A Warning Before Destruction

1 John 4:8

...for God is love.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

The sinful Christian clings to these passages in particular, so that they may find some little justification or consolation in their continued sinful practices. Yes! God is Love, and, Yes! He will forgive. There is no denying that. But, you must also acknowledge the fact that the same verse which testifies to His forgiving nature also bares witness of of His just character.

Is it justice to let a thief go unpunished when he continues to steal?

is it justice to allow a murderer to continue his spree?

Of course not! Whether the criminal receive probation or prison or even some fine, there is a punishment.

From the Old Testament to the New Testament, cautioned and warned on this subject. Let's not be those people with itching ears, refusing to receive good instruction. Let's not be those who seek after this 'other gospel' which permits and condones, excuses and covers up the flouting of the Word of God.

I do not serve a Cut'n'Paste God. I cannot pick and choose which parts of the Bible I will believe and abide by. It's all or nothing at all. When the Word points out the sins of others, it is right! When the Word points out my sin, it is right!

So here are some passages that we should all read and take to heart:

The Punishment of the Wicked:

Is from God: Le 26:18; Isa 13:11

On account of their...:

Sin. La 3:39

Iniquity. Jer 36:31; Eze 3:17-18; 18:4,13,20; Am 3:2

Idolatry. Le 26:30; Isa 10:10,11

Rejection of the law of God. 1Sa 15:23; Ho 4:6-9

Ignorance of God. 2Th 1:8

Evil ways and doings. Jer 21:14; Ho 4:9; 12:2

Pride. Isa 10:12; 24:21; Lu 14:11

Unbelief. Mr 16:16; Ro 11:20; Heb 3:18,19; 4:2

Covetousness. Isa 57:17; Jer 51:13

Oppressing. Isa 49:26; Jer 30:16,20

Persecuting. Jer 11:21,22; Mt 23:34-36

Disobeying God. Ne 9:26,27; Eph 5:6

Disobeying the gospel. 2Th 1:8

Is the fruit of their sin Job 4:8; Pr 22:8; Ro 6:21; Ga 6:8

Is the reward of their sins Ps 91:8; Isa 3:11; Jer 16:18; Ro 6:23; Heb 2:2

Often brought about by their evil designs: Es 7:10; Ps 37:15; 57:6

Often commences in this life: Pr 11:31

In this life by...:

Sickness. Le 26:16; Ps 78:50

Famine. Le 26:19,20,26,29; Ps 107:34

Noisome beasts. Le 26:22

War. Le 26:25,32,33; Jer 6:4

Deliverance to enemies. Ne 9:27

Fear. Le 26:36,37; Job 18:11

Reprobate mind. Ro 1:28

Put in slippery places. Ps 73:3-19

Trouble and distress. Isa 8:22; Zep 1:15

Cutting off. Ps 94:23

Bringing down their pride. Isa 13:11

Future, shall be awarded by Christ: Mt 16:27; 25:31,41

Future described as...:

Hell. Ps 9:17; Mt 5:29; Lu 12:5; 16:23

Darkness. Mt 8:12; 2Pe 2:17

Death. Ro 5:12-17; 6:23

Resurrection of damnation. Joh 5:29

Rising to shame and everlasting contempt. Da 12:2

Everlasting destruction. Ps 52:5; 92:7; 2Th 1:9

Everlasting fire. Mt 25:41; Jude 1:7

Second death. Re 2:11; 21:8

Damnation of hell. Mt 23:33

Eternal damnation. Mr 3:29

Blackness of darkness. 2Pe 2:17; Jude 1:13

Everlasting burnings. Isa 33:14

The wrath of God. Joh 3:36

Wine of the wrath of God. Re 14:10

Torment with fire. Re 14:10

Torment for ever and ever. Re 14:11

The righteousness of God requires. 2Th 1:6

Often sudden and unexpected. Ps 35:8; 64:7; Pr 29:1; Lu 12:20; 1Th 5:3

Shall be...:

According to their deeds. Mt 16:27; Ro 2:6,9; 2Co 5:10

According to the knowledge possessed by them. Lu 12:47,48

Increased by neglect of privileges. Mt 11:21-24; Lu 10:13-15

Without mitigation. Lu 16:23-26

Accompanied by remorse. Isa 66:24; Mr 9:44

No combination avails against Pr 11:21

Deferred, emboldens them in sin Ec 8:11

Should be a warning to others Nu 26:10; 1Co 10:6-11; Jude 1:7

Consummated at the day of judgment Mt 25:31,46; Ro 2:5,16; 2Pe 2:9

Scripture Compilation Original Source

A Day Without a Lesson...

What makes a great day is the lesson(s) learnt for the day.

A day without a lesson is a lean day. It is lessons that fatten the day.

A day without a lesson is a wasted day. It is lessons that fill up a day.

It is lesson learnt on a previous day that makes looking forward to another exciting.

Those who learn everyday never have problem looking forward to another day.

Learning makes you hopeful, it makes you enthusiastic and optimistic.

The question is what lessons have you learn today?

XTOLZ Christian Blog: Devotion, all that I have to give

XTOLZ Christian Blog: Devotion, all that I have to give: All my world all I've lost the wrecks I've made here the lives it cost Your hand restores Your words make whole with all my soul I t...

Confessions of a Fake Saint | Thrive 80 | Reblogged

Original Source | Thrive 80

Hello, I’m a hypocrite.

I go to church.

