opposition

by

Breakthrough the Threshold of the Open Door

breakthoughGod spoke to my heart back in August of 2013 that He wanted me to preach on Doors this new year. Since January I have written and preached message after message on Open Doors for 2014. In doing so, I believe I made myself a target of the devil as I have experienced attack after attack not only in my own life with my health, but in my family, and church as well. At one point I felt I was doing something wrong and even felt like giving up. But, that was not the answer. Far too many times when we are right at the threshold of our breakthrough, right at the doorway of an open door, we will experience the attack of the enemy.

Satan does not want us to take any ground from him. When we rise up and make a stance for God and taking the land for Him, it angers the enemy. Then we experience difficult circumstances and our faith weakens.

Crossing Over the Threshold of Open Doors

As I was going through the attacks of the enemy I didn’t see it as attacks. All I saw was the struggle and the hardship I had to walk through. Maybe this is you too. I pray this message ministers to you as the content ministered to me and allowed me to see more clearly what was really happening. The following is taken from Sandie Freed as well as my own writings.

Are you having to go through what you might refer to as a difficult time right now? And, even though it has been prophesied that this is a year of open doors and experiencing double blessings and breakthrough, do you feel as if your faith is weakened and that it is difficult for you to hold on to finish the race?

If you are contending for your new levels of increase and breakthrough, please allow me to give some insight as to how to properly respond to the new level of spiritual warfare needed for this season. And, let me assure you that you are not alone in this. Many Believers are experiencing difficulty crossing over into their promises in this season.

Opposition At The Threshold Of Open Doors

Sandi Freed writes: Recently I was in Katy, Texas, to minister at Wanda Roberson Ministries’ conference entitled “Stepping Through Open Doors.” When I travel, it is not unusual for me to have a dream from the Lord which exposes territorial strongholds and plans of the enemy. I love the faithfulness of God to expose any area of opposition that attempts to enslave His children! The night before I spoke at the conference, I had a dream of a threshold with an open door. At the threshold, there was a python snake that attempted to wrap itself around God’s children as they were going through the door. (More on the python spirit in a bit.) This evil spirit would attempt to weaken its victim by squeezing the life and breath out of its body. Also, there was a strong spirit of fear attached to this python spirit, and just the fear alone kept people from being empowered to cross over into enlargement and increase.

There was much contending at this threshold as the enemy would lash out with false accusations, fear, anxiety, and cause weakness (both physically and spiritually) in its attempts to hold on to each of us. Satan’s desire is to keep us from getting past our past. Saints of God, listen up – the enemy does not want you to believe God for your breakthrough. He desires to weaken your faith by creating circumstances in your life that are completely opposite of what God has promised you. Bottom line – your land of promise, your open door, awaits your arrival and crossing over, but the enemy does not like the fact that you are at a threshold of great, great breakthrough.

I read this prophecy from Marsha Burn on March 12, 2014:
“I have opened a door to the season ahead of you.  It will be a time when you will be able to see and understand spiritual truth with greater clarity–a season of freedom from bondage and past difficulties that will bring refreshment to your soul.  You stand at the very threshold of a new beginning, []but you must first put the past firmly behind before you can move ahead.  Let go of everything that is holding you back, says the Lord.”

Perilous Times

So, why are we being promised open doors, double blessings, and many of God’s “suddenlies” if we are also experiencing such difficulties? Well, I believe that we are living in what 2 Timothy 3:1 refers to as perilous times.

2 Timothy 3:1 NKJV
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:”

The word “perilous” is a Greek word chalepos (pronounced kahl-ep-os’) and it is translated as meaning “difficult, i.e. dangerous or (by implication) furious.”

I can relate to this translation as I have also been experiencing some difficult times. And, I certainly believe that satan is furious that each of us is determined to cross over into increase!

Interestingly, another interpretation of perilous is “reduction in strength.”

I can relate to feeling weak – both physically and spiritually. How so? Well, the enemy would like to squeeze the life out of me and weaken my faith; plus, I am struggling with physical strength at the same time.

