Saturday, June 12, 2010

Thoughts on Evil Spirits

In concerning to evil spirits as you well know they are very real. They have been around since the very beginning they are fallen angels as seen in Revelation 12:7-9 and Isaiah 14:12-17 and Ezekiel 28:11-19. These are passages on who Satan is and what he is. He is the enemy of your souls and a father of lies. So what ever you learn from him about him is going to be a lie. (1 Timothy 4:1-4) this is the Doctrine of demons that was spoken of here for in the Talmud (the Jewish book of there traditions and stuff) has doctrines that they pulled from exorcisms of demons (it does even say they pulled it fro a demon). But the way you know that this is a false teaching is not primarily in the words that are spoken but on the fruit in there lives (1 Tim 4:2 “speaking lies in hypocrisy”). That leads me to the main point of scriptures that I will base my teaching on this subject of evil spirits and supernatural experiences.

In Matthew 12 has some of the most amazing passages on Spiritual warfare and demonic activity. In Matthew 12:15-45 has some of the greater depth that Jesus taught on evil spirits. You may need your bible for this part. In the beginning of this passage we see that Jesus healed them all which is an important point which needs to be first shown out we cannot continue any further till we have an understanding that Jesus has and wants to set us free from all evil spirits and illness. You can end up on a really bad trail of trying to find explanations for failures in your life and being related to demonic activity and thinking it is God sending this upon you (trust me it gets weird). Jesus Healed everybody who came to Him and in John 14:6-11 Jesus show’s that us the Father. We need to take His Works at a even greater testimony than even what we see from His Words. So to not stay camped on this subject we move on.

In Matthew 12: 22 we see that demonic spirits were attached with the blindness and the mute and he healed them. point that when a person gets involved with Demonic stuff it only bring ruin in the persons life. But Jesus healed it. We see in the next passage that the Pharisees were blaming this Power of Jesus from Beelzebub (the lord of the demons). Jesus begins to teach about his authority verses the devils authority. How if their (the Pharisees) own kids cast out demons also (Matt 12:27), would they be using demonic power. (for they used a book which Solomon wrote on exorcisms I forgot the name of the book but I will try and get it for you but this is a minor point).

In Matthew 12:28 Jesus makes a wonderful statement about this “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the KINGDOM OF GOD has come upon you.” This is a wonderful passage for it show that just because we got demonic stuff does not mean we are all messed up but that We get authority over such things to be a sign to the World that the Kingdom of Heaven has come (Matthew 10:7-8).

Jesus continues after this point to teach that He is Bigger and Better than the devil (Matthew 12:29-30) This is a major point for how can we live in a world that is so over run by the enemy and not become paranoid (because trust me if you start looking there are demons behind every corner if you really look). So to truly teach this subject we have to cover the Awesome of Jesus (Colossians 1:15-16, Ephesians 1:20-23,6:11-13, Matthew 10:7-8, Matthew 28:18 (if Jesus has all authority it means somebody has non), Luke 10:18-20, Mark 16:15-18) to name a few on the authority that Jesus has and the Authority that He has given us by His Holy Spirit.

Now in Matthew 12:33 is a very important section of which to spot such activity and who is associated with Demonic activity is by there fruit. As I said earlier on this subject, Demonic activity is simple for it tears down a person and begins to kill, steal and destroy. So when we judge we see what the person is doing and speaking (Matt 12:34-37) This might get into some people’s hard points but it does not say feelings you get around the thing (although I still get out when I get the hair on the back of my neck standing I don’t know that verse but I still “just” know so ya).

