Wage War and Win!

Jeanne Alcott

       You know how it is when you feel you’re supposed to receive a blessing or experience a victory, yet there’s an obstacle that seems to hold it back.  That obstacle is a problem, a hindrance, or a complication of some kind.

       We have a choice to make when this happens.  We may become despondent and turn away from our desire, deciding that it’s just not worth it.  Or we may become frustrated and continue trying to struggle through it.

       There’s a third option, and it is my favorite.  When we’re confronted with an obstacle that challenges our faith and the manifestation of our promise, we can look at that barrier in front of us and say, “Get out of my way!”

       If we are going to stand our ground in faith for something God has promised us, we must do the required spiritual warfare that He tells us we must do.  First Timothy 1:18 tells us to wage a good warfare.  And II Corinthians 10 tells us that our battles are not fought physically against the devil and his forces—we have to fight them with spiritual weapons.  The weapons of our warfare are mighty through God for the overthrow and destruction of demonic strongholds (II Corinthians 10:4).

       As soon as you became a believer, the spiritual stage was set in your life.  Spiritual warfare became necessary for you to move forward and make progress in your walk with God.  The devil desires to send whatever difficulties or hindrances he can to stop you from receiving what God wants you to have and from achieving what He has destined for you to do.

       The devil wants to make your life hell on earth!  Since he can’t get you into hell eternally, he wants to send a little bit of “hell” into your existence now.  So you can’t afford to sit back and let go of those things for which you have to fight hard. 

       The Lord is depending on you to further His purposes on earth.  Not only that, He wants to see you enjoy the abundant life that Jesus came to give you—whereas the devil comes only to steal, kill, and destroy your opportunities for happiness, health, and success (John 10:10).  The enemy doesn’t want you to achieve your goals, receive your healing, walk in your deliverance, and be blessed.  He will throw up challenges to try to block whatever is coming your way that’s good.

This Is War!

       There simply comes a time in the life of every believer when we have to face obstacles head-on and say, “Get out of my way!”  We must oppose the opposition and wage spiritual warfare if we expect to win in life and experience God’s highest and best.

       I can’t emphasize enough the fact that God wants you to rise up and push past what is trying to stop you.  Think about what is at stake.  If you are successfully opposed and stopped, what God can do through you is also stopped.  Consequently, not only does His work not grow in you—the Gospel is not spread and people are not helped as He intends—but He has to watch you live below what Jesus came to give you. 

       God doesn’t want that!  The Lord wants to see you joyful, healthy, and prosperous in your mind and emotions—living a balanced and stable life.  He wants you to grow spiritually and influence others for Him, rising to the position He desires for you and expressing what He has placed within you to fulfill your heart and bless others. 

       Yes, I’m talking about the abundant life!  But there is something that’s going to try to stand between you and that kind of life.  You know that as well as I do.  Just think about what you’re seeking to obtain right now.  You’ve tried to make progress toward it, yet it seems as though there’s a barrier in your way.  Well, there is.  And only spiritual warfare will remove it.  When you pray in the Name of Jesus and continue diligently to use your faith, you are saying to those obstacles, “Out of my way!”

       I’m thinking of a story about a man who works with leaders to help them maximize their performance and reach their optimal potential.  He described a summit he once held at a camp where he regularly worked with groups and organizations.

       At this particular summit, he had two groups.  One group consisted of professional linebackers, and the other group was comprised of CIA operatives.  The man filmed both groups during one of the exercises.

       First, he took the professional football players out for an assignment to a certain area in Florida.  There they were to run the perimeters of a fence and grab a ribbon from a post as they ran.  Then they were to run back to base camp. 

       But after he gave the linebackers their instructions, he added that he needed to inform them that a wild boar had been spotted in the forest that morning.  Then he explained how dangerous wild boars can be so they should be on high alert. 

       As the linebackers began their preparation for the activity, hiding behind some bushes on the forest trail was a cameraman who would be filming the exercise.  He waited until these massive linemen were getting close, then he began to rustle the bushes and snort like a wild boar. 

       As soon as they heard the snorting and saw the bushes shaking, those football players turned and ran as fast as they could, squealing like school kids!

       Then the CIA operatives were brought out and were given the same instructions with the “wild boar” warning.  As they approached the area where the cameraman was hiding, they, too, witnessed the terrible snorting and the rustling of the bushes.

