New Men's Series coming in the Spring!

I'm really excited to talk briefly about a new series we will be doing on Wednesday Nights in the Spring of 2013.

We will be doing the Conquer Series which is a Men's Study all about Sexual Purity and Integrity...I know, not the easiest or most pleasant topic in the world, but what's exciting is where we are getting our curriculum from.

A friend of mine, Jeremy Wiles, and his production studio, Kingdom Works, has put this great series together and I can't tell you how awesome it is going to be.

Here is a sneak peak at one of the lessons:

Here is a little more info on the series, don't miss out!

WHAT’S THE CONQUER SERIES? 
Real men are rising up across our nation. These men are not just heroes on display, but heroes to their families – and heroes when no one is looking. These men are learning to become more than conquerors through Christ. You see, conquerors aren’t born – they are made. Leadership starts in the uttermost hidden parts of our lives. More and more men, including Christian leaders, are fighting for their spiritual lives, but do not know how to prevail against the enemy’s assault. 

Proven Battle Plan - 
The Conquer Series is a new DVD teaching series for men. Included in the set are five 1-hour long teaching DVDs and a leader’s DVD. This is not just another study tool for men, but a tried and proven battle plan for purity in a lustful and Godless world. The host of the Series is Dr. Ted Roberts, founder of Pure Desire Ministries International and former U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot in Vietnam. He was the senior pastor of a church in Oregon with over 7000 members and has counseled and discipled men for over thirty years. We have condensed thirty years of Dr. Roberts’ knowledge and experience into five hours of simple, yet comprehensive, teaching. Strategies to Prevail Against the Enemy Dr. Roberts’ real and raw approach is unique. 

He takes us through a journey of discovery, laying out spiritual strategies, presenting scientific facts and, in military style, teaches men how to use the weapons God has given them to prevail against the enemy of their souls. Having battled and triumphed against sexual temptation himself, Dr. Robert gets it. His message is bold and direct, but also gracious and loving. 

Whether they are faithfully staying the course or whether they are secretly struggling with sexual temptation, the lessons in this DVD curriculum are something every man will benefit from. The Conquer Series is designed for men’s small groups, but is also ideal for self-study. Action Packed Battle Reenactments Included in each DVD are action-packed cinematic reenactments based on Dr. Roberts’ battle experience, mind-blowing interviews with brain experts and empowering testimonies by famous male Christian role models, who each inspire us to keep fighting and remind us that any man can become more than a conqueror through Christ, regardless how many times he’s failed.

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New Classes!

So our next round of WednesdaysOnPurpose Discipleship classes start this coming Wednesday November 28th. I will be teaching "Discovering the Minister Within You," this class will help you discover the minister God has gifted and designed you to be! If you are interested in taking the class click HERE to learn more!

Also I have just started teaching "Foundations" a new Discipleship class on Sunday mornings after church, it takes place during our Sunday School hour, but you will only be in the class for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks you will go back to your normal Sunday School class, or a class we think is best for you! For more information on Foundations, click HERE!

I look forward to seeing you in class sometime!

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Spiritual 301 Complete!

This past week we finished up the 3rd section of our class, Spiritual Warfare 301! You guys are doing great!

Last week we learned about the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit, two of the most important pieces of the Armor of God.

The Helmet of Salvation protects our mind and allows us to enter battle unafraid and with assurance of our Salvation. The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (Rhema – spoken word, or words given to us by the Spirit of God) is for use to do close, hand-to-hand combat with the lies and deceptions of the enemy. Note that the sword is both a defensive and an offensive weapon. Hebrews 4:12

Here are the 5 Steps for Engaging the Enemy in Spiritual Warfare:
1. Prerequisite is a Healthy spiritual life
2. Understand your position in Christ
3. Discern when Demonic influence may be the cause
4. Claim God’s promises Out Loud (1 John 4:4, 1 John 5:4-5)
5. Take our Authority  and Position  in Christ to command demonic forces to cease their activity and Depart!

Just like a soldier training for battle with their sword, and all of their armor, we too must train ourselves to use our Sword and do battle with the enemy. What steps can you take to sharpen your skills with your sword?

Tonight we will be talking about the Power of Prayer, and more specifically intercessory prayer, so make sure to be here, you don't want to miss out!

