Good Morning everyone welcome to The Church Ministries 77th Sunday service, we are centrally located in the town of Hilo Hawaii on the west side of the big island and we are an active world assembly so our members and our friends and brothers and sisters are located all over the world many are in India, Africa the US. I do thank you for all your prayers and letters of Love. At the moment I do stand alone and I will be picking some assistant Pastors to help me get things to flow better, now that we are dealing with so many countries and that branches out to other villages, we are serving the great commission and those orders that Jesus left us to do as far as Go ye to all the world and preach the gospel, that is exactly what we are doing. It is amazing that the town of Hilo has less news about The Church Ministries then people in India. People here and there and all the people on the friend’s pages know, but there are some that don’t have a clue that they are even listed, because I never went around to each person and told them, as far as the second hand shops they all know, because they have still been helping mostly with rare Christian books and bibles. Plus some of the other churches in the area no, but there are some people on my block that have no idea what goes on each day here. They see preachers going in and out, but that is about it. Plus all the photography is all done here, I try to get a different spot each week and I have over 300 special pictures of the local area to give the realism of where we are preaching from. So of the shots are beautiful and we are not here to talk about us we are here to talk about Jesus, and the love of God, let me get back on track here. As you all know I have to move The Church Ministries the whole thing all the bible study and setup downstairs and the conference desk and all the electronics which with my strength I am going to need a lot of help and I got a few people from the local church and my best friend the pastor, so I have a realtor friend that is looking for a church with live in quarters but the only thing is she started to help me and then she got called to Honolulu her sister was put into the hospital and she ended up having a operation on her heart because her lungs were filled with blood, then she was in a coma and I had a prayer with here while she was in the hospital waiting, her name is Mona, then her lungs started to fill with fluid again and she passed away into the arms of Jesus last Tuesday so our sister Theresa is now having a tough time so if some of you can say a special prayer for her it would be well appreciated. Plus I’m going to do some kind of memorial on one of the friend’s pages for her sister some time this week. When the realtor for this place realized what this church is all about they were amazed at the work and the way the church has branched out to all different parts of the world. It is almost like they didn’t want to give me the bad news of the owner changing his mind, I was going to live here like normal but that Saturday I feel he just heard a few ideas and he might want to make this place bigger or a duplex or maybe live in here none of us really know. The pain I am having now is incredible and my pastor friend was all upset over me how nothing is being done to find someone to diagnose me, I am still trying to show anyone that I have 5 out of the 6 symptoms of the RSD/CRPS which is called Refex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome the last doctor I had never called back like I asked and he wrote his report before he got any information or he just doesn’t want to dig any deeper, it has been that way and I am really hurt, then they send me a letter yesterday telling my case is closed and if I have any questions please call, then for about 15 minutes I was under the biggest attack and I finally got a hold of someone in the office and my best friend that know me at the insurance company left and she was closing my case, I wish they would have worded that letter a little differently, but that is all apart of the tricks of Satan, and that will be our main subject today. The pain is so bad that I almost can’t handle it, it is in my jaw now bad and now I have headaches and a constant burning pain and throbbing in my jaw because the joints and muscles are slowly disenegrating, plus I can’t chew and my whole mouth is in pain , I am waking up soaking wet and the bottom part of my teeth are in a different kind of pain, plus I still have yeast infection and I can only brush my teeth very lightly, and I cannot put my dentures in because of the biopsy that was done for nothing and my whole face is changing and I have to get my dentures relined and that is going to cost big money, and the insurance will not pay for it. Plus I could not even put them in it would be too painful. I am still running a low grade fever and my glands have been swollen for the past 18 months under my chin by my throat. The medications are almost useless now my body is so used to them. It just seems I am waiting for the Lord to heal me, then I will have a great testimony and I can go to all these places all over the world and help out as a missionary. I have been invited all over the world, and then I can perform some healing seminars. I have been in constant prayer for everyone and I still am writing full letters of prayer and scripture to all the people that are requesting prayer and other things as far as biblical theology.
