What A Mighty God we Serve!

[burgyeb]

2021




PRAYER REQUESTS/ UPDATES/ PRAISE REPORTS


A PRAISE

Praise God for giving us his greatest gift, Jesus Christ!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. [Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV]

2021 PRAYERS

1/01/2021 Burgyeb - Praying that all will find peace, joy, and happiness in place of any hardships 2020 may have caused. (See post 1806)

1/30/2021 Burgyeb - Praying for the new President, Vice President, the new appointed cabinet, and all elected leaders throughout the USA. Also praying for USA and the World concerning Covid-19 and for leaders to be wise in their efforts to deal with and defeat Covid-19. (See post 1810)

4/30/2021 Burgyeb -Praying for the Nation of India as it struggles with Covid-19; praying for the USA and other Nations impacted by Covid-19; praying comprehensively for all as we navigate through the Covid-19 pandemic. (See Post 1820)

2021 PRAISE REPORTS

1/01/2021 Burgyeb - Praising God for good things that occurred during 2020, i.e., the many praise reports; personal blessings of God & for meeting needs. (See post 1806)

1/04/2021 Ropegg - Praising God for his blessings and for meeting needs. Also praising God for his strength and guidance during familial Covid-19, that turned out mild in most cases. (See post 1807)

1/23/2021 Burgyeb - Praising God for recovery of the father who had Covid-19; he has recovered, returned home, and back to work. (See post 1808)

2/05/2021 Madelaine - Praising God for restoring a couple's relationship after months of prayers. (See post 1812)

2/05/2021 Burgyeb - Praising God for touching the hearts of the couple, and for answering prayers to bring them back together. (See post 1813)

2/08/2021 Ropegg - Praising God for answering prayers of those who are stressed and in need; for always being present in difficult times; and for many friends (See post 1814)

7/5/2021 Burgyeb - Praising God for the many break throughs that have been accomplished during the Covid-19 pandemic. Several effective vaccines are in use to prevent Covid-19 infection; new infection rates are lower in many areas, and less people are being hospitalized and/or dying in many areas from Covid-19.

7/24/2021 Somersethedge- Praising God for healing Sharon of lung cancer. Praise the Lord (See post 1826)

2021 UPDATES

1/04/2021 Ropegg - Condolences to Ropegg's sister and family on the loss of her sister's husband to Covid-19. (See posts 1800, 1804 & 1807)

7/5/2021 Burgyeb - India Update on Covid-19 status. India continues to need prayer as the second wave of the pandemic is raging. The problems of Covid-19 daily infection levels, insufficient amounts of vaccine to immunize entire adult population, inequities in free distribution of vaccine, and need to comprehensively prepare for a third wave of the pandemic expected to occur by September of 2021, are among the many challenges that face the Nation of India.

On a brighter note the pandemic has resulted in some positive situations in India. A few of these include vaccination levels in India having surpassed those reportedly in the USA. Community groups have stepped up to provide their impacted people with access to oxygen, treatment, food and needed supplies. An Indian doctor reportedly invented a pocket sized ventilator that works on room air, that is battery operated, and reportedly raised oxygen saturation levels of Covid-19 sufferers from 85 to 92 to 98 within 3 minutes. [Note: I plan to seek additional confirmation on this report]. If substantiated, this could make a substantial contribution to Covid-19 treatment in India and other parts of the world.

8/23/2021 The USA FDA has granted full approval for the Pfizer/BioNTech Vaccine, for ages 16 and up. Hopefully this will encourage more people to take the vaccine. The vaccine will be marketed with new name of Comirnaty. What a name.

FOR EARLIER UPDATE HISTORY SEE POST #760 & POST #982 (LAST 2010 LIST UPDATE)
SEE POST # 1039 FOR THREAD 2010 SUMMARY REPORT & POST #1043 FOR 1st PRAYER LIST 2011
POST# 1281 FOR LAST PRAYER LIST FOR 2011 & POST# 1288 FOR 2011 SUMMARY REPORT
SEE POST # 1447 FOR LAST PRAYER LIST FOR 2012 & POST # 1486 FOR 2012 SUMMARY REPORT
SEE POST # 1504 FOR LAST PRAYER LIST FOR 2013
SEE POST # 1541 FOR LAST PRAYER LIST FOR 2014
SEE POST # 1546 FOR LAST PRAYER LIST FOR 2015/16
SEE POSTS #1591 & #1621 FOR LAST PRAYER LISTS FOR 2017 & POST #1623 FOR 2017 SUMMARY REPORT
SEE POST #1691 FOR LAST PRAYER LIST FOR 2O18 & POST #1704 FOR 2O18 SUMMARY REPORT
SEE POST # 1721 FOR LAST PRAYER LIST FOR 2019 & POST # 1723 FOR 2019 SUMMARY REPORT
SEE POST # 1791 FOR PARTIAL PRAYER LIST FOR 2020 & POST # 1809 FOR 2020 SUMMARY REPORT (Note: Summary Report contains post #'s for prayers, praise reports, and updates during 2020)

[sofiag1964]

Hi everyone! Sorry I've been away for so long. I thank God for your continued service in the Lord. How are you all doing?

[madelaine]

Hello Sofia! Good to see you back.

[burgyeb]

Hi everyone! Sorry I've been away for so long. I thank God for your continued service in the Lord. How are you all doing?

