The Whole World Lies Under The Sway Of The Wicked One

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. ~ 1 John 1:7

I am not surprised in the least bit that the Fifty Shades of Grey erotic (read: pornographic) series for women started out as fan fiction by the author, who was a fan of Twilight series (and would even appropriate Twilight characters) for her blog stories. Some of you reading this will just not understand what I am getting at; some of you will.

The Fifty Shades of Grey series by E.L. James has beat the sales of Harry Potter (which was the modern example of a literary revolution appearing in textbooks just a few years ago). According to Business Insider, the demand for these books have boosted sales for all adult/erotic fiction 25% across the board. And some commentators say that the book is now sparking a sexual “revolution” among women which has various implications.

Folks, all satan needs is an entrance. Then one thing will come into your life, then another, then a next…Watch these shifts in the culture, they mean something. Watch the sudden rise to fame of certain people and products, they mean something. Satan is "the god of this world", the “spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience (unbelievers),” and "the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one" says Scripture (2 Cor. 4;4; 1 Jn 5:19; Eph 2:2).

Christian, you need to be discerning. Unbelievers do not have the Spirit of God; they have no choices, only preferences.

Let him who has ears to hear, hear. And walk in the light as He is in the light.

I imagine that some are going to read this and wonder what rock I crawled out from under. A lot are going to ask ‘what's the problem with porn anyway?’ A lot are going to justify this all and say that those books are actually improving their relationships and sex life. What they don't know is how satan operates. How all he needs is an entrance, then their lives are going to malfunction in ways they may never ‘see’ but which will affect them and those connected to them for eternity. I blog this out of great concern having seen firsthand the destructive effects of such influences in the lives of others. I know they cannot see it, but what they are buying into is not 'entertainment' or a 'sexual revolution', but the first steps to spiritual bondages they never dreamed of.

How Will Deliverance Come?

"Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." ~ Psalm 50:15
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all." ~ Psalm 34:19

We have numerous promises from our God that whenever we call upon Him for help, for rescue, for deliverance in the time of trouble, He will answer. That's an astounding promise if we think about it. The God who always prevails, who is the terror of His enemies, who is mightier than all, guaranteeing us with the bond of His word to show up and deliver us.

I haven't discovered any incident in the entire Bible where someone walking with the LORD ever called upon Him and was not answered. There is the case of the rebellious king Saul seeking God for help near the end of his life, and God was silent to him. But Saul was not walking with God and not at all repentant - just very afraid of the enemy that was coming against him and his armies. On the contrary, even the most vile and evil kings of Israel, such as Manasseh, obtained mercy from the LORD and help against enemies when they called upon Him in true repentance. God's word certainly stands, and how much more for His own children who call upon Him in the day of trouble!

But how does deliverance come? What is our part in a battle that we are facing?
In Scripture there are two main patterns we see: God fights for us and we sit back and watch His work OR God fights for us and we fight. In either case victory is assured.

We have examples of God protecting and defending Daniel in the lion's den - Daniel just waited there (Daniel 6); God leading Israel out of Egypt by terrifying signs and wonders and destroying Pharaoh's armies in the middle of the sea - Israel just kept walking forward (Exodus 14); God defeating Jehoshaphat's enemy by causing the enemy alliance to become so confused that they slaughtered one another till no one was left - Judah just marched out singing praises to the LORD (2 Chronicles 20).

On the other hand, we have numerous examples of God 'giving an enemy into the hand of' the armies of Israel and Judah but they were required to send their men out to battle. In cases where they fully obeyed God, not even a single man of their armies was killed. King David habitually took every battle to God in prayer, whether he should go to war or not, and this is also when he would get strategy from God. There is no biblical record or David ever losing a battle in decades of fighting! Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Gideon and many of the judges and kings of Israel and Judah were given great deliverances from enemies in this way. They conquered entire nations in battle - nations far mightier and greater in number - because God had given them His help, but they were required to face the enemy with their weapons.

Perhaps most of us want our deliverance to come while we watch and wait, not having to make any move of our own, not having to commit to any strategy, not even having to seek God desperately in prayer and fasting. It seems far easier. But I would point out that the biblical instances of deliverance coming in the supernatural-no-humans-involved way are far less than the number of battles that had to actually be fought.

We do not determine which way deliverance will come. But we have many, many promises from God that it will come. He will come. Until we're safely out of harm's way and trouble's surge we have in God Himself a hiding place, a rock of refuge, comfort and a shield. We stay close to Him in prayer, in praise and worship, and by filling ourselves with the wisdom of His word. Our part in the day of trouble is to call upon the Lord, trust Him implicitly, and obey whatever He says to do.

Waiting It Out

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. 

Isaiah 55:10-11, ESV

This is a popular scripture, particularly verse 11, but many of us are missing the big picture that God wants us to grasp from His comparison in verse 10. Believing God's word, doing God's word, praying God's word, confessing/declaring God's word, waiting on God's word are all critical. Yet these do not change the fact that, sometimes, seeing God's word come to pass in a particular situation entails a season of seeing nothing visibly happening, or of seeing what seems to be stops and starts, and really slow growth.

I recall viewing an interview with Germaine Copeland, the author of the popular Prayers That Avail Much series of books (they are good aids to effectual prayer because the prayers are paraphrased from Scripture and therefore based upon God's will). When asked how the books began to be written, Germaine Copeland shared how she started to write these prayers when her son began the downward slide into drugs and crime at the age of 15. She started to write these prayers out as a mother desperately seeking God's deliverance for him. She spoke of times of emotional distress but testified that her faith grew increasingly stronger as the years passed. It was 28 years before her son finally got off drugs, and this year marks 12 years that he has been sober, saved, and growing in Christ. During those 'praying years' she learned to let go and let God - by continuing to pray and wait for Him. Many of her prayer books were written within that time which also transformed her life, and produced a ministry of global prayer and intercession.

