Luke 22:32 (NKJV) But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
Jesus is praying for Simon Peter. Peter is about to go through a time of testing and great discouragement. His instructions are, that once he is restored and encouraged, to go and do the same for his brothers. We all need each other. There are times when each of us will go through trying times. Times when we feel that we are at the end of our rope. Times when we don't know how we'll have the strength to go on. These are the times when we need prayers from others. We need their encouraging words. Just as Aaron and Hur held up Moses' hands in the battle and defeated the Amalekites, God has placed around you those who will war in the spirit to get you through the battle. Once you have made it through the valley of the shadow, it's important to know that there are those whose lives you have been placed in to strengthen and encourage them through their battles. If one can put a thousand to flight, then two can put ten thousand to flight. There is strength in numbers. Peter went on to preach and see thousands give their lives to Jesus Christ. You can be the one person that can impact someone else's life that causes them to go on and do great things. Strengthen your brothers.
Have A Blessed Day
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Don't Give Up
John 16:33 (KJV) These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Jesus said that the times preceding His return would get more and more tense. There would be many negative reports and hardships, and the times would be fearful and people would be fainting from fear because of what they hear and see. But, He said see that you are not overcome by these things. He said he has warned us of these things in advance so that we could take refuge in Him and have peace in the midst of a world filled with turmoil.
In order for believers to overcome, we are going to have to get serious now more than ever at resisting the devil and his lies and take every thought of death, theft and destruction captive and cast it out. If the devil can figure out how to steal from you, he will. If he can figure out how to destroy your life, he will. If he can find an opportunity to kill you, he will. It's easy to believe in life to the full and abundant life when things are going good. However, that same abundant life is still there to possess and enjoy when times are not good. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Let His peace rule and reign on the inside of you. Take every negative and evil thought captive and cast it out. Replace it with a promise from God's word and let your treasures be in heaven, not in the material things of this world. God has created you for such a time as this to be an over-comer, not to be overcome. It doesn't happen automatically though, you have to be a warrior and lay hold of it forcefully. Take heart, be of good cheer, DON'T GIVE UP - Jesus has overcome the world, and we can overcome through Him!
DayHave A Blessed
Jesus said that the times preceding His return would get more and more tense. There would be many negative reports and hardships, and the times would be fearful and people would be fainting from fear because of what they hear and see. But, He said see that you are not overcome by these things. He said he has warned us of these things in advance so that we could take refuge in Him and have peace in the midst of a world filled with turmoil.
In order for believers to overcome, we are going to have to get serious now more than ever at resisting the devil and his lies and take every thought of death, theft and destruction captive and cast it out. If the devil can figure out how to steal from you, he will. If he can figure out how to destroy your life, he will. If he can find an opportunity to kill you, he will. It's easy to believe in life to the full and abundant life when things are going good. However, that same abundant life is still there to possess and enjoy when times are not good. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Let His peace rule and reign on the inside of you. Take every negative and evil thought captive and cast it out. Replace it with a promise from God's word and let your treasures be in heaven, not in the material things of this world. God has created you for such a time as this to be an over-comer, not to be overcome. It doesn't happen automatically though, you have to be a warrior and lay hold of it forcefully. Take heart, be of good cheer, DON'T GIVE UP - Jesus has overcome the world, and we can overcome through Him!
DayHave A Blessed
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Known By Your Fruits
John 10:38 (The Message) If I don't do the things my Father does, well and good; don't believe me. But if I am doing them, put aside for a moment what you hear me say about myself and just take the evidence of the actions that are right before your eyes. Then perhaps things will come together for you, and you'll see that not only are we doing the same thing, we are the same—Father and Son. He is in me; I am in him."
Have you ever had someone speak derogatory towards you saying "And YOU call yourself a Christian?" That is obviously an attack from the enemy, and the motive is try to move you into a position where you feel you have to prove yourself to them or someone else by performing a certain way that meets their approval. It's purpose is to get you out of faith and into doubt. Don't fall for that trick. You shouldn't have to prove your Christianity any more than you have to prove that you are a man or a woman. You shouldn't have to perform to gain someone's approval. If you are a man or a woman, it will be obvious by the way you talk, the way you look and the way you act. There are people who try to act like or become the opposite of what they are, but their true colors will eventually shine through their falsehood. Likewise, Jesus said they will know you by your fruits and your love for one another. The devil will try to trick you into sin by trying to trick you into proving who you already are. He did it with Eve in the garden, he tried it with Jesus in the wilderness, and he'll try it with you. Just be about your Father's business and the works will testify of who you are.
