Although joyful and servant seem to be an oxymoron when put together, the ideal life on earth according to Jesus Christ is of servitude. Imagine a world where we all are helping each other, where we actually enjoy serving, and where being responsible for ourselves and others, is normal. That’s a world where selfishness does not exist, love and giving take priority, no one is left out, everyone does their part, respect prevails, and peace and harmony always permeate the atmosphere.
Philippians 2:5-7 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
The joy of giving of ourselves in servitude to God and others brings heaven to the natural world. God is not surprised by our actions whether in giving, loving, sharing, and helping or in taking, hoarding, hating, or walking away from the needs of others. When we reach out in love we fulfill the command of Christ to love, our lives take on new meaning, and we walk joyfully.
Dorfkrippe von Baumkirchen Nativity
The only problems we might encounter in a world where servitude is a priority in life would come if God were not considered. In that case, our servitude would be distorted at best and subject to our control according to our own thinking, desires, needs, and opinions. Servitude without God is manipulative at best.
The unfolding sky (Photo credit: badjonni)
Isaiah 64:6 For we are all become as one that is unclean, and all our righteousness is as a polluted garment: and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
5 Biblical tips to the joy of serving:
1.Pray. Prayer is the most important service we can give our fellow man. If we pray for the needs of others and pray for God to open our hearts to know and give what is truly needed, the Holy Spirit will guide us.
1 Samuel 12:23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.
2. Ask. Reach out to your neighbor and ask if there’s anything you can do to help them.
1 Corinthians 10:24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
Romans 13:10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
3.Be receptive and grateful.When others serve us they receive a blessing from God in return.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
4.Love your family. God has given us a family for a good reason and a service of love toward your family, whether wife, husband, brother, sister, mother, father or family in Christ is expected and desirable.
1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Proverbs 11:29 Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be a servant to the wise of heart.
1 Peter 2:17 Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Have a respectful fear of God. Honor the emperor.
Romans 12:10 Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other.
5. Bless your enemies.As difficult as it may seem, another way of serving God is to forgive and love even our enemies.
Luke 6:27 “But I tell everyone who is listening: Love your enemies. Be kind to those who hate you.
Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.
The gift of Christ's birth. Remember, a religious spirit does not glorify God. It attempts to oppress, distress, depress, suppress, and otherwise harm God’s people. This stronghold of religion is found in many different types of religious groups. We should not allow it place in our lives. If we do, it will permanently give Christmas and other Christ-centered holidays over to a pagan spirit. A spirit of darkness will replace a time of joyfully celebrating Christ.
Although Jesus was not born on December 25th, the day of his birth celebration shouldn’t matter. What should matter is that he is the reason for the celebration.
Technically, Jesus was born during the time of taxing. The Jews were to be taxed in on the New Year in the old calendar. If we give this day to Satan it will be distorted and twisted to take glory away from the one and only savior and light of the world.
God gave us this life. In the very least, the day of our birth, and particularly that of the birth of Christ, should be a day of praise, re-dedication, and retrospect of this great gift of life we’ve all been given.
Matthew 28:8-10 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and gave us everlasting consolation and encouragement and well-founded hope through [His] grace (unmerited favor), 17Comfort and encourage your hearts and strengthen them [make them steadfast and keep them unswerving] in every good work and word.
2. Keep Christ in Christmas. Take your stand.
John 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the world’s Light.
John 12:46 I have come as a Light into the world so that whoever believes in Me [whoever cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] may not continue to live in darkness.
John 6:32-33 Jesus then said to them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Moses did not give you the Bread from heaven [what Moses gave you was not the Bread from heaven], but it is My Father Who gives you the true heavenly Bread. 33For the Bread of God is He Who comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.
John 6:35 Jesus told them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never become hungry, and whoever believes in me will never become thirsty.
3. Move. A church that won’t allow a time to celebrate Jesus, his birth, resurrection, or his goodness, could be an anti-Christ church, false religion, or a church filled with a religious spirit. Some religions actually believe that Jesus is an angel.
John 1:1 In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Acts 26:18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Matthew 4:10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ ”
Matthew 2:11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense, and myrrh.
