JUST HOLD ON

 

There are so many times in our lives, when it seems we are walking through Hell. When one thing after another comes flying against us. Then comes the year 2020, and the fires are raging; fires of fear, of what else can go wrong, will we make it. Guestions: how long will this last, what should I do to prepare for the coming days, crying out to God how much longer before we are set free from this wickedness, the evil of this world?

So what do we do? We turn to His word, we remember His promises, we see the world around us and we remember, His faithfulness, His goodness, He promised He would not leave us nor forsake us, He said the enemy will not prevail against His church. Jesus has redeemed us from the wrath to come, Jesus has provided His armor as we face the enemy and God has said "I will be your rear guard". That right there is why our armor does not cover our back side, because God, Himself covers our backside. He has said we are overcomers, because He (Jesus) overcame so can we. He said we are more than conquerors, He said we can do all things in Christ who strengthens us. He said greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world, He said we are in the world; yet, not of the world. He said we are seated in heavenly places with Him, He said He came to give us life an abundant life. He said count it all joy when you fall into various trials. He said I Am your Strong Tower, I Am your Shield and your Buckler, I Am your Defender, I Am you Deliverer, I Am your Provider, I Am your soon coming King. He said when you see the signs coming in great number, wars, signs within nature, sickness spreading like wild fires, pestilences, people will be offended. When we see the condition of the world in terrible moral condition, when we see the very corruption of Doctrine, then we can know the Antichrist is ready to step on the scene, and He says to His bride "When you see all these things taken place, look up your redemption is near.

And because we have this hope we HOLD ON and we keep HOLDING ON!

The world, the lost, the unbelieving, those who have rejected the Truth, the Way, the Life which is Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God, you have no hope! God's wrath will fall on you! But wait! There is stil hope, for if you do not know Christ as your Savior, He is speaking to you right now, the Holy Spirit is drawing on your heart and calling your name saying "Come"! You may be in the Valley of Decision, Satan is trying to to convince you that you are okay, that you don't need a Savior, that this God, this Savior is not real, what does He care for me. Oh my friend He loves you, He came for you, He died and took your sin on Himself on the cross. He rose from the dead that death will have no hold on you. Today while the Holy Spirit is drawing on your heart, do not harden your heart and reject God's call of salvation.

HEBREWS 13:5, MATTHEW 16:18,

EPHESIANS 6:11, ISAIAH 52:12,

1 JOHN 2:12-14 & REVELATION 10:11

ROMANS 8:37, PHILIPPIANS 4:13,

JOHN 17:16, 1 JOHN 4:4, EPHESIANS 2:6

JOHN 10:10, PSALM 61:1-4, JOHN 16:33,

JAMES 1:2, JOHN 16:33, JOHN 17:16,

PSALM 91:1-16 & PSALM 27:1-14

1 JOHN 2:11, LUKE 21:7-19 & 25-28

MATTHEW 24:4-13,

1 THESSALONIANS 1:10, ROMANS 3:23

JOHN 3:16,  ACTS 4:12,

REVELATION 1:7-8

This post today was to encourage you in these troubling times. As we see prophecy being fulfilled, we also can see God moving on our behalf. This is the time to kneel before our Jesus, lift up our hands and our hearts and surrender to His will. 

TESTIMONY: During these past 6 months I have experienced the pain of the Refiner's Fire, and the peace of surrender. I have gotten angry over the affairs of the wickedness of what is being played out in front of our eyes, I have prayed "Lord give America more time", and I have also been very aware the God's word says "judgment begins in His house"! His judgment on His church, is not for our harm but to turn us back to Him, to awaken us from our slumber, and to be about our Father's business. To share the Good News of the gospel of Christ. 

The spirit of Elijah will fall upon the remnant to prepare the way for the coming of Christ. We must open our eyes, our ears and our mouths. Social media is a tool that can be used by satan and it can be used as a tool by Christ Jesus, to encourage, inspire and lead the lost to Him. It will be what you make it. Choose wisely.

HE'S COMING ARE YOU READY?

 

LUKEWARM, CARNAL WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN!

Since 1974, I have heard two terms for Christians that are described as 

1. Carnal Christian, meaning a Christian still operating in the flesh

2. Lukewarm Christian, meaning a complacent Christian.

But do they really exist, or have I missed it? So I began a journey in God's word to learn is there such a thing as those types of Christians.

