Latest / Accidental Bible Scholar / Spiritual Warfare, Part 7: Belt of Truth and Breastplate of Righteousness

Transcript

Spiritual Warfare, Part 7: Belt of Truth and Breastplate of Righteousness · Accidental Bible Scholar

• Randy: So Jeff Ward: So Randy: we had these defensive weapons that we've most recently talked about is the helmet of salvation. Then we had this offensive weapon, which is the sword of the spirit. Jeff Ward: We have these defensive weapons that we've most recently talked about is the helmet of salvation. Then we have this offensive weapon, which is the sword of the spirit. And then it says praying in the spirit and praying at all times. And then he goes back and says and he gives them what he wants them to pray for them. So those are our exam z the sword of the spirit, what we speak and what we say, and then what we pray and how we pray. Randy: And then he says praying in the spirit and praying at all times. And then he goes back and says, and he gives them what he wants them to pray for them. So those are our exam z the sword of the spirit, what we speak and what we say, and then what we pray and how we pray, which there's obviously some overlap there, is is are really the two offensive places. but So I put here, Ephesians 6.17 describes a believer whose mind is guarded by the reality of salvation and whose hand is armed with the word of God. You could back that out and go all the way back to where we started in this section in Romans six and add the the belt of truth and and peace and faith and and those things and and righteousness that we've already talked about. So we have all that as our guard and we have and we take up the word of God, but we are to take it up. We are to speak God's word. so I put here we do not fight trying to become victorious enough to earn a place in Christ. Ephesians, this whole book has already established our position before it ever describes the warfare. Jeff Ward: So, up here, we do not fight trying to become victorious enough to earn a place in Christ. Ephesians, this whole book has already established our position before it ever describes the warfare. We stand because God has blessed us in Christ, He has redeemed us, sealed us, made us alive, raised us up, and seated us with Christ. And now Ephesians 6 talks about standing firm in that, taking up all these implements of armor we talked about, and then taking up the sword of the Spirit. Randy: We stand because God has blessed us in Christ. He has redeemed us, sealed us, made us alive, raised us up, and seated us with Christ. And now Ephesians 6 talks about standing firm in that, taking up all these implements of armor we talked about, and then taking up the sword of the Spirit. And I just concluded that little section with it is written. Jeff Ward: And I just included that little section with it is written. What I want to talk about here, just go a little further, is Randy: What I want to talk about here, just go a little further, is. I want to talk about some more areas of warfare. So s what are some of our more offensive weapons? What's the big sword we pull out and start whacking through stuff? and I wanted to Jeff Ward: I wanna talk about some more areas of warfare. So s s what are some of our more offensive weapons? What's the big sword we pull out and start whacking through stuff? and I wanted to mention this and this take a few more this might be the next section here. This is much of this is what saying is taken from a man named Randy: mention this and this take a few more. This might be the next section here. This is much of this is what saying is taken from a man named Jeff Ward: his sermons that I've listened to through the years, a man named Derek Prince. Derek is D E R E K. Derek Prince. He's a World War II veteran. He's an Englishman. He fought in the British Army. He was a a Greek scholar and taught at Randy: his sermons that I've listened to through the years, a man named Derek Prince. Derek is D-E-R-E-K. Derek Prince. He's a World War II veteran. He's an Englishman. He fought in the British Army. He was a a Greek scholar and taught at one of the big universities, Cambridge maybe. And don't quote me on that. Before he became a believer, he became a believer in northern Africa Jeff Ward: big univers Cambridge maybe and don't quote me on that. Before he became a believer. He became a believer in northern Africa Randy: as he's coming through with the British Army, became a believer there. And then that changed his life forever. Jeff Ward: as he's coming through with the British Army became a believer there and then that changed his life forever Randy: And he he's super smart. That's why I listened to his stuff because he's a gazillion times smarter than me. But he's he he he understands Greek because he was the a Greek scholar before he was a believer. And then when he he's the kind of guy that w like when he wanted to understand Hebrew, he took packed up his family and they moved to dr to Israel for like five years. Jeff Ward: And he he's super smart. That's why I listen to his stuff because he's a gazillion times smarter than me. But he's he he he understands Greek because he was a a Greek scholar before he was a believer. And then when he he's the kind of guy that w like when he wanted to understand Hebrew, he took packed up his family and they moved to to Israel for like five years. So he could understand and study Hebrew. so he knows a lot of but but let me he he says there are three Randy: So he could understand and study Hebrew. so he knows a lot of but but let me he he says there are three foundational weapons, and then there are offshoots of those. But the three foundational weapons are the word of God or the sword of spirit. That's what we just kind of talked about. I'm not going to go into that. Jeff Ward: foundational weapons and then there are offshoots of those. But the three foundational weapons are the word of God or the sword of spirit. That's what we just kind of talked about. I'm not going to go into that. Randy: because we just talked about that. Jeff Ward: because we just talked about that. Randy: The next one is the name of Jesus. So of the the second of the three foundational is his name. We have his name. His name is the foundation. We're actually commanded in first John 323 to believe in the name of his son, of his dearly loved son, Jesus Christ. Okay? Jeff Ward: The next one is the name of Jesus. So of the the second of the three foundation is his name. We have his name. His name is the foundation. We're actually commanding in 1 John 3:23 to believe in the name of His Son, of His dearly Loved Son, Jesus Christ. Okay. Put here Flip Philippians 2, 9 through 10. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and given him the name which is above every name. That the name of Jesus, every knee should bow. So at the name of Jesus. Randy: Put here, Philippi Philippians two, nine through ten. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and given him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. So at the name of Jesus, Jeff Ward: Everything, every knee has to bow. Disease has to bow. Lack has to bow. Poverty has to bow. Spirit of fear has to bow. Spirit of infirmity. All these must must Randy: everything, every knee has to bow. Disease has to bow. Lack has to bow. Poverty has to bow. Spirit of fear has to bow. Spirit of infirmity. All these must must must bow. In Mark 16, there's a list of things that believers will be known by. One of the things they'll known by, or there's these several things that they do in my name, they will cast out demons and heal the sick and those things. in John 14, 13, he says, Whatever you ask in my name, that will I do. John 1413. He says that a couple of times in John 14, 15, 16. I think he says a total of four times covering six verses. Jeff Ward: must bow. In Mark 16, there's a list of things that believers will be known by. One of the things they'll know by it, or there's these several things that they do in my name, they will cast out demons and heal the sick and those things. in John 1413 he says, Whatever you ask in my name, that will I do. John 1413. He says that a couple of times in John 14, 15, 16 and he says a total of four times covering six verses. Randy: Peter Jeff Ward: Peter in Randy: In Acts chapter three, he says, Money, he's looking at a beggar Jeff Ward: Acts chapter three he says money he's looking at a beggar. who's who's crippled, he says, Money I don't have, but I'll give you what I have. And he says the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. In that name is power. I love I use a lot of times in my thinking and and and speaking and thought is Jesus Christ of Nazareth. I like putting in the Nazareth part in there because it establishes this his humanity. Establishes he's from somewhere. He's from a point on the planet. Randy: who's who's crippled, and he says, Money I don't have, but I'll give you what I have. And he says, In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. In that name is power. I love, I use a lot of times in my thinking and and and speaking and thought is Jesus Christ of Nazareth. I like putting in the Nazareth part in there because it establishes his humanity, establishes he's from somewhere. He's from a point on the planet. Jeff Ward: So he is one of us. He is a hundred percent human while being a hundred percent God. Randy: So he is one of us. He is 100% human while being 100% God. that's what in Christ, the anointed part of that. Jesus Christ of Nazareth includes his divinity and his humanity. And keep in mind, this is not a verbal formula. It's not adding in Jesus' name at the end of your prayer. It's actually using. Jeff Ward: And keep in mind, this is not a verbal formula. It's not adding in Jesus' name at the end of your prayer. It's actually us exercising the authority of our big brother, of our king who has designated us as kings with authority. It's it's moving in that authority is what it means. And moving in his person, moving in his name is what we're invoking through our commands and praying in his name. The next, the third, the next one, so that's the word of God, the next. Randy: Exercising the authority of our big brother, of our king, who has designated us as kings with authority. It's it's moving in that authority is what it means. And moving in his person, moving in his name is what we're invoking through our commands and praying in his name. The next, the third, the next one, so that's the word of God, the name Jeff Ward: Name of Jesus, and the next one is the blood of Jesus. It is his blood that has established the covenant. Randy: of Jesus, and the next one is the blood of