WISE

 

WISE NOT STUPID

True Christian leaders are not stupid. They have on and in them the same Spirit of the Lord that Jesus had and the mind of Christ
Isaiah 11:
1 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
2 The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.
3 His delight is in the fear of the LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;
4 But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.

1 Corinthians 2
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.
16 For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

A WIMPY COUNTERFEIT ANEMIC JESUS

Many so called bible believing Christians are real  nuts who worship the bible above Jesus Christ whom they don’t obey. They offer a wimpy anemic counterfeit Jesus who loves everybody and wants everybody in heaven and ignore the fact that Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today and forever is a man of war who kills His enemies! They have a form of godliness and deny its power. They are devoid of truth, miracle, signs and wonders contrary to the commands of Jesus (Mark 16:14-20). They are devoid of wisdom and discernment as defined by Isaiah 11:1-6 and 1 Corinthians 2:1-16. They hate the gifts of the Spirit and don’t practice them (1 Corinthians 12-14)

All they every do is talk and talk and talk and judge others as not being Christians! They throw true Christians out of their anemic impotent useless churches! They preach that suffering and poverty is the will of God and miracles have ceased but when they are sick they run to a doctor instead of accepting sickness as the will of God. They think they are on the way to heaven when in reality they are on the way to hell as they are the foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-12). They are nothing but a cult!

Paul mentioned such people who refused the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in 1 Cor. 14: 23 – 24. The Greek word that he uses to describe them is “idiotai” (plural), “idiotes” (singular) which means they are spiritual “idiots” but usually translated as “ungifted” of “unskilled” or laymen, amateurs, unskilled  people.  They do not want the Holy Spirit nor do they want the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.  But they want to be involved in churches and prevent the real work of God which requires the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  They are people who want what God has without coming under His Lordship which requires the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the “Signs” of the Holy Spirit.  They are like the Pharisees of whom Jesus said, “for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (Jn. 12: 3). Samuel told Saul, “Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness as iniquity and idolatry.  Because you have rejected the word of the LORD (Yahweh), he has also rejected you from being king” (1 Sam. 15: 23).  This applies today who do not want to do what Jesus requires of them.

They think that because they have prayed the “sinner’s prayer” that they can ignore what the Scriptures require and not lose their Salvation.  That’s the reason why Jesus warn us in Revelation 3: 5 that when somebody turns away from Him, they can have their names blotted out (removed) from the Book of Life.  Also: Heb. 6: 1 – 8; 2 Pet. 2: 20 – 22; Proverbs 26: 11.  Jesus aptly warns us, “Beware of false prophets  which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  You will know them by their fruits.  Do men gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles” (Matt. 7: 15: 16).

Hi Walter: 

The total foolishness of this so-called cessation theology demonstrates that these people do not study the Scriptures in Greek.  While teaching at a FGBMFI Retreat in Sault Ste Marie, NY, I was approached by two Bible College Students who were studying for the Baptist ministry.  I had completed a lecture about the 15 Gifts of the Holy Spirit and how they are to be used in ministry.  They told me that they didn’t believe what I was teaching because they believed that the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and Signs, Wonders and Miracles were not for today.  I asked them if they had studied Greek and they both said that they had.  I opened my Greek Bible up to 1 Cor. 13: 10 which says, “but when the perfect comes the imperfect will pass away.”  The Greek word for perfect comes from the Greek verb “teleioo” is “teleion” meaning perfect end.  I then turned to 1 Cor. 15: 24 which reads, “Then come the (perfect) end (telos), when he (Jesus) delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.  Paul goes on to explain that this will happen, “For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed” (1 Cor. 15: 52).  The Greek word, “telos” comes from the Greek verb “teleo” which is defined as; 1. to complete an activity or process, bring to an end; 2. to carry out an obligation or demand, carry out, accomplish, perform, fulfill, keep. Both words mean the same thing: the end of time when Jesus comes back to raise the dead.  So both words mean that the “perfect end” will not come until Jesus comes back.   They are both used to mean  “to complete an activity, complete, bring to an end, finish, accomplish”.  Telos refers to a point in time marking the end of a duration, end, termination, cessation, the last part of a process, close, conclusion, to be at the end, finally, the goal toward which a movement is being directed, end, goal outcome.   Jesus used “telos” in Matt. 24:6, 14; Lk. 21: 9.  There are many references in the NT using both Greek words to mean that the perfect will not occur until Jesus returns and the dead are raised.  Until the, the 15 Spiritual Gifts of the Holy Spirit are distributed so that all of people’s needs can be met (Rom. 12: 6 – 8; 1 Cor. 12: 8 – 10).  And, by the way, when the two Baptist students read the Greek, they realized that the teaching that they had received was not accurate or true.  I said, “Now you have had your eyes opened, what will you do now?”  They went away without a word.  Anybody who has studied Greek often runs into a difference between the various interpretation of Scripture which disagree with church doctrines.   Jesus called of such mis-interpretations, “So, for the sake of your tradition, you have made void the word of God” (Matt. 15: 16; Mk. 7: 13).

Yours in Jesus Christ, Gordon    

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO REPENT?

Some Christians believe repentance means simply to “turn around” and go in the opposite direction. But the Bible tells us repentance is much more than this.

The full, literal meaning of the word “repent” in the New Testament is “to feel remorse and self-reproach for one’s sins against God; to be contrite, sorry; to want to change direction.” The difference in meanings here rests on the word “want.” True repentance includes a desire to change!

Moreover, simply being sorry does not constitute repentance. Rather, true sorrow leads to repentance. Paul states, “Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death” (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Paul is speaking here of a sorrow that is without regrets—one that is genuine, that “sticks” in the life of the repentant person. This kind of godly sorrow naturally produces a repentance that includes a hatred for sin, a righteous fear of God and a desire to right all wrongs.

It should not surprise us, then, that Paul preached repentance to believers. He delivered a strong message of repentance to the Christians in Corinth. The Corinthian believers had been richly blessed by God, having sat under mighty teachers of the Word, yet their congregation remained rife with sin.

First Paul testifies to the Corinthians, “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds” (2 Corinthians 12:12). But then Paul tells them very directly: “I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would” (verse 20).

What was Paul’s fear? It was simply this: “Lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall [mourn] many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed” (verse 21).

This tenderhearted shepherd loved the compromising saints in Corinth. Yet he knew they had been well-taught that a lifestyle of gross sin was wrong. He told them, “When I come to visit you, you’re going to see me hanging my head in grief. My eyes will flow with tears, and my voice will wail in sorrow.

“If I see you continuing to indulge in uncleanness, fornication and lust, I’ll be utterly broken, because the gospel has not done its work in your heart. You haven’t yet repented of your sin. And I will call you loudly to repent!”

FORTIFY IN TIMES OF PEACE
…His faithful promises are your armor and protection. - Psalm 91:4, NLT

Don’t wait for a crisis to happen before you start meditating on God’s Word. When things are well with you, start storing up the Lord’s promises in your heart. Start fortifying yourself with the unshakable Word of God.

