Examining ourselves with an emphasis on a possible need for spiritual warfare:

1 Cor 11: 23      For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:24    And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.26    For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.27  Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.28    But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.29   For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.30    For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.31    For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.32     But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

     A list follows discussing areas to examine; however, to write ALL possible places in our lives for the enemy to set up a stronghold would be impossible. If you think of more than what is here, war against that as well.

 

1. Repent of leaving first love (i.e., if you have).Rev 2: 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love  . 5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Make a mental list of what you did “at first”.  Renounce the barriers (list) hindering your first love (e.g. sin, fear of man, rejection, laziness, worldliness, perfectionism, forgiveness, unbelief, selfishness, independence etc.)

 

2. False teaching and/or wrongful reception of true teaching (i.e., twisting, selective listening, refusal to apply the truth of the Word to realities of living, etc.).Renunciation of all deceptions (including occult things).Repentance for not being a Berean.Acts 17:10 “ And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”Ask the Lord to bring to your mind false teachings you may be receiving.

Deut 18: 9  When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.10  There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,11     Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.13   Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.14  For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.

Acts 16: 16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:17  The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.18      And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

 

3. Forgiveness — of self, others. Prayers to bless those who abused us. A release of all anger, bitterness, revenge, etc.

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you;if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.

Rom 12: 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matt 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him,which owed him ten thousand talents.25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him,and forgave him the debt.28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison,till he should pay the debt.31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.32 Then his lord, after that he had called him,said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Phil 3: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings , being made conformable unto his death;

 

4. Infirmity. Luke 13: 11  And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.12     And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.13      And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

 

5. Addictions:  E.g.,shopping, substance abuse (alcohol and drugs), inordinate amounts of sleep, TV , gluttony

6. Sexual issues: Past victimization, current thought and/or actions  patterns seemingly impossible to relinquish, pornography, perversions, rape (as either victim or perpetrator), seduction, flirtatiousness, etc.

 

7. ESCAPE: A withdrawal from life because of disappointment, failure, sickness – hopelessness. E.g.,  too much TV (or computer, or any other media to “get lost into”), vain reading material, games, etc. A need to be amused or else boredom easily sets in. 1 Tim 5: 5           Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.6But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

 

8. Rejection: From parents, from self, etc. Totally feeling

disconnected with others, seldom “fitting in” . Feeling of rejection from God as a result of “never measuring up”

and/or repeatedly disappointing Him.

 

9. Distrust of God’s love , His Word, His promises, His provision – along with the corresponding complaining and worry – Pride in thinking that if  we  were God (or in charge of  a given situation) , we could do much better in arranging the circumstances (an “evil heart  of unbelief”)     Heb 3: 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:9          When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.10    Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.11     So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)12    Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.13   But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.14       For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;15           While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.16          For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.17    But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?18            And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?19        So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Num 14:.26  And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,27           How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.28        Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:29            Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me,30       Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.31        But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised.32        But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness.33       And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness. 34     After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.35      I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.36        And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land,37        Even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the LORD.

 

10. Refusal to share gifts/talents with the local church  and/or for the Lord. Many things could be at the root of this:  E.g., Selfishness. Laziness. Fear. Perfectionism (“Some day I will be outstanding and I don’t want to share until I am”), unwillingness to be available for more work involving the talents/gifts,  self consciousness, competition,  concern that peers will say “Who do you think you are?” or “You are trying to look good “, stinginess, will only share if paid or if given special attention.

Matt 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gatherwhere I have not strawed:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents .29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant

into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

11. Indecision, mental fog, confusion, procrastination

12. Fear—e.g., of man, of falling away from God, of poverty, of abandonment…. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out

fear: because fear hath torment . He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Prov 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare,but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

Renounce FEAR as sin – it is the opposite of FAITH

Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Luke 12:4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

 Josh 1:6 “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Phil 4: 13              I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

13. Suicide, murder: Repent of any thoughts of doing suicide or any

past attempts. This is the ultimate act of distrust!  Repent of abortion.  Murderous thoughts and even , perhaps, fantasizing about how to do it

 

14. Sleep issues: Sleeplessness, attacks during sleep—nightmares, demonic presences, etc. Ps 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep : for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

 Ps 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep .

 

 15. Depression, sadness, mental illness

Is 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

 

 16. Uncontrolled tongue: Slander, gossip, profanity, blasphemy, lying

Eph 5:   But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;4                Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.5               For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.6   Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

James 3: 5           Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!6           And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.7              For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.              Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.10         Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.11       Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?12   Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.13         Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.15           This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.17                But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

John 8: 44           Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

 

17. Hatred      I Jn 4: 20         If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?21        And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

 

18. Examine the list of the “works of the flesh” to see if any of these have gone out of control and have refused to submit to the work of the cross of Jesus Christ:  Gal 5: 19       Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20      Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21              Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

19.  The god of mammon: Materialism, covetousness, stealing, stinginess, jealousy of what others have, vain ambition, preoccupation with “keeping up with the Joneses”, refusing to give tithes and offerings, nonpayment of taxes, goofing off on the employer’s dime, etc.

Ezek 33: 31          And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.

Mark 7: 21            For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,22                Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:23   All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Luke 12: 15          And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;……..5      For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Col 3: 5  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:6             For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

1 Tim 6: 10           For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.11   But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Mal 3: 8                Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9          Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation10         Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Matt 22: 17          Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?18   But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?19  Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.20             And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?21         They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.

 

20. Current repetitively, unrepentant behavior with no desire to change.  No conviction or remorse. Cold heart.  (Know that this must be changed before you can KEEP deliverance.)