And, a further study concerning perilous times reveal that it is linked to another Greek word which means “to let down, strike, and to lower (as into a void.)” Translations take this even one step further by explaining that during perilous times we even experience “chasms.” (See Strong’s Concordance #5467, #5465, and #5490.)

Did you see that? Let me make it clear. Satan desires to cause us to believe that we are not seated in heavenly places in authority over him! He desires to deceive us into believing we have a lower position! He is attacking our belief systems at the threshold of open doors.

And now, get this: He wants to “void” our promises by deception. He desires to create a chasm between us and our promises. How can he deceive us? Again, by creating situations in our life that seem to oppose our promises. Satan desires to weaken our strength, weaken our faith, and strike out with opposition at the threshold. However, we need to remember this important fact as we contend against satan and the python spirit – Jesus Christ has already won the victory. His Blood was shed so that you are empowered with grace to cross over into your Promised Land! Our minds must be renewed to that truth as we defeat every enemy that attempts to oppose us. Let me encourage you with this thought – IT IS NOT AS IT APPEARS! This truly IS your season to access the unseen!

The Python Spirit

In Greek, the term used for divination and witchcraft is “python.” It is connected to a word meaning “to twist.” A python is a large and muscular snake that will “twist” itself around its prey and kill it by squeezing or constricting until it suffocates.

“The python spirit is loosed whenever Jezebel is in the midst. It squeezes life out of hope, breakthroughs, finances, and lives. It ‘constricts’ us to the point that we are unable to move forward into our future. As the python constricts with every squeeze, we feel the restraints and therefore are contained in old patterns of behavior and hopelessness.” ~ Sandi Freed

It is very clear that a Jezebel spirit and python work together to weaken the hands of God’s children as we build His Kingdom.

Back To Perilous Times

Let’s get back to more on “perilous times.” A careful study on 2 Timothy 3:1-9 describes what is experienced during this season. Mankind will witness a season where they “love themselves,” boast in themselves, are “disobedient to parents,” ungrateful,” “loving money,” and “unholy.” It goes on to describe mankind as “unforgiving,” “without love,” “loving pleasure more than God,” and “having a form of godliness but denying its power.”

Traditions of man have robbed us of demonstrating God’s power, being unthankful and ungrateful – and how these areas rob us from experiencing freedom in Christ. For the sake of time, I will only discuss just one of these manifestations that we might be experiencing during such troubled times, because I believe it is very significant. We simply must return to our first love. Love is a powerful weapon against our enemy.

Love Is a Weapon

There is no doubt that we are in a new season of contention. We are instructed in 2 Corinthians 10:4 that our weapons of warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. However, did we really ever consider the fact that love is a weapon?

Think about this: God is love, right? And because He loved the world, He sent His Son. Yes – because He loved – the Father sent Jesus. Jesus came to earth with a purpose.
1 John 3:8 tells us that Jesus came with the purpose of destroying the works of the devil! And because Jesus also loved, He laid down His life as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Because of love – satan was defeated.

As New Covenant Believers, we are no longer under the Law. In fact, Jesus said that the greatest commandments were to “…love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul, and to love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31, paraphrased). Those two commandments are centered on love. Love is the greatest gift, and also the greatest tool in warfare.

Restore Your Love and Passion

It’s possible to lose our passion when we experience hard times. Yet, there is another reason we lose passion – I call it spiritual burn out. How does this occur? Well, when we are believing that what we “do” for God is more important to us than who we already “are” in God, we get completely caught up in “works.” “Works” will weaken us, wear us out, and cause us to lose passion for God. I know this from first-hand experience.

When we are burned out, our fiery passion leaves. What we need are two things in order for us to experience restored love and passion for God: The fire of God to touch us and, secondly, repentance.

To experience His fire, we simply need to lay our lives on the altar. It’s not a difficult thing, really. We have a tendency to make this action difficult. Think about this: In the Old Testament, when a sacrifice was laid upon the altar, the fire of God came to consume it! If you want God to consume you, and I believe you do – simply lay down your will and surrender to His perfect will for your life. Think about it as “total abandonment” in Him. Remember, one of the manifestations during perilous times is being “lovers of ourselves,” and the lack of love for God.