Have A Blessed Day
Have you ever had someone speak derogatory towards you saying "And YOU call yourself a Christian?" That is obviously an attack from the enemy, and the motive is try to move you into a position where you feel you have to prove yourself to them or someone else by performing a certain way that meets their approval. It's purpose is to get you out of faith and into doubt. Don't fall for that trick. You shouldn't have to prove your Christianity any more than you have to prove that you are a man or a woman. You shouldn't have to perform to gain someone's approval. If you are a man or a woman, it will be obvious by the way you talk, the way you look and the way you act. There are people who try to act like or become the opposite of what they are, but their true colors will eventually shine through their falsehood. Likewise, Jesus said they will know you by your fruits and your love for one another. The devil will try to trick you into sin by trying to trick you into proving who you already are. He did it with Eve in the garden, he tried it with Jesus in the wilderness, and he'll try it with you. Just be about your Father's business and the works will testify of who you are.
Have A Blessed Day
Monday, April 26, 2010
Getting Through
2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
The week ahead may look unbearably long, even though it has only started. What must be done may look like an impossible task. Perhaps you are already weary, and you cannot imagine where you will find the energy to get through the day—let alone a whole week. Well then, it’s time to stop—be still—and simply look to God. Take a deep breath, tell Him your concerns, and take this Word from God with you: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Though it is sometimes hard to see through life’s insurmountable clutter, God has all you need to make it through the day—as well as the whole week.
The task ahead of you is never as great as the POWER behind you! "if you have faith as small as a mustard seed....NOTHING will be IMPOSSIBLE for you!"
Have A Blessed Week
The week ahead may look unbearably long, even though it has only started. What must be done may look like an impossible task. Perhaps you are already weary, and you cannot imagine where you will find the energy to get through the day—let alone a whole week. Well then, it’s time to stop—be still—and simply look to God. Take a deep breath, tell Him your concerns, and take this Word from God with you: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Though it is sometimes hard to see through life’s insurmountable clutter, God has all you need to make it through the day—as well as the whole week.
The task ahead of you is never as great as the POWER behind you! "if you have faith as small as a mustard seed....NOTHING will be IMPOSSIBLE for you!"
Have A Blessed Week
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Our Father Knows Best
1 Corinthians 13:12 (The Message) We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
This lifetime here, at times, seems immense. So much so, that it makes it so easy to forget the eternity that follows. We are, unfortunately, creatures of the moment, it seems. Whatever makes me feel good now, or meets my immediate need, or brings me satisfaction today becomes the proverbial squeaky wheel that gets the grease. And we--we are so often foolish and frail, falling easily; giving ear to Satan’s lies; forsaking God’s truth and His will for momentary satisfaction. And in that moment we turn from God to take hold of our desires today, we can so easily destroy our tomorrows. We know He knows what’s best for us. We know that if only we will trust Him with today, He will take us into our tomorrows and bless us along the way. He will enable us not to stumble today in the wake of poor and selfish choices, but help us instead to choose rightly. And He will show us in the days to come that, though we could not see it, He had it all worked out all along.
Have A Blessed Day
This lifetime here, at times, seems immense. So much so, that it makes it so easy to forget the eternity that follows. We are, unfortunately, creatures of the moment, it seems. Whatever makes me feel good now, or meets my immediate need, or brings me satisfaction today becomes the proverbial squeaky wheel that gets the grease. And we--we are so often foolish and frail, falling easily; giving ear to Satan’s lies; forsaking God’s truth and His will for momentary satisfaction. And in that moment we turn from God to take hold of our desires today, we can so easily destroy our tomorrows. We know He knows what’s best for us. We know that if only we will trust Him with today, He will take us into our tomorrows and bless us along the way. He will enable us not to stumble today in the wake of poor and selfish choices, but help us instead to choose rightly. And He will show us in the days to come that, though we could not see it, He had it all worked out all along.
