By Pastor Peter & Evangelist Shantell Evans

Are you appalled by the occurrences of the day? Death tolls are rising due to escalating criminal activities. Sexual promiscuity among marriages and teens is rampant. Incest and molestation is on the wave, damaging our youths. Sodomy and anger is eating our men. In the midst of it all, no one seems to have the answer, yet everyone appears to toss the blame. Can I tell you that the hour of "blame game" must come to a halt! This is not the time to blame individuals, and agencies for what is happening in our nation. The brink of the problem is quite obvious to those who want to see. It simply is this – We are in warfare.

When one assesses the state of our nation and the world, one thing becomes apparent; we are in warfare. The conflict in which we are entangled is not one of our choosing. However, it is a battle we must brace ourselves to face. The word of God let's us know that Satan is our adversary, warring to see how many souls he can dissuade from heaven's eternal home (1 Peter 5:8). While we may be precarious, about the hour we are living in, the devil on the other hand is not. He in fact, is well-focused and aimed at accomplishing his task. For the moment, Satan is doing a fantastic job. Just look around at the increasing number of people involved in ungodly acts such as premarital sex, drugs, alcohol, adultery, lying, stealing and the list goes on.

Moreover, in the midst of all the accomplishments of the devil, the unfortunate thing is that the church is standing in awe at the sight of her own worldly accomplishments of bigger buildings, finer cars and houses, larger collection plates, fuller congregations and pews, etc. while souls are dying and going straight to a Christless hell. We cannot remain satisfied with what we are doing when souls are not being added to the Kingdom of God. Our assignment is not about larger buildings, offerings or congregations. Rather it is about gaining souls to the Kingdom of God. Isaiah declares that "hell had enlarged itself with souls (Isaiah 5:14)."

Given this conceptualism, we as Christians must not be contented with our salvation. We must be concerned about those who are not saved but are bound by strongholds that keep them from surrendering completely to the true and living God. We are armed and dangerous but we are not using our weapons against the correct opponent.

Instead, we sometimes use it against ourselves and other individuals who we suppose to be our enemy, when they in fact are innocent pawns that the devil utilizes in this war for souls. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 declares, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;"

What are strongholds? Stronghold means, fortress, or strong fortification." They may comprise but are not limited to an array of bad habits and thoughts that keeps an individual from yielding to the call of God upon their lives. They include strong fortifications that keep individuals attracted to alcohol, drugs or sex, violence, dishonesty and religious spirits.

In order to be effective in breaking the chains that strongholds tie around the necks of those we love, we must use the correct weaponry. Carnal weapons are those of the flesh, they will not work in this battle. Perhaps you're a believer who has been using external aids such as words, beauty, talent, education, wealth, or eloquence to get individuals in your life to change, but noticed that it won't completely work. Well, there's a reason for that. These are external aids on which the world relies. Therefore, the extent upon which they may deliver someone is limited.

Fortunately, our limitations are superseded by the extraordinary power of God which is described as, "...mighty...to the pulling down of strongholds." In other words, God steps in and breaks every chain that darkness places around the necks of people Satan seeks to own. God wants us all to be free from the sins and evil deeds that Satan encourages us to do. In order for us to walk in the liberty whereby God has set us free, we must first confess with our mouths then believe in our hearts that Christ Jesus came and died that we may be saved and receive eternal life (Romans 10:9). It's as simply as that, but difficult to achieve because many lack the faith to believe that God indeed sent Jesus to save mankind from sin.

Weapon 2012 is designed to reinstate the saving grace power of the Lord, back into the ear, minds and heart of His people.

In order to break the chains that strongholds have around our families, communities, finances and economy, we must be armed with the sword of the spirit which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17). Bishop Dr. Stanley Gorrell of The Greater Dimension Tabernacle in Brooklyn New York is a Man of God who is well-versed in the interpretation and exposition of scriptures. Happily, God has chosen him for this hour to cause a stirring in the hearts of the people of God to carry out warfare. Under the theme, "Break The Chains" we at Lighthouse International Ministry will be engaged in warfare. We have already begun our plight with a series of all night prayer meetings with young people who have been lying on the altar of God in anticipation of a break- through.

We sense that God is about to move mightily in this land. Men and women of God have prayed earnestly for our land to receive economic, spiritual and social deliverance and now God is about to move. Listen, can't you hear the sound of the sword knocking against the chains. It's only a matter of time before that final blow is made to break every shackle.

If this word has been a blessing write and let us know, Lighthouse International P.O.Box F-60162 or email, evanspeterl@hotmail.com. For prayer or counseling call 373-1219, 439-3825 or 442-0771. Remember, Jesus loves you and so do we. Don't give up on God for God has not given up on you.