My friend, be wise like Joseph, who stored up grain during the years of plenty and peace, so that the people were well provided for when famine struck. Be wise like King Solomon, who fortified key cities and built supply centers when the land was at rest, and brought peace and prosperity to his people (1 Kings 9:15–19). These are pictures of meditating on and fortifying yourself with God’s promises, your nourishment, armor and protection.

Beloved, God wants you to fill your heart with the good treasure of His Word that will bring forth good things even when times are bad. His Word in your heart will protect and sustain you, light the way and deliver you safely through every storm!

IT'S YOUR FAULT IF YOU DON'T HAVE MIRACLES

1 Corinthians 12:28.  "God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues."

God placed the miracles in the church, just like He placed healing, teaching, and apostles. If this is true, and it is, then why do we not see more miracles in the church?

The answer to that is actually explained by the Bible. In Mark 6, Jesus went to his hometown of Nazareth along with His disciples. When the Sabbath day came, Jesus began teaching in the synagogue. There were many people there who had traveled to hear Him, and they were astonished at what He said. In verse 2 the people said, "Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!"

Then some of the people began to doubt Jesus' authority. They said, "Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?" (v.3.)

In other words, they were saying, "Who does this guy think he is? He's just the local neighbor boy who grew up down the street." Then verse 3 tells us that the people became offended at Him.

But Jesus told them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." (v.4.) In other words, Jesus said that when you are among strangers, the people will listen and believe, but at home, the people are too familiar and it's harder to believe.

But listen to this. The Bible says in Mark 6:5 that in Nazareth, Jesus could not do many mighty works. Notice it doesn't say he would not, it says He could not. The reason is that the people there did not believe. In fact, verse 6 says that Jesus marveled at their unbelief.

Remember, Jesus said all things are possible for those who believe. That must, in turn, mean that all things are not possible for those who do not believe. The choice is ours.  

PAUL PREACHED IN THE POWER OF THE FULLNESS OF GOD'S BLESSINGS AND NOT JUST WORDS

ROMANS 15:17    Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God.
18    For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient ---
19    in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

29    But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

1 CORINTHIANS 2:
1    And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.
2    For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
3    I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
4    And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
5    that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
6    However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
7    But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,
8    which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9    But as it is written: " Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
10    But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
11    For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
12    Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
13    These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14    But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15    But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.
16    For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

MORE

 

 MORE THAN JUST WORDS :

Matthew 5:33, "But let your communication be, Yea, yea: Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."

A person who has to swear or make a promise to validate his statements is a person whose word is no good. The thrust of Jesus' teaching here is that we should live in such a manner that no one would ever have to have additional proof that we are telling the truth. Our word should be our bond.

We have all heard the story of the young shepherd boy who cried wolf when there was no wolf until finally no one believed him when the wolf really came. Our lack of integrity in performing our word has the same effect on people today.

Very few people conduct business anymore with their word and a handshake. Even contracts are not sacred if an individual can afford a good enough lawyer. But this is not the way God intended it.

God has fulfilled every word He has ever spoken. We were created in His image and He planned for us to be the same way. Even our physical bodies respond adversely when we lie. That's why lie detectors work.

Today, commit yourself to be a new man or woman of your word. You will not only experience a new respect from others, but you will find the joy of a clear heart and mind.

SURELY! – PR. JOSEPH

ISAIAH 53:4 - Surely He has borne our griefs [sicknesses] and carried our sorrows [pains]…

While waiting for the manifestation of their healing, some people find it hard to believe that Jesus really took their sicknesses and pains, just as He took their sin and shame. If you are one of them, don’t feel condemned. Your Father in heaven understands. That is why He put the word “surely” there when He said, “Surely, My Son has borne your sicknesses and carried your pains.”

Once, my daughter Jessica was crying all night because she was not feeling well. She had been sick for a few days. In my study, I took out my Bible and the Lord led me to Isaiah 53:4 where it says, “Surely He has borne…” Now, I know the original Hebrew here and it says, “Surely He has borne our sicknesses and carried our pains.” So I said, “Surely, He has borne Jessica’s sickness…”

But it was like the verse was just not real to me. Her cries seemed more real. Then, all of a sudden, the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to a word in the verse that really revolutionized the way I saw the whole passage.

Notice the first word in the verse? It says, “Surely…” Surely, He has borne our sicknesses and carried our pains. Now, look at the next verse: “He was wounded for our transgressions...” Every Christian knows and believes that Jesus was wounded for our sins, yet the word “surely” is not put here but in the earlier verse. I think God knew that we would find it hard to believe that Jesus also bore our sicknesses and carried our pains, so He put the word “surely” there to help us believe!

When I saw that, I put my Bible on the floor, stood on it and said, “Father, you know I don’t mean any irreverence, but I am standing on Your Word. Surely, Jesus bore Jessica’s sickness and carried her pain! I don’t care if I can still hear her crying. Surely, Your Son, Your beloved Son, bore her sickness and carried her pain! Hallelujah!” That night, the breakthrough came. That night, little Jessica was healed.

Are you or your loved ones suffering some sickness or pain right now?

Surely our Lord Jesus has borne your sicknesses and carried your pains. And as you believe this truth, surely, your healing and breakthrough will come!

YOUR HEAVENLY HERITAGE :

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. -

In life, we all have negative things that happen to us. We go through situations that are unfair. I know people who were raised in an unhealthy environment. Their parents had issues, and now it’s making life much more difficult on them.

But here is the truth: when you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, He gives you a new heart. In other words, your bloodline changes. No longer are you subject to your earthly heritage; you become subject to your heavenly heritage! His spiritual blessing always overrides the curse in the natural realm. When you understand who you are and what God has already done, then no matter what someone else did, no matter how unfair it was, no matter how you were raised, you won’t get bitter. You won’t live with a chip on your shoulder. You realize that nothing can stop you from fulfilling your God-given destiny!

Today, remember you came from Almighty God. He gave you life. When you choose Him, you are choosing your heavenly heritage of blessing and eternal, abundant life!

BIG SPRING

The water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. —John 4:14

In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is a remarkable natural wonder—a pool about 40 feet deep and 300 feet across that Native Americans called “Kitch-iti-kipi,” or “the big cold water.” Today it is known as The Big Spring. It is fed by underground springs that push more than 10,000 gallons of water a minute through the rocks below and up to the surface. Additionally, the water keeps a constant temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning that even in the brutally cold winters of the Upper Peninsula the pool never freezes. Tourists can enjoy viewing the waters of Big Spring during any season of the year.

When Jesus encountered a woman at Jacob’s well, He talked to her about another source of water that would always satisfy. But He did not speak of a fountain, spring, river, or lake. He said, “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).

Far greater than any natural spring is the refreshment we have been offered in Christ Himself. We can be satisfied, for Jesus alone, the Water of Life, can quench our thirst. Praise God, for Jesus is the source that never runs dry.

Father, it seems that I drink far too often from the
waters of the world that cannot satisfy. Forgive me,
and teach me to find in Christ the water than can
quench the thirst of my heart and draw me ever closer to You.

The only real thirst-quencher is Jesus— the living water.

