"A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle."
Latest Blog: July 13, 2008
"We know what God is like because we know the character of Jesus Christ."
- George Hodges
The Character of God
God is the Alpha and the Omega--the beginning and the end. One of God's names is "I am". He has no beginning or ending.
God is the creator of the universe. For this to be possible He existed before He created the world.
God is the supreme power and authority of all things. Nothing can happen without God knowing it and allowing it to happen.
God reveals to us everything we know about Him. He is a God who personally makes Himself known. We do not know all things about God, but each of us can know some things about Him.
God Is Sovereign
We do not always know why some things happen, but God does. He has a purpose for everything.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9
God created the world by speaking it into existence. God is not limited in His power. He knows all things. He is always present.
The main characteristics of God are His holiness and love.
God is holy. He is unique, sinless, and completely different. God contains every moral perfection. Every goodness is represented in God.
God goes beyond loving; God is love. Nothing He does is outside of His love. Because of His great love He sent His son Jesus to die for our sins.
The Creator God
God made the heavens and Earth as we now know them. God spoke to the elements and the Earth was formed. God loves to create. His highest creation is man, a free moral agent. God took some clay and made the first man whom He named Adam. God told Adam to name all of the animals, fish, fowl and other things He had created. God wanted Adam and his wife Eve to live in the beautiful Garden of Eden and take care of the animals and garden.
The First Sin against God
Satan is the first one known to have rebelled against God. Satan was an angel who wanted to take over Heaven so God removed him and sent him to Earth as a fallen angel. The spirit of Satan, in the form of a serpent or snake, came to the first woman Eve in the garden of Eden and tempted her to disobey God by eating from the tree of knowledge. She then invited Adam and he also ate of the forbidden fruit. As soon as they had eaten the forbidden fruit Adam and Eve noticed that they were naked. They felt shame and tried to cover themselves with fig leaves. God had created man and women and pronounced this creation, good. When sin entered the world man perceived the body as bad. Adam and Eve were ashamed to be seen naked by God; they felt like they had something to hide. The sin of disobeying God by eating the forbidden fruit caused them to be removed from the garden and they were estranged from the right to talk face to face with God. As descendants of Adam and Eve, we are all born with their sinful nature. Though they were tempted by the serpent, Adam and Eve willingly broke their covenant with God. Through their actions sin entered the world. The only way for the curse of sin to be broken was through a sacrifice of the perfect being.
Redemption
The purpose of redeeming humankind is to unite the communion that was broken by sin. God did not intend for the world to be the way that it is, but He has made a way for redemption.
God wants us to be His people and not have sin in our lives. During the first 4000 years or the Old Testament times, God provided a temporary sacrifice for people to receive forgiveness for their sins. Once a year the sins of the people were symbolically heaped upon a goat which was driven out of the community. This process had to be repeated yearly. The priest would listen as people confessed their sins. He would then sacrifice an animal and offer the blood for the remission of the person's sins.
Jesus, the Lamb of God, is the permanent sacrifice for our sins. The blood of Jesus provides forgiveness for our sins.
By sending His Son, Jesus, God made a New Covenant or New Testament with civilization. Only a perfect man could be the sacrifice. Jesus was the only person who could have ever fit the qualifications; He had been born without a sin nature.
When people are born they have a seed of rebellion within their hearts. It is referred to as the seed of Adam. As children grow, this spirit causes them to want to disobey or rebel against rules and authority.
God restored His relationship with mankind. The spirit within man also desires a relationship -- a relationship with a higher power, the Creator, God. The God who created the first man Adam from the dust of the earth placed this emptiness within the heart of every person that remains reserved for the Spirit of God to dwell in—the God-shaped vacuum. When the Holy Spirit comes to dwell inside a person, He fills this void and the person experiences true peace and joy.
Many people resist the Spirit of God and try many other substitutes, but none of them satisfy very long. There is always a yearning for something to fill this empty spot. Alcohol, drugs, illicit sex, perversion, entertainment, gambling and the like are often tried by multitudes, only to realize that nothing will satisfy their need except God. To find God you must first acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God. You must pray and believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ.
So you have met the Master. You have made Jesus Christ Lord and Savior of your life. That is your first and biggest step. Now what?
