What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which is God’s (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Your main purpose in life is to glorify the Father in everything.
You may say, “I am doing a great job in glorifying God in my body. After all, I do not overindulge, I exercise, I sleep eight hours a day, I stay well-groomed, and I take care of my physical body. Yes, the body is important, but there are other things that are also important. As you meditate on I Corinthians 6:19-20, you will realize that you should glorify God in your body and your SPIRIT through fellowship, worship, and Lordship. In fact, this can only be accomplished by submitting to God’s will and taking on His form. For example, one of the ways you can glorify the Father on a daily basis is by staying connected to Him through prayer. You can esteem Him most excellent through your appreciation, adoration, affection, and subjection to Him.
In addition to praising and magnifying the name of the Lord, here are three basic principles you can also do to exalt Him: First, develop a relationship with Him by walking daily in His presence-again, pray, read the Bible, and acknowledge Him in all your ways; Secondly, ask and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. John 16:13 promises that the Comforter will guide you into all truth. And, finally, acknowledge every day, all that you do is for the building of God’s kingdom and for His glory. Knowing these truths, you can live in such a way that God’s visible glory shines through your life. As well, Matthew 5:16 records the words of the Lord in which He says our lights should bring glory to God: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
One of the works of the flesh listed in Galatians 5:19-21, which we often overlook, is fits of anger. We are cautioned to put it away because it causes us to sin against our own bodies. We are warned that those who do such things [enduring fits of anger] will not inherit the kingdom of God. We are not to give in to every whim of our flesh. We are not to submit even to the lust of our flesh by becoming bitter or resentful.
As a young Christian, growing up, I remembered a time I felt heavily burdened and downcast because of an offensive word spoken to me publicly by someone I admired. I remembered being so embarrassed, disappointed and broken that I did not want to be seen by or talk to anyone. I remembered rushing home only to shut myself in my bedroom, away from everyone. I cried uncontrollably for about two hours. After my feeling-sorry-for-myself moment, I began to worship and praise the Lord. The Holy Spirit had broken up my pity party. My sorrow turned into gladness. I began laughing frenziedly for about one solid hour. It felt like someone had been tickling me and would not stop. My burden which was heavy had now become light. Truly,” the joy of the Lord was my strength.” He intercepted and transformed my sorrow into gladness. The Lord gave me “the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness… ” (Isaiah 61:3). I realized the indwelling of His presence had overflowed into the core of my innermost being at a time when I needed Him most. Today, even as I write, the memory of that awesome moment of laughter dominates my heart more than the memory of the offense. I believe my first step to healing was going to the Lord in prayer. This opened the door for me to completely THROW my bitterness and resentment of sins at the feet of Jesus by the leading of the Holy Spirit (See, I Corinthians 9:27). I had a choice to let those sins dominate and reign in my spirit or to turn them over to Jesus.
The lesson learned that day was simple: Although I was overwhelmed by the offense, the Holy Spirit was willing and available to empower, strengthen, and comfort me. He helped me overcome the sin of becoming bitter and resentful, which if ignored, would have been harmful to my body and my spirit being. I thank God for allowing me to experience His awesome presence of comfort and empowerment by the Holy Spirit.
Numerous medical researchers have pointed out that life depression and other emotional stress, bitterness, and resentment can aggravate or cause physical ailments. As well, the Bible affirms that these oppressive and destructive passions have roots in hate, which is likened to murder. You can be affected mentally, physically, and spiritually. I Thessalonians 4:4 tell us, “That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor.” The point is to realize you do not have to be defeated and face dilemmas alone. You can “possess” and take control of your spirit by allowing the Holy Spirit to be in control, which glorifies Him.
When you love your children, God is glorified; when you honor the people around you, God is glorified; when you manage your finances God’s way, He is glorified; when you help some in need, it glorifies the Father, and yes, when you pray for those who harm you, God is glorified. Even in the midst of pain, the Lord is willing to be glorified in and through you. You have to allow the Holy Spirit to help you keep your temple pure and clean from sin. God’s Holy Spirit indwells in and overflows through the Believer causes our very body to become the Temple of God where He lives.
Does your life glorify God? If not, it is not too late for you to bring glory to His name. You must turn to the Lord immediately. That is, you must repent of your sins by asking Him to forgive you of your sins, forgive others, and invite Him to live in your heart. Alternatively, if you are glorifying God by living for Him as a Christian, then do not give up; instead, press on and God will honor you in ways that you cannot even imagine. As situations arise, you should still ask God to forgive you of your sins. Then, and only then, you will be able to say, “To God be the glory for the things He has done.” It is that simple yet profound. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:31). When you honor God with your life, He will in turn honor you.
What are your thoughts?

