Stay Alert

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Stay Alert!

When you are in a battle, you have to be aware and know your enemy’s strategy.  You have to pay attention and not lose concentration for one minute.

Satan is the enemy of God, and he actively seeks to oppose God, His purposes, and His people. The enemy has many different names. Devil means “accuser,” because he accuses God’s people day and night before the throne of God (Rev. 12:7–11). Satan means “adversary,” because he is the enemy of God. He is also called the tempter (Matt. 4:3), and the murderer and the liar (John 8:44). He is compared to a lion (1 Peter 5:8), a serpent (Gen. 3:1; Rev. 12:9), and an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:13–15), as well as “the god of this age” (2 Cor. 4:4, NIV).He is crafty and deceptive but unlike God, Satan is not all-knowing, all-powerful, or everywhere-present. Then how does he accomplish so much in so many different parts of the world? The answer is in his organized helpers.

Satan’s helpers - Paul called them “principalities … powers … rulers … spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph. 6:12) Charles B. Williams translates it: “For our contest is not with human foes alone, but with the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark world; that is, with the spirit forces of evil challenging us in the heavenly contest” (WMS). This suggests a definite army of demonic creatures that assist Satan in his attacks against believers.  Soldiers, there is a spiritual battle going on right now in the earthly realm as well as the heavenly realm.  We are wasting our time fighting people when we ought to be fighting the devil who seeks to control people and make them oppose the work of God.

Satan’s Abilities - Satan is a strong enemy and we need the power of God to be able to stand against him. The Book of Job tells what his power can do to a man’s body, home, wealth, and friends. Jesus calls Satan a thief who comes “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10). Satan is also wise and subtle, and we fight against “the wiles of the devil.” Wiles mean “cunning, crafty arts, stratagems, or schemes.” The Christian cannot afford to be “ignorant of his devices.” (2 Cor. 2:11)  The enemy of our souls will do anything, use any means necessary to distract us from God and his purpose for our lives. 

Satan’s battle strategy is simple. He is out to deceive us, to trick us into buying his lies and temptations. He’s been at his plan for countless years, and he’s good at it.  Sometimes the deceptions of the enemy come clothed in trappings that seem reasonable, even sensible.  If we don’t know what God’s word says, if we’re not in tune with His Spirit, we are vulnerable and ultimately we will fall for the lies.  Be alert and sober of mind!  The enemy is on the prowl and he is ready to devour!  He wants the glory for himself, the glory that belongs to God.  God said “My glory I will not give to another.” (Is. 48:11) The battle is for glory, for the throne of creation. Praise God the outcome has never been in doubt.

The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever! Amen. 2 Timothy 4:18

Know Your Enemy – The Opposition in Spiritual Warfare

Monday, September 21, 2026

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. Ephesians 6:10-12 CSB

Know Your Enemy – The Opposition in Spiritual Warfare

Last Sunday Pastor Jim began leading us through a series on Spiritual Warfare called Stand: Equipped for the Battle. As Christians we stand in a war that wages all around us unseen – a spiritual battle. As we walk through this series we will learn about nature of spiritual warfare and the weapons God has given us to fight this battle. We will learn how to fight spiritual battles in a way that honors God while being a witness for him to the world. We will embrace our key truth: We fight from victory, not for victory, because the battle belongs to the Lord.

Who do you see as your enemy? Most of the time we mistake the people in front of us for the true enemy of our lives. Satan wants us to see the people around us as our enemy. This is how he destroys families and tears churches apart. We see each other as the enemy and destroy each other instead of seeing that Satan is the real enemy. 

We are in an unseen battle with unseen forces, but the battle is real and we can feel it and its effects. We have a God who loves us and an enemy who hates him and who sole purpose is to make us feel defeated, helpless and worthless for the kingdom of God. He wants to distract us from the purpose God has for us. It is imperative for us to know this enemy and how he works, as well as to know the power we have from God to stand firm against him. 

Pastor Jim gave us a lot of great information yesterday about our opposition in Spiritual Warfare. 

The Battle is real. The enemy is real and the battle is real. He wants us to underestimate him or not believe that it could even be real. Even though he is real and he attacks us in more ways than we realize, we have all the power we ever need to stand firm. We have the power of Jesus in our hearts. We would never have the power in our own strength to stand firm against the attacks of the enemy.

Why don’t we stand in his power? Pastor Jim gave us four reasons we don’t stand in the power we have been given when we are followers of Jesus. 

