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Jumat, 28 Juli 2017
One Person Can Change the World
"GREAT AMERICAN ECLIPSE" - Aug 21
"GREAT AMERICAN ECLIPSE" - Aug 21
Could this be a warning?
Eclipses in the Bible were often "prophetic" in nature. It seems
amazing to me that scientists are calling this the 'Great American
Eclipse' - a total eclipse the like of which has not occurred for
100 years. Here is what the media is saying-
"The last solar eclipse to cross the entire United States, from
Washington to Florida, occurred in 1918, but it´ll happen again in
less than a month.
"On Aug. 21, the "Great American Eclipse" - when the moon
passes between the sun and Earth... got its name because the
United States is the only country that will experience it.
"The entire country, including people in Alaska and Hawaii, will
be able to see the eclipse... Lika Guhathakurta, an astrophysicist
with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration´s
helophysics science division... "That is a phenomenon that most
Americans have never lived," she said... the view will be more like
night and day when the moon blocks the sun."
Do you think there may be anything 'prophetic' about this event,
my friends? - Interested in your comments.
God bless you all.
Andrew Strom.
-----------------------
~Info Source~
eclipse-on-aug-21-2017-07-24
Its Time to Stand
Its Time to Stand
Look through the winds and the weaves and you will see my perfect plan says the Lord. For the enemy would send distractions and try to trick you into thinking that all is lost. He would rather you believe his lies than you stood on the truth that I have given to you. So do not fall for his wiles, but put on the armor that I have given to you and stand against his tactics!Choose rather to see the truth. Choose rather to stand in faith. Choose rather to walk in love. Regardless of what you feel, think or how much you are pushed around by the wind, choose instead to believe that I have set you free and opened the way before you. For when you simply stand, you have overcome!
However if you allow yourself to be tossed around with every fear and thought, then the enemy can easily set your feet on the wrong road. He can cause you to stumble and to fall. So simply stand on the truth my child. Stand on what I have told you. Stand on the promises of the Word and cast down all the thoughts and fears in your heart.
For each fear is just a shadow - it has no substance! Stand instead then on the solid foundation I have given to you and when you do - you will see and know the truth. You will stand up and take your place. You will take the land in confidence. Then you will look back and see that I have been leading you all along and that I protected you along this journey. So stand! Stand firm on the truth and overcome today my child. Amen
Transformational Truth
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More GREAT QUOTES
More GREAT QUOTES
-SermonIndex.net
"By the time the average Christian gets his temperature up to
normal, everybody thinks he has a FEVER!" - Watchman Nee
"You must pray with all your might... fervent, effectual, untiring
wrestling with God...This kind of prayer be sure the devil and the
world and your own indolent, unbelieving nature will oppose. They
will pour water on this flame." - William Booth.
"A man set on fire is an apostle of his age...Tell me, is your
ministry a burning and shining light, or a smoking wick, slowly
dying out to ashes? ... We need the dynamic of a flaming ministry
that will set the Church on fire."
- Samuel M. Zwemer
"At Waterloo, the English troops obeying orders fell on their faces
for a time and let the hot fire of the French artillery pass over them.
Then they sprang to their feet and rushed to the thickest of the
fight and beat back their foes. The Lord wants His people flat on
their faces, before they attempt to meet the great crises of life."
- A. T. Pierson.
"A marble cutter, with chisel and hammer, was changing a stone
into a statue. A preacher looking on said: 'I wish I could deal such
changing blows on stony hearts. ' The workman answered: 'Maybe
you could, if you worked like me, upon your knees.'" - A. T. Pierson
"How often has very earnest prayer for the fullness of the Holy
Ghost been in vain, because he who sought that unspeakable
blessing sought it rather for the glory which the possession of it,
or the reputation for the possession of it, might bring to man, than
for the honor and praise that might be brought to God."
- G. H. C. Macgregor
"Our power in drawing others after the Lord mainly rests in our joy
and communion with Him ourselves." - J. G. Bellett
"Do not be satisfied with as much Christianity as will only ease
your conscience." - J. B. Stoney
"If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our
bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their
knees. Let no one GO there UNWARNED and UNPRAYED for."
- Charles Spurgeon
"The great battles, the battles that decide our destiny and the
destiny of generations yet unborn, are not fought on public
platforms, but in the lonely hours of the night and in moments of
agony." - Samuel Logan Brengle
Your Children Will Return
Your Children Will Return
By Joy Frangipane Marion
(En Español)
[This message was written by Francis' daughter Joy in 1995. We felt that this would be a special encouragement to those who are standing in prayer for (their) children. Currently, Joy and her husband, Steve, have two children. She is a successful businesswoman who continues to be an immense blessing to her parents.]
