Thursday, August 28, 2008

Winning Over Your Invisible Enemy

On assignment in Afghanistan for the Edmonton Journal, Graham Thomson wrote a report in the August 16, 2008 edition entitled “FIGHTING AN INVISIBLE ENEMY”. It reminded me of the ultimate real enemy that seeks to destroy us and oppose the will of God for us. Yes, each person has a responsibility for the sin and evil which they commit. But, the Bible reminds us that behind all these evil words and actions of people is the unseen invisible rank of evil spirits, fallen angels who obey Satan and seek to lead us into all kinds of sin.


For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12, NLT)


“Rulers”, “authorities”, and “powers” refer to different ranks of evil beings. Therefore, I was very intrigued to read from another source about 3 ranks of enemy in the present war in Afghanistan. First there are the hard-core Taliban who are 100% dedicated to destroying our soldiers and anyone else who hinders the return of full Taliban rule. Second, there are the “civilian persons who hate foreigners, the present Afghan government, and authorities in general. They are easily recruited for specific destroying acts but are not totally supportive of the Taliban. Third, there are those from the regular population who are bribed into committing acts of violence but who easily and quickly retreat into regular civilian life and wear clothing of the common people. This last group has little or no commitment to the Taliban, However, our own soldiers and regular Afghan forces cannot always tell who they are fighting and where to find them until they suddenly commit a violent act. They are like an invisible enemy until it is sometimes too late — the damage has been done.


That is why the Bible also warns us to always be on spiritual alert and to fervently pray with the help of the Holy Spirit of God and by clothing ourselves with all of God’s “armor”. Even as I went on-line to check e-mail prior to typing this message, the invisible enemy was seeking to distract me with unsolicited advertisements. The dangers of this invisible enemy are everywhere in this world. But, through Jesus, our Savior, we can win in practice over everything that our Enemy and his evil assistants can throw at us!


I urge you to join me in closing spiritual ranks against this invisible enemy who will someday soon be banished by our God forever.

Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.” (Ephesians 6:18, NLT

Lifeline: The Power of Music

The sound first resonated like a distant rumble. Then, it erupted into a loud roar. The whole building was collapsing around the three young boys. Everything grew very dark and still. They were alive but injured. There seemed no way for them to escape from the Chinese 2008 earthquake.


One of the boys, about nine years old, began to sing. Somehow singing became for him a cry of his soul. One Western commentator remarked how God was surely at work in this young boy. The other boys began to sing. The singing motivated his spirit and his determination to somehow escape from this forbidding prison of rock and rubble. The miracle is that the boy made his way to the surface. After receiving freedom, the boy expressed his gratitude by returning to help the other boys to get free.


Amazing! Singing from the heart to God has power to blast through all kinds of barriers.

It is a lifeline to God — the cry of one’s heart to God. Such singing crosses lines of culture, language, and nation. The Bible describes the dramatic picture of two men who were imprisoned for teaching others how to trust in and live for Jesus. Their enemies were furious. The authorities ordered Paul and Silas to be flogged. Beaten and bleeding, they were “thrown into prison” (Acts 16:23). Then, they were placed in a dark dungeon in the lowest part of the prison.


Faced with no light and no obvious way of escape, they could have grown bitter or cried out in self-pity and given up. But, Paul and Silas responded in the most amazing way. Like the boys in China, they began to sing with passion to God.


…Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly there was a great earthquake and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors flew open and the chains of every prisoner flew off!”

(Acts 16:25-26, NLT)


The result was that the official in charge of the prison saw the work of God in all this and begged to know how to receive Jesus into His heart. The whole extended household of the prison guard became Christians transformed by the power of God. The word for household (oikos) refers also to relatives and servants of the prison official. Music of praise to God in Jesus’ name can set you free from the prison of drugs, addictions or resentment. When you are truly set free, waste no time in coming alongside of others who are also calling out for real freedom. Music of your heart to God can be truly powerful – a lifeline to those who are desperate for hope. Don’t wait to be in the mood for singing. In any circumstance, make the cry of your souls a “joyful symphony” to God (Psalm 98:6).