I must thank the Rev. Keith Ratliff, Amarillo Texas, for his prayers who have prayed with me almost every day and he himself needs prayer because he has an infected broken foot and we were praying back and forth on that instant messenger. So congregation we need some prayers for Keith, Plus I wish to thank Pastor Andru Vijay Kumar, (Illindala Parrau Post, Iragavaram Mandal W.G.DT. A.P. India) who we have been sending prayers of love and sound doctrine back and forth plus he is part of The Church Ministries and he has a ministry with 175 members so he uses some of my scriptures and parts of the website and parts the Sunday service to share with his congregation, they are very short of bibles and that is why I add a lot of scripture. But we are deeply helping each other like hands across the oceans. Plus our prayers are being sent back and forth to Pastor Kiefa Moseti Ontiri in Kenya East Africa and also Rev Geoffrey Yao Arku from Ghanya Africa. We send our love and our doctrine out with prayers of love and fellowship as we exchange the bread of life and the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus. We also just got some news that our sister Mrs. Celine Ross from Kuwait died during a heart operation, and the staff nurse Sister Elizabeth Hukem told us the problem and what happened on the she died on May 21st and went into the loving hands of Jesus and Mrs. Ross left us a donation for The Church Ministries but we haven’t had any way to obtain it, I know nothing about this type of work but again if God wants us to have this donation He will give it to us. You all know I am not a man of greed and I never wanted to be rich but if something like that happened the church/mission would be built and I have the building picked out and I am just waiting on the Lord. We will also be setting up a memorial for Mrs. Celine Ross sometimes next week on one of the friend’s pages. All I ever wanted to do was help people and I just hope God helps me out here, at the moment I have know idea where I am going, I do accept what ever I have, even the pain I suffer this way the more I suffer the more I gain Christ, plus I have had some ultimate prayer warriors that have been praying for me. My two good friends in New York who are like my brother and sister, Joanna Cody and Randall Petersen, they have been with me the whole time helping me with all kinds of vitamins protein powders and donations, plus Joanna has been going through one of the toughest part of her life and she also is a nurse and she really cares about her patients and prays with them same with Randal they both now are not even aloud to pray with there patients anymore, did you ever here a story like this? And on top of everything else Joanna is under severe attack and she calls back and forth and we pray together a lot. So congregation, please take some time out to pray for her, she is a good person inside and out. Plus now we have another person in the hospital in Cote d’Ivoire, Africa and she is not dong very well either and her name is sister Joy Minoff bless her heart, and we have been sending prayers back and forth, she too wants to make a donation too, but I do not know how I am going to get to Africa, So prayer warriors please pray for Joy to have an divine healing form the Lord. Plus we have Scott and Eileen who also have been with me since the beginning and they have been wonderful people out of Virginia, they too have sent vitamins and other stuff just to keep me alive with some stamina. Eileen was one of those who got completely healed of cancer and they tell me the churches healing scriptures helped and I praise God that she got through it, and Scott works with some kind of organization that helps babies. They are both wonderful people. Plus we cannot forget A.J and Mary Warner who run His will ministry out in Pinedale, Wyoming, and they have a prayer ministry too, and we both share prayers and they have been praying for me and they send me requests that come into there ministry and then they send them to me, and we became good friends, Mary was suffering from pneumonia and asthma at the same time so warriors if you get some time please pray for the His will Ministry, and the healing of Mary, Jay now beside running the ministry is doing some oil drilling or something along that line, and he too is having a tough time because people are just not showing up for work, and he is doing like double or triple duty. Also another group of men in India who are friends are Pastor Paul Ciniraj of the Salem Voice Ministries, Kottayam Kerala, India and my good friend Rev. Jacob Cracko and his wife Daisy who are out in the Andaman Islands, India there ministry is Missions Asia. Plus the list is so long I will add Ilona Kalyta and Angel Juarez, Phoenix Az., Columbus Murphy, Chicago Ill, and Rev. Joaquim Kalala , Angola Africa who have helped me beyond with prayers and words of wisdom and special gifts from the heart. God bless all of you, please forgive me if I left anyone out, my whole word processor blanked out everything during a storm, and now I am working off the email I sent to myself. So I had to re-type most of the introduction, but that is normal in my life. So praise the Lord, I love all of you and bless this church and the prayer ministry
Dear Gracious Heavenly Father, Creator of all good things and redeemer of this world, please send your grace upon us and help us to be good and faithful servants. Guide us this day to learn of the works of Your Son Jesus, and to bring your light to all people of the truth. Please teach us to be more like Your Son, and share the love of Your Son, so we can have Your understanding, faith, wisdom, and direction to help others, to become selfless, and to aid and educate through Your word, in the teachings of the Christian life and love. We all come to You this day to worship you, to love you, and to give You praise, what a mighty God You are, we all want to express our love to all others about your Son Jesus. Please cast away all of our fears and misfortunes, and any pains we are suffering, let your Holy Spirit come into each and every parts of our souls, please anoint us as we gather together as our hands are stretched across the oceans in our world assembly. Help us to read or listen to your word, please come upon us O’ God, change our hearts, open up our minds, open up our eyes, open up our ears, so we can hear and understand, to learn the truth of Your word. Lord we truly want to be more spiritual, we need to be so we can have a better connection and a better relationship, You are our number one concern, if it isn’t, it has to be with each and everyone of us today, and not just today but everyday maybe that will be our first lesson we share. Today Father please help me with the teaching about the tricks of the Devil, and what he tries to get away with, and how he can manipulate our brothers and sisters our family and friends. We have to remember what Job’s wife said to him. It was very bad what she said to Him. So my brothers and sisters we are so glad you are all here at so many different time zones but we are all here as one at anytime. Lord help this church, help our congregation, help us to Love You more and to worship You even on any day of the week, any time we may have, walking down the road or driving or just sitting quietly. Thank You for all things and thank You for Your angels and the blessing of the Holy Spirit. It would be a good thing to here about someone who got heavenly anointed in the Spirit, that they had to just lean back in there chair, or someone else that is listening to this message and they get a powerful anointing, that would be an beautiful act of Love for any-one of us. It is what I hope for, and pray for, where people can come and sit on their own or the other pastors or ministers could start reading to the various groups and everyone would get a wonderful feeling of peace and tranquility, we don’t need a building, we can be anywhere, to worship You. I pray this prayer from the heart for the entire congregation no matter how far and at what time. In Jesus Name, Amen
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.
Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.
