Awakening to Spiritual Authority in Crisis

Devotional

Day 1: Recognize and Engage in Spiritual Battle

The world is in crisis, but as believers, we must recognize that the true battle is not against people or circumstances, but against spiritual forces of darkness. We are called to fight not with human strength or worldly tactics, but with spiritual weapons that God provides. When we see evil and turmoil around us, our response should not be fear or retreat, but a bold engagement in prayer, faith, and spiritual authority, knowing that God has equipped us for victory. [47:57]

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NKJV)
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Reflection: Where in your life have you been trying to fight a spiritual battle with natural means, and how can you intentionally shift to using the spiritual weapons God has given you today?

Day 2: Enlarge, Lengthen, and Strengthen Your Faith

God calls us to enlarge the place of our tent, lengthen our cords, and strengthen our stakes—not just for ourselves, but to cover and protect more people in a world that desperately needs hope. This means stretching our faith, deepening our spiritual roots, and preparing for the storms of life by anchoring ourselves more firmly in God’s truth and love. Instead of retreating when challenges come, we are to dig deeper, stand stronger, and make room for others to experience God’s covering through us. [44:20]

Isaiah 54:2 (NKJV)
“Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where God is asking you to stretch your faith or make room for others, and how can you take a practical step to do that this week?

Day 3: Pray Without Ceasing for All People

In these challenging times, it is more important than ever to pray continually—not just for ourselves, but for all people, including those in authority, our neighbors, and even those we disagree with. Prayer is not a last resort but our first line of engagement in the spiritual battle, and God desires that we intercede for revival, protection, and salvation in every sphere of society. As you go about your day, let every encounter and every place you pass become an opportunity to lift up prayers that invite God’s presence and power. [01:04:24]

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV)
Pray without ceasing.

Reflection: As you go about your day, who is one person or group you can intentionally pray for every time you see or think of them, and how will you remind yourself to do it?

Day 4: Preach and Live the Gospel Boldly

It is time to share the gospel more boldly, not just with our actions but with our words, wherever God has placed us—whether in our workplace, neighborhood, or daily interactions. Every believer is called to be a witness, and discipleship can begin even before someone accepts Christ, simply by being intentional in our conversations and relationships. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or for someone else to do it; step out in faith, share your testimony, and trust that God will use your words and actions to draw others to Himself. [01:13:29]

Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV)
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.

Reflection: Who is one person in your daily life you can begin to intentionally build a relationship with and share the hope of Jesus, and what is one step you can take to start that conversation this week?

Day 5: Stand Firm in the Armor of God

In the face of evil days and spiritual opposition, God calls us to stand firm—putting on the full armor He provides and refusing to cower or compromise. Standing means holding to God’s truth, living righteously, walking in peace, taking up faith, guarding our minds with salvation, wielding the Word, and praying at all times. Even when attacks come or circumstances are hard, we are to remain steadfast, speaking life, resisting gossip, and being bold for Christ in every arena of life. [01:22:23]

Ephesians 6:10-18 (NKJV)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

Reflection: What piece of God’s armor do you most need to intentionally “put on” today, and how will you practice standing firm in that area when challenges arise?

Sermon Summary

In a world marked by crisis, violence, and spiritual confusion, God calls His people to be awake, alert, and anchored in Him. The reality of our times is not just a series of unfortunate events or political turmoil, but a manifestation of a deeper spiritual battle raging all around us. The evil we witness is not merely the result of human decisions, but the work of spiritual forces that can only be confronted with spiritual weapons. We are not called to retreat or to be lulled into complacency, but to enlarge our tents, lengthen our cords, and strengthen our stakes—making room for more people to encounter God’s covering and protection.

This is not a time for the church to be silent or passive. Instead, it is a time to recognize that our hope is not in political systems or human leaders, but in Jesus Christ alone. Laws may change, leaders may come and go, but the truth of God’s Word and the sanctity of life remain constant. We are called to engage every sphere of society—not just the church, but politics, education, medicine, business, and beyond—with the presence and authority of Christ. Every believer, regardless of profession or position, is an ambassador of the Kingdom, empowered to pray, speak life, and bring transformation wherever they go.

To stand firm in these days, four things are essential: pray more, fast more, preach more, and stand more. Prayer is not a last resort but a continual, humble, and bold engagement with God for our families, leaders, cities, and nation. Fasting is not just a religious exercise, but a real, sacrificial pursuit of God’s presence and power. Preaching is not reserved for pulpits; every believer is called to share the gospel in word and deed, intentionally discipling those around them—even before they come to faith. And standing means putting on the full armor of God, refusing to cower in the face of opposition, and boldly living out the truth in love, even when it is costly.