Jesus. It is his blood that has established the covenant. Jeff Ward: It is his blood that he walked into heaven, according to Hebrews, he walked into heaven, not with the blood of goats or rams, but with his own blood as he as he purified the things of in heaven, which is interesting concept. We won't go into that, but Randy: It is his blood that he walked into heaven. According to Hebrews, he walked into heaven, not with the blood of goats or rams, but with his own blood as he as he purified the things of in heaven, which is interesting concept. We won't go into that, but to think and understand the things need to be purified. But when I go into there, according to John Hebrews 4 16, I come boldly before the throne of grace. I'm actually like Jeff Ward: To think and understand that things need to be purified. But when I go into there, according to John Hebrews 4:16, I come boldly before the throne of grace. I'm actually like like the high priest standing before the Ark of the Covenant on the Day of Atonement. He sprinkles blood on there and he sprinkles it where he's going to stand. I'm standing on the blood of Jesus. I'm standing on the blood that he brought into. Randy: Like the high priest standing before the Ark of the Covenant on the Day of Atonement. He sprinkles blood on on there and he sprinkles it where he's going to stand. I'm standing on the blood of Jesus. I'm standing on the blood that he brought into the Holy of Holies, the real Holy of Holies, the one where we're that's in heaven. He brought his blood, and there's a place with my name on it. It's been sprinkled with his blood. It is by his blood that I do that. It is by his blood that I have the power. Jeff Ward: the holy of holies, the real holy of holies, the one where we're that's in heaven. He brought his blood and there's a place of my name on it that's been sprinkled with his blood. It is by his blood that I do that. It is by his blood that I have the power to do the things he has called me to do. This blood, this sacrificial blood, this spilling of blood, of human blood, Randy: To do the things he has called me to do. This blood, this sacrificial blood, this spilling of blood, of human blood, creates, and any blood to some degree, it creates or ratifies the altar that it is placed on. And an altar is a portal or a is a connection between the seen and the unseen. Jeff Ward: creates in any blood to some degree, it creates or ratifies the altar that it is placed on. And an altar is a portal or a is a connection between the seen and the unseen. Randy: And Jesus, the i it's his blood on the altar that discussed in Revelation different places, the altar in heaven. That is the altar that is above all. It's got four horns in creating imp implying four is is is for earth and and and and creation, and then the horns are a position of authority. It is the altar because it is has had the blood of Jesus poured on it. Revelation twelve eleven says. Jeff Ward: And Jesus the it is his blood on the altar that discussed in Revelation different places the altar in heaven. That is the altar that is above all. It's got four horns in creating imp implying four is is is for earth and and and and creation, and then the horns are a position of authority. It is the altar because it is has had the blood of Jesus poured on it. Revelation twelve eleven it says, and they overcame talking about the end time believers, which that's Randy: It says, and they overcame, talking about the end time believers, which that's Jeff Ward: That's us. And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb. Him is the accuser of the brethren, Satan. They overcame him by the blood of the lamb and the word of the testimony, and they were not afraid to give their life. Randy: us, and they overcame him by the blood of the lamb. Him is the accuser of the brethren, Satan. They overcame him by the blood of the lamb and the word of the testimony, and they were not afraid to give their life. By the blood of the Lamb. It is by that blood that we do everything. It's how we operate in the spirit realm. It's how we operate in truth. It is how we operate in the physical realm. It is how we are welcomed into heaven. Jeff Ward: It is by that blood that we do everything. Yeah. It's how we operate in the spirit realm. It's how we operate in truth. It is how we operate in the physical realm. It is how we are welcomed into heaven. we've already talked read Ephesians 1 7. We have redemption through his blood. First John 1 7 says, by the blood of Jesus, his Son cleanses us from all sin. Romans 5:9. Much more than having now been justified or made right or made righteous by his blood. Randy: we've already talked, read Ephesians 1 7. We have redemption through his blood. First John 1 7 says by the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. Romans 5 9. Much more than, having now been justified or made right or made righteous by his blood. Jeff Ward: This is a quote from Derek Prince. He says, We overcome Satan when we testify personally to what the Word says the blood of Jesus does for us. We overcome Satan when we testify personally to what the word says the blood of Jesus does for us. That's the testimony that Romans, that Revelation 12 is talking about. And it's in conjunction with the with the Randy: This is a quote from Derek Prince. He says, We overcome Satan when we testify personally to what the word says the blood of Jesus does for us. We overcome Satan when we testify personally to what the word says the blood of Jesus does for us. That's the testimony that Romans, that Revelation 12 is talking about. And it's in conjunction with the with the blood of Jesus. So these Jeff Ward: blood of Jesus. So these long range or these bigger weapons that are outside of Ephesians 6 of the small sword, the big sword if you will, is is the foundational ones of the Word of God, the name of Jesus, and the blood of Jesus. There are many ways that we can employ these and that's what I'll talk to next. So yeah, maybe this is a whole nother session. Let's see. Alright, so prayer. Randy: Long range or these bigger weapons that are outside of Ephesians six of the small sword, the big sword, if you will, is is the foundational ones of the Word of God, the name of Jesus, and the blood of Jesus. There are many ways that we can employ these, and that's what I'll talk to next. So yeah, maybe this is a whole nother session. let's see. All right. So prayer. That is one way you employ the word of God. That is one way you employ the name of Jesus. That is one way you employ the blood of Jesus or apply the blood of Jesus. it is, it is prayer is is you operating in the spirit realm and you can reach anywhere. we I talked to you for a we have a two year old granddaughter that's sick today. Angela and I can through prayer operate a 12 hour drive away in Cincinnati. We can operate right there real time through prayer. Jeff Ward: That is one way you employ the word of God. That is one way you employ the name of Jesus. That is one way you employ the blood of Jesus or apply the blood of Jesus. It is prayer is you operating in the spirit realm and you can reach anywhere. We I talked to you for earlier on we have a two-year-old granddaughter that's sick today. Angela and I can through prayer operate a 12-hour drive away in Cincinnati. You can operate right there real time through prayer. Randy: through the authority of the blood of Jesus, through the name of or authority and name of Jesus as well, and the and the word of God. let's see. Jeff Ward: Through the authority of the blood of Jesus, through the name of authority and name of Jesus as well, and the and the word of God. Let's see. We already read this, but for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal. Randy: We already read this, but for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. So these things we're talking about is will pull down the stronghold. That lie that's hiding behind that fortress, that belief that's so deep you really don't even aren't even aware of it. God's word, God's through prayer, through using the blood of Jesus, the authority of his name, and his word can tear that down. let's see. Jeff Ward: Mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. So these things we're talking about is will pull down the stronghold. That lie that's hiding behind that fortress, that belief that's so deep you really don't even aren't even aware of it. God's word, God's through prayer, through using the blood of Jesus, the authority of his name, and his word can tear that down. let's see. Randy: The next one. Jeff Ward: The next one is praise. And praise is kind of goes along with praise, worship, thanksgiving. Those are kind of those are not the same. But these are all powerful weapons. But praise is explicitly discussed as a as an offensive weapon. And let me show you this real quick. Let's go to Psalms 8:2 and Randy: is is praise. And praise is kind of goes along with praise, worship, thanksgiving. Those are kind of those are not the same, but these are all powerful weapons. But praise is explicitly discussed as a as a offensive weapon. And let me show you this real quick. Let's go to Psalms 82 and Psalm Do it in the New King James. I can't remember I got several versions in my head. I can't remember the one I want to talk to, but let's see if let's see it Psalms eight two you said? Yes, Psalms eight In the New King James. Yeah. Jeff Ward: Do it in New King James. I can't remember I got several versions in my head. I can't remember the one I want to talk to, but let's see if Psalms you said? Yes, Psalms eight two. In the New King James. Yeah. Okay. Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have ordained strength because of your enemies, that you may silence the enemy and the avenger. Okay, so this is out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants. Randy: Okay, so this is out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants, you have ordained strength. Think that I mean so this strength comes out of the mouth of babes and is it is ordained strength by God. Because, here's the purpose and the why, because of your enemies. Jeff Ward: So this strength comes out of the mouth of babes and is it is ordained strength by God. Because here's the purpose and the why. Because of your enemies, that you may silence the enemy and the avenger. So these this ordained strength that is from babes and nursing infants silences the enemy and silences the avenger. It takes them down. So now Randy: That you may silence the enemy and the avenger. So these this ordained strength that is from babes and nursing infants silences the enemy and silences the avenger. It takes them down. So now let's go to Matthew 21, verse 16. And while you're looking that up, this is Jesus quoting Psalms 8.2. So this is Jesus quoting what we just read in Psalms 8 2. Jeff Ward: Let's go to Matthew twenty one, verse sixteen. And while you're looking that up, this is Jesus quoting Psalms eight two. So this is Jesus quoting what we just read in Psalms eight two. Okay. Matthew twenty one, sixteen. And he said to him, Do you hear what these are saying? And Jesus said to them, Yes. Have you never Randy: Matthew twenty one, sixteen. And he said to him, Do you hear what these are saying? And Jesus said to them, Yes. Have you never Jeff Ward: read, out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants, you have perfected praise. Pre yeah, perfected praise. Okay. Randy: Babes and nursing infants, you have perfected praise. Pre yeah, perfected praise. Okay. Jesus quotes 8-2, Psalm 8-2, but he changes the words slightly. The difference, he takes ordained strength and replaces it with perfected praise. Jeff Ward: Difference, he takes ordained strength and replaces it with perfected praise. So Jesus is telling us that the ordained strength that the psalmist is talking about in Psalms 8:2 is actually perfected praise. So out of the mouths of Baze and nursing and nursing infants, perfected praise silences the enemy and silences the avenger. But here Randy: So Jesus is telling us that the ordained strength that the psalmist is talking about in Psalms 8 2 is actually perfected praise. So out of the mouse of Baze and nursing inf and nursing infants, perfected praise silences the enemy and silences the avenger. But here, praise silences Satan, particularly Satan's activity as an accuser. Jeff Ward: Praise silences Satan, particularly Satan's activity as an accuser. Interesting. Yeah, that's that's awesome. What's that? I said that's awesome. Let's go to I mean as we continue thinking about praise as a weapon, go to Second Chronicles chapter twenty, verse twenty one, and then I'll have you read verse twenty two after you know a little dramatic pause. Or I might say something. I don't know. Second Chronicles twenty. Second Chronicles twenty versus twenty one. Okay. Randy: Yeah, that's something what's that? I said that's awesome. Let's go to I mean as we continue thinking about praise as a weapon, go to Second Chronicles chapter twenty, verse twenty one, and then I'll have to read verse twenty two after, you know, a little dramatic pause. Or I might say something, I don't know. Second Chronicles twenty. Second Chronicles twenty verses twenty one. Okay. Jeff Ward: I'm gonna go back to the N E T unless you want me to. I don't know. I got something written here, but I didn't write down Randy: I don't know. I got something written here but I didn't write down what where I took it from. So let's see. If the N T's good. All right, do the new King James. Jeff Ward: Okay. I'll do the new King James then. Alright, do the new King James. And twenty twenty-two. Twenty twenty-one. Twenty twenty-one. And when he had consulted Randy: Twenty twenty one. Twenty twenty one. And when he had consulted Jeff Ward: with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord and who should praise the beauty of holiness. As they went out before the army and were saying, Praise the Lord for his mercy endures forever. Praise the Lord for his nursing endurance endures forever. We're kind of stopping you right there. We're gonna go into the next one, but we're just talking. Randy: Who should sing to the Lord and who should praise the beauty of holiness? As they went out before the army and were saying, Praise the Lord for his mercy endures forever. Praise the Lord for his mercy enduring forever. We're kind of stopping you right there. We're gonna go into the next one, but we're talk we're stopping or we're we're in the context of King Jehoshaphat. He's about to go to war. And he's gonna put the choir out front. Jeff Ward: We're stopping or we're we're in the context of King Jehoshaphat. He's about to go to war. And he's gonna put the choir out front, which happens a number of times. Happens when they march around Jericho, it happens a number of places. Read verse twenty-two. Randy: Which happens a number of times. Happens when they march around Jericho, it it happens a number of places. Read verse twenty two. Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, they were defeated. Okay. So when they began to sing and to praise, the enemy was defeated. That's kind of Jeff Ward: Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, and they were defeated. Okay, so when they began to sing and to praise, the enemy was defeated. That's kind of Randy: a a a very real picture of Psalms eight two. Jeff Ward: picture of Psalms eight two as with the words changed by Jesus in Matthew twenty one. So my question has been, as I look at these instances where they put the choir out front, which you know you've you're a tactician of some sort being a fighter pilot. that's not the way you would normally go to war, right? I mean you don't put your choir out front. Nope. so unless you Randy: as with the words changed by Jesus in Matthew twenty one. So my question has been, as I look at these instances where they put the choir out front, which, you know, you've you're a tactician of some sort, being a fighter pilot. that's not the way you would normally go to war, right? I mean you don't put your choir out front. so unless you Jeff Ward: want them to be dispensable. Yeah maybe depends on who acquires yourself. Randy: Yeah, maybe it depends on who the choir is. Yeah. So here here's what I thought. I thought, well, why did he do that? Did he do that to show God's strength? And you go, Well, yeah, I can see that, you know. well, you know, God could say, Hey, I can defeat an enemy with the choir. You know, that's that's that's that's real strength. And that's probably some of it. I'm not saying it's not not at all. Or what about this? Jeff Ward: Here here's what I thought. I thought, well, why did he do that? Did he do that to show God's strength? And you go, Well, yeah, I can see that. You know, well, you know, God could say, Hey, I can defeat an enemy with the choir. You know, that's that's that's that's real strength. And that's probably some of it. Not saying it's not not at all. Or what about this? What if it's a test? What if it's a test for King Jehoshaphat? Let's just see if he'll do that. Randy: What if it's a test? What if it's a test for King Jehoshaphat? Let's just see if he'll do that as a test. Very seldom does Jesus go, let's just see if he'll do this. All of his commands have a purpose that are that are backed by something that maybe we don't understand, but are something about the way he designed his creation and some of the spiritual laws and rules that that Jeff Ward: as a test. Very seldom does Jesus go, let's just see if he'll do this. All his commands have a purpose that are that are backed by something that maybe we don't understand, right? But are something about the way he designed his creation. And some of the spiritual laws and rules that that that maybe we're familiar with where we're not, we can actually become familiar with them by studying his commands. Randy: that maybe we're familiar with way where we're not, we can actually become familiar with him by studying his commands. So I don't think it's a test, although it is a test. and certainly he does test us some. Abraham is is an example that comes to mind. and you go, okay, yeah, that's part of the answer. But I here's what I really think the the the real reason that these guys put the choir out front on God's order Jeff Ward: So I don't think it's a test, although it is a test. Yeah. and certainly he does test us some. Abraham is his example that comes to mind. Sure. and you go, okay, yeah, that's part of the answer. But I here's what I really think the the the real reason that these guys put the choir out front on God's order. Randy: is because praise is a weapon. Jeff Ward: Is because praise is a weapon. Yeah. It's not a it's it's not as if it's a weapon. It's not, God likes praise, so therefore he he intervened. I think it is a weapon. I think in the spirit realm, I think is powerless against praise. I think they actually are neutralized with praise. I think breakthroughs happen with praise in the spirit realm. I think you know, putting it in more of our combat ling language, I think their calm is jammed. I Randy: It's not a is it's not as if it's a weapon. It's not, God likes praise, so therefore he he intervened. I think it is a weapon. I think in the spirit realm, I think is powerless against praise. I think they actually are neutralized with praise. I think breakthroughs happen with praise in the spirit realm. I think you know, putting it in more of our combat ling language, I think their calm is jammed. I think they're they're Jeff Ward: think they're they're that calm is communication. Yeah, calm is communication. So their communications are jammed. Their communications are scrambled. you know, one of the big things in war is deception. And Randy: calm communication. Yeah, calm is communication. So their communications are jammed. Their communications are scrambled. you know, one of the big things in war is deception. And you know, one thing that we do, we cheat, you know, as fighter pilots and as, you know, we're we go into their networks, we go into their calm, and sometimes we jam it, but other times we we change what they're hearing. Jeff Ward: you know, one thing that we do, we cheat, you know, as spider pilots and as, you know, we w we go into their networks, we go into their calm and sometimes we jam it, but other times we change what they're hearing. Randy: We change what they're hearing. And many times we can do it in the voice that they're used to hearing it in. so that's that's what praise does. Jeff Ward: We change what they're hearing. And many times we can do it in the voice that they're used to hearing it in. Yeah. so that's that's what praise does. Randy: I think praise just just basically scrambles the logic in the in the darkness' brains. and so praise is a weapon. Thanksgiving is a weapon. Jeff Ward: I think praise just just basically scrambles the logic in the in the darkness' brains. and so praise is a weapon. Thanksgiving is a weapon. Randy: We enter his courts. we enter his gates with Thanksgiving and into his courts with praise. There's a protocol. Jeff Ward: We enter his courts. we enter his gates with Thanksgiving and into his courts with praise. There's a protocol protocol to come before Christ, to come before the King, to come boldly before the throne of grace, but there is a prot protocol to