Trouble is not necessarily a sign of being sinful. The Bible declares, "many are the afflictions of the righteous" in Psalms 34:19.
When you suffer innocently and not because of your own sin, you should maintain a proper attitude towards suffering. The real test of your spirituality is how you respond in the day of distress:
Proverbs 24:10 "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small."
The Bible describes the attitude you should have when you suffer as a believer within the will of God.
(1) You should not be ashamed:
1 Peter 4:16 "If any man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf..."
(2) You should commit your soul (your suffering) to God, knowing He works all things for your good:
2 Peter 4:19 "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing as unto a faithful Creator."
(3)You should be happy when you suffer according to the will of God:
Acts 5:31 "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name."
Paul says you should be:
-Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer-Romans 12:12
-Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it-1 Corinthians 4:12
-In all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses- 2 Corinthians 6:4
-Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God- 2 Timothy 1:8
-That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto- 1 Thessalonians 3:3
-But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry-2 Timothy 4:5
You should not think it strange when you experience suffering:
1 Peter 4:12, 13 "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing partaker of Christ's sufferings; that when His glory shall be revealed ye may be glad with exceeding joy."
Paul summarizes the proper attitude toward suffering when he explains. . .
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 "Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory: While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
Paul views suffering as a servant. He said it works for us as believers.
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
The Power of Suffering (Part 1)
2 Corinthians 13:4 "For though He was crucified through weakness, yet He liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you."
We view suffering through human reasoning. By every standard of human reasoning the cross of Jesus was a waste of a great and noble life. But in the reasoning of God it was the greatest demonstration of His power. It resulted in the salvation of man.
Paul understood this important principle of spiritual power. The power of God is disguised in weakness. This is why he could say:
2 Corinthians 12:9, 10 "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
We never see power in weakness or failure. This is a strange attitude for people whose center of faith is the cross. Jesus experienced the resurrection after He had suffered. Resurrection power comes through the fellowship of His suffering.
True spiritual power is demonstrated not in the absence of suffering, problems, and crises, but in the midst of them. Power turns what the world calls an ordeal into an opportunity for the demonstration of the power of God.
God did not create suffering. It originally entered the world through man's sin which was instigated by Satan in Genesis 3. When man yielded to Satan's temptation and sinned, suffering entered the world. Sin, which resulted in all suffering, can be traced to its originator, Satan. Although there are different reasons why suffering enters your life, all suffering can be traced back to this original source.
Happily, in the life of a believer, God can take suffering, which Satan intends for evil, and turn it for good to accomplish His purposes. It can actually become an opportunity for the power of God to be demonstrated in your life.
The Bible has much to say concerning suffering, problems, and afflictions. In summarizing its teaching, we discover five ways that suffering can enter a believer's life. All suffering you face in life will come through one of these ways:
(1) Suffering and difficult circumstances of life may come through others around you.
Joseph is an example of this type of suffering. Through no fault of his own, Joseph was sold into Egypt by his brothers, was imprisoned falsely by Potiphar's wife, and was forgotten by those he helped in prison. But listen to his response. Joseph said:
Genesis 45:5; 8 "Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither; for God did send me before you to preserve life. . . so now it was not you that sent me hither but God."
(2) The second way suffering comes to you is through the circumstances of life. This is illustrated by the experiences of Naomi recorded in the book of Ruth in the Bible. She was bitter with sorrow because of the death of her husband and sons.
Until Jesus returns and the final enemy of death is conquered, death is part of life. Death entered through the original sin of man and it is a natural circumstance which we all will face, for "it is appointed unto man once to die" according to Hebrews 9:27.
When Naomi experienced these difficult circumstances of life, she said, "No longer call me Naomi (which means blessed), but call me Mara." The name Mara means "bitter."
(3) The third reason for suffering is because of your ministry for the Lord.
The New Testament speaks of suffering for His name's sake:
-Acts 9:16
-Philippians 1:29
-2 Thessalonians 1:5
-2 Timothy 1:11, 12
-1 Peter 2:19, 20; 3:17
-1 Peter 3:14
-1 Peter 4:15-19
The Apostle Paul is an example of suffering resulting from ministry. Some people view suffering as a sign of failure or lack of faith. If this is true, then the Apostle Paul had no faith and was the greatest failure in the history of the church.
Paul said that while in Asia he was so utterly crushed that he despaired of life itself (II Corinthians 1:8). He presents a different image than that of the cheerful evangelist who promises believers nothing but peace and prosperity.
When Paul was first called of God to ministry he was told of great things he would suffer for the sake of the Lord in Acts 9:16. Paul's response to suffering was to endure "the loss of all things to win some for Christ." He wrote to believers "to you it is given not only to believe, but to suffer for Him" in Philippians 1:29.
Paul was not alone in suffering for the ministry. The whole church suffered in New Testament times in Acts 8. Hebrews chapter 11 records the stories some of the cruel persecutions they endured. Many of these men and women of faith were delivered by the power of God. Prison doors were opened and they walked out. They were sentenced to death in fiery furnaces but emerged unaffected by the flames.
But some of these believers, who are also called men and women of faith, did not receive such deliverance. They were imprisoned, afflicted, tormented, and even martyred because of their testimony of the Gospel. We focus on living faith but God also reveals His power in dying faith. This is a faith that stands true in the bad times, not just in good times when mighty deliverance is manifested.
(4) Suffering can also enter your life as a result of direct Satanic activity.
This is evident in the story of Job. This book wrestles with the question, "Why do the righteous suffer?" God's testimony of Job was that he was a righteous man. Job did not suffer because he had sinned, as his friends claimed. They believed if Job repented, his circumstances would change.
These friends tried to make a universal application based on an individual experience. It would be similar to saying that because God delivered Peter from prison He will do the same for you. This is not true. Many have been martyred in prison despite their great faith and sinless lives.
We must be careful when we view the suffering of others that we do not accuse them of sin, faithlessness, or unbelief. The Bible does teach that a sinful man reaps a bitter harvest because of sowing in fleshly corruption in Galatians 6:8. But sowing and reaping cannot be used to explain the suffering of the innocent.
Job did not suffer because of anything he had done. Job was a righteous man. This was God's testimony of Job, Job's testimony of himself, and his reputation before man. Behind the scenes in the spiritual world was the true cause of Job's suffering. There was a spiritual battle going on over the heart, mind, and allegiance of Job.
There is a warfare going on in the spiritual world over you. That warfare is manifested in the difficult circumstances you experience in the natural world.
