The Lie of Wars (Part 7)

The Lie of Wars (Part 7)

Your position as a believer is not one of running or hiding from the enemy. It is standing firm, not giving Satan a place in your life that will enable him to enter in and eventually defeat you.  Permitting spiritual ignorance to remain regarding the enemy, his power, and the plan of God for your life allows Satan to get a strong foothold. It gives him an opportunity to operate and attack you. 
 

Your solution is to put on the mind of Christ. Paul told the Philippians in Chapter 2:5: 

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” 

Do not allow your life to be ruled by your natural mind. Your natural mind cannot comprehend the things of the Spirit.  

1 Corinthians 2:14, 15 says, "But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them – of progressively recognizing, understanding and becoming better acquainted with them because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated. But the spiritual man tries all things-(that is,) he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things…"

-You must fill your mind with the knowledge of the Lord.   

You must come to know Christ intimately so that His thoughts and purposes become your thoughts and purposes. There is no excuse for spiritual ignorance.  

-You must understand spiritual warfare. 

There is no excuse for not knowing the Word of God. There is no reason you should not know the truth concerning the enemy and your position of power and authority over him. There is no excuse for not knowing how to defeat the enemy.

God has equipped you with the all-powerful Word of God which gives you detailed instructions on how to fight and win spiritual battles. God is not sending you out into battle empty-handed. He has given you all the knowledge and spiritual arsenal you need to win the war. Use it!
 

The Lies of War (Part 6)

The Lies of War (Part 6)

Jesus warned His disciples in John 16:33. The Amplified Version reads like this:

"In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer--take courage, be confident, certain, undaunted--for I have overcome the world. I have deprived it of power to harm, have conquered it (for you)."
 

Christians are not exempt from the attacks of the enemy. 

-You will be tried and tested. 

-You will face difficult circumstances. 

-You will have times of discouragement and heartache.  

-You will face persecution and great loss from time to time. 

Your position during times of difficulties should not be one of fear, panic, discouragement, or retreat. You are to resist and stand against and oppose Satan. You stand firm knowing that Christ will make you victorious.  

Peter said in 1 Peter 5:10  "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 

These four words – "restore, strong, firm, and steadfast” – describe what God has promised to do for you during times of difficulty.  

The word “restore” means to “perfect” or “make complete.” God uses every situation to perfect you.  As you  submit to Him and resist Satan, God will “make you strong.”  The original Greek translation of this phrase means “to strengthen one so he can stand fast in persecution.” God will make you “firm and steadfast,” which means “to be put on a firm foundation.”

This promise is your guarantee:  "The God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will restore you and make me strong, firm, and steadfast."  You are not exempt from spiritual battles, but there is a divine purpose in what you are experiencing. Who knows the people you will help with your overcomers testimony? You might not, but God does. The devil is a liar and God's Word is true. Hold onto it when you think you can't make it another day. God will not leave you nor forsake you!
 

The Lies of War (Part 4)

The Lies of War (Part 4)

Satan wants you to believe that he has been given unlimited power, but he is a liar. Satan is not a free agent. God has not freed him to do whatever he desires to do.  

God is in control, not Satan. God has a Master Plan that consummates in the creation of a new heaven and a new earth where all things are brought together in one under Christ as Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:10.   Within God’s plan and purpose for man, He has given Satan limited power and a limited amount of time to work.

When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he did not do it without God’s knowledge.  It was not a chance meeting. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Jesus was tempted in all points, just as you are, so that you could have a faithful High Priest Who is touched by the feeling of your infirmities according to Hebrews 4:15.

Satan did not have the power to take Jesus’ life from Him.  God planned to give His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.  God allowed Satan, working through men, to crucify Jesus. Satan was not in control. God allowed the crucifixion,  knowing that Jesus would complete the atonement for the sins of mankind, rise from the dead, break the power of sin and death, and return to Heaven.  It was His divine destiny.
 

When the Jewish leaders and soldiers came to arrest Him, Jesus told them:

Luke 22:53 “When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” 

This was the appointed hour when God permitted Satan to work through these men to bring Jesus to death on the cross. It was not because God could not prevent this from happening.  Jesus told them in Matthew 26:53, 54;

“Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?”  

Pilate asked Jesus in John 19:10, 11: 

“Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.”  

So Satan’s power is limited. He has been given certain boundaries set by God and he cannot go beyond these boundaries. Satan is working throughout the world today, but God has placed limits on him concerning his attacks on believers. Satan’s power against you is limited by the almighty power of God. Don't think he's winning the war because he isn't and never will. The battle is the Lord's and He is on your side!

 

The Lies of War (Part 3)

The Lies of War (Part 3)

Satan has succeeded in getting many believers to deny his existence for years. He has distorted his image, causing people to perceive him with horns, a tail, carrying a pitchfork, and confined to the flames of hell. He has become identified as a fictional character on television and in movies.
 

-Satan has planted fear in the hearts of many believers, causing them to think they are powerless against his attacks on their bodies, their finances, and their loved ones. 

-Many believe that Satan is in control of the world and their personal circumstances.   

It is time for God's people to rise up in power and expose Satan and his deceptive strategies. Think about any deceptions the enemy has planted in your mind. Perhaps you have discounted Satan's power or felt you were a helpless victim of his attacks.  

Remember this:

-Satan is not in control over the earth.  

