Tuesday, September 30, 2014

#3 Ground-level Spiritual Warfare


C. Peter Wagner is going to share with us next about the 
ministry of casting out demons.

The first time Jesus sent out his 12 disciples, "He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out (Matt. 10:1). (Google image, Jesus teaching His disciples).

Sunday, September 28, 2014

The Power of One Single Act



James Cagle shares with us: "For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." (Rom. 5:19)

We are all daily impacted by the actions of others. What people do always affects us in either a small or great way, for good or evil, directly or indirectly.

Two men who lived thousands of years apart each committed one single act that impacted forever all of humanity.

Paul in the above text is speaking of none other than the first man Adam and the last Adam; Jesus Christ. Each of which through a single act played a very vital role in shaping human history. 

Each man’s act was his reaction to God’s revealed will. The first man Adam disobeyed God, and by his disobedience brought sin and death into the world. 

Death came through sin, it came through man, and came to all man (Rom.5:12). The consequences of his rebellion were alienation from God, suffering, pain, sorrow, destruction, and ultimately if man doesn’t repent eternal damnation.

This head of the human race represented us all. His act of sinful disobedience separated him from God, and also insured that we his descendants were born with a sinful nature, separated from God, destined to eternity in a place called hell.

There was nothing humanly speaking that could reverse this sinful act and the condemnation and destruction it brought.

But there was One Who came for the express purpose of showing God’s love for fallen man, and by his single act of obedience to His heavenly Father’s will counteracted forever the sinful act of the first Adam. 

His self-sacrifice and death on Calvary 
paid in full the debt sinful man owed 
a Holy God.

Now through faith in Christ and His finished work of redemption we are delivered from the power of sin, from the consequences of our first father’s act of disobedience. 

By trusting Christ as Lord and Savior we become children of God, receive His nature and Spirit, and have a home in Heaven waiting for us. 

Adam’s act imparted sin and death to all, but Christ’s act imparts today, righteousness and eternal life to all who receive Him.

We can choose to remain under the condemnation of Adam’s act of disobedience brought on us, or we can choose to accept Christ and rest in His finished work of Calvary. 

Adam’s act was one of selfishness, but Christ’s act was an act of sacrificial love on our behalf.

The Power of One Single Act  by James H. Cagle

Let’s pray:

   Father, as there was
 nothing 
humanly speaking that could 
reverse this sinful act and the 
condemnation and destruction 
it brought, all mankind was at
Your mercy.

   Thank You that You provided One Who came for the express purpose of showing Your love for fallen man, and by His single act of obedience to Your will counteracted forever the sinful act of the first Adam! 

   I thank You for making my salvation reality! May I live for Your glory, which will be for my good. I ask this Jesus' name. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Rom. 11:30 "The fruit of righteousness is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise."

Today’s quote:  Starr Ayers – “Setting the plumb line of our soul in alignment with the wisdom of God is the key to ensuring our foundation holds strong and secure in the face of crises. There is only one unshakeable foundation upon which to stand―Jesus Christ.”

Some thoughts today: Be careful to see that what comes from your mouth draws others to the heavenly Father.  Be cautious and guarded. Think over what you're about to say. Is it to be said with love?

- The first commandment of God is to make Him first in your life. How are you doing? Are you just "following the crowd" ? What does your life show to others about what you believe?

-  The Lord is creative. He fully intends on helping you speak life into yourself! He waits for you to ask Him...

30th- Tuesday’s post:
 #3 Ground-level Spiritual 
Warfare   C. Peter Wagner

10/2nd- Thursday's post:  #4 Occult-level Spiritual 
Warfare  C. Peter Wagner

4th- Saturday's post:  Why Perform Acts of Kindness?
Jean Oathout

5th- Sunday's post:  But I Don't Feel Like Forgiving!
Mary Southerland

A popular post:  God's Intended Purposes April Estes shares with us: Two months ago I cheated.  I had jumped back on the Eat Right bandwagon after Thanksgiving, but just two weeks in I couldn’t take it anymore.

Photo courtesy ryanrado.wordpress.com


AuthorsDen.com
Where authors and readers come together!

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  
Kindle $2.99


Bridal Shower Devotional
Bridal Wisdom for Women

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse 
My book in paperback $7.16

Wisdom for Brides (Christian
Marriage, Counseling, & Help) 

Saturday, September 27, 2014

A Jungle



Max Lucado -It’s a jungle 
out there! And for many, 
hope is in short supply. 