From Genesis to Revelation, the Lord had always raised champions. Before the fall of Adam, His original design for humanity comprised a sinless life. This truth ended with the sin of Adam. Nonetheless, roughly about 4,000 years after Adam’s fall, God provided through the Ultimate Champion, Jesus Christ, all that is necessary for us to live triumphantly. Thus, we do not have to stay entangled with the affairs and bondages of this world. We can embrace the victorious life in Him. We are God’s champions, and our victory is in Christ Jesus.

Today, the Lord is looking for individuals who will accept the challenge to be a “Champion for God.” He calls us to champion the cause of Christ, His cross, and the Great Commission. His promises are true and faithful. Are we willing to step out by faith and obey His command to serve Him faithfully in these unholy times? (2 Cor. 6:17-18). He will work in and through you to accomplish what He has designed for you to do. All you have to do is be willing and yield to the Lord. HE is willing and ready to work through you!

The Mark of a True Champion:

1. God’s champion knows His voice. John 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
2. God’s champion believes His promise and follows the leading of His Holy Spirit.
3. God’s champion prays continually and seeks His face daily. The prophetess, Hannah, although barren, was a woman of unbreakable faith. She rose early in the morning and worshipped before the LORD, and in return, the Lord remembered and blessed her with a son, Samuel the prophet. (See I Samuel 1ff.)
4. God’s champion expects victory. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)
5. God’s champion understands that His anointing enables you to be victorious and not your own strength. Isaiah 10:27, “And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.”
6. God’s champion gives Him ALL the glory, honor, and praise. Psalm 34:3, “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.”

Examples of God’s Champions:

• Gideon, the fifth judge and reluctant leader of Israel, was finally convinced of the power of God. With only 300 men, he ultimately led the Israelites in victory over their enemies, the Midianites. (See Judges 7)
• Deborah, a prophetess, and a judge, were one of the many women God Himself called and used. Her leadership qualities were respected and unquestionable. She ended 20 years of Canaanite oppression and brought forty years of peace to Israel (Judges 5:31).
• Elisha prayed to God to blind the eyes of a whole army and led them amid their opponent. Because of their unwavering faith, God won irrevocable victories through each of them. (II Kings 6:8-23).

God is calling out today, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” I pray for you to respond in unwavering faith, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8). Then get ready to see victory after victory won for God’s kingdom through YOU—His champion!

Spiritual warfare, a broad and powerful matter is a reality of the Christian life. Although it is unseen, it is unquestionably real. It exists in the unseen, supernatural dimension, where God is all-powerful and Satan is in rebellion. The Bible speaks of spiritual warfare in many places, but most directly in Ephesians 6:12, where Paul speaks of putting on the full armor of God: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Let us get right to the point and focus on spiritual warfare in our home. Repeatedly, we are defeated when we allow Satan to come into our home and reap havoc. How? Too often we give him “legal right” to enter our home: 1) We allow our children to do anything, say anything, and act any way they want. Through them, we open the door and welcome rebellion into our home. 2) We are in a constant battle with our spouse. We do not work together but rather against one another. The wife is pointing in one direction and the husband is heading in another. This separation filters down and exists in our mindset, our actions, and in our walk with the Lord. 3) We watch any and everything on television, the PC, in books and magazines, and we buy and listen to anything audibly. The results: destruction and all sorts of principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places entering, attacking, and lingering in our home. I am not sure about you, but I am tired of the enemy trying to get a foothold in my door, and I am tired of seeing him attack families. Most Christians, when they come under attack do not know what to do, or they are not in the position, spiritually, to do anything. They just cry and worry, or constantly run to the Pastor for help, or they give in by allowing the enemy to take over and destroy their home.