-Satan’s power is limited.  

-Satan has no power over you except what you permit him to have.  

-You are not exempt from his attacks.  

-You have power over all the power of the enemy. 

If you are a born-again believer, Satan is not in control of your life.  He is not in control of your family or your ministry.  He is not in control of your destiny.  He is not in control of the circumstances of your life.

This earth and everything belongs to God, including you, your friends and family,  your possessions, your circumstances, and your destiny! You may experience trials, but this is not because Satan is in control.  Satan is not in control.  God is in control.  There is nothing that can touch your life without God's permission according to Job chapters 1-2.

Just because you are a believer does not mean you are immune from Satan's lies, temptations, and attacks however.  Even Jesus faced the deceptions of Satan during His temptation in the wilderness, but Jesus emerged victorious over all the deceptions of the enemy as He met every attack with the truth of God's Word.  You can do the same!

 

Rebuke these deceptions in the name of Jesus.  Take authority over Satan's propaganda.

 

The Lies of War (Part 2)

The Lies of War (Part 2)

God has planned for you to face your trials, temptations,  circumstances, and every attack of the enemy–from the powerful position of knowledge of His Word. Satan’s deceptive strategy is to keep you in a position of spiritual ignorance. He will do everything possible to stop you from knowing the truth and recognizing your position of power and authority over him. Through these strategies, he will attempt to stop you from reaching your divine promise and destiny. 
 

Take note of what Jesus did:

-He gave His twelve disciples power and authority over “all devils” in Luke 9:1. 

-He appointed seventy disciples and gave them power over all the power of the enemy in Luke 10:19.  

When the disciples returned from their first mission they were rejoicing, saying, “Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name” in Luke 10:17. They were amazed that they had power over evil spirits.  

Jesus told these disciples in Luke 10:19: 

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the over of the enemy…” 

Satan was not in control. God was in control.  The disciples were given supernatural power over all the power of the enemy. You have that same power available to you today. 

-Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit, 

-He was given authority over Satan.

-He delegated that same power to His followers.  

-He confronted sickness, deformity, sin, and death with the power of Almighty God.  

You have that same authority to confront all the power of the enemy and remind the devil he is a defeated foe.   

Think about it:

-Jesus took authority over the enemy. 

-He rebuked the power of Satan and cast out devils simply by speaking the Word. 

-He spoke, and devils trembled and fled.  

The people did not understand how a man could have such authority and they actually accused Jesus of casting out devils by Beelzebub, the chief of devils. Some people still don't believe the power of Christ, and if you listen to their lies you can let down your guard and lose the war.

Jesus never begged God for power to confront evil forces, nor did He pray long prayers.  He took authority over the works of the enemy.  Jesus has given you this same amazing power and authority over the enemy. The only questions is:  Will you use it?

 

Keys To Victory (Part 10)

Keys To Victory (Part 10)

Today is the day for you  to begin a march on the deceptive tactics of the devil.  Today is a good day to start!  You must march onto the battlefield of your life and wage offensive warfare against Satan and his powers of darkness.  You cannot be victorious just through defensive measures alone. 

We know that Satan is defeated and the time will come when the whole world will know this.  The Prophet Isaiah declared Isaiah 14:12, 15-16: 

"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble?"

 

In the end Satan loses and those who are on his side will lose with him. God is the winner, and those on His side will win with Him,  The Apostle Paul declared, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in Romans 8:37: 

“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”  

You have the choice.  God has given you a free will.  He will not violate your will, although He will continually seek by His Holy Spirit to draw you to Himself.

Deuteronomy 11:26-28 defines your choices in this way:

"Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day."

Samson was deceived and taken captive by the enemy.  Yet, in the final moments of his life he made a choice to repent and ask for God's strength to once again be manifested in his life.  In his death, Samson conquered more of the enemy than he had in his lifetime.  He made a choice and this time it was the right one!

This matter of choosing was clearly given to the people of Israel by Joshua when he said, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve!” in Joshua 24:15. 

Elijah presented the same choice in his confrontation with the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:21: 

“How long halt ye between two opinions?”  

God is putting that same challenges to you today:   

-Choose you this day who you will serve.   

-How long will you halt between two opinions? 

The difference between victory and defeat is your choice. Will you make the right one today?

 

Keys To Victory (Part 8)

Keys To Victory (Part 8)

In the closing Verses of 2 Chronicles 20 there are four results of the benefits of victory which you will experience when you learn to triumph in impossible situations. They are:
 

(1)Reaping.  

God not only delivered His people from their foes, He enriched them with the spoils of the enemy. It took three days to gather all the valuables (2 Chronicles 20:25).  Satan was defeated at the cross of Calvary and it took Jesus three days to carry away the spoils of the enemy!   Begin to reap the spoils of spiritual victory by:

a. Snatching your unsaved mate from Satan's evil clutches.  

b. Exercising your rightful authority over your children.  

taking control of your finances.   

c. Taking authority in every area where the enemy has established a stronghold.

(2) Releasing.  

The Valley of Berachah was located between Bethlehem (where David was anointed as king of Israel) and Hebron (where he fortified a refuge against his enemy, Saul). "Berachach" means "blessing," so the place of blessing is situated spiritually between the "anointing" and the "refuge".  Immediately after his victory over the enemy, Jehoshaphat gathered God's people together to reverse the curse of the bad report and release the blessings of God upon the people.