Verse 10, "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater," shows a process that God's word undergoes. The process over an extended period of time means that:

•     something is being watered
•     something is being brought forth
•     something is budding
•     something is being brought to fullness so that it goes on to provide 'bread' for the NOW
•     something is growing to the point of maturity to enable it to produce 'seed' for the FUTURE

We thank God for the instant and quick manifestations of promises, help, and deliverance - but not all will come in that way. We can be encouraged though. Don't give up. Don't stop. Don't let what has already been accomplished in the earth, under the cover of soil and moonlight be aborted now. Keep on watering it with the word of God. Mix the seed with faith. To faith, add patient endurance. Faith and patient endurance will inherit what God has promised. Continue to trust and obey Him. Cultivate a heart of praise and thanksgiving.

When we are in agreement with God's will on a matter about which He has spoken, God says to us that His word will never return to Him without accomplishing His purpose. That settles it.

Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who has fulfilled with His hands what He spoke with His mouth

2 Chronicles 6:4

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The End Intended By The Lord

We don't often understand God's timing when we are crying out for help, healing, or deliverance from some situation and nothing seems to change quickly. It is just one more area where His ways are higher than our way and His thoughts higher than our thoughts (see Isaiah 55:9). While there are many times when prayer is manifestly answered in a short space of time, and even times when God's answer comes while we're still speaking and making that request, many more times it seems that waiting is required. I have found that it makes all the difference in the midst of trials and uncertainty to know that God is good, and to be convinced by His word that in the life of those whose hearts are set upon Him nothing is sent or permitted without His redeeming purpose. Indeed He has promised to cause all things to work together for good for those who love Him (see Romans 8:28). Nothing could be more sure.

Below are some snippets to encourage you to continue to call upon the Lord and to wait on Him, eagerly expecting His promise to be fulfilled in your life.

Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive."
Genesis 50:19-20

Joseph was cruelly betrayed by his brothers, separated from his father as a teenager, sold into slavery, falsely accused by an adulterous woman, imprisoned in a dungeon, forgotten by those he helped - until God's time arrived to place Joseph in a position of great power and authority that was the means of preserving the entire nation of Israel. His godly love forgiveness, and tenderness of heart towards his brothers upon the revelation of his true identity many years later only served to prove that his heart and emotions had also been healed from all he had suffered. His recorded life after that point showed how God had recompensed him for enduring years of trial with reunion with his father and family, a household of his own, and great authority, wealth, and favor with God and with man for all the remainder of his days.

Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
James 5:11

Job was an upright man who diligently obeyed the Lord and revered Him in His holiness, even making sacrifices for the atonement of his children's sins 'just in case' they had sinned in their house parties. He was generous to the poor and to his friends, and full of wisdom. Then satan was granted permission to tempt him, bringing staggering disaster, death, and sickness to Job's life. Yet Job did not sin against God. He wrestled with understanding the ways of God but when God did answer, Job was awed by a fuller understanding of the greatness of His God. And God used him as a vessel for mercy to his friends who had not spoken what was right about the Lord. The remainder of Job's days were days of restored happiness, family, and even greater wealth than he had ever had before. God's intended end for Job certainly touched more lives than ever before by his testimony in the land of Ur among strangers, his friends and family, and to all who gain comfort from this portion of the Scriptures all these thousands of years later.

Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."
John 9:1-3

All sin has consequences, and sometimes that includes physical afflictions (see John 5:13-15), yet not all afflictions are the result of sin. This man born blind from birth was marvelously healed (and saved from sin!) by his encounter with Jesus at the point of his need, and became an undeniable example of the power and grace of God to the people and Pharisees. In the same way, God will allow or prepare situations through which He will display Himself to you and others in ways that bring Him glory, and accomplish good for you.

Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”
When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”
John 11:3-7,14

Bad things do happen to good people. But just as in this case with Lazarus' illness and subsequent death, which Jesus even wept over openly, having to endure suffering does not mean that God does not love us. When God's power was displayed in raising Lazarus from the dead after four days of burial, He became an irrefutable witness that Jesus Christ had power and authority from God even over death, to give life. This act not only caused many other lives to be saved, but would have sealed the truths about resurrection and hope that Jesus had taught to many of his disciples up to that point - comfort which would have been needed during this time which was only shortly before His own death and resurrection.

Be encouraged! If you love God and have set your heart and hope upon Him, every trial which you have not been quickly rescued from will also serve a higher purpose for God's glory and your good. Remain steadfast and immovable upon His word. When your help, deliverance, and restoration comes, the pain of the present days will no more be felt - only remembered in such a way that your heart rejoices with gratitude and awe towards the LORD.  Facebook
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Be Wary Of The Wicked

Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, For the reward of his hands shall be given him.

Isaiah 3:11

The Bible contains over 300 references to wicked people and the wicked one altogether. Jesus also told many parables in which he made reference to wicked people and the outcome of their actions. The Proverbs tell us that the sacrifices, ways, and thoughts of wicked people are an abomination to God (Proverbs 15:8,9,26), and 1 Peter 3:12 tells us that the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

It can be argued that every person apart from Christ is wicked, for this is the nature of unregenerate man. But in everyday life, we see clearly that among the unsaved, there are those whose lives stand out for the fact that they take a special delight in doing wicked things, particularly when it comes to blaspheming God, harming others, and standing against God's truth. I am referring to those whose hearts are hardened and whose tastes for evil are continually indulged without the pinpricks of conscience. They reject God's truth and serve only themselves, pursuing their selfish lusts and seeking to entice others.

The gospel must be preached to the wicked, because the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to those who will believe (Romans 1:16), but believers are certainly not to fellowship with the wicked. Sometimes a believer deceives self into thinking that such fellowship will amount to an evangelistic or missionary effort. I have seen this happen in the real world and even online. Communicating the gospel, or teaching the truth is by no means the equivalent of communion and fellowship. The unsaved should find believers of Jesus Christ to be compassionate, humble, and patient - full of genuine goodness, but can never find a true Christian to be a "kindred spirit". If this were the case, something is very wrong about the Christian's walk with God and inner life - regardless of what is presented on the outside.

