HOW ARE YOU DOING, SATAN?

Now listen to me, you devil!

I know you have come down in great anger, knowing that you have little time. 

(See Revelation 12:12)

You are the serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world who was thrown down to the earth with all his angels. 

(See Revelation 12:9)

But Jesus Christ, the Son of God came to destroy your works! 

(See 1. John 3:8)

Soon you will be thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. You will be tormented day and night forever and ever. 

(See Revelation 20:10)

I know what you are doing, nothing but stealing, killing and destroying. 

(See John 10:10)

Yes, you area murderer from the beginning. You always hated the truth, because there is no truth in you. When you lie, it is consistent with your character; for you a liar and the father of lies. 

(See John 8:44)

You are the god of this world, who has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. 

(See 2. Corinthians 4:4)

Indeed, you are the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 

(See Ephesians 2:2)

You will even cause believers to fall. 

(See 1. Timothy 3:6)

Some of them have already gone astray and are now following you. 

(See 1. Timothy 5:15)

You deceive them with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. 

(See 2. Thessalonians 2:9)

You prevent the believers again and again from doing what they intend to do. 

(See 1. Thessalonians 2:18)

But you will not outsmart me, for I am familiar with your evil schemes. 

(See 2. Corinthians 2:11)

I am not surprised! You disguise yourself as an angel of light. 

(See 2. Corinthians 11:4)

You are going around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 

(See 1. Peter 5:8)

But you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by you, for God was with Him. 

(See Acts 10:38)

As for me, I put on all of God’s armor so that I will be able to stand firm against your evil strategies. 

(See Ephesians 6:11)

In addition to all of these, I hold up the shield of faith to stop your fiery arrows. 

(See Ephesians 6:16)

I always pray to God to not let me yield to temptation, but to rescue me from you. 

(See Matthews 6:13)

I humble myself before God and resist you, and I know you will flee from me. 

(See James 4:7)

The Lord is faithful; He strengthens me and guards me from you. 

(See 2. Thessalonians 3:3)

Yes, my God of peace will soon crush you, Satan, under my feet! 

(See Romans 16:20)

AMEN! 

IN ORDER TO RECEIVE YOU NEED TO ASK GOD

The Bible says, “You don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.” James 4:2 NLT

Jesus told His disciples,

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.” Matthew 7:7 NLT

And,

“You didn’t choose Me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using My name.” John 15:16 NLT

“I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and He will grant your request because you use My name.  You haven’t done this before. Ask, using My name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” John 16:23-24 NLT

That apostle Paul also taught the people to, “Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.” Philippians 4:6 NLT

In other words, God wants us to ask Him for anything that pleases Him – no sinful and selfish things! ANYTHING, as the following scriptures confirm:

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.  But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.” James 1:5-6 NLT

“And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him.  And since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for.” 1. John 5:14-15 NLT

WHO WANTS THIS?

Jesus said,

“You cannot become My disciple without giving up everything you own.” Luke‬ ‭14:33‬ ‭NLT

In other words,

“If you want to be My disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be My disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow Me, you cannot be My disciple.” Luke‬ ‭14:26-27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Yes, Jesus replied, and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come.” Luke‬ ‭18:29-30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It is for this reason that Jesus said,

“But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

SHOULD CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE BIRTHDAYS?

The Bible mentions individuals celebrating birthdays on two separate occasions, but both times terrible things occurred. 

The first mention is in the Book of Genesis where the Egyptian king Pharaoh used his own birthday occasion to execute his chief baker, whom he was angry with. This incident happened three days after Joseph interpretation of a dream that the chief baker had. He was hung at the party just as the dream foretold. (See Genesis 40:1-23)

The next time a birthday is mentioned in the Bible, is in the New Testament in the book of Matthew where King Herod ordered the beheading of John the Baptist at the urging of his wife Herodias.

