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Occupy Till I Come
Jesus said something in the 19th Chapter of Luke as he was teaching the parable of The Ten Servants from which I get the title of this blog; He said:
.........and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
One of the dictionary definitions of the word occupy is to hold your position or your possession. Yes, there are times when we need to fight off lies from the enemy. And we have the responsibility of binding and loosing, and we are to resist the devil, but I think sometimes we get way too carried away with spiritual warfare. Sometimes, the most spiritual thing you can do, is to simply stand.
Paul said it like this:
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
Part of the gospel, or good news, that Paul so fervently preached was that Jesus had in fact won the battle over the devil and was now victorious. And, because you have received that life-giving message, you too can now stand on that truth. The victory also belongs to you. You can stand on the word of God. You can stand on His promises. You stand on your faith. You are not fighting your way to a victory, yet you are coming from a victory. The real battle is over. Now the real responsibility is to simply stand your ground.
Now please don't get me wrong, standing does not imply laziness. Paul didn't say to lay down, or kick back in a recliner. Paul said stand. Sometimes you may be standing for long periods of time. That takes endurance and strength. And while you're standing there you're not to be letting your mind wander all over the place either. You have to be attentive, and on guard.
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
Paul teaches us that we are no longer battling for our territory. We have been given a position of authority and what we are to now do is simply take that position. We occupy or hold that position by standing!
Consider for a moment the palace guard pictured here. He is all decked out in his full armor so to speak. I am quite sure that the rifle he is holding is loaded and that bayonet is real. I am also certain that he is highly trained and more than likely authorized to kill if necessary. But I also bet that if you could get him to talk and if you asked him how many people he killed today his answer would more than likely be none. In fact, it would be highly probably that he had not killed anyone this month, or this year, or an even greater probability is that he never killed anybody, ever. So if you were to ask him what he were doing he would probably say, "I'm just standing here"!
Why is it that he is only standing? Because the battle for the territory which he now occupies has already been won. It was won a long time ago and now all he has to do is maintain that position.
In Ephesians Chapter 6 Paul gives us some more insight into this truth. I know that a lot of Christians use these verses as a basis for performing all that warfare but when we look at these passages from the perspective of past victory, the message becomes one not of constantly being in a battle, yet simply standing or holding the position we already have.
He says:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
We can do all the battle we want to do but the real power comes from just remaining, or standing strong in the Lord. It's not our might it's His!
He goes on to say:
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Just like that palace guard up there, we are to put on all of God's armour, but not so that we can go fight. We don't have to fight any longer. We put on that armour so that can stand in the victory that Jesus already won! The term "wiles of the devil" simply means his tactics of deceit, his trickery, or his schemes. The devil wants you to believe that you are still in the battle. His plan is to keep you from taking the position of victory.
The only battle we have to fight now is the battle over our minds. The real wickedness we are fighting in high places are our own thoughts. Every time we buy into one of satan's lies a part of our mind comes under dominion of the enemy, or as Paul puts it, a stronghold. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.
We can't fight spiritual battles in our flesh. You can wrestle all day long in the physical realm trying to obtain a victory but all that's going to do is tire you out. The real victory comes from knowing that the battle is over. The real victory comes from standing on the truth of who you now are in Christ.
Paul goes on the say in Ephesians: Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore,
having your loins girt about with truth,
and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Paul uses the word stand 4 times in this passage. Not fight. Not struggle. Not battle. Not run, or even walk, yet stand! When you have on all this armour, you may even be surrounded by your enemies but if you stand your ground and don't give up your territory, God will prepare a table for you in their very presence.
As a kid, I remember playing "king of the mountain". Do you remember that game? It was really simple. Usually a group of guys would come across some big mound of dirt or snow and then a battle would occur to see who could occupy or hold the position on the top. It was a great feeling if you ever were able to overthrow the guy who previously held that position. Standing on the top of that mound gave you an incredible sense of power and authority. And, once you were on the top, no longer were you battling to get there. All you had to do at that point was stand there and resist anyone who tried to take that position from you.
And so it is with the Kingdom of God my friends. If you are a child of God and have put on His full armour, and are standing strong in His might, then you no longer have to fight your way to the top of that hill. You are not working your way towards a victory because the victory is already one. The devil is a defeated foe!
Our faith is what pleases God. And not just having faith, but standing in it!
Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
 Picture yourself on the top of that mountain my friend! Raise your arms high above your head and shout Hallelujah! God promised those of us that are followers of Christ that we should be above only, and not beneath. If you are a Christ follower, then you are the head and not the tail. You are not merely a conqueror, yet you are more than a conqueror!