WHATEVER YOU DO WILL PROSPER :

“He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers” - (Psalm 1:3, NIV)

God’s plan is for you to prosper and be successful in every area of your life. Some people might say, “I don’t see how you can say that with the economy like it is. All the experts are saying it’s going to get worse before it gets better.” That may be true in general, but it doesn’t have to be true for believers in Jesus. We are connected to a supply line that will never run dry. Don’t be talked in to having a bad year. The economy is not your source. God is your source. And God wants to bless you beyond your salary. He wants to bless you beyond your normal income. He likes to do unusual things. He can bless you with what I call an explosive blessing! That means, all of the sudden, unexpectedly, something happens that takes you to a new level. Old limitations are broken, and suddenly, you find yourself further than you ever dreamed!

The key is found in Psalm 1:1–2. We have to separate ourselves from the system of the world and set our heart and mind on the Word of God. When you meditate on His promises and follow His commands, you will experience these explosive blessings. When you put Him first, you will be strong and stable, and whatever you do will prosper!

Note:Abraham's prosperity came from God and no other

Genesis 24:35 The LORD has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great; and He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys.36    And Sarah my master's wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and to him he has given all that he has.

MY SALVATION

Salvation Is Of The Lord
 
"I will sing to the LORD,  For He has triumphed gloriously!  The horse and its rider  He has thrown into the sea!  The LORD is my strength and song,  And He has become my salvation;  He is my God, and I will praise Him;  My father's God, and I will exalt Him. The LORD is a man of war;  The LORD is His name.  Exodus 15:1-3

But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD;  He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them and deliver them;  He shall deliver them from the wicked,  And save them,  Because they trust in Him. Psalm 37:39-40

Now some religionists, to their own hurt and demise, limit the word “salvation” to mean that their soul is “saved.” But God has not limited the word salvation to one single area, for He provides for those who believe salvation for the body, soul and spirit.   His word is unchanging:

Bless the LORD, O my soul,  And forget not all His benefits:  Who forgives all your iniquities,  Who heals all your diseases,  Who redeems your life from destruction,  Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,  Who satisfies your mouth with good things,  So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.  The LORD executes righteousness  And justice for all who are oppressed. Psalm 103:2-6

Now the Greek word “be saved” is “swqhsin” which comes from the Greek word “sozo”  from a primary sos (contraction for obsolete saoz, "safe")  Sozo is defined as to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction, one (from injury or peril),  to save a suffering one (from perishing), i.e. one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health, to preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue.

So God, through His word, has the ability to make well, heal, restore to health, to preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue those who believe and accept His word with patience?

He is our God and our friend and in Him is all we need or desire. He has trust, peace, rest, joy, long-suffering, hope, love, goodness and financial provisions. He  has all we need and we  will see the manifestation of these harvests, as we keep in quiet trust. Because we  will reap in due season as God’s word is true:

"My heart rejoices in the LORD;  My horn is exalted in the LORD.  I smile at my enemies,  Because I rejoice in Your salvation.  "No one is holy like the LORD,  For there is none besides You,  Nor is there any rock like our God.  "Talk no more so very proudly;  Let no arrogance come from your mouth,  For the LORD is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed.

 "The bows of the mighty men are broken,  And those who stumbled are girded with strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,  And the hungry have ceased to hunger.  Even the barren has borne seven,  And she who has many children has become feeble.

"The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich;  He brings low and lifts up.  He raises the poor from the dust  And lifts the beggar from the ash heap,  To set them among princes  And make them inherit the throne of glory.  "For the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S,  And He has set the world upon them.

He will guard the feet of His saints,  But the wicked shall be silent in darkness.  "For by strength no man shall prevail.   The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces;  From heaven He will thunder against them.  The LORD will judge the ends of the earth.  "He will give strength to His king,  And exalt the horn of His anointed." 1 Samuel 2:1-10

There is no salvation  like the Lord provides to His own. He girds with  strength those who stumble, gives bread to the hunger, and makes the barren to have children.  He makes alive, brings up and makes rich. He raises the poor from the dust  and lifts the beggar from the ash heap to set them among princes  and make them inherit the throne of glory.  For the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S.

Hence God guards the feet of His saints and exalts the horn of His anointed.  For God’s word is true:

"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in whom I will trust;  My shield and the horn of my salvation,  My stronghold and my refuge;  My Savior, You save me from violence.  I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised;  So shall I be saved from my enemies. 2 Samuel 22:2-4

 Truly my soul silently waits for God;  From Him comes my salvation.  He only is my rock and my salvation;  He is my defense;  I shall not be greatly moved.  How long will you attack a man?  You shall be slain, all of you,  Like a leaning wall and a tottering fence.  They only consult to cast him down from his high position;  They delight in lies;  They bless with their mouth,  But they curse inwardly. Selah

 My soul, wait silently for God alone,  For my expectation is from Him.  He only is my rock and my salvation;  He is my defense;  I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory;  The rock of my strength,  And my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people;  Pour out your heart before Him;  God is a refuge for us. Selah Psalm 62:1-8

God desires to care for His  children and see them through to victory in all their affairs of life. He desires that they put their entire beings into His  capable hands. If they would open their ears and listen only to His Voice they will receive the right directions for their lives and they would not be spinning their wheels in things He has not called them to be doing.

What they may be doing may very well be good but it is not what He has called them to do. It is important that they follow His purposes for their life and not their own ideas, no matter how good they may be. For He is their provision and even when it seems nothing is happening He is always at work. He is working His  purposes on the earth and men are being led of His invisible hand without their even knowing it. He has not changed. What He has been doing in the affairs of men He has done since the beginning of time. He will not be overridden.

No, God  will never forsake His true ones! He is their  security and inheritance and provision in the deserts of life. He is their  hiding place and salvation! He will move out every mountain, deal with every enemy and dispel  every lack in their life. As a result their prosperity will come upon them just  as the dawning of a bright and new day. They will not be able to contain their joy and ecstasy at the provision and security He will provide. He will multiply back to them one hundred fold all they have done for Him because He  loves them. His word is true:

"Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. "And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it.

"Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. "But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away.

"And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.

"But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred." Mark 4:3-8

Blessed is the man who trusts in the God of His salvation. The God who answers by fire, miracles, signs and wonders and satisfies His people with good things as His word is true:

 Blessed is the man You choose,  And cause to approach You,  That he may dwell in Your courts.  We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple. By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us,  O God of our salvation,  You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth,  And of the far-off seas; Who established the mountains by His strength,  Being clothed with power;  You who still the noise of the seas,  The noise of their waves,  And the tumult of the peoples. Psalm 65: 4-7

 Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah Psalm 68:19

 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him,  That glory may dwell in our land.  Mercy and truth have met together;  Righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth,  And righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yes, the LORD will give what is good;  And our land will yield its increase.  Righteousness will go before Him,  And shall make His footsteps our pathway. Psalm 85:9-13

God’s  salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in their  land. The LORD will give what is good and their  land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him, and shall make His footsteps our pathway.

His true ones can walk in God. Walk in His  integrity. Walk in His  peace. Walk in His  healing power. Walk in His  provision and supply. God has all the supplies and desires they  have meet. He  has all they need in Heaven and Earth. He  will provide. He will bring a miracle of provision their just like He gave Jesus to be their Savior and everything they need. He has  done it and He will continue to do it.