Have A Blessed Day
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Press On
Philippians 3:14 (King James Version) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
To "press on" literally means to "pursue, follow after, even though you suffer persecution". It implies that you must continue intensely in spite of opposition. It's a word that we all need to remind ourselves with each day. Press in and press on. Continue in faith, don't give up. The devil wants to see you fail. He wants you to believe his lies when he says you can't make it, you'll never succeed. However, you can continue in confidence because God has already called you an over-comer, more than a conqueror. You are a champion. Dig your heels in and spit in the devils face. The race is yours to win.
Have A Blessed Day
To "press on" literally means to "pursue, follow after, even though you suffer persecution". It implies that you must continue intensely in spite of opposition. It's a word that we all need to remind ourselves with each day. Press in and press on. Continue in faith, don't give up. The devil wants to see you fail. He wants you to believe his lies when he says you can't make it, you'll never succeed. However, you can continue in confidence because God has already called you an over-comer, more than a conqueror. You are a champion. Dig your heels in and spit in the devils face. The race is yours to win.
Have A Blessed Day
Monday, April 19, 2010
It's A Matter Of Focus
Romans 4:19-25 (The Message) Abraham didn't focus on his own impotence and say, "It's hopeless. This hundred-year-old body could never father a child." Nor did he survey Sarah's decades of infertility and give up. He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said. That's why it is said, "Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right." But it's not just Abraham; it's also us! The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the One who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless. The sacrificed Jesus made us fit for God, set us right with God.
Focus is key to walking in the promises of God. If you're going to walk in victory in this life you're going to have to get your eyes off of all the negative and hopeless situations going on in the world and focus on what God has said. Abraham wasn't justified by faith because he focused on the impossibility - no, he was justified by faith because he determined within himself to focus on the promise of what God said, thus he laid hold of and received what was promised, seeing it manifested in his life because he believed God. Likewise if you're going to see the promises of God manifest in your life you'll have to determine within yourself to focus on what God says about your situation. With your spiritual eyes, if you can see the invisible, you can experience and receive the impossible. It's a matter of focus.
Have A Blessed Week
Focus is key to walking in the promises of God. If you're going to walk in victory in this life you're going to have to get your eyes off of all the negative and hopeless situations going on in the world and focus on what God has said. Abraham wasn't justified by faith because he focused on the impossibility - no, he was justified by faith because he determined within himself to focus on the promise of what God said, thus he laid hold of and received what was promised, seeing it manifested in his life because he believed God. Likewise if you're going to see the promises of God manifest in your life you'll have to determine within yourself to focus on what God says about your situation. With your spiritual eyes, if you can see the invisible, you can experience and receive the impossible. It's a matter of focus.
Have A Blessed Week
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Focus On The Good
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (Amplified Bible) Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always); Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]; Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].
Complaining, being negative and focusing on problems never solved anything. If there's a problem to deal with, we can be thankful to God that He can and will show us the answer. It's a matter of perspective. Focus on the problem and complain about how bad it is and say every negative thought that comes to your mind, OR focus on God who provides the solution and be thankful that He is able to help you through it. For every evil and negative thing the devil brings about, there is a good and positive counterpart that God can bring about. Great big God and little bitty devil. Good overcomes evil and light extinguishes darkness. Focus on the good that God brings into your life and the negative will become smaller and smaller.
Have A Blessed Day
Complaining, being negative and focusing on problems never solved anything. If there's a problem to deal with, we can be thankful to God that He can and will show us the answer. It's a matter of perspective. Focus on the problem and complain about how bad it is and say every negative thought that comes to your mind, OR focus on God who provides the solution and be thankful that He is able to help you through it. For every evil and negative thing the devil brings about, there is a good and positive counterpart that God can bring about. Great big God and little bitty devil. Good overcomes evil and light extinguishes darkness. Focus on the good that God brings into your life and the negative will become smaller and smaller.
