When God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden there was no rules stating on how they should live their lives. They were in a perfect relationship with the Father and thus they communed with Him constantly. The Ten Commandments were not necessary because they were loving the Lord their God with all their heart and each other as Jesus spoke about in the New Testament.
When they fell into sin they became separate from God and lost that intimacy with the Lord. They could not find their way back as their spirit man lost the connection to the Lord. But not only was that affected but so was their soul, which is their mind, will and emotions. The Lord had to find a way to get His creation to realize just how far they had fallen. He was able to begin that process by establishing the Law of Moses.
When the Ten Commandments came into play they were able to show mankind just how holy and good God is and how far we were separated from Him. Before that time there was nothing established that could show us just how much we needed Him. The Ten Commandments spoke to our souls and awakened us to that need.
As men like Moses, David and Jeramiah tried to live up to what was laid out by the law they all fell short. No matter how hard they tried God saw that mankind could not live up to the holy standard that He had set for them so He then proceeded to put phase two of His plan into action, the death of the Son of God.
God the Father had to find a man who could pick up the mantle that Adam had lost but every man after Adam was stained by the sin nature Adam had created by his disobedience so He had to find one who did not have that nature to pick up where Adam dropped the ball.
God knew that before Adam fell that He would have to send His Son to take Adam’s place, after all Adam was created in their image and since that image had been marred the only one who could fulfill the legal requirements of being sinless would have to come from the Godhead. Obviously God the Father could not go or the Holy Spirit, so Jesus chose to take the assignment and bring redemption for mankind by hanging on a cross and taking the punishment that man deserved for losing its position as God’s children through its disobedience.
God’s plan has been to bring His children back into right relationship with Him since the Fall of Adam. What He wants us to have is the same relationship with Him as it was in the Garden, where we are walking with Him and have deep intimate conversations with Him. We are seated with Him in heavenly places so let us continue to pursue that which He died to give so that we may one day have the testimony of Enoch, “for he walked with God and he was and was not.” In other words God will rapture us to Himself because He can’t wait to have us in His presence all the time.
Friday, November 23, 2018
Deliverance
Jesus Christ came to set men free from the effects of sin and the symptoms of that include sickness, depression, fear, and ultimately death. When a person gets born from above and accepts Jesus as his Savior one’s spirit is alive unto God but their soul is not. The soul of man contains one’s will, emotions and their mind or how they think. And this is where deliverance needs to come so that the believer may walk into the fullness of who Christ made them to be. The apostle Paul wrote that we need to renew our mind by the washing of the Word of God. Deliverance will come as we align ourselves with God’s Word and the Spirit behind the Word.
I am one who believes that a Christian can be oppressed and held captive by a demon in their thinking or in there body. The spirit of a Christian cannot be held captive because the Holy Spirit lives there but the other parts of a man which includes his body and soul can be troubled by evil spirits. I have seen this personally with people who have been under severe depression and yet were born again. The spirit of depression held them in such bondage that suicide was one of the thoughts that was entertained. God brought a supernatural deliverance during the night and they were free from the powers of hell as the Holy Spirit power surged through them. Per Dr. Lester Sumrall, who was one of my father’s in the faith, there is seven steps to demon possession. These steps are, regression, repression, suppression, depression, oppression, obsession and possession.
As one can see from this list the steps of demon possession starts from a place where a person back slides from where they are in God and as the spirit of heaviness weighs them down they are further submerged into the darkness that the enemy brings. At the first couple of levels a person can get them own self free, but as they slide further down into the deception of the enemy the bondage becomes too great for them to get themselves free and it is at that point they need someone else to free them.
It is at that point those who are ministering deliverance need to be led by the Holy Spirit. It is easy to do things in the power of the fleshly nature and not to be sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is revealing to help bring about the deliverance that the individual needs. In fact one can bring harm instead of help because of this. I have witnessed some of these moments and the wounds that are caused in the emotions of people can help to further strengthen the stronghold, instead of freeing a person.
