Insurgence!

According to General David Petraeus, in his Counter Insurgency Field Manual, an insurgence is:

"An organized movement aimed at the overthrow of a constituted government through subversion and armed conflict."

An insurgency:

• sows disorder
• intimidates the population
• weakens the government
• kills or immobilizes leaders
• degrades or neuters security forces

In Ephesian 5:1-15, Paul tells us that we were once darkness, but now are light in the Lord and should live as children of light (v. 8). We should have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness (v. 11).

The problem is that Satan is planning an insurgency to overthrow the kingdom of light. That insurgency will take place in your soul if you give it a foothold. Satan wants to sow disorder, weaken the government of the kingdom of light within you...in short, his goal is to overthrow the kingdom of light.

In John 3:19, we read: "Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil."

General Petraeus' strategy to rid the area of insurgents is to "root them out." We need to root out the things of darkness that try to make inroads into our spirits. Those things were part of our former lives when we lived in the kingdom of darkness. If we open the door even just a little bit to those things, it becomes an entry place for Satan. He will have a foothold from which to launch his assault against the kingdom of light within you.

Only in Christ do we have the ability to fight the forces of darkness. In 1 John 2:16-17, we read:

"For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--does not come from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."

Stay close to Jesus, do God's will, and the kingdom of light will prevail!

Prayer Requests

• Continue praying for Ricky Cappadona, who is still recovering from surgery after cancer complications. He still has to go through reconstructive surgery.
• Continue praying for Cassandra Ethridge who is using her grandchildren when she doesn't get her way (keeping them out of church).
• Pray for Michael Wright, to be shaken to realize he needs God in his life.
• Pray for Mark to return to the way of the Lord and bring his young daughter to church.
• Pray for Paul Brookshire, that God would comfort him in his time of grief.
• Pray for Steve and Theresa, to grow stronger and closer to God together.