 Ephesians 5:18 ESV And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
Do you really want to be filled with the Holy Spirit and receive all that He gives? We said that first WE MUST BE THIRSTY for the things of God. Secondly, after being thirsty, WE MUST BELIEVE THE PROMISES OF GOD and His Word. Third we said that WE MUST BE SURE OF OUR SALVATION. This may seem strange but there are people who are addicted to church and Holy Ghost meetings who have never been born again. The fourth thing is to settle this question in our hearts. "WHO IS GOING TO BE EXALTED"? God the Father wants us to be filled in the Spirit more than we want to be filled in the Spirit. But the manifested presence of God our Father is not for our benefit so that we can have "goose-bumps", "liver-shivers", and "do-dads" running up and down our spine. The Lord God of the universe desires to be exalted and given honor from our lives. It is not a "feel-good" session. It is a demonstration of the power of God in and through His children for His glory. Being filled with the Person of the Holy Spirit is not for manifesting our spirituality and piety but manifesting the glory of His presence through our weakness with fear and trembling. Remember, the #1 reason the Holy Spirit came and His #1 job was to REVEAL & TAKE US TO JESUS. The #1 reason the Son came and His #1 job was to REVEAL & TAKE US TO THE FATHER. 1 Corinthians 2:2-5 ESV (2) For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (3) And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, (4) and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, (5) so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
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2 Corinthians 10:3-6 ESV (3) For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. (5) We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, (6) being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
Paul writes to the church and says that the weapons of OUR WARFARE are not carnal (fleshly) but different in that they are mighty through God to the destruction of Satan's strongholds. Note what these weapons do: PULL DOWN =====> STRONG HOLDS CAST DOWN =====> IMAGINATIONS CAST DOWN =====> EVERY HIGH THING THAT EXALTS ITSELF AGAINST GOD. CAPTURES =====> EVERY THOUGHT TO CHRIST Isn't it interesting that most Christians live as though they had no offensive weapons at all. Never do they attack the enemy. They spend their lives fending off the attacks of the enemy cringing in their corners like powerless weaklings. It is time to WAKE UP! It is time PULL DOWN, CAST DOWN, CAST OUT, BIND, REBUKE, RESIST, ROUT, AND SPOIL the enemy's encampments before he entrenches himself in our back yards! This war takes place in the realm of prayer. Here is what we are commanded to do to Satan through prayer: 1. BE STRONG IN THE LORD! BE BULLISH! - Eph.6:10 2. PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD - Isa.59:16-19; Eph.6:11-18 3. BIND THE ENEMY is Jesus Name - Matt.18:18-20; Matt.12:29 4. RESIST HIS EFFORTS - Jam.4:7; I Pet.5:9 5. CLAIM THE BLOOD of Jesus as your power and safety - Rev.12:11; I Jn.4:4 6. DECLARE THE LOOSING OF CAPTIVES - Lk.4:18; Lk.13:16 7. PULL DOWN his STRONGHOLDS - II Cor.10:3-5 8. ASK AND TRUST IN GOD'S HEDGE AROUND YOU - Ez.22:30; Ps.34:7; Ps.91:1-2 9. COMMAND HIM TO LEAVE - CAST HIM OUT! - Matt.10:1; Matt.16:23 10. REBUKE HIM IN JESUS NAME - Matt.8:26; Matt.17:18; Jude 1:9 It is only when we stand in our own righteousness that we should be afraid to stand before the enemy, for our righteousnesses are as "FILTHY RAGS" but the righteousness of Christ is called the "BREASTPLATE (metal jacket) OF RIGHTEOUSNESS."  Do you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit and receive all that He gives? We said that first WE MUST BE THIRSTY for the things of God. The next step after being thirsty is that WE MUST BELIEVE THE PROMISES OF GOD and His Word. If I am thirsty for the manifested presence of God and really believe in His promises, what can I expect from God? What is expected of me by God?