So first let's look at the definitions:

Carnal means: pertaining to or characterized by the flesh or the body, its passions and appetites, sensual, carnal pleasures, not spiritual; merely human; temporal, worldly, a person of secular, rather carnal in their leanings.

Now does any of that definition sound like a Christian?

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.

The word says something happens when we are born again. We are made new! Yes in the beginning we are babes in Christ, and many remain babes for their whole lives; they received, in faith and believing in Christ Jesus as their Savior, but they never mature because they don't allow themselves to surrender daily to the cross, they don't stay daily in the word to have their minds transformed, or stay regular in church to be strengthened. They know Jesus as the Savior but have failed to recognize Him as their Lord. But is this the same as carnal?

Romans 8:5-9 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are of the flesh cannot please God. But you are not of the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ he is not His.

1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

A Carnal man is a natural man an unbeliever. So why have we associated a Christian as being carnal? This verse may give us a clue:

1 Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as carnal, as to babes in Christ.

In this verse Paul was not saying they were carnal Christians, he was saying that because of their behavior he had to go back to the basics and speak to them as if they were unbelievers or at the lest babies in Christ. 

Does this mean that a Christian never acts like a carnal person, or operates in their flesh; of course not, in fact we do often act like an unbeliever, but that should never be our lifestyle. A moment and the way we live each day is totally different.

What I am seeing through the written word is: there is no such thing as a CARNAL CHRISTIAN! Because you are either a believer or an unbeliever, you can't be both.

Now what is the definition of Lukewarm: moderately warm, having or showing little ardor, zeal, or enthusiasm, indifferent, no conviction.

There is only one place in God's word that this word is mentioned and wouldn't you know it is in the letters to the churches found in Revelation 3:14-22,

Let us look at the city of Laodicea, they received hot water from about five miles away. It came through wooden pipes they had learned to make from the Romans. But the problem was by the time it reached them it was neither hot nor cold but lukewarm, meaning "not fresh", and rendered "useless". They were a wealthy coastal city,  arrogant who believed they had enough. One of the cities great achievements was the manufacturing of "eye salve".

Jesus addresses them according to those things they hold dear. I remembered a message from several years ago on; "Never tell God you have enough". From Genesis 33:9, returning home to reunite with his brother Esau, unsure if Esau would want to harm him, Jacob brought an abundance of gifts to bless him with. But look at what Esau says:

Genesis 33:9 But Esau said, "I have enough, my brother keep what you have for yourself."

Oh Esau, the brother who placed such little value on his his birthright that he sold it to Jacob for a meal.

 Esau represents the natural man, who was satisfied with all he had accomplished, that is where we see the church of Laodicea, they were wealthy and full of themselves, believing in their prosperity achieved by their on works, you might say that wealth was their god. Look at verse 18 Jesus says to buy refined gold from Him. We know that refined gold represents our Christian walk with Jesus being in the Refiner's fire to purify the infirmities in us. This church apparently had not submitted to the Refiner's fire for purification. When the word "buy" was used I immediately thought of two scriptures; one in Matthew 25 the parable of the 5 wise and the 5 foolish virgins. The foolish had no oil in their lamps and were told by the wise "you go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves." While they were gone the Bridegroom came and they were left behind. Again this one in

 Isaiah 55:1 Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.

This verse is a call to salvation. But it appears that the word buy and without money were contracting one another. Because we know that salvation is a free gift purchased for us by the blood of Jesus. Yet here are three different scriptures that use this little word "buy", how can one buy something that is a gift freely given? So I searched what does "Buy" mean in the Hebrew, among the many words found, we find these two little words for the meaning: "Acquire, and Redeem"!  What Jesus is saying to the virgins and Laodicea and in Isaiah "Go and receive what I have already provided"! Isaiah announcing a future coming of the Messiah, the 5 foolish virgins had waited too late, they had all the opportunity to acquire the gift, but they slept, ate, partied while the Master delayed and missed their opportunity. And to the End Time church, "In your self-sufficiency, you have never placed yourselves in My sufficiency, therefore, you never knew My supremacy." See that little verse everyone quotes, referencing Jesus knocking on the heart of the unbeliever, yet here is the quote and it is to the Laodicea church, "Behold I stand at the door and knock"!  Why was He knocking? Because He wasn't in them and He was saying "If anyone hears My voice and opens the door I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me".

