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Unbelief – Rick Bagwell
Tag: UNBELIEF
THE FORCES OF EVIL/HOW THEY WORK
Evil began with Satan. With Adam, sin entered into the world.
Most Christians know this,
but there are things we must understand about our enemy, that keeps us from
being the best we can for God.
Satan uses demons, and shows
up himself, at times, as we are in the
process of developing in our
relationship with God.
I don’t mean he can be
everywhere at all times like God, but his demons are dispatched by him to
follow us around, to see if we will open the door for them to enter.
By this, I mean when we get
in the flesh, or look back to the world, we can take a back-step into what we
used to be before salvation, and be tempted to turn back to our old carnal
ways.
Why do you think God’s
ministers backslide?
Most of the time, it is
because they get so involved in God’s work,
they don’t make time to
spend with the God they serve.
Why do you think so many of
these occult religions get as far as they do?
They pray many times a day to their false god, which opens the door for
Satan to increase their growth, and spread their doctrines of error.
Evil will continue until the
end of the Church age, then it will become more furious during Jacob’s: The
Great Tribulation period of seven years, and will appear again, for a short
time, at the end of the millennial reign
of Christ.
We as Christians, should
guard against, or be watchmen, confronting
evil.
Surprisingly enough, sometimes, we as Christians, can be
influenced by Satan, to do his work.
How?
Hearts of
unbelief – Hebrews 3:12,13 —-Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of
unbelief, in departing from the Living God.
But exhort one another daily, while
it is called today; lest any of
you be hardened through the deceitfulness
of sin.
Some begin to wander off
from the work of God, and God Himself, when the fiery trials come. They might get criticized for they way we do
things, and become despondent and loose
their vision, instead of turning it over to God.
Fear could arise, and they
might never start what God has called them to do. I have even seen people who are called to do
something, but try to influence someone else to do it, so they can be a part of
it, and they won’t have that responsibility on themselves. It never works, and the other person becomes
troubled and out of place, and ultimately out of the will of God. It won’t stand the test.
On the other hand, in the
body of Christ, we are commissioned to submit to authority. A person who is called to do a work, has authority over others under them. From the pastor, all the way down, we have to
submit to someone.
Every ministry that is
involved with a Church, has the responsibility of answering to the
leadership. If we can’t learn to follow,
we will never be successful leaders.
Moses had a problem like
this, but God quickly handled the problem; but people’s lives were lost in the
process. (Numbers 16:1-3) – Look at verse 3 —-And they gathered themselves together against Moses and Aaron, and said
unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy,
every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up
yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?
Or, “Moses and Aaron, What
right do you have to put yourselves forward, claiming that we must obey you,
and acting as though you were greater than anyone else among all these people
of the Lord?
Now, look at verse 28,31-33
—-And Moses said, hereby ye shall know
that the Lord hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of
my own mind.
And it came to pass, as he had made an
end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under
them:
And the earth opened her mouth, and
swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained (or related) unto Korah, and all
their goods.
They, and all that appertained unto
them, went down alive into the pit, and
the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.
And Verse 34 states, All of
the people fled at their screams, fearing that the earth would swallow them up
too.
Have you noticed when people
come against leadership, how their whole family is affected?
They pray and pray, their
loved ones come to Church, get saved, and are growing in the Lord. (which, by
the way in itself, makes Satan and his demons mad) Soon they see
something they question about what the leadership is doing; they call a
family meeting, discuss it, and soon their family drops out of
Church, backslides, and they blame the Church? I’ve seen this over and over again. —-
Korah and his house were destroyed, as well as those who conspired with them.
The leaders are
responsible for the decisions they make.
It is not up to us to
straighten them out verbally, we are to pray for them.
Also, if you are not wearing
their shoes you have no right to judge them.
God called them to that
position. Most of the time, they are
following the leadership of the Lord, and they could know something you
don’t know.
When we serve the Lord with
all our hearts, the trials will come to try to stop God’s work. I have found, through experience, this is
when God is getting ready to do something great in that work.
Stay where you are, pray,
AND DON’T GIVE UP ON THE BRINK OF A MIRACLE.
We can be used unknowingly
in Satan’s plan: which is always trying to stop the work of God.
You wonder why you pray,
pray, pray, and can’t get peace?
Maybe you need to repent and
ask your family to forgive you for getting out of your place. We are not God,
we can’t control people.
You might ask me how I know
all this.
Well I’m sorry to say, I was
involved in something like this myself on two occasions of my life. When I understood, I repented.
But that didn’t keep me from
reaping what I sowed.
People of God, it is important
to me, to instruct you in how not
to fall into this trap of Satan.
There are no “Lone Rangers”
in the body of Christ, everyone is connected to someone.
We should be on guard and
stay out of things that could cause us to be influenced. How do the forces of evil influence us?
In our
thought life —- 1 Corinthians 13:4,5
—- Charity suffereth long, and is kind;
charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Doth not behave itself unseemly,
seeketh not her own, is not
easily provoked, thinketh no evil (or we could say, is not ready to
suspect evil).
We see here,
devices that Satan uses, that could cause us to think evil of someone:
1- Lack of
love
2- Lack of
patience
3- Lack of
kindness
4- Envy (or
jealousy or rivalry)
5- The pushing
of self forward
6- Pride
7-
Inappropriate behavior
8-
Self-seeking
9-
Being easily provoked
10- I call these The Nine Rotten Fruit of Evil.
All of which,
manifest in someone who is ready to think or suspect evil of others.
