Seedtime And Harvest
Walter
Kambulow
August 1, 2009
All rights reserved
Burlington, Ontario
Mail to walthope@mail.com
https://walthope.tripod.com/healing.htm
Walter Kambulow, is a man like King David, "after God's own
heart." I encourage you to read his books. It will fill your souls with
hearty spiritual food and give you new strength to live your faith in Jesus. He
is Jesus centered and saturated with the Word of God and strong in the Spirit
of the Holy Ghost. He is a great fighter for His King and an encourager of the true Saints. –
He is a man of God
with a sincere burden for the Body of Christ and its attack from these wolves
in sheep’s clothing.
He spends his time
trying to warn the sheep that the Wolves are not coming into the sheep pen,
they are already there and ravaging God’s people with their horrible witchcraft
powers.
Dr. Pat Holiday, Jacksonville, Florida
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Endued
With Power From On High
Deceitful
And Desperately Wicked
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Great And Precious Promises
Go
To The Deeps Of God’s Promise
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or Wicked? Your Choice!
The
Kingdom Of God Is Within You
Who
Performs All Things For Me
"While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease." Genesis 8:22
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever." Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
We can pray and believe God to move and supply our special needs as only He can. Our God is able! He is big enough! He is the true and living God who is able to perform the miraculous. Faith in God brings victories for those who trust and obey. Throughout the Word of God we see God's care for man on display over and over again. He saved Noah and his house from the flood. He delivered the three Hebrew boys out of the fiery furnace. He led Moses and the Israelites across the Red Sea on dry ground. If God could do these mighty miracles for people back then, we know that He can do them today. He is God, and He changes not. "For with God all things are possible," Mark 10:27b. That wonderful faith in God comes from reading His Word. When we know God and His love, it is easy to place faith in Him.
But our giving with a proper attitude to proper people or places is the key to receiving heaven's blessings in due season. Without our giving there is no receiving, because God’s law of seedtime and harvest states that there can be no harvest without first planting a seed. But no giving can be acceptable without a correct attitude. That is why not every giver ends up being prosperous. Indeed, some tithers, pledgers and givers die in penury.
If we sow our seed on the wrong soil, we will reap nothing. It is not just planting that brings an harvest, but planting in the right place. Yes according to God’s promise, no man should expect a harvest when he has not planted any seed. Thus, the power of abundance will come only by the act of planting the seed. When the seed goes into the earth, God sends rain, which brings about the harvest. We cannot produce rain, but as we plant the seed, God sends the rain that brings the harvest. What if the rain comes and there is no seed in the ground? Then there will be no harvest!
While we remain on this earth, every harvest will bring forth after its kind of seed. No one can change that order — seed time must always precede harvest. If we will not sow, our crying, praying and fasting will not help produce a harvest. God gave His Son, in order to reap the harvest of more sons. If He did not plant Jesus, the law of life forbids that He should reap the harvest of men. Only givers should expect a harvest. Until we become a giver, material depression is inevitable for us.
However many lose out on their harvest due to impatience. They expect an immediate harvest. It may not always be so. Every farmer knows that he must allow a time lapse between the period of planting and the period of harvest. There is need for the sower to wait patiently. God is a covenant-keeping God, He will not fail. At the appointed time, the harvest must surely come.
Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:6-7
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
The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. "The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you. "The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways. "Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they shall be afraid of you. "And the LORD will grant you plenty of goods, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your ground, in the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers to give you. "The LORD will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. "And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them. Deuteronomy 28:7-12
The things of God are quite simple. God made man in divine love. He came down to walk and talk with man in the cool of the day. His desire was for man to never be sick, never have a heartache or trouble. Unfortunately, man took himself out of God's divine care when he sinned against his God. So it would take Calvary to bring man back into fellowship with God. God loved us enough to send Jesus who redeemed man and restored to man all that He lost. But it requires faith to take God at His word and receive this restoration. Yes, God has provided, by faith in His Word, good things for those who believe in Him. He has promised health, wealth, increase, prosperity, peace and deliverance. All of these things are promised in His Word for those who seek Him in faith. God’s word is true:
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
There is no limit to what God will do to give His trusting ones the victory. We cannot number how many people, nations and kingdoms God killed to bring victory to the physical Israel. How much more shall He do for those sons of men who have become sons of God? Yes, God is committed to their success. It does not matter what the situation is. If God did anything for the nation of Israel, He will do much more for them. They are His very seed. They are His partner in the covenant. They are the apple of His eyes. They are His sons and daughters. As a result God is against anybody that is against them. They can overcome always for the greater one is in them. He is at work in them now. He is greater than all their life battles, so they can win them all. He is working His good pleasure in them. They are born winners.
But how much they receive from God depends on how much they believe Him for. Personal faith is the answer. Jesus said often, "According to your (own) faith be it unto you" (Matthew 9:29). So what they believe God for is what they will receive! God’s word is unchanging:
"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. Luke 10:19
And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. Mark 16:15-20
Yes, Jesus came to earth and gave Himself as a sacrifice for sin in order to buy back for us everything that Adam lost. He came to destroy all the works of the devil...sickness and disease included. Once we have received Him as Lord of our life, all the rights and privileges God originally intended us to have (the right to things like fellowship with God, health and prosperity) are restored. But we are the one who has to exercise those rights!
The devil is an outlaw and even though Jesus has taken away his authority in the earth, even though he has no legal right to kill or steal from the children of God, he'll do it anyway...as long as we will let him get away with it. We must enforce his defeat by speaking the Word of God in faith. We must act on His Word. We must demand that sickness and disease leave us in the Name of Jesus. Then we must refuse to back off that demand. We must resist the devil with all we have. He might fight us for a while, but sooner or later, he will have to flee from us!
Jesus gave authority to the seventy disciples He sent out. Jesus also gave this same authority to everyone who believes in Him. When Jesus gave this authority to all who believe, He was giving the authority to the church. Christians are the church. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our spirit within us becomes “born again.” We become a part of the church. When the Bible talks about the church, if we are a believer in Jesus, it’s talking about us. And, as a Christian, we are an heir to the authority Jesus gave. So when Jesus said “I give you authority ...over all the power of the enemy,” He’s talking to us. As a believer we have been given authority over the demonic forces of this world. They are subject to us.
But authority that is not exercised has no value? So the devil doesn’t care if we have authority over him as long as we don’t exercise it. As long as we stand idly by and let him destroy our home, finances, and body, he could care less how much authority we have. All that concerns him is whether or not we use it. We have to wake up to the fact that we have been given authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. And we should walk daily in our authority. We should keep things under control. When we allow things to get to the limit, we usually act out of desperation rather than authority. God’s word is unchanging:
Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever. Psalm 112:1-3
"And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:19
And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:22-23
The word of God tells us that we are the body and Jesus is the head. God has put all things, principalities, powers, might and dominion and everything that has a name under the feet of Jesus. The feet are a part of the body. As the body of Christ, as believers, the enemy is under our feet. Satan has been defeated, but he hasn’t been destroyed. We must take authority over him daily. And we can. Jesus gave us that authority. And we can use that authority to bind and loose things. We can bind the devil from operating in our lives, homes, business and finances. And based on God’s word we can loose breakthrough and prosperity in our business and finances and our total healing. Yes, wealth and riches will be in our house, and our righteousness endures forever. (Psalm 112:3). God’s word is unchanging:
Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5
For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.", 1 Peter 3:12.
"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? Jeremiah 32:27.
So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:22-24
'The LORD your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, 'and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.' Deuteronomy 1:30-31
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." Amen. Matthew 28:18-20
Victory is given in battle, not outside of battle, for those who trust solely in the Lord like a shepherd boy David did when he came up against Goliath and stated “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. "This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” (1 Samuel 17:45-46) Mind you fearful cowardly ones like King Saul never go into battle but run away from it! But God’s word is unchanging:
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:9-12
It is true that for each battle that we’re engaged in and all the conflicts that we’ll face in the future we can be encouraged by an ancient promise the Lord made through King Jehoshaphat when Judah was facing the possibility of an enemy attack. “Thus says the LORD to you: “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15).
Yes, the Bible is filled with life-giving promises about how God comes to our defense against the enemy. Paul (the apostle) said, “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies . . . . Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us (Romans 8:33-34). But there are a few battles in the realm of the flesh and spirit that are insidious which we must fight ourselves or we will be taken captive by the enemy and even destroyed by Him for lack of knowledge about the filthiness of the flesh and spirit.
Demons or fallen spirits inhabit bodies of people even Christians especially spirit of lusts, infirmity, pride, arrogance, lying etc. These fallen spirits cause people whom they have in bondage to react in a certain way such as being puffed up with pride or continually telling lies. Christ saves and redeems our spirit but we rule over our emotions and our minds which are the play ground of the devil and results in strongholds. A stronghold in the life of a Christian is not a demon. A stronghold gives demon a place to live in a body. Demons can only access a person if he gives him room. A stronghold is a house of wrong thinking. But through Christ the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when our obedience is fulfilled. A stronghold is a thinking pattern, a stronghold of error that gives the enemy a place to reside in our lives. And one of the easy ways for a Christian to create a stronghold in his or her life is not to walk in righteousness and holiness. God’s word is unchanging:
But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:20-32
Wrong and improper words and actions or the lack of them, produce strongholds in our lives that give room to the devil and then demons come in and create havoc in our lives that is even destructive. It’s a fact that not all wrong and improper words or actions are intentional. Many times they just happen because of the enemy who walks about like a roaring lion looks for whom he may devour. "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. (John 10:10).
In a day of computers that we live in, even the most expensive and powerful computer can end up being full of unwanted viruses and junk. But there are programs that will get rid of them and keep them out? Similarly Jesus Christ, Himself, the Lion of Judah, who is in us, is greater than the devil who is in the world. Jesus Christ came to destroy the works of the devil and that we may have life and have it more abundantly. He is more than able break every chain and gives us the victory again and again and enables us to pull down every stronghold. God’s word is unchanging:
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:5-11
And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Matthew 10:1
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
A paradox of modern day Christianity is that it has become a religion of words by men who have a form of godliness and deny its power rather than a demonstration of power by a mighty God! Yet God’s word is unchanging:
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. Acts 8:5-7
"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. Acts 10:38
We see in these passages of scriptures that sickness and diseases are oppressions by the devil whom anointed ones like Philip and Jesus healed! And modern day Christianity knows very little about demons and casting them out? God’s word is unchanging:
'Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 19:31
'And the person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people. Leviticus 20:16
“Familiar spirits”[i] is the designation of a specific type of evil spirit. It is so classified because of its chief characteristic: namely, familiarity. It is a relationship, a familiarity, with a person or personality. For example, a woman, whom Paul encountered in Macedonia, had a familiar spirit which gave her powers of divination and Paul dealt with it. God’s word is true:
Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour. Acts 16:16-18
Familiar spirits are common amid the practices of spiritism and witchcraft, but their activity is by no means limited to persons and practices so obviously occult. Evil spirits are personalities. They can reason, decide, express emotions and communicate. Personalities have the capacity to relate to one another. Two human personalities can form a relationship; and, through communication and communion, that relationship can be enhanced. Likewise, a person can form and develop a close relationship with an evil spirit. When a person forms a relationship with an evil spirit (which can be done either willfully or through ignorance), he then has a familiar spirit.
Satan assigns one of these spirits to an individual or family. The basic idea is to determine whether or not a particular party is susceptible to spiritual things. If the person is the least bit susceptible, the demon spirit starts watching the individual closely from the outside spiritual realm. The spirit "starts a file", you might say, and watches the intimate things that an individual does, making notes on everything. The spirit may not have the legal right to demonize the individual, but it accumulates detailed information as to everything personal and intimate that takes place in their life and their family. After a while, the demon spirit learns exactly how the victim will respond to various stimuli. The spirit can actually determine patterns of thought by using the power of suggestion.
In this file the familiar spirit collects details of things like: the person's talents, habits, neighbors, resources, friends, enemies, mental abilities, educational abilities, responses to many varied situations, etc... He becomes "familiar" with everything in that individuals life, without being noticed, because he is in the spiritual realm. Once the familiar spirit becomes very familiar with the "do's" and "don'ts" of a person, he works the best he can to manipulate that person and to influence him in certain situations.
Communication is the chief characteristic of a familiar spirit. The spirit responds quickly to the summons of the medium. A medium, such as the witch of Endor whom Saul consulted (I Sam. 28:7), is a go-between which forms a communication link between the earthly world and the demonic realm. Thus, anyone who becomes a channel of communication for an evil spirit is a medium. He has a familiar spirit.
A familiar spirit is something that a person has, because it is a personality identified with a certain individual. Most people are blind to the existence of spirits such as Fear, Stupidity, Rebellion, Epilepsy, Superstition, Blasphemy, Bitterness, Murder, Anger, Lust, Pride, Gluttony, Death, Infirmity, Bipolar Disorder and more! Additional topics include: Mind Control, Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD), Hearing Voices, Dissociate Identity Disorder, False Memory Syndrome, unclean sexual-spirit manifestations. In the same sense that one has a book, a friend or a cold, one can be personally identified with a demon spirit. God’s word is unchanging:
In the same sense that one has a book, a friend or a cold, one can be personally identified with a demon spirit. God’s word is unchanging:
These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19:
These seven abominations in a person life are usually inspired by familiar or unclean spirits. A particular evil spirit carries an attitude of superiority, haughtiness, boasting, and arrogance and tries to draw believers into these negative attitudes. He targets individual believers as well as groups with the temptation to be prideful. Although the bible says not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to (Romans 12:3) this promotes self and self-serving agendas. Those who don’t watch out for a false confidence and keep a humble trust in the Lord when God uses them can fall prey to this spirit and puff up their pride and deceive them into placing their worth and identity on what they think they are rather than who they are in Christ.