No one can tell me that fathers and daughters can't have close relationships, or even become best friends. People are almost envious of the love my dad and I share. The only time we argue is about who loves who the most. But our relationship was not always this warm. There was a time when I felt I had lost my ability to love my father. I was a teenage Christian in a public high school. My Christian background made me different. I was new, craving acceptance. My father's rules seemed to be the source of my rejections.
Fueled by my insecurities, in my eyes my dad became the root of my problems. While I set an adequate standard and struggled to live by it, he was strict. I was angry because he refused to back down from the standard he knew was right. He refused to appeal to my ignorance in order to keep my acceptance.
Things were going from bad to worse during those years. We hit bottom the day I looked him square in the eyes and told him that I hated him. They were harsh words, but it was a hard time. I didn't really hate him. I hated me. I felt I wasn't bad enough to be accepted by my friends and not good enough to be accepted at home. When these feelings take over your life, you search for something - - anything -- to blame. I chose my father. He carried the blunt of my pain. He even became my enemy.
In my heart I knew I didn't hate him. I was angry and confused. I felt he wasn't concerned with how I felt. It seemed he had made no room for compromise with my situation. He risked losing my love to save my soul.
It was a hard time for us both. He suffered the pain of rejection as I did. He suffered the hurt and the loss but from a different angle. His fear of the Lord withstood his fear of pain. He loved me, but he had a higher obligation than my favor and my approval. I'm sure at times he wondered if he was doing the right thing. There must have been times when he felt like his prayers were hitting the ceiling and bouncing back at his feet.
At times I'm sure he considered lowering his standards. It would have made things so much easier than wrestling with the power of an independent, strong-willed child. These considerations may have come, but he never gave in to them. He stood firm and prayed harder.
The "prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16 KJV). Many times he cried out to the Lord in anguish and in frustration. "What have I done wrong?" My father has a wonderful ministry to God in prayer. I think I had something to do with the character God worked in him during those days. Before he ever prayed for cities and nations, he was on his face praying for me.
"Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it" (Prov. 22:6). That verse was a promise that he would hold on to. "Your sons and daughters will prophesy" was another promise he stood upon (Joel 2:28). He had given me to the Lord, set a godly standard and held God to His word.
At the same time, I was wrestling with my salvation. My desire to be accepted by my non-Christian friends at school warred against my desire to be with the Lord. James speaks of a double-minded person being unstable in all of their ways (James 1:8). I was completely unstable. I walked on a line between Heaven and hell. I wanted the best of both worlds and was satisfied in neither.
Although I had been brought up in the church, the world had taken its toll on me. My eyes had been blinded to the sin in my own life, further separating me from God and parents. It was so hard for me to see my way out.
When a child is brought up in a Christian home, regardless of what may happen, there is a seed that has been planted in their heart that continues to grow. It's an amazing seed because it can grow in the dark without water; it can even bloom in adversity. The reason we can never outrun God is because He is that seed growing within us. Once you have tasted the presence of the Lord, nothing satisfies you like He can. Sometimes those who seem to be running the hardest from God are doing so because He is so close to them.
On the outside my witness was weak and I was in bondage to my unsaved friends. But inside my heart cried for oneness with the Lord. I hated my double-mindedness as much as my father did. My whole life I wanted strong Christian friends to save the world with me. I wanted the support -- I just never had it. I did the best I could, but I lost my sensitivity to sin, and the more I was with non-Christian people the more deceived I became.
Paul warns us to not be deceived: "For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?" (2 Cor. 6:14 KJV). I didn't realize the impact my unsaved friends had on me. The more I was with them the more I conformed to them. When I look back, I know if my parents had not been praying for me, I would have been on my way to hell.
Sin has a way of moving in and taking control. But "love is as strong as death" and "many waters cannot quench love" (Song of Sol. 8:6, 7). "Love never fails" (1 Cor. 13:8). And prayer is the highest power through which love is released. I had to relearn how to love. My love had become completely self-centered and conditional. I had failed to realize that my father and my Lord loved me unconditionally. I had only to try. I had only to bridge the communication gap to understand that God had loved me before I was even aware of His standards. And my dad loved me for me alone, not for something I had to become.
My relationship with my father is wonderful, and that's the truth. God has proven faithful in the working of both our lives. The Lord has bridged the gap and filled it with love. It took me leaving my environment and being planted with Christian people who faithfully loved me. It also took my will to change, but it did happen.
