What Is The Doctrine Of Balaam?

1- Warning against the doctrine of Balaam.

Revelation 2:12-17

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’

The Church of Pergamos is told they tolerate the “teaching of Balaam,” or the “doctrine of Balaam.”

We find this person called Balaam in the book of Numbers chapters 22 to 25 and 31. Balaam was a prophet from Mesopotamia and was willing to use his God-given talents for illicit purposes. He received the Word of the Lord that clearly stated God’s will concerning Israel, they were God’s people and cannot be cursed, but he tried to sell his prophetic gifts to help King Balak, Israel’s enemy and all for money. When that didn’t work, Balaam counselled Balak on the most effective way to weaken Israel. This was through seduction, using Moabite and Midianite women to tempt the Israelites into sexual relationships and into pagan rituals. The Israelites who participated brought God’s judgment upon themselves.

We can learn from this story that the doctrine of Balaam is the attitude that one can be serving God, knowing how to attract God’s presence, hearing from God, and speaking in God’s behalf but also be fully cooperative with the world. This is called “compromise.” In fact the title given to this Church in Revelation in the NKJV is, “The Compromising Church.”

The doctrine of Balaam is a belief that “a little sin” doesn’t hurt, especially if there’s some financial or personal benefit involved. He acts to enable sinful behaviours for personal gain or even participate in them.

POINTS TO DISCUSS:

• It’s obvious there are people in Church who behave just like Balaam even today as we are told in Revelation, not only they behave like Balaam but they make a doctrine of it and many follow that.

• Balaam is in the Church but he still loves the world, let’s read 1 John 2:15-17 what the Lord thinks about this and what we are told to do, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

• The message of the cross is to die to the worldly appetites which are sinful and selfish and live a life according to God’s will, pure and holy. Yet Balaam has hidden motives and his own agenda.

2- White Witchcraft.

Numbers 24:1 

“Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times, to seek to use sorcery, but he set his face toward the wilderness.”

Balaam was using sorcery. Many people use sorcery in the Church, this sorcery is also know as white witchcraft. This are people who know God’s will as revealed in His Word yet they want to get their own way and try to twist God’s arm to get what they want. For example:              2 Corinthians 6:14 says,  Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” It’s been made clear through this Scripture that born again believers cannot join together in a marriage covenant to an unbeliever, yet some Christians will insist that this does not apply to them and they get involved in romantic relationships with unbelievers and ask everyone to pray for them to be blessed. Relationship like this cannot have God’s approval or blessing because God’s will has already been manifested through this passage.

What does it mean to be unequally yoked?

A yoke is a wooden bar that joins two oxen to each other and to the burden they pull. An “unequally yoked” team has one stronger ox and one weaker, or one taller and one shorter. The weaker or shorter ox would walk more slowly than the taller, stronger one, causing the load to go around in circles. When oxen are unequally yoked, they cannot perform the task set before them. Instead of working together, they are at odds with one another.

Unbelievers have opposite world views and morals than born again believers and for the relationship to work, one or the other must abandon his moral centre and move toward that of the other. More often than not, it is the believer who finds himself pressured to leave his Christian principles behind for the sake of the other.

God’s plan is for a man and a woman to become “one flesh” (Genesis 2:24), a relationship so intimate that one literally and figuratively becomes part of the other. Uniting a believer with an unbeliever is essentially uniting opposites, which makes for a very difficult marriage relationship.

POINT TO DISCUSS:

• Discuss what other areas Christians can often be tempted to compromise.

3- Seeking God’s will.

Matthew 16:24 NKJV

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

The teaching or doctrine of Balaam which Christ is against is the view that Christians can, or even should, compromise their convictions for the sake of popularity, money, sexual gratification, or personal gain.

It’s the attitude that treats sin as “no big deal.” This is not only a serious problem, but a devious one. When the frontal assault failed, Balaam took a back-door approach. How many believers seek after their own desires instead of Christ’s? The Lord warns His Church to repent or He will bring judgement.

It’s time for the Church to repent and follow Jesus’ example and say what He said: “Father, …not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)

We must set out hearts to do God’s will. We are here on earth to bring the Kingdom of God and to share the Gospel of Christ not to have a great time while others are perishing. The pleasures of this world will pass away but God’s Kingdom will last forever. Seek Him and His Kingdom above all else. Now it’s time to confess sins and turn away from them, now it’s time to live for Christ!

Galatians 2:20 NKJV

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Karina Maile 

God’s Will Be Done

1- Doing The Will Of My Father In Heaven

Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name, cast out demons in Your Name, and done many wonders in Your Name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

POINTS TO LEARN:

The Lord has saved us and called us to His Kingdom to live in His righteousness and do His will, the reason these people who prophesied, cast out demons, and did many wonders in His Name will be cast away from God’s presence will be because they didn’t do God’s will and walked in unrighteousness.