I encourage you today beloved to wrap that all-comforting armour of God around your entire life and stop falling for the lies that say the battle is yours. It's not. The battle is over and today, yes, even today, you can be King of The Mountain! And now that you see yourself on the top, be attentive, yes, and be strong, yes, but the fight is over and now your spiritual responsibilty is to simple STAND!
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
In love,
Michael
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| To add a comment to "Occupy Till I Come" |
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| January 17, 2009 |
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Michael, what can I say? AMEN! This is a wonderful word!!!! Yep, no arguments here....really. ;) |
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| January 17, 2009 |
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Michael
I wonder why the guard is armed if he did not know there is an enemy that he must eventually fight off? I wonder why Paul tells us to pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints Ephesians 6 Verse 18?. If we were meant to put on the whole armour of God and just stand there, I believe we would get rigormortis. I believe in two praying and watching with all supplication. Satan is ruling the day. Just take a look at the news and the pews. Perhaps too many are just standing and for too long. Jesus did His part yes. Now we are told to do our part part. Check out what Jesus taught us to do. He said this kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting. That is the problem right there. Too many suffering from rigormortis in the churches and homes. Too many believe they should just stand. Meanwhile the devil is on a rampage, looking for whom he will to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus tells us about the unclean spirit in Matthew 12/43-45. I try to apply what I read in the scriptures to life and in looking around, I find that many evil spirits leave and come back to see if the house is empty, and if it is he brings 7 other spirits and the last state of that individual is worse than his first. Many are walking around whose last state is worse than their first. They make believe they are christians but by their fruits, they deny Jesus Christ. Many are calling for revival. The way I see it revival means that someone must first be dead in order for them to be revived. Well, that is another blog. Well, these are just my thoughts......Sorry...... |
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| January 17, 2009 |
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Hi Michael and everyone:
What comes to mind for me is that we "defend the high ground." We've been given a victory, we're not trying to achieve one. Standing in the reality of who we are is warfare. The war we fight is a war of words: thoughts, speculations, and reasoning. We fight using the logos and with a rhema. "The sword of the spirit is the word [rhema] of God." [Eph 6]
ihsallthetime, I'm thinking that there is a difference between the guard of a ground that has been taken, and a soldier who is trying to take that ground. In my understanding, the perseverance and supplication that we are called to comes from a clear understanding that we have already been given "everything that pertains to life and godliness in Christ Jesus." We defend the high ground that has been given.
You'll notice that many, if not most, Christians pray as if the high ground isn't theirs already; they are trying through their prayers and supplications to get God to do something. They are not thanking God for what He has already done in Christ. And making supplication in the light of that.
Blessings!
Craig |
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| January 17, 2009 |
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| Well-written Micheal. Coming off a mychurch sabbatical, this blog is just what I needed to get my thoughts flowing. I agree with your analysis of God's word. Why waste time battling over a victory, we have already won? I have had remarkable peace for the past few weeks simply because I have learned to rest in the grace of God. My postion and place is secure. My hope is built on Jesus. I am nolonger searching for a miracle or a blessing. I am a miracle. I am blessed. |
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| January 17, 2009 |
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I do know for sure that many times I awake from a deep sleep to pray for a specific individual, only to find out later that the person needed those prayers. A recent occurence was a plane that landed two doors down from my daughters residence, while my grandchildren were sleeping. Completely disinegrating two homes and I believe the last report was five people died and two were severly burned. The propellor was in my daughter's back yard and those houses are very close to each other. I was up almost the entire night before praying for specific protection for her, her house, her car and the children. When I saw her vehicle in her carport on the news I knew my Father heard my prayer, but I believe it was the Holy Spirit in me that urged me to wake up and pray. I could speak of many such instances where lives were saved super-naturally through prayers and supplications. I would rather do than don't and regret it later.
Shalom to all my friends
Sister Marcia. |
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| January 17, 2009 |
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HAHAHAHA...{{OKAY}} LOL!!!!
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| January 17, 2009 |
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Marcia,
Great testimony! In my understanding we are the body of Christ and are therefore the asking end of Jesus; all that He does He does through us, the result being that we then ask the Father through Him. :-) You were awakened from sleep and--in my view--were prompted by the Spirit to pray a specific prayer--not a vague generality. At the end of such a prayer one might well say: "Thank you Father, I know that you have heard my supplication and therefore I believe I have received what I have ask for." The fact that you later see the result is the expected outcome.