Believe me,
these are things that should not, but do, operate at times in the body
of Christ.
We are told in
Romans 12:21 to …Be not overcome of evil,
but overcome (or Conquer) evil with
good.
In the very
next chapter, Chapter 13 we are instructed to honor authority.
These are
things the devil doesn’t want us to know that keeps us from being the best
followers of Christ we can be.
Evil Forces
Influence Us Through Our Companionships 1 Corinthians
15:33 —-Be not deceived: evil
communications (or companionships)corrupt
good manners.
Have you ever
noticed how, when you get around some people, even in the body of Christ, there
is a spirit of criticism that enters the conversation?
Before we know
it, we enter into the gossip without even meaning too; and we feel so
convicted afterwards; and wonder how we allowed ourselves to get involved.
In Proverbs
6:16-19, we are introduced to seven things that are an abomination unto the
Lord, which is called Seven Deadly Sins.
Let’s read it
—-These six things doth the Lord hate;
yea, seven are an abomination unto Him:
a proud
look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart
that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in
running to mischief,
a false
witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord
among the brethren.
Wow! God hates them, and they are an abomination (or loathsome
and wickedness) to him.
The sowing of
discord among the brethren causes more trouble in the Church than sinners or
demons on the outside.
The Church of
Jesus Christ needs revival, and a time of repentance.
This evil is
what the world and the Church are guilty of.
We see every day where there is a misuse of money in both.
Does the Word
say money is evil?
No. Look at 1 Timothy 6:10 —-For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after (or were
greedy about), they have erred (or
turned away) from the faith, and pierced
themselves (to torture one’s soul)
through with many sorrows.
It is the love
of money; that-is the putting of money before God.
God calls
evil, putting money and what you want, before Him and His work. He calls the love of money the root of all
evil.
Think about
it, what seems to be number one on the mind of the world, and also, I’m ashamed
to say, on the mind of much of the Church?
MONEY!
Money is not evil;
it is used by God to do good for His children and those in need.
It takes
money, to send the Gospel around the world.
It takes money
to live.
But, Church,
our dependency is to be focused on God.
He is the supernatural God who supplies all our needs and also gives us
the desires of our hearts. Our money may
fail, but God will never fail us.
The apostle
Paul does not condemn the possession of riches: they are only evil where they
are badly used. Neither does he speak against rich men: for he would condemn
such men as Abraham, and Joseph of Armethea who used their wealth
righteously. He condemns the haste to be
rich.
The rich must
not put their trust in their wealth, but put their trust in God, and their
focus on the treasures that have eternal value.
There is much
more I could go into about The Forces of Evil and How They Work, but time won’t
permit today.
We will stay
away from the evil one, if we set ourselves to live in the Word, and God’s
Spirit. ——– Until next week.
HELP MY UNBELIEF
MARK 9:23 – JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, IF THOU CANST BELIEVE, ALL THINGS ARE POSSSIBLE TO HIM THAT BELIEVETH.
LIMITED FAITH IS MOTIVATED BY FEAR AND UNBELIEF.
LIMITED FAITH RESTRICTS THE POWER OF GOD.
LIMITED FAITH IS CONTROLLED BY CIRCUMSTANCES.
LIMITED FAITH DOESN’T RESIST OR FIGHT FOR THE PROMISES OF GOD, IT JUST LAYS DOWN AND DIES.
FAITH IS PRODUCED BY GOD’S WORD AND IS UNLIMITED, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE. ANYTHING THAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR US BELONGS TO US.
FAITH RELEASES THE ANIONTING AND ALSO FAITH RELEASES ANGELS.
THE FATHER OF THE DEMON POSSESSED CHILD SAID, LORD I BELIEVE YOU CAN DELIVER MY CHILD, BUT HELP MY UNBELIEF.
WE ALL HAVE UNBELIEF, BUT JESUS CAN HELP US OVERCOME OUR UNBELIEF.
IF WE GET FULL, AND STAY FULL OF THE LORD, UNBELIEF WILL DISAPPEAR AND FAITH WILL APPEAR.
IN THE BOOK OF ACTS WE READ OF A MAN CALLED STEPHEN, WHO WAS FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST AND FAITH. THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR UNBELIEF IN THIS MAN’S LIFE.
HE PREACHED WITH SUCH POWER, HIS SERMON’S WERE FULL OF THE WORD OF GOD. WE CAN UNDERSTAND HOW HE GOT FULL OF FAITH AND POWER, HE WAS FULL OF THE WORD OF GOD.
THE WORD OF GOD AND PRAYER FILLS OUR LIFE WITH FAITH AND POWER, A FIRE BURNS IN OUR HEARTS, A PASSION FOR MORE OF THE LORD. SO STRONG THAT THERE IS NO ROOM FOR UNBELIEF OR LIMITED FAITH. THE FIRE OF FAITH AND POWER THAT CREATES AN ATMOSPHERE FOR GREAT WONDERS AND MIRACLES.
WE CAN BE BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY GHOST AND POWER, THAT GIVES US A PASSION FOR PRAYER, WORD, AND WORSHIP.
DON’T LIMIT HOW MUCH OF GOD IS IN YOUR LIFE, LET’S BE LIKE STEPHEN: FULL OF FAITH AND POWER. WE MEASURE OUT HOW MUCH ANOINTING WE HAVE IN OUR LIFE.
GOD MAKES HIS PRESENCE AND POWER AND FAITH AVAILABE TO US, WE MEASURE OUT HOW MUCH WE WANT: WE CHOOSE.
