God’s Will Is Prosperity?

‘Therefore thus says the LORD: “I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; My house shall be built in it,” says the LORD of hosts, “And a surveyor’s line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.” ‘ “Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “My cities shall again spread out through prosperity; The LORD will again comfort Zion, And will again choose Jerusalem.” ‘ ” Zechariah 1:16-17

There are many religious ones who say that they are bible believers but subscribe to the idea that God’s will is poverty, sickness, suffering and desolation. As a matter of fact in some of the churches that I was a member, they taught that poverty and suffering was the will of God to produce character and miracles, healing and prosperity were from the devil. But nothing is further from the truth for a simple perusal of scriptures will show that God invented and used the word ‘prosperity’ when dealing with His servants and ‘poverty’ when dealing with His enemies. The bible records for our profit and instruction:

Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him. The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous; for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds and a great number of servants. So the Philistines envied him. Genesis 26:12-14

Then Jacob separated the lambs, and made the flocks face toward the streaked and all the brown in the flock of Laban; but he put his own flocks by themselves and did not put them with Laban’s flock. And it came to pass, whenever the stronger livestock conceived, that Jacob placed the rods before the eyes of the livestock in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods. But when the flocks were feeble, he did not put them in; so the feebler were Laban’s and the stronger Jacob’s. Thus the man became exceedingly prosperous, and had large flocks, female and male servants, and camels and donkeys. Genesis 30:40-43

Before the law was given under grace Abraham, Isaac and Jacob didn’t have a problem becoming exceedingly prosperous and having large flocks, female and male servants, and camels and donkeys. The curses of poverty and lack of prosperity came to God’s people when they did not obey the voice of the LORD their God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which He commanded them. God’s word is unchanging:

“And you shall grope at noonday, as a blind man gropes in darkness; you shall not prosper in your ways; you shall be only oppressed and plundered continually, and no one shall save you. Deuteronomy 28:29

“Therefore keep the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do. Deuteronomy 29:9

“Then the LORD your God will bring you to the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it. He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers. Deuteronomy 30:5

It’s clear from the Word of God that obedience to God’s commands brought prosperity and disobedience brought poverty. Hence after the death of Moses, the Lord Himself spoke to Joshua and told him:

“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. Joshua 1:7-8

Now the Lord blessed and prospered King David in all this ways even taking him from following the sheep to be a ruler of His people. Hence David reminded his son Solomon to keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that he might prosper in all that he did and wherever he turned. God’s word is true:

Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. “And keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; “that the LORD may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,’ He said, ‘you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’ 1 Kings 2:1

Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.1 Chronicles 29:23

“Now look, God Himself is with us as our head, and His priests with sounding trumpets to sound the alarm against you. O children of Israel, do not fight against the LORD God of your fathers, for you shall not prosper!” 2 Chronicles 13:12

The Word of God is quite clear that whenever God’s people sought the Lord and walked in His ways He caused them to prosper. Whenever they turned from Him and walked in their own ways they suffered and were rewarded with poverty. God’s word is true:

Therefore he said to Judah, “Let us build these cities and make walls around them, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us, because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered. 2 Chronicles 14:7

He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper. 2 Chronicles 26:5
And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered. 2 Chronicles 31:21

He also opens their ear to instruction, And commands that they turn from iniquity. If they obey and serve Him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures. But if they do not obey, They shall perish by the sword, And they shall die without knowledge. Job 26:10-12

Yes, the Word of God is quite clear that whenever God’s people obeyed and served the Lord, they spent their days in prosperity and their years in pleasures. But if they do not obey Him they perished by the sword, and they died without knowledge. Nowhere in God’s word, the bible, did God ever change His attitude about and His desire for the prosperity of His people. His word is unchanging:

Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. He himself shall dwell in prosperity, And his descendants shall inherit the earth. The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant. Psalm 25:12-14

Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” Psalm 35:27

God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a dry land. Psalm68:6

He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered. Proverbs 28:25

Just like Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness so can we believe God? Abraham staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God (Romans 4:20) and so can we! No matter the storm we will find ourselves in, we can be sure of what God has promised. He has promised to bless and prosper us and to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask pray or thing. God’s word is unchanging: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Romans 4:20-22 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,… 1 Peter 1:6-8 The righteousness of God in Jesus Christ is the driving force behind our faith, causing us to triumph in His Name. Jesus triumphed over Satan in three areas. First, during His earthly ministry, He spoke to Satan and said, “It is written…” (Matthew 4:4,7,10), and Satan had to obey the Word of God. Secondly, at the cross and resurrection, Jesus stripped Satan of his power and took the keys of hell and death. However, the third and most important area of Jesus’ triumph over Satan is His victory in the new birth. It was impossible in Satan’s thinking for God to take a man in sin, turn him into righteousness, give him the armor of God and enable him to triumph as Jesus did. This is victory of the highest order! Sin turned into righteousness! Death Almighty God is our very own Father! We are bone of His bone, spirit of His Spirit, a joint-heir with Jesus Christ, and living in the kingdom of God. As we realize these things in our life, weu become God-inside-minded. We no longer think of God as being a million miles away. He is residing inside us! Righteousness then becomes a force in the life of a believer which under girds his faith. The reality of righteousness enables a believer to do the impossible. Jesus approached the tomb of Lazarus and said, “Take ye away the stone…” (John 11:39). He never wavered in His faith.

Righteousness is our gateway to enjoying any benefit from God. Since He won’t behold iniquity, our praises to Him in iniquity won’t be acceptable before Him. He couldn’t even behold His only begotten Son on the cross when He bore the sins of the whole world upon Himself, how then would He listen to us when him you praise Him in sin? Every grace of God thrives on righteousness. Praise provides an access into the presence and blessings of God; but it is righteousness that secures it. Every blessing from God requires righteousness to be released. Similarly, every principle of God produces on the platform of righteousness, which is God’s foundation (2 Timothy.2:19). Every blessing requires that we abide in the vine. God’s word is unchanging:

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8

Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise in the assembly of saints. Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. Psalm 149:1-4

What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. 1 Corinthians 14:15

RIVERS OF LIVING WATER

So how can you worship God in Spirit and in truth and have rivers of living water without the Baptism of the Spirit? You cannot!

John 4:19    The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”
21    Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.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.24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

John 7:37    On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Acts 1:4    And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 2: 1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 19: 1    And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”
3    And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?”
So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”
4    Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”
5    When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.7 Now the men were about twelve in all.

Jesus said it is more beneficial for us to have the PERSON of the Holy Spirit than it was to have Jesus present with us in His physical body!

John 16:5   “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me;10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more;11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

12     “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

WE WORSHIP GOD IN THE SPIRIT, REJOICE IN CHRIST JESUS, AND HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH

Philippians 3:

1        Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.

2        Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7        But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Pressing Toward the Goal

12      Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

15      Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

Our Citizenship in Heaven

17      Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame — who set their mind on earthly things.20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Be Filled With the Holy Ghost

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God (Ephesians 5:18-21).

Having received the Holy Spirit after you’re born again, there’s a day-to-day or continual infilling of the Spirit that you must experience in order to live the higher life of glory to which you’ve been called. The latter part of our opening scripture lets us know what to do to be filled with the Spirit like this: you’ll have to speak to yourself in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs! You’ll have to consciously talk, sing, and make melody of the Word, in your heart, to the Lord! You’ll have to give thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submit yourself to others in holy reverence. Making this a conscious and consistent practice is how to be full of the Spirit all the time.

When you let the Holy Spirit work through you and you’re overflowing with His fullness, you won’t need to try to muster boldness to say or do things. You won’t need to try to stir up some power in the face of adversity. Whenever you open your mouth to speak, you’ll speak the wisdom of God; words that are divinely inspired, because you’re full of the Holy Ghost.

If you want the greater glory of God to be seen in your life; if you want to walk in dominion over the devil, sickness, disease, infirmities and death, then you must consciously and consistently practice being filled with the Spirit these remaining days of October. Make this a personal goal from today, and the challenges that may come your way will be walkovers for you, and nothing will be impossible unto you. You’ll be able to change hopeless situations and walk in God’s increased glory because you’re full of the Holy Ghost and power. Hallelujah!