I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." 1Cor. 5:1-13 NIV
The occasion of these words was as follows: In the church of Corinth there was an unhappy person, who had committed such incest, as was not so much as named among the Gentiles, in taking his father's wife; but either on account of his wealth, power, or some such reasons, like many notorious offenders this time in life, he had not been exposed to the censures of the church. Paul, therefore, in his first epistle, severely reprimands them for this neglect of discipline, and commands them, “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when they were gathered together, to deliver such a one, whoever he was, to Satan, for the destruction of the flesh, that his Spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord;” that is, they should solemnly excommunicate him; which was then commonly attended with some bodily disease. The Corinthians, being obedient to the Apostle, as dear children, no sooner received this reproof, but they submitted to it, and cast the offending party out of the church. But even as they were endeavoring to amend one fault, they unhappily ran into another; and as they formerly had been too mild and careless, so now they behaved towards him with too much severity and resentment. The Apostle, therefore, in this chapter, reproves this, and tells them, that “sufficient to the offender's shame, was the punishment which had been inflicted of many:” that he had now suffered enough; and that, therefore, lest he should be tempted to say with Cain, “My punishment is greater than I can bear;” or to use the Apostle's own words, “Lest he should be swallowed up with over much sorrow;” they ought, now he had given proof of his repentance, to forgive him, to confirm their love towards him, and to restore him in the spirit of meekness; “Lest Satan, (to whose buffetings he was now given, by tempting him to despair) should get an advantage over us:” and so, by representing you as merciless and cruel, cause that holy name to be blasphemed, by which you are called; “for we are not ignorant of his devices:” we know very well how many subtle ways he has to draw aside and captivate unguarded unthinking men.
But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.
So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2Cor. 2:5-11 NKJ
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 1Cor. 5:4-5 NKJ
Thus then, stand the words in relation to the context; but as Satan has many devices, and as his quiver is full of other poisonous darts, besides those which he shoots at us to drive us to despair, I shall, in the following discourse, Briefly observe who we are to understand by Satan. We should point out to you, what are the chief devices he generally makes use of to draw off converts from Christ, and also prescribe some remedies against them. Who are we to be understood by Satan?
The word Satan, in its original signification, meant an adversary; and in its general acceptation, is made use of, to point out to us the chief of the devils who for striving to be as God, was cast down from heaven, and is now permitted, “with the rest of his spiritual wickednesses in high places, to walk up and down, seeking whom he may devour.” We hear of him immediately after the creation, when in the shape of a serpent, he lay in wait to deceive our first parents. He is called Satan, in the book of Job, where we are told, that “when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, Satan also came amongst them.” As the scripture also speaketh in the book of Chronicles; “and Satan moved David to number the people.” In the New Testament he goes under different denominations; sometimes he is called the evil One, because he is evil in himself, and tempts us to evil. Sometimes, “the Prince of the power of the air;” and, “the Spirit that now ruleth in the children of disobedience;” because he resides chiefly in the air, and through the whole world: and all that are not born of God, are said to lie in him.
Now there was a day when the sons (the angels) of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan (the adversary and accuser) also came among them.
And the Lord said to Satan, From where did you come? Then Satan answered the Lord, From going to and fro on the earth and from walking up and down on it. Job 1:6-7 AMP
Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. 1Pet. 5:8 AMP
How have you fallen from heaven, O light-bringer and daystar, son of the morning! How you have been cut down to the ground, you who weakened and laid low the nations [O blasphemous, satanic king of Babylon!]
And you said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit upon the mount of assembly in the uttermost north.
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.
Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol (Hades), to the innermost recesses of the pit (the region of the dead).Isa. 14:12-15 AMP
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. Isa. 14:12-15 NKJ
Now Satan entered the scene and seduced David into taking a census of Israel. David gave orders to Joab and the army officers under him, "Canvass all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and get a count of the population. I want to know the number."
Joab resisted: "May GOD multiply his people by hundreds! Don't they all belong to my master the king? But why on earth would you do a thing like this--why risk getting Israel into trouble with God?" But David wouldn't take no for an answer, so Joab went off and did it--canvassed the country and then came back to Jerusalem 5and reported the results of the census: There were 1,100,000 fighting men; of that total, Judah accounted for 470,000. 6Joab, disgusted by the command--it, in fact, turned his stomach!-protested by leaving Levi and Benjamin out of the census-taking. And God, offended by the whole thing, punished Israel.
Then David prayed, "I have sinned badly in what I have just done, substituting statistics for trust; forgive my sin--I've been really stupid."GOD answered by speaking to Gad, David's pastor: "Go and give David this message: "GOD's word: You have your choice of three punishments; choose one and I'll do the rest.'"
Gad delivered the message to David: "Do you want three years of famine, three months of running from your enemies while they chase you down, or three days of the sword of GOD-an epidemic unleashed on the country by an angel of GOD? Think it over and make up your mind. What shall I tell the One who sent me?"
David told Gad, "They're all terrible! But I'd rather be punished by GOD whose mercy is great, than fall into human hands."
So GOD unleashed an epidemic in Israel--70,000 Israelites died. God then sent the angel to Jerusalem but when he saw the destruction about to begin, he compassionately changed his mind and ordered the death angel, "Enough's enough! Pull back!"
The angel of GOD had just reached the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. David looked up and saw the angel hovering between earth and sky, sword drawn and about to strike Jerusalem. David and the elders bowed in prayer and covered themselves with rough burlap.