Now, let’s talk about repentance. Many believe that God is just waiting for us to mess up so that He can smack us with a big stick! I believed that for years; and a belief system like that sends us running away from God rather than to Him. Repentance is all about changing the way you think. In other words, we need to change the way we think about God and also about ourselves. If we press into the love of God, running to Him in times of trouble and difficulty, we will be empowered with grace to cross over our thresholds!
His love for us will become our weapon against any python, Jezebel, or witchcraft stronghold! And, when we are empowered with the love of God, we are also empowered to love our neighbor and ourselves! This is important because we need each other. Unity releases life (see Psalm 133)! Unity will destroy the destructive power of python that attempts to steal life from us!

Christ died to give us salvation. The Greek word for salvation is the word sozo, which basically means that His love and sacrifice provided salvation, healing, deliverance, protection, and all that Heaven has to give us! Aren’t you thankful for the love of God today? I know you are. Your threshold awaits your crossing over – today!

Breakthrough

Who doesn’t want or need a breakthrough in their life? Everyone is wanting it. Maybe you have struggled and gone through some hard times and you still are persevering? This would be a good time for a breakthrough in your life.

Lately in my life I have been praying for and believing for BREAKTHROUGHS! Breakthrough in relationships, breakthrough in my spiritual life, breakthrough in our church, and so much more. It has been something that I have brought to the Lord often.

God is working on your behalf even if we don’t see the results we are looking for. Don’t give up!

How do you press through in prayer when when it’s 11:59 p.m.—almost midnight—in your life?

Imagine this: You’re heading for destiny, moving with confidence in the right direction. Suddenly, you’re distracted by something demanding your attention. But when you stop to attend to the matter, your path is altered forever.

Such was the case with Paul and Silas in Acts chapter 16. En route to a prayer meeting, they met a fortuneteller who was rebuked by Paul because of her mockery of him and Silas as men of God. Paul commanded the evil spirit to come out of her, and the girl was set free.

She was a slave, however and because her masters were no longer able to profit from her psychic powers, they had Paul and Silas thrown in jail. The ministry duo was suddenly thrust from prayer to prison.

Think about that. On your way to what God has for you, there’s a detour in your well-constructed plan. Although painful, such times are common in the life of every believer. But what do you do when you’re passing from one season in life to another, when it’s 11:59 p.m.—almost midnight—in your life?

Transition occurs because God is altering His plans for us. There is a three-step process during such times: burden, birthing and breakthrough.

First comes the burden. On their way to jail, Paul and Silas were dragged into the marketplace to face the authorities. Even the crowds participated in their humiliation. They were beaten and stripped, and then thrown into prison. But they were not alone.
Life’s transitions may leave you feeling attacked. You may feel beaten and stripped of your spiritual and personal dreams. It may seem as though layers of divine protection have disappeared. This stripping simply means God is taking off the old and exposing  you to new life and new assignments.

Then comes the birthing. To be beaten means God is molding us into His image. Jeremiah 18:6 says: “‘O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?’ says the Lord. ‘Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so you are in My hand, O house of Israel'” (NKJV).

Think of a muscle. Have you ever had a really good workout, but the next morning felt sore? Your muscles were in a breakdown stage, which is critical. Without it, the muscles can’t rebuild themselves.

It was humiliating enough for Paul and Silas to suffer, but why did the crowd have to participate? Our transitions are often similar. It’s not enough to suffer in silence or privacy; it seems as though God chooses those broken moments to put us on display.
Paul and Silas were confined to prison, but at about midnight—perhaps it was 11:59 p.m.—their confinement birthed their true assignment: prayer and praise. In the midst of confinement, they blessed the Lord.

