The Specialty in Special Warfare: The Airmen who make up Air Force Special Warfare are the most specialized warriors on the planet. They are the ones other special forces look to when the mission calls for their unique skills and fearless commitment. A job for the mentally tough and physically strong, these elite heroes go where others won’t because they’re trained to do what others can’t. -United States Air Force
To be a warrior is not really a concept that most Americans can identify with today. Only a small percentage of our population actually knows what it means to be a warrior, to go into battle and fight against the enemy. I would like to just take this moment to say thank you to the elite who take up the calling to serve in our military. You are an inspiration to us all.
I will make a confession, I am not a soldier in the United States military and that I write only from others' experiences and statements. I do however recognize, through my studies in God’s Word, that He is calling His children to be warriors. We need to understand the importance of what it means to be a warrior in order that we do not become casualties of war. It is a war that our Savior Christ Jesus has already won for us. We are called to withstand the forces of our spiritual enemies until the day Christ fulfills His promise, to place Satan in the pits of hell for all eternity (Hebrews 2:14). The day is coming when Jesus returns (Matthew 2:21). Are you ready (Matthew 25:1-13)? Will you be found faithful to His cause?
Our Heavenly Father IS the Lord of Heaven’s Armies (Isaiah 13:4). Hebrews 12:22 tells us that His angelic army is in the countless thousands. We too are called, and belong, to His army. We joined His forces when we believed in Christ as our Lord and Savior and repented of our sins. God adopted us into His eternal family and with this adoption comes responsibilities to glorify Him and to withstand the spiritual forces that oppose His authority. In Ephesians 6:12, Paul tells us, “for we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
How do we glorify God and withstand the enemy? The simple answer is that we become specialized “warriors”. We do not settle for being a couch potato Christian, praying only simple prayers at meal time or when we remember to. We train and discipline ourselves, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to become prayer warriors. In order for us to do this, we must know Jesus in a more intimate way by studying Scripture. 1 John 2:27 tells us that the Holy Spirit teaches us everything that we need to know; and 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that Scripture teaches what is true and what is wrong in our life and teaches us what to do right. It is vital for believers to daily stay in God’s Word in order for God to communicate with us and for us to know God’s character and will.
Mighty warriors are not made in peace, they are made in conflict (James 1:2-4). They are tried and tested. They are called to endure during the midst of a battle. They are stretched beyond measure and refined by the fire. Warriors train for the battle, they are equipped, and those who are victorious are the ones that study the enemy, listen to their General and persevere in the war. We who believe in Christ Jesus, as our Lord (our General), must do the same. We have to surrender ourselves, our control of our lives to Christ. We are no longer our own but living sacrifices to the purpose of our Heavenly Father (Romans 12:1). We must stay in constant communication, through deep, intimate prayer and daily studying of God’s Word, with Christ Jesus. We must allow the Holy Spirit to transform our knowledge of Him into wisdom (applying that knowledge) in our daily: words, thoughts, and actions. Scripture tells us that people will know that we belong to Him by our showing of love towards others (foe & friend alike)(John 13:35, John 15:12-15, 1 John 3:18).
Hear my hearts cry when I tell you that the time is now to wake up to the spiritual battle that is around: you, our children, our schools, our city and our nation. The enemy is super crafty and smart (2 Corinthians 2:11). If we are not aware of his schemes then we fall victim to them. We must have our life in a position (holy, set apart) to be able to hear God’s directions, in order to out maneuver the enemies' traps. Prayer is that line of communication. It is our life line.
God does not want us to live a defeated life. He created us as His masterpiece so that we can accomplish His purpose that He created us for. He needs us to stay humbled before Him so that He can accomplish His will on Earth as He does in Heaven. Our strength relies upon our “training” and our use of our “equipment”. Hebrews 12:11 tells us, “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.”
What is our equipment? Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:10-18 that we are to live our life in truth, righteousness, in the peace that comes from the Good News, faith, salvation, the Spirit of God’s Word, and to PRAY at all times and on every occasion. We must hold firm and boldly proclaim our life for Him, living out our purpose to glorify His name, and share His Good News to a lost and dying world. Our equipment will help us to accomplish this task. God has granted us His Holy Spirit to enable us to “carry” all of the equipment and to walk victorious through this battle for Him. In 2 Chronicles 20:15 we are told, “...for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
We are living in a "spiritual battlefield, not a playground" (Chip Ingram). If we are in a battle then we are soldiers in God’s army. Our fight is not against flesh and blood but spiritual forces. God has equipped us to fight this battle with the armor of God. Prayer is also our greatest weapon. It is our life line or power source, unleashing the power of God’s will to be done on Earth as it is in heaven. He has given us authority on earth. Jesus' authority is recognized in us by the spiritual realms. Unlike a normal war the outcome has already been decided. Jesus defeated the god of this world with His sinless life, death and resurrection. We have been liberated from the depths of death and sin (2 Peter 3:9). The final blow to the enemy is coming. Jesus will return to fulfill His promise, to cast Satan into the depths of hell for all eternity (Revelations 22:7). Glory be to God forever and ever. Amen.
My prayer, Lord, is that each reader of this message takes an inward look into their relationship with You. I pray that they humble themselves before Your throne and pray, “Father, show me how to be who You called me to be. Cleanse my heart so that the Holy Spirit can be effective and powerful in my life. Help me to pray in a deeper, more intimate way that will unleash Your will here on Earth.”
Lord of Heaven's Armies, You are worthy of all praise, glory and worship! The victory is Yours; yet in Your wonderful and mighty ways, You have called us to be a part of Your glory. Thank you Father. I ask in the name of Jesus that Your Holy Spirit empowers each believer to rise up in Your mighty name. Rise up to the call of prayer. Make us Your mighty prayer warriors! Draw us to a deeper understanding and desire of You. Empower us to move beyond our self-centered thinking and begin to pray for Your will to be done in the lives of others. Make our ears sensitive to hearing Your voice. May we not let a moment pass when You call us to pray. Help us to know that there is power, awesome and mighty power, in prayer. In the authority and name of Jesus I pray these things. Amen.
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