Prayer is one of the weapons one can use when it comes to bring deliverance and with that comes the authority that a believer has in Christ. When setting captives free don’t mess around with the spirit but command that spirit to lose its hold over the individual by using the authority that Christ has given you. Praying the Spirit is also a most powerful way to tap into the mind of the Holy Spirit and follow His leading as you look to set the captive free. Remember not all deliverance is instantaneous, sometimes deliverance can be a process so don’t be discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Remember you can only set someone free who wants to be free. You can’t violate their will. When deliverance is a process it is because there may be more than one evil spirit involved and one has to get to the foundation of that evil to bring complete freedom. So you may be engaged and free them of some spirits that are a part of the main culprit but until he is found out freedom will not come.
As a believer don’t be afraid to minister in this area. Like anything else it takes time to develop your gifts in this. Continue to surround yourself with men and women of faith who have journeyed down this path to learn how to be more effective. Let the Holy Spirit lead you and as you are obedient you will see captives get free.
I am one who believes that a Christian can be oppressed and held captive by a demon in their thinking or in there body. The spirit of a Christian cannot be held captive because the Holy Spirit lives there but the other parts of a man which includes his body and soul can be troubled by evil spirits. I have seen this personally with people who have been under severe depression and yet were born again. The spirit of depression held them in such bondage that suicide was one of the thoughts that was entertained. God brought a supernatural deliverance during the night and they were free from the powers of hell as the Holy Spirit power surged through them. Per Dr. Lester Sumrall, who was one of my father’s in the faith, there is seven steps to demon possession. These steps are, regression, repression, suppression, depression, oppression, obsession and possession.
As one can see from this list the steps of demon possession starts from a place where a person back slides from where they are in God and as the spirit of heaviness weighs them down they are further submerged into the darkness that the enemy brings. At the first couple of levels a person can get them own self free, but as they slide further down into the deception of the enemy the bondage becomes too great for them to get themselves free and it is at that point they need someone else to free them.
It is at that point those who are ministering deliverance need to be led by the Holy Spirit. It is easy to do things in the power of the fleshly nature and not to be sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is revealing to help bring about the deliverance that the individual needs. In fact one can bring harm instead of help because of this. I have witnessed some of these moments and the wounds that are caused in the emotions of people can help to further strengthen the stronghold, instead of freeing a person.
Prayer is one of the weapons one can use when it comes to bring deliverance and with that comes the authority that a believer has in Christ. When setting captives free don’t mess around with the spirit but command that spirit to lose its hold over the individual by using the authority that Christ has given you. Praying the Spirit is also a most powerful way to tap into the mind of the Holy Spirit and follow His leading as you look to set the captive free. Remember not all deliverance is instantaneous, sometimes deliverance can be a process so don’t be discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Remember you can only set someone free who wants to be free. You can’t violate their will. When deliverance is a process it is because there may be more than one evil spirit involved and one has to get to the foundation of that evil to bring complete freedom. So you may be engaged and free them of some spirits that are a part of the main culprit but until he is found out freedom will not come.
As a believer don’t be afraid to minister in this area. Like anything else it takes time to develop your gifts in this. Continue to surround yourself with men and women of faith who have journeyed down this path to learn how to be more effective. Let the Holy Spirit lead you and as you are obedient you will see captives get free.
Friday, January 5, 2018
Is Love a Weapon?
When one thinks of love in general one does not really think about the power it truly possesses to change the lives of people. When I think of weapons I think of things like guns, or missiles, or cannons. Thinks that can destroy or move an object out of my way. But when one thinks about the Love of God and the power it possesses one begins to realize that it is the most powerful force in the universe when it is operating within the faith of God. Paul teaches us in 1 Corinthians 13:13 faith hope and love abide but the greatest of these is love. The Bible also declares that God is love. Christ spoke of the love of the Father God between Him and Christ and prayed in John 17 that the love they have for one another would be manifested in the life of the Church among believers.
If we as Christ followers could truly tap into the love of God the way Jesus did we would be able to change entire cultures and atmospheres because the love of God brings the manifest presence of the Lord unto the seen. The Bible also teaches us if we hate our brother but say we love God we are a liar and the truth is not in us. As we learn to pray for those who misuse use and who brings us harm we are manifesting forgiveness which is tied back to love. For Christ and the Father God want us to show this love to the world at large. If we are able to do just that we will change the world, because the most basic need of humans is to be loved by someone. God created that need within us so that we would seek Him out. As we give of ourselves to others we are motivated to do so by love. Love is a weapon that some may call a weak approach, but in reality it is the force that when used in the context God calls us to walk in that has and will continue to revolutionize mankind and bring the kingdom of Heaven to earth. Who will want to join me in this?
