"The Battle Belongs to the Lord..." Yes, indeed the battle does belong to the Lord. We sometimes try to fight our own battles, but we forget that the battle has been won through Jesus Christ (remember the scene in "The Passion" when Jesus died on the cross and the camera zooms downward where Satan cries in the pits of Hell)! I heard a sermon recently on how the real battle is our own flesh (e.g. pride, sinful desires, etc..) because the battle with Satan was won already Jesus' crucifixion.
I (Sal) was just watching a scene from the first of 3 series of "Lord of the Rings" (on TBS 12/12/04) (see more..) , which the men that belong to the Fellowship of the Ring face various battles....
LOTR the last battle
" this is the last battle in the return of the king extended version but i've edited all of the scenes of frodo and sam out."
After watching all 3 and watching the first again, I now realize that the battles they fought in the beginning was just preperation for the final battle at the end. I somehow picture that's how our Christian walk is. God lets us go through daily or seasonal wildernesses/struggles to get us prepared for tougher and more challenging times in life. Next time you face a challenging circusmastance in life-don't give up! It just makes your tougher and more confident/faithful to face the next challenge. As I reflect on the name "Fellowship of the Rings", it is important for us believers to be in fellowship (curently telling this to my sister at home and friend on the phone). God can use us mightily when we come together in unity (John 17) under Christ!
Personal Advice
After co-starting/organizing a campus ministry called Alpha & Omega, I've learned about intercessory prayer like I never had before. Before each Friday night gathering, the core-leaders would get together in prayer at the Minority Resource Center T.V. Lounge. After 30 minutes, we publicly (through e-mail and word of mouth) invited any members (usually the committed and dedicated ones) to come join us in prayer. By the time our get-together starts @8pm, we feel a strong presence of our Heavenly Father. Various gifts are manifested and people are touched! Unfortunately, this group is not going on still (long story-see ministry challenges), but another group called Chi-Alpha somewhat is following its' shadows (please pray for this group). However, my experience with Alpha & Omega has taught me to apply this prior/during/after each Sunday service at my local church. These are somewhat the steps I take:
-start my day with worship (sing a familiar praise & worship song that comes to mind/heart)
-then read a Bible verse (usually in the New Testament as a way to challenge myself to "act" upon the word)
-before I eat throughout the day, I try to remember what verse I read before I "chow down" to keep me in line
-on Sundays or some services/biblestudies/important session, I try to fast (e.g. food, t.v., ). This puts my mind and heart focussing on God!
-even before getting to the location, I start praying, singing, or speaking in tongues to get into that spiritual level
-by the time I'm at the location, I try to be ready and continue to pray, sing, or speak in tongues
-during praise & worship time, I start praying for everyone there and anyone that couldn't be there...
"Heavenly Father, I pray for everyone here and everyone that couldn't and should've make it. I bind any strongholds or any unclean (sins) spirits that each one may have brought here and I cast it out into the abyss, in Jesus' name. Father God, I invite you to come in dwell in this place, so that each one here will feel your presence. I pray that everyone here and those that might be coming late will not leave here without getting touched by your personally. I pray that each one will not leave here without something (e.g your word) that will help grow them to get through the rest of the day, week, month, up-coming season's in life, rest of the year, and rest of their life....in Jesus' name. Speak to them through the praise and worship, the shares/testimony time, and the word through (name of speaker/pastor/teacher).
-I pray right now for the worship team and leader. Protect them against any temptation (e.g. pride) or spiritual attacks (e.g. lies or voices). Cover each one with the armor of God. Touch each one that they'll be able to play and sing for your glory"
-speak in tonuges between, during, and after the above prayers. Then I pray this, "I pray that each of the spiritual gifts (see teaching) will be each manifested. Show your power, signs, wonders, and miracles....co shat aba ik a lata to...!
-then I try to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and wait on the Lord for the next level, move, or action (e.g. ask God if he wants me to share, and if he does; I then ask Him to speak to others about this "theme" and then I act upon it)
-I try to also mixed my prayer with reflections on what I'm thankful for..."When the praises go up...the blessings come down" (a popular line between prayer sessions at Alpha & Omega)...."Hallealuah, praise the Lord...thank you Jesus for...."
Book
Video
Pray Fu (Japanese style)
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