Listen, please don't give up on your teenagers. Don't sacrifice God's standards of righteousness to appeal to their carnal nature. They can't respect you for it and God won't honor it. Your children were not consecrated to Satan; they were dedicated to the Lord. He has had His hand on them and He will not forget them. He has heard your prayers and He is faithful to your cries. He is your God.
Prayer works. I'm living proof of it. I look back now and see how many times nothing but the miraculous dedication of loving parents took me out of hopeless situations. The Lord will not forsake His children. He will not turn His back on them. We are never too far from His reach. Believe the promises of the Lord. He is not a liar. He honors a steadfast heart. Hold on. Your children will come back to the Lord.
While
we should be mindful of end-time events, we must not become fearful of
them. Indeed, to become overly focused upon the signs of the end can be a
distraction. Signs point to something bigger than themselves. Rising
before us is a glorious sunrise. Let us not become so absorbed with the
movement of fleeing shadows that we miss the awe of the One who is
dawning upon us. Many have written about the shadows; this book is
primarily about the increasing light.
This
is the first book ever written by Pastor Francis. It came after three
years of studying and repeatedly reading the Gospels. The truths in this
book have stirred men to revivals. This book is a penetrating study of
the human heart and how God prepares it for His glory.
Book $7.20 (Retail $12.00)
Free ebook of Holiness, Truth and the Presence of God when both the book and ebook are ordered.
Use coupon code FREEHOLINESS (Retail $12.00)
By Joy Frangipane Marion
(En Español)
[This message was written by Francis' daughter Joy in 1995. We felt that this would be a special encouragement to those who are standing in prayer for (their) children. Currently, Joy and her husband, Steve, have two children. She is a successful businesswoman who continues to be an immense blessing to her parents.]
No one can tell me that fathers and daughters can't have close relationships, or even become best friends. People are almost envious of the love my dad and I share. The only time we argue is about who loves who the most. But our relationship was not always this warm. There was a time when I felt I had lost my ability to love my father. I was a teenage Christian in a public high school. My Christian background made me different. I was new, craving acceptance. My father's rules seemed to be the source of my rejections.
Fueled by my insecurities, in my eyes my dad became the root of my problems. While I set an adequate standard and struggled to live by it, he was strict. I was angry because he refused to back down from the standard he knew was right. He refused to appeal to my ignorance in order to keep my acceptance.
Things were going from bad to worse during those years. We hit bottom the day I looked him square in the eyes and told him that I hated him. They were harsh words, but it was a hard time. I didn't really hate him. I hated me. I felt I wasn't bad enough to be accepted by my friends and not good enough to be accepted at home. When these feelings take over your life, you search for something - - anything -- to blame. I chose my father. He carried the blunt of my pain. He even became my enemy.
In my heart I knew I didn't hate him. I was angry and confused. I felt he wasn't concerned with how I felt. It seemed he had made no room for compromise with my situation. He risked losing my love to save my soul.
It was a hard time for us both. He suffered the pain of rejection as I did. He suffered the hurt and the loss but from a different angle. His fear of the Lord withstood his fear of pain. He loved me, but he had a higher obligation than my favor and my approval. I'm sure at times he wondered if he was doing the right thing. There must have been times when he felt like his prayers were hitting the ceiling and bouncing back at his feet.
At times I'm sure he considered lowering his standards. It would have made things so much easier than wrestling with the power of an independent, strong-willed child. These considerations may have come, but he never gave in to them. He stood firm and prayed harder.
The "prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16 KJV). Many times he cried out to the Lord in anguish and in frustration. "What have I done wrong?" My father has a wonderful ministry to God in prayer. I think I had something to do with the character God worked in him during those days. Before he ever prayed for cities and nations, he was on his face praying for me.
"Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it" (Prov. 22:6). That verse was a promise that he would hold on to. "Your sons and daughters will prophesy" was another promise he stood upon (Joel 2:28). He had given me to the Lord, set a godly standard and held God to His word.
At the same time, I was wrestling with my salvation. My desire to be accepted by my non-Christian friends at school warred against my desire to be with the Lord. James speaks of a double-minded person being unstable in all of their ways (James 1:8). I was completely unstable. I walked on a line between Heaven and hell. I wanted the best of both worlds and was satisfied in neither.
Although I had been brought up in the church, the world had taken its toll on me. My eyes had been blinded to the sin in my own life, further separating me from God and parents. It was so hard for me to see my way out.
