Month: July 2016

Pulling Down Strongholds – 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Holy warfare IS:

Carnal weapons are NOT:  Physical violence, psychological manipulation.

So the definition of carnal worldly ways:  It does nothing good to fight a physical mental fight.  The best way to fight is through praising God, using good works, being mighty in God for pulling down stronghold (by using God’s divine power).   Prayer, always prayer using God’s words is the absolute best way to fight the enemy.

Paul is saying that although we walk as human beings, our biggest foes are not humans, but Satan and his spiritual forces.

Many fights are fought in the heavens for us, where our carnal weapons cannot help. God however has given us a way to help fight the battle. Since we cannot use our merely human carnal  (gratifying the flesh) weapons, God has given us special equipment to put on, called the “Armour of God”.

When in difficult situations, we humans have the habit of trying to fend for ourselves and because of that we usually end up in a condition/position worse than when we began.

The Bible teaches that as Christians, we are to use the weapons we’ve been given. When covered by the Armour of God, we are mighty, strong and able to stand up to the things that we can see (situations) and to those that are unseen (the enemy).

Much like the equipment a warrior wore many years ago, there are 7 items. However the Armour of God is very different. Each piece cannot be seen by humans but are clearly seen and felt by the enemy.

  1. Belt of truth – holds the words of God
  2. Breast plate of righteousness – cleanses us
  3. Gospel of peace – walk covered with peace regardless of situation
  4. Shield of faith – knowing, without doubt, that Jesus is the one and only true God and he will shield us
  5. Helmet of Salvation – through Jesus, we have authority over the enemy
  6. Sword of the Spirit – The Holy Spirit will remind us of Gods words when we need them
  7. Prayer – for ourselves, for others, for situations, for health, for finances, for marriages, etc.

Every morning, it’s important to start the day by asking God for the covering. With the Armour of God in place, we will be alert and ready to face the day’s challenges.

Every time we feel attacked, we can gain control of our emotions by using the Armour of God. A more in depth description can be found HERE.

By having this control, and using the Word of God, his armour, and the name of Jesus, the situation becomes reversed and authority is gained over the enemy.

God Almighty,

In today’s darkened world, the enemy is working twice as hard to dominate all people and situations.

He is attempting to convince everyone that you are not worth worshipping because he knows that his time of free reign on this earth is quickly drawing to a close. He’s hoping to get all Christians to turn away from you and desires that all people in the world would see him as king rather than you. Chaos is being unleashed now, more than ever, making it extremely important that as a Christian I need to watch for Satan’s lies and tricks and be ready at all times, dressed in God’s armour.

I realize that just because I am wearing armour, it doesn’t mean that I will never be persecuted or won’t have to endure Satan’s wrath. Sometimes bad things happen because the enemy is working in my life, trying to draw me away from you Lord. In both cases, it’s very important for me to stand strong and firm, protected by my armour, and let you deal with the situation.

I know Father that sometimes, I immediately start to worry when I know I shouldn’t. I am your child, through your son, Jesus Christ, and it’s important for me to give these worries over to you.

However, it can be hard to stay in my faith when everything around me looks hopeless, appearing like it will never be rectified. At this point, my faith and strength in you may start to fail and I will resort to my own methods.

The weapons I may use (worry, stress, anger, helplessness, depression, trying anything and everything, etc.) are useless and futile: whereas your weapons are mighty and will overcome everything.

Thank you Father for reminding me again how important it is to put on my armour each and every day. Yes, I know that by wearing it, I am not immune to bad or stressful times and I can’t even be assured that they won’t last long. However, I can be assured that everything happening in my life will be completed in your time and according to your will.

Knowing that you are always in control of every situation, I can rest assured that, with your armour intact, I will be able to give all situations over to you and then go about my day, in peace.

Thank you Father for always having my back and being with me through all the good times and the trials. I am so thankful.

In the name of the Son, Jesus Christ, I pray.

