Devices of satan - Unforgiveness

The Bible talks about satan’s “devices,” in the plural, so we know that he has more than one evil scheme. The Bible also talks about “the wiles of the devil,” also plural (“schemes, tactics, strategies").

“Devices” is defined as:

Vine’s Expository Dictionary of NT Words: Device: “denotes "thought, that which is thought out" (cp. noeo, "to understand"); hence, "a purpose, device;" translated "devices" in 2Corinthians 2:11.” Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: “a mental perception, thought (specifically) an evil purpose…”

One device is unforgiveness.

"To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; lest Satan should get an advantage of us [outsmart us]: for we are not ignorant of his devices [evil schemes]." - 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 KJV

Jesus made it very clear that we must forgive if we want to go to heaven. (Matthew 18:23-35)

He told a story of a servant that was forgiven a great debt by his master the king. When a fellow servant begged forgiveness of his very small debt, the servant threw his fellow servant into prison until he should pay the debt. When the king found out what happened he was wroth. The king then took the unforgiving servant (the “wicked servant”), and delivered him to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was due him.

We can see this scenario in our lives. When we turned to Jesus, King of the universe, we begged Him forgiveness of the overwhelming debt of our sins that we could never pay. He had mercy on us, and forgave our whole debt. We repented of our sins, we had them all washed away by water baptism “in JESUS name,” and were graciously given Life by the infilling of His Holy Spirit. Are there people in our lives that have sinned against us that we are holding accountable?

Jesus concluded the story with this:

"And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." - Matthew 18:34-35 KJV

We must be careful to not let satan outsmart us with his evil schemes. Unforgiveness is one of these devices.

There is one throne in heaven

There is one throne in heaven.

"And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne." - Revelation 4:2 KJV

The Lamb sits in the midst of the throne.

"For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters..." - Revelation 7:17 KJV

Who is the Lamb? Jesus.

"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." - John 1:29 KJV

Jesus is God the Father.

"Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." - John 14:9-10 KJV

Jesus, the Lamb, is Lord of lords, and King of kings.

"These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful." - Revelation 17:14 KJV

Jesus, as the Lamb of God, shed His own blood for our sins to redeem us back to Himself.

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" - 1 Peter 1:18-19 KJV

Jesus is God.

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." - Acts 20:28 KJV

"And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth." - Revelation 5:6 KJV

The invisible Spirit of God was in the visible body of Christ. God was manifest in the flesh.

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." - 2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV

This wonderful message of reconciliation was preached by Peter on the Day of Pentecost.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV

Church!!

"Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. ... Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." - Psalm 100:2, 4-5

Like a roaring lion

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." - Hebrews 2:14-15

Through Jesus, we have no fear of death, and through Jesus, we have certain victory!

Why?

Because it took the death of this man without sin to pay the price of our sins. Only the Father, inhabiting a human body that was born without sin, could save humanity.

How do we apply His death to us so that we too may have victory over sin and death?

We apply His death by becoming dead to sin by repenting of our sins, and by burying our old sinful nature by water baptism in Jesus name for the remission of our sins. Jesus then promises the gift of His Holy Ghost which gives us power over temptation and death. (Romans 6:1-4, Acts 2:38-39)

The devil, who is a liar and a deceiver, tries to make us believe he still has power over us, but he doesn’t. By our thinking that the devil has power over us, fear is instilled in us and through fear we can be taken captive at his will. (2Timothy 2:26).

A lion roars when it has prey. (Amos 3:4) The roaring lion brings fear to its prey. (Amos 3:8). It is when the victim is frozen in fear that the lion has power over him. (Isaiah 5:29).

"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." - 2 Corinthians 2:11

By faith and obedience to Jesus, we have victory over the devil.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." - 1 Peter 5:8-9

We are in the faith when we have repented, been baptized in Jesus name, and filled with His Holy Ghost. Jesus faced all of the same temptations and testings we do, yet he did not sin. He understands our weaknesses. (Hebrews 4:15) Through Jesus, we are overcomers. (Acts 1:8)

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13

"Be careful for nothing; but in EVERY thing by prayer and supplication WITH THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." - Philippians 4:6-8 KJV

Our time is a precious commodity of unknown quantity.

"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:16 KJV

"Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time." - Colossians 4:5 KJV

What does Strong’s lexicon say “redeeming” means?