In the Bible Jesus tells a Parable (a story with a spiritual point) about a sower who went out to sow seed. The seed represents God's word and Jesus tells the different results that come to the seed depending on where it falls.(See Luke 8:5-8)I remember coming across this scripture in my Bible soon after I made the decision you have just made. I saw that some of the seed fell on good ground and that is the seed that produced a hundredfold crop. I remember praying very fervently: "Lord make ME the good ground where your seed falls. I want to produce the BIG hundredfold crop in my life!" And that is what I pray for you right now; I hope you will also want the most fruit for yourself-every single blessing and joy God has for you. I can tell you for sure that is what He wants for you.
The decisions you make in the beginning of your walk with the Lord lay the foundation for your whole life and help you to stay clear of bad soil that has thorns and rocks and wayside places where you can be devoured. By the way, don't doubt your decision. If you asked Jesus to come into your heart, that's were he is right this minute. Now let us begin to explore how you can make your life the "good ground." Communion with God - Prayer
The most important starting place is that place in your heart where you have communion with God called prayer. Prayer is nothing more than talking to God and you need to do it daily. If you have ever been in love you know how you want to talk to that person all the time; spend as much time with them as you can. That's how God feels about his relationship with us; he is absolutely crazy about spending time with us and he is available and eager 24/7 to listen and share. You share what is on your heart and as you go along you will also listen to him tell you what is on his heart. It's a two way street. (For a greater discussion on prayer, go to The Prayer Closet.)
You can talk to God anywhere, anytime. While you are driving. Taking a shower. Sipping some tea or doing the laundry. It is also a good idea to have some special time set aside each day to talk everything over with him and ask him for your daily needs. Just be yourself and be honest. No special or fancy language is needed; he isn't impressed with stilted "thee's and thou's." Tell him how you really feel; he's the only one in the whole universe who absolutely loves you unconditionally no matter what. Read the Bible
If you do not have a Bible you need to get hold of one as soon as possible. The Bible is the best selling book of all time and there is a reason for that: God wrote it. It is his own inspired handbook in which he tells us who he is and all about how to make the very most of life. In the Book of John, Chapter 10, verse 10 it says: "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
I suggest a translation of the Bible that is written in modern language that is easy to understand. When Jesus walked the earth, he talked to his disciples and the crowds who followed him around in the popular street language of the day. There are many choices in Bibles so you might want to head out to a Christian book store and ask for some help from a knowledgeable staff person. Make time every day to read God's Word. Ask the Lord to give you a hunger for his Word and see how your desire to read the Bible grows. Before you start reading, ask for God's help to understand and then apply what he shows you in his Word. Find a good Church
You will find it immensely helpful to find fellowship with other Christians. God designed the Christian walk to be one of interdependence. In fact, he compares his church to a human body with many parts that are all fit together with himself as the Head. (See 1Corinthians 12:12-27) The Christian church is not so much an organization as it is an organism.
Find a church where they believe that the Bible is the true Word of God and the believers in the church appear to have made the same decision you have. Find a church that is alive and relevant and where the love of God and each other appears to be the priority. You will want a church where the teaching and preaching is deep and powerful and where you feel like you are growing more and more each week you attend. A place you can be excited about and say each Sunday after the service, "Oh I can't wait for next week when I can come again."
Many good churches offer small weekly fellowship groups or Bible Studies. It is an opportunity to meet with a smaller group of people who you really get to know well and who care about you personally and will prayer for you. Take full advantage of every ministry and opportunity that the church offers and you will see how fast you will grow. If you are already in a church but it doesn't seem like what I have described here, talk to the Lord about finding a new church home. Trust him to lead you to the right church for you.
There are many helps in the Christian walk and I hope you will find some additional ones right here in the Cupboard. Wander around and enjoy yourself. As you start your new journey I would love to hear from you and know how you are doing.
I in them and You in Me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me. - John 17:23
There have been certain breakthroughs in the world that have changed the course of history: electricity, the automobile, the atom, and the telephone, to name just a few. If we never recognized the applications of these inventions, we would still be sitting around in the dark, riding horses, and communicating by pony express. However, we have seen the opportunities and the applications, so the world is a different place now.
