2 Timothy 3: 1-4

PRAYER COVER–PLEASE READ AND CONSIDER!

Scriptural Steps to a Prayer Cover

A “Prayer Cover” is not specifically mentioned in the Scriptures, although in the setting of Job when Satan comes before God we see a glimpse of it when Satan mentions, “You have built a hedge of protection around him…”  Specifically the idea of a Prayer Cover is a Scriptural way to provide protection from anything that would hinder God’s Divine Will and Divine Direction in a person’s life.  Everyone needs to live in the attitude, place and space where our one and only goal is to follow the will of God.  Jesus requires us to follow Him (follow the will of God).  If we don’t or won’t follow the will of God (Jesus) he said, “you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” 

Prayer Cover is an idea/concept that could be called by many different names, but the “name” is the starting point in the understanding and application of how much God cares for us and wants us to live in full salvation/full understanding/full communion with Him through Jesus. 

1.  PRAYER COVER STARTS WITH FINDING “AGREEMENT” (symponesosin) WITH ANOTHER SPIRIT FILLED BELIEVER.  (Through teaching “agreement” to other’s who will teach it to others, the desired result is to turn a network of agreement into a fully woven net of agreement and the ultimately into a COVER OF AGREEMENT (Prayer Cover). 

Matthew 18:19-20

Again, truly I say to you:  (Amen Lego Hymin)—“You can trust this.  I am speaking directly into your lives…”

That if 2 of you AGREE ON EARTH AS TOUCHING:  (Symphonesosin) means to “harmonize with unity” INCLUDING “harmonizing in unity” that you WILL receive.

Anything they shall ask it shall be done for them:  (Pantos, Aitesontai, Genesetai) Anything and Everything you petition—feeling free to be bold you your ask—it will be done.  PERIOD.

Of my Father which is in Heaven:  (Patros, Ouranois)  A Loving Father’s Divine Destiny, Divine Wish, Divine Hope, Divine Imagination, Divine Vision, Divine Authority, Divine Purpose, Etc. Etc. Etc.

For where 2 or 3 are gathered:  (Synegmenoi) Intentional integration; Intentional synergy.

In my NAME:  (Emon Onoma) The “Character of God” revealed in the Word of God combined with the deep submission of the individual heart to follow the Word (follow Jesus) and thereby discovering, living by, and living inside the Will of God (the character of God).

There I am in the midst of them:  (En Auton)  Inside, Beside, Ahead, Behind, All Around!

•  PRAYER COVER IS FORTIFIED, MULTIPLIED, AND SANCTIFIED BY EMPLOYING THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN—BINDING AND LOOSING.

Mark 3:27-28

“No one can enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first BINDS THE STRONG MAN, then he can rob the strong man.”  (Dese)  Catch, Lasso, Wrangle, Tie Down, Chain Up, (finally)  TIGHTEN DOWN VERY TIGHT!

Matthew 16:19

“I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Whatever you BIND on earth will be BOUND in Heaven:  (Dese)  Catch, Lasso, Wrangle, Tie Down, Chain Up, (finally) TIGHTEN DOWN VERY TIGHT!

Whatever you LOOSED on earth will be LOOSED in Heaven:  (Lyses)  Submitted, Turned Over, Yielded Up, Let go of completely and totally!

*WE “BIND” SIN….WE “LOOSE” THE HOLY SPIRIT!

NOTES TO REMEMBER:

• Matthew 19:26—“With man this is impossible but with God all things are possible!”  Para Theos—In the presence of the LIVING GOD.  Dynata—Powerfully possible; Cable; Able;
• Matthew 18:5—“She will stop wearing me out with her perpetual requests, I will give her justice.” Wear Out– Hypopiaze—means annoy and wear out into exhaustion, then, punch in the face until beaten and broken.  Justice—Ekdikeso means vindication, validation, and value.

