Spiritual Strategies in Isolation
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10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
We live in unprecedented times. I have thought over the events of the past week and compared it to recent history. National tragedies have occured before.
From the depressions, recessions, war, assassinations, and attacks on our soil. But we’ve never faced anything like we face right now. Fear and panic have consumed our country as many states have turned to twenty-four hour lockdown.
Over the past week or two, I have prayed for wisdom one how to handle the crisis known as the Coronavirus. What started as a sickness on the other side of the planet as now affected us in Iron County.
My prayers have shifted and intensified over the past week. On Monday, I felt the Lord gave a plan on how we can continue to stay close as the church.
However, the landscape of the virus changes everyday. On Friday, I strongly considered postponing our plan. I told Bekah let’s sleep on this and pray through the night and on Saturday.
We got up Saturday morning and prayed some more. I shared with Bekah, I do not know how long we can go forward with this plan, but for Sunday, I feel we need to gather while we can.
We do not know what the future holds in our nation, but we do have hope for tomorrow as the body of Christ.
Whenever we need help or direction, we should turn to scripture first. I want to look at Paul’s words in .
As I studied the book and passage, I read something that reminded me of our nation. Ephesus was an important city in the first century.
It was the center of the political decisions.
In the pi
It held economic power, being the first port city in the region.
Its religious life was famous.
I read that and thought of the parallels of our nation. The world watches our politicians. Our economy effects the world economy. And the church in the United States is well known.
Recently we’ve noticed turbulence in our political landscape.
Our economy has suffered because of the virus.
And now churches cannot meet in more than groups of ten.
So what is the answer?
18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
We have to ask, what can God do in our families, marriages, church, community, and nation through this crisis?
Nothing catches God by surprise. As one man eloquently stated, “there are no emergency meetings in heaven.”
Today, I want to outline three spiritual strategies the Lord laid on my heart that I know will help us grow stronger in Christ through these trying times.
We must Stand Strong
We must Stay Alert
We will have Spiritual Strength
1. We Must Stand Strong
1. We Must Stand Strong
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
To describe what the church will face, Paul used a battle as an example. Before explaining the intricacies of the battle, Paul explained our responsibility.
We are to STAND STRONG. The strength does not come from within, but from above. The strength God desires to give comes directly from the Lord.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
We’ve watched the weakening of our nation
Our strength in these hours comes directly from the name of the Lord. Paul then compares the power of Christ with the strategies of the enemy.
I believe much of what we see right now is Satan ramping up his attacks against the body of Christ in these last days. We must stand strong knowing Satan does have power.
Some people overestimate his power, while others underestimate his power. First, in our OWN power, we are incapable of overcoming his attacks.
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
Second, with the power of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome the enemy, just as Jesus overcame him. It is imperative we do not turn to worry and fear, but we must stand strong.
Therefore, we must stand strong knowing
2. We Must Stay Alert
2. We Must Stay Alert
Epehsians 6:12-13
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
As people of the Spirit, we must stay alert to what is going on around us. We know the reports and statistics, but what is the Lord saying about our surroundings.
First, notice the strategies of Satan. One author wrote:
“Satan has no conscience, no compassion, no remorse, no morals. He feeds on pain and anguish and filth.”
We have to remember the goal of the enemy:
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
He wants to destroy us. He might use discouragement, disconnect, or discontentment, but that is not his final plan. He wants to destroy God’s people.
Therefore, we have to see through the eyes of the Spirit and stay alert to our spiritual surroundings. Staying alert includes:
Personal responsibility for spiritual development
Intentional time in with God
Spending time in God’s word
Leading our families in prayer
We must stay alert to the strategies of the enemy. He wants to destroy us, but God gives the protection we need in the face of the crisis: The Armor of God
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
Ephesians 6:14-1
When Paul wrote this portion of his letter, he was in prison, under lock and key of a Roman Soldier. Looking out the window of his cell, he remembered what soldiers wore.
The belt of truth
This was a heavy, six inch wide leather belt that secured the soldier’s tunic so the material wouldn’t stop his movement. In essence, the belt kept everything in place.
Staying alert includes reminding ourselves of the truth. We need to remember the truth and depths of God’s love for us. He hears us when we prayer and He is always there for us.
The Breastplate of Righteousness
A soldier’s breastplate would protect their vital organs. They never went to battle without their breastplate.
Our breastplate is righteousness. Righteousness comes from the Lord, we cannot make ourselves right with God. Therefore, we must stand in faith that His saving grace will protect us.
The Shoes of Peace
Soldiers had special shoes that were thick enough to protect their feet but agile enough to help them keep their footing in battle. Likewise, our peace with God gives us sure footing in our fight with the enemy.
The Shield of Faith
Roman shields were 4.5 foot oval or rectangle that was covered in iron, protecting them from the various attacks of their enemies.
Likewise, our shield of Faith is the Lord and He will quench the fiery darts of the enemy.
1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. 14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”
1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.
1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.
The Helmet of Salvation
The helmet protected their head. Likewise, our helmet is the understanding we are saved.
The Sword of the Spirit
Their swords were used in battle. For us, our sword is the WORD OF GOD. We need God’s word NOW more than ever.
As we are isolated, it is a good time to get in the word and let God allow it to grow in our life.
When we choose to Stand Strong in the Lord and Stay Alert...
3. We Will Have Spiritual Strength
3. We Will Have Spiritual Strength
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Paul wrote from personal experience. He was imprisoned as he reminded the church at Ephesus to stand strong and stay alert. He requested their prayers.
The greatest way to have spiritual strength is through PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION.
In this time of isolation, we have to remain vigilant in prayer and praise to God. Paul understood this as someone who was in chains.
Though we are not imprisoned, we are under orders to limit our exposure to others. Therefore, we should pray for God to strengthen us through this time.
AND, we should pray that the Lord make us an ambassador of faith, boldly speaking the truth and praying God help us get our families saved.
Close:
If we could see this pandemic from Heaven’s perspective, we would see that God has a plan. We have a chance to grow as the body of Christ in our personal walk with God.
Now is the time to ask the Lord to bring back our memory His promises.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.