The Gift That Started It All . . .
The busy days are gone. Roads are not that busy anymore, less traffic and less people in the town. Gifts given, gifts received. Why do we actually give gifts at Christmas? Some believe giving gifts at Christmas started with the Wise Men who brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus.Others cite the legend of St. Nicholas, who liked bringing toys to boys and girls. But actually, giving a gift at Christmas started with GOD ...when He gave His one and only Son (John 3:16).
Many of us would buy gifts for someone because we have to-the Kris kringle thing (Manito, Manita) or because of the white elephant thing or maybe because we want to reward that person for being good or doing a great job. Know the song Santa Claus Is Coming to Town? The verse says-
"He's making a list and checking it twice; Gonna find out who's naughty and nice. Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake, he knows if you've been bad or good,so be good for goodness sake! "
Christmas is not about punishing or rewarding. It's about GIVING- GRACE (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Think for a minute, Why do we give gifts to our family at Christmas? Yes, it's a tradition, but the bottom line is our desire to see our loved ones' face light up when they open the gift to find something they like, right? And this is very true with our Abba Father. He desires to bless us, to give us gifts, to shower us with His unconditional love.
What do you say makes a gift a really good gift? How big it is? How pretty it’s wrapped ?How long it took the giver to purchase it? How much it cost?
Today, the Gift that started it all IS there in your room, in your office, or even in your computer room! It 's the best gift one could have. It’s wrapped up with your name on it, awaiting your acceptance, awaiting you to receive it and open it up. Of course, the Gift has a name: His name is JESUS.
Have you opened it yet? (",)
"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, There is FREEDOM"..
Monday, December 27, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Is Tithing's Real as "God said:"Test me" and will I not blessed you where no more roomss for you to contain in Malachi 3:10
Dear Sir/madam:
GREETINGS!
This letter is for those so-called Christians I read in my research about accusing Malachi 3:10 and worse accusing pastors and churches who encourage tithing's to their members so they will be blessed but these so called Christians accused our church of making a blackmail that if Christians won't give tithes then they will be curse cause they rob God....OF COURSE NOT CAUSE SINCE I GAVE TITHES IN 2006 I NEVER BEEN IN LACK UNTIL TODAY AS GOD SAID "TEST ME"..IN TITHING'S and WILL I NOT GIVE YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN HAVE....amen
When you say that blessings in the old covenant such as abundant herds and crops means not money the Holy spirit inspire me to tell you are very wrong. Abundance cannot be spent if it isn't be in a form of cash then how can you claim to say that God blessed you abundantly if that blessing cannot be used as it is not money as u mentioned earlier? A tithe is required by God to support the church because free giving can be a source of not giving although I'm not generalizing that will surely be the outcome. I knew many Christians don't give both tithes and offering cause it was me before or if I give, I'l give 1 cent but our church needs money to expand His Kingdom..Even pastors the bible says:"Should be blessed with double honor and pay as they preached God's word"..If i have One billion dollar during the time of my death in the bed, I will give all that money to my church/pastors/missionaries as my church will used that for world missions, church planting and many more and this is what paul said giving out of the abundance of the heart but tithing's is different because it is evidently bogus in the bible that you don't owned the 10% of your earning otherwise you will be a robber says the Lord and nobody says it but the Lord. In the new covenant, it was even mentioned that give to Caesar what was his and give to God what was His.. Now do you think that is Free gift from the term give to God what was His? of course not because that mandate indicate that God owns money from us and there is no other but the tithes and Love offering is different.It is from the abundance of the heart.. if you give 2 cents just to make it appear you gave from your heart better not to give cause that is hypocrisy only to show God that he/she gives..This is simple mathematics to analyzed sir. No ned to use names of people or character in the bible just to attacked Malachi 3:10 because that verse is God's spoken and be curse for those who don't give thats why many Christian are poor because they don't give tithes..its a fact..When I started giving tithes in 2006, Me and my family were never been in lack since today contrary when I wasn't giving tithes despite Christian already since 1987. This is my testimony to you sir whatever church you are..I begged you stop attacking Malachi 3:10
GREETINGS!
This letter is for those so-called Christians I read in my research about accusing Malachi 3:10 and worse accusing pastors and churches who encourage tithing's to their members so they will be blessed but these so called Christians accused our church of making a blackmail that if Christians won't give tithes then they will be curse cause they rob God....OF COURSE NOT CAUSE SINCE I GAVE TITHES IN 2006 I NEVER BEEN IN LACK UNTIL TODAY AS GOD SAID "TEST ME"..IN TITHING'S and WILL I NOT GIVE YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN HAVE....amen
When you say that blessings in the old covenant such as abundant herds and crops means not money the Holy spirit inspire me to tell you are very wrong. Abundance cannot be spent if it isn't be in a form of cash then how can you claim to say that God blessed you abundantly if that blessing cannot be used as it is not money as u mentioned earlier? A tithe is required by God to support the church because free giving can be a source of not giving although I'm not generalizing that will surely be the outcome. I knew many Christians don't give both tithes and offering cause it was me before or if I give, I'l give 1 cent but our church needs money to expand His Kingdom..Even pastors the bible says:"Should be blessed with double honor and pay as they preached God's word"..If i have One billion dollar during the time of my death in the bed, I will give all that money to my church/pastors/missionaries as my church will used that for world missions, church planting and many more and this is what paul said giving out of the abundance of the heart but tithing's is different because it is evidently bogus in the bible that you don't owned the 10% of your earning otherwise you will be a robber says the Lord and nobody says it but the Lord. In the new covenant, it was even mentioned that give to Caesar what was his and give to God what was His.. Now do you think that is Free gift from the term give to God what was His? of course not because that mandate indicate that God owns money from us and there is no other but the tithes and Love offering is different.It is from the abundance of the heart.. if you give 2 cents just to make it appear you gave from your heart better not to give cause that is hypocrisy only to show God that he/she gives..This is simple mathematics to analyzed sir. No ned to use names of people or character in the bible just to attacked Malachi 3:10 because that verse is God's spoken and be curse for those who don't give thats why many Christian are poor because they don't give tithes..its a fact..When I started giving tithes in 2006, Me and my family were never been in lack since today contrary when I wasn't giving tithes despite Christian already since 1987. This is my testimony to you sir whatever church you are..I begged you stop attacking Malachi 3:10
Saturday, October 30, 2010
How To Praise God When Everythings Started Falling?
Why is it very easy to praise God when all things are going well with you? My second question is:"Why is it very difficult to praise God if all things are started falling?
Answer:
It is very easy to praise God in life if life is full of prosperity such as having nice & luxurious cars, Thousands & thousand or even a Million Dollars bank account; or having nice well & healthy Family and many influential friends.
But what about if all those things will be gone in a single minute then I doubt if the enthusiam of praising God will still be there with you still. These all has happened to job in the old testament because in a single minute Job is one of the richest man onearth perhapslike billgates but in a single minute Job lost all his wealth & everything and most the painful part was, He lost his precious children and had shameful deadly skin diseases and her wife told her to curse God & die but Job contested saying:" The gave and the Lord take it away so Let his Name be Praise!!! This is very absurd yet very touching & admirable faith of Job because on the back of the trial, the devil & God had a discussion that God said to the devil here is my servant job who is very faithful fromthe beginning, but satan said to God if you take all his belongings, He will no longer be faithful so the Lord was challenge and allowed the devil to have his way provided Job's life will not be touched.
Sometimes, we are also encountering these problems as God is also testing our faith whether we are really indeed faithful just as the "Gold is tested using fire to prove if that is real".
Going back to Job, at the end of his trial because job was faithful, God replaced all his dead children by giving her more children and God even made One of Job's daughter the most beautiful women in the land in his time (if compare to our time, His daughter is like the Miss Universe so to speak)..
Job waited for so long forGod to answer allhispleading and the most frusting eventin the bible was God was silent in 37 chapters just imagine its 37 chapters and sometimesin ourlife we already give up ifGod willnotanswere usin the second eventofpleading & prayers or chapter.
Tomake the story short, at the end, God gave Job all what he lost ten times of it so imagine if you were job who lost One million dollars & some other important issues like divorce, death in the family; being robbed; and many more pains in life, don't be discouraged because God wanted to blessed you ten times than what was lost.
And due to Gods's testings then afterwards God will bring it forth to you not 1 Million but already 10 million if for example One million was lost. God is using Job's life in the bible not because of him(job) but it was intended by God to happened in order for us to read and understand that the message is not for job but for you and me.
Real worship comes deeply if you are in deepest pain according to Rick Warren. I remember when I lost my dad in 2000 as awell as all the businesses, I felt it was the end of the world and I wantedto end it because I just cannot acceted it but now I am realizing that God is brining it backt ome little by little and one example is I never expected to get married to a very pretty & sensible women with good family & personal backgound compared to mine as my background or childhood memory is life the title:"Nightmare on ELM's Street."..
If you are hurt & discouraged, just remember that God is using it to transformed & Mature you in some areas of your life soyou won't end up getting destroyed and most of all after transforming you, but the beauty in having this painfulexperienced is He will give it back 10 times what was taken out from you but take note some verse in the bible says: God will returned it a hundredfold so its up to God and all you must do is simple "cast all your cares to GOD cause He cares for you"..
Remember always that His answers is wiser than your prayers because many times int the bible God said: I will never Leave you nor Forsake you! In Mathew,Jesus said:"Look at the birds in the sky, they flew freely without wories & struggle, yet my fatherin heaven feeds them; then Jesus said: Why Worry what you should eat or drink or cloths to wear?"Are you not worth far more than birds? wow! it was so excitingt to hear that we are more than birds in the eyes of God and in Jeremiah 29:11 God again said:For I have plans for you, Plans to prosper you, not to harm you but to give you hope and a future...
When I became the Marketing Managerof One of manila's Top Group of realty in 2009, I told myself and to God and to mywife saying:"Is this real ora joke or a dream but it was real gosh! We cannot or never underestimate what God can do for our lives. if your suffering now, I believe God wants your attention cause He loves you more thanyou knowand wanted to bless you more than what you have at present...so just think that God is God and every impossible things in this world is possible for Him.. I mean everything!! Name it? everything yout think that are unsolvable is chicken is God's hand.... My advised to you is "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and never rely on what you think you know........keywords: TRust God! Love you all.....Gud Nyt http://rickpila.blogspot.com
Answer:
It is very easy to praise God in life if life is full of prosperity such as having nice & luxurious cars, Thousands & thousand or even a Million Dollars bank account; or having nice well & healthy Family and many influential friends.
But what about if all those things will be gone in a single minute then I doubt if the enthusiam of praising God will still be there with you still. These all has happened to job in the old testament because in a single minute Job is one of the richest man onearth perhapslike billgates but in a single minute Job lost all his wealth & everything and most the painful part was, He lost his precious children and had shameful deadly skin diseases and her wife told her to curse God & die but Job contested saying:" The gave and the Lord take it away so Let his Name be Praise!!! This is very absurd yet very touching & admirable faith of Job because on the back of the trial, the devil & God had a discussion that God said to the devil here is my servant job who is very faithful fromthe beginning, but satan said to God if you take all his belongings, He will no longer be faithful so the Lord was challenge and allowed the devil to have his way provided Job's life will not be touched.