I’ve been going since I was a kid. Always loved it. I’m involved in tons of different ministries – I play piano on the worship team, I work with the young men, I’m in a small group Bible study. I dress up too, you know, for God. Well, not really for God. I like to look good, and I think I match shirts and ties pretty well. It’s important to look good on Sunday mornings. If people knew what the week was like, then I’d really have to put up with a lot. They might actually want to know more, and I’m not quite ready to let people in that far. I don’t want them to know that the reason I’m so tired Sunday morning is that I stayed up late looking at porn, or about the lying at work that I feel so guilty about. Or the fact that I’m seriously reconsidering whether I made a good choice marrying my spouse. That stuff… it’s just, you know, too deep. What would they think? I prefer the shallow stuff – I don’t want to let them in on my mess. Sometimes I wonder if I should even go to church at all and run the risk of something deep coming up in conversation. But if I don’t go, people would wonder.

I can hold my own in theological conversations.

Heck, I even bring up theology in social settings. I went to Bible college. I’ve built up a repertoire of phraseology, gestures, analogies, and logical arguments by which I nail my opponents to the floor in any debate about substitutionary atonement. These help me hide my insecurity and fears that I’m not good enough, that I won’t match up to expectations, that people will see what’s really inside me. My knowledge and quick tongue help to soothe my wounded ego when people aren’t paying enough attention to me. They also let people know that I’m firm in my faith. I mean, if they knew the doubts that run circles in my head at night, the fears that maybe I’m not truly saved, the debates in my gut about sin and punishment… Where’s the self-respect in that? How are people going to respect me at all if I’m truthful about my beliefs (or lack thereof)? I don’t know, studying theology just makes me question God more. Which won’t work. I’m a Bible student – people expect me to have answers, not questions.

I raise my hands in worship when the Spirit is moving.

I mean, I kind of wish I knew the difference between the Spirit and some kind of manufactured tingle. But that’s not the biggest issue. I guess I have a tendency to think a lot about the musicians up on stage, and how I could do so much better. I mean, if I was playing the piano up there right now, you’d be hearing much more musical stuff. I was trained in it. I was top in my class. Two-hundred people came to my senior recital. She’s not doing it good enough; in fact, I’m pretty sure God would be glorified so much better if I was playing. And leading. Seriously, who picked that song? Don’t they realize the theological inconsistencies? The chords are so simple a child could play it, and the rhythms are so screwy a Juilliard-trained percussionist couldn’t follow it. Well, the least I can do is fulfill my responsibility to worship even if the musicians stink.

I love my family.

God says to love them, right? The person who doesn’t love his family is worse than a pagan, and I’m definitely not one of those. I get angry sometimes. I yell sometimes. I say mean things. But most of the time I’m cool with them and they’re cool with me. I don’t think too much about it – I mean, I live with them, so they know I love them. Besides, if people knew about the grudges I hold, the demeaning things I say about my wife when I’m out with my buddies (all in jest, of course!), the difficulty I have with my thoughts when I hang out with that girl at work… Well, let’s just say they might try to help me. I don’t want them to know. I can handle it on my own. I want to handle it on my own, at least. It’s… kind of harder that way, I guess, but at least no one knows that I struggle.

I pray and read the Bible.

You know, this part of the Christian life is still a mystery to me. People always say they get so much out of the Bible, that they feel a real connection when they pray. I don’t. The New Testament is so radical sometimes; the Old Testament is just confusing. I usually stick to the Epistles and the Psalms - they make more sense and I feel good about those. I can usually sync those books with my life (takes some wrangling sometimes, but so do the sermons on Sunday morning). And prayer – I must admit, I doubt sometimes that it actually does anything. Not that I do it enough to know. I’m too used to feeling like nothing will get done unless I do it myself.

I live a consistent lie.

I’ve been living in places where it’s not okay to share my deepest fears and struggles because… well, what would people think? My reputation matters to me – and not just because of my pride, but because I really do want to give God a good showing, to not disappoint Him. But maybe even that is because of my pride. I sometimes doubt that God is powerful enough to clean up all the mess I’ve made of my life, but I guess when it comes down to it, I doubt myself even more. That’s why I live a lie. Because I can’t stand myself – I’m not good enough, deep down I know that. All my life I’ve had these expectations of myself, whether impressed on me by others or just buried in the darkest parts of my inner being. And those expectations cripple me so that the ways I present myself become crutches to hold up my reputation in the midst of all those perfect believers out there. All those people who look like they have it good, who never seem to struggle, who never talk about their issues.

Just like me.

But what would happen if we did, huh? Dragging all that mess into the light would be painful, devastating, difficult. My reputation would be ruined, my porn addiction and anger issues and near-infidelity would be exposed for all to see. What about my position in the church? What about my job? What about my life, the way I want it, the way I see it, the way I expect it to happen? No, coming into the light is too hard. If that’s what it takes for Jesus to help me out, I don’t want it. I can fix everything. And then maybe, when it’s all fixed… than maybe I can actually have real relationships. Then maybe I can love people like I really do want to love them. Then maybe I’ll be strong enough. Then maybe I’ll be fulfilled.

If that ever happens.