“But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted. At her mother’s urging, the girl said, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!” Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders. So John was beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.” Matthew 14:6-11 NLT

Birthday celebrations are originally of pagan origin and came about through the practice of astrology. In the ancient times, pagan astrologers invented calendars and calculated birth dates for kings, rulers and their successors through the monitoring of the stars; they examined horoscopes and birthday omens because they thought the fate of those in positions of power would affect all society. The customs were to offer congratulations, presenting gifts, celebrating with honey cakes and lighted candles as a means to protect the birthday celebrant from the demons and to ensure his security for the coming year.

The Scriptures never refers to a servant of God celebrating a birthday. Jesus did not do it, neither His disciples. But there is also no prohibition against a Christian celebrating birthday.

What the Bible does say is,

“In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor Him.” Romans 14:5-6 NLT

In other words, a Christian believer can be fully convinced that celebrating a birthday as a special day is a good thing for them. It all comes down to this,

“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1. Corinthians 10:31 NLT

Meaning, whether or not a Christian celebrates a birthday, he or she should fill his or her time with things that glorify the Lord! 

FAITH EXPLAINED

The Bible says: “And My righteous ones will live by faith.” Hebrews 10:38 NLT

Living by faith means to obey God’s will and not cherry picking only what we want as many preachers falsely teach, “name it and claim it.”

That is why it says that, “We are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him.  And since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for.” 1. John 5:14-15 NLT

In other words, God will give us anything He wants and not what we want! When God says it, we can have faith that it will happen! Therefore, to live by faith means having faith in what God wants, no matter how impossible it might seem. If God says it, you can have faith for it, confess it boldly, because IT WILL HAPPEN!

This is the way Jesus taught His disciples: “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.” Mark 11:22-24 NLT

Because, “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1 NLT

For example, the scriptures say: “It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith.”Hebrews 11:8-9 NLT

And,

“It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.” Hebrews 11:17-19 NLT

Abraham exercised his faith by obediently doing what God told him! We can read in the book of James how it is further explained, when it says,

“Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.” James 2:21-24 NLT

Faith has always been about pleasing God and was never meant to please ourselves, giving us what we desire. Faith is about believing what God says and acting upon it! You need to remember that, “God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.” Philippians 2:13 NLT

So, you see, it is always about Him! It is for this very reason that the Bible says,

“It is impossible to please God without faith.” Hebrews 11:6 NLT

And therefore,

“Faith without works is dead.” James 2:26 NKJV

DO NOT BE DECEIVED BY THESE PEOPLE

From time to time, I have met Christians who tells me that God requires of me as a follower of Jesus Christ to observe Jewish dates and festivities, keeping rules, including the Sabbath law. They seem to believe that keeping these Old Testament feast traditions and laws elevates their Christian walk. 

Many of them are very zealous, prideful and arrogant in their quest to convince you to get on board with this belief system.

Yet, the Bible says in the New Testament:

“In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable.” Romans 14:5 NLT

“So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths.  For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ Himself is that reality.” Colossians 2:16-17 NLT

This is because of what the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ did for us, as is written:

“For Christ Himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in His own body on the cross, He broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations.” Ephesians 2:14-15 NLT

The same warning from the apostle Paul to the Galatians also count for us today! Remember, after coming to faith in Christ, Paul completely stopped following Jewish laws! So, do not be deceived!

“So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once moreto the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world? You are trying to earn favor with God by observing certain days or months or seasons or years. I fear for you. Perhaps all my hard work with you was for nothing. Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to live as I do in freedom from these things, for I have become like you Gentiles—free from those laws.”  Galatians 4:9-12 NLT

IT IS A DEALBREAKER WHEN YOUR SPOUSE WATCHES PORN

Porn is short for pornography, which is video or print material that is intended to be viewed for sexual gratification.

Watching pornography according to the Bible is considered a sexual sin and considered the same as committing adultery.

Here are some scriptures to prove it: 

“God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor— not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.” 1. Thessalonians 4:3-5 NLT

“Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.” Hebrews 13:4 NLT

And, Jesus made this very clear when He said;

“You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28 NLT

Therefore, if your spouse is into porn, you have every right to leave such a person. 

“I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.” 1. Corinthians 5:11

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A DANIEL FAST

Quite often when I hear of prophets and pastors calling for a fast, they give the people a range of fasting options, like the total abstention from food and drink (except water) or what is often called “the Daniel fast.” The Daniel fast is usually defined as eating only vegetables and drinking liquids.

