FT111.com Forum

Dear Bill and Marsha (and others who can lend spiritual insight),
Suppose you are the spiritual authority of a "ministry" that has been in operation for a number of years. This ministry has been established by the very hand of God. You know that you are the authority because God has placed the cloak of authority on you, and has not released you from that role. Suppose that this ministry has a couple dozen employees, and year after year the demonic attack against this ministry comes through the employees. Which is to say, any character flaw or weakness or chink in their armor is worked on and worked on with a prybar until they “flip” and are exploited in such fashion that they turn on the ministry. Their actions are obvious; strife, contention, pride, vaingloriousness and the like.
Now I understand how the enemy operates against us on a personal basis, and how we leave ourselves open and vulnerable (on a personal level) to an attack. For all practical purposes that attack is easily identified and turned back, even prohibited. But when the attack comes through others, can you enlighten me, exactly what we have authority and responsibility for? We cannot control the choices that others make in their personal atmospheres, yet we do have authority over the ministry as an entity.
We have prayed the “renew or remove” prayer, issued proclamations and declarations etc, but after seven years it is easy to become weary because this has been a continuous repeat offender! No, we will not sit down, go back, shut up and the fact that we are still here is a testimony to the fact that God reigns supreme. I’m just wondering if our only recourse is sleepness nights in prayer battling the enemy who is continually trying to bring this ministry down. We know that the line in the sand has be drawn time and time again on a personal basis…..but how much authority can we exercise over the spiritual influences that continuously prey upon others?
A whole-hearted thanks for your wisdom,
Sincerely,
Joe

Joe,

As we read your post, we know that you have done everything you know to do. And, we were reminded of Paul and his ministry calling. He can be an example in this situation. He kept his focus on God, moved by the Holy Spirit, and at the end of it all only Luke was with him.

2 Timothy 4:
1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
9 Be diligent to come to me quickly;
10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica––Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.
11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.

You have to keep on keeping on, doing what God has called you to do and then having done all to STAND. Trust the Lord, fight the good fight, and keep the faith. You can't make people be different or make better choices. But, you can do what it takes to not be distracted and to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

We stand with you in prayer, knowing that God has begun a good work, and He will complete it. Amen!

Dear Bill and Marsha,
Our deepest gratitude to you. I could feel the witness of the Spirit as I read your reply. You have given us hope to endure.
Yes, as I replied to you in a previous post,
"Having done all, stand"
In Him we stand,
Joe

Dear May Jehovah Increase, your words struck me for I am going through also. I have family against me. I don't know what's harder. But I'm going to keep standing. However, it was your logo that got me happy, the city whose main street is gold. Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It took me over the edge beloved. It took me over the edge. Would I give up my inheritance to go to the city for any human? So what if they think I'm crazy. So what if they think I listening to the devil. They said that to the Christ. I'm following on, if no one goes with me. I will walk on that street made of gold. Thank You Jesus. Thank You Jesus, for making the way. You are Awesome. We can endure if you go with us Lord. We can endure.

Waiting for morning,
Ayo

Dear Ayo,
You have touched my heart more than you know, and "standing" has become easier in unity.
"The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face SHINE upon you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26
May you glow in the morning glory,
Joe