What would it take to restore 

your hope?

Though the answers are abundant, three come quickly to mind. The first would be someone who knows the way out. 


And from that someone you need vision. Someone to look you in the face and say,


   'Don’t give up! There’s a better place than this.' 


Most importantly, you need direction. 


If you have a person with direction who can take you to the right place—ah, then you have one who can restore your hope.


To use David’s words in Psalm 23, "HE restores my soul!'

God, our Shepherd, majors in restoring hope to the soul! Loneliness diminishes because you have fellowship. 


Despair decreases because you have vision. 


Confusion begins to lift because you have direction. 


Please note– you haven’t left the jungle. It hasn’t changed, but you have. 


You have hope!



A Jungle  by Max Lucado

From Traveling Light


Listen to UpWords with Max Lucado 
at OnePlace.com






Let’s pray: 

   Father, we do need
someone to lead us when
we feel lost.
 

   Help me remember that
each time I'm confused or feeling down.

   Thank You that confusion begins to lift when I have direction. I ask for Your guidance, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: 1 Chron. 4:10 MSG "Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request."

Today’s quote: Eddie Jones – “To Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory … be glory, majesty, power, and authority … now and forever. God is able to lift us up and carry us through the tough times so we can shoulder the burdens of others.”

Some thoughts today: (1) Put Jesus first in your heart and life, (2) fellowship with members of your church family, (3) break bread together as Christians, (4) and take time to be alone with God.

- Pray to keep these priorities straight in your life.

- Are you a spiritual humidifier before others, making the atmosphere pleasant when you come around?


28th- Sunday’s post:  The Power of One Single Act
James Cagle

30th- Tuesday's post:  #3 Ground-level Spiritual Warfare
C. Peter Wagner

10/2- Thursday's post:  #4  Occult- level Spiritual Warfare  
C. Peter Wagner

4th- Saturday's post:  Why Perform Acts of Kindness?
Jean Oathout

A popular post: Keep Looking Up Bernadean Gates
tells us, "Trembling, Kelley was internally screaming,
Don’t look down. It was hard to believe she had
gotten herself into this terrifying situation."

This is the very best book there is!




http://christianpoetsandwriters.blogspot.com/

I invite you to check out the above link, to see the many interesting topics of Christian Poets and Writers. 

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  

Kindle $2.99 Bridal Shower Devotional Bridal Wisdom for Women


Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse 
My book in paperback $7.16

Wisdom for Brides (Christian
Marriage, Counseling, & Help)


AuthorsDen.com
Where authors and readers come 

together!

Thursday, September 25, 2014

#2 WARFARE PRAYER Intro cont'd


C. Peter Wagner goes on with
the introduction of his book:


Certain subjects handled in some depth in this book have so far not found their way into print.

I have included more biblical material here than I have found in any other book, partly because many are questioning whether there is biblical warrant for strategic-level spiritual warfare at all.

The concepts of spiritual territoriality and the naming of the powers have received considerable attention here.

Holiness is frequently mentioned in the other books, but rarely is it analyzed in the depth I believe is required for effective warfare prayer.

Many other subjects I deal with have also been mentioned by others, but each of us brings a particular insight that adds to our collective knowledge.

My first awareness of the potential strategic-level spiritual warfare has for effective evangelism was first sparked by Pastor Omar Cabrera of Argentina.

His "Vision of the Future" is listed as one of the world's ten largest churches.

When I visited him in 1985, he told me his personal experience of identifying and binding the territorial spirits controlling cities in which he was pioneering new works.

I am deeply indebted to Omar and his wife, Marfa, for the inspiration and support they have given me in this project.

I was fascinated to read a recent letter from Bernie May, the director of Wycliffe Bible Translators...


Bernie Way tells of a veteran translator who visited his office and, among other things, said,

   "I have two major goals 
    while I'm home. One, I need 
    to learn as much as I can 
    about spiritual warfare.

    Our struggle out there is not against the climate,
    the malaria, or the false religions. 


    Our struggle is against the principalities, against the 
    powers, against the world rulers of this present 
    darkness, against the spirit ritual hosts of this present
    darkness,
 against the spiritual hosts of wickedness 
    in the heavenly places of Ephesians 6:12."

He went on. 

   "My other goal," he said, "is to find some more people 
   who will stand with us in prayer. The only way we are
   going to break through the spiritual darkness in that 
   land is by prayer. I need intercessors to stand with me."

Needless to say, I was excited to find the top two agenda 
items of this missionary were the subjects of the first two 
books in the trilogy on prayer that I am writing.

But I was even more excited when Bernie May himself wrote, 

   "Like my friend from Asia, I, too, need to know about
   spiritual warfare. And I need people to stand with me 
   in prayer."

I am convinced this is what the Spirit is saying, not only to Wycliffe Bible Translators, but to the churches throughout the nations of the world.

My prayer is that those who are hearing what the Spirit is saying will find this book an instrument in God's hands to help them draw closer to Him to open themselves in a new way to powerful warfare prayer.

Since 1990, my wife, Doris, and I have made many ministry trips to Argentina to observe firsthand and participate in what amounts to a laboratory for relating strategic-level spiritual warfare to evangelism.

For us, Argentina has been the front line in a highly significant experiment helping us to learn more about the spiritual dimensions of world evangelization. 

At this point I will suggest three generalized levels for which there is a fairly broad consensus among Christian leaders who are specializing in this type of ministry.

I have found it helpful to distinguish the following;

    1. Ground-level spiritual warfare
   2. Occult-level spiritual warfare
   3. Strategic-level spiritual warfare.

{I (Jean) will be posting these as separate posts 9/30, 10/2, and 10/7}
              
Warfare Prayer

#2 PRAYER WARFARE
Introduction cont'd

By C. Peter Wagner
(pgs. 12 -14) Regal Books


(Google images and emphasis added)
Pray for your pastor: "Protection. Thank You that no weapons formed against my pastor will prosper. As ______dwells in the shadow of the most high, deliver him/her from terror, darts of doubt, and diseases. Set Your angels around my pastor, and let no power of the enemy harm him/her. Turn aside rumors, gossip, criticism, abuse, and ungratefulness. May inordinate expectations, stress, and fatigue be cast into the see, and may every need and vision of _____'s be fulfilled (Ps. 91:1-11; Luke. 10:19; Mark 11:22-24).  (Scripture-Based Prayers to Pray for your Pastor by Terry Teykl)

Let’s pray:

   Father, I need to know
more about spiritual warfare,
so am asking for help in my
understanding of it.

   I se
e that the only way 
we are going to break through the spiritual darkness in our land is by prayer.

   Help me open myself in a new way to this powerful 

warfare. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Rom. 4:20 "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God."

Today’s quote: Randy Kilgore “God offers His presence to us in life’s darkest moments, which enables us, in turn, to be His presence to the hurting. Crying out for help — from others and from God — may be the strongest moment of our lives.”

Some thoughts today: Intercession is taking time for the Presence of God. Refreshing and stimulating

- Before we start being "Mr. Fix it", we need to spend time in God's Word, the Bible, and praying for guidance. 

- When we are facing discouragement, we need to be in the presence of other believers.

27th- Saturday’s post:  The Jungle
Max Lucado

28th- Sunday's post:  The Power of One Single Act
James Cagle

30th- Tuesday's post:  #3 Ground-level Spiritual
Warfare 
C. Peter Wagner

Oct. 2nd- Thursday's post:  #4 Occult-level Spiritual 
Warfare  C. Peter Wagner


C. Peter Wagner shares
with us: "In the New
New Testament, Jesus is the
intercessor pa
excellence.

His prayer for his people in John 17 reveals the loving heart Jesus had for the people and His desire to stand in the gap between them and the Father."

When folks pray, watch out!
Things happen!
God loves it, and longs
to respond!


"Thanks for encouraging me and being a part of this testimony. This is why we write: 

Andrew Payack writes: I can't say enough about the content of this book and how it changes lives but most importantly, hearts. I was in the worst place in my life with my wife of 26+ years when she wanted a divorce, not to mention 6 beautiful children. My friend and pastor, lent me this book and it changed me, but most of all it was ALL the scripture I needed to overcome the sadness. Also, I got my christian wife to read it as well. She read it and I believe that she was convicted by the holy spirit, and our marriage was saved. Praise God! we are in love now more that at our wedding! Thanks for writing such a powerful book. I have to give the book back to my pastor, but I will definately be buying on for myself and my wife. We plan to read it from time to time to keep our marriage strong and filled with Christ!"





AuthorsDen.com
Where authors and readers come together!

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  
Kindle $2.99


Bridal Shower Devotional: Bridal
Wisdom for Women

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse 
My book in paperback $7.16

Wisdom for Brides (Christian 
Marriage, Counseling, & Help) 

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

#1 WARFARE PRAYER Introduction

C. Peter Wagner, in his
book, WARFARE PRAYER ,
tells us:

A wave of interest in the
supernatural, and the
Christian positions relating to spiritual warfare has been growing
for some years throughout the Christian world.

Books by authors such as Frank Peretti have stimulated certain audiences while books of other authors such as Walter Wink have stimulated other audiences.

"Breakthroughs" led by Larry Lea and spiritual warfare conferences led by John Wimber attract thousands.

Some theological seminaries are introducing courses on spirituality and power encounter, and healing and deliverance. A partial list of these appears in my book, Wrestling with Dark Angels (Regal Books).

I personally began tuning in to this new emphasis around 1980 when I began research on the spiritual dimensions of church growth.

I spent several years looking into the influence of supernatural signs and wonders on the growth of churches and compiled my findings in the book, How to Have a Healing Ministry (Regal Books).

Then in 1987 I began researching prayer.

After spending considerable time building a personal library and some bibliographies on prayer, I discovered three areas in the field that seemed important to me, and that are not adequately covered in research, writing and teaching. They are:

(1) strategic-level intercession, (2) intercession for Christian leaders, and (3) the relationship of prayer to the growth of the local church. I am dedicating several years to concentrate on these three areas.

One of the outcomes of my search has been the projection of a trilogy of books on prayer, one on each of the three subjects.

This book is the first, dealing with strategic-level spiritual warfare and the warfare prayer necessary to engage in it.

Many new books are coming out on spiritual warfare, but none of them so far has attempted to survey the field and draw broadly from theologians, biblical scholars, current authors and practitioners.




#1 WARFARE PRAYER 
Introduction By 
C. Peter Wagner
(pgs. 11, 12) Regal Books




A glance through the footnotes and the index of this book will indicate the spectrum of authorities I have consulted. I am grateful to them all. I certainly could not have written a very substantial book on my knowledge and experiences alone.


Let’s pray:

   Father, I have an interest
in the supernatural warfare
that is going on.

   May I be open to what Your
plan is for me in regards to it.

  As I read Wagner's notes on the subject, quicken me to understand my part.

  I ask for Your guidance now, as I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse:  Jer. 1:12 "Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it."

Today’s quote: Darlene Lund – “In God’s eyes I was 
more than I expected. So are you. Claim His word and 
know nothing is impossible with God.”

Some thoughts today: As people, we tend to gather around somethingOnce we've become Christians, hopefully, we'll transcend our differences to fellowship in Christ. There's a bonding that takes place.

- As Christians, we share our identity; we "belong", as we're made of the same "stuff". We're "family" in Christ.

- Early Christians "broke bread together". (see Acts 2:42) They had a unity of mind, spirit and purpose, and loved hanging out together. They/we "fit in", no matter what the evil one says!

I am glad to be home again from traveling downstate. It was a good trip, and pleasant visits with family and friends. My husband asked me to get a guitar, as I had one some 46 years ago when we were married. I felt someone would have one, but was surprised and overwhelmed when the Lord provided it so amazingly Sunday at the ladies retreat. The cook/owner of the camp GAVE me one! 

25th- Thursday’s post:  #2 WARFARE PRAYERIntro con't  
C. Peter Wagner

27th- Saturday's post:  The Jungle
Max Lucado

28th- Sunday's post:  One Single Act
James Cagle

30th- Tuesday's post: #3 Ground-level Spiritual 
Warfare  C. Peter Wagner

A popular post:
  The Bible: Be careful how you handle it! Jean Oathout asks us to consider these questions: Are we ready to learn that God really does love us? What is your response to the truth that He does?




AuthorsDen.com
Where authors and readers come together!

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  
Kindle $2.99


Bridal Shower Devotional: Bridal
Wisdom for Women

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse 
My book in paperback $7.16

Wisdom for Brides (Christian 
Marriage, Counseling, & Help) 

Friday, September 12, 2014

Crossing the Bridge




 William Brooks Hull shares his poem with us today:

In years gone by, there were a few who didn’t like The Bridge:
they called it cold, a ribbon of steel, arching to a ridge;
perhaps the final capstone, the very finishing touch,
of the wanton progress, which had destroyed so much.

But at the end of Spring's last day, I find it sweet and gent’
as I depart from Canada, and start on my ascent;
up the grated highway, toward the near ­full moon,
which hovers in the evening sky, the 20th of June.

Round a bend, the moon veers left, the main span now intrudes,
’tis the perfect place to see St. Lawrence in her moods.
Tonight her water shimmers, light blue against the sky:
a rose quartz vein above the shore, limestone dusk on high.

Many other moods has she, from Blue! to blackest night.
Winter finds her special heart, a sapphire laced with white.
Imagine Franz von Werra, trekking ’cross the ice,
twenty years before The Bridge, howling wind the price.

Past the crest, and all these thoughts have entertained my mind;
Ontario, and Canada, and Springtime lay behind.
What lies ahead, who really knows? St. Lawrence gives no clue:
if only she would speak to me, she’d make my dreams come true.

 Crossing the Bridge by 
Bill Brooks Hull

June 21st , 2005 Copyright 2005 

Bill says: The bridge in the poem 
is the Ogdensburg-Prescott 
International Bridge, which opened in 1960.  

The first two lines in my poem refer to another poem about the St. Lawrence written by the late Lee McKnight, a former mayor of Prescott, who lamented the passing of the ferry and replacement by the shiny new bridge.  

I read that poem years ago, but cannot find a copy today.  Lee McKnight was my grandmother's 1st cousin, and he and I shared the date of our birthdays.  

Lee wrote the soliloquy on the St. Lawrence that I read a couple months ago at the writers' group.  Several of his writings had the theme of the St. Lawrence as that which joins us, rather than divides us.

The next two lines of my poem comment on the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway and the loss of so much of our heritage.  


My second and third stanzas describe how the moon seemed to be directly in line with the bridge as I started across, giving the impression I could just drive right to it, but then I rounded a bend and crossed the river instead.  

In the fourth stanza, I mention Franz von Werra, a German flying ace and British prisoner of war during World War II, who escaped from a train traveling across Canada, and made his way across the ice to the United States, still a neutral country in 1940.  

He was the subject of a book, One That Got Away, and a movie, The One That Got Away.


(This is not my son, Bill Hull. This Bill goes to my writers group.)

Let’s pray:

   Father, there are many 
times in life, we are given 
interesting lessons from 
others to examine.

   Help me to read and hear stories of men and women of 

faith, so my own faith is strengthened and will stand the 
challenges that come.

   I ask for guidance in my taking from them what I
am in need of, to develop my love for You.


   In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: 1 Sam. 30:6c "But David encouraged himself in the LORD his God."

Today’s quote:  Phyllis Freeman – “God can help us overcome the enemies—sin, fear, anger, and doubt. At the point of need we’re given enablement beyond the powers of our enemy as we trust in a faithful God.”

Some thoughts today: There's a true gospel and a false one. There are many churches with many differences, but is their core Jesus Christ?

- The Holy spirit desires us to hold onto the Truth with tenacity. 

- There are groups who say we have to do certain things to be saved. Jesus did what was necessary, my friend. We're to believe in His sacrificial work of redemption, and obey. (see Acts 2:38)

Sept. 23rd- Tuesday's post:  #1 WARFARE PRAYER
Introduction  C. Peter Wagner

25th- Thursday's post:  #2 WARFARE PRAYER
Intro con't  C. Peter Wagner

27th- Saturday's post:  The Jungle
Max Lucado

28th- Sunday's post:  The Power of a Single Act
James Cagle

A popular post:  A Meeting for Reconciliation    Dutch Sheets -  “…Psalm 85:10 states‘Lovingkindness and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other...  God had a dilemma seen through four words in this verse. He not only is a God of lovingkindness (which represents His mercy, kindness, love and forgiveness), but He is also a God of truth..." 




AuthorsDen.com
Where authors and readers come together!

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  
Kindle $2.99




Bridal Shower Devotional: Bridal
Wisdom for Women

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse 
My book in paperback $7.16

Wisdom for Brides (Christian Marriage,
Counseling, & Help)