As a result many Christians are seduced by familiar spirits and depend more on their giftings, charisma, finances, traditions, programs, or favor with their denomination, than on the Holy Spirit. They forge ahead by their natural talents and abilities, losing sight of Jesus. Rather than depending and trusting the Voice of God they are operating in the flesh doing things by the flesh, not by the Spirit. As a result all their works are just empty devoid of love and are just wood stubble and hay that will be burnt in the big bon fire in the sky. God’s word is unchanging:
For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 1 Corinthians 3:9-15
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Acts 6:8
'The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the LORD of hosts. 'The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,' says the LORD of hosts. 'And in this place I will give peace,' says the LORD of hosts. Haggai 2:8-9
The bible tells us Stephen was an ordinary brethren, of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, who was appointed to serve tables in the daily distribution for widows. He was not part of what is called the five-fold ministries of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor (Shepherd) or Teacher (Ephesians 4:11-15, 1 Peter 5:1-3). He was an ordinary lay person and a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit and power who did great wonders and signs among the people. And the bible doesn’t tell us that Stephen was not a man of prayer but rather of wisdom and words of scripture!
His speech to the council recorded in Acts 7 telling them “"You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. "Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, "who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it" cut them to the heart and that hearers gnashed at him with their teeth because they were so demonically influenced or possessed that they did what was inhuman!
Stephen died as the first Christian Martyr being full of the Holy Spirit, gazing into heaven and seeing the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He said "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" And when his enemies heard this they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep. So if Stephen was used greatly by God so can any Christian layman! The idea that only members of the five-fold ministries can be used by God is nonsense! And Stephen proved it!
And it’s a fact that most Christians are devoid of power because they don’t understand or appreciate the life giving power that resides in them! God’s word is unchanging:
Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:15-23
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Colossians 1:9-12
It is a fact that according to the power that resides and works in us, God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think and give us one hundred percent victory, one hundred percent of the time, in one hundred percent of the situations. After all He is God, not man! It is also a fact that Jesus, now as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, is no longer poor or weak anymore as He was when He walked the earth as man. He is now once again unlimited in power, riches, strength and might. But the best news is that God wants to use all of His power, riches, and resources on our behalf and meet our needs: If we only will believe Him and trust Him to do it for us; If we will only humble ourselves and on a bent knee give Him our all and ask for His all. Then we shall know the truth of God’s word which states:
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37
“Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” (2 Corinthians 2:14)
God’s presence, mighty power, wisdom, discernment, love,
miracles should be a constant reality in the lives of God’s people to meet
whatever need they have or face! They are to be filled with the knowledge of
God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding so that they might walk
worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and
increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to
His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks
to the Father. Because of the mind and life of Christ in them they also laborer
fervently in prayers for other Christians for their deliverance and the supply
of the Spirit of Jesus Christ (Philippians
People try all kinds of new things seeking health and happiness, but to no avail. Only Jesus can satisfy the soul, calm the storms of life and establish our goings. Only God can supply all of our needs spiritually, physically and financially and we can rest in Christ who changes not and enjoy His peace. His word is unchanging:
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" Luke 11:13
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. John 16:7
The Holy Spirit, the Helper, has come to be to us all that
Jesus was to His disciples. He has come to guide us into all truth and to give
us God’s best in everything. He wants to be a friend and Helper to us just like
Jesus was to His disciples. He is the
Third Person of the Trinity, the personality in the order of the Godhead. He is in charge of the affairs of the
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. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 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. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:12-16
The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to instruct, minister and reveal truth to us. His wisdom is supernatural and as we yield to His wisdom we become successful and prosperous and victorious. He pours the love of God into our hearts (Romans 5:5) and enables us to live a life of love towards God and others. However He can be grieved when there is envy, bitterness, strife or unforgiveness. He can be grieved when we reject the truth or allow ourselves to be deceived. These things prevent Him from giving us the answers we need for our life. Though His anointing and giftings we can do all kinds of things. God’s word is unchanging:
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 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. 1 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. 1 Corinthians 14:12-15
God’s divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these we may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:3-4). We must appropriate and walk in the exceedingly great and precious promises of the word of God and not allow the wicked one to come and snatch them away from our hearts or when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word stumble, or allow the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, so that we become unfruitful but rather through patience and endurance hold on to the word and bears fruit and produces the benefits of the word (Matthew 13:18-23). It has been stated that:
True victory comes when we believe that God has already moved and given us everything that we need in our new born-again spirits. The Lord doesn't have to come and place His mighty hand on us for us to get healed. He has already placed the same power on the inside of us that raised Jesus from the dead (Eph. 1:19-20). That's more than enough power to accomplish anything we need. It's already present. Therefore, asking God to give it to us is actually an expression of unbelief. That unbelief stops the power that is already in us from flowing out into our physical bodies.
We don't have to ask God to heal us. We need to believe that, "by his stripes we WERE healed" (1 Pet. 2:24). It's already been done. We don't need to be healed. We need to release the healing we already have.
Every born-again believer in Christ has this life-giving power of God in his spirit. Not every believer renews his mind and can release that power into his physical body. In that case, he has to have someone else who can release God's power, come and lay hands on him. When that happens, the believer by-passes the blockage that is in his own mind, and the power of God flows to his body through someone else's renewed mind. The Lord does this because He loves us, and doesn't want us to suffer just because our plumbing is stopped up. So, He gives us others to help us get past the blockage of our own unrenewed minds.
It's not God's will for us always to receive in this way. It is a temporary method at best. We can't always count on someone else, who can flow in the supernatural power of God, to be around. The superior way is to open up the flow through us by the renewing of our own minds. We will not only receive, but then we can become channels for the Lord to flow His power through to others.
We need to reach a place where we are praying for miracles for others, but walking in the blessings ourselves. Wouldn't it be wonderful if you were so blessed that you never needed another miracle from God!
Your sandals shall be iron and bronze; As your days, so shall
your strength be. There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to help you, And in His excellency on the clouds. The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before
you, And will say, 'Destroy!' Then
You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot."Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation." Psalm 91:13-16
When the Lord Jesus Christ was on this earth, He blessed all those who trusted God. He told the sinful woman who fell at His feet with a great faith, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace” (Luke 7:50). He healed the woman with an issue of blood for twelve years who touched the hem of His garment in faith. He said, “Daughter! Be of good cheer! Your faith has made you well. Go in peace” (Luke 8:48).
When Martha doubted whether her dead brother would come back to life, she spoke in disbelief to Jesus. But He looked at her and said, “If you would believe you would see the glory of God” (John 11:40). It is only through our faith, we can overcome the world (1 John 5:4)
God has promised not only help and victory but deliverance for all those who have known His name and put their trust in Him and call upon Him. He has promised to be with them in trouble, deliver and honor them, satisfy them with long life and show them His salvation. And God unlike others doesn’t lie and He keeps His promises all of them! However many do not know what the fullness of salvation is.
“Salvation” here is the Greek word soteria which means “everything that the soter or ‘savior’ provided.” “It means all my needs provided for like a little baby.” The verb of soteria is sozo. This Greek word is translated “saved” when speaking of salvation of the soul (Lk.7:50). It is translated “made whole” when speaking of healing (Lk.8:48; Jas.5:15) and deliverance from demon possession (Lk.8:36). It is translated “save” when speaking of salvation from adverse circumstances (Mt.8:25; Jude 1:5). Salvation covers all of the benefits that Christ paid for.
Salvation-soteria is defined in the bible as being established in "protection, preservation, prosperity, promotions, provisions, soundness, healing, deliverance and the ministry of angels." But salvation is a personal thing. Each person must work out his or her own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:14). But due to the complexities of man each person is not always established in “protection, preservation, prosperity, promotions, provisions, soundness, healing, deliverance.” Nevertheless God is able to ensure that spirit and soul and body preserved sound and complete. (1 Thessalonians 5:23) especially as the brethren pray one for another (COL 1:9, 1THES 5:25, 2THES 3:1, HEB 13:18, JMS 5:16) and help one another (ACTS 4:34, 1COR 16:17, PHIL 2:30).
Yes, the whole body
of Christ has a responsibility to help and heal those in the body who are
weaker in faith, spirit and body (1 Corinthians 12:12-28, 1 John 3:16-19). We
all are our brother’s keepers and must support each other through prayer,
financial giving and encouraging works.
…"If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you." Exodus 15:26
"And the LORD will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known, but will lay them on all those who hate you. Deuteronomy 7:15
God has created man in His image and that includes the right to make choices, to think freely, to rule freely. And even though the LORD is unchanging, the same yesterday, today and forever and a great and wonderful healing God, man has the right to choose and remain sick. And God will not go against this right! But it doesn’t change the fact that God is able to take away from His trusting ones all sickness and heal them of all diseases. His word is unchanging:
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Matthew 4:23-24
Yes, using our faith we can be healed of anything and everything! Faith is used not only to obtain good and marvelous things from God but to keep our adversary, Satan, when he comes in like a flood and tries to overwhelm us by his onslaughts, at bay. As a result through faith we can not only have great victories over Satan but great victories from God from standing on His promises and quoting His word.
Our feelings and inadequacies have nothing to do with God. He doesn’t look at or consider them but only at our faith. Even though there are many hindrances to faith, but when we are tempted, or a delay has come, we and still and wait upon God who is faithful and true and has promised to deliver us and answer our prayers. His word is true:
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. Psalm 34:15-19
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Hebrews 11:31-34
Yes, we are of little faith and we do limit God as to what He cannot or will not do. But a child doesn’t stop trying to learn to walk because he falls and stumbles many times? No he will keep on trying until he is able to walk and walk for quite a while. There are times in my life where God has answered some prayers instantly and others prayers He did not answer. There have been times where God healed a sickness and diseases miraculously and other times I have had to rely on medical doctors and medicine. So just because God doesn’t heal miraculously or within our set time frame doesn’t mean that God isn’t in the healing business? And it doesn’t mean that our faith is perfect. But Jesus did say:
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. James 14:12
God has more than enough for anything we need - be it salvation healing, salvation, baptism with the Holy Ghost, deliverances from bondages, miracle ministries, or anything else. And through faith kingdoms are subdued, righteousness worked, promises obtained, the mouths of lions stopped, the violence of fire quenched, the edge of the sword escaped, strength comes to weakness, become valiant in battle, and turn to flight the armies of the aliens.
So we are not to take our faith or the use of our faith lightly as prayer and faith accomplish things which are impossible with men but not impossible with God. And Satan knows all this and he does everything to try to prevent God’s miracles and answers from becoming a reality from using sin, discouragement, persecution, oppression, sickness, diseases and other negative things to stop the Christian from believing and trusting God. Secret sins can and do destroy faith and hinder a person from receiving healing and other deliverances as well.
The devil also knows that if a person becomes self righteous or hurts other people that will prevent God from keeping His promises to him. Many people are quick to see the faults of others, but are blind to any faults of their own. With this spirit, one cannot have faith for healing, for deliverances of any kind --- God will not give faith to a self-righteous person. Many people pass through many healing lines and are not healed not because of lack of faith, but because they have not confessed their faults to God. They have not been honest to find out what was the root cause of their sickness even though God’s word tells them:
"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.
"Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, "leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. "Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. "Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny. Matthew 5:21-26
For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. 1 Corinthians 11:30-32
Fools, because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, were afflicted. Their soul abhorred all manner of food, And they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. Psalm 107:17-20
Yes, people, fools, get sick because of their transgression and because of their iniquities and when they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, He saves them out of their distresses. He sent His word and heals them, and delivers them from their destructions. Hence the Word of God states:
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:14-16
Those who have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof (1 Timothy 3:5) are wonderful ground for the doctrines of men and demons to take root in their lives and for the devil to bring all kinds of negative things in their lives and pretend that it is the will of God when it’s all from the pit of hell including poverty, loss, sickness, diseases, sorrow and grief.
Those who do not believe in the miracle-working power of God and deny that there is any such power cannot be true sons and daughters of God because He always was and is a miracle working God. Such unbelievers who are full of erroneous teaching and do not possess the power of God in their own lives, make excuses for themselves by adjusting the teaching of the scriptures to their own thinking. Peter tells us these kind of wicked people wrest the scriptures to their own destruction. God’s word is unchanging:
Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation-as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:15-18.
He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men-the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. "For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.' "But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban"-' (that is, a gift to God), "then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, "making the Word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do." Mark 7:6-13
But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. Jude 1:5
Sickness, destruction, and dearth ARE NOT the will of God for His people. IT IS THE WORK OF THE DEVIL. Not once in all His earthly ministry did Jesus ever command any person be to sick, although He commanded many to be well, and healed them with His Word. Not once did a sick person come to Him asking to be healed and received the answer, “It is God’s will for you to remain sick for His glory.” There is no place in the Word of God where sickness is declared to be an evidence of God’s favor. The God who healed and delivered Job and restored all his real losses has not and doesn’t change. And He will do the same for all those who trust Him for it. The reward of obedience and faith is health and healing for God’s word is unchanging:
So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people complained against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?" So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them. And there He tested them, and said, "If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you." Exodus 15:24-26
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14-15.
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2
A note on healing:
"All things are possible to him that
believes."
We aren't waiting for God, God is waiting for us. (God never has 'doubt' )
What would it take for you to believe that God would heal you ?
For some,... just knowing that God is NOT the author of pain is a big enough
step.
If Jesus ALWAYS did the will of his Father - then why did Jesus heal ANYONE ?
(Unless, of course, it IS the will of God ).
You see,... if 'god' made people sick, then Jesus was 'undoing' God's work.
And still,... why didn't Jesus make ANYONE forcibly ill - and say stuff like
"... oh, you need to be more humble, so I will make you ill - and somehow,
you will come back to God."
JESUS NEVER DID THAT.
In fact, this is what scripture says repeatedly,...
"He went about healing ALL that were oppressed of the devil" ( not
'oppressed of God', but the devil
It also says "He healed ALL manner of sickness and disease."
The only places in scripture where people did not get healed, was because
'they' did not believe. And it is the ONLY thing required to receive from God.
Make no mistake about it,... it is the absolute will of God that you be healed
of ALL manner of sickness and ALL manner of disease.
Now, the real question is,... do you BELIEVE that, or not?
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10
Therefore David blessed the LORD before all the assembly; and David said: "Blessed are You, LORD God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, And You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. 1 Chronicles 29:10-12
David the shepherd boy, whom God took from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over His people, over Israel, had been with him wherever he had gone, and had cut off all his enemies from before him and had made him a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth, was not deceived. He know from experience that the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty, all that is in heaven and in earth was God’s. His was the kingdom and He was exalted as head over all. David knew that riches and honor come from God, Who reigned over all. In His hand was power and might; In His hand was to make great and to give strength to all.