I DESIRE HOLY GHOST FIRE TO SET THE CAPTIVE FREE, AND TO STAY FREE MYSELF: FULL OF FAITH AND POWER.
AT THE APPOINTED TIME
MANY PEOPLE STRUGGLE FROM HEARING FROM GOD, AND TODAY I BELIEVE YOU WILL BE ENLIGHTENED ON THIS SUBJECT.
GENESIS 8:14 – IS ANYTHING TO HARD FOR THE LORD? AT THE TIME APPOINTED I WILL RETURN UNTO THEE, ACCORDING TO THE TIME OF LIFE, AND SARAH WILL HAVE A SON. GENESIS 21:1,2 – AND THE LORD VISITED SARAH AS HE SAID, AND THE LORD DID UNTO SARAH AS HE HAD SPOKEN. FOR SARAH HAD CONCEIVED AND BARE ABRAHAM A SON IN HIS OLD AGE, AT THE SET TIME OF WHICH GOD HAD SPOKEN TO HIM.
THE DEFINITION OF THE WORD “APPOINTED” IS, ASSIGNED OR ARRANGED.
HOW MANY OF US HAVE HEARD FROM THE LORD, AND BECAUSE IT DIDN’T HAPPEN WHEN WE THOUGHT IT SHOULD, WE SAID,”MAYBE THIS WAS IN MY MIND; MAYBE I DIDN’T REALLY HEAR FROM GOD.”
THIS IS WHEN DOUBT COMES IN AND FAITH GOES OUT.
II SAMUEL 17:14 —-HERE WE FIND ABSALOM, TRYING TO TAKE OVER DAVID’S KINGDOM; BUT DAVID WAS CHOSEN BY GOD AS KING. AND EVEN THOUGH DAVID IS RUNNING IN THE NATURAL, HE KNOWS HIS APPOINTMENT—-FOR THE LORD HAD APPOINTED TO DEFEAT THE GOOD COUNSEL OF AHITHOPHEL, TO THE INTENT THAT THE LORD MIGHT BRING EVIL UPON ABSALOM.
15:31 – AND ONE TOLD DAVID, SAYING, AHITHOPHEL IS AMONG THE CONSPIRATORS WITH ABSALOM. AND DAVID SAID, O LORD, I PRAY THEE, TURN THE COUNSEL OF AHITHOPHEL INTO FOOLISHNESS.
DAVID HAD A REBEL SON, ABSALOM, WHOSE PLAN WAS TO TAKE OVER THE KINGDOM GIVEN TO HIM BY GOD. FOR THE PROMISED SEED TO COME : JESUS, WAS TO COME FROM THE LOINS OF DAVID.
ABSALOM TOOK COUNSEL FROM TWO MEN, BUT HE ACCEPTED THE COUNSEL OF AHITHOPHEL, ONE OF DAVID’S COUNSELORS WHO JOINED IN THE CONSPIRACY WITH ABSALOM AGAINST DAVID, THE KING.
WHEN SOMEONE TOLD DAVID THAT AHITHOPHEL, HIS OWN ADVISOR, WAS BACKING ABSALOM, DAVID PRAYED, “O LORD, PLEASE MAKE AHITHOPHEL GIVE ABSALOM FOOLISH ADVICE.”
AS SOON AS HE HAD FINISHED PRAYING, AND HAD REACHED THE TOP OF THE MOUNT OF OLIVES, WHERE PEOPLE WORSHIPPED GOD, DAVID FOUND HUSHAI THE ARCHITE WAITING FOR HIM. BUT DAVID TOLD HIM, “IF YOU GO WITH ME, YOU WILL ONLY BE A BURDEN. RETURN TO JERUSALEM AND TELL ABSALOM, I WILL COUNSEL YOU AS I DID YOUR FATHER. THEN YOU CAN FRUSTRATE AND COUNTER AHITHOPHEL’S ADVICE. SEND WORD BACK TO ME WHAT IS GOING ON.”
SO WHEN DAVID’S FRIEND, HUSHAI, ARRIVED, HE WENT IMMEDIATELY TO SEE ABSALON.
ABSALOM ASKED HIM, “WHY AREN’T YOU WITH DAVID?” AND HE ANSWERED, “BECAUSE I WORK FOR THE MAN WHO IS CHOSEN BY THE LORD AND BY ISRAEL, AND ANY WAY, WHY SHOULDN’T I? I HELPED YOUR FATHER AND NOW I WILL HELP YOU!”
THEN ABSALOM TURNED TO AHITHOPHEL AND ASKED HIM, “WHAT SHALL I DO NEXT?” AHITHOPHEL TOLD HIM, “. GO SLEEP WITH YOUR FATHER’S WIVES, FOR HE HAS LEFT THEM HERE TO KEEP THE HOUSE. THEN ALL ISRAEL WILL KNOW THAT YOU HAVE INSULTED HIM BEYOND RECONCILATION, AND THEY WILL SUPPORT YOU.”
SO ABSALOM DID EVERYTHING AHITHOPHEL TOLD HIM, UNTIL ONE DAY AHITHOPHEL ASKED FOR TWELVE THOUSAND MEN TO GO AFTER DAVID AND KILL HIM WHILE HE WAS DISCOURAGED.”HE AND HIS TROOPS WILL BE THROWN INTO A PANIC AND EVERYONE WILL RUN AWAY,” HE SAID. BUT ABASOLOM ASKED HUSHAI HIS OPINION.
