I writing to the Ephesians church, Paul wrote extensively about the differences between believers and unbelievers. This statement comes from the middle of his discussion.
We frequently need reminded of how the Gospel really changes us from the world around us. I would add that we often need to distinguish between the traditions we learned at home and in church and the direct teachings of Scripture.
The story is frequently told of a lady who was cooking a ham and cut the bone off before putting it in her large cooker. Her husband asked her why she was cutting it off. She answered, I learned that from my mother. He then asked her mother the same question. Mother answered, “I learned it from my mother”. Grandma was still available, so he asked her. Grandma’s answer was, “My cooking pot was too small for the entire ham”. Many of our traditions are good and useful, but that one wasn’t useful, even if it once was useful.
Other traditions can be very evil. Pagan practices are of the devil and should be carefully evaluated. If they in any way disagree with the Bible they must be abandoned. Paul already had addressed many of those practices before this statement in verse 27.
Let’s look at this verse carefully, to learn how to apply it.
“do not” is an absolute form of expression. It gives no opportunity for an alternate or compromise meaning. When God’s word says “do not”, we cannot compromise. Some have thought that they could confess a murder to their priest and be forgiven. Then they thought they could go out and murder someone else and be forgiven again and again. The Scripture says “do not murder” just as it says “do not steal”.
“give”, but some may say, that’s not generous. Until we recognize that the Scripture is stating that we have authority and must not exercise it in any way contrary to God’s will. How does this authority really work?
If God chooses to speak through people and do everything through people does He ever do anything without doing it through people?
In order to understand how God works we need to start at the beginning, to look at how God set up things on this earth at creation.
In Genesis 1:26— God’s plan was for man to be the ruler of everything on this earth. In Genesis 1:28 — God made man the absolute ruler of everything on this earth. Imagine what it would be like if God told you that you have absolute rule over everything on this earth? You could command animals and they would obey. You could even command insects and they would obey your command.
In chapter three Adam submitted to his wife and the serpent (Gen 3:17). Revelation 12:9 identifies the serpent as Satan. In Job (Job 1:6,7) we find Satan’s claim to authority over the earth is not even questioned.
Luke 4:6 “the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.”
Thus, Adam’s authority had been delivered to the devil.
Romans 6:16: “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”
Witness Abraham and Abimelek (Gen. 20:1-17) — God spoke directly to a heathen king that he needed to ask Abraham to pray for his healing. Abimelech had acted in integrity and God spoke to him. Why didn’t God just heal Abimelek directly? I will assert that Job was God’s man and when the story ends the other “comforters” are told to have Job pray for them (Job 42:7,8).
Even when God was going to destroy this wicked earth with a flood, He used a man (NOAH) to preserve the human race by following God’s instructions.
This story is for our benefit to understand how God works. God promised Abraham that He would bless those who blessed Abraham and curse those who cursed Abraham. Proverbs tells us that the curse causeless will not come to rest. Not only that, but God promised to send the curses back on those who cursed Abraham.
Because Divine Healing has such a controversial past, we will focus on what the Bible teaches directly. We will not attack any others who have differing opinions. Our study is not about opinions, it is about what God has already said and promised all believers.
We firmly hold to the Word of God as our rule of faith and practice. “The goal of our teaching is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith”. –1 Tim. 1:5.
Our purpose is to help train believers in experiencing and using the authority and power given them in Jesus for the healing and saving of people.
Our first question to solve is: Does Jesus want everyone healed?
KJV Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
KJV Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: 9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto [upon] you. [two requirements for healing: 1) enter the city, and 2)”they receive you”.] 10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, 11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. (Luk 10:10-11 KJV)
17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children. (Gen 20:17 KJV)
20 And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. (2Ch 30:20 KJV)
KJV Isaiah 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. (Isa 6:10 KJV)
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isa 53:4-5 KJV)
“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1John 2:17 KJV)
That’s s how to survive in this trying time.
The question is: “What is the Will of God?” If we want to know the will of God, we need to turn to John 7:17: “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17 KJV)
We need to connect closely to God’s word. It has an amazing effect on other people, when we do what is right and our life is coherent, consistent, has integrity. There is a purpose behind this.”For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1Peter 2:15 KJV)
Much of opposition to God’s Word comes not from truth or fact, but from ignorance and tradition. It becomes silenced when we do what God says and they see the results.
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (John 14:12 KJV)
He does want us to do His will that others will recognize, that God is at work in me and in others who walk with Jesus. How to do it?
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice… And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom 12:1-2 KJV).