God  will not let His true ones go or down. He has said it and so it will be. There is no other like Him. He is the great I AM.  They can  depend on Him and trust Him and walk in Him. They have given to Him  ALL so He will give them  ALL! Expect it. For He is their provider and friend. He holds their  circumstances in His  very hands. They are in capable hands and He will not let them go.  God will provide  as they Walk faithfully in Him and keep very close and stand very still and watch His salvation.

For the road of life for God’s true ones is full of His  truth and wisdom and peace. It is full of His  person, power and promises. It is full of His  strength and teachings and courage. It is full of His  gifts and callings and opportunities. It is full of His  provisions and priorities and protection. It is full of His  safety and saturation and solace. It is full of His  courage and conscience and character. It is full of His  goodness, love and caring. It is full of Himself!

REPENT

You Are A Son And An Heir Of God

    6And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Galatians 4:6–7

Perhaps these questions have been popping into your head lately: “If You are a Christian, why are you sick? If your heavenly Father is so wonderful, why do you have so many problems? Doesn’t your God help you, His child?”

And if you have been tempted to ask, “God, I am Your child. Why is this happening to me?” know that Jesus knows exactly how you feel because 2,000 years ago, the devil played the same trick on Him — “If you are the Son of God…” (Matthew 4:3) You see, the devil’s intention was to make Jesus doubt His Sonship, and the devil wants to do the same thing to you today.

He wants to destroy the Spirit of sonship in you and in the body of believers. He knows that once you really believe that you are a son of God, something happens — you begin to live life as “an heir of God through Christ”.

As a son and an heir of God, you inherit all the blessings of God which Jesus died to give you, including salvation, healing, prosperity, wholeness, favor, intimacy with God and answered prayers. And Jesus rose from the dead to make sure that what He died to give you, you get. He is alive today to enforce this rich, blood-bought inheritance in your life!

My friend, you are an heir of God through Christ. This means that you are joint heirs with Jesus. (Romans 8:17) So His inheritance is your inheritance too!

What is prosperity when you are an heir of God? All the diamonds and gold came from Him. What is provision when you are an heir of God? He owns every beast in the forest and the cattle on a thousand hills. (Psalm 50:10) What is healing when you are an heir of God? He is your Creator and the very breath of your life.

Beloved, enjoy every bit of your inheritance in Christ, not because you deserve it, but because it was paid for by Jesus’ blood!

Thought For The Day
As joint heirs with Christ, His inheritance is your inheritance too!

CONSIDER THE LILIES

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. —Psalm 19:1

I enjoy nature and giving praise to its Creator, but I sometimes wrongly feel guilty for admiring it too much. Then I remember that Jesus used nature as a teaching tool. To encourage people not to worry, He used simple wildflowers as an example. “Consider the lilies,” He said, and then reminded people that even though flowers do no work at all, God dresses them in splendor. His conclusion? If God clothes something temporary in such glory, He surely will do much more for us (Matt. 6:28-34).

Other portions of Scripture indicate that creation is one of the ways God uses to tell us about Himself:

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork,” wrote David. “Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge” (Ps. 19:1-2).
“Let the heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is Judge,” Asaph said (50:6).

And Paul wrote, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Rom. 1:20).
God so loves us and wants us to know Him that He put evidence of Himself everywhere we look.

Father, Your love is overwhelmingly evident, yet so often we miss it. Thank You for the unfailing reminders of Your grace, love, and mercy. Give
us eyes to see Your beauty in Your creation.

In God’s pattern book of nature we can trace many valuable lessons.

BETTER THINGS TO COME :

But [God's grace] is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel - 2 Timothy 1:10

Have you ever wondered what it will be like when your body dies and you go on to heaven? Well, according to the Word, when that time comes, this flesh and blood tent you live in will die, but you won't feel a thing. You'll just take off the cloak of your flesh, lay it down, and go to a better place.

Believers who have died and come back say that they have no sensation of loss--no sting. Their minds stay intact, and they even have arms and legs, but they are spirit and not flesh. One man said he couldn't even tell he wasn't in his body until he tried to grasp something. His hand would just go right through the material object. He was spirit and not flesh.

According to the Apostle Paul, to be absent from the body is to be present with God (2 Corinthians 5:1). So, when God calls you home, you'll just abandon your fleshly body and go to be with Him forever.

It's interesting though. God doesn't even refer to our old, abandoned bodies as being dead. He says they're just asleep. Why? Because He knows that just as sleep is temporary, so is the death of the body. He's planned a day when our sleeping bodies will be awakened and raised up in glory just like Jesus' was.

Hallelujah! There's coming a day when not only our spirits have victory over death, our physical bodies do too!

Death is not the end for you. It's only a change to a better place!

A THOUSAND TIMES MORE :

“May the Lord God of your fathers increase you a thousand times” - (Deuteronomy 1:11, NIV)

Can you imagine being a thousand times more blessed than you are? That might seem a little challenging to wrap your mind around. But that’s God’s dream for you — to increase you, promote you, and pour out His favor upon you. It doesn’t just mean material things — it means a thousand times more joy, a thousand times more peace, and a thousand times more wisdom.

The scripture talks about how you’ll live in houses that you didn’t build. You’ll reap from vineyards that you didn’t plant. What does that mean? You may have had people who have gone before you, your ancestors, who prayed and believed. They sowed so many good seeds, but the fact is they didn’t see the increase and the favor that you’re seeing today. What happened? They paid the price for you. They stayed faithful and now the Lord God of your fathers is increasing you. He is showing you unusual, extraordinary favor.

Today, keep your heart and mind open for what God wants to do in your life. He wants to bless you and increase you beyond what you could ever imagine. When you believe His Word, your faith in Him activates His promises. Receive His Word and tap in to the blessing He has for you!

ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST

What gospel did Peter preach to the masses on the Day of Pentecost? The Bible tells us that when the people heard the apostle testify, “They were pricked in their heart, and said . . . Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:37-38).

Peter did not tell these people just to “believe and be saved.” Nor did he ask them to merely make a decision, to cast a vote for Jesus. No, he told them to repent first, and then be baptized in obedience to Christ!

What gospel did Paul preach to the pagan Athenians on Mars Hill? He told them very directly, “God . . . now commandeth all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30).

These Greek intellectuals had no trouble believing in God. In fact, you could say their very pastime was “believing” in many gods—first this one, then that one. Whenever someone came along preaching a god persuasively, they believed in it. So, they believed—but they did it while living in sin. Simple belief was not enough!

Paul told these men, “No! No! Jesus cannot simply be added to your list of gods. You may believe in them all, but you can’t do that with Jesus. He has come to save you from your sins and He commands all His followers to repent and be cleansed!”

Later, Paul preached the same gospel of repentance to King Agrippa: “I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: but shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance” (Acts 26:19-20).

Paul is saying, “Everywhere I’ve been, I’ve preached repentance. And genuine repentance proves itself by its actions!”

These passages make clear to us that the apostolic church preached unabashedly the same gospel John and Jesus preached: “Repent for the remission of your sins!”

