We're in Charge

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way (2 Thessalonians 2:7). 

All the evil and atrocious plans and agendas of Satan for the nations of the world can’t succeed because of our stand against him. After the Rapture, Satan will have his way according to the Scriptures, but until then, we—the Church of Jesus Christ—are in charge and in control. We determine the destiny of the nations. Hallelujah!

Some people believe we don’t stand a chance because they’re not a part of what we’re doing. They’re like the men of Succoth that the Bible talks about in Judges 8:5 who, instead of supporting Gideon, mocked him (Judges 8:6). They ridiculed Gideon because they didn’t believe he and his small number of weary troops were capable of defeating the Midianite warriors. But Gideon succeeded without their support. 

As long as we’re not all quiet and ignorant about Satan’s agenda for the world, he can’t lord it over the nations. NEVER! In Ezekiel 22:30, God said, “I sought for a man to stand in the gap and I found none .” He didn’t say, “I sought for many people.” Therefore, as long as some of us stand our ground on the Word against the devil and his cohorts, their works will be thwarted. 

Isaiah 44:25 MSG aptly summarizes their end! It says God “...makes the magicians look ridiculous and turns fortunetellers into jokes. He makes the experts look trivial and their latest knowledge look silly .” This is what’s happening around the world because of our prayers. Hallelujah!

 PRAYER 

The Lord is in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments; no name and no power exempt from His rule, and not just for the time being, but forever! I come against the structures, systems and schemes employed by Satan to propagate his deception and fear across the nations. Those structures are overthrown, and every evil work is exposed, judged and sentenced, in Jesus’ Name. Amen. 

FURTHER STUDY: 

Psalm 149:5-9 

Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; 7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; 8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.

1 Samuel 14:6 

And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few.

 1 Year Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 13:1-23 & Genesis 42-43

 2 Year Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 7:13-20 & Genesis 18

Faith: The Effect of Righteousness

And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever (Isaiah 32:17). 

 Our opening verse lists quietness and assurance as the effect of righteousness; that’s faith! Faith is the quiet or confident assurance that things favourably expected shall come to pass: “ Faith is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen…” (Hebrews 11:1 TLB). This perfectly describes the effect of righteousness we read about in our opening verse. It could have simply read, “And the effect of righteousness shall be faith.” 

In all of the Old Testament, the word “faith” appears only twice and it wasn’t in connection with people demonstrating faith toward God. The first time it was used in the Old Testament was in Deuteronomy 32:20. The next time was Habakkuk 2:4: _“…but the just shall live by his faith”;_ a prophetic reference to the new creation. But now, faith has come! It’s our lifestyle. Being born again, we were born righteous and the effect of righteousness is mountain-moving faith. Hallelujah!

Because of righteousness, you have power over every crisis; you rule over the elements and corrupting influences of this world. You can live without fear, worries, conflicts and agitations. Isaiah 54:14 says, “In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.” Hallelujah! 

No more fear or oppression in your life because you’re established in Christ’s righteousness. You’re no longer in the jurisdiction of darkness; of those who are oppressed by circumstances, situations, demon spirits, etc. You’ve been translated into the Kingdom of God’s Love-Son; the realm of blessings, dominion and glory. Praise God!

CONFESSION 

I walk in the consciousness of God’s righteousness, securely established in Christ! I live above the elements and corrupting influences of this world. I live without worries, conflicts and agitations. I walk in glory, dominion and the strength of God. Hallelujah! 

FURTHER STUDY: 

Hebrews 11:1 TLB 

What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.

Matthew 17:20 

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

 1 Year Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 12:22-50 & Genesis 40-41

 2 Year Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 7:1-12 & Genesis 17

Courageously Declare the Word

… for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me (Hebrews 13:5-6). 

Our underlined portion above— “boldly say”— is “tharrheo‌ lego‌” (Greek) and it means to courageously declare. “Lego‌” means to say or speak; but it also means to boast. God said something, so that we could courageously declare or boastfully affirm the same thing. This is amazing! 

That was exactly what Jesus did when He encountered Satan in Matthew 4 . He said, “...It is written...” (Matthew 4:7). It shows us that the way to respond to life’s circumstances is with the Scriptures. For example, when you say, “Greater is He that’s in me than he that’s in the world,” you’re responding with the Word; you’re courageously affirming the Word.

That verse doesn’t exactly say, “Greater is He that is in me”; rather, it says, “Greater is he that is in you….” But in response, you personalize it; that’s when it becomes “Rhema.” Glory to God! God gave us the Scriptures so we could speak them forth. The Word of God created all things; therefore, everything in life responds to the spoken Word from your lips. The principle is: the Word in your heart and in your mouth; you release the power of God into action in your behalf through speaking. Hallelujah!