Hebrews 1:8 But of the Son he [God] says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
Colossians 2:18 Let no one defraud you by acting as an umpire and declaring you unworthy and disqualifying you for the prize, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, taking his stand on visions [he claims] he has seen, vainly puffed up by his sensuous notions and inflated by his unspiritual thoughts and fleshly conceit,
4. Don’t put the focus [of celebrating] on your gift to someone else or from someone else. The gift of Christ is the reason for the season. The gift(s) you give are symbolic of the greatest gift. Never teach your children to focus on what they get but instead to focus on what Jesus gave.
2 Corinthians 5:18 But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with
Him].
5. By all means, decorate. But decorate with celebrating Christ in mind.
Psalm 118:27 The Lord is God, Who has shown and given us light [He has illuminated us with grace, freedom, and joy]. Decorate the festival with leafy boughs and bind the sacrifices to be offered with thick cords [all over the priest’s court, right up] to the horns of the altar.
Colossians 2:16-17 Therefore let no one sit in judgment on you in matters of food and drink, or with regard to a feast day or a New Moon or a Sabbath. 17Such [things] are only the shadow of things that are to come, and they have only a symbolic value. But the reality (the substance, the solid fact of what is foreshadowed, the body of it) belongs to Christ.
Luke 2:11 For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord!
Matthew 2:16 When Herod saw that the wise men had tricked him, he became furious. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys two years old and younger in or near Bethlehem. This matched the exact time he had learned from the wise men.
Luke 2:8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
It’s amazing how much of what our accusers say about us seems to hit us dead on. There is a hint of reality in every accusation, but only a hint and it is never justified when we are in Christ. Since the great accuser is Satan, his tactic is to take some of what is true and twist it into a false accusation.
From the editorial Free from the Stronghold of Accusation written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka. This editorial is meant to be a stepping stone in uncovering the demonic strongholds that keep us captive and prevent us from receiving God’s best. Explore the website to see how strongholds may be trying to surround you and strip your life of God’s blessings.
The spirit of accusation stands ready to point a finger when it is challenged. Why? What is this spirit of accusation and how can we rid ourselves of it permanently?
A fault finder, or host of accusation, looks for perfection. The accuser spirit becomes a stronghold when a host is seeking an assurance of security and self-justification. Accusing is a way to sanction personal inadequacies while blaming others, thereby taking the attention off the real problem, which could be in something the host is harboring. Like other strongholds, an accuser stronghold invites reinforcement to sanction it’s right to the host–blame, defensiveness, false religion, and any number of other spirits can follow or proceed this demonic stronghold.
If a stronghold of accusation is built, the host of accusation will forever be unhappy, forever be left unsatisfied, and forever search for that justification that only is found in a right relationship with God.
The woman taken in adultery
5 Biblical tips to overcome a stronghold of accusation.
1. Ask God to help you see things from His point of view. A worldly POV would only keep us accusing even those made righteous. When we see the beauty around us we spend less time looking at the faults of others.
Romans 3:23-24 Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives. [All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus,
2 Corinthians 6:8 Amid honor and dishonor; in defaming and evil report and in praise and good report. [We are branded] as deceivers (impostors), and [yet vindicated as] truthful and honest.
2. Be cautious and wise before you judge. There are very few righteous accusers. Even our Creator will not judge the world until the judgment time comes.
John: 8:6-1010 When Jesus raised Himself up, He said to her, Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you?
3. Put your trust in the salvation of Jesus Christ and don’t be overwrought by the accusation of others for anything you did in the past before you came to Christ and turned from sin
Hebrews 2:14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
Luke 15:7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
4. Once you come into the kingdom by receiving Christ Jesus and turning from sin, don’t go back to a life lived in sin. Your past is forgiven, your accusers cannot destroy your future. A religious spirit cannot take you down.
Ephesians 2:1-2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
5. Never fear false accusations or accusations from sins of your past. The accuser that tries to infiltrate our thoughts, lives, and those around us is an enemy. He was an accuser from the beginning. Do not join him.
Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
Related articles
New Creatures in Christ (savedbygraceblogdotcom.wordpress.com)
The greatest enemy of our faith is the enemy that draws us back into sin. Listening to or participating in, anything that sets itself up against the word of God invites this enemy into our lives. The enemy is backsliding. --Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.
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Temptation to Sin
This editorial is meant to be a stepping stone to uncovering the demonic strongholds that may keep us captive and prevent us from receiving God’s best. Explore the website to see how strongholds may be trying to surround you and strip your life of God’s blessings.
Backsliding invites us to relapse into bad habits, sinful behavior, or undesirable activities. Like every other demonic stronghold it can separate us from God.
