Only one way.....GOD'S way...the way of the cross of Calvary."
"I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world,
But that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not
Of the world, even as I am not of the world."
.......John 17: 15-17
Satan has many evil schemes with which he tries to deceive people. We are not be ignorant
Of his many devices. His delight is to blind others to the truth, as he is the tempter and father of lies.
He can still appear as an angel of light. Just as he deceived in the Garden of Eden, he still
Desires to capture souls today and lead them astray. Today, Satan uses more subtile ways
And has more means of communication, in which to deceive the multitudes. We are either
Of this world, or we have been made new creatures in Christ. Our conversation (lifestyle) is either
In heaven {Phil. 3: 20}, or is rooted in the ways of this world. If sin has met grace in our lives,
We are made free, as God has shown mercy to us, and erased all our sins. He then leads us in
Right paths, and teaches us how to be true followers, by obeying His Word. Jesus will give us
A life of victory as we abide in Him.
If we look around us and listen to the different teachings on television, radio, or even in some
Of the churches today, we find a "new gospel" that is not the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Instead, we find it is the gospel of men, who have added to the pure gospel and changed
The simplicity of God's Word to faith formulas or theories. Many teach the laws of 'sowing
And reaping' as if it is were a game, or spiritual lottery, instead of the blessings of God for
Obedience to His Word, in all things.
God's blessings come in many ways, and all reaping of seed sown into the kingdom is
Not always financial. We are not "little gods"...as many teach today.... But we do have a "big God"
Whose Spirit lives within our heart and lives. God does promise to supply all of our needs,
According to His riches in glory, if we seek Him first and His kingdom. Merchandising of the
Gospel is rampant today, just as the Bible speaks in 2 Peter 2. We are not to be ignorant
Of these devices of Satan, or fall for old lies in a new age, or the false religions of man.
Many people desire wealth more than wisdom, riches more than revelation, money more
Than mercy, and experiences before true exaltation of God or examples in His Word.
The good news of the gospel is put aside by many and replaced by experiences. Which many
Believe are new revelations of the will of God. Any experience men may have which doesn't
Line up with God's Word, is not to be accepted as being from the Lord. So many today follow or look for
Signs instead of trusting in the Savior. Signs follow believers, and will always point to the Savior.
God supernaturally shows forth His power through obedient believers.
The teachings of the apostles have been changed by many into "how to have success in secular life"
.... Instead of teaching people to observe all things Jesus has commanded. The Apostles
Went into the world with a message from God. Today, the world comes into the church with a new
Message of man, seeking earthly riches, instead of laying up treasures in heaven.
Many see Christ like a "Santa" instead of a "Savior" and make their wish list of what they will
Command God to give them, believing they can speak or claim it, and have whatever they say.
Yet, they haven't lived in humility or obedience to God's Word, and have missed the
Message of denying the flesh, taking up their cross daily, and following the Lord.
Many no longer ask what they can do for the Savior, as the message in some circles seems
To be more on "how to be healthy, wealthy, or wise"....instead of salvation, in the name of Jesus
And blessing Him. We should desire to bless the Lord and be faithful servants.
A person's blessings and favor with God is measured today in some circles by the type of
Automobile one drives, their bank accounts, or the clothes they wear. They forget the
"faith hall of fame" in Hebrews 11, which is an example of humble saints being rich in God's grace
And embracing the promises in spite of circumstances or having no permanent dwelling on earth.
It doesn't take a large crystal cathedral or prayer tower reaching unto the heavens, in order
For God's people to meet with Jesus to worship Him in spirit and truth.
Where two or three join together in the Lord's name, He promises to be in the midst.
People can find God's presence in the middle of the jungle, a cabin in the wilderness,
a tent in the desert, or any other place where "living stones" gather, as the house God is still
building, on earth. Anyone who seeks God and calls upon His name, will find He will meet
them, no matter where they make their altar of prayer.
We, as Christians, have the Spirit of the living God in our hearts. Just knowing "He abides" should
be enough motivation to glorify and honor His presence, giving thanks for His help each day.
Without a relationship, there will be no real worship from one's heart. Jesus told the woman
at the well, "ye worship ye know not what." Worship in spirit and in truth is worship that
agrees with His spirit of truth. It is worship by living a holy lifestyle and knowing God personally.
God's children can go boldly before His throne of grace and know He will meet them there.
II.
When one repents, God gives them the key of authority to boldly approach Him by faith, in spirit
and truth, through His name. Jesus is the great High Priest who removed the barriers to the most holy
place and mercy seat. He waits for us to abide in Him. There is a secret place of the Most High God,
in which we can abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Recognizing the benefits of being in
Christ, helps us to claim His promises and appropriate the privileges given us, as His children.
Many see how close to the world they can live and enjoy the pleasures, while trying to hold on to
God and still be identified with His people. Spiritual identification is not because of who we gather with,
but is because of Who we belong to. If Christ is not our Lord and Savior, then we are not truly
a part of the body of Christ on earth. Our birthmark, or identification as believers, is not earthly riches
or fame. It is a changed life with attributes of Jesus and a humble, contrite heart. It is the seal of the
living God and His Spirit in our hearts, which gives us the riches and favor of God's marvelous grace.
Paul taught believers to "resist the devil and he would flee from them"....to have God's laws
written upon their hearts, that they might not sin against God. His teaching was that we must
take up the whole armor of God, be sober and vigilant, as Satan is as a roaring lion,
seeking whom he may devour. God's Word teaches us the "spiritual weapons of our warfare
are not carnal, but are mighty, to the tearing down of strongholds." We have been given
everything we need to defeat the enemy, but we must use the weapons of warfare and put
on the whole armor of God. The easy way out for many is believing their words stop
Satan, yet their lives give him the foothold needed to take them captive. We wrestle not
against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers and spiritual wickedness in high places.
We have nothing to fear as we have been raised up by God and quickened together with Christ,
to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Eph. 2: 6)
By the Sword of the Spirit, one can ward off Satan and the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye,
and the pride of life. We have been equipped for success with weapons of warfare and armor to
make us strong in Christ. In the name of Jesus, no weapon formed against us shall prosper.
We give thanks for the One who is with us at all times, to help us be victorious in Him.
We will not be denied, when we ask the Lord for His help in all things. His promises are faithful and true.
Claim victory in Jesus today and be blessed. Because sin met grace, our sins have been erased.
Because grace was greater where sin did abound, the presence of Jesus can now be found.
As the words to an old song say, "He was there all the time." Recognizing the presence of the
Lord is letting Him reveal His love to us in all the days and times of our lives. We must draw
nigh to Him and when we do, we find He draws nigh to us and will lead us in his paths of righteousness.
Because He lives, we can face tomorrow, knowing that our God has everything under control.
When sin meets grace, we receive the greatest miracle of all!