Praise the Lord Sofia! So good to see you back in the house! I am doing fine thank you. Very busy and
grateful for God"s blessings during these challenging times. How are you doing? What's been going on?

[burgyeb]

Continuing my comments concerning spiritual warfare (see posts #1825 on the Name of God and #1829 on Prayer. Spiritual warfare occurs in two basic ways known as offensive and defensive. Offensive spiritual warfare is an active military-like operation of armed forces who are poised to occupy territory, or to achieve strategic goals. It is not being passive and doing nothing. Offensive spiritual warfare seeks to build up God's kingdom by proclaiming the good news and setting the captives free.

The position of spiritual warfare is to stand, it is an active position of engaging, overcoming and possessing. Being on the offensive is to advance into battle before an attack occurs. Offensive warfare is the tearing down of strongholds that the enemy (the devil) has formed and built up in your mind or life through deception and making accusations against you. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Defensive spiritual warfare guards and shields you against the attacks and schemes of the enemy. We are instructed to put on the full armor (armour) of God to stand against an attack of Satan. (See Ephesians 6:10-17)

Being fully clothed for spiritual warfare requires knowledge of the vast offensive and defensive weapons available, and the full utilization of those resources. Will look more closely at the weapons of spiritual warfare.

[burgyeb]

I used to try and imagine how anyone can actually put on the armor of God, or clothe themselves in the defensive armor that is described in Ephesians 6:10-18. I would wonder, do they put this armor on, and then take it off? Do not think anyone in the natural worldly realm can know everything about the vast offensive and defensive weapons available to them, through their own natural knowledge.

The word of God cautions that..."my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6) The wisdom scriptures teach that..."The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge..." (Proverbs 1:7 NIV) "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10 NIV) This type of fear is based on reverence of God; it has its foundation in obedience, love, and relationship with God.

The Apostle Paul expressed his purpose for the Colossians and the Laodicea churches..."that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2:2-3 NIV)

"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." (Colossians 2:9-10 NIV)

The above scriptures were discussed in order to show that access to the spiritual weapons are provided by God. The defensive weapons are clearly listed as "the armor of God". The believer is instructed to..."Put on the full armor of God..." (Ephesians 6:10-13) The prophet Isaiah utilized similar terminology to describe the "Lord's armor." (Isaiah 59: 16-17) Not only was the armor described, but the LORD put on his armor (garments of vengeance) [Isaiah 59:17 NIV]

The scriptures made it clear that the full armor of God was to be put on as the spiritual warfare was not against flesh and blood, but against dark spiritual forces of evil, and powers of this dark world. They were to be imitators of God; they were to clothe themselves in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

Will look at each of the defensive parts of the armor of God as outlined in Ephesians 6:10-18, and compare the armor of God as described by Isaiah.

[madelaine]

And when you feel you are being attacked, remember - the victory is already won! And take it as a compliment because no general attacks if the target does not present a threat.

[burgyeb]

Defensive spiritual warfare guards or shields you against the attacks and schemes of the devil (the enemy). Defensive weaponry is also referred to as the Armor of God. (Ephesians 6:10-18) The prophet Isaiah used similar terminology to describe the Lord's armor. (Isaiah 59:16-17) Isaiah also prophesied on the future Messianic Age, the Messiah, and on the symbolic clothing of the Messiah. (Isaiah 11:1-9)

Defensive Spiritual Weapons
[Ephesians 6:10-18]

"...Put on the full armor of God..." (Eph 6:10,11,13; Isaiah 59:17)

"so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes...struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world... (Eph 6:12)

"stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist." (Eph 6:14)

"...with the breastplate of righteousness in place..." (Eph 6:14; Isaiah 59:17)

"and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." (Eph 6:15)

"...take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." (Eph 6:16)

"Take the helmet of salvation..." (Eph 6:17; Isaiah 59:17)

"... and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Eph 6:17)

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests...(Eph 6:18)


The Apostle Paul had much time to study the armor worn by Roman soldiers, as he was chained to a Roman soldier day and night. He may have compared the soldier's armor to the armor of God, and realized the superiority of spiritual weapons. The armor of Ephesians 6:10-18 is the armor that believers are instructed to put on for spiritual warfare, and it has been provided by God.

The Lord's armor of Isaiah 59 was referred to as garments of vengeance. He put on these garments due to his displeasure with the lack of peace, justice, righteousness, truth, and honesty among his people (Isaiah 59:8-15) The one word that sums up these attributes is character.

"The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice...he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him." (Isaiah 59:15-16)

"He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak." (Isaiah 59:17)

The believer is to put on Jesus Christ....who is the Fullness of the Godhead. Spiritual warfare is not won by brute force, but the warriors character is their defense. The battle is spiritual and must be fought in God's strength, depending on God's word and on reliance on God through prayer.

The prophet Isaiah also speaks of the symbolic clothing of the Messiah. (Isaiah 11:1-9)
Terminology is similar to that found in Ephesians 6:10-18 and Isaiah 59:16-17) Will discuss in more detail.

[burgyeb]

God Cares....He Knows....God is Faithful....God Hears Your Cry....God Sees Your Tears....Call Out to God and He will answer (Jeremiah 33:3)

[burgyeb]

Thoughts and prayers are with those on our prayer list; those with spoken needs; and for those with unspoken needs. May God touch each and every one of us, and meet us at our point of need.