Tag Archives: inspiration

Contending for the Faith: What Has the Church Let Slip?

Hebrews 2:1-4 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

The understood topic here is neglecting our great salvation and letting “things” slip or drift away. What does it mean to “drift away”? The King James says, “let slip”. Can we let parts of our salvation slip? What “things” did the Church hear and start drifting away from?  

In the book of Jude, we see another exhortation.

Jude 2-3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 

These passages are not saying that we would lose our eternal life. They are referring to everything else that is included in our salvation, our inheritance. Things like divine health and healing, favor, provision, protection, prosperity, and spiritual power and authority. These are the things that we need to pay close attention to. These are the parts of salvation that we must contend for. These are the things that the Church has drifted away from.

Every promise of God must be obtained through faith and patience. It will not just fall on us because we are saved.

Hebrews 6:9-12 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Some things accompany our salvation that we can only obtain through faith and patience. Our eternal salvation is secured. This security allows us to confidently work out the rest of our salvation by faith.

Our inheritance is obtained by faith and patience. The inheritance is ours. Faith and patience are the two components necessary to claim that inheritance and qualify us to lay hold of it.

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 

Salvation is not an event; it is a process, a journey. When we are born again, we become a New Creation, and EVERYTHING IS NEW! Now, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

Our salvation starts when we confess and accept Jesus Christ as Lord. From that point, we work out the promises and details of our salvation. We learn about our inheritance and begin to appropriate it by faith.

So, what are some of the specific things that the Church has let slip? Look at Mark 16.

Mark 16:16-18 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt themthey will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

These promises are only to believers. Not necessarily professing Christians. Are YOU a believer? Do these signs follow YOU? When was the last time you laid hands on a sick person? How many devils have YOU cast out?

Why don’t we actively look for people to lay hands on? This is an indictment against us. It shows that we really don’t believe it works for us. If we believed that people were going to be healed when we laid our hands on them, we would be constantly seeking opportunities to do so.

We clearly see what the Church has let slip and drift away by the lack of specific fruit that is promised to us.

We Can Regain What Was Lost.

Just because the Church in the past had let things slip doesn’t mean we have to follow suit. The fact that God is revealing this weakness to us is evidence that He wants us to change it. That means He will empower us to do it. If we are not seeing lives transformed, the sick healed, and the oppressed set free, it is not because God’s promises have changed. It is because we have neglected to contend for them through faith and patience.

Let this realization stir us, not to condemnation, but to action. God is revealing this because He wants us to contend for it. May we be the generation that refuses to drift but instead rises up to demonstrate the living power of God to a world in desperate need.

JESUS IS COMING!

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Confessing Scripture: Unlock Your Spiritual Growth

Declaring God’s word over our lives is tremendously powerful. It establishes us in truth and builds our faith in Him and His promises. It moves us forward in our spiritual growth. God’s written word contains the building blocks of our faith. In essence, it is the mortar that holds it all together. It solidifies our identity in Him. It raises us up into a holy and righteous temple, a fit dwelling place for the Holy Spirit.

Speaking God’s word should be a priority in every Christians life, unfortunately, for most, it is not.

Confession should not be a mindless reciting of scripture, but an intimate part of our relationship with God. When approached properly, it will enhance our relationship with our Father and enrich our prayer life beyond measure.

God’s word should be spoken intentionally and with reverence. Our confession should be charged with faith. It should affect us emotionally as it stirs us up and feeds us spiritually.

Speaking God’s word lets Him know that we agree with what He says about us. We hold this faith no matter what the situation or circumstance. Embracing His Word aligns us with His thoughts. It sets our hearts in agreement with His plans and affirms our identity as His children.

We see in Isaiah 55 how God uses His Word. He sends His words to accomplish things. His Word is like the rain and snow that falls from Heaven and gives life to the Earth and causes it to bear fruit. Our words should give life as well.

Isaiah 55:8-11 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

God’s Word still bears fruit when we speak it intentionally and in faith.

Speaking God’s Word activates Angels

Hebrews 1:13-14 But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

Notice in verse 14 that angels are sent to minister FOR us, not TO us. If a nurse comes to clean a wound, take your blood pressure and temperature, he is ministering TO you. If a Lawyer goes before a judge on your behalf he is ministering FOR you. Angels DO things FOR us. The primary thing they respond to is God’s Word.

Psalm 103:20 Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word.

Angels are here for the purpose of ministering FOR us. They hearken unto God’s word that we give voice to.