Doing Christian things won’t save us, perhaps these people were doing these things thinking that was their ticket to heaven, the Lord wants sons and daughters that know Him and have a new heart full of His love. God is not interested in duty service, He wants our hearts, He wants a relationship with us and out of that relationship we abound in good works.

II Corinthians 5:15 NKJV

“and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”

I Peter 2:24 NKJV

“who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness— by whose stripes you were healed.”

POINTS TO DISCUSS:

• Discuss the real Gospel and the other Gospels preached today.

Come to Jesus and everything will be ok, Come to Jesus and you will be blessed.,

 These are some of the things other gospels say, the “Me, Myself and I” is in the centre. But the true Gospel of Jesus Christ is Christocentric. The old self dies and a new person in Christ is born, with new motives and a new heart, to live for God’s will and His purposes.

2- Not My Will, But Yours, Be Done.

Luke 22:39-46 NKJV

“Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.””

POINTS TO LEARN:

The Garden of Gethsemane, on the side of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, is where Jesus went to pray before His ordeal on the cross of Calvary. “Gethsemane” means “the place where olive oil is pressed”. At an olive press, olives were gathered to produce oil, and the more pressure on the olives, the more oil. The olive oil in the Bible, is a picture of the presence of the Spirit of God, the anointing flowing.  

The Bible says that Jesus in that garden was troubled and overwhelmed with sorrow, to the point of sweating drops of blood. Three times Jesus prayed that if it were possible the cup of suffering would be taken from Him, but that the will of the Father would nevertheless be done.

In Hebrews 12  v 2 says that Jesus “endured the cross, scorning its shame” and that He did this “for the joy set before Him”. In other words, although He was under immense pressure, and in torment at the suffering He was undergoing, He pressed on, firstly, because it was the will of the Father and, secondly, because, by faith, He knew that He would have great joy on the other side of that place of suffering. What was His joy? The joy to see many sons and daughters entering the Kingdom.

POINTS TO DISCUSS:

• Even though Jesus was facing the greatest struggle in his life as a Man, He was conscious of His mission on earth, He came to earth to fulfilled God’s purpose. (See John 6:37-40)

John 6:37-40 NKJV

“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.””

• We have been born of God, made new for God’s purpose, in our hour of trial we must not loose faith and doubt God’s goodness and love but it’s our chance to believe God’s promises because He will show His glory and faithfulness.

• Notice in the passage that an angel appeared to strengthen Jesus, the agony didn’t stopped by the appearing of the angel, in fact in His agony He sweated and the sweat became like drops of blood. Which means He could of have died right there and then, but He was kept alive to fulfil God’s purpose. No matter what we must endure, God has a purpose for our lives and will be fulfilled, take courage and stand firm in Him. Angels also come to our aid and they will strengthen us to endure, all for His glory. Let’s follow the example of Christ.

• Just because sometimes breakthrough doesn’t happen straight away, it doesn’t mean God is not at work, if we are alive, then God has a purpose.

3- Perfected In Love

Matthew 5:43-48 NKJV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

POINTS TO LEARN:

The will of the Father is for us to be like Him, “like Father like son,” people say, the same is in the Kingdom. Through Christ we have free access to the Heavenly Father, which means we can spend time getting to know Him and at the same time the Holy Spirit works in our lives so we can become like Him.

POINT TO DISCUSS

• Discuss the heart of the Father according to Matthew 5 and what we should do as His children.

• We are to be connected to one another as the Body of Christ. The Kingdom of God is about us together, selfishness has not place in it.

QUESTIONS

A. How will people know we are God’s children?

John 13:34-35 NKJV

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.””

ANSWERS

A. By the way we love one another even our enemies. blessing those who curse us, doing good to those who hate us, and praying for those who spitefully use us and persecute us.

Conclusion:

1. Pursue love

I Corinthians 14:1 NKJV

“Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.”

When we pursue love, we pursue God, because God is love. When we pursue love we are ready to do God’s will. We minister to others out of God’s love.

1. See the goodness of the Lord around you.

Psalms 27:13-14 NKJV

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!”

We will see the goodness of the Lord not only when He calls us home to Heaven, but also down here on earth, but also make sure you don’t miss the goodness of the Lord every day. Be thankful for the little things, which in reality are not little. Enjoy serving the Lord, enjoy loving Him and loving His people.

It will be a great idea to make a list of the things you are thankful to the Lord.

1. Pray

Pray for revival, and awaking. For the Holy Spirit to be outpoured worldwide and the nations to come to Christ. When the Kingdom of God comes, revival comes.

Karina Maile 

Raised From The Dead - Removing Grave Clothes

1-  Do you believe this? 

John 11: 20 - 37 nkjv

20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21 Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

28 And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” 29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. 31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.”

