Tag: jesus

Standing Firm Against Spiritual Deception: Fear the Lord and Serve Him Only

God promised to deliver the Israelites from their oppressors and bring them to a land flowing with milk and honey, and He fulfilled that promise. After He brought them out of the land of Egypt, He gave them a message. He instructed His people to cleave to Him, fear Him, serve Him, and walk after Him. He also warned them not to consent to any prophet or dreamer of dreams who would try to convince or deceive them into turning away from God to serve any other god.

In this day and age, the world is filled with so much deception that, if we are not careful, we can all be deceived, even by a prophet or a trusted man of God. The schemes of the enemy are so subtle and cunning that he can polish a lie until it appears good, convincing, and even perfect, making it easy for people to fall prey to it. Many of us seek signs and wonders. Many are desperate for prophecies and eager to hear the hidden things of life. As a result, we may be tempted to listen to anyone who presents himself as a man of God. There are times when certain prophecies may sound pleasing to our ears, but when we examine them carefully, they may prove to be deceptive and lead us away from honoring God. If there is any prophecy that points you toward anything other than God, you should rethink it. If there is any dream or vision that leads you toward honoring or serving something other than God, then you need to reconsider it. If there is any prophecy that causes you to do something that would dishonor God, you need to recognize that it is dangerous. Sometimes, we place so much trust in prophets or spiritual leaders that we forget they are not the God of prophecy. Rather, it is God who gives them the prophecies. We can unknowingly make idols of them and begin to believe almost everything they say, even when some of their words do not align with the Word of God. Pay attention to the message from God here:

1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,

2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;

3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

4 Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

Deutronomy 13:1-4

God is sovereign, self-sufficient, and a jealous God who does not share His glory with anyone. Besides our Supreme God, no other god can claim to be the Author of creation or the Giver of life, because even the existence of every so-called powerful god depends entirely on the Supreme God. No mortal or immortal being can continue to exist without God granting them sustenance. The message in the Scripture above does not apply only to the Israelites. It also applies to everyone who trusts in God and even to those who have not yet placed their trust in Him. It goes on to say that even if your brother, daughter, mother, son, wife, or friend, who is as dear to you as your own soul, secretly entices you to serve other gods, you must not consent to him or her. Sometimes, those closest to us can become the very people who lead us away from God. It may be your wife, husband, friend, or another family member. If that ever happens, or if anyone attempts to draw you away from God, you need to exercise your authority in the Lord and rebuke that person; otherwise, you could be deceived. As a reminder, when Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights, Satan tempted Him while quoting Scripture. It is interesting to note that Satan took Jesus to a very high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, and asked Him to fall down and worship him so that he would give everything to Jesus. But Jesus, being filled with the Spirit, rebuked Satan, saying, “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” 

8. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

9. And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Matthew 4:8-10

If you pay close attention to the beginning of Matthew 4, from verses 1 through 7, you will notice that in Satan’s first two attempts to tempt Jesus, he used Scripture in an effort to lure Jesus into his deception. However, Jesus, being filled with the Spirit and having perfect knowledge and understanding of Scripture, responded by using the true Word of God to overcome Satan’s attacks. This shows that if Satan could subtly and deceptively use Scripture in an attempt to turn Jesus away from the purpose of God for His life, then it is certainly possible for him to use false prophets or even trusted people to try to turn us away from God. In one of the Ten Commandments, God clearly emphasized that we are to have no other gods before Him. This points us to one simple truth: “Fear the Lord your God and serve only Him.”

1. And God spake all these words, saying,

2. I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

3. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

4. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

5. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

Exodus 20:1-5

How can we stand firm in the face of temptation and deception?

Keep the Word of God in your heart so that you will be able to recognize when you are being misled, even by someone you trust. Always remember the Word of God, meditate on it, and apply it to your daily life.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psalm 119:11

GOD BLESS YOU!