In Matthew 12:43-45 it has a very interesting passage for Jesus begins to teach on what happens when he casts out a demon. How it goes to find rest in a dry place (I do not know what this dry place whether physical or spiritual it does not say) but when he comes back if he finds it empty he brings seven worst than himself, and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Okay what does that mean for us in all this. Well the point is that if we are involved with spiritual stuff and even get rid of it. But we do not receive the Holy Spirit we will be even worse than that last demon was. We need Spiritual things in our life. If we do not have the Holy Spirit something else will cling on (Ya it is suppose to be scary). So we need Jesus Christ in our Life. He is the better of them all.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

thoughts on Spiritual Gifts

I have always been drawn to spiritual gifts. How could i not? it is an amazing part of the Christian faith. we really believe that we have super powers. It is awesome. I remembered when i went to a church as a kid and i heard a prophetess speaking a word and i just would sit there in awe that God would use a person to speak to his church. I thought in my heart that i wanted to hear God that closely that i could speak the oracles of God word for word. I asked God for years expecting e voice in the sky or a vision that would ripe the whole world away and leave me breathless before the throne of God. I was always disappointed that i did not get it that way. then the Lord began to open my ears to hearing His voice. I began to learn that Spiritual gifts like Salvation had to be operated from faith. in Romans 12: 6 it has an interesting verse about how we prophesy according to our faith. this has lead me to study and seek God to seeing how faith are apart of other parts of our spiritual gifts. With the gift of tongues for instance there is always a level of doubt that the Lord leaves so that we don't just rely on the uncontrollable power, but also on the faith that God is using the mysteries that are coming out of your mouth. That these mysteries is the Spirit interceding on your part edifying you. I know that this is a interesting topic that much more qualified men have touched on and done great and lengthy studies on. In truth i believe that God has more opened to us in Gifts than are just limited in one or two passages. For even on of the categories of the gifts are "Miracles" (1 corinthians 12:10) that is a huge category all by itself. I really believe that we may need to let God out of His box, for He created His word so thus He is greater than His Word. ( not to say that he works against His word but that He is not bound by them For they Speak of Him not He speaks of "They". I believe completely in my heart that God is going to pour out His Spirit like we have never seen. ( I may be stepping on a few toes in these messages it is not my intent, if you disagree it is okay i even call myself a crazy prophet so i am not putting myself on a immutable position but in a seeking position). God is Bigger than all that we can ask or think. He is not bound by the rules of this World (not even math, sorry but 5 fish do not equal 12 baskets of left overs, man God has awesome math rules, carry the one and multiply by God). so okay i did not go over the wholeness of Spiritual Gifts but on the concept of Gods greatness and that He wants us to have Superpowers (oya). And next time somebody tells you the Great commission (Matthew 28:18-20) remember that Jesus also said before he left (Luke 24:49) and (Acts 1:7-8) Jesus did not intend for us to fulfill the Great Commission without Him. He Has the Power and we Receive the power to do what He has called Us to Do. Please seek His Face to do what He has called you to. I love you All and may God bless you to the fullest.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

thoughts on Hell

My thoughts on Hell, this is more of me coming to peace on the subject than a apologetic on the matter. In truth this is a really hard subject for me to handle and will most likely have to revisit this subject time and time again. Hell is real no doubt about it. When I first got Saved I received a dream of complete darkness and horrible screams that i can still hear, even though i was only seven years old when i had had the dream. This dream scared me to the core of my being and has caused me a lot of pain and fights with the Lord. during most of my life i had repeated fights with the Lord about Hell. I even hated God for even letting such a place to exist. I refused to serve Him (even though i had a calling on my life) and would ignore Him. One night i was fighting with God about Hell and He spoke to me very simply and loving way. He said " Zane I am the only one who is doing anything about hell" . This very word has changed my life. I realize now more and more that Jesus came to Save because we needed to be saved. You may want to rationalize that Hell is not real because the thought is so painful to even think that there are people right now in there. Or how could a God of Love ever allow such a place to exist. Well it exists cause it was meant for the Devil. How could a God of Love not choose to stop and punish a creature who persecutes the whole earth without cause or reason. I am sorry but the Devil had it coming. The question that comes to my mind all the time is why if i am so mad at God don't try to save more people. I realize that in my attempt to act like Hell does not exist means i become a greater advocate for Hell. Jesus Love incarnate spoke on Hell more than anyone else He taught it in graphic detail (see Luke 16:24-31) and did not try to persuade people to act like it was not real. He even went so far as to say mutilate your very own body to avoid such a place. I do not share about this to cause a guilt trip or to make everyone all sad all the time, but if my Jesus thought this was an important thing to consider than i will too. My encouragement to you all, to spend a little time to consider