 

Matt 12: 43          When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.44                Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.45                Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

 

Matt 5: 6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

 

Deliverance – our topic in March and April, 2013

The power to cast out demons is given to believers:

Mark 16: 9           Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.10           And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.11               And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.12    After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.13  And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.14              Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.15       And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.16       He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.17               And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;18              They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.19          So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Luke 1017            And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.18              And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.19  Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.20                Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

We need to pray that we SEE the power granted to us in Christ!

Eph 1: 18              The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,19     And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,20      Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,21         Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

22           And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church23           Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

CHAPTER 2:  1    And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;2     Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.4               But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5      Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)6      And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

This passage above confirms that IN CHRIST – in whom we live, move, and have our being—we are far above all principalities and powers!

 

LOVE compels us –especially the Spirit of Christ and His loving working in us – to want to free people from the “prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Eph 2:2b)!

We will be moved with compassion to set them free because we know that the devil and demons HATE people and want to see people utterly destroyed!! They hate people so much that they desire people to share the lake of fire along with them for all eternity.   

John 10: 9            I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.10                The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The enemy deludes us into thinking sin is exciting and, if we listen, we become hard hearted, not able to receive God’s blessings and victory!

Heb 3: 12             Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.14    For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

The devil IS the deceiver! He is a liar!!

Dictionary.com on “deceive”:  de·ceive

–to mislead by a false appearance or statement; delude: They deceived the enemy by disguising the destroyer as a freighter.

–to mislead or falsely persuade others; practice deceit: an engaging manner that easily deceives.

Origin: 1250–1300; Middle English deceiven < Old French deceivre < Latin dēcipere, literally, to ensnare, equivalent to dē- de- + -cipere, combining form of capere to take

The devil “ensnares” those who don’t cleave to truth!

2 Tim 2: 24        And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25       In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26      And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

 

We are to love the things of the Lord – we are to walk IN HIM, in His name:

Col 3: 1     If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.2   Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.3      For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.4    When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.5      Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:7      In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.8       But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.9       Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;10   And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:11   Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.12  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;13        Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.15        And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.16   Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.17    And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

 

In the above passage, there are lists of examples of ungodly behavior and Godly behavior. Our flesh gravitates towards ungodly behavior. Not every time we do a “work of the flesh” is it an indication of the work of a demon in us. HOWEVER, if we persistently walk in the flesh and cannot seem to get victory, we may already have a demon in that area or we are about to invite one in!

 

Do we desire sin or righteousness? We are to  set – fix – our affection on the things of the Spirit , not on the things of this realm and the flesh!

 

If we see   in our warfare of overcoming evil, we have somehow gotten  a demon in us, we need to know that we have the authority as believers to cast it far away from us! We only need to be believers to exercise our authority over demons…we don‘t have to be a part of the “official ministry team” anywhere! We can get other believers to fast and pray with us and be a part of helping us in the confrontation with the demon; however, each believer is fully equipped to do battle with demons and expect victory. 

Mark 9: 38           And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.40 For he that is not against us is on our part.

 

Instances of deliverance in the Bible:

 

Matt 15: 21         Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

22           And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.23               But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.24          But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.25    Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.26   But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.27            And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.28    Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Mark 9: 14           And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.15               And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.16  And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?17          And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;18  And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.19    He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.20            And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. 21           And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.22        And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.23            Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.24      And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.25        When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.26       And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.27    But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?29              And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Luke 13: 11          And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.12     And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.13    And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

14           And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.

15           The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?16      And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

Luke 8: 26            And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.

27           And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.28       When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.29   (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)30         And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.31               And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.32             And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.33            Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.34               When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country.35           Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.36              They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.37                Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.38         Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,39  Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.

 

Mark 1: 21           And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.2               And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.23            And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,24         Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.25  And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.26               And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.27              And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.28           And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

 

Luke 11: 14          And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.15         But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.17                But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.18                If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.19    And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.20            But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.21                When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:22              But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.23     He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.24          When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.25       And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.26      Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

Acts 5: 16             There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

Acts 16: 16           And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:17              The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.18              And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

We can “give place” to the devil—the following passage lists some ways we do that:

Eph 4: 24              And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.25                Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.26                Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

27           Neither give place to the devil.28              Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.29              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.30        And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.31      Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:32    And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Here are some more translations regarding giving place to the devil:

Eph 4: 27              and do not give the devil an opportunity. New American Standard

Eph 4: 27              and do not give the devil a foothold.  New International version

There are more instructions in the next chapter concerning staying free of enemy territory and living in Christ:

Eph 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children2              and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.3   But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.4  Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.5            For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person– such a man is an idolater– has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.6      , for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Let no one deceive you with empty words7    Therefore do not be partners with them.8          For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9    (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)10     and find out what pleases the Lord.11      Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.12  For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.13               But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,14             for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”15 Be very careful, then, how you live– not as unwise but as wise,16                making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

17           Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.18  Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.19                Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,20       always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus came to destroy the works of the enemy

I Jn 3:8  He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

In Christ we too can overcome the enemy!!

Rev 12: 10            And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Here are some passages  further helping us to learn to overcome the works of the enemy:

1 Pet 5: 8              Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:9    Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.10          But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

James 4: 7           Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8   Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Read Ephesians 6 to discover God’s armour for us to protect us against the enemy:

Eph 6: 10              Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.11       Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13           Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14       Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;15             And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;16         Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.17          And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:18               Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

2 Cor 2: 10           To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;11      Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

We must grow in knowledge of what devices the enemy uses to destroy us and also what ways we can completely overcome each and every attack he hurls at us!!

This war is real – it is a life and death struggle. Losing is NOT an option!!