Sometimes, we are also encountering these problems as God is also testing our faith whether we are really indeed faithful just as the "Gold is tested using fire to prove if that is real".
Going back to Job, at the end of his trial because job was faithful, God replaced all his dead children by giving her more children and God even made One of Job's daughter the most beautiful women in the land in his time (if compare to our time, His daughter is like the Miss Universe so to speak)..
Job waited for so long forGod to answer allhispleading and the most frusting eventin the bible was God was silent in 37 chapters just imagine its 37 chapters and sometimesin ourlife we already give up ifGod willnotanswere usin the second eventofpleading & prayers or chapter.
Tomake the story short, at the end, God gave Job all what he lost ten times of it so imagine if you were job who lost One million dollars & some other important issues like divorce, death in the family; being robbed; and many more pains in life, don't be discouraged because God wanted to blessed you ten times than what was lost.
And due to Gods's testings then afterwards God will bring it forth to you not 1 Million but already 10 million if for example One million was lost. God is using Job's life in the bible not because of him(job) but it was intended by God to happened in order for us to read and understand that the message is not for job but for you and me.
Real worship comes deeply if you are in deepest pain according to Rick Warren. I remember when I lost my dad in 2000 as awell as all the businesses, I felt it was the end of the world and I wantedto end it because I just cannot acceted it but now I am realizing that God is brining it backt ome little by little and one example is I never expected to get married to a very pretty & sensible women with good family & personal backgound compared to mine as my background or childhood memory is life the title:"Nightmare on ELM's Street."..
If you are hurt & discouraged, just remember that God is using it to transformed & Mature you in some areas of your life soyou won't end up getting destroyed and most of all after transforming you, but the beauty in having this painfulexperienced is He will give it back 10 times what was taken out from you but take note some verse in the bible says: God will returned it a hundredfold so its up to God and all you must do is simple "cast all your cares to GOD cause He cares for you"..
Remember always that His answers is wiser than your prayers because many times int the bible God said: I will never Leave you nor Forsake you! In Mathew,Jesus said:"Look at the birds in the sky, they flew freely without wories & struggle, yet my fatherin heaven feeds them; then Jesus said: Why Worry what you should eat or drink or cloths to wear?"Are you not worth far more than birds? wow! it was so excitingt to hear that we are more than birds in the eyes of God and in Jeremiah 29:11 God again said:For I have plans for you, Plans to prosper you, not to harm you but to give you hope and a future...
When I became the Marketing Managerof One of manila's Top Group of realty in 2009, I told myself and to God and to mywife saying:"Is this real ora joke or a dream but it was real gosh! We cannot or never underestimate what God can do for our lives. if your suffering now, I believe God wants your attention cause He loves you more thanyou knowand wanted to bless you more than what you have at present...so just think that God is God and every impossible things in this world is possible for Him.. I mean everything!! Name it? everything yout think that are unsolvable is chicken is God's hand.... My advised to you is "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and never rely on what you think you know........keywords: TRust God! Love you all.....Gud Nyt http://rickpila.blogspot.com
Monday, October 25, 2010
We Need to PERSEVERE in order to do the Will of God otherwise Salvation is impossible if we live a christian by name only
Why Many Christian won't make it to the end just as Christ said that we must accomplished His will on earth otherwise we won't be in heaven?
In addition, Jesus said:" Not all who calls me Lord can enter my kingdom but only those who has done the will of my father
Since my sufferings is not much based on a sin alone or being a habitual sinner like my past life, I finally realized that this is or was a test from God wether or not i will fade a way; but i won't because I remember the parable of the seeds where many planted to some places such as on the rocks; others on a fertilized soil and other on a good soil but on a very worst scenerio, at first, many christian believers received the word of Jesus with joy & overwhelming praises & shout for joy. It is very funny because these so called christians felt as if they are no longer stepping on the land but floating in the air due to overjoyed; but when the trials, Problems & testing comes, all their overjoyed feelings & experiences became like a sand melted in the seashore.
Others also where so empowered by the spritual insignts as well as wisdom & boldness but because of the worries in life such as money, luxuries & many more wordly desires & lust, they fade away and this is what Jesus portrayed using an illustration of a bird where a man planted his seed on the ground but were crammed or in the rocks but were eaten and snatch by the birds that passess by so be careful where you planted your seed cause it might be fade, crammed or be eatened by the birds that passess by and then you will be gone like chasing the wind. In other words, you better be careful how you built your foundation because a christian life is not a feeling based or insulated from problems or we call it a problem free life; it is a problem proof life.
Now what do I mean by that? What I mean is you need to develop the fruits of the Holy spirit such as what paul said in Galatians:"The fruit of the Spirit is Patience, Perseverance, Self-control, Peace, Joy, Love, Huminly & long suffering and so on. Its not easy, it takes time but you need to do your part. Just like a man going to the Gym, of course he already has his muscle but the question is He needs to make his muscle grow by constant practice and it takes discipline & perseverance as the famous saying goes:"No Pain NO Gain".. that is right!
What Im trying to point out that spiritual muscle can be build by always going to church and seek accountability partner to check you and most of all you need to read the bible everyday and pray most of the time and turn away from your sins and promise not to do it again. Breaking one of these will eventually breaking it all..it is just like trying to go for a three(3) hour exercise in a gym without eating & drinking water for one week will eventually take you to the hospital.
The series of becoming a true christian by not getting snatch by the devil needs obedience and patience & perseverance.. In my case, I really got frustrated in 2010 because what I worked for just fade away and not really all but my plans to go to USA and visit my mom and buy House & car has been thrown into the garbage then I cried out to God saying:"What have I done Lord? why did you allow these mess? but later I realized; I mean, Just recently, that the spirit of God took me into the verses in luke about the Testing & trials in order to make me stronger and matured christian and most of all, that test as stated in the bible is also to prove if I am a real or fake christian by saying" Gold is tested by fire to prove if it is real gold and therefore my trials must also be tested my Trials & Problems to prove also if my faith is real or not.. I admit that it is really painful but as I just said earlier, "No pain, No gain! or it tested my love for Jesus and figuring where I planted my seed. Remember, I felt happy now even though I wasnt able to do my personal plans but the most crucial and important to me is that I am still in the middle of God's will and growned up in my faith & relationship with Jesus because I passed the test or despite the pain, I didnt resored to revenged against God or go back to my pld life or start blaming people but I am still serving God in our church and I believe that God Promised me :"thru Job, after the testing, He will returned everything what was lost into hundred fold AND I am personally claiming it now to God In Jesus name that He will fullfill His promised to me that His Plans for me is not to harm me but to prosper me and give me a future..(Jeremiah 29:11) It makes me felt better that I realized that the seed I planted has not been cramed nor taken away by the birds in the air; meaning, I kept and fought the good fight of faith and God also said:"No ears, eyes nor thoughts can fathom what He has prepared for those who love HIM".. http://rickpila.blogspot.com
In addition, Jesus said:" Not all who calls me Lord can enter my kingdom but only those who has done the will of my father
Since my sufferings is not much based on a sin alone or being a habitual sinner like my past life, I finally realized that this is or was a test from God wether or not i will fade a way; but i won't because I remember the parable of the seeds where many planted to some places such as on the rocks; others on a fertilized soil and other on a good soil but on a very worst scenerio, at first, many christian believers received the word of Jesus with joy & overwhelming praises & shout for joy. It is very funny because these so called christians felt as if they are no longer stepping on the land but floating in the air due to overjoyed; but when the trials, Problems & testing comes, all their overjoyed feelings & experiences became like a sand melted in the seashore.
Others also where so empowered by the spritual insignts as well as wisdom & boldness but because of the worries in life such as money, luxuries & many more wordly desires & lust, they fade away and this is what Jesus portrayed using an illustration of a bird where a man planted his seed on the ground but were crammed or in the rocks but were eaten and snatch by the birds that passess by so be careful where you planted your seed cause it might be fade, crammed or be eatened by the birds that passess by and then you will be gone like chasing the wind. In other words, you better be careful how you built your foundation because a christian life is not a feeling based or insulated from problems or we call it a problem free life; it is a problem proof life.
Now what do I mean by that? What I mean is you need to develop the fruits of the Holy spirit such as what paul said in Galatians:"The fruit of the Spirit is Patience, Perseverance, Self-control, Peace, Joy, Love, Huminly & long suffering and so on. Its not easy, it takes time but you need to do your part. Just like a man going to the Gym, of course he already has his muscle but the question is He needs to make his muscle grow by constant practice and it takes discipline & perseverance as the famous saying goes:"No Pain NO Gain".. that is right!
What Im trying to point out that spiritual muscle can be build by always going to church and seek accountability partner to check you and most of all you need to read the bible everyday and pray most of the time and turn away from your sins and promise not to do it again. Breaking one of these will eventually breaking it all..it is just like trying to go for a three(3) hour exercise in a gym without eating & drinking water for one week will eventually take you to the hospital.
The series of becoming a true christian by not getting snatch by the devil needs obedience and patience & perseverance.. In my case, I really got frustrated in 2010 because what I worked for just fade away and not really all but my plans to go to USA and visit my mom and buy House & car has been thrown into the garbage then I cried out to God saying:"What have I done Lord? why did you allow these mess? but later I realized; I mean, Just recently, that the spirit of God took me into the verses in luke about the Testing & trials in order to make me stronger and matured christian and most of all, that test as stated in the bible is also to prove if I am a real or fake christian by saying" Gold is tested by fire to prove if it is real gold and therefore my trials must also be tested my Trials & Problems to prove also if my faith is real or not.. I admit that it is really painful but as I just said earlier, "No pain, No gain! or it tested my love for Jesus and figuring where I planted my seed. Remember, I felt happy now even though I wasnt able to do my personal plans but the most crucial and important to me is that I am still in the middle of God's will and growned up in my faith & relationship with Jesus because I passed the test or despite the pain, I didnt resored to revenged against God or go back to my pld life or start blaming people but I am still serving God in our church and I believe that God Promised me :"thru Job, after the testing, He will returned everything what was lost into hundred fold AND I am personally claiming it now to God In Jesus name that He will fullfill His promised to me that His Plans for me is not to harm me but to prosper me and give me a future..(Jeremiah 29:11) It makes me felt better that I realized that the seed I planted has not been cramed nor taken away by the birds in the air; meaning, I kept and fought the good fight of faith and God also said:"No ears, eyes nor thoughts can fathom what He has prepared for those who love HIM".. http://rickpila.blogspot.com
Friday, October 1, 2010
Question: "Who am I in Christ?"
Question: "Who am I in Christ?"
Answer: According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” There are two Greek words which are translated “new” in the Bible. The first, neos, refers to something that has just been made, but there are already many others in existence just like it. The word translated “new” in this verse is the word kainos, which means “something just made which is unlike anything else in existence.” In Christ, we are made an entirely new creation, just as God created the heavens and the earth originally—He made them out of nothing, and so He does with us. He does not merely clean up our old selves; He makes an entirely new self. When we are in Christ, we are “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4 KJV). God Himself, in the person of His Holy Spirit, takes up residence in our hearts. We are in Christ and He is in us.