First, spiritual warfare is a personal resistance against our OWN sinful desires, which the enemy will use to his advantage if we allow him. Therefore, the first fight is against the mind—the battlefield or realm in which spiritual warfare takes place in every believer in Christ. As Christians, we encounter real spiritual struggles in our thoughts against the world system, our emotions, and our will; because the adversary knows that these areas are directly related to the power of our faith in God.

A commonly associated passage written by the Apostle Paul states, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). It is our mindset and a matter of the heart. Therefore, we have to confess our sins and allow God to create a clean heart in us (see Psalm 51:10) by allowing the Holy Spirit to open the door to all the dark closets in our hearts and mind. In other words, leave your sins at the door. Just think of it as wiping the dust off your feet before entering your home. In doing so the Holy Spirit will deal with everything in your life that needs changing.

Second, do you realize that Jesus has given us the authority to put Satan under our feet? Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19). God told us to do this and He has equipped us to do so. How then should we fight? Psalm 144:1 states, “Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle” (NASB). David stated how God has trained his hands to war, and his fingers to fight. This was evident throughout the Old Testament where you will find examples of God’s weaponry in action. What better example of this passage of Scripture of using faith in battle than David fighting Goliath with a slingshot. I Samuel 17: 45 states, “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield (in the natural): but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts (in the Spirit), the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied”….. In verse 49 of this same chapter, David put his hand in his bag, and took out a stone, slung it, and smote the Philistine. The stone sunk into Goliath’s forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.

David was also skillful with his hands on the harp, and valor in the combat with the lion and bear (See I Sam. 17:34-36). For example, he was brought to play before King Saul (See I Sam. 16:14-23). The Word of God in verse 18 says that “Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.” The Scriptures use the word “cunning” to describe the mindset in which David played his instrument. The root word is derived from the Hebrew, “Yada.” It is a verb, which means “to know, learn to know, to perceive, find out and discern, to be wise, to be skillful in.” (Studylight, 2010). Satan, by Divine permission, troubled and terrified Saul, by the corrupt humor of his body, and passions of his mind. He grew fretful, peevish, and discontented, and at times a madman. Nevertheless, we see how God’s “Chrism” (anointing) was upon even David’s hands as weaponry against the evil spirit, which had no choice but to depart from Saul. The results, victory, and deliverance for Saul as seen in verse 23: “And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.”

God used David’s hands skillfully to fight against an evil spirit that was bothering Saul. What about your hands or even your pinky finger? We have this authority in Christ but we rarely use it! We have the “sword of the Spirit”—A great weapon placed in the hands of every believer. The Greek word Paul used here is not “logos” but instead, “hrema”, meaning a specific saying of God, a passage or a verse that has special application to an immediate situation or in English “saying”. The point Paul is conveying is each appropriate individual Scripture is a sword unto itself, and it a daily application of studying the Word. In other words, the “sword of the Spirit” is the sayings of God applied to a specific situation, which is extremely effective in a spiritual battle. Are you using it “cunningly” (skillfully, discerningly) to disarm the adversary? Our answer to destroying the attacks of the devil, who comes to discourage, defeat, and destroy us is using the “sword of the Spirit.”