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Letter to an 18 Year Ukrainian Soldier Friend of Mine Just Sent to the Front Line of the War with Russia

I looked across at my eighth grade, almost 14 year old grandson, in the swim spa a few days ago. We were playing “swim spa tag”–a game the grandsons made up. All of a sudden I was gripped with another 14 year old boy I rode around Ukraine with 4 years ago doing ministry and around Kiev to see the sites. Max just turned 18 and was drafted into the military and sent to the East, the very front line of the war with Russian. I sent him a letter through his family they translated and sent off to him. I believe it speaks of life in general, not just what he is facing. I hope it helps him a little–and helps the rest of us A LOT!

Dear Max:

It seems like yesterday that you and Tammy picked us up at the airport in Kiev and we Toured the City and some of the country together.  We pray for you and your family often, and since this war began, daily.  It was like yesterday you were a boy in his early teen years, and now you are a man preparing to go to the front lines of a war you didn’t create.  I was praying about what I should say when I wrote you and I feel like God spoke to me some very specific things.  As I have had some time to reflect, I think these things are as much about life and facing the circumstances that come our way as they are about a soldier training for the front line of duty in wartime.  These ideas apply today, tomorrow, the next day—and every day after!

First:  LIVE INSIDE THE POWER OF THE LIVING GOD, NOT THE PRIDE OF HUMANS.  The story of David and Goliath brings out some remarkable things.  The pride the Philistines had in both the size of their armies AND the size of their giant soldier, Goliath, was immense.  Human pride is both the number 1 sin and the greatest downfall.  Much of war is based on human pride.  Putin’s pride in Russia has brought him to the place where he is obsessed with reclaiming Ukraine as part of his domain.  Not only that, Putin (BECAUSE OF PRIDE) believes that Kiev is one of Russian’s greatest cities.  (Some historians claim his basis for this is because of a spiritual revival that occurred sometime in the 19^th century where hundreds/thousands were baptized in the river).  Notice that Putin, even in his wicked and evil mindset, tries to “spiritualize” his purpose.  It comes down to basic pride.  HERE IS THE CHALLENGE FOR YOU:  Can you come against the evil Russian pride with a more powerful Ukrainian pride???  The challenge is to NOT fall into the trap of pride whatsoever!  Back to the David and Goliath story:  The Israelites were at a fearful “stand-still” completely neutralized until the little shepherd boy David brought food to his brothers from home.  What got David’s attention was NOT the exchange of war, but the pride that was controlling the place.  David was able to overcome Goliath with one simple stone to the giant’s head because he said “I COME AGAINST YOU IN THE NAME OF THE LIVING GOD!”  Instead of living inside of pride, David lived inside the power of the living God!  Don’t live inside your own pride, Max!  Live inside the power of the living God.  Don’t go against Russia because of your pride in Ukraine, go against Russia in the power and name of the living God.  Stand firm, be courageous, but not in Max’s strength.  Stand firm and be courageous in the power of the living God.  Further, share the story of David and Goliath with your fellow soldiers.  Lead others to living inside the power of the living God! 

Second:  IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US???  If you live inside the power of the living God, there is no enemy or harm that can really touch you!  However, part of living inside the power of the living God is to live your life completely surrendered to God and FOLLOWING HIM.  Following Christ means to obey His teaching.  Jesus said, “God causes it to rain on the unrighteous and the righteous, and the sun to shine on the just and the unjust.”  Remember that living inside the power of the living God doesn’t mean you won’t have day to day struggles, but you will have the assurance, peace, and patience to know that your life doesn’t belong to you, your life belongs to God.  If your life belongs to God, whether we live or pass into eternity, we do it all in a surrender to the power of the living God!  This is the only way to live life, and if part of living life is fighting wars, then it applies to fighting wars too. 