Lasting change is birthed out of pain and often filled with isolation. But there’s no better time to feel God’s presence than during your “spiritual 11:59 p.m.” During these times, praise God for who He is. Recall past victories, and in spite of how you feel or what you see, praise Him for His promises. Your worship will promote stability and assurance.
Then you’re ready for the breakthrough. Paul and Silas’ prayer and praise caused tremors in the realms of darkness. Suddenly, a violent earthquake shook the building, and the doors were opened.

Explosive breakthroughs will come in your life as you continue to lift up the name of Jesus. Breakthroughs bring the favor of God on your life, which releases His plans for you.

Soon, your doors will swing open, chains will fall off, and those standing by will marvel at your life. When we become a testimony of God’s faithfulness during painful transitions, not only are we blessed, but others will observe our breakthroughs and will be touched by our release. Desperation will prompt them to ask, as the jailer did, “What must I do to be saved?”

The passage in Acts concludes with the jailer restoring Paul and Silas as the magistrate sent word to release them. Likewise, God can cause the same people or situation that imprisoned you to bless you.

When your clock strikes 11:59 p.m., know that it’s time to rejoice. Whether you are in a period of burden or birthing, remember that explosive breakthroughs are born around midnight. So, let the celebration begin.

Your land of promise, your open door, awaits your arrival and crossing over, but the enemy does not like the fact that you are at a threshold of great, great breakthrough. We are in perilous times right now ,… Like it says in the book of Timothy!! We are crossing over to our promise land this year. The faint hearted wont make it,… God does not want you to shrink back!! Its time to do warfare and take it to the enemy. The devil does not want you to go into your promise land this year. He will fight you with every thing he has. I am putting you on notice,.. this is for real!!! Its time to pray,…. “church”,….. and take authority over the devil. Remember,… as long as you show up for battle you will win!! But you have to show up everyday. Bind that devil in Jesus name !

Let us pray:
Father God, today we are believing for Your empowerment of grace as we come to Your throne. We repent for settling for religious works rather than pressing into Your desire for relationship. Forgive us for losing our passion for You. We turn from dead works today. We surrender our will to Your perfect will today. Consume us with Your holy fire and restore passion. Thank You that Your love is a weapon against our enemy during these troubled times. Thank You that love has already defeated satan’s plans and that I am now empowered to enter into my future. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I will be believing with you that you will breakthrough the threshold to your open door today!

Your sister,

Pastor Kris Belfils

www.KrisBelfils.com

www.HopeFellowshipSpokane.com

www.KrisBelfils.Wordpress.com 

 

Content of this article is from Sandi Freed, Pastor Kris Belfils, and Charismamag.org.

by

12 Steps To Overcome Opposition (Part 2)

To recap the first three steps to overcome Opposition:

1.  Be wise to the words of the enemy.

2.  Be a strong and courageous soldier.

3.  Know your authority in Christ.

4. When the enemy mocks: Pray.

Nehemiah 4:4 (Amplified)

“[And Nehemiah prayed] Hear. O our God, for we are despised, Turn their taunts upon their own heads and give them for a prey in a land of their captivity. Cover not their iniquity and let not their sin be blotted out before You, for they have vexed [with alarm] the builders and provoked You.”

The first thing Nehemiah did after hearing the taunts of the enemy is he stood his ground and prayed. He didn’t allow their words to penetrate his heart. He immediately went to his Source for strength and help. When Nehemiah became aware of the growing opposition; in the face of this fear he prayed. This is what we need to learn, and this is what we need to do – when we face fear; when we become aware of opposition we need to pray.

Far too often we look and listen to the circumstance and become overwhelmed. We start to listen to the lies of the enemy and we retreat or start to doubt if God can help us. Our faith begins to die and fear begins to grow. Remember we have the power and authority to overcome our enemy. We should take note of the opposition, talk to god about it – but never stop doing what’s right.

Nehemiah never stopped, but continued to rebuild the walls.

5. Have a heart and mind to work.

Nehemiah 4:5 (Amplified)

“So we built the wall and all [of it] was joined together to half its height, for the people had a heart and mind to work.”