Many say this church represents the Apostate church at the end of the church age. Though we associate the word church to the corporate building, we must also remember we, you and I are the church. So we ask ourselves "Where have I placed my faith, in Christ or in myself, my achievements? Do I have real biblical convictions or opinions? Am I more in tune with the world rather than Jesus? Do You know my name?" The Apostate leaves their faith when the times get tough, because they have no root, they claimed they were saved but in reality they weren't. Remember the parable of the sower of the seed, Matthew 13.

Can a Christian become complacent, can the fire within them be quenched, like someone poured water on the Holy Spirit, can a Christian become lazy in their prayer life, church attendance, bible reading; can a Christian fall into sin, walk in dry places, find themselves in a wilderness? Yes we can!  BUT WE MUST NOT STAY THERE! The longer we keep ourselves away from God's house, His people, His word, prayer, His presence, the fire within us will grow dimmer and dimmer. But they are saved,

I am afraid many will hear these words:

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. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesized in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!

You see just like the end time church, of Laodicea, many may think "I attend church, I sing songs, I lift my hands, I serve and give," some are prominent in the church, hold even high positions" but they only know of Jesus, they have never entered in a saving relationship with Jesus the Son of God.

No there is not a LUKEWARM CHRISTIAN, the title "Lukewarm Church" as a heading is a title man gave that section, not Jesus. So digest these scriptures to really see what God is saying. Remember Jesus VOMITED THEM OUT OF HIS MOUTH! In all the other letters even the one titled "dead church" Jesus had something good to say about their works, except this one church, not one good thing was mentioned.  

Now is the time to examine your heart, do you know Him, or do you know of Him? If you have drifted away from your first Love, by putting life before Him, then come quickly back to Him, if you have ran headlong into the wilderness of the world, then turn come running back! 

Notice in the Revelation verses, Jesus says they are naked and to buy garments of white. Nakedness is the exposing of sin, only the saved wear the garments of white. We are clothed in the righteousness of Christ, that is our garments of white. Before we were saved our righteousness was as filthy rags. In verse 21 it says "To him who overcomes" how do we overcome? One of my favorite verses:

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

A Christian is not and should never be considered Lukewarm in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Yet too many take their relationship with Jesus for granted and casual. If that has become who you are then perhaps it is time to examine your own heart.

Many will not agree with this, and that is okay. But I suggest that you go read and search these scriptures and dig into God's word, don't just take anyone's word for it. Perhaps it is merely to recognize we put terms and labels out there even within the church, just like in the secular world. Is this good to do, does it help us understand better? I don't know!

Be blessed

LOOK UP!

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE) AND ISRAEL TREATY!

Months back not sure if before or after COVID but around the same time frame I said that we must WATCH ISRAEL, that Israel is God's epic center for His timetable. And though we are witnessing across the whole world prophecy being fulfilled, which not going into in this post. Now on the scene has risen a seemingly great peace deal between the United Arab Emirates and Israel brokered with our President Trump. It is called historic, and is. In my research every president has attempted to bring a peace deal between Palestine and Israel and ultimately failed. But this one, appears to be a good deal. NOTE: The treaty itself is between The United Arab Emirates, not Palestine. But in its writing, Palestine has a place that benefits them. You will see that in a moment.

Let's look at the treaty and then the Word. This treaty is to normalize the Arab nations and Israel and will give both benefits they can share in many things, including military aid and healthcare. It also means travel between Israel and the Arab countries that have agreed to this; Egypt, Jordan and most likely Saudi Arabia will follow quickly as they have been for some time speaking with Israel, travel between the countries will be easier with no passports required, though travel has been easier for some time, it will become more acceptable. It also states that Israel will stop annexing within what Palestine calls their land, the West Bank, which benefits Palestine (this given up land and the possible acknowledging Palestine as a state in the future, will bring repercussions from God). This treaty recognizes the Temple Mount and that it should be opened in one area (in the bible it is called the Court of the Gentiles) for ALL religions to be able to come and pray and worship.

This new treaty is also referred to as: The Abraham Accord because the Muslims believe Abraham is the father of their religion, through Ishmael, the Jews and Christians believe in father Abraham as we (Christians) enter in through our faith in Christ Jesus, as recorded in Romans 4:13-17.

Now that is a short view of the treaty, let's look at what this means prophetically in God's word. Up front let me say this is not the 7 year peace treaty as written about in Daniel 9:27, but in fact could be the forerunner of that coming in the future.