An important truth evident in Job's suffering is that nothing can enter the life of a believer without the knowledge of God. God does not cause your suffering. It is inflicted by Satan, but its limits are set by God. God's power is greater than that of Satan, and you will experience victory if you continue to trust Him.
(5) The fifth way suffering enters your life is because of your own sin.
Jonah is an example of such suffering. In disobedience to God, Jonah headed the opposite direction from Ninevah where he had been commanded to go and preach repentance. He experienced a terrible storm at sea and ended up in the belly of a great fish because of his own sin.
Trouble should always be treated as a call to consider your ways and examine your heart before God. You may be suffering because of your own sin. The Bible reveals that God chastises those who live in disobedience to His Word. Chastise means to discipline, reprove, and correct:
Hebrews 12:11 "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."
God uses suffering to correct you and bring you back to His will for your life:
Psalms 119:67 "Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept thy Word..."
Verse 71 "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes..."
Verse 75 "I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that THOU in faithfulness hast afflicted me."
We view suffering through human reasoning. By every standard of human reasoning the cross of Jesus was a waste of a great and noble life. But in the reasoning of God it was the greatest demonstration of His power. It resulted in the salvation of man.
Paul understood this important principle of spiritual power. The power of God is disguised in weakness. This is why he could say:
2 Corinthians 12:9, 10 "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
We never see power in weakness or failure. This is a strange attitude for people whose center of faith is the cross. Jesus experienced the resurrection after He had suffered. Resurrection power comes through the fellowship of His suffering.
True spiritual power is demonstrated not in the absence of suffering, problems, and crises, but in the midst of them. Power turns what the world calls an ordeal into an opportunity for the demonstration of the power of God.
God did not create suffering. It originally entered the world through man's sin which was instigated by Satan in Genesis 3. When man yielded to Satan's temptation and sinned, suffering entered the world. Sin, which resulted in all suffering, can be traced to its originator, Satan. Although there are different reasons why suffering enters your life, all suffering can be traced back to this original source.
Happily, in the life of a believer, God can take suffering, which Satan intends for evil, and turn it for good to accomplish His purposes. It can actually become an opportunity for the power of God to be demonstrated in your life.
The Bible has much to say concerning suffering, problems, and afflictions. In summarizing its teaching, we discover five ways that suffering can enter a believer's life. All suffering you face in life will come through one of these ways:
(1) Suffering and difficult circumstances of life may come through others around you.
Joseph is an example of this type of suffering. Through no fault of his own, Joseph was sold into Egypt by his brothers, was imprisoned falsely by Potiphar's wife, and was forgotten by those he helped in prison. But listen to his response. Joseph said:
Genesis 45:5; 8 "Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither; for God did send me before you to preserve life. . . so now it was not you that sent me hither but God."
(2) The second way suffering comes to you is through the circumstances of life. This is illustrated by the experiences of Naomi recorded in the book of Ruth in the Bible. She was bitter with sorrow because of the death of her husband and sons.
Until Jesus returns and the final enemy of death is conquered, death is part of life. Death entered through the original sin of man and it is a natural circumstance which we all will face, for "it is appointed unto man once to die" according to Hebrews 9:27.
When Naomi experienced these difficult circumstances of life, she said, "No longer call me Naomi (which means blessed), but call me Mara." The name Mara means "bitter."
(3) The third reason for suffering is because of your ministry for the Lord.
The New Testament speaks of suffering for His name's sake:
-Acts 9:16
-Philippians 1:29
-2 Thessalonians 1:5
-2 Timothy 1:11, 12
-1 Peter 2:19, 20; 3:17
-1 Peter 3:14
-1 Peter 4:15-19
The Apostle Paul is an example of suffering resulting from ministry. Some people view suffering as a sign of failure or lack of faith. If this is true, then the Apostle Paul had no faith and was the greatest failure in the history of the church.
Paul said that while in Asia he was so utterly crushed that he despaired of life itself (II Corinthians 1:8). He presents a different image than that of the cheerful evangelist who promises believers nothing but peace and prosperity.
When Paul was first called of God to ministry he was told of great things he would suffer for the sake of the Lord in Acts 9:16. Paul's response to suffering was to endure "the loss of all things to win some for Christ." He wrote to believers "to you it is given not only to believe, but to suffer for Him" in Philippians 1:29.
Paul was not alone in suffering for the ministry. The whole church suffered in New Testament times in Acts 8. Hebrews chapter 11 records the stories some of the cruel persecutions they endured. Many of these men and women of faith were delivered by the power of God. Prison doors were opened and they walked out. They were sentenced to death in fiery furnaces but emerged unaffected by the flames.
But some of these believers, who are also called men and women of faith, did not receive such deliverance. They were imprisoned, afflicted, tormented, and even martyred because of their testimony of the Gospel. We focus on living faith but God also reveals His power in dying faith. This is a faith that stands true in the bad times, not just in good times when mighty deliverance is manifested.
(4) Suffering can also enter your life as a result of direct Satanic activity.
This is evident in the story of Job. This book wrestles with the question, "Why do the righteous suffer?" God's testimony of Job was that he was a righteous man. Job did not suffer because he had sinned, as his friends claimed. They believed if Job repented, his circumstances would change.
These friends tried to make a universal application based on an individual experience. It would be similar to saying that because God delivered Peter from prison He will do the same for you. This is not true. Many have been martyred in prison despite their great faith and sinless lives.
We must be careful when we view the suffering of others that we do not accuse them of sin, faithlessness, or unbelief. The Bible does teach that a sinful man reaps a bitter harvest because of sowing in fleshly corruption in Galatians 6:8. But sowing and reaping cannot be used to explain the suffering of the innocent.
Job did not suffer because of anything he had done. Job was a righteous man. This was God's testimony of Job, Job's testimony of himself, and his reputation before man. Behind the scenes in the spiritual world was the true cause of Job's suffering. There was a spiritual battle going on over the heart, mind, and allegiance of Job.
There is a warfare going on in the spiritual world over you. That warfare is manifested in the difficult circumstances you experience in the natural world.
An important truth evident in Job's suffering is that nothing can enter the life of a believer without the knowledge of God. God does not cause your suffering. It is inflicted by Satan, but its limits are set by God. God's power is greater than that of Satan, and you will experience victory if you continue to trust Him.
(5) The fifth way suffering enters your life is because of your own sin.
Jonah is an example of such suffering. In disobedience to God, Jonah headed the opposite direction from Ninevah where he had been commanded to go and preach repentance. He experienced a terrible storm at sea and ended up in the belly of a great fish because of his own sin.