The Scriptures contain examples of various wicked people in both the Old and New Testaments. Here is a brief look at just three New Testament examples of people who enjoyed their wickedness and hated the truth:

Herodias (Matt. 14:3-11; Mark 6:17-28; Luke 3:19)
Herodias was the wife of Herod Philip I. She left her husband and entered an adulterous marriage with her husband's brother, Herod Antipas. When John the Baptist confronted Herod Antipas about this unlawful marriage, it was Herodias whose ire was greatly stoked and she wanted to have him killed. In fact, "Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly"(Mark 6:20). Finally, upon a hasty oath that was made by Herod to Herodias' daughter when she pleased him and his guests with a dance, Herodias found a way to get rid of John the Baptist. She instructed her daughter to ask Herod for the head of John the Baptist immediately as her reward. Although Herod was sorry, he had made an oath before many guests and had the murder of John the Baptist carried out immediately.

Elymas the sorcerer (or Bar-Jesus a false prophet) (Acts 13:6-12)
This Jewish false prophet had attached himself to the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, perhaps as a counselor. The proconsul called for the apostles Barnabas and Saul "and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith." Again, we see that this wicked man hated the truth. Not only would he reject it personally, but he also sought to stand in the way of others who might believe the gospel of Jesus Christ.
"Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?" (vs. 9-10)
God executed a divine judgment of blindness upon this sorcerer immediately which, despite all his wicked efforts to prevent the proconsul from turning to Christ, became the very means of persuading him of the truth of the gospel.

Jezebel (Revelation 2:20-23)
The Lord Jesus sent a message by the apostle John to the church at Thyatira (which seemed to be a model church in love, works, and faith), rebuking them for permitting a false prophetess to seduce many with her teachings into sexual immorality and idolatry.
"Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent"
This woman not only rejected truth and enjoyed her sin, but also taught and seduced others to do the same. God's mercy was available and she rejected it.

Believers in Christ are God's sheep and Christ is the great Shepherd (Heb. 11:20). The enemies of God who give themselves to do evil can be likened to goats (Matt. 25:31-46). These are the wicked who reject the gospel of Jesus Christ and are reserved for judgment and punishment. Sheep and goats can often be found in the same fold. David cried out in many of his Psalms for deliverance from wicked men. Christ exhorts us to be "wise as serpents but gentle as doves"(Matt. 10:16). Paul requested prayers "that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith"(2 Thess. 3:1-2) and in another letter he reported that Alexander the coppersmith had done him much evil (2 Tim. 4:14).

The purpose of this post is to remind you that there are wicked people who are real enemies to your faith, and who can do you and your cause great harm, spiritually and otherwise. I believe it is an error to assume that people are 'basically good'. Many of the unsaved persons we meet are deceived and mean well in various deeds they undertake. But there are many others who are violent enemies of the truth. These are aware and willing agents of satan to entice or seduce believers into sin, or to hinder the work of God. In sharing the gospel of Christ, remember to be wise and discerning about how you relate to the unsaved.

Jesus Is (Still) Willing

Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.
Mark 1:40-42

In the times of the Bible being pronounced as a leper was a life changing event, for the worse. Apart from the physical affliction, degeneration, and handicap that could result, one would be cut off immediately from one's family and friends, from making a living in society, from attending public worship gatherings and any other vestige of a once-normal life [see here for a synopsis of this topic in the bible; see here for a few pictures - may be graphic]. One was even required to cry out, 'Unclean, unclean' when approached by anyone (Lev. 13:45). Many scholars now believe that biblical leprosy comprised a variety of contagious infections, but whatever the case, it is clear that at that time no cure could be provided by man. The lot of the leper was generally that of perpetual rejection, ostracism, and shame.

The plight of this leper recorded in the gospel of Mark was dire. He was afflicted with something that no man could cure. He had heard of a man who preached and taught with authority, commanded demons, and healed various diseases. And perhaps he had even heard of the disposition of this Man, that He was humble, compassionate, patient, upright, not reproaching the sinner or scornful. And the leper put his faith in Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

The leper came with humility (imploring, kneeling, saying if You are willing) and faith (You can make me clean). Jesus was moved with compassion. How often in the gospels we see (and read) that Jesus was moved with compassion at the need and weakness of man. I imagine Christ's heart was broken by this man's plight. Jesus who perceived the heart and thoughts of the wicked Scribes and Pharisees, must have also perceived the record of rejection, abandonment, pain and loss in this leper's life, and the near hopelessness of being bound by an infirmity for which he could not obtain a cure.

Read that Scripture again and notice the order of events. Jesus met the leper's humility and faith with a heart of compassion. Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him. Then Jesus spoke a word of reassurance (I am willing), and a word of command (be cleansed). And "as soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed" (vs. 42).

Jesus Christ, "the same yesterday, and today, and for ever", has not changed (Heb. 13:8). Jesus' heart is still filled with compassion towards the person who is suffering under the bondage of sin, or its effects. And He is not afraid to touch you whatever the disease or fallout looks like. He is still willing. And he will still heal those who come with humility and faith.

Many give up or stop short if their miracle is not immediate. We do not often consider how many prayers this leper must have prayed before today...The same can be said of the woman with the issue of blood for twelve long years, who only worsened. Or the man in the synagogue with the withered hand. Or the man born blind. Or the paralytic on the mat who had already been that way a long time. Or the daughter of Abraham who had been bound by a spirit by infirmity that caused her body to be doubled over for many years. Or the deaf and dumb mutes and the many demon-possessed...The disciples' gospels hint at their stories. These all suffered for various lengths of time. I am certain that prayer would have been offered to God on their behalf by family members, and some would have made supplications to God many times for themselves - long before Jesus of Nazareth appeared, teaching, preaching, and healing.

