Saturday, November 12, 2005

The Sword

We were in a mountain pass, snowbound. My family was wandering through nearby trees. The dark figure's soft sibilant voice was taunting, assuring me I would fail. I kept checking on each member of my family, he kept whispering.

I was putting off the confrontation.


The black carriage swept into the clearing, spoked wheels throwing snow, the breath of the black horses trailing in the air, floating before a backdrop of frosted evergreens. He stood up, dropped silently to the slush. A slight breeze swirled his cape about black clothing and lacquered breast plate, his face a shadow.

At my feet in the back of the covered wagon, was a golden sword and six large old fashioned Bibles.

My unsure hands picked up the oversized sword. The handle was a foot long with a crown for a pommel. The hand guard jutted out a foot on each side, making the weapon a cross. The gold blade's first foot was a saber, a regular sword. In the next foot the blade widened out to a broad sword, giving it weight. In the last foot, the tip became a thin rapier.

A word came to me:
"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17). I picked it up, and though it was too large for me, it moved easily to wherever I pointed.

I turned to face the dark figure waiting by the dark carriage. And the Bibles at my feet began to float. They moved out of the back of the wagon toward the Enemy.


I jumped onto them and sped across the open snow.

I was going to hack at him when I got close enough, but I felt directed to change tactics. ("Extend your arm. Drive the point into your foe.")

I
was propelled at him by the Bibles and I aimed the tip at his chest; the blade pierced the breast plate...

And the clothes collapsed. They were empty.



---------------



I know what I need to do. The dream is clear to me. This is going to be a week of prayer and reading the scripture. And starting Friday evening I will pray through every room of my home, every corner of the property, every corner of the building, claiming it and all within it for my Lord. I will anoint the doors and windows with oil and
every time I feel a doubt or worry I will quote the word of God. I will defend my home with The Word.

I don’t like this stuff. I have been a long time in getting to this place, but I will not let him have a foot hold in my home. Strike that, His home. For all I have I give to my Lord. I am not going to shirk this because it seems weird or farfetched or... whatever.

The message is clear and I will obey. I am the Lord’s servant and there is no power that can pluck me from His hand. The word of God is my sword and it is time I picked it up and seriously practiced with it.




---------------



Heavenly Father, bless my home and bless my children. I confess that I am a little fearful of what may be haunting my children, my home. But I know that if You are with me no one can be against me. I pray that You show me all my sins so that I may confess and repent. I pray that whatever is in my home that does not honor You, You will show me so I may remove it. Strengthen my knowledge of Your Word so that I may have the sword ready when needed. I claim the victory that You won on Calvary. --Amen



33 comments:

Lillee said...

I heard a sermon once on the Brownville Revival. A year or so before it began, the preacher sent his members all over the church and had them pray over each wall, corner, cubby, space in the building. He did it meeting after meeting and people thought he was crazy. He almost even lost his job over it, but he kept at it. But, the results were tremendous.

Sally said...

Amen, beautifully written. God bless you and yours.

Internet Street Philosopher said...

Whoa. That's a deep dream. But yeah, praying over your home is an excellent concept.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the laugh Brother:-)

Anonymous said...

hold on to God no matter what. whatever the enemy tries to do, just hold on to God. praying for you.

Erin said...

Make sure you keep your back covered... let some folks know when you're doing this, so they can intercede for your protection.

Kc said...

CS I will continue in prayer but I do have faith that God will grant all your needs.

Anonymous said...

CS thank you for stopping by my blog. I've been reading yours since (through the whole thing) and I've needed it. In many ways.

As for this post: You aren't the only Christian to do what you're planning to. It's not crazy. But as Erin (Wilsonian) said, keep your back covered, by having people pray for you. Not just promises or prayer, but really praying!

God bless your journey. In the future even more than until now.

-e-

Anonymous said...

AMMMen, brother. and let me know if you need an extra sword hand...i've been practicing out here in the Desert of the Real. ;)

AMMMen, my Father God, who looks down on MMMe from above. I direct Your great attention to the one who writes of starting a battle with Your enemies.

Guide his actions, guide his study, guide his battle, guide his victory, in the name of Your Son, Jesus, Who is our Assurance and our Example.

AMMMen.

Anonymous said...

Beautifully illustrated, and how great is the power of Thy Words! HE knows your heart brother :)

Gigi said...

He does....He knows your heart and He knows how many of us are truly praying over and for you....sometimes in the middle of the nite I am brought to it....thinking of and praying for you and your family.
From my time in the word this morning...1 Cor. 16: 13Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14Do everything in love.