In Joshua (and other times in the Old Testament, other peace agreements between Israel and other nations) we are only looking at the one recorded in Joshua when he made a treaty with the Gibeonites in Joshua 9 & 10. What this treaty (a treaty is a covenant agreement between two or more parties) does in Joshua it says that the Israelites can not attack them nor take their land. It also meant that if the Gibeonites were attacked Israel was obligated to come to their aid and vice versa. 

Now understanding this significance, the Arab countries believe Iran is a threat to both them and Israel. Now let's move forward to Ezekiel, we are told a war is coming in Ezekiel 38 and the nations that have made a coalition to come against and attack Israel.

Looking at the modern names of the ancient nations mentioned, here is what we find:

Russia

Turkey

Iran

The Sudan

Libya

We find Syria is not mentioned but referring to Isaiah 17:1 The burden against Damascus, "Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, And it will be a ruinous heap."

This prophecy shows us a time is at hand when Damascus will cease to exist.

Iraq I have no clue, other than in Ezekiel 38:6 it mentions bringing many people with them.

But let's look at the UAE, the Arab nations.

Ezekiel 38:13 Sheba, Sedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you (the coalition), "Have you come to take blunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder"

In other words because of an existing treaty, they must come to Israel's defense. Theologians have often believed the term "young lions" spoke of America, because we came out of England and we are not an aged nation but young. This 2020 treaty obligates the United States to aid in military aid to the UAE as well as Israel. Now when this war begins no one knows, some say right before the catching away/rapture of the church, or immediately afterwards. But one thing we do know for certain is that according to Ezekiel 39, God, Himself will supernaturally intervene and completely destroy those nations and their armies, without any other army coming to their aid. In Revelation it again mentions Gog and Magog, in here it is speaking of a spiritual warfare against the same principalities and powers of the air, that influenced the leaders that plotted to come against Israel in Ezekiel 38.

I believe the scriptures more accurately teach that the 7 year tribulation is not for the church. It is written that in Christ we are saved from the wrath to come. The tribulation is  God's wrath being poured out on the nations who have denied God's Son and for Christ Jesus to present Himself to His people Israel, who rejected Him.

But this war, of Ezekiel 38 will be the trigger that both brings the Antichrist on the scene and initiate the 7 year peace treaty, of Daniel 9:27, which this peace treaty will bring on the 7 year Tribulation.

Moving on; why is it important not to divide the land of Israel? God gave His people the land, it was the Promise Land given to Abraham. There are many scriptures that elude to the dividing but do not actually say those words. Examples: 

Genesis 12:3 We see how God gives measure for measure; how nations treat Israel is how God will treat those nations, that is why it is important for America to stand with Israel, same meaning we find in what Jesus says in Matthew 7:2.

Joel 3:2 here God does mention the battle at the Valley ofJehoshaphat which is spoken of in Revelation 16:16. This battle of Armageddon takes place in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, which means: God judges.

One more look at the court of the Gentiles on the Temple Mount. This in the treaty assures all religions are free to come into this area and pray and worship without harm. In Luke 21 Jesus begins to talk about the destruction of Jerusalem and then in chapter 22 Jesus begins to talk about the coming of the Son of Man. In Luke 21:24b "And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles is fulfilled." I have heard teaching in the past that has given an indignation this has been fulfilled, yet we nor theologians can not know all things, as God continues to reveal more as prophecy becomes more and more evident. So now I have heard reliable prophetic teachers say this opening up the Temple Mount for different religions is opening up to allow the Gentiles into this "outer court" so to speak and a trampling of the Gentiles. I personally can see this. There will not be a rebuilding of the Jewish Temple until this time has ended and there is a signing of the 7 year tribulation. It is said that already Israel has already collected all the materials they need to build the Temple.

I have heard it said that this treaty would not be good. Me here is how God is showing me as I researched and studied these scriptures and have remembered sound teaching that has come from my pastors. Our God is Sovereign, no one knows the hour or the day, but God is not taken by surprise, God has a timetable and Jesus has instructed His church to watch and pray. God's word has given us what to watch for in both the Old and New Testament. Never should we allow what we see get too us to such a degree that we cannot keep our focus on Christ Jesus our Lord!

God has a Prophetic Timeline, that must come into play. This type of treaty must take place to usher in other events that are coming. Historic yes it is, because both Democrats and Republicans have over the years have attempted this yet failed. Why now? God's timing, God has been revealing to us what will usher in the coming of the Son of Perdition/Antichrist:

 1. The condition of the world will be in a terrible moral condition.

2. Corruption of Doctrine, the falling away of those who called themselves Christians. And the changing of God's word to justify sin. 

