Systematic, expository study of God’s Word    

THE DIVINE ATTRIBUTES OF THE LIVING GOD
Daniel 6:25-27
                                                                                     
The triumph of Daniel’s faith produced a great testimony to the power, care and love of the living God for His own.  It was faith in God that made Daniel dare the decree of the king.  It was faith that made him remain calm under life-threatening trouble and trial.  It was faith that brought assurance that all would be well at the end.  It was faith that breathed peace and patience to his heart in the hour of danger and probable death.  It was faith that moved God’s heart; to send His angel into the den to shut the mouths of all the lions.  God recognises faith and responds to its call and petition.  “No manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God” (Daniel 6:23).  The deliverance of Daniel brought a great discovery to Darius, the king.  He saw God as the living God, having personality, love, affection, heart of compassion, power, kingdom, dominion, majesty and glory.  The great God is not just a great, mighty force, He is the living God.  He is not an impersonal powerful substance or entity like electricity or thunder, He is the living God. And He is not like man, living and growing, who passes from infancy to manhood in life, He is the unchanging God.

It touched the spirit of Darius that there is a Being, the living God, who could accomplish such great, supernatural act, uncommon to man since the beginning of the world.  He could not resist the urge to proclaim and publish the knowledge and revelation of the living God to “all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth.”    “Let the earth hear, and all that is therein” (Isaiah 34:1).  All those who know the true and living God, through redemption and salvation in Christ, His only begotten Son must make Him known to others, by all possible means.

For the free downloading of the audio and video message click on the link below and go into the "current Bible Study" hyperlink.

http://www.dclm.org/Resources/ResourcesDirectory/tabid/130/Default.aspx

When God Doesn't Hear
March 4, 2009

"Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear."
(Isaiah 59:1-2)

People often complain that God doesn't hear their prayers, especially when God does not respond in the way they would like.  But He can hear, all right! "He that planted the ear, shall he not hear?" He even hears our thoughts.  "Thou knowest . . . my thought afar off" (Psalm 94:9; 139:2).

It is not that God cannot hear, but it just may be that we have not met the conditions for answered prayer, so that He will hear.  Probably the most important of these conditions is obedience to His Word.  "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you," said Jesus, "ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7).  But, "if I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Psalm 66:18).  "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts" (James 4:3).

There are other conditions, of course. "Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering" (James 1:6).  "Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do," said Jesus (John 14:13).  "If we ask any thing according to His will . . . we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him" (1 John 5:14-15).

Even if we do meet all the conditions, however, He may not answer immediately, or in the way we prefer, and He might even answer no.  After all, He knows better than we just what is best for us, and He will see that "all things work together for good" for us, if we truly "love God" (Romans 8:28).
But, first of all, we need to check our lives in relation to His Word.  Then, "if our heart condemn us not . . . whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments" (1 John 3:21-22).  HMM

http://www.icr.org/article/4361/

@OLAADEGBU
Thanks for the message.

obinna5000:

@OLAADEGBU
Thanks for the message.

To God be the glory for the things He has done.

PROVERBS 27:1 NIV
1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day
may bring forth.

Do what you need to do today.

Don't wait to receive Jesus. Don't put off doing the will of
God. Don't wait to tell someone you love them.

JAMES 4:13-15 NIV
13 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to
this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and
make money."
14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is
your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and
then vanishes.
15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we
will live and do this or that."

You don't know what tomorrow holds -- or even if you will be
here tomorrow.

Keep your focus on God. Trust in Him, and do His will today.

SAY THIS: I will do what God leads me to do today.

The Nature of Our Calling
March 5, 2009

"Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." (2 Timothy 1:9)

Our "calling" (Greek klesis) to follow Christ was not a matter of human decision, and certainly not one based on human works, for it was issued in Christ before He had even created us.  In some inscrutable way, we were a part of His eternal purpose, and it was altogether by His grace.  We were "chosen . . . before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love" (Ephesians 1:4).

Our calling is therefore a most "holy calling," that is, a sacred calling to be consecrated and separated unto God.