David prayed, "Please! I'm the one who sinned; I'm the one at fault. But these sheep, what did they do wrong? Punish me, not them, me and my family; don't take it out on them."
The angel of GOD ordered Gad to tell David to go and build an altar to GOD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. David did what Gad told him in obedience to GOD's command.
Meanwhile Araunah had quit threshing the wheat and was watching the angel; his four sons took cover and hid. David came up to Araunah. When Araunah saw David, he left the threshing floor and bowed deeply before David, honoring the king. David said to Araunah, "Give me the site of the threshing floor so I can build an altar to GOD. Charge me the market price; we're going to put an end to this disaster.""O master, my king," said Araunah, "just take it; do whatever you want with it! Look, here's an ox for the burnt offering and threshing paddles for the fuel and wheat for the meal offering--it's all yours!"
David replied to Araunah, "No. I'm buying it from you, and at the full market price. I'm not going to offer GOD sacrifices that are no sacrifice." So David bought the place from Araunah for 600 shekels of gold. 26He built an altar to GOD there and sacrificed Whole-Burnt-Offerings and Peace-Offerings. He called out to GOD and GOD answered by striking the altar of Whole-Burnt-Offering with lightning. Then GOD told the angel to put his sword back into its scabbard.
And that's the story of what happened when David saw that GOD answered him on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite at the time he offered the sacrifice. At this time the Tabernacle that Moses had constructed in the desert, and with it the Altar of Burnt Offering, were set up at the worship center at Gibeon. But David, terrified by the angel's sword, wouldn't go there to pray to God anymore. 1Chron. 21:1-30 Message
EVERYONE WHO believes (adheres to, trusts, and relies on the fact) that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah) is a born-again child of God; and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him (His offspring). 1John 5:1AMP
For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.
Who is it that is victorious over [that conquers] the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on that fact]? 1John 5:4-5 AMP
We know [absolutely] that anyone born of God does not [deliberately and knowingly] practice committing sin, but the One Who was begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him [Christ's divine presence within him preserves him against the evil], and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch [him].1John 5:18 AMP
No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and [habitually] practices sin, for God's nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God.1John 3:9 AMP
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him].1John 4:7 AMP
Now the serpent was more subtle and crafty than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And he [Satan] said to the woman, Can it really be that God has said, You shall not eat from every tree of the garden?
And the woman said to the serpent, We may eat the fruit from the trees of the garden,
Except the fruit from the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God has said, You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.
But the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die,
For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil and blessing and calamity.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good (suitable, pleasant) for food and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she gave some also to her husband, and he ate. Gen. 3:1-6 AMP
He is an enemy to God and goodness; he is a hater of all truth. Why else did he slander God in paradise? Why did he tell Eve, “You shall not surely die?” And why did he promise to give all the kingdoms of the world, and the glories of them, to Jesus Christ, if he would fall down and worship him?
He is full of malice, envy, and revenge: For what other motives could induce him to molest innocent man in paradise? And why is he still so restless in his attempts to destroy us, who have done him no wrong?
He is a being of great power, as appears in his being able to act on the imagination of our blessed Lord, so as to represent to him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glories of them, in a moment of time. As also in carrying his sacred body through the air up to a pinnacle of the temple; and his driving a herd of swine so furiously into the deep. Nay, so great is his might, that, I doubt not, was God to let him use his full strength, but he could turn the earth upside down, or pull the sun from its orbit.
But what he is most remarkable for is, his subtlety: for not having power given him from above, to take us by force, he is obliged to wait for opportunities to betray us, and to catch us by craftiness. He, therefore, made use of the serpent, which was subtle above all the beasts of the field, in order to tempt our first parents; and accordingly he is said, in the New Testament, “To lie in wait to deceive;” and, in the words of the text, the Apostle says, “We are not ignorant of his devices:” thereby implying, that we are more in danger of being seduced by his policy, than over-borne by his power.
And he said to Him, These things, all taken together, I will give You, if You will prostrate Yourself before me and do homage and worship me. Matt. 4:9 AMP
So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of] the cunning and cleverness of unscrupulous men, [gamblers engaged] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead. Eph. 4:14 AMP
In which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God].Eph 2:2 AMP
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2Cor.2:11 KJV
From this short description of Satan, we may easily judge whose children they are, who love to make a lie, who speak evil of, and slander their neighbor, and whose hearts are full of pride, subtlety, malice, envy, revenge, and all uncharitableness. Surely they have Satan for their father: for the tempers of Satan they know, and the works of Satan they do. But were they to see either themselves, or Satan as he is, they could not but be terrified at their own likeness, and abhor themselves in dust and ashes.
But, the justice of God in suffering us to be tempted, is vindicated from the following considerations: That we are here in a state of disorder; That he has promised not to suffer us to be tempted above what we are able to bear; and not only so, but to him that overcometh he will give a crown of life.
The holy angels themselves, it should seem, were once put to a trial whether they would be faithful or not. The first Adam was tempted, even in paradise. And Jesus Christ, that second Adam, though he was a son, yet was carried, as our representative, by the Holy Spirit, into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil. And there is not one single saint in paradise, amongst the goodly fellowship of the prophets, the glorious company of the apostles, the noble army of martyrs, and the spirits of just men made perfect, who, when on earth, was not assaulted by the fiery darts of that wicked one, the devil.