It is a thief with the power to kill, steal, and destroy and when it comes back, it brings many other demonic strongholds along with it. Some of these strongholds are familiar from our past, but some of them are new and alluring.
The only way to avoid this stronghold is to avoid the near occasion of sin. That is, when the danger is certain and probable because of what we know from our past, we must resist it at all costs. Why?
Hebrews 10:26-29 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, MORE
1. The first and most important step to take is to stop turning back and turn again permanently to the one who first loved you.
1 John 4:19 We love Him, because He first loved us.
2. Do not allow freedom of choice to blind you. The choice is between life and death.
1 Corinthians 8:9 Only be careful that this power of choice (this permission and liberty to do as you please) which is yours, does not [somehow] become a hindrance (cause of stumbling) to the weak or overscrupulous [giving them an impulse to sin].
3. Don’t allow anyone or anything [temptation] to steal [your light] from you. Resist the temptation to give it over. Darkness can be a lonely, miserable place.
Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
4. Remember that living a sinful life is much more painful the second time around and can lead to permanent death.
2 Peter 2:21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.
5. Shake off the temptation quickly and decisively. You have control over sin, don’t allow sin to master you any longer.
Romans 6:16 Don’t you know that if you offer to be someone’s slave, you must obey that master? Either your master is sin, or your master is obedience. Letting sin be your master leads to death. Letting obedience be your master leads to God’s approval.
Revelation 3:2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.
Have you ever wondered why distress never seems to leave us even though we pray for healing, blessings, peace, and well-being?
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well withyour soul.3 John 1:2
We need to check our thoughts, deeds, and words quickly at the door. What is occupying our time, our money, and our attention? What words are we speaking? Have we been spending more time thinking about or giving room to curses over ourselves or our family than to believing God for blessings, guidance, help, and healing? A simple threat might be spoken with good intentions, but a threat spoken over us even by our own mouths can set a chain reaction in motion for distress and eventual destruction. In other words, we could possibly bring on our own distress just by concentrating on what MIGHT go wrong. How you say?
When we speak words of defeat or fearful, in effect, words of destruction over ourselves or our children, we are speaking curses. (Anything that goes against the word of God and His will for us.) Curses cause fear and distress. When distress takes over, it builds a stronghold and invites other strongholds. Strongholds of pain, sickness, fear, worry, and many others soon join it.
Thinking we are doing well we may say, “My son/daughter will never amount to anything.” Our intent may be to have them prove us wrong. In effect, we have just set their lives up for a spirit of distress to enter and if this continues they will eventually begin to believe those words. Every day we are capable of speaking curses out of our mouths that can lead to a life of hardship, failure, and defeat for us or others.
In your own hands through your own words.
Have you ever owned a sickness? A stupid habit? A dumbness? A bad attitude? It has become a way of life and part of our personality to simply say, “my cold”, “my troubles”, “I’m always doing that”, “I’m all thumbs”, “you’re not gonna get me to change now”, and so forth. When we own a problem we invite that problem to linger, or worse, to stay indefinitely.
Does that problem really belong to us or to the enemy? How can we change the way we think and act so that we see and experience the good and the blessings more than the problems?
Luke 21:34 But take heed to yourselves and be on your guard, lest your hearts be overburdened and depressed (weighed down) with the giddiness and headache and nausea of self-indulgence, drunkenness, and worldly worries and cares pertaining to [the business of] this life, and [lest] that day come upon you suddenly like a trap or a noose;
Luke 11:28 Jesus replied, “Rather, how blessed are those who hear and obey God’s word.”
2. Read the word of God (the will of God) and follow his instructions. The word of God is the will of God.
Ephesians 2:1-3 You were once dead because of your failures and sins. 2 You followed the ways of this present world and its spiritual ruler. This ruler continues to work in people who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us once lived among these people and followed the desires of our corrupt nature. We did what our corrupt desires and thoughts wanted us to do. So, because of our nature, we deserved God’s anger just like everyone else.
3. Do not give in to thoughts of destruction, sickness or failure.
Psalm 77:11-13 I will remember the deeds of the Lord. I will remember your ancient miracles. 12 I will reflect on all your actions and think about what you have done. 13 O God, your ways are holy! What god is as great as our God?
4. Keep a distance from anyone who is feeding you bad thoughts.
Romans 13:10 Love never does anything that is harmful to a neighbor. Therefore, love fulfills Moses’ Teachings.
