Activating Angelic Help Through Faith and Prayer
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound topic of activating angels in our lives. We began with a personal story about a frustrating hotel experience to illustrate how many Christians miss out on blessings because they fail to activate their spiritual key card. Jesus has already paid the price for us to access these blessings, but we must take action to unlock them.
First, we must be aware of the spiritual realm. Just as we believe in gravity and electricity without seeing them, we must recognize the existence of angels and demons. The Bible emphasizes this in Ephesians 6:12 and 2 Corinthians 4:18, urging us to focus not just on the visible but also on the invisible spiritual world.
Second, resisting demonic attacks can activate angelic help. We looked at the story of Daniel, who continued to pray to God despite King Darius's decree, and God sent an angel to shut the lions' mouths. Similarly, Jesus resisted the devil's temptations using the Word of God, and angels attended to Him. We must resist the devil with Scripture, the fear of God, and worship.
Third, earnest prayer is crucial. The early church's fervent prayers led to Peter's miraculous release from prison by an angel. We must not underestimate the power of earnest prayer in activating divine intervention in our lives.
Finally, trusting God at all times is essential. Psalm 91 speaks of God's protection for those who trust Him. Whether under attack, feeling like giving up, or struggling to do God's will, trust activates angelic help. Elijah's raw prayer during his darkest moment led to angelic assistance, and Jesus' surrender to God's will in Gethsemane brought angelic strength.
### Key Takeaways
1. Awareness of the Spiritual Realm: Recognizing the existence of the spiritual realm is crucial for activating angelic help. Just as we believe in unseen forces like gravity and electricity, we must acknowledge the reality of angels and demons. This awareness allows us to utilize spiritual weapons like prayer, fasting, and worship to fight our battles. [04:36]
2. Resisting Demonic Attacks: Resisting the devil's schemes can activate angelic intervention. Daniel's unwavering prayer to God despite King Darius's decree and Jesus' use of Scripture to counter the devil's temptations are powerful examples. We must resist with the Word of God, the fear of God, and worship to receive divine help. [07:56]
3. Earnest Prayer: The early church's earnest prayers led to Peter's miraculous release from prison by an angel. This teaches us the importance of fervent, persistent prayer. When we earnestly pray, we invite God's supernatural intervention into our lives and situations. [17:51]
4. Trusting God in All Circumstances: Trusting God, especially during attacks or dark times, activates angelic help. Psalm 91 assures us of God's protection when we make Him our refuge. Elijah's raw prayer during his darkest moment and Jesus' surrender to God's will in Gethsemane are profound examples of trust leading to divine assistance. [20:23]
5. Surrendering to God's Will: Surrendering to God's will, even when it's difficult, can activate angelic help. Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane, "Not my will, but Yours be done," led to angelic strength. Surrendering our desires and plans to God's will invites His divine intervention and blessings into our lives. [25:26]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:57] - Personal Story: Hotel Key Card
[01:37] - Spiritual Key Card
[02:47] - Warning Against Angel Fixation
[03:40] - Pursue Jesus, Not Angels
[04:36] - Awareness of the Spiritual Realm
[07:56] - Resisting Demonic Attacks
[10:04] - Resisting with the Word of God
[12:26] - Resisting with the Fear of God
[15:17] - Resisting with Worship
[17:21] - Earnest Prayer
[20:23] - Trusting God at All Times
[22:55] - Trusting God When Giving Up
[25:26] - Trusting God When Doing His Will
[27:58] - Surrendering to God's Will
[29:57] - Call to Surrender
[30:28] - Prayer of Surrender
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 6:12 - "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."
2. Daniel 6:22 - "My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty."
3. Psalm 91:2 - "I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Ephesians 6:12 tell us about the nature of our struggles? How does this relate to the concept of the spiritual realm discussed in the sermon? [04:36]
2. In Daniel 6:22, what was the result of Daniel's faithfulness and resistance to the king's decree? How did God respond to his situation? [09:01]
3. According to Psalm 91:2, what is the significance of trusting God? How does this trust relate to the activation of angelic help as mentioned in the sermon? [20:23]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the awareness of the spiritual realm, as described in Ephesians 6:12, change the way Christians should approach their daily lives and struggles? [04:36]
2. What can we learn from Daniel's experience about the importance of resisting demonic attacks and staying faithful to God even in difficult circumstances? [09:01]
3. How does the concept of trust in Psalm 91:2 apply to modern-day believers? What are some practical ways to demonstrate this trust in our daily lives? [20:23]
4. How does earnest prayer, as seen in the story of Peter's release from prison, invite God's supernatural intervention? What does this teach us about the power of prayer? [17:51]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt under spiritual attack. How did you respond, and what spiritual weapons did you use? How can you better prepare for such attacks in the future? [04:36]
2. Daniel resisted the king's decree and continued to pray to God. Are there areas in your life where you need to resist societal pressures or temptations to stay faithful to God? How can you take a stand this week? [09:01]
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of earnest prayer. How can you incorporate more earnest and persistent prayer into your daily routine? What specific prayer needs can you bring before God this week? [17:51]
4. Trusting God in all circumstances can be challenging. Identify a current situation where you are struggling to trust God. What steps can you take to make God your refuge and fortress in this situation? [20:23]
5. Jesus surrendered to God's will in Gethsemane, even when it was difficult. Is there an area in your life where you need to surrender your will to God's? What practical steps can you take to align your desires with God's will? [25:26]
6. The sermon mentioned the power of worship as a weapon against the enemy. How can you incorporate more worship into your daily life? What specific actions can you take to make worship a regular part of your spiritual practice? [16:04]
7. Reflect on the story of Elijah's raw prayer during his darkest moment. How can you be more honest and real with God in your prayers? What specific burdens or struggles do you need to bring before Him this week? [22:55]
Devotional
### 5-Day Devotional: Activating Angelic Help in Our Lives
#### Day 1: Recognizing the Unseen Spiritual Realm
Description:
To activate angelic help, it is crucial to recognize the existence of the spiritual realm. Just as we believe in unseen forces like gravity and electricity, we must acknowledge the reality of angels and demons. This awareness allows us to utilize spiritual weapons like prayer, fasting, and worship to fight our battles. The Bible emphasizes this in Ephesians 6:12 and 2 Corinthians 4:18, urging us to focus not just on the visible but also on the invisible spiritual world. By being aware of the spiritual realm, we can better understand the dynamics of our spiritual battles and the resources available to us. [04:36]
Bible Passage:
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12, ESV)
Reflection:
Think about a recent challenge you faced. How might recognizing the spiritual realm change your approach to this situation? What spiritual weapons can you use to address it today?
