Wonderful Jesus!

Tag: Deliverance

• Spiritual Sharecropping!

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on January 15, 2021

  Luke 4:18- “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed…” NKJV

  

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  Every aspect of the ministry of Jesus focuses on people. What He did, and what He said, during His earthly ministry, testifies to that truth. But this ministry, the ministry to set the captives free, is the launching pad of all of His ministry. He came to “break every chain” and to make us free.

  We can really get ourselves caught up in stuff. Drugs, alcoholism, sexual immorality, lying, stealing, hating, backbiting, and everything in between. Some of this stuff is of our own choosing, while some of it comes with the territory of our lives. And then there is that, which seems to have traveled through our bloodlines. So much baggage, so many chains, and Jesus came to free us from them all.

  I love the words of the Savior in John 8:

  John 8:36 -Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. NKJV

  Yet, many believers are still walking around in the chains of their past, with sins weighing them down, as though they have never heard this declaration of the Savior.

  Paul wrote in Galatians:

  Galatians 5:1 – It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. NIV

  When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He died to set us free from the bondage of sin. When He set us free from the bondage of sin, it was that we could live a life of freedom, and still, there are chains in many people lives.

  Let me clarify for you, I am not sitting in judgment and making light of the trials and struggles that we face in this life. However, the truth of the Word is that Jesus came to set the captives free, and if we are captive to anything in this life, He wants us free!

  My daughter wrote a series called, “The Salis Plantation”. One of the things I truly love about the series, besides the fact that she wrote it, is the way she portrayed the slaves who ran for freedom. In her novels, these ex-slaves had to learn to be free. Although, they had escaped slavery, and was no longer bound in the physical sense, they had to become free in their spirits, their minds, and the way they lived.

  It’s the same way in Christ Jesus. He sets us free from the bondage of sin when we are born again. It’s our spiritual liberation day and we become new creatures. Outwardly we look the same, and so does our environments; but inwardly we are not the same people. Therefore, we are not to do the same things we did before, or to live the same way.

  It starts with the understanding of His message to the captives. We can be free. How is that even possible? Listen to what Jesus said:

  John 8:31-32 – Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” NKJV

  As we begin to read and study the word, we begin to abide in Him. As we begin to abide in Him, we learn of the truth of His power over sin and the evil one. As we learn to trust Him and His word, we realize that we can truly be free. Truth opens our eyes to the possibility of being free. When we embrace that truth, and can see ourselves free, it will happen for us! Chains are broken!

  You say, “It’s not that simple!” I agree, for many, it is not! For others, when they are born of the Spirit of God, they are immediately set free from addictions, from hate, from guilt and shame. I don’t know the whys of it all, I just know that He came to make us free, and He is well able to do what He said that He would do!

  The things that hold us in bondage are weighty chains. They affect every area of our lives. The alcoholic desperately wants to be free. The damage that comes into the family of an alcoholic can be pretty traumatic. The family of the drug addict cries for the freedom of their loved one, because the pain of watching a life self-destruct, is heartbreaking! (Remember yesterday’s post, He can heal that broken heart)! The point is, people need to be free, and only Jesus can truly set us free! He is just as anointed today to set the captive free, as He was when He walked this earth.

  Matthew tells us of a couple men who needed to be set free. They were demon-possessed, and they hung out in the tombs. Matthew described them as being extremely fierce, and they were obviously very dangerous men, because he said no one could pass their way. But one day, Jesus did! And at His word, they were set free!

  Every ministry that Jesus walked in, because He was anointed, is a ministry we are to walk in. I’m not saying that I have arrived, but I am saying that I need to know all that He did and expects of us as His body. Getting people free, is as much a part of our responsibilities, as Christians, as helping the poor, and the broken-hearted. But it’s not for the faint of heart or the individual who is not anointed.

  All chains are not broken the same way. There are some great programs, started by believers, that are effectively assisting people in getting free. Here’s a truth I never want to stray away from:

  Matthew 9:29 – “According to your faith let it be to you.” NKJV

  What you believe about your situation and how you can be made free, or not, plays a significant role in getting free. Slaves who were afraid of running away to obtain freedom remained in bondage. Even after their freedom was secured nationally, some stayed in the yokes of slavery, as sharecroppers. Not being owned, but not being able to live a life much different then when they were slaves; still bowing to the plantation owners with next to nothing to call their own. Still afraid of upsetting them and making them mad, or of not showing up and working when they said. Working hard, like a slave, and being given pennies a day, while being charged dollars a minute for everything. Always in debt, (another bondage), and never a way to get out of it! A horrible lifestyle!

  That’s what a believer, who Jesus came to set free, but who still lives in bondage is, a spiritual sharecropper. Living in bondage to the devil, as if there is no realization that freedom has been granted! Living as if the devil’s bondages are more powerful than Christ’s freedom! Living as though there is no hope for a different lifestyle, when the Savior has said we have become children of God and can be free!

  Not criticizing! Just saying what Jesus said! He came that we might be free from the bondages of sin! He came so that, in obtaining freedom, we might actually live in that freedom. As we minister to people, it is our responsibility to tell them this is part of the gospel message: they can be free! Jesus said it, and didn’t change His mind; that whom He sets free, is free indeed.

  If you or someone you know is yoked in spiritual sharecropping; free without the benefits of being free, it’s time to believe God for a change. The word of God says that you can be free and you should be free. As you study His word, even reading the truth in this blog, begin to see yourself free of every yoke. As you begin to see yourself free, ask God for a plan, or to lead you where you can learn more about being free. Go after it, and then dare to believe it can be yours! I’ll be praying for you or your loved one. And if you drop me a comment about a specific situation, I will add my faith and prayers to yours.

  Jesus is anointed to set you free, and if you look, you will find one of His anointed servants, who can help you get free! Wonderful Jesus!

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  Posted in Deliverance, freedom, Jesus, Luke 4:18 | 2 Comments | Tagged Deliverance, demonic activity, encouragement, Faith, free, freedom, Jesus, Luke 4:18, sharecroppers, the devil, Victorious Living, victory

• His Name is Mighty God!