LOVE

LOVE IS VERY IMPORTANT IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

1 Corinthians 13: 1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Many so called bible believing Christians, who are devoid of power, truth and love, ignorantly love to talk about the importance of love, not understanding that without the power and person of the Holy Spirit they don’t have the ability to love people or to demonstrate by miracles, signs and wonders just like Jesus, Peter and Philip did:

Acts 3: 1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple;
3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.
4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us."
5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.
6 Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."
7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them --- walking, leaping, and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God.
10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Acts 8: 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.

Acts 10: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23    gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24    And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Since love and faith are the fruit of the Spirit, those who reject and grieve the Holy Spirit don’t have and show real love or faith like Jesus, Philip and Peter did even though Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!

These blind ones or clanging cymbals  also conveniently ignore the fact that 1 Corinthians 13 is part of 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 and no separate from it and Apostle Paul clearly stated:
1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

Spiritual gifts are not an option for a true Christian but are to be desired and manifested by them since God's word instructs us:
1 Corinthians 12: 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

Yes God has appointed spiritual gifts in His church as long as His church remains on earth and without love the gifts of the Spirit don’t operate properly or have no value! And that is why apostle Paul instructed us “now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.” Faith working through love results in spiritual gifts being manifested by God's true ones and giving profit and hope to many! God’s word is unchanging:

Galatians 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

WALTER KAMBULOW, HAMILTON, ONTARIO

SPEAK

 

SPEAK TO YOUR MOUNTAINS :

“And Jesus answered them, Truly I say to you, if you have faith (a firm relying trust) and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done” - (Matthew 21:21, AMP)

We’ve all had seasons when the challenges of life feel overwhelming. During those times, it’s easy to be tempted to talk about how bad things are. Maybe you received a bad medical report, or maybe you’re facing a financial obstacle. But the more you talk about something, the bigger it becomes in your mind. Instead, you’ve got to dig your heels in and say, “No, I am not going to give life to that defeat. I am not going to speak sickness over myself. I’m not going to speak lack. I’m not going to speak fear. I’m choosing a different report. I believe the report of the Lord which says I am blessed. I am favored. I am prosperous. I am healthy. I am whole. I’m a victor, not a victim.”

Remember, even if you don’t see how things could ever work out, God does. You’ve got to speak to those mountains in your life and declare favor over those situations. Instead of talking to God about how big your problems are, talk to your problems about how big your God is! As you speak to your mountains, they will be moved, and you will move forward into the victory God has prepared for you!

SAY SO :

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has delivered from the hand of the adversary” - (Psalm 107:2, AMP)

Notice that scripture doesn’t say “Let the redeemed of the Lord think so. Let the redeemed believe so.” Of course it’s important to think right, and it’s important to believe right, but something supernatural happens when we declare something out loud. And, you don’t even have to say it to anyone else; you can just say it to yourself — driving to work or in the shower. You can say, “The economy may be low, but I am blessed. I am prosperous. I will lend and not borrow.” “I may have had some setbacks, but I know those setbacks are a setup for a comeback! This is still going to be my best year so far. The favor of God is turning things around.” You are prophesying your future. When you say what the Lord has done for you, when you declare that you are redeemed, you are opening the door for God to move on your behalf. The scripture tells us that He watches over His Word to perform it. When you declare His Word, when you speak His promises, He is faithful to fulfill them and lead you into victory all the days of your life!

YOU ARE UNDER GOD'S PROTECTION

'He...shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.' Psalm 91:1 NKJV

What is 'the shadow of the Almighty'? In the wilderness where Israel wandered for forty years, temperatures could get up to 50 or 55 degrees Celsius. There was no shade except what was provided by the tents in which the people lived. So they understood this powerful metaphor, 'under the shadow of the Almighty'. If you were lost in the desert, the children of Israel would have been required by the law of hospitality to satisfy your need for food, water, protection from an enemy, and shade from the blistering sun. It worked like this: first you had to find out the chief shepherd's name. Then you would take hold of the cord on his tent and cry out for help. When you did that, the law of hospitality required him to take you into the safety of his tent. Indeed, that same law said he had to protect you with his very life.

Are you getting the idea? God's name, El Shaddai, describes two wonderful aspects of His character. 'El' speaks of His power and strength. 'Shaddai' literally meansstrong-breasted-one, which refers to the gentleness of a nursing mother. Some days you have to go to God for the strength needed to withstand the enemy's attack; other days you just need to go to Him and let Him hold you in His arms and comfort you.

John Shairp wrote, 'Let me no more my comfort draw, from my frail grasp on Thee; in this alone rejoice with awe - Thy mighty grasp of me.' When things get too 'hot' for you, run to 'the shadow of the Almighty'.

SUPPLIED ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:19

Aren’t you glad that God’s supply toward us is not according to the state of the world’s major economies? Neither is it according to whether natural calamities or economic woes have paralyzed these key economies. No, He supplies our needs—He protects, provides and restores to us what we have lost—according to His riches in glory, which are limitless and totally unaffected by world events!

So come what may today or tomorrow, be encouraged to know that God is well able to supply ALL your needs. There is no problem in your life that escapes His attention, or that is too big for His grace to provide. When His supply is according to His riches in glory, He not only has your back covered, but He has also gone before you and made available every provision to you (Psalm 139:5, NLT).

My friend, you can live life with confidence and boldness. Your heavenly Father watches over you and has already provided you with whatever you need to live victoriously as an overcomer!

ONLY TO THOSE WHO OBEY HIM

    9And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” Hebrews 5:9–10

When Jesus died and rose again, He became our High Priest. But notice that Jesus’ priesthood is “according to the order of Melchizedek”. Why the Melchizedek priesthood?

The Melchizedek priesthood gives to man (whereas the Aaronic priesthood takes from man). We see this when Melchizedek gave bread and wine to refresh a tired Abraham after his battle with the enemy kings. (Genesis 14:14–20) So if Jesus’ priesthood is according to the Melchizedek order, then it is one in which we can come boldly into His presence to receive from Him! (Hebrews 4:16)

Moreover, the first word from Melchizedek’s mouth was “Blessed” — “Blessed be Abram…” (Genesis 14:19) The Melchizedek order is just that — blessings. In other words, Jesus’ priesthood is one which blesses and never curses us!

So are we conscious of Jesus our High Priest giving to us every day? Are we alert to all His blessings coming from heaven toward us on earth?

Now, it is easy for us to believe God for His blessings in creation. For example, we have no difficulty believing that the sun will rise every morning. But while we have no problems believing the work of creation, we have problems believing the work of redemption. We sometimes find it hard to believe God for healing, prosperity, favor, protection or restoration — blessings that Jesus died to give us. We don’t really believe that every day, the Lord will take care of us, keep our bodies healthy and provide for all our needs.

Yet, creation is fallen. It can be a blessing as well as a curse. Sometimes, a storm arises, and powerful winds and rains destroy thousands of homes and lives. Sometimes, dark clouds hide the sun and make the whole day gloomy.