When a child is brought up in a Christian home, regardless of what may happen, there is a seed that has been planted in their heart that continues to grow. It's an amazing seed because it can grow in the dark without water; it can even bloom in adversity. The reason we can never outrun God is because He is that seed growing within us. Once you have tasted the presence of the Lord, nothing satisfies you like He can. Sometimes those who seem to be running the hardest from God are doing so because He is so close to them.
On the outside my witness was weak and I was in bondage to my unsaved friends. But inside my heart cried for oneness with the Lord. I hated my double-mindedness as much as my father did. My whole life I wanted strong Christian friends to save the world with me. I wanted the support -- I just never had it. I did the best I could, but I lost my sensitivity to sin, and the more I was with non-Christian people the more deceived I became.
Paul warns us to not be deceived: "For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?" (2 Cor. 6:14 KJV). I didn't realize the impact my unsaved friends had on me. The more I was with them the more I conformed to them. When I look back, I know if my parents had not been praying for me, I would have been on my way to hell.
Sin has a way of moving in and taking control. But "love is as strong as death" and "many waters cannot quench love" (Song of Sol. 8:6, 7). "Love never fails" (1 Cor. 13:8). And prayer is the highest power through which love is released. I had to relearn how to love. My love had become completely self-centered and conditional. I had failed to realize that my father and my Lord loved me unconditionally. I had only to try. I had only to bridge the communication gap to understand that God had loved me before I was even aware of His standards. And my dad loved me for me alone, not for something I had to become.
My relationship with my father is wonderful, and that's the truth. God has proven faithful in the working of both our lives. The Lord has bridged the gap and filled it with love. It took me leaving my environment and being planted with Christian people who faithfully loved me. It also took my will to change, but it did happen.
Listen, please don't give up on your teenagers. Don't sacrifice God's standards of righteousness to appeal to their carnal nature. They can't respect you for it and God won't honor it. Your children were not consecrated to Satan; they were dedicated to the Lord. He has had His hand on them and He will not forget them. He has heard your prayers and He is faithful to your cries. He is your God.
Prayer works. I'm living proof of it. I look back now and see how many times nothing but the miraculous dedication of loving parents took me out of hopeless situations. The Lord will not forsake His children. He will not turn His back on them. We are never too far from His reach. Believe the promises of the Lord. He is not a liar. He honors a steadfast heart. Hold on. Your children will come back to the Lord.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, This Day We Fight!, available at Arrow Bookstore.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
40% Off these select products, plus free ebook!
Limited time offer
Limited time offer
The Days of His Presence
While
we should be mindful of end-time events, we must not become fearful of
them. Indeed, to become overly focused upon the signs of the end can be a
distraction. Signs point to something bigger than themselves. Rising
before us is a glorious sunrise. Let us not become so absorbed with the
movement of fleeing shadows that we miss the awe of the One who is
dawning upon us. Many have written about the shadows; this book is
primarily about the increasing light.
Book - $7.80 (Retail $13.00)
Free ebook of The Days of His Presence when both
the book and ebook are ordered.
Use coupon code FREEDAYS (Retail $13.00)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Free ebook of The Days of His Presence when both
the book and ebook are ordered.
Use coupon code FREEDAYS (Retail $13.00)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Holiness, Truth and the Presence of God
This
is the first book ever written by Pastor Francis. It came after three
years of studying and repeatedly reading the Gospels. The truths in this
book have stirred men to revivals. This book is a penetrating study of
the human heart and how God prepares it for His glory.Book $7.20 (Retail $12.00)
Free ebook of Holiness, Truth and the Presence of God when both the book and ebook are ordered.
Use coupon code FREEHOLINESS (Retail $12.00)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
To comment or send this message to a friend or print this message, use our Printer-friendly version.
Sabtu, 08 Juli 2017
What is the Testimony of Jesus?
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GOD'S HOUR of POWER
GOD'S HOUR of POWER
by David Wilkerson
When Jesus turned the water into wine at the wedding in Cana
(John 2), He was giving His disciples -- and His Church to come --
an illustrated sermon. Our Lord never did anything or spoke any
word that wasn't eternally significant. Everything that Scripture
records about Him points to the unchanging nature and workings of God.
Jesus' "hour" (John 2:4) had to do with something that was
happening at the feast. That is, His hour of power came when
there was no wine left in the bottles. This happens to us when we
are empty of solutions, when all our human efforts are in vain --
and only a miracle can solve our problem.
