Author: rbeaird

I AM FILLED WITH HATE TODAY…


I need to clarify the statement in my title, “I am filled with hate today!” lest it is grossly misunderstood.  I HATE THE DEVIL!  I hate what he is doing to lives!  I hate the effects of sin and rebellion in the human heart.  I have preached for over 50 years that the devil is in a constant war with believers and God.  I have a new level of animus towards Lucifer and his work.  The words of Jesus impact me more this morning than they ever have, and His purpose has become my great desire in a new way.  Jesus said, in 1 John 3:8 – “…The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”  I want to destroy the works of the devil!

Jesus said, in John 14:12 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father.”  The Bible tells us in 1 John 4:17 that “as He (Jesus) is, so war we in this world.”  In Luke 10:19 Jesus said, that He has given us (believers) authority over all the power of the devil.  And, the apostle Paul encouraged us in Romans 16:20, that the God of Peace would bruise the devil under our feet, SHORTLY!  Let it be now LORD, let it be now!

I could go on and on with passages about our authority over the devil and what God wants from us regarding the works of the devil, but that would not fully communicate my ANGER and HATE toward the enemy of our souls.  I want to do damage to the devil and his kingdom.  I want to destroy the works of the devil! 

It is personal with me and growing more intense as I watch my wife suffer from her battle with cancer.  Her pain and difficulty on many fronts tears at my heart like nothing I have ever encountered.  I have faced death, suffered excruciating physical pain, endured loss, and been abandoned, but none of that compares to watching her struggle.  Every time, I see her in pain I get ANGRY, angry at the devil.  The personal nature of this new angst may have some selfishness in it, I don’t know, but I do know that I HATE THE DEVIL!

In recent times of prayer, I have questioned God as to what I could do, should do, and needed to do.  I have considered pulling back from many of the things that I do in fighting for Freedom politically, socially, morally, and religiously.  As I pray, I keep sensing in my heart of hearts that I must not pull back but intensify my fight for Faith, Family, and Freedom.  I also sense that it is imperative that I rekindle the commitment to ‘fasting and prayer’ and fighting the good fight of faith not only for my wife but for everyone impacted by sin and the works of the devil. 

I believe and have believed for a long time that in the Last Days there would be a dual stream flowing in the spirit realm.  There would be an incredible outpouring of God’s Spirit, Love, Power, Mercy, Grace, and Purpose.  That is exciting and I see glimpses of it from time to time in the places I go and the people I talk to.  I am convinced that more is coming and coming in ways most would not expect, and many will possibly reject because it is not through the traditional venues but somewhat outside the normal religious box.  At the same time, I believe that there will be an incredible and diabolical increase in evil, violence, sin, and corruption. 

The apostle Paul warned Timothy and us in 2 Timothy 3:13-17 that in the Last Days people, circumstances, and conditions would grow very dark.  When I read the headlines of the various news sources, surf the internet, and listen to political pundits, and international religious voices I cannot escape the sense of the intense presence and power of evil in the world.  

The Bible tells us that Jesus defeated the devil at the Cross and in the Resurrection. What we must never overlook is that although the devil is defeated that does not mean annihilated.  The devil may or may not believe he can ultimately win but he does want to take as many into destruction as he can.  The Bible reveals in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 that the Coming of the Lord will be preceded with a falling away.  There will be those who believe the lie of hell and abandon their faith and confidence in God and His word.  I HATE THE DEVIL and what he is doing to people!

As I prayed recently, the thought came into my heart that my desire to do harm to the devil and destroy his works was four-fold.  I want to win as many to Christ as possible and diminish the number that the devil controls.  I want to see healing become a norm rather than a rarity and destroy the works of the devil on that front.  I want to lead as many as possible to True Freedom.  That freedom must be on every level of life and if Jesus sets us free, we are FREE INDEED!  Finally, I want to manifest the Love of God even to those who hate me and hate God.  I can only achieve those goals through the anointing of the Holy Spirit and by reaching a place in my life where I “Abide in Him and His word abides in Me.”  Simply, I want to become One with Him beyond any level I have attained thus far in my life. 