The basis for the Daniel fast is found in the Old Testament Bible book of Daniel, chapter 1, verses 8-16.

Daniel was among the captives taken from Jerusalem to Babylon. The king of Babylon, Belshazzar, had Daniel and three other young men from the tribe of Judah put into a three-year training program so that they might serve in the king’s court.  As part of the program, the king provided the initiates with his edible delicacies, including his wine. Daniel objected to eating and drinking these things because these foods were ritually unclean according to Jewish dietary laws. Instead of eating and drinking the king’s ritually unclean delicacies, Daniel chose to limit his diet to vegetables and water.

Daniel was able to persuade the king’s attendant to provide him with his special diet for ten days (which was against their customs) to determine whether it would, in fact, affect Daniel’s appearance.  After the ten days had expired, Daniel’s appearance was healthier than the initiates who ate the king’s delicacies! As a result, the attendant allowed Daniel to continue his diet of vegetables and water.

Daniel’s abstention from the king’s meat and wine was morally motivated, not spiritually motivated! He was not abstaining for reasons of spiritual growth, but because participation would have been immoral according to the Law of Moses. That’s it! Besides, where does it say that it was even a “fast”??? Daniels wasn’t fasting! He had a change of diet!

As we can see, this notion of a “Daniel fast” is just another fabricated ridiculous lie in the church! The Bible doesn’t advocate observing a “Daniel fast” anywhere. 

LIES IN THE CHURCH

Even Benny Hinn now reluctantly admits that he has taken the preaching of the prosperity gospel to the extreme, when he said:

"We get attacked for preaching prosperity, well it's in the Bible, but I think some have gone to the extreme with it sadly, and it's not God's word what is taught, and I think I'm as guilty as others.”

Benny Hinn now realizes that some of the things he learned from preachers, when he was growing up, aren't biblical and the popular interpretation of the prosperity gospel — the teaching that believers have a right to the blessings of health and wealth and that they can obtain these blessings through positive confessions of faith, and the "sowing of seeds" through the faithful payments of tithes and offerings — is one of those things.

Yes, Benny Hinn, you deceived millions of Christians all over the world and you took advantage of many of them!

The Bible teaches that we are free from the guilt and bondage of the Old Testament Law of Tithing! There has never been such requirement for the New Testament believer! The decision making in how we handle our giving should come from being led by what God tells us individually through the Holy Spirit. As believers in Jesus Christ, we ought to be controlled by His Spirit and God’s Word in regard to how much money we should give, and through His Word. No church or televangelist should ever make us feel guilty about the amount of money we give or try to control it!

The apostle Paul, who himself at one point was living according to the Old Testament law of tithing, now writes, after being born-again, in the New Testament: 

“You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “Godly people give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will never be forgotten.” 2. Corinthians 9:7-11 NLT  

In other words, whether you are able to give 5% of your income, or at other times you may be able to give 20, 30, or even 100%, the point is that you are giving the appropriate amount of money the Holy Spirit directs you to give and God will bless you for doing so.

This is how Paul instructed the Christians in Jerusalem to give each week: 

“On every Lord’s Day, each of you should put aside some amount of money in relation to what you have earned and save it for this offering.” 1. Corinthians 16:2 NLT  

When it comes to who to give money to, we
first and foremost, we need to take care of our own family, making sure they have food, clothing, and shelter. If we don’t, according to the Bible, we are “worse than an unbeliever.” (See 1. Timothy 5:8)

As a believer, we each have a duty to support the church we join, which pays for the pastor, the elders, evangelists, teachers and other ministry services.

“Elders who do their work well should be paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “Do not keep an ox from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!” 1. Timothy 5:17-18 NLT  

“Those who are taught the word of God should help their teachers by paying them.” Galatians 6:6 NLT  

We should also support missions financially as stated in Romans 15:25-27, and we need to be willing to help a brother or sister in need.

“Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you say, “Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well” — but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?” James 2:15-16 NLT