(Isaiah 55:1 ESV) "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Isaiah 55:2 ESV) Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. (Isaiah 55:3 ESV) Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. (1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV) The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. According to Is.55:1-3 that which I need to quench my soul cannot be purchased by my own resources and cannot be earned. I must hear and obey the Word of God. The natural man (LOST) cannot hear or receive the things of God. I must make sure that I am saved. Paul says that we must examine ourselves. I cannot walk as a Spirit-filled man if all I possess is a false religion and empty profession. There are 5 evidences of salvation that I can apply to my life to ensure that I am saved. #1. Biblical Testimony-I have a time and experience of asking Christ in my life. Rom.10:9-10, 13 #2. Internal Evidence of the Spirit-The Holy bears witness with our spirit that we are saved. Rom.8:15-16 #3. External Evidence of Fruit-All believers must manifest the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which is the character of God. All unbelievers can never manifest the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Gal.5:22-23 #4. Fraternal Evidence-All true believers will love the brothers. If not, they are liars. 1 Jn.2:9-11; 4:20-21 #5. Paternal Evidence-All true believers will be spanked by the Father if in sin. Heb.12:5-11 These 5 evidences or witnesses to salvation are explained in detail in my book "THE FIVE WITNESSES OF SALVATION" If I have these 5 evidences by faith, then by that same faith I can walk daily as a Spirit-filled man.
We need to be actively engaged in spiritual warfare. If not then we are losing the battles because the enemy is always active in warfare against us. The days in which we live are filled with every form of immorality and violence. Christians are becoming needless casualties of war because of their failure to enter into the battle. No one is safe on the sideline.
In the previous posts we said to... Part 1: BE STRONG in the Lord Part 2: BE CLOTHED with the armor of God. Part 3: BE CLOTHED with the armor of God. Part 4: BE AGGRESSIVE in prayer. Part 5: BE FIRM against the enemy. today in #6..we need to BE INTENTIONAL In part 6 we will see that we need to BE INTENTIONAL about praying down his strongholds. 1. Intentional against the stronghold of thoughts and imaginations: 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 ESV (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. (5) We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 2. Intentional against the stronghold of false angels of light: 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ESV (13) For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. (14) And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (15) So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. 3. Intentional against the stronghold of people ensnared and captive by the enemy: 2 Timothy 2:25-26 ESV correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, (26) and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. 4. Intentional against the stronghold of things and nature: Mark 11:23-24 ESV Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. (24) Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Matthew 8:24-27 ESV And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. (25) And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing." (26) And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. (27) And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?" 5. Intentional against the stronghold of diseases. Luke 4:39 ESV And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them. 2 Corinthians 12:7 ESV So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.
Ephesians 5:18 ESV And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
Acts 11:22-24 ESV The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. (23) When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, (24) for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. What kind of testimony do you want people to speak concerning your Christian life? What an incredible testimony Paul and Luke had of Barnabas. Barnabas was known as a man full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. Wow, incredible testimony of the life of our Lord Jesus Christ living in and through a man. The ongoing question has been, "Do you really want to be filled with the Holy Spirit and receive all that He gives?" We said that first we must be thirsty for the things of God. After being thirsty for the things of God we said that we must believe the promises of God and His Word. I would like to continue on the need to be thirsty for the THINGS of God. It is typical when a person is thirsty to try all kinds of things to satisfy that thirst. I know believers right now who are thirsty and they are trying the things the world offers to satisfy the desire of the soul. They try to quench that desire with things such as improper relationships, religious tradition, emotional or physical bonds with someone, religious activity, or social and economic success. Our Lord promised that the Father would give us a Comforter who would satisfy all the desires of our body, soul, and spirit. When I feel lonely He will be there to quench that thirst to be with someone. When I feel fear He will be there to quench that thirst for security and safety. When I feel confused or deceived He will be there to quench that thirst for truth. The key is call upon and trust God, the Holy Spirit to be in us what our Lord Jesus Christ promised He would be. John 14:16-17 ESV And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, (17) even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
In the previous posts we said to...