Pecheur said...

Servant,

I pray in the name of Jesus that all demonic forces will leave you and your family alone. I bind them in the name of Jesus.

Christus Victor!!!
The Evil One may encompass us but he will never rip us from the hand of the Victor!

Curious Servant said...

Thank you, all of you for your prayers. I have a list of scriptures that I will read through at each place I pray on Saturday. They are my sword. I'd like to share them with you:

Psalm 31:1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

Ephesians 1:20-23 ...which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Colossians 2:15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Revelation 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

1 John 3:8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.

Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Ephesians 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus...

Ephesians 6:10- 18 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

James 3:13-16 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.


James 4:7-9 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

1 John 2:12-14 I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.




Thank you for your prayers.

G~ said...

May God richly bless all your efforts!

:)

Erin said...

I'll pray through those Saturday morning as well... a little agreement from my corner of the Kingdom.

Uaridi said...

Hey, I just dropped by and was hit by your wonderful dream and the prayer. If it is not too late, I too join in and ask the Lord to protect you and yours, and agree with all who are praying that victory will be yours. AMEN

Anonymous said...

Lord we ask for your protection and your guidance. We thank you that the enemy flees from your light and is bound and cut down by Your name, Jesus.

We ask for Your spirit to move through this home, like a cleansing fire and for Your sweet presence to rule and reign once more.

Lord we ask for permission to be the arms that hold up CS's as he intercedes for his home, Your place. We ask you to remind us to pray, give us the will to pray, and to be persistent in prayer too.

I thank you that Your word says that no-thing and no-one can separate us from Your love. I ask for breakthrough in the lives of CS's family, that your love would protect them, sustain and help them grow in you.

Amen

David said...

And may HE be present in your home and in your life. You are definitely winning the struggle.

Bruce said...

Powerful words...I pray God's blessings on you and your household.

B~

Professor Jeff said...

I have to tell you there is so weird stuff going on in your house. I started to pray for you last night and also this morning and if you go to my blog you will see what happened (www.stilljewish.blogspot.com). I am glad G-d is speaking to you before I could pick up the phone and call you to tell you what I believe you need to do. I have this vision of you putting up crossing in each of your doorways with annointing them with holy water from a church and blessing your house with your family. That is also why when I think of you I see a cup of wine overflowing. Interesting. WOW. You are blessed.

Curious Servant said...

Thank you.

Professor Jeff said...

You mention something on my blog I want to speak with about. My illness is not a stopping point in helping my brothers or sisters in times of need. G-d has given me a gift of discernment and healing and when moved by G-d to act - I will respond. So, even though, you know that I am overwhelmed with 30 pills a day (most of them making me tired), family issues that come up, and painful illness. I figure the while I am alive I am going to serve the Lord and give Him glory. I expect nothing in return but you to find peace and joy in Elohim.

dwg said...

my prayers to you and your home. thank you for your stories. I did read your first post, and my heart deply felt for you and yours. I still feel hallow from my encounter. blessings to you and yours.

Minka said...

Just beautifully written. I am not a strong believer but your writing fills me with pleasure!

Susanna said...

Really enjoy your writing, CS. It comes out of a deep place obviously of the suffering you and your family have been through. I'm especially moved by your love for two handicapped and scarred orphan boys. . .God bless you.

vandorsten said...

Well said. Press on.

Kc said...

Your all on my mind tonight. May God bless you now and continually.

An Ordinary Christian said...

"For all I have I give to my Lord." That is effective and powerful. I've only read this post, and don't really know you and I'm not sure, but your prayers may be covering future and past generations in your family - things that God knows and the spiritual realm knows - ways and practices, habits and influences. God's purposes will stand. Nothing can thwart His hand. We need to be obedient to the faith He has called us to, so anyway, I like your boldness and dedication.

Unknown said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Great writing.

No one likes to do the frontal assault but as your dream suggests, the enemy is all bark and no bite when we employ the Word of God in the situation.

God bless you and your household!

Unknown said...

wow...I am in tears (at work :))
i started reading job's tale reordered this morning and got to the one entitled "Blessed Be Your Name". I am amazed at your faith and trust in the Lord when having experienced that much tragedy in such a short amount of time.
you are sincerely my inspiration (as I was just about to give up, once again believing that I had been abandoned)
thank you so much. I will try to pray for you and your family fithfully as you have no idea what a difference you have made in my life in just the last hour.
bless you

see-through faith said...

praying :)

Curious Servant said...

I think I will be starting about 9:00.

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