Walking In Childlike Faith, Strength And Joy (Article 11)
Be Strong in the Lord
Just as Joshua was picked by God to become the commander and leader of Israel and to fill the shoes of Moses; so God selects us as intercessors for him. This entitlement calls for us to be filled with his strength. It is an incredible privilege to have the freedom to pray/intercede for others and have God answer those prayers. He entrusts us with privileged information and our duty is to extend the attitudes of his heart, love, grace, goodness, mercy, tenderness, mingled together with our faith.
God said to Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
Of course we can not forget one of the most key components to our testimony.
“The JOY OF THE LORD, is OUR STRENGTH” Nem.8:10b.
It is difficult to do much of anything without joy. This key element in our lifestyle as intercessors will assist us in fulfilling our mandate. It is a fruit of the Spirit, and when allowed to permeate our life it will be like the bouquet in great wine, flavoring us and causing us to be that Holy perfume that comes from our closeness with our Lord.
I Thes. Says “Be joyful always, pray continuously.”
Heb.1, speaks of the, “oil of joy”,
also in Ps. 45.
So let there be an anointing of joy come from the Lord, and keep it refreshed.
There is strength for us as we humble ourselves before God and fear him. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. With knowledge comes strength. Knowledge is information accumulated and wisdom is knowing what to do with it. The more we know God and his ways, the more strength we will possess because our understanding will be blessed by him. This makes our faith come alive in us as we pray/intercede. We need a continual filling and refreshing of the knowledge of the Lord. This knowledge and strength in him never runs out, because he is inexhaustible, remember we are not.
In Proverbs we read “Lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Prov.3:5-6
There are hindrances for the Godly person who tries to lean on their own strength, self, their own glory, their personality, or bravado.
What kind of attitude do we express when we pray for others?
Attitudes will measure your heart.
Ps. 25:9-15 says “God hears and answers those who are humble.”
Don’t be surprised when the Lord is trying to develop humility in your life.
The mantle or covering of humility has great effect before God. This must be a priority in our lifestyle. Our attitude must be Holy Spirit inspired.
Paul writes in Ephesians “Finally, be strong in the Lord and the power of His strength.” Eph.6:10
There is no other place for us to find the strength and power to live except in God. We know the consequences of not trusting in God’s strength and there are multitudes of examples in the bible of what happens when we go it alone.
Examples from scripture regarding strength/power:
Ø Ex.15:2 Song of Moses
Ø 2 Sam.22:40 Strength for battle
Ø Ps.18:32 / 73:26
Ø 84:5 From strength to strength
Ø 105:4 Seek His strength continually
Ø 118:14 Strength and song
Ø Jer.16:19 Strength and stronghold
Ø Hab.3:19 My strength
Ø Josh.1:9
Ø I Peter 4:11 Strengthened for service
Ø Ps.45:7 Oil of joy
Ø 81:1 Sing for joy to God our strength
Ø 100:2 Come before Him with joy
Ø Hab.3:18 Joyful in God my savior
Ø Rom. 14:17 Joy in the Holy Spirit
Ø Deut.9:29 The Lords power
Ø Jud.14:6 Samson, the Spirit of the Lord
Ø 1Sam.10:6 Saul, the Spirit of the Lord
Ø 1Sam.16:13 David, the Spirit of the Lord
Ø 1Kings 18:46 Elijah
Ø 1Chron.29:12 Lord gives
Ø Ps.65:6 God armed with
Ø 68:35 Given to people
Ø Prov.24:5 Power in wisdom
Ø Is.11:2 Pertaining to Jesus
Ø 40:29 Str. to weary, power to weak
Ø Jer.10:6 Name of God
Ø Luke 1:35 To come upon
Ø 4:36 Deliver
Ø 5:17 Heal
Ø 6:19 Coming from Jesus
Ø 10:19 Over the enemy
Ø John 17:11 Protection in God’s name
Ø Acts 1:8 To witness
Ø Rom.15:13 Hope in Holy Spirit
Ø 1Cor.4:20 Kingdom power
Ø 2Cor.10:4 To demolish strongholds
Ø Eph.3:16 Strengthened with power for our inner being
Ø Col.1:11 With all power
Ø Col.2:15 Disarming powers and authorities
Ø 2Peter 1:3 Divine power for all life
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QUERY (From Handbook)
Be Strong in The Lord
1) Be strong in whose strength?
2) Why joy? (fruit of the Spirit) Joy brings peace in stressful situations.
3) ATTITUDE:Humility, contrite nature, love for God and reflecting
the Father/Mother heart of God to others. Know your heart; are you holding any judgements against anyone? What about yourself?
4) Don’t be surprised by times where the Lord is trying (wanting) to bring humility into your life.
5) 2Peter 1:3 Divine Power for ALL your life!
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