People say, “How can you know God’s Will?” Or “maybe it is God’s will for you to be sick”. If you visit somebody in a hospital and they say, “It is God’s will for me to be sick” Then why are you here in the hospital trying to violate God’s will?
The ‘wilderness’ is not a concept that is understood too well in Christendom, despite the fact that it is all the way through the Bible. From the book of Genesis right through Revelation there are clear references to the ‘wilderness’ as being something God often employs in His dealings with men. The pattern is undeniable.
When we look through the Scriptures we see that the wilderness is often a place of spiritual “crisis” and also preparation. It is the place God sends us before the “real action” begins - before we enter into the full purposes of God in our lives. There must be ‘death’ before there can be resurrection. There must be a desert place before the “promised land”.
The wilderness is a place of trial and testing, of brokenness and full surrender to God. The props and activities that have kept us continually striving to “make things happen” are stripped away. Our self-reliance is shattered and replaced with a total reliance on God alone. Every “idol” in our lives (often including our own ministry) is brought under the piercing searchlight of God. Our selfish motives and ambitions are shown for what they are. This process may take years. Finally we emerge broken, chastened and purified. The process has matured and cleansed us in so many ways. We are now ready for the fulfillment of all that God originally called us to do. But our heart-motives are vastly different from what they were before.
We see this pattern all the way through Scripture. Many lessons can be learned from what we read there. Abraham, Joseph, Joshua, Moses, David, Elijah, John the Baptist, Paul the apostle - and even Jesus Himself - all had to go through this “wilderness” experience. Very often it lasted for years and years. Why then should we be surprised if it happens to us?
KJV Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Have you ever puzzled over these words of Jesus Christ? He prophesied that He would spend in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. He was crucified and buried on Friday: “Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, “Behold your King!”” (NKJV John 19:14). He rested in the tomb on Saturday and on Sunday morning raised from the dead: “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.” (KJV Mark 16:9). It makes three days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) and two nights (from Friday to Saturday and from Saturday to Sunday) in modern reckoning. It is not three complete 24 hour periods, which we often call “days”. How could that be? Jesus could not have made mistakes. How should we understand His words from the Gospel of Matthew?
Today we present some biblical information for your consideration that will immensely help in understanding this issue.
I (Tatyana) was concerned about this matter, prayed and asked the Lord to help me to understand the chronology. He answered my prayer and gave me a revelation when my husband and I were reading the book of Acts, chapter 10. In this chapter it talks how the Apostle Peter saw a vision. As a result of this vision he started from Joppa to Caesarea to the house of Roman centurion Cornelius to proclaim the good news for him. To get the entire story read the whole chapter from your Bible. I will focus on the timing parts of it.
In this chapter the Lord drew my attention to the sequence of events and the number of days they took.
Part 3. How to RetainThe mind is really keeps us going. We start about restoration of the mind and learning to retain. We might retain negative things and forget the positive.
Why do we have to have restoration or renewing of the mind? “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom 12:2 KJV)
How do we get our minds working in love, joy and peace? Natural love is different, than the love of God. The love of God is enduring, steadfast, it cannot fail.
True love, joy and peace starts in the thinking capacity. Everything that enters your heart goes through the mind. “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1Pe 1:13 KJV).
You have total control of your mind. No matter what is going on in your mind you have to approve it. That is why Bible says, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2Co 10:5 KJV). You take these thoughts into captivity.
You’ve heard of the U.S. Army’s Special Forces-a highly trained army-within-an-army, an elite unit of dedicated soldiers. Special Forces are made up completely of volunteers, fighters who have been noticed and called out by their superiors. Before the war in Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden had said American soldiers were weak, cowardly, not trained for mountain warfare. He predicted the Taliban would send U.S. troops home in shame, but he hadn’t counted on America’s Special Forces. This fearless unit invaded Afghanistan with a mere 2,000 soldiers. Within days, it had located all the enemy’s strongholds.
I believe God is doing something similar in the spiritual realm. While in prayer, I was impressed by the Holy Spirit with the concept-God has been at work in the heavenlies on a covert operation. He’s raising up an army-within-an-army, searching his regular troops to form an elite unit of volunteers. This special force is made up of warriors he can touch and stir, to do battle with the enemy. We see a picture of this in the Bible, with Saul’s special militia. The Word tells us, “There went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched” (I Samuel 10:26).
At a Full Gospel Business Men’s Convention in a certain large city, a lady came up to me after one of the afternoon teaching sessions. She said, “Brother Hagin, I want you to promise me something.”
I said, “Well, I want to find out what it is first.”