Trouble should always be treated as a call to consider your ways and examine your heart before God. You may be suffering because of your own sin. The Bible reveals that God chastises those who live in disobedience to His Word. Chastise means to discipline, reprove, and correct:
Hebrews 12:11 "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."
God uses suffering to correct you and bring you back to His will for your life:
Psalms 119:67 "Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept thy Word..."
Verse 71 "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes..."
Verse 75 "I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that THOU in faithfulness hast afflicted me."
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
At Your Wit's End (Part 26)
Dead bodies littered the plains as the sun rose over the wilderness that morning. The curse of the enemy was reversed! Their military forces actually turned against one another and self-destructed.
What a victory for Jehoshaphat, a man who at one time confessed he didn't know what to do and what a tremendous victory you will experience when you apply the same steps he took to confront your own difficult dilemmas.
In the closing verses of 2 Chronicles 20 there are four results of reversing the curse of the enemy, benefits which you will also experience when you learn to triumph in impossible situations:
(1) Reaping.
2 Chronicles 20:25 "When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an abundance of valuables on the dead bodies, and precious jewelry, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much."
God not only delivered His people from their foes, He enriched them with the spoil of the enemy. It took three days to gather all the valuables!
Jesus has conquered your enemy. Satan was defeated at the cross of Calvary and it took Jesus three days to carry away the spoils of the enemy! Stand in the place where you are, turn your attention to God, and begin to praise Him, for the victory is won!
Galatians 3:13 "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)."
When Jesus died on Calvary, He not only died for your sin, He redeemed you from every curse! You can reverse the curses in your life by appropriating the power of the blood of Jesus, but as in every other spiritual victory the blood must be applied. In the Old Testament account of the Passover in Egypt, it was not the fact that the blood of a lamb was shed that effected deliverance. The blood was applied to the door of the house and then the destroyer did not come near that residence. The blood of Jesus has power to reverse curses over your life, but you must apply that blood in order for it to be effective.
(2) Releasing.
2 Chronicles 20:25, 26 "And on the fourth day they assembled in the valley of Berachah, for there they blessed the Lord; therefore the name of that place was called The Valley of Berachah until this day."
The Valley of Berachah was located between Bethlehem and is 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 between the "anointing" and the "refuge."
The word "bless" occurs about 410 times in the Bible. It means "to cause to prosper, be happy, and favored, blessed in every way and in every area of life." Just as a curse is initiated by words, the Bible reveals it is possible to release a blessing by what you say.
When God created the first man and woman He "blessed them" and told them to be fruitful and multiply. After the flood, God blessed Noah and His sons. The central element of God's covenant with Abraham was “I will bless you...and you will be a blessing" in Genesis 12: 23. The Old Testament patriarchs understood the power of the blessing, for they customarily extended it to their children before they died. A good example of this is the extensive record of Jacob blessing his children in Genesis 49 which was subsequently fulfilled in minute detail.
We see this concept of the blessing permeating the New Testament record. During His first sermon, Jesus pronounced a blessing. He said in Matthew 5:3-11:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit...blessed are those who mourn...blessed are the meek ...blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness...blessed are the merciful... blessed are the pure in heart...blessed are the peacemakers...blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake..."
Jesus blessed the children who were brought to Him:
Matthew 19:13-15 "Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them..."
While hanging in agony on the cross, Jesus blessed His tormentors and the last thing He did before ascending back into heaven was to lift His hands and bless His disciples:
Luke 24:50 "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them."
From these Biblical examples it is evident that the blessing is released by the spoken word of authority. This means you can speak a blessing over your son, daughter, mate, and every negative circumstance of life. You have the authority through the Word of God not only to bind the work of the enemy in their lives, but to release God's blessing upon them. It is still up to them to receive it as free moral agents, but freedom is available to all who believe!
When you speak a blessing it can not be reversed. Remember the Old Testament account of Jacob, who through deception received the blessing intended for his brother, Esau? Their father, Israel, could do nothing to reverse the blessing after it was given, even though it was deceitfully attained:
Genesis 27:35 "But he said, 'Your brother came with deceit and has taken away your blessing,’”
A blessing cannot be reversed, but a curse can. Immediately after his victory over the enemy, Jehoshaphat gathered God's people together to reverse the curse of the "bad report" brought by the "great multitude." God's people blessed the Lord and as they did, their blessing reversed every curse of the enemy. The valley where the enemy intended to slay them became "Berachah," the valley of blessing.
(3) Rejoicing.
2 Chronicles 20:27, 28 "Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them rejoice over their enemies. So they came to Jerusalem, with stringed instruments and harps and trumpets, to the house of the Lord."
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. 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.
2 Chronicles 20:29, 30 "And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. Then the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around."
Israel's victory created in their neighbors a reverence for God. They recognized it is dangerous to fight those who have God with them and, as a result, Jehoshaphat had rest "all around." 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.
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 will you wring your hands and lament, "I just don't know what to do!" You will be too busy in your valley--reaping the spoils from your enemy, reversing the curse by releasing the blessing, rejoicing over the victory, and resting in God.
What a victory for Jehoshaphat, a man who at one time confessed he didn't know what to do and what a tremendous victory you will experience when you apply the same steps he took to confront your own difficult dilemmas.
In the closing verses of 2 Chronicles 20 there are four results of reversing the curse of the enemy, benefits which you will also experience when you learn to triumph in impossible situations:
(1) Reaping.
2 Chronicles 20:25 "When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an abundance of valuables on the dead bodies, and precious jewelry, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much."
God not only delivered His people from their foes, He enriched them with the spoil of the enemy. It took three days to gather all the valuables!
Jesus has conquered your enemy. Satan was defeated at the cross of Calvary and it took Jesus three days to carry away the spoils of the enemy! Stand in the place where you are, turn your attention to God, and begin to praise Him, for the victory is won!
Galatians 3:13 "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)."
When Jesus died on Calvary, He not only died for your sin, He redeemed you from every curse! You can reverse the curses in your life by appropriating the power of the blood of Jesus, but as in every other spiritual victory the blood must be applied. In the Old Testament account of the Passover in Egypt, it was not the fact that the blood of a lamb was shed that effected deliverance. The blood was applied to the door of the house and then the destroyer did not come near that residence. The blood of Jesus has power to reverse curses over your life, but you must apply that blood in order for it to be effective.
(2) Releasing.
2 Chronicles 20:25, 26 "And on the fourth day they assembled in the valley of Berachah, for there they blessed the Lord; therefore the name of that place was called The Valley of Berachah until this day."
