The Battle Is Heating Up
March 31st, 2008 | Michael Q. Pink
“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward… Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. Therefore seeing we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily ensnare us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 10:35,38 & 12:1)
I write to you today from Costa Rica where I am wrapping up a three year study of the rainforest as a business model. What I have learned about how God gets abundance from scarcity is absolutely amazing and I can’t wait to share it with everyone when the book comes out in October. The publisher is calling it The Planet’s Most Successful Business Model. I am putting the final touches on the book on this trip.
I am writing from here today because I am burdened for you. I am concerned that you, like me, are experiencing what for us is an unprecedented battle against our souls. It’s a battle to weary us, to take us out of the game and to make us irrelevant. I feel it and I am pretty sure you feel it. Some of the battle is blatant and out in the open and much of it is disguised like the Fed takeover going on this week.
There is a shift coming of monumental proportion and what I am striving for and what I am pleading with you for is that we as a body of believers, press into God like never before. The greater the battle, the harder we press in, not growing weary in well doing, but praying without ceasing and walking in love. I have more to share in this regard, but will save that for future blogs.
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March 31st, 2008 at 10:00 am
You were reading my thoughts (or perceiving them from afar). As a banker with plenty of troubled debt, the battle has been fierce and feelings of being irrelevant as a minister in the marketplace leads me to ask for your prayers. I need a large miracle, well, several of them actually. Thanks.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:08 am
Michael,
No doubt part of the warfare you are experiencing is precisely because you are finishing your book, which I’m sure the enemy is well aware of the impact it will have, and therefore, would attack you. I pray God’s peace over you in Jesus name.
As I write this, I think of those words, stand strong and see the deliverance your God will work for you this day.
Blessings,
Dennis
March 31st, 2008 at 10:12 am
This was never more true than this past six months. Many things came against me and my family, break ins, theft of tech equipment, job and financial stresses; but what was dragging me down most was severe pain in my right knee (been going on and getting worse for over a year). I was praying about seeing a doctor and possible surgery. The pain and limited mobility was just wering me down cumulating on Easter weekend. By Sunday night, after all the Easter activities, I was in so much pain I could hardly bare it (you have to know, whether a blessing or a curse-I have extreme tollorance for pain). But, it was so bad as I rubbed BenGay on my knee I began to decree, “Lord if you can raise the dead, give sight to the blind, cause the lame to walk, I KNOW you can bring restoration to the cartilage and tendons in my knee!” I continued calling forth healing and restoration and all of the next week it got worse!! Thursday my family left on a weekend trip, I did some project around the house which just increased the pain and I relinquished to the ‘fact’ that I would have to call a doctor. Friday morning. I read a prophetic word about new praise coming forth in women, so I put on some praise music and thought I would worship while I did some projects and I was reading an 8 Day Prayer Focus and when the cd started the Holy Spirit just fell on me and it was like HE just grabbed me by the head of my hair and lifted me up. I began to dance and twirl and jump and then it was as if HE dragged me into every room of our house and I began to prophsey over purses, briefcases, clothes in the closet, books, computers, tv, etc. speaking “Hunger for the things of God, blessing, favor; hunger, blessings and favor; blessings coming in, blessings going out.” Calling out gifts, talents and energy for the Kingdom of God! “Gifts, talents, energy for the Kingdom of God”! The Holy Spirit held me captive in warfare for about 3 hrs.
Your teachings have given me a new hunger and thirst for the plans and purposes in my life for The Kingdom! Thank You, I just turned 65 and this is truly the most exciting time in my life!!! Jacque
March 31st, 2008 at 10:23 am
PS: I forgot: NO PAIN! I’ve been able to go up and down stairs and walk without limping with no pain. At 65, I don’t think I’ll be running any marathons, but you cannont imagine the freedom and excitement to be pain free! Jacque
March 31st, 2008 at 10:24 am
Michael,
I believe you are right. In fact this morning during my quiet time I found it most difficult to pray. It just seemed like very hard work. We must keep pressing in to God and keep the faith, when we can’t see his hand, trust his heart.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:46 am
Michael,
I really appreciated your insight today. I am in charge of a ministry in Africa, and although the ministry has grown far beyond our expectations during our first two years, our operating costs have increased while seeing a decrease in donations. The conventional wisdom calls for downsizing, but I sense God directing us to expand and assist other ministries as we seek to expand the Kingdom of God. The enemy and even well meaning friends offer discouraging words, but I thank you for your words of encouragement.
May God continue to bless your ministry to the marketplace,
Tom
March 31st, 2008 at 11:27 am
I am so grateful for your message today. Yes! I am feeling it too. I have had enough teaching in warfare to know I must resist these thoughts to quit, these thoughts of having made a mistake. I am using the weapons of my warfare, my helmet of salvation (Jesus is our salvation), my breastplate of righteousness ( we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus), my belt of truth (we know the truth and the truth has set us free and He is the truth the life and the way), my shoes of peace (we follow the Prince of Peace and are to be like Him), my shield of faith (Faith has been measured out to us in just the amount we need), my sword of the Spirit (the living Word of God, Jesus) and prayers of all kinds.
