The Battlefield First Takes Place In Your Mind

                                                 When The Door Slams

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.   (Colossians 3:1-7 NKJV)  

            We have seen that there is a conflict taking place in the spirit realm-and that we are profoundly affected by that conflict.  An obedient Christian recognize a tug and pull between right and wrong, sometimes pictured by the red cartoon fellow with horns sitting on one shoulder and a halo-topped angel in white garb sitting on the other. This tragically trivializes double-minded the real source of evil and the extent of Satan's deceptions. After all, if it has all been done for us, as many claim, and we need to do nothing more than offer the "sinner's prayer," where is the struggle? Is there a battle to be fought or not?       

            The Apostle Paul recognized that we are in a life-and-death struggle, that there is a spiritual war we must fight. He explained to the evangelist Timothy that this battle would require genuine hardship and sacrifice. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier" (2 Timothy 2:3-4).This does not settle with "there is nothing to do because Christ has done it all for you.

            The Lord God through His faithful servant Paul, reveals that in your battle against an unseen, crafty enemy, you need armor--not physical, but spiritual armor. Paul was often a prisoner in chains (Ephesians 3:1; 4:1; 6:20). But he clearly borrows from Isaiah 59:17. It is in this context that he writes, "finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:10-11).  

            The Devil is ruthless and goes around "like a roaring lion, seeking whom he my devour" (1 Peter 5:8). For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). We also read that "though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

            What are those strongholds that must be pulled? What must you fight against? You are to be "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (v.5). Clearly, according to Paul, it has not all been done for you. You must bring your innermost thoughts into captive obedience to Christ (v.6).

            Think about this: But James adds that if you resist the devil, he will retreat: "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:7-8). Both Peter and James give this advice in context of humbling yourself rather than being puffed up with pride--the root of Lucifer's downfall. Pride brings destruction to many. This is why Paul instructed Timothy not to ordain "a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fail into the same condemnation as the devil" (1 Timothy 3:6).

            Confession: When I sin against the LORD, I may be sure that my sin will find me out. (Numbers 32:23   

            Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.  

                                                        Never Rest Ministries         

                                                                                                            Warfare (3)

               

Satan, Who Deceives The Whole World

                                                 When The Door Slams

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.                                                             (Revelation 12:7-9 NKJV)

            It is our nature to believe that we are right, especially when it comes to religion. Yet, sheer logic tells us that all religions cannot be correct, unless we believe that God bows to us and lets us decide for ourselves how to worship Him. Consider the vast array of religious beliefs in our world, Including Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Satanism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. The last of these--the one claiming Christ's own name--is divided into Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestantism, along with other smaller sects. Ignoring the other divisions we find in Protestantism alone a tremendous number of different strains: Lutheran, Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Evangelical, Pentecostal, and other charismatic varieties, just to name a few. 

            The list of different ideas about how to worship God is almost endless! Some use icons or images in their worship, while others see this as a violation of the Second Commandment--or the First Commandment, since different denominations number them differently. Most observe the day the Roman emperor Constantine set aside as the day of worship, Sunday. Others observe the seventh-day Sabbath on Saturday. And many claim that all that salvation requires is a "decision"--a raised hand during an emotional altar call--while others notice a conflict between that idea and Jesus' own cautions about a "narrow" and "difficult" way (Matthew 7:13-14), involving instruction and discipline.  

            These differences only scratch the surface. "Christianity" in all its strains is currently the largest category of religion on earth. But how can it be in line with God if Satan has deceived the whole world? And Jesus answered and said to them: Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, "I am the Christ," and will deceive many (Matthew 24:3-5). 

            As we see, that is exactly what Satan has done. As we read in the book Revelation (12:9). Consider the magnitude of that claim: "who deceives the whole world." That widespread deception represents Satan's greatest advantage in his ongoing efforts to destroy mankind, you and me. Imagine--Satan has his ministers, and they do not come advertising that they are ministers of Satan. No, they appear as ministers of righteousness. Is this not deception and spiritual warfare of the highest level? 

            Think about this: A deceived person does not know that he or she is deceived. Could that be you? If Satan has deceived the whole world, as we read in Revelation 12:9, the vast majority of those we think of as "Christian" must be part of that deception. You cannot "come just as you are"--not according to Christ. His command is to repent, to change from what you are (Mark 1:14-15.

            Adoration: You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, The heaven of heavens, and all their host, The earth and all that is on it, The seas and all that is in them. You gave life to all that is in them, And the host of heaven worships You. (Nehemiah 9:6)   

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.     

                                                  Never Rest Ministries  

                

    

It Did Not Take Long For Spiritual Warfare To Show Up

                                                 When The Door Slams  

            He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence  (Colossians 1:15-18 NKJV). 