  Posted at 5:43 pm by wonderfuljesus8, on September 26, 2020

  Isaiah 9:6 – “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. NKJV

  

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  It was about twenty years ago, when I had the unexpected pleasure of seeing the Hubble telescope exhibit at the Adler Planetarium, here in Chicago. I was on a field trip with one of my daughters and I wasn’t all that interested in seeing the exhibit. When the show started, what I saw was God, Mighty God. If I remember correctly, the Hubble allows scientists to see beyond our galaxy to the billions of galaxies in the universe. Not only that, it also helped them to realize that Earth is the only habitable planet in the universe. It is as He said!

  In the Old Testament we see God, the Father, display His might against Pharaoh, against the Philistines, and against the many enemies of the children of Israel over and over again. In the New Testament we can also see, Mighty God Jesus, display His might over the enemies of mankind over and over again. I want to share some of my favorite displays of His might and power.

  Immediately what comes to mind is the crucifixion. Don’t judge me if I am not sequential today! He demonstrated great strength, control, and dedication to His end goal of saving us. He could have called angelic hosts to deliver Him, yet He endured physical and emotional trauma to deliver us from hell’s eternal torment. And just when the devil thought he had silenced God’s Son, He rose from the dead! Jesus, Mighty God, demonstrated His power over sin and death! Mighty God demonstrated His might, with creation of the natural world, and Mighty God Jesus demonstrated His might with the new birth, or recreation of our very being!

  Another favorite of mine is when He walked on water! Now that’s miraculous! Even his disciples, who were able to follow in His footsteps and do many of the things He did, was not able to walk on water. How many times do you think Jesus, Mighty God, walked on water? As many times as He needed to! This demonstrated His might over His creation. He didn’t bow to the limitations of creation, He made them bow to Him! Mighty God! God parted the waters that His people might walk on dry land, but Jesus just walked on it when He needed to get across!

  He turned water into wine! Six large water pots, approximately 120 gallons of water was transformed before Him. How did He do it? What transpired to make it happen? How can it be duplicated? I’ve never heard of it being duplicated. He did the impossible! Without touching it, without praying, without speaking words over it, He caused that water to turn to wine! He said, fill the pots with water, draw some out, and take it to the master of the feast. Voila! Top quality wine was made! Might demonstrated just because! True, it was His first sign that He was God, but He could have chosen something different, more earth shaking to do that! God turned water into blood, and He turned it into wine! Mighty God! Are you seeing this? I’m getting excited just writing about it!

  His authority over Satan! One of the funniest things Jesus said, in my opinion, was when He said that He saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven! That is so funny to me! Satan has most of the world afraid to mention him, but Jesus let it be known that Satan was nothing to Him. He saw him fall! Every experience Jesus had with Satan, He walked away in victory. Every single one! Demons bow in His presence! When He cast them out, they asked permission of Him to go into a herd of pigs. They asked Him not to torment them before the appointed time. They were utterly afraid of Him. They understood His might!

  There is no sickness, there is no disease, there is not situation, that His might cannot explode upon and bring great victory! None! The Bible only shares about 34 different miracles with us, but over and again he healed the multitudes, making it thousands upon thousands. He caused the people to marvel at Him time and again, as they watched Him operate like the God of their fathers. Whether He was calming the raging seas, or raising the dead, there was no doubt that He was and is Mighty God!

  Now, having said this, what hinders us to believe? Many people confess Him as Savior and Lord, and yet, have not realized that He is still Mighty God! He didn’t stop being Mighty God because He ascended to heaven! His purpose for coming, was to redeem us, and to allow us to see the great lengths He was willing to go to in order to help us! Mighty God saved us, not just that we would miss hell, but that we would know Him and His love well enough to trust Him to show up!

  Can I just say that each of our three daughters are a walking miracle? Can I just say that I am a walking miracle? Can I just say that neither of us would be here today if Mighty God, Jesus, hadn’t shown up? The miracle of my healing isn’t more spectacular to me than their healing miracles. They are all just testaments to His might! He is still the Healer!

  Years ago, we were traveling from Florida to Chicago. It was during the winter and we ran into snow. Our car wasn’t suited for the snowy highway and we found ourselves slipping occasionally, as we traveled. My husband expressed his desire to get to a town where we could stop, before it got dark. He didn’t want to have to navigate through snow and darkness; but the nearest town was quite a ways away. In the name of Jesus I decreed that the One who made the sun stand still could do it again. I don’t know if it stood still for the world, but we had light for the duration of our journey until we reached a city. You don’t have to believe it! It matters not to me; because I know it’s true!

  Another time, when I was a teenager, I was driving in the hills of Tennessee, when He demonstrated His might. It started to rain as the sun went down. My problem was that the car I was driving didn’t have working windshield wipers. It went from raining to torrential rain, causing my vision to be impaired. I finally said to Jesus that I could close my eyes and drive and it would be the same result. The next thing I knew, I was in my parking space in front of my apartment. Clueless as to how I got there, knowing I had experienced a miracle. Mighty God!

  I am learning that there is no greater relationship than the relationship I have with Jesus! It’s why I daily call Him Wonderful! It’s why I daily tell Him there is no other God like Him! I love Him for all He has done in my life, but I mostly love Him because He, Mighty God, loves me. I know that my blog isn’t read by the masses, but my heart is that everyone who does read it, will come to realize a deeper love and intimacy with the One who loves us so much! Just think of this, Mighty God loves you and has demonstrated His love in dying for you. Since He was willing to that, we ought to be able to believe that He is willing to move heaven and earth on our behalf! Won’t you trust Him today? Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in God, His Name, Jesus | 0 Comments | Tagged Attitude, Believer, Deliverance, Healing, Jesus, love, Mighty God, miraculous, relationships, testimony, the devil, trust in God, victory, witness

• In Everything Give Thanks!

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on September 15, 2020

  1 Thessalonians 5:18 -“in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” NKJV

  

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  This has been a challenging week. Getting back into the swing of teaching, add to that all of the challenges of virtual teaching, and the sum total is that I can truly say, blogging isn’t at the top of my list. Just as I was about to turn in, without a blog that I was pleased with, I remembered this post from 2018, so I am revising and reposting!

