SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
(I Peter 5:8) “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
(James 4:7) “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
(Job 1:7) “And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.”
(1 Corinthians 15:55-56) [55] “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” [56] “The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.”
(Hebrews 2:14) “ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.”
PREFACE SUMMARY
Saints, in today's society, there is a relentless effort to eliminate God from everything that was once cherished. This message highlights the critical importance of acknowledging the immense power and authority we possess through the blood of Jesus. It boldly challenges us to confront the devil's adversities and urges us to face our doubts and fears fearlessly. By doing so, we can effectively tackle the sources of fear, doubt, and intimidation that the enemy may use to hinder our spiritual and personal development.
The message explicitly conveys the strategies of an adversary determined to bring about our destruction. One who manipulates fear to deceive and intimidate, aiming to cripple our faith and hinder us from realizing our full potential and fulfilling God's purpose in our lives. When we confront this challenge head-on, we understand that the enemy is constrained in his power over a Christian who comprehends how to walk in and assert the authority delegated to us as the body of Christ on earth. When we grasp that we are more than conquerors through Christ, we can boldly confront our vulnerabilities and emerge strengthened on the other side of the trial.
"THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A LION."
The lion, a powerful and regal creature, is renowned for its striking appearance and authoritative demeanor, earning it the title of "king of the jungle." With its thunderous roar and magnificent mane, the lion embodies strength, bravery, and dominance within the animal realm.
Lions exhibit remarkable patience and stealth while stalking a herd of game. They can spend days observing the herd's movements, carefully looking for any signs of weakness among its members. This includes targeting stragglers or those who are physically impaired, such as those with a limp. It's a testament to the lion's strategic approach to selecting the most vulnerable prey for a successful hunt.
When the lions decide to charge at the herd, they do so with great speed, targeting the strong individuals. As they stampede the herd and go after the strong, they are careful to keep their eyes on the ones they have already identified as the weak members of the herd. After causing chaos among the herd, the lions circle back to claim their prize from the vulnerable targets they had previously spotted.
As lions mature and age, they may experience a decline in physical strength and agility, which can hinder their ability to lead the pride during hunting expeditions. Despite this, older lions still contribute to the pride by providing guidance and wisdom based on their extensive experience.
The older lions maintain their mighty roar, which commands attention throughout the jungle, ensuring they remain valuable to the survival of their pride. As lions age, their physical condition deteriorates, and one noticeable sign of this decline is the decay that sets in their teeth.
The younger lions strategically utilize the intimidating presence of the older lions to instill fear in the prey through their mighty and thunderous roars. This calculated tactic causes the prey to become panicked and disoriented, leading them to unwittingly fall into the ambush of the physically superior younger lions lying in wait.
Beloved, how often have we attempted to evade trouble, only to realize that our efforts to elude it have inadvertently steered us into even more formidable circumstances? If the potential prey had chosen to flee towards the old lion instead of the younger ones, the old lion, although possessing a mighty roar, would have been unable to inflict harm due to his weakened teeth and diminished strength compared to his younger counterparts.
As stated in 1 Peter 5:8, the Apostle Peter warns us about the devil, describing him as a roaring lion, seeking those he may devour. But let us not forget Peter emphasizes that the devil is portrayed as a roaring lion, not a strong one, but as an older lion who lacks the strength of younger lions.
The devil's power is not as intimidating as it may seem. After his defeat at Calvary, the devil's power lies only in his roar. If we boldly face the devil, claiming the victory of the cross and refusing to be intimidated by his roar, we can be assured victory over him. His power is limited, and our faith in God's victory is our shield.
Beloved, understanding spiritual warfare profoundly is essential to walking in victory. Putting on the whole armor of God entails embracing spiritual strength and protection. Confronting our fears head-on involves acknowledging and addressing them directly. It's crucial to grasp that Jesus has already triumphed over and dethroned the powers of darkness. We must also learn to stand firm in the victory already secured and actively resist the devil.
A young boy decided to play a prank on his friend. He caught a large bumblebee and carefully removed its powerful stinger. The bumblebee is known for its yellow back, large wings, and formidable stinger, which makes it capable of drilling holes in wood. The boy then placed the bee in his friend's clothes, causing him to panic and run, attempting to remove his clothes to avoid being stung. The boy then caught up to his friend and assured him the bee couldn't hurt him because he had removed its stinger.
Beloved, the illustration of the bumble bee vividly represents the significance of Jesus' actions for his church. This victory is articulated in (1 Corinthians 15:55), which asks, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” The power of sin is found in the sting of death, and the authority or strength held by sin is derived from the law. (Hebrews 2:14) Christ, through his death, destroyed the one who had power over death, identifying him as the devil. This is a powerful testament to the triumph of good over evil and the role played by Jesus in overcoming the forces of darkness.