32 Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”

33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 34 And He said, “Where have you laid him?” 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” 37 And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”

POINTS TO LEARN:

Martha, Mary and Lazarus were friends of Jesus, they believed He was the promised Messiah and saw Him working many miracles.  The time came when Lazarus became unwell and needed a miracle, his sisters believed Jesus was able to heal him, but it was too late, Lazarus died. This was a terrible situation, Martha and Mary were left alone in this world, and in those times women didn’t do well without a man providing for them. What were they to do? They felt hopeless, depressed and very disappointed. The only one able to help them was Jesus but He was not there when they needed Him, according to their reasoning. But, Was it really too late? Was Jesus able to help them?

POINTS TO DISCUSS:

• Many times our faith gets tested when we face difficult situations, we believe in Christ and confess Him as our Lord and Saviour, we believe He can do miracles but when things don’t go the way we imagined we soon get disillusioned, disappointed and depressed. And just like Jesus asked Martha, He is saying to us: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

• Noticed in verse 37 the people surrounding Martha and Mary were also doubting Jesus. There are times in our lives when our faith is being shaken, and we are thankful for people of faith around us to encourage us to believe. But there are going to be times when it seems we are surrounded by people who speak negatively against the Lord. Will we be able to stand in faith and believe God’s promises even when everything around us seemed contradicting?

QUESTIONS:

A- What did Martha confess publicly to Jesus in verse 27?

B- Can you be a Christian yet still doubt God?

ANSWERS:

A- She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

B- Yes, but it doesn’t please the Lord. Faith pleases the Lord (Hebrews 11.6)The Lord wants our faith to increase from Salvation faith to precious faith. (1 Peter 1:6-7)

Hebrews 11.6 NKJV

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

1 Peter 1:6-7 NKJV

“…though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ”

2- If you would believe you would see the glory of God?

John 11: 38 - 43

38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.

39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”

40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”

POINTS TO LEARN:

In order to see the glory of the Lord, which is His power in action, we only need to believe. Jesus called you out when you were dead in your sins and brought you life (Ephesians 2:4-6). Jesus is still calling out people who are dead to come to the light. Not only He can bring life to our spirits but also He can actually raise people from the dead. We serve a mighty God.

Ephesians 2:4-6

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” 

POINTS TO DISCUSS:

• Because Christ now lives in us (Galatians 2:20), we too can call out people from the darkness to the life of Christ, by sharing the Gospel with them.

• If He can bring life to a dead body, Can it be anything to hard for Him? (Mark 9:23)

Galatians 2:20 NLT

“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Mark 9:23 NKJV

“Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.””

3- “Loose him, and let him go.”

John 11: 44 - 48

44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

45 Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. 46 But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. 48 If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”

POINTS TO LEARN:

Lazarus came back from the dead at the command of Jesus, but he was still wrapped in grave clothes. This could represent our new life in Christ. Christ brings life to us but we can still be carrying those disgusting grave clothes around our hands, feet and face. We can still be doing (hands with grave clothes) things from the past life, our walk (feet with grave clothes) is not perfect, we trip over or wobble along. Then, our attitudes, words and thoughts (face with grave cloths) may not be Christ-like. But we need to understand that they are only grave cloths that need to be removed, the truth is that we have a new life in Christ now and with the help of the Holy Spirit we will overcome.

Don’t live your life bound up by the stinky, filthy grave clothes, they must be removed from our lives to reveal the new life we have in Christ. The work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is the work of sanctification, He helps us get rid of the bad habits of the past life. And the purpose of Discipleship is to train us to live as the new person we are in Christ. We are now disciples of Jesus.

II Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Ephesians 4:20-24 NKJV

“But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

POINT TO DISCUSS

• Jesus told the people around Lazarus to remove the grave cloths, which means, a born again believer cannot be left alone, he must belong to the Body of Christ and be actively involved in his/her local Church family. The New person in Christ that just has come to Christ or the person that has been in Christ for a while cannot possibly be perfected in the faith alone, Hebrews 10 tells us to stay in fellowship with believers who will challenge us or exhort us to grow in faith.

Hebrews 10:22-25 NKJV

“let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

• We must recognise the need of fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ to stir up our faith and not be tempted to exclude ourselves from others , we can easily be sucked in the “poor little old me” mentally when things go wrong or worse of all we could be in danger of loosing our faith.

• Difficult times are a chance to see God’s glory so others who witness the miracle can come to Christ. We may experience persecution but seeing people saved is our mission here on earth.

• Keep living for Christ and believe Him no matter what.

Hebrews 10:35-39 NKJV

“Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.”

• Thank God the Lord is not limited to our imagination or to our petitions, He is able to do beyond that. No need to figure out how He will do the miracle, just trust Him and believe His Word. Let Him do it however He wants it, as long as we see Him getting the glory and many getting saved in the process. One thing is certain, He will do what He promised to do.

Ephesians 3:20 NKJV

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,”

Karina Maile 

Warning Against These 5 Sins

Warning Against These 5 Sins

1- Learning from Israel’s Failures

1 Corinthians 10 TPT

1 My dear fellow believers, you need to understand that all of our Jewish ancestors who walked through a wilderness long ago were under the glory cloud and passed through the waters of the sea on both sides.