Jesus made a profound statement that has the potential to change the world if we simply apply the truth. What if I told you that this one truth would allow people to see Jesus and respond to the gospel like nothing we have ever experienced? It is the key to unlocking the door of salvation to so many that remain lost. Yet it is the one thing we, as His children, fail at the most.
What is this one thing? It is unity. Lack of unity among His Body of believers prevents Christ from being revealed to so many. Efforts have been made, but our Body remains fragmented and weak. Consider that there are more than 24,000 Christian denominations in the world today and five new ones beginning each week, according to the 1999 September issue of Moody Magazine. Does this sound like unity?
God has called each of us individually and corporately to represent Christ to the world, but our independence, pride, and ego prevent us from becoming unified in the purposes of Christ.
Are you a catalyst for unity in His Body, or an instrument of division? Are people seeing Jesus because of the unity they see in your family, your church, and among your workers? The old adage, "United we stand, divided we fall," is not just a good battle cry; it is a spiritual truth that will determine the fate of many souls. Pray that God will allow you to be an instrument to unify His Body.
SPIRITUAL WARFARE WHAT TO EXPECT ONCE YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD
SATAN DECEIVES MANY PEOPLE WITH THESE LYING THOUGHTS AND DEVICES
Satan does all he can to keep an unsaved person deceived and in darkness. As it is written, SATAN, WHICH DECEIVETH THE WHOLE WORLD-Rev 12:9. There is a battle between truth and error going on inside of each person. That battle is for a person's soul. The devil persuades many in their thoughts that evolution is how we came into existence. The adversary puts in the minds of others that the Bible is not God's Word but just a book written by men. He makes some believe that it is too difficult to understand. And if you do believe the Bible is the perfect Word of God, Satan will do everything possible to stop you from studying it, by using many distractions and other devices. If you study the Bible, Satan will try to cause you to believe certain passages do not mean exactly what they say. If you do believe God's Word, he will try to choke the Word that is in you, by using the lusts of this world, the cares of this life, the pleasures of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and many other devices. Satan is a master at mixing the truth with deception in your mind and causing confusion.
Satan persuades many people that there is no heaven, hell, judgment, or God. He causes many to think that he does not even exist, or that, if he does exist, he is nothing more than a little red cartoon character with horns and a pitchfork, who is mischievous but not dangerous. He causes some people to be bitter toward God. He causes many others to be deceived on how to be saved. He blinds their eyes.
There are many people that look like they are led of God, but they are not. They themselves think they are being led of God and deceive many. Many people go to churches that have blind leaders of the blind. These blind clergy OUTWARDLY APPEAR RIGHTEOUS "UNTO MEN"-Mt 23:28. They APPEAR BEAUTIFUL OUTWARD, BUT ARE WITHIN FULL OF DEAD MEN'S BONES-Mt 23:27. They ARE AS GRAVES WHICH APPEAR NOT, AND THE MEN THAT WALK OVER THEM (people that go to their churches) ARE NOT AWARE OF THEM (they are not aware these are blind leaders)-Lk 11:44. It never occurs to most people that their ordained minister is, himself, on the way to hell. Paul told us very clearly, MANY...CORRUPT THE WORD OF GOD-2 Cor 2:17. These blind clergy combine God's Word with deception and traditions. Multitudes of people attend these dead, ceremonial, entertainment, people-pleasing churches and are confident they will be in heaven when they die. It just never occurs to most people that their church is leading them to hell. They put their faith in their church or denomination and its half-truth doctrines. Only after they die, do these realize they were deceived and made an eternal mistake.
Satan puts in many people's minds that he can never deceive them; therefore, they are deceived already and let their guard down—as an army that is caught by surprise and is defenseless when the attack comes. Not only does Satan speak to you in your thoughts, but he speaks to you through many people, and you may never know it. People can be extremely gullible and lack knowledge in the ways and devices of the devil. Satan puts in people's mind that they never sin, and many believe this, even though the Bible says, ALL HAVE SINNED, AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD-Ro 3:23. Satan has created numerous false religions throughout the world that have led billions of people to hell. Others may go to good, Bible-teaching churches, yet they are never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Many of them believe they are saved, but the light that is in them is really darkness, and the darkness has blinded their eyes. They know not where they are going. There is a battle going on for their soul, but most of them will never understand this until it is too late.
