Spiritual Warfare – God Is With You Always

 

Sermon: Spiritual Warfare – God Is With You Always

Text: Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) – "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

Introduction:

Brothers and sisters, every single day, we are engaged in a battle—not against people, not against circumstances, but against spiritual forces of darkness. This is spiritual warfare, and whether we realize it or not, it’s happening all around us. The enemy wants us to doubt, to fear, to give up—but God reminds us that He is with us always (Matthew 28:20).

Today, I want to talk about how this battle plays out in our daily lives, how God fights for us, and how even in our struggles—like my own journey with cerebral palsy—we see His faithfulness.

1. Spiritual Warfare Is Real and Daily

The Bible shows us that spiritual warfare isn’t just a one-time event—it’s a constant reality.

Job was attacked by Satan, losing everything, yet he held onto faith (Job 1-2).

David faced Goliath, not just a giant, but a spiritual stronghold of fear (1 Samuel 17).

Jesus Himself was tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4), proving that even the Son of God faced spiritual battles.

We fight every day too.

Temptation whispers, "Just give in."

Doubt says, "God isn’t listening."

Pain and struggle make us wonder, "Why me?"

But here’s the truth: If the enemy is fighting you this hard, it means you’re a threat to him.

2. Our Weakness Is Where God Shows His Strength

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:9 – "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

I know what weakness feels like. Cerebral palsy means daily challenges—pain, frustration, limitations. Some days, the enemy whispers, "You’re not enough. God doesn’t care." But then I remember:

Moses stuttered, yet God used him to speak to Pharaoh (Exodus 4).

Paul had a "thorn in the flesh," yet God’s power worked through him (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

My disability isn’t a mistake—it’s a reminder that God’s strength shows up best when I rely on Him. The same is true for you. Whatever your struggle, it’s not your defeat—it’s God’s platform for victory.

3. The Battle Belongs to the Lord

In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat faced an impossible war. But God said: "The battle is not yours, but Mine."

When we’re in spiritual warfare:

We don’t fight alone. (Exodus 14:14 – "The Lord will fight for you.")

We put on God’s armor. (Ephesians 6:13-17 – Truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the Word.)

We worship in the storm. (Like Paul and Silas in prison—Acts 16:25.)

Every time I take a painful step, every time I face a challenge, I have a choice: Will I focus on the struggle, or on the God who walks with me through it?

Conclusion: The Victory Is Already Won

Revelation 12:11 says we overcome "by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony."

Spiritual warfare is real, but so is God’s presence.

When the enemy says "You’re weak," God says "My power is perfected in you."

When the enemy says "You’re alone," God says "I will never leave you."

When the enemy says "You can’t win," God says "I’ve already won the victory."

So today, remember:

You are in a battle, but you are not defeated.

Your weakness is an opportunity for God’s strength.

The fight is the Lord’s—stand firm in Him.

No matter what you face—pain, fear, doubt, disability—God is with you. And if God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).

Let’s pray.

"Heavenly Father, thank You that You fight for us. When we feel weak, remind us that You are strong. When we feel alone, remind us that You are near. Help us to put on Your armor daily and stand firm in Your victory. In Jesus’ name, Amen."

Would you stand and declare with me today: "The battle is the Lord’s, and I will not fear!"

Sermon: "Divine Connections – The People God Places in Our Lives"

 Sermon: "Divine Connections – The People God Places in Our Lives"

Scripture Reading: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." – Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Introduction:

Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, I want to talk to you about the people God brings into our lives and how He makes no mistakes in placing them there. Every person we encounter—whether for a season or a lifetime—has a purpose in our story. Some bring joy, some bring lessons, and some bring transformation. But all of them are part of God’s divine plan to shape us, grow us, and lead us closer to Him.

God’s Perfect Timing:

Ten years ago, in a Facebook group for individuals with cerebral palsy, I met a man named Cody. At the time, we were just friends, sharing laughs, struggles, and faith. There was no romance, no grand plan—just two people connecting over shared experiences. But God was working behind the scenes. Over the years, Cody became a constant in my life—a friend who taught me perseverance, who reminded me that God never leaves us, even in our darkest valleys.

Then, one day, after nearly a decade of friendship, I finally told him how I felt. One simple text message changed everything. What seemed like a delay was actually God’s perfect timing. And now, ten years after our paths first crossed, Cody is not just my best friend—he is the love of my life, my partner in faith, and my fiancé. This past weekend, as I celebrated my 30th birthday surrounded by his family—now our family—I stood in awe of how God had woven our stories together long before we ever realized it.

