Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 1 Corinthians 2:12-13

Jesus did not leave us to our own devices. God sent us a Helper, the wonderful Holy Spirit, to help with all the details of our lives (John 15:26; 16:13). There is a great deal at stake. That’s why it’s imperative we walk closely with God, crucify our flesh, be merciful, and cherish no other thought than to press on and flow with the Holy Spirit.

“This is the great day of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. You not only need to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, but you need to know how to help others receive the Holy Spirit. You are living in the midst of a generation that has awakened. Never has a generation, since the day the church started, been faced with more hungry, desperate, thirsty people who desire help from God. If we ever needed to know how to help people, it is today.” –John Osteen*

God wants to do something through you. The Holy Spirit is available to pull you out of the ordinary into the divinely effective. You are equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17): to lead your family members to Jesus before they die, to lay hands on the sick, to share the Gospel and break down walls.

We need to do everything we can to remove obstacles, increase our love walk, grow in the Spirit and go 100% with God’s will for our lives. God has a plan, and the gates of hell cannot prevail against what He’s about to do. Let’s deal with sin, get rid of hindrances and move to the next level. As we do so, we’ll be more effective than we’ve ever been.

We are equipped for every good work!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. *John Osteen, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Copyright 1980 by John Osteen.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

This verse shines a light on our position in this life. The God of the universe has given divinely powerful weapons to empower His people for an effective life! God has designated us to reinforce what Jesus has done through the power of His death, burial, and resurrection.

Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:14-17

In this world we are called to manifest Satan’s defeat. Christians are the people who stand strong and face trouble when everyone else is running away. When it comes to fear, the imagination can easily run out of control; so it’s important to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Let faith—trust and confidence—in God be your shield and use the two-edged sword of the Word to cut through every lie and attack of the devil.

For those of you who feel weary and without strength to resist the devil, look to God. He is your strength: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). God may direct you to get up out of self pity and go across town to minister to someone in a worse position. Shake off the extremes of numbing passivity and agitating paranoia. Cast down every imagination and look to God to receive strength and strategy for your life.

Stand Firm,

Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.