My friend, we can’t put our trust in creation, but we can certainly put our trust in redemption. And unlike creation, the blessings of redemption are all good! The work of Jesus is not subject to the weather or anything else. The work of redemption is as sure as Jesus Himself. He died and rose again to be our High Priest who daily showers us with blessings!

Thought For The Day
To those who obey Him, Jesus’ priesthood, which is according to the order of Melchizedek, is one which blesses and never curses us!

WITCHCRAFT SPIRITS

 

How Witchcraft Spirits Attack

The spiritual warfare attacks against you are often referred to as witchcraft attacks. Witchcraft attacks have nothing to do with Wicca, New Age mysticism, or the religion of witchcraft. All these are forbidden according to the Word of God. "For all that do these things are an abomination (meaning vile, loathsome, and disgusting) unto the Lord" (Deuteronomy 18:12). Witchcraft in this context is the spiritual force that Christians feel when under demonic attack. These kinds of spiritual attacks can be identified like strong confusion, wanting to give up and quit, and depression. (You can listen to an audio teaching I did on this. See below.)

At other times there are people that release witchcraft assignments against you through the power of words or by controlling actions. For example, the spirit of witchcraft is a master at diverting attention away from itself by turning it toward you. Witchcraft even separates and isolates its victims from friends and family. One that is being spiritually attacked often feels the loss of personal identity and self-esteem. Depression and fatigue can follow as the Controller, like Jezebel, gives abnormal attention to those it desires to manipulate. Let's look at some other examples of spiritual witchcraft attacks.

DRAINS THE LIFE OUT OF YOU

I already mentioned confusion but this one is just as bad. Witchcraft attacks drain strength and energy. Fatigue is often experienced during a witchcraft attack. Witchcraft attacks drain the life right out of you. When attacked, you feel tired, depressed, oppressed, and fatigued. You can take vitamins, exercise, run five miles and it still doesn't help. Have you noticed how many people go to work tired all the time? They have three cups of coffee in the morning just to begin work. Could some of them be suffering from a witchcraft assignment?
Others feel sad, sleep all the time, feel trapped in depression and can't get out. What I used to think was simply stress-related I now strongly suspect to be the indication of demonic assignments. There have been times, for example, when I was feeling extremely stressed, boarded a plane, left the city's territorial limits and felt the fatigue lift. I am not ruling out the effects of stress, but if you know the fatigue is not medical or stress related, could it be witchcraft's assignments?
There have been other times when I have been well rested, in superb health, the bills are all paid, everything is good, but I find myself weary. There are other times I fight against spiritual retaliations after preaching certain subjects like Exposing Spiritual Witchcraft, What Is A Jezebel Spirit?, Spiritual Warfare Prayers, Ahab The Provoker, Five Fold Ministry Gifts, Religious Spirits, or Beware Charismatic Merchandisers. You have probably experienced demonic retaliation too. Such demonic assignments should never stop you from following the leading of the Holy Spirit to minister a certain topic or just do what is right.

Here are a few questions to help you identify if witchcraft has been released at you. These will help you start thinking.

• When you are in prayer, do you get sick or have headaches?
• Have you ever gotten ill after a confrontation with someone who was spiritually contending with you?
• Do you feel tired when you shouldn't?
• Are your emotions on a roller coaster?
• Do you suffer from depression?
• Have you experienced spiritual retaliations against you?
• Are you having a lot of warfare against your mind?

CONTROLLERS

Witchcraft attacks originate from somewhere because of the actions of somebody. Words spoken against you, for example, release demonic assignments that attack your life. Sometimes witchcraft attacks come from those people you know that are controllers. Controllers, you know who they are, will waste your time. What these witchcraft controllers do is spend abnormal amounts of time with their victims:

• The girl that consumes all her friends' spare time.
• The boy that smothers his girlfriend with inordinate attention.
• The father that picks his son up on his day off because of reoccurring emergencies.
• The husband that keeps his wife so busy that she has no time for anything else.
• The believer that wants to meet with the pastor each week to talk about the same old, same old.
• The teacher who drowns the student with excessive tutoring.
• The mother that won't let her adult son or daughter make a decision without checking with her.
• The friend that never goes home.
• The boss that continually has you in his office to sit and listen.
• The bible study teacher that won't let you study the bible for yourself.

Witchcraft will go out of the way to control and waste your time. It's not a natural thing, it's a spiritual thing. Scripture says,"Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbor's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee" (Proverbs 25:17). In the local church, we can sometimes (not always) see the spirit of witchcraft operating through the person who wants to hold a deep spiritual conversation with you or the pastor right before the service starts.

 Here are some more questions to help you identify if witchcraft has been released at you.

• Is there anyone who spends abnormal amounts of time with you either in person or on the telephone?
• Is there anyone who continually consumes or desires your time, especially when you should be in church?
• Have you ever noticed the person who wants to have a spiritual conversation with you during the most reverent time of a church service?
• Do you feel like you can't even think on your own after being around this person?

DIVERSIONS

When Controllers get caught they try and divert your attention away from them. I'm sure you have seen this diversion in action. Witchcraft is a master at diverting attention away from itself by turning it toward you. It makes others think that you are the one with the problem. You're NOT! People operating in witchcraft are masters at taking the focus off of them whenever they are about to be discovered. They shift the blame rather than taking the responsibility for their wrongs.

Those operating in witchcraft think they never do anything wrong. When caught, they say there is nothing to repent for. They tell you directly, "I haven't done anything wrong." Or, "I did what I thought was right. I don't have anything to feel sorry for." They never manifest any true repentance or humility. Whatever humility they may present is false, fake, and used only as a tool to manipulate you some more. Superficial repentance is a common witchcraft deception. Beware of their motives because witchcraft never examines self.

Here are some more questions to think about.

• Does anyone make you feel that everything is your fault when you know it's not?
• Do you know someone that feels like they have not done anything wrong after they have abused you?
• Do they always blame their problems on you?
• Have people told you they were sorry but you knew they weren't?

As already said, Controllers operate in witchcraft and many times have no idea what they are doing. You can sometimes spot a pattern among these people because they do such things as seeking legitimate fronts to hide their agendas. The spirit of witchcraft seeks a legitimate front. To look good, those operating in witchcraft surround themselves with men and women of character. They try to associate themselves with credible people and others with good reputations in an attempt to make it look like they're part of that group. Simon, a sorcerer, for example, joined Philip's ministry team in Samaria (Acts 8). The Apostle Peter discerned Simon's motives and rebuked him.

SOUL TIES

Witchcraft uses soul ties to control its victims. Have you ever heard the word soul ties? Well, that's what witchcraft wants to create with its victim. If your emotions can be hooked, then they can gain a soul tie with you. If they can form a soul tie with you, then they can control you. All abnormal soul ties need to be broken by the power of the Name of Jesus. There are natural soul ties and abnormal soul ties.

A natural soul tie could be formed if you were involved in a plane crash, landed on a remote island with several survivors and helped each other endure. The result of that accident could lead to a positive emotional bonding with the others. That's a healthy bonding because everybody successfully went through a great trial together.

When you have sexual relations with someone there is a soul tie (emotional bonding) that generates because two fleshes become one (Genesis 2:24). Sexual relations in marriage generate a healthy soul tie, while sexual relations outside of marriage create unhealthy soul ties.