What is the lesson for us? If you are afflicted by a disease of the body, soul, or spirit; if you need transformation from the inside out; and if you still have a will to be free, a desire to be cleansed, Jesus is still willing. He is the only One who can cure your condition and make you free indeed (John 8:36). Do not cease to "cry out all the more" as blind Bartimaeus did, (although many rebuked him and warned him to be quiet [Mark 10:46-52]). Jesus Christ still has a heart of compassion for you. Remain humble, persistent, and nurture your faith in Him.

Recognize and Resist Stumbling Blocks

From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”
But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
Matthew 16:21-23

As I was recently pondering the statement Jesus made in Verse 23 I saw just how much it applies to us today. The word used as 'satan' in verse 23 comes from the Hebrew word which means "opponent" or "adversary". The word that is translated "offence" describes a snare or trap. It literally comes from the word which describes the trap stick that would be used to ensnare an animal when hunting. In other words, an offence is something which causes us to fall or stumble into sin unsuspectingly, or under the guise of something else. And the word given as "mindful" has to do with setting the mind and affections on something, with regard to disposition, concern, or obedience.

Peter was attempting to persuade Jesus to take a course of action that was contrary to God's will for His life. He did so because he was seeking worldly things that pertain to man (perhaps earthly rule, kingdom and status) and this was opposed to the will of God for Jesus' life. Jesus' rebuke makes it clear that this was no slight matter. If we would look at the situation above with our human reasoning we may think that Jesus over-reacted. But we know that He didn't over-react and that this incident is in Scripture because it conveys something which is important for us to know and understand. Traps on our path may involve some very obvious people and things, as well as other more veiled and insidious plots, but all of them lead us into destruction - always leading us out of the will of God. We must be careful to separate ourselves from any thing or person leading, enticing, or counseling us contrary to the will of God.

There is danger in giving our ear and time to listening to counsel that is contrary to God's will, and perhaps more so when it comes through a friendly vessel, someone we trust or have a relationship with. The Scripture speaks of having "ears to hear what the Spirit says (Matt. 11:15, Rev. 2:29)" and warns against "giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons (1 Tim 4:1)". Yes, it matters greatly what our ears hear and give heed to. What we hear can have such an effect as to cause us to stray from the path of God's will, either by misleading us or enticing us to rebellion by doing things our own way.

In a time when everyone seems to have an opinion and wants to be heard, or wants to give their free advice, we are bound to have acquaintances who may well be the ones to set these stumbling blocks in our way. If this is the case, we should interrupt those who are giving their advice or opinions contrary to the will of God and not allow them to continue. We do not have to be mean, but we cannot afford to be politically correct and tolerant of something that is dangerous to our spirit and soul. Christ didn't. We must let Jesus be our example in recognizing and resisting such stumbling blocks because these are obstacles on the narrow path that leads to eternal life.

All An Intercessor Can Do...

An intercessor stands before God to make requests, petitions, and to speak good for another (Jer. 18:20). The intercessor's ministry is a powerful and fruitful one because of the mercy and compassion of the Lord, but the intercessor soon learns that in themselves they are powerless and unable to 'save' another person.

Before I continue with my little thought for today, I cannot help but share some eye-opening Hebrew word study that will make the importance and intensity of intercession stand out to you in a profound way. Please note that the study below includes some key picture images of the ancient Hebrew letters which I am not able to paste here. If you would like to receive the orginal Word doc. file please email me and request it at caribbean[dot]shulamite[at]yahoo[dot]com.

By: Kathy Nichols
Ancient Hebrew Research Center
Biblical Hebrew E-Magazine
December, 2005, Issue #022

The second word usually translated intercession is the child root “paga”. You will recognise the (peh) which is the picture of a mouth from last months article. The first new picture form in this word is the picture of a foot which means to walk, gather, carry etc. It has the “g” sound. Paga means a chance meeting or encounter, or to place as a meeting. This could be an impingement, which figuratively means to attack with persistent requests. It can be persistently, even to the point of annoyance! When we read this, we are immediately drawn to the parables and sayings of Jesus concerning asking, seeking and knocking. No doubt God loves us to impinge on His wonderful grace to enable those we pray for to fulfill the role they were intended for. An unripe fig becoming ripe! In actual fact the parent root of “paga” the word pag means “Unable to fulfill the role intended for. An unripe fig!” The third picture added to this parent root is the picture of an eye which means experience, to see, to know and understand. In prayer we desire to ask for those who are living unfulfilled lives without the Lord, or lives with affliction and inability, because we have experienced and know what God can do for them. Having received this experience from such a benevolent and kind creator should challenge us to walk as close to Him as we can. This will enable God to touch our hearts in prayer to experience at times how other people feel and also how He Himself feels. This is an immense honour.

Is 53:12 “ while actually bearing the sin of many and interceding for the offenders.”

Is 59:15b,16a “..Adonai saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no justice; He saw there was no one, and was amazed that that no one interceded. Therefore His own arm brought him salvation…”

Here the words for intercession are “paga”.

So what Isaiah is pointing out is that God desired to bring about justice, but there was no intercessor – no-one willing to impinge on Him and because of the terrible state of the land, and no-one praying, God was appalled and disappointed.

A fascinating use of “paga” is found in Isaiah 53:6 ..the Lord laid (paga) on him the iniquity of us all.” The word is meaning our sins “fell” on Jesus, (so we could become what He intended). If one reads through all the verses using “paga” a good number of them are about “falling on” someone and the person dying, so there is great intensity in this word.

Intercession is a critical task and God seeks for intercessors that He may show His mercy and compassion to those who are headed for destruction or being spiritually attacked. Many more lives than we know have been changed and impacted by the personal intercession of family and friends, church prayer groups and the like. Many times the intercessor may not see the changes prayed for take place but they receive the answer by faith and lay the burden of a matter down.

