3 Weapons To Use In Spiritual Battles

Then they entered Capernaum. When the Sabbath arrived, Jesus lost no time in getting to the meeting place. He spent the day there teaching. 22 They were surprised at his teaching—so forthright, so confident—not quibbling and quoting like the religion scholars. 23 Suddenly, while still in the meeting place, he was interrupted by a man who was deeply disturbed and yelling out, 24 “What business do you have here with us, Jesus? Nazarene! I know what you’re up to! You’re the Holy One of God, and you’ve come to destroy us!” 25 Jesus shut him up: “Quiet! Get out of him!” 26 The afflicting spirit threw the man into spasms, protesting loudly—and got out. 27 Everyone there was incredulous, buzzing with curiosity. “What’s going on here? A new teaching that does what it says? He shuts up defiling, demonic spirits and sends them packing!” 28 News of this traveled fast and was soon all over Galilee.
Mark 1:21-28 (MSG)

A few years ago my wife and I were on a date-night in Nashville and got in a traffic-jam. The usual roads were closed and police were directing traffic. We couldn’t turn around or get out of the line. We thought the line was due to a wreck. At one point we rolled down our window and asked someone what was happening. “You’re at a concert.” They said. We didn’t expect that. We were in Nashville though, it shouldn’t have surprised us. Instead of trying to turn around, we bought tickets and had a fun and unexpected date-night to a concert we didn’t know we were in line for.

Many times as believers we get surprised by the fact that we are in line for a spiritual battle.

‘The problem is that most people overestimate or either underestimate spiritual warfare. It’s funny how the devil likes it when we over believe or under believe instead of Bible believe.’
C.S. Lewis-

Right at the onset of the Gospel of Mark we see Jesus be interrupted by someone who was possessed with a demon. I love seeing the response of Jesus to the evil spirit. He used the authority that he had to tell the evil spirit to be quiet and leave the person.

Jesus Has Authority

We see in this passage who is in full control of this battle. The evil spirit had to obey Jesus. There was no great conflict. One word from Jesus was enough to cause the demon to start packing. Jesus has all authority. As you go throughout your day, think about the authority that Jesus has over everything in our world. He is in full control.

You Have Authority

As believers we have authority over anything that would come against us through Jesus. We are not powerless. Many times as believers it is easy for us to live from a defensive posture when it comes to the world. We are trying our best to just hold on and hopefully we will make it. This is not the posture that Jesus had. He understood His authority and pushed back the kingdom of darkness wherever he went. We are called to do the same and bring hope and life wherever we go today! Understand the authority that you have in Christ and use the weapons that God has given you against the enemy.

You have weapons against the enemy that are available to you today!

#1 The Name of Jesus

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”
Luke 10:17–19 NIV

The Name of Jesus is the highest name on earth! That name is the highest authority. Like a law enforcement officer that has the authority to say “Stop, In the name of the law.” We are able to tell the enemy to “Stop, in the name of Jesus.” He has to obey the name of Jesus!

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.
Philippians 2:10 NIV

#2 The Word of God

When Jesus was being tempted in the wilderness by Satan in Matthew 4 and Luke 4, his weapon was to tell Satan, “It is written.” Jesus used the Word of God to win the battle. The Word of God is more than just something that we should use for devotions. The Word of God is a sword that can be used to defeat the enemy in battle.

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:17

#3 The Blood of Jesus

Another weapon that we have is to remind the enemy about the victory of Jesus on the cross! My grandmother used to say, “I plead the blood of Jesus.” When things were coming against our family. She was reminding the enemy about the victory that Jesus won on the cross! This is one of the ways that we triumph over the enemy according to the Book of Revelation.

They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…
Revelation 12:11 NIV

So today, let’s not be surprised when experience a spiritual attack. Let’s understand that Jesus has all authority and that he has given us authority through, His Name, His Word, and His blood that we can use to fight the enemy. Let us not be passive, but let us be bold and take the fight to the enemy!

Jesus, thank you for the victory that we have in you!  Today we trust you!  Help us to recognize the attack of the enemy today and take the authority that you have given us.  We submit our lives completely to You Lord!  Have you way in our lives today.  Use us to advance Your Kingdom today.  In Jesus Name!

A Key To Overcoming Temptation

One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. 10 As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.” 12 The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, 13 where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him. 14 Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News. 15 “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”
Mark 1:9-15 (NLT)

Yesterday, while standing in our kitchen, one of my sons walked up to me, pulled up his sleeve and said, “Feel my muscles Dad! I’m strong.” After affirming his new-found-strength, I had him feel my bicep then proceeded to have a moment like Uncle Rico from Napoleon Dynamite about how much weight I could lift during my glory days. It must be a guy-thing. 🤣

I think when it comes to temptation we think of it being a test of brute strength and willpower. Like trying to reach a new max in weightlifting, if we can just psych ourselves up enough we can push the weight of temptation. Sadly, that’s just not how it works.