come in there. And that may sound crazy. Well, I don't want a protocol. Well, you know, it's just wide open to me. No, there's a protocol. We enter his gates with Thanksgiving, we enter his courts with praise. and that puts us in a in a superior position when it comes to conflict and Randy: Protocol to come before Christ, to come before the king, to come boldly before the throne of grace, but there is a pro protocol to come in there. And that may sound crazy. Well, I don't want a protocol. Well, you know, it's just wide open to me. No, there's a protocol. We enter his gates with thanksgiving, we enter his courts with praise. and that puts us in a in a superior position when it comes to conflict and and war. That was Psalms one hundred verse four, by the way. let's see. Some of God's basic, simple commands are simple ways for us to align ourselves with spiritual laws, physical laws, and the way the spirit realm and the way creation was designed and how it works. An example of this is first Thessalonians 5 18. Actually, first Jeff Ward: Some of God's basic, simple commands are simple ways for us to align ourselves with spiritual laws, physical laws, and the way the spirit realm and the way creation was designed and how it works. An example of this is 1 Thessalonians 5, 18. Actually, first 1 Thessalonians 5, 16, 17, 18. Three short verses. Easy to memorize. Yeah. But the last one, last one is, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. The first one is pray, pray without ceasing, or rejoice always, pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks. Those three little short statements right there will set you up for success if you just do those. Yeah. so Randy: 1 Thessalonians 5, 16, 17, 18. Three short verses. Easy to memorize. But the last one, last one is, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. The first one is pray, pray without ceasing, or rejoice always, pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks. Those three little short statements right there will set you up for success if you just do those. so thanks. I mean, Thanksgiving is this. Jeff Ward: Thanks. I mean Thanksgiving is this weapon similar to praise. So in other words, these aren't just something he says to do and we're rewarded because okay, you did what I said. Yeah. But it's because they have Randy: Just something he says to do. Right. We're rewarded because okay, you did what I said. Yeah. But it's because they have Jeff Ward: they're effectual, they have power, they they are a weapon. Randy: have power. Yes. They are a weapon. Jeff Ward: and it's not just a list of something to do. No. But there's a reason for it. Randy: Not just a list of something to do. No. But there's a when we obey his word. Jeff Ward: But we So when when we obey his word that you can do it with confidence that this is just not a dumb exercise in some you know something somebody told me to do, but it has it is has an effect. Yes. Has an effect. That's great. It's it's telling you how to get along in the world he created. Right. It's spiritual warfare. Yeah, it is spiritual warfare. And it is Randy: You can do it with confidence that this is just not a dumb exercise in some you know, something somebody told me to do, but it has it is has an effect. Yes. Has an effect. That's great. It's it's telling you how to get along in the world he created. Right. It's spiritual warfare. Yeah, it is spiritual warfare. And it is because we were descendants of Adam, because we came into this world with a dead spirit Jeff Ward: Because we were descendants of Adam, because we came into this world with a dead spirit, we need to be told just some simple things that we long forgot. Yeah. That Adam knew and we didn't. Yeah. And we don't. Randy: We need to be told just some simple things that we long forgot. That Adam knew and we didn't and we don't. Jeff Ward: Yeah. So he's he guides us in this and we'll do these three things, these in these three short verses. And as we do that, we will be actually accomplishing spiritual things and changing things in the spirit realm and in this atmosphere around us and in our life. Randy: So he's he guides us in this and we'll do these three things, these in these three short verses. And as we do that, we will be actually accomplishing spiritual things and changing things in the spirit realm and in this atmosphere around us and in our life. Jeff Ward: He's telling us how to get along in his creation. And then as we do that more and more and and we experience it more, we learn more, our mind is further renewed, our mind is further lined up with the mind of Christ. We are Randy: He's telling us how to get along in his creation. And then as we do that more and more and and we experience it more, we learn more. Our mind is further renewed. Our mind is further lined up with the mind of Christ. We are further relying on the spirit for truth instead of our five senses for truth. And we're able to look at at something and go, that's not right, and speak God's will into that situation or pray God's will in that situation. And I think I tell you, I think I've told maybe on here thing I do ask God a lot. Why do I Jeff Ward: Further relying on the spirit for truth instead of our five senses for truth, and we're able to look at something and go, that's not right, and speak God's will into that situation, or pray God's will in that situation. And I think I tell you, I think I've told maybe on here I do ask God a lot, why do I Randy: What do I pray? What do I say? What do I do? This is this is what the Holy Spirit looks like coming through a new creation into this on planet Earth here. So yeah. it's when you tell Jeff Ward: why do I pray? What do I say? What do I do? Yeah. This is this is what the Holy Spirit looks like coming through a new creation into this on planet Earth here. So yeah, it's when you tell. your kids stuff, you know, at first it can sound like a bunch of restrictions, but you're actually telling them and teaching them and training them how to get along in this world that they're about to go be an adult in. Randy: your kids stuff, you know, at first it can sound like a bunch of restrictions, but you're actually telling them and teaching them and training them how to get along in this world that they're about to go be an adult in. Jeff Ward: Right. Same thing with same thing with God. The religious mind wants to to turn it into earning something. Well bay in order to earn. Jesus says, No, if you love me you obey. Randy: Same thing with same thing with God. The religious mind wants to to turn it into earning something. Well, I obey in order to earn. Jesus says, No, if you love me you'll obey. So so obedience comes from love as a source, not Jeff Ward: So obedience comes from love as a source, not obedience comes from a desire to gain something from God, to twist his arm, to treat him like a formula and go, hey, do that. That's what the religious mind wants to do. That's what the little Pharisee within me all of us, I would say, wants to do something along those in order to gain something. No, he's he's telling us to obey and giving us what it takes to get along. And then as we do that, we learn and and start to understand Randy: Obedience comes from a desire to gain something from God, to twist his arm, to treat him like a formula and go, hey, you do that. That's what the religious mind wants to do. That's what the little Pharisee within me all of us, I would say, wants to do something along those in order to gain something. No, he's he's telling us to obey and giving us what it takes to get along. And then as we do that, we learn and and start to understand. Jeff Ward: maybe the reason behind some of these. Randy: Maybe the reason behind some of these Jeff Ward: And how we get along. But yeah, praising, thanksgiving, prayer without ceasing, those are all ways to Yeah. Take down the enemy. Randy: and how we get along. But yeah, praising, thanksgiving, prayer without ceasing, those are all ways to take down the enemy. Jeff Ward: Like there was a story I read long time ago, and it was somebody hired people to dig a hole. They dug a hole and the end of the day they filled it in. Mm-hmm. And they paid good money. Randy: They dug a hole and the end the day they fill it in. Mm-hmm. And they paid good money. And then the next day they said, Show up. They did the same thing the next day and they did it day after day. They just dug a hole and filled it in. And after a while people quit coming. There was no purpose. No purpose, yeah. There was no purpose. Yep. And we're not operating Jeff Ward: And then the next day they said, Show up. They did the same thing the next day. And they did it day after day. They just dug a hole and filled it in. And after a while, people quit coming. Because there was no purpose. Even though they're getting paid, there was no purpose. Yeah. And we're not operating in in that mindset. There's a huge purpose to this. So that's a religious mindset. Exactly. That would that would do that. Yeah. And then and then what happens? Well, we give up. Yeah. We drop it. Randy: in in that mindset. Exactly. Huge purpose to this. So that's a religious mindset. Exactly. That would that would do that. Yeah. And then and then what happens? Well, we give up. Yeah. We drop it. Right. It's useless. This is not useless. Yeah. Religion is useless, but this is not. I think I heard I can't remember the setting, but a similar thing. It was a but it was a P.O.W. camp. Jeff Ward: Right. It's useless. Yeah. But this is not useless. Rejoicing is not useless. Religion is useless, but this is not. Yeah. I think I heard I can't remember the setting, but a similar thing. It was a but it was a P.O. W camp. Randy: it might have been a concentration camp. Jeff Ward: It might been a concentration camp. Can't remember the exact setting. But they were they weren't digging holes. They were they were moving piles of rock from one end from one place to another. And and purposeless work actually drove them insane. Yeah. They didn't have the choice of not showing up like the people you discussed. But it was purposeless work drove them mad. Randy: can't remember the exact setting. But they were they weren't digging holes. They were they were moving piles of rock from one end from one place to another. And and purposeless work actually drove them insane. Yeah. They didn't have the choice of not showing up like the people you discussed. But it was purposeless work drove them mad. Yeah. And they eventually lost their mind. It same sort of thing. That's what religion is. But mostly we just quit showing up. Jeff Ward: Yeah. And they eventually lost their mind. Right. Same sort of thing. Yeah. That's what religion is. Yeah. But mostly we just quit showing up. Right. Our kids don't show up at church anymore. Or we don't do this because we've taught them religion and religion is worthless. And they know at their gut level it's worthless. Yeah. And but the gospel is obviously not religion. Yeah. let's see. Randy: Our kids don't show up at church anymore or we don't do this because we've taught them religion and religion is worthless and they know at their gut level it's worthless. And but the gospel is obviously not religion. let's see. We've already overstayed one one thing, so let me just keep going. And another one is testimony. Another way, another weapon that we use to employ the foundational weapons is testimony. And it's in re Revelations 12, 1. I already read that quote. I like Psalms 107, too. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from the hand of the enemy. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so. It's speaking out loud, my testimony that I am redeemed. Jeff Ward: Already overstayed one one thing, so let's just keep going. And another one is testimony. Another way, another weapon that we use to employ the foundational weapons is testimony. And it's in Revelation 12.1. I already read that quote. I like Psalms 107.2. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from the hand of the enemy. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so. It's speaking out loud, my testimony that I am redeemed. Randy: Romans ten for with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Our Jeff Ward: Romans ten for with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Our Randy: our we'll cover that here in a morning in in confession and proclamation, but Christianity is a confession. Jeff Ward: more in in confession and proclamation, but Christianity is a confession. For those that that get a little nervous about speaking God's word and speaking and speaking having power. Randy: For those that get a little nervous about speaking God's word and speaking and speaking having power, first of all, let me just take a quick side note. Joshua 1.8 says you'll be successful if you continue to meditate on God's word. And may there never be a point where God's word is not on your lips. That's Joshua 1.8. to meditate means to mutter. The literal Hebrew word that we use, meditate, means to mutter. So there's this speaking out loud of his word. Proverbs tells us that life and death is in the power of the tongue. Jeff Ward: First of let me just take quick side note. Joshua 1.8 says you'll be successful if you continue to meditate on God's word. And may there never be a point where God's word is not on your lips. That's Joshua 1.8. Yeah. to meditate means to mutter. The literal Hebrew word that we use, meditate, means to mutter. So there's this speaking out loud of his word. Proverbs tells us that life and death is in the power of the tongue. Randy: James tells us that the tongue is like a rudder that steers a small rudder that steers a big ship, or like a small spark that sets a whole forest on fire. You can't, you can't not, or Mark 11, 23 says that whatever you say and believe your heart and do not die will be done for you, whatever you say. That's a spiritual law that's in effect. Jesus says that you'll give account of every worthless word you've ever said. When he says that, Jeff Ward: That's a spiritual law that's in effect. Right. Jesus says that you'll give account of every worthless word you've ever said. Right. When he says that, I don't think he's saying, he could mean this too, but I don't think he's saying, hey, once we get to heaven, we're just gonna go over every worthless word you ever said. I think you're held accountable real time. Right. Because of the spiritual law that's in Mark 11 23. When you speak stupid stuff, stupid things ha start to become reality in your life. Randy: I don't think he's saying he could mean this too, but I don't think he's saying, hey, once we get to heaven, we're just gonna go over over every worthless word you ever said. I think you're held accountable real time because of the spiritual law that's in Mark 11, 23. When you speak stupid stuff, stupid things ha start to become a reality in your life. And I'm saying all this just to go, hey, quit being afraid to understand that there is power in your words. Jeff Ward: And I'm saying all this just to go, hey, quit being afraid to understand that there is power in your words Randy: For good or for bad, for life or for death, to use Solomon's Proverbs eighteen, twenty one, I believe. But state my intentions. Where was I? Jeff Ward: for good or for bad, for life or for death, to use Solomon's Proverbs 18, 21, I believe. Yep. Stay my intentions. Where was I? Randy: I said here, testimony means personally declaring what God's word says Jesus has accomplished for us. It's also giving testimony and voice to what Jesus has done for you and what he has done. I heard this story. There's this man, he was a preacher and he had he had experienced a s a session with a lady that that had a something wrong with her leg and she was instantaneously healed. He was telling his congregation this, Jeff Ward: I said here, testimony means personally declaring what God's word says Jesus has accomplished for us. It's also giving testimony and voice to what Jesus has done for you and what he has done. I heard this story. There's this man, he was a preacher and he had he had experienced a s a session with a lady that that had a something wrong with her leg, and she was instantaneously healed. He was telling his congregation this. Randy: and while he's there, they're telling that. Telling what happened to this lady. This was at a a a place where he was holding a conference or, you know, he wasn't in his home church. He was out and now he's come back telling his home church. A lady had had that exact same problem with her legs in the middle of his testimony or telling about this, walks up to the front of the stage and says, If God did that for that lady, he'll do it for me. Jeff Ward: holding conference or you know, he wasn't in his home church. He was out and now he's come back telling his home church. A lady had had that exact same problem with her legs in the middle of his testimony or telling about this, walks up to the front of the stage and says, If God did that for that lady, he'll do it for me. Randy: And he prayed and she was instantaneously healed right there in front of everybody. That's a testimony. That's the power of testimony. Power of t if you look at the words and how they're used, testimony is very close Jeff Ward: And he better happen she was instantaneously healed right there in front of me. That's a testimony. That's the power of testimony. Power of t if you look at the words and how they're used, testimony is very close. Randy: to God's word as far as the power or our speaking words. It is also very close to remembering. It is also very close to believing. Those words are all very closely related in their meanings. Believing, remembering. Jeff Ward: To God's word as far as the power or our speaking words, it is also very close to remembering, it is also very close to believing. Those words are all very closely related in their meanings. Believing, remembering. You know, we're told repeatedly through different scriptures to remember. that's what testimony is. Testimony is remembering forward, if you will. Randy: You know, we're told repeatedly through different scriptures to remember. that's what testimony is. Testimony is remembering forward, if you will. next is a proclamation or confession of God's word. We've kind of been talking that, but I'm talking about an intentional confession of God's word. We talked about the strongholds. If you have a belief, ask the Lord. Your beliefs produce fruit. Bad or wrong beliefs produce bad fruit. Good. Jeff Ward: Next is a proclamation or confession of God's word. We've kind of been talking that, but I'm talking about an intentional confession of God's word. We talked about the strongholds. If you have a belief, ask the Lord. Your beliefs produce fruit. Bad or wrong beliefs produce bad fruit. Good, right, correct beliefs produce fruit. Randy: Right, correct beliefs produce I think I said that wrong. Said they produce good fruit. Bad beliefs or lies produce bad fruit. Look at the fruit. The fruit in your life will tell you where your beliefs are wrong and they'll tell you where your beliefs are right. If your beliefs are wrong, how are you going to change your belief? One of the ways you're going to change it is by confessing God's word out loud. Hearing, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Romans 14, 17. So Jeff Ward: I think I said that wrong. Said they produce good fruit. Bad beliefs or lies produce bad fruit. Look at the fruit. The fruit in your life will tell you where your beliefs are wrong and they'll tell you where your beliefs are right. If your beliefs are wrong, how are you going to change your belief? One of the ways you're going to change it is by confessing God's word out loud. Hearing, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ. Romans 14, 17. So Randy: if you have a place where the God's fruit, the spirit Jeff Ward: If you have a place where the God's fruit, the spirit Randy: sp fruit of the spirit is not being produced in your life, then ask the Lord, what is the wrong Jeff Ward: fruit of the spirit is not being produced in your life, then ask the Lord. What is the wrong Randy: core belief that is driving this bad fruit or is preventing good fruit? What is it? Find out what it is. It may be shocking to you. It may even be offensive to you. You may not believe it when you first hear it because remember it's a stronghold. So this lie is in a fortress that's designed to defend itself. So you need to break it down with with God's word and then use a Jeff Ward: Core belief that is driving this bad fruit or is preventing good fruit. What is it? Find out what it is. It may be shocking to you, it may even be offensive to you. You may not believe it when you first hear it, because remember it's a stronghold. So this lie isn't a fortress that's designed to defend itself. So you need to break it down with God's word. And then use a memorize the Bible verse, maybe paraphrase it, shorten it down to something you can say. you know, for me, the the one I've used in the past. Randy: Memorize the Bible verse, maybe paraphrase it, shorten it down to something you can say. you know, for me, the the one I've used in the past Jeff Ward: in Sunday school an example or when I was teaching an example is many people don't believe they're righteous. Randy: in in Sunday school