When praying for the souls of people we are praying for hearts and wills that may resist but this is a difficult area to understand. God has given man free will to make choices between life and death; and He can also turn the hearts of men. Most certainly He is able to orchestrate circumstances to deal with the hindering blindness or pride of a person that may be resisting His mercy.

Needless to say, intercessors soon learn that to pray is all they can really do for they are not able to bring the change they are hopeful about. Some people we pray for are deluded and deceived by their sins, believing they are in right standing with God or that He will overlook their disobedience under their 'special' circumstances. They hear God's call to repentance and believe it is for someone else (see Jer. 2:35).

Other people will not turn to God and do not want to change even when they hear God's call to repentance and His promise of forgiveness. These are usually hardened hearts who have often been rebuked and invited to turn to God. No one can know of the instance in which God will give them over to the sins that they love. Having forfeited and scoffed at the patient mercy of the Lord, these will eventually come to the place where God may say as He did to Jeremiah concerning the people of Israel and Judah, "Do not pray for them because I will not hear"[See Jeremiah 5:1-3;18:11-12; 7:16].

All an intercessor can do in those difficult cases is to:
~ obey the heart cry of the Spirit of God that compels them to pray for another
"And I sought a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord." Ezekiel 22:30-31

~ weep for the unrepentant
"If you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears, because the LORD’s flock will be taken captive." Jeremiah 13:17

~ move on in God's plan
"And Samuel went no more to see Saul until the day of his death. Nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul, and the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel. Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.” 1 Samuel 15:35,16:1

Navigating Trials

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:2-7

For a long time I read the popular passage from the book of James (shown above) as two separate thoughts that just happened to be written close together: one about trials, and the other about wisdom. Recently I've come to see that they are related because, in fact, we need the wisdom of God when we are undergoing trials. To begin with, we will need the wisdom of God to understand what the source of our trial is and to choose the correct response. Without the wisdom of God we may expend energy and time fighting the wrong battle, or using the wrong strategy and simply allowing ourselves to become weary with little to no progress.

In this new year, you and I are sure to fall into new trials - and we are perhaps still going through ongoing trials. Go through the trials with the knowledge that God uses them to test and build an increasingly resilient faith in Him. This faith will make you bold on the Day of Christ's appearing and will not be regretted. Only remember this open invitation to ask and receive God's wisdom. It may make all the difference.

O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.

2 Chronicles 20:12

Ingredients of Effective Prayer (7)

This is the 11th post in a series on Praying Effectively. We talked about what effective prayers are and in the most recent post we learned that effective prayer requires that we are willing to be persistent and willing to wait on God. If you are just joining me, please see the end for a special note before continuing!


(7). Righteous character and lifestyle.

To knowingly entertain and tolerate sin in our life is self-deception because God is not mocked and whatever we sow we shall reap (Gal. 6:7). Sin separates us from intimate communion with God.

Isaiah 59:1-3
Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened,
That it cannot save;
Nor His ear heavy,
That it cannot hear.
But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
And your sins have hidden His face from you,
So that He will not hear.
For your hands are defiled with blood,
And your fingers with iniquity;
Your lips have spoken lies,
Your tongue has muttered perversity.

Psalms 66:16-20
Come and hear, all you who fear God,
And I will declare what He has done for my soul.
I cried to Him with my mouth,
And He was extolled with my tongue.
If I regard iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not hear.
But certainly God has heard me;
He has attended to the voice of my prayer.
Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer,
Nor His mercy from me!

James 5:16
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Acts 10:1-5
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?”
So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.

[All emphasis is mine]

There is forgiveness for sins we confess and turn our backs on, and God is indeed patient towards us because of His great love and mercy. Nevertheless, we cannot live any way we want, fulfilling the lusts of the flesh and given to worldliness, and expect to receive God’s attention to our prayers.

[This is the 11th post in a series on the subject of prayer. In the previous installment we looked at the need for persistence, consistency and faith that is willing to wait.  These posts are interspersed among other blog topics so for the easy identification of related posts, look for the label 'praying effectively - series' in the sidebar. If you are just now joining in I recommend that you read the first post where I shared my reason for doing this series. I hope to share practical keys and insight into praying effectively, in bite-size blog posts which you can easily follow.]

Authority to trample...all the power of the enemy

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 10:17-20

Jesus delegated authority to seventy disciples to preach the kingdom of God, to heal the sick, and cast out demons. They returned amazed at the power of His name to command demons. And Jesus assured them that in His name they did indeed have authority over these enemies. He also gave a promise that in executing this authority they could not be harmed. And finally He gave a sober reminder so that they would not get unbalanced or view everything in light of spiritual authority. He reminded them that they should rejoice because they had been rescued from the kingdom of darkness and its power and that through no merit of their own, they had received eternal life.

I know a lot of Christians are afraid to exercise spiritual authority like this. It's unfamiliar and unpopular. We've seen and heard excesses and downright kooky behavior evolve out of 'deliverance' ministries. Others believe that this is something that only specially anointed ministers can ever do, and some would say only the apostles of the early Church were given this authority. Most others don't really want to know more about this, whether they can or cannot, because of the fear they have of 'demons' and other supernatural occurrences.

I believe that many Christians are facing longstanding situations in their lives or lives of family members that can be more quickly overcome if they would combine their prayer with fasting, and faith in Jesus' words here. I am not only referring to dealing with demonization in people (which the disciples did often encounter) but there are various other activities, situations, and occurrences which are empowered or sustained by evil spirits. I believe that we were given authority over all the power of the enemy because God knows that we need it.

Those sent out with power  and authority in Luke 10 were not only the twelve apostles chosen by Christ, but also many others who were simply disciples, believers like you and me. The authority they had was linked firmly to Jesus and it was exercised in His name. Consider that Christ wielded such power and authority even before His crucifixion and resurrection. And now that He is seated at the right hand of God as the ultimate Overcomer with a Name above every name, for all ages, how can we have anything to fear when we place our faith in His word and His name (Eph. 1:19-22; Matt. 28:18; Col. 2:15)?

