Spiritual Endurance

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, 

nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor 

any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, 

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

(Romans 8:38-39)

Thank God for Jesus!

Praise God for yet another day that He has made and allowed us to participate in. We should 

certainly rejoice and be glad in it. Remember to thank God every morning when you open your 

eyes for another day in which He chose to keep you.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! And again, thank God for Jesus, the sacrificial lamb 

who made salvation possible for everyone.

My prayer today is directed toward enduring as a strong soldier; steadfast in Christ Jesus.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or 

famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all 

day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more 

than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:35 – 37

At some point, we have to make up in our mind that our desire to live for Christ outweighs any

other desire we may have, any obstacles we face, including family and friends. Our desire for

Christ should be so strong that no matter what our concerns are, or our issues, or what our

situations may be, our hope in an eternal life with God should rule our actions accordingly.

God lets us know that even as Jesus suffered, we should arm ourselves likewise to suffer. To 

arm ourselves means to prepare ourselves mentally, be ready to suffer for the name of Jesus.

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the 

same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;  1 Peter 4:1

When we allow God to rule in our lives, nothing is impossible. He is the same God yesterday,

today and forever. He sees our sufferings, tears and frustrations. He knows what we are going

through in our bad times and the good thing is, He doesn’t leave us there to suffer all alone,

He is right there with us and He tells us in His word that after we have suffered a while, He will

make us perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle us.  

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that 

ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Peter 5:10

We need to understand that God is the author and finisher of our faith and that there is no 

greater power than that of God. That which He began, He will finish!

So we should be comforted and rest assured that by being on the Lord’s side the battle is 

already won because victory belongs to God.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  

1 Corinthians 15:57

Dear Heavenly Father, 

We come to You with grateful hearts and praise on our lips that You kept us just one more day;

that You allowed us to wake this day with our health and our strength and clothed in our right

mind. We thank You because we have a continued mind to serve You. And because we serve

and trust You Lord, we have a blessed assurance that You are our refuge and our fortress; no

battle is too big or too small for You to handle; and Heavenly Father when our situations, cares,

concerns and issues overwhelm us, we thank You because we can hide in the shadow of Your

wings, almighty God; El Shaddai!  We have safety in the shelter of the most high. We can say

with assurance that this battle belongs to You God; in You will we trust.

We know that this is a suffering way, that even as Jesus suffered, we must suffer also. Help us 

Lord to stay donned in the armour of spiritual warfare and graced with the fruit of Your Holy 

Spirit so that in all our ways, we are able to withstand and stand against the influences of evil 

and be a shining light to a dying world darkened by sin and shame. Help us Lord to be good 

laborers for You.

Help us dear Lord to throw off everything that hinders us and break every yoke of sin that so

easily entangles us. Help us to run this race with perseverance. Help us to fix our eyes on Jesus,

who is the author and perfecter of our faith. We want to hear You say, ‘well done, my good and

faithful servant, enter into my rest’.  A place where there is peace and joy forever more. Help us

not to grow weary in our good works, to have patience and wait on You for all things.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  

Galatians 6:9

In all of our ways, You said Lord, that we are to acknowledge You; that You will direct our path. 

Lead us and guide us today; allow us to be ambassadors for You, Jesus, remembering at all 

times that we are walking in the Holy Spirit with the anointing that You, the sovereign one, the 

king of kings and Lord of Lords have placed within us.

We ask Lord that You help us to keep our minds stayed on You. Help us to be prayerful in our 

actions so that we are pleasing in Your sight. There is none greater than You Lord. It was You

who sent us Your son to purchase our salvation. We thank You Lord for the comforter, the 

precious Holy Ghost that was sent to keep us and intercede on our behalf. And with the Holy 

Ghost; your power, and the name of Jesus; our authority, we are victorious, we are more than

conquerors because there is power in the Holy Ghost and the name of Jesus, that in the name 

of Jesus there is victory, there is healing, there is salvation. At the name of Jesus, demons flee, 

yokes are broken, strongholds are cast down, and souls are saved. Through the name of Jesus 

and the precious Holy Ghost within us, we are more than conquerors, we are overcomers, and 

we are no longer victims – but we are victorious through You!