I know of times when people have lost their children through some unfortunate accident. Just being there with them has formed an emotional soul tie. In essence, there are some good soul ties that bring stability into a person's life to help get them through something. Then there are soul ties used solely for the purpose of manipulation, control and selfish gain.

Take a look at these questions.

• Have you ever been emotionally bonded with someone who used that bonding to control or manipulate you?
• Have you met the person who tries to make himself or herself look important through the use of other peoples' reputations?
• Do you feel like you can't make personal decisions without asking this person first?
• Do you know anyone who insinuates they are part of an organization through namedropping?

There are many other examples of spiritual warfare attacks we could share but this is a good start

Read more: http://www.jonasclark.com/exposing-witchcraft-discerning-how-witchcraft-attacks.html#ixzz2uQIZsEwg 

BY FAITH

 

We Walk By Faith

And He said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Then he said to Him, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. Exodus 33:14-15

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

       God hides His presence from His people not because He is necessarily angry with them or that they have sinned grossly. Although sin does cause God to turn away His face from some people like He did from King Saul and others. But God’s hides His face so that His people would walk by faith and not by sight and not by their feelings and emotions. For God is God no matter what they feel or go through. His presence is with His people at all times as His word is true:

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

God will never leave, fail nor forsake His people as He loves them so much and they are dear to Him. It’s they who leave Him and not the reverse. That is why the word of God is full of admonitions for His people to return to Him or to draw close to Him and to resist the devil who would separate them from their God, Creator and Friend and obnoxious sins that steal God’s glory.

Sins, such as arrogance and pride, do more damage in the lives of God’s people than men realize. Why some are even proud of their humility or others of their foolish doctrines which they elevate above God’s voice, presence and word.  As a result the anointing leaves their ministry or lives and men operate and live with out the power of God and wonder why things are so futile or so hard to do.

But the other fact of the matter is that feelings have nothing to do with the reality of what is happening in the spiritual realm. The senses of touch, smell and taste are just that senses. They are not the basis of spiritual realm nor spiritual truth. God’s word and His Holy Spirit are the basis of the spiritual realm and all spiritual truth.

Unfortunately for some senses are like rose colored glasses they distort and disfigure the spiritual truths as people look to see what they want to see or presume.  But God’s truth revealed by His Holy Spirit is truth which remains for ever including:

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,  while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Feelings are a difficult thing to get past sometimes and be bleak circumstances lie about who God  really is at all times. He is  the Creator, the Rainbow Maker, the Promise Keeper, the Way Maker, the Redeemer and Friend to all who trust in Him. He does not lie and keep His  promises! His true ones can expect Him to do it because He is doing it. The road for them is full of promise because them who have trusted in Him who is their Creator.

Others trust in so called Christian leaders and preachers who hold their live “hostages” to the half-truths which these deceived ones proclaim are truth and then force their theology down the throats of their followers making them “worse sons of hell than themselves.

Where is the justice?  Where is the truth? Where is the release and final peace in all this? Why do men have to wait for what is their birthright if they truly follow the “truth of the Lord?” They are robbed by those who lead them into untruth and disbelief. Aren’t those who teach untruth or half-truths thieves of a different sort?

Yes, they are thieves and they rape their victims by draining them of their finances, resources, individuality; and, purpose and calling of God. Their victims are a clone of their teacher and not “sent out” independent disciple of Jesus. They have been striped of their gifts, abilities and service to the Lord. They have been “raped!”

Can death precede the eradication of one’s direction and purpose for God. Yes, because without purpose man has no sense of why he is on the earth and for what purpose, and the result is “spiritual death” and finally premature “physical death.”  For God has made us to live according to His purpose for our lives and not the fake purpose man creates for us.

If we are told to “go to church” because it’s good for our souls this is a violation of our calling before God because He is the One who should determine where we should go and what we should become and not our teachers or leaders around us, in church or anywhere else. Our direction should come from the Lord. Our teacher’s soul purpose is to prepare us to “listen to His Voice and do what He commands us to do with our lives because we are His only.”

Yet, many would tell you how to live life. Where to go and what to do with it and they would never have touched God’s true intentions and direction for your existence. Few men can ever know this because few are in tune with His Person and His Voice.

Men must walk in the very “Voice” of their Creator and follow only what He directs. They must learn this just as a child learns to crawl and finally walk upright. We must learn to walk ‘upright’ before the Lord and obediently follow the “Master’s Voice.” There is no exception to this rule. Without it we are “deaf, dump and blind.” We walk in our “flesh” and call ourselves “highly spiritual” and though we don’t say it we are certain “we have arrived spiritually.”

Oh, that this were true but the only way we could possibly “arrive” at all, is to remain very humble before the Lord and obey only His sweet Voice in our spirits. May it become a reality for all those who are seeking His singular Will for their lives. That they may “see” beyond the traditions and teachings they have received and cut through it to a place of true spirituality!

But from the false ones and true ones  God does His face from them for His word is true:

How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?  How long will You hide Your face from me?  How long shall I take counsel in my soul,  Having sorrow in my heart daily?  How long will my enemy be exalted over me? Psalm 13:1-2

 Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. Psalm 27:9

These all wait for You,  That You may give them their food in due season.  What You give them they gather in;  You open Your hand, they are filled with good.  You hide Your face, they are troubled;  You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.  You send forth Your Spirit, they are created;  And You renew the face of the earth. Psalm 104:27-30

God is a God who hides himself on many occasions even from His own people and servants. But always for their good as the Sun is always shinning behind the dark clouds. Even though it seems God has  forgotten their misery and  oppression.

But God is pleased when  His true sons and daughters are faithful only to Him when all is dark and cold and distant. Hanging on with all their soul and life  and trusting God  to come through for them.  To be, do and give all that He has promised to be especially in times when there is no conscious presence of God, no visible means of support, no tangible way to see the Lord meeting  their  needs and causing them to state:

Though the fig tree may not blossom,  Nor fruit be on the vines;  Though the labor of the olive may fail,  And the fields yield no food;  Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,  And there be no herd in the stalls- Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength;  He will make my feet like deer's feet,  And He will make me walk on my high hills. Habakkuk 3:17-19

For God is God just as much in the night as He is in the light. He is God of the hills but also He is  God of the valleys. As a matter of fact He is God all the time and Mr. Integrity. He doesn’t change His word nor His character. He is true, steadfast, faithful, just and full of equity and mercy as well as compassion. He is not far from each one of us for in Him we live and move and have our being and we are also His offspring.

God is there all the time in our lives and in our hearts. Just because we cannot see Him nor feel him does not mean that He is not present. He is with us all the time!  His word is true:

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20

Feelings and sight have nothing to do with the matter was to whether God is near or whether we are to obey His commandments to us. Including going and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  "teaching them to observe all things that Jesus has commanded  us.

Yes! God is with us always even to the end of the age but Christian maturity is not usually developed in the sunshine of God’s love but in dark and dangerous times.  For Christian maturity is when others around you don’t have faith and you are not moved by their lack of belief. You believe in God.