Reality Check

folks, don't deceive yourselves into thinking that satan is some completely powerless non-threat. if that was the case, we wouldn't have so much evil and trouble in the world.

the Bible refers to him as 'the god of this world.'
while he does not have infinite and unchecked power, he does indeed have some limited form power.

let me clarify that statement before you guys pull out your AK's:

deception is a form of power.
when you lie to someone in order to get them to do something you want done, you have in effect exercised a form of power over them. you have more or less forcing them to act in a way that you desired, but in a way that they would not have acted of their own accord.

manipulation is a form of power.
have you [or someone you know] ever over-drafted on your bank, then called and acted all innocent so they would knock off the fees?

sexual attraction is a form of power.
do i really have to lay it out how we [men and women] use it to our advantage when we know that someone is or may be attracted to us?

yes it's true that he has to have permission to operate, but did you realize that that permission can come from you? whether you give him overt permission by doing something stupid like selling your soul and signing a contract in blood [exaggerated for emphasis, but don't think it doesn't happen...], or you're a 'casual horoscope reader,' you are giving your consent (and most likely you haven't read the big print, let alone the fine print.)

when you sign a blood transfusion consent form before surgery, you agree to accept donor blood. you don't get to pick and choose black blood only, or no blood from short people, or only blue from people with blue or green eyes. no. you get a mixture of blood produced from merger of donations from people across the nation.

when you agree to allow the devil to operate in your life in the area of, let's say, divination, you can't say 'oh, by the way lucifer, you can only wotk in my life thru horoscopes...' not at all. it just does not work that way. you effectively give permission for him to run horoscopes, palm reading, crystal ball gazing, channeling, telekinesis, and all other forms or divination right thru your front door.

you have given him permission to exercise his limited power to the max!

i'm just saying...

Sin, Sacrifice, Salvation

Coming to Jesus is not suppose to be an experimental thing to make your life better. We need Jesus to avoid God's wrath and judgement. If you have ever lied, stolen, looked at someone with sexual intentions, spoke God's Name in vain, or hated someone, you are a breaker of the Ten Commandments. The punishment for that is condemnation to Hell. (See John3:18)

Hell is described as the second death, eternal fire. A burning that will never end or be quenched, you will wish for a drink of water but never be relieved. You will look upon all the people who made it to Heaven, not having a chance to go because you didn't make it right with God while you had a chance.

REPENT, you have sinned against God and Him only. But, there is hope. Jesus paid the price for your forgiveness when He died on the cross as a sacrifice. They laid Jesus in a tomb, but on the third day God raised Him from the dead, justifying us by His resurrection. Jesus became a "Substitute" He stood in our place for the punishment we deserve. I say we because I also deserve this punishment, I have also broken Gods Law.

If you are truly sorry that you have sinned against God, right now come to God and say "God, I ask that you forgive me, I have sinned against you and you only, I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins. Lead me and guide me to what I need to do next, I want to live my life for You and I ask that You come into my heart! In Jesus Name amen!

ORIGINAL SOURCE

The Character & Fruits of a Christian

Abundant life
John 10:10:
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.


Citizenship
Romans 13:1-7:
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.


Titus 3:1
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good.


Cleanliness
2 Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.


Consecration
Romans 12:1,2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.


Contentment
Philippians 4:11-13
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.


1 Timothy 6:6
But godliness with contentment is great gain.


Courage
Psalm 27:14
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.


Diligence
Romans 12:11
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.


Duty
Luke 20:21-25
So the spies questioned him: "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
He saw through their duplicity and said to them, "Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?"
"Caesar's," they replied.
He said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."


Endurance
Luke 21:9-19
When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."
Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
"But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life.


2 Timothy 2:3
Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.


Faith
Matthew 8:5-13
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering."
Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him."
The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.


Mark 11:22-24
"Have[a] faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.


Faithfulness
Matthew 25:23
His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'


Forgiveness
Mark 11:25-26
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."


Ephesians 4:31-32
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.


Freedom
John 8:31-36
To the . Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants[a] and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?"
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.


Fruitfulness
John 15:1-8
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.


Godliness
Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.


Happiness
Matthew 5:3-12
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evilagainst you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.


Holiness
1 Peter 1:13-16
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."


Honesty
2 Corinthians 8:21
For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.


Honor: Parents, others
Ephesians 6:1-3
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth


1 Peter 2:17
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.


Hope
1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.


Humility
Luke 18:9-14
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about[a] himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."


Philippians 2:3-11
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


Joy
Luke 10:20
However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.


John 15:11
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.


Kindness
Colossians 3:12-13
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.


Labor
John 9:4
As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.


Love
Luke 10:27
He answered: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'[a]; and, 'Love your neighbour as yourself.'


1 Corinthians 13
If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.


Obedience
John 14:15-24
"If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.


Acts 5:29
Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!


Overcoming
John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."


Patience
Hebrews 10:36
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.


Peacefulness
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.


Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.


Perseverance
Mark 13:5-13
Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains."You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit."Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.


Prayer
Luke 11:1-13
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."He said to them, "When you pray, say:
" 'Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.' "
Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'
"Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"


Ephesians 6:18
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.


Pure thinking
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.


Purity
Matthew 5:27-32
You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
"It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery


2 Timothy 2:22
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.


Reading the Bible
John 5:39
You diligently study[a] the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me


Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.


Psalm 119:97
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.


Resolution
Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.


Righteousness
Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,for they will be filled.


Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.


Sincerity
Philippians 1:9-10
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,


Steadfastness
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.


Stewardship
1 Corinthians 4:2
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.


2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.


Temperance
1 Thessalonians 5:6-8So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.


Trust
Psalm 37:3-5
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this


Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.


Truth
John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.


John 17:17
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.