Part 1: BE STRONG in the Lord Part 2: BE CLOTHED with the armor of God. Part 3: BE CLOTHED with the armor of God. Part 4: Be AGGRESSIVE in prayer. Now in Part 5 we will speak about being FIRM against the enemy. I have met many believers who have the idea that if they ignore the enemy then the enemy will ignore them. How foolish to embrace such a lie. We have not be given armor to stand against the enemy just so we can stick our heads in the sand and hope for the best. We are called to submit to God and to draw close to God and resist the demons. James 4:7-8 ESV Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (8) Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. BE FIRM: Ephesians 6:13 ESV Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. The word "firm" in the Greek is histemi pronounced his-tay-mee. It is the continual and prolonged position of standing, holding up, or abiding. It is a firm belief that God is with you and will protect you as you stand against the enemy in faith. 2 Kings 6:16 ESV He said, "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 1. Therefore we need to stand firm in RESISTING THE ENEMY: James 4:7 ESV Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 2. We need to stand firm in REBUKING THE ENEMY: Matthew 17:18 ESV And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. Jude 1:9 ESV But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you." 3. We need to stand firm in BINDING THE ENEMY: Matthew 18:18-20 ESV Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (19) Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. (20) For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." Matthew 12:29 ESV Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. 4. We need to stand firm in COMMANDING THE ENEMY: Matthew 10:1 ESV And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. Matthew 16:23 ESV But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."
The promises of God are "Yes and Amen". Our Lord Jesus Christ promised that out of our bellies would flow rivers of living waters. Is this true? It is the Word of God, therefore it can not be anything but truth.
2 Corinthians 1:20 ESV For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. John 7:37-39 ESV On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. (38) Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" (39) Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Numbers 23:19 ESV God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Therefore, if there is no river of living waters flowing out who can we blame? Obviously we need to look at our own lives and realize that something must be wrong if the Word is not working in and through us as our Lord promised that it would. We need to be thirsty to allow the Holy Spirit to fill us and we become a river of living waters. The thirst we need is not a thirst in our inner most being that says "we could take it or leave it." It is not a double-minded wishy-washy mentality. A Christian not walking in the Spirit is trying to please God and the world at the same time which cannot happen. James 1:5-8 ESV If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (6) But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. (7) For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; (8) he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 2 Peter 2:17-18 ESV These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. (18) For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 1 Kings 18:21 ESV And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." And the people did not answer him a word. Isaiah 29:13 ESV And the Lord said: "Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, It is a good day to choose to WALK IN THE SPIRIT.
We need to know how and when to do warfare. Back in the 1960's to 2000 spiritual warfare was typically a job done by the few professionals but not something the average Christian was interested in becoming involved with. The times which we now live has left us no choice in the matter. We must enter the fight or die as a by-stander.
The old teaching that demons will leave us alone if we leave them alone is not only insane false teaching but incredibility incorrect. The demons are constantly seeking whom they can devour. Passive Christianity opens the doors to demonic attack and demonic victory. We must know how to STAND STRONG. It is also imperative that we learn how to be CLOTHED in the whole armor of God and know what each piece is used for. In the first 2 posts we said to... BE STRONG in the Lord BE CLOTHED with the armor of God. The third stage of spiritual WARFARE is to be AGGRESSIVE. This means that we need to learn how to Wrestle in prayer. The language of Eph.6:12 leads us to believe that we have entered into the wrestling match. Ephesians 6:12 ESV For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 1. In going to war we need not find ourselves in a position that there is no intercessor: Isaiah 59:16 ESV He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. 2. In going to war we need not find ourselves in a position that because of sin no one calls on the Lord in wrestling intercession: Isaiah 64:6-7 ESV We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. (7) There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities. 3. In going to war we need not find ourselves in a position that God couldn't find one person who would stand in the gap for the city. Ezekiel 22:30 ESV And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. 4. In going to war we need to find ourselves following behind a company of those who truly know how to praise the Father. 2 Chronicles 20:21-22 ESV (21) And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, "Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever." (22) And when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. 5. In going to war we need to know that we have the Apostolic and Prophetic lifting up their arms to God on our behalf. Exodus 17:11-12 ESV Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. (12) But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 6. In going to war we need to ensure that we have raised a standard before the Lord, before the people of God and against the enemy. THIS IS MY FAVORITE: Jer.51:27 is where my ministry, RAISING THE STANDARDS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES (RSIM) received her name. Jeremiah 51:12 ESV "Set up a standard against the walls of Babylon; make the watch strong; set up watchmen; prepare the ambushes; for the LORD has both planned and done what he spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon. Jeremiah 51:27 ESV "Set up a standard on the earth; blow the trumpet among the nations; prepare the nations for war against her; summon against her the kingdoms, Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz; appoint a marshal against her; bring up horses like bristling locusts.