It is, moreover, a "heavenly calling," one originated in heaven, by our heavenly Father, centered in His divine will and purpose.  In the Father’s sight, in Christ Jesus, we are nothing less than "holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling" (Hebrews 3:1).

We should therefore be able to say with Paul:"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). The high calling is not quite the same as the holy calling or the heavenly calling, though all are components of one great whole.

The word translated "high" is only so translated this one time.  It is the usual word for "up" or "above."  Thus the prize toward which we press is the "up calling."  It is the same word as in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, where we are promised that one day all who are in Christ Jesus, dead or living, will be "caught up together," thereafter to "ever be with the Lord."

He has called us before the world began, He is calling us daily to a heavenly walk with the Lord, and He will call us up to His eternal presence some day soon.  HMM

http://www.icr.org/article/4362/

Kingdom of Priests
March 6, 2009

"And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel." (Exodus 19:6)

These were the words of God to Israel, even before they received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai.  As a priest serves as an intermediary between God and men, so this "kingdom of priests" had been called by God to bring God’s Word to man.  As a holy nation with such a high calling, its people also should have been holy (that is, consecrated to God) in life and witness.  But instead, after almost 2,000 years, God had to lament: "All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people" (Romans 10:21).

A day will come when "all Israel shall be saved" (Romans 11:26), but God has, in the meantime, chosen a new people, in whom "there is neither Jew nor Greek . . . for ye are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).  We are now "one body in Christ, and every one members one of another" (Romans 12:5).

We now have been given the same high privileges long ago given to Israel.  We who belong to Christ have been "born again" into the "kingdom of God" (John 3:3), and this is nothing less than a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.  The apostle Peter said: "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:5).

Not only are we a holy priesthood, we are a royal priesthood, a kingdom of priest-kings.  "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light" (v. 9).  We, indeed, have a high calling, and should devote our lives to showing forth His praises, for He "hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; unto Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever" (Revelation 1:6).  HMM

http://www.icr.org/article/4363/

I wish people could come to read this things.If they did,it would reduce foolish questions and reasonings.Thanks OLAADEGBU,freelance and co

Image123:

I wish people could come to read this things.If they did,it would reduce foolish questions and reasonings.Thanks OLAADEGBU,freelance and co

I quite agree with you.
OLAADEGBU has been a good motivational preacher in this forum.
@freelance
Love your message. God bless.

[quote][/quote]

@Image123, Recognise and obinna5000,

Thanks a million for the encouragement.  We thank the Lord for all His servants that He has been using to bless and exhort us on a daily basis, may the Lord count us worthy of receiving the crown of life that is prepared for us.  In Jesus' name.

Garments of Salvation
March 7, 2009

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." (Isaiah 61:10)

One of the beautiful biblical metaphors of salvation is that of clothing appropriate for coming into God's presence.  Such clothing is not something we ourselves can make or purchase: it must be prepared and provided by God.

Adam and Eve tried to dress themselves in fig leaves, but that could not avail.  Their Creator God first had to slay two innocent animals, and then He made "coats of skins and clothed them" (see Genesis 3:7, 21).

So it is today.  If we try to come to God dressed in our works of righteousness, we can never make it, for "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" in the presence of a holy God (Isaiah 64:6). He must provide the clothing.  As our text says, "He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness."

In Jesus' parable of the wedding feast for the king's son, there was one man who wanted to participate in the feast, but who tried to come in his own attire, disdaining the wedding garment provided by the king for his guests.  When the king asked, "How camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?" he was speechless (Matthew 22:12), and then was bound hand and foot and thrown "into outer darkness" (v. 13).

One day, when "the marriage of the Lamb is come," His bride must be "arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: . . . the righteousness of saints" (Revelation 19:7-.  But this righteousness will be His, "for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works" (Ephesians 2:10).  Therefore, we are exhorted to "put on thy beautiful garments" (Isaiah 52:1), and be prepared to meet our King.  HMM

http://www.icr.org/article/4364/

I am very glad to hear words of encouragements.

Let the Name of God be Praised!!!

Let the Name of God be Praised!!!

