The theme for the month of September at Gospel Life is "Spiritual Warfare."  The sermon topics will be on this subject matter. What could be more appropriate than to have our Week of Praise and Prayer on the first week of this month, and to have Breakthrough at Miracle Hill at the same time?

Many of us may not realize it, but everyday of our lives is a battleground between the forces of good and evil.  But thank God that we can already claim victory through Jesus Christ who accomplished it for us at the cross.

The inset depicts a representation of Satan tempting Jesus, whose rebuke to Satan always began with the words, "It is written..."

Let's soak in God's Word for a better understanding of what Jesus did for our victorious life in Him.

Ephesians 6: 11-18

A basis from the Bible regarding Spiritual Warfare is found in the passage above where the apostle Paul metaphorically urges the Christian to arm him/herself with weapons and armor that resemble those of the Roman soldier. It is worth noting, however, that the "armor" from God including the "helmet of salvation" and the "breastplate of righteousness" are included in Isaiah 59:17 which predates the Roman Republic and its legionary army by several centuries.

Psalm 18 in particular gives visualization of spiritual warfare (the divine power of God defeating the strategies of His enemy) and makes several references to equipment for battle (verses 32, 34, 35, 39).  Psalm 17:5, 140:4 and 149:6-9 also allude to this battle.
 
Ideas related to spiritual warfare are mentioned as far back as in Genesis 3 when the "serpent" lied to Eve by changing the meaning of God's words and His motives. At that point Satan usurped man's dominion over all creation by enslaving both Adam and Eve when they believed him instead of what God told them in the beginning.

The battleground for this war is transposed from the physical realm to the spiritual. (See Ephesians 2:5-6, 1:21, 3:10; 6:12, 1 Corinthians 15:24, Colossians 1:16, 2:10, 15)

The inset this time depicts Michael, the archangel, slaying the enemy, represented by the dragon.

Today is a holiday, Labor Day.  Most everyone is taking the day off from work.  Someone once said, "If this is Labor Day, why isn't everyone working?"

We just want for you to enjoy a restful and safe Labor Day.  Even Jesus invites us to rest awhile. "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 NIV.