Showing posts with label authority. Show all posts
Showing posts with label authority. Show all posts

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Learn the truth, use the authority and break the bonds

BONDAGE:
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: Galations 2:4 (false teachers)
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 18:18
(think about that, if we are in bondage on earth, we are bound in Heaven also!!)
TRUTH:
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32 (John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.)
AUTHORITY:
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19
When we know the truth, we can break free of our bonds (break out of bondage) using the truth and the authority that God gave us through Jesus Christ. Can I get a big amen :) That excites me. There is absolutely NOTHING that God did not make provision for us already!! Our God is truly morethan enough!!
Think of some of the synonyms for saved: rescued, delivered, liberated, set free. Can we add out of bondage after each word? Yes we can!
A true christian believes inwardly and outwardly that Jesus death has allowed God to offer them forgiveness and eternal life as a gift. They have "accepted" that gift through "faith" and are seeking (desiring - not forced) to live a life free of bondage and a life of obedient "gratitude" for what God has done for them.
Many are being led astray by every wind of doctrine and cunning craftiness of men.(Ephes. 4:14)
Mankind is in bondage. Some are in bondage to satan and thus to self and sin. Others are in bondage, held captive by the enemies lies because they don't know the truth. Still others are in bondage to the law or to a legalistic style of Christianity that snuffs the life and joy out of their walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.(excerpt, FREE FROM BONDAGE - GOD'S WAY by Kay Arthur)
Sin has everyone in it's grip. We are trapped (bondage) by sin, beaten down by past mistakes, and choked by desires we know are wrong. God knows we are sin's prisoners, and He has provided a way of escape - faith in Jesus Christ. All are caught in sin's grasp and only those who place their faith in Jesus Christ ever get out of it. Look to Him. He has already paid the price to set you free.
Don't be tossed around by "every wind of doctrine", don't be one of those who only wants to hear the good news of the gospel, don't be a man pleaser (another blog God is giving me). Pray, read, study to show thyself approved - to God, not man. Learn the truth, use the authority, break those bonds. Do not let satan dull your sword, it's your only weapon of defense, he would have you stay in bondage and the more you study and spend time with God, it's guaranteed the more satan will attack. He's had thousands upon thousands of years to plot and plan, compared to our 20, 30, 40, even 70 years some of us have lived. That's why we need Jesus, we need God as our refuge.
God gives us the authority through Jesus to fight the good fight, to overcome and to claim victory, over sin, over death, over bondage. All we have to do is learn it, use it, believe it. Have faith.
Learn the truth, use the authority, break the bonds. In Jesus name.
until next time
His servant
Lord give me an "attitude" of "gratitude" in Jesus name. Amen

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

And that's the Truth (Or is it?)

A perversion or twisting of the truth is more difficult to spot than an outright lie. That's why satan when he sets out to deceive will even quote you scripture. Take it straight to the Word of God and as the Bible says, try the spirits. We live in a time when many who profess to know Jesus really don't hunger and thirst for sound doctrine. In 2 Corinthians, Paul warns that satan masquerades as an angel of light. He (Paul) invokes a curse on any angel who spreads false teaching, actually on anyone!
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
How can we tell when people are twisting the truth? Before accepting any teaching, find out what they teach about Jesus. If any teaching does not match up with the Word of God then it's false. InJohn 17:17, Jesus prayed , "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."
When people think of satan, they see the character drawn in story books and depicted in pictures of an evil looking character with horns and a sharp arrow like tail carrying a pitchfork. Because satan is evil this might be a good example of his character but the Bible says he was one of God's most beautiful angels. Those who know God also know satan for what he truly is. However, if we don't put on the whole armor of God daily we are just as susceptible to satan's pillaging as anyone else, maybe more so because when he is trying to turn a child of God away from God, he is much more subtle. He is an eloquent speaker, pleasing to the eye and the senses. He is evil, but he doesn't appear evil, quite the contrary, he tries to make evil look good. The Bible says he can quote scripture. You know why? Because he was an angel, he knows God's plan and he knows he is going to lose, he doesn't care about winning the battle, he cares about taking as many of God's creation with him as he can. Using someone to twist scripture, bringing doubt in your mind about your faith, using your past against you are just some of the tools he will use to bring about his plan. Satan will use scripture to bring doubt into your mind, he will use scripture to destroy your faith, he will use scripture to justify a wrong, again he will use whatever he can to make evil appear good.
He knows our weaknesses. He will bring up the past, not to rebuke you but to cause the flesh to rise up and want to do things of the past that we've already been forgiven for. Remember if you are being tried, rejoice as Paul did. The bible says (paraphrasing) trials and tests of our faith produces patience. If satan isn't tempting you or attacking you, he isn't worried about you. You are no threat to him!!
If you are no threat to satan, you are no good to God! Don't misunderstand what I'm saying,God loves you-you are His most beloved child. However, satan should tremble when your feet hit the floor (not the other way around). Resist the devil and he will flee. If you aren't resisting him you aren't helping/serving God. Choose ye this day......
That's why it is so important to know the truth, to search out the truth on your own as well as being taught. Effective fervent prayer is communication with the Lord. He will show you the truth, all you have to do is ask.
Again, try the spirits, God will show you the truth in His word and the Holy Spirit will reveal it to you in your prayer life. I pray constantly for God to give me knowledge and understanding of His word for myself and to share with you. I know the seriousness of misleading or teaching someone wrong. As this battle rages my favorite verse always comes to mind. Phil. 4:13.
God provided for us in this war. He has given us the whole armor, all we have to do is put it on. What is the first piece of armor mentioned in Eph. 6:10-19? "Having your loins gird about withtruth."
Father, God, I love You and praise You. You are the most High God and the only God in my life. You are the great I Am and I'm so thankful You have made provision for me, for all of us. You are my comforter, my protector, my guide, my ever present strength in the face of danger and trials. Forgive me today for anything I have done or said that was not in line with Your word, or was/is displeasing to You. Help me likewise, to forgive those who have wronged me. Lord I pray today for myself and all those reading, that you help us put on Your whole armor. To choose today to serve You. Help us to be strong in the power of Your might. Help us to stand against the wiles of the devil, whatever he may bring against us. Help us to resist the devil so he will flee from us using the power You have given us through Your Son Jesus Christ. Help us Lord when all else seems to fail to remember Your armor. To stand with truth, righteousness and Your gospel. Above all, to hold up our shield of faith, wear our helmet of salvation and carry our sword of the Spirit so we are covered from the top of our head to the souls of our feet with Your power and might. Though satan rages against us, we are assured victory. Thank You Lord for Your armor, thank You for Your might, thank You for Your power and protection. Most of all thank you Lord for saving us, for adopting us in to Your family. Though the storm rages we are safe in Your care. Open our ears and our hearts to Your truths Father. Be with us and give us boldness in spreading Your gospel. Help us to realize the seriousness of the battle we are facing and give us a true heart for the lost. When Your Son, Jesus cast out demons He did not ask them quietly or timidly to leave the people alone, He used one word, "Go", using that same power and authority that You have given us as Your children. Help us to be able, knowledgeable, wise and available soldiers in this battle and we give You all honor and glory and praise, Heavenly Father, You are worthy. In Your Son Jesus, precious Heavenly name. Amen
God bless
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem
His servant