an example or when I was teaching an example is many people don't believe they're righteous. Many people don't put that much faith in the gospel that it actually changed them from sinner to righteous. Okay. what I would recommend is, you know. Jeff Ward: Many people don't put that much faith in the gospel that it actually changed them from sinner to righteous. Right. Okay. what I would recommend is, you know, ten times a day, twenty times, whatever, say out loud, I am the righteousness of God in Christ. That's Second Corinthians 5 21. You could say I'm I am before him, holy in love. I love that one. That's Ephesians 1 4. I'm before him, holy in love. When you feel unlovable, when you feel ordinary, go to Ephesians 1 4. I am before Randy: 10 times a day, 20 times, whatever. Say out loud. I am the righteousness of God in Christ. That's 2 Corinthians 5 21. You could say I'm I am before him, holy in love. I love that one. That's Ephesians 1 4. I am before him, holy in love. When you feel unlovable, when you feel ordinary, go. Go to Ephesians 1 4. I am before Jeff Ward: For him wholly in love. so anyway. Yep. I don't want to get going too crazy there. Randy: him, holy in love. so anyway, I don't want to get going too crazy there. Jeff Ward: I mean I do want to get going crazy, but not so much that we stay here on this one thing too long. But there's something Randy: I mean, I do wanna get going crazy, but not so much that we stay here on this one thing too long. There's something. Jeff Ward: about saying it out loud. Yeah. Maybe not Randy: Yeah. Maybe not Jeff Ward: when I'm in the cockpit with a guy reading or whatever we're doing, you know, meditating if I Randy: Yeah. Jeff Ward: on our long time across the Pacific. Mm-hmm. I don't necessarily say things out loud, but when I'm on a walk by myself, I do. Or praying in the morning by myself, Randy: Mm-hmm. I don't necessarily say things out loud, but when I'm on a walk by myself, I do or perhaps by myself. Jeff Ward: I do. not all certainly not all the time, but there's sometimes I think a strong like you said, a stronghold or something serious. There's something about saying the word of God out loud into a situation or something. I can't explain it, but it seems to Randy: Not all you certainly not all the time, but there's sometimes I think a strong like you said, a stronghold or something serious. There's something about saying yeah the word of God out loud. Yeah. Into a situation or something. I can't it, but it seems to it just I can explain it a little Jeff Ward: It just little Randy: bit. that may help. when you speak, you are actually connecting Jeff Ward: Speak, you are actually connecting the spirit realm to the physical realm. So you are speaking when you're speaking God's word, when you're speaking something that's come from the mind of Christ, when you are commanding something that you know is God's will, that's also coming from the mind of Christ, from God's word, from God's spirit. And then when you voice it out loud, that's a physical thing. You are actually moving sound waves through the air. Randy: The spirit realm to the physical realm. So you are speaking, when you're speaking God's word, when you're speaking something that's come from the mind of Christ, when you are commanding something that you know is God's will, that's also coming from the mind of Christ, from God's word, from God's spirit. And then when you voice it out loud, that's a physical thing. You are actually moving sound waves through the air. You're vibrating chords, if you will. Jeff Ward: Your vibrating chords, if you will. Randy: You know, if if they're the spirit realm, many say the spirit realm can't read your mind. Well, they can hear your voice. There is a cloud of witnesses that can hear your voice. Even when you're in a room by yourself, you're speaking things in the physical realm and the spiritual realm simultaneously by a fact of who you are. You are a child of the living God, a brand new creation who is both physical and spiritual. And so whatever you do is both physical and spiritual. That's it. You know, I was surprised. Jeff Ward: You know, if if they're the spirit realm, many say the spirit realm can't read your mind. Well they can hear your voice. Yep. There is a cloud of witnesses that can hear your voice. Yep. Even when you're in a room by yourself, you're speaking things in the physical realm and the spiritual realm simultaneously by a fact of who you are. You are a child of the living God, a brand new creation who is both physical and spiritual. And so whatever you do is both physical and spiritual. That's it. You know, I was surprised The regular you know, the the the world understands this, the power of words. I was as a commander I was a I was on a court martial board and I was on what's called a summary board. In a summary board there isn't a there's just one guy. I was it. Normally on a on a your generic there's a Randy: The regular you the the the world understands this, the power of words. I was as a commander, I was a I was on a court martial board and I was on what's called a summary board. And a summary board there isn't a there's just one guy. I was it. Normally on a on a your generic there's a real word for it. I can't remember off the top of my head. I had a an office of lawyers that worked for him as commander it was great. But anyway, they'd be laughing at me right now. Not be aware in this word because they educated me on all this stuff. But this normally there's a there's like a jury of officers of that that will then rule on the evidence. A summary court martial, there's just you. And the reason that is because the lawyers for the prosecution and the lawyers for the defense have already decided Jeff Ward: Office of lawyers I work for as commander, it was great. But anyway, they'd be laughing at right now, not bailing this word because they educated me on all this stuff. But this normally there's a there's like a jury of officers of that that will then rule on the evidence. A summary court martial, there's just you. And the reason that is because the lawyers for the prosecution and the lawyers for the defense have already decided. Randy: And there's been a guilt admitted. There has been it's kind of like a plea deal in the civilian world where they they come together and it's all mapped out. We know, we know it. The guy says, Yep, I did it, or or the gal, and they go, Okay, here's the punishment. And they Yeah, I agree to that punishment. You know, we don't need to do the whole court martial, we'll just do a s summary court martial. So I was like, Okay, my lawyer, he's in there with me. Jeff Ward: And there's been a guilt admitted. There has been it's kind of like a plea deal in the civilian world where they they come together and it's all mapped out. We know we know the guy says, Yep, I did it, or or the gal, and they go, Okay, here's the punishment. They go, Yeah, I agree to that punishment. You know, we don't need to do the whole court martial, we'll just do s summary court martial. So I was like, Okay, my lawyer, he's in there with me. Randy: not my Jeff Ward: not my Randy: lawyer like representing me, but he's he's the guy that's watching over the process of this summary court martial. And it's just me and the the guy that that messed up. And his lawyer's not in there. Like I said, my lawyer is not there for me, or the lawyer that works for him. He's not there for me. He's there f as a procedural guy to make sure. And I'm like, Well, in my mind, we're like, Okay, sign the paperwork. And he's like, No, this has to be read out loud. What do you it has to be read out loud? Jeff Ward: But he's he's the guy that's watching over the process of this summary court martial. And it's just me and the the guy that that messed up. And his lawyer's not in there. Like I said, my lawyer is not there for me, or the lawyer that works for him, he's not there for me. He's there as a procedural guy to make sure. And I'm like, well, in my mind, we're like, okay, sign the paperwork. He's like, no, this has to be read out loud. What do you it has to be read out loud? Randy: And he's like, no, it's not official until it comes out of your mouth and it comes out of his mouth. Then it's official. Then we'll sign the documents that say what you said out loud. So no kidding, we go to the summary court martial, Jeff Ward: And he's like, no, it's not official until it comes out of your mouth and it comes out of his mouth. Then it's official. Then we'll sign the documents that say what you said out loud. So no kid, we go to this summary court martial. Randy: and the the defendant, the one who's already pled guilty across the table from me, has a script. I have a script. And I literally read for about 15 minutes, 20 minutes total, this process. I read. Jeff Ward: And the the defendant, the one who's already played guilty across the table from me, has a script. I have a script. And I literally read for about fifteen minutes. Twenty minutes total this process. I read everything. I read h I read a part, he reads a part. He s he basically affirms it that yeah he's guilty. And then here's what's gonna happen to you. Yeah. He affirms that he agrees. Randy: Everything I read hi I read a part, he reads a part. You know, his part's not very long. I have to read all the stuff. He's he basically affirms it that yeah, he's guilty. And then here's what's gonna happen to you. Yeah, he affirms that he agrees and Jeff Ward: And he accepts that as punishment. Wow. And and it it was not it it never happened until we read it out loud. Interesting. I'm like, wow, that's even something for that the Randy: he accepts that as punishment. And and and it it was not it it never happened until we read it out loud. And I'm like, wow, that's even something for that the Jeff Ward: secular world does. You're looking at your watch, let me keep going. It's cause it dinged, but it it just Randy: Secular world does. You're looking at your watch. Let me keep going. Okay. just I talked about proclamation, confession of God's Word. Hebrews 3 1. Therefore, holy brethren, consider the consider the apostle, capital A, and high priest Jesus, our con of our confession, Christ Jesus. This hints that Christianity is a confession. Jeff Ward: I talked about proclamation, confession of God's word. Hebrews 3 1. Therefore, holy brethren, consider the apostle, capital A, and high priest Jesus, our conf of our confession, Christ Jesus. This hints that Christianity is a confession. Hebrews 4 14, let us hold fast our confession. Hebrews 10 23, let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. Randy: Hebrews 4 14, let us hold fast our confession. Hebrews 10 