“WELL,” HUSHAI REPLIED, “THIS TIME I THINK AHITHOPHEL IS MISTAKEN. YOU KNOW YOUR FATHER AND HIS MEN; THEY ARE MIGHTY WARRIORS AND ARE PROBABLY AS UPSET AS A MOTHER BEAR WHO HAS BEEN ROBBED OF HER CUBS.
YOUR FATHER IS AN OLD SOLDIER AND ISN’T GOING TO SPEND THE NIGHT AMONG THE TROOPS. HE HAS PROBABLY ALREADY HIDDEN IN SOME PIT OR CAVE. WHEN HE COMES OUT AND ATTACKS AND SOME OF YOUR MEN FALL, THERE WILL BE PANIC AMONG YOUR TROOPS AND EVERYONE WILL START SHOUTING THAT YOUR MEN ARE BEING SLAUGHTERED. THEN, EVEN THE BRAVEST OF THEM WILL BE PARALIZED WITH FEAR, BECAUSE ALL ISRAEL KNOWS WHAT A MIGHTY MAN YOUR FATHER IS AND HOW COURAGOUS HIS SOLDIERS ARE.’
“I SUGGEST YOU MOBILIZE THE ENTIRE ARMY OF ISRAEL. AND I THINK YOU SHOULD PERSONALLY LEAD THE TROOPS. THEN, WHEN WE FIND HIM, WE CAN DESTROY HIS ENTIRE ARMY, SO THAT NO ONE IS LEFT ALIVE.”
THEN ABSALOM AND ALL THE MEN OF ISRAEL SAID, HUSHAI’S IS BETTER THAN AHITHOPHEL’S.” FOR THE LORD HAD APPOINTED TO DEFEAT THE COUNSEL OF AHITHOPHEL, WHICH REALLY WAS THE BETTER PLAN; SO HE COUD BRING DISASTER UPON ABSALOM. —-AND HE DID.
WHEN GOD GIVES US A WORD, THAT HE IS GOING TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE, IT IS BEST FOR US TO KEEP OUR MOUTHS SHUT UNTIL THE APPOINTED TIME, AS WAS IN THE LIFE OF ZACHARIAS AND ELIZABETH (LUKE 1). THE ANGEL TOLD HIM WHILE HE WAS DOING HIS SERVICE TO GOD IN THE TEMPLE, THAT HIS WIFE, ELIZABETH, WOULD HAVE A SON NAMED JOHN. BECAUSE OF ZACHARIAS’ UNBELIEF THE ANGEL STRUCK HIM DUMB UNTIL THE APPOINTED TIME.
WHEN GOD DECIDES TO DO SOMETHING, HE HAS A PURPOSE AND A PLAN HOW HE WANTS IT CARRIED-OUT.
THE BEST THING WE CAN DO, IS WAIT IT OUT UNTIL IT COMES TO PASS. IT IS VERY EASY FOR US TO GET INTO UNBELIEF. WHEN WE GET TIRED OF WAITING, WE CAN BRING AN ISHMAEL INTO OUR LIVES, AS DID ABRAHAM AND SARAH. THEN WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THESE ACTIONS THE REST OF OUR LIVES.
WHEN THE PROMISE DOES COME, WE FIND WE CAN ENJOY IT LIKE GOD PLANNED IN THE BEGINNING, BECAUSE WE HAVE NO ISHMAELS TO DEAL WITH.
WHEN WE BEGIN TO QUESTION GOD—-WE SHOULD BE SAYING, “GOD, I TRUST YOU WITH JUST THE RIGHT TIMING, AND I TRUST YOU WITH WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND ME.”
IN THE BOOK OF ESTHER, ESTHER’S UNCLE, MORDECAI HAD TOLD HER. “NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOU TO ACT. NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOU TO REVEAL YOURSELF.”
ESTHER 4:14 – FOR IF THOU ALTOGETHER HOLDEST THY PEACE AT THIS TIME, THEN SHALL THEIR ENLARGEMENT (OR HELP) AND DELIVERANCE COME FROM ANOTHER PLACE; BUT THOU AND THY FATHER’S HOUSE SHALL BE DESTROYED: AND WHO KNOWETH WHETHER THOU ART COME TO THE KINGDOM FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS?
BY MAKING HER MOVE AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME, SHE DESTROYED ALL THE ENEMIES PLANS.
THE FORCES OF EVIL AND HOW THEY WORK
EVIL BEGAN WITH SATAN. WITH ADAM, SIN ENTERED INTO THE WORLD. MOST CHRISTIANS KNOW THIS, BUT THERE ARE THINGS WE MUST UNDERSTAND ABOUT OUR ENEMY, THAT KEEPS US FROM BEING THE BEST WE CAN FOR GOD. SATAN USES DEMONS, AND SHOWS UP HIMSELF, AT TIMES, AS WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
I DON’T MEAN HE CAN BE EVERYWHERE AT ALL TIMES LIKE GOD, BUT HIS DEMONS ARE DISPATCHED BY HIM TO FOLLOW US AROUND, TO SEE IF WE WILL OPEN THE DOOR FOR THEM TO ENTER.
BY THIS, I MEAN, WHEN WE GET IN THE FLESH,OR LOOK BACK TO THE WORLD, WE CAN TAKE A BACK-STEP INTO WHAT WE USED TO BE BEFORE SALVATION, AND BE TEMPTED TO TURN BACK TO OUR OLD CARNAL WAYS.
