The Enemy's Attack On Family - Part 1

God has designed an order for family in the natural as an example for us to understand family in the spiritual. There is a Divine Order. This is outlined in 1 Corinthians 11: 3-12 (Note: This is not about women wearing hats in church.) and Ephesian 5: 21-33. The reason for the enemy’s attack on family is because that is what Christianity is...it is family. He uses religion to try to destroy family because religion is ANTI-family. 
You don’t believe this? Consider the following:

Religion keeps women subservient. In Islam, for example, as well as many denominations and sects within Christianity, the role of women is diminished. Wherever there is bondage of any kind, religion is present. Family celebrates freedom within authority. Authority is not imposed to keep family members in bondage. We, as born-again believers, have been set free through the Spirit of liberty. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Therefore, ask yourself this question: Am I truly free? If not, someone (or something under the influence of someone) is holding you hostage. Christ came to set the captives free and whom the Son sets free is free indeed.

Religion exalts works over inheritance which is the basis of a family. So what does he do? Destroy the family structure and/or the children so that there's no inheritance or legacy or make it impossible for reproduction within a Godly-Ordained union of two people of the opposite sex. There is a false freedom that sin promotes. Until one has experienced true freedom through the Anointing, one is not truly free. When you only have one frame of reference there is nothing to compare anything to. For example: a spiritually dead person will not know that he is spiritually dead until he has experienced the Life of the New Nature.

True correction can only come forth in Love. Debate is pointless. We don't debate the Word--we demonstrate it. When a person has a spiritually dead nature, they will misinterpret your show of love as hatred. Why? Because their nature is opposite to yours. What is the opposite of Love? What is the opposite of tolerance? Tolerance does not address the sin issue; it sweeps it under the rug. Jesus cannot tolerate our sin nature even though He loves us. A sinner cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. Until we have had a supernatural encounter with His love which brings change, we are lost forever. That is Truth. If Truth is rejected, it remains Truth. Because He is Truth and cannot lie, opposing Truth is futile. The Word of God is the Truth that gives birth to the born-again Nature and is our sanctification.

In conclusion, I’ll say this: Pray for the lost. Pray for the hurting that they may be healed. The most heartbreaking thing that I see through all of what has been transpiring over the last few months (and it is about to come to a head--believe me) is that many who are lost don’t know it. Satan HATES mankind, saved and unsaved alike. He is on his way to hell along with all of the fallen angels. Our lifelong mission is to make sure we don’t end up there along with everyone else that is within our sphere of influence. Watch and pray.

Thoughts On Intercessory Fasting and Intercessory Prayer

ef·fec·tu·al

   /ɪˈfɛktʃuəl/ [ih-fek-choo-uhl]adjective

1.

producing or capable of producing an intended effect; adequate.

2.

valid or binding, as an agreement or document.

fer·vent

   /ˈfɜrvənt/ [fur-vuhnt] 

adjective

1.

having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm, etc.; ardent: a fervent admirer; a fervent plea.

2.

hot; burning; glowing.

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" - James 5:16b.

Always pray God's Will, bearing in mind His Will is His Word. Otherwise the prayer is in vain.

Matthew 6:5-8:
"And when thou prayest , thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you , They have their reward.
But thou, when thou prayest , enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly . But when ye pray , use not vain repetitions , as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."1 John 5:14-16:"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask , we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask , and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it."

True fasting is an act of intercession, just like true prayer is. The more we mature as Christians, the more we realize that prayer is less about getting our own needs met and more about interceding for others. Our Heavenly Father has instructed us to seek first His way of doing things and to maintain the right standing that we have already attained through the shed blood of Jesus. All the benefits of the inheritance that we have in Him will be manifested if we put Him first. We have been commanded to first get to know God and His ways and out of that obedience His blessings will flow. In spending time with Him we not only know His Heart but receive His instruction for our lives. That is Wisdom.

Through fasting, the change takes place in us so that we may rescue those who are bound. When we are free we can in turn lead others to freedom.