You believe in God when the day is dark and the tunnel is black. Believe when the way is not clear and the storm is rolling in great waves, crashing on your shorelines. Then you will  know if your house will stand. If you have built it on the Rock which is Christ Jesus.  On the rock which doesn’t move,  doesn’t change, doesn’t stop and will continue on into eternity because Jesus Christ is the Word who will never fail.

So we can stand on the Rock and trust God  to deliver us no matter what we are going through or what circumstance we face. For after all He is the great Deliverer and Miracle Worker.  For He s the God who gives songs in the night, is merciful and full of compassion  and His word is true:

I cried out to God with my voice- To God with my voice;  And He gave ear to me.  In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;  My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing;  My soul refused to be comforted.  I remembered God, and was troubled;  I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah

You hold my eyelids open;  I am so troubled that I cannot speak.  I have considered the days of old,  The years of ancient times.  I call to remembrance my song in the night;  I meditate within my heart,  And my spirit makes diligent search.   Will the Lord cast off forever?  And will He be favorable no more?  Has His mercy ceased forever?  Has His promise failed forevermore? Has God forgotten to be gracious?  Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies? Selah

 And I said, "This is my anguish;  But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High." I will remember the works of the LORD;  Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.  I will also meditate on all Your work,  And talk of Your deeds. Psalm 77:1-12

Trials and disappointments will come and no one who is one of God’s true children is exempt from them. It is all part of the process of entering into the kingdom of God. As God’s word is true:

But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,  by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,  by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed;  as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 2 Corinthians 6:4-10

For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, Philippians 1:29

Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,  and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,  that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.  For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3

We are not to be unsettled by the trials and testing of life and even though  at the time it is painful and unsettling. However, it does  produces a rich harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it  in due season.  Also we can take comfort in the fact that God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear.

We can also take comfort that God is a Good God after every storm, affliction and suffering is faithful and true and will bless His own just like He did for Joseph and Job  for  God’s word is true:

 Sing praise to the LORD, You saints of His,  And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.  For His anger is but for a moment,  His favor is for life;  Weeping may endure for a night,  But joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:4-5

"And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him "and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. Acts 7:9-10

Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord-that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. James 5:11

The God who delivered Joseph would of all his troubles gave him favor and wisdom in the eyes of Pharaoh king of Egypt is still alive today. The God who restored and gave Job twice as much as he had before.

The God who blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning in material wealth and length and quality of days has not changed. He is no respecter of persons and does not show partiality to anyone and He can and will do the same for all those who trust only in Him no matter what they are going through
 

receive

 

KNOWING GOD'S VOICE :

'...His sheep follow him because they know his voice.' John 10:4 NIV

Here are seven occasions when knowing God's voice is all-important:

(1) Hearing from God before you entertain the ideas of others. Why? Because their ideas are not His commands. Don't make commitments and end up bound by promises you can't keep. You must love others, but be led only by God's Spirit.

(2) Hearing from God before you listen to the complaints of others. Why? Because you are not responsible for their happiness. Your need to 'fix' others in order to feel good about yourself is called 'co-dependency'. Give them to God!

(3) Hearing from God before you consider the needs of others. Why? Because their needs are driving them; only the plan of God should be leading you.

(4) Hearing from God before you respond to the requests of others. Why? Because you must discern what's behind their requests. Check the soil before you sow your seed.

(5) Hearing from God before you share your dream with others. Why? Because it's not enough to have a dream, you must have a team. You need people to help you, cheer you on and lift you to a higher level. The right people motivate you to grow stronger, think better, work harder and risk more. They compel you to continue!

(6) Hearing from God before you seek the approval of others. Why? Because people with an agenda will flatter and manipulate you. Hearing God's voice will keep you from falling into their trap.

(7) Hearing from God before you make significant changes. Why? Because it's not your job to decide what God wants you to do, but to discover it and do it.

JESUS MAKES ALL THINGS NEW :

All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. - John 1:3

Any electronic product which you buy usually comes with an instruction booklet which says, “Send only to authorized dealers for maintenance and repairs.” Similarly, when something in your body or life breaks down, you go back to Jesus, your Creator and Maker. You go to Him because God’s Word tells us that “all things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made”.

The Bible says that in the beginning, God created everything by speaking (Genesis 1), and Jesus was the Word who caused everything to come to pass. (John 1:1–2, 14) So when relationships in your family break down, when your finances are low or when some part of your body isn’t working properly, you go to Jesus who can fix it and even make it better than before!

A mother from our church testified of how God gave her a brand new daughter who used to be a very rebellious teenager. The day the girl gave her life to Jesus marked the start of a new life with her family. She also became the face to look out for in the national swimming arena. When asked by reporters about her record-breaking feats, she told them that it was Jesus who did it all for her!

A lady once approached me and said, “Pastor, I don’t know if you still remember me, but I came to you before when I was a divorcee. This is my husband — the same man I divorced some years ago. We remarried and these are our children!” Now, this doesn’t usually happen in cases where divorce has taken place, but this couple looked to Jesus and saw their broken family made whole!

When man puts something that has been broken back together, it is usually not as good as before. But when Jesus does it, all things become new! (2 Corinthians 5:17) The One who made the heavens and the earth is more than able to make it better than it was before!

Thought For The Day :
When something in your body or life breaks down, go back to Jesus, your Creator and Maker.

ONLY BELIEVE AND RECEIVE

…He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” - Mark 5:36

To the two blind men who came to Jesus for their miracles, Jesus said, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” And to Jairus, who had just been told that his daughter was dead, Jesus said, “Do not be afraid; only believe” (Mark 5:36).

In the Gospels, we find Jesus encouraging the people who needed His help to only believe in Him. He never asked them, “Have you been deserving or wonderful in your behavior?” He never asked them about their law keeping or performance. He was only interested in whether they believed He would do good to them.

My friend, good character, good behavior and acts of charity are all good, but they cannot earn you favor with God. He doesn’t look at these things to decide if you merit His favor and help. The good news is that you don’t have to have it all together to receive from God. All you need to do is believe that He blesses you out of the riches of His grace and because of the finished work of His Son, Jesus. You see, it’s not about what you have done, but what Jesus has done. So as long as you come to Him depending on His unmerited favor and believing that He is both able and willing, you will receive from Him the miracle you need!

YOU HAVE THE ADVANTAGE :

“...His favor is for a lifetime...” - (Psalm 30:5, AMP)

One definition of the word “favor” is an advantage for success. When you put God first, when you obey His commands, you open the door for His favor — you have the advantage for success! Even if someone may have wronged you and it looks like they have the upper hand, even if it looks like things are never going to change, you need to keep reminding yourself, “I have an advantage. God is in control of my destiny. He’s fighting my battles for me. He is my vindicator. And it’s just a matter of time before things change in my favor.”

I love the scripture in Hebrews that says, “Don’t cast away your confidence.” One translation says, “...for payday is coming.” In the difficult times, you have to remind yourself that payday is on its way. God is a faithful God. If you’ll keep doing the right thing, honoring Him and expecting His favor, God has promised He will pay you back. He will restore everything in your life that the enemy has stolen so you can live the abundant life He has promised to you!