If you are a Facebooker, make sure you join the Invisible War Facebook group HERE! Also send your friends to our class page HERE!

Make sure you leave your questions and comments by clicking HERE!

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I'm Back

Just wanted to take a few moments to say to all my readers out there...oh there aren't any? Well, ok...anyways just wanted to say I'm back and will be revamping this blog soon for some future AWESOMENESS!

In the meantime check out my other blog @ www.PastorRyanWOP.blogspot.com

Peace

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4 Facts YOU NEED TO KNOW!

In the past few weeks we've talked about the 5 Basic Truths of Spiritual Warfare, guerrilla warfare, "The Belt of  Truth", "The Breastplate of Righteousness", Shodding our feet up with "the Gospel of Peace" and a lot more!

Last week we talked about 4 Facts Concerning Spiritual Warfare that you must know, here they are!:

a.   Fact #1 - God has objectively defeated Satan and his agenda. He has delivered us from sin’s penalty and power and ultimately will deliver us from sin’s very presence. In the interim, we are involved in a guerilla warfare with demonic forces.

b.   Fact #2 - As believers, we have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of light with all the rights, privileges, and position that being a child of God entails. 

c.Fact #3 - The spiritual battle we fight involves a responsibility on our part to “put on” the spiritual protection that God has provided for us. We can and will resist the enemy’s attempts to “deceive,” “accuse,” and “cast doubt” when we stand firm against him by: 

1.   Being honest with God, ourselves and others as a prerequisite to all spiritual battle

2.   Responding to the truth that God shows us about his will for our lives – righteous living

3.   Clearly understanding and readily sharing the gospel message of grace.

d.   Fact #4 - The great majority of spiritual warfare need never go beyond the regular practice of living out our position in Christ by faith. Our practice of Paul’s metaphor of the spiritual armor protects us from Satan’s ongoing attempts to break our fellowship with Jesus and, as a result, greatly minimizes any impact by the enemy.

  

Last wee we also discussed the 5 SPECIFIC TIMES YOU CAN EXPECT SPIRITUAL ATTACK:

1. During Spiritual Growth
2. When we are Invading the Enemy's Territory (Evangelism)
3. When we are Exposing the Enemy
4. When we are Breaking Away from the World
5. When Blessings are on the Horizon

To finish up last week we talked about the "Shield of Faith" which is a piece of armor used to deflect the fiery arrows of the devil. These arrows represent the schemes, temptations, lies, deceptions, and attacks aimed at us Christians, designed to get us off track and to reject God.

The Shield of Faith is awesome, the word Faith = our “absolute confidence” in God, His promises, His power, and His program for our lives. 

Don't miss tonight's class we are going to be talking about "the Helmet of Salvation", and the ultimate piece of our spiritual armor..."the Sword of the Spirit!" 

If you are a Facebooker, make sure you join the Invisible War Facebook group HERE! Also send your friends to our class page HERE!

Make sure you leave your questions and comments by clicking HERE!

 

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The Belt of Truth Instructional Video

To learn more about the AWESOME teenager that made this video go visit http://pathswitchvideo.com/

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Get Ready for Spiritual Warfare 301!

This past week we talked about how important it is to put on the Breastplate of righteousness and how to shod our feet with the foundation that comes from the gospel of Peace.

 
Here the word “Righteousness” = Uprightness, right living, integrity in one’s lifestyle and character – conforming of our will with God’s will.

Although rooted in the object righteousness that we already possess in our standing before God through the work of Christ, this breastplate of righteousness (that guards and protects our heart) is the practical application of the truth to our lives – i.e. Lordship of Christ.

The Breastplate of Righteousness is essential when we have been honest with God, we have accepted His “Will” (belt of truth) and then put it to use.

We learned two examples from the Bible where individuals rebelled or rejected God's will in their lives, which in turn opened them up for demonic activity. Read them for yourselves:
NT - Matthew 16 - Peter forbidding Jesus to suffer on the Cross

OT - 1 Samuel 13 - Saul decides he will do what he wants instead of what God wants.

Scriptural Application: “Therefore to the one who knows what is right to do and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin.” James 4:17 

Where in your life has God revealed his truth to you and you are not currently following it? Is it because you are rejecting it or is it because you are deceived? 