Have A Blessed Day
Friday, April 16, 2010
Look In The mirror
Deuteronomy 6:14 (NKJV) You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are all around you
For many of us, if we want to see the object of our affection, we need only look in a mirror. Take a look around. How many people can you think of where you can say without hesitation, “That person lives for God first?” There are some. But the majority of us are first and foremost living for ourselves. Take a good, honest look in the mirror. How much do you do for that body? You make sure it gets food, clothing, and shelter. Do you appease it when it cries for entertainment, excitement, or anything else it wants? Now put God in the mirror with you. Does He show through in you, your actions, and attitudes? Can His light be seen in your eyes? Is who He is reflected in your life, or does He get crowded out by your reflection? It is a sad condition many of us may see ourselves in, when we have to honestly say, “I seem to love myself more than God.” But with Christ, we can find the means to love even as He loved us. But first, we must be willing.
Have A Blessed Day
For many of us, if we want to see the object of our affection, we need only look in a mirror. Take a look around. How many people can you think of where you can say without hesitation, “That person lives for God first?” There are some. But the majority of us are first and foremost living for ourselves. Take a good, honest look in the mirror. How much do you do for that body? You make sure it gets food, clothing, and shelter. Do you appease it when it cries for entertainment, excitement, or anything else it wants? Now put God in the mirror with you. Does He show through in you, your actions, and attitudes? Can His light be seen in your eyes? Is who He is reflected in your life, or does He get crowded out by your reflection? It is a sad condition many of us may see ourselves in, when we have to honestly say, “I seem to love myself more than God.” But with Christ, we can find the means to love even as He loved us. But first, we must be willing.
Have A Blessed Day
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Unity
Psalm 133:1 (KJV) Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
God has created each of us to be unique and individual. However, He did not do this so that we would be isolated and aloof. We each have something different that we individually contribute to the body of Christ. No matter what the gifts and talents are, each of us is just as important as the other. In the world we live in, we are sometimes taught to reject the one that doesn't seem to fit in or is not like the majority. God's desire is that we would love one another as Jesus loves us, and be one in spirit and purpose. Then and only then will we truly experience the fullness and goodness of God.
Have A Blessed Day
God has created each of us to be unique and individual. However, He did not do this so that we would be isolated and aloof. We each have something different that we individually contribute to the body of Christ. No matter what the gifts and talents are, each of us is just as important as the other. In the world we live in, we are sometimes taught to reject the one that doesn't seem to fit in or is not like the majority. God's desire is that we would love one another as Jesus loves us, and be one in spirit and purpose. Then and only then will we truly experience the fullness and goodness of God.
Have A Blessed Day
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The Bride
Revelation 21:9 (KJV) And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
One biblical truth that may be easier for a woman, but more difficult for a man to grasp is the fact that born-again believers, the church, is the bride of Christ. If you're going to live by faith, and the bible says the righteous man shall live by faith, you'll need to put your complete faith and trust in Jesus Christ. He is the bridegroom. He is the sole provider, supplier and protector. God is supplying all your needs through Him. Jesus is the husband who is caring for you, providing for you, nurturing you and completely responsible for you. He is the one who has vowed to love you and care for you and honor you, through good times and bad, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and since there is no death (separation from God) for the believer, you will never part. You get the better end of the deal. He takes your bad times and gives you the good. He takes the worse and gives you the better. He takes your sickness and gives you His healing. He takes your poverty and gives you His wealth. The two shall become one. you have been bought with a price, and what God has joined together let no one separate
Have A Blessed Day
One biblical truth that may be easier for a woman, but more difficult for a man to grasp is the fact that born-again believers, the church, is the bride of Christ. If you're going to live by faith, and the bible says the righteous man shall live by faith, you'll need to put your complete faith and trust in Jesus Christ. He is the bridegroom. He is the sole provider, supplier and protector. God is supplying all your needs through Him. Jesus is the husband who is caring for you, providing for you, nurturing you and completely responsible for you. He is the one who has vowed to love you and care for you and honor you, through good times and bad, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and since there is no death (separation from God) for the believer, you will never part. You get the better end of the deal. He takes your bad times and gives you the good. He takes the worse and gives you the better. He takes your sickness and gives you His healing. He takes your poverty and gives you His wealth. The two shall become one. you have been bought with a price, and what God has joined together let no one separate
Have A Blessed Day
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Your Purpose
John 21:17 (NKJV) He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah,do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep
You may be wondering what your purpose in life is, and what it is that God is wanting you to do. Before you focus too much on that, focus on the first commandment: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. If you will focus on worshipping the Lord and loving Him with all your heart, everything else will fall into place. Every road has a beginning and every race has a starting point. You can't get to step two without carrying out step one. Focus on your relationship with the Lord, then you'll be like Peter, who after expressing his love for Jesus, found out what his purpose was.