THE STRAIT GATE AND NARROW WAY
Only through Jesus Christ can a person be saved.
It is written, Mt 7:13-ENTER YE IN AT THE STRAIT GATE: FOR WIDE IS THE GATE, AND BROAD IS THE WAY, THAT LEADETH TO DESTRUCTION, AND MANY THERE BE WHICH GO IN THEREAT.
You can only enter heaven through the "strait gate," BECAUSE STRAIT IS THE GATE, AND NARROW IS THE WAY, WHICH LEADETH UNTO LIFE, AND FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT.
The STRAIT GATE and NARROW...WAY is a total commitment to Jesus Christ. It is not just saying, "Lord, Lord." It is not just saying you have accepted Jesus as your Savior. Many name the name of Jesus, but they perish. The STRAIT GATE and NARROW...WAY is: BE YE DOERS OF THE WORD, AND NOT HEARERS ONLY, DECEIVING YOUR OWN SELVES-Ja 1:22. As Jesus tells us, AND WHY CALL YE ME, LORD, LORD, AND DO NOT THE THINGS WHICH I SAY?-Lk 6:46. It is doing THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN-Mt 7:21.
Mt 7:15-20-BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS, WHICH COME TO YOU IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING, BUT INWARDLY THEY ARE RAVENING WOLVES.
YE SHALL KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUITS. DO MEN GATHER GRAPES OF THORNS, OR FIGS OF THISTLES?
EVEN SO EVERY GOOD TREE BRINGETH FORTH GOOD FRUIT; BUT A CORRUPT TREE BRINGETH FORTH EVIL FRUIT.
A GOOD TREE CANNOT BRING FORTH EVIL FRUIT, NEITHER CAN A CORRUPT TREE BRING FORTH GOOD FRUIT.
EVERY TREE THAT BRINGETH NOT FORTH GOOD FRUIT IS HEWN DOWN, AND CAST INTO THE FIRE.
WHEREFORE BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM.
Mt 7:21-23-NOT EVERY ONE THAT SAITH UNTO ME, LORD, LORD, SHALL ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN; BUT HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN.
It is written, MANY WILL SAY TO ME (to Jesus) IN THAT DAY, LORD, LORD, HAVE WE NOT PROPHESIED "IN THY NAME"? AND "IN THY NAME" HAVE CAST OUT DEVILS? AND "IN THY NAME" DONE MANY WONDERFUL WORKS? AND THEN WILL I PROFESS UNTO THEM, I NEVER KNEW YOU: DEPART FROM ME, YE THAT WORK INIQUITY.
Understand, it is not a matter of, if you know Jesus. It is a matter of, does Jesus know you?-ref Mt 25:12. Jesus shall say to many that are absolutely positive they are saved, "I KNOW YOU NOT"-Lk 13:25.
You might ask, "How can this be?" It is because people base their belief that they are saved on emotions, or what someone tells them, or on lying thoughts in their mind from the devil, or on a lack of understanding of God's Word, or on other things. They may say, "I feel I am saved. I can feel the Holy Spirit inside me. God is my Father. God has answered my prayer. Jesus has done this or that for me. I have suffered for Jesus. I serve the Lord. The Spirit of God leads me. I sing in the church. I teach a Sunday school class."
Their feelings mean nothing at the judgment. The Word of God (the Bible) shall judge. As it is written, THE WORD THAT I HAVE SPOKEN, THE SAME SHALL JUDGE HIM IN THE LAST DAY-Jn 12:48.
Mt 7:24-27-THEREFORE WHOSOEVER HEARETH THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, AND DOETH THEM, I WILL LIKEN HIM UNTO A WISE MAN, WHICH BUILT HIS HOUSE UPON A ROCK:
AND THE RAIN DESCENDED, AND THE FLOODS CAME, AND THE WINDS BLEW, AND BEAT UPON THAT HOUSE; AND IT FELL NOT: FOR IT WAS FOUNDED UPON A ROCK.
