YOU ARE AN INTERCESSOR

Man isn’t helpless and hopeless today; he isn’t without an intercessor. We’re the ones called to intercede and see to it that God’s purpose.

Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both (Job 9:33)

Our opening verse shows that there was a day and time that man needed a “daysman,” a mediator, and there wasn’t any. Job needed one and there was none. It also reminds me of the words of Eli to his sons, in berating them for their atrocious acts. He said, “When you sin against a man, any man can come and intercede for you. But when you sin against God, who’ll entreat for you?” (Read 1 Samuel 2:25).

But thank God Jesus came! Isaiah 59:16 says, “And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.” God saw that there was no man, there was no intercessor, and sent the Lord Jesus, who today has sent us as the Father had sent Him (John 20:21).

Man isn’t helpless and hopeless today; he isn’t without an intercessor. We’re the ones called to intercede and see to it that God’s purpose, His perfect will, is fulfilled in the earth and the lives of men. He gave us the power, the ability, and the responsibility.

Paul, writing to Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:1, said, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.” Also, in Ephesians 6:18, he declared, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

As we pray in intercession, the Holy Spirit takes hold together with us against the forces of darkness, to obtain that which belongs to us, and to establish the righteousness of God in every place. We carry out this ministry through and by the Spirit. When we take our place of intercession, the Lord says we’ll lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty (1 Timothy 2:2); our societies will be established in righteousness. Intercession is always on behalf of others; you’re concentrating the influence of God’s power toward others for their good, and that requires some persistence in prayer. Imagine that someone has been sick for a long time with cancer or some deadly infirmity; he may not be able to appropriate the blessings of Christ about healing and health for himself. However, through your intercession, he can receive a miracle, as you take his place in prayer and rebuke the adversary.

MAKE PRAYER A LIFESTYLE

In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out (Ephesians 6:18 MSG).

Pastor Chris

Giving time to prayer is particularly important. There are times and certain situations that don’t require you to pray for a protracted period. At other times and in different situations, importunity and heartfelt continuity in prayer are needed. Both are especially important, depending on what you’re dealing with. However, the bottom line is that as a Christian, prayer must be a way of life.

The reason for prayer isn’t to convince God that you’re serious about your objective for praying. Instead, it’s about what spending time in fellowship with Him does in your spirit. Devote your best times and most productive moments to prayer. Try not to be in a hurry during your prayer times, because sometimes, even when you think you’re done praying, the Holy Spirit might still want you to continue. He may bring words to you with which to pray. Remember, He has a ministry in our lives; He’s the One who teaches us how to pray.

When we pray, we don’t always know everything we’re supposed to say about certain situations. But God, through the Holy Spirit, teaches us what to say and how to pray correctly and effectively. That’s why giving time and attention to prayer is essential. Give attention to praying in tongues; don’t be distracted.

When it’s time to pray, have the discipline to keep everything else aside. The more other things try to distract you, the more you should focus and keep praying. Let your spirit receive that discipline; then, you’ll achieve the primary purpose of prayer, which is the conditioning of your spirit and mind until God’s thoughts become your thoughts, and His words become your words. The specific, creative word on your lips that the Spirit brings to you at such moments of prayer produces results.

A few minutes of prayer isn’t sufficient to condition your spirit. You need to give God time and attention. In worship, certain things are done to you and in you by the Holy Spirit; you’re so conditioned and transfigured that your way of talking, your choice of words, your character and your behaviour are affected. Make yourself available for that conditioning to take place as you make prayer a part of your lifestyle.

PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the privilege of fellowship with you through the Spirit in prayer. Thank you for the privilege to side with you and enforce your will in the earth and exercise dominion over circumstances, Satan, and his cohorts of darkness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

UNLIMITED AUTHORITY

And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus
(Ephesians 2:6).

There’s so much we can do with the application of the deep truth revealed in the verse above. Our authority in Christ is all-encompassing and unlimited. We’re seated with Christ in the place of power, in a position of dominion and great glory.
Hallelujah!

We can put a stop to the deception, perils and havoc the devil and his cohorts concoct around the world. You can stand your ground and speak God’s Word in prayer and exercise authority in Christ Jesus over your body, your family and loved ones, your city, your state, and your country. We’re the ones in charge!