Ephesians 4:14-15
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.


Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.


Victory
1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.


1 John 5:4
for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.


Watchfulness
Mark 13:34-37
It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch."Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'


Worship
John 4:23-24
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."


Zeal
Romans 12:11
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Original Source

Urgent Request

Hello!

My name is Lynn Savage and I am the Assistant Pastor of Havillah Christian Center. I'm writing this post to make an urgent personal request to you. I am scheduled to present the very first Bible Study for our ministry soon, September 1st at 6:30pm, yet we don't have the materials we need for the class. The Bible Study will be the first lesson in a series dealing with spiritual bondage - drug addictions, sexual perversions, generational curses, chronic incarceration, etc.

I would like to use Strongman's His Name: What's His Game?, a book written by Jerry Robeson, as the teaching text for this series. This book was was of such great help to me some years ago that I have never been able to forget it. I learned so much from reading it, and was able to recognize and "evict" some things from my life that I previously had no idea were even there.


A quick background:

On February 4th 2005 I found myself in jail facing up to 120 years in prison for a crime I did not commit, (and 10 years for something I DID do years before.)

I could not understand how things had come to that point. Although I had been a bit of a wild-child in my youth, I had turned from that and was trying to live fully for Christ. At the time of my arrest, I was working a full-time job (that's major, trust me) and was in training for ministry (even bigger). I was on fire for Christ! Excited about life and the future.

In the days preceding my arrest, I was offered a promotion at my job, my manager told me that when I was ready, he would take me to his car dealer and make sure I left with a decent car (I was taking cabs or walking everywhere), my children's Grandfather had offered to help me buy a house for me and the kids (because of how much I had changed) and my probation officer (from the older charge) said he would allow me to be released from probation after having completed less than 1/3 of the time I was supposed to complete. EVERYTHING was looking up!

So when I found myself sitting in the county jail, facing that kind of time, I was dumbfounded! A lady who came in once a week to offer Christian counseling to jail inmates gave me Jerry Robeson's book. As I read that book and studied the Scriptures, I began to see things in a new light.

My present circumstance came into sharp focus:

Not only was I incarcerated, facing what would amount to MORE than a life sentence, my sister was right there in the same cell with me facing up to THREE life sentences (for an unrelated incident); my brother was facing a life sentence without possibility of parole in Florida, AND a life sentence in Texas for two separate unrelated crimes, and another of my brother's was currently in prison (AGAIN - doing life on the installment plan.) These were all children of my father (who himself would have died in prison had he not been terminally ill. He died less than three months after his release.)

This book caused me to look into areas of my life that I had never had any curiosity about, specifically and especially, my father's family. What I found shocked me. And had it not been for what I learned in this book, I never would have THOUGHT to look for any of it.

I learned how spiritual doorways can be opened in your life by your own actions (even through things that seem innocent and innocuous); and by the actions of others - especially the actions of family. When these doors are opened, the spirits that come in and attached themselves don't just attach themselves to one person, they try to take over the WHOLE FAMILY and they run down the line through the generations!

Have you ever noticed that if ONE child in a family has been the victim of sexual molestation, you will likely find several others who have also? Ever notice how families can be "known to be..." [liars, thieves, perverts, etc] or sickly-ness "runs in the family?  Even in cases where the people may live in geographically distant locations and have no contact with each other or with the same circles of people? There is a reason for this!!! 

I am making a personal plea to each reader of this post to donate at least ONE DOLLAR toward the purchase of Strongman's His Name: What's His Game?, by Jerry Robeson, to be used as a teaching text by Havillah Christian Center.

In this book, Jerry Robeson identifies and discusses in detail the spiritual "strongmen" (such as the spirit of infirmity, the spirit of divination, the spirit of death) named in the Bible. He cites and explains Scriptural references for strongmen which are the root cause of such things as generational curses, demonic oppression, and general failure-to-thrive of many Christians.

Mr. Robeson explains how these strongmen are/were introduced into our lives, the symptoms and signs of their presence, and - most importantly - gives clear Biblical instruction on how to be freed from them. He explains how to identify the TAP ROOT and get rid of the source of the problem, not just treat the symptoms.

I can not give you enough detail or explanation about how great a change was wrought in my life after reading this book. Not only do I ask you to help us purchase copies of this book, I urge you to read this book for yourself.

To Donate:
Online Book Drive Donations

To Purchase and Ship Directly:
Amazon Wishlist


Even one copy of the book would be useful, as I could copy the important sections for handouts.

I thank you in advance for your help in empowering the Body of Christ! - AP Savage

“Knowledge makes a man unfit to be a slave.” Frederick Douglass

***UPDATE***
I was able to purchase a copy of the "Strongman" book. I thank and Praise God because I have been able to begin preparing for our first class. God is good all the time!

Marriage

“She knows I’m the husband. She respects me, and reverences me and loves me and helps me fulfill my calling. I celebrate her because the most expensive thing in life is to marry a pretty girl that wants to be celebrated; they don’t take nonsense. If you don’t want trouble, please celebrate her. When I came back from schooling in America, my wife said to me, hide those certificates, nobody wants to know how educated you are. They want to know how many people have been healed and delivered and set free from bondage by the anointing of God deposited in you.