Those who knew me in the time of my transition in the late 80’s will understand when I do and speak outside the norm.  During that time, many thought I had lost my mind and was going through a mental or severe emotional crisis.  They didn’t know whether to follow me or reject me.  The same will likely be true this time.  I HATE THE DEVIL, and want to destroy his works.  I LOVE GOD and want His Kingdom to Come and His Will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.  I want it done in me!

My prayer: “Lord, make me a vessel that is pleasing to you.  Fill me to overflowing with Your Spirit, Your Grace, Your Peace, and equip me to do the work of Your Kingdom.  I ask that you enable me to pull down strongholds and see the captive set free.  Enable me to walk in total liberty and peace and manifest the Love of Jesus in all that I do and all that I am.  I pray for Your Kingdom to come and Your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven and do it in me.  Help me to become more and more a man after Your own heart.  I surrender my all to You.  In Jesus Name, Amen.”

Your prayers for me and my wife are coveted and appreciated!  God bless you!

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GOD IS ALIVE – – (Part Two) …


1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 – “For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. 9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.”  NASB

As we continue our consideration of prayer and the reality that the one, we are praying to is The Living God I ask that we never lose sight of the reality that He is actively involved in our daily lives. 

God, the Living God is involved in our lives down to the most minute of details.  That is why Jesus could and would say in His Sermon on the Mount, “Look at the lilies of the field and the birds of the air…”  Insignificant creatures and things but worthy of God’s focus and attention. 

The God we see through His creation, that God, cares about the smallest details of our lives and our world.  That is foreign to the thinking of some, but that is God!  I contend that anything that causes even the smallest ripple of concern in the pond of our lives is enough for the Infinite Person, GOD to be concerned and take note of.  That is our God!   That is the one we talk to in prayer.

God is infinitely concerned about the care of His people and His creation.  We see that reality all through the Bible.  He sent ‘manna’ from heaven to feed the children of Israel in the wilderness.  We see God’s incredible provision in the life of Elijah.  This God, our God is Alive and is Alive in the areas that we think about and care about daily.  He cares about those things that trouble us.  He cares about those things we need to live.  He is there, always there and He is ALIVE!

I suggest that God is so concerned about everything that affects us that He initiated our Salvation.  That’s what Paul is saying, “He who has begun a good work in you…”  He began that work before time began.  He began that work before the creation of the earth and the universe.  God took the initiative and provide the pathway to Salvation.  That is Concern.  God made provision for us to be ‘Sozoed’ (put back together and made whole).  Now, in the Finished Work of Jesus, we have the total provision of God.  This is who we talk to in prayer.

I fear that, too frequently, we are attempting to talk God into doing what we feel He might be reluctant or not want to do.  We are trying to change His mind and sway Him to our desires rather than His purposes.  Too much prayer is virtually a ‘con-job’ and exercise in ‘attempted manipulation.’  That is not Prayer and is not Possible with God!

The Heart of Prayer begins in the revelation of The Living-ness of God.  As one preacher said, “The Is-ness of God.”  He is!  It begins in knowing that He is the Living God who is the Creator of all things.  He has all power, is all-knowing, and ever-present.  He is the glue that holds everything together.  He is!

He is Life!  He has made His covenant and has sworn by Himself that He will fulfill His Promises.  He is totally capable and willing to do what He Promised.  HE IS!  Think through your own personal history, recall the times and events where God demonstrated Himself strong on your behalf in a marvelous manner.  Let those thoughts return to the forefront of your mind.  He is the Living God and He has invited us to Pray!

If God did not mean it, He would not have invited us into the Throne Room via prayer.  He would not have said, “Ask, and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened.”  If He did not mean it, He would not have Promised to Answer when we call.  Stop thinking of God as “out there” but realize that He is “in our hearts.”  Stop thinking of God in an ethereal manner and start realizing that He is the Living God who Hears and Speaks.  Talk to Him!  He is Listening.  Listen for His response, He is speaking!