2 They were all baptised into the cloud of glory, into the fellowship of Moses, and into the sea.

3 They all ate the same heavenly manna

4 and drank water from the same spiritual rock that traveled with them—and that Rock was Christ himself.

5 Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their dead bodies were scattered around the wilderness.

6 Now, all these things serve as types and pictures for us—lessons that teach us not to fail in the same way by callously craving worthless things

POINTS TO LEARN:

In this passage Paul writes to the Corinthians the need to understand the parallel between the dealings of the Israelites in the desert to them now in Christ, which means, it also applies to us today. For instance, the cloud of glory is a picture of the Holy Spirit’s presence. Crossing the sea represent going through the water of baptism, leaving the sins (the Egyptians) in those waters and rising up to a new life in Christ. Every morning the Israelites were given manna by God, in the New Testament Christ is our Bread of Life (See John 6:26-33 where Jesus refers to Himself as the Bread of Life) and He is also the Rock in which we stand. Just like the Water flowed from the rock in the desert, Christ is the baptiser of the Holy Spirit and as we drink of Him rivers of living waters flow out from Him to us.

Now that we can see the parallel between the Israelites and us we can learn many lessons from them. 

John 6

26 Jesus replied, “Let me make this very clear, you came looking for me because I fed you by a miracle, not because you believe in me. 

27 Why would you strive for food that is perishable and not be passionate to seek the food of eternal life, which never spoils? I, the Son of Man, am ready to give you what matters most, for God the Father has destined me for this purpose.”

28 They replied, “So what should we do if we want to do God’s work?”

29 Jesus answered, “The work you can do for God starts with believing in the One he has sent.”

30–31 They replied, “Show us a miracle so we can see it, and then we’ll believe in you. Moses took care of our ancestors who were fed by the miracle of manna every day in the desert, just like the Scripture says, ‘He fed them with bread from heaven.’ What sign will you perform for us?”

32 “The truth is,” Jesus said, “Moses didn’t give you the bread of heaven. It’s my Father who offers bread that comes as a dramatic sign from heaven. 

33 The bread of God is the One who came out of heaven to give his life to feed the world.”

34 “Then please, sir, give us this bread every day,” they replied.

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life. Come every day to me and you will never be hungry. Believe in me and you will never be thirsty. 

36 Yet I’ve told you that even though you’ve seen me, you still don’t believe in me. 

POINTS TO DISCUSS:

• The Old Testament is still relevant for us today, and we can learn so much from it, not only the good things in there but also from the mistakes people made. Of course we must read it in the light of the New Covenant we are now in, and through the revelation of the Holy Spirit we can understand the things foretold and the wonderful grace for salvation given to us through Jesus Christ.

• People tend to go from one extreme to another, it’s very hard to find the balance, although balance for the sake of balance is not right, the Holy Spirit can bring us to the right Biblical one. It’s very important to find that balance according to the whole counsel of God’s Word. As Pastor always says: “Never take a verse from the Bible out of context or you will have a pretext.” There is always going to be various references in the Bible about the same concept that will confirm it. There isn’t new revelations to be found, everything has been given to the Church already, the revelation can be new to you but it’s not new to the Body of Christ, since the Holy Spirit came to the early Christians it was revealed to them the mystery of salvation to the Jews and non-Jews alike in Christ. A salvation so precious and so wonderful.

• In John 6:27 in the New King James Version says: “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life…” you can think, “God doesn’t want me to work anymore,” but that’s not what He is saying. He is saying people make it their priority to work and get money to eat yet they neglect to feed themselves with the spiritual food that Christ gives. In 2 Thessalonians 3:10 NKJV says, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” So it’s clear that we need to work to feed our bodies but most importantly we must seek first the Kingdom of God and it’s righteousness and everything else will be added unto us. (Matthew 6:33)

QUESTIONS:

A- In verse 5 of 1 Corinthians 10 says that God was not pleased with most of Israelites in the dessert. Can we safely assume that if the Lord was not please with many of them, He is not please with many believers today as well?

B- If Jesus is the Bread of Life, how do we eat Him? 

ANSWERS:

A- Yes, but we don’t need to assume it, in verse 6 it’s clear that the lesson we need to learn it’s not to do the same things as they did. We can learn from their mistakes. Thank goodness for that! 

B- Fastening ourselves to His words and putting them in practice empowered by the Holy Spirit. 

2- The Israelites Displeased God In The Desert

1 Corinthians 10 NKJV

6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

POINTS TO LEARN:

The lessons that teach us not to fail in the same way the Israelites did according to Corinthians 10 are the following:

• We should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. They callously craved worthless things.