We are spiritually immature – make light of the battle because we are not growing up in our faith. We do not take God, our faith, or spiritual battles seriously. We cannot see the real enemy, misinterpreting who the enemy is and his strategy, leaving us vulnerable in battle. 
We still have habitual or unconfessed sins. No confession or repentance. We have not dealt with the sin in our lives, allowing Jesus to transform us so we don’t ask for his help, leaving us vulnerable in battle. 
We are too self-reliant. We think we can do it in our own power (which stems from pride), but sometimes we feel like we have to do it in our own power. We believe we can fight the battle in own power leaving us vulnerable in the battle.
We have a weak and ineffective prayer life. We don’t seek God because – we are spiritually immature, have habitual or unconfessed sin, and are self-reliant so we have an ineffective prayer life, leaving us vulnerable in the battle. 

The devil has a plan. Satan wants us to believe that we have no strength in the battle. He wants to distract us from God with everything else. He has a plan to lure us away. He uses fleshly means to distract us from God and the work he has for us to be doing. He cannot defeat us so he will deceive us and distract us so we are not useful or effective for the kingdom of God. The armor of God, which we will learn about in this series, is the only way to defend against the devil’s plan.

Four specific stages within the enemy’s battle plan:?

Desire – this is temptation – Satan tempting us to fill real desires with counterfeit things.

Deception – desire leads to deception. Our desires can begin to control our minds.

Disobedience – when we are tempted by desire and allow it to control our minds in deception we act in disobedience. We eventually act on our sinful desire. 

Death – sin leads to death, which would be Satan’s ultimate goal – to take us out of the battle.  

The enemy is spiritual. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. We are not fighting flesh and blood enemies so we cannot fight them with man’s weapons. We can only fight with spiritual means.

How does understanding Satan’s plans and strategies help us to walk more faithfully with Jesus? We know that Satan’s plan is to deceive us and distract us so we will not be effective for the Kingdom of God. He wants to lead us away through desire, deception, disobedience and death. Walking faithfully with Jesus helps us to resist Satan and his schemes, stand firm in the battle and claim the victory that is already ours in Jesus. 

Are you engaged in the battle? How has the enemy deceived or distracted you? How will you fight back using the armor of God?   

Stand: Equipped for the Battle “The Opposition in Spiritual Warfare”

 

Stand: Equipped for the Battle
“The Opposition in Spiritual Warfare”
Ephesians 6:10-12 (CSB)

 

Key Truth: We fight from victory, not for victory, because the battle belongs to the Lord.

Main Question: How does understanding Satan’s plans and strategies help us to walk more faithfully with Jesus? 

1.        The battle is real. (vs. 10)

Why don’t we depend on God’s power in the battle?

a.         We are spiritually immature. 

b.         We still have habitual or unconfessed sins.

c.         We are too self-reliant. 

d.         We have a weak and ineffective prayer life.

 

2.        The devil has a plan.  (vs.11)

Two Key Questions:

1.         What is the spiritual root of the attack that I am experiencing right now?

2.         How do I return to “first things” and reorient my focus and obedience on God?

Why don’t we depend on God’s power in the battle?

a.         Desire

b.         Deception

c.         Disobedience

d.         Death

3.        The enemy is spiritual. (vs. 12)

After the Message: 
Read Ephesians 6:10-12. Are you engaged in the battle? How has the enemy deceived or distracted you? How will you fight back using the armor of God?  

 

Jehovah Nissi (The Lord is our Banner)

Thursday, September 17, 2026

Jehovah Nissi (The Lord is our Banner)

Moses built an altar and named it The LORD is My Banner; and he said, "The LORD has sworn; the LORD will have war against Amalek from generation to generation."  
Exodus 17:15-16

Sometimes in life we just run up against one dead end after another and one problem after another.  It is hard to keep going and not give up.  We may feel like the Lord has given up on us causing us to feel discouraged.  Discouragement can lead to feeling defeated.  One of Satan’s great weapons against Christians is a spirit of defeatism.  Defeatism is a curse that can overwhelm us and make us lay down our weapons before the battle has begun.  In the Exodus passage above, Moses was not about to forfeit to the Amalekites. He turned to the Lord for wisdom, guidance and direction. Basically he told God, You brought us here, you will have to take care of us.  If we did more of that today, we would run up against a lot less walls in our life!  God directed Moses in what to do, and Moses followed. After this he set up and altar and named it after something he had learned about God.

Jehovah – Nissi means that He is our Banner, or The Lord is my sign of conquest.  Moses had learned that God would always conquer the enemies of his people.  He learned to let God lead the way and he would taste victory; when he followed God, he conquered.  We fail to experience the victory we could if we only will let God be our Banner.  Many times we try to lead and expect God to follow along behind us.  If we are going to have victory in our lives, Jehovah Nissi – God the Banner must lead the way. 