God bless you as you embark on a new life of communication and communion with God, THE LIVING GOD!             

Have a Great Day!

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GOD IS ALIVE…


1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 – “For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. 9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.”  NASB

In studying and practicing prayer there are some vital principles and realities that must come to the front of the line.  One of the most significant is the reality that “God Is Alive!”  He is “The Living God!”  He is other than all the so-called Gods in the minds of man.  The declaration of the apostle Paul in Thessalonians holds the Key to real and effective prayer.  It reveals the undeniable and incredible truth that God Is Alive!  I contend that without that reality, prayer becomes senseless and futile. He must “be”, in our experience and understanding the Living and One True God or we are wasting our time.

I see a serious problem existing in the Christian community and it is revealed in many discussions regarding prayer.  It seems that frequently Christians speak and think of prayer in an ethereal fashion.  It is theoretical in too many minds.

People want to debate God, but God cannot be debated, He Is!  When it comes to prayer it is futile to discuss and debate the activity and practice.  You can talk about electricity, but when it comes to prayer, we are talking about touching it, not discussing it.  You do not debate electricity when you are touching it. 

In talking about prayer, we are talking about the “Aliveness of God.” He is the Living God!  What I suggest is that prayer is the activity of walking with God, experiencing God, and talking to God, expecting Him to talk back, hear, and respond.  That surpasses theory and moves into practice and practicality.

The Bible repeatedly presents God as THE LIVING GOD!  Therefore, we can no more debate God, than two fish could sit on the table and look at the aquarium and discuss water.  No, the fish don’t discuss water, they Live in It and Live by It.  That’s us in and with God!  In Him, we live, and move, and have being.  He is our life.  It is an exercise in futility to sit outside of God and debate him in our ivory towers and Utopian philosophical worlds.  We are “in” Him and He is “in” us.  That’s the heart of Christianity.

God is at work in our world and our lives.  He is the Living God and Lives in us.  We experience Him and do so preeminently in Prayer!  Prayer cannot simply be discussed it must be experienced.  In Prayer, we talk to God and He talks to us. That is Prayer!  God is the infinite, infallible, ultimate person and “in” Him, “by” Him all creation exists.  It is not Nature it is His Creation.

I am often amused at our attempt to describe God in human terms.  Nature is a human world.  What we live in is not nature it is God’s creation.  All that is comes forth from the hand of God.  All that is, is born out of the womb of God’s creativity.  If we read the Psalms, we discover they continually celebrate all that God is and all that He has done.  Everything depends on God.  The entire Book of Psalms is a celebration of God’s work.

I find it amazing that the Bible would declare that the frost and snow are the going forth of the Holy Spirit.  That brings us close to something that is happening.  If you look out of your window on a cold winter morning and see the snow, you can or should say, “The Holy Spirit has been at work.”

Everywhere we look, in this world, we see the fingerprints of God.  The scientist studies the footprints of God although they may not realize that is what they are doing.  The scientist can talk to us about the Laws of Nature, but what they are really talking about are the footprints of God.  That’s why I know the sun will rise and set each day because it is all in the hands of God.  He is the Living God! 

What does this have to do with Prayer?  It has everything to do with it, for as we realize that, in prayer, we are talking to the Creator, the Living God, the giver, and the Sustainer of Life, prayer takes on a totally different perspective.  

We need to dig a little deeper into this subject and hopefully offer some beneficial revelations in the next devotional.  Until then, may the LORD bless and keep you and make your way prosperous and joyous!  

Have a Great Day!

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DON’T BE TAKEN CAPTIVE – Part Two…


2 Timothy 2:26 – “and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.” NASB

We begin today’s discussion with the question we ended the last devotional with, “How can the devil take anyone captive, especially a Christian against his will?”  We noted that in 2 Timothy 2:26 it is made clear that is a possibility but how?