• We should not become idolaters as were some of them. Anything you give your passion, time and talent has the potential to become an idol. Things or persons that give you identity, self-esteem, value, comfort, security, confidence and satisfaction has the potential to be your idol. I remember being convicted about having my “me time,” every time I felt sad or stressed, which was every night I’ll watch a movie with my cup of tea and that will relax me. The problem was that I went through each day looking forward to my “me time” struggling through the day with my small children and when I couldn’t have it I was very upset and even angry. How silly of me! When I can go to the Heavenly Father and find comfort in Him, I don’t need to be afraid or get stressed in the first place, but I can bring my worries and burdens to Him. And the God all of comfort, comforts me. How precious! The idol of movies and “me time,” had to go. It doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy a good movie every so often but my comfort is found in my God. I don’t need to escape reality, I trust the Lord and believe His Word.

• We should not commit sexual immorality. Anything outside the morals set by the Lord is immorality. God set the perfect model in the Beginning, a man and a woman in covenant with God and each other can enjoy sexual intimacy, this is beautiful and holy. Outside this safety boundaries it is wrong and sinful. God has the right and authority to set the boundaries, because He created us and He knows what is best for us.

• We should not tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted God, they were asking for outrageous tests for God to prove Himself even though they were witnesses of the powerful way He set them free from the Egyptians. How many believers do the same today? God proved His love by sending Jesus to die for us, yet many times we test God by saying things like, “If you love me you would do this or that.” This is tempting Christ.

• We should not complain, as some of them also complained grumbling with discontent. Complaining is one of those “acceptable sins” for us, we think God’s understands us because what we are going through is too much, even the Psalmists complained but the truth is God hates it, because when we complain we are not trusting God that He will work miracles. The Psalmist could have complained a bit but was always convicted to trust the Lord. Today we have no reason to complain, we have Christ and He overcome the world, rejoice and be thankful.

POINTS TO DISCUSS:

• All of these 5 sins keep us out of the Promised Land, many times we think immorality is very bad but we are constantly complaining. In the Pentateuch (Torah, first 5 books of the Bible) there are at least sixteen occasions of the people of Israel murmuring. Believers today have even more spiritual blessings than Israel experienced in the wilderness, which would make our complaining even more odious. According to this passage both idolatry and complaining are as bad, as well as idolatry, testing God and lusting after worldly things. We must value God’s amazing gift of salvation and walk in the fear of God. Jesus paid such a great price for us, let’s be thankful and don’t give place to the flesh.

QUESTIONS:

A- What are the opposites of these 5 sins we must walk in as we depend of God’s grace?

ANSWERS:

A-     We should love instead of lust.

• We should put God first and not have idols.

• We should walk in purity and not commit sexual immorality.

• We should trust the Lord and do His will instead of tempting Christ,

• We should be thankful and not complain,

3- Take Heed Lest We Fall

1 Corinthians 10 NKJV

11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 

13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

POINTS TO LEARN:

The Passion Translation says it like this: (Verse 11)”All the tests they endured on their way through the wilderness are a symbolic picture, an example that provides us with a warning so that we can learn through what they experienced. For we live in a time when the purpose of all the ages past is now completing its goal within us.” 

Wow, What a privilege to be alive today and experience the fulness of the Spirit. Many times we think it would had been so great to have been alive at the time of the parting of the sea or in the time of Jesus, etc. but the reality is that we are the truly blessed one, experiencing God’s grace and infilling of the Holy Spirit. We have been given authority in Christ and freedom from sin and death. And the best of all we may be witnesses of the second coming of Christ in great power and glory.

POINT TO DISCUSS

• We must help each other in this walk of holiness and don’t get proud about the way the Lord has changed us, we didn’t do it, He did it. Stay humble and show mercy to others.

• Verse 12 tells us that we must beware if we think it could never happen to us, lest your pride becomes your downfall. We all have still a flesh to deal with. See what Paul said in I Corinthians 15:31, “I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.”

• We all experience times of testing, which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it and prevent you from being tested beyond your ability to cope.

• Unlimited grace is available for every believer who faces hardship, temptations, and seasons of difficulty. God’s faithfulness gives us both a way of escape and the power to endure.

• Trust in God’s faithfulness is the way of escape that empowers us to overcome every difficulty we may experience.

QUESTIONS

A- Are we told that every difficulty will be removed from our lives after we come to Christ?

ANSWERS

B- We are not told that every difficulty will be removed from our lives, but that God’s grace provides an exit path that will bring you out of it victoriously. 

Conclusion:

1- . Today we learn we can all fall short of God’s grace when we take our eyes from Jesus and give in into the desires of the flesh, the warning from the Lord is to be careful and learn from Israel’s mistakes. It is God’s grace that keeps us holy and we need to continue trusting in Him.

2- Each one of us must have someone over us as a godly authority, someone that can speak to us strongly if necessary to help us stay in the narrow path, if we keep humble and in the fear of God, His grace is sufficient for us.