5. Watch your words. Be careful of the words that come out of your mouth. This may take some time, but it is well worth the effort.
Matthew 12:37 By your words you will be declared innocent, or by your words, you will be declared guilty.”
Destruction, unlike deterioration, has a definite end. The end of this present time and life is final and is promised in scripture. But does our understanding of the world have to end in destruction or can we be assured of a new beginning? In other words, are we setting ourselves up or causing our own destruction or can it be avoided?
Deuteronomy 30:19 I call on heaven and earth as witnesses today that I have offered you life or death, blessings or curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants will live.
Since destruction is inevitable for the physical body of a person especially one dedicated to the world our goal should be to avoid being destroyed, demolished or annihilated because of a mindset on worldly things. A stronghold of destruction sets in along with other strongholds that cause us to ignore our basic need for redemption and the things of God. Those of us in Christ live in the world but we are not of the world. Those of us without Christ are of the world and are guaranteed to end their lives in everlasting hellfire. Harsh? Sure it is. But the word of God assures us that we are given a choice (free will) and it’s up to us to get serious about that choice.
Deuteronomy 30:15 Today I offer you life and prosperity or death and destruction.
We have been given free will by our creator and that free will invites destruction when we ignore God and proceed to place ourselves in the center of the world (and sometimes universe) and its offerings. It’s so easy to abandon others and God’s will when this occurs. If we continue to ignore our creator we need to heed this warning "God cannot go against his own will."
Malachi 3:6 “I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.”
James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?”
What can be done in order to avoid the sure destruction that comes from wrong choices?
Luke 3:8 Do those things that prove that you have turned to God and have changed the way you think and act. Don’t say, ‘Abraham is our ancestor.’ I guarantee that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
2. Receive Christ Jesus. If you receive Christ and choose to walk uprightly whenever it depends on you or your choice, your life is free from destruction.
Romans 6:23 The payment for sin is death, but the gift that God freely gives is everlasting life found in Christ Jesus our Lord.
3. Ask God’s help to deliver you from any sin that you’re struggling with. Never allow any sin to stay long enough to become a stronghold that will lead to destruction.
Philippians 3:18-20 I have often told you, and now tell you with tears in my eyes, that many live as the enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 In the end they will be destroyed. Their own emotions are their god, and they take pride in the shameful things they do. Their minds are set on worldly things. 20 We, however, are citizens of heaven. We look forward to the Lord Jesus Christ coming from heaven as our Savior.
4. Fear God and Him alone. Do not allow peer pressure or fear of the opinions of others to keep you from turning from your sins.
Matthew 10:28 Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell.
5. Keep your mind and heart pure and free from sin as much as you are able. James 1:27 Pure, unstained religion, according to God our Father, is to take care of orphans and widows when they suffer and to remain uncorrupted by this world.
John 8:10-12 10 When Jesus raised Himself up, He said to her, Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you? 11 She answered, No one, Lord! And Jesus said, I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more.
Rage demands its own way. It is always violently angry. It inflicts fear and terror in others. If it is allowed to become a stronghold it will eventually push everyone out of its host’s life. Selfishness, jealousy, rebellion and offense can invite it in.
This stronghold can end our lives or keep goodness and love at a distance if it is allowed to continue.
Job 5:2a For vexation and rage kill the foolish man.
When rage moves forward it does not take anyone or anything else into consideration except its own agenda. It has no compassion, no respect, no concern for the welfare or well-being of its host or those around its host. If this stronghold of rage is not stamped out it will kill. It may not be the death of a human but it will be the death of something good — something the host does not want to, or should ever lose.
5 Biblical tips to overcome rage:
1. Do not allow the stronghold of denial to cover over rage in your life. Be honest with yourself, God, and others.
Colossians 3:9-10 Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old (unregenerate) self with its evil practices,10And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it.
2. Try to understand why you are angry before it turns into [verbally or physically] foolish violence.
Luke 6:11 But they were filled with lack of understanding and senseless rage and discussed (consulted) with one another what they might do to Jesus.
3. When you feel rage trying to stick its ugly head into your life find a safe, quiet place and look to God for help before it moves in.
Hosea 7:16 They turn back, shift, or change, but not upwards [to the Most High]. They are like a deceitful bow; their princes shall fall by the sword for the insolence and rage of their tongue. This shall be [cause for] their derision and scorning in the land of Egypt.