Now is the time to awaken, to take up our spiritual authority, and to be the church that prays, fasts, preaches, and stands—so that the light of Christ shines in every dark place, and many come to know Him.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Battle Is Spiritual, Not Merely Physical or Political What we see in the world—violence, division, and moral confusion—are symptoms of a deeper spiritual conflict. Our true enemy is not flesh and blood, but spiritual forces of darkness. Attempting to fight these battles with human strategies or political arguments will always fall short; only spiritual weapons—prayer, the Word, and the authority of Christ—can bring true victory. [47:57]
2. Awakening from Spiritual Slumber Is Urgent Many believers have been lulled into complacency, losing their spiritual voice and strength, much like Samson in Delilah’s lap. The church must awaken, recognize the times, and reclaim its authority in Christ. This awakening is not just for personal revival, but for the sake of a world in desperate need of God’s intervention. [50:03]
3. Engage Every Sphere of Society as Ambassadors of Christ God’s people are called to be present and active in every arena—politics, education, medicine, business, and beyond. Being a Christian is not confined to church walls; it means carrying the presence and authority of Jesus into every context, praying over places, speaking life, and being intentional about influencing culture for the Kingdom. [62:05]
4. Four Essential Responses: Pray, Fast, Preach, and Stand Now is the time to pray without ceasing, fast with sincerity, preach the gospel boldly, and stand firm in the armor of God. These are not optional disciplines, but vital strategies for spiritual warfare and transformation. Each requires intentionality, sacrifice, and a willingness to be bold for Christ in a world that desperately needs Him. [64:24]
5. Discipleship Begins Before Conversion—Be Intentional Discipling others doesn’t start after someone becomes a Christian; it begins with every interaction, every act of love, and every conversation that points people toward Jesus. Be intentional in relationships—learn names, pray for neighbors, and look for opportunities to share the gospel. God uses these seeds, often sown in ordinary moments, to bring people into His Kingdom. [81:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[36:14] - God’s Presence and Faithfulness
[38:59] - Joy in the Midst of Crisis
[40:25] - Recognizing the World’s Crisis
[43:28] - Responding to Crisis: Enlarge, Lengthen, Strengthen
[45:48] - The Spiritual Battle Unveiled
[47:57] - Fighting with Spiritual Weapons
[50:03] - Awakening from Spiritual Slumber
[52:43] - Not Wrestling Against Flesh and Blood
[54:38] - Our Hope Is in Jesus, Not Politics
[56:58] - The Sanctity of Life and God’s Standards
[58:30] - Christians in Every Arena
[62:05] - Authority in Every Profession
[64:24] - Four Responses: Pray, Fast, Preach, Stand
[70:41] - Fasting: Real Sacrifice
[73:29] - Preaching and Discipleship in Everyday Life
[81:15] - Intentional Relationships and Evangelism
[82:23] - Standing Firm in the Armor of God
[88:32] - Speaking Life, Not Death
[92:04] - Praying for the Lost and Our Leaders
[96:19] - Awakening and Boldness for the Church
[98:24] - Praying for Our City, State, and Nation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Isaiah 54:2 (NKJV) — > "Enlarge the place of your tent,
And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings;
Do not spare;
Lengthen your cords,
And strengthen your stakes."

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NKJV) — > "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."

Ephesians 6:10-18 (NKJV) — > "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints."

Observation Questions

In Isaiah 54:2, what are the three actions God commands regarding the tent, and what do they symbolize in the context of the sermon? [[44:20]]
According to 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, what are the weapons of our warfare, and what are they able to accomplish? [[50:03]]
In Ephesians 6:10-18, what does Paul say we are truly fighting against, and what does he instruct believers to do in response? [[52:43]]
The sermon described the church as being “lulled to sleep” like Samson. What does this metaphor mean in the context of spiritual life? [[50:03]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does the sermon emphasize that the battle we face is spiritual and not just physical or political? How does this change the way believers should respond to current events? [[47:57]]
The command to “enlarge, lengthen, and strengthen” is given during a time of crisis. What does it look like for a church or individual to “enlarge their tent” today? [[44:20]]
The sermon calls every believer an “ambassador of the Kingdom” in every sphere of society. What does it mean to carry the presence and authority of Christ into places like work, school, or government? [[01:02:05]]
The four responses—pray, fast, preach, and stand—are described as essential, not optional. Why are each of these necessary for spiritual victory and transformation? [[01:04:24]]

Application Questions

The sermon says many believers have been “lulled into complacency.” Is there an area of your life where you feel spiritually asleep or passive? What would it look like to “wake up” in that area? [[50:03]]
“Enlarge your tent” means making room for more people to encounter God’s covering. Who in your life could you intentionally reach out to or invite under God’s “tent” this month? What practical step can you take? [[44:20]]
The message challenges us to pray more, not just for ourselves but for leaders, cities, and even those we disagree with. Who is one leader or public figure you struggle to pray for, and how can you start praying for them this week? [[01:07:27]]
Fasting is described as a real, sacrificial pursuit of God’s presence. When was the last time you fasted for spiritual reasons? What could you fast from in the coming weeks to seek God more deeply? [[01:10:41]]
Preaching is not just for pastors. Think of one person in your daily life who doesn’t know Jesus. What is one way you can intentionally share the gospel with them—either through words or actions—this week? [[01:13:29]]
Standing firm means putting on the full armor of God and refusing to cower in the face of opposition. What is one situation where you need courage to stand for Christ, even if it’s costly? How can the group pray for you in this? [[01:22:23]]
The sermon says discipleship begins before conversion. Who is someone you can start “discipling” through friendship, prayer, or conversation, even if they haven’t yet come to faith? What’s a first step you can take? [[01:21:15]]