We find this principle at work throughout the Bible: In man's
darkest hour, the Lord has a history of manifesting His power.
When we come to our wits' end, God has already prepared a
great work of deliverance on our behalf.
Scripture gives us examples of this principle. Judges 6 finds
Israel in a period of awful impoverishment. Year after year,
God's people were rendered helpless by a marauding enemy:
the vicious Midianites. When this enemy arrived, God's people
fled to the hills for safety, hiding in caves. Meanwhile their
enemy stole their crops and herds and destroyed everything
they'd built, leaving Israel completely "without sustenance" or
in a spiritual death.
Israel's impoverished condition continued year after year. Yet
it was in this dark hour that God manifested His power on behalf
of His people. Indeed, the Lord performed His deliverance by
choosing the poorest man from the poorest family in the poorest
tribe in Israel: Gideon. His cry reflected the pain of the people of
Israel. "O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this
happened to us? And where are all His miracles?" (Judges 6:13).
You are probably familiar with his story. God sent an angel to
Gideon and along with three hundred other men, using only
trumpets and torches, the men broke the power of the Midianites
and Israel was miraculously delivered!
Their hour of darkness became God's hour of power!
Read this devotional online-
You are welcome to make copies for FREE distribution or retransmit
the devotional via e-mail, but all devotionals must be copied or
retransmitted in their entirety. However, devotionals may not be
posted on any website, printed, or used in any media without written
permission from World Challenge, Inc. Each request is considered on a
case-by-case basis. Please contact World Challenge, Inc. using our
online contact form or by calling (903) 963-8626.
When Kings Go Out to Battle
When Kings Go Out to Battle
(En Español)
The Effects of a Passive Spirit
Scripture contains many examples of David's valor. As a young man, for instance, while others trembled, David was ready and eager to face Goliath. David is an example of a man who was chosen by God, whose passions for God sustained him for most of his life.
Yet David also provides an example for us of what happens to good people when a passive spirit triumphs. For there was an occasion when David did not pursue his enemies, and the consequences were grave. It happened because he allowed a passive spirit to subdue his will.
"Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem" (2 Sam. 11:1).
During a time of war, the king accepted a passive spirit into his soul. Soon we find this great warrior king almost helpless to resist the unfolding spiritual attack.
"Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king's house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance" (2 Sam. 11:2).
The woman was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. From the moment David accepted the influence of that passive spirit, his resistance was weakened; a paralysis of conscience occurred. Scripture says that "when evening came David arose from his bed." Perhaps it was customary to rest in the afternoon, but it strikes me as inconsistent for David to nap while his men fought. It is possible that this nap was not a response to a bodily need but an expression of the slumber that gripped his soul. He was in bed until "evening."
This heaviness of soul resting on David was actually part of a larger, synchronized spiritual attack. The other part of that battle was the quiet, inner prompting that stirred Bathsheba to bathe in a place where David could see her. Finally, David, unable to resist, and in defiance of his noble qualities, "sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, he lay with her" (2 Sam. 11:4).
Dear friend, remember: This terrible moral failure was not driven by David's lust or flagrant rebellion to God. A passive spirit introduced David to his sin! The problem was simply that, in a time when the kings went forth to war, David stayed at home.
We ourselves are in a time of war. The Spirit of God is calling us to renounce a spiritually passive life and fight for the sake of our souls -- as well as our families, cities, churches and nations. Indeed, God's Word reveals that "the Lord will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies" (Isa. 42:13).
Is that holy fight in you? Jesus rebuked the church in Laodicea for being lukewarm (Rev. 3:16). In Matthew 25:5, again, the Lord warned of a spiritual drowsiness that would the church would have to overcome.
Is there a war cry in your spirit? If you are born again, that cry is within you, even if it has been muted by lethargy.
You see, we will never succeed as overcomers without carrying in our spirits the war cry of God. We must stop resisting the call to prayer; we must embrace the reality of spiritual warfare; and we must fight with the weapons of warfare that God has given us (Eph. 6), both for our own progress and also on behalf of those we love.
Conversely, the moment you surrender your will to a passive attitude, you should anticipate that a temptation appropriate to your weakness will soon follow. It may not be Bathsheba; it may be pornography on the Internet. Or it may be a coworker who begins to look attractive at a time when you and your spouse are struggling. Whatever the area of weakness in your life, Satan will seek to exploit that area. It will likely not be a bold, obvious assault. The enemy will approach you quietly, in whispers, relaxing your spiritual guard. If the enemy succeeds in this first stage of his assault, you will soon find yourself wrapped up in something that can devastate you and your loved ones.