       What did they do?  Each one got into combat position and held their ground.  They were saying, in effect, “We’re not leaving our place!”

       In which group are we?  The one that runs away squealing in panic when we hear the snorting of problems and the rustling of difficulties?  Or will we take our combat position and hold our ground? Will we run for the hills—or will we adapt the attitude that “having done all to stand, we’re going to stand” (Ephesians 6:13)?

       As the enemy realizes that we’re willing to do spiritual warfare, eventually those things that oppose us will have to get out of our way.  We are declaring, “I’m not leaving here—I will not move!  If anything is moving, it will be those obstacles.  But I’m not leaving this place until I receive what I am standing my ground to receive!”

How To Stand Your Ground and Break Barriers

       As you speak out those words, you’re going to feel the force of God’s power go against the obstacles that have been holding you back.  That powerful force will move them out of your way. 

With your words—with your heart and your mouth—you can:

·       move out of your way the obstacle to your loved one’s salvation.

·       kick hindrances out of the path of your promotion.

·       get past the affliction that’s damaging your health. 

·       override your financial need until it’s a thing of the past.

·       see God advance you as your ministry to others grows.

·       make godly progress in a troubled relationship.

·       watch as that legal issue is resolved.

When we take spiritual warfare seriously, we can see the obstacles in our lives defeated and removed.

Your War Declaration:  ‘I’m not leaving my place!’

       When you’re bumping up against an obstacle to your victory that seems impenetrable or insurmountable, you need to immediately begin to declare, “I’m not leaving my place!  I refuse to move from my stance of victory!” 

       Sounds determined, doesn’t it?  That’s exactly the way we need to sound—and we need to know that we have God backing us up! When we say, “I’m not leaving here,” and we’re determined not to leave until God’s will is done, He will back us up on that.  He will stand behind our every word.

‘That’s My Daughter!’

       There was once a man who decided he wasn’t going to leave until he had won the war that he and his wife were in for their adopted daughter.  The husband had traveled to another country to get the daughter they were in the process of adopting and take her home with him.  But at that time, this country was filled with corruption, political chaos, and violence.  When the man arrived, officials kept increasing the price of the adoption. 

       Finally, the man threatened to take the matter to the U.S. Consulate.  When he did, he was confronted by a mysterious person who warned him that there would be dreadful consequences if he followed through on his threat. 

       Even though the man felt as if he was in the midst of a thriller spy movie, he refused to leave without his daughter!  What was he doing?  He was declaring, “I’m not leaving here.  I’m not leaving this place without what I came for!”   Although he and his wife had never met this little orphan, he knew that God wanted them to rescue her from a condemned life of poverty and who knows what else.

       So he stayed there and negotiated with corrupt officials, and even risked his life, until he won his daughter.  Now that she’s home with them, he says her smile lights up a room.  She loves their dogs and cats, and she plays pieces by Mozart on the family piano.  She is so thankful for her new mother and father!

       Because this man wouldn’t leave that country without his daughter, he left with her!

What About You?

       What are you believing for right now?   What obstacles are in your way?  I encourage you to look those problems in the face and tell them to get out of your way.  Challenge them that you’re not going to leave your place until you see God’s answer in that area of your life.  That’s when God can move on your behalf, and you can win the spiritual war.

       When you’re determined that you won’t leave without your answer, you will leave with it.  Not one of the devil’s forces can prevent you from winning the spiritual war.  You will leave with your desire fulfilled. 

       Friend, what has God promised you?  It’s time to wage war and say, “I’m not leaving my place.  Get out of my way!” 

We Want To Believe With You and Pray for You!

      Let’s do as God says in His Word and come into a prayer of agreement for your needs, then believe what the Lord said.  Whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven (Matt. 18:19).

      There is so much power available to you as we do this.  So let us pray with you by sharing your requests for God.  Click here now and we will receive them as soon as you send them.  After we pray, we’ll send you a letter filled with words from God’s Spirit for your life. 

                                                     Jeanne and John Alcott

God’s Purposes in Your Life!

Jeanne Alcott

       You’ve probably heard the adage, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”  But you may not have heard how it got started.  It actually came about centuries ago when Saint Augustine, who was an Early Church theologian in Rome, arrived in Milan and noticed that the church there did not follow the usual protocol of fasting on Saturday as did the church in Rome.  Augustine wasn’t sure what to do, so he consulted Saint Ambrose, the bishop of Milan. 

