AMPHIBIOUS WARFARE PART TWO

Greetings Warriors...O Ye Wrestlers for the Lord...Karatekas of the Spirit... Contenders for the Faith.

NOTE: Our first picture...we see our friends..."On a mission from God." They are in a place called WAR West Virginia. Note...that this is a staged photo op... where Mr. Hart...has the gawgeous Mrs. Hart in a head lock. In real life...I have a feeling that it might be a reversed situation.

Well...in our last Rambling...we discovered that we are Amphibious beings... between the Glory and the flame...walking out our faith in the Land of Nitty Gritty. We are IN the world...but not OF it. Whether we acknowledge it or not... we are in WAR.

"For we are not WRESTLING with flesh and blood--contending only with physical opponents--but against the despotism's, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness IN THE HEAVENLY (supernatural sphere). (Ephesians 6:12 The Amplified Bible)


NOTE: In this next picture...we see that age is NOT an issue in the fight. Here we have Ms Betty Coleman who is a third degree black belt and just happens to be 80+ years old. On the receiving end of her fist...is my jaw.


One of the keys to Spiritual Warfare...is the need for PREPARATION. If you just go out swinging without preparation...you may get in some lucky punches...but the end most likely will be... a lost battle.



In The Book of Joshua...we see God speaking to Joshua and Joshua passing on the command to his men..."Pass through the camp, and command the people..PREPARE YOUR PROVISIONS... for within THREE DAYS yo shall pass over this Jordan...to GO IN TO TAKE POSSESSION OF THE LAND...which the LORD YOU GOD IS GIVING YOU TO POSSESS." (Joshua 1:11).



They were NOT suppose to just cross over and possess the land...there was a PREPARATION. Without the PREPARATION...there would be NO POSSESSION. Note also that the Lord was giving the land to be possessed...but the STILL HAD TO POSSESS IT...from inhabitants of the land...the enemy...the resistance forces.


Since 1970...I had instilled within me...that The Word of God...is imperative in my life.

NOTE: This picture is the first Bible that I bought for myself. When I thumb through it...I see place along the early part of my journey underlined...with notes written out to the side...worn pages from multiple readings. Some say the B.I.B.L.E. means Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.

One of the best PREPARATIONS for this WAR is to RENEW your mind with the Word of God. We see that "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for (1) teaching [facts presented] (2) reproof [pointing out where we got the teaching wrong]
(3) correction [by practice] (4) for training in righteousness [although we are righteous by nothing we can do...we work out our salvation by training].
(II Timothy 3:16) QUESTION: Why is the Word of God so important? ANSWER: "That the ma of God may be adequate...equipped for every good work." (II Timothy 3:17)

A companion PREPARATION FACTOR for the WAR is...THE BAPTISM IN/OF/WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. "But you shall receive POWER/DUNAMIS/DYNAMIC ABILITY--ability, efficiency and might--when THE HOLY SPIRIT has come upon you...and you shall BE my witnesses (not necessarily witness...but will actually BE a witness by what you say and do) in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends--the very bounds/boundaries--of the earth." Acts 1:8)

COMMERCIAL BREAK: Starting on Wednesday night, March 2nd 2011, at Springhouse Worship and Arts Center...we will start a class called THE BAPTISM IN/OF/WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT (Have You Received Since You Believed?) For more information you can contact me at 415-7577. Check our our website at www.ruminators.net


We see that we are in WAR...and there must be PREPARATION for WAR. We need (1) renewed minds with the Word of God (2) The Holy Spirit as our POWER SOURCE (3) we need to IDENTIFY THE ENEMY. (4) Fight the enemy in proper order. Let's check out Ephesians 6:10-20 for the WAR PLANS.

NOTE: This last picture is a picture of me in my Black Belt exam. It represents YEARS OF PREPARATION and blood (mine) sweat (mine) and tears (also mine). If I would only prepare myself in my spirit...in training and being prepared for the spiritual attacks...Oh how the kingdom would flourish.

1. Be strong IN THE LORD.

NOTE: Where we draw our strength from will determine how we fight.


2. Be strong IN THE STRENGTH OF HIS MIGHT.

NOTE: Do not rely on your might, you talent, your ability for strength.

3. PUT ON the the FULL (not partial) armour of the Lord.

NOTE: In our preparation...don't go out partially prepared.

4. THAT

NOTE: The reason for putting on the FULL ARMOUR

5. You may be ABLE TO STAND firm against the SCHEMES of the devil (little d)

NOTE: There are well orchestrated schemes by the stealer, killer, destroyer, liar, accuser...aka devil, d-evil, satan, the dragon, the serpent, prince of the power of the air

6. For our STRUGGLE is NOT against FLESH and BLOOD, but the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

NOTE: We tend to focus on what we SEE and expend all of our energy in the battle against manifestations of the problem BEFORE we cut at the ROOT of the enemy. When we become weary..the enemy can then waltz in and take us out...and I don't mean for dinner.

NOTE TO THE NOTE: The battlefield is identified...the heavenlies. The battlefield is also identified in Philippians 4:6-8 as the heart and the mind...where peace stands as guard.

7. THEREFORE

NOTE: Therefore...refers to the previous verses...and we need to see what they are THERE FOR...because that effects and is the reason what the next verses talk about.

8. Take up...put on...the FULL ARMOR OF GOD.

NOTE: The first notice to put on the full armor of God is that you may be able to STAND FIRM against the schemes of the devil (not turn tail and run). The second notice to put on the full armour of God is what is underscored next.

9. That you may RESIST IN THE EVIL DAY.

NOTE: Again...we are NOT running away from the battle...but fully armoured up and prepared to STAND and RESIST. We are the RESISTANCE FORCE for the KINGDOM OF GOD...for righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

10. And having done EVERYTHING

NOTE: We give it all we got...and do everything that can possibly be done.

11. TO STAND FIRM

NOTE: Once you have done everything...this is NOT the time to LET DOWN YOUR GUARD. Keep on STANDING FIRM.

NOTE TO THE NOTE: We have talked before of the place between the point of prayer and the point of provision...as the LAND OF NITTY GRITTY. This is where you need to take your STAND OF FAITH. "Faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title-deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] DO NOT SEE and the conviction of their REALITY--faith PERCEIVING as REAL FACT...what is NOT REVEALED TO THE SENSES." (Hebrews 11:1 The Amplified Bible)

We see in Ephesians 6:14-17 a listing of the armour and weaponry and it's meaning. We have at our access: (1) girded loins/truth (2) breastplate/righteousness (3) the footwear/Gospel of peace (4) shield/faith (5) /helmet/salvation (6) sword of the Spirit/the Word of God.

Being fully armoured...fighting the true enemy (and then we may engage on earth)...we are called to:

"PRAY at ALL TIMES--on every occasion, in every season--IN THE SPiRIT, with ALL[MANNER OF] PRAYER and ENTREATY. To that end...KEEP ALERT and WATCH...with STRONG PURPOSE and PERSEVERANCE...INTERCEDING in behalf of ALL SAINTS (God's consecrated people. (Ephesians 6:18)

When we pray, entreat, intercede...as part of our warfare...we open the door for freedom...for the saints to open their mouths, to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news...the gospel. They will be able to do it boldly and courageously...as they OUGHT TO DO. (Ephesians 6:19-20)

FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY

Amphibious Warfare is where you are able to fight on two levels. Start in the heavenlies... and then when He speaks to you...strategically strike on planet earth..as we bring His will...His kingdom on EARTH as it is in HEAVEN.

Love and Armoured Kisses
Rodney "Rumbling Rod" Boyd