4. Turn to God if someone has raged against you [especially for a foolish or nonsensical reason].
Psalm 7:6 Arise, O Lord, in Your anger; lift up Yourself against the rage of my enemies; and awake [and stir up] for me the justice and vindication [that] You have commanded.
5. Do not argue with fools or allow an argument to turn passionate. If someone you know is acting foolishly, back off– before you allow rage to take over your or their countenance.
Proverbs 29:9 If a wise man has an argument with a foolish man, the fool only rages or laughs, and there is no rest.
Job 31:12 For [uncontrolled passion] is a fire which consumes to Abaddon (to destruction, ruin, and the place of final torment); [that fire once lighted would rage until all is consumed] and would burn to the root all my [life’s] increase.
No matter how old or young we are or what baggage we may carry, God continually guides us toward a perfect relationship with him. He doesn’t begin this process after we have abandoned sin. This is a process that began early in our lives.
God never condones sin, nor will he judge the sinner until the time is right.
1 Timothy 5:22 Do
not be in a hurry in the laying on of hands [giving the sanction of the
church too hastily in reinstating expelled offenders or in ordination
in questionable cases], nor share or participate in another man’s sins; keep yourself pure. Jesus never joined in sin but easily spoke to the sinner without hesitation because of his/her sin.
Our goal should be to seek out his will. If we take our eyes off the natural (using our five senses) and look to God who created all things, we begin to clearly perceive a pattern of the seasons of change in our lives.
Daniel 2:21 He
changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He
gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
Strongholds brought on by carelessly disregarding God’s will may hide dormant for years or worse, they may increase and imprison us until we come to the point of total submission. When we begin to trust God, and trust in God, rather than in our feelings, our circumstances, or our five senses we shed the veil that has been obscuring our vision. It’s this very veil that can keep us in bondage to strongholds for the rest of our lives. Some may call it denial, but in effect, we may have become comfortable with what should be given over to a season of change.
Since God is drawing us to him from an early age, the enemy is also trying to take control. How can we take control back and go through the seasons of change in our lives without becoming bound by a demonic stronghold?
Ecclesiastes 3:1-22
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under
heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a
time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a
time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time
to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away
stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a
time to refrain from embracing;
2. Seek out the wisdom of God. It's so easy to turn away from God when we have a crisis or a change in our lives that we didn’t expect and we can’t explain. This is a season of change and an opportunity to better understand the love of God.
Daniel
2:21 He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up
kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have
understanding!
3. Do not dictate to God. Give God His right to keep some things about your season of change to Himself. His will for you is perfect after all and in the end, you will see the good he has done.
Acts 1:7 He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and
know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite
periods] or fixed years and seasons (their critical niche in time),
which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power.
1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred)
reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when
perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God]
4. Don’t doubt God during your season of change. Continue to trust in and rely on him.
Galatians 6:9 And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.
Romans 8:28 We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.
5. Keep focused on doing right and on God’s words. Meditate on God’s words day and night.
Psalm
1:1-3 Blessed is the person who does not follow the advice of wicked
people, take the path of sinners, or join the company of mockers. 2 Rather, he delights in the teachings of the Lord and reflects on his teachings day and night. 3 He
is like a tree planted beside streams—a tree that produces fruit in
season and whose leaves do not wither. He succeeds in everything he
does.
Four Generations of Cotters! (Photo credit: cacaye) Have you ever wondered why certain sicknesses run in families? Have we accepted this phenomenon as a fact of life? What does God say about these things? A generational disease is simply put, a curse on our bodies.
Luke 13:16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day? Notice that this verse says, “Satan has kept in bondage.”
The major qualifications for a disease could at times be imprinted into our DNA, but more than likely this imprinting does not necessarily have to result in disease. What are diseases and why do we seem to inherit them from our ancestors?
Disease is an abnormal condition that affects the body of an organism. Most disease is not a prerequisite. But a disease can come on us because of sin. Sin that has turned into a habit and eventual stronghold may, in fact, cause our bodies to invite sickness. Habits are learned behavior that can be passed down for decades. With these inherited habits come the sins that cause deterioration and disease.
Some of these habits are, temper flare-ups, overindulging in food or drink, smoking, blame, unforgiveness, laziness, and the list goes on. In other words, we learn the habits that become strongholds that cause what appears to be a generational disease.
What can be done about this stronghold of generational disease and how can we rid ourselves of it, even though it appears to have been passed down for generations?