Do not be afraid then. Instead, study the Scriptures and ask the Lord to teach you what you need to know about equipping yourself with the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18), walking in the power of the Holy Spirit, and exercising this authority in Jesus' Name. Keep your eyes on Jesus. And continue to rejoice that your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Burning the Quran

I did not intend to weigh in on this until today. As the anniversary of 9/11 draws nearer, I am hoping, and have prayed that this Pastor's endeavor will be thwarted somehow. For me this has nothing to do with tolerance because I don't really believe in 'tolerance' as it is popularly touted. Neither do I respect or consider this false religion and any of it's books in particular to be worthy of any type of protection. But I see a much deeper problem here.

After having listened to notable converts from Islam such as Mosab Hassan Yousef, Walid Shoebat, and Kamal Saleem, I've learned from their own admissions and definitions that Islam is more than a religion. It is in fact a political system that is bent on world domination and it is very intolerant. Many notable bible scholars, as well as some of these converts, believe that this 'religion' is the vehicle that the anti-Christ will use to achieve his near global reign for the allotted period of time the Bible foretells.

What does burning the Quran have to do with any of this? Well, for one thing, it is not the method Christ set out for us to deal with unbelievers. Their books have no power in and of itself. This is more of a social protest being done in the name of Christ, and I believe, erroneously so. The "burning" should take place in the lives of Christians first. I cannot help but wonder how many of the members of that church, or of those in agreement with this, have books (novels, magazines, so-called 'Christian' literature) in their homes which should be discarded. And what about going a little further and looking into their DVD and CD collections, their cable TV subscriptions and so on? And what if we went further still and examined their conversation, their habits, the way their time is spent, their service or behavior towards the unsaved neighbors around them? Is there genuine good works, fruit of the Spirit, prayer and intercession for others in their lives?

I will go so far as to say that I believe this pastor is simply being used as a pawn by satan in all of this. This act will give the radical Islamic elements 'justification' for any forthcoming hate crimes and acts of violence against Christians. Indeed, it will turn the spotlight squarely upon Christians in the West, in a whole new way (think: persecution), and fuel their agenda, perhaps after having obtained for them the sympathy of those who have been sitting on the fence until now.

This is my two cents on the subject at hand. While it is very easy for Christians to have and give their opinion, may we each also make a point of bringing this before God in our private prayers before 9/11 arrives.

The ways of deceivers

The following is an excerpt from a prophecy given at the Elim Bible Institute Summer Camp Meeting in 1965 by the late Stanley Frodsham. Stanley Frodsham was a recognized prophet and teacher in the Body of Christ whose life and ministry spanned the Pentecostal Revival, the great Healing Revival and the early days of the Charismatic Movement. Frodsham was a personal friend of Smith Wigglesworth and he also authored the well-known book, "Smith Wigglesworth: Apostle of Faith". This prophecy was given in Chicago, in 1965, five years before he died.

This excerpt, The Way of Deceivers is especially gripping to me. If ever we needed such warnings in the forefront of our minds, it is now. After reading, I encourage you to spend some time looking this up even further. This is the kind of prophecy that stirs up a true fear of God, and turns us back from rebellion and lukewarm service to God Himself - nothing like the cotton candy and fluff 'prophecy' that promises personal kingdoms and comforts nowadays.

The Ways of Deceivers

I warn you to search the Scriptures diligently concerning these last days. For the things that are written shall indeed be made manifest. There shall come deceivers among My people in increasing numbers, who shall speak forth the truth and shall gain the favour of the people. For the people shall examine the Scriptures and say, ‘What these men say is true’. Then when they have gained the hearts of the people, then and then only shall they bring out their wrong doctrines. Therefore I say that you should not give your hearts to men, nor hold people’s persons in admiration or adulation. For by these very persons Satan shall gain entry into My people. Watch for seducers! Do you think a seducer will brandish a heresy and flaunt it before the people? He will speak words of righteousness and truth and will appear as a minister of light, declaring the Word. The people’s hearts shall be won. Then when the hearts are won, they will bring out their doctrines and the people shall be deceived. The people shall say ‘Did he not speak thus and thus’? ‘And did we not examine it from the Word’? ‘Therefore he is a minister of righteousness. This that he has now spoken we do not see in the Word but it must be right, for the other things he spoke were true’.

Be not deceived. For the deceiver will first work to gain the hearts of many, and then shall bring forth his insidious doctrines. You can not discern those who are of Me and those who are not of Me when they start to preach. But seek Me constantly, and when these doctrines are brought out you shall have a witness in your heart that these are not of Me. Fear not, for I have warned you. It is possible that the very elect may be deceived. But it is not possible if you walk in holiness and uprightness before the Lord, for then your eyes shall be open and the Lord will protect you. If you will constantly look unto the Lord you will know when the doctrine changes, and will not be brought into it. If your heart is right I will keep you, if you will look constantly to Me, I will uphold you.

The minister of righteousness shall be on this wise --- his life shall agree with the word, and his lips shall give forth that which is wholly true, there will be no mixture. When the mixture appears then you will know he is not a minister of righteousness. The deceivers speak first the truth and then error, to cover their own sins which they love. Therefore I exhort and command you to study the Scriptures relative to seducing spirits, for this is one of the great dangers of these last days.

I desire you to be firmly established in My word and not in the personalities of men, that you will not be moved as so many shall be moved. I would keep you in the paths of righteousness. Take heed to yourselves and follow not the seducing spirits that are already manifesting themselves. Diligently inquire of Me when you hear something that you have not seen in the word, and do not hold people’s persons in admiration, for it is by this very method that Satan will hold many of My people.