..the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. —Luke 12:7, NLT

If God bothers to keep track of how many hairs you have on your head, then there is no symptom, no discomfort and no condition in your body that He doesn’t know of or care about. Nothing that has ever happened to you escapes God’s notice. To Him, whether it’s an aching back or a troubled relationship with your colleague, no matter how trivial or commonplace it sounds, if it bothers you, He wants to take care of it! His love for you is all-encompassing, personal and in-depth. Beloved, there is nothing in your body or life that is too small that you can’t bring to Him and watch Him take care of. Bring your needs to Him today and experience His abundant provision! Amen!

The LORD Kills And Makes Alive

“The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up.  The LORD makes poor and makes rich;  He brings low and lifts up.  He raises the poor from the dust And lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes And make them inherit the throne of glory. “For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, And He has set the world upon them. He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. “For by strength no man shall prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to His king, And exalt the horn of His anointed.” 1 Samuel 2:6-10

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:14-16

God is mighty great and wonderful and He can do what no other can do including killing people and making them alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up.  He makes poor and makes rich;  He brings low and lifts up. He also raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, to set them among princes and make them inherit the throne of glory. And He can and will do all things for His trusting humble ones, His born again children! God’s word is true:

He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:  who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:11-13

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:8-10

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:31-32

Man is a three part being.  Man is a spirit that has a soul and lives in a body. The Bible makes a distinction between the spirit and the soul and the body.   First Thessalonians 5:23 tells us, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  We contact the physical realm with our body.  We contact our soulish realm with our intellect and we contact the spiritual realm with our spirit.  We cannot be led by the Spirit of God if we never enter into the spiritual realm.  Why?  Because the things of the spirit cannot be understood by the natural man. However they can be understood by those who are the sons of God and are led by the Spirit of God!

It’s a fact that men don’t know what is best for us or have all the answers in life but God does! He has the power to raise people from the dead and to make their bodies whole free from any sickness and disease! He has to power to fill a person with the fullness of God and impart to Him the mind of Christ and as much wisdom that he needs. God’s word is unchanging:

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11

When Jesus talked about coming into the Kingdom of God, He used the phrase “born again.” When Paul talked about new Christians, he called them babes and children. In another place, Paul said that we should grow up spiritually and become mature. It very sad but most are Christians all over the world who are infants and children. They are born into the Body of Christ but don’t grow up and become mature. They are children who do things halfway and without understanding. They are immature and stay immature for the rest of their lives and that should not be!

God wants them to grow up and be mature and live and walk in the power that He has for them!  They have become the Children of God and can abide in Christ and allow His life to be manifested in them and through them. God’s word is unchanging:

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.  Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.   Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.

Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.  Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.  He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.  Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.  For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,  not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous. 1 John 3:1-10

So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:  ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’  Says the LORD of hosts.  ‘Who are you, O great mountain?  Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!  And he shall bring forth the capstone  With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ‘ ” Zechariah 4:6-7

The God Of Miracles Is Alive And Well

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know- Acts 2:22

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.  For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.  And there was great joy in that city. Acts 8:5-8

Just as there are physical laws to regulate nature, so are there spiritual laws too. Even some physical laws have their spiritual equivalent e.g. the law of harvest. In all cases however, spiritual laws are stronger and more powerful than physical laws. A miracle occurs, therefore, whenever God uses a spiritual law to set aside a physical law. Since it is God who is behind the working of miracles, there is nothing like “the days of miracles” which can pass away, instead there is the God of miracles who lives forever. God may use natural means in performing miracle e.g. 5 loaves of bread and two fishes to feed over 5,000 people; or He may use supernatural means e.g. the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

We are all sick, hurting, or lacking in one thing or another but God has not changed one bit and He is still a God of miracles. He has promised for those who are called by His name that if they will humble themselves and pray and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways then He will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.  We have an excellent example of this in the life of King Hezekiah:

In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’ ”  Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the LORD,  and said, “Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.   And the word of the LORD came to Isaiah, saying,  “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years.  “I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city.” ‘ “And this is the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing which He has spoken: “Behold, I will bring the shadow on the sundial, which has gone down with the sun on the sundial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward.” So the sun returned ten degrees on the dial by which it had gone down.  This is the writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick and had recovered from his sickness: Isaiah 38:1-9

