$#%@*, You're Awake Again!
A Devotional
© 2001 Steve Lattier and Men's Help Ministries

Just how many times in your life have you ever heard that from anyone? By the end of this weeks message I pray you will be listening, excited, to hear it every day! Now, understandably, you don't want to hear something like that from your loved ones, nor would you wish to hear it from your pastor or the people at your church. Who would you like to hear that from, even daily? Think about it as you read this weeks message.
What kinds of ups and downs has your life had? Have there been seasons of loss? Has there been high points in your walk with God? The answer to those questions is, of course, yes. I can almost promise that right after you got saved something happened to stress you out and try and turn you from your newfound walk with God. You may not recall now what it was, but something happened. Has that punk devil assaulted you? Has he taken from you? Perhaps you are the first in your family to come to Christ or maybe you are in a position of authority. It doesn't matter what your ministry is (I bet you didn't realize that you had one, did you? Well that is a whole other devotion.) the forces of the enemy are out to neutralize you. I have a couple of quick questions for you. What was the last thing that then enemy took from you? (ministry, spouse, job, family, finances) The second question is just this. Now, what exactly did you do about it? (I like the way that the KJV puts it)

The Word:
Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

No, I don't mean to encourage any of those pseudo-religious, paramilitary groups, they are simply misapplying scripture. It is all to easy to do when you are speaking about warfare. When the Bible speaks about warring and warfare we must be vigilant in reminding ourselves that we are not fighting against people! We are fighting a war of obedience on a battleground of prayer and intercession. When was the last time you stopped and prayed for someone who wronged you intentionally? Have you ever gone to minister to a family member that does not know Christ? Are you strong enough to forgive someone who has not even asked for it? Imagine the strength of Faith that it takes to do those kinds of things. You have it, inside you, the question is will you use it? If Peter could choose to use his faith to walk on water with Jesus then you can wage war on the armies of hell!

The Word:
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. [14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [18] And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

We are at war with hell, Christian. This question will sting. Does hell even know you? If the enemy doesn't recognize you, then you have already been neutralized. The enemy might just have had his way with you. Are you too busy to pray? Is it not cool to be seen by the people at your job reading scripture at lunch? If this approaches describing you, then you are already a casualty of the war. There is a fight going on around you every single day, whether you participate or not. You must make a decision as to who you want to win, its only your family at stake…… How willing to fight are you? All that it takes is the confidence of a teenager. If you have that then you can fight off the enemy.

The Word:
1Samuel 17:34 But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, [35] I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. [36] Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. [37] The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you."

Your prayers and actions as a Christian should make the enemy sit up and take notice. Be confident in the Power that is loosed in you because you are filled with the Holy Spirit. You have authority over the denizens of the pit, through Christ. The enemy cannot touch you if you believe! Sure, he can send turmoil your way, but then you know he is on the run. Don't sit in your pew and be scared of the enemy, if you don't act with the authority that God gave you then you will loose the war!

The Word:
Acts 19:13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." [14] Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. [15] One day the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" [16] Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

Did you read that? Those people were trying to use Jesus' authority over that demon, but never had a relationship with Him! They were simply giving lip-service to Christianity. You MUST believe or you will get hit so hard your clothes are knocked off! If you believe what happened on that cross and in that grave, then act like it. The enemy loves it when Christians are too chicken to take him on. Did you catch what the demon said? “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul…” news must spread fast in hell, this demon wasn't the devil himself but still he must have seen the “wanted poster” in hell's post office. Do you have a mug shot in hell? If you don't then that just means that the enemy doesn't give a hoot about you! If the enemy doesn't care then that means you aren't a threat! Be a threat Christian! You ought to scare hell. You are born again, and through that rebirth you are born to raid hell, not raise it! The enemy should curse every day when you wake up!

Pray with me: Father I have been a weak soldier instruct me in the ways of war. Show me the battles I must fight. Give me the strength of faith to wage war on the enemy Lord. Show me my lion and my bear so that I have the confidence in you to fight off my Goliath. I want to make a difference in the size of your kingdom Lord. Help me to put hell on notice. I (your name) am standing ready for battle. I enter this war to take back everything the enemy has taken from me. Father, teach me to pray like a warrior, to live like a soldier for Heaven, in Jesus name. Amen!

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[ 08-06-2001: Message edited by: SLattier ]