 

 

 1.  I edited this from my site..these are responses to a 2/7/13 status update I did.

2. If you don’t read the entire blog….make sure you make it to the last one posted here by Susie Parsons Sumner! She is an excellent write and she also includes a prophetic sentence for our country at the end of her statement…

3. PLEASE, if you respond to this post (or the facebook version), respond in thoughtfulness, not a “knee jerk ” response calling Christians “haters” or even looking at a practicing homosexual as a hopeless case . Respond in love, gentleness , patience, kindness — you get the point , right?

Rosemary Herms-Barnes {that’ me — Herms was my maiden name} February 7 at 2:41pm ·

I just posted this on a newspaper blog and want you to tell me , honestly, what you think: I agree that we are not in a position to “condemn” anyone because, yes, we all sin. BUT, the problem sometimes (it seems, anyway…) that we can all write a list of things we all agree are sin (e.g., stealing, lying, gossiping,etc.) but if we include “homosexuality” on that list there seems to be a chorus of voices ready to call us “haters” just for including that on our sin list. Furthermore, while it is true we have to continually examine ourselves, it is also true that we are to help one another keep free from the seduction of sin (in love, in gentleness).
Often we put the concept of “who can cast the first stone” right up with not being able to call sin “sin”. The fact is that in the Bible where this phrase occurs, Jesus did NOT say her adultery was not sin — in fact , He said “Go and sin no more”. The casting stone phrase has to do with stoning her to death. Killing someone is one thing; calling sin “sin” is another.
There are several beloved people in my life whom I dearly love who are practicing homosexuals. But, they KNOW I believe their practice is SIN.
Why cannot we separate the idea of totally rejecting a loved one from loving them enough to speak up about sin?
Sin hardens our hearts. Sin separates from the Lord . What Christian believer wants to think of ther loved one (who may be a thief, adulterer) in Hell???

Mona Sallie, Joanne Smit Teesdale, Vanessa Lynn Purcell and 21 others like this.

 

Rosemary Herms-Barnes Like I said, Shaun, His sermon on the mount just puts even MORE fear of God in my heart and gratitude for his saving grace when I repent and rely on His not only for forgivenys but also for the ability to overcome that sin.

February 7 at 6:14pm · Like

 

February 7 at 6:16pm · Edited · Like · 1

 

Rosemary Herms-Barnes Richard the Bible says it is a sin. I find NO delight in finding out that anyone is struggling with any sin. Who are these people who look happy when they can call someone a sinner? Maybe they are out there, but my Christian friends are not like that. They are sad when someone falls into sin!

Rosemary Herms-Barnes Well, Richard, I look to my Bible as my Life manual…so, I am sorry that there is no common ground for discussion because that is my measuring stick for right and wrong.

Shaun Heeren i believe jesus reconciled in the body once for all the sinfulness of humanity, that his blood is the atoning sacrifice for all sin, that no amount of being good can justify us. and that if we want to help others we need to meet them in their circumstances. i also do not believe jesus went around calling anyone sinners. I believe thats what the “righteous” called the people who jesus ate with.

February 7 at 6:26pm · Like · 1

Herbert R. Bowman God bless you Rosemary, Thank God for a believer that is willing to face this issue head on. I say Amen to what you have said. This scripture comes to my mind, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin”. James 4:17…See More

February 7 at 7:22pm · Unlike · 3

Rosemary Herms-Barnes Shaun Heeren: Some words from the Bible from Jesus , referring to sin and sinfulness:
Luke 15: 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, un…See More

February 7 at 8:21pm · Like

Rosemary Herms-Barnes You can clearly see that Jesus DID refer to people as “sinners” sometimes. Or tell a repentant sinner to “go and sin no more”. If you were to buy a Bible software program , it would be easy for you to find out the various things that are in the Bible— easy, but a lifetime of study too….

February 7 at 8:22pm · Like · 1

Shaun Heeren this is true he spoke extensively about the nature of sin, always forgiving and never condemning. because he did not come to condemn the world but to save it. so even though we are never so gracious as our savoir we should none the less try to be.

February 7 at 8:32pm · Unlike · 2

Rosemary Herms-Barnes Shaun…wow….I totally agree with your last statement and I personally want to be gracious and not be harsh…the idea is to win the person over to the Lord’s path and see them safe in Christ!! It was SO wonderful to me to see you make a statement we can believe together

February 7 at 8:39pm · Like · 1

Suzie Gay Etheridge to sin is to miss the mark….. i miss the mark somehow by something every day…. thank God Jesus said ‘It Is Finished’

February 7 at 8:41pm · Like

Shaun Heeren

February 7 at 8:42pm · Like

Rosemary Herms-Barnes I Jn 1:7-10
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9…See More

February 7 at 8:44pm · Like · 2

Henry Baron What should two gays do who love each other and long to be in a committed relationship? Wish there were a biblical example of that.

Friday at 2:33pm via mobile · Like

Rosemary Herms-Barnes If 2 people love each other inappropriately (i.e., against the guidelines of the Lord), they are to distance themselves from one another. If I want something that God says “No” to, I need to let it go. It would not be hard for any of us to long for a night with any number of attractive people. But, it’s a “No” from God. So you repent of that desire and move on…..

