STOP! Entertaining the devil!

• Sub-Topic: How could you forget GOD?)?

Ephesians 4:27 (Read Eph 4:26-28)

I asked, the Holy Spirit what to tell the people today and he said, "Tell them to STOP, Entertaining the Devil"

• When you refuse to acknowledge those big or little things that hinder you.
• When you give in to the Flesh.
• When you hold on to stuff (The past, bitterness, anger, resentment, grudges)
• When you compromise with the Flesh. (Your Feelings will fool you)
• When you Shrug off Conviction; When you Shrug off the Truth

YOU ARE ENTERTAINING THE DEVIL!!

Let's take a closer look. Here's some things to be aware of:

To entertain: To give attention or consideration to (An idea, suggestion or feeling.)

 Power of Suggestion:

Suggestion is the psychological process  by  which one person guides the thoughts, feelings or behavior of another.

EX. Suggestion

A rabbits foot=The suggestion that you will obtain or have luck

A glass of wine =suggests that you are being social, alleviate depression, or will have a good time

A pill= suggest that it will make you feel better, your pain will go away, or heal you

What are the wiles of the devil (Eph 6:11):

The wiles of the devil are devious or cunning stratagems employed in manipulating or persuading someone to do what he/she wants through lure or enticement.

Discouragement, confusion, indifference, doubt, influence come from the enemy.

What we expect influences our behaviors for better or for the worse.

1. The devil exaggerates the pleasures of sin Heb
   
   11:24,25 to lay a trap to sin after which when the enemy has lured you into sin; brings condemnation.
2. If he sees an opening (even a crack in the door) he will enter in through mood and emotion Eph 4:26 "I know, I shouldn't drink but, I was depressed."
3. The devil will use people to lead astray friends, family and co-workers * Col 2:4
4. The devil will influence you through believing God is not going to come through in time and as a result you take matters into you own hands through your own ideology of a fix for your situation or trouble.

Don't let Hell have the Harvest Heaven Gave you. Joshua 18:3; Deut 1:8

We allow the enemy to steal our harvest through 4 types of people in the church

• A lazy person thinks they do not have to put any action to their faith that all is needed is for them to sit there.
• A conceited, person will never get anywhere usually, because they think that they are already there
• A comfortable person believes as long as they have been faithful and perfect the position  they are in - That a new level or realm is unnecessary and are unwilling to grow past where they are
• A lukewarm, person believe that they can play both sides and still be blessed.

Can't you see people of God that you are entertaining the devil? You are being hoodwinked by the enemy. The enemy has set a trap for you and you have fallen for the Okie Doke, there is no new age Christianity but, I can tell you- You are falling for the age of Apostasy. You  STOP following what folks do and, follow the word of God, you have no defense against the enemy when you do not study the word, you cannot grasp the word of truth if you have no root in you; You entertain the enemy through friendships with unsaved, by allowing the enemy to speak to your mind, through church hopping,

Tomorrow Part 2 Stop! Entertaining the Devil

How could you forget God by giving way to the enemy??

Ephesians 1:18 (AMP)
And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the [a]hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the [b]Saints (God’s people),

A moment in Prayer and a few weeks ago, and I heard the Spirit of the Lord say, “I will stretch my hand in the earth and set order! The sinner, will not inherit my Kingdom; The homosexual, will not inherit my Kingdom; The lukewarm, will not inherit my Kingdom; The unrighteous, will not inherit my Kingdom; Men of God conform to the lust of their flesh and to this world and will be spewed out of my mouth! I will stretch my hand in the Earth and set order!” What I saw in the spirit caused me to weep for those that are lost. The lost ones have been in my Spirit since and, I have been sending up prayers for them Praying his grace and mercy.

 If you are not saved. You do not know Christ. If you do not know Christ, you are LOST!                     You are walking in the dark because, you can’t see the Light! When you cannot see, it is because you are blind and when you are blind; you cannot see what is Right in Front of you and so you stumble (sin). Many of you have heard the word but choose to remain in your sin. Blinded Minds; Blinded Lives! This happens for a few reasons:
1. But even if our gospel is [in some sense] hidden [behind a veil], it is hidden [only] to those who are perishing; 4 among them the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving to prevent them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Cor 4:3-4
2. But the natural [unbelieving] man does not accept the things [the teachings and revelations] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness [absurd and illogical] to him; and he is incapable of understanding them, because they are spiritually discerned and appreciated, [and he is unqualified to judge spiritual matters]. 1 Cor 2:14
3. For the time, will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Tim 4:3-4
4. You have Free will. (It is your choice true enough just know, that you must live with the consequences of our decisions) 