What then has been the common lot of all God's children, and of the angels, nay, of the eternal Son of God himself, we must not think to be exempted from: No, it is sufficient if we are made perfect through temptations, as they were. And, therefore, since we cannot but be tempted, unless we could unmake human nature, instead of repining at our condition, we should rather be inquiring, at what time of our lives Satan most violently assaults us? And what those devices are, which he commonly makes use of, in order to “get an advantage over us?”
As to the first question, what time of life? I answer, we must expect to be tempted by him, in some degree or other, all our lives long. — For this life being a continual warfare, we must never expect to have rest from our spiritual adversary the devil, or to say, our combat with him is finished, ‘till, with our blessed master, we bow down our heads, and give up our spirit.
But since the time of our conversion, or first entering upon the spiritual life, is the most critical time at which he, for the most part, violently sets us up, as well knowing, if he can prevent our setting out, he can lead us captive at his will; and since the wise son particularly warns us, when we are going to serve the Lord, to prepare our souls for temptation, I shall, in answer to the other question, pass on to the
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1Cor.10:13 KJV
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12 KJV
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Rev 2:10 KJV
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Rev. 3:10 KJV
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 2Thes 3:6 KJV
general thing proposed; and point out those devices, which Satan generally makes use of at our first conversion, in order to get an advantage over us.
But let me observe to you, that whatsoever shall be delivered in the following discourse is only designed for such as have actually entered upon the divine life; and not for carnal almost Christians, who have the form of godliness, but never yet felt the power of it in their hearts.This being premised, The First device I shall mention, which Satan makes use of, is, to drive us to despair.
When God the Father awakens a sinner by the terrors of the law, and by his Holy Spirit convince him of sin, in order to lead him to Christ, and show him the necessity of a Redeemer; then Satan generally strikes in, and aggravates those convictions to such a degree, as to make the sinner doubt of finding mercy through the Mediator.
Thus, in all his temptations of the Holy Jesus, he chiefly aimed to make him question, whether he was the Son of God? “If thou be the Son of God,” do so and so. With many such desponding thoughts, no doubt, he filled the heart of the great Paul, when he continued three days, neither eating bread nor drinking water; and therefore he speaks by experience, when he says, in the words of the text, “We are not ignorant of his devices,” that he would endeavor to drive the guilty of incest person to despair.
But let not any of you be influenced by him, to despair of finding mercy. For it is not the greatness or number of our crimes, but the state of being and unbelief, that will prove our ruin: No, were our sins more in number than the hairs of our head, or of a deeper die than the brightest scarlet; yet the merits of the death of Jesus Chris are infinitely greater, and faith in his blood shall make them white as snow.
Answer always, therefore, his despairing suggestions, as your Blessed Lord did, with an “It is written.” Tell him, you know that your Redeemer liveth, ever to make intercession for you; that the Lord hath received from him double for all your crimes: even though you have sinned much, that is no reason why you should despair, but only why you should love much, having so much forgiven.The next is a device that Satan generally makes use of, to get an advantage over young converts, is, to tempt them to presume, or to think more highly of themselves than they ought to think.
When a person has for some little time tasted the good word of life, and felt the powers of the world to come, he is commonly (as indeed well he may) most highly transported with that sudden change he finds in himself. But then, Satan will not be wanting, at such a time, to puff him up with a high conceit of his own attainments as if he was some great person; and will tempt him to set at not his brethren, as though he was holier than they are.
Take heed therefore, and let us beware of this device of our spiritual adversary; for as before honor is humility, so a haughty spirit generally goes before a fall; and God is obliged, when under such circumstances, to send us some humbling visitation, or permit us to fall, as he did Peter into some grievous sin, that we may learn not to be too high minded.To check therefore all suggestions to spiritual pride, let us consider, that we did not apprehend Christ, but were apprehended of him. That we have nothing but what we have received. That the free grace of God has alone made the difference between us and others; and, was God to leave us to the deceitfulness of our own hearts but one moment, we should become weak and wicked, like other men. We should farther consider, that being proud of grace, is the most ready way to lose it. “For God resists the proud, and gives more grace only to the humble.” And were we endowed with the perfections of the 6 winged highest angels; yet if we were proud of those perfections, they would but render us more accomplished devils. Above all, we should pray earnestly to Almighty God, that we may learn of Jesus Christ, to be lowly in heart. That his grace, through the subtlety and deceivableness of Satan, may not be our poison. But that we may always think soberly of ourselves, as we ought to think.
All of you young people should obey your elders. In fact, everyone should be humble toward everyone else. The Scriptures say, "God opposes proud people, but he helps everyone who is humble."1Pet 5:5 CEV
But he must be hospitable (loving and a friend to believers, especially to strangers and foreigners); [he must be] a lover of goodness [of good people and good things], sober-minded (sensible, discreet), upright and fair-minded, a devout man and religiously correct, temperate and keeping himself in hand. Tit. 1:8 AMP
But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine
Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.
Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,
not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,
who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority Let no one disregard you. Tit. 2:1-15 NASB
Another device I shall mention, which Satan generally makes use of, “to get an advantage over us,” is to tempt us to uneasiness, and to have hard thoughts of God, when we are dead and barren in prayer.Though this is a term not understood by the natural man, yet, whosoever there are amongst you, who have passed through the pangs of the new birth, they know full well what I mean, when I talk of deadness and dryness in prayer. And, I doubt not, but many of you, amongst whom I am not preaching the kingdom of God, are at this very time laboring under it.