Secondly, you lose to win in marriage. Even when your wife has wounded or hurt you please don’t emphasize it, De-emphasize it. Make sure you put money into her hand even though she has money and do it weekly.
Thirdly, when she asks you for money give her more than she asked for and fourthly, when she dresses up for service, turn, ponder and celebrate her; don’t just look at her as though you are a muumuu. Say to her you are gorgeously dressed; you are mesmerizing me greatly.

Fifth, accept her relations and her parents particularly; take care of them as you take care of your own parents. If she has a brother invest in that brother, if she has a sister invest in her sister; they will always speak for you because they have eaten your food. No man eats your food without giving you praise. So make sure you invest in those areas.
Sixth, love her children. It’s very confusing that men love women but women celebrate children, they adore children. To a woman it’s a beginning of her unending laughter, so if you want your wife to love you love her children, and take care of them. Send them to good schools and celebrate them.

My wife says to me, ‘on the crusade platform you are a big man of God but in this house you are not a big man of God you are just a husband and a father. So don’t walk in here as though you are under anointing. The demons stop in the crusade ground, here we are for celebration. So anytime you walk through the door forget whatever exploits you did at the crusade ground; here you are just an ordinary husband; don’t act as a super preacher because the crowd has gone, only we are left.
Romance is simply giving a woman quality time. It could be five minutes but quality time. Make sure you have what she needs before you meet her. Inject the element of surprise for her, make sure you celebrate her, keep her informed about where you are, that is what every woman needs. In this area I’m an expert. I call her several times in one day and we still exchange love letters.

I make sure I have an element of surprise for her, it could be groundnut wrapped in tissue paper. Something that will surprise her. Women don’t really want money, they want appreciation, they want recognition, they want to be protected. If a man does not have money he must have a bag of humor. A good man must be able to make his wife laugh five times a day. If a woman laughs five times a day, her blood pressure will be low and she will look younger
Even as a young person in love with a girl you dream beautiful dreams but after the wedding you know that love is blind, but marriage is an eye opener. There are things to put into place. Anybody who dreamt of a marriage and got married and found that the wife will not obey his command and got disappointed because she did not obey his command, the man is sick.

The man is an unperformed husband because marriage is a union of two opposites. A man that says stand up and a woman that says why must we stand up. A man who likes garri and a woman who likes rice, a man who likes clothe and a woman who has no interest in clothes. It is this mixture of two opposites that will give the marriage life and progress. May heaven grant you wisdom in your marriage Dr Uma

Reasonable Service

Rom 12
1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9  Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13  Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14  Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15  Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16  Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

What is your reasonable service in the Kingdom of Heaven?
To do with joy and humility that which God has gifted you to do.
If you are gifted to prophesy, than do so as God speaks to you, not taking credit nor having pride in your gift, but with an attitude of gratefulness to your Master for having chosen to use you in such an awesome way.
If you are gifted to teach, teach according to how God has taught you. Make no great thing of your wisdom or knowledge of Scripture, nor your understanding of the things of God: for it is God who has allowed you to to possess this insight.
Some are gifted to love: to shared the love of God. If this is where God has given you and extra portion, do so without regard to the person, but with a God-like affection and concern for the soul and spirit -- beyond the outward lovability of the physical person.

When we, as Christians, make full use of our Gifts, to the Glory of God, we are then - and only then - offering up our reasonable [intelligent - "with comprehension"] service.

Pastor Speaks About Success

KEEP ON KEEPING ON
We are pressed on all sides by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are
perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit. 2 Corts. 4:8 (NLT).
It was said that the founder of the Seven-Up Company attempted to come at the formula of the drink, but failed after the six attempts; suddenly, at the seventh attempt, he succeeded and had an excited outburst, “Six Down Seven Up”. You
can hardly count of any person that has ever succeeded who never failed many times over and any person who ever made it to the top that never had a catalogue of woeful failures. For anyone anywhere who has a level of glory, there are stories of pages painted with ink of failures that can cause ones mouth to be opened in flabbergastment. Whoever you see today standing tall in any field of Endeavour had had agonizing moments of kneeling before God. For everyone achiever who is smiling publicly there had been awful moments of wailing in the private. For everyone you see praising God publicly with an earth moving testimony, you see one that has been through Hell and out with a story and a lesson. You can hardly see any true over-comer that never had great moments of great temptations to give up and throw in the towel but for their resolve to listen and heed the voice from behind always saying “Keep On Keeping On.”
For every great Church; for every great organization; for every great conglomerate; for every great establishment; for every great marriage; for every great destiny, there is a great burden bearer.
Longfellow once wrote “Those heights by great men, won and kept,
Were not achieved by sudden flight.
But they, while their companions slept,
Were toiling upward in the night.”
Every goal-getter must pass through Golgotha, pay the price for the prize, go through great labour for favour, as to get some comforts out of discomfort and double for all troubles. History is filled with men and women who would not have been standing had God not changed their disgrace to grace and grass to grace. You may not be feeling too good about your results and life’s’ in-put and you feel like throwing in the towel of life, many a failure were people that gave up at the sight of the decisive step to their breakthrough and those who gave up when it mattered most; while others held the dagger of success by the edge rather than the handle. It might as well be too late for you to give up now!
Trust God and keep on keeping on, keep on dreaming; keep on trusting; keep on exercising; keep on believing; keep on rehearsing; keep on giving; keep on working; keep on dreaming; keep on running; keep on building; keep on knocking; keep on networking; keep on upgrading; keep on praying; keep on adding value to your life; keep on preparing; keep on serving; keep on taking steps in the right direction; it might be the very next step that will give you that much needed push to land yourself at stardom. You need to put pressure on yourself and keep at it! You can change your future! It’s time to add some seriousness into this business called LIFE and determine to live a mark after you are gone.
No man succeeds by accident! Keep On Keeping On!