If we as Christ followers could truly tap into the love of God the way Jesus did we would be able to change entire cultures and atmospheres because the love of God brings the manifest presence of the Lord unto the seen. The Bible also teaches us if we hate our brother but say we love God we are a liar and the truth is not in us. As we learn to pray for those who misuse use and who brings us harm we are manifesting forgiveness which is tied back to love. For Christ and the Father God want us to show this love to the world at large. If we are able to do just that we will change the world, because the most basic need of humans is to be loved by someone. God created that need within us so that we would seek Him out. As we give of ourselves to others we are motivated to do so by love. Love is a weapon that some may call a weak approach, but in reality it is the force that when used in the context God calls us to walk in that has and will continue to revolutionize mankind and bring the kingdom of Heaven to earth. Who will want to join me in this?
Monday, January 1, 2018
The Kingdom of Heaven. What is it?
If you read through the Bible you see the phrase " The kingdom of Heaven is near or is upon you", what does that really mean. For the past year the Lord has been teaching me about the Kingdom of Heaven and I am not saying that I fully understand everything about it what I do know I would like to now share.
Most people believe that we as believers are looking to make our way to heaven and that once we get saved and give our lives over to Christ that we must hold on and wait for Christ return or our passing from this life into the next. Along the way we are suppose to help others find Christ but basically our mindset as believers has been one of holding the fort. This is not the Kingdom of Heaven! The Kingdom of Heaven is summed up in the Lord's prayer, " Our Father who are in heaven hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven..." Does Christ suffer sickness, fear, depression etc., in heaven? No. Christ has called us to be ambassadors of heaven to bring the atmosphere of heaven to earth. He has called us to represent Him where ever we go. We are called to engage this world systems and to make it like Heaven. After all, the Garden of Eden was like Heaven on earth before the fall. Now if that was God the Father's originally plan for the earth than what we are called to help bring about is the reestablishment of this planet.
That means we as believers need to bring heaven into our workplaces, into our homes, into government, educational systems, media and business. We are called to be salt and light. Is salt and light needed in heaven? No these things are needed where things may be rotting and where darkness dwells. God has called us to be Kings and Priests unto Him. We as Kings exercise authority to make changes in the place that He has called us to dominate. We are priests because we change the spiritual atmosphere where we are at by our worship to God.
Church are you ready to renew your mindset and begin to think Kingdom? I challenge you to pursue this. If you do, it will change the way you see things and will help you realize the potential that God has given unto you.
Most people believe that we as believers are looking to make our way to heaven and that once we get saved and give our lives over to Christ that we must hold on and wait for Christ return or our passing from this life into the next. Along the way we are suppose to help others find Christ but basically our mindset as believers has been one of holding the fort. This is not the Kingdom of Heaven! The Kingdom of Heaven is summed up in the Lord's prayer, " Our Father who are in heaven hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven..." Does Christ suffer sickness, fear, depression etc., in heaven? No. Christ has called us to be ambassadors of heaven to bring the atmosphere of heaven to earth. He has called us to represent Him where ever we go. We are called to engage this world systems and to make it like Heaven. After all, the Garden of Eden was like Heaven on earth before the fall. Now if that was God the Father's originally plan for the earth than what we are called to help bring about is the reestablishment of this planet.
That means we as believers need to bring heaven into our workplaces, into our homes, into government, educational systems, media and business. We are called to be salt and light. Is salt and light needed in heaven? No these things are needed where things may be rotting and where darkness dwells. God has called us to be Kings and Priests unto Him. We as Kings exercise authority to make changes in the place that He has called us to dominate. We are priests because we change the spiritual atmosphere where we are at by our worship to God.
Church are you ready to renew your mindset and begin to think Kingdom? I challenge you to pursue this. If you do, it will change the way you see things and will help you realize the potential that God has given unto you.
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Why Christians Should not Fear Death
When it comes to living in this world fear of death is one thing that dominates how we all have to deal with. When one thinks about all fear whether it is of heights, or being in a tight crawl space or flying it all centers around the fear that death could be involved if the situation lives up to what our imagination has visualized. Fear is the devil's faith. God's faith is based on the fact that He wants us to believe Him for what He has promised us from His written Word. Now I have been through the Bible quite a bit in my life time and I have yet to see where God wants to bring us harm. The Bible declares in John 10:10, " That the enemy comes to kill, to steal and to destroy." That is what the devil's faith will produce if we adhere to what he is preaching and wanting for us to confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts for.