Have A Blessed Day
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep
You may be wondering what your purpose in life is, and what it is that God is wanting you to do. Before you focus too much on that, focus on the first commandment: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. If you will focus on worshipping the Lord and loving Him with all your heart, everything else will fall into place. Every road has a beginning and every race has a starting point. You can't get to step two without carrying out step one. Focus on your relationship with the Lord, then you'll be like Peter, who after expressing his love for Jesus, found out what his purpose was.
Have A Blessed Day
Friday, April 9, 2010
Hearsay
Proverbs 16:28 (NKJV) A perverse man sows strife,
And a whisperer separates the best of friends.
Sometimes well-intended, sometimes meant to harm—they are the words spoken in the secret places that will not remain in secret. They are perhaps one of Satan’s greatest tools. He wields gossip like a cat-o'-nine-tails to rip apart the body of Christ. Through it, churches divide, lives are broken, hearts are torn, and forgiveness is not easily found. It is yet another device of the devil that, as a church, we must stand united against. We must do all we can to prevent gossip from getting a foothold in our church body. Have nothing to do with it. When it comes across your ears, you must go straight to God and obey His instruction. If you have said something, why have you said it? Is it because you are seeking God’s will in the matter? Is it because you are seeking the best interest of the body of Christ? Gossip is deceptive. It clouds the motives, burrows into curiosity, and festers like a sore. It will not sleep until it has claimed a life.
Have A Blessed Day
And a whisperer separates the best of friends.
Sometimes well-intended, sometimes meant to harm—they are the words spoken in the secret places that will not remain in secret. They are perhaps one of Satan’s greatest tools. He wields gossip like a cat-o'-nine-tails to rip apart the body of Christ. Through it, churches divide, lives are broken, hearts are torn, and forgiveness is not easily found. It is yet another device of the devil that, as a church, we must stand united against. We must do all we can to prevent gossip from getting a foothold in our church body. Have nothing to do with it. When it comes across your ears, you must go straight to God and obey His instruction. If you have said something, why have you said it? Is it because you are seeking God’s will in the matter? Is it because you are seeking the best interest of the body of Christ? Gossip is deceptive. It clouds the motives, burrows into curiosity, and festers like a sore. It will not sleep until it has claimed a life.
Have A Blessed Day
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Do Not Worry
Matthew 6:34 (NKJV) Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Worry,worry,worry. It is often said that worry is sin, so as Christians we do not like to admit when we worry. We may instead call it "concern." Is it a concern that seems to occupy most of my thinking? Is it concern when it is something I can't seem to get out of my head? Maybe it is something that makes it hard for me to concentrate on other things in my life, or maybe something that keeps me up at night. Is that concern? Call it what you want--worry, concern--it doesn't really matter. The fact is, the very things we seek to control soon find a way of controlling us. Christ knew how easily we can get caught up in the cares of this life. And He knew how easily the cares of this life could steal our joy. His words for us are now as they have always been: "do not worry." (The Message) If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Have A Blessed Day
Worry,worry,worry. It is often said that worry is sin, so as Christians we do not like to admit when we worry. We may instead call it "concern." Is it a concern that seems to occupy most of my thinking? Is it concern when it is something I can't seem to get out of my head? Maybe it is something that makes it hard for me to concentrate on other things in my life, or maybe something that keeps me up at night. Is that concern? Call it what you want--worry, concern--it doesn't really matter. The fact is, the very things we seek to control soon find a way of controlling us. Christ knew how easily we can get caught up in the cares of this life. And He knew how easily the cares of this life could steal our joy. His words for us are now as they have always been: "do not worry." (The Message) If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Have A Blessed Day
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
We Have The Authority
Luke 10:19 (NKJV) Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
You might say what does this mean? It is referring to demonic enemies that the believer faces in his or her life. You can reference this back to Colossians 2:15 where it says that Jesus triumphed over all principalities and made a show of them openly at His cross. In other words, Christ defeated them all, every demon in hell when He died for you and I. It is this power that now dwells in the believers life that gives us victory over them.It says He gives power over all the power of the enemy, and nothing by any means shall harm you!