1. Seek out the main cause once you recognize an illness that appears to be passed down to you. High blood pressure, for example, may be caused by improper eating habits, lack of exercise, or something simple like not drinking enough water. Things you learned from others in your family.
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you [the priestly nation] have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you that you shall be no priest to Me; seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.
2. Ask God in prayer for the strength you need to overcome a habit that has been taught to you and may potentially lead to sickness and even early death.
Numbers 14:18 ‘The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’
3. Ask for the healing Jesus has already provided. Jesus has overcome the sins of the world. Receive his sacrifice if you haven’t already.
John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be absolutely free.
John 16:24 Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name [as presenting all that I Am]; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.
4. Have faith that his sacrifice was sufficient for you to overcome what you believe is a generational curse.
Galatians 3:13 Christ paid the price to free us from the curse that the laws in Moses’ Teachings bring by becoming cursed instead of us. Scripture says, “Everyone who is hung on a tree is cursed.”
5. Turn from anything that may be causing you to harbor bad habits leading to sickness.
Proverbs 16:17 The highway of decent people turns away from evil. Whoever watches his way preserves his own life.
Before we can destroy or remove a stronghold from our lives we must recognize what the stronghold is. In this case, imaginings are ideas, stories, and thoughts held in your mind but that arenot true or real. Things you imagined may take place or that may have taken place may or may not be real.
So how do imaginings become a stronghold? We know that when we create in any way, we need to imagine the project first. The bible talks about visions as the first step in a calling or mission, as in:
Habakkuk 2:2-3 “Write the vision. Make it clear on tablets so that anyone can read it quickly. 3 The
vision will still happen at the appointed time. It hurries toward its
goal. It won’t be a lie. If it’s delayed, wait for it. It will certainly
happen. It won’t be late.
NYC – Metropolitan Museum of Art – The Vision of Saint John
So, how can imaginings be so bad and how can they become a stronghold?
The truth is that they aren’t bad when the imaginings are used to inspire, encourage, create, or otherwise glorify God with good. When do we recognize how this gift of imagination has turned into a stronghold against God’s will? The bible talks about vain, dark, empty-headed, vengeful, and evil imaginings.
Farmer plowing (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Of course we are human, but we don’t fight like humans. 4 The
weapons we use in our fight are not made by humans. Rather, they are
powerful weapons from God. With them we destroy people’s defenses, that
is, their arguments 5 and all their intellectual arrogance
that oppose the knowledge of God. We take every thought captive so that
it is obedient to Christ.
What can be done to avoid a stronghold of imaginings from entering our lives?
Ephesians 3:20-21Now
to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at
work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do
super-abundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or
think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes,
or dreams]—To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).
2. Resist and rid yourself of any hateful, evil, vain, or hurtful thoughts which are the beginning of imaginings against God’s will.
James 4:7 So place yourselves under God’s authority. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you.
3. Replace any influence that may be encouraging your dark imaginings with positive, affirmative, joyful, loving, and godly influences available.
2 Timothy 2:21 So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and
unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and
corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work.
4. Be diligent in the things of God. When God has given you a mission or a vision, set your heart and life on it immediately. You know it comes from God if you have the peace of God and if it lines up with his word.
Proverbs 11:27 He who diligently seeks good seeks [God’s] favor, but he who searches after evil, it shall come upon him.
5. Refuse to spend any more wasted time on vain imaginings.
Romans 1:21 Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. But instead they became futile and[a]godless
in their thinking [with vain imaginings, foolish reasoning, and stupid
speculations] and their senseless minds were darkened.
Rivalry and jealousy walk hand in hand. We see a competitor succeeding and we begin to have thoughts of anguish in one way or another. Some of these thoughts of anguish are jealousy thoughts, some are fearful thoughts, some are greed thoughts, and much more. When a spirit of rivalry comes into our thoughts, our thought-life gets complicated.
If these thoughts are not checked immediately they can and will lead to a stronghold that will bring us down completely. We can lose more than our businesses when we give ourselves over to the stronghold of rivalry.
Rivalry is a thief. When we become obsessed with its dominion we are headed down a path to destruction. A spirit of rivalry will take our peace, it will kill our ambition, and it will destroy our relationships. This spirit or stronghold will steal our future.