For, when persons are first awakened to the divine life, because grace is weak and nature strong, God is often pleased to give them some extraordinary illuminations of his Holy Spirit; but when they are grown to be more perfect men in Christ, then he frequently seems to leave them to themselves; and not only so, but permits a horrible deadness and dread to overwhelm them; at which times Satan will not be wanting to vex and tempt them to impatience, to the great discomfort of their souls.
But be not afraid; for this is no more than your blessed Redeemer, that spotless Lamb of God, has undergone before you: witness his bitter agony in the garden, when his soul was exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. When he sweat great drops of blood, falling on the ground; when the sense of the Divinity was drawn from him; and Satan, in all probability, was permitted to set all his terrors in array before him.
Rejoice, therefore, my brethren, when you fall into the like circumstances; as knowing, that you are therein partakers of the sufferings of Jesus Christ. Consider, that it is necessary such inward trials should come, to wean us from the immoderate love of sensible devotion, and teach us to follow Christ, not merely for his loaves, but out of a principle of love and obedience. In patience, therefore, possess your souls, and be not terrified by Satan's suggestions. Still persevere in seeking Jesus in the use of means, though it be sorrowing; and though through barrenness of soul, you may go mourning all the day long. Consider that the spouse is with you, though behind the curtain; as he was with Mary, at the sepulcher, though she knew it not. That he was withdrawn but for a little while, to make his next visit more welcome. That though he may now seem to frown and look back on you, as he did on the Syrophonecian woman; yet if you, like her, or blind Bartimeus, cry out so much the more earnestly, “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on us;” he will be made known unto you again, either in the temple, by breaking of bread, or some other way.But amongst all the devices that Satan makes use of, “to get an advantage over us,” there is none in which he is more successful, or by which he grieves the children of God worse, than aanother device I am going to mention, his troubling you with blasphemous, profane, unbelieving thoughts; and sometimes to such a degree, that they are as tormenting as the rack.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matt. 11:28-30 NKJV
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ. 1Cor 2:10-16 NKJV
Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences. 2Cor. 5:9-11
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:4-7 NKJV
But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen 1Tim 6:11-16 NKJV
Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2Tim 3:12 NASB
Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.
The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 2Tim.2:3-7 NASB
For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.
For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. 1Pet. 2:19-20 NASB
But even in case you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, [you are] blessed (happy, to be envied). Do not dread or be afraid of their threats, nor be disturbed [by their opposition]. 1Pet. 3:14 AMP
So, since Christ suffered in the flesh for us, for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and [b]purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God]. For whoever has suffered in the flesh [having [the mind of Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God],
So that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living by [his] human appetites and desires, but [he lives] for what God wills. 1Pet 4:1-2 AMP
Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always);Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly];
Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. 1Thes 5:16-18 AMP
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 NASB
Some indeed are apt to impute all such evil thoughts to a disorder of body. But those who know any thing of the spiritual life, can inform you, with greater certainty, that for the generality, they proceed from that wicked one, the devil; who, no doubt, has power given him from above, as well now as formerly, to disorder the body, as he did Job's, that he may, with the more secrecy and success, work upon, ruffle and torment the soul.
You that have felt his fiery darts, can subscribe to the truth of this, and by fatal experience can tell, how often he has bid you, “curse God and die,” and darted into your thoughts a thousand blasphemous suggestions, even in your most secret and solemn retirements; the bar looking back on which makes your very hearts to tremble.
I appeal to your own consciences; Have not some of you, when you have been lifting up holy hands in prayer, been pestered with such a crowd of the most horrid insinuations, that you have been often tempted to rise off from your knees, and been made to believe your prayers were an abomination to the Lord? Now, when, with the rest of your Christian brethren, you have crowded round the holy table, and taken the sacred symbols of Christ's most blessed body and blood into your hands, instead of remembering the death of your Savior, have you not employed in driving out evil thoughts, as Abraham was in driving away the birds, that came to devour his sacrifice; and thereby have been terrified, lest you have eat and drank your own damnation?
But marvel not, as though some strange thing happened unto you; for this has been the common lot of all God's children. We read, even in Job's time, “That when the sons of God came to appear before their Maker, (at public worship) Satan also came amongst them,” to disturb their devotions
And think not that God is angry with you for these distracting, though ever so blasphemous thoughts: No, he knows it is not you, but Satan working in you; and therefore, notwithstanding he may be displeased with, and certainly will punish him; yet he will both pity and reward you. And though it be difficult to make persons in your circumstances to believe so; yet I doubt not but you are more acceptable to God, when performing your holy duties in the midst of such involuntary distractions, than when you are wrapped up by devotion, as it were, into the third heavens; for you are then suffering, as well as doing the will of God at the same time; and, like Nehemiah's servants at the building of the temple, are holding a trowel in one hand, and a sword in the other. Be not driven from the use of any ordinance whatever, on account of those abominable suggestions; for then you let Satan get his desired advantage over you; it being his chief design, by these thoughts, to make you fall out with the means of grace; and to tempt you to believe, you do not please God, for no other reason, than because you do not please yourselves. Rather persevere in the use of the holy communion especially, and all other means whatever; and when these temptations have brought that resignation in you, for which they were permitted, God will visit you with fresh tokens of his love, as he met Abraham, when he returned from the slaughter of the five kings; and will send an angel from heaven, as he did to his Son, on purpose to strengthen you.