In Christ, we are regenerated, renewed, and born again, and this new creation is spiritually minded, whereas the old nature is carnally minded. The new nature fellowships with God, obeys His will, and is devoted to His service. These are actions the old nature is incapable of doing or even desiring to do. The old nature is dead to the things of the spirit and cannot revive itself. It is “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1) and can only be made alive by a supernatural awakening, which happens when we come to Christ and are indwelt by Him. Christ gives us a completely new and holy nature and an incorruptible life. Our old life, previously dead to God because of sin, is buried, and we are raised “to walk in newness of life” with Him (Romans 6:4).
If we belong to Christ, we are united to Him and no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:5-6); we are made alive with Him (Ephesians 2:5); we are conformed to His image (Romans 8:29); we are free from condemnation and walking not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1); and we are part of the body of Christ with other believers (Romans 12:5). The believer now possesses a new heart (Ezekiel 11:19) and has been blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:3).
We might wonder why we so often do not live in the manner described, even though we have given our lives to Christ and are sure of our salvation. This is because our new natures are residing in our old fleshly bodies, and these two are at war with one another. The old nature is dead, but the new nature still has to battle the old “tent” in which it dwells. Evil and sin are still present, but the believer now sees them in a new perspective and they no longer control him as they once did. In Christ, we can now choose to resist sin, whereas the old nature could not. Now we have the choice to either feed the new nature through the Word, prayer, and obedience, or to feed the flesh by neglecting those things.
When we are in Christ, “we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (Romans 8:37) and can rejoice in our Savior, who makes all things possible (Philippians 4:13). In Christ we are loved, forgiven, and secure. In Christ we are adopted, justified, redeemed, reconciled, and chosen. In Christ we are victorious, filled with joy and peace, and granted true meaning in life. What a wonderful Savior is Christ!
Answer: According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” There are two Greek words which are translated “new” in the Bible. The first, neos, refers to something that has just been made, but there are already many others in existence just like it. The word translated “new” in this verse is the word kainos, which means “something just made which is unlike anything else in existence.” In Christ, we are made an entirely new creation, just as God created the heavens and the earth originally—He made them out of nothing, and so He does with us. He does not merely clean up our old selves; He makes an entirely new self. When we are in Christ, we are “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4 KJV). God Himself, in the person of His Holy Spirit, takes up residence in our hearts. We are in Christ and He is in us.
In Christ, we are regenerated, renewed, and born again, and this new creation is spiritually minded, whereas the old nature is carnally minded. The new nature fellowships with God, obeys His will, and is devoted to His service. These are actions the old nature is incapable of doing or even desiring to do. The old nature is dead to the things of the spirit and cannot revive itself. It is “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1) and can only be made alive by a supernatural awakening, which happens when we come to Christ and are indwelt by Him. Christ gives us a completely new and holy nature and an incorruptible life. Our old life, previously dead to God because of sin, is buried, and we are raised “to walk in newness of life” with Him (Romans 6:4).
If we belong to Christ, we are united to Him and no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:5-6); we are made alive with Him (Ephesians 2:5); we are conformed to His image (Romans 8:29); we are free from condemnation and walking not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1); and we are part of the body of Christ with other believers (Romans 12:5). The believer now possesses a new heart (Ezekiel 11:19) and has been blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:3).
We might wonder why we so often do not live in the manner described, even though we have given our lives to Christ and are sure of our salvation. This is because our new natures are residing in our old fleshly bodies, and these two are at war with one another. The old nature is dead, but the new nature still has to battle the old “tent” in which it dwells. Evil and sin are still present, but the believer now sees them in a new perspective and they no longer control him as they once did. In Christ, we can now choose to resist sin, whereas the old nature could not. Now we have the choice to either feed the new nature through the Word, prayer, and obedience, or to feed the flesh by neglecting those things.
When we are in Christ, “we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (Romans 8:37) and can rejoice in our Savior, who makes all things possible (Philippians 4:13). In Christ we are loved, forgiven, and secure. In Christ we are adopted, justified, redeemed, reconciled, and chosen. In Christ we are victorious, filled with joy and peace, and granted true meaning in life. What a wonderful Savior is Christ!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Death is like a Thief in the Night (Part Two)
At my age in the Early 40's, we never know when are we going to die. we can die at the age of 50 or 60 or after one year or even tomorrow or later after 3 hours from now after reading this message as the bible says:" Death comes like a thief in the night & no one knows when that hour would come".. hence I remember my best friend in high school in Ateneo Geoffrey balanueco, when he got his heart attacked at the age of 38 and a friend also just call him "rolly" at the age of mid-40's when suddenly he got heart attacked when he was taking a bath due to excitement becoz of a big close deal in a realty sale then suddenly he died inside the bathroom. I shared the word for rolly two years before he died but his reply was "I don't need that as I am still young and I want to enjoy"..Yes, we can enjoy life but not to the extent of continuing living in sin. Sin is very enjoyable especially Immorality, Gossips, Slander, Adultery, Corruption Drunkenness & or drugs and many other more sins which are countless but it will not only destroy your Reputation & health but it can destroy your soul in hell and that is the most scary part for me and I don't know with you. It is very scary to die when we are living in sin without true repentance becoz hell is real according to the book of revelation and it says that if we don't repent then there will be consuming fire that is never ending in hell and you will be burning there forever (please check the story of Mary Baxter using the Google search engine of her vision of hell). If you try to imagine the heat of summer, you really cannot contain the heat and you will find ways to get away with it then how much more in hell where heat is just plain in a sense you will be burned alive and there is no end of the pain of burning. You can feel the pain of your flesh & body getting burned but you are not dying; How can you contain that pain.
I remember the story of the late bold star Ms Claudia Zobel in the late 80's when a cruel car accident hit her and she died upon arrival in the hospital and take note that it took place when she was heading into a night spot. I am not judging her but by using common sense, it's hard to repent when you will be killed on the spot thru accident or other means so life is very temporary and all you can do is you can enjoy by eating & drinking (Not wine) and be merry but for Christ sake avoid sins in all sorts; yes we aren't perfect, but by true repentance, John 1:9 says that" if we only confess our sins sincerely, God will cleanse us from all wrong doings so let us leave all the things that make us sin but let us strive hard to do what pleases God for life is too short. During Judgment day, God will not asked how many bank account you have nor how many people you preach or how great was your career on earth but God will simply ask you if you have the a relationship with Jesus as your savior & Lord and it shows how you live on earth if indeed you had a relationship with Jesus as the bible says:" My father's glory is seen in how much you bear fruits (characters) Character or fruits means is if your life has evidence of Faith, Self-control, Patience, Humility, Kindness, gentleness, long suffering or endurance & faith.
I remember the story of the late bold star Ms Claudia Zobel in the late 80's when a cruel car accident hit her and she died upon arrival in the hospital and take note that it took place when she was heading into a night spot. I am not judging her but by using common sense, it's hard to repent when you will be killed on the spot thru accident or other means so life is very temporary and all you can do is you can enjoy by eating & drinking (Not wine) and be merry but for Christ sake avoid sins in all sorts; yes we aren't perfect, but by true repentance, John 1:9 says that" if we only confess our sins sincerely, God will cleanse us from all wrong doings so let us leave all the things that make us sin but let us strive hard to do what pleases God for life is too short. During Judgment day, God will not asked how many bank account you have nor how many people you preach or how great was your career on earth but God will simply ask you if you have the a relationship with Jesus as your savior & Lord and it shows how you live on earth if indeed you had a relationship with Jesus as the bible says:" My father's glory is seen in how much you bear fruits (characters) Character or fruits means is if your life has evidence of Faith, Self-control, Patience, Humility, Kindness, gentleness, long suffering or endurance & faith.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Why do we need to FORGIVE those who offended us?
In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of the importance of Christians forgiving or showing mercy towards others. The Parable of the Prodigal Son Portrays a very Naughty & Rebellious child who ask His father his inheritance then squandered it like a game of chance; but at the end the son decided to go back and ask his dad to forgave him & let him feed the foods of his sherds or pigs so he can eat; but the Father instead runneth after him and HUG & Kissed him and said:" kill all the best and finest meat for my son was once death (by being disobedient) but now he is Found again and the father dressed him with a crown.
The Parable of the unforgiving servant are perhaps the best known instances of such teaching and practice of forgiveness which the servant asked forgiveness for his debt to his master but didnt forgave her own servant so when the Master knew it, then he finally threw him to jail saying:"you asked me forgiveness and I forgave you for your debts but you don't know how to forgive also others who indebted you"..
Forgiveness is not easy but we have to do it because it is the commandments of God and if you won't forgive, you will be the loser in the sense that you become angry everyday and that will lead to so many miseries. Practically speaking, if you wont forgive,Anyone who has ever been victimized—and that includes survivors of crime, accidents, childhood abuse, political imprisonment, warfare, and so on—must decide whether or not to forgive the perpetrator. There can be no middle ground to this decision: either you decide to forgive the person who hurt you, or you hold on to bitterness and anger.
Holding on to bitterness and anger can cause problems of their own, so if you have ever been victimized, being able to forgive your victimizer is a crucial part of your healing.
I’ve seen individuals, for example, who have lost a family member because of a crime. The survivors’ anger and desire for revenge poison their entire beings. They so focus on what they’ve lost, and what they wanted the dead person to be, and do, for them, that they completely miss the opportunity they’ve been given to learn about real love.
Instead, they seem to believe that hatred, even to the point of capital punishment, will satisfy their thirst for vengeance and will somehow bring them healing.
So, with hardened hearts and stiff lips, they say, “I’ll never forgive.”
And the sad thing is that in wishing to send someone to hell they end up sending themselves there as well.
Forgiveness, however, can be a problem for many people simply because they are not clear about what forgiveness really is. All too often forgiveness gets confused with reconciliation, a larger process of which forgiveness is but one part.
Medically & Psychologically Speaking, Unforgiveness can create psychological and emotional stress, but it can take a toll on the body, too. In fact, the negative health effects of unforgiveness have been well-documented, with research showing a link between prolonged anger or resentment and a host of heightened medical risks. Because of the ways in which resentment and unforgiveness interact with the brain, the body’s reactions can lead to chronic—and sometimes serious—physical ailments. These chemical changes can tax the body during recovery, impeding progress in the alcohol or drug treatment program you’ve chosen. By dealing with unforgiveness in individualized therapy, you can help your body reestablish homeostasis, and heal emotional wounds that have led to drug or alcohol addiction.
The Negative Health Effects of Unforgiveness
Unforgiveness can take many forms, from emotional states such as grudge-holding, bitterness and resentment to subtler manifestations of unforgiveness such as irritability and stress. While more overt forms of anger tend to be short in duration, lingering unforgiveness can last for days or longer. When unforgiveness persists, the prolonged anger involved heightens a person’s medical risk. In fact, prolonged anger can make people 500% more likely to die before the age of 50.