God wants us to confess and believe upon the promises that He has given unto us. Stand upon God's promises for the Bible declares the following in Deuteronomy 30:19, " I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live". Fear or faith is a choice which one has to make. The more one fills oneself with what the world has to offer the more fear will dominate. It is just like body building. It depends on how often you work those muscles that determines how strong one will be. I know that spending time with the Lord in His Word and prayer will build muscles that exercise the God type of faith that He wants for us to have. Fear and the death it produces will dominate if a person won't lock into the God way of doing things. So if you want fear and the death to continue its reign of terror in your life than don't spend anytime with the Lord of the Universe and you will continue to enjoy the results of what these two deadly fruits will produce. But if you want a different path than choose to try the God of the Bible's way. I highly suggest that you choose Life. For God's way suggest that the closest that death will ever come to you is as a shadow (Psalm 23:4). Life through Christ has overcome death. Praise His name!
God wants us to confess and believe upon the promises that He has given unto us. Stand upon God's promises for the Bible declares the following in Deuteronomy 30:19, " I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live". Fear or faith is a choice which one has to make. The more one fills oneself with what the world has to offer the more fear will dominate. It is just like body building. It depends on how often you work those muscles that determines how strong one will be. I know that spending time with the Lord in His Word and prayer will build muscles that exercise the God type of faith that He wants for us to have. Fear and the death it produces will dominate if a person won't lock into the God way of doing things. So if you want fear and the death to continue its reign of terror in your life than don't spend anytime with the Lord of the Universe and you will continue to enjoy the results of what these two deadly fruits will produce. But if you want a different path than choose to try the God of the Bible's way. I highly suggest that you choose Life. For God's way suggest that the closest that death will ever come to you is as a shadow (Psalm 23:4). Life through Christ has overcome death. Praise His name!
Saturday, November 4, 2017
The Power of Words
Have you ever thought about the power of words? I know when I was a young child that one of the rhymes one heard was the following, " Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." That is a lie from the pit of hell! I know that words do have an effect. Look at the number of people you may know who have been cut off from their destiny because of what someone said about them that undermined their belief about themselves. I know of a a young lady who don't get the verbal support that she should have gotten from her father and that has caused her to look and find that acceptance from others who can't replace what his word means to her. I believe that we as believers in Jesus need to watch what we say. If one remembers the Bible states that we are created in the reflection of our Father God. He spoke and the worlds were created. Now you and I don't have that power to do just that, but we do have the power to speak and create not only our own world but those we have surrounded ourselves as well.
The Bible states the following in Matthew 12:36-37, " But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Church we must watch what we are saying. Are you speaking words of judgment and commendation before you are sure that they are justified? Love is what God is about. Are words need to be framed in that. Are you saying course jokes? Have I been without fault in this area? No, I am just as guilty as anyone of falling short in this area. But the Lord has been speaking to me about this and I wanted to share with you what I have read and heard. It is time for us to grow up in Christ and to be more like Him.
Ephesians 4:29 says the following," Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Are you and I practicing this with those we work with, those we fellowship with and those we encounter with on a daily basis? I encourage you to seek God on this and to repent and turn your conversation toward what God intends that you may grace to those that you encounter. It is through these moments that you and I will have an impact on our world that others will recognize. When one thinks of a man who has practiced this principle that is still with us today I must point to the Reverend Billy Graham. I can't think of an incident where he has been accused of misrepresenting the gospel of Christ by what he said or shouldn't have. Let us follow that example and speak life. For the Bible says in Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."
Let us speak Life that the gospel of Christ will manifest in a generation that is in need of His presence as never before.
The Bible states the following in Matthew 12:36-37, " But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Church we must watch what we are saying. Are you speaking words of judgment and commendation before you are sure that they are justified? Love is what God is about. Are words need to be framed in that. Are you saying course jokes? Have I been without fault in this area? No, I am just as guilty as anyone of falling short in this area. But the Lord has been speaking to me about this and I wanted to share with you what I have read and heard. It is time for us to grow up in Christ and to be more like Him.