If you look closely you will see the connection between strife, disharmony and the devil’s ability to take people captive.  If you will take note, you will also see that the absence of strife is connected to the ability to remain free from the devil’s bondage.  Sadly, too often, people in Church excuse their disharmony and strive with others insisting that there was no real harm done only disagreement.  However, we find here that the devil gains a foothold and is enabled to come in and operate at his will and against ours.  He affects us and those we are in disharmony with and thereby the church and the world.  It is no wonder that we are instructed to STOP THE STRIFE!

This is powerfully amplified in James 3:14-16 – “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.” 

In this passage we discover that if we have bitter envying and strife, we have confusion and every evil work.  A reality that cannot be overlooked is that ‘strife’ opens the door to ‘confusion’ and every evil work.  Strife allows the devil to come in where he has no authority and operate freely.  It is essentially his welcome mat.  It gives him an opportunity and he is always opportunistic.  Therefore, the key is to STOP STIFE and STOP THE DEVIL!

In James Chapters 3-5 we have detailed instructions and revelations on how to keep strife at a minimum or eradicate it completely.  Two pertinent facts leap off the page for me:  It is always a matter of the heart and it is always a matter of our will.

James 3 deals with the Tongue.  The description of the tongue being an ignition switch for fires of all kinds is apropos and germane.  The tongue can either bless or curse, bring peace or discord.  The choice of how we use it is up to us.  We can through the work of the Holy Spirit TAME THE TONGUE!  James 4 informs us how and why Strife comes and issues the exhortation to ‘submit’ to God and ‘resist’ the devil.  He adds, that we are not to speak evil one to another.

What is Strife?  I ask that you take a brief journey through Proverbs for a clear understanding of what it is, how it comes, and how to prevent it.

Proverbs 15:18 – “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger pacifies contention.”

Proverbs 16:28 – “A perverse man spreads strife, and a slanderer separates intimate friends.” 

Proverbs 17:1 – “Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it than a house full of feasting with strife.” 

Proverbs 20:3 – “Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any fool will quarrel.” 

Proverbs 22:10 – “Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out, Even strife and dishonor will cease.” 

Proverbs 26:17, 20-21 – “Like one who takes a dog by the ears is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him… 20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down. 21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.”

Proverbs 28:25 – “An arrogant man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.”

Proverbs 29:22 – “An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.” 

Proverbs 30:33 – “For the churning of milk produces butter, and pressing the nose brings forth blood; so, the churning of anger produces strife.”

If you will read Philippians 2:1-5 you will discover a powerful way to keep strife at bay. My point is that we have the choice of whether we allow strife to enter and abide.  Therefore, we have the choice of whether we become captives of the devil. 

Let me conclude in this manner, if the presence of strife, envying and self-seeking produce confusion and every evil work then the converse is also true.  If we eliminate those things from our midst and lives, we bring harmony, love, peace, and a God-centered environment and the devil loses his base of operation.  No wonder Paul contended in Romans 13:13-14 that we are to make no provisions for the flesh.

We need to make a conscious decision to resist strife, envy, and disharmony.  If it comes, we must immediately repent and stop it on the spot.  We are God’s instruments and we have His commission, His love, and His Spirit.  We can Stop the Devil, so Let’s Do It!

God bless you as you enjoy this day!

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DO NOT BE TAKEN CAPTIVE…


2 Timothy 2:19-26 – “Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness.” 20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. 21 Therefore, if a man cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.” NASB

The Scriptures are filled with tremendous nuggets of truth which enable the believer to live victoriously free from the bondage of the devil.  Not only can we live free as we incorporate and implement the biblical principles of freedom in our lives, but we can help others experience that freedom as well.

In 2 Corinthians 3, the apostle Paul reveals that as ministers of the New Covenant, we experience a more glorious ministry through the Holy Spirit.  In 2 Corinthians 4, he calls our attention to the reality that we have a treasure in earthen vessels through the Power of the Holy Spirit, not our own strength.  We have a glorious ministry and we will also face a mind-numbing opposition from demonic forces.  That reveals the great need of God’s Supernatural Power through the Holy Spirit in our lives.