  I think it is interesting to note that Paul didn’t say that we are to give thanks for everything that happens to us. Religion has taught people to give thanks for being in all kinds of devastating situations, believing that it is God’s will for them to do so. But even common sense would say to us that when a loved one dies, only an insensitive individual will tell the grieving family that it was the will of God. When a child is born blind, or an accident leaves you maimed, or you lose your home, or your spouse walks out on you, is not anything to give anyone thanks for. And Paul understood better than most that things could be really tough.

  That’s why I believe Paul didn’t say, “For all things give thanks,” but in all things. And that’s a huge different!

  To give thanks to God the Father in all things, means to say, “Father, I don’t know why this is happening, but I do know that I can trust you! And I’m so thankful that I can.” The word of God is filled with scriptures on the blessings and the need to give thanks.

  Psalm 107:8- “Oh that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.”

  The psalmist understood that God’s goodness is reason enough to give thanks. As a matter of fact, he went on to say that He satisfies the longing soul and fill the hungry soul with goodness. Even in a dark place, a troubled place, a place of despair, when you give Him thanks, He will satisfy the longing of your soul!

  Religious people believe, that because God is sovereign, He either does these bad things or He allow these bad things to happen. I cannot get in agreement with this line of teaching. I remember when my mother died and I was a little girl. Someone approached me and told that God needed my mother more than I did. Seriously??? How can anyone form their lips to tell a little girl something like that? All that kind of talk will do is make a person hate God. Let me just assure you, those are not encouraging words!

  If we will learn to trust God, then we will be able to say like David, when grief is trying to overwhelm us:

  You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalm 30:11-12 -NKJV

  Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) I like to think of it like this: If the thing going on is stealing from me, killing something in my life, or bringing destruction, then Satan is directly or indirectly involved in it. Also, we do still live in this earth realm and since Satan is the prince of this world, bad things do happen. And lastly, this one is tough but I have to mention it, some things happen because of the bad choices that we make. But, having said that, we have got to stop blaming God for all the bad things that happen in our lives. “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever!”

  Paul wrote, “in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God, in Christ Jesus, concerning you”. That’s it in a nutshell. God’s will for my life, for all of us, is that we learn to be a people with a grateful heart. I get that there are some things going on right now that are heartbreaking. I get that the challenges of life are difficult, that’s why they are called challenges. But God’s will for those in Christ Jesus is that we give thanks in everything!

  In the midst of this pandemic, instead of whining about our limitations, we are to give thanks to God for being with us during this pandemic. It’s bad, but it could be so much worst. We give thanks because there are more people recovering than there who are dying. We give thanks because He said for us to give thanks. He desires His people to be a people with a heart of gratitude. It’s His will for us!

  So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, Will give You thanks forever; We will show forth Your praise to all generations. Psalm 79:13 -NKJV

  In the midst of this civil unrest, we are to be thankful! Despite the few who are looting, and the occasional violence, I’m thankful that the overall process is peaceful. I’m thankful that people of every nationality have joined together which demonstrates there is hope for us being united. In this, I can give thanks!

  In everything, I endeavor to give Him thanks! Not for what is going on, but because of His never failing love towards me. I want to encourage you to try giving Him thanks if you are in a difficult place right now. Not for the situation, but because you have access to an amazing God! He still heals, He still delivers, and His ear is still bent towards the righteous! He is still good! He is still amazing! He is still the Resurrection and the Life! He is still the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world! He is still God! Good times, bad times, challenging times, any time, is the right time to give thanks to God. It’s His will for you if you are in Christ Jesus! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Attitude, Thanksgiving, will of God | 0 Comments | Tagged Attitude, Deliverance, difficult times, encouragement, give thanks, gratitude, hard times, Healing, pandemic, social issues, trust in God, will of God

• From Bitter to Victory

  Posted at 3:08 am by wonderfuljesus8, on August 28, 2020

  Exodus 15:25 – “So he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet…”

  

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  I’ve been writing about bitterness. The bitter water of Marah, and the bitterness of Naomi’s soul, and today I want to talk a little bit about the path to victory.

  In this chapter in Exodus, we read how the children of Israel were three days in the wilderness looking for water when they came to Marah. It was called Marah because of the bitter waters. After they discovered the bitter water they began to complain against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink”? I’m pretty sure they said more than that!

  In the verse above, Moses cried out to the Lord. That is key to getting the victory. Crying out to the Lord is a form a prayer. ( See Numbers 20:16, 1 Kings 17:21, Psalm 18:6). Getting the victory over bitterness will involve crying out to God! He is the only one who truly understands the circumstances and root of the problem; and He is the only one who can effectively deal with it. He doesn’t need a list of all the things that happened, He doesn’t have to be reminded of all the pain experienced to get to this place, He was there! The place of prayer should never become the place of complaining! This time can be better spent asking Him for forgiveness, acknowledging the need to be made free, and receiving healing!

  I know people just like Naomi. They may not ask to be called Mara, but their actions and attitude certainly make you want to call them that. Men and women alike who feel they have been dealt a bad hand by society, by their family members, by their boss, by the Lord. There seems to be nothing that you can say to help them to see that they have become embittered and they need to let this stuff go. Trust me when I say, I can understand a lot of these feelings. But when we allow bitterness’ roots to take over our life, they choke the life out of us. It’s time to be free!

  After Moses cried out to the Lord, the Lord showed him a tree. And when he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. Before Moses cried out, God had already prepared the answer! A tree! God’s purification system for the bitter waters was a tree! Simplistic, yet just what they needed for their miracle! When Moses prayed (cried out) to the Lord, He was able to hear from God and to see the provision.

  As He had provided for the children of Israel, He had done the same thing for Naomi. She was complaining about her situation, and how bitter she was because of it, and God had already provided for her. Ruth! Ruth served Naomi by going out and reaping in the fields in order for them to have food. She catches the eye of the owner, Boaz, who just happens to be a relative of Naomi’s. Naomi decided that Ruth needed to marry Boaz, her kinsman redeemer, and tells Ruth how to make it happen. He marries Ruth, and then they have a son! Look at God, providing a family for Naomi!

  Ruth 4:14-15- “Then the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter -in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.’”

  These were probably the same women who asked, “Is this Naomi?” They watched, along with everyone else, as Ruth took care of Naomi. When Obed was born, they proclaimed to Naomi that Ruth’s love was better than seven sons. That’s some kind of love! Not only that, they spoke into Naomi’s life in regards to Obed, that he would be to her “a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age”. God placed Ruth in her life, led Ruth to her kinsman redeemer, and blessed them with a son. Look at God!

