Today, we’re diving into the reality of spiritual warfare, and it’s a topic that we feel is incredibly important for anyone involved in church communications. We’re reminded in Ephesians 6:12-13 that our struggle isn’t against flesh and blood, but against darker forces that seek to disrupt our mission.

It's a serious battle out there, and as church communicators, our role is central in this fight. We talk about how the enemy often targets our communication efforts, which makes our work so much more than just updating a website or managing social media. But here’s the hopeful part: despite the challenges we face, we’re not alone in this. We can draw strength from God’s word and know that victory is assured because of Jesus’s finished work on the cross. Let’s embrace our calling with joy and passion, keeping our eyes on the ultimate victory that awaits us.

In the podcast, we tackle the challenging theme of spiritual warfare and its implications for church communicators. Highlighting Ephesians 6:12-13, we reflect on the idea that our struggles are not just physical but deeply spiritual. This perspective reshapes how we view our daily tasks—it's not just about managing church communications, but about engaging in a spiritual fight where communication is a critical battleground. The podcast talks about the obstacles we face, from technical issues to interpersonal conflicts, and how these can often distract us from our mission. The discussion emphasizes that while the enemy seeks to sow discord, we have the tools—the 'armor of God'—to protect ourselves and continue our work with joy and determination. We remind our listeners that despite the ongoing fight, the war has already been won through Jesus, encouraging them to remain steadfast and hopeful as they fulfill their vital roles in the church community.

Takeaways:

• In the realm of spiritual warfare, our struggle isn't against mere people, but against powerful forces of evil.
• Church communication is a vital front in spiritual warfare, essential for the victory of the church.
• Remembering that the war has already been won can inspire us to fight with hope and strength.
• Our true source of help comes from God, not from resources or technology we might wish for.
• It's important to approach our work with joy and passion, knowing that we play a crucial role in God's plan.
• Encouragement from scripture can empower us in our daily battles, helping us to maintain perspective.

Good morning, I'm Yvon Prehn and I'd like to welcome you to Monday Devotions for Church Communicators. This podcast will start your week with prayer and a challenge from God's word.

Our topic for today is the reality of our situation--challenging spiritual warfare. And the verse that goes along with our theme is Ephesians....

Actually a couple of verses, Ephesians 6:12-13 where it says, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground. And after you have done everything to stand."

Working for the Lord in church communications is hard. The bottom line reality is we are in a war.

And in any war, one of the first things the enemy tries to take out is the communication equipment of their opponent. You aren't just doing the bulletin, updating the website, social media or some other isolated project.

You are the communication center for the spiritual warfare in your church. When you got into communications work for your church or ministry, you entered one of the most intense areas of spiritual warfare raging today.

Satan wants to knock you out.

Troubles with hardware, software and co workers are to be expected, especially people problems should be no surprise because remember, Satan is the accuser of the brethren. And one of the easiest ways to cripple you in the battle is to get you fighting your fellow soldiers. Don't let him win. Don't take on his job.

Remember also that you're in a war that's already been won. When Jesus died on the cross, he said, "It is finished!"

When he rose from the grave, he conquered sin and death. Because of Jesus finished work, our battle resembles the fighting of the Resistance fighters in France at the end of World War II. The Allies had landed on D-Day. And in the big picture, picture of history, the war was over.

But until the liberation of Paris took place, it wasn't over for the French Resistance. The Resistance army still had to fight.

If you study the history of the Resistance, you find one of their primary communications, one of their primary weapons, excuse me, was the communications that they sent out.

Freedom's coming!

The war is over!

Hold on until the victors arrive!

Constantly, they got out these messages in every way they could.

That was their message and ours is really the same. We may be involved in spiritual warfare, but we don't have to fight alone. We can expect help for the battle.

Our help never comes from new equipment, groundbreaking technology, a more peaceful work situation, or more considerate workers. Our help comes from the Lord and doing our work according to His Word. Learn to encourage yourself from the Word of God.

If you don't train yourself to look at the battle you're in as spiritual warfare, you won't draw strength from Jesus and your job will be much more difficult than it should be. God did not put you in your work to simply survive.

Do your work with joy and passion, with your eyes on heaven and know that though the daily battles may be difficult, the war is over, victory is assured and your King is coming.

That's the end of our devotion for today and now I'd like to pray for you as you start your week.

Lord Jesus, I pray for all of the church communicators who are hearing this or reading this or watching it or however they're taking it in.

Lord, I pray for them that you would just flow over them with your love and your protection. Give them your wisdom as they tackle the many tasks they have to do today, give them strength and encouragement and help them to realize what an important position they hold in the battles for their church.

And Lord, I just pray that they would take their job really, really seriously and also realize how incredibly important it is to you and the Kingdom of God. Be with them now today. Give them joy and peace as they serve you. In Jesus name, Amen.

For links to lots more materials to encourage you and help you be a better church communicator, go to the website www.effectivechurchcom.com. The book that the devotions are from is available on Amazon and it is entitled Devotions for Church Communicators.

Hopefully that's kind of easy to remember and I would encourage you to keep listening each week for more encouragement and prayers for you as you do your incredibly important work.