SPIRITUAL WARFARE 

This is something humanity needs to be aware of. Scripture says

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.

Job 1:6

Take key note of this. The sons of God had gathered before the Lord. It was not just any ordinary gathering. This was in the presence of God himself, but satan still found a way to be where God and his sons were. Something worth noting is that, satan lost his sonship when he tried to dethrone God so he had no business presenting himself to God. Satan no more has any heritage in God’s kingdom, yet He found a way to be where God and his children had their meeting. That should tell us that, though you may be in church, Satan can still be there among you. You may be a Christian, yet Satan can be just as close to you as an unbeliever. Satan always find a way to be where he’s not supposed to be because he is always seeking his next target. Scripture describes Satan as the accuser of the brethren as seen in

Revelation 12:10

And I heard a loud voice saying in Heaven, “Now have come salvation and strength, and the Kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ; for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accused them before our God day and night.

Take note of this, Satan accuses the brethren day and night! If Satan was able to divide the entire host of angels in heaven and was able to diabolically convince a third of them to go against God with the intention of dethrone God the creator, then humans are easy targets if we let him. Glory to God that the devil could not overcome Him, which means, if we have God by our side and live right for him, the enemy can never overcome us too.

4. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

7. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

8. And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. (Revelation 12:4-8)

As a result of satan’s impudence, he lost his sonship and all privileges he had in the kingdom to us mortal humans instead. Due to that, he hates to think of humans as higher than him, so he makes us targets of destruction.

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Revelation 12:9)

Satan now realizes he lost his rights in the kingdom of God and is jealous of mortal humans given this privilege, so he won’t allow you to enjoy this privilege in peace and will do everything possible to strip you off it. After his fall from grace, he earned to himself various unpleasant titles and adjectives, cunning creature, the deceiver, father of all lies, the devourer, devil, the enemy, accuser of the brethren, the dragon, etc. The enemy is a cunning creature. That is why we should always be on the alert and put on the whole armor of God.

Ephesians 6:10-18

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 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.

13 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.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

From the scripture we just read, we are admonished to girt our lions with truth and put on the breastplate of righteousness. The devil will not overcome you if you’re righteous and faithful to God. He may throw things at you just like he did to job, and at some point may appear that he had conquered, but the truth is, God will never leave you at the mercy of the devil. He will cease to be God if He ever does that for no apparent reason. Yes, God permitted Satan to tempt Job, but he strictly ordered him to not take his life. Difficult circumstances may befall the righteous, but through it all, he/she will come out glorious. God will never allow what is beyond you to come upon you, so if you are experiencing difficult life today, it means he has greater things for you in the future. Hallelujah! Glory to God the father!

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. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Live by God’s commandments, live by the word, and leave no room for the devil to have a reason to accuse you before God. 

1 Peter 1:8 encourages us to “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walketh about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 

Job was a righteous man but when God testified of him to Satan, satan immediately turned the praise and the testimony into accusation, and said, Job is faithful to God because of God’s blessings and protection over his life. he said, Job will dishonor God and curse Him if God takes away His blessings and protection over his life.

Job 1:9-11

9. Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

10. Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

11. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

The enemy won’t spare you if he has a hold on you. Do not leave any door in your life open or unattended. Do not give yourself to deception, idolatry, adultery, fornication, bitterness, envy, witchcraft and many other forms of life that do not please the father. These lifestyles would allow the enemy the opportunity to target your life and he will make sure you don’t attain your blessing both here on earth and in heaven. The Bible encourages us to

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

When Job remained steadfast in the Lord, God blessed him beyond measure. He received double for his loss. If you’re faithful in the Lord, no accusation from the devil can alter the plans God has set in place for your life. Be steadfast in the lord. Be vigilant. Watch and pray so you do not fall into temptation my brethren! God bless you!

WHAT IS YOUR TESTIMONY? DOES GOD BEAR WITNESS OF YOU?