AND EVERY ONE THAT HEARETH THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, AND DOETH THEM NOT, SHALL BE LIKENED UNTO A FOOLISH MAN, WHICH BUILT HIS HOUSE UPON THE SAND:
AND THE RAIN DESCENDED, AND THE FLOODS CAME, AND THE WINDS BLEW, AND BEAT UPON THAT HOUSE; AND IT FELL: AND GREAT WAS THE FALL OF IT.
ONCE YOU ARE SAVED, THERE IS A BATTLE TO BE FOUGHT: IT IS CALLED SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Yet despite Satan's vast arsenal of devices and deceptions, a few, by the grace of God, come to Jesus when "He" calls. They come by faith and surrender all to Jesus. They follow Him. They have overcome the many devices and deceptions of the devil, by the mercy of God, through faith.
Now they face a new battle. Satan can be expected to attack the new Christian in ways that do not even come to his mind. As it is written, BELOVED, THINK IT NOT STRANGE (do not be surprised) CONCERNING THE FIERY (or painful) TRIAL WHICH IS TO TRY (or test) YOU, AS THOUGH SOME STRANGE THING HAPPENED UNTO YOU: BUT REJOICE, INASMUCH AS YE ARE PARTAKERS OF CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS; THAT, WHEN HIS GLORY SHALL BE REVEALED, YE MAY BE GLAD ALSO WITH EXCEEDING JOY. IF YE BE REPROACHED (or insulted) FOR THE NAME OF CHRIST, HAPPY ARE YE; FOR THE SPIRIT OF GLORY AND OF GOD RESTETH UPON YOU: ON THEIR PART HE IS EVIL SPOKEN OF, BUT ON YOUR PART HE IS GLORIFIED-1 Pe 4:12-14.
This fiery trial or battle that a person goes through is called "spiritual warfare."
SPIRITUAL WARFARE: THE BATTLE
We are in a spiritual battle, a spiritual war, a spiritual fight, a spiritual wrestling match, a spiritual struggle.
THEREFORE ENDURE HARDNESS (or hardship), AS A GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST. NO MAN THAT WARRETH ENTANGLETH HIMSELF WITH THE AFFAIRS OF THIS LIFE (or civilian affairs); THAT HE MAY PLEASE HIM WHO HATH CHOSEN HIM TO BE A SOLDIER-2 Tim 2:3,4. As a follower of Jesus Christ, you are a soldier. You are in a war. That war is against Satan. It is against the forces of darkness.
This battle never ends until we die. If we are on Satan's side, the Lord may deal with us to get us to repent. If we are on the Lord's side, Satan tries to cause us to fall, as the SOW THAT WAS WASHED...returned TO HER WALLOWING IN THE MIRE-2 Pe 2:22. Do not underestimate Satan and his powers to deceive. As it is written, BE SOBER, BE VIGILANT (be on your guard, be alert); BECAUSE YOUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL, AS A ROARING LION, WALKETH ABOUT, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR-1 Pe 5:8.
Do not underestimate Satan and his powers of deception. His ability to put obstacles in your path is great. He deceives some that are going to hell into believing there is no hope. He also deceives others that are going to hell into believing they are really going to heaven. Those that are saved, Satan often tries to deceive them into thinking they are not.
An army going to war that teaches nothing but victory, health, and success will lose the war. An army that is prepared for the battle will win. The army needs to know about the enemy; they need to know who the enemy is. The army needs to know how the enemy will attack and what weapons he will attack with. The army needs to know when the enemy will attack and from where, and to be ready at all times. The army needs to know, if they get wounded, what they must do to get healed. The army needs to know, if they get captured, what they must do to get free. The army must know what weapons they have available and how to use them. This comes from first being trained, then practice, and finally engaging the enemy, and on to victory.
All facets of warfare must be taught and practiced, lest the enemy gain an advantage and win the war. We need to know who the enemy is and all there is to know about him, his tactics, and his capabilities. We also need to know our own weapons and capabilities. We need to know the consequences of surrender to the enemy. We need to know when to use our weapons and when not to. We need to be ever vigilant, for our enemy the devil goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour or conquer.