We function in Jesus’ stead, in His dominion! Look at what He did to the demons of darkness in hell: “He DISARMED the Principalities and the Powers [which fought against Him…” (Colossians 2:15 Conybears Translation). Hallelujah! Read the Phillips New Testament translation and dance for joy: “And then having drawn the sting of all the powers ranged against us, He exposed them, shattered, empty and
defeated, in His final glorious triumphant act!”

Guess what? When He did all that in hell, you were in Him. So, in Him, you already shattered, disarmed, and defeated Satan and his cohorts of darkness. Maintain your dominion and victory over them. In praying for all men, your city, nation, and leaders, affirm that Satan’s influence is cut off.

Stand in your authority in Christ and utter words: words of life, words of glory, words of liberty, words of prosperity, blessings, and grace. Bless your world with words of righteousness. Remember, words are limitless; and your divinity, your dominion and authority in Christ are expressed primarily through words. Glory to God!

Confession

All of creation—Satan, demons, angels, everything in life, living and non-living—have all been commanded to hear and obey me, because I sit in Jesus’ seat!
I put a stop to the wanton destruction of lives perpetuated by the devils of darkness in the nations of the world; I declare that their influence is cut off; there’s increased works of righteousness, and the will
of God is established in the nations and in the hearts of men, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further study

Ephesians 2:4-6 Philippians 2:9-10 Ephesians 1:19-23

YOU ARE A CHILD OF THE DAY

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2).

The expression “a thief in the night” has troubled some Christians for several years. Some don’t understand what it means, while others are terrified by it. They imagine that if they do something wrong before going to bed and Jesus comes as a thief in the night, they won’t go with Him. But that’s not what it means.


If you look at our opening verse closely, you’ll observe that Paul was writing to the brethren or brotherhood. He said, “…brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you….” The word “brethren” actually
refers to those who are in Christ, males and females. The next verse shows something really important: “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then
sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

This obviously wasn’t referring to the brethren, because he said: “For when they
shall say….” When he referred to the brotherhood, he said “ye.”

“They” in 1 Thessalonians 5:3 refers to the world; those who aren’t yet in Christ. The Bible describes them as the children of disobedience, appointed to God’s wrath: “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others” (Ephesians 2:3).

But for you who are born again, the Bible says, “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief” (1 Thessalonians 5:4).
Every place where the Lord Jesus talked about coming suddenly upon people, it had to do with judgement, and He wasn’t referring to the Church. In John 5:24,
He says, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (NIV). You’re a child of light and of the day; you’re neither of the night nor of darkness!

Serve the Lord with joy and in expectation of His soon return. Declare just like Jesus: “I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:4-5).

Confession

I’m a child of light and of the day; I serve the Lord with joy and in expectation of His soon return. I walk in His light and in His righteousness, fulfilling His perfect will to the glory of His Name. Amen.

Further study

Ephesians 5:8; Revelation 3:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:5

EXAMINE THE SPIRITS

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world (1 John 4:1).

When the Apostle John spoke of “false prophets,” the reference was essential to “professors of deception” who were inspired by demons to deceive the world.

We’re seeing many of such in these end times. That’s why John says to examine the spirits; he’s referring to voices of human beings inspired by some demonic spirits that seek to influence, deceive and sway the nations.

When you read our theme verse in context into the second and third verses, you’d notice John was talking about the antichrist spirit; not the “Antichrist” himself—who is also called “the beast,” “the man of lawlessness,” or “the man of sin”—but the spirit behind his works. That antichrist spirit, since John’s Day, has been in the world and we’re able to discern his works.

Thanks be unto God! Not only are we able to discern his works and those of his false prophets and messengers, but we’ve also overcome them: 1 John 4:4 says, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.”

In the 5th and 6th verses, he continues, “They are of the world: therefore, speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth
God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error” (1 John 4:5-6).

Walk in God’s truth and be spiritually alert and you’ll be shielded against preachers of pseudo-science and the deceit that they propagate. Remember, truth is in your spirit because the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of truth—lives in you. 2 John 1:2 says, “for the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever.” God’s truth protects you, delivers and saves you from trouble. Psalm 91:4 says, “…his
truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”

Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for your Word by which I navigate my way through life. I’m discerning and perceptive; I’m invincible to the false doctrines, deceptions, ruse, wiles, shams, lies and sways of the antichrist spirit of darkness in the world today, for I’m led by your Word and guided by your Spirit, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.