Here and now we have only observed such devices as Satan makes use of immediately by himself; but there is another I shall mention, which is not the least, tempting us by our carnal friends and relatives.
So He said to him, "Bring Me a three year old heifer, and a three year old female goat, and a three year old ram, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon."
Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, and laid each half opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds.
The birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away.
Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him. Gen. 15:9-12 NASB
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on youMake sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 1Pet 4:12-16 NASB
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. Job 1:6 NASB
This boasting is all so foolish, but let me go on. Let me tell about the visions and revelations I received from the Lord. was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether my body was there or just my spirit, I don't know; only God knows. But I do know that I was caught up into paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be told. That experience is something worth boasting about, but I am not going to do it. I am going to boast only about my weaknesses. I have plenty to boast about and would be no fool in doing it, because I would be telling the truth. But I won't do it. I don't want anyone to think more highly of me than what they can actually see in my life and my message, even though I have received wonderful revelations from God. But to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud. 2Cor.12:1-7 NLT
And Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of choice foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!" Neh. 8:10 NLT
As Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and his allies, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). Then Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought him bread and wine. Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing:
"Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth.And blessed be God Most High,
who has helped you conquer your enemies." Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.
The king of Sodom told him, "Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered."
Abram replied, "I have solemnly promised the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from you. Otherwise you might say, `I am the one who made Abram rich!' All I'll accept is what these young men of mine have already eaten. But give a share of the goods to my allies--Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre." Gen. 14:17-24 NLT
"God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too.Matt. 5:11-12
This is one of the most common, as well as most artful devices he makes use of, to draw young converts from God; for when he cannot prevail over them by himself, he will try what he can do by the influence and mediation of others.
Thus he tempted Eve, that she might tempt Adam. Thus he stirred up Job's wife, to bid him “Curse God and die.” And thus he made use of Peter's tongue, to persuade our blessed Lord “to spare himself,” and thereby decline those sufferings, by which alone we could be preserved from suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. And thus, in these last days, he often stirs up our most powerful friends and dearest intimates, to turn us from going in that narrow way, which alone lead unto life eternal.
But our blessed Lord has furnished us with a sufficient answer to all such suggestions. “Get you behind me, my adversaries;” for otherwise they will be an offense unto you; and the only reason why they give such advice is, because they “favor not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.”
Whoever, therefore, among you are resolved to serve the Lord, prepare your souls for many such temptations as these; for it is necessary that such offenses should come, to try your sincerity, to teach us to cease from man, and to see if we will forsake all to follow Christ.Indeed our modernists of Christianity would persuade us, that the gospel was calculated only for about two hundred years; and that now there is no need of hating father and mother, or of being persecuted for the sake of Christ and his gospel.
But such persons err, not knowing the scriptures, and the power of godliness in their hearts; for whosoever receives the love of God in the truth of it, will find, that Christ came to send not peace, but a sword upon earth, as much now as ever. That the father-in-law shall be against the daughter-in-law, in these latter, as well as in the primitive times; and that if we will live godly in Christ Jesus, we must, as then, so now, from carnal friends and relations, suffer persecution. But the devil hath a
another device, which is as dangerous as any of the former, by not tempting us at all, or rather, by withdrawing himself for a while, in order to come upon us at an hour when we think not of it.
So it is said, that he left Jesus Christ only for a season; and our blessed Lord has bid us to watch and pray always, that we enter not into temptation; thereby implying, that Satan, whether we think of it or not, is always seeking how he may devour us.
If we would therefore behave like good soldiers of Jesus Christ, we must be always upon our guard, and never pretend to lay down our spiritual weapons of prayer and watching, till our warfare is accomplished by death; for if we do, our spiritual soul will quickly prevail against us. What if he has left us? It is only for a season; yet a little while, and, like a roaring lion, with double fury, he will break out upon us again. So great a coward as the devil is, he seldom leaves us at the first onset. As he followed our blessed Lord with one temptation after another, so will he treat his servants. And the reason why he does not renew his attacks, is sometimes, because God knows we are yet weak and unable to bear them, sometimes, because our grand adversary thinks to set us up at a more convenient season.
Watch carefully over thy heart, O Christian; and whenever you perceives yourself to be falling into a spiritual slumber, say to it, as Christ to his disciples, “Arise (my soul) why sleep now?” Awake, awake; put on strength, watch and pray, or otherwise the Philistines will be upon us, and lead us as we whither or not. Alas! Is this life a time to lie down and slumber in? Arise, and call upon thy God; the spiritual enemy is not dead, but lurks in some secret place, seeking a convenient opportunity how he may betray you. If you start to strive with him, then you will not be a friend of God; and you will miss the road that leads you to that narrow way which leads you unto life.
Thus have I endeavored to point out to you some of those devices, that Satan generally makes use of “to get an advantage over us;” many others there are, no doubt, which he often uses.