Lord, I live in a wicked and perverse world. Yet I come to You for strength. Help me to discern the enemy and resist his deceptions, especially the deception of a passive spirit. In this time when kings go out to battle I repent of being spiritually passive. I take up the full armor of God and unsheathe the sword of the Spirit, which is Your word. Help me to walk as more than a conqueror through Your love. Amen.
This Day We Fight!
This
book is anointed to help the reader get their fire back. The Holy
Spirit is ready to impart a fresh anointing to God's people - an
anointing that will activate the "war mode" in the church. Published by
Chosen Books.
View Francis introducing this book
Pursue holiness, engage in effective spiritual warfare, and find strength to stand against the enemy.
The
reason most people fail is not because God hasn't provided for them, it
is because their spiritual life is lukewarm and passive. It is time to
get your grit back! These messages will break the spell of passivity
while helping you to develop a war-mode mentality. In this day of
advancing evil, it is time to wake up and fight!
(En Español)
The Effects of a Passive Spirit
Scripture contains many examples of David's valor. As a young man, for instance, while others trembled, David was ready and eager to face Goliath. David is an example of a man who was chosen by God, whose passions for God sustained him for most of his life.
Yet David also provides an example for us of what happens to good people when a passive spirit triumphs. For there was an occasion when David did not pursue his enemies, and the consequences were grave. It happened because he allowed a passive spirit to subdue his will.
"Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem" (2 Sam. 11:1).
During a time of war, the king accepted a passive spirit into his soul. Soon we find this great warrior king almost helpless to resist the unfolding spiritual attack.
"Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king's house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance" (2 Sam. 11:2).
The woman was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. From the moment David accepted the influence of that passive spirit, his resistance was weakened; a paralysis of conscience occurred. Scripture says that "when evening came David arose from his bed." Perhaps it was customary to rest in the afternoon, but it strikes me as inconsistent for David to nap while his men fought. It is possible that this nap was not a response to a bodily need but an expression of the slumber that gripped his soul. He was in bed until "evening."
This heaviness of soul resting on David was actually part of a larger, synchronized spiritual attack. The other part of that battle was the quiet, inner prompting that stirred Bathsheba to bathe in a place where David could see her. Finally, David, unable to resist, and in defiance of his noble qualities, "sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, he lay with her" (2 Sam. 11:4).
Dear friend, remember: This terrible moral failure was not driven by David's lust or flagrant rebellion to God. A passive spirit introduced David to his sin! The problem was simply that, in a time when the kings went forth to war, David stayed at home.
We ourselves are in a time of war. The Spirit of God is calling us to renounce a spiritually passive life and fight for the sake of our souls -- as well as our families, cities, churches and nations. Indeed, God's Word reveals that "the Lord will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies" (Isa. 42:13).
Is that holy fight in you? Jesus rebuked the church in Laodicea for being lukewarm (Rev. 3:16). In Matthew 25:5, again, the Lord warned of a spiritual drowsiness that would the church would have to overcome.
Is there a war cry in your spirit? If you are born again, that cry is within you, even if it has been muted by lethargy.
You see, we will never succeed as overcomers without carrying in our spirits the war cry of God. We must stop resisting the call to prayer; we must embrace the reality of spiritual warfare; and we must fight with the weapons of warfare that God has given us (Eph. 6), both for our own progress and also on behalf of those we love.
Conversely, the moment you surrender your will to a passive attitude, you should anticipate that a temptation appropriate to your weakness will soon follow. It may not be Bathsheba; it may be pornography on the Internet. Or it may be a coworker who begins to look attractive at a time when you and your spouse are struggling. Whatever the area of weakness in your life, Satan will seek to exploit that area. It will likely not be a bold, obvious assault. The enemy will approach you quietly, in whispers, relaxing your spiritual guard. If the enemy succeeds in this first stage of his assault, you will soon find yourself wrapped up in something that can devastate you and your loved ones.
Lord, I live in a wicked and perverse world. Yet I come to You for strength. Help me to discern the enemy and resist his deceptions, especially the deception of a passive spirit. In this time when kings go out to battle I repent of being spiritually passive. I take up the full armor of God and unsheathe the sword of the Spirit, which is Your word. Help me to walk as more than a conqueror through Your love. Amen.
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Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, This Day We Fight!, available at www.arrowbookstore.com.