  • What will be the testimony about you?
  • If God is to describe you to someone, what will He say about you?
  • If your Christian family is to describe you, what will they say about you?
  • If your friends are to describe you, what will they say about you?

Let’s look at scripture:

And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

Job 1:8

Job was an upright man, he was perfect, he feared God, he eschewed evil. Due to that, his life was a testimony itself. Even God testified of Job as perfect, Godfearing man who eschewed evil and that there was no one on earth who was like Job. For a sovereign God to testify that “There is no one on earth who is like Job,” meant Job was indeed a faithful man who was fully surrendered to God. The earth was fully populated even during the time of Job and there were other God-fearing men on earth, but Job stood out. He caught God’s attention. He pleased God, and God saw even through the multitude of people and singled Job out to testify about him to Satan. If a God can bear witness of a mortal being like Job, that means Job’s life was  an example to the world. Consider Jesus’s teachings in the bible. 

  • 14: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
  • 15: Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
  • 16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

Matthew 5:14-16

In Job’s case, he had become the light of the world, a man who impacted his family’s life and community to the extent that a supreme God could bear witness of him as a faithful man whom no one on earth at that time could be compared to. Job became a city on a hill which could not be hidden. His life, his character, his Godliness, his faithfulness, the virtues he upheld, etc. had put him above all else leading God not to remain silent about him anymore. God testifying of Job to Satan was a very dangerous game to play, especially knowing very well that Satan wants nothing other than to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10), so God testifying about Job to him put Job in a very vulnerable position where he could become a target for destruction by satan, which he tried yet could not overcome. God did this because he knew right from the beginning that Job would still thrive in faith regardless of whatever calamities that may befall him. He trusted Job so much that he knew he would be steadfast and remain faithfully unshaken. Even when the enemy (Satan) targeted Job after God’s testimony and stripped Job of all that he possessed including his health, family, and possessions, Job still remained faithful to God. Even when his strength was failing and his life was withering, Job still did not sin against God. Job was a mortal being. He was a man just like us and was able to stand firm in the Lord even when all around him at some point tried to sell him evil ideas like to curse God and die, his faith still remained unshaken. If he did it, it means we can also do it. We need to live for God so that his spirit can bear witness that we are true sons of God. If you live for God, he will be proud of you. What a great testimony it will be to have God himself bear witness of you? Do you know what that means? You’ll have his full protection, you’ll have peace, you’ll have joy, and he’ll rescue you from many impending doom and eventually grant you eternity in heaven when this world is done. With God being proud of Job, he personally called satan’s attention, saying,

“Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Job1:8

What a powerful testimony! I want God to be proud of me. I want him to say to me, “Well done my faithful servant!” That alone is enough. Thank you Jesus 🙂

Would you like God to testify of you too? Think about it.

THE BLESSED

  • MESSAGE:

Whosoever is blessed of the Lord is blessed. Nobody can condemn, curse or successfully rise against him. Whoever attempts does that at his own peril.

And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the Lord hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.

– 2 Samuel 18:31

  • SAD:

Absalom teamed up against his father, David, yet his devices and actions resulted to his own ruin. It is dangerous to try to overthrow someone who has the hand of God upon his life. The Lord fiercely protects those that he has called by name and has sworn by himself that he will never leave nor forsake them, so it is not for you to try to bring them down.

Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

-Psalm 105:15-17

GLORY:

The people killed Jesus to stop him from preaching true gospel to humanity, but what happened after his death till date? Jesus has been crowned as the SAVIOR saving the world, the one through whom humanity can attain eternity. He reigns and no power can challenge his authority. At his name, every knee bows and every tongue confesses that “Jesus is Lord.”

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

-Matthew 28:18

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:10-11
  • DEADLY:

The officials after learning about the resurrection of Jesus and how miraculous that was and how that could potentially lead even more people to believe in Jesus and the message he carries, bribed the guards to spread a false message that Jesus never resurrected but his body was rather stolen from the grave by his disciples. What is happening today? What is our evidence?