It is easy to get distracted by the enemy and focus on his threats and stop working on the task at hand. I believe many people have done this and still are doing this. They get discouraged and never complete what God called them to do. Remember, if the enemy isn’t attacking you, you are not a threat to him. Let’s be a threat to the kingdom of darkness every day. We should never give up doing well. We need to learn endurance and perseverance.

I remember when God showed me I didn’t have endurance in my life. He started to reveal my character of how I would always bolt when times were tough. It seemed to be my nature. But God required me to go back to a place I bolted from and to “stick it out.” Many times I wanted to leave. From the very beginning of coming back I wanted to exit. Opposition came at me hard and I had to stay where I was. I would overcome and endure one hardship and think I was done, but right away other opposition came. During this time of learning endurance one of my daughters was given a bracelet that simply had the word, “Endurance” on it. It was bright lime green. I knew God was showing me that I was exactly where I needed to be; learning endurance. So I asked my daughter if I could have the bracelet and I would wear it every time I wanted to bolt. It seemed I would wear it for days on end. But it was a reminder, as I would look down at my wrist that I needed to “keep on keeping on.”

“…so the people had a heart and mind to work.” These people had the vision in their hearts. They didn’t lose sight of what God called them to do. In fact they set a watch against the enemy day and night.

6. The enemy will come in many forms

Nehemiah 4:7 – 8 (Amplified)

“But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabians. Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem, were going up and that the breaches were being closed, they were very angry. And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem, to injure and cause confusion and failure in it.” 

The enemies hear of the Jews progress and they decide to get more intense with their threats. They gather more people with like minds to join together to injure and confuse the builders. There are Sanballats, Tobiahs, Arabians, and Ammonites out there today that will try and distract and discourage you. They may even come in the form of a fellow Christian, a family member, or a close friend. Bruce Wilkinson wrote a book entitled, “The Dream Giver.”

In it he refers to the “Border Bullies” who try and prevent us from going beyond what we know. They even come in the form of close relatives or friends. But we can’t allow them to. We have to remember Whom we choose to please.

7. Walking in discouragement gives the advantage to the enemy.

Nehemiah 4:9 – 13

But because of them we made our prayer to our God and set a watch against them day and night. And the leaders of Jerusalem said, The strength of the burden bearers is weakening, and there is much rubbish; we are not able to work on the wall. And our enemies said, They will not know or see till we come into their midst and kill them and stop the work. And when the Jews who lived near them came, they said to us ten times, You must return [to guard our little villages]; from all places where they dwell they will be upon us. So I set [armed men] behind the wall in places where it was least protected; I even thus used the people as families with their swords, spears, and bows.”

The enemy was very angry. They came back again and again, now this time with more force. The people became frightened and discouraged. They started to listen to their enemies’ threats. If we become discouraged the devil knows it and will try and capitalize on his progress. Our discouragement will become the enemy’s opportunity to bring more opposition and fear to stop us from doing what right. We have to keep our hearts and minds focused. We can’t afford a pity party. As soon as we start feeling sorry for ourselves, and bring others along to join our party, the devil sees our weakness and takes advantage of it. The more we “pet” the pity monster, the bigger it becomes, until we can’t see to do anything anymore. Self-pity is a form of pride. We have to stay focused and not fall into this sin.

Nehemiah didn’t flinch and assigned armed guards, even families, to guard the wall. Then the fearless leader gave a “pep talk” to the people.

8. Learn to encourage yourself in the Lord.

Nehemiah 4:14 (Amplified)

“I looked [them over] and rose up and said to the nobles and officials and the other people, Do not be afraid of the enemy; [earnestly] remember the Lord and imprint Him [on your minds], great and terrible, and [take from Him courage to] fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

As a leader, we have to give “pep talks” to encourage others. Most importantly we have to remember to give these talks to ourselves as well. There are enough things in this world that pull on us to get discouraged. We take ourselves where ever we go so it is imperative for us to learn to speak encouraging words to our self. This is faith in action. We can not rely on our emotions to direct us. In these verses the people were expressing their emotions to Nehemiah and not their faith.

9. Allow faith to arise in your spirit!

Proverbs 3:5 – 6 (NKJV)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct your paths.”

