Welcome to the blog of Pastor Alton Stone, from Simpsonville, SC. Pastor Stone is a retired Ordained Bishop of The Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee with over 45 years of pastoral ministry.

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Breaking Chains (Part 3)

Our Father's goal in breaking the strongholds and chains in our lives is much more than simply seeing our burdens or the devil being taken off our backs.  The specific purpose toward which God steers the working of all things in our lives, is our conformity "to the image of His Son."

Romans 8:28, 29 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."

The way to realize God's ultimate victory is to reach toward His ultimate goal, which is a complete transformation into the likeness of Christ.  We must recognize that it is not you that the devil is afraid of, but it's Christ in You!

Victory begins with the name of Jesus on our lips.  It is sealed by the nature of Jesus in our hearts.  If you are troubled by fear, resentment, depression, sinful thoughts, apathy, or whatever, submit those areas to God. Repent of your unbelief and then yield yourself to Christ's faith within you.  If you're troubled by lust and shame then present those areas of sin to God, repenting of your old nature, and drawing upon the forgiveness of Christ and His purity of heart.

James 4:7 "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

We must learn that on a personal level, it is better to develop godly virtues than to spend our day praying against the devil. It's the joy of the Lord that defeats depression, living a life of faith that destroys unbelief, and aggressive love that casts out fear.

As we continually yield ourselves to Jesus, surrendering ourselves by faith to His nature and His words, we literally build the impenetrable stronghold of His Presence around us.  The way into the fortress of the Almighty is simple as I've already stated.  Don't forget-victory begins with the name of Jesus on our lips and is sealed by the nature of Jesus in our heart. Let it be so in your life today.


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