This link will lead you to a site where you may read other sections found under the headings:
- Great Judgments
- Coming Glory - and Deceiving Spirits
- The Way of Triumph
- God's Part and Our Part

The strong man and his house

But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.
Mark 3:27, ESV

Jesus' statement above is part of a greater point He was making, but it is also safe to use this verse by itself to highlight a critical need for watchfulness as one given authority over the lives of others. Note that the man Jesus spoke of was a "strong" man. But being strong did not mean that he could not be bound by one stronger than he was. He therefore had a responsibility to watch over himself, so that he would not be taken unawares. If he remained free, he could successfully keep his home and his possessions from being plundered.

I was browsing the readers' comments in response to a (now forgotten) website article some months ago when I read an interesting comment. A woman shared that her husband had been giving himself over to some sexual sins which he had been sinking further and further into. As his sinful habits escalated, she begged him to get help but he refused. Eventually, this wife reported that their young children would report strange occurrences in their home and have nightmares. She too would sense evil presences in the home and other terrifying phenomena would occur. Finally one day the demonic activities escalated and manifested to such a degree that she called her husband in terror and reported what was happening in the home. He came home right away. This event is what got his attention, the reality of the supernatural occurrences and sheer fear they produced. At this point he knew that the spiritual attacks had everything to do with him and he turned to God. He chose repentance and started to pray for his family. Things changed in the home.

This woman's story, as best as I could recall it, makes me think of how important it is to have godly leadership that is also watchful and prayerful. This is all the more important in the foundational unit of a family. Her story is a dramatic example of what may take place, however, I believe that in most other cases (where scary demonic incidents may not be observed so plainly), just as dangerous spiritual intrusions occur. When the leader of the family has broken down the walls of that territory, or does nothing to defend and maintain them, that house is going to be plundered. Many spouses and children are out of control, and suffering unnecessary hindrances, addictions, and detours in their life because of bound fathers or authority figures. Perhaps the prevalent fatherless model today (bound and/or absent "strong men"), is a close second for its ability to sow heartache and destructive influences into many lives.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8, ESV

May we all be encouraged, in our spheres of authority, to be watchful and alert over our own souls that we may be able to protect and help those around us. Above all, be encouraged by knowing that Jesus Christ has proven that He is the stronger Man who can bind, overpower, and plunder the house of our strong enemies, just as He said:

But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil.
Luke 11:20-22, ESV

The throne of iniquity

Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, have fellowship with You? They gather together against the life of the righteous, and condemn innocent blood. But the Lord has been my defense, and my God the rock of my refuge. He has brought on them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; the Lord our God shall cut them off.
Psalm 94:20-23, NKJV

I wonder how many law-makers, congressmen, parliamentarians, and judges know that God is watching while they 'devise evil by law.'

Heaven is making records of its own as those given power in governments of the nations lobby and vote and pass bills to legalize abortion, homosexual marriage, and to ban the full-preaching of the truths of God's word while protecting the rights of those who engage in any other idolatry or immorality. Preachers of truth can be arrested and fined, praying to God is considered an 'offense' but citing texts and wearing symbols of witchcraft and any other religion are not. Gambling, pornography and 'adult entertainment' have long been legally acceptable options in various states and countries because some people have used their power to make them laws in the land. Any government so represented, is a throne of iniquity.

The country and people who espouse and defend evil by passing such bills in houses of government, will have their own iniquity come upon them, and sometimes, be openly exposed to the nations. Look and see, it's happening already as they struggle to contain crime; to counsel and control rebellious and violent youngsters; as they secretly suffer from messed up family-lives within the walls of their palatial homes, and are being enslaved by shameful addictions. It's coming upon them as the Scripture above says, and without a true repentance towards God, it's foretold that it's nothing but downhill from here.

God will protect His people who will be persecuted by means of these wicked laws that are being devised and defended by governments. Nevertheless, some suffering for the sake of Jesus and the word of God is assured. For the faithful, their endurance will turn out to be for their eternal advantage.

Where does my help come from?

Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the LORD!

Psalms 149:6-9

One need not be in the midst of spiritual warfare to praise and worship God acceptably. But I daresay there is no victorious spiritual warfare without acceptable praise and worship. Victory in battle is dependent on Him. If we understand where our help comes from, then we lift up our eyes through praise and worship. When our eyes are on Him His peace guards our heart and mind. Our trust in Him will always be rewarded.

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.       
He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.   
The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.         
The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Psalm 121

If you can believe

"And often he (the deaf and dumb spirit) has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

Mark 9:22-23, NKJV

This is an excerpt from the record of what was perhaps the most difficult case of demonization which the disciples encountered during their time with Jesus, before His death and resurrection. Of course, this particular unclean spirit posed no difficulty for Jesus, but even He acknowledged to His disciples that there was something additional needed in casting out "this kind," which "can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting" (verse 29). This could lead to an intriguing study on the reality of demons, their wicked work and - praise God - our authority in Jesus' name to break their power, but what I want to focus on today are the two little highlighted phrases.

You see, the father of the child tormented by this demon spirit came to Jesus' disciples and since it proved no ordinary case, they were not able to cast the demon out at that time. When Jesus comes along and interrupts the fracas (the scribes are now disputing with the disciples), the anxious and desperate father asks Him, "But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."

There is a direct link between his question and Jesus' response:
"If you can believe, all things are possible..."

It is the same with us today in every situation. We sometimes go to God with an attitude of "God if You can..." or "God if You care about me enough..." or "God if I earned enough worthy points..." We either question His ability or His willingness based on some condition, but God wants us to know that there is no limit to what He is able to do. It really is up to us. He will work in accordance with what we believe He is able to do. This sheer force of faith in God makes all things possible for a BELIEVER.

It's no wonder that we are reminded in Ephesians 3:20, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." There we see it again. There is no ability deficit in Him. But He works according to the power that works in us.

Is there the power of faith, in God's ability and in His word (will), working in you?

