Divine Shift: The Battle is at the Gates

As we come close to the Lord, there is an awakening of our identities to who we really are. In prayer and fasting we consecrate ourselves, we build altars- meeting places with the Lord- and in doing so our spirits are awakened. We are preparing to become warrior brides, and I believe that we are in a season of divine shift. The battle lines are drawn. This is a serious time to be alive.

Psalm 96:1-4 says, ‘Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.’

We must look to the Lord and who He is.

Psalm 144:1-2 says, ‘Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer...’

God is our fortress, our deliverer and He trains us for war. It’s time for us to get ready, and as we get ready, there is in invitation to grow in these areas:

1. Kingdom Intelligence. 

Hosea 4:6 reminds us that people are destroyed from a lack of knowledge. We must grow in knowledge of God, knowledge of His ways and knowledge of the enemy’s ways.

2. Kingdom Strength

This is given but developed. Isaiah 37:3 references the birth of a child yet lacking the strength to deliver them. We need inner strength and fortitude so that we can accomplish what we are called to. Kingdom strength helps us to resist anger, overlook offence and love those around us.

3. Kingdom Authority

We inherit a measure of this when we are saved, but we can develop this too. In Matthew 28, Jesus explains to his disciples that all authority has been given to Him, and now sends them out in that authority. Authority comes by walking closely with the Lord and becoming more like Him.

4. Kingdom Protection

Something to pray is, ‘Lord, keep me invisible to the enemy.’ Keep doors shut to eliminate the influence of the enemy in your life. Be careful of what you watch and how you speak. You wouldn’t turn the heating on in your house and then leave all doors and windows open. Intimacy and obedience to Christ helps us to shut those doors.  Psalm 91 is a great psalm to pray, but requires action from us to abide in the Shelter of the Almighty.

5. Kingdom Strategy

This is the ability to know what to do and when to do it, following the leading of the Holy Spirit. John 5:19 tells us that Jesus only did what He saw His Father doing.

6. Kingdom Protocol.

We must understand the rules of spiritual engagement. Repentance, purity, intimacy with the Father, prayer and fasting are all key. Psalm 66:18 says, ‘if I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.’ Do not cherish sin in our hearts.

If we turn to the Lord and grow in these areas we will be battle ready.

‘Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare for war! Rouse the warriors! Let all the fighting men draw near and attack.’ Josel 3:9.

Wake up from your slumber. The battle is at the gates.

How will you respond?

1.       What will you stop doing?

2.       When will you pray?

3.       Where will you pray?

4.       What will you pray?

5.       Who will you pray with?

-           Taken from Pastor Steve’s message.

Next Steps:

-           Be prayerful in answering the questions above.

-           Share your answers with a friend/your Home Church and hold each other accountable.

-           Catch up with the message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm_3uAzHBQQ