WHY DO YOU THINK GOD’S MINISTERS BACKSLIDE?—- MOST OF THE TIME, IT’S BECAUSE THEY GOT SO INVOLVED IN GOD’S WORK, AND THEY DON’T MAKE TIME TO SPEND WITH THE GOD THEY SERVE.
WHY DO YOU THINK SO MANY OF THESE OCCULT RELIGIONS GET AS FAR AS THEY DO? —-THEY PRAY MANY TIMES A DAY TO THEIR FALSE god, WHICH OPENS THE DOOR FOR SATAN TO INCREASE THEIR GROWTH, AND SPREAD THEIR DOCTRINE OF ERROR. EVIL WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE END OF THE CHURCH AGE, THEN IT WILL BECOME MORE FURIOUS DURING JACOB’S TROUBLE: THE GREAT TRIBULATION PERIOD OF SEVEN YEARS, AND WILL APPEAR AGAIN FOR A SHORT TIME, AT THE END OF THE MILLENNIAL REIGN OF CHRIST.
WE AS CHRISTIANS, SHOULD GUARD AGAINST, OR BE WATCHMEN, CONFRONTING EVIL.
SURPRISINGLY ENOUGH, SOMETIMES, WE AS CHRISTIANS, CAN BE INFLUENCED BY SATAN, TO DO HIS WORK.
HOW?—-HEARTS OF UNBELIEF! – HEBREWS 3:12,13 – TAKE HEED, BRETHREN, LEST THERE BE IN ANY OF YOU AND EVIL HEART OF UNBELIEF, IN DEPARTING FROM THE LIVING GOD.
BUT EXHORT ONE ANOTHER DAILY, WHILE IT IS CALLED TODAY; LEST ANY OF YOU BE HARDENED THROUGH THE DECEITFULNESS OF SIN.
SOME BEGIN TO WANDER OFF FROM THE WORK OF GOD, AND GOD HIMSELF, WHEN THE FIREY TRIALS COME. THEY MIGHT GET CRITICIZED FOR THE WAY THEY DO THINGS AND BECOME DESPONDENT AND LOOSE THEIR VISION, INSTEAD OF TURNING IT OVER TO GOD.
FEAR COULD ARISE, AND THEY MIGHT NEVER START WHAT GOD HAS CALLED THEM TO DO.
WHEN WE SERVE THE LORD WITH ALL OUR HEARTS, THE TRIALS WILL COME TO TRY TO STOP GOD’S WORK. I HAVE FOUND, THROUGH EXPERIENCE, THIS IS WHEN GOD IS GETTING READY TO DO SOMETHING GREAT IN THAT WORK (THEIR VISION).
STAY WHERE YOU ARE, PRAY, PUT ON SOME WORSHIP MUSIC AND BEGIN TO WORSHP GOD AND THANK HIM FOR MOVEING IN YOUR SITUATION. WAIT, AND HE WILL. —-DON’T GIVE UP, YOU ARE ON THE BRINK OF A MIRACLE!!!!!
WE HAVE THE POWER THROUGH GOD’S WORD AND HOLY SPIRIT’S POWER OVER SATAN AND HIS DEMONS. II CORINTHIANS 10:3-5 – FOR THOUGH WE WALK IN THE FLESH, WE DO NOT WAR AFTER THE FLESH:
(FOR THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE ARE NOT CARNAL, BUT MIGHTY THROUGH GOD THROUGH THE PULLING DOWN OF STRONGHOLDS;)
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;
MATTHEW 16:19 – AND I WILL GIVE UNTO THEE THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN: AND WHATSOEVER THOU SHALT BIND ON EARTH SHALL BE BOUND IN HEAVEN: AND WHATSOEVER THOU SHALT LOOSE ON EARTH SHALL BE LOOSED IN HEAVEN.
THERE IS SO MUCH POWER IN USING THE WORD OF GOD IN YOUR BATTLES. THEY ARE NOT REALLY YOUR BATTLES, BECAUSE THE BATTLE BELONGS TO GOD; BUT WE ARE TOLD OT BIND AND LOOSE THOSE POWERS THAT ARE COMING AGAINST US AND OPERATING THROUGH OTHERS AROUND US; AND USING THEM THEM TO COME AGAINT US AND OUR VISION, AND GOD WILL IN TURN BIND AND LOOSING THOSE THINGS FROM OUT OF HEAVEN.
THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S!!
HE JUST WANTS US TO GET INVOLVED BY PRAYING HIS WORD, AND BELIEVING HIM TO TAKE CHARGE.
DON’T GIVE UP!! YOU’RE ON THE BRINK OF A MIRACLE!!
CONTENTMENT
JAMES 1:6-8 – BUT LET HIM ASK IN FAITH, NOTHING WAVERING. FOR HE THAT WAVERETH IS LIKE A WAVE OF THE SEA DRIVEN WITH THE WIND AND TOSSED.
FOR LET NOT THAT MAN THINK THAT HE SHALL RECEIVE ANYTHING OF THE LORD.
A DOUBLE MINDED MAN IS UNSTABLE IN ALL HIS WAYS.
PRAYER IS NOT REAL UNLESS IT IS THE EXPRESSION OF FAITH. IT MUST ISSUE FROM A “LIVING SOURCE WITHIN THE WILL,” AND BE INSPIRED BY PERFECT CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S READINESS TO HELP.
