No Weapon

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.

1. Be strong and courageous when the attacks come

Being a Christian places a target on you

If you are not attacked, it may be because you are not a threat

Jesus said that in this world we would have trouble

God kept speaking to me leading up to my trial, He said, “Be strong and courageous”

I did not understand it but I knew I had to go through something

I submitted to His will — let you will be done

The day I was taken to the hospital the Lord spoke to me and said, “Be strong and courageous. No one will die because of this”

I had to be strong and courageous my life was at stake

2. Faith > Facts

The doctors kept telling me that I was not good

I kept refuting their assessment

The first night at 3:00 a.m. I had a coughing spell that almost killed me

I had to have faith > facts

The fact was that I was coughing and there was nothing anyone could do—but God

Faith has to be greater than the facts presented

That is the belt of truth

Truth aligns with faith but sometimes does not align with facts

You will know the truth and it will set you free

The Lord spoke to me and said that I would not die

I had to remember His promise

I was told I had a blood clot

They rushed me for a CT Scan and they did not find it

They kept telling me I was in bad shape and I kept refuting their assessment

I am healed

3. No weapon formed will prosper against you

Isaiah 54:16–17 NIV84

16 “See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc; 17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.

This virus is a weapon that is being used to ruin many lives

God created the scientist that created this virus

This virus is fit for its work

God created the destroyer to work havoc

But the promise to His children is that no weapon forged against us will prevail

In other words, we must believe that we have the victory

Remember, our battle is not against flesh and blood

It is against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms

You must learn to pray in the Spirit to combat these forces

There were 4 nights in a row that I felt death

I spoke to my wife and kids and would tell them that I was going to sleep, we will talk tomorrow

I set my worship playlist on

Then I would pray in the Spirit

I would ask God to remember His promise

4. Renew your mind to the will of God

Romans 12:2 NIV84

2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

You have to make every effort to think about the promises of God

Philippians 4:8 NIV84

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

I had to battle in the my mind

I received bad news every day I was in the hospital

I did not believe them

I thought about what is true—Jehovah-Rapha my healer

I thought about what is right—Jesus is my Savior

I thought about what is noble—I’m a child of the King of Kings

I thought about what is pure—My children love me and need me

I thought about what is lovely—My wife loves me and needs me

I thought about what is admirable—I need to get back to our church so that they believe without doubt that God is still able to work miracles

I thought about what is excellent—God dose not lie

I thought about what is praiseworthy—God will receive Glory from this miracle and victory

Don’t let you mind be overwhelmed with facts that don’t line up with the promises of God

5. Faith over fear

2 Timothy 1:7 CSB

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.

The day I went to the hospital I called my wife and told her not to believe anything she hears from anyone

I told her, “This is what God told me, ‘Be strong and courageous. No one will die from this’”

I told her, I will be here a few days but I will go back home to you and the kids

That is all you have to believe

That is the promise of God

I have no reason to doubt God

He has been faithful beyond measure

Do not let fear keep you from remembering His promises

You have Power

You have Love

You have sound judgment

Speak those things that are not as thought they are

Love covers a multitude of sins and breaks chains that bind us

Think straight

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