A person that is never taught about the battle he is in will probably lose. A person that is taught nothing but victory, success, health, and prosperity will go forth with great zeal but little knowledge. He will be unprepared for the onslaught of the enemy. You may go forth with the most advanced and powerful weapons, but these are of little value, if the enemy successfully sneaks up behind you and takes you by surprise. This is exactly what the enemy is planning to do.
Jesus had the victory, but do you? Will you hold firm to the end, or will you fall into Satan's cunning deceit working in your mind? Will you be defeated and never realize it till the judgment? Beware, lest it happen so slowly that you never recognize you are backsliding. THROUGH KNOWLEDGE SHALL THE JUST BE DELIVERED-Pv 11:9. "MY PEOPLE" ARE GONE INTO CAPTIVITY, BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE...THEREFORE HELL HATH ENLARGED HERSELF-Isa 5:13,14.
Beware. Satan will try to keep you from reading your Bible, as it is your spiritual warfare instruction manual. It covers everything you need to know. Read it, study it, hear it, meditate on it, and obey it.
There is strife between people in the churches today. There are battles between the preachers and elders. There are arguments in Bible studies and in church business and planning meetings. What is going on?
The battle inside you rages. Once you are saved, there shall be a battle fought inside you. It is a battle between the forces of darkness (Satan's realm) and the forces of light (Jesus is light). It shall be a battle of victory to those who overcome all things through faith. It will be a battle of defeat to those who do not obey God's Word.
This battle will rage in your mind, in your feelings or emotions, and in your flesh. If you are unsaved, things may happen to you for the purpose of bringing you to repentance. If you are about to be saved, you may feel like you are being torn apart. You may feel like a rope is pulling on one arm to go in a certain direction, and another rope is pulling on the other arm in the opposite direction; you are in the middle being torn apart. Jesus wants you to repent and follow Him. Satan wants you to refuse. It is a battle for your soul.
If you submit to Satan, you will probably grow harder toward God. Sin hardens a person against God and against His Word. Yet the war will go on. If you submit to God, then Satan will keep trying to pull you back into sin. The battle will rage inside you. Because of events stemming from this battle, many turn to drugs and alcohol, instead of to God. For those who submit to God, He gives them His Spirit and power to overcome evil. GREATER IS HE (God's Spirit) THAT IS IN YOU, THAN HE (Satan) THAT IS IN THE WORLD-1 Jn 4:4. Till the day you die (or are raptured), this battle can be expected to continue for your soul. The conflict inside you, at times, may seem almost unbearable, but do not give up or despair. For the Lord Jesus said, THESE THINGS I HAVE SPOKEN UNTO YOU, THAT IN ME YE MIGHT HAVE PEACE. IN THE WORLD YE SHALL HAVE TRIBULATION: BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD-Jn 16:33.
There may be four people. One may say no to the claims of Christ. The other three say, yes. Of those three that say yes, one may fall as a result of persecutions, embarrassment, false doctrines, or wrong thinking. Another may begin to crumble as the cares, pleasures, lusts, and deceitfulness of riches hinder him. Only one may grow and bear good fruit—fruit that will remain. Yet it is written, THERE HATH NO TEMPTATION TAKEN YOU BUT SUCH AS IS COMMON TO MAN: BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL, WHO WILL NOT SUFFER YOU TO BE TEMPTED ABOVE THAT YE ARE ABLE; BUT WILL WITH THE TEMPTATION ALSO MAKE A WAY TO ESCAPE, THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO BEAR IT-1 Cor 10:13.
Of those that forsake the right way, some will turn on their fellow servants and verbally abuse them and worse. Their countenance will change. Their joy in the Lord disappears. They may become angry, self-willed, and rebellious. You can see it on their faces, but Satan may have convinced them in their minds that they have not fallen or that they cannot fall. They will usually justify their bad attitude by pointing fingers at others.
A woman may say, "My life is torn apart. What is happening to me? I'm frustrated. My family is falling apart. My children are out of control. My husband's job is in jeopardy. It seems everything is going wrong." What is happening is, we are in a spiritual war.
We need to look at God's Word and see what spiritual warfare is, in order to understand what is happening to us. The Bible shows that spiritual warfare is between God and Satan. This began when Satan said, "I WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN, I WILL EXALT MY THRONE ABOVE THE STARS OF GOD"-Isa 14:13. He was actually seeking to dethrone God. Yet God tells us that Satan will be BROUGHT DOWN TO HELL-Isa 14:15.