Jesus' resurrection has brough salvation, hope and restoration to all lost souls and to as many people who will hear the message of truth and open their hearts to him. In him we find peace, joy and love that knows no bounds. The resurrection that the officials intended to condemn has rather brought freedom and redemption from the shackles of sin and death and the gospel of Jesus Christ has been preached across nations and from generation to generations.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

– John 8:36

FURTHER READING:

Read the the entire chapter of 2 Samuel 18 for more insight.

PRAY:

Father, I thank you for being a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path, guiding and leading me into all truth. Thank you for your immense protection over my life. Thank you for establishing your word in me and watching to perform it. I pray you continue to be my guide, lead, protect and walk with me like the mighty terrible one warding off all preys from my life. I pray you open the eyes of the enemy to see the good works you are continuously doing so that your name will be glorified, in Jesus’ mighty name I pray, AMEN!

THANK YOU JESUS!

WHAT DO YOU STAND FOR? GOOD OR BAD?

Memory verse: Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter sweet, and sweet for bitter.

What is going on in our world today? Right and wrong have been interchanged with the other. Evil lifestyle has been accepted as good whereas good lifestyle is considered evil by this present generation. Now, living upright especially, according to the dictates of the Holy Spirit (teachings of the Bible) is seen colloquial. The sins (fruit of the flesh) such as: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, witchcraft, hatred, envying, murders, drunkenness, heresies, strife, emulation, wrath…., (Galatian 5:19-21) are the very things majority of humans have embraced as right and are actively engaged in.

Humans nowadays overlook holiness and go in for their own lustful desires. Talk of homosexuality, prostitution, transgender, pornography, and many more, are all done in the name of human rights and freedom. It is very appalling and pathetic that man is not able to stand for God in this end time.

Elders are afraid of talking against evil because they feel it can hurt someone’s feeling. Preaching of holiness as against sin is no more appealing to the ears of men. Therefore, it has become difficult to rebuke wrongdoing. If they do, people would consequently leave the church.

  1. Would you rather follow the sinful world and lose your salvation? Or
  2. Would you stand for Good even when all are against it?

The Bible says “WOE” to those that do such. It’d be very severe for man to bear the “WOES”, because no man can stand the wrath of God.

Sweety, ask a friend today, that, My Dear, HOW DO YOU SEE EVIL?

May our caring God strengthen us so that we can stand against all odds in this evil dominated world, that He will give us the courage to stand for what is right~~in JESUS’ NAME!~~

Dorohty_Incoom_Botchwey
 #SALVATION_SERIES_2016

GOD’S TRUSTED WATCHMAN

Memory Verse: Ezekiel 33:7. So, thou O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore, thou shalt hear the word of my mouth, and warn them from me.

The above is the word of God sent to Prophet Ezekiel. God set him as a watchman over Israel, to listen to the voice of God and to caution the inhabitants of Israel concerning every revelation or words the Lord passes through him. That was a heavenly assignment. Had Ezekiel relaxed and decided not to do what the Lord commanded him, the people would have fallen into multiple temptations. His ability to carry the word of God to the Israelites made them know the true intents of God for their lives; they knew whether their present lifestyle was pleasing to God or not; they knew what they needed to correct.
Brethren, Ezekiel is no more, therefore, God has set me and you over every believer and unbelievers; to send God’s message, let them know of God’s intent for them and how they can also become the children of God.
 To our fellow Christians, God has given us the responsibility to correct each other whenever we see that they are swaying from the truth, or for some reason, might be falling from the grace. We are the watchmen of God and must see farther than others do. We ought to guard ourselves with the truth; not selfishly keep the truth of salvation; __rather, we must announce to the ends of the world that God’s heartbeat is that, everyone be saved.