Similarly bitter barren Hannah, the second wife of Elkanah, to whom God gave real victory over her rival Peninnah his first wife, by giving her many children, knew that 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. The bible tells us:
And Hannah prayed and said: "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
David and Hannah in the midst of their trouble and tribulation put their trust in God, hung on the Him no matter what and they were not put to shame or disappointed! And why should they be because God’s word tells us:
"But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And said to you, 'You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' "Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and not find them- Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing. For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.' Isaiah 41:8-13
But Israel shall be saved by the LORD With an everlasting salvation; You shall not be ashamed or disgraced Forever and ever. Isaiah 45:17
Kings shall be your foster fathers, And their queens your nursing mothers; They shall bow down to you with their faces to the earth, And lick up the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD, For they shall not be ashamed who wait for Me." Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, Or the captives of the righteous be delivered? But thus says the LORD: "Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, And the prey of the terrible be delivered; For I will contend with him who contends with you, And I will save your children. I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh, And they shall be drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine. All flesh shall know That I, the LORD, am your Savior, And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob." Isaiah 49:23-26
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith 1 John 5:4
When we made Jesus Lord of our lives we came into a Covenant relationship with Jesus we become part of His family and we now have a right to all the privileges in that family including blessings and victory. We become one with Him, all He has is ours and all we have is His. We become a joint heir with Jesus we are heir to all the Father has. We have also been given authority to overcome every attack of the enemy and have victory. On Calvary Jesus defeated Satan and took away his power to harm us but he will still try to deceive us and if we believe the deception of the devil instead of the Word of God we will be defeated. Knowing Jesus and who He is in us and who we are in Him will give us victory every time.
Instead of fearing a situation we take the Word of God and apply it and watch the situation turn out for good. Fear will take our mind off God and His word and leave us with the problem; faith will keep God’s Word on our mind and see victory. Faith comes through fellowship with Jesus, talking to Him, reading His Word, hearing His Word. We have victory now in Jesus. God’s promises are for us today. When we ask God for something it should not be hoping He will hear and answer it should be knowing He will answer. Prayer is for God’s glory, prayer is to accomplish God’s will in a situation in our lives or the lives of others.
Because we a great and wonderful Savior, Healer, Deliverer, Friend and Redeemer, We can depend on Jesus in every way and everyday in everything. The bible tells us. In 2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation (healing, deliverance, safety, liberty and prosperity) through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. And in 1 Thessalonians 5:9 for God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ in all things we have the victory.
Because Jesus Christ is alive and well and has overcome the world including sin, demons and death and has won the victory, He gives the victory to His trusting children to achieve great things for His honor and glory. The size of their mountain or enemies is not a problem because their God, friend, provider and Lord, is bigger than anything that they face or will face. He is still in the mountain moving and miracle working business and none can stand against Him and the power of Jesus name. Everything must bow at the name of Jesus including sickness, poverty, disease, demons, loss and governments. God’s word is true:
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11
So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. Luke 17:6
Why do you say, O Jacob, And speak, O Israel: "My way is hidden from the LORD, And my just claim is passed over by my God"? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:27-31
Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? James 2:5
With God, Who is gentle and lowly in heart, things are totally upside down compared to the world. He contends with the proud and gives grace to the humble. He doesn’t despise the weak, poor and needy but loves and gives them strength, power and riches when they call upon Him. He fills the hungry with good things. He does great things for them for He honors their faith as He chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him. When they come to Him He gives them rest for the souls. He makes a nobody into a somebody just like He did for Mary who testified:
"My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever." Luke 1:47-55
Yes, with God weakness is strength and strength is weakness! Victory is given only in battle and not outside of it. God has promised to bring His true children through everything including poverty, lack, afflictions and want and not keep them there. He has an answer and solution for every problem His people face and need that they have. But it’s not a standard solution for God is not limited in any way as to how He will work a miracle for them that will bring glory and honor to His name. If they could solve the problem or work out a solution they would not need God and they wouldn’t know what faith in God will achieve? Andre Crouch wrote about this in his song entitled “Through it All.”
Yes, without the troubles and the storms we would never know what faith in God can do. Through it all we can learn to trust in Jesus, learn to trust in God, learn to depend upon His word! The battles of Life are fought and won not by human logic or reasoning but by the obedience to the Spirit of the Lord, to the same Spirit that was on Jesus and is on His true ones. God’s word is unchanging:
"However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. "He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. "All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. John 16:13-15
Jesus told us that if was to our advantage that He would go away for the Helper, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth will come to us and guide us into all truth. The Holy Spirit would be to us all that Jesus was to His disciples. We will not have to depend upon our limited wisdom, knowledge, power and resources but upon God’s unlimited wisdom, knowledge, power and resources. The Holy Spirit inside of us is the answer to every financial problem, every spiritual problem and every physical problem that exists. And through prayer and fasting we can find God’s solution to ever problem and be more than conquerors. God’s word is unchanging:
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 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." But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 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. 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. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:7-13
For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. Galatians 5:5-6
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10
Revelation, knowledge, wisdom and understanding of spiritual things come not from books or other men but by the Spirit. It’s not perspiration but inspiration by which the Holy Spirit teaches that makes us successful in God and then successful in the world around us. What the eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, are the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. And He has revealed them to us through His Spirit. Yes, 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 from God. Our mind does not receive directly from God. Our mind receives from our spirit. Our spirit communicates in some way to our mind. But our spirit draws from the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit draws from Jesus and Jesus draws from the Father.
If we rule our life by our intellect and not by the spirit we will not operate in the gifts of the Spirit. God’s supernatural realm angels, trances, visions and dreams will not be real to us if we live only in an intellectual world and are ruled by our mind! Miracles occur only when we go into the supernatural realm and bring them into our natural realm and this doesn’t happen by intellect. But miracles do happen when we pray in the Spirit and bring the Spirit down and with it the glory of God!
Our spirit is a receptacle for the Holy Spirit to flow through as we go with our spirit. Our spirit prays forth onto God and enables us to go into the realm of God where we have been raised together in Christ. Yes, we have been seated together in Christ. And our spirit can ascend to the depths of God's presence. It’s a fact that when we pray in tongues just as Jesus promised rivers of living water flow out from us. The more we pray in the Spirit the more we can know and feel God’s presence. And with the presence of God comes the power of God. And where there is the power of God there is change and miracles! And God by His Spirit can changes things even in a moment that years of perspiration and striving in the flesh could not do. That is why it’s important to pray continually in the Spirit.
When we speak forth words, there is a spiritual dimension and a physical dimension. When we pray in tongues, we pray in the perfect will of God. If we by speaking the Word of God in our own language releases great power, how much more when we to speak forth in tongues which is the language 100% accurate that the Holy Spirit. As a result when the Spirit of the Almighty God comes upon us, fills our spirit man and causes our spirit man to speak exactly what God wants us to speak us produce great results. But if we neglect tongues the least of all gifts, we can forget the working of miracles or raising the dead. The gift of the Holy Spirit operates strongly when we move into tongues. We don’t enter and experience the spiritual realm in our flesh. We don’t enter and experience it in our mind. It is only in the spirit realm that we enter into God’s rest through tongues. God’s word is unchanging:
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 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. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 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. 1 Corinthians 12:27-28
When we pray in the Spirit it just a question of time before the gifts of the Spirit are activated. And when the gifts of the Spirit are activated we give Spiritual gifts to others. To one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 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. God’s mighty power works through us to bless others!
When we pray in the Spirit we are filled with all the fullness of God and we overflow. And our overflowing blesses others because what is in us comes out. And Jesus told us, For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things (Matthew 12:34-35)
Apostle Paul who was always praying in the Spirit and filled with the Spirit, asked God in Ephesians 1 and 3, to give God’s people most of all the spirit of wisdom and revelation. Because with wisdom and revelation come all other blessings including being established, blameless and mature. With wisdom and revelation comes knowledge, discernment, righteousness, and fruit that remains. It all comes from the realm of the Spirit and bless the natural realm of man. God’s word is unchanging:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12: 1-2
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! 1 Corinthians 6:1-6
"And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth. 2 Samuel 7:9
"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. Luke 10:19
Jesus Christ, when He had called His twelve disciples, gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease (Matthew 10:1). And later He told them that He would send them the Promise of His Father upon them and they were to tarry in the city of Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49). Endued with power that comes not from men, but power that comes from God. God has promised to do a marvelous work among His people, a marvelous work and a wonder; for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden. But the deaf shall hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness. God’s word is unchanging:
The humble also shall increase their joy in the LORD, And the poor among men shall rejoice In the Holy One of Israel. For the terrible one is brought to nothing, The scornful one is consumed, And all who watch for iniquity are cut off- Who make a man an offender by a word, And lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, And turn aside the just by empty words. Isaiah 29:19-21
Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; The future of the wicked shall be cut off. 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 37:37-40
'All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off, But the horns of the righteous shall be exalted." Psalm 75:10
Yes, God has promised to cut off the enemies of His people. For 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. The upright will dwell in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the earth, and the unfaithful will be uprooted from it (Proverbs 2:21-22). God’s word is true:
The word of the LORD came again to me, saying: "Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it. "Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness," says the Lord GOD. "If I cause wild beasts to pass through the land, and they empty it, and make it so desolate that no man may pass through because of the beasts, "even though these three men were in it, as I live," says the Lord GOD, "they would deliver neither sons nor daughters; only they would be delivered, and the land would be desolate. Ezekiel 14:12-16
Persistent sin by people, including God’s people, brings the judgments of God upon them, not His blessings. God is not to be mocked whatsoever a man sows so shall he reap even in the current time of life! His word is unchanging:
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1
Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity." But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:19-26
"Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held-To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut: Isaiah 45:1
God anointed and used Cyrus to pull down and destroy nations and kingdoms and gave him wisdom on how to do it. He also anointed prophet Jeremiah for this kind of work. The bible records:
See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant." Jeremiah 1:10
"The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, 18:8 "if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. Jeremiah 18:7
The bible teaches us that God anoints some people to root out and to pull down to destroy to subdue and to throw down nations, kingdoms, powers and principalities and individuals. All kings of Israel including David, Saul and Jesus were anointed by the Holy Spirit with wisdom to rule and to destroy their enemies.. That is why it says about David and Jesus and other rulers of the kingdom:
There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. 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. 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; 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. Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist. Isaiah 11:1-5
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, Isaiah 61:1-4
For the day of vengeance is in My heart, And the year of My redeemed has come. Isaiah 63:4
Speaking of slaying the wicked, the enemies of God, there is an anointing to slay the wicked and Moses, Elijah, Elijah, Jesus and Peter demonstrated it. The bible tells us about Moses one of the greatest men of God:
Now when Moses saw that the people were unrestrained (for Aaron had not restrained them, to their shame among their enemies), then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, "Whoever is on the LORD'S side-come to me." And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him. And he said to them, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Let every man put his sword on his side, and go in and out from entrance to entrance throughout the camp, and let every man kill his brother, every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.' " So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And about three thousand men of the people fell that day. Exodus 32:25-28
And king David the anointed ones was anointed to kill his enemies. The bible records:
I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them; Neither did I
turn back again till they were destroyed.
I have wounded them, So that they
could not rise; They have fallen under my feet. For You have armed me with strength
for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me. You have also given me the necks of my
enemies, So that I destroyed those who hated me. They cried out, but there was
none to save; Even to the LORD, but He
did not answer them. Then I beat them as
fine as the dust before the wind; I cast them out like dirt in the streets.
Psalm 18:37-42
Elijah another great man of God was anointed to slay the false prophets of
Baal:
And Elijah said to them, "Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let one of them escape!" So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the Brook Kishon and executed them there. 1 Kings 18:40
And Elijah transfered his anointing of killing the enemies of God and His people to Elisha and others:
Then the LORD said to him: "Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. "Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. "It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. 1 Kings 19:15-17
And Elisha who did twice as many miracles as Elijah also used his anointing to kill his enemies:
Then he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up the road, some youths came from the city and mocked him, and said to him, "Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!" 2:24 So he turned around and looked at them, and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the LORD. And two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths. 2 Kings 2:23
And the anointing that was upon Peter caused the enemies of God to die:
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? "While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. Acts 5:1-6
And Yes Jesus killed people by sending them to hell. He made decrees awith His mouth that became curses not blessings and the people went to hell as a result. They received greater condemnation for being sons of hell! The bible records for our profit and instruction:
"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. Matthew 23:13-15
Jesus didn't go around saying nice things to people especially religious ones? “Woe to you” doesn’t mean something good is going to happen to you? When it was needed Jesus told the truth to people:
"A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. "It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! "Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. "Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. Matthew 10:24-27
Yes, Jesus cursed, not blessed, the religious hypocrites of His day and our day who contended with and fought with Apostles and prophets and even murdered them. Woe comes to those who spurn their message and count it a trivial matter. Scripture warns all men, “Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.” (Psalm 105:15). It is a scriptural fact that God will render judgment to all who reject and persecute His true servants. (Matthew 23:34-35). The book of Revelation declares a time of godly rejoicing at the destruction of a system that has persecuted and martyred men of God throughout the ages saying, Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!"