The deceptive powers of Satan are so great, that one-third of the angels of heaven followed him. This spiritual conflict between God and Satan goes on today. You are involved. You cannot get away from it. There is no place you can go to get out of this battle. You cannot withdraw. If you withdraw from God, you go into Satan's territory. There is no neutral ground. You are either in the battle on God's side, or you are in the battle on Satan's side. Satan is so expert in deceiving people that they do not even realize they are in a battle at all. Why? It is because most people know very little of what the Bible says, or they do not believe what the Bible says. This includes priests, rabbis, and preachers. As it is written, HE THAT IS NOT WITH ME IS AGAINST ME-Mt 12:30.
If you are a fruitful, born-again Christian, whose light is shining, you are under attack because you represent Jesus Christ.
If you are carnal (or worldly), lukewarm, and like a wave in your walk with Jesus, you are on very dangerous ground. When people remain depressed a great deal, whether they are a Christian or not, this shows that their fellowship with God is broken.
Satan attacks you, trying to get at God. But remember, SUBMIT YOURSELVES THEREFORE TO GOD. RESIST THE DEVIL, AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU. DRAW NIGH TO GOD, AND HE WILL DRAW NIGH TO YOU. CLEANSE YOUR HANDS, YE SINNERS; AND PURIFY YOUR HEARTS, YE DOUBLE-MINDED. BE AFFLICTED, AND MOURN, AND WEEP: LET YOUR LAUGHTER BE TURNED TO MOURNING, AND YOUR JOY TO HEAVINESS. "HUMBLE" YOURSELVES IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, AND HE SHALL LIFT YOU UP-Ja 4:7-10. BUT SEEK YE "FIRST" THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU-Mt 6:33. THE BATTLE IS THE LORD'S-1 Sam 17:47. To be on God's side is to be on the winning side.
When the battle moves on the inside of you, then you need to purge yourself. You need to move the battle back to the outside, so you can have victory on the inside. Dwell in God's Word. Obey God's Word. Keep your mind and focus upon Jesus. It is written, THOU WILT KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE, WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON THEE: BECAUSE HE TRUSTETH IN THEE-Isa 26:3.
Consider fasting for 7, 10, 14, 21, or 40 days as God guides you. Also consider fasting two half days or one full day a week. When fasting for several days, get alone into seclusion. Study God's Word and pray. Those big fiery darts or uptight knots in your stomach should leave toward the end of a seven day fast. Eat no food at all. Drink water only. Consider doing this at least once a year. If you have any special medical problem, consult a doctor (preferably born-again) before fasting.
The devil is a military strategist. He has his schemes to wage spiritual war. He has been a warrior from the beginning. He has a plan for the overthrow of God, for the overthrow of Jesus Christ, and for the overthrow of every believer in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Do not underestimate the enemy, "Satan." Do not think he is haphazard in his plan and his effort. He has a plan, and he is out to make it work. But God has told us through the Scriptures, WE ARE NOT IGNORANT OF HIS DEVICES-2 Cor 2:11. God has given us this knowledge in the Scriptures so we can fight a good warfare and come out victorious.
THE CONFLICT OR TEMPTATIONS COME FROM
The Bible describes this battle as a conflict between truth and error. It began with Adam and Eve. Satan deceived Eve with, "HATH GOD SAID?" Eve responded. Then Satan told her that God was not telling her the truth, or God did not mean what He said. You shall not surely die.
HERE IS THE CONFLICT BETWEEN TRUTH AND ERROR
It is between the clear Word of God and anything that conflicts with it.
It is between the clear Word of God and the wrong thinking you have.
It is between the clear Word of God and your emotions.
It is between the clear Word of God and your flesh.
It is between the clear Word of God and your circumstances.
It is between the clear Word of God and your personal needs and desires.
It is between the clear Word of God and lusts, cares of this life, pleasures of this life, and the deceitfulness of riches.
It is between the clear Word of God and things your family, boss, fellow workers, friends, and other people say to you or ask you to do. BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT WALKETH NOT IN THE COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY-Ps 1:1.