  Naomi didn’t recognize this when she was filled with bitterness. As a matter of fact, it is as if the women had to point it out to her! In other words, there’s no more reason to be bitter Naomi, look at all that God has provided for you! What a blessing Ruth was to Naomi, but what a blessing to have people around you who can help you see life through a clearer set of lens. Don’t rebuff them, for in doing so you might miss God!

  After God brings healing to the waters of Marah, He establishes a statue with the children of Israel that He is Jehovah Rapha the God that heals. He healed bitter water and He heals bitterness of the soul! He heals physically, emotionally, and mentally; and He evens heals nature when He needs to.

  In verse 27, they arrive at a place called Elim. In this place they discover twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees. Just as Naomi’s story ends on a high, the children of Israel’s story ends on a high. God provided them with more than enough! He led them to a place with plenty of water, and plenty of shade; an oasis.

  When we allow God, to “sweeten the water” of our lives, our future will be much brighter than our current situation. The tree of life still cleanses and purifies bitterness. That tree of life is Jesus!

  Don’t wait another day to cry out to the Lord. Then look for His provision in the situation. Whatever He shows you, whatever He asks of you, grab hold to it as your provision, and get the victory over bitterness! Let the rest of your life be the best of your life! Wonderful Jesus!!

  Posted in Attitude, Bitterness, Deliverance, Jesus | 2 Comments | Tagged Attitude, Bitterness, Deliverance, Mara, Naomi, Obed, Prayer, Ruth, victory

• It’s Not For Drinking!

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on August 25, 2020

  Exodus 15:23 -Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah.

  

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  The children of Israel found themselves in an unwelcome place. They had been wandering in the desert for three days unable to find water. And when they finally find water, it is undrinkable! It’s bitter! Can you imagine how frustrating this could be? Maybe you haven’t been looking for water, but maybe you have been looking for something else, and when you found it, it was not what you expected! Some women spend a lot of time looking for a husband, and in desperation they find one, but it wasn’t what they were expecting. Some look for a high paying job, and when they get it, it wasn’t what they were expecting! It happens to the best of us!

  If you read the fourteen chapters before this verse, you can well understand that for the people of Israel, this is just another disappointment in a whole list of disappointments. Have you ever been there? Have you ever felt this way?

  They were slaves for over 400 years under Egyptian rule and hard taskmasters. When Moses came to deliver them, instead of things getting better, they got worst. When they got to the Red Sea, the Egyptians came up behind them and they were sure they would be slaughtered. And typical of human nature, they were probably feeling “If it’s not one thing, it’s another”. Can you relate? I’m sure that you can! I know I can relate to this on a couple levels!

  But God! In the midst of their situations, God was mindful of them and working things out for their good. They couldn’t see it at the time, but it was happening nevertheless. And guess what, I can testify to that truth, that in those frustrating moments, those times of disappointment, He was working on my behalf, and He is probably working on yours!

  While they were in bondage, Moses was born. And even though it took him 80 years to get to the place where God could use him, God was still working on the deliverance of His people! They didn’t see it! They didn’t know freedom was on the way, but God was working towards their deliverance!

  While Pharaoh was constantly saying no to Moses and God; God was demonstrating His power to deliver; and when He did, they came out of Egypt with great wealth. The tables had turned. The ones who had mistreated them so severely was severely dealt with by God! The ones who had labored and received no wages in return, left with the spoils of Egypt. When I read the Word of God and see this type of thing, I am encouraged, because I know that if I trust Him with my disappointments, He will turn them around for my benefit!

  When they got to the Red Sea, (after having been led by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night) God parted the Red Sea and they crossed over on dry land. How spectacular is that! I can’t help but think that at this point they should have been fully persuaded that God was on their side. At this point, after being led by a cloud by day, fire by night, and having the Red Sea opened for them, they should have been able to trust Him for something as simple as water. But that was not the case!

  When they arrived in the Wilderness of Shur, and for three days they couldn’t find water, they were not happy! They were upset!! Doesn’t that just sound like people. No matter what God does for us, if He doesn’t do that “one” thing, we can get an attitude with Him real quick!! Instead of remembering His goodness towards us, we can only concentrate on our disappointments and hurts, just like the people of Israel!

  Exodus 15:24 – And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?”

  Wouldn’t you think that after all of the miracles before the Exodus and the latest miracle of crossing the Red Sea, that coming to bitter water would cause them to look forward to what God was about to do instead of complaining? Hind sight is twenty twenty!

  How many times have you and I seen the hand of God move on our behalf? For me, I have been healed of paralysis, one of our daughters was healed of abnormal seizure activity, another was healed of larynx Malaysia, while yet another was healed of “the issue of blood”, to name a few. Many times He has provided finances, jobs at just the right time, favor in a situation, protection from an incident or accident… and the list of His faithfulness to us can go on and on! How about you? What has He done for you through the years? Any healings? Any financial breakthroughs? Any protections?

  And yet, just like the children of Israel, when something happens contrary to what we expect, we find ourselves dealing with bitter waters. I know, we don’t like to admit that we can become bitter with the Heavenly Father, but it happens all too frequently.

  Bitterness is a terrible place to camp out at. The bitter water was good for nothing, and so are bitter people. Life can at times be filled with disappointments, setbacks, and even heartaches. God knows this! And so does Jesus. Didn’t He say in John 16:33-“ In this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”? Jesus didn’t say, we would have tribulations and at this time He understands how we can become embittered. Nope! He said, “be of good cheer”! What kind of advice is that? That’s the kind of advice One gives when He knows the Father!

  In other words, we are not to allow these things to stump us, to cause us to become bitter. We are to understand that He overcame that we might overcome! We are to realize that the One who delivered us before can deliver us again. We are to trust that the One who provided will provide again! There is no situation that is too big for the God we serve. There is no problem that He cannot solve! There is no circumstance that He cannot overcome! He is God! He has not lost His ability to bring about a miracle in our life!