It seems to me that you could not be praying like that if you were merely attempting to micro-manage your loved ones by the means of prayer. Thus becoming God's advisor and councilor so that He'll know what He's supposed to be doing. Rather we expect Him to move upon our hearts and direct our attention to what His will is in a given circumstance and in the light of that we ask in faith. You may not think of it in those terms...I'm not sure since you seemed--to me--to be responding to what either I or revstarr wrote (don't know just my speculation here). :-)
Yours in Him,
Craig |
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| January 17, 2009 |
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Cheryl...I have no idea what you were laughing about. :-)
Your brother in the Lord,
Craig |
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| January 17, 2009 |
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Well , Craig, it's just one of those silly long stories!!!!! Poor Mike has heard an earful from this crazy blonde!!! LOL!! :)
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| January 18, 2009 |
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Great Blog Michael :0) Ishallthetime- That soldier may look like he is standing there doing nothing but he is also trained- His weapons are loaded and on the outside he looks like he is just standing there- he is not being idle. On the inside he is taking note of who is where, he is paying attention to the sounds and the people he is doing a whirlwind of mental work and still keeping his duty by standing still and keeping guard- As mature christians, we are called to do the same at times too- on the outside stand still but on the inside we do not need to be idle... we can do what we were trained to do and that is pray, pay attention to the things going on around us, yes the battle is the Lord's and we are already winner's but we still need to do what He has called us to do. Nice post! |
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| January 19, 2009 |
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| While I agree that sometimes all we need to do is stand our ground, I do think that we need to be constantly aware that there is spiritual warfare going on around us. The devil will never give up in this life, trying to knock us off track. He especially works hard on those that are doing more good for God. So the closer you are to God, and the more you are doing for His kingdom, be assured the devil will be working even harder to knock you off course. He doesn't want to see any good happen. It is hard to stand strong, but if we are walking close to God, He will protect us...we have to put on that armor though, or else we will be open more for attacks. |
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| January 19, 2009 |
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Hello everyone!
Sorry I have not done a very good job of hosting this blog, but then again, do I ever?
I feel as though the point I was presenting has been, for the most case, received in the wrong light. Some of the comments seem to be on the same page, others not so.
Using the illustration of "the king of the mountain", as we stand on the victorious top, it is not as if we do not have others trying to take that position from us.
The point of this blog was that we are no longer at the bottom of the hill trying to fight our way to the top. The truth is we stood on the shoulders of Jesus in a sense and He elevated us to the position we now defend.
In other words:
We are not the weak trying to get strong. We are the strong and the devil is trying to deceive us into thinking we are weak and take that position of authority from us.
We are not the poor trying to get rich. We are the rich and the devil is trying to deceive us into thinking we are poor and take that position of authority from us.
We are not the sick trying to get healed. We are the healed and the devil is trying to deceive us into thinking we are sick and take that position of authority from us.
We are not at the bottom of the hill trying to get to the top. We are at the top of the hill and the devil is trying to knock us off.
But the battle is not our there in the heavenlies somewhere, it's right between your ears.
Stand your ground. Hold your territory. Occupy the land that is rightfully yours!
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| January 19, 2009 |
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Let's put it this way, the world was created by the "SPOKEN WORD". In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. There was nothing created that was not created by Him. The Word tells us to pray without ceasing. The Word says the "fervent" prayers of the "righteous" avails MUCH. The Word taught that when two agree in praying about anything it shall be done of His Father in heaven. The Word prayed all the time and taught His disciples to pray. The Word went back to heaven and told His disciples when they get together remember Him; meaning pray and remember that He prayed. The Word was sad because His disciples could not even stay up one hour to pray while He was praying and sweating blood for them. How selfish is that? Are we His disciples now to just stand on the Word? Or are we commanded to DO something with what He taught? Yes my friends The Word cannot become flesh in our lives without the communion of PRAYER and please do not tell me otherwise, because it is too late in the day and I have too many personal testimonies of answered prayers. Alleluia!!!!!! How will I know if the Word works if I do not test it in my life and in the lives of others when I pray for them? THANK YOU JESUS. Let's not get it twisted. WE MUST PRAY, PRAY AND PRAY AGAIN UNTIL HIS KINGDOM COMES AND HIS WILL IS DONE. We are commanded to go into all the world and share the GOOD NEWS. To teach otherwise is anti-christ.
Shalom to all my friends
Sister Marcia |
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| January 19, 2009 |
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Thanks Marcia!