       The bishop answered Augustine with this: “When I am at Rome, I fast on Saturday; when I am at Milan, I do not.  Follow the custom of the church where you are.”  From that advice came the saying, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” 

       Of course, the meaning of that phrase today is far different.  It has morphed into the idea that whatever type of people you are with, you should act as those people do.  In other words, you shouldn’t try to stand out but, rather, to imitate them and become as they are as much as you can.  And whatever they’re doing, it’s okay for you to do, regardless of your background or boundaries.  That way you can be successful with the people you are with.

       There’s just one problem with that mindset for Christians.We’re not told to blend in; we’re instructed to stand out!  We are to be separate and to follow the example of Jesus.  We receive our standards and boundaries from God’s Word, not from observing what people in the world are doing. 

       Is it easy to stand out in this manner?  Not always.  It can be uncomfortable.  It can even cause rejection when we separate ourselves from what others are doing that goes against the standards of God.  And, of course, the ultimate price we can pay is persecution. 

       Those consequences don’t sound very rewarding!  So why should you sacrifice in this way?  Because when you stand out, you become separated for God’s purposes. You place yourself in His hands, where He can complete those purposes for you.  And what are God’s purposes?  What does He have planned?  Blessing, favor, achievement, accomplishment, fulfillment, and growth. 

       However, those purposes do not come about without sacrifice.  Without sacrificing your own will to fulfill God’s will, you don’t get blessed.  You’re not able to accomplish and achieve great things in life, and you certainly aren’t fulfilled and growing in Him.  You have to be separated for those things to happen—separated from the world and its standards of acceptance.  You must stand out for God!

       We have to make sure that we’re not partaking of the wrong things the world partakes of—acting as they do—and yet expecting God to treat us as someone who’s wholly dedicated to Him and separated to do His will.  We can’t have both the world and the Word.  Understanding that is the secret to truly entering into what God has for us.  We must want the Word of God instead of the world, and we have to act on that. 

The Sacrifice and Safeguard of Separation

       Don’t try to hold on to the world with one hand and the Word with the other hand.  We know we can’t really have both.  We can’t be everything the world system, which is against Christ, wants us to be and also be everything God’s Word shows us we’re to be.

       So a sacrifice must be made.  We have to stand out from the crowd and separate ourselves from whatever is not of God.  That’s when God’s purposes can start taking effect for us.  That gives those purposes power in our life.  And we enter into a protection with Him.  Being separated protects us from many of the things that can go wrong and harm us.  It can even protect us from ourselves from making wrong choices and hurting our own life. 

       When we’re separated for God, we’re able to grow deeper in our relationship with Him.  We understand according to His Word how to walk in His blessings, His favor, and the well-being that He has provided for us.  We can accomplish more for His Kingdom.

       All these great things are available to those who are willing to sacrifice and stand out for God!  Second Timothy 2:21 describes it this way: Whoever…separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work.

       Friend, the Master is keeping you.  God is keeping you for Himself.  He has separated you from what would contaminate and corrupt you so you can be honorable and noble and fulfill His purposes that are so wonderful and good for your life.  In fact, He calls you “profitable to the Master” as you consecrate yourself to Him.

       You’re fit and able to do a good work for God!  You can experience His power working in you and through you!  You are separated, so He takes notice of you and meets your needs because He takes care of His own. 

       It’s when we begin to bleed over into the standards of those who don’t live for God that we forfeit what He has for us.  Don’t walk away from the wonder and beauty of Him and the help that can be yours when you stand out for God.  Yes, it means sacrifice, but the rewards of that sacrifice far outweigh what you must give up.  God will see to that.

       Separation is not just when we go to church. Our willingness to stand out for God must infiltrate our entire lifestyle.  I recently read about a survey that was taken years ago concerning cheating on schoolwork.   The survey found that between 75 and 98 percent of high-school and college students said that they had cheated.  Five out of six of those students believed they had to cheat to get ahead.  Ninety-five percent said they had never been caught.  And 90 percent said they didn’t believe they would ever pay a price, or suffer a negative consequence, for cheating. 

       Do you see the deception of that kind of thinking?  First, they think they are actually getting ahead, when in reality, they are going backward.  They’re stopping themselves from moving forward toward establishing a firm foundation of knowledge and integrity that will guide them in their future work, achievements, and relationships. 