  If you are stuck at the waters of Marah, feeling bitter about life, it is time to change your location. Time to move from this place of bitterness to your oasis. Bitter water is not for drinking, so don’t drink it! Repent of your bitterness and ask God to give you life giving water, so you’ll never thirst again! Then watch Him do it! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Attitude, Bitterness, Deliverance, God | 0 Comments | Tagged Attitude, Bitterness, children of Israel, Deliverance, disappointments, encouragemnt, freedom, hard times, Healing, hurts, Marah, Moses, the Exodus

• At That Name!

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on August 6, 2020

  Philippians 2:9-11 – “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” NKJV

  

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  prayer-for-salvation.m4a

  I am still blogging about our weapons against the devil. There is no way I can end my “series” without mentioning the Name of Jesus! I’ve written about our salvation, as our first line of defense against the devil. I’ve written about the truth that we can use the Blood of Jesus against the enemy. I’ve mentioned that praise silences the enemy; and I’ve even blogged about our lifestyle as a testimony against the enemy. There are other weapons we’ve been given, the armor of God, the word of God, and fasting and praying are in the line up. They are all powerful, but I’m not sure that I will address them all. However, I simply must talk about the Name of Jesus!

  This particular text is packed with nuggets about Jesus, but I am only zeroing in on the the Name of Jesus against the enemy. Paul wrote that God had given Jesus the Name. Using the article “the” we can determine that His name is not just any name, but the specific Name that has been given to Him by God, which is above every name! By every name, Paul intended us to understand that he meant every name.

  But just in case we didn’t get that, or understand that to be true, he further elaborated that Jesus’ name is above every name in heaven, above every name on earth, and above every name under the earth! That’s the part I am getting at with this blog, that Jesus’ name is above every name under the earth. What do we think of when we think of who lives under the earth? We think of the devil and his demonic kingdom as being under the earth! But just in case you want to say they are anywhere else, well, that’s covered also!

  What happens at that name? Every knee must bow! All inhabitants must bow at His Name! And because of this truth, we have the authority to use His name to command demons to bow! I was reading in one of my books about Smith Wigglesworth, where I came across a testimony that illustrates this point, beautifully. A group of men went to pray for someone who was sick. They went into the sick room and they prayed every thing and every way that they knew how to pray; and nothing happened. They left the room feeling discouraged. As they were outside talking about what “didn’t happen” and how they had tried “everything”, one of them spoke up and said, they hadn’t tried the Name of Jesus. So they went back into the room, and started saying the name of Jesus, very softly. But then they continued saying that Name until fervor and passion overtook them and they were shouting the Name, “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!” Something happens at the name of Jesus! That sick person rose up completely healed because of the Name! That sickness that was draining him of his life, bowed to the Name that is above every name! Jesus!

  Another testimony of the power of the Name over demonic activity was shared in Wigglesworth book, Faith That Prevails. He was preaching in Toronto. After one of the services, a man met him at the place where he was staying. He told Wigglesworth that three years prior his nerves were shattered and he couldn’t sleep and his life was miserable. Wigglesworth told him to go home and sleep in the name of Jesus. The man slept all night and was completely healed! There is still power in that name!

  There have been times in my own life that I have used the name of Jesus and seen sickness bow to that Name! I was ministering to a lady who was in great pain. In the Name of Jesus, I commanded that pain to bow and to leave her body, and that pain left her body! It was if I just saw that pain bowing before Jesus as if to say, “You’re the Boss!” This has happened on more than one occasion . I know that faith is a huge part of it, but we have been given authority to use His name, and I am learning how to do just that! One commentator says that the words used in this verse depicts everything paying homage to Jesus! Can’t you see it?

  In Acts 3, Peter and John used the name of Jesus to heal the lame man. “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” When everyone was looking at Peter and John as if they did something wonderful, Peter said, “And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know”. I can’t explain how it happens, I just know that it does.

  But it’s not just demons of sickness and physical disabilities that the Name of Jesus has dominion over; it’s any demonic activity! In Mark, Jesus Himself stated that in His name we would cast out devils! I’ve only personally experienced this a few times, but there are countless testimonies to people casting out demons in His Name!

  Kenneth Hagin, who is with the Lord, shared a story about using the name of Jesus. He said the Lord came to him and was trying to share something with him, but a demon showed up and kept jumping around distracting him. Finally, he got irritated enough that he commanded the demon to leave in the name of Jesus, and the demon left. He was waiting on God and God was waiting on him! We are responsible for dealing with the devil, his demons, and all their activity! Not God!

  This teaching is so vitally important for the Body. I trust that you are growing hungry to know more about how to withstand the attacks of the devil. I encourage you to read some books or listen to teachings that give more insight into these powerful weapons of warfare. Personally, some crazy things have been happening to let me know that someone must be getting blessed! I’ll stay on my assignment and I trust that together we will all begin to stand like never before against our enemy. Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Jesus, Spiritual warfare, the devil, the Name of Jesus, weapons of warfare | 2 Comments | Tagged casting out demons, Deliverance, encouragement, Healing, Jesus, miracles of healing, miraculous, Satan, Smith Wigglesworth, Spiritual warfare, the devil, the enemy, the Name of Jesus

• The Weapon of Praise!

  Posted at 4:33 pm by wonderfuljesus8, on August 1, 2020

  Psalm 8:2 – Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. NIV

  

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  prayer-for-salvation-2.m4a

  I’ve been blogging about weapons that are effective in stopping the enemy! I have blogged about the weapon of our salvation, the weapon of the Blood of Jesus, and the weapon of holiness. In this blog, I want to talk about the weapon of praise!

  The psalmist, David, stated that praise establishes a stronghold (a tower) against our enemies. Can you imagine yourself building a tower, with your praise, that the enemy cannot get over? Hopefully, when you finish reading this blog, you will do just that! In the KJV of the Bible the translators used the word “strength” and not “praise” in this verse. However, to be clear that the psalmist is referring to praise, in this verse, let’s look at how Jesus quoted it in the book of Matthew. In Matthew 21:16 – “And (the Pharisees)said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?” NKJV

  When I think of both of these words, (praise and strength) it causes me to draw the conclusion that our strength against the enemy lies in our praise! Get this picture in your mind: The enemy is on the attack, in some form or fashion, then you begin to praise God, and you start constructing a tower with your praise! The longer you praise, the higher the tower, the higher the tower, the harder it is for the enemy to access you! I like that picture!!

