there are demons in every bad thing that happens. Pastor David shows us illustrations from throughout the Bible of spiritual warfare today. He shows that they are very real, yet the battle belongs to the Lord. He is in it and He will give us victory.

This divine order that the Lord gave us helps us in our everyday roles. It’s there specifically to help us bring glory to God. Pastor David points out that holding up our end of this role never depends on the other people involved. For example, when Paul says “to do all as unto the Lord”, he doesn’t say “if you have a good boss”. You’re to do it regardless. If we aren’t fulfilling our duties in the divine order then we’re failing to be a good witness to those around us, thus Satan wins in that battle.

In our last teaching we saw the relationship guidelines for men and women as husbands and wives. As we continue we move on into parent/child relationships. We know that children are to obey their parents. Pastor David talks about the biblical guidelines for parents. We need to show our children grace, humility, and forgiveness. Our example while in the home will teach them how to act when grown. Letting them fail and teaching them how to handle it is also good for their growth.

As we continue on in our teaching about the divine order, we’re shown the example that Christ gave us. You see, it’s hard to submit to or trust someone who isn’t “all in”. But Christ showed us He was “all in” by the cross. He was committed to the plan and the purpose that God had in His life. So we should be committed to each other by this example. Favoring one another, not just in marriage, but in the Body as well. By doing this we will declare the glory of the Lord to the world around us.

The divine order is laid out in today’s teaching. It starts back in Genesis showing male and female were to have dominion over the earth. The family order is for children to obey their parents and the head of woman is man and the head of man is Christ. These roles were given to us so that we would have order. They aren’t given to us, as some might think, to torture us. When we follow these directives with a willing heart, the peace and blessings that come are amazing.