In 2 Corinthians 2:11, the apostle informs us that we are not to be ignorant of the devices, schemes, plans, and tactics of the devil.  If we have not learned how he operates, that should become an immediate objective in our spiritual development.  It should become a focus of our prayer for God to open our eyes that we might see.  The enemy works constantly seeking to deceive and defeat us rendering us ineffective and causing us to become castaways.

Tragically, too many times, believers play right into his hands through ignorance or disobedience.  That exposes another clear reason we need to know the devil’s tactics and discipline ourselves to walk according to and in harmony with God’s Word and Spirit.

The text we have chosen tells us that we have a choice as to what kind of vessel we will be for God.  In verses 20-21 we are instructed to ‘cleanse ourselves’ from dishonor in order to be a vessel that is sanctified for God’s use and prepared for every good work.  Obviously, no person can cleanse themselves apart from God’s grace and mercy, so we need to fully surrender our lives to Him and then take definitive steps to walk in obedience, rejecting evil and temptation.

We are instructed to ‘flee youthful lusts.’  That is an interesting passage and I shared that with a person in their 60s who argued, “But, I am not a youth.”  The term ‘youthful lusts’ does not mean that only the young can be tempted, but the kind of lusts predominately found in the young we are to reject.  Paul continues his instruction and makes it clear that in rejecting or fleeing ‘youthful lusts’ we are to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.  This is to be done in the company of those who are the called of God and demonstrating purity of heart.

In verses 23-26 the apostle warns or commands that we refrain from contention and disharmony.  He offers the converse of that condition and directs us to learn to be patient in love and correct opposition with a spirit of grace and out of a heart filled with the Love of God.  We do this so that we may help those who are in error come to their senses and escape the snares and traps the enemy has laid for them or taken them captive to do his bidding. 

That is a problem that must be addressed.  “How can the devil take anyone captive, especially a Christian against his will?”  I believe that verse 26 gives a clear understanding that it is possible but how?  That is where we will begin in the next devotional. 

Until tomorrow, may the LORD bless and keep you and guide you through this wonderful day in Him!

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YOU MUST DISPOSSESS BEFORE YOU CAN POSSESS – Part Two…


Deuteronomy 12:1-3 – “These are the statutes and the judgments which you shall carefully observe in the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess as long as you live on the earth. 2 You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess serve their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. 3 And you shall tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and burn their Asherim with fire, and you shall cut down the engraved images of their gods, and you shall obliterate their name from that place.”  NASB

In the considering the idea of Dispossessing in order to Possess our Promises in God, we must consider several elements involved in this process.  None of them can be omitted and each of them leads to the next action.  In order to Dispossess the enemy, we must:

DISCERN or Mark the Enemy.  It is imperative that we develop an understanding of that enemy or know them and base our conclusions on the revealed Word and Will of God.  We must understand our legal claim and the enemy’s legal defeat.  It took place at the Cross and in the Death, Burial, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus.  He Won and through Him we Win. 

DISDAIN or Despise our Enemy.  No, not hate the individual humans but the devil and his hordes and what he has and is doing to people.  We must reject all claims of the enemy and even learn to belittle them through the Word of God.  What I mean is remind them repeatedly of their past, present, and future through the work of our Lord Jesus on the Cross. 

DISCLOSE or Uncover and Expose the Enemy.  We must bring them to the Light of God’s Word and Truth.  When they are exposed, we realize they are not the all-powerful force they pretend, and many have believed.  They are defeated!

DISCOMFORT or Bring Terror to their hearts and minds through the Word of God and the Victory of Jesus.  Remember the words of the harlot in Jericho?  She said to the spies, “When we heard, our hearts melted.”  The demonstration of God’s Power and Authority brings terror to the hearts of the enemy of our souls.

