Prophetic Word For The Year - 2005 - Year Full Of The Favors Of The Lord

"2005 - A Year Full Of The Favors Of The Lord" - the word was given on the final Sunday in 2004 and as we heard the word, some were skeptical but others received it with gladness.

Our son had started his university education in London in September 2003 and in September 2004 our daughter enrolled in Warwick for hers. With two children undergoing tertiary education, finding the financial support became a challenge. So when Pastor Prince proclaimed the word over us, my wife and I appropriated the word over our situation and trusted the Lord for His provisions.

In mid February 2005, the bank usually pays out its variable bonuses for the previous year's performance and I must admit I had an exceptionally good payout and then in June I was able to liquidate some of my equity holdings with substantial profits. Therefore, when it was time for me to buy the bank draft for each of our children's education and living allowances for the entire 2006, there was more than enough with leftovers for us to even visit them in the UK.

Also in May 2005 I was in London for a project meeting and I had a meeting with my global head and it was during the session I was able to share with him some things which he wanted to learn and I was the only one who had the experience to share with him. Indeed the Lord placed me in a position of favor with my superiors and I am blessed with that.

The Armor of God - Praying In The Spirit

For a long time I had the impression that the entire armor of God comprises only six pieces (number of man); however in recent times I have come to the realization that there is another piece that God the Father intentionally place in our hands but some had forgotten about it. And that piece of armor is none other than the gift of praying in tongues (or praying in the Spirit).
Ephesians 6:18
New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8 that God the Father gave us the Spirit of sonship

Romans 8:12-17

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹² Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.

¹³ For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

¹⁴For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

¹⁶ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

¹⁷ and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

and along with that he also gave us a Helper to make intercession for us when we don't know what we should be praying for.
Romans 8:26-27
New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us^[a] with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

It is therefore important that we realize that praying in the Spirit is also relevant and needful in our spiritual walk in the Lord and that as we journey through life, the devil is not going to leave us alone just because we are children of God. He will definitely try his utmost best to attack us but if we know that we know that we are righteous in Christ, he will find the going tough and he will back off but for  a while and look for opportunities to attack again. That is why praying in the Spirit is the ultimate weapon because we would be praying for many things (even for our future) without full comprehension of what we have prayed for and then when the situation turns out for our good, we give the Lord our loudest praise and worship.
And so, for the believer, there is actually seven pieces of armor that we have in our fight against the devil and we need to be constantly using all the seven pieces for our full benefit. Seven in the scriptures is the number for completeness and perfection.

The Armor of God - The Sword Of The Spirit

Ephesians 6:17

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

The word of God is a very powerful weapon in the arsenal of the Christian. The Holy Spirit calls the word His sword and we are also told that the sword is a double-edged sword meaning both edges of the blade are sharp and dangerous unlike most swords which are sharpened on only one edge.

The writer of the book of Hebrews tells us that the word of God is used to pierce even to the division of soul and spirit; profitable for doctrine, for correction, for reproach, for instruction in righteousness.

Hebrews 4:12

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹² For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

So what exactly does the scriptures mean when it says that the word of God is a two-edged sword? Just how can this be? I used to think that the two-edged represents the Son and the Holy Spirit but Psalm 149:6 tells us differently. I believe that the two edges denotes the Holy Spirit on one side and the Believer on the other. When we speak forth the word of God from our mouths, it confirms what the Holy Spirit had said in the written word and where two or three agree on Earth, it shall be done for us.

Psalm 149:6

New King James Version (NKJV)

 ⁶ Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,
         And a two-edged sword in their hand,

The psalmist reminds us to fill our mouth with the praises of God and to affirm our position as kings and priests in the Kingdom of God. The devil knows that he is already defeated but when we declare it so with our own mouths, we confirm that we know the truth as well and henceforth he will be made of no effect.

Revelation 1:16

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁶ He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

Let us learn from our Lord how He handles the situation. Notice that Jesus' countenance is shining like the sun in its full strength and the enemy flees. There need not be any physical battles because when we believers declare our righteousness the angels will get down to work and ensure the victory is ours.
So, my friend, we do not need to go out there and do 'spiritual warfare' but we just have to learn to declare what is rightfully ours through the victory won for us on the cross by our Lord and Savior. He had paid the price for our redemption and won the victory over death itself and so we are now more than conquerors through Christ Who strengthens us.