            Throughout the pages of the Bible, from beginning to end. Our introduction to Satan, the Adversary, or the Devil--is found in the book of Genesis. We read there that from the dust of the ground God created the first man, Adam, and afterward created Eve to be Adam's helper and wife. It did not take long for spiritual warfare to begin--and they lost their first battle. For now, suffice it to say that this was a battle over Whom to obey. 

            It is easy to dismiss the Genesis account as too fantastic to believe, as no more than a metaphorical story for children. After all, who among us has ever encountered a talking snake? Remember, however, neither Adam nor Eve had been around very long at that time. How would they know that a snake could talk? Of course, it was not the snake, but a powerful spirit speaking through the creature. 

            But where did that spirit come from? Who was this being who claimed God had lied to Adam? We must go back to the beginning for the answer. The beginning of history, according to the Bible, is not found in Genesis, but found in the opening verses of the gospel of John. There we find two Beings who are described as God. "In the beginning was the Word [Spokesman], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God" (John 1:1-2). Later, John writes that " And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (v. 14). 

            Some people find this straightforward passage confusing due to pagan traditions handed down to them about the God of the Bible. But if we simply read it for what it says, and not through the lens of corrupt traditions, John's meaning becomes undeniably clear. There was God, who later became known as the Father; and there was the Word or Spokesman--also God--who later became known as the Son, Jesus Christ. 

            John 1:3 reveals another truth that many churchgoers are unaware of, though it lays out that truth in easy-to-understand terms: "All things were made through Him [the Word-Christ], and without Him nothing was made that was made." but what is contain in all things? The Apostle Paul explained this in detail to the early Church (Colossians 1:15-18 NKJV).       

            Think about this: Why do so few understand that the One we know as the God of the Old Testament, with whom the patriarchs spoke and interacted, is none other than the Word-the One who became Jesus Christ? Lest there be any doubt, Paul also explained: Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:1-4 NKJV).

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.   

                                                            Never Rest Ministries             (Part 1 of warfare)                          

Five Steps To Forgiveness

                                             When The Door Slams

"This, then, is how you should pray: "Our Father" in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.              Matthew 6:9-15 NIV

            If you want to experience the happiness, relief, and well-being that come from the practice of forgiveness, remember these five steps: 

1.        Resist the temptation to be judgmental. Remember, only God knows all the circumstances. Leave the judging to Him.

2.        Learn to be compassionate. The best method is to use your imagination, put yourself in the other person's shoes, ask yourself whether the fault is entirely the other person's or whether there is some blame on your part that needs to be honestly faced. 

3.        Image the whole problem in terms of reconciliation. Visualize the broken relationship healed. See yourself free of the poisons of resentment and anger. Let your imagination suggest hopeful things you will accomplish with the increased energy that will come to you. 

4.        Pray for the person who has offended you. If this is difficult (and it will be), pray for God's grace to come into your heart to give you the strength to do it. Remind yourself that the act of forgiveness will benefit you more than the other person.

5.        End your prayer with the Lord's prayer. Give special thought and emphasis to the part that asks God to forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. 

            Think about this: Do these five things and you will be amazed at the healing power of forgiveness. If you let, it can change your life.

Related Bible Texts: Matthew 5:44; 6:9-15; Luke 6:28,27; Colossians 3:12-15.

            Affirmation: Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken (Psalm 61:1-2 NIV).

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness. 

                                                Never Rest Ministries

                                       

Doubleminded Religious People Struggle To Break Cycles Of Self-Destructive Behavior

                                                 When The Door Slams 

So now it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwells no good thing, for the will to do what is right is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good I desire to do, I do not do, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who does it, but sin that lives in me.                                        (Romans 7:17-20 MEV)

            Sometimes the changes we seek are more serious. Double Minded people struggle to break cycles of self-destructive behavior. Apostle Paul goes on to mention a host of evil spirits that come in once the mind becomes reprobate: sexual abuse, adultery, lies, binge eating, substance abuse, deceit, evil-minded, haters of God, disobedient, untrustworthy, backbiters, proud and being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality. Reprobate spirits and spirits of homosexuality and lesbianism, these are perversions and are under the judgment of God.

            Others see their marriage falling apart and long to change and grow to become the spouse they long to be, yet fall repeatedly into the same old pattern of angry conflict or withdrawal, accelerating their slide into bitterness. We wrestle to rise above our basest urges, sometimes finding success, but often falling back into old habits-too often descending even further than before. Even the Apostle Paul wrote, "I know that in me, (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice" (Romans 7:18-19).

            However, Paul understood in his struggles what so many today do not. He was engaged in spiritual warfare. Most religious people around us are double minded and has no idea of this reality. Religious people continue striving and struggling against power and temptations in complete ignorance of the spiritual magnitude of the battle they are waging. The self-help industry makes billions of dollars selling tricks and techniques--some helpful, some not so much--without acknowledging the spiritual aspect of the conflict we face. 