Third:  God is giving you an important opportunity you will treasure the rest of your life and can make a real difference in the eternals if you let it.  Do as the Apostle Paul tells the Philippians in Chapter 3—“forget those things that are behind and strain toward what is ahead to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward”.   You should view your service in the military no different than your day to day life.  Live each day for God and if everything you are or every will be IS God’s.  Living with your mind and heart in this place you will begin to form a powerful and living testimony of God’s power in your life.  The kind of testimony you can share with others.  When I was a young person our Youth Group at Church was called the Overcomers.  Our Youth Group was part of other Youth Groups across the country and around the world.  We began our service by quoting together Revelation 12:11—“And they overcame him, by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony and loved not their lives unto the death.”  In other words, Jesus took care of our sins, when we repent and turn our lives over to Christ we begin our TESTIMONY.  As we live each day inside the power of the living God it is the surrender of (dying to myself—or as it is worded in Scripture “loved not their lives unto the death.”) 

YOUR testimony is what God has done and is doing in you right now.  Share your testimony.  Live your testimony.  LEAD PEOPLE INTO A BELIEF IN A LIVING GOD.  Don’t just follow the crowd in drinking, smoking, and laughing.  Don’t follow the crowd.  Lead the crowd into the battle against selfish pride and to the miracle of humility that comes through serving only God. 

Finally,  God wants to send a revival that sweeps the world.  This world wide revival starts in places like you are RIGHT NOW.  In the heart of a soldier….but it requires the soldier (you, Max) to live in God with your whole heart.  Let it begin! 

God Bless & Much Love,

Pastor Marc Royer    

CONCLUSION: 2 Timothy 3:1-4–“HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM”

“Turn Away From These” (apotrepou) means AVOID; (toutos) means THESE KINDS OF PEOPLE.

In review, to keep the powerful spiritual and miraculous work of God in your life that advances the Gospel person to person, heart to heart, WE MUST HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE:

1. In love with themselves.
2. In love with money.
3. Boastful.
4. Arrogant.
5. Abusive
6. Disobedient to parents.
7. Ungrateful.
8. Unholy.
9. Unloving.
10. Unforgiving.
11. Slanderous.
12. Without Self Control.
13. Brutal.
14. No love for good.
15. Traitorous.
16. Reckless.
17. Conceited.
18. Lovers of Pleasure rather than Lovers of God.

PART 18: Know This–At the End of Time There Will Be A Reduction In Spiritual Power Because A Gospel Will Be Preached That Is Easy & Not Full of Miraculous Power! 2 Timothy 3:1-4

“Lovers of Pleasure RATHER THAN Lovers of God” (philedonoi verses philotheoi).

This description is the bottom line attitude of the End of Time and the reason for spiritual degeneration. When a person seeks happiness over holiness–or pleasure over honoring God, spiritual degeneration is happening personally in one’s life and generally in the culture.

It is imperative for Christ Followers to take this warning seriously–“KNOW THIS” as is stated in the text.

“BE SURE OF THIS”

“ABOVE ALL THINGS KNOW THIS”

When you choose your own pleasure you ARE NOT OR WILL BE EVER CHOOSING TO LOVE GOD.

Some people exclaim “I have a right to be happy.” Whatever we think or exclaim is “our right” it is all counter to loving God. Loving God is an all encompassing life choice.

Further–when you are a lover of pleasure rather than lover of God, the Advancement of the Gospel is put on the shelf. When Ministers and Ministries choose to please people rather than obey God they are choosing to be lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

The whole essence of lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God can and should be the template in all things Christ Followers do and say!

PART 17: Know This–At the End of Time There Will Be A Reduction In Spiritual Power Because A Gospel Will Be Preached That Is Easy & Not Full of Miraculous Power! 2 Timothy 3:1-4

“Conceited” (tetyphomenoi) means to inflate with self-conceit.

Self-Love is a real teaching in the world today, but, bear in mind, it is the pattern of the world, NOT the friend of God. Scripture says to love the neighbor as yourself. Scripture does NOT say to “love yourself.” As a matter of fact, it says the opposite–Humble yourself. Die to yourself. Deny yourself.