Matthew 6:16-18:
"Moreover when ye fast , be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast . Verily I say unto you , They have their reward.
But thou, when thou fastest , anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast , but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly."
"What is the reward in fasting?" One may ask. The major benefit is our faith increases (more on that in a future post). The other tangible benefit is it aids greatly in our spiritual growth. Fasting is a must for every believer--not "if" but "when." Natural food feeds our flesh. Our spirit grows by denying the flesh and bringing it under subjection to our spirit. Fasting and prayer are two keys in this area.


Isaiah 58:1-12:
"Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

Yet they seek me daily , and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. Wherefore have we fasted , say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge ? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.  Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.  Is it such a fast that I have chosen ? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?  Is not this the fast that I have chosen ? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?  Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?  Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward . Then shalt thou call , and the LORD shall answer ; thou shalt cry , and he shall say , Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;  And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:  And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called , The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in."

The intercessor's concern is not for him/herself but for others. Fasting and prayer not only sets us free but allows us to see with His eyes and releases compassion for the lost.

Matthew 9:35-38:
"And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted , and were scattered abroad , as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest."

Pray without ceasing, and fast often as the Holy Spirit leads. There is a dying world that needs your light and your selfless devotion to see hell de-populated. Remember that someone prayed for you.

Be encouraged!

Asking "Amiss"

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. [James 1:17]
 
The gifts that we should be asking for are not for what we want but for what we need to make us better. What does this mean exactly? The best gifts to desire are the ones that edify - both for your edification or for others. Did you know that every member of the Body of Christ is called to edify, to serve (minister) and be an encourager to others in love?


Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. [Colossians 3:12-17]


There is a saying: "No man is an island". Every single member of the Body is called to serve. There are a lot of Christians who would rather sit back and take than to give out of the Love that the Father has placed in our hearts by the Nature of Christ that is in us by inheritance. Love is not selfish. The petitions that we make in prayer should reflect the Love Nature on the inside of us.


Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.[James 4:2-3]


Selfish asking is of no benefit to the Kingdom of God. Covetousness (Idolatry) is the root cause of these types of petitions. In this hour, the Father is looking for those who have died enough to their flesh so that He may be able to promote them in His Kingdom. Asking for money to spend on yourself or your family is contrary to God's Will and is not of the Mind of Christ. If the gift that we are asking for does not edify, it is not beneficial to or for the Kingdom. The gifts that edify are the good and perfect gifts that the Father bestows on those of His children who ask wisely - not after "sense"-ruled wisdom, but after Godly Wisdom. This is a mature request. 


Consider this passage from the Book of Kings:


In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 
And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. [1Kings 5:3-13]


When Solomon made his petition, he did not ask for a gift would be a benefit to himself only. He asked with others in mind. Therefore he asked for an "understanding heart" or Godly Wisdom. Because of that request, he received the bonus gift of wealth. Wealth that is stewarded with Wisdom will greatly benefit the Kingdom of God. The petitioner understands that as the recipient, he is not receiving it only for himself, but for countless others. Therefore it is not a selfish request. This is especially important for those who are called to steward large amounts of wealth for the Kingdom; the coming endtime move of God will NOT be financed through the tithe, but through a select group who have been set free from the clutches of mammon. They will also need to understand the difference between ABUNDANCE and EXCESS. I will be sharing more on this in a future post.


Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. [Proverbs 4:7]

For Those With Hearing Ears: Why Praying in The Spirit ("Tongues") Is So Important

Praying in the Spirit is praying in the UNSEEN. We live by the UNSEEN--not by SIGHT. Living by the senses, being sense-ruled, or sensual, does not benefit the believer. Blessed are they who believe but have not SEEN in the natural. The place that we live in is not of this world, therefore we do not operate by an earthly kingdom, but a Heavenly one. When we make the choice that we will give ourselves over to the Father's Will, we put the Kingdom plan in motion, not only for our own lives, but for the lives of others that we influence. However, it is never of our doing. It is the Father's Will working through us. The Will of the Father can only be accomplished through humility on our part, yielding our selfish, fleshly desires for those of the Kingdom.