(3) Rejoicing.  

The people assembled in the house of the Lord before going out to battle and returned there after their victory with tremendous joy, praise, and music (2 Chronicles 20:27-28). If we would venture out in faith to confront our enemies instead of hiding and cowering in fear, perhaps we, too, would assemble with more joy when we come to the house of the Lord.

(4) Resting.  

Enemy forces were still encamped just over the hill and across the streams, but they were not a threat to Jehoshaphat because God gave him rest  (2 Chronicles 20:29-30).

You will be surrounded by enemy forces as long as you are in this world, but you do not have to be troubled by them. Never again wring your hands and cry, "I just don't know what to do!" You will be too busy reaping the spoils of victory by reversing the curse by releasing the blessing, rejoicing over the victory, and resting in God.

 

Keys To Victory (Part 7)

Keys To Victory (Part 7) 

Faith is not only a fact, but it is also an act.   Take the deliberate action of taking your needs before the Lord, then proceed to unlock what God has for you. with keys to the kingdom that He has given you.

Key One-Replace fear with faith.

Key Two-Rise up to confront the enemy and seize your destiny.

Key Three-Refocus your attention.  

Key Four-Reject reason for revelation.

 

Key Five-Respond in obedience.

Key Six-Reverse the curse.

These keys are applicable to every problem of life, whether it be physical, material, or spiritual.   Apply these strategies each time you confront a crisis or face a potential defeat. They cannot fail because they are based upon God's Word.  

(1) As you face difficult circumstances, don't deny them.  

-Jehoshaphat did not deny the devastating potential of his problem.  Some people claim that acknowledging  a problem is a negative confession that aborts faith.  

-When Christ’s disciples thought Lazarus was sleeping, however, Jesus pointedly corrected them.  “Lazarus is dead,” He declared.  Talk about a negative confession!  But in the next breath Jesus said, “But I go to raise Him!” 

If you do not acknowledge a problem, how can you deal with it?  When deliverance comes, how can God receive glory if you refuse to admit there was a problem in the first place? So acknowledge your problem.

(2) At the same time proclaim your confidence in God’s promises to deliver.  

You must take action in order to be victorious because information brings revelation, but  revelation must result in application in order to bring transformation.  Every force that threatens your destiny can be turned into victory through proper application of the principles of God's Word

The Keys To Victory (Part 3)

The Keys To Victory (Part 3)

Forgiveness is not just a reluctant handshake, a forced smile, or mumbled words. It is a true change in feelings and attitudes that comes from deep inside your soul and spirit. Its negative influence on your emotions, thoughts, and actions will cease. You can only do this when you have been forgiven yourself and understand the true concept of forgiveness. 

If you say that you will forgive, but that you will never forget, you betray the fact that our forgiveness is wrapped in carnality.  It's true that you will probably always remember the incident, but what changes with true forgiveness is the way you feel about it. It no longer matters as it once did.  Before forgiveness was extended, the fault was a barrier of resentment, anger, and mistrust.  After forgiveness is extended and received, there is peace.  Even though you remember the event, the emotional reaction to it is no more.

Forgiveness is much more than refusing to take revenge against someone who has hurt you.  You may have enough self-control not to retaliate, but inside you are furious. Once wronged,  you are determined to punish the offender. When you happen to meet up with a person who has wronged you, you show them by your manner that their offense is not forgotten.  When you truly forgive, although you  may remember the incident, you no longer dwell on it, harbor negative emotions concerning it, or react hatefully to the offender. 

Forgiveness is not simply ignoring an incident, pretending that it didn't happen, or claiming you were not hurt. There can be no forgiveness by merely ignoring a wrong. When two people try to ignore offenses, their relationship will suffer.  Forgiveness brings truth, love, and joy into every relationship where it is practiced in a positive way.

The way you forgive people should be patterned after the way that God forgives us.  God made the first move.  He initiated forgiveness with His arms stretched wide on the cross. If we are to practice forgiveness, we must also learn to make the first move.  God forgives sinners because He loves them, thinks they are worth forgiving, and because He wants to have a relationship with them. To be real and lasting, our forgiveness must emulate God’s example, which is more than giving a reluctant apology or a handshake which we offer because we think it is the right thing to do.

 Your offender may not even realize what they have done. We usually think a person who hurt us did it deliberately. Jesus taught a profound truth that offenders sometimes do not know what they are doing.  While hanging on the cross Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”  People who are slaves to sin have no ability to do anything other than sin. It is impossible for them to do God's will and live holy, righteous, compassionate lives.  Because of this, they are prone to hurt us. Sometimes even believers are oblivious to their hurtful actions and attitudes towards others.

 You are only harming yourself by refusing to forgive. The Lord’s emphasis on forgiving others is not only because it is morally right to forgive, but also because it  is vital for spiritual and psychological health. People who refuse to forgive are under immense spiritual, physical, psychological, mental, and emotional stress. 

 God views forgiveness as the means to a restored, reconciled relationship. Forgiveness is offered so that we can enjoy an eternal relationship with God.  Many people do not emulate this when it comes to forgiving others. Some people say that they will forgive a person who hurt them but that they want nothing more to do with them. They never want to see them again and want no sort of relationship in the future. That is not true forgiveness. 
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 Anger, revenge, harsh words, and withholding forgiveness all accomplish the enemy's work of keeping people isolated and divided.  Just as forgiveness of our sin through the cross reunites sinners with God,  so the forgiveness we offer should restore broken relationships.  