DISINHERIT the enemies and Seize Possession of the Promise.  We evict the illegal squatters on our promise.  We then occupy the place of promise and we set up defenses to resist the devil and keep them out. 

I am fully convinced that when and if the Body of Christ truly understands what Jesus has accomplished, we will live differently.  I believe that when we know that Jesus, as us and for us, totally defeated the devil and has given us power and authority over them, we will think and live differently.  Therefore, if He did it as me and for me, then the authority He has, I have!  He is the head and we are the body.

We need to let embrace this truth and allow it to become anchored in our thinking. We must never forget that ever demon we face has already been defeated at the Cross.  They experienced defeat!  There are no new demons being born, demons don’t have babies.  You are not battling some new demonic army of reinforcements.  Jesus defeated the ALL at the Cross and they are defeated!

He has made it perfectly clear that when we speak His Word and go in His Power and Name, they have to obey us, just as they have to obey Him, because “greater is He  that is in us than he that is in the world.”

What do we do?  We Identify the Enemy and our Inheritance.  We reject their deceit, lies, deception, and intimidation and begin to intimidate them through the Word of God.  We bring them to the Light of Truth and expose them.  We move them out of their fortified positions through the Word of God and unsettle them.  We take from them the territory they have illegally occupied and move onto and into our inheritance.

How do we do that?  By Faith!  I ask that you read Colossians 2:9-17 and I believe it will help us understand what Jesus did and what we can do in and through Him.  It is time to Dispossess the squatters and illegals from our Place of Promise and Possess the Promises and live the Abundant Life He Promised and Won for us at the Cross.

God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!

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YOU MUST DISPOSSESS BEFORE YOU CAN POSSESS…


Deuteronomy 12:1-3 – “These are the statutes and the judgments which you shall carefully observe in the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess as long as you live on the earth. 2 You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess serve their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. 3 And you shall tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and burn their Asherim with fire, and you shall cut down the engraved images of their gods, and you shall obliterate their name from that place.”  NASB

It has become a fascinating study for me, to search the Scriptures in their context with the understanding that the Bible is “One Book” not a series of books contained within the volume.  The Bible is a progression, not simply an Old Testament “A Book of Law and History” and a New Testament, “A Book of New Law and Grace.”  It is THE WORD OF GOD and One Book, progressively revealing the heart and purpose of God.  That is intriguing and inspiring.

In our modern times, we have arrived at a little understanding that everything that happened to Israel happened for our understanding and instruction.  It is declared in God’s Word that it is ‘first the natural, then the spiritual.’  Therefore, every event, pattern, practice, etc. in the natural in Old Testament Israel had and has a spiritual fulfillment in the New Testament Church and Believer.

I want us to pay careful attention to the instruction where God instructs them that they are to “Possess” the Land.  That is a vital realization if we are to fully possess the promises of God and live on and in our Place of Promise.  Too often we become obsessed with the geographical and miss something of far more significance. This obsession has robbed the Church of position, promise, and power for centuries.

Regarding the Land, remember the words of Jesus in the New Testament, “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.”  The Greek translated earth means: ‘country, earth or earthly, ground, land, world.’  This word and its Hebrew equivalent mean: “The Place of Promise.”  It is our anakali – inheritance!

We must never miss the reality that this place is not earned or deserved it is inherited!  We come into it by birth.  Not natural birth but spiritual birth.  We are heirs to the Promise by being born again but we do not fully enjoy it until we possess it. 

The Hebrew word (garash) means ‘drive out.’  They were to ‘drive out’ the occupants living on their inheritance.  Remember that the Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.  Therefore, He can give it to whomever He pleases, and He gave it to Israel, which means those occupying the Place of Promise were there illegally.  For Israel to enjoy their Place of Promise, their Promised Land they had to dispossess those possessing their land.