2) to buy up, to buy up for one's self, for one's use

a) to make wise and sacred use of every opportunity for doing good, so that zeal and well doing are as it were the purchase money by which we make the time our own

If we use every moment of our day for God’s will, a witness to everyone that the Lord brings across our path, and doing whatever the Lord would have us to do, our time is redeemed giving it eternal value that cannot be taken away.

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." - John 16:33 KJV 

Because of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, we are able to be baptized in His name, have our sins remitted, AND receive His gift of His Holy Ghost. Jesus gives us peace that the world just does not understand. 

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7 KJV

Chart from: Exploring God's Word Bible Study

The Bible speaks about us storing up treasures in heaven. We do this by God’s Spirit within us working through us to do good works. To store up treasures in heaven, we must first have the greatest treasure, Jesus!

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." - Matthew 6:19-21 KJV

When we hear how God loved us so much that He robed Himself in flesh, dying in our place for our sins, and that He rose again, giving us the promise and hope of eternal life through His Spirit, it is a precious treasure. When we hear that when we turn to Jesus and are baptized in His name, that He washes away all of our sins, and then promises the gift of His Holy Spirit, it is a precious treasure that fills us with joy.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field." - Matthew 13:44

Not everyone has found this treasure, for the god of this world, the devil, blinds minds.

We are an earthen vessel. When we have obeyed the gospel, this treasure is within us.

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them…But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." - 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, 7

A lot of people think if they “keep the Ten Commandments” they are going to heaven.

"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:5

Cornelius was a just man, a man of prayer, helping the poor. His righteousness, however, was not enough to save him. He needed to be born of the water and Spirit, as Jesus said.

The Lord loved Cornelius so much, that He sent an angel telling him to send for a man named Peter. While men from Cornelius were on their way, the Lord gave Peter a heavenly vision to make sure Peter would accept the mission. (Read Acts 10)

If you haven’t been born again, Jesus loves YOU and is calling you to be born of water and the Spirit.

How is a person born of water and Spirit?

When Peter arrived, Cornelius had gathered family and friends to hear Peter’s message from God. Peter preached to them the Gospel, that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and rose the third day.

Finally, Peter preached:

"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." - Acts 10:43

While Peter spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on Cornelius, his family, and friends he had gathered in his house and they all began to speak in other tongues (languages they did not know) as the Spirit of God spoke through them.

Peter and the men that came with him were astonished, for Jesus poured out the Holy Ghost on the Gentiles just like He had on them on the day of Pentecost! (Acts 2:4)

Cornelius and those at his house were all now born of the Spirit. Next, they were born of the water.

Peter then COMMANDED that they be water baptized in Jesus name.

"…Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord..." - Acts 10:46-48 (See also Acts 2:38)

What should we pray for?

The Lord is soon coming. There are many that have not heard the gospel of Jesus Christ that are unprepared. Jesus told his disciples that the harvest out there of souls is truly great, but there are few labourers that are bringing them the gospel (Acts 2:38).

"Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." - Matthew 9:38

Living in these last days, we are in perilous times. There are evil men doing evil deeds.

"But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." - 2 Timothy 3:13

Yet, it is not God’s will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. We can pray that conviction comes upon evil doers, that God will send them dreams, visions, and witnesses that will lead them to repentance.

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39

Jesus had mercy on Saul of Tarsus and he turned around from persecuting Christians unto the death to become an Apostle of Jesus.

"And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women." - Acts 22:4

"Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them." - Acts 26:10

"For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God." - 1 Corinthians 15:9

"Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." - 1 Timothy 1:13-14

There are many temptations, evil men and seducers that deceive. Those of us who are living for God need one another’s prayers. Praying in the Spirit is powerful praying. We should stay alert to pray for everyone and everything that the Lord puts on our minds.

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" - Ephesians 6:18

With the turmoil that is going on today, we must remember to pray for all those that are in authority.

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." - 1 Timothy 2:1-2

By keeping an attitude of prayer and being sensitive to pray for all that Jesus would have us pray for, we can be used by the Lord to have a part in bringing about His will on earth. With God all things are possible. The stress and worries that those in the world are weighed down with are for us replaced with God’s peace, trusting that Jesus is working everything out according to His purpose. Our part is in everything to pray.

"Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7

"Jesus" is the Father's name that is above all His names because by His name “Jesus” God reconciled all of humanity back to Himself.

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them..." - 2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV

"Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?" - John 14:9 KJV

Isaiah prophesied of one day every knee bowing before God. Every eye shall see His visible flesh of the invisible God with His name JESUS that they will bow before, to the glory of God the Father. Jesus – the Lamb of God – will be seated on His throne, and all will bow before Him.