God gives us victory over so many things that we could never list them all.  There are four very important victories that all Christians should claim:

• Victory over Sin - 1John 1:7 tells us if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.  He cleanses us from all our sin, not just some of our sins.  Jesus is our Banner.  He has won this battle against Satan for us.  We only have to claim the victory.
• Victory over habits - So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.  
  John 8:36  This is close in relation to victory over sin.  We are free from the habits that keep us from serving God.  Drinking , smoking, whatever the habits are, we are no longer enslaved once we claim the victory with the help of Jehovah Nissi.
• Victory over Self – Galatians 2:20 says I have been crucified with Christ: and it is no longer I who live; but Christ lives in me.  Satan wants us to believe that our own wisdom is better than God’s.  We have to put ourselves aside and let God have control.  This is where we follow even when we want to do it our way.  With the help of the Lord our Banner we can conquer our selfish desires. 
• Victory over Sorrow – Life is hard.  Problems come and sad things happen.  Sometimes we don’t understand why these things happen to us.  We can easily be overcome with grief and loose our vision.  God will give us victory over the sorrow that would otherwise overwhelm us.  

Let God be your conqueror.  No matter what comes your way, no matter what sorrow, sadness, or defeat, He can withstand the battle when we are battle worn.  Soldiers come back from war waving their banners high, a symbol of victory.  Let Christ be your banner.  He is our victory over sin, selfishness, sorrow, sickness, and so much more.  Step aside and let Him lead you to victory today.

 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  Romans 8:37 

Do You Know Your Place?

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus... Ephesians 2:4-6

Do You Know Your Place?

But God...Through the grace of God we are saved -raised from the dead of our sin to new life in him. There is nothing we can do to earn it – it is purely a gift we are to receive and believe which leads to repentance, salvation, relationship with him, and eternal life. 

Because of God’s rich mercy and great love for us, He saved us. We don't deserve it and never will. He forgave us and washed our sins away, making us a new creation in Him. Grace is a gift given by God, with no expectation of anything in return. If is free to us at no cost, but grace cost the giver. God sacrificed His own son so we could know His grace, receive His grace and live in His grace. Once we receive His grace, it is ours forever. It does not expire, and God does not take it back. It is a forever gift to us. 

The most important way salvation changes us is that we were dead and now we are alive! Going from death to life brings a whole cascade of changes into our lives. We are a new person in him. Our lives should reflect his glory, grace, love, and kindness to everyone around us. Our lives should tell his story of saving grace and loving kindness. 

We are raised up with him and seated in the heavens with Christ Jesus as Pastor Jim said Sunday both in position and power. That means we do not fight from a position of weakness but from the greatest power ever – the power of Jesus. We fight from his power, authority, and victory. 

Living a Conqueror’s Life

In Romans 8 Paul talks about how we are not victims, but more than conqueror’s in Christ. Living a conqueror’s life means living victorious rather than defeated. To live as a conqueror means to live intentionally and with determination. This does not mean that we will not experience death, weakness, suffering, grief or sorrow. But there will be no permanent destruction because Jesus already holds the victory – and so do we through him. Hope is the key for the Christian.  Hope is not wishing.  It has a reason... the resurrection and victory of Jesus. Because of this we can live in victory instead of as a victim. 

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

We have been given a heritage – a conqueror’s heritage.  This heritage means we have been called to stand in his power. We have been called to fight in his power. We have been called to not let the circumstances around us defeat us, and that is hard sometimes. We have been called to live a conqueror’s life.

Therefore, if you were raised with Christ, look for the things that are above where Christ is sitting at God’s right side. Think about the things above and not things on earth. Colossians 3:1-2

Set your mind on him – the victory lies with him. Remember your heritage. Your Father is the King of Kings and because of his great love for you and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we are more than conquerors in him. Know your place in the battle. Your place in the battle is in him and his power and victory. 

First…Remember These Blessings

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding. He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ as a plan for the right time—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him. In him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory. In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed.  The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:7-14 CSB

First…Remember These Blessings

Being a Christian on mission to spread the Gospel in this fallen world will elicit attacks from Satan and his demons. We are his enemy and although he cannot crush us, he would like to. As we engage in learning about Spiritual Warfare, it is good to re-visit these reminders of all that we have as a result of being a Christ follower. We have hope. Satan and his schemers would love for us to look around, overwhelmed, and give up. The kind of hope we have in Christ because of our relationship and identity in him is for now and for eternity. Because we have this hope in him we can stand firm on the battlefield in the midst of any attacks and spiritual wars that we find ourselves in the midst of. 