She said, “I want you to promise me you’ll pray every day for my son. He’s 15 years old, and I can’t do a thing in the world with him. I can’t get him to go to church. He’s in with a gang and I’m afraid they’re on drugs. He’s out until three and four in the morning. I lie awake nights waiting for the phone to ring telling me they have him down at the jail.”
I interrupted her before she could tell any more about how bad it all was. I said to her, “I’m not going to do it.”
“You’re not going to do what?” she asked.
“I’m not going to pray for him, much less pray every day,” I responded.
That surprised her. She said, “You’re not?”
“No ma’am. I’m not. I won’t promise you I’ll pray for him at all. You see, in the first place it wouldn’t do any good, because you would nullify all the effects by your wrong believing and your wrong talking. No matter how many people pray, as long as you keep telling him that he’ll never amount to anything, he’ll wind up in reform school. He’ll go to the penitentiary; he’ll never make it.”
Her eyes got big. She said, “How did you know I was talking that way to him?”
I said, “To be in the mess he’s in, you had to talk him into it.” We’re products of words. Children are products of words. Words will make a boy love an education. Words will make a boy want to go to church, or they’ll keep him out of church.
How many of you have loved ones that are lost and want nothing to do with God?
I know many of you are that way because I have talked to many who have asked me, “Why can’t i lead my loved one to Christ? Can they not see the wonderful things Jesus has done for us on the cross? Do they not want to go to heaven when they die? Why would anyone want to live in the devil’s way here on earth and then go to hell when they die?”
These are all very good questions, and it took me many years and hundreds of hours of study in the Word of God to find the answers. I finally found them, and since then, I have used what I found to get many people saved.
If you will pay very close attention you will learn how to get your lost ones saved. Please take note . . .
First you must be a born again, baptized believer.Then you must know your position in Christ. You must know you are seated in the heavens in Christ.
Eph 2:4-7, Tlb
4 But God is so rich in mercy; he loved us so much
5 that even though we were spiritually dead and doomed by our sins, he gave us back our lives again when he raised Christ from the dead–only by his undeserved favor have we ever been saved–6 and lifted us up from the grave into glory along with Christ, where we sit with him in the heavenly realms–all because of what Christ Jesus did.
7 And now God can always point to us as examples of how very, very rich his kindness is, as shown in all he has done for us through Jesus Christ.
You must know you are a joint heir with Christ. (ROM 8:15-18 TLB)
“And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Revelation 12:15-17)
Who is that woman? What is the flood? In the book of Revelation a lot applies to our generation. When a person reads it and gets confused…Confusion comes when someone was rooted in traditions of men and then he come across the verses that contradict their traditions. Confusion also comes when there is a lack of integrity, which leads to lack of the Lord be able to reveal His Word to you. Revelation from the truth of God’s Word begins with an honest heart. If we lack honesty God will actually withhold the truth from us, He will even send a strong delusion, as in Thessalonians, that you might believe a lie.
When we pray we have to rely on promises written in God’s Word. Here are some of the promises about salvation of the children of believing parents.
Isaiah 49:24-25 24 Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? 25 But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.
Isaiah 54:13 And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
Isaiah 59:21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.
Isaiah 44:3-5 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses. One shall say, I am the LORD’S; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel.
Proverbs 11:21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered [saved].
Over 3 years ago God told me to resign from my church, to get off of television and radio. People where tremendously surprised, but my wife and I were not. All the bills were payed by the Lord. We never asked for money on television for 7 years.
He totally changed my ministry. We saw millions and tens of millions of people’s lives changed. When God speaks, you must put down any of your egos.
When Ted Kopple took me apart on television and crucified me, he did not know how much he helped to propagate God’s Kingdom. My telephone rang for nights and days. Ted Kopple is no more in the business. God took him out.
“For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.” (Isaiah 9:16).1
* * *
On September 16, 2001, I was ministering in one of the western states of the USA when I received a vision of a sinking ship. It was then the Lord spoke to me and said, “The ship is sinking. Some have seen the danger and have taken to life boats, but they are still too close to the ship. When it sinks, they will sink with it.” He said the ship is the system that many of the plain people and a few of the other more conservative denominations are following. Some of the people have come out from the system, but are still trying to hold on to some of the unscriptural doctrines and commandments which they have been taught. In some cases, they resist what they know to be truth and are suspicious of anyone who would reveal to them the truth. If someone comes to them with partial truth, for the most part, they will accept it.