Yes, God still gives grace to the humble and He contends with the proud. Healing is still part of the atonement but the method that God chooses to use as well as the timing for the healing is His business. Nevertheless God’s word is unchanging:
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:24-25

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for  “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”  Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,  casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.  But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.  To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:5-11

Yes, God is able to perfect, establish, strengthen, heal and settle each one of His children if they will turn from their wicked ways.  It’s is amazing what God considers to be wicked ways. Since every person is different and God knows the heart and attitude on each one only God can define for each person what is his “wicked ways.” Both Peter and Judas betrayed Jesus by their actions and words but the Lord gave Peter the grace to return back to him but not Judas.  It is a fact that some sins cause God not to hear the prayers of children for healing because He has brought judgment against them just like in the life of David concerning his illegitimate son due to his relationship with Bathsheba.  The bible records:

So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.  “However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.”  Then Nathan departed to his house.  And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it became ill.

David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground.  So the elders of his house arose and went to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he would not, nor did he eat food with them.

Then on the seventh day it came to pass that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. For they said, “Indeed, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not heed our voice. How can we tell him that the child is dead? He may do some harm!”  When David saw that his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.” So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate. 2 Samuel 12:13-20

But the good news is that God is still gracious and kind and He loves to hear and answer pray to forgive the sins of the righteous and to heal the circumstances and hearts of those who are suffering or are sick. His word is unchanging:

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.  Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.  Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.  And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. James 5:13-18

“I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing. Ezekiel 34:26

The Word of God is a testimony to the fact that God in Christ Jesus is on the side of His trusting ones no matter what they are going through.  The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.  Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:15-19).  “Cast your burden on the LORD,  And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction;  Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will trust in You.” (Psalm 55:22) ” He gives power to the weak,  And to those who have no might He increases strength.” (Isaiah 40:29).

The Lord always is and will remain for His trusting ones their Savior, Friend Healer, Deliverer, Defender, Avenger, Rock, Refuge, Reward and Shield. The Lord is an unchanging God. He will not leave them nor forsake them. Once He has promised them something, He will not go back from His word.  They can put their  entire trust in the Lord and rest in Him and wait patiently for Him to move on their behalf. They can believe in His promises and He will lift them and exalt them. His word is true:

Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good;  Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.  Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD,  Trust also in Him,  And He shall bring it to pass.  He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,  And your justice as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;  Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,  Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret-it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth.  For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;  Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,  But it shall be no more. But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Psalm 37:1-11.

There is no one like the God of Jeshurun,  Who rides the heavens to help you,  And in His excellency on the clouds.  The eternal God is your refuge,  And underneath are the everlasting arms;  He will thrust out the enemy from before you,  And will say, ‘Destroy!’ Then Israel shall dwell in safety,  The fountain of Jacob alone,  In a land of grain and new wine;  His heavens shall also drop dew.  Happy are you, O Israel!  Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD,  The shield of your help  And the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you,  And you shall tread down their high places.” Deuteronomy 33:25-29

With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. 2 Chronicles 32:7-8

For those who love the LORD their God, walk in His ways and hold fast to Him, the Lord delivers and the Lord protects them. He drives out their enemies before them and they dispose of them. He heals them and sends His healing anointing to them. He opens the windows of heaven and pour His financial blessings on them. He blesses and prospers them and expands their territory and causes them to eat the good of the land.

God who is immensely good and rich has wonderful conditional promises for His people that if they will do their part He will do His part. He is especially concerned when His people are poor and needy and has told them to approach the throne of Grace to find mercy and grace in time of need.

God is a good God who can be trusted no matter what is going on in the world.  He is not like the others. He is good, faithful, true and compassionate! He is the salvation of the righteous  and their strength in the time of trouble. He shall help them and deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him. He desires and wills that His children have total and complete victory in all the battles of life and be more than conquerors and overcomers. He doesn’t want them to just get by but to live in victory and prosperity and abundance. His wants to fight for them and to triumph gloriously on their behalf against all their enemies.

