“For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.”  Ephesians 6:12

Holy and Gracious Father,

I see the battle.  I see the souls that You created with a beautiful plan and a purpose who are blinded by the rulers of this dark world.  It’s hitting close to home, for all of us.  People we love who have believed skillfully twisted lies constructed by a masterful Liar…believing his lies to be true.  Family members, friends, co~workers, kids that my kids go to school with, all believing lies to be true.

“In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”        2 Corinthians 4:4

I see the ones who are to be charging forward in Your Love and Kindness charging forward in anger.  Angry at the ones who are blind and can’t see the Light of the gospel.  Arguing with the ones who cannot understand the Truth.

Yet…

“They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts.”  Ephesians 4:18

“…their minds were closed. For to this day, the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed.”  2 Corinthinas 3:14

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we cannot win this battle by arguing with flesh and blood.  We cannot fight the way the world fights.  

Hostility is not going to win souls for Christ.

“Do you really think–anyone of you who judges those who do such things yet do the same–that you will escape God’s judgment?  Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”  Romans 2:3-4

“Don’t participate in the things these people do.  For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light–for the fruit of the light results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth–”  Ephesians 5:7-9

We were all once blind, remember?  We were only drawn out of darkness by the grace and kindness of Jesus Christ our Savior, friend of sinners, the One who came to seek and save the lost.  He came to seek and to save the lost.

So, we have to lay the weapons of the world down, friends.  We are in a battle, yes, but our weapons are not the weapons of the world.

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”  2 Corinthians 10:3-4

We have access to the “weapons” that have the power to demolish strongholds!!!  We have access to the Creator of the Universe, the One holding all things together, through prayer.  We have the only Sword that truly pierces hearts, the Living and Active Word of God!!  Because of Jesus, the Spirit of the Living God lives inside of us.  Empowering us.  Guiding us.  Giving us the words to say when we don’t know what to say.  We need not stoop to pick up the useless weapons of the world, we need to kneel and pray to the One who is holding all of this together, who is waiting patiently for more sons and daughters to come out of the darkness and into His glorious Light.  (“…he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance”  2 Peter 3:9)

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light!!!”  1 Peter 2:9

Let’s declare His praises!!  Let’s plead with the God of mercy and love to open the eyes of the blind, to draw them to repentance by His kindness.

Let’s be the Light in this present darkness.

Father of mercy and love, I ask You with all of my heart to “…open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that by faith in {Jesus} they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified.”  (Acts 26:18)  I ask You to use me, to use us, the body of Christ, to show Your love to a world that is blind and dying.  My heart is broken for the precious souls who are believing the twisted lies of Satan.  Father, break the chains that are holding them captive.  Open their eyes to see Your Truth, Father.  Empower us to charge forward in Your love and kindness and to be the salt and light of the earth.  It’s in Your Son Jesus’ beautiful and powerful Name I pray, Amen.

Blessings!

~Nicole

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”  Colossians 3:16