2. 2 Corinthians 10 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the Knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; We do not fight against flesh and blood . We fight against spirits that war against our souls. We must remember this Truth , if we would be filled with joy, peace, love, and patience.

3. The battlefield is the minds and hearts of men and women, both Christians and unbelievers . The devil and all the demons of hell fight against God for the souls of men and women. We must fight on the side of God and His angels or those souls will be eternally lost in hell. The greatest weapons we have are given to us as we submit ourselves to God's Holy Spirit. The Fruit of His Spirit.

4. The devil uses such weapons as: pride, lust, anger, disappointment, doubt, fear, and discouragement. We can defeat him, but not with his own weapons.

5. We defeat pride with humility, meekly submitting ourselves unto God's Word and Spirit. We defeat lust with the Peace of God, refusing to desire anything that God does not grant. We defeat anger with the love , joy , peace , and patience that only come by God's Holy Spirit. We defeat disappointment with faith in God's love for us, and a good understanding of His Will.

6. We defeat doubt and fear with faith and the faithfulness that it brings. Faith comes by hearing -- believing and obeying the Word of God in the Power of the Spirit of God. We fight discouragement by trusting in God's love for us, receiving His Joy, Peace, and Patience, and placing all our faith in His love and power. We must use the weapons God gives us by His Spirit, and we can't lose .

7. 30 Then Joshua built an altar unto the Lord God of Israel in mount Ebal, 31 As Moses the servant of the Lord commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the Law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the Lord, and sacrificed peace offerings. Whenever God moves in our behalf, it's time to worship and offer sacrifices .

8. If we don't remember to give thanks to God every time He moves in our behalf, Every time we have a victory , Every time anything good is accomplished, That leads to pride and pride always leads to failure .

9. When we take credit for ourselves, we set ourselves up for a great fall . Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the king's horses, and all the king's men, Couldn't put Humpty Dumpty back together again. He thought he could sit there in his own strength.

10. Hebrews 13 15 By HIM therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to HIS Name. 16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Communicate = koinonia To have fellowship and share your life. DVT God doesn't want His children to live our lives, each in his own little world. We are a family. God is our Father.

11. We are not to be storage rooms, But rather conduits of God's blessing. The only permanent things we are building are relationships . Love one another. Be kind and gentle.

12. 32 And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the Law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel. 33 And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel.

13. Sacrifices Worship Everybody stood round about while Joshua wrote a copy of the Law of Moses on the stone.

14. 34 And afterward he read all the Words of the Law, the blessings and cursings , according to all that is written in the Book of the Law. 35 There was not a Word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.

15. It is past time that we, the church, renewed our covenant relationship with our Lord. It's time to worship Him with the sacrifices of praise , giving thanks to His Name. It is time that we learned the discipline and patience to come to church and wait on God. It is time for us to learn to love His Word and desire to hear it read and taught in our midst.

16. We must be no longer children with short attention spans, needing to be entertained. It's past time to grow up and live mature lives , Accept responsibility, and fulfill it. 1 Corinthians 16 (TLB) 13 Keep your eyes open for spiritual danger; stand true to the Lord; act like men ; be strong; 14 and whatever you do, do it with kindness and love.

17. God is calling us to maturity. Let us answer the call.

18. Announcements? December 27, 2009