  The word praise is sometimes translated as “boast” meaning to boast in the Lord and what He has done, and to boast in who He is! Praise can be carried out in a number of ways:

  • We can praise Him in the dance!
  • We call praise Him with song!
  • We can just walk around and praise Him for who He is
  • We can sit and praise Him for what He has done in our lives
  • We can bow before Him and give Him praise just because we feel like it
  • We can praise Him at church or at home
  • We can praise Him with or without music
  • We can praise Him in the Spirit

  Choose one! Better yet, try them all! The next time the enemy goes on a rampage, praise God like never before!

  The Old Testament reference that comes to mind involves Jehoshaphat! There was an army of people who came up against the king and the people of Judah. When the king heard, he called a fast and prayed. The Lord gave the king a promise, a prophetic word, that he would not have to fight in the battle, and Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah, gave Him praise. The next morning, when they got up, Jehoshaphat called for another time of praise. Here’s what verse 22 states: “Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated!” Now how powerful of an example is that? Yes, they had fasted and prayed, and that caused them to hear from God! But when they began to praise Him, God defeated their enemies!

  Now, if you have been following me, you know I have to give you at least one more scriptural proof of praise silencing the enemy!

  The verse that keeps resonating in my heart and spirit is found in Isaiah 61. Although these are the words that Jesus said He fulfilled in Luke 4, there is a part that illustrates the victory through praise. Isaiah wrote, “put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness”. What is the spirit of heaviness but an oppressive spirit from the devil? Isaiah said, when it comes, clothe yourself in praise! Get up from your place of “woe is me” and get in a position of “Lord, You are good! You’ve been better than good!” Hallelujah!

  Everyone may not be able to “apply the Blood of Jesus” in faith as soon as you learn about it, but you can start praising Him right now and be extremely effective against the attacks of your enemy!

  In Psalm 30:12, the psalmist wrote, “You have turned for me mourning into dancing; you have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to you and not be silent. O lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” What was David mourning over? Why was he in sackcloth? Who knows? Much had happened in his life before this point. It could have simply been that God had denied him the honor of building His temple because he had so much blood on his hands. Yet, when David was dedicating his home to the Lord, he began to give God praise and said, “you have turned my mourning into dancing”.

  My sister died many years ago. I hadn’t seen her in decades. One day I was just talking to the Lord when I said, “Father, I don’t want the next time I see Jeannie to be at her funeral.” That’s it! That’s all I said. Not long after that, Jeannie contacted me, came and spent a couple weeks with my family and I, and went back to California. She died shortly after. As I was beginning to allow grief to set in, God reminded me of what He had just done for me. I want you to know, I had such a spirit of praise in my heart at the funeral, it was almost embarrassing. However, I shared with my family that day about why my heart was not heavy, and I had to leave it there! He turned my mourning into dancing!

  I can give you example after example of the power of praise over the enemy. When we are praising God, the enemy runs away, because he can’t stand to be in a place where praise to God is going on. Also, when you praise God, you don’t have time to think about what the enemy is saying and doing, thereby, silencing him! And don’t forget that tower that is built when you give God praise! It’s blocks the enemy’s access to you!

  Let’s say that you are not in a place to even give Him praise right now. It happens! At this time, you just put on some praise music, and just be in the atmosphere of praise. It worked for Saul. When the evil spirit came upon him, David was called in to play some music for him. It was probably one of David’s psalms that he played for Saul, because the enemy left. He didn’t want to hear it. Not even in instrumental form!

  David wrote, “Let the poor and needy praise your name,” in Psalm 74. There is no state, no condition, in which we cannot give God praise. The best praise will come from your lips. Sometimes, it will have to be a sacrifice of praise more than a praise party. However it starts out, know that your praise is a powerful weapon against the enemy! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Deliverance, praise, the devil, weapons of warfare | 0 Comments | Tagged attacks, David, Deliverance, encouragement, hard times, Jehoshaphat, Jesus, praise, Spiritual warfare, the devil, the enemy, victory, worship

• Secret Weapon!

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on July 30, 2020

  Revelation 12:11 – “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. NKJV

  

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  Are you a fan of westerns? I am! I grew up on the Lone Ranger series, as dorky as it looks today! My daughter discovered that the Lone Ranger was actually a Black man, and decided she wanted to honor his work and memory. Her latest release is loosely based on the character of the Lone Ranger and his friend Tonto; or in her case, Sly and Jamie! In the first three books of the series, Sly is in and out of the stories, helping runaway slaves; but book four is his story. I mention him, to give her free advertisement, and to make a point: Sly, had a secret weapon! Whenever Sly got in a tight spot, he did daring things to help the runaways, or to stop a lawless individual, all without getting hurt. Why? His secret weapon! Jamie was always in the background, giving the appearance that Sly was on his own, and just when Sly needed him, he would show up! One day, Sly was without his secret weapon and things got messy! You’ll have to read the book if you want to know what happened to Sly!

  A secret weapon is something or someone that no one knows about and that will give you an advantage over your competitors or enemies. I’m calling today’s weapon against the devil a secret weapon because many Christians conduct themselves as if they are unaware of it, and it’s so powerful! That’s the weapon of holiness. That’s right! It’s been a secret weapon for far too long, and now we need to become more aware of it in order to have an advantage over the devil.

  In John 14:30, Jesus spoke these words, “I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.” As I read this verse, I thought about the blogs I have been writing, and I knew I had to include this verse in this section! Jesus said that the “ruler of this world is coming”. This title is another name for the devil, our adversary. Jesus knew that the enemy was getting ready to attack Him with a mighty blow, and He says, “he has nothing in me!” Wow! What is Jesus saying?

  For Jesus, this was no secret weapon, it was how He lived. And as such, the devil was unable to get a place in His life! The devil came to bring death to Jesus, but he didn’t realize that he couldn’t take Jesus’ life. However, Jesus had to die, for us, so He gave up His life. The devil thought he was doing something, that he had finally outsmarted God and Jesus, but had he known the power of the cross, and the blood that was shed, he would have never allowed Jesus to get on it!