When we see all these things mentioned above taken place we can know the Antichrist is set to come on the scene.

What is restraining the Antichrist?

1. The church and our continual prayers.

2. The Holy Spirit and then once the church and the Holy Spirit are removed then and only then will the Antichrist be revealed.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

But we who are Christians, who are followers of Christ, steadfast in our faithfulness, unwavering in our convictions. Are preparing to meet our Bridegroom we have oil in our lamps, fire within us and looking with great expectation to being caught away into the heavens to forever be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

P.S. this is not a political post, it is just providing insight as to the prophetic of this event.

I am neither a theologian, nor a scholar, I am just a lover of the word and enjoy studying God's word. I hope in some small way this simple blog post, encourages you that come what may God is in control so look up 

keep your focus on Jesus.

SATAN, THE SERPENT, & THE SNAKES

 

EVIL AND WICKEDNESS EVERYWHERE!

THE CLOSER IT GETS TO THE COMING OF CHRIST, DEMONIC ACTIVITY WILL INCREASE!

Not knowing where to begin, let's just begin with the beginning. Before we can talk about demon possession, we must first understand there are demons, and there is a leader of the demons. This leader goes by many names; here is only a few:

LUCIFER: (name means morningstar)

Ezekiel 28:13-19, Isaiah 14:12-15

DEVIL: Matthew 4:1

SATAN: 1Chronicles 21:1, Luke 22:31

ANGEL OF LIGHT: 2 CORINTHIANS 11:14-15

ADVERSARY: 1 Peter 5:8

SERPENT: Revelation 12:9

ABADDON: Revelation 9:11

EVIL ONE: 1 JOHN 5:19

BEELZEBUB: Matthew 10:25

So many more scriptures and more names but I will allow you to go a dig some more. 😁

Before I go any further, this blog post is not about believers in Christ, in the post I did last week I covered how as believers we need to guard ourselves from giving place and authority to satan in our lives. Feel free to go back and read the one titled "Who's Knocking At Your Door". This post right now is referring to non believers.

Let's go back in time and see the very first account of demon possession.

Genesis 3 tells of the fall of man, and we will look at who Eve was talking to and the judgment of God against him.

Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?"

Notice in this scripture the serpent was cunning and a beast of the field that God had made. But there was another serpent, also cunning, who had entered into the body of the serpent and was actually speaking, tempting the woman.

NOTE: Until the tower of Babel there was a one language, yes it was a Dr. Dolittle season. 😘

So Eve and her husband, Adam gave into the temptation, and sin entered in. That brings us to God confronting their sin and pronouncing judgement.

Genesis 3:14 So the LORD God said to the serpent (snake): Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.

Right here God places judgment directly on the created beast called a serpent. Now some say that the serpent at one time had legs and some say it was a curse all creation would have because of the fallen world that sin brought. Though it is true that all creation is affected by the fall of man. Me I believe the serpent had legs, in my mind I see a large reptile lizard. I can see this cunning serpent holding onto the tree leaning forward talking to Eve. Then POW just like that judgment came and he fell to the ground and slithered off. Why would God pass Judgment on this serpent and his descendents, because he yielded his body to be used by satan. 

Next God addresses Satan:

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His feet.

This is speaking of Jesus Christ and the death blow He places on Satan at the cross.

Satan also influences nations and people to be tools to divide, to hurt, to destroy and to kill. This is not demon possession, but an influence in ones thinking. When you read the chapters in Isaiah, God addresses certain kings that are actually tools of Satan. A great study and teaching, BUT not for me and this time.

Now know this demons cannot produce offspring with humans, unless they enter in and take possession of a man and then the reproduction with a woman will produce a wicked and evil offspring. We find this in the account of Noah, Genesis 6:1-12, go back and relook at these verses, that term sons of God speaks of the created angels that left when Lucifer sinned. But look at this verse of judgment:

Genesis 6:7 So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I made them.

God saw the wickedness that came because man had yielded their bodies to the fallen angels. But look at verse 8:

Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Grace is God's favor and when we have God's favor we have God's presence. Fast forward to 1 Peter 3:18-20, these verses tell what God did to the fallen angels spoken of in Genesis 6:1-2. Though we know in the word that principalities and powers are in the air, demons are still active today, doing what demons do. These particular demons, are so vile, so evil they are reserved in the bottomless pit to be released upon the nations during the Great Tribulation. Revelation chapter 9.