THERE IS SO MUCH UNBELIEF IN THIS DAY AND TIME ON THE SUBJECT OF PRAYER! THE SCIENTIFIC TONE-DOWN OF THIS AGE MERELY ALLOWS A MAN TO PRAY TO GOD , “IF THERE IS A GOD—–TO SAVE HIS SOUL,—– IF HE HAS A SOUL.”
AND THE FORCIBLE WORDS OF JAMES, IN THESE THREE VERSES, SUGGEST—-THAT STILL, IN THE CASE OF VERY MANY CHRISTIANS, AN IMPERFECT FAITH IN GOD’S READINESS TO RESPOND TO THEIR PRAYERS, IS ONE OF THE GREATEST DEFECTS OF THEIR SPIRITUAL LIVE.
WE OFTEN SPEAK OF EVIDENT ANSWERS TO PRAYERS AS UNUSUAL, AND —-WHEN THEY DO OCCUR—-AS REMARKABLE!!
THE GIFT OF WISDOM IS PROMISED ONLY TO HIM WHO ASKS IT WITH A STEADY FAITH, AND WHO MANIFESTS THE REALITY OF HIS FAITH BY A LIFE OF CONSISTENT PURPOSE.
GOD, OUR FATHER, DEMANDS THE CONFIDENCE OF HIS CHILDREN. “NOTHING DOUBTING” SHOULD BE THE CHRISTIAN’S MOTTO IN PRAYER. THE PETITIONS SHOULD NOT SHIFT BACKWARDS AND FORWARD BETWEEN FAITH AND DOUBT, LIKE A TUMBLING BILLOW OF THE SEA. HE MUST NOT SWING LIKE A PENDULUM BETWEEN CHEERFUL CONFIDENCE AND DARK SUSPICION.
IT MUST BE FIXED PERSUASION THAT GOD IS, AND THAT HE IS A HEARER OF PRAYER. WE MUST EXPECT ANSWER TO OUR REQUEST.
IT IS THE MEN AND WOMEN WITHIN WHOM FAITH IS THE DOMINATE POWER WHO TAKE THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BY FORCE. GOD IS SIMPLICITY HIMSELF, AND HE GIVES WITH SIMPLICITY: SO HE HAS NO SYMPATHY WITH AN UNSTABLE DOUBLE MINDED SOUL.
A MIND THAT IS “WISHY-WASHY” IN IT’S CHOICE, WILL BE PRONE IN THE END TO FAIL IN BOTH OF THE PURPOSES BETWEEN WHICH IT HAS HESITATED.
IT IS LIKE A “SPLIT PERSONALITY,” PART OF HIM WANTS TO BELIEVE, WHILE PART OF HIM DOES NOT. HE IS UNRELIABLE ABOUT EVERYTHING HE THINKS, FEELS, AND DECIDES (V. 8).
TEMPORARY EMOTIONS ARE NOT RELIGION OR GODLINESS.
STEADFAST FAITH, AND THAT ALONE, WILL GIVE A MAN OR WOMAN, SINGLENESS OF EYE, MAKE HIM OR HER STRONG TO KEEP HOLD OF THE COVENANT, AND DRAW DOWN UPON HIM, THE RICHEST BLESSINGS OF GOSPEL GRACE.
THERE IS A SECRET TO CONTENTMENT. IT IS A RARE AND PRECIOUS CHRISTIAN GRACE.
IT IS A QUIET RESTFULNESS IN THE MIDST OF ALL KINDS OF CHANGING EVENTS.
IT IS A GRAND ACCOMPLISHMENT TO BE ABLE TO ADAPT TO, AND BEHAVE ONE’S SELF IN EVERY STATE OF FULLNESS OR NEED.
CHRIST IS THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN BRING US TO THIS PLACE OF CONTENTMENT.
HE ENABLES US TO LIVE IN FAITH, BELIEVING, THAT EVEN NOW, ALL THINGS ARE ORDERED WISELY AND KINDLY BY OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, THAT THEY ARE WORKING TOGETHER FOR GOOD NOT YET SEEN.
THEY ARE WORKING FOR US A MORE EXCEEDING AND ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY, SO WE LEARN TO BEAR THE PRESENT MYSTERY OF TRIAL, IN HOPE OF THE FUTURE REVELATION OF BLESSEDNESS.
CHRIST LEADS US TO LIVE IN THE SPIRITUAL.
THIS IS THE REAL SECRET.
EXTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES ARE CONSTANTLY CHANGING.
AT THEIR BEST, THEY WILL NOT SATISFY THE SOUL’S DEEP HUNGER.
WHILE WE LIVE IN THOSE CHANGES , WE ARE OFTEN DISAPPOINTED AND DISCONTENTED.
BUT BY RESTING IN GOD, WE WILL BE CONTENT IN EVERY VARIETY OF EARTHLY AFFAIRS.
PHILIPPIANS 4:19, 23 – BUT MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY BY CHRIST JESUS.
THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOU ALL. AMEN.
DON’T STOP SHORT OF OF THE PROMISE
NUMBERS 13: 30-33 AND CALEB STILLED THE PEOPLE BEFORE MOSES, AND SAID LET US GO UP AT ONCE, AND POSSESS IT; FOR WE ARE ABLE TO OVERCOME IT.
BUT THE MEN THAT WENT UP WITH HIM SAID, WE BE NOT ABLE TO GO UP AGAINEST THE PEOPLE; FOR THEY ARE STRONGER THAN WE.