Friday at 8:11pm · Like

Rosemary Herms-Barnes And do not think for one minute I have not said scores of “no’s” of things I longed for over my lifetime — including (decades ago) very appealing guys who only needed one “yes” from me for us to launch a new “meaningful relationship”. I can think o…See More

Friday at 8:18pm · Like · 1

Rosemary Herms-Barnes What is the difference between 2 married people having to say “no” to others with whom maybe they think they are “in love”? Maybe they have worked closely together over the years and gradually realized they understand each other more than their spouse…See More

Friday at 8:21pm · Like · 1

 

Friday at 8:24pm · Like

Chris Moore Rosemary, Thank you for your discussion here. It has helped me deal with the same issue.I too know people living this lifestyle and have struggled with how to handle it at times. I don’t have much to do with these few but when I do I treat them as frie…See More

Friday at 8:53pm via mobile · Unlike · 1

Rosemary Herms-Barnes Thank you for saying all that Chris! That blessed me. I often tackle “hard issues” because I would not respect myself if I did not. I know the inadequacy of the written word when we cannot hear tone , see body language, know the history of the person …See More

Friday at 9:06pm · Like

Rosemary Herms-Barnes But we have to love the unbelievers enough to keep “speaking the truth in love”!!

Friday at 9:07pm · Like · 1

Reuben Richardson why be lost,,,,,,,

Friday at 9:19pm · Unlike · 1

 

Suzie Gay Etheridge OK i havent read every comment here… what i DO KNOW IT IS NOT OUR JOB TO JUDGE ANYONE…… Jesus loves us and that is the message we carry…………………………………………………

Saturday at 3:38am · Like

Rosemary Herms-Barnes Is it possible that by not reading the comments you might be judging us all to be judging in a wrong way? Read them when you get a chance and see whether or not we are writing anything unloving and/or unscriptural.

Saturday at 9:00am · Like

Jemima Mical Villalba jesus is love we know that message… but also is JUSTICE…. (sorry my english is not good)

Saturday at 10:00am · Unlike · 1

Suzie Gay Etheridge no not at all Rosemary, i should have said. not my job as i was thinking of myself, something i need to take aboard my journey daily. God be with you sister….. hugs

Saturday at 11:22pm · Unlike · 1

Jason David Groenke I think it’s good to let people know my beliefs and where I stand, ask them if they want more info and if they decline let it be, stay kind and show understanding and if later they feel they need a change be there to help

Saturday at 11:48pm via mobile · Unlike · 2

 

Jason David Groenke That’s the game plan any-ways, I don’t always follow my own advice

Saturday at 11:53pm via mobile · Like

Suzie Gay Etheridge LOL me either…. just thinking lately for me i mean, take your hands of the control button….. Let Go Let God….

Saturday at 11:54pm · Like

Rosemary Herms-Barnes Jason, I agree with you: I use my own site often to state my (very strong) beliefs and love to read people’s thoughtful responses so I too can see more. I figure everyone can do the same thing in their own “status” box. If people want to join in the d…See More

Yesterday at 12:20am · Like

Jason David Groenke There is nothing better than civilized conversation with people with different views or opinions, disagree with them all night then hug them goodby

Yesterday at 12:30am via mobile · Unlike · 1

Rosemary Herms-Barnes AMEN, Jason…I love it when we can do that! I read so my responses to news articles on line that deteriorate into name calling and intimidation tactics (to shame and silence the one who disagrees) that I am thrilled when we can all talk respectfully to one another!

Yesterday at 12:36am · Like

Jason David Groenke I think too many people don’t take time and learn about things, they just blindly hate. I try to learn as much as possible about things I hate,then when I see deeper I start to understand and see it from someone else’s eyes

Yesterday at 12:47am via mobile · Like

Hilda Clark I believe what you wrote was well said.

Yesterday at 8:43am · Unlike · 1

 

Susan Parsons Sumner A person with a homosexual bent has a particular opportunity to glorify God by refusing to follow the dictates of flesh thereby proving his/her love for Jesus, who said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” So sad that the opportunity is not often grasped so that God might be glorified and the person made whole! IT HAPPENS!

People feel sorry for homosexuals. Why? In the end, their cross is no heavier than a heterosexual who cannot find a compatible mate. Fornication is fornication, and without the sanctity of marriage (which includes commitment to love and cherish and preserve through every disagreement), sexual intimacy is abominable. Why again? Because it is not in keeping with the pattern of God’s creation. Practicing homosexuals are promoting a picture of that which cannot prosper in God’s design. (If all were homosexual, we could not be fruitful and multiply). People who get their hackles up and feel angry at this kind of stance need to re-think their own. Romans 1(vss. 24+) says that because of the Babylonish (pagan) influence willingly received by His people, God finally just gave them up to it (knowing that it would eventually move/evolve culture to the fullness of its sin, that the end might come—and we are in those end times). God gave them up to it, to “dishonor their own bodies between themselves.” Yes, it is a dishonor to one’s body—we weren’t designed for it. Further, Romans says that this cultural shift “changed the truth of God into a lie”–yes, the modern LIE is that homosexuality is another “natural” mindset, and even God-designed (!). Paul, still on the pagan subject in Romans says the cultural movement worshipped and served the creature more than the eternal Creator. Worship gives the favored place and devotes honor and promotion to its object. Today’s culture worships PEOPLE and their bents. And God is “bent” to fit their bents. (They wish!)

Romans continues, saying mankind and his culture has been given up unto the vile affections, “for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature.” Today lesbianism isn’t just a bent from birth—it’s an experiment; kicks. It has become fashionable for hetero girls to have a lesbian affair, even in high school. Katy Perry’s song, “I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It” is a sign of where culture has come. And such uses of talent are socially and spiritually irresponsible.