From Pastor - Joseph and His Master's Wife

And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in
the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.

And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.

And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:

And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.
And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home. And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:

And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out. And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. Genesis 39: 5-20
~
Joseph said unto her.. There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
~~
Don't believe everything you hear, there is always three sides to a story.. Yours, Theirs, and the Truth.. Use Wisdom!
~
One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
Deuteronomy 19:15
~

Strongholds

Strongholds


The process of deliverance often consists of three main parts: Tearing down strongholds, removing legal rights and then casting out the remaining demons. If you try to cast out demons without taking away the strongholds or legal rights that they are holding onto, then you can't really expect to achieve a complete successful deliverance. Removing these two blockages is vital in going about a complete and successful deliverance.

There is a teaching specifically on Legal Rights too that you may want to go through as well.
What is a stronghold?

A stronghold is a faulty thinking pattern based on lies and deception. Deception is one of the primary weapons of the devil, because it is the building blocks for a stronghold. What strongholds can do is cause us to think in ways which block us from God's best. For example, if you think you have to confess all your sins to everybody you've ever wronged, you'll feel just awful and guilty until you do all that, and even then, you'll probably feel guilty, because you probably forgot many people that you didn't confess your sins to. All unnecessary, and a waste of time, all because you were deceived and thought that you had to do something that you really didn't have to do.

An example of a stronghold at work: A common scene is somebody who is scared of God, and has a hard time feeling His love and presence. They view Him as a cruel taskmaster, and not as the God that is really is to them, and therefore, they put up there own wall which makes it hard for them to receive God's love, presence and draw close in their relationship with Him. If you saw your spouse as a rude and cruel dictator, you probably wouldn't be as apt to snuggle upto Him and love him as you would if you saw him as a loving and kind person who loves you and cares for you. If you see somebody as mean, it's hard to receive their love, isn't it? That's how our perception of God can hinder us from feeling His love and presence in our lives. It is VERY important to have a correct perception of God if we want to live victorious lives in Christ Jesus!
Two very destructive and common strongholds

The first one, where you see God incorrectly: One of the most popular and devastating strongholds to have, is an incorrect image in your mind of who God is, and how He sees us. People who see God as a taskmaster, live their lives with an unhealthy fear of God. There's a good kind of fear of God, which is more like a holy respect for Him, but there's another kind of fear that is very unhealthy that the enemy wants us to have, and it's the kind of fear where we see God as a taskmaster, cruel, cold, distant, uncaring and would snap the whip at us the moment we step out of line. People who are afraid they've committed the unpardonable sin are almost guaranteed to have this stronghold. People who find it hard to feel God's love and presence, often have this stronghold too. If you feel God is distant and cold, or question if God loves you, then you need to get this stronghold torn down.

One awesome book that will help you break down this stronghold is Blessed Beyond Measure by Gloria Copeland. It talks about the goodness of God, and it's impossible to read that book and be the same person when your done seeing the love and goodness that God wants to bless us with!

The second one, where you see yourself incorrectly: People who suffer from this have a hard time seeing the new person that they are now in Christ Jesus, and often suffer from low self-esteem. They don't understand what Christ did for them, and how it applies to their own life. Common symptoms of this stronghold are guilt feelings (questioning if you've really been forgiven of your sin(s)), low spiritual esteem (they feel like sinners, not saints), they lack spiritual confidence that we are supposed to have in Christ Jesus, they may still struggle with sin (Jesus said that if you keep in His Word, which tears down strongholds, you will be free from the power sin has over you - John 8:31-34), and overall you don't feel 'worthy' spiritually and lack the joy of the Lord in your life. If you even remotely struggle with this stronghold, the teaching Forgiven sinner or saint? is an absolute must-read!

One of the best books I've seen for tearing down this stronghold is Victory over Darkness by Neil T. Anderson. It will teach you of the new person you are now in Christ Jesus, and help you be victorious over the darkness through an understanding of your identity in Christ.

I mention common other strongholds over on the Three Stages of Bondageteaching.
How to tear down a stronghold

2 Corinthians 10:4, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds."

Strongholds are birthed and dwell in deception (which are lies and false beliefs), so naturally the cure is to bring the truth in God's Word on the scene. You debunk the lies of the enemy, with the truth, which is in the Word of God! The Bible says that our weapons are mighty for the tearing down of strongholds (2 Cor 10:4, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds."). What is our primary offensive weapon? The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph 6:17, "...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."). Truth dispels deception and lies, and therefore the more truth you bring into a situation, the more the darkness must flee. This is where it's important to grow in God's Word, is because it is your primary weapon for tearing down the strongholds of deception that the enemy has been feeding you.

In John 8:31-36, Jesus tells us that we can be held in bondage due to strongholds in our lives. And His solution was to, "continue in my word... and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (v. 32-32) Strongholds are torn down as we meditate on God's Word, which is truth!

A great list of Bible verses you can meditate on, which will help you tear down strongholds in your life can be found on the anti-stronghold Bible verses page:http://www.greatbiblestudy.com/bible_verses.php

Another great list of anti-stronghold confessions can be found in the Blessing Confessions list.