It helps knowing I am not battling alone. I pray for all of you who are doing battle too and I know we will have victory in Jesus! For the Word says the battle is His. His angels do warfare for us and the Holy Spirit is praying for us. How could we not win!
March 31st, 2008 at 11:28 am
This is the most up-to-the-minute PROPHETIC WORD going forth today.
READ AND ABSORB.
Prayers,
“Watchman on the Wall”
March 31st, 2008 at 11:44 am
How very true. We are in a major shift. Thank you for encouragement.
March 31st, 2008 at 11:58 am
Thank you for the encouragement to press in. It was confirmation to a line I seen concerning persevering prayer. It also confirmed the enemies ONE LAST attempt to take me/us out. It confirmed the weariness, on every level. Months and months ago I had a dream about a huge tornado that filled the sky. That storm is still here and raging. Last week I had a dream about a tsunami. Still standing. So I hope you were also encouraged that when you have done all you know to do…….THEN JUST STAND. I love your articles. I have a paper plate that is 18 years old. It says THE BEST IS YET TO COME. I absolutely refuse to throw it out.
God Bless and Prosper the Works of Your Hands,
Susan Brisebois
March 31st, 2008 at 12:07 pm
I am an interessor and for the last 9 months have been in a fierce battle, I came to the point that I have had to just stand for the past month and regain strength from the Lord. I have read the blogs and can identify with everyone of them. Thank you so much for the encouragement and all that have written in, for as I read these, I knew that I wasn’t alone in this battle. I thank each of you that wrote in, it has been a blessing today to read each one and know that I know I am where I am suppose to be.
March 31st, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Indeed tha battle is feeling very very strong these days! I usually am able to bear it with theLord’s Armor, but a few days ago I felt a blow that rendered me knocked out for longer than usual! I’ve never felt it so strong since I started walking with our Saviour, and at the same time, the Lord is placing ‘works’ of His in my path, that require much reliance in Him and prayer…I do sense the fear of the battle, the casualties, the wounds, the victories…I feel it up ahead. I shall join all of you in the fight, with His Word, prayer, and praise, for to such, no enemy can withstand!
March 31st, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Your words are appropriate for many today, Michael, and they seem to have struck a chord.
Since we are all in a battle, I was curious how many of us have people we can go to who will stand in the gap for us? I only have one godly, Christian businesswoman who has any idea of what I am talking about (because it is her daily world too). She and I have begun supporting one another via share and prayer over the phone several times weekly. I asked the Lord to connect me with those who will fight for one another through prayer. A former prayer partner called just last week hoping to reinstitute our commitment to help in this battle. That is one more but all three of us need to meet at some point to strengthen the web. (My husband prays too but his understanding of my part of the battle is fuzzy.)
My son fought in Iraq. No matter how good he was, he wouldn’t have been good enough if he had gone out alone. There is some safety in numbers . (Not to mention strategy can be implemented then.) May I suggest as believers during these times we could apply the wisdom of the military to our spiritual lives. The enemy is in it for keeps and desires our destruction as part of his means of discrediting our Lord. Who is trained (Scripture trains us in righteousness) to watch your back? Who is on your team–your “band of brothers”? Whose team are you watching out for? Just like in the book of Nehemiah, we may have to (figuratively) carry a sword in one hand while building the wall with the other.
Michael, you are on my prayer list now through April. Can others in your acquaintance marshall a more consistent covering? Thanks again for your honesty and insights during the battle.
March 31st, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Perfect timing! I have been feeling exactly what you wrote about Michael. It brings me back to being mindful of the spiritual battle that is taking place and knocking me out of the arena would be a win for the enemy.
As a sales person…I have countless opportunities to share the love of Christ to those that do not know him. I must remember that is my first calling! It is so easy to get caught up in the business ritual and the drag that sales can produce but my focus must remain on the calling.
Thanks again for todays words! I feel a new sense of perspective and getting my head in the game again.
March 31st, 2008 at 2:38 pm
It’s going to take a lot more than PRESSING IN TO GOD! There is so much fragmentation, judgment and the like in the body of Christ today, it’s no wonder things are the way they are! Yes, it’s true that we wrestle not with flesh & blood but with prinicpalities, powers & spiritual wickedness in high places and that we’re to walk by faith and not by sight. However, I repeat: The challenges seems to be: following the Lord and not our own agenda or anyone else’s agenda for that matter.
A good place to start might be PSALM 91.
Thank you.
March 31st, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Battles are won thru praise. I do not always remember that but it is true. Because the word tells us.