People Are Placed in Our Lives for a Reason:

Some people come into our lives to stay, while others are only meant to walk with us for a short time. Even those who hurt us or leave us have a purpose—they teach us forgiveness, resilience, or the importance of setting boundaries. Every interaction is an opportunity to grow, to love, and to reflect Christ.

Think about Jesus. The world judged Him by His outward appearance—a carpenter’s son from Nazareth. They mocked Him, doubted Him, and even crucified Him. Yet, He was the Son of God, the Savior of the world. Those who judged Him by His humble beginnings missed the divine purpose He carried.

In the same way, we must be careful not to judge others based on what we see on the outside. A person with a disability, a stranger in need, a friend who seems unlikely—they may be the very ones God uses to change our lives forever.

Conclusion:

So today, I encourage you to reflect on the people God has placed in your life. Who has He used to shape you? Who has taught you patience, kindness, or faith? Maybe there’s someone you’ve overlooked, but God is saying, "Pay attention—I brought them to you for a reason."

For me, that person was Cody—a friend who became my greatest love, a testament to God’s faithfulness in His perfect timing. Let us trust that God’s plan is perfect, even when we don’t understand it. Let us love without judgment, knowing that every person has a purpose in His kingdom.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the people You have placed in our lives. Whether they brought us joy or taught us hard lessons, we trust that You orchestrated every connection for our good and Your glory. Thank You for Cody—for friendship that became love, for patience that became promise, and for a story that only You could write. Help us to see others the way You see them—not by outward appearances, but by the heart. Give us wisdom to learn from every relationship and gratitude for the way You write our stories. Most of all, remind us that no encounter is wasted when we surrender it to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Blessing:

Go forth today with open hearts, knowing that the people around you are there by divine appointment. May you love boldly, learn willingly, and trust God’s perfect plan in every relationship. And may you, like me, one day look back and see how God was writing something beautiful all along. Amen. 🙏❤️

God’s Plan Beyond the Diagnosis"

 "God’s Plan Beyond the Diagnosis"

Scripture Focus: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." — Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

Introduction: The Doctor’s Report vs. God’s Report

How many of us have sat in a doctor’s office, listening to a specialist lay out a diagnosis, a prognosis, a list of limitations—only to walk away feeling like all hope was stripped from us?

"Your child may never walk."

"You’ll always struggle with this condition."

"There’s not much more we can do."

The world gives us reports based on statistics, medical charts, and human understanding. But as believers, we have another report—God’s report. And His report doesn’t end with a period of despair; it ends with a comma of purpose.

Doctors are skilled, yes. They study, they train, they dedicate their lives to healing—and we thank God for them. But they don’t have the final say. Only God does.

1. The Limits of Human Knowledge

Doctors told my mother, "Your daughter will be a vegetable. Don’t expect much from her ." That was their prognosis when I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. But here I stand, 30 years later, preaching the Gospel, living a life they said was impossible.

Why? Because God’s plans override man’s predictions.

Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails."

Jeremiah 1:5 reminds us, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart."

Doctors may know medicine, but they don’t know your destiny in Christ.

2. The Antonym Answer: What Would Jesus Say?

When the world says "disabled," God says "able."

When the world says "limited," God says "empowered."

When the world says "no hope," God says "I AM your hope."

Jesus didn’t let labels define people. He saw:

The woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25-34)—doctors couldn’t heal her, but one touch of faith changed everything.

The man born blind (John 9)—the disciples asked, "Who sinned?" But Jesus said, "This happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him."

Our disabilities don’t disqualify us—they display God’s power.

3. Trusting the Author of Our Story

Jesus lived with perfect trust in the Father’s plan. Even in suffering, He said, "Not my will, but Yours be done" (Luke 22:42).

If Jesus trusted the Father’s plan, so can we.

If Jesus didn’t let the world define Him, neither should we.

We may not understand why our bodies don’t work the way others do. But we don’t have to. Our job isn’t to figure out God’s plan—just to trust it.

Conclusion: You Are God’s Living Testimony

The world may see a wheelchair, a limp, a speech impediment, a chronic illness—but God sees a vessel of His glory.

You are not a mistake.

You are not an accident.

You are not defined by a diagnosis.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), and your life—just as it is—can point people to Christ.

So the next time a doctor says, "You can’t," remember: God says, "I can."

When the world says, "It’s over," God says, "I’m just getting started."

Let’s live like we believe it.

Amen.