Who Is Faithful?
March 8, 2009

"Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?" (Proverbs 20:6)

Faithfulness is like a rare and precious gem. It is difficult to find a real such gem, though there are many who will offer their virtues as a substitute.

Moses, however, was one such man. "And Moses verily was faithful in all his house" (Hebrews 3:5). So was Abraham. "So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham" (Galatians 3:9). Moses and Abraham were full of faith in God's Word; therefore they were faithful to God's Word. The very word "faithful" means "full of faith."

God is not impressed with those who boast of themselves and their qualifications or who belittle others. "It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory" (Proverbs 25:27). Actions speak louder than words, and it is better to let ones works speak for themselves. "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works" (James 2:18). The rare quality of faithfulness--firm and reliable commitment to ones convictions and responsibilities, in accordance with God's Word and God's leading--is proved in practice rather than proclamation. May God help us to be faithful servants, for "it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:2). It is quality, not quantity, of service that God measures. Faithfulness--not fruitfulness--is required.

There is one glorious promise regarding faithfulness--not our faithfulness, but the faithfulness of our Saviour. "If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself" (2 Timothy 2:13). "For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith |literally, 'faithfulness'| of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be |found| true, but every man a liar" (Romans 3:3-4). HMM


http://www.icr.org/article/4366/

Hey, if ya'll want d following fro God Almighty d Creator, read dese passages ;
For blessings : Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Psalm 23:1-6
For Deliverance from demonic & spiritual attacks: Psalm 35:1- the end
For Salvation: John 3:3
etc. God bless us all.
@OLAADEGBU, God is yo strenght and refuge, cos those who thinks yo a time waster are damn great loosers, yo Biblical words of encouragement i must confess is going a long way far more than u think, in touching lives.
Remain Blessed.

@brein,

May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He make His face to shine upon you, and may He lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.  Thanks for the part that you are playing in the kingdom, your efforts will not go unnoticed by God.

I also thank all viewers and readers who have been blessed by these words of encouragement made available by members of the body of Christ, may you be blessed and be a blessing to the rest of the body and for those members who are still outside the flock, in Jesus' name.

Stand Fast
March 9, 2009

"Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold to the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle." (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

Liberals commonly question the authority of the Scriptures on the assumption that they were based on ancient traditions.

However, the word "traditions" itself as used here conveys no such idea.  It means simply "that which has been delivered."  Paul used the same word in defining the gospel.  "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for  our sins according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3).  Paul did not add or subtract anything to what he had received directly from God.  "For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Galatians 1:12).

He was making the same claim to the Christians at Thessalonica.  He had first taught them "by word" when he preached there in person (Acts 17:1-4), then later by "our epistle," in his first letter.  Now, in his follow-up letter to them, he was reminding them that, in both instances, he (as an apostle) had communicated to them only those things he had directly received from God by divine revelation.  Therefore, it was indeed vital that they should "stand fast, and hold" these great truths "which ye have been taught."  Paul was asserting that God had directly communicated, through him, the new truths which He wanted them to have.

Before the New Testament was written, much had to be conveyed verbally to the early church, through the apostles and prophets.  Later, the portions of those teachings that were of permanent application were inscripturated (compare Acts 17:3 with 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).  The end result of this marvelous process was the inerrant Bible we have today, and it is this completed revelation of God that we must hold fast.  HMM

http://www.icr.org/article/4367/

Chastening
March 10, 2009

"Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty." (Job 5:17)

One of the fascinating paradoxes of Scripture (and of human life) is the oft-repeated principle that true parental love requires appropriate chastening, and chastening rightly received generates blessing and happiness. "He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes" (Proverbs 13:24).

This is effective child psychology, assuming that the chastening is remedial rather than vindictive and is applied in love rather than anger.  But the main teaching of such passages goes beyond parental child-training methods to the grand theme of God’s spiritual training of His children for eternity.

This thought is often expressed in the Psalms (94:12, etc.), but it is especially clear in the Proverbs.  "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth He correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth" (Proverbs 3:11-12).

The classic passage on this theme is Hebrews 12:5-11, which begins by quoting the above verses in Proverbs, and eventually concludes as follows: "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby" (Hebrews 12:11).