We will always have competitors–people trying to get an advantage over us, over the market or anything in life. Competition is good if it doesn't become an obsession. When we compete we strive to perfect our work. However, if we spend time obsessing about our competitors we will invite a spirit of rivalry into our minds that can become a habit that may have dominion over us forever.
Definition: A rival is a person or thing that tries to defeat or be more successful than
another, one of two or more striving to reach or obtain something that only one can possess, or one striving for competitive advantage.
When a spirit of rivalry enters our lives we may set ourselves up against the word of God. So how can we defeat this stronghold and get right with God, since God does not accept rivals and inviting a spirit of rivalry becomes a rival itself between us and God’s blessings?
1. Don’t allow your thoughts to drift long enough to compare yourself or your business to others.
Thinking about your competitors or ‘rivals’ will disconnect you from the will of God. Any thought you allow to linger that sets itself up against God or the word of God will hurt you in one way or another.
Jeremiah 17:9 “The human mind is the most deceitful of all things. It is incurable. No one can understand how deceitful it is.
2. Take advice only from the word of God–not from the world. Worldly advice can create jealousy and rivalry.
James 3:15-17 That kind of wisdom doesn’t come from above. It belongs to this world. It is self-centered and demonic. 16 Wherever there is jealousy and rivalry, there is disorder and every kind of evil. 17 However,
the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure. Then it is
peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good deeds, impartial,
and sincere.
3. Become familiar with the words of Jesus Christ. When you know his will and his word you can distinguish thoughts that are not from him, particularly when you learn of someone in your own situation or when someone is doing something you strive to achieve.
John 10:10
A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came so that my sheep
will have life and so that they will have everything they need.
4. Choose the life of a servant. A leader is always expected to do more, give more, accomplish more, and be a servant to those he/she leads.
Mark 9:33-35 While Jesus was at home, he asked the disciples, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 They were silent. On the road they had argued about who was the greatest. 35 He
sat down and called the twelve apostles. He told them, “Whoever wants
to be the most important person must take the last place and be a
servant to everyone else.”
5. Pray for God to take a corrupt nature from you so that you can see clearly what God’s will (God who gave you life) is for your life.
Galatians 5:19-21 Now, the effects of the corrupt nature are obvious: illicit sex, perversion, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, drug use, hatred, rivalry, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambition, conflict, factions, 21 envy,
drunkenness, wild partying, and similar things. I’ve told you in the
past and I’m telling you again that people who do these kinds of things
will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Facetiousness, like many other strongholds, begins as a thought which may become a habit. A facetious stronghold is one of the most hidden strongholds because it is sanctioned by the world and worldly thinking. We may enjoy a laugh or two at the expense of another without even being aware that this spirit has taken up residence. When discovered, this stronghold could rise up and invite other strongholds to protect itself. Before it gives up its domain, facetiousness may invite strongholds of denial, defense, arrogance, spite, criticism, and many others.
In the guise of resembling humor, facetiousness in a host may gain credibility and continue on for years without the host or anyone else seeing the true destroyer behind the host’s words. These words treat serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor.
Ephesians 5:4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
Although at first the words of a host of facetiousness may seem amusing or frivolous, the gift of words is given to us by God. Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words.
So, what can be done to keep this seemingly innocuous habit from becoming a stronghold?
1. Weigh your words carefully. Since we know our words are powerful, we need to make sure the power of our words builds up, rather than knocks down.
Matthew 12:36-37 “I can guarantee that on judgment day people will have to give an account of every careless word they say. 37 By your words, you will be declared innocent, or by your words, you will be declared guilty.”
2. Take control over your own habits, particularly when it comes to the words you use.
Ephesians 5:4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving
3. Stay in Christ. A friend of the world will come to ruin.
James 4:4 Don’t you know that love for this evil world is hatred toward God? Whoever wants to be a friend of this world is an enemy of God.
4. Recognize the difference between foolish and wise words. Filter out the input you get through the media, your friends, and others around you.
Ecclesiastes 10:13 A fool starts out by talking foolishness and ends up saying crazy things that are dangerous.
5. Follow Godly advice and wisdom from the word of God. No one who takes God seriously will allow facetiousness to rein in his/her life.
James 1:22 Do what God’s word says. Don’t merely listen to it, or you will fool yourselves.
Proverbs 10:8 The one who is truly wise accepts commands, but the one who talks foolishly will be thrown down headfirst.
The Exhortation to the Apostles (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: Sacrifice of Cain and Abel (Photo credit: Wikipedia)