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  

Romans 8:37

Dear Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, we plead the blood against everything that is not 

like You. We ask that You command Your angels to guard us in all our ways; in our comings and 

in our goings; to protect us from all hurt, harm and danger of those things seen and unseen.

Lift us up in Your righteous right hand and help us not to grow weary while doing good, help us

not to faint while fighting this fight. Keep us dear Lord; we know that You are able because all 

power belongs to You!

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.  

Psalms 62:11

We pray for increased faith, Lord God, when we call on You, to know that You will rescue us, 

that You will protect us and keep our minds in perfect peace. Help us to remain steadfast in You 

so that when we call upon You, You will not only hear our cry from above but You’ll answer us, 

You’ll be with us and deliver us in our times of trouble.

Dear God, we thank You for great and everlasting faithfulness! We thank You for Your goodness 

and for Your mercy. We know that when we walk in obedience according to Your word that You 

will supply every need we have according to Your riches in glory.

We need You, oh God, in our lives. Remember all of those who are suffering both physically and

mentally. We pray, oh Lord God that You bring peace and deliverance to those that are troubled,

that You bring comfort to those in sorrow, healing to those who are sick. We pray in the precious

name of Jesus that You bind everything that is not like you. Help us O God to keep our minds 

stayed on You!

And now Lord we pray that You be with us, that You lead us and guide us, give us wisdom and

knowledge to speak and act according to Your will; that we may be laborers in Your kingdom;

that Your manifested glory be revealed through us dear God.

We ask all these things and we thank You for all things, in Jesus' wonderful name we pray, 

amen..

Prayerfully, something was said that will bless you and keep you and that your minds will be in

perfect peace with the Lord.

In closing:

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in 

weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ 

may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

God bless you all!

(Prayer)

08/16/13

06/15/15

05/23/16

04/27/19

09/27/22

Warring with the Flesh

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these

 are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 

Galatians 5:17

The works of the flesh are characteristics of the sinful nature of man caused by the adamic nature of Adam which is inclusive of sinful desires. These sinful desires are opposites of the qualities of the  fruit of the spirit which the Holy Spirit wants to develop in our life.  For example hatred is in direct opposition of God's essence, which is love, just as lasciviousness is against God's nature which is holiness.

There is a constant spiritual battle going on in the life of a believer.  John lets us know that we should not love the world due to its lustful nature:

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.   1 John 2:16

Most times, people think only of the sins that they can see such as murder robbery, etc., but almost all outward sin stems from an inward thought and/or emotion of our heart. 

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.  Luke 6:45

Biblically, these outward sins are referred to as the works of the flesh.   The works of the flesh are trying to destroy the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

The fleshly desires of natural man are contrary to the nature of the Holy Spirit.  The works of the flesh are:

. . . Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like . . .   Galatians 5:19-21

Although the results of these sins are visible in wrong actions, the cause is not visible. The cause is sinful desires [lusts] of the heart:  

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.  Psalms 4:23

And He saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him... 

And He said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness; And these evil things come from within, and defile the man.   Mark 7:18, 20-23

The sins listed in Galatians 5:19-21 are not all of the sins identified in the bible. They are a group of sins called "works of the flesh" which contrast the fruit of the Spirit. 

Apostle Paul explains the results of doing the works of the flesh:

. . . of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  Galatians 5:21

God has given us a way to avoid this penalty:

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9

How does one stop doing the sinful works of the flesh?

®   First:   An acknowledgement of ungodly acts and Godly sorrow must be present in our mind and heart.  

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 2 Corinthians 7:9

®   Second:  Repent of our sin; literally turn from our sinful nature, actions and thoughts and have faith towards God that He is faithful to forgive:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgiveus our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

God does not take sinful man and give him a self-improvement course. 