How can praise help? Not sure but Paul and Siles praised and their prison door was open. So there is a power there that if I could only remember I would walk in more victory.
Thank you for writing that new book. I cannot wait to get it. Thank you for laying down your life in obedience. That book will be a weopen used against the darkness No wonder the fight. Again Thank you for suffering so I might not have to.
Judy Holm
Eau Claire Wi
Midwest Labor
March 31st, 2008 at 9:07 pm
This was for me. I am a builder in central Florida with spec homes unsold. You can imagine the strain. Thank you for the encouragement. This is not the time to give up. I will trust in the Lord even if I am slain. There is no turning back. God Bless You!
March 31st, 2008 at 9:20 pm
I too am feeling the weariness, weight & oppression that is pouring out of the world onto the followers of Jesus Christ.
Thank you for this post, I don’t feel so alone now.
Thank you for taking the time to care for those of us out here, who are going about our business, day to day, trying to make a difference in our family and in the lives of those around us.
I will never give up the “giving” ….
“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine….”
Love will conquer fear….
May God bless your endeavors, and may He keep you safe as you continue to reach out to those of us that so need your words of comfort and wisdom.
God bless you
bettyjane
March 31st, 2008 at 9:43 pm
The warfare for many i pray with has never been as intense and full on. The enemy is relentless these days, But our lord is victorious. i prayed for reinforcements and he sent them, he is faithful and true. As our city Tallahassee Fl begins a 40 day fast for the peace of this capital city we sense how much destiny God has in store for his church here. At the IHOP, prayer center a younger generation toils and continues to press in to hear his heart and to obey. Revival is at hand on the campus’s A new alignment is occuring and his government will be seated in the heavenlies to do justice and make all things new . Out with the old and in with the even older!
Good word Michael, be encouraged. E.K.
April 1st, 2008 at 1:53 am
yes michael the battle has been increasing, I have seen it a great deel,just returned from the navajo reservation,the enemy is still trying to build his stonghold, but the weapons of our warfare are greater! and I am seeing God’s generals being assembled to network his people to fight this darkness in the world!………from here to new mexico, God is raising up his Army!…….equiping his army like your website here to get edyfied,built up and stick a double edge sword in our hands, for the gates of hell shall not prevail!…Progress the Kingdom of God Warriors!.frank russo,venice,fl
April 1st, 2008 at 3:47 am
Thank you - it IS time to press in. Adversary would have us believe the report of man but I’m with Joshua and Caleb! Thanks for the encouragement, Michael. I love Jacque and her whirling dervish around her house. Good on you, girl! 65 years young, you are a LEGEND!
April 1st, 2008 at 11:27 am
The greater the reward the fiercer the battle… the enemy never gives up good ground without a fight! I hope you have an army of prayer warriors, committed to praying you through this season!
In Him,
Rebecca
April 1st, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I received this and thought of how fitting it applies to what is going on.
“CAUTION: You are Entering into Your Promised Land -
BE CAREFUL NOT TO MURMER –AND GUARD EVERY RELATIONSHIP!”
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Bill Yount
Blowing the Shofar Ministries
April 1st, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Hi Mario,
Thanks for drawing this to our attention. We have a strict policy of not allowing content to be posted without the permission of the author, so the text has been removed from your comment. If you are able to obtain permission from the author, we will repost it.
We have, however, left the article title and author intact in case someone wants to look it up.
Thanks,
The Selling Among Wolves Team
April 2nd, 2008 at 2:54 pm
We seem to be jerked between amazing revelations and anointed moments in God, and then to the business world where we struggle with everything the forces of darkness throw at us. Theft of property, liars who promise and don’t deliver, people who do a poor job, councils and government agencies who charge huge sums and make unreal demands. That is the way of the world these days, even here in New Zealand! Somewhere in our history the church ceased to be salt and light, and raise the banner of holiness, and look what ensued. Well, man’s importunity is God’s opportunity. We are praying that as Christians get into God and die to selfish ambition, and the world gets worse, that the light of God’s people will shine so much brighter, that people will come and ask “What makes you so different?”
We are finding that already, as we deal with tradespeople etc.and have been able to speak to several about the Lord.
Our prayer is that God’s people will get united and be transformed as God’s heartbeat for the nations is heard in the church once again.
I had a vision the other day of a mountaintop - when the intercessors went up to take the land the ice caps had to be chipped away before they could get to the mountaintops. The ice was the believer’s disunity, apathy and unbelief. Then, as believers chose to walk in unity, faith and power, the ice melted into a river of life to the plains below.
Bless y’all and may victory be yours as you faithfully serve Jesus. Thanks Michael, don’t stop now! We need you in the Body of Christ, and others like you who seek His will first.
April 8th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Thats the truth. We are in a major shift. Thank you for encouragement.