Ephesians 4:29 says the following," Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Are you and I practicing this with those we work with, those we fellowship with and those we encounter with on a daily basis? I encourage you to seek God on this and to repent and turn your conversation toward what God intends that you may grace to those that you encounter. It is through these moments that you and I will have an impact on our world that others will recognize. When one thinks of a man who has practiced this principle that is still with us today I must point to the Reverend Billy Graham. I can't think of an incident where he has been accused of misrepresenting the gospel of Christ by what he said or shouldn't have. Let us follow that example and speak life. For the Bible says in Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."
Let us speak Life that the gospel of Christ will manifest in a generation that is in need of His presence as never before.
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Reformation is it our only Hope?
Just how powerless is the Church in this hour? When you think about what is influencing our nation and the culture that we live in do you think of the Church as having a say in that? To be honest I don't see it. The Church in America has instead of being a conquering warrior minded organization with the blood bought power of Christ flowing through our veins we instead our the ones who like to bury our head in the sand and hope the next time we pull our head up out things will have changed for the better. Guess what that doesn't work. The Bible teaches the following in James 2: 17-26, "
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
The Church must take action and invade the mountains of influence in our society. Education, media, business, and politics are just a few areas where believers must invade and take the gospel of the kingdom of God into these realms so that reformation of these areas can begin. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 5:13-16,
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
We are called to be salt and light to our generation. Which is why in this hour God is calling spiritual fathers and mothers to mentor the millennial generation. I believe God is wanting to use the millennial generation to change America and the world for Christ. The Bible says the following in Psalm 145:4, "
One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts."
Has my and your generation done just that. Have we praised and declared to the Millennials all that God has done so that they have an example to follow after and than develop their own relationship with a supernatural God who desires to use them. Church it is time for us to declare the goodness of God in the our past and in our now so that the Millennials can run with the most High and declare His goodness to all they are called to reach. The Millennial generation is the one who is positioned to go into the mountains of influence but we must be able to give them the power of relationship and connection that we have with God to help them run the race. They have the strength but we as spiritual fathers and mothers have the wisdom that they need so they don't end up like the young prophet whose ax head fell in the water and could do no more work without it. It wasn't until the old prophet Elijah came and ask the young prophet where the axe head fell that he was able to get the axe head to swim up from the bottom, Elijah's relationship with the God of the supernatural, that once the axe head was retrieved the young prophet was able to finish the work he started by reattaching the axe head to the axe handle (2 Kings 6:1-7).
Church let us mentor this Millennial generation and bring them into the fullness of relationship with the living God. As we do transformation will come and the Kingdom of God will manifest as was foretold by the prophets of old. It is time for reformation. Let it begin with us and the Millennial generation.
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
The Church must take action and invade the mountains of influence in our society. Education, media, business, and politics are just a few areas where believers must invade and take the gospel of the kingdom of God into these realms so that reformation of these areas can begin. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 5:13-16,
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
We are called to be salt and light to our generation. Which is why in this hour God is calling spiritual fathers and mothers to mentor the millennial generation. I believe God is wanting to use the millennial generation to change America and the world for Christ. The Bible says the following in Psalm 145:4, "
One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts."
Has my and your generation done just that. Have we praised and declared to the Millennials all that God has done so that they have an example to follow after and than develop their own relationship with a supernatural God who desires to use them. Church it is time for us to declare the goodness of God in the our past and in our now so that the Millennials can run with the most High and declare His goodness to all they are called to reach. The Millennial generation is the one who is positioned to go into the mountains of influence but we must be able to give them the power of relationship and connection that we have with God to help them run the race. They have the strength but we as spiritual fathers and mothers have the wisdom that they need so they don't end up like the young prophet whose ax head fell in the water and could do no more work without it. It wasn't until the old prophet Elijah came and ask the young prophet where the axe head fell that he was able to get the axe head to swim up from the bottom, Elijah's relationship with the God of the supernatural, that once the axe head was retrieved the young prophet was able to finish the work he started by reattaching the axe head to the axe handle (2 Kings 6:1-7).
Church let us mentor this Millennial generation and bring them into the fullness of relationship with the living God. As we do transformation will come and the Kingdom of God will manifest as was foretold by the prophets of old. It is time for reformation. Let it begin with us and the Millennial generation.
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