       They don’t think they will ever be caught, yet the One who matters has already seen their actions.  They don’t believe they will pay a price for cheating, yet the price willbe paid.  Maybe they won’t be suspended or expelled from school, but at some point, they can reap the bad seeds they’ve planted if they don’t have a change of heart and mind.  The negative seeds they have sown will bring forth a negative harvest.

How To Receive Promotion in Your Purpose

       There are many ways we can “cheat” in life.  Anytime we go against the principles in God’s Word, we cheat God, ourselves, and others we’re supposed to come in contact with and bless.  If we behave as the world does, we’re cheating, and even if harvest doesn’t come next week, next month, or even next year, there is a price to be paid.  We are the ones who decide if we want to be separated to experience God’s blessing and favor, or to experience what we want to do in life, walking away from those good things.

       Daniel in the Bible is such a good example of someone who separated himself for God’s purposes and blessings.  He was in a place where it would have been easy to cheat.  He was in the palace of a foreign king because Judah had been conquered by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon.  One of the things this king did was to find the young people in captivity who seemed to have exceptional qualities and then put them in his palace to be taught and groomed for three years. 

       After that time, if they made the grade, they would become one of the king’s wise men in government.  Daniel was identified as one who had potential, so he was put in the palace and assigned an officer who gave him and the others who had been chosen a daily portion of food and wine from the king’s table.  They were to be educated and nourished in the way that Babylon had established.

       This created an issue for Daniel.  The food they were given, which I’m sure looked wonderful and tasted great, was forbidden to Daniel as a Jew.  It did not conform to the requirements of the Hebrew standards.  Since it was royal food, it had been sacrificed and offered to pagan gods.  And the wine they served was very strong drink.  Partaking of all that meant Daniel would be defiled. 

       Now, one might argue that Daniel and the other Hebrews with him could blend in, be promoted, and get ahead if they would just participate in the process.  After all, it would be easy because they were not in their own territory.  (And in our own lives, we know that if we’re in a “strange” place where we could compromise, it’s easier to choose to blend in rather than stand out.) 

       But Daniel knew his place.  He wanted to be separated for God’s purposes.  So he requested that the officer allow him and three of his friends to have just vegetables and water for ten days.  He reasoned that at the end of that time, if they appeared just as well and had the brainpower the others did who were eating from the king’s table, they could be allowed to continue that kind of diet.  He was determined not to defile himself.

       So the officer granted them the trial period of ten days.  At the end of that time, these four men did not come out weak and tired, appearing ragged and deprived.  In fact, the Bible says they appeared better than all those who had eaten the king’s food. 

       And do you know what happened?  The officer not only allowed Daniel and his friends to stay on that diet, but he forced all the other young men to give up those rich dainties and to eat only vegetables and drink only water!  Can you imagine how upset those guys were at Daniel!  They were hooked on sweets and meats—hamburgers and fries—but because of Daniel, they had to eat veggies for every meal. 

God’s Rewards Await You

       It wasn’t easy for Daniel and his friends to stand out.  But they sacrificed so they could be separated for God’s purposes.  As a result, they were not defiled by what had been offered to foreign gods, and God blessed them with tremendous wisdom.  They were promoted by the king and rewarded in wonderful ways.  (Ref. Daniel 1:1-21.)

       Always be aware that the ways of God carry with them His promotions and rewards.  But the ways of the world carry with them separation from God and His purposes for your life.  So when it’s uncomfortable or downright painful to stand out for the Lord and not do as others are doing, put a smile on your face.  Remember that you are being noticed by God.  You are pleasing Him, and His rewards await you.

We Want To Believe With You and Pray for You!

      Let’s do as God says in His Word and come into a prayer of agreement for your needs, then believe what the Lord said.  Whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven (Matt. 18:19).

      There is so much power available to you as we do this.  So let us pray with you by sharing your requests for God.  Click here now and we will receive them as soon as you send them.  After we pray, we’ll send you a letter filled with words from God’s Spirit for your life. 

                                                     Jeanne and John Alcott

SPECIAL NOTE:

        When you give into Alcott Ministries through your prayers and finances, you're enabling us to send out Word of Power teachings and see hope come to thousands of people.

        So, we pray that you will consider this ministry good ground in which to plant your seeds.  We see God give tremendous harvests to those who sow their seed here.  We believe the same for you as you obey God and hold the Word of Life out to others.

DONATE NOW.