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A Spiritual Lesson In Toon Language: Lesson 61

Topic: A Weapon Forged Against You

Series: Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers

Episode: Happy Birthday, Zack

Lesson PDF link: 61.pdf

Introduction

This lesson was done in 2014, but the problem was that it was destroyed by a computer hard drive crash. The devil didn't like this lesson then and he certainly will like it even less now.

This is a faith-building lesson for Christians mostly because mostly all of the scriptures talk to the saved in Christ. However, for the ones on the fence and undecided, this is helpful to give them assurance that Christ is the right decision.

This lesson was done at the request of a person visiting with us at the time named Ana who thought the lesson was very good. Although this version is not the same as that one, it is certainly much better --adding more detail and spiritual food than it ever had.

Scriptures Used: Joshua 1: 9, Psalm 23, Ephesians 6: 10-20, Romans 12: 1-2, Philippians 4: 6-9; 13, Romans 8: 31-39, I Corinthians 2: 9, Isaiah 54: 11-17; 27: 1

Have you ever been singled out for a demonic attack?

The devil a lot of times searches for a weakness in our lives and uses it to try to overpower us. Sometimes, it is just as simple as even just a surprise attack to try to knock your faith out. Being blind-sided by a life or demonic circumstance is common in the Christian life and we are mostly talking to people just starting out in the faith, but also to people in Christ for years. In short, this lesson is to assure the saved and then secondly, to offer hope to a person on the fence (not made a decision yet and unsure) that if Christ is your Lord, then everything will work in the end.

We are going to see a series of clips from the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers episode "Happy Birthday, Zack."

Clip # 1 and # 2: "Happy Birthday, Zack"

Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: Happy Birthday, Zack (clip #1): Direct link for video/webm
Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: Happy Birthday, Zack (clip #2): Direct link for video/webm

What do you see in these clips?

We see that it's Zack's birthday and Rita decides to single him out for an attack for a "present"; she agrees with Finster's choice of the Nasty Knight (page 12 in their monster cookbook). Usually with one of these episodes, the one being singled out is the one most likely to be the only one to figure out or have the capability of blowing up the monster. This is no different. The devil understands like Rita that if you're virtually the only one or the only one to be able to beat your plan, it's going to be awfully hard (if not impossible without serious Divine intervention) for anyone else to win either if you lose.

Zack symbolizes a young man who is up and coming to maturity in the faith, which would make sense because no one becomes a Power Ranger without some of a Christian's best qualities in general.

Clip # 3 "Happy Birthday, Zack"

Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: Happy Birthday, Zack (clip #3): Direct link for video/webm

What did you see in this clip?

Zack better get his spiritual armor on as he will get blind-sided if he isn't careful.

We need to remember our scriptures here because like Rita, the devil always tries some sort of scheme (or in the case of the ISV used here-- strategy). Also, I want you to look at the sword being forged; before it's complete, it doesn't look very powerful--dull and almost toy like, also it just looks like a piece of rusted junk to me, afterwards it looks real and sharp--much more powerful looking. This could even be a real sword that they used for a prop to make the episode. This shows to me what doesn't look like much can be very dangerous indeed especially when the devil gets his hands on it. Stay prayed up and be strong in faith.

The Bible says in Joshua 1:9, Psalm 23 and then Ephesians 6: 10-20

Jos 1:9 "I've commanded you, haven't I? Be strong and courageous. Don't be fearful or discouraged, because the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

Psa 23:1 A Davidic Psalm. The LORD is the one who is shepherding me; I lack nothing.

Psa 23:2 He causes me to lie down in pastures of green grass; he guides me beside quiet waters.

Psa 23:3 He revives my life; he leads me in pathways that are righteous for the sake of his name.

Psa 23:4 Even when I walk through a valley of deep darkness, I will not be afraid because you are with me. Your rod and your staff--they comfort me.

Psa 23:5 You prepare a table before me, even in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Psa 23:6 Truly, goodness and gracious love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will remain in the LORD's Temple forever.

Eph 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, relying on his mighty strength.

Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the devil's strategies.

Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against human opponents, but against rulers, authorities, cosmic powers in the darkness around us, and evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realm.

Eph 6:13 For this reason, take up the whole armor of God so that you may be able to take a stand whenever evil comes. And when you have done everything you could, you will be able to stand firm.

Eph 6:14 Stand firm, therefore, having fastened the belt of truth around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, Eph 6:15 and being firm-footed in the gospel of peace.

Eph 6:16 In addition to having clothed yourselves with these things, having taken up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one,

Eph 6:17 also take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Eph 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times with every kind of prayer and request. Likewise, be alert with your most diligent efforts and pray for all the saints.

Eph 6:19 Pray also for me, so that, when I begin to speak, the right words will come to me. Then I will boldly make known the secret of the gospel,

Eph 6:20 for whose sake I am an ambassador in chains, desiring to declare the gospel as boldly as I should.

We need to remember these scriptures especially before an attack happens because then we are more calm inside a problem that life or even the devil causes.

Unfortunately for Zack he is distracted and Rita (our devil character) takes full advantage as the real one is really good at taking advantage of our weaknesses also.

Clip # 4 "Happy Birthday, Zack"

Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: Happy Birthday, Zack (clip #4): Direct link for video/webm

What do you see in this clip?