When we pray in faith, we do damage to satan's kingdom...in the realm of the UNSEEN. What is done through our faith-filled prayers in a language that we do not understand with our NATURAL mind, is manifested from the UNSEEN - the Spirit realm - into the SEEN. PRAYING IN TONGUES IS THE MOST POWERFUL PRAYER THAT ANY BELIEVER CAN PRAY! 

The Holy Spirit helps our weaknesses--there is absolutely no way that we can know how to pray with our natural mind and expect to do ANY damage to the kingdom of darkness. The all-knowing Holy Spirit, our HELPER, adds His supernatural strength to our limited understanding and prays the perfect Will of God for ANY and EVERY situation. Nothing is impossible WITH or TO Him. Is there any better prayer Partner or Coach?

To be honest, there is nothing that grieves my spirit more than to hear or to read any teaching that belittles the importance of praying in the spirit in any believer's life. Doctrines and commandments of men have only one source...satan! Trusting the Holy Spirit enough to allow Him to pray through you in your prayer language is the greatest step of faith any believer can take subsequent to asking Jesus into his or her life.

Trust the Holy Spirit. He has been sent to help you work out your salvation and to walk out the fulness of the calling and ministry and the giftings that Jesus has provided for you. This may sound harsh, but it is the truth of the matter is this: choosing to follow after your own intellect and rejecting your Teacher is the ultimate folly. Why would anyone choose to be called a fool? In all your ways acknowlege HIM and HE will direct your paths (Proverbs 3:6). That is Wisdom from the Book of Wisdom. Some will read this and say "Well, this passage is refererring to God". Is the Holy Spirit not God? It will be so sad on that day when so many who have rejected the Holy Spirit's counsel realize how much of a loss of reward they will suffer because they chose to lean on their OWN understanding than the Wisdom that the Father FREELY gives via the Holy Spirit (James 1:5).

In closing, I will leave you with these two passages of scripture, which happen to be two of my favorites. The first one is in reference to Wisdom, bearing in mind that the Holy Spirit is our Wisdom:

Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. [Proverbs 8:32-34]

The second, an exhoration to not be ruled or led by your senses but rather to yield to the Holy Spirit. Constantly choosing to live by sight will lead to loving the things that you SEE and ultimately be seduced by the things of this life. This leads to covetousness and idolatry:

But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. [Jude 17-21]

For those of you that may be reading this that do not pray in tongues and would desire to, here is  a link that will be of great help to you. Pastor Dave Roberson's book "The Walk Of The Spirit, The Walk Of Power" is available for FREE download by clicking on this link:

http://www.iktusnetmedia.com/c/Walk_of_the_Spirit_-_Walk_of_Power.html

Be Encouraged!