Jesus shows us how to conquer temptation.

I find it encouraging that even Jesus experienced the terror of temptation. He can identify with you in your moments of temptation. I thought being strong meant you never would experience temptation. This what my perception of Christians, mostly because I never heard any Christian leaders talk about their struggles. The only time it would be talked about was when an influential pastor had a moral failure, and the conversation would be centered around the shock of the fall. I was very young when I started serving in the ministry, working at a church at 18-years old. I would go to church and see God move in mighty ways and then come home to experience temptation alone. I thought something was wrong with me. I thought that if I really loved God, I will not experience temptation. Simply not true.

So how did Jesus deal with temptation? In Mark’s account we don’t see the details of his temptation like we see in the other Gospel accounts. What I saw in Mark’s account was the emphasis of what happened right before Jesus was tempted.

Jesus experienced temptation in the wilderness immediately after the moment the Father affirmed his relationship. Temptation is always about if we are going to believe who God says we are, or if we are going to believe what everything and everyone around us is saying. Are we going to believe what we feel, or are we going to believe God.

Temptation is not a test of willpower, it is test of relationship.

I oftentimes see temptation as a test of willpower alone. I think it is all about how strong I am and try to conquer it in my own power, most times to no avail. However, when I look at this account of the life of Jesus I see him walking into the wilderness with affirmation of his identity from the Father.

“You are my dearly loved son. You bring me great joy.” Do you know this is how God feels about you. He speaks this over your life as well. Notice, this pronouncement was before Jesus did many of his recorded miracles. He was simply affirming his identity. You are valuable to God not because of what you do, but simply because of who you are. You were created in the image of God. You were created on purpose for a purpose.

So what is one thing can we take away from Jesus’ victory over temptation:

Key: When you are tempted, strengthen your relationship.

When you are tempted alone in the wilderness of life, remember who you are and what God says about you. When you are tempted, strengthen your relationship with God. How do you strengthen your relationship? There are many ways to strengthen your relationship with God: Prayer, worship, listening to a sermon, attending a small group, worshiping with other believers, just to name a few. Put your focus on who God is and what he says about you.

There are two ways to try to stay faithful in my marriage. I can live everyday psyching myself up to “Stay strong.” Or I can just fall in love with my wife and no other options will be appealing to me. Satan’s one goal to destroy a marriage is to put gaps in the relationship so that couples will give in to temptation. When a marriage is full of healthy communication, romance, and honor each day, temptation has no power.

God is with you win the wilderness! He has already spoken over you who you are and what he thinks about you!

You Are Accepted:

I am God’s child. (John 1:12)
I am Christ’s friend. (John 15:15)
I have been justified. (Romans 5:1)
I have been bought with a price. I belong to God. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
I am a member of Christ’s body. (1 Corinthians 12:27)
I have been adopted as God’s child. (Ephesians 1:5)
I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 2:18)
I have been forgiven of all my sins. (Colossians 1:14)
I am complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:10)

You Are Safe:

I am free forever from condemnation. (Romans 8:1-2)
I am assured that all things work together for good. (Romans 8:28)
I am free from any condemning charges against me. (Romans 8:31-34)
I cannot be separated from the love of God. (Romans 8:35-39)
I am confident that the good work God has begun in me will be completed. (Philippians 1:6)
I am a citizen of Heaven. (Philippians 3:20)
I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and of self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7)
I can find grace and mercy to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me. (1 John 5:18)

You Are Important:

I am the salt and light of the earth. (Matthew 5:13-14)
I am a branch of the true Vine, a channel of His life. (John 15:1,5)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. (John 15:16)
I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)
I am God’s temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16)
I am God’s workmanship. (Ephesians 2:10)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence. (Ephesians 3:12)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

Lord, when we walk through the wilderness and are tempted, help us to remember what You have said about us.  May we see You and all of Your glory when we face temptation.  Father, help us remember how loved we are by you!  Today we choose to pursue more of You in our lives.  Holy Spirit, fill us to overflowing with your presence today!  In Jesus Name!

There is hope for your family!

Maybe you had a family tree that you are not proud of and wonder if things can change.

YES THEY CAN! In Christ everything can be made new!

When we go all in with God the impact of that decision will not only change our life, but the lives of future generations!

This is my story. My family tree was changed when my Grandfather got in over his head and got water baptized!

Let’s go ALL IN today and see what God will do in and through our lives!

If you would like more info about getting baptized visit www.cityhills.com/baptism

How To Deal With Painful Memories

A few years ago I went back to the house where I lived as a small child. I was in the area for a family reunion and wanted to show my wife the house that I grew up in. It was a mansion in my mind. I remembered it to be so big. Much to my surprise it was not as big as I remembered it to be. The house was the same size. What was the difference? I had grown up. However, my memories had not. I was still seeing that house in my mind from a 4 year-old’s perspective.

