Shortly after noon last Sunday an all-out war erupted between rival biker gangs in Waco. When the gunfire stopped and the bats and chains lay discarded on the ground, 9 bikers were dead, more than a dozen were seriously wounded, and over 170 were arrested with bail set at 1 million dollars each. The brawl was prophetically significant as it revealed, not simply that there is an ongoing war between two motorcycle gangs in Texas, but of the war that is going on worldwide of which you and I are a part.
Consider for a moment a few of the most well reported conflicts in the news today...
* Israel and the Palestinians
* The Drug Cartels in Mexico
* The Southern US Border (Immigration)
* Syria
* ISIS
* The President and Congress
* Russia and Ukraine
Then there are the ones that someone you know may be experiencing that hopefully don't make the news...
* Husbands and Wives
* Parents and Children
* Employers and Employees
* Co-workers
* You and your flesh
* ...etc. (You get the idea)
WHAT DO ALL OF THESE CONFLICTS HAVE IN COMMON?
Simply stated, each battle is about defining TERRITORY (Boundaries, Space, Power) with the Ultimate Question being, "What is my space, and what is yours?"
The Palestinians want a homeland, and ISIS wants its own territory as a launchpad for a worldwide caliphate. Drug cartels want sole authority to do trade over specific territories. Who will be allowed to cross our southern border and who will be refused? The President and Congress are at odds over how much authority each one has and where the line will be drawn. Couples and families argue over who has what rights and authority, and what will and will not be tolerated.
THE BIGGER WAR
These earthly struggles simply reflect the all-out war occurring in the unseen spiritual realm between the forces of Satan and the Kingdom of God. It is intensifying daily. Satan is trying to advance his influence for worldwide domination, while true believers are fighting back in intercession, godly conduct, and faith in the Name of Jesus, His promises, and the power of the Holy Spirit, making advancements of our own! Every earthly conflict is fueled by this unseen war whether the participants are aware of it or not. Since the beginning, Satan has declared his intention to be like God and ultimately to rule the world. These battles are being used to further that end whether it is in the struggle between nations and groups, or your fight with your own flesh.
12 "How you have fallen from heaven,
O star of the morning, son of the dawn!
You have been cut down to the earth,
You who have weakened the nations!"
13 "But you said in your heart,
'I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne above the stars of God,
And I will sit on the mount of assembly
In the recesses of the north.
14 'I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.'" (Isaiah 14:12-14)
OUR RESPONSIBILITY
Each of us must decide to Defend our Territory using spiritual not earthly weapons.
"For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh,
but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses."
(II Corinthians 10:4)
* Draw a "line in the sand" and declare to the Kingdom of Darkness that it will not be allowed to cross over onto ground the Lord has promised you, in your spirit, mind, body, relationships, and circumstances.
* Listen to the Holy Spirit and obey.
* Meditate on the Word of God (and obey).
* Love and be gentle above all else (except when dealing with the devil).
Thanks for letting me share my heart with you today.
 www.newlifechurch.net
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