 Where there is unity, that is where God’s blessings are poured out, including financial blessings:

 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like  the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard:  that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that  descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing,  even life for evermore. (Psalm133:1-3)

 Where is divine provision manifested?  Where brothers and sisters dwell together in unity.

The Keys To Victory (Part 6)

The Keys To Victory (Part 6)

The devil will try to do several things to keep in bondage and away from victory. He will:

-Tempt you to murmur against God.  

-Cause you to rebel against God.  

-Create fear and unbelief by your own words.  

-Cause you to reject God’s Word.  

-Cause you to reject God’s will and follow your own plan.  

-Abort your spiritual vision and as you speak negative words of defeat.

God wants to bring you to a new level of spiritual knowledge regarding your keys to victory.  If you will recognize them daily, you will have scriptural and practical strategies to control the doubt, fear, and rebellion that defeat can bring.  

Your spiritual keys are in your hands.   You have a choice regarding what is behind and before you:
 

 -You can choose to obey God, control the words out of your mouth, and unlock your destiny

or  

-You can choose to rebel through the words of your own mouth and lock your destiny away forever..

 

Today, God has brought you to a new point in your spiritual destiny:

-He has positioned you for victory. 

-He has delivered you out of bondage, set you free from sin, and given you power over your tongue. 

-God has entered into an everlasting covenant with you that is sealed with the blood of Jesus. 

-He has given you covenant promises that provide for all your needs.  

-He has pledged Himself to be your God, to protect, prosper, and set you apart from the heathen of the earth. 

Behind you is a life of struggle, failure, and defeat. Before you lies new spiritual freedom. Chose to go forward!  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, control your tongue, believe God's promises, obey His Word, and confess the impossible as possible.  You are at the crossroads of destiny.  Step on over the border and enter into all God has planned for you.   Behind you lies slavery and death.  Life is set before you.  Choose life and victory ahead. 

The Keys To Victory (Part 5)

The Keys To Victory (Part 5)

The Word of God is power and authority and will break through every wall  the enemy has built and pull down  strongholds of evil powers and principalities that are operating over your life.  That's why you must control your tongue and  speak God's Word instead of negative words over your situation. The Word of God is a powerful key to victory for the believer!
 

When you take authority over your tongue, God gives:

-You speak words of wisdom and your knowledge will be beyond your natural understanding.  

-You will have a new boldness in speaking the Word of God.  

-You will speak the Word and believe for miracles.

-You will speak the Word and demons will flee.

Let me remind you about two important locks this key will open:

-The Word of God coming out of your mouth will break all satanic strongholds.  

-The Word in your mouth will be the weapon will enable you to overcome Satan and his horde of demons.

When Jesus spoke words in the power and authority of His Father, there was absolutely no margin for error, no faltering, or no wondering. He spoke and it was done!   Today, as you speak the Word in the power and authority, there is absolutely no margin for error.  Victory comes to those who speak it in the authority and power of His word.

 

If you know the written and living Word is resident within you and you speak what He directs you to speak, there will be no struggle, no striving to make something happen, and no uncertainty. 

You will speak with authority in the name of Jesus and it will be done.  You will not have to "pray it down" or "churn it up."  You will simply speak, and it will happen.  God has promised:

Isaiah 55:11 "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void , but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

The Word of God coming out of your mouth is piercing through the darkest satanic strongholds and clearing the pathway to your destiny. It will unlock the doors that the devil has tried to keep shut in your life and give you ultimate victory.

The Keys To Victory (Part 4)

The Keys To Victory (Part 4)

-Sin brings hurt and division. 

-It causes heartache and misery. 

-Sin is what we think, say, and do that violates God’s law. 

-It is behind all crime, poverty, war, and injustice. 

-Sin includes both sins of omission and commission-the first being not doing what we know we should do and the latter being doing what is wrong.   

As a result of sin, we not only hurt ourselves but others are damaged by our words and actions. Families are split. People are separated from each other and from God. Our planet is spoiled,  nations are at war, and society suffers from crime.  We live in a sinful environment, a world that requires forgiveness from God and one that requires that we continually forgive others.

The central message of  the Gospel is that transgressions can only be dealt with through the forgiveness extended to us by God and that once He forgives us, then the process is set in motion for us to forgive others.  Tragically, millions of people have never experienced God's unmerited forgiveness.  Our churches are filled with people who think that they must do something to earn His forgiveness. 

The only way you can break through the lock of unforgiveness is to accept God’s gift of forgiveness made possible through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.  Then you will be able to extend forgiveness to others and your offerings will be acceptable to God.

Peter once asked Jesus how often he should forgive a person who repeatedly wronged him. Jesus replied, "seventy times seven"; basically indicating there should be no limit on forgiveness.  The point is plain and simple, that God's forgiveness has no limit and neither should ours.

We often find it incredibly hard to say we are sorry or to forgive a person who has hurt us or someone we love. Anyone can speak the words "I forgive you," but they are often muttered through clenched teeth and with looks and actions that convey a different message. Forgiveness is not a word which is merely announced. It is a gift which is given and then must be lived out in everyday life.  When that lock is opened blessing will begin to fall from heaven.
 