Seven things from Ephesians Chapter 1 that can bring us hope:

1. We have been Redeemed - In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, Ephesians 1:7 Jesus Christ has redeemed us, and we are forgiven because of His grace.
2. We have a promise - In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit… Ephesians 1:13  We heard and believed and when we gave our hearts to Him as our Savior, He put His stamp of ownership on us by giving us the Holy Spirit. 
3. We have guaranteed inheritance – Spirit…who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.  Ephesians 1:14  The Holy Spirit has guaranteed that we will receive our inheritance as God’s Children. He has so many good things for us, many blessings in life.  Complete freedom.
4. We are His – Spirit…who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.  Ephesians 1:14  We belong to God.  He purchased our salvation with the shed blood of His son, Jesus. We are free in Him.  Free from the bondage of our sin and shame. We are covered by this shed blood – it protects us.
5. We have the power of Jesus – …and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places…Ephesians 1:19-20 The very same power that rose Jesus from the grave lives in us and is working in us. 
6. He has revealed His plan to us - …making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ Ephesians 1:9 
7. We have been blessed - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places… Ephesians 1:3  

 

We know these foundational doctrines of our salvation but quickly forget them in times of trouble. The world seems to have gone crazy most days and this mortal life is uncertain, but God’s words and promises are ALWAYS certain and true.  Spiritual warfare is real and we must stay alert that it exists and  is working against the kingdom of God. We are protected because we belong to the King of Kings. He has authority over all – including evil forces, who actually fear him and want to flee. When Jesus died on the cross and rose again he defeated Satan. The battle is won already so no matter what he tries to do or how much he antagonizes God’s people, Satan has already lost the battle!  

After the Message - The Context of Spiritual Warfare

Monday, September 14, 2026

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength. He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens - far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way. Ephesians 1:18-23 CSB

The Context of Spiritual Warfare

As Christians every day we are on the battleground of a war - a war that wages all around us unseen – a spiritual battle. Though we cannot see this battle, we can feel this battle and its effects. Paul reminds us in the verses above how powerful God is. He is over and above everything and there is no power or authority greater than him. Because we know this, we know our key truth for this series, We can fight this battle from victory, not for victory, because the battle belongs to the Lord. As we walk through this series we will learn about nature of spiritual warfare and the weapons God has given us to fight this battle. We will learn how to fight spiritual battles in a way that honors God while being a witness for him to the world.

To start the series off, Pastor Jim gave us some context of spiritual warfare – the location of the battle, the authority in the battle, and our place in the battle.

The location - When we are in a relationship with Jesus, being transformed by him and growing in the Spirit, we will be able to read the map – the Bible – and know where the battle is raging around us. Being in a relationship with Jesus is the only way we can know the location of the battle and it comes as a result of salvation. 

His good news of salvation is:

·  The Kingdom of God has come. (Because Jesus has come)

·  Jesus Christ is the King.

·  Jesus died for our sins.

·  Jesus rose from the dead on the third day.

·  Repent of sin.

·  Believe the gospel. 

·  Follow Jesus. 

The authority in battle - The power that raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavens - far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come is available to us as believers. That power is more powerful than any powers or principalities and has all authority. He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens - far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given… God exercised his power in Christ and has all authority in every battle. That changes how we approach spiritual warfare.

Our place in battle - We do not fight for victory, but from victory because we are not victims. We stand in the victory that Jesus has already claimed. He is above every spiritual power, every authority, every scheme, and every name that can be named. He holds all authority. Our victory is already secure in him.  

Satan does not care about those who do not have salvation through Jesus. They don’t bother him because they are not standing before him in the armor of God and in the power that raised Jesus from the dead. But Christians are different. He knows the power we stand in and that we are the real threat. He wants us weak and afraid. He wants us intimidated by his spiritual opposition, but God wants us to understand and remember his great power over everything – including spiritual opposition - working toward those who believe.

Ask yourself today – Are you a threat to the battle? Remember that through salvation your identity lies with the one who has already claimed the victory. Who can fear running into a battle you know you have already won? We can find confidence and strength in knowing that we fight our spiritual battles through Jesus who is already the victor.  

Stand: Equipped for the Battle “The Context of Spiritual Warfare”

 

Stand: Equipped for the Battle
“The Context of Spiritual Warfare”
Ephesians 1:3, 18-23; 2:4-6 (CSB)

 

Key Truth: We fight from victory, not for victory, because the battle belongs to the Lord.

Main Question: What is the context of spiritual warfare and how can knowing about it change how we view our role in it? 

1.        The location of the battle. (vs. 1:3)

The good news of salvation is:

a.         The Kingdom of God has come.

b.         Jesus Christ is the King.

c.         Jesus died for our sins.

d.         Jesus rose from the dead on the third day.

e.         Repent of sin.

f.            Believe the gospel.

g.          Follow Jesus.

 

2.        The authority in the battle.  (vs. 1:18-23)

 

3.        Our place in the battle. (vs. 2:4-6)

After the Message: 
Read Ephesians 1:3, 18-21; 2:4-6. Are you aware of the spiritual battle raging around you? Where do you stand in the battle? How will you engage it, in your power or in the power of Christ?