3- When we judge a brother or sister in Christ for their failures, we can open the door for the enemy to play with us. As Born again believers we love the sinner (the person) but we hate the sin. Let the authority over them deal with them and bring the right discipline, it’s not helpful when we announce it to the world , it does not benefit the Body of Christ nor bring the lost to Christ. Should we rejoice that someone falls? Absolutely not, we too can fail miserably without God’s grace.

If someone’s fall makes you feel good about yourself thinking you are better than them, you already fell! You fell into pride and God resists you now.

Lord have mercy on us and help us to live for your glory and purposes. Thank you for your grace and the Holy Spirit. Thank you for the Name and Blood of Jesus that makes us overcomes. 

Karina Maile 

Believing Is Doing

Believing is doing

1- Jesus speaks to believers.

Let’s read some verses of

John chapter 8

30 “As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

…

43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”

…

51  Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.”

…

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” 57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?”58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.””

POINTS TO LEARN:

• True Disciples are those who believe in Christ and abide in His Word (V31). Believers who just believe but do not abide in God’s Word, are not disciples. (V47)

• When we come to Christ He will reveal truth to us, and that truth will make us free. (V32)

POINTS TO DISCUSS:

• In order to be saved we must believe in Christ, people may think they believe in Christ, but it could be they just have an intellectual faith and not the Biblical faith that will get them saved. This is very important for us to understand because many could have died having only an intellectual faith and not the saving faith. Which means they will not enter Heaven.

• Here is another verse that affirm the same truth, if we abide in Christ we are His disciples

John 15:7-8

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”

QUESTIONS:

A- What does abiding in His Word mean?

B- If truth makes us free, what is truth making us free from?

C- What is the difference between real faith and intellectual belief?

ANSWERS:

A- The Amplified version say: (John 8:31) “If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them, then] you are truly My disciples.” So abiding in Him means doing what He says. For example, “go and preach the Gospel,” “love one another,” “we are the righteousness of God in Christ,” etc.

B- In verse 34 we get the answer. Sin makes us slaves and drags us to hell. Truth (The person of Jesus, His Word) sets us free. When we put our faith in the person of Jesus, who He is, what He has done for us and obey Him, the power of sin gets broken over our lives and we experience freedom.

C- Head belief questions everything and is not willing to act/obey, just like these Jews Jesus was talking to. In fact Jesus tells them that they didn’t actually believe in Him, see verse 46.

2- Faith without works is dead.

James 2:19-26 NKJV

19“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

POINTS TO LEARN:

Demons believe and they tremble in front of God, they believe God is real because they can see Him, but they are not saved and will never be saved! There is not redemption for them. Christ came into the world to save the people of the world to redeem us (John 3:16). The Biblical faith required for salvation is the faith that causes us into action/obedience, think about what Abraham had to do and did it because he believed God.

POINTS TO DISCUSS

• Everyone is different and the Lord has different assignments for everyone, what He asked someone else He may not ask of you, but the truth remains the same. We are all called to confess Christ and share Him to others, how are we to do that, we must step out in faith and do what the Lord tells us to do.

QUESTION:

A- Does having real faith means we don’t ever get scare or be afraid?

ANSWER:
A- Faith in God doesn’t mean that all of a sudden we become brave, and never again fear, but it means we must be courageous and strong like the Lord told Joshua, or like Paul told the Corinthians but they overcame that fear when they refuse to yield to it and stepped out in faith and did what God wanted them to do.

Read and take particular attention on verse 3

1 Corinthians 2:1-6

“And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.  2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.”

3- Faith in the Person of Jesus.

Romans 10:8-13 NKJV

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

POINTS TO LEARN:

Biblical faith in Christ will cause you to confess Christ to others. (Verse 9-19) Confess what He has done for you and confess what He can do for others. No one is better or less than others, everyone has to come to Christ an experience His forgiveness and accept the gift of salvation, then everyone must confess Christ to others according to God’s call in their lives. We are all different but that doesn’t mean one is better than others. We must appreciate each others gifts and rejoice in what Christ does through each one of us. There is no room for jealousy or competition. 

POINT TO DISCUSS

• Head faith versus heart faith.

• Even in countries where Christianity is forbidden and Christian are persecuted and being killed, people are coming to Christ and can’t keep silent about their faith. Many died but they refuse to confess and deny Christ.

QUESTIONS

A- Why will people not tell others about Christ?

B- in verse 9 we are told we need to believe in something, what is it? and why we must believe that fact?

ANSWERS

A- There are many reasons why but mainly it all comes to the one factor, they don’t really believe.

B- We must believe in our hearts that God has raised Christ from the dead, because this is the validation of Christ being what He said He was. The Son of God who came to do the will of the Father.

See verses below:

Matthew 28:6 NKJV

“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

John 11:25-26 NKJV

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?””

Conclusion:

1- Believing in Christ requires action. Just because someone says they believe in God it doesn’t mean they will be saved from hell. It’s important we preach the real Gospel because many will be lost for eternity for not knowing the truth. We are not to judge who goes to heaven or hell but we are told to share the true full Gospel. But one thing we know from the Scripture is that faith requires action that makes us do works.