The Valley of Berachah was located between Bethlehem and is 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 between the "anointing" and the "refuge."
The word "bless" occurs about 410 times in the Bible. It means "to cause to prosper, be happy, and favored, blessed in every way and in every area of life." Just as a curse is initiated by words, the Bible reveals it is possible to release a blessing by what you say.
When God created the first man and woman He "blessed them" and told them to be fruitful and multiply. After the flood, God blessed Noah and His sons. The central element of God's covenant with Abraham was “I will bless you...and you will be a blessing" in Genesis 12: 23. The Old Testament patriarchs understood the power of the blessing, for they customarily extended it to their children before they died. A good example of this is the extensive record of Jacob blessing his children in Genesis 49 which was subsequently fulfilled in minute detail.
We see this concept of the blessing permeating the New Testament record. During His first sermon, Jesus pronounced a blessing. He said in Matthew 5:3-11:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit...blessed are those who mourn...blessed are the meek ...blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness...blessed are the merciful... blessed are the pure in heart...blessed are the peacemakers...blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake..."
Jesus blessed the children who were brought to Him:
Matthew 19:13-15 "Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them..."
While hanging in agony on the cross, Jesus blessed His tormentors and the last thing He did before ascending back into heaven was to lift His hands and bless His disciples:
Luke 24:50 "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them."
From these Biblical examples it is evident that the blessing is released by the spoken word of authority. This means you can speak a blessing over your son, daughter, mate, and every negative circumstance of life. You have the authority through the Word of God not only to bind the work of the enemy in their lives, but to release God's blessing upon them. It is still up to them to receive it as free moral agents, but freedom is available to all who believe!
When you speak a blessing it can not be reversed. Remember the Old Testament account of Jacob, who through deception received the blessing intended for his brother, Esau? Their father, Israel, could do nothing to reverse the blessing after it was given, even though it was deceitfully attained:
Genesis 27:35 "But he said, 'Your brother came with deceit and has taken away your blessing,’”
A blessing cannot be reversed, but a curse can. Immediately after his victory over the enemy, Jehoshaphat gathered God's people together to reverse the curse of the "bad report" brought by the "great multitude." God's people blessed the Lord and as they did, their blessing reversed every curse of the enemy. The valley where the enemy intended to slay them became "Berachah," the valley of blessing.
(3) Rejoicing.
2 Chronicles 20:27, 28 "Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them rejoice over their enemies. So they came to Jerusalem, with stringed instruments and harps and trumpets, to the house of the Lord."
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. 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.
2 Chronicles 20:29, 30 "And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. Then the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around."
Israel's victory created in their neighbors a reverence for God. They recognized it is dangerous to fight those who have God with them and, as a result, Jehoshaphat had rest "all around." 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.
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 will you wring your hands and lament, "I just don't know what to do!" You will be too busy in your valley--reaping the spoils from your enemy, reversing the curse by releasing the blessing, rejoicing over the victory, and resting in God.
At Your Wit's End (Part 25)
Mark 3:27 "No man can enter into a strong man's house and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house."
The Greek word for "spoil" in this passage is "diarpazo" which means to plunder, seize, or snatch away. The Greek word "house" is “oikos” meaning "dwelling place." The powerful enemy that Jehoshaphat faced was not just "bound" by God's people, but they were "spoiled" by a complete conquest. If you seek total victory in the circumstances you face then "binding" the enemy is not enough. You must learn how to "spoil his house."
Satan thinks your house, your mate, your children, and your finances belong to him. As the enemy threatened Jehoshaphat, Satan also threatens to "steal, kill, and destroy" what is yours. Simply binding the work of the enemy does not yield total victory because if you let your guard down, he might get loose again. You must totally "spoil" his house.
God told the prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:10:
"See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant."
Jeremiah was directed to put his spiritual axe at the root of evil and terminate its growth, and, in so doing, destroy spiritual strongholds. A stronghold is any area where Satan has seized control:
-It may be addictive, destructive habits which you seem unable to conquer.
-It may be uncontrollable emotions of anger, rage, and bitterness.
-It may be a tendency towards violent, criminal behavior which has surfaced throughout successive generations in your family.
These "strongholds" are passed on through what we call "generational curses." Satan seizes control in one generation, and the curse is passed on to succeeding generations.
The Bible reveals that the forces that determine all events in this world fall into two divisions: Visible and invisible. Blessings and curses are invisible forces of spiritual power which are transmitted by words because "Death and life are in the power of the tongue " according to Proverbs 18:21. You speak either a blessing or curse and the words you speak produce either good or harmful results.
Most people readily accept the concept of "blessing" as valid and Biblical, but are skeptical about this subject of "curses." They think the word conjures up images of the dark ages, witches, and voodoo dolls. But just as the opposite of good is evil, the opposite of blessings are curses.
The word "curse" occurs about 230 times in the Bible. It means to speak evil over, pray against, or wish evil against a person or thing. Cursing is a pledge, oath, or commission that is devoted to destruction. The first occurrence of this word was when God cursed the serpent and the ground:
Genesis 3:14, 17 "So the Lord God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.” Then to Adam He said, "Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it': Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life." These two curses in Genesis 3 contrast the two blessings spoken over man and the earth in Genesis 1:22 and 28.
The Bible indicates that "the curse causeless shall not come" in Proverbs 26:2, meaning that behind every curse there is a spiritual cause. Deuteronomy 27:15-26 lists moral and ethical sins that create spiritual breaches that open you up to strongholds of Satan. A summary of these includes worshiping false gods, disrespect for parents, all forms of oppression and injustice, all forms of illicit and unnatural sex, and rebellion against God's Word.
Other Biblical references contribute to this list of sins that bring a curse:
-Galatians indicates that those preaching "another Gospel" (apostasy) will be cursed-Galatians 1:6-9.
-Jeremiah notes that those who trust in "flesh" (works) instead of God are cursed-Jeremiah 17:5.
-Robbing God of tithes and offerings brings a financial curse-Zechariah 5:1-4, Haggai 1:4-6, and Malachi 3:8-9. -Anti-Semitism is also dangerous spiritually because God promised the Jewish nation "I will curse him that curses you" in Genesis 12:2, 3.
Deuteronomy 28 reveals seven indications of the operation of a spiritual curse or stronghold.
-Mental or emotional breakdown.
-Chronic sickness.
-Alienation and breakdown of marriage and family relationships.
-Barrenness or a tendency to miscarry.
-A cycle of poverty.
-A history of unnatural or untimely deaths.