"I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear." - Isaiah 45:23 KJV

"For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." - Romans 14:11 KJV

The Father humbled Himself by putting on flesh to walk among His creation as a man for the sake of shedding blood to redeem mankind back to Himself. He came in the name “Jesus,” which one day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord – the Father manifest in flesh!

"And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:8-11 KJV

"For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;" - Colossians 1:19-23 KJV

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." - Acts 20:28 KJV

What is the gospel and how do we become part of the church of God?

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

“And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. ... praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." - Acts 2:38-42, 47 KJV

The Bible says we must sober - “Be free from the influence of intoxicants” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). An intoxicant is “an intoxicating agent, as alcoholic liquor or certain drugs” (dictionary.com).

We must be vigilant - “Metaphor: to watch i.e. give strict attention to, be cautious, active: - lest one fall into sin” (Thayer's Greek Lexicon).

Our adversary is the devil, also known as the Prosecutor, “the accuser of our brethren” (Revelation 12:10).

A lion roars when he finds a victim. (Amos 3:4 NLT) The devil, as a roaring lion, walks about looking for victims, those that would fall to his devices. (2Corinthians 2:11)

When we submit ourselves to God and resist the devil, he will flee from us. (James 4:7) When we draw near to God, God will draw near to us. (James 4:8) When we cleanse ourselves with true repentance, turning from sin with sincere regret, humbling ourselves before God, He will lift us up. (James 4:8-10)

When we repent of our sins, are baptized in Jesus name for the remission of our sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, God has given us the power over sin. (Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38) If we allow Him, He will set us free from the habits and addictions of intoxicants, and give us the power to stay off them.

With the Holy Ghost within, the Lord opens our eyes and directs our paths so we won’t fall into sin.

The Comforter, the Holy Ghost within us, is our Advocate and Defense Attorney. Jesus pleads His blood upon us when satan the Prosecutor accuses us of sin in our life. When we have been baptized “IN JESUS NAME” the blood of Jesus has washed away our sins. If we stumble and sin and then repent, Jesus pleads His blood again. (1 John 2:1-2)

We have submitted our life to Jesus when we obey His gospel (Acts 2:38).

We shouldn’t think it strange that we have fiery trials. (1 Peter 4:12-13) Our brothers and sisters in the Lord go through this just like we do. It is by trials and temptations that we all are perfected, maturing in Christ, strengthened, standing firm and steadfast in Jesus.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." - 1 Peter 5:8-9

"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." - 1 Peter 5:10

We may not want to admit it, but our biggest enemy is often our own sinful nature. (Galatians 5:17)

When we repented of our sins, we crucified the sinful nature that was destroying us. We buried it in baptism in Jesus name, and were then resurrected to a new life in Jesus when we received the gift of His Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:1-5)

Because we are still with a human nature, we need to be alert to keep that old nature from trying to resurrect itself in our life. (Romans 6:6, Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:8-10)

One thing to watch for is bitterness. We can be living a victorious life, when something reminds us of a past bad experience…

We keep the victory when we immediately turn this thought over to Jesus, asking Him to forgive others or ourselves in the situation, and praying for those that were involved, asking for God's mercy on them. (Acts 7:60, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Colossians 3:13)

The next step is to ask the Lord to take it from our minds and forget about it. (1 Peter 5:7, Philippians 3:13-14)

If we don’t do this, the alternative is to go down that side road, off the path of Jesus, and to focus on how we were hurt or offended and how wrong that person was, putting down a deep root of bitterness that defiles many. (Hebrews 12:15)

We must watch and pray and stay on the path of victory! (Matthew 26:41,1 John 5:4)

"Son of man" refers to Jesus’ flesh – He is all man

"Son of God" refers to Jesus’ Spirit – He is all God

For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. (Colossians 1:19, Colossians 2:8-9)

As a man, He was hungry, tired, thirsty, and prayed.

As God, He multiplied the fish and loaves, healed the sick, raised the dead, and answered prayers.

(When Jesus prayed, it was His flesh praying to the Spirit that is not only within Him, but also is everywhere in the universe.)

The flesh of Jesus died on the tree.

The Spirit of Jesus raised His flesh out of the grave.

Ten days after Jesus ascended up into heaven, He poured out His Spirit on those praying in an upper room on the holy day of Pentecost.

