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(Please note: This sharing is a “takeoff” of C.S. Lewis’ book titled: The Screwtape Letters and a teaching I did by the above title on October 14th) Recently a very important group of devil spirits met to handle a very delicate situation that called for the utmost of secrecy. Their objective was to identify areas that born again believers have taken advantage of to put down the temptations of devil spirits. This list was to be called The Devil’s Secret List. After careful and lengthy deliberations, they came up with three items that in no uncertain terms did devil spirits want Christian believers manifesting in their lives. 1. “It is written.” No way do we want believers confessing the truths and promises of God’s Word by saying, “It is written.” We remember how effective Jesus Christ was some 2000 years ago when He responded back to our master Satan after His 40 days in the wilderness. We must at all costs get Christians to trust in man’s word and all the influences of the world and not God’s Word. 2. “Using the name of Jesus Christ with authority.” We only want people and especially born again believers to only use the name Jesus Christ when they are cussing. We cannot have them using this name to bring deliverance and healing to others. We must hide this verse from them at all costs: Philippians 2:9 – 11: Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 3. “Casting all their care upon God.” We cannot have them doing what 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” We spend so much time sowing discontent, fear, worry, jealousy, self-condemnation, and hate that if all they do is give it over to God, they will walk with great freedom of mind. "Yes, fellow devil spirits we need to keep Christian believers embroiled in the affairs of this life. We need to keep them mad at each other, shifting blame and causing discord.” “And we definitely cannot allow this list to get in the wrong hands. How horrible our lives would be if Christian believers knew these truths and confessed: it is written, and use the name of Jesus Christ with authority and throw all the junk we lay on them to their Heavenly Father.” Agape, Bob |
An economical challenge for retired folks in our culture is being on a “fixed income.” But recently Jeanie in a teaching used this term a little differently. She declared she was on a fixed income and was very blessed by it!
Why was she so excited about being on a fixed income? Because in her mind, her sufficiency is not from material resources but spiritual realities. Her needs are met by the promises of God and a loving Heavenly Father that has blessed her.
Philippians 4:19: But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
She is fixed on what God’s Word says, believing the promises of the more abundant life in Christ (John 10:10). Our sufficiency is in what Christ has accomplished for each of us.
2 Corinthians 3:5: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
She is fixed on what God’s Word says, walking out on the promises of God.
Psalms 57:7: My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
As believers we renew our mind to what God’s Word says over our material needs. For us, we are fixed on the promises of God.
Agape,
Bob
When I think of the record of Jesus walking on the water (Matthew 14:24-32) and approaching the boat filled with fear laden men, I marvel at the many lessons to be learned.
Here is another lesson I learned (really two): When we are faced with opportunities to believe God for deliverance or for certain results, we wait until the conditions are calm and easy to navigate. By our five senses we try to smooth over the waters before we take on believing God. Jesus did not calm the storm first then walk on the water. Nor did he calm the seas for Peter to step out of the boat so he could have the most favorable conditions.
The point is do not wait for the conditions to get better before going to God. He loves to work in the most stormy and challenging conditions. He did not quench the fire first before Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown in the fiery furnace; Joseph still served years in jail while in Egypt before rising to 2nd in charge in the country.
Peter’s problem was staying on top of the water during the boisterous wind and seas. He was distracted by the storm. He needed to learn to walk during the storm.
I think so many times as we endeavor to believe God, our mind tricks us into thinking He is there to push the button of defeat if we misstep in our believing exercise.
Micah 7:8 (ESV):
Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.
Our Father is there to help and give us a helping hand, just like Jesus did with Peter when he began to sink. After all Peter did walk on water!
The learning point is that we do not have to calm things down first to believe. Go ahead and walk into the storm, like Jesus did, and know that God’s grace and mercy will be there to help you realize your believing efforts. And point two, if you start to sink, God will be there with a helping hand so you can enjoy the victory.
Agape,
Bob
Much is being said about heroes. What makes heroes? My answer is: A righteous cause and a dedication to make good happen.
Heroes do not have to wear capes, spandex pants and masks to stand out. Their actions speak louder than words.
These virus infested times can bring out the best in people, as well as perhaps the worst. Do people rise above themselves and the challenges to make a difference? I think some do and we are grateful for all heroes that act boldly and courageously.
I believe every believer is a hero. They chose a righteous cause and are dedicated to make not just good but “godly” things happen. They act on their sonship rights and live the love of God, doing acts to bless others.
This is the time for us as God’s ambassadors (II Corinthians 5:20) to step forward and demonstrate the love of God with the power of God. Our action of righteous prayers, encouraging the saints and ministering to others, goes a long way in being effective heroes.
There are many wonderful people in our challenging world that are recognized as heroes, such as, medical staff, first responders, military people, teachers, and safety officers, but do not count yourself out. A born again believer walking in love and in the power of God truly makes “godly” things happen.
You are a hero
Yes, you are someone very special
You were so significant, God called you even before the foundation of the world
You must be important
You cause huge celebrations in Heaven when you win someone to the Lord
Looking into a mirror, there you are, the glory of the Lord
You are so favored
You have a seat in the Heavenlies because you are so unique
You are so awesome that soon the Lord Jesus Christ will return for you forever
Agape,
Bob
On my birthday I was gifted with a wonderful small book by E Stanley Jones, who was a mighty man of the Scriptures in the previous century. People say that many times powerful things come in small packages. This certainly is the case with this little book titled Growing Spiritually.
He gives purpose to the reason why he is writing this particular book in the introduction. His declaration not only speaks to his times, but really more so to our times (in my humble opinion). The following is the reason for publishing this masterpiece:
“The necessity for spiritual growth is not merely our personal problem – it is that, but it is more: it is our world problem. At the center of almost every acute problem – personal, social, economic, political and international – is a moral and spiritual immaturity … we are immature persons dealing with mature problems. Dr. Rebecca Beard says, “The consuming illness of our times is our immaturity – our refusal to grow up.” (The underline is my addition).
E Stanley Jones goes on to say, “Spiritual maturity is no longer a luxury for a few, it is a necessity for us all.” The author continues saying, “Today we see all life around us being tangled and snarled because of a lack of an intangible something, and that something is Christian maturity.”
“Christian maturity must be the major business and endeavor of our race,” E Stanley Jones declares.
Where do we begin? We begin with ourselves becoming spiritually minded.
We are made perfect in Christ so that we can then manifest Christ to the world. Our witness will be the perfection of Christ within. Yes, I will be the first to admit that I am not perfect in myself, but what I can do and should do is commit myself to grow to be a mature Christian that walks and talks with God believing who I am in Christ.
This is our opportunity to not get all ensnarled into the worldly junk but focus on who we are in Christ and stand together in unity of the one body working together.
Ephesians 2:10 (ISV) For we are God’s masterpiece, created in the Messiah Jesus to perform good actions that God prepared long ago to be our way of life.
1Cor. 6:20 (KJV) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Agape,
Bob