Keys To Victory (Part 2)

Keys To Victory (Part 2)

There is a vital key to major victory.  There is a major barrier that will prevent you from opening the door to God’s blessing.  If you do not remove this barrier, then the windows of blessing may remain closed despite your best efforts. 

Here are three questions to consider:  

-Are you ready to see how to unlock the door?    

-Are you willing to do whatever is necessary to have a supernatural break through?   

-Are you willing to do whatever is necessary to never again be hindered by this lock again?

 If your answers are “yes” to all of these questions, then you are ready to begin!

You have faithfully brought gifts to the altar in obedience to God’s commands. You have been regularly paying your tithes and giving offerings.  You have helped the poor and  given cheerfully and even sacrificially, but you still have not experienced blessings and you wonder why.

Sometimes, it is simply a matter of waiting for your harvest to come in.   You do not harvest in the same season you sow but you will eventually reap if you remain faithful:  

Galatians 6:9 says:

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." 

Please consider this major barrier that can hinder the divine blessing of God from flowing into your life.  You must eliminate it before you begin to receive what God wants to give it. Take it from me, we veterans of the faith have a harder time with this lock as we get hurt and attacked for no reason.

 Jesus said in Matthew 5:21-24:

"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever  shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry  with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall  say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou  fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar , and there  rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the  altar and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."



Do you recognize the barrier?  God’s Word declares that if you bring your gift to the altar and there is anything wrong between you and another person, you are to first be reconciled to them and then offer your gift.  If you are offering your gifts with an unforgiving heart, they will not be accepted.

Jesus emphasized the importance of forgiving in the prayer that He taught His disciples in Luke 11:3, 4:

"Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil."  

Jesus linked human forgiveness with divine forgiveness.  He said that forgiving others was important evidence of being forgiven by God.   The fact that this was part of the daily prayer we are to pray confirms that we will constantly need to receive and extend forgiveness.  Unforgiveness hinders every area of your life:  spiritually, emotionally, physically, mentally, and financially.  This lock can only be broken by the keys to victory which Jesus extends to all of us. Open the lock and be free to receive what God has for you today.

Keys To Victory (Part 1)

Keys To Victory (Part 1)

Jesus spoke of His Church which would extend the message of the Kingdom throughout the world in Matthew 16:18, 19:

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.  And I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven." 

Jesus revealed that Peter would be one of the spiritual foundation stones of the first church.  This meant he would be a vital part of its growth and development. Peter's name actually meant "a rock" or "stone."  

Jesus then said of Himself, "...upon this rock I will build my Church" indicating that the Church would derive its existence from Him.  He would be the rock upon which the Church was built.  There would be many other lesser stones or people like Peter. These stones would be an important part of the Church.  But Jesus Himself was the cornerstone on which the structure of the Church was to be built.

Jesus then made two comments regarding this Church:

-First, He said that "the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it."  This implied that the Church would have enemies fighting  it, but assured that the enemies would not overcome it.

-Second, Jesus promised to give the keys to His Kingdom to the Church.  

In the natural world if you possess the keys to a building, it means you have authority there.  

The authority Jesus was speaking of in this passage is a spiritual authority.  He gave the Church spiritual keys to the doors of His Kingdom.  Jesus said "I" will give them.  The power and authority of the Church was to flow from Jesus.  The use of the word "will" (future tense) meant that the keys had not yet been given at the time Jesus spoke.  This power was released in Acts 2 when the Holy Ghost was given to believers:

Acts 1:8 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

The keys to the Kingdom were the power to bind and loose.  To bind something means to put fetters or a bond on it.  It is like closing and locking the door to a room.  To loose something is to release or set it free.  It is similar to opening the door to a room. 

The Church would have a position of authority.  It would have the keys to God's Kingdom.  It would be the instrument through which the spiritual doors to the Kingdom would be opened to the nations of the world.  Peter would be the first to use these keys to the Kingdom. He would open the door of ministry to the Gentile nations of the world.   

The Church would have the power to loose the spiritual forces of good and bind the spiritual forces of evil.  In every difficulty faced by believers, binding and loosing would be the key to victory.

 

Restoration (Part 4)

Restoration (Part 4)

Paul declared one of these contrasts between our concept of what is considered loss and gain in Philippians 3:8-10:

"Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death..."

He had his priorities right.  Whatever he lost paled significantly in comparison to what he gained in knowing Christ.  The principle is this:  In God's Kingdom, you lose to gain.

Did you ever stop to think that the losses you are experiencing might actually result in gain if you view them from God's perspective?  Your sins may have cost you, people may have rejected you, but God can restore you just like He did these famous people in the Bible. They lost everything, gained a great deal more because of their obedience to God and because they trusted in His restoration process.

 -Abraham left his home, family, and nation at the Word of the Lord.  He was left with a less desirable piece of land when he allowed Lot to choose the best property.  His gains?  He tithed and treated others generously. In return, Abraham received  a miracle child, a promised land,  and became the father of nations. 

 

-Joseph lost the love of his brothers, was separated from his father, lost his homeland, and was striped his prized possession, which was his coat of many colors.  His freedom and reputation were taken.  His gains?  He became second in command in Egypt and saved the world from starvation.

-Esther left her beloved uncle and her simple way of life to become queen.  She risked her life to appear before the king.  Her gains?  She saved an entire nation from annihilation and preserved the lineage from which the Messiah would come.