  As I was reading to find examples of the truth of this principle, I found Albert Hibbert’s book, “Smith Wigglesworth: The Secret of His Power”. On page 93, he wrote the following words:

  “To discern satanic activity, we must live in the Presence of Him Who is holy; otherwise, we will very likely fall victim to Satan’s wiles. If we maintain the same attitude toward sin and all its by-products that Jesus had, we need never fear the devil or what he can do. Rather, he will fear us.”

  Smith Wigglesworth was a man of great power. If you have never heard of him before, allow me to introduce him to you. Smith and his wife worked in ministry together for the Salvation Army, when salvations really were its objective. Then one day Smith received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. After that, his life changed, he changed. The Holy Ghost began manifesting His gifts wherever Smith went and mighty miracles broke forth. Creative miracles, the dead rising, miracles of healing, and divine salvations, just to give you an idea of his ministry. Hibbert interviewed him in writing this book and asked him about what he did in his spare time. Wigglesworth said he spent his time in the presence of God, and that kept him ready to be used by God to destroy the works of the devil!

  Jesus lived in the presence of the Father. When He wasn’t meeting the needs of the people, He was stealing away to be with His Father. When He was with the people, His only concern was to do the will of the Father. With such God consciousness, He had no time for sin, for His personal gratification of the flesh. His attitude towards sin was that it needed to be forgiven or dealt with; not enjoyed for a season!

  This is holiness! I know a lot of people think holiness is about what we wear or don’t wear, and the things we watch and listen to. Those are by products of holiness. Holiness is living your life free from sin, as Jesus did, as God does. It’s not always easy, but the pursuit of holiness is a powerful weapon that gives us an advantage over the devil. I know you’ve met the individual who lives to see how close they can get to the world and still be saved. That person is making himself vulnerable to Satan’s attacks! However, the person who is living a set apart life for God, is strengthening his advantage over the enemy! Don’t we need one? Is not there a cause to have an advantage?

  We gush over the lives of the “old timers” and the way God used them, they are great examples. But they were just men and women who allowed Jesus to be the guide for all they did and said. Holiness was a high priority and because of that, they walked in much authority over the works of the devil. They came under attack, but when they were in their rightful place in Christ Jesus, he was no match for them. When they took their eyes off of Jesus, they found themselves sinking much as Peter did.

  There’s so much to holiness. I can’t cover it all, but maybe later I can go more in depth on the subject. I just thought it was interesting to note that Jesus knew His life was lived in such a way, the devil had no ability to hurt Him. It should be a goal for each of us, as it gives us an advantage, and it’s a powerful weapon against the devil! Don’t ever let the devil catch you without your secret weapon! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in holiness, Jesus, Spiritual warfare, the devil, weapons of warfare | 2 Comments | Tagged Attitude, Believer, Deliverance, encouragement, Forgiveness, God, holy, Holy Spirit, Jesus, miraculous, protection, Salvation, Satan, Sin, Spiritual warfare, supernatural, the devil, victory

• There’s Power in the Blood!

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on July 28, 2020

  Revelation 12:11 – And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. NKJV

  

  there-is-power-in-the-blood.mp3

  Lewis E. Jones wrote the hymn, “There is Power in the Blood” in 1899. It is still sung today. The questions he asked are:

  • Would you be free from your burdens of sin?
  • Would you, a victory over evil win?
  • Would you be free from your passion and pride? Come for a cleansing to Calvary’s tide!
  • Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow? Sin stains are lost in it’s life giving flow!
  • Would you do service for Jesus your King?
  • Would you live daily His praises to sing?

  Then Lewis repeatedly answers the questions by saying, “There’s power in the Blood!” I’m sure you have heard, and know this hymn, but here’s the chorus:

  There is power, power, wonder working power
  In the Blood, of the Lamb!
  There is power, power, wonder working power
  In the precious Blood of the Lamb!

  Jones understood a basic, yet profound truth, that whatever you need, there is power enough in the Blood to bring it to pass. My previous post on the first line of defense being the Blood of Jesus, through provision of salvation is where it starts, not where it ends. The Blood of Jesus will not only lift your burdens of sin, wash you whiter than snow, and destroy the bondage of passion and pride; it will also give you victory over evil, empower you to live daily for the King, and enable you to serve Him. It’s in the Blood!

  I’m re-reading a book, written by Billye Brim, “The Blood and the Glory!” It’s one of the best books I’ve read on the subject. In her book, she gives testimony after testimony of the power of the Blood for protection. She writes about the principle of applying the Blood and pleading the Blood over our lives, our families, our properties, and our businesses. Basically, over everything!

  I want to share one of her testimonies. I will generalize it so that I am not copying from her text. This happened pre-cell phone days. There was a minister who had to go to Canada to conduct some services. The power of God was moving and people were getting saved and set free. The devil spoke to him and told him that he was going to kill his children. He responded by saying, “Devil, you’re a liar! You cannot kill my children.” The devil told him that he was going to use rabid foxes to kill his children. He remembered that someone had mentioned to him, they had seen foxes on his land before he had left. So he and some friends drew a blood line of protection around his property. A week later he received a letter from his brother saying that he had found five dead foxes on the boundary of his property and they were all tested and had rabies! Now that’s power!

  She also shares testimonies from Mrs. C. Z. Nuzum’s book, “The Life of Faith”. Mrs. Nuzum was a missionary in Mexico and she trusted the Blood of Jesus would protect her from violence, from a bulldog, a raging fever as she went to help a family, a drunk man who followed her to bring her harm, and a number of other instances. There is power in the Blood!

  I’ve already talked about the protection at Passover. Today, I will remind you of Rahab, who was protected with a token of the blood. When she hid the spies, she had a conversation with them about saving her and her family. The spies told her that if she and her family stayed in the house, they would be protected, as long as she kept her end of the bargain. As she lowered them from her window, using a scarlet cord, they told her that she should tie that cord to the window, and when the Israelites came, and saw the cord, her home would receive protection. That cord was a token of the blood. It saved her entire family from destruction when the walls of Jericho fell. As a matter of fact, her walls didn’t even fall. You’ll have to go back and read the story in its entirety, but there is power even in the token of the Blood.