A watchman stays awake to fight unforeseen battles. A watchman stays awake to ward off preys. A watchman stays awake to guard and protect. A watchman stays alert to ensure everything is alright.
 God’s watchman should be ready to propagate the word of God, both to his fellow Christians and to the world.

God has called you as His watchman;__ so stand up to the call,_ live for Him alone,_ spread His word,_ caution and win the ungodly and bring the backsliders back to Christ__ For God shall count you as a faithful servant.

#Dorothy_Incoom_Botchwey
 #SALVATION_SERIES

AN ENEMY OF GOD…?

Memory Verse: Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is enemy of God. James 4:4

After reading this scripture, you might be tempted to ask;

  1. Is God not the same person who created the world?
  2. If yes, then why is the Bible which was inspired by God, speaking against friendship of the world?
  3. Are the things in the world not God’s handiworks?

Indeed, out of Love, God created the world. For the comfort of men, He put everything at our disposal: to use and never to lack. But men always take undue advantage over God’s generosity and abuse His creation, __ go extra miles in engaging in indecent and unpleasing acts.

Man might also ask;__ if God created everything, then is He not the same person who put certain ideas in the minds of men?

Yes, God put wisdom in humans so that we can live better lives and be able to utilize His creation to our benefit. Yet, humanity, instead of being thankful and in return live holy life, turn against the Will of God. We turn our hearts to the love of our own lustful desires and the pleasures of this world (the very things that lead men to total damnation; those things which God frowns on). Sweetheart don’t be mistaken because if Satan was able to deceive and turn the hearts of the third part of The Heavenly Hosts of Angels against God, then it is untiringly easy for the pleasures of this world to sway you away from God.

My dear, chill all you can; have fun; enjoy the things God has created: but remember to STAY FOCUSED. Never allow the pleasures to sway you away and to take your Christianity away from you. I love you just as God loves you. Don’t be God’s enemy because you are valuing the world more than you would offer to God.

Please tell a friend, “BE A FRIEND OF GOD BUT NOT AN ENEMY.”

SALVATION AND THE DOUBTING CONSCIENCE

Most people, after hearing the salvation message, get a strong urge to surrender their all to God. In trying to do so, one thing, “THE THOUGHTS OF THEIR PAST SINS,” keeps them away. They say, “GOD I’M READY, USE ME,” but the enemy reminds them of their past sins. That “guilty conscience of past sins” becomes their accuser. It makes them feel that they are unworthy of God’s love, thinking that God wouldn’t forgive them.

Beloved, God is ever ready to embrace you into His Loving Bosom. He will never use your sins against you. Once you genuinely make up your mind to welcome Him into your life, He also genuinely marks you as His child. Truly, it was for that cause that He sent His only son, Jesus, to atone for our sins with His flawless blood.

MEMORY VERSE: Luke 5:32 “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Jesus’ mission on earth was to come to the rescue of those who know and accept that they are sinners. Sweety, if that regretful conscience is weighing you down, PLEASE CLEAR IT OFF, LEAVE IT TO GOD, for you are the correct target for Jesus. He came purposely for you. Jesus didn’t come to accuse you of your sins, rather, He came to LOVE, to HEAL, to SAVE, and to tell you that, __IF YOU ARE WILLING, THEN YOU’LL BE HIS FOREVER.__ Oh, what a love! 😀 That’s why Jesus never accused the woman who was caught in the act of fornication. Instead, He said, “…NEITHER DO I CONDEMN THEE, GO AND SIN NO MORE.” (John 8:11)

Royals, Jesus condemn you not, He says; you’re the Apple of His Eyes. Surrender, for He will give you, “THE CLEAREST CONSCIENCE.”

My dear, please tell a friend today that, “YOU’RE THE APPLE OF JESUS’ EYE. COME TO HIM AND HE WILL MAKE YOU FEEL WORTHY OF HIS LOVE.”

Have a blissful day👋🏾

©‪#‎_Dorothy_Incoom_Botchwey
‪#‎SALVATION_SERIES_2016