God’s seasons are not at the command of mortal men.  Just because at the first stroke of the flint does not bring forth the fire, doesn’t mean there will not be a fire?  God’s delays are not His denials.   For His trusting true ones God always hears their prayers and will answer them in due season.  Hence they have need of perseverance and endurance for the miracle answer will come from the God of miracles. They need not fear but are to let their hands be strong for God will save them and they shall be a blessing. As God’s power and resources are unlimited and not dependent on their limited power and resources.

Poverty, like a snowstorm, attempts to destroy our life. In our worldly life, financial discrepancies, Debt- burdens penury… perplex us. According to Ecclesiastes 7:12, “money (wealth/riches) is defense” Ecclesiastes 10:19 says, ” money answers everything.” That is why God is ever ready to save us from the terrible whirlwind of poverty by providing us with financial strength for He is our refuge and strength in time of trouble. His word is unchanging:

“The Lord is in His holy temple, The Lord’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.” Psalm 11:4

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8”31-32

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” 1 Peter 5:6

Victory is given only in battle and not outside of it. God has promised to bring His true children through everything including poverty, lack, afflictions and want and not keep them there.  He has an answer and solution for every problem His people face and need that they have. But it’s not a standard solution for God is not limited in any way as to how He will work a miracle for them that will bring glory and honor to His name. If they could solve the problem or work out a solution they would not need God and they wouldn’t know what faith in God will achieve? Andre Crouch wrote about this in his song entitled “Through it All.”

Yes, without the troubles and the storms we would never know what faith in God can do. Through it all we can learn to trust in Jesus, learn to trust in God, learn to depend upon His word! The battles of Life are fought and won not by human logic or reasoning but by the obedience to the Spirit of the Lord, to the same Spirit that was on Jesus and is on His true ones.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

The Kingdom of God is the kingdom of love for God is love?

And how does God  demonstrate love and how should His people do so also?

Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

James 2:Faith Without Works Is Dead

14     What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18     But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe — and tremble!20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

25     Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

26     For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

So people who don’t have love and  works and say they are Christians are hypocrites and liars? For love and works go together?

1 John 4

8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

LOVE DEVOID OF WORKS IS NOT LOVE BUT JUST EMPTY WORDS A CLANGING CYMBAL!

AND TRUE LOVERS ARE DOERS AND GIVERS?

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

WHAT I DISLIKE IS THE FALSE PROPHETS WHO DON’T HAVE A PERFECT RECORD AND THINK THAT GOD IS SPEAKING THROUGH THEM AND ARE DECEIVING OTHERS! THEY DO A LOT MORE HARM THAN GOOD

Jeremiah 23:32 Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” says the LORD, “and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,” says the LORD.

1 Corinthians 14:29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.

BEWARE OF FALSE TEACHERS

God’s warning regarding False Prophets is the same throughout Scripture. He warns us that many individuals who claim to speak for Him – do not.

This warning is more important today than ever before. The Bible tells us that deception will increase as we get closer to the end of the age.

We read in the New Testament accounts that deception will become popular and pervasive in the Time of the End.

The main characteristic of the False Prophets is that they say what people what want to hear, not what God has said. The end result of the deception is that the people deceived will perish.

We are taught in scripture to rebuke false teaching and teachers yet today those who stand against false teaching are persecuted and seen as ‘judging’. We ARE called to judge ALL teaching, to examine what we hear and measure it against Scripture. We are to avoid false teaching and false teachers and stand by the Truth.

Titus 1:9 says “.. hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”

The Bible has a great deal to say on this subject so we can avoid being deceived and can encourage and teach others to remain true to His Word too. Here is a small sample of what God has said on this…..

“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.” (1Ti 6:3-5 ESV)

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2Ti 3:1-5 ESV)

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:2-5

While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:13

Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 2 Timothy 3:5

“He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. For there are many who are in subordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’ This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.” (Tit 1:9-13 ESV)

“Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.” (2Th 3:6 ESV)

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ” (2Co 11:13 ESV)

“If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.” (2Th 3:14 ESV)

“But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.” (Tit 2:1 ESV)

BE NOT DECEIVED

Jeremiah 2:13 ” For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns — broken cisterns that can hold no water.