Anger triggers the body’s “fight-or-flight” response, creating hyperarousal in the body in order to cope with a perceived crisis. The resulting stress on the body mimics amphetamine intake, raising blood pressure, speeding heartrate, and depressing the body’s immune response in order to focus on the threat of the moment. Over time, these responses cause negative health effects in the body, as these natural responses exist for too long when unforgiveness lingers. As a result, those harboring grudges experience increased risks of heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
Additionally, due to increased arousal and stress levels, many who experience prolonged resentment seek to self medicate through alcohol, drugs, tobacco or unhealthy eating patterns—which can lead to secondary health problems. Other negative health effects of anger can include headaches, digestive issues, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and high blood pressure. Many of these symptoms lead dependent individuals to self-medicate to eliminate stress or anxiety, often leading to drug or alcohol addiction.
The negative health effects of unforgiveness can also have negative effects on the brain. Studies have shown that even low-level resentment and anger tend to lower cognitive function and problem-solving capacity. Mental errors tend to increase, and alternate perspectives fall out of reach, making problems more difficult to solve. Additionally, unforgiveness can lead to negative mental health effects such as anxiety disorders, depression, and shame. Unforgiveness can also create a physiological and psychological “crash” into depression, once incidents of hyperarousal subside.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus repeatedly spoke of forgiveness, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7 (NIV) “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV) “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25 (NIV) “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also.” Luke 6:27-29 (NIV) “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36 (NIV) “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37 (NIV)
Elsewhere, it is said, "Then Peter came and said to Him, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.'" Matthew 18:21-22 (NAS)
Jesus asked for God's forgiveness of those who crucified him. "And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'" Luke 23: 34 (ESV) (Note: Some religions, such as the LDS church interpret this to be spoken toward the soldiers who nailed him to the cross, who truly did not know who Jesus was.)[17]
In his time, Jesus created controversy among the Pharisees, when he told people their sins were forgiven. "The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, 'Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?'" Luke 5:21 (NIV) See Atonement in Christianity and Repentance and Biblical law in Christianity.
The Christian statement on forgiveness is best demonstrated in the Gospel message itself, namely that God the Father, chose to forgive mankind not for their own merit, but by unmerited favor. Unlike other religions, a Christian's forgiveness is given because of Christ's sacrifice, and can not be deserved by any works done by the believer.[18] Out of the basis of this forgiveness, believers are motivated to forgive all debts without recompense because of their debt Christ forgave at His own expense.
The Parable of the unforgiving servant are perhaps the best known instances of such teaching and practice of forgiveness which the servant asked forgiveness for his debt to his master but didnt forgave her own servant so when the Master knew it, then he finally threw him to jail saying:"you asked me forgiveness and I forgave you for your debts but you don't know how to forgive also others who indebted you"..
Forgiveness is not easy but we have to do it because it is the commandments of God and if you won't forgive, you will be the loser in the sense that you become angry everyday and that will lead to so many miseries. Practically speaking, if you wont forgive,Anyone who has ever been victimized—and that includes survivors of crime, accidents, childhood abuse, political imprisonment, warfare, and so on—must decide whether or not to forgive the perpetrator. There can be no middle ground to this decision: either you decide to forgive the person who hurt you, or you hold on to bitterness and anger.
Holding on to bitterness and anger can cause problems of their own, so if you have ever been victimized, being able to forgive your victimizer is a crucial part of your healing.
I’ve seen individuals, for example, who have lost a family member because of a crime. The survivors’ anger and desire for revenge poison their entire beings. They so focus on what they’ve lost, and what they wanted the dead person to be, and do, for them, that they completely miss the opportunity they’ve been given to learn about real love.
Instead, they seem to believe that hatred, even to the point of capital punishment, will satisfy their thirst for vengeance and will somehow bring them healing.
So, with hardened hearts and stiff lips, they say, “I’ll never forgive.”
And the sad thing is that in wishing to send someone to hell they end up sending themselves there as well.
Forgiveness, however, can be a problem for many people simply because they are not clear about what forgiveness really is. All too often forgiveness gets confused with reconciliation, a larger process of which forgiveness is but one part.
Medically & Psychologically Speaking, Unforgiveness can create psychological and emotional stress, but it can take a toll on the body, too. In fact, the negative health effects of unforgiveness have been well-documented, with research showing a link between prolonged anger or resentment and a host of heightened medical risks. Because of the ways in which resentment and unforgiveness interact with the brain, the body’s reactions can lead to chronic—and sometimes serious—physical ailments. These chemical changes can tax the body during recovery, impeding progress in the alcohol or drug treatment program you’ve chosen. By dealing with unforgiveness in individualized therapy, you can help your body reestablish homeostasis, and heal emotional wounds that have led to drug or alcohol addiction.
The Negative Health Effects of Unforgiveness
Unforgiveness can take many forms, from emotional states such as grudge-holding, bitterness and resentment to subtler manifestations of unforgiveness such as irritability and stress. While more overt forms of anger tend to be short in duration, lingering unforgiveness can last for days or longer. When unforgiveness persists, the prolonged anger involved heightens a person’s medical risk. In fact, prolonged anger can make people 500% more likely to die before the age of 50.
Anger triggers the body’s “fight-or-flight” response, creating hyperarousal in the body in order to cope with a perceived crisis. The resulting stress on the body mimics amphetamine intake, raising blood pressure, speeding heartrate, and depressing the body’s immune response in order to focus on the threat of the moment. Over time, these responses cause negative health effects in the body, as these natural responses exist for too long when unforgiveness lingers. As a result, those harboring grudges experience increased risks of heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
Additionally, due to increased arousal and stress levels, many who experience prolonged resentment seek to self medicate through alcohol, drugs, tobacco or unhealthy eating patterns—which can lead to secondary health problems. Other negative health effects of anger can include headaches, digestive issues, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and high blood pressure. Many of these symptoms lead dependent individuals to self-medicate to eliminate stress or anxiety, often leading to drug or alcohol addiction.
The negative health effects of unforgiveness can also have negative effects on the brain. Studies have shown that even low-level resentment and anger tend to lower cognitive function and problem-solving capacity. Mental errors tend to increase, and alternate perspectives fall out of reach, making problems more difficult to solve. Additionally, unforgiveness can lead to negative mental health effects such as anxiety disorders, depression, and shame. Unforgiveness can also create a physiological and psychological “crash” into depression, once incidents of hyperarousal subside.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus repeatedly spoke of forgiveness, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7 (NIV) “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV) “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25 (NIV) “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also.” Luke 6:27-29 (NIV) “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36 (NIV) “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37 (NIV)
Elsewhere, it is said, "Then Peter came and said to Him, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.'" Matthew 18:21-22 (NAS)
Jesus asked for God's forgiveness of those who crucified him. "And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'" Luke 23: 34 (ESV) (Note: Some religions, such as the LDS church interpret this to be spoken toward the soldiers who nailed him to the cross, who truly did not know who Jesus was.)[17]
In his time, Jesus created controversy among the Pharisees, when he told people their sins were forgiven. "The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, 'Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?'" Luke 5:21 (NIV) See Atonement in Christianity and Repentance and Biblical law in Christianity.
The Christian statement on forgiveness is best demonstrated in the Gospel message itself, namely that God the Father, chose to forgive mankind not for their own merit, but by unmerited favor. Unlike other religions, a Christian's forgiveness is given because of Christ's sacrifice, and can not be deserved by any works done by the believer.[18] Out of the basis of this forgiveness, believers are motivated to forgive all debts without recompense because of their debt Christ forgave at His own expense.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Question: "Faith vs. fear -HOW TO FIGHT FEARS? what does the Bible say?"
Question: "Faith vs. fear - HOW TO FIGHT FEAR? what does the Bible say?"
By Rick M. Pila
ANSWER:
Faith and fear cannot exist together. Faith is described in Hebrews 11:1 as being "certain of what we do not see." It is an absolute belief that God is constantly working behind the scenes in every area of our lives, even when there is no tangible evidence to support that fact. On the other hand, fear, simply stated, is unbelief or weak belief. As unbelief gains the upper hand in our thoughts, fear takes hold of our emotions. Our deliverance from fear and worry is based on faith, which is the very opposite of unbelief. We need to understand that faith is not something that we can produce in ourselves. Faith is a gift, (Ephesians 2:8-9) and is described as a fruit (or characteristic) which is produced in our lives by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). The Christian's faith is a confident assurance in a God who loves us, who knows our thoughts and cares about our deepest needs. That faith continues to grow as we study the Bible and learn the attributes of His amazing character. The more we learn about God, the more we can see Him working in our lives and the stronger our faith grows.
A growing faith is what we desire to have and what God desires to produce in us. But how, in day-to-day life, can we develop a faith that conquers our fears? The Bible says, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). The careful study of God's Word is of primary importance in developing a strong faith. God wants us to know Him and completely rely on His direction in our lives. It's through the hearing, reading and meditation in the Scriptures that we begin to experience a strong confident faith that excludes worry and fear. Spending time in prayer and quiet worship develops a relationship with our heavenly Father that sees us through even the darkest of nights. In the Psalms we see a picture of David, who, like us, experienced times of fear. Psalm 56:3 reveals his faith with these words, "When I am afraid, I will trust in you." Psalm 119 is filled with verses expressing the way in which David treasured God's Word: "I seek you with all my heart" (v. 10); "I meditate on your precepts" (v. 15); "I have hidden your word in my heart" (v. 11). These are revealing words which speak wisdom to us today.
God is kind and understanding toward our weaknesses, but He requires us to go forward in faith, and the Bible is clear that faith does not mature and strengthen without trials. Adversity is God's most effective tool to develop a strong faith. That pattern is evident in Scripture. God takes each one of us through fearful situations, and as we learn to obey God's Word and to allow it to saturate our thoughts, we find each trial becomes a stepping stone to a stronger and deeper faith. It gives us that ability to say, "He sustained me in the past, He'll carry me through today and He'll uphold me in the future!" God worked this way in David's life. When David volunteered to fight against Goliath, he spoke these words, "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" (1Samuel 17:37). David knew the God who had sustained him through dangerous situations in the past. He had seen and experienced God's power and protection in his life and this developed within him a fearless faith.
The Word of God is rich with promises for us to take hold of and claim for ourselves. When we face financial trouble, Philippians 4:19 tells us "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." If we are anxious about a future decision, Psalm 32:8 reminds us that God will "instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you." In sickness we can remember that Romans 5:3 says "Tribulation works patience." If someone turns against us, we can be comforted by the words in Romans 8:31, "If God is for us who can be against us!" Throughout life we will continue to face various trials that would cause us fear, but God assures us that we can know a calm peace through every situation, "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding” which He has promised will “guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).
By Rick M. Pila
ANSWER:
Faith and fear cannot exist together. Faith is described in Hebrews 11:1 as being "certain of what we do not see." It is an absolute belief that God is constantly working behind the scenes in every area of our lives, even when there is no tangible evidence to support that fact. On the other hand, fear, simply stated, is unbelief or weak belief. As unbelief gains the upper hand in our thoughts, fear takes hold of our emotions. Our deliverance from fear and worry is based on faith, which is the very opposite of unbelief. We need to understand that faith is not something that we can produce in ourselves. Faith is a gift, (Ephesians 2:8-9) and is described as a fruit (or characteristic) which is produced in our lives by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). The Christian's faith is a confident assurance in a God who loves us, who knows our thoughts and cares about our deepest needs. That faith continues to grow as we study the Bible and learn the attributes of His amazing character. The more we learn about God, the more we can see Him working in our lives and the stronger our faith grows.
