Daily Devotional
Now Is Not the Time to Sleep
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:12
August 19, 2020
Ponder This
We are in a great spiritual struggle. Right now we see colossal forces colliding, and this is no time to be asleep.
Dr. James Dobson shared this true story about a missionary in the jungle. One day the missionary entered his hut, and a gigantic snake, one of those that can swallow a whole pig, was inside. He went out to his truck and got his revolver. He only had one shell. He went in and carefully aimed at the head of that monstrous snake and pulled the trigger. The snake was mortally wounded, but he didn’t die right away. He began to writhe and thrash around, his tail going this way and that. He literally tore up everything in that hut as he was dying.
I want to tell you something: Jesus at Calvary put a bullet right in Satan’s head. And what we’re seeing now are the death throes of one who has been mortally wounded by the cross of Jesus Christ.
Friend, we’re in a battle. But it’s not that we’re going to win; we already have won. That old serpent can twist and writhe but thank God, we’re on the winning team. Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). “In heaven” means “in the heavenlies” where the battle is. He has unlimited authority in every realm and over principalities and powers and demons.
Practice This
Understand this: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). We’re up against demonized, mobilized, powers of hell. Understand your enemy. Exercise your spiritual authority.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