AND THEY BROUGHT UP AND EVIL REPORT OF THE LAND WHICH THEY HAD SEARCHED UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, SAYING, THE LAND, THROUGH WHICH WE HAVE GONE TO SEARCH IT, IS LAND THAT EATETH UP THE INHABITANTS THEROF; AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WE SAW IN IT ARE MEN OF GREAT STATURE.
AND THERE WE SAW THE GAINTS, THE SONS OF ANAK, WHICH COME OF THE GAINTS; AND WE WERE IN OUR OWN SIGHT AS GRASSHOPPERS, AND SO WE WERE IN THEIR SIGHT.
THE HARDEST MILE TO RUN IN A MARATHON RACE IS THE LAST MILE.
HERE WE SEE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, WHO SAW THE JUDGEMENT OF GOD COME ON PHARAOH. THEY SAW THE POWER OF GOD MANIFEST IN SIGNS AND WONDERS.
THEY SAW JEHOVAH GOD, PART THE RED SEA AND BRING THEM ACROSS ON DRY GROUND.
BUT AT THE ENTRANCE INTO THE PROMISED LAND THEY STOPPED SHORT.
THEY WERE AT THE DOOR AND GAVE UP.
FEAR AND UNBELIEF CAUSED THEM TO SEE THEMSELVES UNABLE TO ENTER INTO THE PROMISE.
JESUS NEVER PROMISED IT WOULD BE EASY TO OBEY HIM.
HE NEVER PROMISED THAT WE WOULD NOT FACE GAINTS IN THE LAND.
THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL DID TO MUCH THINKING AND TALKING ABOUT WHAT THEY SAW, INSTEAD OF WHAT GOD SAID.
GOD NEVER USED THE WORD FAILURE, FEAR, UNBELIEF. GOD HAD THE GRACE AVAILABLE, HE HAD ANGELS THERE TO HELP.
SAMSON KILLED ONE THOUSAND PHILISTINES WITH A JAWBONE OF A DONKEY.
GIDEON CONQUERED THE ENEMY WITH A SMALL ARMY.
HOW DID THESE THINGS HAPPEN? IF GOD BE FOR YOU WHO CAN BE AGAINEST YOU.
I HAVE RUN MANY RACES FOLLOWING GOD’S WILL AND PURPOSE, THE LAST MILE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE PLACE THE DEVIL TRIED TO GET ME TO GIVE UP. JUST BEFORE THE FINISH OF SOMETHING THE DEVIL WILL THROW THE BIGGEST DEVILS AT YOU.
HE WILL TRY FEAR, DISCOURAGEMENT, DISAPPOINTMENTS, REJECTION FROM PEOPLE, CRITICISM. YOUR VISION WILL BE QUESTIONED BY OTHERS. YOUR MOTIVATES WILL BE QUESTIONED, AND IF THE DEVIL GETS REAL MAD, YOUR CHARACTER WILL EVEN BE QUESTIONED.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS AND THE MISSION YOU ARE ON, DON’T TRY TO JUSTIFY YOUR CALL FROM GOD.
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE PROMISES FROM GOD, TO TAKE YOU TO VICTORY WILL KEEP YOUR VISION ALIVE AND YOU WILL NOT GIVE UP RUNNING THE LAST MILE.
REMEMBER THE LAST MILE IS WHERE MOST PEOPLE GIVE UP. DON’T LOOK BACK, DON’T LOOK AT THE SPECTATORS.
DON’T LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF THE QUITTERS, THEY QUIT AT THE LAST MILE AND THEY DON’T WANT YOU TO FINISH AND ENTER INTO THE PROMISES.
HABAKKUK 2;3 FOR THE VISION IS FOR AND APPOINTED TIME, BUT AT THE END IT SHALL SPEAK, AND NOT LIE; THOUGH IT TARRY, WAIT FOR IT; BECAUSE IT WILL SURELY COME, IT WILL NOT TARRY.
IT HAS SURLY COME, WE ARE THE GENERATION OF HARVEST, HOLINESS, AND SIGNS AND WONDERS.
SAINTS AROUND THE WORLD ARE UNDER ATTACK, THE ENEMY IS TRYING TO STOP US AT THE LAST MILE OF THE RACE.
I REFUSE TO GIVE UP, THROUGH THE STRENGHT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE WORD OF GOD.
GRACE SHALL CARRY ME TO THE FINISH LINE.
JESUS WILL MAKE A HOLE IN YOUR WALL
LUKE 7:11-15 AND IT CAME TO PASS THE DAY AFTER, THAT HE WENT INTO A CITY CALLED NAIN; AND MANY OF HIS DISCIPLES WENT WITH HIM, AND MUCH PEOPLE.
NOW WHEN HE CAME NIGH TO THE GATE OF THE CITY, BEHOLD THERE WAS A DEAD MAN CARRIED OUT, THE ONLY SON OF HIS MOTHER, AND SHE WAS A WIDOW; AND MUCH PEOPLE OF THE CITY WAS WITH HER.
AND WHEN THE LORD SAW HER, HE HAD COMPASSION ON HER, AND SAID UNTO HER,WEEP NOT.
AND HE CAME AND TOUCHED THE BIER: AND THEY THAT BARE HIM STOOD STILL, AND HE SAID, YOUNG MAN I SAY UNTO THE ARISE.
AND HE THAT WAS DEAD SAT UP, AND BEGAN TO SPEAK, AND HE DELIVERED HIM TO HIS MOTHER.
NAIN MEANS BEAUTY, ALL OF THIS BEAUTY HAPPEN AT A GATE.