In the Old Testament there were various ministerial offices such as the Patriarchs, the Prophets, the Levites and the Pastors. It seems that the most significant was the Prophet. He was the watchman and messenger of God who gave warning to the nation of Israel from God. God’s word is true:
"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: "When I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. "Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. "Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. 1 "Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul." Ezekiel 3:17-21
The Prophets had specific messages from God to the nation of Israel. The rebukes and warnings of Samuel to Saul, Nathan to David, or Elijah to Ahab are some good examples of men with divine commission. Kings and nations witnessed the hand of God on these men. Consider Moses, for example, who was not afraid of the most powerful king of his time — the Pharaoh of Egypt. This massive empire collapsed as a result of the message from an appointed man of God. The message of Daniel, a Hebrew slave in Babylon, brought about the conviction and repentance of Nebuchadnezzar, one of history’s most the powerful monarchs. It is no wonder that this world is not worthy of these messengers of God. (Heb. 11:38). But Apostle Paul told us that in the New Testament:
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. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 1 Corinthians 12:28-30
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, Ephesians 4:11-12
Yes God gave to the church not only some to be evangelists, pastors and teachers but some to be apostles and prophets. And for those who reject the words of apostles and prophets woe will come to them just as Jesus promised. The reason many pastors suffer spiritual ‘burn out’ is not because of a lack of loyalty, commitment, faithfulness and respect from elders and saints alike but because they were never intended to be the sole ministry in the local church. God is a God of order, not disorder and He has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. So when we fail to have God’s order in the local church of first apostles, second prophets, third teachers and replace them with self-attained or self-appointed ministers who describe themselves as an ambassador, a steward, a watchman, a shepherd and a messenger, we have no one to blame but ourselves that the local church is anemic, impotent and useless. It’s to be noted Apostle Paul was never a pastor but always a prophet, a teacher and an apostle. God’s word is unchanging:
Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 13:1-3
Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today and forever, is not only the Lamb who took away the sins of the world but He is also “The Man of War,” “The Lion of Judah” and KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS who kills his enemies and those of His people even in the current time of life. God’s word is unchanging:
The LORD is a man of war; The LORD is His name. Pharaoh's chariots and his army He has cast into the sea; His chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea. The depths have covered them; They sank to the bottom like a stone. "Your right hand, O LORD, has become glorious in power; Your right hand, O LORD, has dashed the enemy in pieces. Exodus 15:3-6
Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, "that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great." Revelation 19:12-18
"But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. "Or how can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. Matthew 12:28-29
But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. Luke 9:11
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- 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. Romans 15:18-19
Jesus Christ is the King of God’s dominion in heaven and earth in the lives of His people who have been born again and now live in the reality of everything that heaven has to offer them here on earth including doing signs and wonders. God’s word is true:
There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit. John 3:1-8
Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews recognized that Jesus was a teacher who came from God “for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." And Jesus told him unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God, for that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Yes, those who are born again have the kingdom of God or the dominion of Jesus Christ in them. When the sick were healed by Jesus or His disciples it was a demonstration that that kingdom of God had come near to them. And Jesus told the Jews "But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you (Luke 11:20). He also told the Pharisees "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; "nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:20-21). And Apostle Paul told us, the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17) and the kingdom of God is not in word but in power (1 Corinthians 4:20). In other words when a person is born again and is baptized with the Spirit that kingdom of God is within him and is demonstrated not by words but by power. God’s word is unchanging:
"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. Acts 10:38
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. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Yes, 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. Yes, the Word of God is clear the speech and preaching of the Gospel is not to be with persuasive words of human wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that our faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. Miracles, signs and wonders are a demonstration of those who know that the kingdom of God is within them and is greater than the kingdom of men, of demons and of the world. Miracles, signs and wonders are done by those who are anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and power just like Jesus was. God’s word is unchanging:
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." Amen. Matthew 28:18-20
Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. Acts 9:31
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good Word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. Hebrews 6:4-6
To be Baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is not only to be enlightened, taste the heavenly gift, become partakers of the Holy Spirit, taste the good Word of God and the powers of the age to come but to walk in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead and made heaven and earth is now resident in them and is able to do through them the greater works that Jesus did. God’s word is unchanging:
And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. Mark 16:15-20
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. John 14:12
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7
The Kingdom of God is not only a place but an experience. It’s with in us because Jesus Christ is now living in us. And that is an experience and not just fact. Yes, the invisible realm of the miraculously is now inside of us where Christ and the Holy Spirit are dwelling for we are now the temple of the Holy Spirit, the temple of God. We are now the carriers of God and His power which is now inside of us, very close at hand. God’s word is unchanging:
"And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:7-8
But the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God! We are not to be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
The kingdom of God is at within and comes to those who are full of Faith and full of the Holy Spirit. Hence they pray, Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. (Luke 11:2). In the kingdom of God there is no sickness, pain, tears, sin, death, disease, poverty, or demons but only healing and miracles. All these negative things including spirits of torment, affliction, death, infirmity do not have authority in the realm of the kingdom. And the kingdom of God can rebuke them and command them to leave and go back to hell where they belong. In the kingdom of God is health, healing, wealth and joy in the Holy Spirit.
The King’s domain, the domain of the Kingdom of God comes in the hearts and lives of those whom Jesus Christ is LORD and King and it stays with in! There are six signs of the kingdom:
1) Jesus Himself is the King - The kingdom of God is at hand (Luke 17:20-21).
2) The Message of the Kingdom is demonstrated by action and power, not just words (1 Corinthians 2:1-4, Matthew 11:1-6, Luke 4:18).
3) Casting our devils and healing every sickness and disease (Mark 1:39-42)
4) Signs, wonders, mighty deeds and gifts of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 12:12, Hebrews 2:3-4)
5) New Birth (John 3:16)
6) Christ in us manifesting Jesus in character and power (Mark 9:38-40. 2 Corinthians 5:20)
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone," and "A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. 2 Peter 2:1-8
Our churches are no longer places of respite from the world: they are mirrors of it: the same dress; the same attitudes; the same carnality; the same spirit; the same stubbornness; the same pride. Churches are no longer bastions of truth: they are glorified social clubs or mere corporations, where Christianity is never allowed to interfere with business. Instead of being watchmen on the wall, our pastors are CEOs or, even worse, politicians. Popularity and personal ambition far outweigh commitment to truth and an independent mind. And as for Christian homes, forget it. The modern American home is straight out of Isaiah chapter three: "babes shall rule over them." In the average "Christian" home, children rule the mothers, and mothers, in turn, rule the fathers. Discipline and instruction are out; leniency and ignorance are in. Chuck Baldwin[ii]
Apostasy came in a long time ago in America when daily prayer and the reading of the word of God became second place to other things important and unimportant! Rejection of and disobedience to the word of God brought in deception and desolation to Christians and they became salt that lost its flow. Chuck Baldwin stated:
Jesus said that salt without savor is "good for nothing." Savor is the ingredient, the character that gives salt its quality--and its value. When salt is as it should be, it is a most precious commodity. Not only is it used as a seasoning; it is, more importantly, a preservative. As most everyone knows, salt was the primary source of food preservation before the days of refrigeration. Salt has been deemed to be so valuable at times that wars have actually been waged over it. During times of unusual deprivation, salt can be even more valuable than precious metals. But when salt loses its saltiness, it is absolutely worthless; it is "good for nothing."
Jesus plainly proclaimed that He viewed His disciples as being the salt of society. In other words, when believers have the character they should have, they provide the preservation of the land. They hold back and retard the putrefying properties of spoilage and decay. But when Christians lose their character, when they lose the internal resistance to decay, they become "good for nothing" and the result is, the land is "trodden under foot of men."
It grieves me to say that, for the most part, the modern Christian, the modern pastor, and the modern church have lost their savor. Taken as a whole, we have lost our inner character: the ability to resist decay and preserve the land has long departed, and America is fast being "trodden under foot of men."
True Christian Character is developed by digesting the pure milk of the word and obeying it on a daily basis and being in touch with God constantly about all things! Apostle Peter tells us:
Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because "All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the LORD endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:22-25
We were born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever. And we stay alive by abiding in the word and being doers of the word! Otherwise Jesus warned us there would be some serious consequences:
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8
"And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ' These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'-and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked- "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' " Revelations 3:14-22
Jesus Christ the author and founder of the Christian faith has stated "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. He has also stated to Christians I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. And God’s word is unchanging:
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "Therefore by their fruits you will know them. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' Matthew 7:15-23
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." Ephesians 5:6-14
If deception of Christians by empty words of deceivers were not possible then Apostle Paul would not warn Christians about it or that because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience and also tells us do not be partakers with them.
And scriptures doesn’t tell us that exposing the unfruitful works of darkness which are done by the sons of disobedience is wrong bur rather children of light are to become aware of them, expose them and to have no fellowship with the perpetrators of evil, lies, deception and wickedness many of whom are goats not sheep! And God’s word is true:
"Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 'for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 'I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.' "Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' "Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." Matthew 25:41-46
Jesus taught that the goats who did not give him food when He was hungry, give him drink when He was thirsty, take Him in when He was a stranger, clothe Him when He was naked, visit Him when He was sick and in prison would go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. Yes, all those who did not minister to the least of one of these are unrighteous. And since Jesus wrote the rules and enforces them, they are in deep trouble.
Yes, Jesus taught that all His words were not to be ignored or there would be serious consequences. He also told us to beware of men who would come as wolves in sheep’s clothing and would teach the doctrine of men as commandments of God (Matthew 16:9). He also taught:
· 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word of God.' "
· 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.' "
· 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.' "
Yes, these are the keys to proper ministry and Christian living for God’s word is unchanging:
Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word of God.' "
Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. "Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours." And Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.' "
Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. "For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,' "and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' " And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.' "
Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time. Luke 4:1-13
Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:6-12
The enemy and men are great liars and deceivers and love to appeal to the lusts of men including mouthing words that sound nice and appear to true but have no basis in fact. In order to ensnare those who are gullible, even the righteous, the eloquent words that men speak about something must appear to be true and must have an element of truth in them. It’s a well known fact that if something appears too good to be true, then it’s not true. Even though many pastors and preachers have promised a hundred fold returns for money sowed into their ministries, very few, if any, of the sheep can testify that they have had a consistent hundred return fold from their giving into a particular ministry. Yet God’s word is unchanging:
"I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying, 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed!' "How long will this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart, "who try to make My people forget My name by their dreams which everyone tells his neighbor, as their fathers forgot My name for Baal. "The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; And he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?" says the LORD. "Is not My word like a fire?" says the LORD, "And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
"Therefore behold, I am against the prophets," says the LORD, "who steal My words every one from his neighbor. "Behold, I am against the prophets," says the LORD, "who use their tongues and say, 'He says.' "Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams," says the LORD, "and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all," says the LORD. "So when these people or the prophet or the priest ask you, saying, 'What is the oracle of the LORD?' you shall then say to them, 'What oracle?' I will even forsake you," says the LORD. "And as for the prophet and the priest and the people who say, 'The oracle of the LORD!' I will even punish that man and his house. Jeremiah 23:25-34
Even though quite a few pastors and preachers prophecy false dreams and vision and cause God’s people to err by their lies and by their recklessness, God did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit the people at all. And God will in due season punish those are false and those who listen to their lies.
We are to check everything that we hear about God and His word with His written word, the bible, and with the Holy Spirit. If it is really His word then there must be a confirmation with two witnesses and with miracles, signs and wonders - otherwise it not from God but from man or the devil.
He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Matthew 4:24
Jesus who is the same yesterday, today and forever is not only a Savior but also a Healer, Deliverer, Defender, Avenger, Protector, Provider, and High Tower. When they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Any purported gospel of Jesus Christ that is devoid of healing the sick and casting out demons is an apostate or another gospel that is to be avoided because God cares for the whole man body, soul and spirit! His word is unchanging:
And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. Mark 16:15-20
Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. Acts 5:16
And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. Acts 28:8-9
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 1:2-4
Healing is the children's bread; it's on the table all the time. God is able to move for us and supply all things needed today. He has all power so we can trust Him and receive daily that which is needed. God’s word is unchanging:
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 Surely men of low degree are a vapor, Men of high degree are a lie; If they are weighed on the scales, They are altogether lighter than vapor. Do not trust in oppression, Nor vainly hope in robbery; If riches increase, Do not set your heart on them. God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God. Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work. Psalm 62:7-12
Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people complained against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?" So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them. And there He tested them, and said, "If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you." Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there by the waters. Exodus 15:23-27
Jesus Christ, who is God manifest in the flesh, demonstrated God’s will for us by healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. When they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics, He healed them (Matthew 4:24). Sickness, disease, demons, poverty or lack are not our friends but our enemies and Jesus came to destroy these things!
Yes, God who is the same yesterday, today and forever wants to give His people the victory over all this enemies just like He gave the children of Israel victory over the Egyptian enemies, spoiled them with the wealth of Egypt and brought the out of all their bondage and afflictions. God’s word is true:
Then Moses and the children of
"Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. "And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God: "Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. "Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. "Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. "Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. "The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. "The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 28:1-8
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33
Yes, for those who obey His voice and walk in His ways, Jesus Christ causes their enemies to be defeated. He blesses them coming in and going out! He is the God of all and unlimited power and resources who has overcome the world for them! God’s word is true:
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:30
On the cross of
Because of Jesus death and resurrection we now enjoy great benefits. Jesus was punished in our place, because of that, we are forgiven. Jesus became a sin offering; we are made righteous. Jesus became a curse; we are blessed, Jesus was beaten and whipped; we are healed. Jesus died in our place; we have been given life eternal. Jesus was rejected by man and was also rejected by God; we have been accepted in the Beloved and we will never be forsaken by God. Jesus suffered unbearable trauma; we have been given peace. Jesus was resurrected; we were made a new creature. Jesus became poor with our poverty and we have become rich with His riches. Jesus bore our shame and we now share His glory. Jesus endured our rejection and we now have His acceptance as children of God.
Paul Dhinkarian in his article Healed By His Stripes writes:
Dear Friend, in the Bible we see that a centurion came to the Lord Jesus Christ asking Him to heal His servant. The Lord immediately said, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” The Lord was moved by his faith and said, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you." The servant was healed that very hour” (Matthew 8:5-13).
Once we were in Mauritius to conduct the Jesus Calls Prayer Festival. On the first day of the Prayer Festival, the Lord said that He would heal the people who were sick. There were several people in their wheel chairs. During prayer time, the Holy Spirit said, “There are many people with arthritis. Tell them that Lord Jesus is healing them.” Then the Holy Spirit showed me a man who was suffering with arthritis. I said, “There is a man who is suffering with terrible pain in right knee. You have a problem in the joint and no operation could heal you. Today, the Lord is healing you!” Soon, a man came up to the dais with crutches and ecstatically said, “Sir I am the man who the Lord called and healed me through you! I thought I had to live on crutches all my life but Jesus spoke one word through you and a power hit my right leg! Something happened in my joints, I put down one foot and stood up. Then I put my other foot down and started walking! I don’t need these crutches anymore! Jesus has created brand new legs for me!”