I like the way the Message puts it Colossians 2:11-15 (The Message) Entering into this fullness is not something you figure out or achieve. It's not a matter of being circumcised or keeping a long list of laws. No, you're already in—insiders—not through some secretive initiation rite but rather through what Christ has already gone through for you, destroying the power of sin. If it's an initiation ritual you're after, you've already been through it by submitting to baptism. Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ. When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ's cross. He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets. Colossians 2:15 (Amplified Bible) [God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross].
You will never engage in spiritual warfare in a way that both honors Christ and encourages his people until you are energized by the truth that "he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4b). The words of Jesus to the disciples are as true today of you and me as they were then to them: "Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you" (Luke 10:19). we are engaged in a war, the outcome of which, however, has already been decided in our favor. We fight an enemy over whom we have complete authority and from whom we need fear nothing. He has been convicted,and sentenced to death, WE Are the winners!!!
Have A Blessed Day
You might say what does this mean? It is referring to demonic enemies that the believer faces in his or her life. You can reference this back to Colossians 2:15 where it says that Jesus triumphed over all principalities and made a show of them openly at His cross. In other words, Christ defeated them all, every demon in hell when He died for you and I. It is this power that now dwells in the believers life that gives us victory over them.It says He gives power over all the power of the enemy, and nothing by any means shall harm you!
I like the way the Message puts it Colossians 2:11-15 (The Message) Entering into this fullness is not something you figure out or achieve. It's not a matter of being circumcised or keeping a long list of laws. No, you're already in—insiders—not through some secretive initiation rite but rather through what Christ has already gone through for you, destroying the power of sin. If it's an initiation ritual you're after, you've already been through it by submitting to baptism. Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ. When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ's cross. He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets. Colossians 2:15 (Amplified Bible) [God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross].
You will never engage in spiritual warfare in a way that both honors Christ and encourages his people until you are energized by the truth that "he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4b). The words of Jesus to the disciples are as true today of you and me as they were then to them: "Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you" (Luke 10:19). we are engaged in a war, the outcome of which, however, has already been decided in our favor. We fight an enemy over whom we have complete authority and from whom we need fear nothing. He has been convicted,and sentenced to death, WE Are the winners!!!
Have A Blessed Day
Monday, April 5, 2010
Spirit Of Heaviness
Isaiah 61:1-7 (The Message) The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me.He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken,Announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners.God sent me to announce the year of his grace— a celebration of God's destruction of our enemies— and to comfort all who mourn,To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,Messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.Rename them "Oaks of Righteousness" planted by God to display his glory.They'll rebuild the old ruins, raise a new city out of the wreckage.They'll start over on the ruined cities, take the rubble left behind and make it new.You'll hire outsiders to herd your flocks and foreigners to work your fields,But you'll have the title "Priests of God," honored as ministers of our God.You'll feast on the bounty of nations, you'll bask in their glory.Because you got a double dose of trouble and more than your share of contempt,Your inheritance in the land will be doubled and your joy go on forever.
When things happen to us, they come from two sources- natural occurrences or they are spiritual. For example, if I overeat I will get sick on my stomach- that’s a natural occurrence. But then there are some things that are spiritual in nature. The heaviness that is mentioned in the verse above is not a “natural” thing but it is a “spirit”- it is the “spirit of heaviness”. The scriptures also tell us that there is a “spirit of fear”. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) It’s one thing to be “concerned” about something but it’s another to have a terrifying, gripping fear-- that's when it’s a “spirit of fear” that is attacking you- it’s not natural.