  What does that mean for you and I. When we are born again, we have the Blood applied to our hearts, but we can also apply it, or plead it over us and our family for protection. I have done so on numerous occasions for myself and my family, and it works! I have gotten lax, but I am thankful for this reminder, during the coronavirus outbreak that there is power in the Blood to protect us.

  Let me say this! Smith Wigglesworth, a man whose life and ministry I greatly admire, was used mightily by God to heal the sick, and to restore life and limb to individuals. But when it came to health, he did the natural things necessary to stay healthy. When it was cold outside, he wore a coat, scarf, and a hat. When it was raining, he used an umbrella. He understood the authority he had over sickness and disease, but he didn’t give place to the devil. Jesus, the Son of God, said that we are not to tempt the Lord our God. Just because God has given His angels to protect us, doesn’t mean we go about defying death. So with the coronavirus, just because we are covered in the Blood, and can apply the Blood, doesn’t mean we need to walk around like we are untouchable. We don’t operate in fear, and we don’t run from life, but we walk in faith, trusting God, not trying to prove that we are invincible.

  How does it work? You say, “In the Name of Jesus, I plead the Blood of Jesus over my body against ___________________”! This is not prayer! It’s a decree, based on the Word of God, and done in faith! You can, by faith, apply the Blood to your vehicles, to your home, over your business. You can by faith, draw a bloodline, in the same way. As you go, the Spirit of God can prompt you, or you can operate by faith! I am out of space, but for more on the Blood, check out the scriptures in the Bible related to blood, and check out those books I mentioned. When you finish them, you will be more equipped to use this weapon, and to overcome the enemy, by the Blood of the Lamb, Jesus! He cannot fail! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Jesus, supernatural, the Blood of Jesus, weapons of warfare | 4 Comments | Tagged apply the blood, Believer, coronavirus, Deliverance, draw a bloodline, Faith, Family, Jesus, plead the Blood, protection, Rahab, Salvation, Spiritual warfare, testimony, the Blood of Jesus, the devil, trust in God, victory

• Our Adversary- Enforcing His Defeat!

  Posted at 9:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on July 21, 2020

  1 Peter 5:8-9 – 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. NKJV

  

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  I’ve been blogging for the past week about our adversary, and all the ways he and his demonic forces disguise themselves in what we call situations and circumstances. But today, I want to talk about some ways we can participate in stopping his attacks from being successful in our lives. Notice that I said, in keeping him from being successful. There will be attacks, but they don’t have to accomplish the evil intents that they are sent for.

  There are a few things we can do:

  1. Be sober! The Amplified Bible states it like this: “be well balanced and disciplined.” Don’t live a life that is undisciplined. A disciplined life for the believer is a life that says “no” to the things of the flesh and “yes” to the things pertaining to godliness. An undisciplined person picks and chooses when to behave like a Christian, when to pray, when to go to the club, when to sleep around…you get the point! A disciplined person reads and studies God’s word, prays for strength and wisdom, fellowship with believers, have people they are accountable to, lives their life to please the Father, etc. Some Christians are only “Christians” at church, but at home, work, and in their recreational life, they are not Christians. Those “Christians” are fooling themselves and are giving their adversary a lot to work with against them!
  2. Be diligent! Again, the Amplified states that we are to “be alert and cautious at all times.” This means, we should know the enemy and be mindful of how he acts. Don’t be afraid, just be alert. Years ago, I used to love to watch JAG, a military drama about their law division. Rabb, a JAG lawyer, had a nemesis named Palmer, whom he was finally able to get locked up. In one episode, Palmer was in jail claiming to have seen the light. He promised to help the authorities to find the victims from his crimes. No strings attached, he just wanted families to have closure. But what he really wanted was an opportunity to break out of prison. Rabb didn’t believe him for one second! He refused to believe that Palmer had “seen the light” and wanted to make restitution for his ways. Because of Rabb’s diligence, he was one step ahead of Palmer; and when Palmer tried to escape, Rabb was able to stop his plan and put him back in prison. That has stuck with me all of these years. And it is so applicable to our lives and how we are to be when dealing with the devil! We have to be watchful where he is concerned in order to enforce his defeat! He doesn’t change his goal, or his strategies, just the outward appearance of how he comes. When we know how he operates, and are watchful, waiting for his attacks, we will be on the alert against him, his demons, and anything they throw at us! Glory!
  3. Know that he is “looking” for someone to devour! It doesn’t have to be you! God pointed this out to me years ago, when someone whom I thought was “the one to look up to spiritually” got involved in some ungodly activities. I was so shaken that I made the comment, if that person fell, surely I couldn’t live for God! God told me that simply was not true. The devil will always be looking, but we didn’t have to be in a place where he could devour us! I was set free from my fear of the devil, and am not worried about him drawing me away from the Lord! When he looks at me, all I want him to see is the Blood of Jesus!
  4. Resist him steadfast in the faith! Don’t roll over and play dead! Actively resist him. Allow your faith in Christ to be your shield against him! Remember the young lady who had the “poltergeist” experience in her home? They opened the door because they were operating in their flesh, and not in faith! They didn’t resist the devil, they embraced the devil. Actively respond when under attack. When a lie comes to you, refute it with the Living Word of God. When oppression comes, rejoice in the Lord, and break those chains! Remember, our Savior, Jesus, has already beaten him! He whipped him up, tied a noose around his neck, and made a public spectacle of him in the heavenlies! Our Savior, and Elder Brother don’t take his mess and the devil knows it! Now the devil needs to be made aware that neither do we!!

  
  Don’t be scared of the devil! He’s our defeated foe because Jesus defeated him already! God is greater than he is! Jesus saw him kicked out of heaven! I imagined He had a good laugh over that one! But needless to say, Jesus is unruffled by what the kingdom of darkness comes up with. And He wants us to be just as strong in Him, and in the power of His might! Fully armored, ready for any attack, and fully enforcing the defeat of the enemies of the kingdom of God! Jesus holds the keys to our victory and Satan’s defeat! Again, be sober, be watchful, resist him, and he will flee! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Deliverance, demonic activity, Jesus, Satan, the devil | 0 Comments | Tagged adversary, be diligent, be sober, Believer, Christian, defeated foe, Deliverance, enemy, Faith, Jesus, more than conquerors, overcoming the devil, Satan, Spiritual warfare, the devil, Victorious Living, victory

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