Dear Friend, the Lord performs miracles by His Word. The Lord is compassionate towards you. Are you afflicted with sickness and has it consumed the organs in your body? Whatever your sickness maybe and however grave your condition may be, the Lord will heal you because He suffered for you on the cross. He was wounded for you on the cross and His body was broken to heal you. The Bible says, “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Do not give up hope! The Lord shall remember His sufferings He bore for you on the cross and will create brand new organs for you and heal you.
Prayer: Loving Lord Jesus, My heart overflows with praise and gratitude as I think of how much You willingly gave Yourself to be wounded and bruised for my sins on my behalf and suffered for me on the cross. Lord, You perform miracles by Your Word. I ask You to speak a word and heal me of my sickness. Give me faith like that of the centurion and use me to bring miracles to others also and let Your name be glorified through me. I give You all the glory, honour and praise, Amen
"The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings. Jeremiah 17:9-10
And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, "thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. "All these evil things come from within and defile a man." Mark 7:20-23
"Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? Ezekiel 18:31
God is not surprised at anything that men say or do because "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked” but He will give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings. There is no escape from the consequences of sin, evil, deceit and wickedness even on earth and even in so called Christian churches! God’s word is true and unchanging:
"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ' These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: "I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. "Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. "And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. "Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. "I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. Revelation 2:18-23
The church in Thyatira allowed woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And Jesus gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. "So Jesus promised that he would cat her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. He also promised to kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know He is the One who searches the minds and hearts. And He will give to each one according to His works.
Unfortunately today we have amongst us false prophetess as that woman Jezebel. One of them is Patricia King! Many false prophets who are ravenous wolves including Todd Bentley have arisen. They are in churches and are deceiving many! Dr. Pat Holiday [iii] in her article PATRICIA KING - New Mystics ~ The New Breed ~ writes:
GREAT DECEPTION – LATTER RAIN SEDUCTION
These New Mystics use biblical words and quote from the Bible, but the Latter Rain gospel was not drawn from the Bible. It was received ''prophetically'' - that is, by men in direct communication with the spirit realm. They then use symbolism and allegory to draw far-fetched support of their doctrines out of random words or fragments of Bible verses. "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God." (Jn. 3:19-21).
Great deception is afoot in the churches today, happening right before our very eyes. In fact, it may have already come to your church. False doctrines, a different gospel, and even doctrines of demons have been introduced into many churches via books, music, videos, teachers and movements that claim to be of God. Please watch the u tubes on this site from a wide variety of denominations and authors on the subject of deception in the church before you encourage anyone from your church to go to meetings where false teachers claim to be able to transfer the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands and subsequently soften people up to receive false doctrines which can ultimately shipwreck their faith or prevent them from ever coming to salvation in Christ. “Because there will be certain people who have crept in to the House of God, who pervert the gospel once delivered to the saints… And because of this some shall fall away… 1Ti 4:1 But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons.”
PATRICIA KING WHEN LEADERS FALL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIMed4ratWk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaFX-I8rNeI&NR=1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7EoTa_eB34&feature=related
FROM STACY CAMPBELL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGJbk9nLBCU&feature=related
Todd Bentley's Apostolic and Prophetic Commissioning ¾ Stacey Campbell and Snake shake
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gjl5wKso9eU
BOB JONES, PATRICIA KING AND TODD BENLEY ~ GOING INTO THE THIRD HEAVEN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGCTMEoifqQ&feature=related
Bob Jones & Sharnael Wolverton "Breakthrough Angel" (HEAVILY BACKMASKED) PROTECT YOUR MIND WITH PRAYER
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI6Mt5qsMHg&feature=related
Todd Bentley Encounter with Angels
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSlt0_8HwMk&feature=related
Since these New Age Mystics and their demonic angels claim to be materializing gold, platinum dust and gem stones and Diamonds, why are they still passing around the begging bucket to fleece God’s people? Why do they charge to come to their meetings? Mariam Franklin’s article is an eye-opener.
(Miriam Franklin) [iv] writes and excellent article concerning the New Mystics called Charismatic Gemstones and Gold Glory Dust “Signs and Wonders.” Ms. Franklin exposing the fakery of the gold and gem stones writes: “This comment was made by ‘Lillian Ching’ in the comments section, and I am flagging it up as I know not all people read the comments, and this is most interesting.
“As a custom jeweler, gemologist and “rock hound”, I have 44 years of experience in identifying rocks, minerals, crystals, etc; I was myself geology major at Shoreline College. I have also extensively dredged and panned for gold since 1961. My wife and I operate a custom jewelry business, as well as pastor a non-denominational Full-Gospel Christian church in Lynnwood, Washington. While in Baltimore I was given samples from Ashland, VA to identify. To do so, I employed my knowledge of gold, my geology books, as well as my jeweler’s double microscope. Under microscope this material is clearly gold colored Mylar. Mylar, as we know is a man made plastic. The material shows under the microscope as squares. It is easily recognized as Mylar. I also applied a gold acid test; this also showed this material as not gold, but synthetic man made material. There has been much of this Mylar, and other man made materials being passed off as gold in the Christian arena as a phenomena of God… Natural ground Mica is also passed off as gold, but usually in the retail business. To date, I have had three different individuals bringing me “flakes” of what they thought were gold to identify which were obtained in Christian services. One sample was from a church in Washington State (mica). Another sample from a Christian Camp in Ashland, Virginia (Mylar) and this third sample which was given to me in Maryland, which came from Ashland. None has been gold. Unfortunately this has not stopped modern day charlatans from passing off this material as “God” and His “glory” to innocent and trusting Christians . . . .”
SORCERIES DOCTRINES AND THE MINISTRY
The Laodicean church thought they were doing well and were spiritual. After all they were rich, so of course God must be blessing them. Besides, their churches were going to mega status by employing bewitching techniques by worldly agents using Mind Control. The wealthy ministers mostly dress well and talk about their possessions to impress people. They focus on outward appearances and worldliness. MEANWHILE, since many Christian leaders have lost their relationship with Jesus Christ, they are now dependent upon such as dangerous psychiatric SRRI drugs such as Zoloff, Paxell, . These drugs seem to cut people minds away from God. But these people did not know their inward condition; they were blind and could not see. So the Lord asked if they would buy from Him gold refined in the fire (by their suffering) white garments (robes of salvation) and eye salve so they could see their condition. Today many see their success and prosperity as God’s blessing.
The Laodicean Church was lukewarm. The Lord wanted them either cold or hot. Hot water was used for healing; cold was used for refreshment. Instead, they could not make up their mind, they were standing for nothing, and were good for nothing. They lived in both worlds. Spiritually they could have been either all for God or not at all, but they were in between. If they were hot, they would have been approved. If they were cold, God could have changed them, but they were in the middle and He was unable do anything. This is the worst place to be, to be part of a church, doing church things, thinking you are a Christian when in fact you are not. The Laodiceans had just enough religiosity to get by and think they were fine. They were naked also. In the time of Christ all soldiers would sleep in their clothes, they would not take them off so they would be ready for battle. We are to be clothed in white garments, the righteousness of Christ. Jesus was saying they did not have his righteousness they were naked. Yet even this church is not hopeless; Christ can come into the individual if He is allowed, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent “(v.19). This is the only Church that He is outside of and offers to come to the individual in the Church and not the collective Church, because the whole Church is removed from the truth of functioning in the word of God. This does not mean they abandon Gods word or name but only use portions of it that suit them, or change its meaning. The Church today is also sitting in this same fallen condition.
Many have left the foundations of the Gospel, Jesus being Savior and very God in the Flesh. Jn. 1:1-5, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” KJV Many are seeking things and emotional experiences and feelings in the flesh instead of wisdom and knowledge of the Word of God and Jesus. Seductions are great and worldwide. Many have lost their first love. Christians use to get excited about Jesus Christ but now they cheer when greedy preachers pick their pockets as men and women of God. We must return to the basics of the Word of God if we intend to make it into the kingdom of God.
Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. Job 42:12
And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Matthew 5:1-6
We have many in Christendom who spiritualize the promises of God that they become useless and of no avail including “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)! The comfort of God is not just something spiritual but has physical aspects attached to it just like Job could testify when LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning by restoring to him double all his real losses!
To say they there are not real physical benefits in serving and being faithful to God is to deny they truth of the word of God that the Lord is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Many anointed ones in the bible including Abraham, David, Solomon, Moses, Joshua, Hezekiah, Jehoshaphat and Joseph can testify how God blessed them in wealth and richest! God’s word is true:
'I have given you a land for which you did not labor, and cities which you did not build, and you dwell in them; you eat of the vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.' Joshua 24:13
Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever. Psalm 112:1-3
The speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: "Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, "behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. "And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. 1 Kings 3:10-13
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:31-32
God has clearly stated “The generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches will be in his house!” The blessings of God include wealth and riches for the upright! To deny this truth is to deny the word of God and to add or remove things from it which is a very foolish thing to do!
Mind you there are those so called Christians who claim and confess God’s word in Proverbs 13:22 “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.” And since the bible doesn’t state how they wealth is acquired they steal it from the elderly and God’s people by means of a ponzi scheme or through “love offerings” that are freely given by God’s people.”
The Lakeland Ledger reported on June 16, 2006 Daniel Strader To Stay In Prison - Son of religious leader is serving a 45-year sentence for stealing $3 million from investors[v] By Jason Geary:
BARTOW -- A bid for clemency by Daniel Strader, a former insurance agent and son of a prominent Lakeland religious leader who is in prison for stealing more than $3 million from investors, has been denied. Strader, 48, has been searching for mercy since his 1995 conviction on 238 criminal charges.
He is serving a 45-year prison sentence with a scheduled release date in 2033.
In December, Karl Strader, the founder of the Carpenter's Home Church in Lakeland and father of Daniel Strader, and other supporters made their plea to aides to the state Clemency Board. They suggested Daniel Strader should be released from prison to begin repaying his victims.
But the State Attorney's Office in Bartow received a letter Tuesday from the Office of Executive Clemency in Tallahassee with news that Strader's request to waive the clemency rules to allow his case to proceed had been denied.
The Florida State prosecutors proved their case and convinced the jurors that Dan Strader devised an elaborate scheme to attract cash in real-estate and mortgage investments. He was selling the securities without a license and that the securities were unregistered. This was done in an organized method amounting to Racketeer-Influence and Corrupt Organizations, or RICO Act.
As a result Daniel Strader, 37, was sentenced to 45 years in prison in August 1995. He was convicted of 238 felony counts for bilking 57 mostly elderly investors, some members of the church, out of $2.3 million by selling investments in properties that didn't exist or already had liens against them.
Crime didn’t pay for Dan or Karl Strader who had to sell his beloved Carpenter’s Home Church to another scoundrel Pastor Randy White. Speaking of Randy White the St. Petersburg Times reported on July 11, 2009 Without Walls gets new pastor [vi] By Sherri Day:
TAMPA — One week after her ex-husband resigned as senior pastor of Without Walls International Church, Paula White plans to take the pulpit Sunday as the church's new leader, the Whites said in separate interviews late Friday.
...Word of Paula White's new post seeped out Sunday when Randy White preached his last sermon as senior pastor at the church and resigned. White, 51, said he was stepping aside because of health concerns. He declined to elaborate on his condition, although he said he had been ill and in and out of the hospital for much of the last seven months.
"I have some serious health issues right now," White said in an interview Friday. "I've had six different doctors say that I had to take the stress, the pressure out of my life. So I've resigned, and Paula's taking over."
Although she had made periodic visits, Paula White, 43, has been away from full-time pastoring at Without Walls for more than two years. She left Tampa following a 2007 divorce from her husband. Since then, she said, she has ministered mostly in New York, Texas and abroad.
…Once a powerhouse couple in charismatic Christian circles, the Whites started the ministry that would become Without Walls in a South Tampa storefront. Its present sanctuary seats 4,000, Randy White said. The ministry was hit hard in recent years by the couple's divorce, the death of White's daughter from brain cancer and the hint of scandals, including a federal inquiry into the church's finances by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa.
But crime does pay for David Cerullo C.E.O of Inspiration Network and the son of Morris Cerrullo, a prominent TV and healing Evangelist from San Diego California. The Charlotte Observer reported on June 29, 2009 CEO of ministry building $4 million lakefront home Inspiration Networks' Cerullo is constructing one of the priciest houses in western S.C[vii] By Ames Alexander:
At a time when Inspiration Networks has been cutting jobs, freezing wages and even adjusting the office thermostat to save money, the chief executive of the Charlotte-area broadcaster has invested about $4million in a lakefront home under construction in South Carolina.
CEO David Cerullo's new house includes more than 9,000 heated square feet, along with a 2,000-square-foot screened porch, records show. It sits on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains west of Greenville in a gated community that overlooks Lake Keowee.
And it's shaping up to be one of the priciest houses in western South Carolina. On Realtor.com, just two homes in the greater Greenville area are on the market for more than $4 million.
Cerullo's fast-growing religious network, meanwhile, is drawing scrutiny for the money it collects from donors and the incentives it won from the state of South Carolina to move from Charlotte.
The broadcaster has raised tens of millions, largely by telling viewers that God brings financial favor to those who donate.
As the nonprofit network has grown – with revenues expected to approach $100 million this year – so has Cerullo's salary.
With compensation exceeding $1.5 million a year, Cerullo is the best-paid leader of any religious charity tracked by watchdog groups, the Observer reported last month.
… In 2006, Cerullo and his wife, Barbara, paid $950,000 for the one-acre lot along Lake Keowee, real estate records show. Two years later, they took out a $3.15 million construction loan for the custom-built house.
The couple now lives in a 12,000-square foot home in south Charlotte valued at $1.7 million.
And the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported on July 2, 2009 100 Huntley Street hosts suspended during Ponzi scheme probe[viii] by CBC News:
David Mainse … remains on 100 Huntley Street, but his sons have been asked to leave the evangelical television program. (Canadian Press)
Ron and Reynold Mainse have been relieved of their duties as hosts of Christian program 100 Huntley Street after allegedly becoming involved in a $14.1-million Ponzi scheme.