Third, it is time for us (the body of Christ) to gird up our loins and go on the offense against the devil’s kingdom. The time for sitting around and doing nothing is certainly over. Do not give the adversary a foothold. Do not allow him to dwell with you. Why allow him to destroy you and your family? It is time for house cleaning! Tell the devil you are not going to serve him in areas that are not pleasing to God. Denounce them and kick the devil and his imps out of your home in the name of Jesus! Literally, open the door and throw him out! Anything and everything contrary to the Word of God has to be dismissed from your home. Buy some olive oil, pray or have your pastor pray over it, anoint all your doors and windows, anoint your children and their shoes, and cast out any unclean spirits that are operating in and through your family. Continuously claim for a household for the Kingdom of God. “Establish borders around your home by the blood of the Lamb and declare to Satan that it is off-limits” (Jacobs, 1996). And if you mean business, use your “two-edged sword” by filling your house with the sweet savoy of prayer and praise—one of the highest forms of faith. This is what King Jehoshaphat did; it is recorded in 2 Chronicles, chapter 20. He prayed and worshipped the Lord, and sent out praise singers, who praised the Lord with a loud voice, in front of his soldiers to cause disarray among the enemy, Also, take notice in verse 13 that, “all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. They all stood in oneness with one mindset. That is why it is so important for your household to be on one accord. The results were two-fold: 1) the Lord was with them; and, 2) they annihilated their enemies. Likewise, Joshua used singing and trumpets to bring down the great city of Jericho. The lesson in these situations (as in all spiritual warfare today) is that it is God alone who allows us to claim victory over the adversary. Prophetically, the Lord responded through His prophet, Jahaziel. “…and he said, “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, “Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:15).

Finally, remember not to measure results by what you see or hear. The Bible makes it clear that we can walk in victory. God does not want us to fail; this is why He has made victory possible in our lives. Through our Victorious Commander, Jesus Christ, the battle has already been won. Psalm 18:2—The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. We are more than conquerors in Him! Remember, we know the ending—we have already won! Since it is warfare, God instructs Christians to use a very specific set of armor and weapons. (Read Ephesians 6:10-18).
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (v. 6)

2 Samuel 22:35—He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
Psalm 18:34—He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Works Cited:
Jacobs, Cindy (1996). Possessing the Gates of the Enemy, 2nd ed., Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House Company.
Studylight, (2010). Retrieved on August 8, 2010, from http://www.studylight.org/desk/view.cgi?number=03045
The King James Version of the Bible was originally published in 1611.
The New American Standard Bible Update – 1995

Proclamation: “Let Us Go Over unto the Other Side!”

Matthew 14:22-33

I want to comfort you with the reality that Christ is interceding for you. During the storms of life, He will save you! When Jesus told His disciples, “Let us go over to the other side” they launched forth in their boat but did not realize that the winds would be boisterous and notoriously blowing against them. They had to pull down the sails and for hours had rowed in the dark to keep their boat from being swamped. Can you imagine the fear, fright, and anxiety they faced at the crack of dawn? They were rowing and getting nowhere.

Well, sometimes we feel like those disciples on the oars–pressing forward but getting nowhere fast. The “storms of life are raging,” the billows are rolling, your job is frustrating, your children are facing problems at school, unemployment, financial stress, divorce, death and grief, an accident or illness, depression, doubt in the living God, etc. Such are the storms that are presently blowing. Your daily struggles are tangible. I am sure you are in or have been in such a storm. You contemplate, does God care. He must be unaware. Perhaps, God does know about my storms, but He is distant and unsympathetic. He is not here! 

In the storms of doubt and unbelief, we often accept the drudgery and despair, and we fail to “look up to the hills where comes our help! Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!” (Psalm 121:2).

But God! I challenge you to find and hold on to Christ’s outstretched hand in the storms of life. Just as Jesus immediately saved Peter as he cried out when he was afraid and sinking, He will instantly deliver you from distress when you cry out to Him, “Lord, save me!” Be assured that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father interceding on your behalf (See Hebrews 7:25). He knows your struggles inside out, and He cares deeply for you in your storm. He also perfectly understands God’s will and is praying for His will to be demonstrated in your storm!

Therefore, trust and worship Him amid your storm. Verse 33 stated, “And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God’.”

Remember, the command and promise were to “Meet Me (Jesus) on the other side!” He did not tell you what it would take to get there—that the winds would be boisterous. But He promised to meet you on the other side. Therefore, forget those disappointments and failures behind and press towards your future goal to the higher calling in Him (Christ Jesus). Look at the outcome. Look at your final position and destination–on the other side! God has raised you, and you are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Read Ephesians 2:6). I am not saying that we have it all together and have it made. But we are well on our way, reaching out for Christ who has so wondrously reached out for us. (Read Philippians 3: 12-14).