Bringing the word “understanding” down to the original Hebrew we find it means: “feel, or perceive” among other like meanings.

We can not go by our emotions or what we feel or perceive when it is contrary to the Word of God. We have to rely on God and His wisdom and understanding. We can lead ourselves astray with our own thinking if we have not diligently spent time with God, digesting His word,  and acknowledging Him for direction.

Allow faith to arise in you and stand on God’s word. Faith says: We can take this land. Faith says: God is for us so who can be against us? Faith says: No matter what my surroundings are I will trust in the Lord to bring me through. Faith says: If I can’t see God’s hand in action in my life I will trust His heart!

Nehemiah expressed that they should not be afraid as God is bigger! He reminded them to remember the Lord and how awesome His is and be strengthened in the Lord. This brought encouragement and the people kept on working. We should never stop working and doing what God assigns us to do. Don’t be a quitter even in the face of the enemy, endure and never quit.

10. Live everyday to work and fight!

Nehemiah 4:15 – 17 (Amplified)

“And when our enemies heard that their plot was known to us and that God had frustrated their purpose, we all returned to the wall, everyone to his work. And from that time forth, half of my servants worked at the task, and the other half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail (breastplate); and the leaders stood behind all the house of Judah. Those who built the wall and those who bore burdens loaded themselves so that everyone worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other hand.”

We can learn so much from this story about spiritual warfare in our everyday life. I think often times people don’t realize the enemy never lets up. Everyday he is trying to bring us down and to defeat us. Everyday the enemy wants us to fail and to give up.

We have to be militant and look at everyday as an opportunity to do what God has called us to do and to be aware of the enemy’s tactics. We have to build and fight!

Hide the Word of God in your heart so you can use it like a weapon when the enemy tries to attack. Continue on with your life and your calling no matter what the devil throws at you. Never give up!

11. Remember God will fight for you!

Nehemiah 4:18 – 20

“And every builder had his sword girded by his side, and so worked. And he who sounded the trumpet was at my side. And I said to the nobles and officials and the rest of the people, the work is great and scattered, and we are separated on the wall, one far from another. In whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. God will fight for us!”

God is our Mighty Warrior! He cannot fail. He never loses a battle, never flinches under pressure, and never turns in defeat and gives up. If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)? We are not fighting this battle alone. God is on our side. He will not leave us helpless or hopeless.

Psalm 118:6 – 7 

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side and takes my part, He is among those who help me; therefore shall I see my desire established upon those who hate me.”

Hebrews 13:5b – 6

“…for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]. So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?”

“What can man do to me?” It doesn’t matter what people think. If they don’t approve of what you are doing for God, let their opinion wash right off of you. Don’t allow another person’s opinion of you to prevent you from fulfilling your ultimate purpose and destiny in your life.

We will never have the approval of everyone. There will always be someone who doesn’t like you or what you do. No matter how much you try to please others, it will never completely happen. If you live your life to try and please others and win their approval, you are living in turmoil and becoming their puppet. You will never be happy or satisfied in life. It is not about what others think, but what God thinks. Live for pleasing God and not man.

12. Surround yourself with intercessors.

Nehemiah 4:21 – 23

“So we labored at the work while half of them held the spears from dawn until the stars came out. At that time also I said to the people, Let everyone with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that at night they may be a guard to us and a laborer during the day. So none of us – I, my kinsmen, my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me – took off our clothes; each kept his weapon [in his hand for days].”

Surround your self with people who will come and pray and support you. It is vitally important to have faithful people who will be at your side when you need it — people who have the same vision and goal as you — who will battle the enemy along side you. Remember we are stronger working together then we ever can be working as a loner.

Regardless of all the Sanballats and Tobiah’s in the world, the battle belongs to the Lord. He cannot fail! It is not in His character. God will fight for you! Remember one of the enemy’s tactics is to tell you many lies and mock you for your work. He will tell you how bad you are and how terrible the work you are doing is. Remind yourself you ARE on the right side and cannot be defeated. Even though you may get opposition, opposition doesn’t mean you are doing something wrong. Use opposition for your benefit. Allow it to fuel your determination to finish what you’ve started. When opposition comes turn it around and allow faith to arise in you.