Crossroads Christian Communications, the Canadian ministry behind 100 Huntley Street, has issued a statement saying ministry funds were not used in the scheme and that the brothers had made a private investment.
Crossroads founder David Mainse remains on the show, but his two sons were suspended in early June after it was learned their investments were being investigated by the U.S. Security Exchange Commission.
They had invested money with Gordon Driver, a neighbour of Ron Mainse in Freelton, Ont., whose company is called Axcess Automation.
The SEC alleges Driver was running a Ponzi scheme that drew $14.1 million US from more than 100 Canadian and U.S. investors.
Driver was promising weekly returns on investment as high as five per cent, based on special software he said he developed to trade futures.
The Ontario Securities Commission has ordered Driver and Axcess Automation to cease all trading and the SEC is seeking to seize its assets.
According to SEC court filings, Driver testified that he had worked for 100 Huntley Street as a teenager.
In a May 14 filing in California, the SEC accuses Ron and Reynold Mainse, who were hosts on 100 Huntley Street, of helping Driver recruit new investors.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. Psalm 19:9
Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Who is the man who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken. Psalm 34:11-20
The fear of the Lord causes us to keep our tongue from evil and our lips from speaking deceit. He causes us to depart from evil and to do God. The fear of the Lord brings about the truth that the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The fear of the Lord is not a negative emotion that comes upon us but a relationship with almighty God and walking in His divine protection and provision and prosperity. The bible tells us of the many benefits that come from walking in the fear of the LORD:
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever. Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD prolongs days, But the years of the wicked will be shortened. Proverbs 10:27
In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death. Proverbs 14:26-27
Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, Than great treasure with trouble. Proverbs 15:16
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility. Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the LORD leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil. Proverbs 19:23
By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4
Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day; For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:17-18
Yes, there is prosperity, peace, refuge, rest, reward, riches, life, wholeness, edification, joy, honor, prolonged says, wisdom, knowledge and health in walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. The bible tells us that there are great financial blessings as a result of the fear of the LORD:
And Asa cried out to the LORD his God, and said, "LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!" So the LORD struck the Ethiopians before Asa and Judah, and the Ethiopians fled. And Asa and the people who were with him pursued them to Gerar. So the Ethiopians were overthrown, and they could not recover, for they were broken before the LORD and His army. And they carried away very much spoil. Then they defeated all the cities around Gerar, for the fear of the LORD came upon them; and they plundered all the cities, for there was exceedingly much spoil in them. They also attacked the livestock enclosures, and carried off sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 14:11-15
And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat. Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats. So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful, and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah. He had much property in the cities of Judah; and the men of war, mighty men of valor, were in Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 17:10-13
The bible also tells us that if we walk in the fear of the LORD we will have the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding; the beginning of knowledge; strong confidence and a place of refuge; a fountain of life; humility and honor; life; riches; protection; provision. God’s word is unchanging:
For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path. When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul, Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things, From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice in doing evil, And delight in the perversity of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, And who are devious in their paths; Proverbs 2:6-16
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her. The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens; By His knowledge the depths were broken up, And clouds drop down the dew. My son, let them not depart from your eyes- Keep sound wisdom and discretion; So they will be life to your soul And grace to your neck. Then you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble. Proverbs 3:13-23
Yes, everything that we need is found in Jesus Christ and our Helper, the Holy Spirit,” the other Helper,” who has become to us all that Jesus Christ was to His Disciples. God’s word is unchanging:
"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever- "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: "of sin, because they do not believe in Me; "of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; "of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. "He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. "All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. John 16:7-15
Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Matthew 4:24
"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
When Joseph was sold as a slave to the Egyptians, he didn't have a dime to his name. He didn't even have his freedom. He'd been sold as a slave. But, right in the middle of his slavery, God gave Joseph such wisdom and ability that he made his owner prosper. As a result, the man put Joseph in charge of all his possessions. Later, Joseph was put in prison. There's really not much opportunity for advancement in prison, is there? But God gave him insight that no other man in Egypt had. That insight landed him a position on Pharaoh's staff. Not as a slave but as the most honored man in the entire country next to Pharaoh himself. He rode along in a chariot and people literally bowed down before him. During a worldwide famine, Joseph was in charge of all the food. Now that's success and prosperity? God was with Jesus "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. And since God hasn’t changed He can and will do the same for all those who trust in and look to Him. But the how God will do it is His business not man’s!
Jesus Christ the express image of God was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and with power, went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him ( Acts 10:38). Just like God, Jesus was a giver not a taker! A true parent gets His joy out of giving his children what they need. Similarly God gets His joy out of giving His children what they need. Jesus Christ who is the expressed image of God loved to call His disciples ‘children. The bible records for our profit and instruction:
And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! Mark 10:24
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: John 1:12
Then He said: "A certain man had two sons. "And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood. "And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. "But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. "Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. "And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.
"But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 'I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, "and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants." ' "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. "And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
"But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 'And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 'for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry. Luke 15:11-24
Jesus used the story of the prodigal son to tell us how we as God’s children had left our Heavenly Father and went into the world to live defeated desolate lives. But when we returned back to our Heavenly Father He had restored all things to us including the best Robe and a Ring on our hand and Sandals on our feet. We have now become heirs of Salvation and as a result all that belongs to the Father now belongs to us: As a matter of fact we live in the finest hour of the Church of when the Father God is restoring all things to His people including the best Robe that their Father gives them when they come back to Him which is the Mantle of Anointing of His Holy Spirit. It’s similar to the Mantle that our Father-God gave to a great man of God, Elijah, who worked miracles with it, doing great things, especially bringing down the Fire of God from Heaven. So that everybody would know who the Lord of Lord was and is. It’s a similar anointing that Jesus received from the Father when John the Baptist baptized him in the river Jordan. While He prayed, the heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven, which said
"You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased." Now Jesus Himself began His ministry. (Luke 3:21-22)
Then the Word of God tell us that Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where he was for forty days tempted by the devil, proved by God, eating nothing. After the devil had ended every temptation, and departed for a while, Jesus returned in the power of the Holy Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went throughout the entire surrounding region. Then Jesus came to Nazareth where He had been brought up and as was His custom, went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read and found the place where it was written:
The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; (Luke 4:18)
Well, this is the same Robe or mantle of anointing that our heavenly Father wants to give us, so that we can do the works of God, in the power of the Holy Spirit and in dependence on Him. So that we can heal the broken hearted, proclaim liberty to the captives and set free those who are oppressed, just like Jesus did when He as God in human flesh walked on earth two thousand years ago. For Jesus words are true:
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father?" (John 14:12)
The Robe the father gave the prodigal son can be compared to the "coat of many colors" that Israel gave to his son Joseph, the same Coat their Heavenly Father presently gives us. God's word records:
"Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors." (Genesis 37:3)
The Robe signifies a Mantle of the Holy Spirit's 'Anointing' on them. The different colors on the coat signify the different aspects and attributes of the 'Anointing;' such as salvation, healing, blessings, prosperity, provision, position, power, responsibility, authority, sonship, kingship, royalty, good things, deliverance, miracles, wealth and riches. We have an example of this recorded in the book of Kings of two great men of God, Elijah and Elisha, and what they accomplished with their Mantle. Elijah gathered on Mount Carmel the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who ate at Jezebel's table and all of the children of Israel. He told them what God would say to many of us today:
If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people answered him not a word. Then Elijah said to the people, "I alone am left a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 1 King 18:21-22
Elijah called upon God at the offering of the evening sacrifice to confirm that he did things at God's command that they people might know He is the LORD God who has turned their hearts back to Him. God’s word records:
Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!" (1 Kings 18:19-39)
Elijah obtained a great victory that day and ordered the false prophets to be destroyed. Thereafter he Elisha who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, Elijah passed by him and threw his Mantle on him. and Elisha became a man of God just like Elijah. Elijah also used his mantle to struck the water; so that two of them could cross over on dry ground. Later Chariots of fire took Elijah home but Elisha took up the Mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. The Word of God records
Then he took the Mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, "Where is the LORD God of Elijah?" And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over. (2 Kings 2:13-14)
Similarly all of God's children can accomplish today with their mantle of the Holy Spirit, before the Lord returns great , wonderful and miraculous things. They, as born-again Spirit filled Christians, are not to underestimate the mantle of the Holy Spirit that our Creator God has given to them in response to their faith and persistence. Real men of God like Elijah and Elisha appreciated it and used it in their daily lives. Hence, God's people should do the same in their lives, especially using the Gifts of the Holy Spirit such as; the word of wisdom and knowledge, the gift of faith and healings, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues and interpretation of tongues. God's word records:
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free-and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. (I Corinthians 12:11-13)
Who is to say but God alone, what Gifts their Father-God will give them and has become available to them, once they have received the mantle or anointing of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, when they begin to drink of the Holy Spirit? For God's word is true:
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39
God's people need to have rivers of living water flowing out of them so that God’s people can water the dry and thirsty land around them. So that God's word will be true:
Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, And the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, And the fruitful field is counted as a forest. Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, And righteousness remain in the fruitful field. The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places, Isaiah 32:15-18
The prodigal son received a new ring from His father signifying His right to use everything that belong to the Father. Similarly now, our Father-God places on our finger a new signet ring, His own signet ring, which gives us the power and authority to change things in our lives, other people’s, and entire nations, that cannot be reversed by anyone or anything through the use of His name. For Jesus said to you and I:
"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; Mark 16:17
"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:13-14
"Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24
In the name of Jesus there is life, healing, blessing, prosperity, miracles, good things and change and all we have to do is to use it. By it we can command and decree good things into existence, in Jesus’ Name, under the inspiration and direction of the Holy Spirit. For everything is possible to Him that believes and uses and trust that name.
Well Jesus’ seventy disciples returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. "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.
"Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:18-20
It’s not only the things that we do in Jesus name that counts but how we walk with Him who is our friend, Lord, savior, healer, refuge, provider and our Father God. God’s presence and power in this generation in America have not been demonstrated and shown to others. As a result we now have generation X who knows nothing about God and His miracle working power and works. But our Father-God is calling His Entire Remnant, on whom the Spirit of God is stirring, to put on their signet ring and rise up and do a work in this generation.
In that day,' says the LORD of hosts, 'I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel,' says the LORD, 'and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,' says the LORD of hosts." (Haggai 2:23)
By faith with the King’s signet ring on our finger, we can speak, act, decree and change things on behalf of God himself, and in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, just as the Lord Himself said to the prophet Jeremiah:
“See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant." (Jeremiah 1:10)
God wants us, in the power of the Holy Spirit and with His Word and the authority that is given because of our signet ring, to change things in our lives and those around us. He literally wants to give us His four R’s: Rest, Refuge, Redemption, and Renown as He has already given us His 4 P’s: His Presence, Promises, Person and Power. For as a good God, who is with and for us today, He wants to use His power for our good and has given us exceeding great and precious promises, that through these we may be partakers of the divine nature. Because all the promises of God in Him are ‘Yes,’ and in Him ‘Amen,’ to the glory of God through us. Since we have these promises we should cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God and serve with our total abilities and all of our heart and not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
We have all, in Christ Jesus, obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as Jesus was also a Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises through faith we can subdue kingdoms, work righteousness, obtain promises and even stop the mouths of lions and others. God wants to take the signet ring of power and authority from the others, including Principalities and powers, and return it to us, just as in the days of old with Mordecai:
So the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai; and Esther appointed Mordecai over the house of Haman. (Esther 8:2)
The prodigal son also received new sandals from his father. Similarly our Heavenly Father now places new sandals on our feet, which are the shoes of the gospel of peace to proclaim the good news of the Gospel to others. So that they can be healed, set free, redeemed, blessed, delivered, no longer oppressed and can have real power and authority over the enemy. With the new sandals on our feet, we can go forth proclaiming and demonstrating in the power of the Holy Spirit, the power and wisdom of our God.
Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:1-4
God gave us precious faith not to be admired or to be shown on Sunday but rather to be used every day to see needs met and things changed even in the storms of life. When a shipwright builds a vessel, does he build it to keep it in stock? No, he builds it for the sea and the storm. When he was making it, he thought of tempests and hurricanes; if he did not, he was a poor shipbuilder. When God made a believer, He meant to try him; and when He gave him exceedingly great and precious promises, and told him to trust them, He gave such promises as are suitable for times of tempest and tossing. His Word of promise is meant to be tried and proved. God’s covenant blessings are not meant to be looked at only, but to be appropriated. Even our Lord Jesus is given to us for our present use when whenever our time of need comes:
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. Hebrews 6:11-15
Joseph the son of Jacob who was betrayed and rejected by his brothers, not only received a coat of many colors from his father, but he also received a signet ring from Pharaoh himself. Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and placed it on Joseph's hand, then he clothed him in fine linen garments and put a gold chain around his neck. Joseph then became second to the Pharaoh to be command things in Egypt.
Similarly we like Joseph, the son of Jacob, can wear our coat of many colors or the anointing mantle of the Holy Spirit and use our signet ring to do great exploits for God. We, as Spirit filled men and women of God, should gladly and daily wear our coat of many colors, appreciating and treasuring the many different colors of this coat.
We should invite the Holy Spirit, not only to have full and total control of our hearts and lives, but to move unhindered, unrestricted and unlimited in us. We should wear daily, the signet ring that our Heavenly Father has given us with pride and use its authority often to destroy all the works of the devil around us.
Unfortunately, in Joseph’s life we see his brothers have stripped him of his coat due to their extreme jealousy. We should be wise enough definitely not to let others or the devil steal our coat or dampen its colors, or take away the authority that comes with our signet ring, given to us by our Father-God.
We should not let anybody stop us from doing good works, with signs and wonders and the power available to us, moving every mountain and casting out every demon, especially with the new kingship anointing that our Father-God gave us when we returned to Him.
The story of the prodigal son does not end here. There was another older son who worked in the field, who was faithful and true to God, who chose to love and serve Him to the best of his ability. However, this other son, did not take advantage of his possessions, wealth and inheritance as the son of the King.
When he came near the house and heard music and dancing, he was told by one of the servants that his brother had come back home, safe and sound and his father had received him back, killed one of the best calves and had a party to celebrate his return.