A Message to "Watchmen": The Smokescreen Of False Doctrine

Smokescreen: 1. a cloud of smoke for hiding troop movements, etc.  2. anything said or done to conceal or mislead  (from Webster's New World dictionary)    I have been sitting on this for quite a while and just this morning felt that it was time to finally publish it. Those of you that have read my previous postings here may have noticed that there are a lot of references to doctrine. I have realized that one of the three primary areas that the Lord has called my wife and I are to doctrine. I won't get into the other two here because it is not relevant to what I am about to share.     In the wee hours of Sunday March 20, I was in that state between of what I like to call "wake and sleep". There was a considerable stirring in my spirit and the Lord began to speak. What had began the previous night in my quiet time before bed continued as He began to speak about some things that I believe are relevant to the Body of Christ for this hour. After stirring myself into that state of being fully awake, I got up, grabbed my ever-present  pad and began to write, listening to the best of my ability. You may notice that there are certain references made here to what was current at the time this was first received. Even though the names of the "characters" may have changed, the purpose of the enemy has not. If you are one of those that I like to call the "Watchmen on the Wall"--those that are called to pray (and even if you aren't) this is for you. What follows is the (slightly) edited version of what He spoke. I pray that it is a blessing to you as you read. The Smokescreen Of False Doctrine    The planet is being destroyed because of the sin-judgment that began with Adam and Eve's rebellion in the Garden. Jesus came to save the people on this planet--not the planet itself. There has already been made a way of escape for mankind through the Cross. The judgment of the earth is now being manifested. Concurrent with this, the enemy is using the smokescreen of false doctrine to try to destroy mankind also, believers and non-believers alike.     Satan is trying to lure Christians into false doctrine through deception. First, he tempts the leadership in the Body like he attempted with Jesus in the wilderness. Once he has the leadership deceived, the leadership will promote his false doctrine agenda to the rest of the body. Now--more than ever--is the time for the Body of Christ to be in close, constant fellowship with the Holy Spirit, your Teacher. He is the One sent to show you things to come and bring discernment to the Body.    Your enemy is hoping that you will be swayed by those who have influence among the Body of Christ. The more influence a preacher has, the greater the possibility that what they teach will cause members of the Body to fall away. The enemy tempts them with the trappings of success and all the things that will appeal to their flesh. Once he has them, he is hoping that many others in the Body will follow suit. This is the pattern of what happened in Heaven when Lucifer and the other angels rebelled. He is hoping to repeat that in the earth.    There is arising a counterfeit "church" within the True Church. It looks like the Church, it acts like the Church, but it is not. It is devoid of power. Only by spending time in fellowship with the Holy Spirit can you discern this. The enemy's intent is to draw the Body away from fellowship time with the True teacher in order to listen to the false teachers that satan has placed in the Body. Accept no instruction or doctrine other than that which originates with the Holy Ghost.    The enemy also has the same agenda for those in the world's system -- the unbelievers. His plan is to keep them as he always has, from the way of salvation. However, he is unleashing even more in the realm of the demonic in the fields of entertainment: Music, the Internet and Movies. He uses celebrities--just like [he uses those] in the Church. Once he is finished using them, he spits them out and looks for someone else. He uses the same modus operandi with world leaders, such as Saddam Hussein. Pay close attention to what is happening right now with Charlie Sheen. This is an example of someone on the road to self-destruction. Pray that his soul will be saved. Each and every soul is precious to the Father--fruit to be harvested. He regards no man's person.    In the coming days, it is vital that the Father has watchmen that He can trust to deliver His Word and pray His Will over this planet. Do not be afraid of their faces. Watch and Pray. Stand and Deliver. This is the ultimate act of the Father's Mercy. It is not His Will that any of these precious souls should perish, but that all should come to repentance.   Pull them from the fire.

Holy Spirit Revelation Will ONLY Come Through Praying In The Spirit

The Apostle Paul had a greater understanding of who Jesus was than many of His disciples who walked with Him in the earth. It was better for Jesus to leave earth because many in His inner circle could not see or know Him beyond His humanity. The Holy Ghost was sent so that the TRUE Jesus could be revealed. Jesus said "He (The Holy Ghost) will take of mine and show it unto you" (John 16:15b). John saw it also--the book of Revelation is the evidence. 


The reason why Paul received so much revelation of the Gospel and was able to explain it so well throughout roughly two-thirds of the New Testament is because he developed a total dependency on the Holy Spirit for his doctrine. Even though he was well-versed in the law and could have relied solely on his intellect, he did not. He said "I thank my God I pray with tongues more than you all" (1Cor. 14:18). The revelation came through countless hours in prayer. So much so that a messenger from hell was sent by satan to stop him in his tracks. Paul pursued the things of God with the same fervor that he persecuted Christians while he was Saul of Tarsus. 


Paul writes in Galatians 1:15-17:
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.


As far as we know, Paul never knew Jesus on a personal level while Jesus was in the earth. However, by the Holy Spirit, he got to know Him really well. That is a great example for us to follow. We cannot expect to receive revelation any other way except through close fellowship and communion with the Holy Spirit. He desires to teach us one on one. He brings us the faith that we are expected to live by, and the love that empowers it (Jude 20-21). We no longer live the old life; the old man is dead. The new man now reigns in life with Christ.


Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. [2 Cor. 5:16-17]