See, you reject the word because, you are listening to someone who is a known deceiver and will continue to do so (Refer to The Devil is a Liar  http://virtuousviewpoint.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-devil-is-liar.html)
The enemy, that devil knows you; he knows what to use to keep you from church and, every time you try he will set a stumbling block in your way.  The enemy comes to Kill, Steal and Destroy this is his sole purpose. I want to shed some light through the Holy Spirit in your dark places to help you see. Christ is come that we might have Life! The enemy, will show you everything you do not want to Blind you from what you need. The Enemy knows how to play on your weakness, to keep you down we know people like this in our lives they know, exactly, what to say, to get us to do things (the enemy will work through others to keep us from God.)  
If you really, tired Jesus is the Christ the Savior.
Stop, walking in the Dark you do not want to bumping into the same walls.

It’s time to get free #ICareAboutYourSoul
You can’t stop smoking? 
You can’t leave an abusive relationship? 
You can’t stop drinking? 
Drugs and want to stop but can’t? 
That is the enemy at work in your life trying to keep you bound? This is how he keeps you from being delivered because once you are set free he must lose his hold on you and if you continue to resist him he must flee.

Thank You, Holy Spirit!!

YOU GOTTA USE WHAT IS LOOSE; TO BREAK THE SHACKLES OFF WHAT IS BOUND!!

YOU HAVE TO USE WHAT IS LOOSE; TO BREAK THE SHACKLES OFF WHAT IS BOUND!

When we are bound by our Circumstances;
                   bound by our Problems;
                   bound by our Financial Woes;
                   bound by Procrastination and bound by Sin

STOP! ALLOWING YOUR CHAINS TO DICTATE YOUR PRAISE!!

Acts 16:16-40 (read)
Paul and Silas, were beaten, imprisoned and bound unable to walk around freely, unlike
the physical prisons of today. Think about that because, it is one thing to be in prison:
But to be Bound in your Prison?!

The enemy creates Prisons in our lives; We create prisons when we do not trust God,
Prisons hold us Captive, Hinder & Stagnate
our Growth.
These are your Doubt Prison, Your Fear Prison, Your Secret Sin Prison, Your Worry Prison
and Your Prison of Unbelief.
Paul & Silas:
When it seemed  like Everything was against them; When it seemed like there
was no way out; When it seemed like all Hope was Fading: They used what was Loose;
To Break the Shackles off What was Bound! They Praised God in the Midst of their circumstances!

With their feet Bound, they remembered (as we should) that GOD, Keeps his word

His word says, PS 34;19 Many are the afflictions of the Righteous but the Lord delivered them
out of them ALL. John 8:36 Whom the son set free is Free Indeed. That must have been when
they realized their hands weren't bound (Some state that there hands were bound also the bible says their feet were in bonds) and lifted Holy hands in the midst of the circumstance

• It may seem you are up to your neck in debt;
• it may seem like your problems are pulling you under like quicksand;
• it may seem like you are about to lose your job or home;
• you may have an unsaved spouse or family member pulling you in every direction
• it may seem like No one understands what you are going through

But see Paul & Silas realized, their tongues were loose and began to disregard
the current situation; the Pain; the Struggle in order to separate themselves to
GOD and the more they surrendered the circumstances. The Louder the Praise got
because, "They Turned the Volume Up!' and those heavy shackles fell off, the prison
shook and the doors flew open.

What Blessed me about this passage as well, is that though they were no longer bound,
no longer captive - they remained, they didn't leave.
The reason they didn't leave is because they saw a need they saw a need; the guard himself was bound and needed to be set free.
Now that they were Loose:
They can help the one that is Bound!

There are times when we may need a little help and cannot breakthrough on our own.
I thought about, when Jesus raised Lazarus, after he commanded him to come forth
he saw that he was bound hand & foot and his face was bound: He told those that were
near to Loose him and let him Go.
The Brothers & Sisters, that are Loosed can help break the shackles off our
Brothers & Sisters that are Bound. We need Corporate Praise to help us Breakthrough to where God is. This is one of the reasons Church and Fellowship are so important. When you are in the Pride Prison that pride will not allow you to seek help and the enemy will say, you don't need to let people know your business just to hold you captive.

YOU GOTTA USE WHAT IS LOOSE; TO BREAK THE SHACKLES OFF WHAT IS BOUND!!

"Are you Giving GOD *your BEST or asking him to Settle for Mediocre?"

ARE YOU GIVING GOD YOUR BEST?