Jesus promises His Holy Spirit to all those that turn away from sin, and make a covenant with Him by being baptized in His name, the name “Jesus.”

"And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." - Luke 24:46-49 KJV

Peter preached repentance and remission of sins in Jesus name and the promise of the Holy Ghost to the Jews from all nations that had gathered that were in Jerusalem for Pentecost.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV

All our sins are washed away to start “with a clean slate,” walking with Jesus with a new life!

The Marriage Covenant

The Jews made a covenant with God at Mount Sinai. God gave them His law. The Jews count that there are 613 commandments in the law. They covenanted to keep all of them.

"And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do." - Exodus 24:3 KJV

The Jews look at this covenant as a marriage covenant with God. Just as the bride says, “I do”, the Jewish people said, “We do”.

God recognizes this covenant as His marriage covenant with the Jewish people. In Jeremiah 31:31-34, God refers to the covenant He made when He brought them out of Egypt and refers to Himself as their husband.

"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

“Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

“But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; after those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

“And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." - Jeremiah 31:31-34 KJV

Here God speaks of making a new covenant with Israel. We know the new covenant to be the gospel.

While the covenant of the law is God’s justice, His covenant of the gospel is a covenant of mercy. “For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34).

Just as the covenant of the law was a marriage covenant, the covenant of the gospel is also a marriage covenant. Those that have obeyed the gospel become part of the bride of Christ.

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." - 1 John 4:7 KJV

TRUE love can only come from God. To TRULY LOVE, we must be FULL of God’s Spirit – “born of water and of the Spirit” (when we are water baptized in Jesus name for the remission of sins, and Spirit baptized when we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance Acts 2:38, Acts 2:4). When we are born of God - filled with God’s Spirit – we know God, for God is within us. THEN we can TRULY love.

When we are full of God’s Spirit, God’s love comes from within us. The love of God is not put on, it is not difficult, it is not our "works," it is from God within us and it flows out easily to others.

God’s Spirit is awesome!

Need help in an emergency? Call on Jesus

Need help in a crisis? Call on Jesus

Need comfort in times of pain? Call on Jesus

Need help with the big things in life? Call on Jesus

Need help with the little things in life? Call on Jesus

"In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone." - Psalm 86:7-10 KJV

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." - Genesis 1:1-2 KJV

"And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. ... Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God." - Matthew 14:25-27, 33 KJV

The Son of God is the Spirit of God in human flesh (John 14:7-11).

"Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen..." - Jeremiah 10:2

He preached against heathen practices that God’s people had assimilated into their lives. Jeremiah was not a popular prophet.

"Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

“For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

“They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

“They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good." - Jeremiah 10:2-5 KJV

Church!

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke [motivate one another] unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together [not staying away from our worship meetings], as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." - Hebrews 10:23-25 KJV

[Another translation: “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” NLT]

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 KJV

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV

"Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." - Zechariah 4:6b KJV

God defeated enemies that came against His people not by might, nor by power (man's armies), but by His Spirit.

Today God defeats our enemies - addiction, depression, oppression - not by might, nor by power (man's power) but by His Spirit.

It is by the power of God that we have victory in the battles in our life. How do we get the power of God in our life?

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." - Acts 1:8 KJV

How are we witnesses? By the power of God’s Spirit, the Holy Ghost, we have a changed life. How can we receive the Holy Ghost?

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

“And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward [crooked] generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." - Acts 2:38-42 KJV

"Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you." - John 20:19 KJV

JESUS goes through closed doors.

"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." - Matthew 24:14 KJV

JESUS goes through closed doors to ALL NATIONS.

Jesus desires to give us a taste of heaven here on earth. It is His will.

"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." - Matthew 6:10

What is the kingdom of God?

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." - Romans 14:17

"Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." - Luke 17:21

God wants to give us the gift of His Spirit - the Holy Ghost.

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" - Luke 11:13

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39

The Holy Ghost is a taste of heaven. It is the earnest of our inheritance.

[“Earnest: i.e. money which in purchases is given as a pledge {or down payment} that the full amount will subsequently be paid…For the gift of the Holy Spirit, comprising as it does the powers of the world to come (Heb.6:5), is both a foretaste and a pledge of future blessedness.” - Thayer’s Greek Lexicon]

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." - Ephesians 1:13-14

By the gift of God’s Spirit, the Holy Ghost, worshiping and praising Him for His love and mercy, we sit together with Him in heavenly places!

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" - Ephesians 2:4-6