23, let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. Second Corinthians 4 13, I believed, therefore I spoke. We also believe, and therefore we speak. So the Bib biblical confession is saying the same thing with our mouth that God says in his word. Jeff Ward: 2 Corinthians 4, 13, I believed, therefore I spoke. We also believe, and therefore we speak. So the Bib biblical confession is saying the same thing with our mouth that God says in his word. Randy: put here the the word in the Bible is the sword proclamation or confession or declaration puts the sword into active use through our mouth it is how we do this what Ephesians 6 says take up the sword I'll tell tell a quick story I I did I did something along these lines and a guy on I think it was on Facebook I'm not on Facebook really Jeff Ward: put here the the word in the Bible is the sword proclamation or confession or declaration puts the sword into active use through our mouth it is how we do this what Ephesians 6 says take up the sword yeah I'll tell tell a quick story I I did I did something along these lines and a guy on I think it was on Facebook I'm not on Facebook really Randy: if you go to look me up, you'll find that I haven't been on there in long time. But this guy, not by name, but but started slamming me for some of this teaching. And one of his followers put in the comments, he was basically s saying declaration is nothing, confession is nothing, and you know, trying to identify this as some heretical if that's a right word, if that's a real word, teaching. Jeff Ward: go to look me up, you'll find that I haven't been on there in a long time. But this guy, not by name, but but started slamming me for some of this teaching. And one of his followers put in the comments, he was basically saying declaration is nothing, confession is nothing, and you know trying to identify this as some heretical if that's a word, if that's a real word, teaching. Randy: And Jeff Ward: And Randy: in the comments the guy says into his thing about the declaration, he goes, he goes, I declare nothing because I am nothing. And I'm thought, my goodness. This guy is a believer in Jesus Christ, supposedly, and he's walking around saying he's nothing. He's declaring that he is nothing. Jeff Ward: In the comments the guy says in his thing about declaration, he goes he goes, I declare nothing because I am nothing. And I'm like, my goodness. This guy's a believer in Jesus Christ, supposedly, and he's walking around saying he's nothing. Right. He's declaring that he is nothing. Randy: How much power is he gonna have? Jeff Ward: How much power is he gonna have in the spiritual warfare when you declare you're nothing? And how much unbelief is that showing in the power of the gospel to make you something? Why would we be Randy: in this spiritual warfare when you declare you're nothing. And how much unbelief is that showing in the power of the gospel to make you something? Why would we give you Jeff Ward: told to put on all this armor if we were nothing? Right. If we were to do nothing. Right, right. Yeah, all those things you just talk. What? Randy: Yeah. Right. Why would the Son of God die for us if we were nothing? Yeah, all those things you just talk. What? Are you kidding me? Anyway, we are we are not nothing. We are a new creation that is spectacularly something of great value and great worth. Jeff Ward: Are you kidding me? Anyway, we are we are not nothing. We are new creation that is spectacularly something of great value and great work. Right. Randy: proclaiming the gospel also, let's see, is a is a weapon. Jeff Ward: proclaiming the gospel also, let's see, is a is a weapon. Randy: But here, warfare preaching is warfare because the gospel attacks Satan's dominion by bringing people out of darkness and under Christ's authority. Jeff Ward: But here, warfare, preaching is warfare because the gospel attacks Satan's dominion by bringing people out of darkness and under Christ's authority. Randy: Fasting is another one. Fasting is a weapon that goes with prayer, it goes with proclamation, it goes with declaration. Fasting will sharpen your prayer. It sharpens your awareness of what the Lord is speaking to you. It it it Jeff Ward: Fasting is another one. Fasting is a weapon that goes with prayer. It goes with proclamation. It goes with declaration. Fasting will sharpen your prayer. It sharpens your awareness of what the Lord is speaking to you. It it it it takes some of the filters off of your hearing and your seeing. Fasting does. Randy: It takes some of the filters off of your hearing and your seeing. Fasting does. there's multiple times that in the New Testament that we talk about fasting and in the old testament. put here as a way of intensifying and empowering prayer. Jeff Ward: multiple times that in the New Testament that we talk about fasting and in the Old Testament. put here is a way of intensifying and empowering prayer. Randy: there you go. The supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit are warfare in that. Jeff Ward: supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit our warfare in that when somebody is healed or when the c a demon is cast out Jesus says the spirit the the kingdom of God has come upon you. Yeah it is moving the kingdom right through spirits the manifestation of of the spiritual gifts Randy: When somebody is healed or when the c a demon is cast out, Jesus says the spirit the the kingdom of God has come upon you. It is moving the kingdom, these through spir s the manifestation of of the spiritual gifts. worship. We've kind of talked about that's a little different than praise, but worship is also talked about as as a place that moves heaven and earth. praise, we talk about praise. Praise is also a sacrifice. Praise is when you come to the altar, you put praise on the altar, it rises up. And a sacrifice or a altar is a place of exchange. It is a place of trade. It is a place Jeff Ward: Praise, we're talking about praise. Praise is also a sacrifice. Praise is when you come to the altar, you put praise on the altar, it rises up. And a sacrifice or an altar is a place of exchange, it is a place of trade. It is a place. Any altar has a deity over the altar, it has a priest for the altar, and it has a human being for the altar. We are both the priest and the human being when we are praising. We are presenting sacrifices. That's what the Old Testament priest is. They were the ones that presented the sacrifice. Praise is part of our is one of the Randy: Any altar has a deity over the altar, it has a priest for the altar, and it has a human being for the altar. We are both the priest and the human being when we are praising. We are presenting sacrifices. That's what the Old Testament priest is. They were the ones that presented the sacrifice. Praise is part of our is one of the Jeff Ward: things that we say is the way that we place sacrifice of praise on the altar. Randy: things that we say is the way that we place sacrifice of praise on the altar. Jeff Ward: therefore this is here Hebrews 13 15 talks about therefore let him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God that is the fruit of our lips. Psalms 50 23 whoever offers praise glorifies God. It's part of the the process of that. And I think that's it. Let me just run through these real quickly. Randy: Therefore, this is Hebrews 13, 15, talks about, therefore, let him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God. That is the fruit of our lips. Psalms 50, 23. Whoever offers praise glorifies God. It's part of the process of that. And I think that's it. Let me just run through these real quickly. but there's three basic weapons: the word of God, the name of Jesus, and the blood of Jesus. Jeff Ward: But there's three basic weapons, the Word of God, the name of Jesus, and the blood of Jesus. You can look at these next ones as different weapons or employing those same foundational weapons, but we f we employ those through prayer, through praise, through testimony, through preaching, through declaration, proclaiming, and confession, through thanksgiving, through fasting, through worship, through the supernatural gifts of the Spirit. Randy: You can look at these next ones as different weapons or employing those same foundational weapons, but we f we employ those through prayer, through praise, through testimony, through preaching, through declaration, proclaiming, and confession, through thanksgiving, through fasting, through worship, through the supernatural gifts of the Spirit. I think that's it. Alright, you look worn out. Let me let me cover one more thing. yeah, can I well give you go ahead. Go go do it. You do it right now. You said in the beginning of this discussion on spiritual warfare that we are in it and we can choose to execute or not. Like there is spiritual warfare going on. Right. And and it's as it's just called life. Yeah. And you as a dad or Jeff Ward: Think that's it. It's good. All right. You look worn out. Let me let me cover one more thing. yeah, can I well give you you go ahead. I well I'm gonna say one thing if it's good before you do. That you said in the beginning of this discussion on spiritual warfare that we are in it and we can choose to execute or not. Like there is spiritual warfare going on. Right. And and it's as it's just called life. Yeah. And you as a dad are Mom or ki you know, kids, whatever. You are you're in it and you have a a place in it and now we have discussed the weapons we have, how we execute and we're in it. So I guess I keep saying we're in it. It's not something, well, we'll go battle in the next week or it's just it's going on all around us. Ignore it, you're in it. Yeah. Choose not to participate, yeah. You're in the middle of Yeah, you're still in the middle of a war regardless. Yeah. It's just the outcome and the fruit. Randy: The weapons we have, how we execute, mm-hmm. And we're in it. So Yeah. I guess I keep saying we're in it. It's not something we're I will go battle in the next week or it's just it's going on all around us. Yep. Ignore it, you're in it. Yeah. Choose not to participate, you're in it. You're in the middle of it. Yeah, you're still in the middle of a war regardless. It's just the outcome and the fruit and your family and and so on and so forth. You know, and this we've just scratched the surface of this and there's so many dis aspects of Jeff Ward: And your family and and so on and so forth, you know, and this we've just scratched the surface of this and there's so many dis aspects that Randy: we go into but but yeah we're in it. And if you don't participate in it, that doesn't mean you're not in a war. It doesn't mean that