Self exaltation as a means to help self-esteem is a trick of the enemy. It reduces spiritual power. The more self-love/self-exaltation is taught from the pulpits the less the Power of God is present.

Another example of inflated self-conceit is found in those who are addicted to always being right. People who go to about any means intellectually and verbally to concede they were wrong. Very few people really apologize. Most people are so desperate to hold on to being right, they can’t (or refuse to see) when they are wrong. When you always have to be right, you lack the supernatural, miraculous power of God in your life!

PART 16: Know This–At the End of Time There Will Be A Reduction In Spiritual Power Because A Gospel Will Be Preached That Is Easy & Not Full of Miraculous Power! 2 Timothy 3:1-4

“Reckless” (propeteis) means impulsive, rash, and reckless.

Impulsiveness is spiritually harmful because it doesn’t wait upon God, it goes ahead and does what it wants to do. There is a great difference between the “Nudge of the Holy Spirit” in the heart of the Believer and the impulsiveness of the flesh. Those two things can’t/don’t co-exist.

Rashness or “knee jerk” reactions need to be controlled because they burn bridges in relationships and in situations that are salvageable.

There is a balance between being a “PLEASER” and caring about the true feelings of others. It probably is all about intent. We live in a sensitive, easily offendable culture. People are “touchy.” We need to try to balance with the help of God the line between caring about others and pleasing others.

PART 15: Know This–At the End of Time There Will Be A Reduction In Spiritual Power Because A Gospel Will Be Preached That Is Easy & Not Full of Miraculous Power! 2 Timothy 3:1-4

“Traitorous” (prodotai) means a BETRAYER.

Betrayal appears in the form of the pleaser personality. The “pleaser” is a fixer, controlling situations by making others happy or pleased with themselves and others. Because the pleaser personality is not honest, it is a form of betrayal.

Passive/Aggressive behavior is best illustrated by being nice to your face but being ugly behind your back. Passive/Aggressive behavior is also a form of betrayal because you are not being honest with others.

The only way for people to break these patterns of betrayal is to determine that you won’t say anything behind a person’s back that you haven’t first said to a person’s face. This new pattern keeps one’s behavior in check.

The Pleasing & Passive/Aggressive Behavior are the most common spiritual power reducers in Christian Believers. They are undeniably tolerated, and at great expense to the Advancement of the Gospel by exchanging the miraculous power of God for simple carnal behavior.

PART 14: Know This–At the End of Time There Will Be A Reduction In Spiritual Power Because A Gospel Will Be Preached That Is Easy & Not Full of Miraculous Power! 2 Timothy 3:1-4

“Without Any Love of Good” means to be HOSTILE TOWARD ANY VIRTUE.

“No one is the boss of me!” “You can’t tell me what to do!” “Who do they think they are putting that on me?” All are just a few of the hundreds and hundreds of remarks people make who are hostile toward any direction in their life.

When you are not open to the idea of moral principles to guide your life, you are not the type of person who even cares about God’s miraculous power that can be manifested into your life every day.

PART 13: Know This–At the End of Time There Will Be A Reduction In Spiritual Power Because A Gospel Will Be Preached That Is Easy & Not Full of Miraculous Power! 2 Timothy 3:1-4

“Brutal” (anemero) means to be fierce or savage.

Actually, “brutal” has many different manifestations, each one has its own way of diminishing God’s spiritual power in your life. Always remember that when spiritual power is diminished it is NOT God who has changed or moved, it is you who has created obstacles in the way. Things like:

Being mean becomes an obstacle in relationships because it makes others fearful and closes out God being able to speak because your own temper keeps you from listening to God’s “still, small voice” into your life.

Blurting is an obstacle because you are not keeping a tight rein on your tongue. The Book of James in the New Testament is a great study on this subject. James is strong and powerful. If you have issues with blurting, study and apply James to your life.

Opinion is an obstacle because as long as you are talking you are not listening. You can’t really be talking and listening at the same time.