Make sure of this and with God, nothing, no request in agreement with His will, shall be impossible for you.

That father of the demonized child recognized his need for faith and cried out to the Lord Jesus, and he took a perfectly healthy, hearing and speaking child home with him that day.

Let Him be your fear and your dread

The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow;
Let Him be your fear, 

And let Him be your dread.
He will be as a sanctuary...

Isaiah 8:13-14a, NKJV

The verse above follows a command to the people of God not to be afraid of the things that others fear and not to be troubled by the threats of others. Instead, we are to have our eyes fixed on God. If we would make Him the only One we honor as holy, fully recognizing and respecting the authority and power that He wields, we will have no reason to fear our enemies. He will Himself be a sanctuary for us.

Of course, taking our eyes off an enemy, or a very difficult situation, does not come naturally to us. It takes an act of our will and requires continual effort to keep tight reins on our thoughts. God gives the grace that we need. But it means we will need to spend extra time reading, believing, and reciting in faith the promises of God to deliver those who wait for Him. The fruit of this, however, is an active peace that no one will be able to make sense of. This confident expectation in God's promise to 'show up' terrifies the enemy because he knows - from thousands of years' experience - that yes, for those who fully trust and wait on Him, God will indeed be faithful to deliver.

... Standing firm in one spirit...and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.

Philippians 1:27b-28, ESV

Cry out all the more

And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart. Get up; he is calling you." And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.
Mark 10:46-50, ESV

I really love this Scriptural account. As I read it I try to recreate the events in my mind. I see the scorn with which the blind man was treated - after all, the most popular Rabbi was passing through town and he was just the town's blind beggar, with so few reasons to hope for change (we later learn that he was born blind). The town's people probably wanted to make a good impression, or probably wanted silence so they could hang on every word Jesus may speak. Maybe they just wanted to be able to hear in case he would call one of them forward to perform a great miracle for them. In any case, they tried to shut up this desperate blind man.

I was floored the first time I really saw this phrase: "But he cried out all the more."
And then the result: Jesus stopped and said, "Call him."


Jesus stopped. Jesus gave the command to bring him near. Wow.

God graciously appoints comforters and helpers to cross our path when we most need them, but very often we must feel, experience and navigate our trial alone. After all, not even the best friend can be our deliverer. Do you remember Job in his severe trial? God is the Savior and there isn't salvation in any other.

It's also a sad reality that many people who seem to care about our situation, don't really care, don't really pray, and don't really want to get involved - they just want to know what's going on. Let us, therefore, throw off the fear of man - what people will think or say - and go after God desperately. He is able to save, deliver and heal. He binds up the brokenhearted, heals the lame and revives the faint. Jehovah Shalom knows how to make us whole and give us peace. Your confession, and your expression of your need for Him, in bold and desperate faith will make Jesus stop and turn towards you.

 Take heart...

Cry out all the more!

 You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor;
My adversaries are all before You.
Reproach has broken my heart,
And I am full of heaviness;
I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none;
And for comforters, but I found none.
But I am poor and sorrowful;
Let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high.
I will praise the name of God with a song, 
Psalm 69:19-20, 29-30

Reality of sin. Practicality of grace.

And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 'where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.'
Mark 9:43-48, ESV

Jesus was not advocating bodily self-mutilation or self-righteous mortification of the flesh when He gave these warnings. I always knew that much but it took me many more years to better understand what this statement is supposed to mean to a Christian who is required to be holy, as God is holy.

I believe that Jesus understands that many of us still...

• don't really understand what hell is
• don't really understand what the wages of sin is
• don't really understand that the Christian life is a fight of faith requiring constant diligence

Jesus' strong warning tells us that some of will have to do radical or exorbitant things to escape the sin that "so easily ensnares us." The grace of God which teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts has a very practical side. Our cooperation in the sanctification process involves adding things to our life: times of sincere prayer, quality time in God's word, Christian fellowship and all other obedient responses to His word. God gives grace for all this. Our submission to sanctification also involves removing things from our life. God's grace enables us to do this also.

There are no two ways about it. Without holiness no one will see the Lord. Without holiness there is no entrance to the eternal city where the King is holy and where all the citizens are holy. We ought not to cuddle nor 'test' sin, nor let it reign in our mortal bodies. Don't let it reign, means that as regenerated believers we have the ability to allow or disallow, resist or yield. We have no excuse because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ sets us free from the law of sin and death. The temporary pleasures of sin are not worth the awful consequences of eternal separation and torment. The punishment is determined by the righteous judgment of a holy God.

Some well meaning 'Christians' may say we are crazy or use that over-used 'L' word, legalistic. I mean, giving up a longstanding ungodly 'friend'; getting rid of the TV, internet, or social networking; a strict non-alcoholic policy; fleeing the presence or the flattery of the 'hot' guy or girl at the workplace or church even - these may all seem a bit excessive, right? And after all, lots of other people seem to have no difficulties with them. But if you and I know our own history of vulnerabilties and sinfulness, and if we correctly esteem ourselves, these 'crazy' measures may just be the things that keep us from taking a turn for hell. Yes, hell. Sin has 'now' consequences too, but the Son of God did not find it necessary to discuss those in the light of the exceedingly terrible and just judgment of hell's eternal torment.

So, is there a cost for this commitment to avoid sin? Absolutely. Jesus said so. We may end up not having some stuff other people have. No hands, no feet, one eye. And we may lose some 'friends' too. We just might not be the 'well-rounded' or spontaneous-go-getter-daring friend that some people want for a lifetime of wild, worldly thrills. Let's face it, with one eye, no hands and no feet, we may not look 'right'. Holiness is not very popular nowadays. But there is no one holy in hell, and nothing sinful in heaven. Jesus was pretty straightforward about that, even at the risk of sounding like a lunatic. I imagine there is a very good reason why He needed to make that point so very clear. We need to be aware of the practicality of grace against the reality of sin.