But the faithful son was very angry with all of this and wouldn’t join the party even though his father came out and pleaded with him. “ He said to his Father:
Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. ’But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ (Luke 15:29-30)
We see again in this parable, the goodness of our Father-God. How He came out and pleaded with his son who had remained faithful and true. However, the son is very upset and angry that he didn’t get a new robe, a ring nor have a young goat.
Likewise, there are many faithful Christians in the House of God in America who will seem to be left out in this latter rain and outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They have missed the benefits God has for them attached to their inheritance as His servants.
Well, our Heavenly Father said some very important words to His People in this passage, that are resounding throughout Heaven and only now are becoming real to many of His Children in the body of Jesus Christ because they have not totally understood all encompassed in their inheritance.
“And he said to him, ’Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours, (Luke 15:31)
Any earthly son or daughter knows that what belongs to his earthly father also belongs to him and he can use and enjoy it. So why are we not claiming and using All that is ours and belongs to our Heavenly Father here on earth today?
We should examine the word ‘All’ and its application to our life and circumstances because we need the Holy Spirit to make this truth real to us and show us how it practically applies to our daily lives.
'It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.' (Luke 15:32)
This is also important to us and shows us the love and concern of our heavenly Father for any one of His sheep that has been lost and now is found.
So today, in the new millennium and a new move of God’s Holy Spirit, when others are being blessed with great anointing, ministries, wealth and riches, we can by faith go to our Father and lay claim to those same anointing, ministries, wealth and riches. We also, by faith with patience, and by meeting the conditions set out in God’s Word, can inherit and possess these promises and gifting in our lives, making a real difference in the world around us.
You ask, how is this possible? It’s possible because “the just shall live by Faith.” Everything that we are, that we shall become and that we receive is by Faith, and always in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Didn’t our Lord say?
“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” ( John 16:23)
We really need the wonderful Holy Spirit, who is our friend, comforter and guide to show us all that the phrase “that day” means. This phrase “that day” appears so many times in the Bible, it is in reality made by the Holy Spirit to mean “this day.” As God’s word is true:
You will arise and have mercy on Zion; for the time to favor her, yes, the set time, has come. (Psalms 102:13)
Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the LORD your God, also the earth with all that is in it. (Deuteronomy 10:14)
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)
When we as Christians, turn back to our Father-God, we enter into the “Kingdom of the Son” and become “partakers of the inheritance of the saints.“ (Colossians 1:12,13)
However the body of Jesus Christ in America has missed an important condition for being blessed because many of us have done our part. Yes, we have asked, believed and fasted, but we didn’t do the right kind of fast. We did not ensure that strangers, fatherless and widows were provided for and protected. Even though God’s word states:
'Thus says the LORD: "Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.
"For if you indeed do this thing, then shall enter the gates of this house, riding on horses and in chariots, accompanied by servants and people, kings who sit on the throne of David.
"But if you will not hear these words, I swear by Myself," says the LORD, "that this house shall become a desolation." ' " Jeremiah 22:3-5
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. ' " James 22:3-5
In other words, we have show partiality to the mighty and have not been “fruitful in every good work” especially, social works and correcting injustice. Many of us, even are pastors and church leaders, have been playing church and haven’t been doing the real fasting spoken of in Isaiah 58:
"Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' "If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
Those from among you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, the Restorer of Streets to Dwell. (Isaiah 58:6-12)
While we all want the blessings of God on our nation, lives and churches yet we have not fulfilled the conditions. For God is always concerned about the poor, lonely, broken hearted and outcast, and wants to move with compassion through us so that they can be ministered to and delivered from their evil and painful circumstances.
Our Father’s gifting, riches, power in the Robe, Ring and Sandals are not given so that we can spend them on ourselves. But so that we can spend them on a lost and hurting humanity, thereby propagating and demonstrating the Good News of the Gospel in deeds and actions and not just words. When we as Christians, realize what kind of real social works and concern please the Lord and deal with the injustices in our lives and in those around us, getting involved even when it hurts or costs us something, God will open the windows of heaven and do great things in and through our lives, that we never imagined possible. Then, the following promises will become true in our lives:
“And the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.” (Deuteronomy 14:29)
“The LORD your God will make you abound in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your land for good. For the LORD will again rejoice over you for good as He rejoiced over your fathers.” (Deuteronomy 30:9)
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him with long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.” (Psalms 91:14-16)
The Word of God is a covenant or contract between God and us. We are now heirs to all the promises that the Lord made. All the promises in the New and Old Testaments are ours, to claim and stand on. In the covenant with Abraham God promised He would make us great and give us many personal blessings as long as we would obey Him totally. While this truth does not apply to everyone on the earth, it does apply to all those who are of Abraham’s seed and true children of faith. God fulfilled and keep His Word to Abraham and He will do the same for us because the Word of God records:
"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. (Genesis 24:35)
Similarly, God who saw and knew that Joseph’s brothers, because of envy, sold Him into Egypt. Yet, God was with him and delivered him out of all his troubles, gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, and then He made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Daniel, Solomon, David, Hannah and many others were blessed by God in many ways and Jesus Himself also, said to us:
"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:29)
Charles H. Gabriel
Go to the deeps of God’s promise;
Ask freely of Him, and receive;
All good may be had for the asking,
If, seeking, you truly believe.
Go to the deeps of God’s promise;
And know of His wonderful might;
Whatever would be a true blessing,
For Jesus’ sake, comes as thy right.
Go to the deeps of God’s promise;
The blessing is never denied;
He loves, and remembers His children,
And every good thing is supplied.
Go to the deeps of God’s promise;
And claim whatsoever ye will;
The blessing of God will not fail thee,
His Word He will surely fulfill
Go to the deeps of God’s promise;
There’s wideness of meaning untold
In the promises given His people,
And the treasures they ever unfold.
The fear of the wicked will come upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be granted. When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation. As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy man to those who send him. The fear of the LORD prolongs days, But the years of the wicked will be shortened. The hope of the righteous will be gladness, But the expectation of the wicked will perish. The way of the LORD is strength for the upright, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. The righteous will never be removed, But the wicked will not inhabit the earth. The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, But the perverse tongue will be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse. Proverbs 10:24-32
Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Proverbs 30:5
The bible, the word of God, has much to say about the Righteous and the Wicked and what they can expect even in the current time of life including The way of the LORD is strength for the upright, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. Men including preachers can say and think all kinds of things but if it doesn’t line up with the word of God it’s useless and nothing but dead words!
Now the gospel of Jesus Christ changed who and how men can come to God but it didn’t and doesn’t change the consequences for the evil and wicked deeds of the wicked, workers of iniquity and the perverse and corrupt ones! Yes there are real consequences including The fear of the LORD prolongs days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened! Repentance was the key message that John the Baptist preached as well as many prophets before him, and even Jesus Christ. The bible tells us:
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:14-15
Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. "And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!" So they went out and preached that people should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them. Mark 6:10-13
Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, "and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. "And you are witnesses of these things. "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." Luke 24:46-49
Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. "But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. "And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. "But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you." Matthew 11:19-24
The mighty works of Jesus were for the purpose that men including cities would repent and believe in the gospel which changes a person from being wicked to being righteous! Nothing has change and men need to repent today and get a new heart and a new spirit through the new birth. Repentance and remission of sins is to be preached in Jesus name to all nations until Jesus return. Repentance and conversion cannot be rejected otherwise there will be no blessings of the gospel of the Kingdom. The bible clearly tells all:
"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. "Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. "I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. "And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations. Ezekiel 36:25-30
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:37-39
"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, "and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, "whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. Acts 3:19-21
"Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, "because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." Acts 17:30-31
Yes, even this day God now commands all men everywhere to repent. Repentance is not an option but a command otherwise there will be serious negative consequence on Judgment day! Yes for each person there must repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes there must be the new birth, the Baptism of the Spirit and the doing of works befitting repentance (Acts 26:20). Men are not to despise the riches of God’s goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, who leads them to repentance. Otherwise their hardness and their impenitent heart will bring them wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who "will render to each one according to his deeds": eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness-indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God (Acts 2:4-11).
Yes there is a real hell to shun, a real heaven to gain and a repentance to be made even on a daily basis for God’s word is unchanging:
Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:9-10
For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced. 2 Corinthians 12:20-21
"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place-unless you repent. Revelations 2:5
Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; "nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:20-21
For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. 1 Corinthians 4:20
Many people have been deceived by Christians who have claimed they were part of the kingdom but only have words of the kingdom and not the power of the kingdom. They were deceived by those who have not come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ filled with all the fullness of God. They were deceived by those who couldn’t do what Jesus did even though God’s word states:
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Matthew 4:23
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. John 14:12
Those who cannot do the greater works than Jesus did are not true ministers of the gospel but false ones. True ministers of the gospel minister in the power of the Spirit to the lost and hurting ones and make a real difference in the lives. They minister love, healing, joy, wisdom, strength, edification and power just like Jesus did. They minister the gifts of the Spirit and other gifts as true apostles and prophets of God. They freely give what they have freely received from God. God’s word is true:
Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles. Acts 15:12
Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.
Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches." Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Acts 19:11-16
False ones cannot cast out demons or heal the sick. The signs and wonders that follow them are dead words that don’t give life to any one! But God’s word is unchanging:
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 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. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Yes, just like Apostle Paul talked about in Acts 13:6-12, there are those who are full of all deceit and all fraud, sons of the devil, enemies of all righteousness, who will not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord denying the moving of the Holy Ghost, and the existence of Apostles and prophets and gifts of the Spirit. They are in the way of many seeking to turn people from the faith. They have a form of godliness even though they call themselves Christians or fundamentalists. But God’s word is unchanging:
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
Such false ones, deceitful workers, who are devoid of miracles, signs and wonders, convince many that they are saved because the followed some ‘biblical formula’ such as professing Christ but ignoring the baptism of the Spirit that John, Jesus and Paul preached and talked about. God’s word is unchanging:
"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Matthew 3:11
So He said to them, "You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father." Matthew 20:23
And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; "for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." Acts 1:4-5
Yes, John the Baptist baptized with water but Jesus baptized with the Holy Ghost. Yes, on the day of Pentecost Jesus fulfilled his promise for His disciples and they were baptized not in water but with the Holy Spirit and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. As a matter of fact according to Apostle Peter the sign of speaking in tongues was the basis for water baptism for the gentiles. The bible records:
"And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins."
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" Acts 10:42-47
Now the false ones, the sons of hell, have said that on the day of Pentecost those gathered in the upper room spoke in tongues to witness to the people? But that statement is a lie from the pits of hell because those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also and there was no reason for it! Just like when Paul laid hands on twelve men and they also spoke in tongues and prophesied:
And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism."
Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus."
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all. Acts 19:1-7
Yes, John, the Baptist, baptized with water with a baptism of repentance but Jesus Christ, the Baptizer in the Holy Ghost, baptizes people with the Holy Ghost and power so that they might receive power and be witnesses to His miracles, signs and wonders. The truth of the matter is that speaking in tongues and prophesying were the signs of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that prophet Joel and Apostle Peter had talked about:
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. "For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. "But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.' Acts 2:14-21
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah God shall send forth His mercy and His truth. Psalm 57:1-3
One of the criticisms leveled against “Word of Faith” crowd is “If we can produce whatever our hearts desire by simply demanding what we want by faith, if we can manipulate the universe and perhaps even God, then we have our own personal genie just waiting to fulfill our wishes. Frederick K.C. Price wastes no words when he writes:
"Now this is a shocker! But God has to be given permission to work in this earth realm on behalf of man. … Yes! You are in control! So if man has control, who no longer has it? God. ... When God gave Adam dominion, that meant God no longer had dominion. So, God cannot do anything on this earth unless we let Him or give Him permission through prayer" (Prayer: Do You Know What Prayer Is. ... and How to Pray? The Word Study Bible, p. 1178).
But we do have the psalmist David appearing to manipulate God and having his own personal genie just waiting to fulfill his wishes when he states “I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. “ And Jesus clearly told believers:
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7
So how can “Word of Faith” critics restrict or complain about what God will or will not do for a believer? They cannot! However the Word of God is also very clear about the value of mountain moving faith without love:
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 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. 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. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.1 Corinthians 3:12-17
According to scriptures doing anything without having love profits us nothing. And anything means just about anything! According to scriptures every one’s work will be tested by fire to see if its gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. And if anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. So even legitimate things and works such as mountain moving faith can be burnt up for being devoid of love?
Yet all of this doesn’t change the fact that God has a covenant with His true trusting ones to be a God unto them, an enemy to their enemies and an adversary to their adversaries (Exodus 23:32). Critics of Word of faith don’t like the concept of “"The first step to spiritual maturity is to realize your position before God. You are a child of God and a joint-heir with Jesus. Consequently, you are entitled to all the rights and privileges in the kingdom of God, and one of their rights is health and healing". But scripture doesn’t tell us that Jesus or any of the Apostles as the “son of God” were sick or remained sick? On the contrary Apostle Peter, James and John clearly tell us:
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. James 5:14-15
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 1:2-4
So the scripture truth is that God wants us to prosper in all things and be in health, just as our soul prospers and has made provision for healing through the prayer of faith! It’s biblical and it’s in the bible no matter what Word of Faith critics say or think about it! Yes God’s word is unchanging about fleshly people even so called Christians being undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, and unmerciful:
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:28-32
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. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 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. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:12-16
But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:14
Yes the word of God tells us that the natural man, the carnal 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. But the spiritual man is taught by God by the Holy Spirit and speaks not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches! Babes cannot handle the solid food of the word of God because solid food belongs to those who are of full age.