#### Day 2: Resisting the Devil with God's Word
Description:
Resisting the devil's schemes can activate angelic intervention. Daniel's unwavering prayer to God despite King Darius's decree and Jesus' use of Scripture to counter the devil's temptations are powerful examples. We must resist with the Word of God, the fear of God, and worship to receive divine help. By standing firm in our faith and using Scripture as our weapon, we can thwart the enemy's plans and invite angelic assistance into our lives. [07:56]
Bible Passage:
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." (James 4:7-8a, ESV)
Reflection:
Identify a specific temptation or attack you are currently facing. How can you use Scripture to resist this temptation today? What verses will you meditate on and declare over your situation?
#### Day 3: The Power of Earnest Prayer
Description:
The early church's earnest prayers led to Peter's miraculous release from prison by an angel. This teaches us the importance of fervent, persistent prayer. When we earnestly pray, we invite God's supernatural intervention into our lives and situations. Prayer is not just a ritual but a powerful means of communication with God that can activate divine help and bring about miraculous outcomes. [17:51]
Bible Passage:
"Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, 'Get up quickly.' And the chains fell off his hands." (Acts 12:5, 7, ESV)
Reflection:
Think of a situation in your life that seems impossible. How can you commit to praying earnestly for this situation? What specific prayers will you lift up to God today?
#### Day 4: Trusting God in All Circumstances
Description:
Trusting God, especially during attacks or dark times, activates angelic help. Psalm 91 assures us of God's protection when we make Him our refuge. Elijah's raw prayer during his darkest moment and Jesus' surrender to God's will in Gethsemane are profound examples of trust leading to divine assistance. Trusting God means relying on His promises and faithfulness, even when circumstances seem dire. [20:23]
Bible Passage:
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" (Psalm 91:1-2, ESV)
Reflection:
Reflect on a time when you felt like giving up. How can you choose to trust God in that situation? What steps can you take today to make God your refuge and fortress?
#### Day 5: Surrendering to God's Will
Description:
Surrendering to God's will, even when it's difficult, can activate angelic help. Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane, "Not my will, but Yours be done," led to angelic strength. Surrendering our desires and plans to God's will invites His divine intervention and blessings into our lives. It requires humility and faith to let go of our own plans and trust that God's plans are better. [25:26]
Bible Passage:
"And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." (Luke 22:43-44, ESV)
Reflection:
What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "So many Christians miss out on so many blessings that God has for your life because you never activate the spiritual key card. Jesus paid the price on the cross of Calvary. So that you can access some amazing blessings, but you have to activate the spiritual key card to access all the blessings that God has for your life." [01:37] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You don't pursue angels. You pursue Jesus. You don't seek angels. You seek Jesus. You don't worship angels. You worship Jesus." [03:40] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When you surrender to God's will, it will activate Heaven's help into your life and into your situation. Lord, this has got to be the prayer you pray. Lord, not My will, but Yours be done. It doesn't make sense to forgive the person who hurt me, but I surrender to Your will." [26:56] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you fear the Lord, it activates blessings in your life. God dispatches his angels to encamp around those who fear him. Don't test God, fear God." [15:17] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you earnestly pray, it activates heaven's help into your life and situation. Pray! Earnestly pray." [19:50] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Be aware of the spiritual realm. Church, there's a spiritual realm that you cannot see, and the unseen spiritual realm is just as real as what you can see. Just like you can't see gravity, but it's real. You can't see aerodynamics, but it's real. You can't see electricity, but it's real." [04:36] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Resist the devil and honor God. When Jesus was tempted by the devil, he resisted the devil's attacks. And God the Father sent angelic help. You find it in Matthew chapter number 4. In verse number 11 it says, Then the devil left him. After Jesus resisted the devil's attack, the devil left him. And angels came and attended." [10:04] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When you lack the fear of God, you forfeit the blessings of God. And so many blessings are activated in our lives when we fear God. Come on, I want to just quickly write this down, write this down. Let me just give you six blessings God gives to those who fear him." [13:21] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Trust God when you feel like giving up. Trust God. When a Elijah was under attack from a lady named Jezebel who wanted to kill him, he ran for his life. He found himself depleted and depressed. He trusted God. Somebody needs to hear this today. He trusted God with a raw and real prayer on the darkest day of his life." [22:55] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you choose to surrender to God's will, it can activate Heaven's help into your life. Lord, this has got to be the prayer you pray. Lord, not My will, but Yours be done. It doesn't make sense to forgive the person who hurt me, but I surrender to Your will." [26:56] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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