Paul said that homosexuality has recompense. Part of that compensation for culture has been a reprobate mind—a lack of conscience, and a certain sense of self-righteousness—i.e., “Gay Pride” instead of humility and seeking God for a change in heart. WHICH HE CAN DO, AND DOES DO. Gay pride has gone beyond a smug license for sodomy. Even Paul says that they (the now-Godless culture) has been filled with ALL unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity. Flaming gayness as we see it in the media is full of Diva-vanity, saucy catty conversation, pride, smug “b—-ness”, criticism (just watch Project Runway), covetousness, and a generally sickening demeanor. And those who partake not only do such things, but have PLEASURE in them that do them. So are we among “those who partake” by reason of enjoying the comedies, the drama, the sassy personas portrayed on TV as modern homosexuality? I’m afraid we are. For this reason, I’m done with Project Runway and all the other shows that have come to glorify homosexual culture as something artistic and trend-setting. Yes, it is sin, not just for the practicing homosexual, but for all of society that embraces it as a norm. It has changed our culture into a hedonistic meat market and we shall soon see the result of it as the next 5 years unfold. Yes, I am being prophetic. Be watching.

2 hours ago · Like

Rosemary Herms-Barnes Susie, your gift for putting things in writing is truly from our Lord!!! You should write a book on this one……You nailed it with the truth of Word and Spirit. I totally believe your prophetic word!!!

When we partake of   Communion together  we show forth, proclaim,  the death of Jesus

1 Cor 11: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.25          After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. {“shew “ means “proclaim”, “promulgate” means to declare something to make it known, publish , to set forth something to teach it publicly….}.

27       Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.  28      But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.29    For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.30            For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.31          For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

When we publicly teach on His death, we share (among other things) that:

He took care of the price of sin through his death  so we could walk with the Father.  After He ascended to Heaven, He sent us His Spirit to live in us and to teach us His Ways. We have the Bible to teach us and the Spirit to illuminate the Bible. The Spirit also speaks to our hearts – reminding us of God’s Word and how to walk in it. His life in us also empowers us to be conformed to Him rather than being conformed to the world.

So, as a result of Jesus’ death we can now live IN HIM.  We can “feed on” Him. He gives us spiritual food so our spirit man can be strong . Our spirit man must overcome all the warfare of our flesh and soul. We must abide IN HIM to continue to be pleasing to Him.

1 Cor 10:16  The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?  “Communion” here means “fellowship”, “partnership”, “companionship” – we are all partakers of His Spirit and His Word.

We have no life in us unless we partake in His blood and flesh:

John 6: 47    Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.48           I am that bread of life.49   Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.50  This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.51       I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.52            The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?53           Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.55     For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.56      He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.57          As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.58        This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

Another version: (NIV)

John 6: 55    For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.56      Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.57       Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.

To eat His body and drink His blood means to feed on His Word and live IN HIM, in His Spirit, in His life

The Lord enables us to please Him through the life of Christ in us:

Heb 13: 20   Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,21      Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Our lives belong to the Lord and we must live them in accordance with His will:

2 Cor 5: 15   And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.16    Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.17           Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

We are no longer to live in sin but to walk in our new life in Him:

Rom 6: 1       What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?2  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?3    Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?4    Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.5          For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:6        Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.7        For he that is dead is freed from sin.8     Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:9  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.10            For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.11            Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.12        Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.13           Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.14     For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.15          What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.16     Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?17            But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.18   Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.………………………………………..23           For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Rom 8: 1       There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.2         For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.3         For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:4      That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.5       For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.6     For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.7         Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.8          So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.9        But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.10          And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.11           But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.12     Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.13  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.14     For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.15       For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.16    The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:17     And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Gal 2: 20       I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Eph 5: 14      Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.15   See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,16            Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.17  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

When we live our lives feeding on the Spirit of Christ,  partaking of His life in us, we must be obedient and holy.  IF we are Christ’s , we WILL be

Eph 4: 20      But ye have not so learned Christ;21   If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:22        That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;23           And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;24     And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.25   Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.26     Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:27    Neither give place to the devil.28          Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.29  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.30   And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.31        Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:32            And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.(KJV)

1 Pet 1: 13    Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;14         As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:15           But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;16        Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.17       And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:18            Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;19          But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:20         Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,21            Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.22         Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:23            Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

1 Pet 4: 1      Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;2   That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

Rom 12: 1     I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.2       And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1 Cor 6: 19   What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?20         For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Gal 5: 24       And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25       If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

 

Col 3: 1          If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.2         Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.3            For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.4           When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.5          Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:6       For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:7     In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.8      But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.9  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;10    And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

I Jn 4: 9          In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

Col 3: 17       And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him…….. 23         And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;24         Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

The assurance of an abundant entrance into the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ

In some verses in the following passage, 2 Peter 1: 3—15, we are told what we must do to assure ourselves of an abundant entrance into the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ ..

In verse 3 we see that we have ALL we need from the Lord’s power operating within us to have His life and godliness we access His divine power inside of us by our knowing Him, He who has called us to glory and virtue.

Yes, He has called us to glory and virtue — Jesus shares His glory with believers:

John 17: 22      And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Glory has also been translated as “praise” and “honor”. Glory in Websters: praise, honor, or distinction extended by common consent, renown. Great beauty and splendor. Magnificence

Synonyms: acclaim, applause, credit, homage

God has called us to virtue too , i.e., be powerful, courageous, honorable ; however, there are things we must be exercised in so that we can be all we are destined to be and so we do experience great joy at His appearing.

We must believe that He truly wants every single believer to grow into such excellence and then press towards becoming all He has given us the ability to be through our relationship (our communion, our walk) with Him.

In this passage Peter says to give diligence in adding things to ourselves.

Diligence is a strong word! It means to persistently, carefully attend to something – to ceaselessly endure to make sure it is taken care of..

We are told to work out our salvation with fear and trembling – that implies that same character of diligently, faithfully, continuously attending to the matter:

 

Phil 2: 12         Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.13          For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14  Do all things without murmurings and disputings:15   That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;16            Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

On this path to becoming “blameless and harmless”, we must know what the directives we are given in the Word actually mean. In this case I am referring to the things Peter says we must “add to” our faith. How can I “add” to myself something that I no idea of what it looks like. If I don’t know what , e.g., “brotherly kindness” is , how can I exercise it and make it a part of my new life in Christ?