We are[i] "sons and daughters"[/i] of "the Lord Almighty" (2 Corinthians 6:18), and it is essential that we be properly trained for our glorious future as "kings and priests unto God" (Revelation 1:6). We must learn to behave in ways appropriate to our high calling as children of the King, and this requires the divine rod at appropriate times.  In His closing words to the last of the seven churches, Christ reminds us again: "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent" (Revelation 3:19). HMM

http://www.icr.org/article/4368/

@OLAADEGBU,
U have a first timer to this fellowship. ME.

Ride on Brothers .

obinna5000:

I quite agree with you.
OLAADEGBU has been a good motivational preacher in this forum.
@freelance
Love your message. God bless.

adachichi:

I am very glad to hear words of encouragements.

waoosa:

@OLAADEGBU,
U have a first timer to this fellowship. ME.

Ride on Brothers .

You are all welcome in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ.  And as you serve the Lord your God He will continue to keep you in the hollow of His hand.  And you shall serve the Lord your God and He shall bless your bread and water, and remove every sickness and disease from your midst.  Keep up with us on a daily basis and you will be blessed and be a blessing to others, in Jesus' name.

amen

The Throne of Grace
March 11, 2009

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:15-16)

The Lord Jesus Christ is able to help in every time of need for two reasons. First, as the Creator, He is fully able to do anything. Secondly, He has solved, once and for all, the dilemma of the sin which had separated us from God's holiness, by paying the price Himself for our salvation.

To do that, He had to become man so that He could first overcome temptations such as those to which we succumb. He could not pay the price for man's sin if He were not a man, nor could He pay it if He were a sinner. He must be a man, but a sinless man--a criterion no other man could satisfy.

Therefore, He was tempted in all points as we are. This does not mean, however, that He felt a real inward temptation to sin. He was "tested" under the most extreme circumstances to which humans could be subjected, and He always passed the test. He could never have failed, because He is also God, but now all men, and angels, and devils know that He cannot fail.

Thus, He fully understands every one of our needs, and He is indeed able and willing to help. As we come boldly to receive His amazing grace, we must first "obtain mercy" (v. 16), confessing and receiving forgiveness for our sins (1 John 1:9). Then, we are ready to boldly request grace to help in every other need. Our faithful High Priest has been there before us. He knows (not just "knows about" our problems, and is always there to help, waiting for us to come. Since "He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted," and can "save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him" (Hebrews 2:18; 7:25). HMM

http://www.icr.org/article/4369/

Ola are you a deeperlifer?

Amen.

Systematic, expository study of God’s Word    

THE KING’S DIVINELY INSPIRED, TIMELESS DECREE
Daniel 6:25,26

"Then king Darius wrote unto all people, I make a decree.”  A decree is an official order, or royal statute, a ruler’s command or law made by a king – an order with the power of legislation issued by a king or any person with authority.  King Darius had signed an earlier decree but that decree was an unrighteous decree (Isaiah 10:1), a temporary decree (Daniel 6:7), a decree inspired by sin, self and Satan (Daniel 6:3-9).  This new decree was not temporary but timeless, not unrighteous but righteous, not inspired by Satan but inspired by God.  “I make a decree, that in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for He is the living God” (Daniel 6:26).  It is a universal decree as well as an unchangeable decree. Among “all people, nations, and languages”, from all “[i]that dwell in all the earth”[/i] God cannot expect anything less.  “This is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13,14) in every place, at all times. Prophets in the Old Testament and preachers in the New Testament, angels in heaven and Christ on the right hand of majesty on high all declare the same decree (Isaiah 8:13; Psalms 33:8; 34:9; 1 Peter 2:17; Matthew 10:28; Revelation 14:6,7; Luke 12:4,5).