A growing faith is what we desire to have and what God desires to produce in us. But how, in day-to-day life, can we develop a faith that conquers our fears? The Bible says, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). The careful study of God's Word is of primary importance in developing a strong faith. God wants us to know Him and completely rely on His direction in our lives. It's through the hearing, reading and meditation in the Scriptures that we begin to experience a strong confident faith that excludes worry and fear. Spending time in prayer and quiet worship develops a relationship with our heavenly Father that sees us through even the darkest of nights. In the Psalms we see a picture of David, who, like us, experienced times of fear. Psalm 56:3 reveals his faith with these words, "When I am afraid, I will trust in you." Psalm 119 is filled with verses expressing the way in which David treasured God's Word: "I seek you with all my heart" (v. 10); "I meditate on your precepts" (v. 15); "I have hidden your word in my heart" (v. 11). These are revealing words which speak wisdom to us today.
God is kind and understanding toward our weaknesses, but He requires us to go forward in faith, and the Bible is clear that faith does not mature and strengthen without trials. Adversity is God's most effective tool to develop a strong faith. That pattern is evident in Scripture. God takes each one of us through fearful situations, and as we learn to obey God's Word and to allow it to saturate our thoughts, we find each trial becomes a stepping stone to a stronger and deeper faith. It gives us that ability to say, "He sustained me in the past, He'll carry me through today and He'll uphold me in the future!" God worked this way in David's life. When David volunteered to fight against Goliath, he spoke these words, "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" (1Samuel 17:37). David knew the God who had sustained him through dangerous situations in the past. He had seen and experienced God's power and protection in his life and this developed within him a fearless faith.
The Word of God is rich with promises for us to take hold of and claim for ourselves. When we face financial trouble, Philippians 4:19 tells us "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." If we are anxious about a future decision, Psalm 32:8 reminds us that God will "instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you." In sickness we can remember that Romans 5:3 says "Tribulation works patience." If someone turns against us, we can be comforted by the words in Romans 8:31, "If God is for us who can be against us!" Throughout life we will continue to face various trials that would cause us fear, but God assures us that we can know a calm peace through every situation, "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding” which He has promised will “guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
MAYDAY! MADAY! DEATH IS LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT SO WE NEED TO REPENT & ACCEPT JESUS AS LORD & SAVIOR FOR TIME IS SHORT & HELL IS REAL...
Dear Friends & Families
The death of Claudia Zobel, a young & 19 years old bold star in the Philippine cinema during the 80's is an example of what the bible said:"Death comes like a thief in the Night" when she suddenly met a car accident coming from a night spot.. In other words , Death does not choose whether you are young or old but the question of this: Did Claudia Zobel were able to repent her sexual shows in the movie as it was banned due to it's sexual exploitation when the accident occurred or during that period? or is she save? Did she has the chance to repent during that fatal accident? as she was declared death upon arrival in the hospital unconciously? It is apparently bogus that she wasn't able to repent as the death and unconsciousness happened so quick like a TWINKLE OF AN EYE SO TO SPEAK. The lessons we learn here is that we need to be prepared always by running or getting out of habitual sins becoz Hell is real and the bible said that the wicked or evil doer will be snatched here on earth and be thrown to hell were pain is unending. The question I wanted to challenge you is are you ready to face Judgment of God when you die today. Two thousand years ago God sent His son Jesus Christ to save us all for those who believe and by turning away from all known sins in order to be saved.. But the story of claudia zobel is very frightening thing to me personally as death caught her coming from a night spot and obviously there was no repentance in my opinion as the movie she portray is like the a shameless woman who does sexual fornication and it was continues and this is not new in the history of the bible because there is a prophesy of John mentioned in the book of Revelation where there where a shameless women whose god is Sex without marriage but purely fornication and adultery and everyone goes with her will be with her in the blazing fire which is hell itself; and the bible says that anyone who does it will be punish in hell.. Therefore let us all repent now while there is time left for us coz if you don't then one day you will be like claudia zobel where death caught her by surprise"..
The death of Claudia Zobel, a young & 19 years old bold star in the Philippine cinema during the 80's is an example of what the bible said:"Death comes like a thief in the Night" when she suddenly met a car accident coming from a night spot.. In other words , Death does not choose whether you are young or old but the question of this: Did Claudia Zobel were able to repent her sexual shows in the movie as it was banned due to it's sexual exploitation when the accident occurred or during that period? or is she save? Did she has the chance to repent during that fatal accident? as she was declared death upon arrival in the hospital unconciously? It is apparently bogus that she wasn't able to repent as the death and unconsciousness happened so quick like a TWINKLE OF AN EYE SO TO SPEAK. The lessons we learn here is that we need to be prepared always by running or getting out of habitual sins becoz Hell is real and the bible said that the wicked or evil doer will be snatched here on earth and be thrown to hell were pain is unending. The question I wanted to challenge you is are you ready to face Judgment of God when you die today. Two thousand years ago God sent His son Jesus Christ to save us all for those who believe and by turning away from all known sins in order to be saved.. But the story of claudia zobel is very frightening thing to me personally as death caught her coming from a night spot and obviously there was no repentance in my opinion as the movie she portray is like the a shameless woman who does sexual fornication and it was continues and this is not new in the history of the bible because there is a prophesy of John mentioned in the book of Revelation where there where a shameless women whose god is Sex without marriage but purely fornication and adultery and everyone goes with her will be with her in the blazing fire which is hell itself; and the bible says that anyone who does it will be punish in hell.. Therefore let us all repent now while there is time left for us coz if you don't then one day you will be like claudia zobel where death caught her by surprise"..
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The GRACE of Forgiveness & Humility
Dear Peter Kairuz:
In reference to your request, you wanted me to email you of something I wanna say so you may just call me by phone to explain so it goes this way:
First of all, I wanted to confirm you that your discernment or I might call it your "prophesy" about the madrigal's that they are shrewd but not necessarilly bad has just happened. In other words, It came true while I was under employ with them but now, guess what?
The prophesy you gave me about the chinese employer that they are more rude is exactly happening now to me. In other words your "Prophesy" again came true.
Look my friend, I really dont understand the second wife of our President or the EVP because she is shunning everything what the president is advising me to do. In other words, One example is what happened a while ago, My appointment was supposed to submit requirements for accreditation in the banks but the EVP stop all the requirements by ordering her secretary and by asking an application form first which is out of context. The bank is somewhat laughing when I spoke to them earlier today. There is no such thing as application form for accreditation for developers. Therefore our meeting is a waste of time for me and for them and but anyway I am still paid so its not on my part but since I work by heart I can felt the waste of time;
Second, It was stipulated in our contract between me and the President that a car will be delivered to me and a driver if necessary but the EVP Overrule by inserting another memo which is contrary to law and Right conduct so I am just enduring it compare if you dont have job..
The only thing I consider why I endure First is the big salary and most of all the I was inspired when I read the book of Rick Warren entitle:"Why Can't I change?" that connotes what the bible is saying that whatever happens in your life has a purpose whether irritations, hurts, abuse & even crimes espcially when you see how Paul was beheaded in rome.
What I am trying to say is :"there is a purpose in order to develop the fruits of the spirit that is already in us"..Besides the bible says:"if someone slaps you on the right, give him your left as well and if someone throws you stone, throw them bread.. Look peter whether we like it or not, this is what the bible is saying. I remember how our House and lot was stolen by one of our sisters and her crime partners.. We were nearly shot to dead during confrontation in the Barangay council then after seeking help from our other families we were left in the air so the only thing to do is to get & buy an armalite then took revenge or to Forgive and forget so we and my wife decided to forgive and forget in fact we even had one of her babies be dedicated last two months; so just imagine, the person who cause you nearly to be shot to death, was the person you had her babies dedicated with a big party..
I cant imagine even how I did it but this is what you called the GRACE of God. Remember what the bible says in ephesian that "we are saved not because of any righteous acts we did but rather because of the mercy and Grace of God only so lest no one can boast".. This is all for now, May the world read this testimony in order to bring all the glory to God always and forever"..
In reference to your request, you wanted me to email you of something I wanna say so you may just call me by phone to explain so it goes this way:
First of all, I wanted to confirm you that your discernment or I might call it your "prophesy" about the madrigal's that they are shrewd but not necessarilly bad has just happened. In other words, It came true while I was under employ with them but now, guess what?
The prophesy you gave me about the chinese employer that they are more rude is exactly happening now to me. In other words your "Prophesy" again came true.
Look my friend, I really dont understand the second wife of our President or the EVP because she is shunning everything what the president is advising me to do. In other words, One example is what happened a while ago, My appointment was supposed to submit requirements for accreditation in the banks but the EVP stop all the requirements by ordering her secretary and by asking an application form first which is out of context. The bank is somewhat laughing when I spoke to them earlier today. There is no such thing as application form for accreditation for developers. Therefore our meeting is a waste of time for me and for them and but anyway I am still paid so its not on my part but since I work by heart I can felt the waste of time;
Second, It was stipulated in our contract between me and the President that a car will be delivered to me and a driver if necessary but the EVP Overrule by inserting another memo which is contrary to law and Right conduct so I am just enduring it compare if you dont have job..
The only thing I consider why I endure First is the big salary and most of all the I was inspired when I read the book of Rick Warren entitle:"Why Can't I change?" that connotes what the bible is saying that whatever happens in your life has a purpose whether irritations, hurts, abuse & even crimes espcially when you see how Paul was beheaded in rome.
What I am trying to say is :"there is a purpose in order to develop the fruits of the spirit that is already in us"..Besides the bible says:"if someone slaps you on the right, give him your left as well and if someone throws you stone, throw them bread.. Look peter whether we like it or not, this is what the bible is saying. I remember how our House and lot was stolen by one of our sisters and her crime partners.. We were nearly shot to dead during confrontation in the Barangay council then after seeking help from our other families we were left in the air so the only thing to do is to get & buy an armalite then took revenge or to Forgive and forget so we and my wife decided to forgive and forget in fact we even had one of her babies be dedicated last two months; so just imagine, the person who cause you nearly to be shot to death, was the person you had her babies dedicated with a big party..
I cant imagine even how I did it but this is what you called the GRACE of God. Remember what the bible says in ephesian that "we are saved not because of any righteous acts we did but rather because of the mercy and Grace of God only so lest no one can boast".. This is all for now, May the world read this testimony in order to bring all the glory to God always and forever"..
Thursday, January 14, 2010
OVERCOMING VICES
OVERCOMING VICES!
We all have habits, both good and bad. Anything you do automatically without consciously thinking about it, or without specifically deciding to do it, is a habit. Good habits or practices--such as tidiness, courtesy, good manners etc. are a real blessing. But when the habits you've picked up are BAD or DESTRUCTIVE, and you find them hard or almost impossible to change, they are known as VICES.
There's a true story about a man who owned an eagle, and for many years had chained him to a stake. Over the years, the eagle had walked around and around that stake so much on the end of his chain that he'd worn an actual rut in the ground. Finally, he was getting old and his master felt sorry for him and thought, "These are his last days, so I'm going to set him free!" So he took the metal ring off the eagle's foot, took him up in his hand and tossed him into the air. But what do you suppose happened? The old eagle had almost totally forgotten how to fly! He flip-flopped right back down to the ground, walked back over to the old rut and started walking around the rut like he had done for years! No chain or birdband held him!--Just the habit!