To this end of understanding I have added definitions by the qualities we are told to add to our faith.

In some cases I included the meanings opposite of what we are to add — sometimes I figure out what something is by what it is not. (

2 Pet 1: 3         According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

4          Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5          And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

Faith: If I have faith I am persuaded and convinced of something. My faith in Christ means I constantly rely on Him for complete salvation.

Virtue: Valor, excellence

Dictionary.com: boldness or determination in facing great danger, especially in battle; heroic courage; bravery

Synonym courage. Antonym cowardice.

 

Knowledge: Dictionary.com: knowl·edge

1. acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation

……….3. acquaintance or familiarity gained by sight, experience, or report:

4. the fact or state of knowing; the perception of fact or truth; clear and certain mental apprehension.

 

6          And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

Temperance: Self control (includes in appetite), continence, mastery

Dictionary.com: tem·per·ance

1. moderation or self-restraint in action, statement, etc.; self-control.

2. habitual moderation in the indulgence of a natural appetite or passion

 

Patience: Cheerful or hopeful in endurance, constancy, staying “under”, bear trials, persevere websters: Longsuffering

Godliness: Piety Webster on Piety: showing reverence for Deity and devotion to divine worship; sacred or devotional as distinct from the profane or secular, worthy of commendation Synonyms: constant, dedicated, devoted, faithful, true; Antonyms: disloyal, faithless, false, fickle….

 

7          And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

Brotherly Kindness: Fraternal affection, fond of the brethren

Synonyms for kindness in Webster: benevolence, showing of courtesy, indulgence, mercy, service

Antonyms: Coldheartedness, hardheartedness, inhumanity, mercilessness, pitilessness

Affection: Websters: a tender attachment, fondness (attachment, devotion))

Opposite: loathing, hate

Love (Agape): Affection, benevolence

Websters: A strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties, affection based on admiration or common interests,warm attachment, an unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another

Benevolence: a disposition to do good, an act of kindness;

antonyms: ill will, venom, malevolence (malice is synonymous with malevolence and synonyms to malice are : cattiness, hatefulness, maliciousness, meanness, nastiness, spite, viciousness)

 

8          For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. {rb You will get to know the Lord better as you ADD these things to your new life in Christ! You do not ever want to hear the words, “Depart from me — I never knew you”. }

9          But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

10        Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

11        For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.12          Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. {RB Never tire of being reminded of what spiritual disciplines we must consistently exercise! Even if we think we “know” them — we don’t really know them until all is thoroughly worked into our walk with Him.}  13          Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;14         Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.15      Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

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We must be  always mindful that the Lord is coming to set up His kingdom — we must be prepared:  Let the hope of receiving His kingdom motivate  you NOW to love and serve the King!!!

Seek FIRST the kingdom of God:

Luke 12: 29     And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.30         For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.32         Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.33        Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.34     For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;36          And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.37  Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.38            And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.39      And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.40      Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Mark 13: 23     But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.24  But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,25  And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.27     And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:29       So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.30      Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.31      Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.    33 Take ye heed,watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
.34    For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.35      Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:36          Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37   And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Definition of Watch: Stay awake, be vigilant, rouse yourself from inactivity, be alert and aware Dictionary.com: to be alertly on the lookout, look attentively, or observe, as to see what comes, is done, or happens 2. to look or wait attentively and expectantly (usually followed by for ): 3. to be careful or cautious:4. to keep awake, especially for a purpose; remain vigilant, as for protection or safekeeping:

 

Rev 3: 1           And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.2            Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.3    Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.4            Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.5   He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.6      He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

The theme of WATCHING and staying awake:

Matt 26: 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

1 Cor 16:13          Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Eph 6: 18    Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

1 Pet 4: 7    But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

1 Pet 5: 8    Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:9      Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.10       But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Rev 16: 15  Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Rom 13: 11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.12  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

Col 4: 2       Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

1Thes 5: 1   But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.2          For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.3        For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.4     But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.5        Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.6     Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

7        For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.8        But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

9        For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,10    Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

The word “watch”  sometimes  has within its meaning the ideas  of awakening or staying awake,  and of rising up:

Eph 5: 14    Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,16          Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.17          Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.18      And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;19         Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;20          Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Please  read this post carefully – I really sense there are words in here that the Holy Spirit wants you to receive deep within your spirit:

Don’t enpower any one of us to make you feel worse with our “advice”. 

Please don’t withdraw! 

 Depression is DIFFICULT!! It can be physically based  and/or from    emotional wounds from the past (even moments of  rejection in the womb!), demonically enhanced, a lack of certain vitamins/minerals/ sunshine/exercise, and/or it can be something negative we have to face (anger, unforgiveness, sin, etc.).  NONE of us is in a position to say “Snap out of it”.  I suffered depression for awhile in 1964, 1966–to 1968, and then again around 1971 or so.  Actually, some again in 1975.  I did literally get deliverance from some pesky demons and have not been depressed since, i.e., the kind of heaviness/gloom that lasts and lasts and you cannot see colors, beauty, etc. 

 There can be a genetic propensity too  –  WHO KNOWS all of the factors involved in each person individually (uniquely) other than our Lord.

 I do know  that listening to and agreeing with praise and worship music can  help a great deal (“the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness”) – sometimes we just plow through our listening to the music by faith because the heaviness is so very HEAVY.

Please, please know that the quick  “faith” answers don’t  always reflect the kind of faith God is looking for….sometimes it is our  faith that has to WAR through for weeks and weeks with trust in God while the battle is raging and dark.  The Spirit of Christ within our spirit does the work while we trust Him to deliver us.