-Continual defeat by the enemy.
Curses are perpetuated through negative, hateful, bitter words that have the power to bring emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and even physical death. There are curses instilled by authority figures through their words or operate because of personal violation of God's Word (sin). Curses also operate through strongholds established by Satan in your ancestors which are passed down through generations.
You may ask, "When I accepted Jesus as Savior, weren't all of these curses broken over my life?" When you are born again, you are forgiven of your past sins and the shed blood of Jesus has the power to break every curse. As in the story of Jehoshaphat, however, Satan will return through "bad reports" and "great multitudes" to try to bring curses back on you. Like Israel, when you begin to praise God the strongholds are broken and the curse is reversed upon the enemy because the positive force of praising conquers the negative force of cursing:
Deuteronomy 30:19 "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live."
You choose "blessing" when you praise God and your worship literally "spoils" the enemy's house:
2 Chronicles 20:23, 24 "For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another ...So when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and there were their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one had escaped."
Praise will disarm the enemy forces arrayed against you and reverse every diabolical curse and stronghold that threatens and controls your life. Don't wait until you see the hand of God moving and your victory is assured. Begin to praise Him, even while you hear the sound of advancing troops echoing across the dessert plains of your life. Begin to sing in the face of adversity when, like Jehoshaphat, you don't know what you are going to do about your circumstances. And don't be surprised when you get to the battle field if all you can find is the disintegrating carcass of your problem.
The Greek word for "spoil" in this passage is "diarpazo" which means to plunder, seize, or snatch away. The Greek word "house" is “oikos” meaning "dwelling place." The powerful enemy that Jehoshaphat faced was not just "bound" by God's people, but they were "spoiled" by a complete conquest. If you seek total victory in the circumstances you face then "binding" the enemy is not enough. You must learn how to "spoil his house."
Satan thinks your house, your mate, your children, and your finances belong to him. As the enemy threatened Jehoshaphat, Satan also threatens to "steal, kill, and destroy" what is yours. Simply binding the work of the enemy does not yield total victory because if you let your guard down, he might get loose again. You must totally "spoil" his house.
God told the prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:10:
"See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant."
Jeremiah was directed to put his spiritual axe at the root of evil and terminate its growth, and, in so doing, destroy spiritual strongholds. A stronghold is any area where Satan has seized control:
-It may be addictive, destructive habits which you seem unable to conquer.
-It may be uncontrollable emotions of anger, rage, and bitterness.
-It may be a tendency towards violent, criminal behavior which has surfaced throughout successive generations in your family.
These "strongholds" are passed on through what we call "generational curses." Satan seizes control in one generation, and the curse is passed on to succeeding generations.
The Bible reveals that the forces that determine all events in this world fall into two divisions: Visible and invisible. Blessings and curses are invisible forces of spiritual power which are transmitted by words because "Death and life are in the power of the tongue " according to Proverbs 18:21. You speak either a blessing or curse and the words you speak produce either good or harmful results.
Most people readily accept the concept of "blessing" as valid and Biblical, but are skeptical about this subject of "curses." They think the word conjures up images of the dark ages, witches, and voodoo dolls. But just as the opposite of good is evil, the opposite of blessings are curses.
The word "curse" occurs about 230 times in the Bible. It means to speak evil over, pray against, or wish evil against a person or thing. Cursing is a pledge, oath, or commission that is devoted to destruction. The first occurrence of this word was when God cursed the serpent and the ground:
Genesis 3:14, 17 "So the Lord God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.” Then to Adam He said, "Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it': Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life." These two curses in Genesis 3 contrast the two blessings spoken over man and the earth in Genesis 1:22 and 28.
The Bible indicates that "the curse causeless shall not come" in Proverbs 26:2, meaning that behind every curse there is a spiritual cause. Deuteronomy 27:15-26 lists moral and ethical sins that create spiritual breaches that open you up to strongholds of Satan. A summary of these includes worshiping false gods, disrespect for parents, all forms of oppression and injustice, all forms of illicit and unnatural sex, and rebellion against God's Word.
Other Biblical references contribute to this list of sins that bring a curse:
-Galatians indicates that those preaching "another Gospel" (apostasy) will be cursed-Galatians 1:6-9.
-Jeremiah notes that those who trust in "flesh" (works) instead of God are cursed-Jeremiah 17:5.
-Robbing God of tithes and offerings brings a financial curse-Zechariah 5:1-4, Haggai 1:4-6, and Malachi 3:8-9. -Anti-Semitism is also dangerous spiritually because God promised the Jewish nation "I will curse him that curses you" in Genesis 12:2, 3.
Deuteronomy 28 reveals seven indications of the operation of a spiritual curse or stronghold.
-Mental or emotional breakdown.
-Chronic sickness.
-Alienation and breakdown of marriage and family relationships.
-Barrenness or a tendency to miscarry.
-A cycle of poverty.
-A history of unnatural or untimely deaths.
-Continual defeat by the enemy.
Curses are perpetuated through negative, hateful, bitter words that have the power to bring emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and even physical death. There are curses instilled by authority figures through their words or operate because of personal violation of God's Word (sin). Curses also operate through strongholds established by Satan in your ancestors which are passed down through generations.
You may ask, "When I accepted Jesus as Savior, weren't all of these curses broken over my life?" When you are born again, you are forgiven of your past sins and the shed blood of Jesus has the power to break every curse. As in the story of Jehoshaphat, however, Satan will return through "bad reports" and "great multitudes" to try to bring curses back on you. Like Israel, when you begin to praise God the strongholds are broken and the curse is reversed upon the enemy because the positive force of praising conquers the negative force of cursing:
Deuteronomy 30:19 "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live."
You choose "blessing" when you praise God and your worship literally "spoils" the enemy's house:
2 Chronicles 20:23, 24 "For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another ...So when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and there were their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one had escaped."
Praise will disarm the enemy forces arrayed against you and reverse every diabolical curse and stronghold that threatens and controls your life. Don't wait until you see the hand of God moving and your victory is assured. Begin to praise Him, even while you hear the sound of advancing troops echoing across the dessert plains of your life. Begin to sing in the face of adversity when, like Jehoshaphat, you don't know what you are going to do about your circumstances. And don't be surprised when you get to the battle field if all you can find is the disintegrating carcass of your problem.
At Your Wit's End (Part 24)
2 Chronicles 20:22-24 "Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated. For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another. So when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and there were their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one had escaped."