This is not merely the decree of an earthly king, it is the decree of the eternal King.  The decree of God is His eternal, unchangeable, holy, wise and sovereign purpose – the will of the infinite, absolute, eternal, unchanging God.  He demands from small and great, from the beginning of creation to an unending eternity, that we fear Him.  In view of His infinite greatness and man’s total dependence on Him, “men tremble and fear before God, the living God.”  The living God is the eternal God who has life in Himself and He is the fountain of life, without Him there is no life.  He is the Author and Giver of life.  “He is stedfast for ever.”  He abides and lives forever while “presidents and princes”, “governors, counsellors and captains” (Daniel 6:4,7,24) rise and fall, live and die. All things change; but He is unchangeable.  “His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”  No human power can prevail against Him and His kingdom is upheld by His omnipotence.  His might, power, omnipotence is irresistible.  All the earth will fear Him.  His saints do fear Him (Psalm 34:9).  Sinners will fear Him at the White Throne Judgment and throughout eternity (Revelation 6:14-17; 20:11-15).  Demons tremble and fear now in anticipation of coming judgment; sinners, demons and Satan will “fear God” throughout eternity while suffering torments in hell fire (James 2:19; Matthew 8:29).  “Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.  Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little.  Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him” (Psalm 2:10-12).

For the free downloading of the audio and video message click on the link below and go into the "current Bible Study" hyperlink.

http://www.dclm.org/Resources/ResourcesDirectory/tabid/130/Default.aspx

dyabman:

Ola are you a deeperlifer?

Your guess is as good as mine.

OLAADEGBU:

Your guess is as good as mine.

cos i am also but i dont go to church ,

Hi All? found this news letter from a Pst. friend really interesting thought i share it with u all

This month I am sharing a very unique prophetic word which the Lord gave at our church a few months ago. One thing that made it unique is that while giving me this word, the Lord was taking me to different passages of scripture, starting in John 14:16-18, 26 and 16:12-13. I believe you will find this word to be both a warning and eye-opening.

BEWARE OF FAMILIAR SPIRITS

The devil will try to mimic the ministry of the Holy Spirit. For those who seek to be used of me, but are not yet mature in me, they open themselves to influence by familiar spirits. Many evangelists and other ministers operate by familiar spirits more than they realize and more than those in their services realize.

When you are mature in me you will immediately sense the difference between the Holy Spirit and familiar spirits. Just because it seems a gift of the Holy Spirit is manifesting does not mean it is the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:5-10; 16:16)

Many in my Church have been exalted by man because they seemed to be used mightily by my Spirit. In many cases, these ministers are operating by a mingling of my Holy Spirit and familiar spirits. Many Christians do not believe such a mingling is possible; they mistakenly believe that they are untouchable by the enemy.

But was not my Son touched by the words of Satan himself? You should meditate on that encounter (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:13). If such a thing could happen to Jesus, why would you believe you are exempt from this? Do you think the devil approached my Son in the form of something dark, black, ugly and evil? Satan was trying to seduce and deceive my Son to give in to his temptations. The temptations against Him were more subtle than many think. The temptations against Him were also more intense than you may realize; if the same kind of temptations were released against many Christians, they would give in, thinking they were honoring me or worshipping me. (2 Corinthians 11:12-15).

My Holy Spirit is the only one who can help you. Without my Holy Spirit and His ministry in your life, not even my Word can fully help you. Why, you ask? Because even ministers who operate in part by familiar spirits use my Word in their lives and ministries. Remember, the operation of familiar spirits is very subtle and deceptive. They have the ability to lull my children into a place of spiritual slumber to where they feel everything is okay in their relationship with me.

Many of my children are greatly influenced by familiar spirits and don't even know it because these spirits are operating through other Christians they trust and with whom they have established friendships. What you don't realize is that by maintaining these friendships you are opening the door for these spirits to influence your life and bring about this spiritual slumber. In your effort to be a good Christian friend and example to them, you are actually harming yourself more than you know. Many of you have family members who are operating by familiar spirits. Hear me clearly: a spirit does not have to inhabit or dwell in a person to influence that person; all it has to do is capture the ear of that person.

Think of what I said in my Word to the Jews:

(Exodus 22:18) Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

(Leviticus 19:31) Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

(Leviticus 20:27) A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.

(Deuteronomy 18:9-12) When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
These instructions were given to the Jews, not the Gentiles. This means that the Jews had to guard themselves against their own brothers and sisters who were doing these things. This is a type and shadow for the Church, for you have in your midst brothers and sisters in Christ who are following these same abominable practices. Many of the Jews who did this were not actually seeking to be used by Satan, but were enamored by the supernatural and spiritual power. It is the same in my Church.

Many of my children are eager to be used by me in the gifts of the Spirit. They seek the operation of these gifts. They long for these gifts and seek for ministers who operate in these gifts. They do not think very highly of churches wherein there is not a constant flow of these gifts. What they have done is exalt the outward manifestation of the supernatural instead of the inward work of the supernatural: for do you not realize it is supernatural for a person to conform to the image of my Son Jesus and his Christ-anointing? Do you not understand that unless there is a work of supernatural power and anointing in you that you will never be able to conform to the image of my Son?

Far too many of my children are too enamored with the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit and too uninterested in spiritual growth. They would rather see a show than spend time with me to grow. This attitude opens the door for the operation of all kinds of deceiving spirits. Hear me: these deceiving spirits are constantly looking for people, especially my children, who they can influence and call their "home."

(Matthew 12:43-45) When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
All of my children have come in contact with these spirits - there are no exceptions. These familiar and deceiving spirits work at a level of subtlety that is rarely ever detected by those of my children who do not spend time with my Holy Spirit. The level of deception is almost impossible to detect unless your spirit has become very sensitive to the things of the spirit through the ministry and anointing of the Holy Spirit.

These deceiving spirits work very hard to create confusion in my church. They try to keep my children away from church. If one of mine has made a heart-determination to attend church, then these spirits will work very hard to direct that child of mine to a church where he or she will grow very little and will be a very insignificant threat to the kingdom of darkness.

Far too many of my children flock to services where they think they will get a word from Me through the minister. What they don't realize is that many of the words they have received have not come from me but from familiar spirits. Think it not a hard thing for familiar spirits to observe your life and then give details of your life to a minister who has not discerned the difference between my voice and the voice of a deceiving spirit?

Many of my children have believed they have received a word of knowledge, word of wisdom or word of prophecy from me when in reality they have been given a word from a deceiving spirit. Whenever you act on a word from a deceiving spirit that masquerades as a word from my Spirit, you will be implementing the plans of the enemy into your life. This is how many of my children have seen their lives devastated when all along they thought they were acting on a word from me.

Many would ask, "How then can we know the difference? How can we be sure that what we hear is real?" I have already given you the key to this in my Word: 1 John 2:18-27. The few ministers I have who emphasize developing a strong relationship and fellowship with my Holy Spirit through praying in tongues have been greatly criticized.

But I would have you think: Am I the one who is the source of this criticism? Would I give instructions to one minister to pray in tongues and instructions to another minister to criticize such prayer? Am I a house divided? If I tell you in my Word to rely on the anointing of the Holy Spirit to protect you against deception, then where do you think these other ministers are getting their information to criticize praying in the Spirit? Are your eyes beginning to open? Are you beginning to see what is going on?

The influence of familiar spirits and deceiving spirits is widespread in my Church. The severe lack of spiritual maturity and sensitivity has made this possible. The same thing is happening in the lives and homes of many thousands and thousands of my children; and the reason is the same. Have I not said in my Word to test the spirits concerning how people minister to you?

(1 John 4:1) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
People think that if a minister gives them a "word from me," and contained in that word are details of their lives that no one else could know, that the minister was hearing from me. In many cases, this is true. But in many cases, a familiar spirit is in operation. Have I not warned you to know those who minister to you?

(1 Thessalonians 5:12) And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you
Too many of my children just want to be around someone through whom there is a flow of the supernatural. But you cannot forget that not everything supernatural is of me. Did not the rods of Pharaoh's magicians turn into serpents just as Moses' rod?

I watch from my throne as my children rumble as a herd of unbridled cattle from camp meeting to camp meeting, revival to revival, and "miracle service" to "miracle service" in search of the supernatural and manifestation of spiritual gifts. I watch as pastor after pastor opens his pulpit to preachers about whom they really have no knowledge. I watch as these preachers minister by a mixture of my Holy Spirit and familiar spirits. I watch as my children sit in these services with their spiritual mouths open like little birds waiting to be fed worms by their mothers; but my children are not receiving worms, they are receiving wormwood.

Guard yourself against these influences by fellowshipping with my Holy Spirit. Just as your skin is sensitive to a gentle breeze, my Holy Spirit can cause your spirit to be sensitive to even the gentlest of breezes originating from a deceiving spirit. If you do not fellowship with my Holy Spirit in this way, the anointing that abides within cannot be released to guard your heart.

Do not take for granted this miracle gift I have given you by my Holy Spirit. Do you want the supernatural? Do you long for a manifestation of spiritual gifts? Then keep in mind that the ability to pray in tongues is supernatural and it is a manifestation of a spiritual gift. As often as you pray in the Spirit, you are experiencing the supernatural in a way that will take you deeper into me. Remember: Praying in the Spirit is the only spiritual gift that will produce spiritual growth and maturity in you; it is the only spiritual gift that will actually help you to experience more of me. Do not neglect this gift, for it will see you through into eternity.

God bless U

Friends and Brothers

The World, the Flesh, and the Devil
March 12, 2009

"This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish." (James 3:15)

True wisdom is "from above" and is "pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy" (v. 17).  False wisdom, on the other hand, may come from the world outside us ("earthly", the flesh within us ("sensual", or the powers of darkness tempting us ("devilish".  All such wisdom leads to "envying and strife . . . confusion and every evil work" (v. 16). Believers, therefore, should be able to recognize the influences of the world, the flesh, and the devil.

The good news is that each divine Person of the Triune Godhead is on our side.  The Father is opposed to the world, the Spirit to the flesh, and the Son to the devil, and they are well able to give victory.

"If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. . . . And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof" (1 John 2:15, 17).  Thus, to overcome the love of the world, we must cultivate the love of the Father in our hearts and lives.

Similarly, to overcome the desires of the flesh, we should follow the leadings and convictions of the Holy Spirit, "for the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other" (Galatians 5:17).  Therefore, "walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh" (v. 16).

The devil and his evil hosts use their own dark powers to tempt and destroy the people of God, but "for this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8.).  Christ assured Satan’s defeat when He paid for our redemption on the cross.  "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:15). HMM

http://www.icr.org/article/4370/

Thanks a million for the encouragement. We thank the Lord for all His servants that He has been using to bless and exhort us on a daily basis, may the Lord count us worthy of receiving the crown of life that is prepared for us. In Jesus' name.

a big AMEN

Godless Religion
March 13, 2009

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (2 Timothy 3:5)

Included in Paul's graphic description of the "perilous" characteristics of the "last days" (not the church age, since the prophesied last days were still future when he wrote of them in his last epistle, 2 Timothy 3:1-3) is this warning concerning the religious leaders of the last days.  They would observe the outward form (church buildings, sacraments, religious services, etc.) of "godliness" (that is, "religion", but would reject its supernatural aspects.  They would desire the trappings of religious professionalism since they would be "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God" (v. 4).

Such specifications aptly describe the modern world of scientism and liberal theology, which pervades practically all religious denominations and overlaps with all kinds of liberal social movements (women's liberation, gay rights, "New Age" pantheism, and others).  Although these are widely diverse in structure and purpose, they all share one vital feature in common: they reject supernatural Christianity, especially literal creationism. Many liberal preachers give nominal allegiance to the teachings of Christ and the Bible, but they invariably deny the mighty power of God in special creation, as well as the great worldwide miracles of the Bible--the Flood, the dispersion, etc.

This prophecy is not given in Scripture simply as a matter of information.  It contains a warning urgently needed by Bible-believing Christians who are under pressure today to compromise with humanistic liberals on this great doctrine of God's creative power.  Many have accepted the evolutionary system of "ages geology," and this is tragic and dangerous.  Instead of compromising with evolutionary naturalists and religious liberals, as many evangelicals today are inclined to do, Paul warns: "From such turn away!" HMM

http://www.icr.org/article/4371/