Now fast, fast forward to the New Testament, Jesus cast out many demons, most of which were, demonic spirits that had brought infirmities, divination, uncleanliness etc. But only one in particular spoke of full demon possession and that was only about 99.99% complete, will explain when we get there. But first look at Matthew 12:43-45, here Jesus tells a parable of an unclean spirit, He tells that when a person has become free of a demonic spirit, yet does not receive the Holy Spirit into his inner man, then the unclean spirit will return with 7 more who are more wicked than himself and his condition worse than before. He then compared it to the present generation. You see without Christ the unbeliever will leave themselves open to great demonic activity within them and will yield their bodies to demons. 

In Matthew 4:1-11 the Holy Spirit lead Him into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. It is also written elsewhere that every temptation Jesus had was the same temptations all have. Notice this in verses 8-9 the devil took Him on a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. He then told Jesus that he would give Him all these things if Jesus would bow down and worship him.

How many throughout history and today have been offered this same offer from Satan and have accepted his offer and bowed down to worship him. I use the term "sold their soul to the devil"! No redemption will be found for these. WHAT, God's grace is for everyone, hmmmmm but what does His word say. I will only use one of many, for times sake.

Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.

When it says God gave them over to a debased mind it means no redemption. Now we know of many who have practiced witchcraft, satanism and other cult things, and practices mentioned in this chapter do come to know Jesus and are set free. My personal believe is that though they may have participated and practiced such things they had not given themselves over to it completely, there was this small window of hope.

One more and waited to the last. The man possessed with a legion of demons. There are up to 4,000 demons in a legion, in this case there were 2,000 pigs involved, so it was either 2 demons per pig or only 2,000 demons. 

Mark 5:1-20, here is an account who was possessed. He had separated himself from family and friends, he was living in the tombs, a place for dead things, he was violent and very strong, he was naked and suicidal. Appeared completely uncontrollable, possessed and tormented. But Jesus cast out all the demons and he was left in his right mind, FREE! How was a man so possessed able to be set completely free? 

Mark 5:6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshipped Him.

There was still two things seen here the man still had some of his will that had not yielded and he still had a glimmer of hope. He desired help.

Deliverance is available to one who is possessed, but first they have to see and desire freedom, like the man in the tombs and they must seek godly people who believe that Jesus can set them free and are able to pray for them. This is not something that should be practiced by a novice Christian, but by one who is mature and seasoned in the word. Remember not everyone who is demon possessed want deliverance.

This is so long and the teacher in me wants to pull up more scriptures, but I need to sum this up. I believe that there reaches a point when one has yielded themselves completely to the bodily possession of demons or have given their minds completely over to the demonic teachings and walk in them. When they have only evil intent in their hearts, walking always in wickedness then their hearts have become hardened to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and they have now become without hope of redemption and will not find rest in the Lord. You can read this in Hebrews 3:7-11

If you would like to do a study on the different kinds of demonic spirits. Just comment yes.

WHO'S THAT KNOCKING AT YOUR DOOR

 

IF THE DEVIL CAME KNOCKING

In my younger years, I would watch vampire movies, I have since learned not to engage in such stuff. But what I learned in those watching years is this: Vampires may attack you when you outside and not under protection of your home, but they could not attack you in your home unless you invited them inside. And they would present themselves as something other than what they really were.

How are we protected from the Devil? Of course you and I will answer by the blood of Christ. Approximately nine years ago, I remember my pastor preached a message of which I don't recall being heard by me before. He said something like this "The devil will try to keep you from coming to the cross but once you have knelt before the cross and surrendered to the salvation gift of Christ, you are now covered in the blood of Christ and the devil can't cross the blood line. Plead the blood!" The rest of his message I don't have a clue what he said nor the scriptures he used. But that is how God works, each person in the service, may receive and hold onto different parts of the message. When I heard the words he spoke, in my spirit I knew it was true, and at the same time my pastors have taught me not just to go by what they say but to search the scriptures and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you. So that is what I did.

We know and have seen in the word, and songs have been written about the power in the blood of the Lamb, the power in His blood to save, to cleanse, to cover, to protect us, to free us from the bondage of sin, it is His blood and our testimony that helps us to overcome, it is His blood that brings us past the veil into the holy of holies, the very throne room of God. It His precious blood poured out for us that gives us eternal life. His blood has wonder working power in our lives. We seldom hear pastors today preaching on pleading the blood. But I plead the blood for protection over my home, my family, my life, my church, my friends. When I pray I pray by the blood of the Lamb and in the name of Jesus.

Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus.

Here is what happened at the cross found in Colossians 2:14-15 I am only typing verse 15:

Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Only two verses of so many that reveal the power of the blood. But what happens when we deal with things in our life; is it consequences of our bad decisions, is it our flesh wanting what we want, is it the devil attacking us? If it is the devil how did he cross the blood of Christ and enter into our home, our family, our lives. Remember what I said about Vampires? We have been given both the power and the authority to rebuke and denounce the devil, but we also can invite him in, by what we think about, see with our eyes, hear with our ears and speak from our mouths. These are the gateways to our inner man, and when we allow access to our inner man, into our homes, our families we just welcomed the devil with our permission.

Ephesians 4:27 nor give place to the devil.

The word for place is topos, and its meaning is "giving ground for demonic activity".

1 Corinthians 10:20-21 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons.

This right here is speaking of more than food, it is speaking of recognizing that false gods do have a demonic spirit attached to them. And even we bring into our home something we call just art, yet is something worshipped in a false religion it has a demonic spirit attached to it and we just allowed it access into our home. Also note Christians cannot be wholly following Christ and dabble into witchcraft and the occult.

Deuteronomy 7:25-26 You shall burn the carved images with fire; you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it; for it is an abomination to the LORD your God. Nor shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you be doomed to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest it and utterly abhor it, for it is an accursed thing.

Seems pretty clear doesn't it. But many Christians of today, have a false understanding of being covered by the blood means nothing can touch us. And that is ABSOLUTELY CORRECT, unless by our own desires and actions we allow our enemy, the devil access to us. We have allowed a gap to open up and expose us to the wiles of the devil.

When we look at James 1:12-15 we see where temptation comes from and its evil plan for our lives. I urge you to read it in its entirety, 

James 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

That word enticed comes from a word we use called "lure". Using a fishing example; a fisherman will use a lure to attract the attention of the fish, to lure them to take the bait and when the fish finds this lure attractive, and would be good to eat, they latch on and GOTCHA and then death. So it is with the devil, he uses something attractive and appealing to our desires and when we grab hold it is a GOTCHA moment. Though we are tempted by the world, our flesh and the devil, God has allowed the temptation to come that He might TEST our faith. And reveal to us both our strength of faith we have and the weakness of our faith. We are always growing in our faith and it is through times when we don't know how we will make it through, or the shame we feel for given in to the lure, that God reveals His grace, mercy and love for us.

Once more I encourage you to read 1 John 2:15-17 because I am only using one verse.

1John 2:16 For all that is in the world---the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life---is not of the Father but is of the world

If we really broke this down, we would see that the devil tactics have not changed since his encounter with Eve in the Garden of Edom. Our flesh, the world and the devil is a daily battle. But through Christ Jesus we have overcome and we can say NO to every temptation, every ungodly fleshly desire, and we in Christ can live humble lives. Yet, often we have found ourselves not saying NO to sin, and the blaming the devil! We have allowed our flesh to rule over our decisions and said "that's just the way I am"! Pride can present itself in many ways, even through false humility, pride in our church, our ministry, our homes, our clothes, our religious beliefs. Often times this word is used which is just another word for pride "Self-righteousness".

How can we stop opening the door when the devil comes knocking? 

1. Pick up our cross daily (surrender to Christ Lordship) Matthew 10:38

2. Renew our minds daily (through the word of God) Romans 12:2

3. Submit and Resist.

James 4:7 Therefore submit to God, Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Two things to notice first we must submit ourselves, our homes, our families to God, then we must resist the devil, that means we do not give place to him, and we learn to use the word NO quickly. Then he will flee.

James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts you double-minded.

We draw near to God as we daily enter into prayer and into His word. That cleansing and purifying is our daily responsibility to guard our thoughts, what we see, what we hear and what we speak.

There is mighty working power in the name of Jesus and by the blood of Jesus. Not ever to be taken lightly or used wrongly. Once more we allow the devil access to our lives because when he knocked we invited him in.

So when the devil comes knocking stop him and declare "Not today devil, I, my family, my home is covered and protected the precious blood of Jesus Christ"! Then cut off the gateway that he is attempting to enter.

Be blessed, stand guard!