In the first 2 posts we said to...
BE STRONG BE CLOTHED Ephesians 6:11-18 ESV Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (14) Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. (16) In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; (17) and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, (18) praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 1. Helmet of salvation - Eph 2:8-9 / Ps 34:2 1 Thessalonians 5:8-9 ESV (8) But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. (9) For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2. Vest of righteousness - Zech. 3:1-5 Isaiah 59:17 ESV He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak. 3. Belt of Truth - 1 Peter 1:13 Isaiah 11:5 ESV Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins. 4. Boots of Gospel - Romans 16:20 / Is 52:7/ Is 40:31 Romans 10:15 ESV And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" 5. Sword of Spirit/Word of God - Hebrews 4:12 Hebrews 4:12 ESV For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Revelation 1:16 ESV In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. Revelation 2:16 ESV Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 6. Shield of faith (Shield and Buckler) Psalm 91:4 Proverbs 18:10 ESV The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.  DESPERATION THIRST:
Do you really want to be filled with the Holy Spirit and receive all that He gives?" We said that first we must be thirsty for the things of God. This is the kind of desperate thirst that chooses to walk away from the worldly pleasures of life. The kind of thirst that would drive us to sell all we have to attain the field with the hidden treasure. The kind of thirst that would cause us to pant like a deer pants for the water. It is a desperation of the soul and spirit that says I must have it or die. It is a thirst that feels we are so in need of spiritual water that our tongue cleaves to the roof of our mouth. God we are thirsty for YOU and YOUR presence. Psalms 42:1-2 ESV To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah. As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. (2) My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? Matthew 13:44 ESV "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Romans 8:5-8 ESV 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 set their minds on the things of the Spirit. (6) For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. (7) For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. (8) Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Galatians 5:16 ESV But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Father, forgive us for not having spiritual thirst.
There are a lot of cravings among believers in the days which we live. There are cravings for food, drink, love, popularity, riches, fame, attention, pleasure, and power. I cry every time I see a believer overcome by these cravings and walk away from the Lord.
Many times the cravings and lust in the heart for the world, the things of the world, and personal satisfaction exceeds thirst for the things of God and for His truth. Those who give in to the lust of the heart use justification and every possible excuse outside of themselves for why they are where they are emotionally, relationally, spiritually, financially, socially, and mentally. We live in a day of excuses and the victim mentality. I have seen believers ask God for the right thing morality, socially, and spiritually and then when they receive it they use that very thing which was an answered prayer, as an excuse to be a victim to it. We are called to walk in the Spirit without excuses. My spouse, my children, my job, my church and my health cannot be used as an excuse for us walking in the flesh and making decisions outside of the will of God. It states in the book of James that all lust starts in the heart of man. James 1:13-15 ESV Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. (14) But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. (15) Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. When we are not in the Spirit we are in the flesh and fulfilling the lust of the flesh. This is the root of wars and fighting among believers. James 4:1-3 ESV What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? (2) You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. (3) You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. When we walk in the spirit we are pleasing the Father and doing His will. When we are walking in the flesh we are fulfilling the lustful desires of the flesh. These fleshly lusts war against our soul, which is the way we think (our thoughts), the way we feel (our emotions) and the way we choose (our will). 1 Peter 2:11 ESV Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 1 John 2:15-17 ESV Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. (17) And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. How I long to see the Body of Christ to thirst after God and make the hard decisions to deny self. I cry out for the command of our Lord in Revelation to be a reality within the lives of many believers before it is to late. Revelation 3:17-18 ESV For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. (18) I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
In part 1 we said that in spiritual warfare we need to be strong:
1. BE STRONG: Eph.6:10 Ephesians 6:10-12 ESV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. We need to know... Our Position in Christ: How to use the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ: The power of the blood of our Lord: Now we will look at point two 2. BE CLOTHED: Eph.6:11 Ephesians 6:11 ESV Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Zechariah 4:6 ESV Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. 2 Chronicles 20:15 ESV And he said, "Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, 'Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's. We need to know how to STAND IN THE ARMOR: The battle is not ours to win, but it is ours to fight. The Lord has won the battle. We have read the end of the Book and know how it all ends. But we are called to arm ourselves and stand in the battle. There need not be any casualties of war because we were passive and unarmed. We are not dressed in armor to defend our picket fence because we are called not to just a defensive position. There need not be any casualties of war because we charged ahead of God in the flesh or in sin. We are called to be aggressive in offensive and take the land. Isaiah 54:17 ESV no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV (3) For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. (5) We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, The next lesson we will break down the different parts of the armor.