It has been said that "The chains of bad habits are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken!"--EXCEPT by the Lord! And "Habit is a cable; you weave a thread of it every day, and at last you cannot break it."--These are very true.
How many times have you tried to quit a bad habit, but found yourself almost powerless to get rid of it or stop doing it, no matter how much you tried to exert will power against it? The fact is that, in one area or another, we are all weak and very human and fallible, and subject to many different problems which can turn into bad habits and vices.
What most people do not realise is that a vice or a bad habit is often MORE than just an ingrained natural reaction. When you have a certain weakness, and you entertain and give in to it for a prolonged period of time, very often evil spirits--demons--are BEHIND these habits, playing them up and trying to keep you addicted to them, especially if they are bad habits which endanger you or your health, or your relationship with others.
According to God's Word, there are definitely demons who play up certain sins and vices and try to destroy us through them.--Such as demons of gluttony, demons of alcohol and drugs and cigarettes, demons of gam bling, demons of sexual perversions, of homosexuality etc. These are some of the most OBVIOUS vices, but what many people do not realise is that things like hatred, guilt, bitterness, worry, pride, jealousy, self-righteousness, fear, lying and deception are also bad habits and vices, and the spiritual powers that bind people to them can be just as strong and destructive as the addiction that drives someone to compulsive gambling, drugs or alcohol abuse!
There are demons that will try to harm and destroy you in almost every phase of your life if you let them. This is especially true if you have a TENDENCY or a BESETTING SIN along some line, say, for example, a strong inclination to be jealous or to critically judge others.--Or if you have a WEAKNESS towards alcohol or anything else. The Enemy can play on that and tempt you with it constantly.
ALCOHOLISM is a vice that has plagued mankind for millenniums, and though drinking wine in moderation was very common in Bible times, the Bible has much to say against the constant ABUSE of and OVER-indulgence in wine and other alcohol.--See Proverbs 2O:1; 21:17; 23:29-35; 31:4, Ephesians 5:18; Titus 2:3. The Lord can not only set you free from the spirit behind alcoholism, but He can also give you the will power to continue to resist it once He's delivered you.
We all know, of course, that the nicotine and tar in TOBACCO is very bad for our health and has been proven to be a major cause of cancer! Even most smokers recognise that smoking is a vice and a bad habit, but the point is, how can they STOP?--As it can have such a grip and be so addicting! The solution to stopping is to desperately pray for the Lord to free you from the physical dependence on the nicotine, and to rebuke any bad spirits which could possibly be aggravating and adding to the addiction. Ask the LORD to DELIVER you, and He WILL!
DRUGS are also very addicting and very harmful. This includes not only the illegal drugs, but also the "legal" prescribed drugs that millions of people buy across the pharmacy counter. Many are addicting, and whatever "benefits" they give--whether escape from reality or relief from pain--almost all of them have bad side-effects, are harmful and expensive! But the good news is that the Lord has DELIVERED untold thousands of people from drug addiction of all kinds!--MIRACULOUSLY!--And often without any withdrawal symptoms!
GAMBLING is a vice as addicting as alcoholism or drugs, and is clearly a case of deceptive evil spirits compelling someone to gamble their hard-earned savings away at a toss of the dice, the turn or a wheel, the speed of a horse or a chance good hand of cards. The principle behind gambling is that you can make easy money without labour, just the opposite of the values of diligence, hard work and thrift that the Bible teaches. Also, the dependence on "luck" is nothing more than wishing for the blessing of the Devil, as the word "LUCK" comes from his name, "LUCifer". It's bad enough that some people are foolish enough to take RISKS or CHANCES in gambling, but those who are actually "good" at it or "lucky" are even MORE in need of deliverance!
HOMOSEXUALITY--or Sodomy, as it is known in the Bible--has been more fully covered in another article in this book, "The Doom of the Sodomites". Please read this story and its "Food for Thought" if you have a problem with homosexuality.
Many Christians who self-righteously condemn others who are caught up in the obvious vices of alcoholism, drugs or sexual perversion think nothing of over-eating and obesity.--Yet GLUTTONY, or COMPULSIVE EATING are often spiritually induced vices as well, and a compulsive bad habit that takes real prayer and determination to overcome. Gluttonly is often as strong and as bad a habit as drug addiction or alcoholism, and God's Word gives ample warning against it. (See Proverbs 23:2,2O-21; 1Peter 4:3.)
Speaking of SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS and a condemning CRITICAL SPIRIT, these are definitely very serious spiritual problems and vices also. If you find yourself constantly judging and critical, looking down on others, thinking you are better than they are, then you should definitely seek for deliverance from the negative, divisive spirits which cause you to be that way.
Self-righteousness is very closely related to PRIDE, and stems directly from it.--And though we all have the besetting sin of pride and a love and concern for ourselves, the Enemy of our soul can often play on that natural human weakness and blow it up into the worst of all problems! Pride is the root of ALL sin, and was the cause of SATAN'S downfall.--Isaiah 14:12-15. The Lord HATES pride!--Proverbs 6:16-17.
Two other common vices that countless millions of people are afflicted with are HATRED and BITTERNESS. Like other sins of the mind and of the heart, these are definitely weaknesses brought on by evil spirits. For what the Bible has to say about bitterness, read Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:19; Hebrews 12:15; James 3:14-15. For hatred, read Proverbs 1O:12; 15:17; 26:26; Galatians 5:19-21. Not only are these bad habits detrimential and even dangerous to others, but medical science has proven that they cause all kinds of psychosomatic illnesses to the one who is bitter or hateful by releasing actual poisons into the bloodstream.
FEAR and WORRY are related negative emotions which cause no end of bad effects to the one who is plagued by them. Being deeply fearful or constantly worrying are usually more than just ingrained habits or the result of some bad childhood experience. Fear especially is a terrible bondage, and the Bible clearly states that "GOD has NOT given us the spirit of fear, but of POWER, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind!"--2Timothy 1:7. See also Proverbs 29:25; Luke 21:26; 2Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 2:15; 1John 4:18.
JEALOUSY has been covered in a separate article. (See "Jealousy: The Green-Eyed Monster!") GUILT or a feeling of condemnation is also definitely spiritual, and brought on by the Devil, whom the Bible calls "the Accuser of the Saints".--Revelation 12:10. People usually suffer from guilt because they are either disobedient and "have a certain fearful expectation of judgement" (Hebrews 10:27), or because "their conscience is weak" and therefore susceptible to the lies of the Enemy.--1Corinthians 8:7; Titus 1:15. The solution to breaking such an oppressive habit is to study the truth of GOD'S WORD to know what is WRONG and what is RIGHT, and then to OBEY and do the RIGHT THING!--Hebrews 10:22; John 15:3.
Some people have a compulsive bad habit of LYING or of practicing DECEPTION. The Bible makes it clear that this is also a serious vice. For Bible verses on lying, see Psalm 119:163; Proverbs 6:16-17; 1O:18; 12:22, 13:5; 26:28; Ephesians 4:25. For deceitfulness, see Proverbs 12:5,17; 14:8,25; 26:24. There are many more bad habits and vices which we could list, but these are just a few examples of some of the most common ones. But remember, ANY bad or negative habit you have that hurts yourself or others is a VICE, and it is very possible that the Enemy of your soul is behind it, using it to try to defeat or hinder you.
It's interesting also that a VICE is a workman's TOOL that GRIPS something so it cannot move!
If you're a Christian, evil spirits can't permanently possess you, but they can try to put thoughts in your head to motivate you to do things which you shouldn't. They try to INFLUENCE your mind and your spirit, and try to get you to yield to them.--And if they can get you to yield to their influence or to decide to do their will, they get control and can almost bind you into vices or bad habits. If you get into a bad habit and do it continually, you can wind up in total defeat to where you're obeying and listening to the Devil instead of the Lord.
Even born-again Christians who love the Lord are sometimes subject to evil spirits.--Not permanently possessed, but OPPRESSED or under their influence. A Christian is the LORD'S property and possessed by the LORD and HIS Spirit.--But of course, if you have some besetting sin, some dark corner of your life or bad habit that you're not willing to yield to the Lord, the Enemy can bother you and plague you on that point. He can use that thing to weaken you or to cause defeat in that particular area of your life. This is why God's Word says, "Neither give PLACE to the Devil!"--Ephesians 4:27. The Scripture calls them "BESETTING SINS" because they are SPIRITS that ATTACK you, "WEIGHTS" you must "lay aside".--Hebrews 12:1.
When you "give place" to the Enemy in your life, it's like having an evil boarder in your house: He's not in control of the house, but he annoys you and causes you trouble and all kinds of damage. You tell him to leave several times but he won't leave, so finally by the authority and the law--in this case the authority of the WORD and the Name of JESUS--you literally THROW him out!--Otherwise he just won't leave!
It's sad that many Christians go so long without getting complete DELIVERANCE from deep-seated vices and bad habits! They just sort of harbour them and allow them to hang around without really getting RID of them. They don't recognise that their problems are SPIRITUAL as well as physical, so they don't take SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY over these spirits and REBUKE them and get RID of them.
You have to first of all be willing to RECOGNISE that there is a SPIRITUAL FORCE binding you into that vice, and you have to want to be FREE of it enough that you are not only willing to CONFESS it to the LORD and cry out to HIM for help, but you have to be willing to confess to OTHERS that you need help and prayer to overcome your weakness and bad habit.--Because some vices have such a strong grip on people--even Christians--that they're almost powerless to overcome them on their own.
If you have a real serious problem and you cannot seem to get deliverance through private prayer or trying to resist some vice on your own, then you need to contact other Spirit-filled Christians whom you know and trust and let them know you have a serious problem and ask for their united prayer! Never be ashamed to ask for help or prayer when you need it.
Remember, God's Word says: "ONE can chase a THOUSAND, but TWO can put TEN THOUSAND to flight" (Deuteronomy 32:3O), and it helps greatly to have someone else pray with you when you feel oppressed or distressed or attacked by the Enemy. "Where TWO or THREE are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them." And, "If any TWO of you shall AGREE on Earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven."--Matthew 18:19-20.
"If there is any SICK among you (SPIRITUALLY as well as physically), let him CALL for the ELDERS of the church and let them pray over him, and the prayer of faith shall save the sick. And if they have committed any sins, they shall be forgiven them. CONFESS your FAULTS one to another, and PRAY one for another, that ye may be HEALED."--James 5:14-16. When you pray, quote and remind the Lord of the Promises that He has made in His Word. When you remind God of His Word, it shows you have faith in it. He has promised to keep His Word, so remind Him of it, cling to His Promises, memorise and quote them continually, and never doubt for a moment that God is going to answer--and He WILL! He HAS to! If you sincerely WANT deliverance and PRAY for a real victory over any bad habits, the LORD will help you! Jesus never fails! He always answers when we call upon Him with a WHOLE HEART.