First, let's make sure we have an understanding; as to what our best is and in what and where; do we present our best. What does your Best mean? it means, Surpassing all others in Excellence, Achievement or Quality.

This means our best in our:

Service - being a servant (good steward)

Contribution - in giving Performance - using what you have (your gifts/talents) Representation - how you represent Christ (your attitude, your dress, etc.,)

Colossians 3:22-24 22 Servants, in everything obey those who are your masters on earth, not only with external service, as those who merely please people, but with sincerity of heart because of your fear of the Lord. 23 Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve. HOW DO WE KNOW THE DIFFERENCE? It is as simple as this. Have you ever walked into a store, restaurant, theater and come in contact with someone who made you say to yourself he/she must not like their job or came out and asked them, “Are you having a bad day?” Well I have and simply because they didn’t smile, or was rude and because, I know what good service feels like. IT ISN'T OKAY! Some try to get by on the Mediocre, on the Satisfactory some have become Convenient Christians, thinking they are getting by on what is Convenient to them and think this will be acceptable to God. Who is all knowing. Do not boast about anything you do for God, if you are not doing Everything, you can for God. Whatever you - do it wholeheartedly Col 3:23; Eph 6:7. WHEN YOUR HEART IS IN IT AND WHEN IT ISN'T

One of many things, i have learned in this life and by my own experience is that: No matter what you do in school, at home, at church, at work, or in your relationships. Is If your heart isn’t in it, your performance (your effort) will be all lack luster (the bible says, the Salt has lost its savor) I Love working, in the medical field, I have a passion for people and it showed, my uniforms were always clean, I would iron and starch them 2 weeks worth, i was always on time, always present, i would go above beyond when I could, i would study and seek different ways to be an asset, even when i complained, I did not let it change my performance and i didn’t do it for recognition I did it because I love what i do. WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES OR PEOPLE CAUSE YOUR FEELINGS TO CHANGE

There are times, when the dynamics of the relationship change. it is part of life, but no excuse to stop or take it out on those you are serving. Things happen people disappoint (GOD remains Faithful) Remember, how you feel when you are in a new relationship you are excited, women can attest to this. You are always, smiling, cooking, doing romantic things, your significant other doesn’t have to ask you to do anything because, you are on it but; when the dynamic changes ( he forgets to call, comes home to late, doesn’t help with responsibilities, doesn’t keep a job, etc.,) the momentum decreases, then you begin to become less concerned and stop making an effort all together. (You must Forgive and Stay Saved).

This how some of us are in our relationship with God and in the church. The members lose momentum and zeal then, our pastors end up preaching to a bunch of dry stagnated - bones. when you are recruited, to work in church be honest if that is not something, you want to do then do something, you know you will put your heart into.Too many, right there in the body of Christ are trying to get the Full-Time benefits of part-time work or no work at all but preferring to warm the pew. Guess what, lay member you are still commissioned to bear fruit. We all will be judged according to our work.

Scripture Reference: Rom 12:1; Prov 10:4,5; Prov 13:4; Rom 2:6; Luke 6:46; 2 Thes 3:11; Matt 5:41

Take your Thoughts Captive!

When Your Thoughts and Words, do not line up with what the Word, says!

Take your Thoughts Captive.

When Your Thoughts and Words, do not line up with what the Word, says!

Take your Thoughts Captive.

Before we were saved, we spoke with a Godless way of thinking which stems from being born in Sin. Glory be to God, We are now new creatures and we must lay aside every weight.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. 2 Cor 5:17 (AMP)

Old things: Old habits, Old disposition, Old way of thinking. We want to separate ourselves from negative thinking. Do not embrace uncertainty.

Eph 4:23  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

I want to share  an analogy the Spirit gave me. If I type, "I can't make it!' into my computer or into a program on my computer, it will automatically save whatever information I enter. So that I can retrieve that information at any time even months or years from now. Now when I retrieve that information it will produce exactly what I put in "I can't make it!" that is the information I gave it. It doesn't change until I change it. Now there are some programs that will ask you "Do you want to save this?" You have a choice whether to keep it, delete it or change it. Now use this analogy in your personal walk, you have to exercise your mind to think like Christ. . I use the word exercise because it is like a muscle, the more you exercise it the stronger it gets.

 "READ your WORD!" Study the word if you do not study the word you HAVE NOTHING TO FIGHT WITH! Do not let the Enemy control the Keyboard!