GATES ARE OPENING’S EITHER TO ENTER OR EXIT.
GATES ARE HOLES IN WALLS.
HAS YOUR BACK EVER BEEN AGAINEST THE WALL.
GATES ARE OPPORTUNITES TO GO THROUGH SOMETHING, THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL PASSED THROUGH A GATE OR HOLE IN THE RED SEA.
JESUS IS PRESENT, HE WILL MAKE A HOLE IN YOUR WALL.
WHEN THE DISCIPLES, THE OTHER’S FOLLOWING JESUS, AND THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY, THEY THOUGHT IT WAS OVER FOR THIS DEAD MAN. HIS LIFE WAS HISTORY.
THIS MAN’S OWN MOTHER THOUGHT HIS LIFE WAS HISTORY, BUT JESUS HAD A PLAN AT THE GATE, JESUS MAD A HOLE IN THE WALL OF DEATH FOR THIS MAN.
PROBABLY PEOPLE HAVE THOUGHT IT WAS OVER FOR YOU. BUT JESUS MET YOU AT THE GATE OF DEFEAT AND DEATH TO YOUR DREAMS AND VISIONS AND MADE A HOLE IN YOUR WALL. JESUS WILL MAKE A WAY WHERE THERE IS NO WAY, HE IS THE RESURRECTION AND WILL BRING LIFE TO THINGS THAT LOOK DEAD.
YOUR PROPHECY, YOUR DREAM OR VISION FROM GOD WILL COME TO PASS. IT REALLY DOESN’T MATTER IF IT LOOKS DEAD, THOUGH IT TARRY IT WILL COME.
THE APPERANCE OF SOMETHING ENDING, CAN BE THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING GREATER.
THE DEAD MAN IS ABOUT TO HAVE A TESTIMONY. YOU ARE ABOUT TO HAVE A TESTIMONY, JESUS IS ABOUT TO MAKE A HOLE IN THE WALL THAT YOUR BACK IS AGAINEST.
THE DEAD MAN WAS CARRIED OUT OF THE GATE, BUT WAS ABOUT TO WALK BACK INTO THE PLACE HE WAS CARRIED OUT OF.
CAN YOU IMAGINE THE THOUGHTS OF THE MOTHER, THE GREIF AND THE FEAR THAT GRIPPED HER MIND AND EMOTION’S, SHE WAS A WIDOW AND THIS WAS HER ONLY SON. SATAN HAD A MIND HE COULD TORRMENT, BUT JESUS MADE A HOLE IN HER WALL, HER BACK WAS AGAINEST THE WALL, BUT JESUS MET HER AT HER NEED.
JESUS HAD COMPASSION, JESUS SAID DON’T WEEP. THERE IS A TIME TO CRY. WEEP BUT DON’T GET UP WITH UNBELIEF, JESUS IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDING ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK, ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT WORKETHIN US.
JESUS BEGAN TO WALK TOWARD THE DEAD BODY. THIS IS A MORTICIAN’S GREATEST NIGHTMARE, YOU CAN’T EVEN FINISH A FUNERAL ,IF JESUS IS AROUND.
THE FIRST ONE JESUS TOUCHED WAS THE ONE CARRYING THE DEAD THING, THE BODY.
IF WE ARE CARRYING DEAD DREAM’S, CALLING’S, PROMISES OR VISION’S, JESUS WILL FIRST TOUCH US AND THEN HE WILL SPEAK TO THE VISION IN SIDE US , HE WILL RENEW THAT DEAD THING, HE WILL RESURRECT IT WITH FRESH FIRE.
THE ANOINTING CAUSES US TO STOP AND STAND STILL, WE FILL THAT POWER SURGE, WE STOP OUR EFFORTS AND DISTRESS AND YIELD TO THE SHIFT OF FOCUS. THE FOCUS IS BACK ON JESUS, AS I KEEP MY EYES ON HIM I SHALL NEVER SINK, HE WILL GET ME TO THE OTHER SIDE. MY PURPOSE WILL BE FULFILLED, MY DREAM AND VISIONS FROM GOD WILL BE FULFULLED.
YOUNG MAN I SAY UNTO YOU. JESUS SPOKE TO HIM, HE WAS DEAD, HE COULDN’T RESPOND WITH FAITH, BUT JESUS IS SPEAKING TO EVERYTHING IN YOU THAT IS DEAD, ARISE, GET UP, COME TO LIFE. THE POWER IS IN HIS SPEAKING.
THE HOLY GHOST IS SPEAKING TO YOU NOW, YOU MAY BE TO DISCOURAGED TO MANIFEST ANY FAITH, BUT THAT’S OK, JESUS IS SPEAKING TO THOSE THING’S IN YOUR HEART THAT YOU FILL WILL NEVER HAPPEN. JESUS IS SAYING ARISE, RESURRECT BY THE POWER OF GOD, NOT YOUR POWER. YOU MAY FILL LIKE ASHES, BUT JESUS IS SPEAKING TO YOUR CORPSE SND SAYING COME ALIVE.
THIS YOUNG SAT UP AND BEGAN TO SPEAK, YOUR GOD GIVEN DREAM WILL SAT UP AND TALK AGAIN.
CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT THE YOUNG MAN SAID, CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT YOUR GOD GIVEN DREAM IS GOING TO SPEAK. LET IT SPEAK LIFE TO MANY, IT IS ALIVE AGAIN, PRAISE THE LORD.