The turning point in Jehoshaphat's dilemma came when God's people acted upon the divine revelation they were given. Faith is a fact that always involves an act:
-You received the "word of faith " for salvation, you acted upon it by responding, and you were saved. -Noah acted upon a word received from God concerning a forthcoming flood and built an ark to preserve life on the earth.
-Moses received a commission to deliver Israel and acted upon it by returning to Egypt to petition Pharaoh in their behalf.
-Blind men saw, the lame walked, and the deaf heard as they acted in response to the words of Jesus.
Faith is not just passive believing or wishful hoping. Faith is acting on the fact of God's Word. Jehoshaphat was instructed by God:
2 Chronicles 20:15-17 "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, standstill and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you."
Jehoshaphat had a word from God and acted in faith on it. The next day he positioned himself for victory and watched God work in his behalf. What does it mean to "position" yourself for victory? The answer is given in this passage: And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:
2 Chronicles 20:21, 22 "Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever." Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated."
When you position yourself in praise and worship, God will move in your behalf. Israel began to sing and praise God and ambushes were set by the Lord against the advancing enemy. God moved in their behalf "when they began" to sing and praise, not when they finished. The enemy was "ambushed" by God and when Israel arrived on the battle field, instead of finding living men to contend with they found only the carcasses of the enemy. There they were in full battle array, armed with shields and spears, but there was no life in them. Their deadly potential was eliminated when God's people began to praise and worship.
Repeatedly in Old Testament conflicts God directs Israel to send the tribe of Judah into battle first. The name Judah means "praise," so whenever you see that name used, substitute the word "praise." Praise is the purpose for which we are ordained:
2 Chronicle 29:11 "My sons, do not be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, and that you should minister to Him and burn incense."
The first of the ten commandments is to worship God and the Bible reveals that God actively seeks those who will worship and praise Him:
John 4:23 "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him."
God created us to praise Him:
Isaiah 43:21 "This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise."
The Bible is filled with commands for us to praise God:
1 Peter 2:5 "You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
1 Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
Psalms 147:1 AMP "Praise the Lord, for it is good..praise is becoming and appropriate."
Praise involves worship and thanksgiving. To worship means "to do reverence, to kiss, do homage towards, revere, stand in awe of, show devotion, bow down and honor." Worship is an acknowledgment of God, His nature, attributes, ways, and worth.
We thank God by acknowledging our gratitude for His works. We praise him by blessing Him, celebrating, and boasting of what He has done. Actually the word "praise" has eight different meanings, two of which are quite interesting. They are to "release before the Lord" and to be "clamorously foolish." Other words related to praise and worship are:
-Glorify: To give honor to, rank, beauty.
-Honor: To exalt and show preference.
-Magnify: To ascribe greatness, glorify.
There is no sharp dividing line between praise, worship, and thanksgiving. As you worship, you can flow easily from one to another, as demonstrated in the book of Psalms. Many of us are conditioned to being led into worship, but God directs says "you enter" and "you offer a sacrifice" of praise:
Hebrews 13:15 "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."
PRAISING GOD IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH
Jesus said in John 4:23, 24 these words:
"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
What does it mean to worship in spirit and truth? Turn to John 4 in your Bible which summarizes the encounter of Jesus with a Samaritan woman. Jesus was resting by a well when a woman came to draw water. She was obviously poor materially since she had no servant to draw water for her, but she was even poorer spiritually. Jesus told the woman, "If you knew", indicating that you must worship from a position of knowing. Knowledge (or truth) results in understand who the Lord is and results in worship. Jesus said, "If you knew, you would ask." Knowledge (truth) always requires a response.
The woman told Jesus, "You have nothing to draw with to give me this water." Like this woman, many of us focus on the impossibilities of life, while we are in the presence of the Source of miracles. The life Jesus gives results in worship, a spiritual stream that quenches your thirst by springing up from deep inside your spirit. When you face impossible situations and you begin to worship, then the miracle worker is present because God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3).
Jesus said the Samaritans worshiped with spirit, but without truth (verses 19-24). In the time of Ezra and Nehemiah when the Samaritans were not allowed to help Israel rebuild the temple, they built their own temple on Mount Gerizim. This was the site where they believed Abraham offered Isaac and Jacob had his dream of the ladder extending to Heaven. The Samaritans climbed this mountain often and worshiped, but they did not know what they worshiped. They were enthusiastic in their worship, but without the truth of the Gospel.
The Jews worshiped in truth (law) but with no spirit. Jesus, who was a Jew, said "We know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews." The Jews understood the truth, but they were cold, legalistic, hypocritical, and ritualistic. They went through the motions of worship but their hearts were not in it. God is to be worshiped as both "Father" and "Spirit." Spirit is nature while Father is relationship. The issue of true worship is not where and when it is done as much as who and how. If you are a true worshiper you do not have to try finding God. God comes looking for you because He seeks those who worship Him in spirit and truth.
Man is a triune being composed of a body which is visible and an invisible soul and spirit. The soul is the "soulish" nature of man, the mind, will, and emotions. The spirit is the spiritual inner man and your spirit has emotional responses like the soul. Soul and spirit are closely related but are separate, because the Bible tells us the Word of God is sharp and can divide them.
You cannot really worship with your spirit unless it is energized by His Spirit, so worshiping in spirit involves the Holy Spirit also. As you worship, God's Spirit bears witness with your spirit according to Romans 8:16. Since man is a triune being, when you worship with your spirit you must also worship with your soul and body.
The word "truth" means to uncover, open up, and not hide. Worship is to be based on truth which is information gained in meditation which results from time spent with God in discovery. If you are going to truly worship, you must be committed to the Word of God, not just some emotional feeling.
To worship in spirit is to allow the Holy Spirit to move upon your redeemed spirit, causing love, adoration, devotion, honor, and respect to ascend to God who is a spirit. To worship in truth is to worship according to the Word of God and to properly respond to the truth of God.
The turning point in Jehoshaphat's dilemma came when God's people acted upon the divine revelation they were given. Faith is a fact that always involves an act:
-You received the "word of faith " for salvation, you acted upon it by responding, and you were saved. -Noah acted upon a word received from God concerning a forthcoming flood and built an ark to preserve life on the earth.
-Moses received a commission to deliver Israel and acted upon it by returning to Egypt to petition Pharaoh in their behalf.
-Blind men saw, the lame walked, and the deaf heard as they acted in response to the words of Jesus.
Faith is not just passive believing or wishful hoping. Faith is acting on the fact of God's Word. Jehoshaphat was instructed by God:
2 Chronicles 20:15-17 "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, standstill and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you."