Friends, keep your eyes on the goal, where the Holy Spirit is beckoning you onward—to Jesus. Be off and running, and do not turn back! Keep focused on your goal! Friends move forward in Jesus’ mighty Name! Amen, and so be it!

Inspirational Words from My Heavenly Father….

GOD always allow adverse circumstances and situations in our life to educate us and to increase our faith.  Without opposition, the nature of faith will not be real.   We must remember that “faith” is an action word.  For it is the nature of faith is to make its object real. To turn faith into a personal possession, a fight is inevitable. In exchange for the fight, God gives us the victory. Therefore, we must not look at our present circumstances, but to focus on God and ask Him to increase our faith.

We need to speak faith to our situations, as recorded in Luke 17:6—“If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea’; and it would obey you.” We must also believe what we are saying or in what we are asking and take the necessary action(s) needed to accomplish our task.

John 3:1-21 tells the story of an astute man named Nicodemus who came to Jesus by night to inquire of Him truth. This passage of scripture contains one of the most treasured verses of the Bible” You must be born again”. Let us take a quick and close look at verses 1 through 3.

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:1-3, ESV).

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a highly respected leader of the Jewish people, and a teacher of the Old Testament. He was also a member of the Sanhedrin, (the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body of the Jews), the high court in Israel. Not satisfied with the legalism of the Pharisees, he sought out Jesus incognito (at night) to ask questions and get the truth directly from Jesus’ mouth.

Some call him, “Nick at Night.” Why at night? The Scripture does not tell us. Bible scholars alluded that perhaps he was afraid of criticism, feared retribution, losing his status, or afraid he would be embarrassed. Maybe he wanted to know more before committing himself to Jesus Christ or He wondered if Jesus could be the Messiah he had been waiting for. Nonetheless, we know that he had a desire for a private conversation with Jesus. As we read more about Nicodemus, his characteristics are that of a humble, cautious man, not anxious for a confrontation like the more querulous members of the Pharisees; instead, he appeared to be a level-headed and peaceful man. In any case, he came and asked Jesus some questions.

John’s writing of Nicodemus’s conversation with Jesus illustrates that irrespective of his achievements, political standpoint, culture, religious affiliation, and his prominence in education, Nicodemus had a great need. He needed to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It was not based on what someone else had experienced, but it was necessary for him to have a personal encounter with the “Teacher who has come from God.” (John 3:2).

What a perfect example! Take note that regardless of your age, gender, national origin, your system of faith, political affiliation, socioeconomic status, occupation, or educational level, you need a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. You need to know Him as “my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!” YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN!  Jesus requires a radical commitment: Repent and turn away from your sins.  Equally, He offers the light yoke that if you call on His name, you will be saved. (Read Romans 10:13).

Are you in right relationship with Jesus Christ? Have you personally affirmed your faith in Christ by accepting Him as your personal Savior? Is He Lord over ALL?

As defined in the dictionary in noun form, ALIGNMENT means 1. arrangement in a straight line or a correct or appropriate relative position. 2. a position of agreement or alliance.

ALIGNMENT is the prophetic word for the twenty-first century, and it is inevitable for accomplishing the next-level assignment. God is aligning the body of Christ. He is connecting those who are Spirit-led to the right people that would accomplish His will collectively. So, do not fight against what the Holy Spirit is doing in your life today. He may be moving like a mighty rushing wind, as rain, as rivers of waters, as oil, like wine, as a consuming fire, as a dove, or in a still small voice. Though it may seem what He has promised is deferred, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay!

Expect the Holy Spirit to accomplish His will through you. Position yourself and get in alignment with the Holy Spirit! As you continually abide in His presence, He will align you and complete His work through you. (“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”–Zachariah 4:6.)