Original Source of this Material

Identity - Who You Are in Christ

GOD TREASURES US!
The Word of God says that because of Jesus Christ
I am a new person and have a new identity!
 
One of the most important things we can do in our recovery is to embrace our new identity and see ourselves through Jesus' eyes . . . i.e., who you and I are "in Christ." Below are listed (with supporting Scripture) just a few of the many TRUTHS contained in the Bible concerning our secure position in Christ Jesus. The facts are there . . . all we need to do is believe them!!

The Word of God Says in Jesus Christ...

I am faithful (Ephesians 1:1)

I am God's child (John 1:12)

I have been justified (Romans 5:1)

I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)

I belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:20)

I am a member of Christ's Body (1 Corinthians 12:27)

I am assured all things work together for good (Romans 8:28)

I have been established, anointed and sealed by God (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

I am confident that God will perfect the work He has begun in me (Philippians 1:6)

I am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)

I am hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)

I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7)

I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me (1 John 5:18)

I am blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3)

I am chosen before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4, 11)

I am holy and blameless (Ephesians 1:4)

I am adopted as his child (Ephesians 1:5)

I am given God's glorious grace lavishly and without restriction (Ephesians 1:5,8)

I am in Him (Ephesians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:30)

I have redemption (Ephesians 1:8)

I am forgiven (Ephesians 1:8; Colossians 1:14)

I have purpose (Ephesians 1:9 & 3:11)

I have hope (Ephesians 1:12)

I am included (Ephesians 1:13)

I am sealed with the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13)

I am a saint (Ephesians 1:18)

I am salt and light of the earth (Matfthew 5:13-14)

I have been chosen and God desires me to bear fruit (John 15:1,5)

I am a personal witness of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8)

I am God's coworker (2 Corinthians 6:1)

I am a minister of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)

I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5)

I am raised up with Christ (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 2:12)

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6)

I have been shown the incomparable riches of God's grace (Ephesians 2:7)

God has expressed His kindness to me (Ephesians 2:7)

I am God's workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)

I have been brought near to God through Christ's blood (Ephesians 2:13)

I have peace (Ephesians 2:14)

I have access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18)

I am a member of God's household (Ephesians 2:19)

I am secure (Ephesians 2:20)

I am a holy temple (Ephesians 2:21; 1 Corinthians 6:19)

I am a dwelling for the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:22)

I share in the promise of Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:6)

God's power works through me (Ephesians 3:7)

I can approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12)

I know there is a purpose for my sufferings (Ephesians 3:13)

I can grasp how wide, long, high and deep Christ's love is (Ephesians 3:18)

I am completed by God (Ephesians 3:19)

I can bring glory to God (Ephesians 3:21)

I have been called (Ephesians 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:9)

I can be humble, gentle, patient and lovingly tolerant of others (Ephesians 4:2)

I can mature spiritually (Ephesians 4:15)

I can be certain of God's truths and the lifestyle which He has called me to (Ephesians 4:17)

I can have a new attitude and a new lifestyle (Ephesians 4:21-32)

I can be kind and compassionate to others (Ephesians 4:32)

I can forgive others (Ephesians 4:32)

I am a light to others, and can exhibit goodness, righteousness and truth (Ephesians 5:8-9)

I can understand what God's will is (Ephesians 5:17)

I can give thanks for everything (Ephesians 5:20)

I don't have to always have my own agenda (Ephesians 5:21)

I can honor God through marriage (Ephesians 5:22-33)

I can parent my children with composure (Ephesians 6:4)

I can be strong (Ephesians 6:10)

I have God's power (Ephesians 6:10)

I can stand firm in the day of evil (Ephesians 6:13)

I am dead to sin (Romans 1:12)

I am not alone (Hebrews 13:5)

I am growing (Colossians 2:7)

I am His disciple (John 13:15)

I am prayed for by Jesus Christ (John 17:20-23)

I am united with other believers (John 17:20-23)

I am not in want (Philippians 4:19)

I possess the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16)

I am promised eternal life (John 6:47)

I am promised a full life (John 10:10)

I am victorious (I John 5:4)

My heart and mind is protected with God's peace (Philippians 4:7)

I am chosen and dearly loved (Colossians 3:12)

I am blameless (I Corinthians 1:8)

I am set free (Romans 8:2; John 8:32)

I am crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20)

I am a light in the world (Matthew 5:14)

I am more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37)

I am the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21)

I am safe (I John 5:18)

I am part of God's kingdom (Revelation 1:6)

I am healed from sin (I Peter 2:24)

I am no longer condemned (Romans 8:1, 2)

I am not helpless (Philippians 4:13)

I am overcoming (I John 4:4)

I am persevering (Philippians 3:14)

I am protected (John 10:28)

I am born again (I Peter 1:23)

I am a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)

I am delivered (Colossians 1:13)

I am redeemed from the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13)

I am qualified to share in His inheritance (Colossians 1:12)

I am victorious (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Sponsor an Evangelist

Havilah Christian Center has a desire to offer a tried and true course on personal evangelism. If you would like to sponsor the training of an evangelist please follow the link and order a Classic Evangelism Explosion Level 1 Starter Kit.
The shipping address is:

Havilah Christian Center, Pst Lynn D Savage
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Dallas TX 75204

To directly purchase and ship
http://bit.ly/QtKdFE

For more information on the Evangelism Explosion International Ministry:
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Jesus the Good Shepherd

John 10:7-18
He who came in by the door which John the Baptist opened has become the door. It stands open to all comers-if any man. The salvation here mentioned refers to the entire process of soul-health: go in for fellowship; go out for service.