He creates a new creature. The old things pass away. The works of the flesh are to be replaced by the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17

®   Third:   Be refreshed/filled with the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit which enables us to walk in the ways of the Spirit instead of the sinful ways of the flesh:

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  Galatians 5:16

®   Fourth: Realize we cannot be freed from the works of the flesh and walk in the Spirit through our own effort.

Apostle Paul described the struggle he had in his own effort to live a Godly life:

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.  If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  Romans 7:15-19

Apostle Paul experienced the difficulty of living a holy life but he continued to pursue this goal despite his failures.

We should ask God to put a desire to be holy in our heart. Whenever we fail and sin, confess it immediately and ask the Holy Spirit to help us overcome it. This is how we learn and begin to walk in the Spirit and . . .

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death...  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.   Romans 8:1-9

The fruit of Christ-like qualities only develop as we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is important enough to repeat that 

the fruit of the spirit is in direct contrast to the works of the flesh.  

These Christ-like qualities have no limitations and are considered the embodiment of the Holy Spirit.  

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

This is why it is so important for believers to understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit; how the Holy Spirit will change us from the inside out.

If we sincerely want to live a life that is pleasing to God, read in His word; what He has to say; His thoughts on each of the 'works of the flesh'.

Lord, help us this day that we guard our heart and mind and keep our body under subjection:

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.   1 Corinthians 9:27

(Biblical Studies)

08/14/13
09/29/14
07/10/15
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02/15/19

10/23/20

09/26/22

More Demonstration, Less Lip Service

For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 

1 Corinthians 4:20

In our society today, words are just about meaningless.  People say what they think you want to hear and are full of empty promises.  This makes it very difficult, even for the most sincerest of people to speak and have people believe them.  Is it any wonder that Jesus told them that didn't believe what He was saying:

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.  But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.  John 10:37-38

Jesus, in speaking to the Sadducees, let them know that their very conversation was in error because not only did they lack knowledge of the scriptures, they did not know the power contained within it.  

Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.   Matthew 22:29

Apostle Paul said it like this:

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  2 Timothy 3:5

The truth of the Gospel is two-fold. 

®    First, it is the Word of God as revealed in the Holy Bible. 

We must know the Scriptures, must study them, understand them, and apply them.

But the truth of the Gospel is more than the Scriptures. It is also the power of God. To know the power of God we must understand and apply power principles. The power of God must become a reality in our life through knowledge of His word and application.

The early church was born in a demonstration of the power of God, not through great public speakers or theological debate. Apostle Paul wrote:

And my speech, and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.  1 Corinthians 2:4-5

At one point, Jesus told the people who had gathered to hear him speak,

. . . though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.  John 10:38

®   Secondly, God calls for a demonstration of His power as presented in His word.

Apostle Paul recognized that. . .

For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.   1 Corinthians 4:20

Jesus left believers with a great mission of reaching the world with the Gospel of the Kingdom. This task will not be accomplished by words alone. As in the early church, there also must be a demonstration of the power of God.

Many people know the Word of God but have not experienced the power of God. They do not really understand the power of the Gospel. Many ministers today are well educated. They preach with enticing words of man's wisdom, but there is no demonstration of the Holy Spirit let alone, the power of God.

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.   Mark 16:17-18

If our faith is to stand in the power of God instead of the wisdom of man, we must experience the same flow of power as did the early church. Believers in the early church. . .

. . . went forth and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Word with signs following.  Mark 16:20

We often talk of working for God. We plan our ministry and ask God to bless it. But the Biblical method of effective ministry is the Lord working with us, confirming His Word with miraculous signs.

We have to understand:

The world is not interested in what we have done for God. 

When we constantly brag on those things that we have done in the name of Jesus, we are heaping honor and glory on ourselves when all glory belongs to God.

The world is attracted to Jesus when they see visible results of the power 

of the Gospel which has changed our life. 

In Christ, we are new creatures and the old sinful lifestyle is gone and people should see the beauty of holiness that is radiating from within us.  

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  2nd Corinthians 5:17

Our "living epistle" testimony should be, "those old sinful things I used to do, I don't do anymore."

Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:  Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.  2 Corinthians 3:2-3

The world is attracted by the demonstration of spiritual power as the Lord works with us to confirm His Word with miraculous signs and wonders.

In our circle of influence, our metron, people should see the glory of God; His approval upon us and know that we believe in the power of prayer and that God works on our behalf in seemingly impossible situations.

(Biblical Studies)



08/14/13
02/09/15
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11/13/20

09/23/22

Godly Love in Action

And this is love, that we walk after his commandments.  This is the commandment, 

That as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. 

2 John 1:6

Love is the fulfillment of the Law.

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.  Romans 13:10

Be it a labor of love or not, we have to understand that love is the greatest of the kingdom principles; that we love God with all of our heart and with all of our soul and with all of our mind and with all of our strength and secondly, that we love our neighbors even as we love ourselves. 

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.  Luke 10:27

Love is a part of our work in the Lord. It is an action word that is accomplished through deeds and in truth.

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18

Not only that, it is a commandment: 

And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.  2 John 1:6

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:34-35

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.  Ephesians 5:1-2

The things that our love for God causes us to do -  including our love for God and for one another - should be steadfast and unmovable; not shifting with our circumstances.  

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.   1 Corinthians 15:58

We show our love for God in our adoration, worship, praise, and obedience resulting in outgoing concern, compassion, love and service toward others and by giving our lives as a living sacrifice. 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  Romans 12:1

This verse provides the primary key on how to be unified: we must sacrifice ourselves for one another. 

Sacrifice is the essence of godly love. 

If we are not willing to sacrifice, we are not showing love. It is as simple as that. The attitude of godly love—being willing to sacrifice—must be the underlying attitude as we interact with each other. "Service" is the last word in the above verse, and sacrifice is our reasonable, logical, rational, spiritual service. It is the way we minister to one another and exhibit Godly love.

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?  1 John 3:16-17

Good question, so how do we get there; what gives us the capability - the capacity to exhibit Godly love? To be able to put love into action, we first have to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. We have to bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances we may have against one another. We have to forgive as the Lord has forgiven us.

And when we have done all those things, then we are acting in accordance with God's will for us:   

And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness [or maturity in God.    Colossians 3:14

Just as there are some things that we need to put on, there are also some things we need to take off: 

®     You can’t Love with hypocrisy:

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Romans 12:9-10

®     Don’t love the wrong way:  

Don’t confuse the love of God with the love of the world: 

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2  

Love of the world is forbidden by God, and conforming to it shows that a person loves it and therefore hates God: 

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  1 John 2:15 

 ®     Don’t love in fear:

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  1 John 4:18

The person who has God's love perfected in him cannot fear because he has no dread of punishment and no torment from sin.

Love in action is also the absence of: impatience, meanness, jealously, envy, vainglory, rudeness, selfishness, anger:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.   1 Corinthians 3:4-8 

Mostly what God does is love us. Keep company with Him and learn a life of love.  Look to our perfect example.  Watch what He does, and then we do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us, but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that!

So of course, the very best example of love in action that has ever lived is Jesus himself. Jesus is the biblical pattern that we should follow. Look for love in His every action. Look for love in His every word. Love is there to be found in all that Jesus did and said.

Someone penned this observation of Jesus' love: 

          He did not heal the sick to show how spiritual he was.
          He did not turn water into wine to prove a point.
          He did not pick those particular disciples to make himself look good.
          He did not cast out demons to prove how much God was using him.
          He did not tell parables to get in with the in-crowd.
          He did not walk on water to impress.
          He did not calm the storm to gain respect.
          He did not feed the five thousand to become popular.
          He did not wash the disciples’ feet to make people look up to him.

It was all out of love! Love for His followers. Love for the sick. Love for the lost. Love for God.

In Jesus, we find a kind and compassionate love. A love that cares and meets needs. A love that nurtures, cherishes and forgives. A love that is patient and humble.

That’s Godly love in action!



(Biblical Studies)

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