Doing Works won’t save us (See Ephesians 2:8-9) especially if we do good works out of fear because we don’t want to go to hell, but having true faith in Christ will definitely produce good works.

Good works produced out of Faith, we believe who Christ is, why He died and resurrected and what He can do for us.

Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJV

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

2- People don’t come to Christ mostly because they don’t hear about the real Jesus, they hear about the historical Jesus or the religious Jesus but not the Jesus of the Bible

Jesus is being lowered down to a good man or just a prophet and compared to other so called gurus or prophets from other beliefs but that’s not the real Jesus.

Christ is eternal, and was with the Father before creation. He became a man to save humanity from their original sin and paid the price for our freedom with His death. There is one important fact we need to remember, and that is that Christ resurrected from the dead at the third day and now He is seated at the right hand of the Father. Unlike other ‘holy men’ or ‘gurus’ who have died and were buried and whose bodies decomposed never to rise again, it just proves they were just mere men. But Christ was 100% man and 100% God just like He said He was.

There will be a resurrection of the dead at the final judgement but some will rise to everlasting life because they believed and follow Christ and those who rejected Christ and didn’t come to Him for salvation will be dammed for all eternity. Jesus provided the way to salvation but people need to decide to follow Him, they have the right to hear the truth and they have the right to choose if they want to follow Christ.

Romans 10:14-17 NKJV

“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “ LORD, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

3- It is time for us believers to rise in faith and begin confessing and sharing Christ to other. The Lord is with us and He will not fail us.

4- We must become disciples and not believers.

Karina Maile 

Seeking The Truth

Seeing the truth working in our lives

1- Acknowledgement of who we are in Christ.

Philemon 1:6

“that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”

POINTS TO LEARN:

Acknowledging the truth of who God has called us to be is acknowledging our new identity in Christ, we don't choose our identity it is given to us by God who made us, therefore, He knows exactly who we are and what we should become. It makes sense then that whatever God says we are, and whatever He says we can do is the truth.

The Lord inspired men (prophets and Apostles) to write the Bible. Many died translating these powerful, transforming truths found in the Word of God. Sixty six books in the Bible written by around 40 authors over more than a 1,000 years period with one message: Jesus, the Christ (Messiah) is the way to the Father, anyone can find life and truth only in Him.

(The Bible is so unlike other so called “holy books” written by one author who never gave a prophecy (foretelling the future) or did the miracles Jesus did including dying and resurrecting three days later from the dead.)

POINTS TO DISCUSS:

• Reflect on the lesson from last week, Truth is not an opinion or a concept, but a person, the person of Jesus Christ. Therefore, truth is found in the Word of God. (John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the TRUTH and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.”)

• We don't need lots of people to believe in Jesus to make Him the truth! He already is the truth.

• The importance of knowing truth, because only truth can set us free. John 8:31-32 AMP says, “So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.”

• Everyone has the right to hear the truth and make up their mind whether they want to accept it or not. (Phil 1:6 “that the sharing of your faith may become effective)”

• The truth remains the truth regardless whether people believe it or not. Truth is constant, it will never change. (Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.)

QUESTIONS:

A- There is a struggle to see that truth lived out or worked in our lives. How can we take hold of this truth and see it changing our lives and live it in a practical way?

B- Define the word “believe.”

ANSWERS:

A- When we actually believe it and receive who God says we are, we will see it working in our lives. “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NKJV)

B- Believe is to be convinced, assurance of what the Lord says is true. No matter what people around say even if they are qualified professionals.

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

AMP

“Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].”

2 - Acknowledgement of what we have in Christ.

Romans 12:2

“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.”

POINTS TO LEARN:

We need to understand that the transformation has already taken place in the Spirit. Like 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” We become a new person in the spirit with a new heart, the part that we need to work out is the renewing of our minds and the sanctification of our souls. We must submit our minds to the truth of God and who He says we are.

Our minds are geared to think like the world and unless we give ourselves to God’s Word, we will never change the way we think.

POINTS TO DISCUSS:

• The truth that's sets us free is the truth that we choose to believe.

• Any situation we have that we know is not God’s will in our lives, we can take God’s Word and say no to the situation because God’s Word says otherwise. This is when we become effective. We are believers, which means we believe God and His Word. A simple child like faith. Give examples.

• It’s a daily transformation, a daily renewing of our minds, it is a process.

QUESTIONS:

A- Is it possible to have a sound mind or are we to struggle always in our mind?

B- Do we have the same Spirit that Jesus had? If the answer is yes, then can we do what He does?

C- We must value God’s Word because is that truth that will bring transformation in our minds. How do we value it practically?

ANSWERS:

A- According to 2 Timothy 1:7, yes it’s possible. He gave us a sound mind when we were born again, we just need to take hold of it.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

B- Yes, we have the same Spirit as Romans 8:11 tells us, “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

Yes, as Jesus is so are we in this world. See I John 4:17, “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.”

