- Identify The Enemy ?
- In our study – Rick Warren identify one of our greatest enemy’s as our ATTITUDE :
Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). [3] And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
- Yes one of our greatest enemy’s is our attitude
- But there is another enemy that attack’s Christians and wants to destroy them- The enemy’s name is Satan.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
**Devour ** drown – swallowed up
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
**Destroy **Loss – Mar – Scar – Ruin – Punishment
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
** Wrestle ** Throw – Thrust – Cast – Toss – Fling
- First : Way To Overcome Our Problems Is To Identify The Enemy –
There’s Two Enemy’s —Our Attitude & Devil
Both can destroy us.
Second : Way To Overcome Our Problems It ToTake Our Problems To The Lord.
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
2 Chronicles 20:6 and said: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You?
- a) He not only brought his problems to the Lord – He acknowledged the Lord had to power and might to take care of the problem.
** Fasted ** Fasting is a way of saying “ God I need you and your help more than I need food.
** Fasting ** Teaching to Spirit to overcome the flesh.
- The bible teaching us that some prayers will not be answered apart from fasting.
Mark 9:29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
- What happen here ? Father brought his son to Jesus disciples – Because he was sick – Because he had a problem – Yet the disciples could not help him-
- The father did not quick – Many of you have tried church – tried the lord and it seem’s it did not work.
- Don’t give up – bring it to the LORD IN PRAYER AND FASTING.
- THERE’S NOTHING TO HARD FOR THE LORD – BUT THOSE THINGS OUT SIDE GOD’S WILL
Mark 9:28 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”
Mark 9:29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
INSIGHT
1ST) Many don’t know how to bring problems to the Lord.
2nd) We bring our problems to the Lord through Prayer and Fasting.
3rd) When we are praying and fasting we need to read and claim Gods promises about that situation.
*** The insight – That I want you to remember is that we need to be solution orientated –Focus on solutions to the problem after we identify the problem !
Insights On Fasting
6 “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
1ST) PRAYER AND FASTING (LOOSE THE BONDS). Breaks habits – or – strongholds !
2nd) PRAYER AND FASTING ( TO UNDO THE HEAVY BURDENS). Solves problems !
3RD) PRAYER AND FASTING ( TO LET THE OPPRESED GO FREE). Soul saved !
4th) PRAYER AND FASTING ( THEN SHALL THY LIGHT BREAK FORTH AS THE MORNING” Isa 58:8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.(NKJ)
5th) PRAYER AND FASTING (YOUR HEALING SHALL SPRING FORTH SPEEDILY ) Can bring emotional, spiritual, & even physical healing !
6th) PRAYER AND FASTING ( “THEY RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL GO BEFORE THEE”). Influence others for God !
7th) PRAYER AND FASTING (“THE LORD SHALL BE THEY REREWARD ) V8
- Brings protection, safety, & deliverance !
- Fourth : THANK GOD IN ADVANCE :
2 Chronicles 20:21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever.”
- When they got to where the battle was God had already fought the battle and destroyed the enemy.
There’s something about praising and thanking God in advance that bring the power and presents of God into a situation.
Being Thankful would do more to help our marriage’s – homes & jobs than just about anything I know.
Offer to God thanksgiving,
And pay your vows to the Most High.
Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
1 Thessalonians 5:18-19, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.
Example of Gods presents working in a situation of thanksgiving.
JONAH
Jonah 2:9-10 But I will sacrifice to You. With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.” So the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
When did the Lord speak to the fish ? After he became thankful ! I believe this was the turning point in Jonah’s life :
PAUL
Being thankful or becoming thankful can release supernatural power of God in our lives – It did Paul’s
Acts 16:24-26 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
- a) Paul was in prison for doing what was right.
But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
- Being thankful was not an emotion response but a commandment to be obeyed .
** What area do you Gods supernatural help ?
- Marriage – Finances – Kids :
Would come identity the enemy?
- Attitude –b) The devil
2. Would you come bring your problem to the Lord.
3. Would you come and thank God in Advance ?