So, what is a “spirit of heaviness” and how do we deal with it? The Hebrew definition for “heaviness” in this verse means: to grow dull, faint, be dim, darkness, despond (to become disheartened or discouraged). The dictionary defines it, in this sense, as: without vivacity or interest; ponderous; dull (not lively or spirited). Jesus addressed this issue of “heaviness”. “And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.“ (Matthew 13:14,15) Since this is an evil spirit it’s primary purpose is to “kill, steal and destroy”. It wants to keep you from hearing the truth- the Word of God, or even having a desire to know the truth. It tries to make you despondent and faint. It’s main purpose is to steal your praise.
Why is it after your praise? Because praise will shake prison doors and set the oppressed free. Praise ushers in the presence of God. Praise is a powerful weapon. Through it battles are won. What do I mean by that? God has given us the keys of the kingdom. “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19) If you look up the definition of key, you will find that it has many meaning. There is a twofold purpose and meaning in the keys that the Lord has given to His children. The first one represents spiritual authority. Whoever has the keys has the power. At the jail, the jailer has the keys, he possess the authority to open the door and let you out or lock the door and hold you as a prisoner. I have keys to get into my house. That means I have the legal authority to enter. If you don’t have a key to my house, the only way you are going to get in without me inviting you in is by breaking in like a thief. Possessing the keys means that I have been given spiritual authority- the legal right by God- over the “spirit of heaviness” and I can “bind” it’s influence. “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)
Have A Blessed Week
When things happen to us, they come from two sources- natural occurrences or they are spiritual. For example, if I overeat I will get sick on my stomach- that’s a natural occurrence. But then there are some things that are spiritual in nature. The heaviness that is mentioned in the verse above is not a “natural” thing but it is a “spirit”- it is the “spirit of heaviness”. The scriptures also tell us that there is a “spirit of fear”. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) It’s one thing to be “concerned” about something but it’s another to have a terrifying, gripping fear-- that's when it’s a “spirit of fear” that is attacking you- it’s not natural.
So, what is a “spirit of heaviness” and how do we deal with it? The Hebrew definition for “heaviness” in this verse means: to grow dull, faint, be dim, darkness, despond (to become disheartened or discouraged). The dictionary defines it, in this sense, as: without vivacity or interest; ponderous; dull (not lively or spirited). Jesus addressed this issue of “heaviness”. “And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.“ (Matthew 13:14,15) Since this is an evil spirit it’s primary purpose is to “kill, steal and destroy”. It wants to keep you from hearing the truth- the Word of God, or even having a desire to know the truth. It tries to make you despondent and faint. It’s main purpose is to steal your praise.
Why is it after your praise? Because praise will shake prison doors and set the oppressed free. Praise ushers in the presence of God. Praise is a powerful weapon. Through it battles are won. What do I mean by that? God has given us the keys of the kingdom. “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19) If you look up the definition of key, you will find that it has many meaning. There is a twofold purpose and meaning in the keys that the Lord has given to His children. The first one represents spiritual authority. Whoever has the keys has the power. At the jail, the jailer has the keys, he possess the authority to open the door and let you out or lock the door and hold you as a prisoner. I have keys to get into my house. That means I have the legal authority to enter. If you don’t have a key to my house, the only way you are going to get in without me inviting you in is by breaking in like a thief. Possessing the keys means that I have been given spiritual authority- the legal right by God- over the “spirit of heaviness” and I can “bind” it’s influence. “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)
Have A Blessed Week
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Among the Thorns
Matthew 13:22 (KJV) He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
We are among so many things that can choke the Word in us. The cares of life, making a living, pursuing worldly gain or ambitions, to name a few, all have the potential of choking God’s Word in us--making us unfruitful. Look into the eyes of Christians and what is it you see? Do you see the sparkle of light of a soul contented in Christ? Or do you see eyes like so many others that reflect the cares of this life? Shall we bear fruit? Or shall we be afflicted by the thorns? It may seem so very hard to be still before God when the world around you is spinning at such a high rate of speed. Yet the only way to take back the ground we’ve lost is to kneel on it, and get our eyes off life’s cares and onto Christ’s concerns; making His concerns ours, and giving us the opportunity to learn the joys of being the fruit bearers He created us to be.