Jealousy is a devilish spirit. It entwines with deceit, envy, strife, and violence. Jealousy can open the door to many other sins and/or potentially lead to murder.  Just to hear someone say a good job, well done, triggers jealousy to arise.  It is a strong emotion that ruined many lives.  Here is a shortlist of examples:  Joseph brothers were deceitful and jealous of him because his father, Jacob, loved him so much and made him a special coat of many colors.   Cain was angry and jealous of his brother, Abel.  He killed him out of envy. Rebekah had the spirit of Cain—deceit, and jealousy.  She convinced Jacob to steal his brother Esau’s birthright although God had already promised the birthright to Jacob.  The people made more of David’s single victory than all of Saul’s. From that moment Saul went into a rage, kept a jealous eye on David, and plotted to kill him.

Jealousy can cause you to make a complete fool of yourself. The madness still runs rampant today. Just look around our cities at the senseless murders that befall because of jealousy.   Do not let jealousy control your life!  Rejoice with those who are being blessed around you! Demonstrate spiritual maturity by responding with authentic joy for what God is doing in someone else life.  You may say, “easier said than done.”

Well, lift up your hands today and ask God to help you.  Confess, “I want the Spirit of Christ and not a spirit of jealousy.”  If you confess your sins, He will forgive you and cleanse you not just from jealousy, but from ALL unrighteousness.  (See I John 1:9).   Allow the Spirit of God to come into your heart and cleanse you today! Recognize that divine life does not derive just by keeping God’s laws; you must give Him your whole heart.  Read the story of the rich, young ruler in Matthew 19:16,17,20-22.  Thank God for Jesus!

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
    your walls are continually before me. ~ Isaiah 49:16

Though what you see and feel seems to contradict the concern of the Heavenly Father, we challenge you to trust in the Lord, walk in faith, and stand on His promises. God has not forgotten about you.  You are engraved in the palms of His hands, and your walls are continually before Him.  In other words, when He looks at His hands, He sees and remembers you. You are upturned and cupped in the palm of His hands.  He is holding and carrying you. He constantly looks upon you and never forgets about you.  Amidst your adversities and trials, He had a constant and sacred regard for you.   He sees you exactly as you are…your human frailties, your needs, your pimples and all.  He knows your ways…your actions, your reactions, your experiences, your ups, and your downs. He loves you, cares for you, and will never forget about you. (See Isaiah 49: 15-16).

• We challenge you to believe and respond to the loving Father’s love for you.
• We challenge you to love God when you cannot comprehend His ways.
• We challenge you to choose to love God.
• We challenge you to dig deep and recall His love and faithfulness to you so far.
• We challenge you to discover afresh and walk in God’s love daily.
• We challenge you to go “deeper, wider, yet still” in His presence.

In times, we desperately need and depend on God.  May you never forget that with Jesus, you HAVE the victory!  Jesus “spoiled principalities and powers, and he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:15.   We aim to honor the Lord through these blog posts. We trust you are personally inspired, challenged, and changed for the glory of God!

The School of Hard Knocks! A Lesson on Deception (Read Acts 19:11-20):

Ephesus was a city filled with the worship of the false goddess Diana or Artemis and with occult practices.  Certain Jews went about making a living by claiming to heal people and working wonders.   Some noticed the miracles Paul was performing and wanted to get in on the act.

In verses 11-12 we read that Paul followed the pattern of Jesus Himself—“And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.”

Sceva (a Jew and chief of the priests) had seven sons who went around performing magic.  Obviously, these boys did not understand the severity of trying to impersonate the work of the Holy Spirit, but they would quickly find out that the person using the formula must be a sincere and yielded channel for the supernatural Person of the Holy Spirit.  The humiliating failure of the seven sons of Sceva is also clear proof that success in casting out demons does not depend merely on using the right “formula.”  They knew nothing about the Name with which they fabricated.   Instead of saying, “We adjure you in the matchless Name of Jesus Christ, they said, “We adjure you by Jesus Christ, whom Paul preacheth.”  These boys did not have a personal relationship with Jesus. Therefore, since they did not know Jesus, they could only recite a chant by saying, “in the name of Jesus Christ whom Paul preacheth.”