Zack wasn't ready for Nasty Knight in more ways than one. Not only is one Ranger ineffective against this powerful enemy, but Zack allowed himself to be depressed which made the attack much stronger because this made him more vulnerable.

What would you do? Would you think your friends didn't care?

At this point, Zack probably feels really isolated and may not know his friends will come to him. Rita, of course makes things worse by taunting Zack. This is also typical of the demonic.

Let's look at the next clip.

Clip # 5 "Happy Birthday, Zack"

Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: Happy Birthday, Zack (clip #5): Direct link for video/webm

What would you do here with no weapons?

Clearly, this monster isn't being beaten with brawn, so it's time to pray for a plan to outsmart him and also pray for the bad guys to make mistakes.

The next thing that happens is that Rita makes her monster grow for some reason and her monster is winning. This usually is a huge mistake. As you will see though, this monster is needed to be outsmarted not outbrawned.

Clip # 6 "Happy Birthday, Zack"

Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: Happy Birthday, Zack (clip #6): Direct link for video/webm

What did you see in this clip?

I believe this is a symbol of Divine discernment and I think that in real life, there would be a lot of praying going on to find the trick to beating Nasty Knight, especially the one talking about discernment in Romans 12: 1-2.

Bible Study #2

The scripture passages that we need to remember during any attack are found in Romans 12: 1-2, Philippians 4: 6-9; 13, Romans 8: 31-39

Rom 12:1 I therefore urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the reasonable way for you to worship.

Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but continually be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God's will is--what is proper, pleasing, and perfect.

Php 4:6 Never worry about anything. Instead, in every situation let your petitions be made known to God through prayers and requests, with thanksgiving.

Php 4:7 Then God's peace, which goes far beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your hearts and minds in union with the Messiah Jesus.

Php 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy--keep thinking about these things.

Php 4:9 Likewise, keep practicing these things: what you have learned, received, heard, and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Php 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Rom 8:31 What, then, can we say about all of this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Rom 8:32 The one who did not spare his own Son, but offered him as a sacrifice for all of us, surely will give us all things, along with his Son, won't he?

Rom 8:33 Who will accuse God's elect? It is God who justifies!

Rom 8:34 Who is the one to condemn? It is the Messiah Jesus who is interceding on our behalf. He died, and more importantly, has been raised and is seated at the right hand of God.

Rom 8:35 Who will separate us from the Messiah's love? Can trouble, distress, persecution, hunger, nakedness, danger, or a violent death do this?

Rom 8:36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being put to death all day long. We are thought of as sheep headed for slaughter."

Rom 8:37 In all these things we are triumphantly victorious due to the one who loved us.

Rom 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

Rom 8:39 nor anything above, nor anything below, nor anything else in all creation can separate us from the love of God that is ours in union with the Messiah Jesus, our Lord.

Most importantly, there's a couple of last scripture passages here. If you are of God, you have nothing to fear, as the Bible says this in I Corinthians 2: 9, Isaiah 54: 11-17

1Co 2:9 But as it is written, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him."

Isa 54:11 "O afflicted one, passed back and forth, and not comforted, Look! I am about to set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires.

Isa 54:12 And I'll make your battlements of rubies, and your gates of jewels, and all your walls of precious stones.

Isa 54:13 Then all your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children's prosperity.

Isa 54:14 "In righteousness you'll be established; you will be far from tyranny, for you won't be afraid, and from terror, for it won't come near you.

Isa 54:15 Watch! If anyone does attack you, it will not be from me; whoever may attack you will fall because of you.

Isa 54:16 Look! It is I who have created the blacksmith who fans coals in the fire, and produces a weapon for his purpose. It is I who have created the ravager to wreak havoc;

Isa 54:17 no weapon that is forged against you will be effective. This is the heritage of the LORD's servants, and their righteousness from me," says the LORD.

Our created weapons are produced by God's gift of the blacksmith trade, but they are no match for God's weaponry.

If you think that the Nasty Knight had a sword to be reckoned with, just think of God's sword that He forges in His fire. God's sword is terrible and swift as people say, which is correct because the Bible says in Isaiah 27: 1 (NLT)

Isa 27:1 In that day the LORD will take his terrible, swift sword and punish Leviathan, the swiftly moving serpent, the coiling, writhing serpent. He will kill the dragon of the sea.

I am sure this has to do with the Revelation scriptures about judgment of the devil or Satan, but, it also means any enemy of God. God is more than capable of bringing down His enemies when it is due time. When this judgment comes, there is no escaping it.

No one needs to worry about the enemies' weapons when God is on your side and you're on His. Remember a weapon forged against you will not be effective; it won't stand up to our Lord. When God truly is not done with you yet here on earth and you're of Him, I firmly believe that God is fully capable and will protect your life. This ensures that whatever your mission is, your part of it is fulfilled.

The last clip shows the usual outcome of a "thought my friends forgot my birthday plot"

Clip # 7 "Happy Birthday, Zack"

Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: Happy Birthday, Zack (clip #7): Direct link for video/webm

What did you see in this last clip? What have we learned overall?

As it turns out, Zack never had to worry about his friends abandoning him. God won't abandon us either in real life; He is even better than other friends of yours put together. If God is for us who can be against us. We need to always remember this wherever we go and whatever we are doing. God provides when situations look impossible and when life is good. There are no worries that will overwhelm in Jesus Christ our Lord.