            But if we seek real change and real growth, we must embrace the truth that we are not simply fighting against bad habits and destructive patterns. We are engaging in spiritual warfare against a real enemy who seeks our destruction-not just in this life, but for eternity.

            Obedient to the LORD GOD will reveal the hidden spiritual world that few acknowledge--and fewer understand. Understanding the nature of the enemy and how he came to be is crucial if we are to comprehend the environment in which our battle take place. Once we recognize the enemy, we shift our focus to the fundamental actions we must take to achieve real victory. They are not the dramatic actions that many televangelists would sell you, but they are the true weapons of spiritual warfare that every obedient Christian needs. God, who will ultimately bring the victory--and how each of us can be a part of that victorious outcome.

            Think about this: Paul knew that he was involved in a war. He was not simply seeking a better life or healthier--his life had a God-ordained purpose, and he wrote about those unseen enemies fighting against any changes he sought to make.

            Affirmation: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:10-12 NKJV).  

 Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.

                                                    Never Rest Ministries     
            

               

             

           

                               

You Praise The LORD But Serve The Devil

                                                 When The Door Slams

And when your children ask you, What does this ceremony mean to you? then tell them, 'It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians. Then the people bowed down and worshiped. The Israelites did just what the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron. At midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner, who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the lives stock as well. Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up during the night, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead.                                                                                                      (Exodus 12:26-30 NIV) 

            The first Passover (in Exodus 12) is the story of two peoples and one choice. After more than four hundred years in Egypt, the children of Israel were clearly influenced by its culture and religions. Getting Israel out of Egypt took a few days, but getting Egypt out of Israel took forty years. 

            It was a seminal moment. There was a clear choice. Israel would obey or not. Her firstborn would live or die. They would find freedom or stay in slavery. They would go to the promised Land or choose Goshen. They chose wisely!

            We all face such moments. We must decide to go on to greater heights in God or stay where we are. In the moment, life, death, our future, and the fate of those we love all hang in the balance. Sadly, not everyone chooses wisely, they are double-minded. 

            The key to the story is simple. It was obedience. the way out of Egypt wasn't really the road to the Red Sea. It lay in obeying God. We do what God commands, or we don't. We leave the old life behind, or we don't. We cross the threshold of faith, or we don't. We live God's way, or we live the world's way. 

            They could not have crossed the Red Sea without first crossing the barrier of obedience. We will never see or experience the great things God has for us without this one simple act, doing what the Lord commands.

            Think about this: Start children off on the way they should go and even when they are old they will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6) is as true today as when Solomon wrote it several thousand years ago. Running one's eye down the columns of any concordance on the words obey, obedience, and obedient give some idea of the importance of these words in God's sight. "It is better to obey than to sacrifice. It is better to listen to God than to offer the fat of sheep," Samuel told Saul. In order to properly hearken, which is the beginning of learning, one must be obedient.

            Affirmation: Who is wise? Let them realize these things. who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the LORD are right, the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them. (Hosea 14:9 NIV)               

            Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.

                                                        Never Rest Ministries 

         

                                              

No Man Or Woman Can Be The Disciple Of Christ And Desire Fame

                                                When The Door Slams

Then the LORD said to me, "Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vison is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. "Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.* Wealth is treacherous, and arrogant are never at rest. They open their mouths as wide as the grave, and like death, they are never satisfied, In their greed they have gathered up many nations and swallowed many peoples.                                                                                   (Habakkuk 2:2-5 NLT)

            For the scope of power lives from man to man, And not from man, O Lord, to thee. The man, then, who does right, and seeks no praise from men, while he merits nothing, shall be rewarded by his Father, and his reward will be right precious to him. 

            No man or woman can not be the disciple of Christ and desire fame. To desire fame is disgraceful; it is a slang devil greed. In the noble mind, it is the more of an infirmity. There is no aspiration in it--nothing but ambition. It is simply selfishness that would be proud if it could. Fame is the applause of many, and the judgment of the many is foolish; the greater the fame, the more is the foolishness that swells it, and the worse is the fools that thirst after it.

            Think about this: Aspiration is the sole escape from ambition. He who aspires--that is, his endeavor to rise above himself--neither lusts to be higher than his neighbor, nor seeks to put in his opinion. What light there is in him shines the more that he does nothing to be seen by men. He stands in the mist between the gulf and the glory of the LORD and looks upward. He loves not his own soul, but longs to be clean. 

            Confession: I will cleanse them of their sins against me and forgive all their sins of rebellion. (Jeremiah 33:8 NLT) 

 Ask  the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.

                                                        Never Rest Ministries