Break every chain

“We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The verses before this is applicable: “We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.”2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

How does this apply to our relationships? We need to recognise the spirit that controls them and bind it. Then we can minister to them. 

Ministering to people can be tricky. They can be so self-absorbed that it offends our sensibilities. They can be so hard that they cannot hear. Not being offended personally is a challenge. We must recognise their need for Christ and find the chains that bind them, then break them.

Praying for people is more powerful than speaking at times. There are times to confront but times to be quiet and listen. Being prayed up is important. Seeking God’s solution for the problem is a must.

May His kingdom come, His will be done! Amen!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=0dm3n1M039M&si=fOsw9c7RQ-vIFZa_

The end times

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Trh book of revelation is a book of judgement. It tells about the unfolding of events in the end times. The Christian church looks forward to being raptured from the earth before the judgement begins, however there will be many come to Christ in these end times, there will be many who were lukewarm, or toying with the truth about Jesus but not having made a decision to make him their Lord. Unfortunately they will suffer the judgement of the world.

The suffering of this last period will be tremendous, especially for those who continue to blaspheme Christ. The faithful saints will face death at the hands of the antichrist. 144,000 Jews will come to Christ in this period.

This verse comes from Chapter 21, near the end of the book. It tells us what heaven is like. No more suffering, no more persecution, no more pain. It will be the best place to be for all eternity.

Jesus is returning soon. Make Him your Lord! Do not be left behind.

I recommend the series Left Behind for those interested in a possible scenario of what the end times looks like. They are novels built on scripture.

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=IBmZFgGT8rE&si=2mfGqYnDpDwUHv2D

The door

“I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”Luke‬ ‭18‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus told a story bout two men: one a Pharisee and one a tax collector. The Pharisee prayed. Self-righteous prayer to God, telling Gim how good he had been and that he was greater than the tax collector he saw nearby. The tax collector prayed a humble prayer. He begged forgiveness for he knew he was a sinner.

Jesus said, “the tax collector went away forgiven, by the Pharisee was not”. The reason He gave was that the Pharisee exalted himself whereas the tax collector humbled himself.

I had. A conversation with a friend who has frosted coming to Jesus. I told her that being good enough was not going to get her into heaven. She could not understand that her version of goodnes was not good enough for God. In fact she judged Him as unfair.

What right have we to dictate to God what His standards should be in regard to entrance into heaven? He is God, we are not!

Paul tells us, “As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous— not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.”Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There is one saviour, Jesus Christ! He said “I am the door”, He also said “no one comes to the Father but through Me!”(John 10:1:9,14:6)

We cannot tell Him the rules, He made them!

Pentecost Sunday

“After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.”Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭4‬:‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Yesterday, I shared with a friend that I have many family members who do not know Jesus. I awoke in the night knowing that this friend was praying for me. I began to see how God wanted me to share Jesus with them.

The disciples, prior to the outpouring of the Spirit, were afraid and in hiding. When the Holy Spirit came, they had no idea what it would be like, it was a powerful demonstration of God. A mighty wind came, the place shook and tongues of fire appeared on their heads. They spoke in unknown tongues.

The disciples received boldness and went forth preaching the gospel. Many were saved. It is time for the gospel to be preached! Amen!

On guard

“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.”1 Corinthians‬ ‭16‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

‘En garde’ is a statement, or warning used in fencing. It is a French phrase to indicate to the opponent and referee that you are ready to joust. It indicates the beginning of a battle.

We battle against powers of the enemy. For over a week I knew I was in the enemies camp seeking to save a soul. It came to a point where I had to say ‘fin’(another a French word meaning finished). I had rescued the woman from illness and set her on a part of wellness, however her heart remained cold and hard and it was not the Hoky Spirit’s turn.

I knew it was a spiritual battle, however, there was a human I had to deal with. I fought with her to wake up and see.

We also battle with ourselves. We cannot afford to be offended and selfish. To me that is the biggest challenge, managing my own heart. I became angry at the woman’s hard heart and challenged her. I pray I was not destructive in what was said.

Now what is left is to pray and pray I will.

Lay it down

“If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.”Mark‬ ‭8‬:‭35‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We’re called to lay down all we expect from life and the attitude of getting and hoarding. I see so many here. It is amazing how justified we can feeling about buying one more thing. Yet we are deceived by greed.

As some one who has chosen to walk away from the trappings of comfort, they stil call out to me. I have to remind myself of what my life is about. I am here to win souls, not the lottery. I am here to bring the Kingdom of God to earth.

The Kingdom of God is pure, holy, lacking deceit and selfishness. It is in love with the King. Jesus is Lord, I am not. His ways and ourposes must be mine.

Today I leave an old friend who wants to remain in the world of greed and selfishness. I fear for her salvation but have done all I can, except continue in prayer for her. Lord have mercy!

Search

“Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.”1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The word search is very familiar to us. When a child is lost from home, a son of daughter goes missing a search is conducted. There are parents still searching for their children.

However, we are encouraged to search for the Lord. What do we have to search for Him when He is everywhere? Because we get ourselves in places where the things of the world overwhelm us. It is not that He has moved, we have.

David wrote these words as part of a song he gave to Asaph and the singer after he had returned the Ark of the Lord to Jerusalem. The ark had been captured by the Philistines in a war against Saul, the previous king, and caused no end of havoc in the lands where they tried to keep it. Eventually is was returned, but once in Israel the people had failed to treat it as it was intended and as a result a man died for touching it. Once David worked out how to treat the Ark it was returned on the shoulders of the priests, all was well.

David built a tent for the Ark and installed doorkeepers and musicians. As David wrote many psalms this was part of a song he wrote. The song reminds the people of who God is and the importance of worshipping Him and giving Him praise.

We need to be reminded to seek His face, not just His hand. Relationship with Him is face to face. He is good and worthy to be sought! Amen!