It goes without saying that things are heating up in the world. We have wars and rumors of wars. We have false economic stability with certain people making millions while economic disaster is hanging over the head of the world. In America we have a government gone wild and a media that cannot be trusted with even telling us what time of the day it is.
Things are moving so fast that many feel like they are on a roller coaster ride that won't stop. It seemed like fun the first 30 seconds but now the heart and head can't take any more thrills and uncertain free falls. What about the Christian in all this? What are we to think and feel in all this chaos and uncertainty? There are many “growth areas” and “growth stages” within the life of a Christian. But there is a place that one can go in the Lord that the believer sets his face like a flint and in his heart he settles the issue once and for all. It is the place called “I can’t go back”. Isaiah 50:5 ESV The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward. Isaiah 50:7 ESV But the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. THE PLACE CALLED: "I CAN’T GO BACK" We know from studying the Scriptures that many believers will fall away from the faith, (2 Thess.2:1-3, Matt.24:10-13). However, there is a place and a price to pay to get to the place where we become disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ and we know that we can’t go back to the world or the ways of old Adam. The place called "I can't go back" is not a secret place that is hidden by our Lord. Although one who think so because it is seldom spoken about and even less practiced among believers. I guess then the only right thing for me to do as a Pastor would be to reveal the Scriptures describing the place. In the Scriptures we will see the place and the price of the place. If we settle this in reality of our inner most man we will set our face like a flint before the Lord and nothing or no one will be able to cause our heart to faint away. Then we are in the place of "I can't go back". Luke 14:26-27 ESV "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. (27) Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33 ESV So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. We cannot lose what we do not have or own. If we have it or own it and we place great value on it, then it will draw our heart away so that we don't lose it. There is no room for anything else when we are cross bearing and living in the place of "I can't go back." If we cannot find the place of "I can't go back" then I only have three words left to say... 'REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE".  Do you really want to be filled with the Holy Spirit and filled with all that He gives? I am not speaking about the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, but being yielded up to a daily walk with the Person of the Holy Spirit. This is also called "walking in the Spirit."
(Ephesians 5:18 ESV) And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, First, we must be thirsty for the things of God. There is a great thirst in the church today among believers, however it is not always for the things of God. It seems to be a thirst for self-gratification, which creates a desire or lust to "use God" for a "spiritual high." There is a thirst for entertainment whereby we seek the new song, the fresh Holy Spirit buzz, or the newest media church seeker-friendly gimmick. Our heavenly Father is not to be used for our sensual desires but He is to be enjoyed in deep relationship and true fellowship. It is His desire to anoint us with His presence in the Person of the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 ESV For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Matthew 5:6 ESV "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. John 7:37-39 ESV On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. (38) Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" (39) Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Isaiah 55:1 ESV "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. TO BE CONTINUED...
Some men die by shrapnel,
Some men die in the flames; But most men die inch by inch and minute by minute, Playing their silly little games. 1. BE STRONG: Eph.6:10 Ephesians 6:10-12 ESV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 2. KNOW YOUR POSITION IN CHRIST: Eph.2:6 Ephesians 1:18-22 ESV having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, (19) and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might (20) that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, (21) far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. (22) And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, Ephesians 2:6 ESV and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 3. USE THE NAME OF JESUS: Lk.10:17 Luke 10:17 ESV The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" Acts 16:18 ESV And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour. 4. USE THE BLOOD OF JESUS: Revelation 12:11 ESV And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. |
AuthorCharles Morris. Founder and Senior Pastor of RSI Ministry, RSI School of Ministry, and RSI Publishing L.L.C.. Archives
March 2021
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