The Christian Life is a process and incorporated in the requirement that we respond to God by faith.  We must believe that He is and that what He says is how things are and should be.  Then we begin the process of dispossessing the enemy.  The mountains mentioned mean kingdoms.  The hills represent families of the land and the green trees represent people.  Therefore, our dispossessing will involve dealing with kingdoms, local, and individual enemies.  We have to get the devil off our promise through the Word and Authority of God through the Power of the Holy Spirit.

I want to deal with the “dispossessing” in a little more detail and will do that in the next devotional.  Until then, I pray that you will begin to consider what has been promised and allow faith to rise up in your heart that you can have what God says is ours spiritually.

Have a fantastic day and we will address this again tomorrow!

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THREE KEYS TO VICTORY – (Part Four) …


2 Corinthians 2:11 – “in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”  NASB

1 Peter 5:8 – “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”  NASB

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 – “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.”  NASB

In the last devotional we discussed the second key to victory – Identifying our source, the solution, and our supply.  The source is God, the solution is found in the Law of Sowing and Reaping and is in the provisions, principles of God being appropriated and applied in our lives.  The supply is God’s riches.  He has both the ability and desire to provide for our victory.

If we have not developed the needed confidence in God’s supply and the applied principles of His Word, the devil will continually wear away at our confidence and steal our victory.  If he can successfully entice us to replace God’s Promises and Directives with our own or cause us to modify God’s purposes to suit our desires, he steals our victory.  It would be germane to our discussion and understanding to read the entirety of the 23rd Psalm. 

Psalms 23 – “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. 5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” 

The third step or key to Victory is – We Must Identify our Position, Potential, and Power.  We are heirs of God that is our position.  We are overcomers, that is our potential.  We filled with the Spirit and that is our Power or source of Empowerment.   The apostle John declared it beautifully in 1 John 4:4 – “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”  It is revealed and declared in Acts 17:28 that in Jesus we live and move and have being and in 1 John 4:17 that “as He is, so are we in this world.”

The devil wants to defeat us but God wants to and has empowered us. In Jesus we are more than conquerors! Therefore, it is imperative that we Identify the Enemy, the Need, and the Problem.  It is vital that we Identify the Promises and Directives of Scripture for Victory.  It is necessary that we take the appropriate action to not only obtain but maintain that victory.  We repent where that is required and we apply the principles of God’s word and having done all to stand, keep on standing.

Stand firm in the faith and the promises of God.  Act upon what the Word of God declares and verbally declare those promises and provisions to be ours.  God said we can have beyond what we can think or ask, but He tells us to ask!

God bless you as you enjoy the fullness of the Victory Jesus purchased for us at Calvary!

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THREE KEYS TO VICTORY – (Part Three) …


2 Corinthians 2:11 – “in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”  NASB

1 Peter 5:8 – “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”  NASB

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 – “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.”  NASB

Identifying the enemy is critical and we must recognize and understand that our enemy is the devil not other believers.  He is the root of our problems and the propagator of the war being waged against us.  We quoted Ephesians 6:12 last time identifying that our struggle is with the powers of darkness. 

As we consider the following verses, we see even more powerfully who our enemy is and how we combat him.  Ephesians 6:13-18 – “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm, therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,”  

Let me suggest that if we are negative, distrusting, pessimistic, doubtful, fearful, sour, weak in faith and hope, unforgiving, unfriendly, and unloving it did not come naturally.  We were influenced to become that way.  Who influenced us?  You are correct, it was the devil.  The tactic of the enemy is to destroy our trust, faith, and confidence.  His purpose is to cause you to be unloving, skeptical, and unforgiving.  He delights in diverting your faith, stealing your joy, and destroying your hope.  Remember his tactic with Adam and Eve, “Has God said?”  He brings questions and doubts, not peace and hope.

Two things worthy of remembering. If the problem or need is a result of you deviating from God’s direction and entices you to commit acts of omission or commission that violate God’s plan and purpose there is something you can and should do immediately.  That action is to repent and take steps to correct the attitude and behavior. We need to return to our first love and make things right.  If the devil has stolen from you and you identify that theft, God has some marvelous promises of restoration.  (Exodus 22:1-4; Proverbs 6:31).

Step one or key number one is – Identify the Enemy.  Step or key number two is – Identify our Source, the Solution, and Divine Supply.  Our source is God, the solution is found in the Law of Sowing and Reaping and in the Provisions and Principles of God’s word and appropriate them.  The supply is God’s Riches through Jesus.  He has both the ability and desire to provide.  He has the resources and is never lacking in supply or power.  We will delve into this key in the next devotional but for now, we will pause and say, “May the richest and best of the Blessings of God be yours.” 

Have a great day!

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THREE KEYS TO VICTORY – (Part Two) …


2 Corinthians 2:11 – “in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”  NASB

1 Peter 5:8 – “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”  NASB

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 – “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.”  NASB

In the last devotional we listed our objectives. Now it would be well for us to begin the journey of considering the Keys to Victory.  The first step is to Identify the Enemy, the Problem or the Need.  It is impossible to effectively fight an enemy, solve a problem, or meet a need that we cannot or do not recognize or identify.  An unidentified enemy cannot easily be defeated.  That type of enemy can: slip into your camp undetected, learn your strengths and weaknesses, uncover your strategy, steal your good, and spy out your defenses. 

If we cannot identify the enemy that enemy can walk about freely and sabotage everything.  We will see the results of the enemy’s work but fail to recognize the enemy.  In the Vietnam war, the Viet Cong did not come in with VC stamped on their clothing or foreheads.  They dressed like all the other Vietnamese, worked on our bases, and stole from us.  They would then build booby traps or fire the stolen ammunition back at us at night or on another day.  The enemy was often unrecognizable to the casual observer.  Only those who knew enough about the enemy and their tactics could recognize them.

To identify the enemy, it is imperative that we know something about him.  We need to learn the characteristics, tactics, goals, and objectives of that enemy.  We have to know where to look and what to look for.  In the text verse in 2 Corinthians 2:11b we read, “…for we are not ignorant of his (Satan’s) schemes.”  We must never give him an advantage.  We must always apply the principles of God’s Word and walk in love.

In WWII one of the major reasons we were able to defeat Hitler’s forces even though they often had superior weapons and training was because we knew more about them than they did us.  We had inside information as to their every move.  We knew their strengths and weaknesses.  We had inside information.  That is a picture of us in the Body of Christ.  We, through the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, have inside information.  We understand the tactics, devices, schemes, and tools of the enemy.  We can exercise the Gift of Discerning of Spirits and recognize the enemy.  That is a decided advantage.

I read a report by a medical expert that stated that there are sometimes health problems that the medical profession cannot explain.  They know that there is a problem and it is internal, the eyes cannot see it, but the body can feel it.  The doctors simply do not know the underlying cause.  It is in that type of situation they will sometimes order exploratory surgery.  That exploratory surgery is done as a prelude to corrective surgery or treatment.  However, you cannot have corrective surgery ‘until’ you have identified the problem to be corrected.  You do not simply start removing body parts hoping to find the source of the problem.

I suggest that we consider some key passages of scripture:  John 10:10 informs us, “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy.”  In John 8:44 we read, “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.”  

Then in 2 Corinthians 11:14, we are informed that the devil transforms himself masquerading as an angel of light.  His identity and his tactics are revealed in Revelation 12:10 as we are told that he is the “accuser of the brethren.”  The devil’s tactics and strategy are amplified in Ephesians 6:12 – “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” 

Our enemy is the devil and he is the source of our problems and his plan is to steal from us often in creating a need, confusion, and a sense of defeat.  We are more than conquerors and we need to identify the enemy so that we can enforce the victory of Jesus on the Cross.

We will take this another step in the next devotional.  Until then we pray that the LORD will bless you richly and open your eyes so that you can see with spiritual eyes and walk victoriously.

Blessings in Jesus’ Name!

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