As Christians, we should not struggle with Mind-Battles all you have to do is use the word. Resist the Devil and he will Flee!! James 4:7

Like I mentioned, above you have a choice, you do not have to except everything the enemy throws at you. WE HAVE POWER!! This is where you should refuse to yield your thoughts to negatively, I can't, I don't, it won't, I don't have, I can't make it, and I'm not; you are defeating yourself with those words. Like the computer analogy you are programming this negativity into your spirit. Therefore, reflecting the exact opposite of who Christ says, we are and what we can do and continuing this way can be a Stronghold - A Stronghold is a mindset that accepts a situation as un-changeable even when it is contrary to the will of God, you have defeated yourself for sooo long that you now believe everything you say, and others say, and what you say about others to be true. Someone speak life into you and you can't receive it.

 

I exhort you to Speak Life- Speak life into yourself and others. Words have power Life and Death are in the Power of the tongue. Prov 18:21

The word tells us to take our thoughts captive to the Obedience of Christ 2 Cor 10:5.

We struggle - we all struggle you are not alone . The Flesh will always be in constant conflict with the Spirit, they are contrary to one another. It is IMPORTANT to stay in the word. It says, a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. The enemy wants to raise up a partition in our mind, he wants to block the knowledge of God from increasing you. As soon as you say, you want to do something in the kingdom he says, you can't do that it is not going to work, it won't help anyone and, what do we do we get discouraged and sit down and we become someone who occupies a pew in church, an ineffective, soldier for Christ because you fail to realize who you are in him.

RENEW, when the bible tells us to renew or we are renewed, we are restored we are made New. There is a change that needs and  has taken place. 

Please read Proverbs 18:21; 2 Cor 10:3-5; James 1:8; Ps 139:23,24

Don't be a STUMBLING BLOCK!!

Don’t be a Stumbling block

in the path of your brothers and sisters in Christ

This is one of a few topics, I am passionate about not only because, of my own experiences in churches but, I remember being able to recognize at a young age people whose lives did not match their walk not in the sense of passing judgement but from the things I saw them do outside of church.

 Mark 9:38-50; Deut 6:1-9; Mark 9:38-50

A stumbling block is anything that causes a person to fall away from the truth.

 A stumbling block is a trap that catches an unsuspecting person.  A stumbling block is anything that contributes to a brother or a sister going astray, falling into sin, and/or losing sight of their eternal hope in Christ. Now that we know what a Stumbling Block is let me identify a few things that can cause brothers and sister to stumble and/ or fall. There are quite a few other things. started.

• Scandal within the church!
• A church that is not on one accord!
• A believer who is lukewarm not living the life!
• You are over -heard Passing judgement on another!  (Warping someone’s perception of another member by gossiping or backbiting.)
• No follow-up! (Churches that do not have a system-set up to follow-up with visitors and new members after they have joined, this is actually, the responsibility of all) Why should they come back or stay with a church that doesn’t even acknowledge that they are there.
• The old cold shoulder! (They spoke or reached out to hug you, shake your hand and you did not acknowledge them)

Gal 5:7-8,10; Is 50:4; 1 Pe 4:11; Prov 18:21; James 3:6

As leaders, as well as members within the body; we need to be sensitive to our how own choices, conduct and behaviors affect those around us. Someone is always watching whether you know it or not. A Misrepresentation of your belief, of God’s word can alter or tear down; God’s work in a fellow believer (New or Old). The bible tells us be careful for nothing (Phil 4:6-8); Be wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove (Matt 10:16)

If a brother or sister is drawn to you…They were likely drawn to the words of your testimony or something they admired or something about you they identified with. Especially, new babes or new members. The way you behave after church, outside of church can greatly affect someone who is new. Specifically, newborn babes. If they see Nothing different in you from what they see in the world.

• It can cause them to question their decision to be saved
• It can cause them to leave the Church! (Woe unto you!)

Be careful how you flaunt your freedom outside of the church. I mentioned, in my previous topic (Thank you, Jesus) If you are saved at home, be saved at work, at school, at the restaurant and in other people’s homes. (Deut 6:1-9)

Yes, indeed you may be grown but, why go to Hell in a Volkswagen when you can go in a Cadillac? (Secret sins)

Someone see’s you gyrating or, see you in public hugged up with someone and they know you are single…What are you telling them? That it is okay…to fornicate? (That may be how it is perceived), Is your salvation limited to the church?

The brother or sister you do not see anymore. The new member who came a few Sunday and hasn’t been seen since. “How do you know it wasn’t because of you??”

Men and Women of God, I exhort you to take this very seriously, “Souls at stake” Do not allow the enemy to you as a puppet to interfere with the building of God’s Kingdom. There are consequences to our actions remember, that. Whether received or nay, the Word of God does not return void! He who hath an ear let him Hear!!!

When you know Better, you what…You should Do Better!