The Kingdom of Heaven

Matthew
5:2 The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand
5;3 The Kingdom of Heaven is for you
5:5 The Kingdom of Heaven is your inheritance
5:11 The Kingdom of Heaven is your reward
5:16 The Kingdom of Heaven is where your Father is
5:19 The Kingdom of Heaven has its least and its greatest
5:20 only the truly righteous can enter the Kingdom of Heaven
5:45 The Kingdom of heaven is for the sons of God
6:1 Though you enter the Kingdom does not mean you will recieve rewards
6:10 The Kingdom of heaven will come to earth
6:13 The Kingdom of Heaven is God's
6:20 The Kingdom of Heaven has treasure for you
6:33 the Kingdom of Heaven is to be seeked and it will be found.
7:21 Not all enter The Kingdom of Heaven even if you think you deserve to.
8:11 You will sit with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven
8:12 The Kingdom of Heaven has sons who will not taste of it.
9:35 The Kingdom of Heaven is preached with miracles, healing, and salvation
11:11 The least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than John the Baptist
11:12 The Kingdom of Heaven first came with John the Baptist
12:28 If He cast out demons by the Spirit of God then the Kingdom of Heaven is upon you
13:11 The mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven is given to you
13:24 The Kingdom of Heaven is like wheat grown with the thorns
13:31 The Kingdom of Heaven is like a musterseed that became a tree to hold the birds
13:33 The Kingdom of Heaven is like leaven that was baked into the whole loaf of bread
13:44 The Kingdom of Heaven is like buried treaure
13:45 The Kingdom of Heaven is like a pearl of great price
13:47 The Kingdom of Heaven is like a net cast into the sea
13:52 The Kingdom of Heaven is like a house full of treasure old and new
16:19 With the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven it binds Heaven and Earth
16:28 The Son of Man will come into His Kingdom
18:3 Humble yourself like a child to enter the Kingdom of Heaven
19:12 There are even men who make themselves eunichs for the Kingdom of Heaven
19:24-26 It is impossible for men to enter. but possible with God
20:1 The Kingdom of Heaven is like workers in a field for a wage
20:22 Greatness in the Kingdom is based off taking part with Him
21:43 The Kingdom of Heaven was taken from the Jews and given to others, may they come back
22:1 The Kingdom of Heaven is like a wedding feast
23:13 Religious hypocracy will keep many from the Kingdom of Heaven
25:1 The Kingdom of Heaven is like virgins who burned there lamps all night
25:14 The Kingdom of Heaven is like a Man entrusting talents to His servants
25:34 The Kingdom of Heaven was prepared for you since the foundations of the World.
Mark
9:47 Better to enter the Kingdom of Heaven mamed then not at all
10:15 you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven unless you recieve it as a child
10:23 The Kingdom of Heaven is hard to enter with riches of this world
12:34 You are not far from the Kingdom of Heaven
Luke
1:33 His Kingdom has no end
1:43 His purpose was to preach the Kingdom of Heaven
9:27 some shall not taste death till they see the Kingdom of God
9:60 Don't bury the dead, Preach the Kingdom of Heaven
9:62 if you look back you are not fit for the Kingdom of Heaven
10:9 The Kingdom of Heaven has come near you
11:20 But if i cast out demons by the finger of God the Kingdom has come upon you
12:31 Seek the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you.
13:28 All the prophets of old are in the Kingdom of Heaven
14:15 Blessed is the one who eats of its bread
17:20 The Kingdom of Heaven does not come with observation
17:21 The Kingdom of Heaven is in you
18:30 if you suffer loss for the Kingdom, you will recieve back many times more.
19:12 He recieved for Himself the KIngdom
22:16 He will commune with us when His Kingdom comes in its fullness
22:29 He bestows upon us the Kingdom, just as He recieved it from His Father
22:30 We will sit and eat and judge with Him in His Kingdom
23:42 His Kingdom is Paradise
John
3:3 unless you are born again you cannot see the Kingdom of God
3:5 unless you are born of water and Spirit you cannot enter the Kingdom of God
18:36 His Kingdom is not of this world
18:36 His servants will fight for Him
18:37 Jesus is the King of the Kingdom