Because babes have not come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, they are children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, and don’t speak the truth in love, as they have not grown up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ. And God’s word is unchanging:
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." ' Revelations 2:7
"He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. Revelations 3:5
"He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. Revelations 3:12
"To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. Revelations 3:21
"He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. Revelations 21:7
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7
Before a boxer can become a winner, he must spend hours of physical training and endurance as well a fighting and winning many fights along the way. Similarly before a pilot flies a Jumbo Jet he must also spend many hours of learning and practice and starting of with a very small plane! Even David the Shepherd boy, didn’t just kill mighty Goliath overnight, he had years of preparation. He told king Saul:
"Your servant used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. "Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God." Moreover David said, "The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you!" 1 Samuel 17:34-37
We live in an "instant" society where everything is quick and easy. And many have let that instant mentality be part of their Christian life. They want blessings, victory, healing, deliverance, miracles and good things instantly without faith, patience and endurance even though God’s word states:
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. Hebrews 6:11-15
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. Hebrews 11:17-19
Abraham waited for more than 25 years for his promised son! And even then God’s asked him to sacrifice his son on an alter which Abraham willing obliged. Most things of God including salvation, healing, blessings, deliverance, prosperity and miracle don’t happen overnight! There must be patience and endurance, sowing and reaping, things done in love and fighting the good fight of faith even though God’s word is unchanging:
"The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing." Psalm 34:10
Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. Hebrews 4:1-3
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:2-4
Everything we could ever need, every problem we could ever face has been covered by the blood of Jesus and God’s exceeding great and precious promises have supplied it all. But we must do our part including reading, studying, knowing, confessing and standing on the word of God! The Christian faith is not conjuring up some special prayers or words and instantly in the name of Jesus we have a miracle and the problems are solved and all needs are met! Sometimes there are instant results to instant prayers but they are exceptions rather than the general rule. Jesus clearly told us we must do our part and even with great effort:
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. "Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? "Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:7-12
If our prayers our not being answered then we must not just say it’s not God’s will but look to see why it’s not God’s will. It’s always easier to be defeated than to get victory. It’s very easy to give up when something doesn’t work! It takes no faith or wisdom to walk away from an unsolved problem and declare it’s finished! But we are going to have to search the word of God, pray in the Spirit, fast, seeking God and listen for His instructions if we want to become winners not losers! The bible tells us many reasons why are prayers are not answered:
Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:1-4
Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears. Hebrews 12:12-17
But for those who pay the price victory is always sweet!
"Then it shall come to pass, because you listen to these judgments, and keep and do them, that the LORD your God will keep with you the covenant and the mercy which He swore to your fathers. "And He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your land, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flock, in the land of which He swore to your fathers to give you. "You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall not be a male or female barren among you or among your livestock. "And the LORD will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known, but will lay them on all those who hate you. "And you shall destroy all the peoples whom the LORD your God delivers over to you; your eye shall have no pity on them; nor shall you serve their gods, for that will be a snare to you. "If you should say in your heart, 'These nations are greater than I; how can I dispossess them?'- "you shall not be afraid of them, but you shall remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt: "the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs and the wonders, the mighty hand and the outstretched arm, by which the LORD your God brought you out. So shall the LORD your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid. "Moreover the LORD your God will send the hornet among them until those who are left, who hide themselves from you, are destroyed. "You shall not be terrified of them; for the LORD your God, the great and awesome God, is among you. Genesis 7:12-21
God is God and there is no other and He is in the blessing business. He has promised to bless those who love Him and serve Him and to make them blessed above all people! And He unlike others doesn’t lie but keeps His word. And the great and awesome God, Who is among them, has no problem dealing with all their enemies be it spiritual, physical, financial or other! He has promised to take away from them all sickness, and not to afflict them with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt, but lay them on all those who hate them. His word is unchanging:
"I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near," Says the LORD, "And I will heal him." Isaiah 57:19
For I will restore health to you And heal you of your wounds,' says the LORD, 'Because they called you an outcast saying: "This is Zion; No one seeks her." ' Jeremiah 30:17
'Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth. Jeremiah 33:6
Yes, God loves us and is no respecter of persons what He has done for one, He will do for another! our gracious God will never withhold any good thing from His righteous ones! God's love is not affected by the spirit of this age. God's love is pure, divine love that is everlasting and true. As we yield to the love of God, we have full assurance that He will take care of us. God's love has many arms - - arms that hold us, arms that chasten us, arms that heal us, and arms that work all things out for our good. God's love never fails. "God's love has all power, and there isn't anything too hard for Him. God’s word is unchanging:
"Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son." Genesis 18:14
'Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You. Jeremiah 32:17
"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? Jeremiah 32:27
"Therefore the LORD God of Israel says: 'I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.' But now the LORD says: 'Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed. 1 Samuel 2:30
Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him. Isaiah 30:18
God loves to save, heal, deliver, bless, prosper and comfort His true trusting children! Yes those who honor God He will honor and those who despise Him shall be lightly esteemed for the eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good (Proverbs 15:3) and the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him (2 Chronicles 16:9). People cannot create and do miracles but God can. And He is not limited in what He cannot do for His trusting ones! All we have to do is to look into the word of God and see what He did for David, Daniel, Mordecai, Job and Joseph. God’s word is true:
"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
"You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. "Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, "who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it." When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 0 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:51-60
But the other side of the coin is there are those religious ones who call themselves Christians and are stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, who always resist the Holy Spirit and are betrayers and murderers just like they killed innocent Stephen, a man full of faith and power who did great wonders and signs among the people, because they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
God is love but He is also a God of Justice and in due season He give justice to His trusting ones (Isaiah 30:18-19, Luke 18:1-7)! Jesus clearly taught the hypocrites shut up the kingdom of God against men and they neither go in themselves nor do they all those who are entering to go in. As a result woe would come to them especially as they travel land and sea to win one proselyte and when he is won, they make him twice as much a son of hell as themselves.
The term “a son of hell” is not a only a non-flattering term but a very condemning and damned one considering that it came from the mouth of God! Mind many religious ones including Christians don’t believe that they will be damned to hell. They conveniently forget that God is a God of justice and He also hates hypocrites. They forget what He did to Sodom and Gomorrah who were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD. The bible records:
Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens. So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. Genesis 19:24-25
"Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and not find them-Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing. Isaiah 41:11-12
Sodom and Gomorrah perished and became a nonexistent thing and this is what God has promised to do to all those who are His enemies. And there are many ways to become an enemy of God including touching His glory or touching His anointed ones. The bible records what God has done to those who became God’s enemies including King Saul, King Ahab, and how they paid for their foolishness with their lives and the loss of their kingdoms.
The New Testament or Covenant of Jesus Christ changed who and how men can approach God but it never changed His character, His love of justice, or His nature. He is a God of Love but He is also a God of wrath! Jesus Christ is a Lamb but He is also a Lion! Men conveniently forget how Jesus wept over Jerusalem because it didn’t know the time of God’s visitation. The bible records:
Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. "For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, "and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation." Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it, saying to them, "It is written, 'My house is a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.' " And He was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him, and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him. Matthew 19:40-48
Men presume things including God’s love, kindness, patience and compassion and never believe that God’s judgments would come upon them and He would use His others ministers, avengers to execute wrath on those who practices evil (Romans 13:4). But Jesus told us in His words that the day of grace for a kingdom, a person or a group of people would not last forever !He also spoke this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 13:7 "Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?' "But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 'And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down' " (Luke 13:7-9).
Yes, in due season kingdoms or people do get cut down. Jesus saw that the days would come the enemies of the Jews, the Romans, would build an embankment around Jerusalem, surround it and close it in on every side, and level it , and the people in it to ground. Of course they didn’t like Jesus telling the truth about them so they murdered Jesus. But they did not escape the condemnation of hell in the judgments of God that followed, as Flavius Josephus in writing about “The Siege of Jerusalem, AD 70” testified:
Throughout the city people were dying of hunger in large numbers, and enduring unspeakable sufferings. In every house the merest hint of food sparked violence, and close relatives fell to blows, snatching from one another the pitiful supports of life. No respect was paid even to the dying; the ruffians [anti-Roman zealots] searched them, in case they were concealing food somewhere in their clothes, or just pretending to be near death. Gaping with hunger, like mad dogs, lawless gangs went staggering and reeling through the streets, battering upon the doors like drunkards, and so bewildered that they broke into the same house two or three times in an hour. Need drove the starving to gnaw at anything. Refuse which even animals would reject was collected and turned into food. In the end they were eating belts and shoes, and the leather stripped off their shields. Tufts of withered grass were devoured, and sold in little bundles for four drachmas. [ix]
There is a real price to be paid for rejecting truth and doing injustice, even in the current time of life, as the people of Jerusalem who murdered Jesus could testify. By 66 AD Life in Jerusalem had become a nightmare, it was so full of violence and misery. Famine and food shortages become an everyday problem.
Then in 70 AD Titus marched against the city with four legions of the Roman army. They laid siege to Jerusalem and using their battering rams they breached the walls of the city. Fleeing citizens of Jerusalem were caught by the Romans and were tortured and crucified. Later the whole city was destroyed and the people of Jerusalem paid the price for ignoring Jesus warning about what would happen to them. These kinds of things do happen even in the current time of life!
TITUS now promised that the Temple should be spared if the defenders would come forth and fight in any other place, but John and the Zealots refused to surrender it. For several days the outer cloisters and outer court were attacked with rams, but the immense and compact stones resisted the blows. As many soldiers were slain in seeking to storm the cloisters, Titus ordered the gates to be set on fire. Through that night and the next day the flames raged through the cloisters. Then, in order to save the Temple itself, he ordered the fire to be quenched. On the tenth of August, the same day of the year on which Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the Temple built by Solomon, the cry was heard that the Temple was on fire. The Jews, with cries of grief and rage, grasped their swords and rushed to take revenge on their enemies or perish in the ruins.
The slaughter was continued while the fire raged. Soon no part was left but a small portion of the outer cloisters, where 6,000 people had taken refuge, led by a false prophet who had there promised that God would deliver His people in His Temple. The soldiers set the building on fire and all perished. Titus next spent eighteen days in preparations for the attack on the upper city, which was then speedily captured. And now the Romans were not disposed to display any mercy, night alone putting an end to the carnage. During the whole of this siege of Jerusalem, 1,100,000 were slain, and the prisoners numbered 97,000. [x]
It’s very foolish and dangerous to one’s physical and spiritual health to become a wicked and lazy servant or to say or do anything that would get God upset. Judgment delayed is not judgment denied but rather God giving men a chance to repent while they still can. Wise men would be well advised to pray what the Psalmist prayed:
Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Psalm 51:9-12
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. Psalm 143:10
For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life. Isaiah 43:3-4
The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Jeremiah 31:3
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
God unlike others didn’t love us in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. He demonstrated His own love towards us by giving us His own begotten son, Jesus Christ! He has loved us with an everlasting love and with lovingkindness, not force, has drawn us to Himself! He has given to us the unsearchable richest of Christ! And most of all Christ and the church, His body, have become one flesh! This is a great mystery that Apostle Paul wrote about and stated:
To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 1 Corinthians 1:2
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:17-23
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:22-33
Yes, God put all things under Jesus’ feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Yes, Christ is the head of the church and the church is subject to Christ in everything. Yes, “Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” It’s through the word of God and the power of the Spirit that Christians become holy, whole and without blemish and not through any kind of works. Mind you good works demonstrate that they are Christians because faith without works is dead.
We sing in many of our churches “to be like Jesus. All I ask is to be like Jesus?” And then we go out and look out only for our own interests and leave out the interest of others. We ignore God’s word that states:
And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"
He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?"
So he answered and said, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.' "
And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live."
But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
"Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. "Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.
"But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. "So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
"On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'
"So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?"
And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10:25-37
It’s possible to know and believe everything about the bible including all its doctrines and not to obey the first and second commandment of God and to go to hell. Fools do it all the time including the devil.
You can believe that God is the Eternal, infinite, unchangeable, perfect in holiness, wisdom, goodness, justice, power and love and still not obey Him? You can believe that from all eternity He exists as the One Living and True God in three persons of one substance, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory and still murder, lie and steal? Why there are even pastors and preachers who do these kinds of things and yet they believe and say the different Christian creeds.
You can believe that God's kingdom is everlasting and that from His throne, through His Son, His eternal Word, God created, upholds and governs all that exists including the heavenly places, the angelic hosts, the universe, the earth, every living thing and mankind and that He created all things very good and still not trust Him to get your needed miracle?
You can believe that Satan, originally a great, good angel, rebelled against God, taking a host of angels with him and He was cast out of God's presence and, as a usurper of God's rule, established a counter-kingdom of darkness and evil on the earth and still be deceived by Him and accept unknowingly doctrine of demons, such as “Once saved, always saved!”
You can believe that God created mankind in His own image, male and female, for relationship with Himself and to govern the earth and that under the temptation of Satan, our original parents fell from grace, bringing sin, sickness and God's judgment of death to the earth and through the fall, Satan and his demonic hosts gained access to God's good creation and live in defeat and failure and not manifest the victories of the cross in your life?
You can believe that Jesus came into the world, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin as fully God and fully man in one person, was anointed as God's Messiah and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to resist temptation, preach the good news of salvation, heal the sick, cast out demons and raise the dead and not do the works that Jesus did?
You can believe what ever you want to believe about the bible, the Old and New Testament and not love your neighbor as yourself? You can graduate from Seminary, call yourself a Christian and reject the “Baptism of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit” and be a blind one leading the blind?
You can be very sincere and religious and still go to hell for not obeying the teachings of Jesus on certain matters as being reconciled to an offended brother or not being a respecter of persons?
The things that people believe are one thing and the things that they say and do, as Christians, are another thing! This dichotomy or contradiction is very common in the lives of many people who call themselves Christians. And yet they think that somehow God will make all things right for them because after all they are sincere and presumptive on His grace and they are His children? But God’s word is unchanging:
Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.
Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 1 Corinthians 10:1-14
God, who knows the hearts of all men, gives His grace to those who really need it, but no one fools Him. Those who continue to lie and deceive themselves and others that they are Christians, even though their actual behavior is against the Word of God, will find themselves in places they never expected to be. Neither Peter nor Judas asked the LORD for forgiveness of their sin of betraying Jesus. But the LORD forgave Peter for betraying Him before men but He never forgave Judas for the same sin. For God’s word is unchanging:
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?"
He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs."
He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep."
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.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish." This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."
Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?"
Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?"
Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me." John 21:15-22
Frank and Ida Mae Hammond, ‘Confronting Familiar Spirits’, http://www.nemontel.net/~word1/confronting_familiar_spirits.htm
[ii] Good For Nothing Christians http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/