The Lord said to me, “Some people will get mad and say, ‘This is not the word of the Lord. God does not speak through prophets today.’ Many of them will stop their ears to the truth and will reject any messenger who dares to try to correct their traditional system. If they were honest, they would have to admit something is wrong. I have warned them, but they do as the Pharisees — make the Word of God of none effect through their tradition. Many of them will mock and become enraged. Others will conclude that it doesn’t apply to them. Fear them not. Give the word as I have given it to you.”
In this vision, it became clear to me that there is some good in the conservative churches. This is an overall message for the church, rather than all churches being guilty of all the things that the Lord has spoken against this system. ((Note: The Lord made it clear to me that I should not open myself to discuss this matter with anyone who would try to criticize, condemn or cause an argument concerning this message. I have given this message as clearly as I know how as the Lord has delivered it to me. By no means, do I have any prejudice or hard feelings toward this people. I have delivered this message by the grace, mercy and love of God. It is my prayer that those who read this message will be very careful how they respond to it. The Lord has deeply impressed upon me that those who will not obey this word and turn from their wicked ways will find themselves sinking with the ship. I, in no way, consider this message to be infallible or equivalent to the inspired Word of God, but I must warn that the over all message is a word of the Lord and must be heeded.
If God is all-powerful, why does he need us to pray? If we pray and nothing happens, does this mean that God isn’t listening? If you have ever felt that your prayers don’t count, Intercessory Prayer will show you just how vital your prayers are.
Most Christians don’t know how to use 2 Corintians 10:4-5. But these verses contain immense power.
In eight, 30-minute sessions, Pastor Dutch Sheets will inspire and give you the courage to pray for the impossible and help you find persistence to see your prayers to completion.
This teaching will transfer your prayer life that you will see answers to your prayers.
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Groaning in the Spirit is a form of intercession. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26). “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you” (Galatians 4:19).
When you are in a situation when you exhausted everything you know of, you need to know about this powerful form of intercession, groaning in the Spirit, overcoming your lack of knowing what to pray about.
So many times in Christendom we go into habits that distance us from God. We don’t experience God in a personal way because we become very regimented. I want us to look outside of the normal way of what we do service. I don’t talk about being disloyal or lack of reverence. But we need to become attached to God, not detached. Let’s not be “churchy”, but let’s keep it real.
Philippians 2:1-2 “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”
I arrived at the address and honked the horn.
After waiting a few minutes
I walked to the
door and knocked.. ‘Just a minute’, answered a
frail, elderly voice. I could hear something
being dragged across the floor.
After
a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in
her 90’s stood before me. She was wearing a
print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned
on it, like somebody out of a 1940’s
movie.
By her side was a small nylon
suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had
lived in it for years. All the furniture was
covered with sheets.
There were no
clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils
on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard
box filled with photos and
glassware.
’Would you carry my bag
out to the car?’ she said. I took the suitcase
to the cab, then returned to assist the
woman.
She took my arm and we walked
slowly toward the curb.
She kept
thanking me for my kindness. ‘It’s nothing’, I
told her. ‘I just try to treat my passengers
the way I would want my mother to be
treated.’
’Oh, you’re such a good
boy’, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave
me an address and then asked, ‘Could you drive
through downtown?’
‘It’s not the
shortest way,’ I answered
quickly..
‘Oh, I don’t mind,’ she
said. ‘I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a
hospice’.
I looked in the rear-view
mirror. Her eyes were glistening. ‘I don’t have
any family left,’ she continued in a soft
voice.. ‘The doctor says I don’t have very
long.’ I quietly reached over and shut off the
meter.
I want you to really think with me about the subject of prayer. How should it be performed?
Matthew 6:5-7:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Jesus tells His church how to connect with heaven. We don’t need to be like the hypocrites - those who play out. They love the attention from men. They have their reward and missed heaven.
Eve followed Satan. How enemy deceives us? 1 Peter 5:8-9: “8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
First , be sober - we must not be intoxicated. Our mind has to be cleansed. How? By His Word. We have to watch out for the enemy. Not in fear, because we are not ignorant. He did it before, he will do it again.
People today believe the soul cannot die. We think majority rules, that is popular, so it must be right. But the Bible says otherwise. Ezekiel 18:20: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” If we stay the course of God’s word, we clear up that lie.
It says, if we believe in Christ, we shall not perish, but will have everlasting life, but if we don’t have Christ, we will perish. The enemy taught us, that souls that sinneth will never perish, but will exist for eternity somewhere. Unbiblical, but we laid hold of this. Why? Because it is popular, because some people with higher education teach it.
“Do Not Give A Place to the Devil”
Dutch Sheets. Intercessory prayer