If being deceived as a Christian wasn’t a possibility, the New Testament would not use the phrase “Be not deceived.” And what is the number one cause of deception besides listening to the lies of the devil and his cohorts? Not listening to the Holy Spirit who is our teacher, guide, comforter and everything that we need.  Jesus said He had many things to say to us, and even things which are not written in the New Testament! The N.T. doesn’t tell us specifically whom we are to marry or what job we are to take? But the Holy Spirit will declare it to us:

John 16: 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

Luke 21:8 And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them.

1 Corinthians 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Titus 3:3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

James 1:16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

Things are not always what they seem! When you are going to a higher level in the spirit, everything will seem to go wrong in the natural! With every level Joseph went to, the situation became worse. But in the end, God PROMOTED him to the highest place. This in itself is ABSOLUTE proof that you are going higher!

Do not be moved by what you see! KEEP GOING! GOD IS ABOUT TO BRING YOU OUT OF YOUR DUNGEON! YOU ARE ABOUT TO BE PROMOTED!

“Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him QUICKLY out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh.” Gen 41:14 (NKJV).

“And Pharaoh said to Joseph, see, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Gen 41:37 (NKJV)

BEING EVANGELICAL IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Matthew 12:50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
2 Timothy 3:5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

Many Evangelicals are into “Bibliotary” in that they worship the bible as the word of God and ignore Jesus who is the Word of God.

John 1:1    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 He was in the beginning with God.3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

They have also missed the whole point for the necessity of receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and that is not only for witnesses in the power of the Holy Spirit but worshiping God in spirit and truth as Jesus instructed that His true disciples would do.

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. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
John 7:37   On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Our of their hearts there is no flow of rivers of living water which Jesus said would be indicative of true Christians. They have missed the whole point for the necessity of receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  They have no personal relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  They are just religionists  who have never received the real, authentic Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

When they talk about “the Word of God”, like most evangelicals,  they are  referring to the Bible.  They do not realize or want to, that although we have the written word of God in the Scriptures, we have the living Word of God in Jesus Christ Himself and that the Holy Spirit equips the Church with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and changes us be removing the works of the flesh and replacing them with the Fruit of the Spirit.  He makes all of this an old form of Works Righteousness.  Most of their sermons or teaching show an absence of the references to the Holy Spirit.  And when receive salvation and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit we come to realize  that Jesus can actually talk to people and  that He talks to us.

Evangelicals in error believe that everyone receives the Holy Spirit when they believe.  And, their idea of what a worship service is supposed to be has nothing to do with what Paul writes in 1 & 2 Corinthians using the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Some falsely purport seven characteristics of the first church:
1. They answered the call to repent.
2. They received Christ as revealed through scripture.
3. They left the perverse generation (or the world system).
4. They gladly received the word.
5. They continued in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship with each other.
6. They were self-giving rather than self-serving or self-seeking.
7. They rejoiced with gladness and praised God – this is true worship.

They do not see as most Christians observe that “the birth of the Church happened on the Day of Pentecost” when the 120 believers  were Baptized with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues and were sent into the world to be witnesses and the proof  was the “Signs Following”.   This life is empowered by the Holy Spirit so the Holy Spirit can be our Counsellor and which means that He is supposed to talk with us and give us direction for the Church and individuals (Jn. 15: 7 – 15; Rev. 2: 7, 11, 17, 29; 3: 6, 11, 22).

When Bible teachers talk about the Bible being a “Paper Pope”, what they are referring to a person who does not have the personal relationship with Jesus Christ and have never received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  They are what I call godly men but they are not “Spiritual Men” meaning they are as Paul described, “Any one who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him’ (Rm. 8: 9).

What they describe as “true worship” is not the worship that Paul described (1 Cor. 14: 26f).  They cannot say, as Paul wrote, ….nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.   They  can only say, I know what I have believed but never Whom which means the personal relationship with our God.

Finally Evangelicals cannot say what Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written:
” Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
10     But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
13     These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.16 For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

SIGNS OF CONTROLLING CHURCHES and LEADERS:

BEWARE OF SUPER LEADER

MATTHEW 7:

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

WARNING SIGNS

1. That God will speak to them before they will speak to you.
Example: leadership tells you that you can’t do this or that and if God wanted you to do it then Holy Ghost would have told them first.