CONFESSION 

I'm a winner all the time; I live over and above all limitations and circumstances. There’s no situation I can’t change, because my tongue is a tree of life with which I guarantee my health, success, safety, wellness and wholeness! Hallelujah! 

FURTHER STUDY: 

Proverbs 15:23 

A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

Romans 10:10 

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Joshua 1:8 

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

 1 Year Bible Reading Plan : Matthew 12:1-21 & Genesis 38-39

 2 Year Bible Reading Plan : Matthew 6:25-34 & Genesis 16

His Goodness in the Earth

He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD (Psalm 33:5). 

Some don’t believe that the earth is truly full of the goodness of God. But that’s exactly what the verse above unequivocally declares. All that some have experienced in their lives is bitterness and pain. Part of the reason for this is the works of wicked and evil men and women. These evil manipulators destroy the economies of nations for their selfish gain.

Nevertheless, there's more than enough food and good things for every human being on the face of the earth. There's more than enough wealth in this world. There's more than enough grace in this world. There's more than enough power and ability in this world. It’s one of the reasons God wants us to intercede for all men so they can enjoy all that He’s blessed them with in the earth. 

We read it: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 33:5). Therefore, affirm that the lines are fallen unto you in pleasant places; you have a goodly heritage (Psalm 16:6). Believe it and act accordingly. God said, "My people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge ...” (Hosea 4:6). But knowledge has come to you today: all the blessings of God upon the earth are yours to enjoy. 

Don’t settle for less. He said in Psalm 50:10-11, “ For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.” Then in Psalm 24:1 , David said, “ The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. ” No wonder Paul said, “...All things are yours” (1 Corinthians 3:21); because you’re an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ. Hallelujah! 

PRAYER 

Gracious Father, the whole earth is filled with your glory and goodness, but many are in bitterness and pain. Therefore, in the Name of the Lord Jesus, I come against the works of ungodly men who have filled the earth with violence, poverty and deaths, keeping men from experiencing your goodness in the earth. Their works are frustrated, and God’s people experience your blessings, health, prosperity and power, in Jesus’ Name. Amen. 

 FURTHER STUDY: 

2 Peter 1:3 

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Isaiah 1:19 

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

Psalm 27:13 AMPC 

[What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living! (NIV) I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

 1 Year Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 11:1-30 & Genesis 36-37

 2 Year Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 6:14-24 & Genesis 15

Praying for Leaders

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority …(1 Timothy 2:1-2). 

In Acts 13:6-12, we find a very interesting story about the missionary work of Barnabas and Paul in Paphos—a city known for a combination of immorality and darkness. In the course of their evangelical work in the city, the deputy, Sergius Paulus, wanted to hear God’s Word and sent for Barnabas and Paul.

But one of his very influential officials—a noted false prophet and sorcerer—attempted to frustrate their missionary efforts. He didn’t want his boss to hear the Gospel. But Paul, having observed Elymas’ deceptive and malicious tendencies, firmly expostulated with him and said, “ And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season…” (Acts 13:11). Suddenly, the man went blind and got out of their way. Hallelujah!

Sergius Paulus was a prudent man; he wasn’t a corrupt official, but he was unaware of the kind of influence that Elymas would have on him, having been planted by Satan. These are often part of Satan’s ways of getting across to government and political leaders, to influence them and get them to do the wrong things.

Therefore, in praying for the leaders of your city, state or country, remember that there’re times Satan plants his own people among them, to distract them from hearing the Word and from getting to know God. Therefore, using the Name of Jesus, break the power of Satan over those who work with leaders and seek to influence or counsel them to go against the will and purposes of God. 

Furthermore, command the devil to loose his grip over their minds so the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ would shine unto them. Affirm that their hearts are open to receive the Gospel willingly and as a result, righteousness springs up in their hearts and the wisdom of God guides their thoughts. Pray for leaders and all men this way as admonished in 1 Timothy 2:1-2.

 PRAYER 

Lord, your desire is for the leaders and peoples of the nations to be saved and for your righteousness to rule their hearts and guide their thinking. Therefore, I pray for leaders of nations, that their hearts be opened and receptive to the Gospel. I pray that your Word will have free course and be glorified and have prevailing power in their lives, effectively cutting off every negative influence from among them, in Jesus’ Name. Amen. 

FURTHER STUDY: 

1 Timothy 2:1-4 

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Jeremiah 29:7 

And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

Proverbs 21:1 

The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

 1 Year Bible Reading Plan : Matthew 10:24-42 & Genesis 34-35

 2 Year Bible Reading Plan : Matthew 6:1-13 & Genesis 14