"IDENTIFYING OUR FEARS."
My dear friends and fellow believers, it is essential to recognize that the enemy's strategy throughout history has been to sow division and create discord to weaken us. As we examine the annals of church history, we realize that persecution of the saints has consistently resulted in a mighty spiritual revival.
Reflecting on the narrative of God's intervention through Moses to liberate his people, we understand that Moses needed years of preparation to confront a committed leader who refused to release the Israelites. Upon Moses's return, the ruler's punitive actions inadvertently united the people despite his intentions. This serves as a moving reminder that even in the face of adversity, the people of God can be strengthened and united through their shared faith and resilience.
"During the COVID-19 pandemic, have you observed that the government appeared to apply different standards when enforcing laws on activist groups compared to those imposed on houses of worship? Additionally, have you noticed that some pastors complied with what seemed like a tyrannical government, which used fear to impose its will on the people of faith?"
World governments are making efforts to establish a global order. To achieve this, they have been planning for years how to create divisions and instill enough fear among their citizens so that they willingly surrender their rights in the name of safety without realizing that they are being manipulated into submission.
Just like the Lions who stampeded the strong with the intent to reevaluate and conquer the weak, the word of God tells us that a house divided against itself cannot stand, and Satan's primary strategy has always been to divide and conquer.
My dear friends, I have seen God perform incredible miracles, and I believe that if pastors had spent more time with God and stayed firm in their faith, we would be witnessing extraordinary acts of God just like in the days of the Bible. The question we should ask ourselves is this: Should we fear the men and women in government who have been bribed and some of whom have been blackmailed, or should we fear God, who can make physical laws submit to spiritual laws?
In a manner reminiscent of the biblical story of Daniel, individuals attempted to undermine him by targeting his faith in God. In a noteworthy event during the 1960s, a headline declaring "God is Dead" appeared in newspapers. This prompted a songwriter to compose a powerful song questioning, "If God is dead, who is this living in my soul?"
The Beatles, arriving on the scene from London, released the song "We All Live in a Yellow Submarine," which was perceived as a reference to the experience of taking psychedelic drugs. Additionally, Hollywood commenced producing films that featured explicit content that subverted traditional family and moral values. These films were not only distributed within America but also broadcast to other nations around the globe.
Benjamin Franklin, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, believed that a supreme being played a significant role in the founding of America. He emphasized the importance of remembering and honoring this powerful friend.
The feeling of fear that emanates from Satan's influence and the works of darkness can serve as a powerful motivator for us to turn to the Lord and align ourselves with His divine purposes, prompting us to take action. The scriptures mention that one person can chase a thousand, and two can chase ten thousand. The scriptures tell us that during the one-thousand-year reign of Christ on earth, it will only take one Angel of God to bind the prince of this world and cast him into a bottomless pit.
In summary, our problems are daunting mountains of difficulties or opportunities for growth and transformation. When we pray, we have the chance to express the immense power and majesty of our God. Similarly, we can view fear as an opportunity for personal development and resilience, using these experiences to strengthen our faith in God's love, authority, and divine protection.
MY CONCLUSION
Beloved, our omnipotent and ever-present God is actively bringing together individuals who have endured tumultuous trials and tribulations yet have emerged with unwavering strength and resilience.
Despite their qualifications and readiness for battle, these warriors have had to fight for every inch of ground gained due to past mistakes. Yet, their confidence and determination remain unshaken, a testament to their resilience and unwavering faith.
Their journey through God’s school of grace has earned them their degrees in knowledge and the strength of their spirit; it is a testament to their resilience and unwavering faith, a quality that inspires admiration in all who hear their story.
The 'Forgotten Church of the Hedge' is a group of warriors, regardless of their background or previous social standing. They will play a pivotal role in the final push to rescue as many people as possible from Satan's rebellion.
Often not known by society, these special individuals will be specifically chosen in this last day end-time clash with the kingdom of darkness, to engage in spiritual warfare, leading worship and guiding the clergy during this critical time which will usher in the second coming of our Lord and Savior to get his church.
Beloved, the divine validation of their mission is a powerful testament to their worthiness and importance in the fight against evil. It is a calling that permeates their work with a sense of divine purpose, making their efforts all the more significant.
The Forgotten Church of the Hedge, is on the horizon, and each member has invested countless hours, days, and years honing their skills and preparing for the challenges ahead, and their dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed. In His infinite wisdom, the Spirit of God has recognized and chosen them for this vital mission.
International Evangelist
Jerry W. Hulse, Ph.D.
Miracle Life Church International
