KEY SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 49:24 KJV” Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?”

In our previous study we looked at certain legal grounds that children of God and even ministers give over to the devil. You become a legal captive of an illegal devil when you do so. This is a wrong occurrence and you must stop it.

We saw that the first legal ground that people of God give to Satan is when they live in sin. There are sins of the flesh, which has to do with acts like fornication, etc. and sins of the Spirit (2Corinth 7:1), which include pride, envy, etc. To deal with these sins effectively, consider the harmful effect of sin confess them before the Lord. The next step is to renew your mind concerning who you are. It is Christ alive in you for your former self is crucified with Jesus. If it is Christ alive in you, then your hands, mind and total body is his, for He expresses Himself through you. Now no more wrong actions would you engage in, because it is Christ who is in charge of you and not your flesh.

2 Idle words: Make sure you always speak in line with the word of God. Men say negative words when they are under pressure. Decide that no matter the difficulty, you would not   say anything that is anti-scripture or does not reveal the glory of God. (Number 14:28)

3.Rebellion against fathers: One area that some ministers are found wanting is their relationship and attitude towards the men who brought them up in the Lord, who are also known as spiritual fathers .1Co 4:15 KJV “For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus, I have begotten you through the gospel”. Never think you are equal with such men. Respect them, love them and honor them by giving to such men. If it is scripturally dangerous to dishonor our earthly fathers, how much dangerous it would be if you mistreat your spiritual father. (Heb 13:17)

. Dear servant of God, if you have any problems with your spiritual father, then go to him and make amends. Your proper relationship with your spiritual father is a divine protocol for survival and doing well in life. Genesis 49:26

4. Refusal to serve God out of Joy and gratitude (Read Deut 28:47 & 48) Serve God in cheerfulness and gratitude. This would save you from an unnecessary hardship in life and ministry.

CONFESSION

I do not live in sin.  Christ in me takes control of all I do. I do not give place to the enemy. I observe all spiritual protocols and therefore I maintain a covering over my life.

FURTHER STUDIES

Heb 13:17 KJV “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

Deut 28:47 KJV Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; Therefore, shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.

KEY SCRIPTURE:2Kings 15:4 KJV. Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.

King Ahaziah was a godly king who followed after the ways of his father Amaziah. The Bible revealed the one thing that he did not correct, and that was to completely destroy the high places, where they still made sacrifices to other gods. The scriptures added that the Lord smote him with leprosy. The meaning of that scripture is, and the Lord allowed leprosy to afflict him. Diseases are always caused by devils although when an individual acts against the natural laws of God, He God may not prevent a sickness from afflicting such a person. Our lesson in this study is that, although he served God diligently there was one aspect of his life that gave legal grounds for Satan or devils to afflict him, and God could not stop them. As servants of God, we must beware of not keeping any door opened for Satan to launch an attack against us.

What are some of the actions of ministers or children of God that can give legal grounds to the enemy to launch an attack against us:

1.Sin of any kind in the life of the minister can give grounds to the enemy. (Gal 6:7 KJV “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

2. Idle words. These are unscriptural words that does not honor God in anyway. Mat 12:37 KJV “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned”.

3.When a minister does not honor his fathers but rebels against him. 2Sa 18:14 KJV” Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.” Absalom died at such a moment of his life because he rebelled against his father. Please Read Genesis 49. Reuben was cursed by his father never to excel.

4. Sins of the fathers in the blood line which have not been addressed and challenged. Abraham came from a bloodline which was idolatrous and even gave their children to Molech. (This means they sacrificed their children in fire for the idols.) This caused barrenness to the wife of Abraham and his lineage. (Gen 12:1-3). The Lord had to call Abraham out of his nation family and from his father’s house.

5. Evil occurrences as a result of demonic aggression. During the days of the Apostles Stephen was first stoned to death, James was killed by Herod and Peter was also held in prison to be killed. It took violent prayers by the Apostles in Acts 12, to break that occurrences. From then the apostles although martyred, lived to later years. They lived to their old ages before they were either killed or died.

6. Ministers who deal treacherously with their covenanted wives. Mal 2:14 KJV “Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant”.

This point also goes for every man who mistreat his wife, with whom he covenanted before God.

These things and some more give the enemy access into the life of ministers to afflict their lives or even attack the Ministry.  We would consider how to deal with these things in our next study.

PRAYER

Father, I receive grace and the ability to know where I am erring, and be humble to acknowledge my error. Help me to confront every aggression of the devil rightly in Jesus name.

KEY SCRIPTURE:2Ki 14:10 KJV “Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?”

(Read 2 Kings 14)

Success is always a blessing. God blesses our sincere efforts with outstanding success. King Amaziah, started by doing that which was right in the sight of the Lord. God approved of his obedience by granting him victory over his enemies. He was very successful in slaying Edom. After this victory he sent messengers to Jerusalem calling on the king of Israel to come for an open fight. This time he acted out of his ego, without the Spirit leading. Pride is very deceptive and can easily take over a man’s heart. A pastor dared the devil to appear to him and he (the devil) would see power. The devil appeared and this pastor was scared to death. It took the intervention of the Holy Spirit to save the situation.

The Christian by grace is superior to the devil. He must not in any way act out of self will and pride to face the devil. Amaziah called for a fight with the king of Israel, out of shear pride. Pride always comes before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 KJV “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” Dear child of God we are nothing by ourselves. Your success always proceeds from being led by the Spirit of God. Such an action would definitely go to glorify God. God resists the proud but gives more grace to the humble.

Another attitude of pride is when some Pastors who have very large ministries, tend to look down on smaller ones. This is a deception. Every form of pride is always a deception. There are some Pastors with rather small membership yet very proud. They would not submit themselves to be taught in anyway. They are mostly criticizing those with large ministries. Please, this work is not about ourselves and what we have been able to achieve. It is all about seeking the salvation of the lost and establishing them for God. It is a depopulation of hell to populate heaven. Whether you have a large audience or a few thank God and focus on winning more for heaven.

PRAYER

Father I pray for all servants of God, that they may never to be deceived by pride. May their eyes be opened to the deceptive strides of pride as it tries to take dominion of their hearts. Deliver those who are bound by it in Jesus name I have prayed. Amen

FURTHER STUDIES

1Samuel 2:3 KJV” Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.”

Job 40:12 KJV” Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.”

KEY SCRIPTURE :2Kings 13:19 NET The prophet got angry at him and said, “If you had struck the ground five or six times, you would have annihilated Syria! But now, you will defeat Syria only three times.”

(Read 2 Kings 13:1-25)

The king of Israel went to Prophet Elisha for a divine help against the armies of Syria. The prophet asked him to shoot an arrow but did not tell him the number of times. 2Ki 13:17 NET Elisha said, “Open the east window,” and he did so. Elisha said, “Shoot!” and he did so. Elisha said, “This arrow symbolizes the victory the LORD will give you over Syria. You will annihilate Syria in Aphek!” As the man of God said the arrows symbolized the victory of the Israelites. These shooting of the arrows can be compared to our Prayer times. The king only shot three times and stopped.

Many of us start praying about certain issues, and when we see some initial victories we give up and relax. When the king shot the arrows three times and stopped, the prophet got angry at him and said, “If you had struck the ground five or six times, you would have annihilated Syria! But now, you will defeat Syria only three times.” Dear child of God or minister make sure you have exhausted every bit of the moments through your prayer. Pray till the Holy Spirit tells you to give up.

HOW can one know he has fully dealt with the devil, and can stop praying? On many cases the burden to pray ceases after the Holy Spirit has finished dealing with the case. Like Elijah who prayed till he saw a sign in the heavens, of a cloud as a man’s hand (1 kings 18:44). When the Lord Jesus prayed in the Garden before he was betrayed by Judas, he kept praying, even after the angel had strengthened Him (Luke 22:44) Dear child of God, always go for victory, by making sure there is an assurance of victory. As the curtain for the year 2020 is being pulled down, make sure you have prayed earnestly for your life in the next year. Every year comes along with its issues, yet you can take charge with your prayers.

CONFESSION

Thank you, heavenly father, for the opportunity to pray. I pray through till I breakthrough. The certainty for victory is always guaranteed, and so l go for it.

FURTHER STUDIES

Luke 22:44 KJV “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

1Kings 18:44 KJV “And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.”

KEY SCRIPTURE :1Chron 16:34 KJV “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever.”

The message of Christmas calls for Thanksgiving. The angels said to Mary that, the Son that will be born of her will save His people from their sin. The coming of Christ has brought all those in darkness into the light. Isa 9:2 KJV” The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”  By the coming of Christ, light has been released into every darkness of all men. Thank God for this light that has delivered us from darkness. The Lord Jesus came to bring us healing. Himself took our infirmity and carried away our sorrow (Isaiah 53:4&5) Dear child of God thank God for taking away all your sicknesses. Stop looking at the state of your body and rather thank God for healing you. If he took away your infirmities, then you are well. Start thanking him for this glorious Christmas that brings healing to us.

Christmas means poverty is ended. For he came that the poor might be rich. 2Corinth 8:9 ” For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”. Thank God for this Christmas that makes you rich. Thank God for eternal life as a result of Christmas. 2Ti 1:10 KJV” But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:” Eternal life was made possible because Jesus was born.

The song writer said,” and man will live forever more, because of Christmas day”. The next thing to thank God about in this Christmas season is for bringing you peace. He is the prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6.) Thank Him for peace. Thank God also that, you have been delivered from this evil world.

Gal 1:4 KJV “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:” This world has so much demonic activities. The Lord came that we may be free from all these devils and actually become masters of these devils. Thank God in this Christmas for making you, a master of devils.

CONFESSION

Thank you, dear heavenly father that you did not keep your son, but freely allowed him to die for us. By Him, I am healed from all diseases, I thank you Lord in this Christmas, for eternal life, for supernatural prosperity, for deliverance from demonic dominion. Thank you, Lord.

FURTHER STUDIES

Rom 8:32 KJV “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

John 3:16 KJV For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 1:21 KJV “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins”.

At Christmas we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus, who came to save us from sin. Sin is the worse influence and power of all time. Sin gave birth to death. Rom 5:12 KJV “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so, death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” It is Christmas and everyone is caught up in the festivities. My question is, have you been saved from your sins?  You may be celebrating this Christmas with all the excitement, but please solemnly answer this question. Have you been saved from your sins?  I am not talking about going to church. Are you free from the influence and power of sin? What do you do   when no one is present.?

A man who has been saved from his sins loves God in sincerity. He willingly gives time to prayer and the reading of the Bible. He hates whatever the Bible instructs us to hate. The man who has been saved from his sins loves to tell others about the saving power of Jesus. He prays constantly for men who are bound in their sins. The man who has been set free from his sins loves men, but hates their sin. The man who has been saved from his sins loves to hear about the second coming of Jesus. He is actually ready for His coming.

What was your answers to all the above probing questions? Gal 6:7 KJV” Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap”. You might be celebrating this Christmas with all the excitement. You are a complete stranger to Jesus if you are not personally known to Him. Don’t let your church affiliation deceive you. If your heart tells you that you are not saved from your sins then humbly surrender your life to the saviour today. Make this Christmas a more meaningful one by making Jesus the Lord of your life.

CONFESSION

LORD Jesus, you were born to save all men from their sins. I surrender my life to you by accepting forgiveness for all my sins BE the Lord of my life. Help me by your Spirit to serve you for the rest of my days. Amen

FURTHER STUDIES

John 1:29 KJV” The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”.

Rev. 3:20 KJV “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me”

 KEY SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:36 KJV” And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.”

Christmas is a moment of great festivities and merry making. Along these euphoria are certain special packages that you as an individual can take advantage of to bring lasting smiles to you. Among the many sides to the story of Christmas is the miracle of Elizabeth, who used to be known as barren. She became pregnant even at her very old age. This tells us that in this season of Christmas that bitter story about your life can change, if you would dare to believe God’s word.  The angels announced to the shepherds watching their flocks the following statement. Luke 2:14 KJV” Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.”. You are included in those who must have peace and the good will. Good will means God thinks favorably towards you.

What is that thing that turns your mouth sour? This season is your moment for a turn around. Elizabeth was called barren, but because Jesus was to be born her barrenness was terminated. Dear one because of this season God has purposed to turn your situation around, for your good. Elizabeth said in Luke 1:45 that “And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord”. God’s power will be revealed to the man who believes. As you believe you would experience that miracle you desire. (Isaiah 53:1)

What must you do to turn your negative situation into a testimony?

1 Know that God is willing to answer you. (Luke 5:13)

2.God is able to change that situation (Eph 3:20 Jeremiah 32:17

3 God is ready to answer you.

With these three mental concepts fully established in you, ask the Lord and thank him for answering you, according to Mark 11:24″ Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Make this Christmas a moment of encounter with the living God for an absolute turnaround of any bad state you find yourself.

CONFESSION

Thank you, heavenly father for giving us your son Jesus, our savour. I accept by faith, your healing, deliverance, forgiveness and any blessing I need. I thank you for your answer in Jesus name.

FURTHER STUDIES

Isaiah 53:1 KJV Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

Jeremiah 32:17 KJV “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:”

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 2:17 KJV “And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.”

(Read 2 Kings 9 & 10). Zeal in the heart of a man is like fire in coal that burns whatever it comes into contact with. It is a consuming energy that cannot be stopped. Jehu was anointed to be king of Israel. He was commissioned to wipe out all the filth created by Ahab, by wiping out the family of Ahab, destroy all the prophets of Baal and totally stop Baal worship   in Israel. Jehu executed this mission without fail. It was zeal for God burning in his bones that caused him to go that length. He had to use brute force in certain occasions and other times was just tactful. In all these he was very consistent and so he progressed steadily till the whole task was fully executed.

What kept his zeal burning till he got to his ultimate? Among other factors, Jehu expressed his anger against the whoredom and witchcraft of Jezebel in Israel. (2 Kings 9:22) This attitude whipped up his desire or zeal to get his tasks done. What will your zeal do for you?

1 Your zeal causes you to overlook hindrances and reproaches to obtain your goal.

2. Zeal will push you to do whatever God tells you to do.

3.Zeal for God makes you do everything for God in sincerity

4. Zeal in your heart coupled with proper knowledge makes you produce

 your best.

5. Your zeal will make the fire of God to keep burning in you.

You can’t be really effective without your zeal. You would need a great zeal for God to do much for him.

HOW can one maintain his zeal always.? Your zeal must be kept burning lest it will die. You may have to do the following to maintain your zeal.

1 Maintain a constant time of prayer. Pray more in tongues Jude 1:20

2 Have at least one day of the week to be fasting always.

3.Read your Bible and maintain a daily devotional time.

4.Daily witness to the saving power of our Lord Jesus.

5.Spend some moments each day to deeply worship the Lord.

6.Remain JOYFUL always Phil 4:4

7.Stop any appearance of sin, or sinful habit

8.Keep reminding yourself of your goals for God, by writing them down.

As you do these things your zeal will always be alive to execute every task effectively.

PRAYER

Dear heavenly father, may your fire continue to burn in our hearts. Nothing of the flesh will have a place in me.

FURTHER STUDIES

Psalms 69:9 KJV” For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me”.

Jude 1:20 & 21 KJV “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:2Corinthians 6:14 KJV Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

(Read 2nd Kings 8:16-29). The experiences of the kings of Israel and Judah, has a lot to teach us about our personal walk with God, as well as experiences in serving God. King Jehoshaphat was a very godly man, his son, should have just followed after his father, but he walked in the sins of the kings of Israel. 2Kings 8:18 KJV “And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD”.

The scriptures reveal that he did all the abominable things because he married the daughter of Ahab. Ahab’s daughter like her mother Jezebel will negatively influence her husband. It is always dangerous just to want to marry somebody of significance in the society. You marry the one God’s spirit approves.

Jehoram, the Son of Jehoshaphat, could be compared to any young minister or the son of a servant of God. He could not be equally yoked with somebody who was very ungodly. In the days of Jehoram, the Lord permitted things to go so bad. Edom rebelled from the rule of Judah. Certain ministries go through some type of hardships because the Lord is not pleased with the pastor or leader as a result of their lifestyle. He reigned for only eight years. Most of the kings that lived to honour God reigned for about forty years, or even more, Dear child of God, God cannot be mocked, you would always reap what you sow.

2 kings 8:22 reveals that after Edom revolted from Judah, when Jehoram was king, Libnah also revolted. He kept losing more grounds because his ways did not please the Lord. All of this was as a result of the woman he married. Dear minister of God, yours may not be the woman you have married, yet your life is on a different course from God’s leading. God therefore has no direct rule over you and your work. The result is a consistent stressful life and all kinds of challenges that rise up against your life and the work of God. What is the way out? Look out for where you are going wrong and repent.

THIS is what the Lord says, 2Corinth 6:17 KJV” Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you”. The word of the Lord is clear, separate yourself from everything ungodly and the Lord will receive you, and begin to rule over you and the work you are doing for Him.

PRAYER

Father, may your Spirit help every servant of God to come to a place of total surrender and submission to the word of God, and the way of God.

FURTHER STUDIES

Galatians 6:7 KJV Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Acts 10:34 KJV” Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him”

KEY SCRIPTURE:2 Kings 7:1 KJV “Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, Tomorrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria”.

Every one of us would be faced with one challenge of a kind. Elisha was personally faced with a threat on his life, by the king of Israel. He came up with a solution to the situation, by giving    a prophetic word from the Lord. It was a prophetic word spoken in faith. Faith in God, is the number one answer to numerous life challenges. The scriptures teach that by faith one will overcome the world. 1John 5:4 KJV” For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith”. During the ministry of our Lord Jesus, he was met with so many challenges, yet he overcame them all through His faith.

The scriptures speak of great achievements of heroes of faith who also conquered by faith Heb 11:33 KJV “Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens”. Dear child of God or minister of God, your faith is of utmost importance for an all-round victory. You must build a strong faith in God and His word for victory. Faith although very potent to achieve so much, is very fragile when one allows   the harshness of the flesh to be in charge. Give attention to feeding your spirit with the word of God. To get certain truths deeply imbedded in your spirit, you may have to listen to word over dozens of times.

Prophet Elisha spoke by the principle of Mark 11:23, that says,” For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith”. Elisha spoke and expected God to honour those words for him. The king’s righthand man doubted and said it shall not be possible, yet Elisha confirmed his faith in God, by saying, it will be as he has said yet that man will not partake of it. From Elisha’s experience, whenever there is a challenge or opposition, speak the word in faith. To speak in faith, means expect God to honor what you said. In Elisha’s story, God used some four lepers to bring the word to pass. You must never worry about how it would happen. Just know that it will happen as you have said.

CONFESSION

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your word that builds my faith. The word in my heart and my mouth is just as God Himself uttering those words. I also do as the word says, and it always yields great results.

FURTHER STUDIES

Mark 11:24 KJV” Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

Mark 9:23 KJV” Jesus said unto him, if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”