-John the Baptist lost his life for the sake of the Gospel, but his ministry prepared the way for the greatest manifestation ever given: God in flesh who came and lived among us and died for our sins.

-Paul lost his position and prestige as a leader in Israel when He became a believer in Jesus Christ.  He was stoned, beaten, shipwrecked, and imprisoned.  He declared that he suffered the loss of all things.  His gains?  He out-wrote, out-preached, and out-traveled any New Testament minister on record and came to know the Lord in an intimate relationship.

-Peter was called to leave a profession he loved–fishing.  He was rewarded with catching men instead of fish and became a great leader in the first church. 

 -John lost his freedom and was cast upon a lonely, deserted island.  He probably watched the ship sailing away wondering if he would ever see his home or family again.  But there on that island, while in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, John received one of the greatest revelations ever given regarding the end-times and the final restoration of all things in the new heaven and earth.

 Think about it-is it just possible that God will take the losses of your life and turn them around for your benefit?  Are you going to remain weeping over the ashes of your losses or like David are you going to rise up and claim total restoration?

Satan is a thief, but Jesus declared in John 10:10:

"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."

 If you have lost everything then recognize the source of your loss.  It was not your employer, your companion, your friends, your family member, or God who did this wrong against you.  It was Satan who comes to steal, kill, and destroy all that is valuable and good in your life.  Jesus comes that you might have abundant life and that includes His divine provision for your every need. You may have fallen because of temptation and lost what was most precious to you, but God can restore and heal every wound. Just ask Him and trust Him to help you work it out.

Restoration (Part 3)

Restoration (Part 3)

Have you ever felt totally drained, discouraged and defeated?  

You are so tired and weary from the battles of life that you feel empty, especially in regards to the mental, spiritual, and financial crisis you are facing.  What do you do when you have no strength to go on? What happens when all of your precious resources are gone and there is nothing to lean on?

There is an account in the Bible that answers this question.  It occurred during a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee.  The party was going great when suddenly, they ran out of wine:

John 2:1-4 "And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:  And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come."

When the wine was gone, the mother of Jesus knew that He could help and she immediately appealed to Him.  Perhaps like Mary, you have gone to the Lord with an appeal about your need and you are still waiting for an answer.  Be assured that Jesus has a set timing for your restoration, just as He did for the miracle of the empty wine jugs.   "My time hasn't come yet," Jesus answered His mother. Then "...His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it"  in John 2:5. 

The key to this miracle is found in these words:  "...whatever He says to you, do it!"   Friend, that is your spiritual key. Now you must act in obedience and do what God tells you to do.

John 2:6-8 continues the story. It says, "And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it."

Verses 9 and 10 say, "After Jesus turned the jugs of water into wine and it was served, then the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now."

Your vessel may be empty right now, but Jesus has a set timing for your restoration.  Wait until you hear from God, then do what He tells you to do and God will replenish your resources with abundance. and restore your ministry in spite of what people say.  The old wine is gone, but the new wine will be better than you ever imagined.

Restoration (Part 2)

Restoration (Part 2)

You may ask this question over and over again when you've lost everything: "How can God restore it all back to me?  I have nothing with which to start over.  Everything is gone!" 

God created a universe from nothing.  He can turn your nothing into something, as Peter learned on a fishing trip in Luke 5:1-4:

"And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught."

Peter and his crew had fished all night with no results.  Have you been fishing all night, laboring hard, and working every angle in the natural world with no results? If so, then you can identify with Peter.

Peter was an expert fisherman, but Jesus was just a carpenter.  What did Jesus know about fishing?  Yet Peter obeyed as the Lord commanded:

Luke 5:5 "And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net."

 

The word "word" in this verse means Rhema, which is "the revelation of God’s spoken Word." Peter was saying,  “I’ve been out here fishing all night, but You seem to know something about this water that I don’t know, so at Your Rhema Word, I will let down the net.”

 Peter said, "Nevertheless at thy Word."  In the midst of your financial need,  speak these  words to God.  Even though you have tried repeatedly and failed,  declare  "nevertheless at Thy Word" and let Him know you will try once more.  This time, do it God's way.  Launch out in the deep.  Cut loose from the safety of the shoreline.  At the Word of the Lord, go where you haven't gone before and see the results!

Luke 5:6-9 "And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.  For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken."

Jesus had told Peter to let down the nets (plural), and he would receive a draught. Peter only let down the net (singular) and it was so full that it began to break. His boat started to sink, and he had to call his partners for help. Peter had limited God. 

There has never been a Rhema Word spoken through the power of the Holy Spirit that won't be fulfilled in your life!  Don't focus on what is or isn’t possible in the natural world.  When God says nets, you'd better let down all of your nets. Don’t come to God’s storehouse with your little sack. Roll out your wagons! Don't limit God.  Obey His Word to you and you will be amazed at the abundance that will be brought into your hands.

Peter called his partners for help to bring in the catch.  The word "partners" indicates that Peter was not a lone fisherman, but had a fishing enterprise.  The word "partners" used here is the same word used for "communion" in 2 Corinthians 13:14 when it speaks of the communion of the Holy Ghost  being continually with you.  The Holy Spirit is your partner, and with Him as a financial partner, anything is possible! 
 