Memories must be managed.

If we always let our mind run wild and live in the past we will miss the future that God has prepared for our lives.

One of the reasons the Children of Israel missed out on The Promised Land is because they did not manage their memories. Shortly after being delivered from Egypt and crossing the the Red Sea they said this:

The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” (Exodus 16:3)

They remembred Egypt incorrectly. They remembered the food that they ate but conveniently forgot one very important detail about Egypt: They were slaves!

It is so easy for us to do this with people; especially those we are closest to. We build mansions in our mind of the past mistakes of others instead of choosing grattitude.

Paul said to the people of the Philippian Church, “Every time I THINK of you, I give thanks to my God.” (Philippians 1:3)

There were a lot of things he could have focused on. His assignment at Philipi was a very difficult one with a lot of pain. However he refused to focus on the memories of the pain and rather chose to be grateful for the people in his life.

He chose to remember the best and give God the rest.

Who do you need to say thank you to today?
What painful memories do you need to give to God today?

We’re surrounded. No, We’re Surrounded!

The situation looked impossible. Elisha was surrounded. The army of Aram had come to Dothan to kill him and his servant.

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.
2 Kings 6:15 NIV

I can identify with the perspective Elisha’s servant. It feels like these days circumstances have us surrounded. The future is uncertain and we are outnumbered.

This is what it looks like.

But Elisha had a different perspective:

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 6:26-17

Elisha didn’t dismiss the reality of the army that had him surrounded. However, he focused his sights on a higher truth. Elisha was telling his servant, “Don’t worry. It’s not what it looks like.”

I know it looks like were surrounded. But the truth is that the enemy army is surrounded by the army of the living God! This is the higher reality!

It may look like we’re surrounded by circumstances around us. It may look like you have no hope. The future may look uncertain. But I want to remind you today, if you’re in Christ, it’s not what it looks like! God is going to use this season for good. He is going to turn this trial into your greatest testimony. He is going to turn this mess into a miracle! He is in control and you can have peace!

You are surrounded by God’s favor! You are surrounded with hope. You are surrounded by victory. You are surrounded with healing. You are surrounded with protection. You are surrounded by grace!

Let’s choose to focus on the higher reality today! Instead of complaining about the army that has us surrounded, let’s see God higher than what we face. Let’s share it. Let’s sing it. Let’s read about it! There is hope! The enemy is surrounded. We win!

“Lord, Open our eyes so that we can see you higher than ours problems.
Help us to see you higher than the pandemic. Help us to see you higher than the division. Help us see that you are in full control of the world and of our lives and we can trust you.”

Have a great day!
-Brandon

Sticks And Stones

You talk more to you than anyone else. What you say to you affects your life more than what anyone else says to you. What are you saying to you? Does it agree what what God says about you? God Says: I am loved (John 3:16) I am His (1 John 3:1) I am not alone (Matthew 28:20) I am a masterpiece in Christ (Ephesians 2:10) I am not defined by my past (Isaiah 43:18-19) I have a purpose (Jeremiah 29:11) I have the favor of God on my life (Psalm 30:5) God planned my life (Psalm 139:16) I am blessed (Deuteronomy 28:3) #YoureGoingToMakeIt #SpeakLife

3 Lenses for Life

20/20 vision…I have never had it. That is why I wear glasses. 🤣

This is a trait I passed down to my oldest son. He has had glasses for the past couple months now and he keeps losing them. My wife and I can’t understand it. He has a significant prescription, he can surely notice when they are off, but he still forgets where he took them off all the time. While frustrated earlier this week that he lost them once again, I asked, “How is this possible! I wear glasses everyday and I know when mine are lost. Why do you keep losing yours?” He said, “Well Dad you have been wearing them for a lot longer than me.” 🤓

Yes, I may not forget my physical lenses very often. However, many days I leave the house without my spiritual lenses.

Here are some spiritual spectacles to look through today:

Lens of God’s favor – As a believer, you have the favor of God on your life. You can expect the favor of God today and forever.

Lens of God’s faithfulness – You serve a faithful God. He is faithful in every season and that includes today. Look back over your life and remember that God has never let you down, and he is not about to start today. He is faithful.

Lens of God’s friendship – The God of the universe calls you friend (John 15). What would happen if you lived this entire day seeing the reality that God wants to have a relationship with you today. Let today be a day of constant communication with your creator!

There are so many more, but let these be a start.

Have a great day and don’t forget your glasses! 🙂

–Brandon

4 Truths About the Story of Your Life

4 Truths about the story of your life:

– A chapter is just a chapter, it’s not the whole story.
– With God, the bad chapters can become the best parts of the story.
– Be careful not to name a chapter while you’re in the middle of a chapter.
– Keep turning the page and trusting the author!

Thank you Pastor Mitch Rose for sharing this thought in a message years ago. I’ve never forgotten it. #YoureGoingToMakeIt

-Brandon