Have A Blessed Day
We are among so many things that can choke the Word in us. The cares of life, making a living, pursuing worldly gain or ambitions, to name a few, all have the potential of choking God’s Word in us--making us unfruitful. Look into the eyes of Christians and what is it you see? Do you see the sparkle of light of a soul contented in Christ? Or do you see eyes like so many others that reflect the cares of this life? Shall we bear fruit? Or shall we be afflicted by the thorns? It may seem so very hard to be still before God when the world around you is spinning at such a high rate of speed. Yet the only way to take back the ground we’ve lost is to kneel on it, and get our eyes off life’s cares and onto Christ’s concerns; making His concerns ours, and giving us the opportunity to learn the joys of being the fruit bearers He created us to be.
Have A Blessed Day
Friday, April 2, 2010
Fear
Job 3:25-26 (NKJV) For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me,
And what I dreaded has happened to me. I am not at ease, nor am I quiet;
I have no rest, for trouble comes.”
Fear is a spirit. A spirit, according to 2 Timothy 1:7, that God has not given to you. Fear comes from the devil and it's intent is to keep you out of faith and from walking in the love of God. Not only does fear rob you of faith and confidence in God, the bible says that when fear consumes you, what you fear will eventually come upon you. Fear will rob you of your peace and your rest. You will be unable to be still and your life will be consumed with trouble. Fear and faith both consume your thoughts. So if you're going to spend your time thinking about something that hasn't happened yet, why not choose faith? Don't let the devil rob you of your peace by getting into fear. Don't let fear cause you to doubt the faithfulness of God. If you feel fear creeping in on you, get in the Word of God and start focusing on His love, provision, grace, mercy and promises.
Have A Blessed Day
And what I dreaded has happened to me. I am not at ease, nor am I quiet;
I have no rest, for trouble comes.”
Fear is a spirit. A spirit, according to 2 Timothy 1:7, that God has not given to you. Fear comes from the devil and it's intent is to keep you out of faith and from walking in the love of God. Not only does fear rob you of faith and confidence in God, the bible says that when fear consumes you, what you fear will eventually come upon you. Fear will rob you of your peace and your rest. You will be unable to be still and your life will be consumed with trouble. Fear and faith both consume your thoughts. So if you're going to spend your time thinking about something that hasn't happened yet, why not choose faith? Don't let the devil rob you of your peace by getting into fear. Don't let fear cause you to doubt the faithfulness of God. If you feel fear creeping in on you, get in the Word of God and start focusing on His love, provision, grace, mercy and promises.
Have A Blessed Day
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The Causes
James 4:1-2 (The Message) Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn't think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. You're spoiled
James asks, "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. . ." (4:1-2). Truth be known, most of the contentions and divisions arise from selfish want. We hear people stating their view points with phrases beginning and ending with the "I"--"I think we should' or "I think we shouldn't" or "I just don't like it" If we are a people led by God then their is no place for the wants of the "I". If we are a people led by God then we should be stating our viewpoints beginning with a different kind of "i"--one that is submissive to God's desires rather than the desires of self. "i believe God wants" or "i believe we should seek God and find out His direction" are the statements that should come from the mouths of those who claim to follow Christ.
We need to be honest before ourselves, our churches and our God. If we are dissatisfied with the way things are going in church, we must ask ourselves, "Do I feel this way because I feel what God wants is not being accomplished, or is it because what I want is not being done?" And if we are unwilling to ask the question--the answer is already apparent.
Have A Blessed Day
James asks, "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. . ." (4:1-2). Truth be known, most of the contentions and divisions arise from selfish want. We hear people stating their view points with phrases beginning and ending with the "I"--"I think we should' or "I think we shouldn't" or "I just don't like it" If we are a people led by God then their is no place for the wants of the "I". If we are a people led by God then we should be stating our viewpoints beginning with a different kind of "i"--one that is submissive to God's desires rather than the desires of self. "i believe God wants" or "i believe we should seek God and find out His direction" are the statements that should come from the mouths of those who claim to follow Christ.
We need to be honest before ourselves, our churches and our God. If we are dissatisfied with the way things are going in church, we must ask ourselves, "Do I feel this way because I feel what God wants is not being accomplished, or is it because what I want is not being done?" And if we are unwilling to ask the question--the answer is already apparent.
Have A Blessed Day
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