Restoration (Part 1)

Restoration (Part 1)

2 Kings 8:1-5 "Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years. And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. And it came to pass at the seven years’ end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land. And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done. And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land."

Shunem was a village of Galilee through which the Prophet Elisha routinely passed on his way to minister in  the northern kingdom. The Shunammite woman, who is spoken of in this chapter, supported Elisha and ministered to his needs. This woman prepared a room in her house and provided meals and shelter for him. 

Because of her generosity to the prophet of God, this woman reaped continuous restoration as she faced the difficulties of life.  Her gift of hospitality was multiplied many times over with blessings money cannot buy. The woman was childless, but God opened her womb, she conceived, and gave birth to a boy in 2 Kings 4:17.  A few years later when her son died, Elisha prayed for him and he was resurrected from the dead in 2 Kings 4:33-37.

Elisha warned the Shunammite woman sometime later about a famine that was coming upon the land and told her to take her family to another country until it was over in 2 Kings 8:1. The woman obeyed the Word of the Lord spoken through Elisha and took her entire household to live in the land of the Philistines.  After the famine ended, the woman returned to Shunem only to find that during the time she was gone, her house and land had been seized. 

When she went to the king to ask for the return of her property, Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, was with the king telling him how this woman's son had been raised from the dead.  When the king realized who she was, he immediately declared in 2 Kings 8:6, “Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now."

God not only provided for this Shunammite woman during the seven years of famine, but He also restored all she had lost during the time that she was away from her homeland. She experienced supernatural, divine provision because of her faithfulness to God.

When you remain faithful in giving, you are positioned for financial restoration, as well as restoration in areas equally as important or even more valuable than money.  He can restore your family, friends, job, possessions, and ministry. Don't give up on God and He won't give up on you!

DEFEATS THAT THREATEN DESTINY (Part 5)

DEFEATS THAT THREATEN DESTINY   (Part 5)
God did not promise that you would never know pain and sickness, never face persecution or suffer hardships. On the contrary, we know that:

-Paul wrote Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:12 and said ,"All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

-Jesus said in John 16:33, “In the world ye shall have tribulation…” 

We know that our faith will be tested, but God has promised victory in every circumstance.  

-Paul told the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 4:8, 9 NAS: 

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

The Apostle Paul faced circumstances that were beyond his strength to endure in the natural, even to the point of despairing for his own life. He told the believers at Corinth: 

2 Corinthians 1:8-10 NIV "We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us."

Paul did not moan, groan, or complain about the hardships he suffered.  He did not question why these things happened to him because he knew God was in control of his circumstances. Paul was not fearful of what might happen to him next.  He never said, “Satan just about got me that time. I barely escaped.  I am afraid of what is next!"

He did not say these things because deep within his spirit, he knew that God had provided:

(1) Victory for him in the past: "He has delivered us."  

(2) He had victory in the present: "He will deliver us.” 

(3) He also  knew that regardless of what he might face, God had already provided victory for him in the future. Paul declared, “...on Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us.”  

It was knowing that God had provided victory in the past, present, and future that enabled Paul to face death victoriously without fear in 2 Timothy 4:6:

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.” He wasn’t afraid of  the circumstances he would face in death. He boldly declared,  “I am ready.” 

You do not have to experience defeat as Israel did at Ai.  You can overcome impending defeat in the power of the Lord.  God has provided victory for you in the past, He gives you victory in the present, and He will provide victory in the future. 
 

DEFEATS THAT THREATEN DESTINY (Part 4)

DEFEATS THAT THREATEN DESTINY   (Part 4)

Joshua listened to the self-reliant men who returned from viewing Ai, but according to the biblical record he did not pray about the report he received. He immediately organized only 3,000 warriors to go up to Ai to battle.

Had Joshua taken time to pray, undoubtedly God would have revealed that there was sin in Israel and would have warned him not to go to battle.  Had Joshua taken time to pray, he would have also discovered that the pattern for attacking Ai was not to be the same as that used at Jericho.   Thus we find prayerlessness is the fourth thing we must avoid to stop the threats to our spiritual destiny.

There are three specific things to remember:

(1) The "Ais" of life, or the battles with the flesh, are not won the same way as the "Jerichos." 

(2) Neither can you live in past victories or the traditions of yesterday. 

(3) God has new strategies for each battle you face. 

The strategy to take Ai was different from that used at Jericho.

In the book of Judges, a man named Gideon was told to reduce his army before going into battle in Judges 7.  For the return to Ai, Joshua was told to take all the warriors to battle.  You cannot limit God to a certain pattern.  He is the God who has declared "I will do a new thing.”  You cannot act solely on the basis of tradition or precedent.

But Joshua did not take time to pray.  Instead, he sent only a few of the troops to Ai.   Sadly, some of the men were killed and the remainder fled before the enemy. How many times in your life have you acted before seeking God? How many times was it successful for you or do you remember the consequences of your own decisions?

Remember that the "Ais" of life are not won the same way as the "Jerichos".  In each new battle you face, you must lay aside your pride and carnal perception, pray to learn God's strategies, and follow His principles. 
 

DEFEATS THAT THREATEN DESTINY (Part 3)

DEFEATS THAT THREATEN DESTINY   (Part 3)

Pride is the second reason for defeats that threaten your destiny.  Achan is not the only one at fault in this story.  When Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai to view the country, the men returned and told Joshua:

Joshua 7:3 "Let not all the people go up; but let about  two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labor thither; for they are but few."

