2.4.5. ARMED BY PROVED PROMISES

Timothy's previous prophecies were articulated promises by God, that had been tried and proved. While others look for and experiment with other kinds of weapons, psychology, soul power, manipulation and control, Timothy was urged to use the previously given and proved promises of God.

God's great faithfulness is the power of encouragement to go on appropriating all His prophetic promises to you (Lamentations 3:23; 1 Thessalonians 5:24). All that God has promised you will prove to be guaranteed performances of enablement to do His will and work. Should there be parts of God's Word to you, as yet not fulfilled, look for it with certainty and excitement because no Word of the Lord will fall. That already proved by fulfilment is an assurance that all will be experienced by you. Value your prophetic promises:-

	Remember God gave you a word you could understand, not a mystical utterance with no literal sense.
	Be satisfied with what God has revealed and given. Don't look for hidden meaning in what He has said so clearly, nor add wishfully to His promises.
	Act in accordance with your calling and the word of promise God has given. This will make your ministry effective, and warfare good.
	Keep fresh in your anointing by cultivating your fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
	Pray on the basis of God's word of promises to you, quote them, you will be aligning yourself in faith with God's intentions for you and His proven promises.

2.4.6. ARMED BY A POWER-FILLED SPIRIT

Timothy is reminded by Paul that he has been given a power-filled spirit

2 Timothy 1:7 " For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. "

"Fear" (deilias Lit, "cowardice" used only here in the New Testament). Interestingly the "us" includes Paul who is facing martyrdom. The force of what he is saying is - Timothy, this is no time for dodging issues, or shrinking cowardice, fearfulness or timidity. This is the time to draw on the Spirit of power which God has given us, our human spirit indwelt with Holy Spirit, strengthened with His might.

Armed with the power (dunamis) the Holy Spirit ability - you have strength to do, power so you can accomplish all that God puts in your hand to do. Let your spirit be directed by the love of the Holy Spirit, and the power exercised in the Spirit of "a sound mind" or "self-control" - especially when you are under fire, and it is necessary to take bold action.

Let your self-awareness of emptiness make room for Holy Spirit mighty fulness. Let the gift of His spirit of His love cast out all fear (1 John 4:18). Submit your mind to the control of the Holy Spirit - He will empower your spirit of self-control. You have been "given" the Spirit of power, love, and "self-discipline" (NIV) to exercise. What you have received by its use becomes more mature, and prepares you to effectively wage good warfare.

2.4.7. ARMED BY PREVAILING PRAYER

Paul put great value on every form of prayer. Timothy as a leader, of whom it was probably prophesied that he would be a prayer warrior, used every exercise of prevailing prayer. Timothy accepted that the exercising of every aspect of prayer would maximise his ministry and that of the Church.

Paul lists four aspects of prayer in which the Church and leaders are charged to be engaged; "supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks". (1 Timothy 2:1). While acknowledging that Paul's admonition applies to the Church gathered for worship, placing emphasis on the priority of prayer, it must be stressed that all kinds of prayer are to be used in private devotions. Leaders are empowered by the disciplined exercise of these terms of prayer.

"SUPPLICATIONS" (deesis)

- petitioning your desire or need. It is coming in humble submission, relying on God the Supplier and solver of all your problems. God responds to the humble spirit with a listening ear.

"PRAYERS" (proseuche)

- this is the most general word for prayer. It refers to every kind of devotional approaches to God, public and private. Your inner and outward life should be characterised by prayer, this will so affect your walk and talk that your very presence will make people God-conscious.

"INTERCESSIONS" (enteuxis)

- the form of prayer that addresses God usually on the behalf of others, but at times for oneself. As a leader you cannot give up on someone you lead who is prone to failure, or write off a place as too hard. Rather its a call for intercessions which may well result in God answering by using you in a way you did not expect, to bring about the change. Leadership in intercessions greatly frustrates Satanic plans.

"GIVING OF THANKS" (eucharistia)

- as the "eucharist" the Lord's Supper should always be a time of thanksgiving, so should a part of all your praying. Thanking the Lord for what He has done in the past and present, and promises He has fulfilled in your experience, will increase your faith in His supplying what you are asking. Thanksgiving is the necessary accomplishment of your prevailing prayer (1 Corinthians 15:57). As you give thanks for past, present and future victory, you are already prevailing in your asking, and anticipating the triumphant answer. Armed by prevailing prayer you are destined to win.

To be one who wages a good warfare you need to check your weapons.

	Are you fully armed?
	Has a recent happening shown that you do not have some of the weapons you need?
	Are you yielding to the control and power of the Holy Spirit for increasing skill in spiritual warfare?
	Are you presenting an example in good warfare that those you lead can follow?
	Have spiritual leaders you greatly respect, spoken by the Holy Spirit words applicable to your service?
	Are you making the most of what you have been given?