Amen

We Are Never Alone – John 14: 26-27

John 14:26-27

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

During his 3 year ministry, Jesus taught the disciples everything they needed to know, to continue building the church after his crucifixion.

Following his resurrection, Jesus spends a little more time with the apostles; and then announces that he must leave the earth to go back to his Father. He assures them they will not be alone; that God will send them, in Jesus’ name, a helper (the Holy Spirit) that will be much like Jesus himself.

Jesus says that The Holy Spirit will remind them of the things that he said while on earth and he will teach them what they need to know. The Holy Spirit arrived, and empowered the apostles, just as Jesus said he would.

Still today, the Holy Spirit, is living in Christians, leading us, guiding us, helping us, nudging us and keeping us in line with God’s Word.

In those days, “Peace I leave with you” was a Jewish salutation. Many could have thought Jesus was giving them a greeting or benediction, but he wasn’t. Jesus was giving the apostles the “peace that passes understanding”. The peace that Jesus blessed the apostles with was also meant for all of God’s children, throughout the generations to come.

Christians WILL go through trials and tribulations like every other man on earth (even as the disciples/apostles did). However with the Holy Spirit living within us, we (believers in Jesus) have the unique opportunity to stand strong, without worry or fear and to continually maintain deep peace, especially during raging storms. If we stand in faith, the Holy Spirit will help us and secure Jesus’ peace on us.

Divine God,

You are a most loving Father. Not only did you create this world and everything in it, but you sent Jesus to earth for our salvation and to teach us your ways. You sent the Holy Spirit to live in us, to guide us, to lead us and to teach us.

God (the Trinity), you are everything that we will ever need, both now and in the hereafter. I thank you Father for all you do for us on a continual basis and for the love you are never in short supply of.

Too many times, in hard situations, I forget to immediately turn to you. I don’t think to listen for the Holy Spirit’s leading or remember that Jesus is waiting to comfort me with open arms. It is during those times that I feel lost, alone, frightened and will believe (the enemies lies) that everything is too big to handle and then it all starts closing in on me.

But praise be to you God! I suddenly will hear the Holy Spirit’s still voice within me, I will feel Jesus’ arms encircle me and I will know that you Father are sending me love and peace. Then I am reassured, without doubt that you are in charge of everything. It is in those moments that I can take a deep breath, relax and feel peaceful, in spite of what is going on around me.

Someone may ask; how can you relax when everything around you is in turmoil? My answer is that you Lord send me the “Peace that passes understanding”. I sometimes can’t understand how I can have peace during these times, but I do know that you, Father God, have the power to allow me to relax and know, without doubt, that everything will work out as it should.

Thank you Father, for your gift of Jesus, for the gift of the Holy Spirit and for peace. Mostly Lord, I thank you for love; greatest of all gifts!

In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray

Amen.

Peters Advice to Believers Regarding the End Times – 2 Peter 3

2 Peter 3 17-18

Peter is writing to a group of righteous people (those who believe in Jesus). It is assumed to be the same people he wrote to in 1 Peter. He is telling them to stay strong in their faith and to beware of scoffers!

We, the righteous of today need to follow this same advice that Peter gave the believers in his day.

In the first part of his letter Peter reminds them what the prophets spoke of regarding the last days and to think about the things that he and Paul have written to them in the past.

Peter tells them to watch out for the scoffers (the ungodly) because they don’t believe that God’s word made creation nor that God’s word flooded the earth and removed all sin. Peter reminds them that non-believers walk in their own lusts and will try to convince others to join in their disbelief of God and his creation and judgements.

Peter writes that in the end times, the heavens, the elements and the earth will all die by fire and the ungodly will die along with them.

Some people reading this might wonder why Peter was telling the people of his day to watch for the end times. The reason: because everything is done according to God’s timing, we can never know exactly when Jesus will come again. It could have happened in Peter’s life time, it could have happened at any point during the past 2016 years or it may not happen for any amount of time into the future. What we can know for sure is that because God’s word says it will take place, it WILL happen.