I was actually deeply HURT by that  “to a fault” “faith fad”  that was raging in the ‘70’s when folks would respond to  someone else’s , e.g.,  migraine with a “just confess  your healing and move on”.  IF the headache is still there after  their prayer, I WILL take an aspirin!  I will not sneak and take one just to please the person who prayed for me.

People used to literally throw away their glasses after being prayed for and I would say , “That is ridiculous  – if God healed the person , the glasses will not work properly anymore and if He did not, they will still need the glasses”.  We don’t have to say or do presumptuous  stuff to keep from looking faithless. God is big enough to see where we are truly at – we will not hurt His feelings if we need a second, third, and fourth touch from Him over a long period of time. 

 I have faith in God even IF He chooses – for whatever reason – to allow things to linger. Or, like Job I can say, “though He slay me…” Ignore the ignorance of some “ faith teachers” who say it was Job’s own fault because “the thing he greatly feared” happened. Before it all happened God Himself told the devil Job was perfect in his behavior. The trial was a test to make Job’s testimony a blessing to us all to the praise of God.  Job KEPT a good testimony through all his trials and God multiplied blessings to him afterwards. 

Please  stop beating yourself up and/or giving away to others the power to define what you need or are in response to your tribulation…just hold on to the Lord no matter what.  You are a treasure of helpfulness to the body of Christ and the enemy wants to shut you down. Sort through all the advice and receive what resonants in your spirit as words from His Spirit.

Even if you make a  Facebook post that looks like it came out of the lamenting portions of Lamentations, it is good for us Christians to FACE the fact the we do experience tribulation in this world (all the while remembering  that (deep in our spirit) to “be of good cheer” because the Lord overcame the world) . Sometimes our spirit man is dancing while our soul and bodies are lamenting. Yes, I know that sounds strange, but that is the way it can be in the midst of the  warfare.

I pray you withstand this new bout of warfare and even in the midst of it that you sense the Lord’s loving presence in spite of it!!!!!! He LOVES you! He is your Father!!! Unlike any earthly father ever could be….

Many die in their battle with, e.g., cancer not knowing WHY the healing did not appear.

 There are simply things we do not understand and we think we are doing someone a favor  when  we have some simple, quick answer to “encourage” them.

Note to all of us when we make that mistake:   I do know we do it out of a loving attempt to help and we do mean well….and sometimes we just share what we have been taught. Having never been through depression, we just cannot imagine what someone  is going through so we say the standard things we hear everyone else say.  

Once  I told a friend after she complained about all the stupid stuff people said to her at her dad’s funeral:  “Overlook the feeble, bumbling attempts of some of your friends to comfort you – just celebrate the love it took for them to show up to demonstrate their sympathy”.

I pray you have a testimony here and there concerning the victory in the battles and I also pray there come the day the overall war is over completely!!

 

 

Jesus is coming back.

We have been discussing the coming kingdom of the Lord on earth that He will set up after He arrives; however, I today want to share some other verses that speak of His  arrival.

His second  coming  (the first was at His birth) is the “blessed hope” we all share!

Titus 2: 11    For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,12      Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;13       Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

To maintain this hope in ourselves purifies us:

I Jn 3: 2          Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.3            And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

 

We should believe He is coming  back again  and live accordingly.Many may think it has been so long that the promise of His return has been given that they don’t even believe   anymore that He is coming back!

2 Pet 3:1       This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:2         That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:3      Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,4  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.5        For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:6      Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:7    But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.8      But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.10       But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.11       Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,12           Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?  13            Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.14         Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.15       And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;16            As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.17        Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

 

Whether we are faithful to believe that He is coming back or whether we have lost our faith:  He IS coming back to earth again!

Rev 1:7          Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Matt 24: 29  Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Luke 21: 25  And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;26  Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.27          And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.28           And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

 

 Mark 14:61 But he {Jesus}  held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?62     And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

 

Acts 1: 9        And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.10         And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;11   Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

For those of us who do believe He is coming back to earth , we must guard our hearts to maintain our faith!

Heb 3: 12      Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.13     But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.14           For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;15          While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

Heb 10:.35   Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence {payment} of reward.36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.37     For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.38        Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.39        But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

James 5: 7    Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.8         Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

 

We are to remind one another of His coming in order to COMFORT each other!

1Thes 4: 13  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.14       For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.15     For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.16         For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:17         Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.18            Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

Stay filled with the Spirit at all times –  be ready to meet the Lord at all times!!

1 Pet 1: 13    Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;14    As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:15           But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;16            Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.17        And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

The parable of the 10 virgins is all about the wise being READY to meet the Lord and the foolish being unprepared.

Matt 25: 1    Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.2     And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.3            They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:4  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.5  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.6            And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.8    And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.9     But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.10            And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready { meaning adjusted, fit, prepared rb} went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.11            Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.12        But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.13      Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

How do we make sure we are ready?

I must die to my own  selfish ways and live in Him!

I Jn 2: 28       And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

John 15: 1    I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.2    Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.3   Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.4            Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.5      I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.6      If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.8     Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.9      As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

I must eat the spiritual food I need to sustain my spiritual life!  This food is His Word and His Life (Spirit)

John 6: 53    Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.54Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.55            For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

56       He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.57     As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.58            This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

Jesus is the “Bread of Heaven” just as this old hymn says:

1.    Guide me, O Thou great *Jehovah, [*Redeemer]
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty,
Hold me with Thy pow’rful hand.
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more;
Feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliv’rer, strong Deliv’rer,
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield;
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield.

We surrender our will to His life in us:

Gal 2: 20        I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Luke 9:23     And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.24    For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.25         For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.