But these, on account of my youth and want of experience, I cannot yet explain to you; they who have been listed for many years in their master's service, and fought under his banner against our spiritual soul are able to discover more of his tricks; and, being tempted in all things, like unto their brethren, can, in all things, advise and support those that are tempted.
"If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven. But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before my Father in heaven.
"Don't imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! No, I came to bring a sword. I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household! If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.
If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.
If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you will find it"
Anyone who welcomes you is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me. Matt. 10:32-40 NLT
Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2Tim 3:12 NLT
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Phil. 1:21 NASB
In the mean while, let me exhort my young fellow-soldiers, who, like myself, are but just entering the field, and for whose sake this was written, not to be discouraged at the fiery trial where with they must be tried, if they would be found faithful servants of Jesus Christ. You see, my dearly beloved brethren, by what has been delivered, that our way through the wilderness of this world to the heavenly Canaan, is set up with thorns, and that there are giants to be grappled with, and or you can possess the promised land. But let not these, like so many false spies, discourage you from going up to fight the Lord's battles, but say with Caleb and Joshua, “Yes, but we will go up, for we are able to conquer them.” Jesus Christ, that great captain of our salvation, has in our stead, and as our representative, baffled the grand enemy of mankind, and we have nothing to do, but manfully to fight under his banner, and to go on from conquering to conquer. Our glory does not consist in being exempted from, but in enduring temptations. “Blessed is the man, (says the apostle) that endureth temptation;": and again, “Brethren, count it all joy, when you fall into divers temptations:” And in that perfect form our blessed Lord has prescribed to us, we are taught to pray, not so much to be delivered from all temptation, as “from the evil” of it. While we are on this side eternity, it must be needs that temptations come; and, no doubt, “Satan has desired to have all of us, to sift us as wheat.” But where and why should we fear? For he that is for us, is by far more powerful, than all that are against us. Jesus Christ, our great High-priest, is exalted to the right hand of God, and there sitteth to make intercession for us, that our faith fail not
Since then Christ is praying, whom should we fear? And since he has promised to make us more than conquerors, of whom should we be afraid? No, though many of devils are set in array against us, let us not be afraid; though there should rise up the hottest persecution against us, yet let us put our trust in God. What though Satan, and the rest of his apostate spirits, are powerful, when compared with us; yet, if put in competition with the Almighty, they are as weak as the meanest worms. God has them all reserved in chains of darkness unto the judgment of the great day. So far as he permits them, they shall go, but no farther; and where he pleases, there shall their proud malicious designs be stayed. We read in the gospel, that though a legion of them possessed one man, yet they could not destroy him; nor could they so much as enter into a swine, without first having leave given them from above. It is true, we often find they foil us, when we are assaulted by them; but let us be strong, and very courageous; for, though they bruise our heels, we shall, at length, bruise their heads. Yet a little while, and he that shall come, will come; and then we shall see all our spiritual enemies put under our feet. What if they do come out against us, like so many great Goliaths; yet, if we can go forth, as the stripling David, in the name and strength of the Lord of hosts, we may say, O Satan, where is your power? O fallen spirits, where is your victory?
Once more therefore, and to conclude; let us be strong, and very courageous, and let us put on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand against the fiery darts of the wicked one. Let us renounce ourselves, and the world, and then we shall take away the armor in which he trusteth, and he will find nothing in us for his temptations to work upon. We shall then prevent his malicious designs; and being willing to suffer ourselves, shall need less sufferings to be sent us form above. Let us have our loins girt about with truth; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation; “praying always with all manner of supplication.” Above all things, “Let us take the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God,” and “the shield of faith,” looking always to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now sat down at the right hand of God.
To which happy place, may God of his infinite mercy translate us all, through our Lord Jesus Christ.
To whom, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, three persons and one eternal God, be all honor and glory, now and for evermore. Amen.
I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. Rev. 6:2 NASB
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 NASB
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. James 1:2-4 NLT
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matt. 6:13 KJV
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Heb. 13:5-6 KJV
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 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: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.Eph.1:18-23 KJV
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Rom 8:26-28 KJV
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Acts 7:55-56 KJV
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. Acts 2:33 KJV
When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.
(For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.
Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked. Luke 8:28-33 KJV
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
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.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Eph.6:10-18 KJV
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Heb. 7:25 KJV
Dear Heavenly Father thank-You for this wonderful day, Thank-you for giving us your Word and being to the point, and yet helping us learn the truth through you word, and giving us the bread of life we all needed. Thank-you O’Lord so much for keeping us at "one" with You and Your Son, We all love you, and we will continue to worship and praise Your name this whole week, please help us to be better Christians this week, please keep the Holy Spirit with us to guide us, and Lord please keep directing our paths, and decisions. We hold the church up to you Father. Lord O’God, How do I end this day, how can I ask for everyone’s forgiveness, how can I ask that we all turn from our ways of sin and to repent, and look towards You and Your Son in the realm of eternity, every hour and everyday. Help us to get the world off our minds, and replace it with peace and comfort, so many of us need prayer. We are all looking forward to the return of Your Son Jesus. Please stay with us all, and hold and love us all, and show us the way to righteousness, and the narrow road that leads to life. We love you Lord and we want to please you, we hope we have done some positive truth for the edification of our brothers and sisters across this planet to enlighten us about of the Kingdom of God. We glorify Your name, and we glorify the King, In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen and Amen.