Don’t oppose yourself. Don’t beat yourself up by believing the lies of the enemy. Don’t think you are a bad person just because there is opposition.

As you are cleaning the rubble from your past and rebuilding your present, trust that God has great plans for your future. He is rebuilding you and making you more like His Son. We have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16). Therefore we can, by His Spirit, think like Him, talk like Him, and act like Him. We are influenced by His Spirit.

Be strong and courageous in battle. Remember your Great Warrior is fighting the battle for you. Most importantly; Never Give Up!!!

Blessings,

Pastor Kris Belfils

www.krisbelfils.com

http://www.hopefellowshipspokane.com

by

12 Steps To Overcome Opposition (Part 1)

Opposition and Spiritual Warfare

We cannot talk about Spiritual warfare without talking about opposition. When ever you are doing a work for the Lord, or when God is bringing healing in your life you will experience opposition. People will question your motives of why you are doing what you are doing. You may experience opposition from people you least expect it from. Opposition may come through financial difficulties or health issues, family members, or co-workers. The question is: “What is your reaction when someone opposes you?”

Opposition will come. It may come from those you would expect, or it may come from the least likely person or source.

The enemy will try to intimidate you in hopes to prevent you from moving forward or succeeding.

I want to take a look at a book in the Bible that will shows us opposition will come, but it will also shows us how to keep on keeping on!

Nehemiah

 Nehemiah was a contemporary of Ezra and a cupbearer to the king. He led the Jewish captives back to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. His faith in God and his love for his people are impressive – and this, in spite of hardship and opposition. Opposition from the outside and discouragement from the inside, yet the task of rebuilding was complete in only fifty-two days. As in the story of Nehemiah and rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, he experienced opposition all along the way from his enemies. From the time he was given permission from the king and scouted out the land, to the very end of completing the walls, Nehemiah was attacked. I want to look at this story and see the steps to combat opposition and break intimidation your enemy will try to throw at you.

Living in the Rubble

Nehemiah 1:3

“And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.”

It is worth getting rid of the rubble in our lives. Sometimes the removal of rubble is costly. We may have to give up things. God might require change. Sometimes it is painful, but all the time it is worth cleaning up. Are you living in the rubble of broken dreams, or broken relationships? Do you look at the mess and think it is hopeless to try and rebuild? You need a different perspective on it. From God’s point of view He sees potential. He sees the finished product. Too many times we settle for the rubble and give up. We forget what was there. When God helps us rebuild He brings total healing to our foundation and starts to build up. He knows what needs to be integrated into the structure to fortify it. He knows the process we need to take to become whole again.

God is a god of completion. Just look at His creation and see His beautiful fruit, vegetation, trees, and people. A mango is complete from seed to growing into an adult ripe fruit. God will bring completion to your life too. It is easy to get frustrated when you don’t see the progress you want to see, but don’t get discouraged or give up. God has a plan and will rebuild you in His time.

Nehemiah 1:4 – 11 – Nehemiah’s prayer and cry to the Lord! he wept, and mourned, he fasted and prayed for many days.

Nehemiah 2:1-10 [READ] – Nehemiah sent to Jerusalem – Nehemiah didn’t tell anyone what was in his heart as he went out by night to see the destruction of the walls.

Nehemiah 2:11 – 17 [READ] – Nehemiah views the wall of Jerusalem

12 Steps to Overcome Opposition

1. Be wise to the words of the enemy.

Nehemiah 2:19 (HCSB)

“When Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked and despised us, and said, “What is this you’re doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 

We have to be wise to the words the enemy uses to try and bring discouragement and fear in our lives. In the case of Nehemiah, he stayed strong at each attack.

Nehemiah 4:1 – 3

“But when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and in a great rage, and he ridiculed the Jews. And he said before his brethren and the army of Samaria, What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore things [at will and by themselves]? Will they [try to bribe their God] with sacrifices? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish seeing they are burned? Now Tobiah the Ammonite was near him, and he said, What they build – if a fox, climbs upon it, he will break down their stone wall.”