Ai was a small town in comparison to the city of Jericho which Israel had just conquered.  Pridefully, these men thought, "Ai should be no problem.  We have faced bigger challenges and been victorious.  This is nothing to worry about."  Israel was self-confident instead of being confident in God.  There is no mention of "if it is the Lord's will", an attitude we are advised to have according to James 4:13-17.
 

How many have fallen victim to pride?  

-Lucifer, desiring to be God.  

-Adam and Eve, desiring to be as gods.  

-Those who depend on self-confidence instead of God-confidence.  

In our own battles of life we often believe we can handle the lesser problems ourselves. But there is no encounter with the enemy so small that we do not need all of the resources God has provided to face it.   When you begin to move in self-confidence and proudly think "there is nothing to worry about,” then you are getting into dangerous territory.  There is no spiritual battle for which you do not need all available resources provided by God.

The third thing is Perception, which is how you view things.  The men sent to view Ai looked at things with their natural senses.  They did not have the spiritual perception to look beyond surface appearances and recognize the power of the enemy.

People act based upon their perceptions.  Following natural perception instead of spiritual insight led to inaccurate reporting in the camp of Israel.  Those men that claimed that the warriors of Ai were just a few in Joshua 7:3, found out in reality there were 12,000 of them according to Joshua 8:25.

When you involve self-reliant men in God's work they will make decisions based on their own perceptions. This leads to carnal counsel which, when acted upon, always results in defeat.  Surround yourself with those who are God-confident and who view things with a spiritual mind.

You cannot make decisions based upon your perception alone. You need the guidance and discernment provided by the Holy Spirit.  Take time to pray before you act, and you will avoid many of the perils of defeat.

 

DEFEATS THAT THREATEN DESTINY (Part 2)

DEFEATS THAT THREATEN DESTINY   (Part 2)

When you are defeated in spiritual battle there is always a reason.  In the story of the battle of Ai recorded in the Bible, Israel was soundly defeated.  There were four reasons for their failure which are common in the defeats we experience. The first is:
 

(1) Violating the principles of God results in defeat. 

God told Israel not to take any of the spoils from the battle at Jericho. They were to be dedicated to the Lord as they were the "first-fruits" of battle in Canaan:

Joshua 6:18, 19 "And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.  But all the silver and gold and vessels of brass and iron are consecrated unto the Lord;  they shall come into the treasury of the Lord."

On any other occasion Israel was allowed to keep the spoils of war, but in this first battle at Jericho the spoils were to be dedicated to the Lord.  Sometimes, what was okay previously or may be accepted as tradition is wrong.  There is no need to seek counseling or prayer for guidance about something that God explicitly has forbidden. If God says it is wrong, it is wrong. 

Joshua 7:1 shares  how, despite the warning by God,  a man named Achan took the "accursed thing.” Achan's temptation followed the same pattern as that of Eve in Genesis chapter 3.  He "saw, desired, and took” what had been forbidden.   When he finally admitted his sin he said:

Joshua 7:21 "When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent and the silver under it."

Sin always begins in the mind.  The attitude of sin precedes the act.  Achan thought, "Who will see?  Who will know?"  He saw only the immediate pleasure these things would bring and not the terrible long-term effects of his actions. If Achan had looked with eyes of faith instead of eyes of lust, he would have seen these items as accursed.  Instead, he viewed them with only his natural senses.

Your spiritual enemies are the world, the flesh, and the devil.  These work together to tempt you by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.  If you look on temptation with eyes of faith instead of eyes of lust, you will see  that which is forbidden as an accursed thing.  Ask yourself-is there any accursed thing hidden in the tent of my life?
 

DEFEATS THAT THREATEN DESTINY (part 1)

DEFEATS THAT THREATEN DESTINY (Part 1)

Occasional defeats in spiritual battles are not failures.  They are temporary setbacks.  Consider the record of Bible characters such as:

 

-Sampson, who was a womanizer.  

-David who had an illicit affair and orchestrated a murder.  

-Elijah, who at one point seemed suicidal.  

-Jonah, who ran from God.  

-Peter, who denied Christ.  

-The disciples who deserted Christ at the time of His greatest need.

Yet each of these individuals were restored to their faith and mightily used by God.

Along the journey to your spiritual destiny, you will experience defeats.  You will also suffer major setbacks that are perceived to be failures.  In reality, you never truly fail until you stop trying,  because every setback can be turned into a comeback, and there is no defeat so great that you cannot return to God.  

Look at a major defeat experienced by Israel during their conquest of the Promised Land.  The story of this failure is recorded in Joshua chapter 7.   The problem occurred because of the sin of a man named Achan, who disobeyed by taking the spoils of the battle of Jericho, an act which God had forbidden.  

When Achan’s sin was finally exposed and had been dealt with, Israel returned to battle at Ai once again. This time, they were victorious:  

Joshua 8:26 "For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai." 

It is from the story of Ai, you can learn how to overcome defeat, rise up again, and return to the spiritual battlefield as a victorious Christian warrior.

You don't have to experience failure over and over again if you learn how to deal with potential defeats before they occur.   Whether you are facing or have experienced failure, you can learn vital principals from this series that will prove your life and ministry in the face of defeat. Don't let a setback destroy you destiny.