Dear Friends,
Greetings in the Lord. We hope and pray you are well and the Lord is keeping you in perfect peace. This past month, we've completed our Gospel Expeditions through the Arctic region, reaching as far as Russian territories near the Norwegian border. Now, as we complete this chapter of our journey, we're setting our sights on the Middle East and Africa, where we'll be venturing into regions where very little gospel work has been established. These areas present unique challenges but also extraordinary opportunities to share the Good News with those who have rarely, if ever, heard the message of salvation. Your steadfast prayers and support continue to be the very lifeblood of Travel the Road, sustaining us as we journey from the frozen Arctic to the desert sands and remote villages ahead. As we prepare for these new missions, we thank you for standing with us each and every step of the way. Your partnership through intercession and financial giving enables us to press forward in the Great Commission, taking the Good News to the uttermost parts of the earth. Please pray specifically for open doors and open hearts as we continue our Gospel Expeditions in the Middle East and Africa. Together, we can reach every tribe, tongue, and nation for Christ!
This month, we would like to share a message called — Fight
There is a battle raging, a battle not fought with swords or arms, but one that takes place in the unseen realm, in the heart and mind of every believer. Every day, we are confronted by an enemy who is cunning, relentless, and determined to derail our purpose and steal our joy. Yet, we are not called to cower or retreat. We are called to fight.
The Real Enemy
Scripture reminds us that “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.” — Ephesians 6:12. The enemy’s greatest weapon is deception. He whispers lies of inadequacy, fear, and compromise, hoping that we will surrender the ground Christ has already won for us. He tempts us to give in to discouragement, to accept defeat, to believe that our struggles are pointless or that our prayers go unheard. But the truth is this: the enemy has already been defeated at the cross. Jesus declared, “It is finished,” and in that moment, every scheme of the devil was rendered powerless for those who are in Christ. Still, the battle continues, not for victory, but from victory. The enemy’s only hope is that we will forget who we are and to whom we belong.
Who Do You Serve?
Jesus made it clear: His heavenly Father is God of everything, but of this world, Satan, for a season, has been allowed to control and manipulate the systems of this world for his own evil ways. Satan’s offer is simple, seductive, and devastating: “If you want this world, make me your god. I can give you money, fame, power and anything you desire, because it is mine to give.” He parades the treasures of this world before us, promising satisfaction and fulfillment, but always with a hidden cost. The price is steep, and when the bill comes due, the joy of his gifts turns to ashes. The book of Job reminds us that Satan prowls the earth, surveying his estate. He is active, vigilant, and determined to draw hearts away from God. “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." — James 4:4.
God’s Allowance and Our Freedom
Yet, this does not mean that God is helpless or indifferent. Rather, God has allowed Satan to rule for a time, not because He is powerless, but because He is a Father who will not force His creatures to love Him. He grants freedom, even the freedom to rebel. Just as He allowed the angels to choose, so He allows us. The question is not why God allows Satan to rebel, but why He allows any of us to go our own way. The answer is love. Love cannot be coerced; it must be chosen, or it is not love at all. "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." — Joshua 24:15.
Biblical Examples of the Fight: Resisting and Overcoming the Enemy
Throughout Scripture, the call to “fight” is spiritual resistance, to stand firm against the schemes of the enemy and choose allegiance to God, even when the world offers easier paths. The Bible is rich with stories of those who faced the enemy’s temptations, some who overcame by the power of God, and others who faltered, teaching us valuable lessons.
Jesus: The Ultimate Example in the Wilderness
No story better illustrates the battle against Satan than Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. After forty days of fasting, Jesus was physically weak, yet spiritually resolute. Satan approached Him with three temptations: to turn stones into bread, to throw Himself from the temple, and to bow down in exchange for the kingdoms of the world. Each time, Jesus resisted, not by His own strength, but by wielding the Word of God: “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” “It is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.’” — Matthew 4:1–11. Jesus’ victory was not just for Himself, but for all who would follow Him. He showed us that the enemy can be resisted, and that the Word of God is our sure defense.
Those Who Overcame
Joseph in Egypt: When tempted by Potiphar’s wife, Joseph refused to sin, declaring, “How then could I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). Though he suffered for his integrity, God ultimately vindicated him and used his faithfulness to save many lives.
Daniel and His Friends: In Babylon, Daniel refused to defile himself with the king’s food (Daniel 1:8), and later, he continued to pray openly to God despite the threat of the lions’ den (Daniel 6:10). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to the golden image, even under threat of the fiery furnace, declaring, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us... but if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods.” (Daniel 3:17–18). Their courage was rewarded with miraculous deliverance.
David: Before facing Goliath, David declared, “The battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47). His confidence was not in himself, but in God’s power to overcome the enemy.
Those Who Failed the Test
Adam and Eve: In the garden, Adam and Eve listened to the serpent’s deception and ate the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3). Their failure brought sin and death into the world, but also set the stage for God’s redemptive plan.
King Saul: Saul repeatedly disobeyed God’s commands out of fear and impatience-offering sacrifices unlawfully (1 Samuel 13) and sparing what God had commanded to destroy (1 Samuel 15). His compromise cost him the kingdom.
Judas Iscariot: Driven by greed and fear, Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14–16). His horrible end is a sobering reminder of the consequences of yielding to the enemy’s lies.
The Power to Overcome
These accounts are not just ancient history but examples. We are all faced with choices: to yield to the world’s empty promises, or to stand firm in faith. The difference is not in our own strength, but in our willingness to depend on God. As Scripture reminds us: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” — James 4:7. “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” — 1 Corinthians 10:13. We fight not as those who are alone, but as those who are empowered by the Spirit of God. The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in us (Romans 8:11). Whether in the wilderness or the palace, whether facing fiery trials or subtle temptations, the call remains: fight the good fight of faith, knowing that in Christ, the victory is already won.
If you find yourself weary, pressed on every side, remember: you are not alone. The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in you. The enemy may roar, but he cannot devour those who stand firm in faith. So, put on the armor. Take up the shield. Wield the sword of the Spirit. Refuse to surrender the territory of your heart. Choose, today and every day, to fight, not in your own strength, but in the strength of the One who has already overcome the world. For in Christ, you are more than a conqueror. The victory is yours, fight to walk in it, and never let the enemy convince you otherwise. Let us be a people who fight the good fight, who love freely and choose Christ daily, knowing that our battle is not in vain and our victory is sure.
At Travel the Road, we have always fought to keep going farther and farther to reach the unreached. From the icy frontiers of the Arctic to the sun-scorched paths that now await us in the Middle East and Africa, every step we walk we do so knowing that the fight is not ours alone. The Lord goes before us, and your prayers and support are the shield that surrounds every expedition, every episode, and every encounter along the way. We ask you to continue standing with us: pray for open doors and for hearts ready to receive the Good News of Christ Jesus. Together, with every prayer and every act of support, we are advancing the Kingdom one step, one story, one soul at a time. Peace be with you.
In Him,
Tim and Will