Wherever destruction is uppermost in speech or act, you may detect the presence of the great enemy of souls. Christ is ever constructive, saving, life-giving. Let us not be content until our life has become abundant life. Our life cost the Shepherd’s life. He did not hesitate to interpose Himself between the sheep and the wolf of hell. There is possible between our Lord and ourselves an intimacy of knowledge which can be compared to nothing less than that which subsists between the Father and Himself.

Note how our Lord looked beyond the hurdles of the Jewish fold and thought tenderly of the Gentile sheep that were far away. In the revelation committed to the Apostle Paul He gave vent to His love, and through the succeeding centuries He has ever sought them. There may be many folds, but there can be only one flock. Men die because they cannot help it; Christ was born that He might die; He died because He would.

This is from a the Meyer Bible Commentary. I read this while studying another topic, but I found it very interesting and decided to share this bit.

A Thought from Pastor

My brother if pastors begins to explicitly expound the word of God,His principles and most especially the book of revelation and the destiny of deprave humanity,unbelievers will see and par-adventure some will repent,you don't pray prosperity upon a sinner,unbelievers,what are you doing? Telling them they are bless in gross sinful and sinking state! Wao this is stupidity,and demeaning the value of God's word and our high calling.
See this..
The man who can get believers to praying would under God, usher in the great revival the world has ever known.

God’s problem today is not Communism nor yet Rommanism, nor Liberalism nor Modernism. God’s problem is dead Fundamentalism.

God never intend His church to be a refrigerator in which to preserve perishable piety, He intend it to be an incubator in which to hatch out converts.

In terms of doctrine, we have enough and to spare, while a sick, sad, sin-sodden, sex-soaked world perishes with hunger.

Years ago, a minister put this sign outside of his church ‘This church will have either a revival or a funeral’. With such despair, God is well pleased, though hell is despondent. This sounds like madness, well, a sober church never does any good. At this hour, we need men drunk with the Holy Ghost. Has God excelled Himself? Were Wesley, Whitefield, Finney, Hudson, Taylor special editions of ministers? Never my preacher brethren, these days, we are more fund of traveling than travailing, hence, no births.

Right now, God is preparing His Elijah's for the last great earthly offensive against militant godless, (whether political or wearing a mask of religion). The last great outpouring of revival, Holy Ghost born and operated, will be new wine bursting the skins of dried-up sectarianism. Hallelujah!

In Ezekiel 37, Ezekiel did not mistake commotion for creation, nor action for unction, nor rattle for revival.

My fellow brethren, do we have a pain in our hearts for perishing men? Does the toil of 85 or more dying without Christ every minute turn our moisture into drought, take away our garments of praise, or give us the spirit of heaviness.

If we decide to save our lives, we not only loose them, but we loose other people too.

These men cry for souls, mourn for sins, Jeremiah cried: ‘Oh that my head were waters’ while the psalmist says ‘rivers run down my eyes continually’

Dear brethren, our eyes are dry because our hearts are dry. We leave in a day when we can have piety without pity.

There was a time when a couple of struggling Salvation Army officers wrote to William Booth telling him they tried every way to get a move and failed, he sent this terse reply, ‘try tears’, they did, and they had revival.

A repeated cry of David Livingstone was ‘Lord when will the wounds of this world’s sins e healed’? But are we grief-stricken in prayers? Do we soak our pillows as John Welch did, in our soul travail?

Oh that believers will become eternity conscious!
If we could live every moment of every day under the eye of God
If we did every act in the light of the Judgment Seat,
If we sold every article in the light of the Judgment Seat,
If we pray every prayer in the light of the Judgment Seat
If we tithed all our possession in the light of the Judgment Seat
If we treat our fellow Christians in the light of the Judgment Seat
If we preachers prepared every sermon with one eye on damned humanity and the other on the Judgment Seat, then we will have a Holy Ghost revival that would shake this earth and that in no time at all, would liberate millions of precious souls.

This generation have millions of Bibles, scores of thousands of churches, endless preachers and yet what sin! Men build our churches but do not enter them, print our Bibles but do not read them, talk about God but do not believe Him, speak of Christ but do not trust Him for salvation, sing our hymns and they forget them. How are we going to come out of all this?

Revival tarry because evangelism is so highly commercialized, the tithes of widows and of the poor are spent in luxury-living by many evangelists.
Revival tarries because of cheapening the gospel.
Revival tarries because of carelessness at the altar, too little time is spent with those souls who come to do eternal business. The evangelist is happy seeing his friends and while sinners groan at the altar, he is drinking in the rich cream of men’s praises.

Wesley feared neither men nor devils. If Whitefield was burlesqued on the English stage in the basest way, and if in the New Testament Christians were stoned, suffered every ignominy, how is it then since sins and sinners have not changed, that we preachers no longer raise the wrath of hell? Why are we so icily regular, so splendidly null We can have riot without revival but in the light of the Bible and church history, where can we have revival without riots?

Revival tarries because we lack urgency in prayer. We are substituting propaganda for propagation. How insane! We have not yet resisted unto blood in prayer; nay, we do not even get a sweat on our souls as Luther put it we pray with a ‘take it or leave it’ attitude, we pray chance prayers; we offer that which cost us nothing! We have not even ‘strong desire’, we rather have fitful, moody, and spasmodic.