The end of times depends on many factors and even we are probably a part of them. How?

While we wait, are believers studying and gaining knowledge of God’s word so that we won’t be caught in the claws of the evil one or by the scoffers?

Are we standing strong and keep our faith alive? Are we sharing our knowledge with others on a continual basis? Are we staying holy in our conversations and walking in godliness? Do we pray for people to come to salvation? Do we tell others of the good news of Jesus Christ?

We need to be doing these things and helping others to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

Our Father is the only one who knows when the end of times will begin. He is not slack or lazy (as scoffers might say) but it is because God is such a loving Father, he will wait as long as he can, and when all of the people have heard about Christ, and those who will accept him, have done so, then (according to the word) God will send Jesus to earth again. God is waiting because he loves all people and doesn’t want anyone to perish into the flames.

So knowing it’s all in God’s timing (hands), the believers (of every generation) must be completely prepared. There will not be time to “get ready”! Every generation must be “good to go” at all times.

At some point, the heavens WILL pass away with a loud noise and the elements will melt with the fervent (almost boiling) heat and yes the earth and everything on it, will burn up, taking all sin and the sinful people along with it.

As sad as that may sound to some, Christians should always be looking towards Jesus’ return and for the new heavens and earth that God will set in place. A new earth where the godly will dwell forever, praising Jesus (God) and giving him glory forever and ever.2013-06-158

Heavenly Father

Thank you for the Word of God. Thank you that many of your servants (like the Prophets and Peter and Paul) took the time to listen to you and wrote it all on paper. Throughout the centuries every generation has had the opportunity to know, hear, learn or read about you. Thank you Father that you chose to give us the knowledge of the times coming: good and bad.

Thank you that many times, I don’t understand what is written and I have to go deeper into my studies. It’s during those times that I really get to know you better (and you, me). That was exactly what Peter wanted the people of his time to do. Have a relationship with you!

Studying, gaining knowledge and knowing you is what keeps us steady in our faith and sure footed in our walk. If we are knowledgeable of you and your word, then scoffers will have a harder time twisting your words to the extent that we might believe them, over you.

Thank you Father that I believe, without doubt, that you will come again. It may or may not be in my lifetime but regardless, you will come!

Please Lord, while I wait, help me to stay strong in faith, to always keep my eyes fixed on you and to be waiting with anticipation, for the arrival of the worlds Saviour, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

To you Father, all the glory, now and forever.

In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, I pray.

Amen.

hallelujah

Listen More and Speak Less – Proverbs 29:11

Proverbs 29:11

11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

If a man tells everything he knows about a subject, all at once, he is then out of the conservation when others are discussing it. If he tries to get back into the subject, all he can do is to rehash what he has already presented. However if he joins in sharing a little bit of information at a time, he adds to the conversation, as it progresses.

If a man is angry and immediately spews out that anger, he may say more than he means to say. However a wise man will hold the anger and let his mind and body relax before he discusses what has made him angry and why.

As a Christian, having a cooling down time allows the anger to be calmed and for peace to come over the situation, through God, before speaking to the other person.

It’s important for us to learn to listen more and speak less and not run on at the mouth in any situation.

Dear Father,

At times, I am like the fool! Whatever comes to mind, I talk about. Many times I don’t even stop long enough to sensor or check out what I am about to say.

However, I am glad to say that with your help, I am learning each day to filter my words and stop the rambling.

I have asked the Holy Spirit to make me very aware of the times I go on and on so that I can stop and hear what others want to say.

Times of anger are sometimes hard for most of us. Anger usually reaches a boiling point and then watching what we say is not our priority. However, with the Holy Spirits guidance, I now take a deep breath and immediately ask for peace to cover the situation and all who are involved. With the covering of peace, the situation is quickly defused.

Father, thank you that I am still learning. Thank you for your leading, loving and especially your patience throughout my training period. I am truly blessed!

In the name of my Lord, Jesus, I pray

Amen