Isn’t it amazing how the very insults had to do with Nehemiah’s faith and his actions? This is how the enemy works. Satan tries to hit us with his best shot and targets the very core of who we are.

In this case, Sanballat ridicules Nehemiah and calls him, and the rest of the Jews, “feeble” and questions their actions of rebuilding the walls. Sanballat also mocks the worship practices of the Jews by saying, “Will they [try to bribe their God] with sacrifices?” He knew how the Jews worshipped, and attacked with words that could have brought discouragement and fear. Yet Nehemiah didn’t flinch.

The last phrase of Sandballat’s attack, “Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish seeing they are burned?” is actually prophetic as that is exactly what the Jews accomplished.

Tobiah attacked their actions by stating, “What they build – if a fox, climbs upon it, he will break down their stone wall” insinuating all the work the Jews were doing was weak and will be destroyed easily.

This gives us a good look at how the devil works in our life. He will scheme and mock our faith and actions hoping we will start believing his lies and become fearful.

We have to recognize his lies from the beginning. If we start believing them we will fail. You see we are in a spiritual battle everyday. You enlisted in this battle when you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and believed in God. You are a soldier. You have to be militant!

2. Be a strong and courageous soldier. 

2 Timothy 2:3-4 (HCSB)

“Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. To please the recruiter, no one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of everyday life.”

Don’t get entangled with the concerns of everyday life. If you do, you will not see the enemy coming. We can trust God with our everyday concerns as we are delighting our self in Him and following His Word. We have to be strong and courageous as we work for the Lord or receive His healing touch of rebuilding.

God told Joshua to be strong and courageous many times. I believe this was because we as humans need that encouragement and reminder.

Joshua 1:6 – 9 (HCSB)

“Be strong and courageous, for you will distribute the land I swore to their fathers to give them as an inheritance. Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night, so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” 

Joshua was just that, “strong and courageous.” He fought the inhabitants of the land and won. The Israelites did receive their promise land. He didn’t allow fear to creep in to his thinking.

Fear can paralyze us if we let it. Fear has the potential to tear us apart and possibly divide us. We have to believe in faith that God will be there for us. He promises this in His word.

Joshua 10:8 (CEV)

“Joshua,” the LORD said, “don’t be afraid of the Amorites. They will run away when you attack, and I will help you defeat them.” 

3. Know your authority in Christ.

Our job is to get in the battle position that God has commanded us and let God to the rest. This has always been my motto when ever I do ministry of any kind, be it preaching, leading worship, or even one on one with someone. I know God will do His part as I am faithful and do what God has called me to do.

God has called us. We must be strong and bold and unashamed. We walk in the authority that has been given to us through Christ.

Luke 10:19 (HCSB)

“Look, I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy; nothing will ever harm you.”

Knowing this, we can be assured that God is with us and we should never be afraid of the enemy. The enemy wants us to believe we have no authority over him. Once we have this knowledge, he can’t do anything to us. He lies to us to believe he has power, but he doesn’t. Our fear can give him temporary power in that it stifles us and paralyzes us. That is why we need to not fear and to walk in the boldness God has given us.

3. know Your Authority In Christ

Authority over the enemy:

Isa 54:17 (HCSB)

“No weapon formed against you will succeed, and you will refute any accusation raised against you in court. This is the heritage of the LORD’s servants, and their righteousness is from Me.” This is the LORD’s declaration.” 

Mat 16:19 (KJV)

“And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 

Mar 6:7 (HCSB)

“He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs and gave them authority over unclean spirits.” 

Mar 16:15-18 (ESV)

“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 

Eph 6:10-18 (HCSB) 

“Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word. With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and stay alert in this, with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.” 

Be looking for 12 Steps to Overcome Opposition Part 2 next week.

Blessings,

Pastor Kris Belfils

http://www.krisbelfils.com

http://www.hopefellowshipspokane.com