Psalm 119:88-90 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth. 89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. 90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides.

According to Psalm 119:89 God’s Word is forever settled and established in Heaven. When we speak His Word in faith, we settle and establish it in our heart. We also establish it on the Earth and in our lives.  

There is a principle in scripture that we see in Deuteronomy 17:6 and 19:15. Paul refers to it in 2 Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 13:1 This will be the third time I am coming to you. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.”

When our mouth is speaking what God has already said about us that word becomes established.

Job makes an interesting statement that helps put this in perspective.

Job 22:28 You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways.

What we speak with our mouths continually will be established in our lives. If we speak lack, loss, limitations, failure, sickness, and death, that is what we are establishing in our lives. If we speak life, blessings, victory, and the promises of God, those things become and established reality in our lives.

If we could only see what happens in the spirit realm when we speak God’s word in faith, we would never go a day without doing it.

The following are some examples of how I pray God’s word. They are scriptures that speak to my heart. passages that the Holy Spirit has illuminated to me as being important in my life. The scriptures have been personalized for a conversation with God in relationship. Be mindful of scriptures that jump out to you, that have an unction on them and personalize your own declarations.

2 Corinthians 4:13-14 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 

It is only natural as a child of God to speak what our Father speaks.

The spirit of faith is that we believe, and therefore speak. If we truly believe God’s Word, it will be coming out of our mouth.

GOD’s WORD for YOU!

Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

SAY THIS ~ I keep God’s Word in my mouth. I meditate on it day and night. I am mindful to do according to all that is written in it. By this, I make my way prosperous and I have good success.

Mark 16:17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

SAY THIS ~ I am a believer in Jesus and these signs follow me. I cast out devils; I speak with new tongues. If I touch or consume anything deadly, it will in no way hurt me. I lay hands on the sick and they recover.

John 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

SAY THIS ~ The Spirit of truth abides in me and guides me into all truth, showing me things to come.

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me, Says the LORD.

SAY THIS ~ No weapon formed against me will succeed, and every tongue that rises against me in judgment shall be condemned. This is my heritage as a Son of God and my righteousness is from Him.

Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

SAY THIS ~ I agree with the apostle Paul’s prayer for me. I have perfect knowledge of what to do in every situation and I am filled with all wisdom, spiritual understanding and the knowledge of Gods will for me.

Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

SAY THIS ~ The Holy Spirit has come upon me and I speak with tongues and prophesy.

Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

SAY THIS ~ The power of the Holy Spirit is upon me and I am a witness for Jesus to the end of the earth.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

SAY THIS ~ I do not worry or get anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving I make my requests known to God and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding keeps and guards my heart and mind through Christ Jesus.

Mark 11:23-24 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

SAY THIS ~ I speak to things, sickness, devils, and situations, and they obey me. I believe in my heart that those things I say will be done so I have what I say. My words have power. I use that power to change situations, help people, to resist the enemy and give glory to God.

Psalm 103: 2-5 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

SAY THIS ~ Lord You have forgiven all my iniquities; You have healed all my diseases; You have redeemed my life from destruction; You have satisfied my mouth with good things and my youth is renewed like the eagles.

Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

SAY THIS ~ There is no lack in my life, for my God supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

SAY THIS ~ I love God and I am called according to His purpose. All things work together for my good. Everything works out well for me.

Philippians 4:8, 9 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

SAY THIS ~ I think on the things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report. If there is any virtue or praise, I think on these things. I am a doer of the word of God and the peace of God is with me.

Job 22:28 You will also declare a thing, And it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways.

SAY THIS ~ When I declare and decree things they are established in my life. Light shines on my ways making my path clear.

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

SAY THIS ~ Jesus bore my sins therefore I am dead to sin. I live unto righteousness and by His stripes I am healed.

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

SAY THIS ~ The Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in me. That same Holy Spirit brings life to my mortal body.

Isaiah 54:14 In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you.

SAY THIS ~ I thank you Lord, for I am established in righteousness. I am far from oppression, I do not fear, and terror shall not come near me.

Colossians 3:1-2 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

SAY THIS ~ I have been resurrected with Christ. I seek those things which are from above. That is where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. I set my mind and my affections on things above, eternal things, not on the things of this earth.

Proverbs 3: 5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

SAY THIS ~ I trust in the Lord with all my heart and I do not lean on my own understanding. In all my ways I acknowledge Him, and He directs my path.

Mark 12:30-31 And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.

SAY THIS ~ I love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and I love my neighbor as myself.

Galatians 5:16-18 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

SAY THIS ~ I walk in the Spirit and I do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. I am led by the Holy Spirit and I am free from the law.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails….

SAY THIS ~ Because the love of God is shed abroad in my heart, I am patient and kind. I do not envy or boast and I am not proud. I do not dishonor others, I am not self-seeking, I am not easily angered and I keep no record of a suffered wrong. I do not delight in evil but I rejoice in the truth. I believe the best of every person. I always protect, trust, hope and persevere. I never fail.

1 Peter 1:13-21 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

SAY THIS ~ I gird up the loins of my mind with the word of God. I am sober and my hope rests fully upon the grace that is mine in Christ. I am an obedient child of God and I am not conformed to former lusts. I am holy in my conduct as He is holy. I walk in the fear of the Lord.

Proverbs 3:9,10 Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the first fruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

SAY THIS ~ I honor the LORD with my possessions and the first fruits of all my increase. I overflow with material and spiritual blessings.

Romans 5:17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

SAY THIS ~ I have received an abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness. Therefore I reign as a king in this life by Jesus Christ.

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

SAY THIS ~ I will fear no evil for thou art with me Lord, your Word and your Spirit they comfort me.

Proverbs 21:23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

SAY THIS ~ I guard my mouth and my tongue and I keep my soul from trouble.

Psalm 112:1-7 Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments. 2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever. 4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. 5 A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion. 6 Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. 7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

SAY THIS ~ I am blessed because I fear the Lord and delight greatly in His commandments. My descendants are mighty on the earth and they are blessed. Wealth and riches are in my house and my righteousness endures forever. I am gracious and full of compassion. I guide my affairs with discretion. I will never be shaken. I am not afraid of evil tidings. My heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

Romans 12:1-3 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

SAY THIS ~ I present my body a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God. This is my reasonable service and spiritual worship. I am NOT conformed to this world, but I am transformed by the renewing of my mind to God’s word. I do not think of myself more highly than I ought to think. I think soberly according to the measure of faith God has dealt me.

SAY THIS ~ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

SAY THIS ~ All of my children are taught of the Lord, and great is their peace. 
Isaiah 54:13

SAY THIS ~ Behold, I and the children the Lord has given to me are for signs and wonders  Isaiah 8:18

SAY THIS ~ God said that this is His covenant with me: His Spirit that is upon me and His words which He has put in my mouth, will not depart out of my mouth, nor out of the mouth of my seed, nor out of the mouth of my seed’s seed Isaiah 59:21

SAY THIS ~ I am the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and my offspring with me. Isaiah 65:23

SAY THIS ~ The Lord will contend with him who contends with me, and He will save my children Isaiah 49:24-26

SAY THIS ~ According to God’s everlasting covenant, my offspring will be known among the nations and their descendants among the peoples. All who see them will recognize and acknowledge that they are the people whom the Lord has blessed Isaiah 61:8-10

SAY THIS ~ The seed of the righteous shall be delivered. Proverbs 11:21

Confessions to strengthen your faith In God

Psalm 3:3 ~ But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.

Psalm 8:9 ~ O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth!

Psalm 9:1-3 ~ I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. 3 When my enemies turn back, They shall fall and perish at Your presence.

Psalm 139:14~ I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

Psalm 12:6 ~ The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times.

Psalm 13:5-6~ I trust in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. 6 I will sing to you LORD, because You have dealt bountifully with me.

1 Samuel 2:2 “…My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. 2 “No one is holy like the Lord, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.

2 Samuel 22:32“For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?

Psalm 18:2 ~ I will love You, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.

Psalm 18:46~ The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted.

Psalm 19:7-9~The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

Psalm 23 ~ The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.  4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 24:8-10 ~ Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah

Psalm 25:4-6~Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. 5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. 6 Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your loving kindnesses, For they are from of old.

Exodus 15:2 ~ The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him;

Psalm 27:1 ~ The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 28:6-7~ Blessed be the Lord, Because He has heard the voice of my supplications! 7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.

Isaiah 12:2 ~ Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.

Psalm 31:19 ~ Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men!

Psalm 34:1-2~I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise –shall –continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast I in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad.

We must all find ourselves in the context of the written word. To do this, we must avoid the tendency to “cherry pick” God’s word, choosing only to focus on the blessings and not paying attention to the parts of God’s word that challenge us and demand change.

I encourage you to commit to reading the word for yourself daily, with emphasis on the New Testament. It is my hope that these personal confessions of mine will help you on your journey to intimacy with our glorious creator. Be blessed.

JESUS IS COMING!

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The POWER of Your VOICE!

Thank you for visiting Truth Pressure Ministries. Please share and help reach more people with the truth.

JESUS IS COMING!

Itching Ears; Why YOU might have them.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 

This is more evident in our society today than ever before. We have unqualified teachers in abundance. They regurgitate others’ teachings without personal revelation. This results in an exchange of information without impartation. There is no demonstration of truth without impartation. This is one reason we don’t see the supernatural power of God in our services like we should.

Matthew 23:9-10 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 

That may seem contradictory. The Lord Jesus gave us teachers in the form of the “five-fold ministry gifts” mentioned in Ephesians 4. However, it is not contradictory. All the five-fold ministry gifts have one purpose: to equip the saints for the work of ministry. All five gifts teach differently. These teachings must be filtered through our relationship with God and His written word.

1 John 2:26-27 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

Suppose we believe false doctrine out of ignorance. Regardless of our intention, we partner with the adversary in leading us into deception. Our wrong beliefs build strongholds of wrong thinking and wrong believing. By believing lies, we assist the enemy in his deceptions and help him build the strongholds that he hides behind. Unfortunately, most of us fall for this deception at one time or another.

Strongholds are not only reinforced belief systems. They are defensive positions in our minds. The enemy hides behind them to wage war. This ensures we stay trapped in wrong thinking and wrong believing. When we speak and act on our wrong beliefs, we reinforce the stronghold. One of the ways Satan keeps us deceived is by separating us from the rest of the flock. He keeps running in the same circle of people who believe like us. He then makes us despise and ridicule the beliefs of other denominations. Denominational divisions were never God’s plan (1 Corinthians 3 ). Now they are an effective tool the enemy uses against us to keep us divided.

To enjoy true freedom in Christ, we must be very selective about what we hear. We must be particular about who we listen to and how much we do it. We should also be very selective about what we watch. Our eyes and ears are receptors for our hearts. What we see and hear has either positive or negative effects on our hearts and minds.

Do you spend a lot of time watching and listening to TV shows with violence and cursing? Do these shows also include sexual innuendo and lies as entertainment? How many hours a day do you spend watching television or surfing the web? How about social media? All of these things contribute to you having itching ears, and they ALL can hinder your spiritual growth.

Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.

In comparison, how much time do you spend in God’s word a day? I’m not talking about going to Church or reading a book about the Bible. I’m not talking about you listening to preachers and teachers spoon-feed you their opinions on the Bible. I mean YOU reading and/or listening to the Bible yourself.

1 Peter 2:1-3 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Peter says in verse 1 to lay aside these things. We constantly see and hear these things on TV, and they are poisoning us. The same poison is also present in all other forms of media. In verse 2, he tells us to desire the sincere milk of the word like newborn babes. Newborns cry out for milk 8 to 12 times a day. They need constant nourishment to keep them healthy and growing. What if you fed that same newborn poison 8 to 12 times a day? Would that child be healthy?

A robust relationship with God through His written Word is essential. It is the only way to skillfully discern sound teaching. Truth becomes obscured when we fill our hearts and minds with the things of this world.

Ask yourself, and ask God: Am I truly abiding in God’s word? Or am I just reading the latest books and listening to the latest sermons? Do I really desire the sincere milk of the word? Do I crave a self-serving gospel that doesn’t challenge me? One that doesn’t strengthen me for trials and testing? Am I comfortable in my Christianity?

If you are not hungry for God’s Word, you haven’t read it enough. Spiritual hunger comes from eating spiritual food, not starving yourself. God’s word is spiritual food. God’s Word is incorruptible seed. God’s Word is light and life!

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

Spiritual growth demands more than just passive consumption of teachings or fleeting moments spent in religious activity. It requires a deliberate, daily pursuit of God’s Word. This pursuit creates a hunger that transforms the heart and mind. It breaks down strongholds of deception and division.

The world will continue to offer countless distractions. Only the living Word of God can discern your deepest thoughts and intentions. It guides you into truth and freedom.

Now is the time to act. Make a decision to guard your heart with diligence. Be intentional about what you watch, listen to, and believe. Set aside the noise of the world and the opinions of others. Immerse yourself in scripture. Nourish your spiritual appetite with the sincere milk of God’s holy, written Word. Avoid the empty calories of culture.

Thank you for visiting truthpressure.com. I hope this has been a blessing to you.

JESUS IS COMING!