your family's not going to be a casualties. It doesn't mean that your health is not going to be a casualty. It doesn't doesn't mean that you know your business or your friends or your relationships are not going to be a casualty of war Jeff Ward: we go into, but but yeah, we're in it. Yeah. And if you don't participate in it, that doesn't mean you're not in a war. Right. It doesn't mean that your family's not gonna be a casualties. Yeah. It doesn't mean that your health is not gonna be a casualty. Right. It doesn't doesn't mean that you know, your business or your friends or your relationships are not gonna be a casualty or Randy: just 'cause you ignore it. Satan wants you to ignore it. Jeff Ward: Yeah. Satan wants you to ignore it. Right. Right. Right. He's he wants to deceive you and think you nothing's going on and then he wants you to boil you alive, but he's gonna do it slowly so you don't wake up in the middle of it. Yeah. And he doesn't want the kingdom of God to advance. No, he doesn't. And he's he has ability but no authority, and we have all authority. Yeah. And I I probably skipped through this somewhere. Randy: Right? Through this he's he wants to deceive you into thinking nothing's going on and then he wants you to boil you alive, but he's gonna do it slowly so you don't wake up in the middle of it. And he doesn't want the kingdom of God to advance. No, he doesn't. And he's he has ability but no authority, and we have all authority. And I I probably skipped through this somewhere. I think I did. But Luke ten nineteen, I meant to talk about that. Talks about Jeff Ward: But Luke ten nineteen, I meant to talk about that. Talks about, you know, we have the power. He says, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and all the power of the enemy, and nothing will by any means hurt you. Right. You know, that one that one verse, memorize it, meditate on it, and you can take that Randy: You know, we have the power. He says, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and all the power of the enemy, and nothing will by any means hurt you. You know, that one that one verse, memorize it, meditate on it, and you can take that. that's that's what we're doing every single day. And he's got nothing for that. Satan's got nothing. He's got to deceive you that you can't walk on him, that he is not your pavement. Jeff Ward: That's that's what we're doing every single day. And he's got nothing for that. Right. Sane's got nothing. He's got to deceive you that you can't walk on him. That he is not your pavement. Right. he is literally our pavement. That's all we walk on. Yeah. And and that's all I got for you. So we're not focusing on him necessarily, but we've got to acknowledge that we've got to get up and get into the fight. Yeah. Yeah. Randy: he is literally our pavement. That's what we walk on. And and that's all I got for you. So we're not focusing on him necessarily, but we gotta acknowledge that we've got to get up and get into the fight. Yeah. Jeff Ward: And then you were gonna say something too. I was gonna say something. I was just gonna say that you know Randy: And then I was gonna say some I was just gonna say that, you know Here's an example, Ephesians 6 18, just to kind of help finish this out a little bit. Paul says, With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit. There's lots of ways to do in the Spirit. and to this end, be alert with all perseverance and request for all the saints. So we're to pray on each other's behalf. And then he gives us an example in verse 19. He says, Pray for me. Jeff Ward: And to this end be alert with all perseverance and request for all the saints. So we're to pray on each other's behalf. And then he gives us an example. In verse 19, he says, Pray for me. Pray for me also that I may be given the message when I begin to speak, that I may confidently make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I will be able to speak boldly as I ought to speak. We will I tell you, man, what he's praying right there, I would think, well, we don't need to pray that for Paul. Randy: Pray for me also that I may be given the message when I begin to speak, that I may confidently make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I will be able to speak boldly as I ought to speak. We will I tell you, man, what he's praying right there, I would think, well, we don't need to pray that for Paul. Jeff Ward: Paul's got that figured out. Another thing is I can many times take those things and go Randy: Paul's got that figured out. Another thing is I can many times take those things and go, Jeff Ward: I'm supposed to do all this on my own. This is how I prove myself. No. Randy: I'm supposed to do all this on my own. This is how I prove myself. No. Jeff Ward: Paul Paul didn't do all this things except for the prayer of the saints and the power of the Holy Spirit. So you and I are no different. We need to pray this for each other or something like this. And then we need to acknowledge and open up and surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives to do some of these things. I mean, these things are what Paul is like really good at, Randy: Paul, Paul didn't do all these things except for the prayer of the saints and the power of the Holy Spirit. So you and I are no different. We need to pray this for each other or something like this. And then we need to acknowledge and open up and surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives to do some of these things. I mean, these things are what Paul is like really good at. Jeff Ward: but he's good at it because he's has people praying for him and he's surrendered to the Spirit. Let me just re-read this. Pray for me also. Randy: But he's good at it because he's has people praying for him and he's surrendered to the spirit. Let me just re-read this. Pray for me also that I may be given the message when I begin to speak. This is the guy that wrote Jeff Ward: This is the guy that wrote Randy: a good portion of the New Testament asking somebody to that he'd be given the message when it's time to speak. He says that I may be confidently make known the mystery of the gospel. Confidence is kind of what seems like Paul kind of majors in. Jeff Ward: A good portion of the New Testament asking somebody that that he'd be given the message when it's time to speak. He says that I may be confidently make known the mystery of the gospel. Confidence is kind of what seems like Paul kind of majors in. Right. Right? I I would just like a an ounce of Paul's confidence. Here he's singing, he's he's saying this is a need in my life that you pray that I have confidence and make known the mystery of the gospel. Randy: Right. I I would just like a an ounce of Paul's confidence. Here he's saying, he's he's saying this is a need in my life that you pray that I have confidence and make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I'm an ambassador in chains. And then this is another one. If you if you've ever thought of anybody as bold, surely you think is Paul is bold. I mean, when he goes into a town, many of them stone him, many of them throwing him in prisons over and over again, beating being quiet. Jeff Ward: which I'm an ambassador in chains. And then this is another one. If you if you've ever thought of anybody as bold, surely you think as Paul is bold. I mean when he goes into a town, many of stone him, many of them throwing him in prisons over and over again. Not for him being quiet. Randy: Yeah, it's not from him s shyly coming in and going down the back alleys and stuff. He's going right down the middle of the road. And he be says, Pray that I'm be able to speak boldly as I ought to speak. Jeff Ward: Yes. Or timid. Shall you coming in and going down the back alleys and stuff he's going right down the middle of the road. And he be says, Pray that I be able to speak boldly as I ought to speak. Randy: I'm just like, This is you and I praying for each other. This is you and I in the process as we're whatever earth. Jeff Ward: I'm just like this is you and I praying for each other. This is you and I in the process as we're whatever God's ministry has called us to is to do these things. And back Randy: God's ministry has called us to is to do these things. And back earlier go one verse back and he says, be alert with all perseverance and request for all the saints. So we're praying for each other and we're praying that we may be able to to stand in the evil day is what Ephesians 6 would say. So with all that, I think I'm done with this. Do you have anything else to add to it? Jeff Ward: go one verse back and he says, be alert with all perseverance and request for all the saints. So we're praying for each other. We're praying that we may be able to to stand in the evil day, is what Ephesians six would say. So with all that, I think I'm done with this. Okay. Do you have anything else to add to it? No. It's probably wore my hard drive on my computer out. It's probably I can smell it. No, this is great, Randy. I appreciate it. Thank you. So that includes Ephesians. Randy: I know it's probably hot. I can smell it. All right. So great, Randy. I appreciate it. You're welcome. So that includes Ephesians. That concludes Ephesians. Yeah. thanks for joining us for it. And where we're going next is Genesis. Yeah. Right, Randy? Right. You want to say anything about that? No, Jeff Ward: That concludes Ephesians. thanks for joining us for it. And where we're going next is Genesis. Is that right, Randy? Right. You wanna say anything about that? No. Randy: I think I want to do a little quick excerpt of Romans six, depending on when when we release that about being free from sin. But but Genesis one. If you get Genesis if you and or Genesis, if you get Genesis right. Jeff Ward: Excerpt of Romans six depend on when we release that about being free from sin. But Genesis one. If you get Genesis if you and our Genesis, if you get Genesis right, the rest of rest of the Bible and the rest of your life works. Yeah. If you get Genesis wrong, you're you don't have a hope of getting anything else right. Yeah. Frankly. It lays down so many foundational rules and laws that then that then is what creation, you know, how it expresses itself and how it's designed and and how we live it out. Randy: the rest of rest of the Bible and the rest of your life works. If you get Genesis wrong, you're you don't have a hope of getting anything else right, frankly. It lays down so many foundational rules and laws that then that then is what creation, you know, how it expresses itself and how it's designed and and how we live it out. Jeff Ward: Cool. Okay. Great. Thanks, Randy. Randy: You bet.