Jehoshaphat had a word from God and acted in faith on it. The next day he positioned himself for victory and watched God work in his behalf. What does it mean to "position" yourself for victory? The answer is given in this passage: And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:
2 Chronicles 20:21, 22 "Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever." Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated."
When you position yourself in praise and worship, God will move in your behalf. Israel began to sing and praise God and ambushes were set by the Lord against the advancing enemy. God moved in their behalf "when they began" to sing and praise, not when they finished. The enemy was "ambushed" by God and when Israel arrived on the battle field, instead of finding living men to contend with they found only the carcasses of the enemy. There they were in full battle array, armed with shields and spears, but there was no life in them. Their deadly potential was eliminated when God's people began to praise and worship.
Repeatedly in Old Testament conflicts God directs Israel to send the tribe of Judah into battle first. The name Judah means "praise," so whenever you see that name used, substitute the word "praise." Praise is the purpose for which we are ordained:
2 Chronicle 29:11 "My sons, do not be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, and that you should minister to Him and burn incense."
The first of the ten commandments is to worship God and the Bible reveals that God actively seeks those who will worship and praise Him:
John 4:23 "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him."
God created us to praise Him:
Isaiah 43:21 "This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise."
The Bible is filled with commands for us to praise God:
1 Peter 2:5 "You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
1 Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
Psalms 147:1 AMP "Praise the Lord, for it is good..praise is becoming and appropriate."
Praise involves worship and thanksgiving. To worship means "to do reverence, to kiss, do homage towards, revere, stand in awe of, show devotion, bow down and honor." Worship is an acknowledgment of God, His nature, attributes, ways, and worth.
We thank God by acknowledging our gratitude for His works. We praise him by blessing Him, celebrating, and boasting of what He has done. Actually the word "praise" has eight different meanings, two of which are quite interesting. They are to "release before the Lord" and to be "clamorously foolish." Other words related to praise and worship are:
-Glorify: To give honor to, rank, beauty.
-Honor: To exalt and show preference.
-Magnify: To ascribe greatness, glorify.
There is no sharp dividing line between praise, worship, and thanksgiving. As you worship, you can flow easily from one to another, as demonstrated in the book of Psalms. Many of us are conditioned to being led into worship, but God directs says "you enter" and "you offer a sacrifice" of praise:
Hebrews 13:15 "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."
PRAISING GOD IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH
Jesus said in John 4:23, 24 these words:
"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
What does it mean to worship in spirit and truth? Turn to John 4 in your Bible which summarizes the encounter of Jesus with a Samaritan woman. Jesus was resting by a well when a woman came to draw water. She was obviously poor materially since she had no servant to draw water for her, but she was even poorer spiritually. Jesus told the woman, "If you knew", indicating that you must worship from a position of knowing. Knowledge (or truth) results in understand who the Lord is and results in worship. Jesus said, "If you knew, you would ask." Knowledge (truth) always requires a response.
The woman told Jesus, "You have nothing to draw with to give me this water." Like this woman, many of us focus on the impossibilities of life, while we are in the presence of the Source of miracles. The life Jesus gives results in worship, a spiritual stream that quenches your thirst by springing up from deep inside your spirit. When you face impossible situations and you begin to worship, then the miracle worker is present because God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3).
Jesus said the Samaritans worshiped with spirit, but without truth (verses 19-24). In the time of Ezra and Nehemiah when the Samaritans were not allowed to help Israel rebuild the temple, they built their own temple on Mount Gerizim. This was the site where they believed Abraham offered Isaac and Jacob had his dream of the ladder extending to Heaven. The Samaritans climbed this mountain often and worshiped, but they did not know what they worshiped. They were enthusiastic in their worship, but without the truth of the Gospel.
The Jews worshiped in truth (law) but with no spirit. Jesus, who was a Jew, said "We know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews." The Jews understood the truth, but they were cold, legalistic, hypocritical, and ritualistic. They went through the motions of worship but their hearts were not in it. God is to be worshiped as both "Father" and "Spirit." Spirit is nature while Father is relationship. The issue of true worship is not where and when it is done as much as who and how. If you are a true worshiper you do not have to try finding God. God comes looking for you because He seeks those who worship Him in spirit and truth.
Man is a triune being composed of a body which is visible and an invisible soul and spirit. The soul is the "soulish" nature of man, the mind, will, and emotions. The spirit is the spiritual inner man and your spirit has emotional responses like the soul. Soul and spirit are closely related but are separate, because the Bible tells us the Word of God is sharp and can divide them.
You cannot really worship with your spirit unless it is energized by His Spirit, so worshiping in spirit involves the Holy Spirit also. As you worship, God's Spirit bears witness with your spirit according to Romans 8:16. Since man is a triune being, when you worship with your spirit you must also worship with your soul and body.
The word "truth" means to uncover, open up, and not hide. Worship is to be based on truth which is information gained in meditation which results from time spent with God in discovery. If you are going to truly worship, you must be committed to the Word of God, not just some emotional feeling.
To worship in spirit is to allow the Holy Spirit to move upon your redeemed spirit, causing love, adoration, devotion, honor, and respect to ascend to God who is a spirit. To worship in truth is to worship according to the Word of God and to properly respond to the truth of God.
At Your Wit's End (Part 23)
The Apostle John wrote these words to New Testament believers in 3 John 1:2. He said:
"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."
We conclude from this passage that we can pray for physical and spiritual prosperity and success in every area of life. Jehoshaphat found prayer vital in times of indecision. His request for God's assistance resulted in divine direction and victory over the enemy.
Intercession births revelation. In the Old Testament, revelation came to God's people from the outside in through prophets, kings, and judges. From New Testament times on, revelation has come from the inside out. It was birthed internally through intercession. A classic example is the Apostle John who was interceding on the Isle of Patmos when he received one of the greatest revelations of all times.
Worldly wisdom says to retain your resources: "Stock up, save, tuck it away for a rainy day." God's Word teaches the principle of giving to receive. It encourages you to continually release your resources, such as your talents, gifts, time, abilities, and finances:
Ecclesiastes 11:6 "In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good.
When you "sow your seed" and give of your resources then you are assured success because you always receive increased returns:
Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."
As we've analyzed Jehoshaphat's response to his difficulties was to seek the Lord. If you want to prosper in all you do, resolve that you will continually seek the Lord.
Uzziah was only 16 years old when he became king of Israel and he reigned successfully for 52 years. The Bible declares in 2 Chronicles 26:4, 5 that "he did what was right in the sight of the Lord ...He sought God ...and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper."