His WORD ministers life to us:

John 6: 63    It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Obeying His Word keeps us in communion with Him:

John 8:31     Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

His power in us keeps us from falling away from Him and will cause us to be prepared for His coming:

Jude 1: 24     Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,25     To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

He sanctifies us:

1Thes 5: 23  And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.24      Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

WE have to cooperate actively with His work in us:

Rom 13: 14  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Eph 4: 22      That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;23        And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;24          And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

2 Pet 1: 3      According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:4   Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.5      And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;6         And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;7           And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.8    For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.9           But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.10    Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:11         For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

We must show one another how to walk in Christ; we must be good examples to those who need help:

Phil 3: 17      Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.18     (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19      Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)20        For our conversation {citizenship, our community} is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:21        Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

The bride of Christ is preparing herself for eternity  – she is making herself ready to receive her Bridegroom! She WILL one day BE ready.

Rev 19: 7      Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Ready here means to be prepared.  Prepared means “ to put in proper condition or readiness”. 

Rev 21: 1      And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.2  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.3    And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.4            And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.5            And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.6          And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.7          He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.8            But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

We must , as His Bride, say “Come” – we must desire His appearing!

Rev 22: 12    And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.13        I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.14        Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.15  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.16  I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely………………..…….20        He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.21         The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

 

Jesus Christ: The everlasting KING

When we sing “Joy to the world” we speak of Jesus as a king .

Joy to the World, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders, of His love.

—————————-

It IS true that in one sense Jesus is reigning right now – He rules the world  and we who have His Spirit  are living in His kingdom right now. We accept His rulership in our lives. He is our King .

Luke 17: 20  And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:21            Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

 

Col 1: 12       Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:13       Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

 

Jesus stated that the spiritual authority he exercised over the kingdom of darkness indicated the arrival of the kingdom of God .  
Matt 12: 28  But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

But we also know that there will come a day when we will SEE the kingdom of the Lord established on earth. This  kingdom will come violently ; however, once it is established there will be peace.

Dan 2: 44      And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Dan 7: 14      And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Isa 35:3 Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; 4 say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” …………10 and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

 

Ps 2: 1        Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?2         The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,3  Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.4   He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.5   Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.6        Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.7   I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.8          Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.9      Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.10        Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.11         Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.12        Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Jesus Christ will reign  from Zion, Jerusalem when He comes back to earth.  When Jesus comes and sets up His kingdom, then the “peace of Jerusalem” will be a reality forever!  We are told to earnestly pray for this peace to come into being!!

Isa 62: 6       I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,7  And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth

Just before Jesus was born, key people were told that Jesus would be the one to be the eternal ruler in  Jerusalem.

This prophetic word has yet to be fulfilled . .

The “Christmas Story” in the first couple of chapters in Luke  reveals the fact that Jesus will sit on David’s throne in a never ending kingdom.

The prophetic word to Mary : Luke 1: 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist,  was given that same truth, i.e., the coming “horn of salvation …in the house of …David”: Luke 1:67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David 70(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us— 72 to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

Therefore, we remain praying earnestly for Jerusalem to become the praise in the earth that she is destined to be. This will happen when the Lord returns and  sets  up His throne in Jerusalem.

Many passages in the Word confirm that  there is  coming a day when the Lord will be  reigning in Jerusalem upon Mount Zion.

Ps 48: 1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

Ps 132: 13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.15 I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.17 There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.

Isa 2: 3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Isa 12: 6 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

Isa 24: 23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.

Isa 33: 20 Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.21 But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.
22 For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.

Isa 35: 10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isa 51: 11 Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

Isa 59: 17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.18 According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and forever.

Micah 4: 1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Micah 4: 7 And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.

Zeph 3: 14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.15 The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

 Zech 2: 10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.11 And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.12 And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.

Zeph 3:14 Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem! 15 The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. 16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. 17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” 18 “The sorrows for the appointed feasts I will remove from you; they are a burden and a reproach to you. 19 At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you; I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been scattered. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they were put to shame. 20 At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes,” says the LORD.

Zech 14: 9 The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name. 10 The whole land, from Geba to Rimmon, south of Jerusalem, will become like the Arabah. But Jerusalem will be raised up and remain in its place, from the Benjamin Gate to the site of the First Gate, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the royal winepresses. 11 It will be inhabited; never again will it be destroyed. Jerusalem will be secure.

Finally the “peace of Jerusalem “

will be a reality!

 Isaiah also prophesied about the day of the Lord bringing salvation to His people: Isa 40:9 You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” 10 See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him,and his recompense accompanies him. 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

Isa 62:11 Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.12 And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.

Jesus is the one who returns with  a “reward”:

Rev 22:12 “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. ….16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

Jesus Christ brings salvation when He comes again to those who are waiting for Him:.

 Heb 9:28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

We must have a strong desire for  Him to come!

Rev 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus .

To pray for His return is to also pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  He will bring that peace when He sets up His kingdom..

 

In Isaiah 9, the Bible reveals that God saw the birth of Jesus Christ and His entire future all together. When we celebrate Christmas, we should have that same  Godly perspective. When we celebrate His birth at Christmastime, we also need to celebrate  His complete plan!

Isa 9: 6           For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

7          Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

 

Just as those living when Jesus was born were greatly rejoicing at His advent, we now have something to pray for and talk about with great enthusiasm: He IS coming back; He will set up His kingdom forever !

1Thes 4: 16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:17        Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.18            Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

Because we are now and will continue to be a part of this kingdom, we need to live our lives now in a way that pleases our God! We should rehearse the words that affirm His everlasting kingdom so that we are motivated to surrender our lives to Him!

 

Heb 12: 28   Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: