“Do you want to know the secret to backsliding? Neglect your prayer life.”
-Leonard Ravenhill
For every blessing the Lord pours out on us, beloved, it would do us well to remember that the devil is hiding in the shadows just waiting to steal it from us. He will do whatever is takes to take you and I out of the fight, but…and it’s a big BUT, Christ came that we would have VICTORY.
Christ came to destroy the works of the devil, and that’s exactly what He did at the cross when he bore all the vile and all the filth and all the sin of the world on that cross…your sin…and my sin. He took the punishment for every ounce of it, so that you and I wouldn’t have to. Never in the history of the world has there been a sacrifice that could even touch it.
The forces of Hell couldn’t keep the Creator of the Universe, the Living God, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior in that tomb!
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10 (KJV)
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8 (KJV)
HOWEVER, it is crucial for you to understand that you have been given all authority and power and MIGHT over the enemy through the blood of Jesus Christ so that you and I may put an end to the strongholds of the devil.
My prayer is that your eyes would be open to the provisions in which Christ Jesus has FREELY given to us that we may walk in victory.
Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Ephesians 4:27-28 (KJV)
Sometimes (most times) the simplest things are the best things in life…such is the case with the very simple reminder that my pastor gave our congregation this week…
Go back to the basics: PRAYER and the WORD OF GOD
Prayer and the Word of God will transform your spiritual life. Therefore, I urge you, dear friend, in all earnestness to NOT neglect the weapons of your warfare. Cling to prayer and cling to God’s Word, the unchanging, infallible King James Bible.
Remember when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by the devil?
1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5
Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Matthew 4:1-11 (KJV)
What did Jesus do in the face of temptation from Satan himself? He threw the Book at him! He said, “It is written…It is written…It is written!”
Your best offense is prayer and your greatest defense is the mighty Word of God!
I’ll save the rest of the armor of God for another post, but for now it’s important to understand just how powerful these two weapons of spiritual warfare really are. I’ve already written on the Absolute Necessity of Studying Your Bible According to the Bible, and I pray it will be a great source of encouragement for you as well.
You see, this is the reason why the the Word of God is called the “sword of the Spirit” in Ephesians 6:17…because it is your greatest defense against the lies and deceptions of the devil. He can’t deceive you about God’s Word and His great promises towards you if you truly know what the Word says, and there can only be one true version of God’s Word, which I firmly believe is the Authorized 1611 King James Bible. See why HERE.
Satan has already twisted and perverted the other versions, but God has made it so that the King James Version is untouchable by that great deceiver.
Lest you be discouraged, stay with me, and I will show you the incredible power you have been given in Jesus Christ as revealed in His Word. As I’ve said before, beloved, he will never leave you ill-equipped; however, you must be willing to take hold of the tools that He’s given to you.
We are, indeed, living in alarming times…especially for those who have no eternal hope in Jesus Christ. If that is you, I PLEAD with you to come to Jesus Christ today. Head over HERE for what His Word has to say about salvation.
Okay, then. Let’s dive in.
It is Christmas morning as I begin to type this post, and I feel that fire in my spirit as the Lord has once again stirred my heart.
I awoke at 3:00 am last night, and I felt compelled to get out of bed, open my Bible, and get on my knees in prayer, and so I did.
If you follow this blog regularly, you may have noticed my absence over the past couple of months.
I must explain…I had decided a couple months ago that I would not write another post until I felt moved by the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit which has driven previous posts, and I pray that it will continue to be the force driving this post.
The Bible tells us that holy men spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and that is my prayer for you and I dear, friend.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:21 (KJV)
I’m paraphrasing here, but in one of his fiery, Holy Ghost filled sermons, that great revivalist preacher Leonard Ravenhill shot an arrow, which was something akin to a full-blown TORPEDO to my heart as he pointed out that the men in the upper room were unlearned, unusual, unwanted, they had no PH.D., no newsletters (gasp!), no bank accounts, no programs, nor did these Holy Ghost-filled men that rocked the first century hold conferences or sell books.
Rather, they WAITED on the Lord in PRAYER and didn’t move until the Holy Ghost said to go!
Why is being led by the Holy Spirit so crucial? Because it guides us as we live out our walk with Christ and gives us discernment of truth. In addition, the Holy Spirit within us stands witness to those who truly belong to God.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 16:13 (KJV)
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Romans 8:14-17 (KJV)
It seems, however, that the Church has lost it’s ability to discern truth, which is a telling sign of a grieved Holy Spirit that has removed himself from many within the Church. Apostasy is, undoubtedly, running rampant today.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30 (KJV)
What’s mind-boggling to me is just how many Christians take for granted the work of the Holy Spirit. It is, indeed, the most precious gift our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has given us until He returns.
Many Christians just assume they have the power of the Holy Spirit, when, instead, they have quenched the Holy Spirit within them to the point of not even being able to hear from Him because they have neglected to pray and abide and renew that infilling of the Holy Spirit.
With all of our emphasis on prosperity and pride in one’s own intellect and abilities to give smooth speeches, it seems that as soon as those slick sermons are over (in 45 mins or less, no doubt), we are off, talking football games and gossip and nothing, NOTHING from those sermons really takes root in our hearts. We’ve already moved on.
Why? Because a staggering number of pastors today don’t pray (of course, there are some, but they are certainly not in the majority)…at least they don’t REALLY pray, and if you don’t have a praying pastor, you’re probably not going to have a praying church. That’s the icky truth about lukewarmness…it just sort of spreads like a wet blanket.
Did you know that the great men and women of the First and Second Great Awakenings prayed at LEAST 6+ hours a day! No wonder, the Lord poured out His Spirit on them in such an earth shattering manner. They KNEW God! Do you really know Him, beloved?
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17:3 (KJV)
Dear friends, we are to be Christians every hour of every day, 7 days a week! You cannot hit the pause button on your faith and still expect to have the power to overcome the onslaught of attacks that Satan is just waiting to launch at you at a moment’s notice…the moment he spots the first chink in your armor.
“Much time spent with God is the secret of all successful praying. Prayer which is felt as a mighty force is the mediate or immediate product of much time spent with God. Our short prayers owe their point and efficiency to the long ones that have preceded them.” – E.M. Bounds
“The act of praying is the very highest energy of which the human mind is capable; praying, that is, with the total concentration of the faculties. The great mass of worldly men and of learned men are absolutely incapable of prayer.” -Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Our power in Jesus Christ comes through the Holy Spirit at work inside of those of us who truly believe in Him as our Lord and Savior, but if you stop praying and stop seeking Him through His Word, you will, indeed, quench the very Holy Spirit that you so desperately NEED to wage a victorious warfare. There is a reason that we are warned not to “quench the Spirit.” See vs. 19 below.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (KJV)
16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 25 Brethren, pray for us. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-25 (KJV)
Further, if you stop seeking the Lord long enough, not only will you quench the Holy Spirit’s work in your life and thus wreak havoc on your ability to discern and make wise, Christ-led choices, eventually you will become completely desensitized to the the things of this world that go completely contrary to the call of our Holy God.
Love not the world, beloved. This life is but a breath in the scope of eternity.
15 Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:15-17 (KJV)
If you’ve quenched the Holy Spirit in your life, things that the Bible deems SIN and utterly wrong, suddenly won’t seem so bad, and ultimately you will have seared your conscience. The Bible tells us that this will happen in the last days, and, without a doubt, it is happening at a sickening rate as I type.
Why is sin so bad? Because it will destroy you. The fun always runs out eventually, but the CONSEQUENCES REMAIN. Don’t you see that it is out of love that God warns us to flee sin? Sin always, always leaves a wake that destroys everything it touches. Don’t be deceived, dear friend…sin always comes with a cost.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 (KJV)
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:7-9 (KJV)
Notice how the Apostle Paul points out in the verse below that some will depart from the faith…those who are not firmly rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ are prime picking for the spiritual forces of evil that we are warned to guard ourselves against in Ephesians 6. The devil wants to hold you down and keep you utterly ineffective.
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 1 Timothy 4:1-2 (KJV)
And, yet, we are called to rise up as a soldier fit for battle!
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 2 Timothy 2:3-5 (KJV)
Here’s the thing…when I’m abiding in Christ through prayer and through the reading of the Word, the Holy Spirit within me can immediately tell when I step into a non-praying church. How? Because I feel NOTHING. I’m not moved at all. Nothing the pastor says even reaches my spirit. Nope, not even a dent.
Likewise, I can immediately sense when I’ve stepped into a place or situation where I ought not to be as a Christian.
So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to us as Christians when we don’t find any success in reaching people for Christ if we aren’t filled with the power of the Holy Spirit that comes ONLY through PRAYER. If my prayer time is compromised at all within a day, I can immediately sense the lack of anointing from the Holy Spirit and it drives me to find time alone with God to get it back.
Can you imagine if the bride of Christ took hold of prayer the way the first century Christians did? We talk and talk and talk so much, but do we pray? I’m not talking popcorn prayers throughout the day (not that that’s necessarily bad), but rather I’m talking about setting aside serious committed time to be alone with your Savior DAILY.
You see, that is the place where we find the incredible outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our lives, and there’s never been a time in the history of our nation where it’s ever been more needed.
Our nation needs divine intervention from the Almighty God like never before!
God is looking for humble, everyday men and women who are willing to seek His face in prayer…to throw aside the polish and performance…the nonsense and get on our knees weeping over the incredible amount of SIN in a corrupt and worldly Church. We must not neglect the gift of the Holy Spirit that is within us as believers in Jesus Christ!
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 1 Timothy 4:13-14 (KJV)
When was the last time, you wept over sin in your life?
When was the last time, you called on the Lord to do what only He can do in your life?
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:5-6 (KJV)
God is looking for men and women on their knees in fervent prayer, surrendered to His will…men and women stripped of their own abilities and gifts and talents, a needy people relying on the their Creator alone.
When we finally get there, THEN, will our great and might God really begin to use us.
I would tell you of all of the incredible blessings and also heart-wrenching convictions that Lord has revealed to me through my time in prayer, but I wouldn’t have the space to record them all.
Likewise, godly women in the New Testament waited on the Holy Ghost.
Now, let me take a quick aside here…. It’s vital that you know that women are NOT to be pastors, deacons, or elders within the church setting (the Bible is crystal clear on that truth – see 1 Timothy 2:11-12, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 (KJV)). I could do a whole article just on that truth, but I’ll leave you to that homework.
That being said, if there is a woman pastor in your church, please know that she has ZERO authority from God, and your church has fallen under false doctrine. No matter how nice or how capable she may be (she might be incredibly capable and persuasive), but if she claims to be a pastor, she is outside of God’s authority in this matter, and she’s, therefore, standing on dangerous grounds before the Lord. Again, it doesn’t mean that women aren’t capable, or that they don’t have a vital role within the church (we know they do!) but rather it means that God has a specific order to the role within HIS Church.
HIS Church. HIS. HIS. HIS. The Church belongs to God, and if we want His blessing on it, we best surrender our wills to HIS WILL.
However, women can prophesy (for example: point people to God’s truth in His Word/truth tellers/exposing sin, etc. – See Anna in Luke in Luke 2 and Philip’s daughters in Acts 21), evangelize/witness to others, women can teach other women as well as use many other gifts of the Spirit.
The Lord will and does use women who are surrendered to His will in extraordinary ways to accomplish His kingdom work. Praise be to God!
“Because women can prophesy, and the New Testament has many examples of women who were knowledgable in the Word of God and sought to lead others to Christ, but they were also in submission and willing to obey.”
– Christopher Johnson, Creation Liberty Evangelism
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: Acts 2:17 (KJV)
Lest anyone think otherwise, it is by Jesus Christ ALONE that any Christian can claim power against the forces of Hell. As I’ve said before, we are merely the tool in the hand of God that is used to accomplish His work.
Let us never forget that we can do nothing for Jesus Christ apart from Him, and let us give Him all the glory, honor and praise.
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 2 Corinthians 3:5 (KJV)
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of hisgood pleasure. Philippians 2:13 (KJV)
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5 (KJV)
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13 (KJV)
It is Jesus Christ alone by the power of the Holy Spirit who moves the hearts of men and women, and my prayer is that He will step in and stir up your heart today.
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Jude 1:17-20 (KJV)
Further, my prayer is that you will take something applicable away from what you read here. If you aren’t sure where to start, I encourage you to ask the Lord to open your eyes to His Word.
You have not because you ask not, beloved.
2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts. James 4:2-3 (KJV)
Pray that the Lord would open your understanding.
Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, Luke 24:45 (KJV)
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Proverbs 1:23 (KJV)
Notice in Acts how the Lord opens Lydia’s heart so that she could receive the Apostle Paul’s words as given through the power of the Holy Spirit, and notice how she came before the Lord with a heart of worship and a willing spirit.
14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. Acts 16:14 (KJV)
If you seek Jesus Christ with your whole heart, you will find Him. That’s a promise!
10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Psalm 9:10 (KJV)
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (KJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that any sin in your heart must be dealt with before you can receive the blessings of the Lord. You must come before Him, confess and repent of your sin, and let Him cleanse your heart and renew a right spirit within you.
King David’s prayer in Psalm 51 is one of the most beautiful examples of a humble spirit before the Lord following David’s great sin of murder and adultery. Notice how he pleads for God’s mercy asks the Lord to cleanse him from His sin…to give him a clean heart…and not to take the Holy Spirit from him. He is utterly broken as he confesses his sin against his Holy God.
God is looking for men and women who are broken over sin, and willing to surrender it all at the Cross.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin [is] ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done [this] evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, [and] be clear when thou judgest. Psalm 51:1-4 (KJV)
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Psalm 51:10-11 (KJV)
17 The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:17 (KJV)
All that to say…in my prayer time, the Lord has been revealing to me a few powerful truths…
The Necessity of Walking in the Spirit
The Bible tells us that if we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh…
Therefore, remaining steadfast in the Spirit through prayer will equip us to overcome any besetting sin that has long kept us crippled in the faith.
16 [This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:16-25 (KJV)
[Heb 12:1 KJV] 1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1 (KJV)
But how do we live and walk in the Spirit? We live in the Spirit by abiding in Christ through fellowship with Him. How do we fellowship with anyone? We spend time with them. We must spend time in prayer with the Lord. Then, we will receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit that comes from abiding Him.
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 1 John 2:27 (KJV)
Our strength is in the Lord ALONE!
When the Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 to “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might,” he is reminding us that our strength comes 100% percent from the Lord, NOT from ourselves. It’s one of Satan’s great traps to get the Christian to rely on his/her “own” strengths rather than seek the Lord.
When we rely on our own strength and abilities, we are setting ourselves up for failure. BUT, OH, when we seek the Lord! That’s when true Power steps in!
Be strong in the power of HIS. HIS. HIS. Might!
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Ephesians 6:10 (KJV)
Therefore, it is vital to your walk that you go to the Lord in prayer to get your strength.
Our Great and Mighty God is the Creator of all things. He is above all, and He lives inside of you!
Therefore, when you abide in Christ and He abides in you (John 15:5), you literally have His power though the Holy Spirit to put all forces of evil under your feet!
“He didn’t die to leave us moral cripples leaping and staggering and stumbling.” -Leonard Ravenhill
Rather, he died that we might have life, and life more abundantly!
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly. John 10:10 (KJV)
Recognize who the enemy really is.
Recognize that your battle is not against flesh and blood, but rather that it is against spiritual forces of evil. Therefore, you must fight spiritual with spiritual.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)
Take great encouragement, beloved, knowing that ALL principalities and powers and rulers of darkness have been put under Christ’s feet.
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Ephesians 1:21-22 (KJV)
Now, if Christ has put all things under His feet, and He lives inside of you, then that means, you have the power to put all things under your feet thanks to Him! Take that to the bank!
You can overcome, beloved, the God of Heaven and Earth promises it!
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4 (KJV)
So…this must be that EXCEEDING GREATNESS OF HIS POWER that is just waiting to be claimed by those of us who believe…
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Ephesians 1:19 (KJV)
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 2 Corinthians 10:4 (KJV)
…Which begs the question: Why aren’t we claiming this power in Jesus Christ?
If we want to make any sort of dent for Christ in this world, we NEED His MIGHTY POWER flowing in and through us!
So, what does that mean for you and I?
It means that we need to wait and go hide ourselves alone with the Author and Finisher of our Faith: Jesus Christ and take hold of that which He would have us to accomplish in this life.
I have come to believe that PRAYER… serious, committed time each day in prayer in the Spirit is the cost of a mighty, God-enforced offense.
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18 (KJV)
You don’t have the time you say. To which I would urge you that you can’t afford not to make the time.
Get up before the rest of the house and pray. Stay up after everyone has gone to bed and pray. Go hide in the bathroom and pray. Close your office door or go sit in your car over your lunch hour and pray. Whatever it takes, PRAY!
The time in which we are living demands that kind of prayer life, beloved.
We are to redeem the time because the days are evil.
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 (KJV)
Whatever you do, don’t stop praying, or you will leave yourself out of fellowship with Jesus and weak and defenseless in the faith.
The devil is looking for those who are wounded and weak and distracted by entertainment and anything else he can throw at you. Don’t you see, he wants to take you OUT OF THE FIGHT, and countless Christians are rolling over, lazy in their walk, just handing it to him.
Dear friends, Bible prophecy is being fulfilled at an incredible speed before our very eyes…have you been watching? Or, are you too busy watching football? That football team that you’ve been obsessing over will be wood, hay and stubble at the Judgement Seat of Christ, and you will be mortified that you gave it preeminence over time with your Savior.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 (KJV)
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 2 Corinthians 5:10-11 (KJV)
How are we spending our free time? Masses are dying without Jesus and going to a literal Hell that burns and burns forever. What are we going to do about it with the time we’ve been given?
“Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell;
I want to run a rescue shop,
Within a yard of hell.” -C.T. StuddOnly one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.” -C.T. Studd
We cannot have both the world and God. We must choose a side.
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:15-17 (KJV)
Further, we are told that in the last days, there will be a great deception. It’s the kind of deception that will separate the wheat from the tares so to speak and prove once and for all who are true believers in Jesus Christ and those who are false…those who are merely going through the motions of church but don’t really know Him.
“Let us not glide through this world and then slip quietly into heaven, without having blown the trumpet loud and long for our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Let us see to it that the devil will hold a thanksgiving service in hell, when he gets the news of our departure from the field of battle.” ― C.T. Studd
I’ve heard it often said that Satan will do just about anything to keep us from praying because he is completely powerless against it. This is true, my friends. Knowing this truth, now, can you imagine what he will throw at you when you have committed to the kind of on-your-face before the Lord, throwing-everything-aside kind of prayer that literally reaches the throne of the Living God?
Your phone will ring off the hook. Distractions will poor in. Everything and anything will gnaw at your attention.
Just to give you an idea of the onslaught of distractions that have kept me from getting any posts published here and accomplishing the many things that the Lord has clearly placed on my heart through prayer and in the Word, I couldn’t finish executing a single article. I currently have 11…ELEVEN different topic blog posts that are half finished. I would write and then distractions would overwhelm me.
“If the devil can’t make you bad, he will make you busy.” -Dr. David Peacock
No kidding.
Then, I would stop and pray…write some more…and, then, BAM something else would steal my attention. I got so frustrated that I just began pleading with the Lord to remove the distractions, and the result is the article that you are reading now. I began writing it on Christmas Day, and I’m still typing on January 5th.
I have never in my life pressed in so earnestly through pray, and I have never in my life felt such a spiritual opposition to what I know the Lord has called me to do.
And, YET, God is His infinite grace and loving kindness has once again moved my heart and mind and put it to work for Him. May He be lifted high and exalted and glorified through it.
To Jesus Christ be all glory, honor and praise!
Editor’s Note: As with all teachings you encounter in matters of spiritual things, including the posts you read here, I urge you with all diligence to test everything you read under the light and authority of God’s Holy Word…the King James Bible. Open your Bible and follow along, and see for yourself what God’s Word has to say. While I strive to be thoughtful, careful and ultimately prayerful about what I share on this site, I am still human, so should there ever be anything that isn’t in line with the Bible (which I pray doesn’t happen), then God’s Word is always right, and I am wrong. God’s Word is the final authority in all things.
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:10-11 (KJV)
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