"ALL power is given unto Me in Heaven and in Earth," Jesus said (Matthew 28:18), and we have JESUS, so we have HIS power, so even the evil spirits and demons are subject unto us!--Matthew 1O:1; Luke 9:1; 1O:17-19, Acts 8:7. If there are demonic powers behind your bad habits, you can rebuke them in the name of Jesus, and they HAVE to DEPART!
To overcome a vice or bad habit, you first or all have to get delivered of the spiritual power that is behind the bad habit. Before you're delivered, the binding spirit may pretty much have control, but after you are DELIVERED, it will be within your power to RESIST its re-entry!
But even after prayer and spiritual deliverance, it sometimes takes awhile to completely break free from the HABIT. Although you are delivered of the SPIRIT, you still have the ingrained HABIT, and the spirit may keep trying to come back to tempt you for awhile and play up on your weakness or tendencies along that line.---Especially if a certain weakness or vice has been a big problem or habit for many years. It makes you much more SUSCEPTIBLE to attacks along that line. So for some time after prayer you may still have some battles with it.--But don't give up! It's a real battle to overcome a strong bad habit you've had for years, but you need to resist even thinking about doing those things again.--Rebuke the very THOUGHT of temptation, quote Scriptures and praise the Lord continually!
It's not YOUR fault that you get TEMPTED. Nobody can keep temptation from coming, but you don't have to YIELD to temptation! "You can't keep birds from flying over your head, but you can CERTAINLY keep them from building a NEST in your hair!" Attack and hit the Devil back every time he tries his tactics on you! The Devil can only win if you SURRENDER! He can NEVER win as long as you keep FIGHTING. "RESIST the Devil and he will FLEE from you!"--James 4:7. As long as you keep resisting, he'll keep fleeing. But if you stop resisting, he uses his lies and temptations and persuasion to win. When JESUS WAS TEMPTED by the Devil, He fought him with SCRIPTURES!--Luke 4:1-13. So quote the Word of God and rebuke the Enemy!
Some changes are instantaneous, overnight, and others take awhile. You can't get over some habits in one day necessarily, because the Enemy doesn't very willingly surrender territory which he has controlled so long. When people have had weaknesses and had channels open to the Enemy before, he tries to get back in if he can. But if you keep praying and asking the Lord to protect and deliver and give you the complete victory, and you claim and quote His Word, He WILL! "Whom the Son shall set free is FREE INDEED!"--John 8:36.
One of your best protections is to KEEP BUSY for God and others, doing what you know you SHOULD, as well as filling your mind and heart with positive, encouraging, strengthening and faith-building thoughts from His Word, remembering, memorising and continually quoting to yourself and even to the Enemy when he attacks you. And "pray without ceasing!"--1Thessalonians 5:17. As the poem says: "The Devil flees when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees!"
"Ye are of GOD, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is HE (JESUS) that is IN YOU, than HE (THE DEVIL) that is in the WORLD."--1John 4:4. The power of the Lord is far greater, and is able to break all the chains that may bind you!
WHATEVER your bad habit is, JESUS can set you FREE!--Are YOU free?--Or do you need HELP?--"ASK and ye SHALL RECEIVE!"--Amen?
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The following is a sample of a prayer for deliverance that you might find helpful, as it offers you an example, not only of how to call out to the Lord for His help to overcome vices, but also how to CLAIM and QUOTE Scriptures as you rebuke the Enemy:
(PRAY:) "Lord Jesus, I call out to YOU now with my whole heart and ask You, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, to FREE me from the terrible grip that this vice has on my life! YOU said in Your WORD, Jesus, `Greater is He that is in me (YOU in my heart, Lord!) than he that is in the World (the Devil)!'--So I KNOW that YOU are GREATER than the Enemy and CAN overcome this vice! You said, `ALL power is given unto Me in Heaven and on Earth' and that `if ye shall ask ANYTHING in My Name, I WILL DO it'!--So I ask You right now, Jesus, to BREAK every hold the Enemy has in my life and DESTROY the power of this bad habit! I REBUKE the Devil and ALL of his influence, right NOW, in Jesus' name!
"Your Word says, `Give NO place to the Enemy', and I don't want ANYTHING that's not of YOU, Jesus! Your disciples said, `Even the evil spirits are SUBJECT unto us!', so I CLAIM that promise, I claim that SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY over the power of the Enemy--right NOW!--And I REBUKE the Devil in the Name of JESUS CHRIST! I claim Your Promise, Lord: `RESIST the Devil and he will FLEE from you!' I RESIST you, Satan, in the Name of JESUS CHRIST! I BIND and REBUKE any hold you might have on my life, any power you might have over me, in the Name of JESUS!
"JESUS, You PROMISED that `When ye shall call unto Me with a WHOLE HEART, I WILL answer thee!'--And Jesus, I AM crying out with ALL my heart for You to deliver me!--And I EXPECT you to do it! You promised, `Whatsoever ye shall bind on Earth SHALL be BOUND in Heaven, and whatsoever ye shall loose on Earth, shall be loosed in Heaven', so I BIND the power of the Enemy in YOUR NAME and I loose the grip he has on me and I ask You to cast him far away from me, NEVER to return!--In JESUS' name! I count it DONE, Lord! Thank You, Jesus! Thank You for setting me FREE! Help me now to take a stand of faith against the Enemy's devices! Please give me the spiritual power to do what I can to resist temptation, and STAY free from the ingrained habits, Lord! In the Name of Jesus Christ!--AMEN!"
We all have habits, both good and bad. Anything you do automatically without consciously thinking about it, or without specifically deciding to do it, is a habit. Good habits or practices--such as tidiness, courtesy, good manners etc. are a real blessing. But when the habits you've picked up are BAD or DESTRUCTIVE, and you find them hard or almost impossible to change, they are known as VICES.
There's a true story about a man who owned an eagle, and for many years had chained him to a stake. Over the years, the eagle had walked around and around that stake so much on the end of his chain that he'd worn an actual rut in the ground. Finally, he was getting old and his master felt sorry for him and thought, "These are his last days, so I'm going to set him free!" So he took the metal ring off the eagle's foot, took him up in his hand and tossed him into the air. But what do you suppose happened? The old eagle had almost totally forgotten how to fly! He flip-flopped right back down to the ground, walked back over to the old rut and started walking around the rut like he had done for years! No chain or birdband held him!--Just the habit!
It has been said that "The chains of bad habits are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken!"--EXCEPT by the Lord! And "Habit is a cable; you weave a thread of it every day, and at last you cannot break it."--These are very true.
How many times have you tried to quit a bad habit, but found yourself almost powerless to get rid of it or stop doing it, no matter how much you tried to exert will power against it? The fact is that, in one area or another, we are all weak and very human and fallible, and subject to many different problems which can turn into bad habits and vices.
What most people do not realise is that a vice or a bad habit is often MORE than just an ingrained natural reaction. When you have a certain weakness, and you entertain and give in to it for a prolonged period of time, very often evil spirits--demons--are BEHIND these habits, playing them up and trying to keep you addicted to them, especially if they are bad habits which endanger you or your health, or your relationship with others.
According to God's Word, there are definitely demons who play up certain sins and vices and try to destroy us through them.--Such as demons of gluttony, demons of alcohol and drugs and cigarettes, demons of gam bling, demons of sexual perversions, of homosexuality etc. These are some of the most OBVIOUS vices, but what many people do not realise is that things like hatred, guilt, bitterness, worry, pride, jealousy, self-righteousness, fear, lying and deception are also bad habits and vices, and the spiritual powers that bind people to them can be just as strong and destructive as the addiction that drives someone to compulsive gambling, drugs or alcohol abuse!
There are demons that will try to harm and destroy you in almost every phase of your life if you let them. This is especially true if you have a TENDENCY or a BESETTING SIN along some line, say, for example, a strong inclination to be jealous or to critically judge others.--Or if you have a WEAKNESS towards alcohol or anything else. The Enemy can play on that and tempt you with it constantly.
ALCOHOLISM is a vice that has plagued mankind for millenniums, and though drinking wine in moderation was very common in Bible times, the Bible has much to say against the constant ABUSE of and OVER-indulgence in wine and other alcohol.--See Proverbs 2O:1; 21:17; 23:29-35; 31:4, Ephesians 5:18; Titus 2:3. The Lord can not only set you free from the spirit behind alcoholism, but He can also give you the will power to continue to resist it once He's delivered you.
We all know, of course, that the nicotine and tar in TOBACCO is very bad for our health and has been proven to be a major cause of cancer! Even most smokers recognise that smoking is a vice and a bad habit, but the point is, how can they STOP?--As it can have such a grip and be so addicting! The solution to stopping is to desperately pray for the Lord to free you from the physical dependence on the nicotine, and to rebuke any bad spirits which could possibly be aggravating and adding to the addiction. Ask the LORD to DELIVER you, and He WILL!
DRUGS are also very addicting and very harmful. This includes not only the illegal drugs, but also the "legal" prescribed drugs that millions of people buy across the pharmacy counter. Many are addicting, and whatever "benefits" they give--whether escape from reality or relief from pain--almost all of them have bad side-effects, are harmful and expensive! But the good news is that the Lord has DELIVERED untold thousands of people from drug addiction of all kinds!--MIRACULOUSLY!--And often without any withdrawal symptoms!
GAMBLING is a vice as addicting as alcoholism or drugs, and is clearly a case of deceptive evil spirits compelling someone to gamble their hard-earned savings away at a toss of the dice, the turn or a wheel, the speed of a horse or a chance good hand of cards. The principle behind gambling is that you can make easy money without labour, just the opposite of the values of diligence, hard work and thrift that the Bible teaches. Also, the dependence on "luck" is nothing more than wishing for the blessing of the Devil, as the word "LUCK" comes from his name, "LUCifer". It's bad enough that some people are foolish enough to take RISKS or CHANCES in gambling, but those who are actually "good" at it or "lucky" are even MORE in need of deliverance!
HOMOSEXUALITY--or Sodomy, as it is known in the Bible--has been more fully covered in another article in this book, "The Doom of the Sodomites". Please read this story and its "Food for Thought" if you have a problem with homosexuality.
Many Christians who self-righteously condemn others who are caught up in the obvious vices of alcoholism, drugs or sexual perversion think nothing of over-eating and obesity.--Yet GLUTTONY, or COMPULSIVE EATING are often spiritually induced vices as well, and a compulsive bad habit that takes real prayer and determination to overcome. Gluttonly is often as strong and as bad a habit as drug addiction or alcoholism, and God's Word gives ample warning against it. (See Proverbs 23:2,2O-21; 1Peter 4:3.)
Speaking of SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS and a condemning CRITICAL SPIRIT, these are definitely very serious spiritual problems and vices also. If you find yourself constantly judging and critical, looking down on others, thinking you are better than they are, then you should definitely seek for deliverance from the negative, divisive spirits which cause you to be that way.
Self-righteousness is very closely related to PRIDE, and stems directly from it.--And though we all have the besetting sin of pride and a love and concern for ourselves, the Enemy of our soul can often play on that natural human weakness and blow it up into the worst of all problems! Pride is the root of ALL sin, and was the cause of SATAN'S downfall.--Isaiah 14:12-15. The Lord HATES pride!--Proverbs 6:16-17.