They, being the sons of a high priest of Israel should know better than to get mixed up with sorcery and witchcraft. The Law of Moses strictly forbids the practice of witchcraft and sorcery in Israel.  Nonetheless, to them, it was a profession, a means of gaining wealth for themselves.  These “vagabond Jews, exorcists, were also known as walkers/strollers who employ a formula of conjuration for expelling demons.  (See verse 13-14).  They were impressed by Paul’s results.   This was phenomenal!  They could see great possibilities for themselves.  They could make a fortune with this kind of power! One day when they were trying their hand at casting out demons, they took upon them to call over a man who  had an evil spirit saying, “We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.”  The demon in the man spoke out and said, “Jesus, I know.”  In other words, I recognize that Jesus is Deity God.  When He speaks, I must obey.  And, “Paul I know.”—I recognize Paul as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I know that Jesus has given Paul authority over us.  I obey the voice of Paul because Jesus sent Him.  “But who are you?”—Who do you think you are giving me orders?  You are not God!  Neither were you sent with authority from God!   Immediately the man who was possessed by the demon leaped on all seven sons, overcoming, and beating them so badly that they ran from the house wounded and naked.   The fact that one man beat up seven men at once indicated that he had to be controlled by a legion of demons, which gave him super strength.  He could break chains and fetters. (A “fetter” is a chain or shackle for the feet). They got the thrashing of their lives.

These events in Ephesus provided a further New Testament example of how the ministry of deliverance can affect an entire community.  The spectacle of the sons of Sceva fleeing in disarray before a demonized man had an impact on the whole city of Ephesus, but especially for the Christians living there.  It served to draw a clear divided line between the disciples of Jesus and the unbelievers (See Acts 19:18-19):  And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.  Many of them also which used curious arts [practiced sorcery] brought their books together and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

These Christians had made a profession of faith in Christ but had retained in their possession scrolls containing the secret formulas they had used in their occult practices.  The calculated value of these scrolls today would be equivalent to more than two million dollars.  How many know there is money being made in the occult?   Nonetheless, look at the results in the closing verse, 20: “So the Word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed” (Acts 19:20).  If we are not seeing these results, then who has changed?  Is it Jesus?  Is it the demons? Or is it the Church?

My prayer is that the Church wake up to the reality of our authority over unclean spirits given to us by our big Brother, Jesus.  We are too inexperienced in this area of expelling demons, too structured, and/or too scared of this reality. It has become a “taboo.”  These signs should follow every believer that believes. Especially in these perilous times, we need to live and walk in continued freedom, and we need to help free those that are bound. Remember, just as God was with Jesus on His Christian journey, the Holy Spirit is with us.  He promised to lead and guide us into all truth.   After all, it is He who is performing the good work in us, and not we ourselves.  Stop letting the enemy take over your home.  Take authority over demonic influences that are bombarding your home, your family, and cast them out.  Literally open your front door and command them to leave in the Name of Jesus!  You should at least have dominion over your home. It is your legal right.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY:

Mark 16:17-18 – 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

The Scriptures provide a great example for believers to follow: Jesus appears to His disciple just before ascending up to heaven commanded them to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.   After He had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, sat down at the right hand of God, and is consistently praying for you and for me. The disciples obeyed by going out and preaching everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed. (Read Mark 16:19-20).

If you are a sinner, repent for the remission of your sins (Romans 10:9-10) and tell others about the great things the Lord has done for you.  If you are a Christian and have forsaken the Lord, return to the Lord, repent, pray (Acts 8:22), and testify of the great things the Lord has done in your life.

“ONLY BELIEVE” by Paul Rader, 1921

Fear not, little flock, from the cross to the throne,

From death into life He went for His own;

All power in earth, all power above,

Is given to Him for the flock of His love.

Refrain:

Only believe, only believe;

All things are possible, only believe;

Only believe, only believe;

All things are possible, only believe.

Fear not, little flock, He goeth ahead,

Your Shepherd selecteth the path you must tread;

The waters of Marah He’ll sweeten for thee,

He drank all the bitter in Gethsemane.

Fear not, little flock, whatever your lot,

He enters all rooms, “the doors being shut,”

He never forsakes; He never is gone,

So count on His presence in darkness and dawn.

ONLY BELIEVE (excerpts from the Ministry of Deliverance teachings) by Min. Gail Faulkner