You've missed the entire point of this blog, but hey, you're still welcome here anytime. |
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| January 19, 2009 |
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| The devil has been defeated and has been dragged through the streets of the Kingdom in one perpetual Victory parade. It started in Genesis and ended in Revelation. The problem is that a majority of Christians missed the parade |
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| January 19, 2009 |
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Marcia responded to the following statement by Michael:-
The battle is over and today, yes, even today, you can be King of The Mountain! And now that you see yourself on the top, be attentive, yes, and be strong, yes, but the fight is over and now your spiritual responsibilty is to simple STAND!
So if Marcia missed the entire point of this blog, perhaps she needs "spiritual goggles huh?" LOL. Anyway, thank you my friend Michael, I am happy that I am still welcome... So... tell me, when did you see the devil being dragged through the streets of the Kingdom? I'm sorry I missed that one.....ha ha ha ha! That's a good one. ha ha ha ... maybe Sheryl should get her jet now... there may a party on My Church sooon.ha ha ha.....
Shalom to all my friends.
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| January 19, 2009 |
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Hi Marcia!
Consider this:
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Have you ever heard of a triumphal parade? They used to drag defeated rulers through city streets naked and tied to horses. It was a sign to the people that this particular enemy would never again be able to torment them.
And that's exactly what Jesus has done to the devil. The only real power he has is what we allow him.His only power now id deception.
The parade was awesome! Wish you would have been there! |
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| January 19, 2009 |
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| OK, that may have been slightly sarcastic and I apologize. But the devil IS a defeated foe! That's the reason for the parade in the first place. Surely you are aware of this. |
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| January 19, 2009 |
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And......Marcia.....
I loved your earlier testimony and Craig's follow-up response. And please, do not think that Cheryl's comment had anything to do with either of those. Cheryl was making an inside personal joke to me that was in no way related to your story. It was merely coincidental that she posted a picture of a jet right after your comment. I hope you understand.
This blog, my comments, nor anyone else's are meant to ruffle feathers or reject what your position is. |
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| January 19, 2009 |
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My dear friend Michael, if the devil, satan or his imps were defeated, then why are people still sick, mentally and physically? Surely you do not really believe this? The only time the devils is defeated is when someone is born-again, and they use the written word against the mental and physical attacks. The Word then becomes the Sword and that is when the battle is won in that particular individual's life. Like I stated in my original response, many are suffering from rigormortist from just standing on the Word. Most have a form of Godliness and deny the POWER thereof. Too many are just standing and satan is having a field day within their homes. All you need do is listen to the daily news and you will know if the devil is really defeated. As I see it satan has already done much damage. Perhaps we need more men to move in the spirit and pray until satan and his imps is truly defeated. The battles are raging in most homes. See the book of Deuteronomy chapter 28 for starters for generation blessing and curses and then look around and ask yourself if you see any curses manifesting. Then go to Mark chapter 16 and know that God is true to His Word.
Shalom to all my friends on My Church |
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| January 19, 2009 |
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| Personally Cheryl's comment does not bother me. Some people however, found it very rude. May I suggest that next time she may want to send you a personal message. No hard feelings my friend. |
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| January 19, 2009 |
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Marcia:
I hear what you're saying. You see, when I write my blogs, because we are a church, I make the assumption that my readers are born-again and do use the written word as a sword. The devil is alive in the world, but why shouldn't he be? He's god.
But for a believer, his power has been stripped. He has been declawed and defanged, He's only "like" a roaring lion. The truth is that he'll squench up in a corner when confronted by a new testament believer.
As far as the lost world, we don't win them with prayer. We preach the gospel. We can pray for workers to come across their path. We can pray for the word to fall on fertile soil. But the battle with evil powers and principalities is not ours.
I think I have a ,lot of power in the spiritual world. But I assure you that my great prayers don't add anything to what Jesus already did. My only hope is to change one heart at a time.
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| January 19, 2009 |
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As usual, I had not read anyone's comments before I placed mine above, I am my own person and write a comment based on what I hear God telling me. I am an Advocate for being a Peace Keeper. I never meant to offend anyone, that would be the joke of a life time if someone thought I ever would do something like that!! I will however post as I feel the Lord leads and only as I feel the Lord leads only, jokes included...it was not an off-colored joke and was a blessing to Mike and I from something we were talking about. I left the same plane on a few other blogs about different friendship references just like I have done with other things and different friends, thats all it meant. I am sorry if I offended anyone.
Much love, peace and blessings to you!!
xoxo |
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