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Sabtu, 01 Juli 2017
Your Uniqueness, My Plan
Your Uniqueness, My Plan
My child, keep your eyes focused on the vision that I have specifically for you. Do not look around, comparing yourself to others. You do not blend in with all those around you and you are not meant to. You are meant to be unique and different from the rest.Just as you are unique, so is your vision and mandate unique from others as well. So, though you may look to your left and right and feel that everyone else sees a different picture of what I want to do, do not feel that the fire I have put in you is wrong.
Each one must walk out their own calling and purpose. No one person has the same calling. Step out today in your uniqueness and realize that you are just the way that you are meant to be. I prefer you to be different. This was just the way I planned it, says the Lord.
The Stronghold of the Godly: Humility
The Stronghold of the Godly: Humility
(En Español)
Satan fears virtue. He is terrified of humility; he hates it. He sees a humble person and it sends chills down his back. His hair stands up when Christians kneel down, for humility is the surrender of the soul to God. The devil trembles before the meek because in the very areas where he once had access there stands the Lord, and Satan is terrified of Jesus Christ.
Who Truly Are You Fighting?
Before we launch into spiritual warfare, we should recognize that the immediate source of many of our problems and oppressions is not demonic but fleshly in nature. One aspect of our lives, our flesh nature, will always be targeted by the devil. These fleshly or carnal areas supply Satan with a ready avenue of access to undermine and then neutralize our walk with God.
It is only our exaggerated sense of self-righteousness that prevents us from looking honestly at spiritual vulnerabilities. As Christians, we know the Holy Spirit dwells within us, but we must also be aware of where we are tolerating sin if we will be successful in our war against darkness.
Therefore, be specific when you submit yourself to God. Do not rationalize your sins or defend your failures. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is a perfect shelter of grace enabling all men to look honestly at their needs. Accordingly, be honest with God. He will not be horrified or shocked by your sins. God loved you without restraint even when sin was rampant within you; how much more will He continue to love you as you seek His help to be free from iniquity?
Indeed, we must realize that many of our battles are merely the consequences of our own actions. To war effectively, we must separate what is of the flesh from what is of the devil.
Allow me to give you an example. My wife and I once lived in an area where a beautiful red cardinal kept its nest. Cardinals are very territorial and will fight off intruding cardinals zealously. At that time, we owned a van which had large side mirrors and chrome bumpers. Occasionally the cardinal would attack the bumpers or mirrors, thinking his reflection was another bird. One day as I watched the cardinal assail the mirror, I thought, "What a foolish creature; his enemy is merely the reflection of himself." Immediately the Lord spoke to my heart: "And so also are many of your enemies the reflection of yourself."
Before we develop more complex strategies, let us make sure that the real enemy is not our own carnal nature. Let us each inquire of the Lord, Are the things oppressing me today the harvest of what I planted yesterday?
In Christ's Image Training
is a six-month, online course developed by Pastor Frangipane. It is
based on 45 years of seeking God, study and revelatory insights. These
are proven truths that break chains and lead to power in our Christian
walk.
ICIT provides focused training in four essential stages of spiritual development:
For those with limited funds, the entire text is free by email. Just enroll in the Free Lesson Plan (new students only please).
(En Español)
Satan fears virtue. He is terrified of humility; he hates it. He sees a humble person and it sends chills down his back. His hair stands up when Christians kneel down, for humility is the surrender of the soul to God. The devil trembles before the meek because in the very areas where he once had access there stands the Lord, and Satan is terrified of Jesus Christ.
Who Truly Are You Fighting?
Before we launch into spiritual warfare, we should recognize that the immediate source of many of our problems and oppressions is not demonic but fleshly in nature. One aspect of our lives, our flesh nature, will always be targeted by the devil. These fleshly or carnal areas supply Satan with a ready avenue of access to undermine and then neutralize our walk with God.
It is only our exaggerated sense of self-righteousness that prevents us from looking honestly at spiritual vulnerabilities. As Christians, we know the Holy Spirit dwells within us, but we must also be aware of where we are tolerating sin if we will be successful in our war against darkness.
Therefore, be specific when you submit yourself to God. Do not rationalize your sins or defend your failures. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is a perfect shelter of grace enabling all men to look honestly at their needs. Accordingly, be honest with God. He will not be horrified or shocked by your sins. God loved you without restraint even when sin was rampant within you; how much more will He continue to love you as you seek His help to be free from iniquity?
Indeed, we must realize that many of our battles are merely the consequences of our own actions. To war effectively, we must separate what is of the flesh from what is of the devil.