Sermon Clips

And many of us believers are trying to fight in the flesh something which can only be warred in the spirit. We don't realize that what is behind the person, behind the situation, behind the evil, it's not the person. It's what behind them is. And many within the church are dormant, are sleeping. They have been lulled to sleep like Samson was in Delilah's lap as she stroked his hair and he fell asleep and she chopped it off. And many within the church, the body of Christ, I'm not talking just here 3W, this is a prophetic message. Many within the body of Christ, many within the body of Christ have been lulled to sleep and are finding itself voiceless, strengthless because the hair has been chopped off. [00:49:19] (70 seconds) #WakeFromSpiritualSlumber

``It's not about right or left, it's about Jesus. Our hope is not in man, it's in Jesus. It's always been Jesus, it is Jesus, and it will always be Jesus. Jesus. [00:54:33] (20 seconds) #JesusAbovePolitics

It's not political. It's spiritual. It's not political. It's spiritual. Let's be very honest. Let's be very frank this morning. We all rejoiced or are very well, should have been rejoicing when Roe v. Wade was overturned. Because we believe that life starts in the womb. But let me tell you something. That overturning it doesn't mean that there's still not thousands of them happening in our country every single day. And it's not a guarantee that in 2, 5, 10, 15 years from now, should the Lord tarry, somebody else doesn't walk in and make it legal again. It's not political. It's spiritual. [00:56:47] (52 seconds) #FollowGodsWord

Too many times, because we've been lulled to sleep, we go by what law says instead of what the word of God says. It's why Paul writes and says, all things may be lawful to me, but they're not beneficial. What do we want to do? Because we've been lulled to sleep. Oh, how far is too far? How close can I get to the line without crossing the line? How close can I get to it? That mindset needs to stop because we're engaging in spiritual war. And if God said it, that's what I follow. [00:58:15] (36 seconds) #BelieversInEveryArena

Here's number one, it's time to pray more. It's time to pray more. It's time to pray more. 1 Thessalonians 5, 17, pray without ceasing. It's a verse we can all memorize, pray without ceasing, without stopping continually. I want you to think of that for a moment. Imagine for a moment, every single one of us, as we're driving to wherever we're driving, and we're driving down the road, and we see a school, in the name of Jesus, we pray revival happening in that school. Protection, God, protect them in that school. [01:03:49] (39 seconds) #UseYourWordsNow

It's time to preach more. What do I mean by it's time to preach more? It's time to share your gospel. Matthew says, go into all the world and preach the gospel. Go into all the world and preach the gospel. What is your world? If you're in the medical profession, your world might be the hospital. Go in there and preach. If you're a bus driver, the world might be that bus. Every person that walks in. God bless you. God's got something for you today. If you're a teacher, if you're whatever it is, if you're a politician, whatever arena is, go in there and preach the gospel. Share the word. [01:13:11] (41 seconds) #SpeakLifeNotDeath

There's a saying that's attributed to Francis of Assisi. It's been going around for years. It says, to preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words. Have you ever heard that type of saying? It is very true. Your testimony preaches the gospel, but Bapal, it's time to use your words because the times are short. It's time to use your words, not just your actions, your words. It's time to use your words. [01:13:52] (31 seconds) #PrayFastPreachStand

It's time to stand more. It's time to stand more. Stand. Stand. Stand. You go back to Ephesians chapter number six. Ephesians chapter number six. Starting in verse 10, finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles or the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand. It's easy to stand when things are fine, but we're in evil days. [01:22:06] (54 seconds)

If you're living for God, attacks will come. Don't cower, but strengthen the stakes. Lengthen the cords. Too many times, I've heard this way too many times. Every time I try to get right with God, attacks come. I'd rather just, I'd rather just be, uh -uh, uh -uh, bring it. Let's go. Greater is he who's in me than he who's in the world. I've got the armor. I will not cower. I will stand. I will not fear. I will stand. [01:23:24] (37 seconds)

It's time to pray more. It's time to fast more. Church, it's time to preach more. Church, it's time to stand more. Stand. You know what the verse says there at the end? And having done all, stand. I'm not just standing when things are going well. I'm standing in the storm. I'm not just standing because everything is exactly as I wanted, and I've gotten everything I prayed for, I'm standing in the midst of war, and I will proclaim Jesus, and I will proclaim the Word of God, and I will preach everywhere I go, and I will pray everywhere I go, and I will stand for Him everywhere I go. It's time. It's time. [01:29:15] (79 seconds)

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