Battlefield Lessons
June 14, 2009 (PM) FBC, Chester Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker
I Introduction
A Last week, we learned how the devil can try to disrupt your prophetic destiny, purpose, call.
1 God does not revoke His gifts or calling in your life.
a Blessed/challenging place to be is in the will of God.
b When you’re on the edge of your purpose, the ledge you are on begins to shake.
c You’ll either stand still or run away.
2 As soon as you pick up your assignment, the devil assigns you a demon.
a Hinder, harm, trouble, oppress you
b He can’t steal your salvation, disrupt your prophetic destiny.
B Christian, we believe in the reality of the spiritual, invisible world: heavenlies, spiritual realm (light & darkness).
1 Many of you have experienced first-hand the terrifying struggle of spiritual warfare, & you fought with a spirit of fear, anxiety, depression, disease, etc.
a Felt or real, invisible presence that struck fear in your heart.
b You enter a room & you don’t feel like you’re in there alone: voices, footsteps, restlessness.
c Feeling of dread, fear, imminent doom, loud buzzing in our ears.
2 These feelings, to those of us who have experienced them, can accept the idea of these examples as manifestations from the enemy’s camp.
a Not an overactive imagination, hallucination
b Real! Very real!
3 For weeks I was awakened at 3:30 AM & felt fear, worry, & I prayed & it passed.
a Grew more frequent, intense
b Maybe a season, some strange phenomenon that would stop-WRONG!
c Claiming the blood, name of Jesus...sometimes I was calmed...sometimes not.
4 I knew I was living right, wasn’t opening doors to Satan through sin.
a Like Job...why me? (I’d find out)
b Asked 3 questions:
aa Why was this happening to me?
bb What could be the purpose of the Lord allowing this to go on?
cc Would this be something I’d encounter for the rest of my life?
5 If you expect demonic attack & oppression on a regular basis...don’t be surprised when it shows up. If you expect the enemy in your house, he will gladly show up!
C In Job 1:7-12, God was bragging on Job, Satan heard him, & for a season tested him. The Lord said to Satan, "From where do you come?" Then Satan answered the Lord and said, "From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it."8 The Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil."9 Then Satan answered the Lord, "Does Job fear God for nothing?10 "Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.11 "But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face."12 Then the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power , only do not put forth your hand on him." So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord. Job 1:7-12 (NASB)
1 The Word teaches us that Jesus had the spiritual authority to rebuke over all the powers of the enemy (so do we), but we find we can also be tested for a season by the enemy.
2 During these seasons he intimidates us, causes us to doubt our faith/call, our message...easier to quit than to deal with this torment.
3 I read that the roar of a lion can be heard up to one mile away.
a One researcher said that the lion’s roar can actually paralyze some animals with fear, cannot move because the roar is so intimidating.
b These encounters/experiences are the devil’s roar meant to seize you with fear.
4 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NASB)
a No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 1 Cor 10:13 (NASB)
b Your battle/testing will not last forever!
II Lesson learned
A The devil will use what you hear & see against you.
1 And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. Matt 14:29 (NASB) Jesus told Peter to “come”.
a With a word Jesus drew Peter out of the boat into His presence, prophetic destiny.
aa The devil used what Peter saw & heard against him.
bb Waves, wind, 100 ships lost last year...sink!
cc Jesus’ call wasn’t revoked!
b When he lost his word, he began to fail.
2 When we begin to let what we see, hear, or feel move us, we’re sunk.
a If we have a big crowd, I can minister, small crowd God’s not going to move; if I feel good things will be good, feel funky & it’s going to be a rough night.
b Smith Wigglesworth: “I am not moved by what I feel. I’m not moved by what I see. I am moved by what I believe!”
B God is not going to take us where He wants us to go based on what we see (or don’t see), feel (or don’t feel)...He wants us to rely on the power of His Word.
C Let me give you 3 lessons on what moves God into action in your testing:
1 God is not moved by your feelings, but by your faith.
a ...so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Heb 6:12 (NASB)
b He’s touched by our feelings of infirmities, but He responds to our prayers of faith.
c He identifies with your sufferings, yet every miracle in the New Testament was released by faith in the power of God to those in need.
2 God is not moved by your circumstances, but by His Word.
a Then the Lord said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it." Jer 1:12 (NASB)
b We think God pulls us out because we’re in over our head, or circumstances are killing us.
c The only thing God is obligated to is His Word.
d God is attracted to anyone who knows, quotes, & believes the Word of His covenant.
3 God will deliver you from the attack if you will remain steadfast.
a No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 1 Cor 10:13 (NASB)
b The Apostle Paul spoke of being delivered from the mouth of a lion.
aa But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 2 Tim 4:17-18 (NASB)
bb God may make a way of escape by bringing a person into your life; change your situation abruptly, angels can assist in your deliverance.
cc God can use what & whomever He wants to make a way where there seems to be no way.
Conclusion
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Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