Allow me to give you an example. My wife and I once lived in an area where a beautiful red cardinal kept its nest. Cardinals are very territorial and will fight off intruding cardinals zealously. At that time, we owned a van which had large side mirrors and chrome bumpers. Occasionally the cardinal would attack the bumpers or mirrors, thinking his reflection was another bird. One day as I watched the cardinal assail the mirror, I thought, "What a foolish creature; his enemy is merely the reflection of himself." Immediately the Lord spoke to my heart: "And so also are many of your enemies the reflection of yourself."
Before we develop more complex strategies, let us make sure that the real enemy is not our own carnal nature. Let us each inquire of the Lord, Are the things oppressing me today the harvest of what I planted yesterday?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The preceding message was adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, The Three Battlegrounds, available at Arrow Bookstore for up to 64% off regular prices. It also is a chapter in pastor's online school, In Christ's Image Training (icitc.org). Next term begins July 7, 2017. More information.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In Christ's Image Training
Level I Registration
extended through July 3, 2017
extended through July 3, 2017
Level I classes begin July 7, 2017
There
are qualities of heart that actually attract the pleasure of God. If we
possess unoffendable faith in our pursuit of Christ's likeness; if we
walk humbly with our God; if we position ourselves in the intercessor's
gap; and if we abide in Christ-centered unity with the local body of
Christ -- we will attract the pleasure of God, and when we awaken His
pleasure, His power soon follows. Sign up today for our next In Christ's Image Training course that begins July 7, 2017.
Registration extended through July 3, 2017 - www.icitc.org.
In Christ's Image Training
is a six-month, online course developed by Pastor Frangipane. It is
based on 45 years of seeking God, study and revelatory insights. These
are proven truths that break chains and lead to power in our Christian
walk.
The vision of attaining Christ's likeness
Possessing Christ's humility
Developing a strong prayer life
Becoming one with other Christ believers
The course
comes right to your home via email and audio messages and is designed to
lift one's focus toward the actual presence of Jesus Christ. The full
course not only includes 48 lessons and 39 audio messages (sample audio),
but the discerning student will actually find the Lord using the weekly
lessons to stage opportunities to deepen the truths found in the
training.Possessing Christ's humility
Developing a strong prayer life
Becoming one with other Christ believers
For those with limited funds, the entire text is free by email. Just enroll in the Free Lesson Plan (new students only please).
Enrollment overview:
1) Go to www.icitc.org and read through the Level I page, FAQ page, Level I Syllabus page, and Tuition page.
2) Choose an enrollment plan.
3) Next, complete the Level I Registration form before the end of the day, Monday July 3.
4) Submit the registration form - Class begins July 7, 2017.
2) Choose an enrollment plan.
3) Next, complete the Level I Registration form before the end of the day, Monday July 3.
4) Submit the registration form - Class begins July 7, 2017.
For more info, please see www.icitc.org.
Training also available in Spanish / Español
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More GREAT QUOTES
More GREAT QUOTES
-Sermonindex.net
"Is the Gospel really dynamite, or does it need all sorts of human
institutions and money? Much of the work we have done in the
name of Jesus Christ has been, not to perform miracles of the
Holy Ghost, but miracles of gold." -David Griffin
"Prayer alone will overcome the gigantic difficulties which confront
the workers in every field." - John R. Mott
"The Church has not yet touched the fringe of the possibilities of
intercessory prayer. Her largest victories will be witnessed when
individual Christians everywhere come to recognize their priesthood
unto God and day by day give themselves unto prayer." - John R. Mott
"The evangelization of the world in this generation depends first of
all upon a revival of prayer. Deeper than the need for men; deeper,
far, than the need for money; aye, deep down at the bottom of our
spiritless life is the need for the forgotten secret of prevailing,
world-wide prayer." - Robert E. Speer
"The nature of Christ's salvation is woefully misrepresented by the
present-day evangelist. He announces a Savior from hell rather
than a Savior from sin. And that is why so many are fatally
deceived, for there are multitudes who wish to escape the Lake of
fire who have no desire to be delivered from their carnality and
worldliness." - A. W. Pink
"Christ is a Savior for those realizing something of the exceeding
sinfulness of sin, who feel the awful burden of it on their
conscience... and a Savior for no others." - A. W. Pink
"If we go about apologizing for speaking to people of the things of
God, we must not be very much surprised if they catch our
timidity and they feel awkward and we feel awkward. There is a
certain shyness and awkwardness about us when we go to tell
men and women of the things of eternal life, which react upon
them until they become nervous and awkward too." -Mildred Cable
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