Having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace

Roman sandals were strapped up to the knee and tightly fastened to the soldier’s leg. The soles had knobs and sometimes nails or spikes sticking out from the bottom. Something along the lines of cleats or spikes used in sports today.This gave the soldiers a firm foundation which didn't allow them to be moved very easily.

“Preparation” = Establishment – the means of a firm foundation; also conveys the idea of readiness to share the Gospel which brings peace between man and God. 

This conveys 2 ideas - Knowing the gospel inside and out Being ready to share it 

When we are grounded in God and Christ and ready to share that mercy we are on solid ground 

This brings peace on 2 fronts: 

1. In our hearts 

2. Between God and people who need him. 

This week we are starting Spiritual Warfare 301:
How to do Battle with the Enemy and WIN!

We will be covering a wide range of topics, but most importantly we will be learning when and how we are to engage the enemy in actual combat!

I look forward to seeing each of you in class this week!

If you are a Facebooker, make sure you join the Invisible War Facebook group HERE! Also send your friends to our class page HERE!

Make sure you leave your questions and comments by clicking HERE!

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Spiritual Warfare 101 Complete - Starting 201

Congratulations class on completing Spiritual Warfare 101 and for starting Spiritual Warfare 201!

This past week we discussed the 5th of the 5 Basic Truths of Spiritual Warfare. 
Basic Truth #5:
"We do not fight for Victory, but we fight FROM Victory"

So our 5 Basic Truths about Spiritual Warfare are as follows:
1. There is an Invisible World
2. We are involved in an Invisible War
3. Our foe (the devil) is Formidable
4. We must respect our for but not Fear him
5. We do not fight for Victory, but we fight FROM Victory

Last week we also discussed how our War has already been won, but battles stemming from that war are still raging on. This is very similarly paralleled to the battles in the South Pacific following the end of WW2. Even though the Japanese had surrendered, for days, weeks, months, and even years, factions of their military still carried on battles for the cause. Guns were fired, people were injured, lives were lost. So even though WW2 was over, battles from that war were still being fought.

Jesus won the victory for us on the Cross and conquered Hell and the Devil that same day. Until Christ returns, the devil and his demons still wage war against us. Even though they have lost, they don't give up. It is our job to enforce that victory through spiritual warfare just as allied forces had to do in the South Pacific after the end of the War.

To do this we must learn first our defenses with regards to the Full Armor of God. Here is what we talked about last week:

How do I prepare for Spiritual Battle?

“13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." Ephesians 6:13-15

Paul uses different imagery in that of a Roman soldier as they were the most powerful fighting force of the time. 
Our commander (Jesus Christ) “urgently” commands us to “pick up” our spiritual armor and put it on. 
Why? = For the purpose of being fully prepared and enabled to withstand the grave and difficult “dark times” when the enemy attacks. 
When the day of evil comes… 

Using the metaphor of a Roman soldier’s armor (which protected him in battle), we are given three specific pieces of spiritual armor that must be “put on” by us as believers as a prerequisite to standing firmly and fearlessly against demonic attack. The Belt of Truth, The Breastplate of Righteousness, Feet shod with the Gospel of Peace.  Tonight we will talk about the first, the Belt of Truth.

We talked specifically this past week about the Belt of Truth:

With regards to the Belt of Truth, we are called to be truthful with others, ourselves, and most of all with God. The devils first ever attack was one of deception and lies (Eve in the garden). We must first guard ourselves against those kind of attacks and be truthful at all times. The best offense is a good defense. We must defend ourselves first before we can fight back!

We give ourselves cop-outs for our sins… we aren’t truthful with ourselves or with God 

1. Difficult circumstances 
2. Depressed economy 
3. Unfaithful spouse 
4. Anything or anyone that isn’t us 
5. We are creative blame shifters 
The remedy for this is the BELT OF TRUTH! Has your belt slipped? Are you blaming others for your dishonesty? Hiding from God?

We should make Psalm 139:23-24 our prayer...

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

This week we will be discussing the Breastplate of righteousness and covering our foundation (feet) with the Gospel of Peace, this will conclude Spiritual Warfare 201. We will start Spiritual Warfare 301 next week!

If you are a Facebooker, make sure you join the Invisible War Facebook group HERE! Also send your friends to our class page HERE!

Make sure you leave your questions and comments by clicking HERE!

 

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