2. Leadership curse people when they leave
Example: if you are talked about, gossiped about, rumors spread against you for no reason.

3. That their church is the only church that is teaching the truth. And all other churches are wrong.

4. You are forbidden to talk to anyone who has left the church.

5. If you are forbidden to fellowship with your family if they are not saved or they don’t belong to your church.

6. If there is an over emphasis on submission to authority.
Example: if you have an opinion about something and the pastor preaches about it, he embarrasses you (without saying your name) or your rebuked for having an opinion.

7. You are discouraged from reading books that are not approved by leadership.

8. You are forbidden to fellowship with other churches that are outside your church or denomination.

9. Are people publicly embarrassed or humiliated by leadership.
Example: Preached on, are sermons taken to make people feel bad.

10. Are people afraid to voice any opinion contrary to the opinion of leadership.
Example: if you disagree with leadership but u are afraid to say it cause you afraid you will be judged, cursed, rebuked, or sat down.

11. Are marriages being broken by the leadership. ((this can also include are friendships broken up by the leadership))

12. Are people manipulated in their giving by leadership.
Examples: You must give more and if you don’t give more you are told you are REBELLIOUS or you won’t get the blessings of God. You need to give when I tell you to give.

13. Does decisions a person make in their personal life have to be approved by leadership.

14. Is the church or ministry owned and run solely by the senior pastor?

Remember witchcraft is the work of the flesh but it can also be a demon. Galatians 5:19 -20

Now if you yield to the control then eventually a demon of witchcraft will come into YOUR life.

IS YOUR LEADER A SOCIOPATH http://wp.me/p2M7AJ-1UL

CONTROLLING CHURCHES and LEADERS: http://wp.me/p2M7AJ-1d

MEN OF INTEGRITY http://wp.me/p2M7AJ-12p

BENNY HINN THE SCOUNDREL http://www.scribd.com/doc/17673980

Is David Mainse An Unethical Scoundrel Like Benny Hinn? http://www.scribd.com/doc/18020892

Pat King “The Third Wave Sorceress” http://tinyurl.com/2bcm9mn

PAT KING THE WITCH http://deceptionfree.wordpress.com/tag/is-patricia-king-a-witch/

STACEY CAMPBELL THE WITCH http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-VIR82MGqE

REVIVAL ALLIANCE AND TODD BENTLEY http://wp.me/p2M7AJ-ja

The gospel of health and wealth according to Todd Bentley: http://t.co/dL0kHaV

Todd The Demon From Hell http://www.scribd.com/doc/47784235

Todd Bentley a savage wolf in sheep’s clothing http://tinyurl.com/32ljrbc http://tinyurl.com/24c4d7h

RANDY AND PAULA WHITE PARASITES PROSTITUTES PIMPS http://www.scribd.com/doc/35148151

GRAVE SUCKING BILL JOHNSON http://wp.me/p2M7AJ-1mT

God Still Performs Miracles – Joseph Prince

Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”    John 11:40

God, who parted the Red Sea, rained manna from heaven, caused the walls of Jericho to fall, shut the lions’ mouths, healed the sick, raised the dead and calmed the sea, still performs miracles today.

However, some Christians doubt that God wants to work a miracle for them today. They believe that there were miracles when Jesus walked the earth, but they think that the day of miracles is over. And they talk about how everything will be perfect one day in the sweet by and by. But God wants us to know that He is still the God of miracles today.

Martha was like one of those Christians. She wondered if Jesus could perform a miracle when her brother Lazarus died. By the time Jesus arrived on the scene, Lazarus had already been dead for four days. So she thought that Jesus was four days too late. That is why she said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:21) And even when Jesus said that Lazarus would rise again, she said, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” (John 11:24)

Martha believed that Jesus could perform miracles in the past and would do the same in the future, but she did not believe that He could give her a miracle when she needed it right then. You see, Martha was someone who lived wishing that the past could be changed and believing that the future would be better. But she did not believe that the “I Am” was there to meet her present need.

Today, God stands at the point of your need. What miracle do you need from Him? Believe that He is still the same miracle-working God today. Believe that you will see the glory of God. Believe and you will see your miracle!

Thought For The Day
The “I Am” is here to meet your present needs!