It is between the clear Word of God and the traditions of men.
It is between doing "God's will" and between doing "your will."
It is between God's will for you and your own will.
It is between the clear Word of God and the voices or thoughts you hear in your mind, which contradict God's clear Word. These voices—which you may think are your own—are really from Satan.
This conflict is between the true God and the god of this world. You are in the middle of this spiritual battle. People need to understand that our time on this earth is a time of testing. You are being tested to see if you will obey God or not. You are being tested to see if your faith is genuine. Yet Satan will do what he can to persuade you that it is not a test of obedience. He may even try to persuade you that God's Word does not even apply to your situation. Satan puts lying thoughts in your mind. Your understanding of God's Word will manifest itself by what you do.
You will hear God's truth. You will hear Satan's lies. "You" are the battle ground. You need the Holy Spirit, for He will lead you into all truth. That truth will "always" be in harmony with God's Word.
Measure every message you hear by the Word of God.
Measure every thought you have by the Word of God.
Measure every thing you say and do by the Word of God.
It is the Word of God that will judge you at the judgment. Your excuses of why you did not obey God will not hold up then.
TEMPTATIONS
Ja 1:2-MY BRETHREN, COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YE FALL INTO DIVERS TEMPTATIONS;
3-KNOWING THIS, THAT THE TRYING OF YOUR FAITH WORKETH PATIENCE.
4-BUT LET PATIENCE HAVE HER PERFECT WORK, THAT YE MAY BE PERFECT AND ENTIRE, WANTING NOTHING.
12-BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT ENDURETH TEMPTATION: FOR WHEN HE IS TRIED, HE SHALL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE, WHICH THE LORD HATH PROMISED TO THEM THAT LOVE HIM.
13-LET NO MAN SAY WHEN HE IS TEMPTED, I AM TEMPTED OF GOD: FOR GOD CANNOT BE TEMPTED WITH EVIL, NEITHER TEMPTETH HE ANY MAN:
14-BUT EVERY MAN IS TEMPTED, WHEN HE IS DRAWN AWAY OF HIS OWN LUST, AND ENTICED.
15-THEN WHEN LUST HATH CONCEIVED, IT BRINGETH FORTH SIN: AND SIN, WHEN IT IS FINISHED, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH.
16-DO NOT ERR, MY BELOVED BRETHREN.
22-BUT BE YE DOERS OF THE WORD, AND NOT HEARERS ONLY, DECEIVING YOUR OWN SELVES.
“Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation!” (Psalm 68:19, NKJ)
WOW! I love this verse, even though other versions translate differently. But doesn’t that sound a bit cocky? Who are we to think that the almighty God, the Creator of the universe, should choose to bless us. Besides, we mess up so often!
And doesn’t this blessing bit sound rather selfish? Why should we expect God’s blessing when others suffer?… and we become happy and content and satisfied?
And personally, why should God bless me with these beautiful birds everyday, while others on the other side of the world are experiencing their cold, bleak winter, and most wildlife have either hibenated or gone south??
Well, I picked up a book the other night by John Stott…. a beautiful book on Psalms with wonderful pics of the holy land, called “Favourite Psalms”. I picked it up mainly to look at the photographs… then I started reading. I read his commentary on Psalm 67, the previous Psalm, and he addresses this same question.
He suggests two unselfish reasons for desiring God’s blessings.
Firstly, so “that though us His salvation may be known to all humankind!”
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us;
may Your ways be known on earth, Your salvation among the nations.”
(Psalm 67:1-2, NIV)
Secondly, so “that they too should come to worship and praise God… that they should praise Him for Himself!”
“May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise You.
May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples justly
and guide the nations of the earth.” (v.3-4, NIV)
So, the reason for blessings is to BE a blessing. As God said to Abraham, “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” And of course, that blessing came to us through God’s Son, Jesus.
“Through the work of Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, and we Christians receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:14, NLT)
September 11, 2008
Janie God is good, the king shall have joy in your strength, O lord and in your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice and have not withheld the request of his lips for you meet him with the blessings of goodness he asked life from from you, and you gave it to him length of days forever and ever. his glory is great in your salvation.
Thank you janie, for being my friend. God Bless