I believe if you will apply these prophetic principles of success, you will prosper:
-Realize that true success comes from God.
-Repent of your sins.
-Rely on God's Word.
-Request God's assistance.
-Release your resources.
-Resolve that you will seek the Lord.
Jehoshaphat told God's people, "Believe the prophets and you will prosper." You, not the enemy, will prosper. Make this declaration and claim this promise:
Jeremiah 20:11 "But the Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper. Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten."
"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."
We conclude from this passage that we can pray for physical and spiritual prosperity and success in every area of life. Jehoshaphat found prayer vital in times of indecision. His request for God's assistance resulted in divine direction and victory over the enemy.
Intercession births revelation. In the Old Testament, revelation came to God's people from the outside in through prophets, kings, and judges. From New Testament times on, revelation has come from the inside out. It was birthed internally through intercession. A classic example is the Apostle John who was interceding on the Isle of Patmos when he received one of the greatest revelations of all times.
Worldly wisdom says to retain your resources: "Stock up, save, tuck it away for a rainy day." God's Word teaches the principle of giving to receive. It encourages you to continually release your resources, such as your talents, gifts, time, abilities, and finances:
Ecclesiastes 11:6 "In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good.
When you "sow your seed" and give of your resources then you are assured success because you always receive increased returns:
Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."
As we've analyzed Jehoshaphat's response to his difficulties was to seek the Lord. If you want to prosper in all you do, resolve that you will continually seek the Lord.
Uzziah was only 16 years old when he became king of Israel and he reigned successfully for 52 years. The Bible declares in 2 Chronicles 26:4, 5 that "he did what was right in the sight of the Lord ...He sought God ...and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper."
I believe if you will apply these prophetic principles of success, you will prosper:
-Realize that true success comes from God.
-Repent of your sins.
-Rely on God's Word.
-Request God's assistance.
-Release your resources.
-Resolve that you will seek the Lord.
Jehoshaphat told God's people, "Believe the prophets and you will prosper." You, not the enemy, will prosper. Make this declaration and claim this promise:
Jeremiah 20:11 "But the Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper. Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten."
At Your Wit's End (Part 22)
(3) Rely on God's Word!
The following passage tells how to be successful in everything you do:
Psalms 1:1-3 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper."
Here's the guarantee: "Whatever he does shall prosper." Similar to guarantees in the material world, however, this is a limited warrantee based on these conditions:
a. Do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly: The word "ungodly" means "unsettled, aiming at no certain end, and walking by no certain rule." The successful man does not walk in their counsel. He is not present at their meetings, he does not measure himself by their principles, nor does he act according to their advice.
b. Do not stand in the path of sinners: The word for "sinners" signifies those who practice sin. The successful man shuns sinners because their way is not his way. He does not imitate sinners, associate with them, or choose them for intimate companions:
Proverbs 4:14, 15 "Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on."
c. Do not sit in the seat of the scornful: The "scornful" are those that "set their mouths against the heavens," aligning themselves with the accuser (Satan) who rails against God and man alike.
There are two powerful spiritual forces operational in both heaven and earth. These are the forces of the accuser (Satan) and the intercessor (Jesus Christ). By the words of your mouth you continually align yourself with one or the other. The successful person does not "sit in the seat of the scornful" accusing the brethren and does not associate with those who sit in open judgment of others.
d. Delight in the law of God: Joshua 1:8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. "
A successful person submits to the guidance of the Word of God. This is what fortifies him against the ungodly, sinners, and the scornful:
Psalms 17:4 "...by the word of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer."
The affection of a successful man is set on God's law, he delights in it, and it becomes a way of life for him.
e. Meditate in God's Word day and night: To meditate in God's Word is to dialogue with yourself concerning the great truths it contains, fixing your thoughts on it, applying its precepts to your life. The successful person does this continually--day and night--and governs his conduct and activities by the standards of the Word. God told Joshua in 1:7, 8:
"Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."
It is to those who meet these five conditions that God guarantees blessing and success. When the psalmist undertakes to describe a successful person he characterizes an individual who governs his life by God's standards. The successful person is compared to a tree planted by living waters. The waters will not fail and the tree will not wither and die. Even in drought, the successful man does not fear because in due season his "tree" shall again flourish and his "fruit" will abound. Whatever he does in conformity to the prophetic revelation of the Word will prosper because God's declares:
Isaiah 55:11 "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."
The following passage tells how to be successful in everything you do:
Psalms 1:1-3 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper."
Here's the guarantee: "Whatever he does shall prosper." Similar to guarantees in the material world, however, this is a limited warrantee based on these conditions:
a. Do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly: The word "ungodly" means "unsettled, aiming at no certain end, and walking by no certain rule." The successful man does not walk in their counsel. He is not present at their meetings, he does not measure himself by their principles, nor does he act according to their advice.
b. Do not stand in the path of sinners: The word for "sinners" signifies those who practice sin. The successful man shuns sinners because their way is not his way. He does not imitate sinners, associate with them, or choose them for intimate companions:
Proverbs 4:14, 15 "Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on."
c. Do not sit in the seat of the scornful: The "scornful" are those that "set their mouths against the heavens," aligning themselves with the accuser (Satan) who rails against God and man alike.
There are two powerful spiritual forces operational in both heaven and earth. These are the forces of the accuser (Satan) and the intercessor (Jesus Christ). By the words of your mouth you continually align yourself with one or the other. The successful person does not "sit in the seat of the scornful" accusing the brethren and does not associate with those who sit in open judgment of others.
d. Delight in the law of God: Joshua 1:8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. "
A successful person submits to the guidance of the Word of God. This is what fortifies him against the ungodly, sinners, and the scornful:
Psalms 17:4 "...by the word of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer."
The affection of a successful man is set on God's law, he delights in it, and it becomes a way of life for him.
e. Meditate in God's Word day and night: To meditate in God's Word is to dialogue with yourself concerning the great truths it contains, fixing your thoughts on it, applying its precepts to your life. The successful person does this continually--day and night--and governs his conduct and activities by the standards of the Word. God told Joshua in 1:7, 8:
"Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."
It is to those who meet these five conditions that God guarantees blessing and success. When the psalmist undertakes to describe a successful person he characterizes an individual who governs his life by God's standards. The successful person is compared to a tree planted by living waters. The waters will not fail and the tree will not wither and die. Even in drought, the successful man does not fear because in due season his "tree" shall again flourish and his "fruit" will abound. Whatever he does in conformity to the prophetic revelation of the Word will prosper because God's declares:
Isaiah 55:11 "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."
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