Two other common vices that countless millions of people are afflicted with are HATRED and BITTERNESS. Like other sins of the mind and of the heart, these are definitely weaknesses brought on by evil spirits. For what the Bible has to say about bitterness, read Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:19; Hebrews 12:15; James 3:14-15. For hatred, read Proverbs 1O:12; 15:17; 26:26; Galatians 5:19-21. Not only are these bad habits detrimential and even dangerous to others, but medical science has proven that they cause all kinds of psychosomatic illnesses to the one who is bitter or hateful by releasing actual poisons into the bloodstream.
FEAR and WORRY are related negative emotions which cause no end of bad effects to the one who is plagued by them. Being deeply fearful or constantly worrying are usually more than just ingrained habits or the result of some bad childhood experience. Fear especially is a terrible bondage, and the Bible clearly states that "GOD has NOT given us the spirit of fear, but of POWER, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind!"--2Timothy 1:7. See also Proverbs 29:25; Luke 21:26; 2Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 2:15; 1John 4:18.
JEALOUSY has been covered in a separate article. (See "Jealousy: The Green-Eyed Monster!") GUILT or a feeling of condemnation is also definitely spiritual, and brought on by the Devil, whom the Bible calls "the Accuser of the Saints".--Revelation 12:10. People usually suffer from guilt because they are either disobedient and "have a certain fearful expectation of judgement" (Hebrews 10:27), or because "their conscience is weak" and therefore susceptible to the lies of the Enemy.--1Corinthians 8:7; Titus 1:15. The solution to breaking such an oppressive habit is to study the truth of GOD'S WORD to know what is WRONG and what is RIGHT, and then to OBEY and do the RIGHT THING!--Hebrews 10:22; John 15:3.
Some people have a compulsive bad habit of LYING or of practicing DECEPTION. The Bible makes it clear that this is also a serious vice. For Bible verses on lying, see Psalm 119:163; Proverbs 6:16-17; 1O:18; 12:22, 13:5; 26:28; Ephesians 4:25. For deceitfulness, see Proverbs 12:5,17; 14:8,25; 26:24. There are many more bad habits and vices which we could list, but these are just a few examples of some of the most common ones. But remember, ANY bad or negative habit you have that hurts yourself or others is a VICE, and it is very possible that the Enemy of your soul is behind it, using it to try to defeat or hinder you.
It's interesting also that a VICE is a workman's TOOL that GRIPS something so it cannot move!
If you're a Christian, evil spirits can't permanently possess you, but they can try to put thoughts in your head to motivate you to do things which you shouldn't. They try to INFLUENCE your mind and your spirit, and try to get you to yield to them.--And if they can get you to yield to their influence or to decide to do their will, they get control and can almost bind you into vices or bad habits. If you get into a bad habit and do it continually, you can wind up in total defeat to where you're obeying and listening to the Devil instead of the Lord.
Even born-again Christians who love the Lord are sometimes subject to evil spirits.--Not permanently possessed, but OPPRESSED or under their influence. A Christian is the LORD'S property and possessed by the LORD and HIS Spirit.--But of course, if you have some besetting sin, some dark corner of your life or bad habit that you're not willing to yield to the Lord, the Enemy can bother you and plague you on that point. He can use that thing to weaken you or to cause defeat in that particular area of your life. This is why God's Word says, "Neither give PLACE to the Devil!"--Ephesians 4:27. The Scripture calls them "BESETTING SINS" because they are SPIRITS that ATTACK you, "WEIGHTS" you must "lay aside".--Hebrews 12:1.
When you "give place" to the Enemy in your life, it's like having an evil boarder in your house: He's not in control of the house, but he annoys you and causes you trouble and all kinds of damage. You tell him to leave several times but he won't leave, so finally by the authority and the law--in this case the authority of the WORD and the Name of JESUS--you literally THROW him out!--Otherwise he just won't leave!
It's sad that many Christians go so long without getting complete DELIVERANCE from deep-seated vices and bad habits! They just sort of harbour them and allow them to hang around without really getting RID of them. They don't recognise that their problems are SPIRITUAL as well as physical, so they don't take SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY over these spirits and REBUKE them and get RID of them.
You have to first of all be willing to RECOGNISE that there is a SPIRITUAL FORCE binding you into that vice, and you have to want to be FREE of it enough that you are not only willing to CONFESS it to the LORD and cry out to HIM for help, but you have to be willing to confess to OTHERS that you need help and prayer to overcome your weakness and bad habit.--Because some vices have such a strong grip on people--even Christians--that they're almost powerless to overcome them on their own.
If you have a real serious problem and you cannot seem to get deliverance through private prayer or trying to resist some vice on your own, then you need to contact other Spirit-filled Christians whom you know and trust and let them know you have a serious problem and ask for their united prayer! Never be ashamed to ask for help or prayer when you need it.
Remember, God's Word says: "ONE can chase a THOUSAND, but TWO can put TEN THOUSAND to flight" (Deuteronomy 32:3O), and it helps greatly to have someone else pray with you when you feel oppressed or distressed or attacked by the Enemy. "Where TWO or THREE are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them." And, "If any TWO of you shall AGREE on Earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven."--Matthew 18:19-20.
"If there is any SICK among you (SPIRITUALLY as well as physically), let him CALL for the ELDERS of the church and let them pray over him, and the prayer of faith shall save the sick. And if they have committed any sins, they shall be forgiven them. CONFESS your FAULTS one to another, and PRAY one for another, that ye may be HEALED."--James 5:14-16. When you pray, quote and remind the Lord of the Promises that He has made in His Word. When you remind God of His Word, it shows you have faith in it. He has promised to keep His Word, so remind Him of it, cling to His Promises, memorise and quote them continually, and never doubt for a moment that God is going to answer--and He WILL! He HAS to! If you sincerely WANT deliverance and PRAY for a real victory over any bad habits, the LORD will help you! Jesus never fails! He always answers when we call upon Him with a WHOLE HEART.
"ALL power is given unto Me in Heaven and in Earth," Jesus said (Matthew 28:18), and we have JESUS, so we have HIS power, so even the evil spirits and demons are subject unto us!--Matthew 1O:1; Luke 9:1; 1O:17-19, Acts 8:7. If there are demonic powers behind your bad habits, you can rebuke them in the name of Jesus, and they HAVE to DEPART!
To overcome a vice or bad habit, you first or all have to get delivered of the spiritual power that is behind the bad habit. Before you're delivered, the binding spirit may pretty much have control, but after you are DELIVERED, it will be within your power to RESIST its re-entry!
But even after prayer and spiritual deliverance, it sometimes takes awhile to completely break free from the HABIT. Although you are delivered of the SPIRIT, you still have the ingrained HABIT, and the spirit may keep trying to come back to tempt you for awhile and play up on your weakness or tendencies along that line.---Especially if a certain weakness or vice has been a big problem or habit for many years. It makes you much more SUSCEPTIBLE to attacks along that line. So for some time after prayer you may still have some battles with it.--But don't give up! It's a real battle to overcome a strong bad habit you've had for years, but you need to resist even thinking about doing those things again.--Rebuke the very THOUGHT of temptation, quote Scriptures and praise the Lord continually!
It's not YOUR fault that you get TEMPTED. Nobody can keep temptation from coming, but you don't have to YIELD to temptation! "You can't keep birds from flying over your head, but you can CERTAINLY keep them from building a NEST in your hair!" Attack and hit the Devil back every time he tries his tactics on you! The Devil can only win if you SURRENDER! He can NEVER win as long as you keep FIGHTING. "RESIST the Devil and he will FLEE from you!"--James 4:7. As long as you keep resisting, he'll keep fleeing. But if you stop resisting, he uses his lies and temptations and persuasion to win. When JESUS WAS TEMPTED by the Devil, He fought him with SCRIPTURES!--Luke 4:1-13. So quote the Word of God and rebuke the Enemy!
Some changes are instantaneous, overnight, and others take awhile. You can't get over some habits in one day necessarily, because the Enemy doesn't very willingly surrender territory which he has controlled so long. When people have had weaknesses and had channels open to the Enemy before, he tries to get back in if he can. But if you keep praying and asking the Lord to protect and deliver and give you the complete victory, and you claim and quote His Word, He WILL! "Whom the Son shall set free is FREE INDEED!"--John 8:36.
One of your best protections is to KEEP BUSY for God and others, doing what you know you SHOULD, as well as filling your mind and heart with positive, encouraging, strengthening and faith-building thoughts from His Word, remembering, memorising and continually quoting to yourself and even to the Enemy when he attacks you. And "pray without ceasing!"--1Thessalonians 5:17. As the poem says: "The Devil flees when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees!"
"Ye are of GOD, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is HE (JESUS) that is IN YOU, than HE (THE DEVIL) that is in the WORLD."--1John 4:4. The power of the Lord is far greater, and is able to break all the chains that may bind you!
WHATEVER your bad habit is, JESUS can set you FREE!--Are YOU free?--Or do you need HELP?--"ASK and ye SHALL RECEIVE!"--Amen?
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The following is a sample of a prayer for deliverance that you might find helpful, as it offers you an example, not only of how to call out to the Lord for His help to overcome vices, but also how to CLAIM and QUOTE Scriptures as you rebuke the Enemy:
(PRAY:) "Lord Jesus, I call out to YOU now with my whole heart and ask You, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, to FREE me from the terrible grip that this vice has on my life! YOU said in Your WORD, Jesus, `Greater is He that is in me (YOU in my heart, Lord!) than he that is in the World (the Devil)!'--So I KNOW that YOU are GREATER than the Enemy and CAN overcome this vice! You said, `ALL power is given unto Me in Heaven and on Earth' and that `if ye shall ask ANYTHING in My Name, I WILL DO it'!--So I ask You right now, Jesus, to BREAK every hold the Enemy has in my life and DESTROY the power of this bad habit! I REBUKE the Devil and ALL of his influence, right NOW, in Jesus' name!
"Your Word says, `Give NO place to the Enemy', and I don't want ANYTHING that's not of YOU, Jesus! Your disciples said, `Even the evil spirits are SUBJECT unto us!', so I CLAIM that promise, I claim that SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY over the power of the Enemy--right NOW!--And I REBUKE the Devil in the Name of JESUS CHRIST! I claim Your Promise, Lord: `RESIST the Devil and he will FLEE from you!' I RESIST you, Satan, in the Name of JESUS CHRIST! I BIND and REBUKE any hold you might have on my life, any power you might have over me, in the Name of JESUS!
"JESUS, You PROMISED that `When ye shall call unto Me with a WHOLE HEART, I WILL answer thee!'--And Jesus, I AM crying out with ALL my heart for You to deliver me!--And I EXPECT you to do it! You promised, `Whatsoever ye shall bind on Earth SHALL be BOUND in Heaven, and whatsoever ye shall loose on Earth, shall be loosed in Heaven', so I BIND the power of the Enemy in YOUR NAME and I loose the grip he has on me and I ask You to cast him far away from me, NEVER to return!--In JESUS' name! I count it DONE, Lord! Thank You, Jesus! Thank You for setting me FREE! Help me now to take a stand of faith against the Enemy's devices! Please give me the spiritual power to do what I can to resist temptation, and STAY free from the ingrained habits, Lord! In the Name of Jesus Christ!--AMEN!"
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