C- reading it, studying it, meditating it, believing it, living it and sharing it to others.

3- Acknowledgement of what we can do in Christ.

Luke 4:18 NKJV

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;”

POINTS TO LEARN:

As we read in Philemon 1:6 “that the sharing of your faith may become effective…,” When we acknowledge our new identity in Christ, and all we have been given in Him, we automatically share this amazing truth to others. None can keep secret the fact that Christ has saved them from sin and eternal death and at the same time they invite others to receive Jesus as their Saviour so they too can be saved.

To acknowledge something is to know something. The Lord is telling us not only to know all Christ did for us but to believe it, and if we believe it we must receive it, and because we believe it and receive it, we need to walk in that truth.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon you just as he was on Jesus, You can also say: The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;”

POINT TO DISCUSS

• The Lord has a purpose for our lives and He wants to use us. He has given you gifts and talents.

• When the enemy whispers lies if we know the truth we will not be overcome when the lies come

QUESTIONS

A- What does it mean when Paul says to the Philippians chapter 2, verse 12, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”?

B- How do we overcome difficulties in our lives? For example, overcoming fear of man, anger, lust, lack, etc.

ANSWERS

A- When we give our lives to Christ, he saved us by grace through faith but we work out that salvation when we appropriate it, live it, practise it. It means to grab hold of God’s truth and replace the lies we have been believing all our lives. It’s to have confidence in what Christ has done for us.

B- We need to know what God says in His Word about it, Believe what He says, even if it’s something simple, take hold of it (receive it) and walk in it.

Conclusion:

1- Every problem, every situation and every difficulty has a solution, the solution is in Christ. And if Christ is in us then He will give us Victory.

Romans 8:11 

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

2- We are complete in Christ.

Hebrews 10:35 

“Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.”

3- The Lord wants to use you and wants you to be effective in the sharing of your faith and see the Gospel spreading around the world.

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.”

4- We need to have child like faith and be in awe of the truth

Matthew 18:3 

“and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”

5- He who started the good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ.

Philippians 1:6 

“being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ”

Truth Makes You Free

TRUTH MAKES YOU FREE

1- Truth is a person.

John‬ ‭14:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

‭‭John‬ ‭1:17‬ ‭NKJV

“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

POINTS TO DISCUSS:

• Many speak about knowing truth, but truth is not a concept or idea, truth is a person. Jesus! Without Jesus we are blinded to truth. Like the old hymn says: “…I was blind but now I see…” when we Know Jesus, we Know truth.

• Let’s read I Timothy‬ ‭2:1-7‬ and pay special attention to the underlined italic words.

I Timothy‬ ‭2:1-7“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying— a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.” Here we see that it’s God’s will for us to come to truth, which means, to come to Jesus. He paid the price for us to come to the truth.

• God’s will is for us to come to salvation by coming to the person of Jesus, He is the truth. There’s not other truth or way to the Father. This salvation is free because Christ paid the price. Give your life to Jesus today and follow Him always.

2- Arm yourself with the truth.

We have been studying that we are part of the army of God, we have an armour and weapons given by the Lord to engage in battle against the devil, we are not given an armour so we can look nice, but to actively fight the good fight of faith. Last week we learned about the helmet of salvation, today we will learn about being girded with truth as Ephesians 6:14a tells us.

Ephesians‬ ‭6:14‬a ‭

“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth…”

Read the following Scriptures:

2 Timothy‬ ‭2:1-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91:4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.”

Proverbs 3:3-7

“Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favour and high esteem in the sight of God and man.”

POINTS TO DISCUSS:

• The truth keeps the armour held together.

• We can use the analogy of weight lifter athletes, they all wear strong belts that will help them keep the posture to lift up weights that an average person cannot do. In fact, it’s impossible for a normal person to lift up the kind of weights these body builders do. God’s truth has the same effect on our lives. In Christ we can do things that are impossible for man because we are securely wrapped in God’s truth.

• Jesus is the Truth and Jesus is the Word. Stay in the truth, stay in the Word. Study the Bible, meditate on it day and night.

3- Truth makes you free

John‬ ‭8:32‬ ‭

NKJV

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

‭AMP

“And you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free [from the penalty of sin].”

TPT

“For if you embrace the truth, it will release more freedom into your lives.”

POINTS TO DISCUSS:

• There is freedom in the truth. You can be living in bondage to fear, rejection, anxiety, sins, etc not knowing that Christ set you already free. Your difficulty, circumstances or sin can seem impossible to break, like a big block of ice. But that big block of ice can be poked and the ice can crack and break. You make think your problem is so big that the solution has to be something big and perhaps unattainable, but a simple Word from God, a simple promise you take hold of, you can receive the breakthrough. Simple faith in the truth of God will set you free.

• The verse says, when we “know the truth,” it’s not just head knowledge, it’s not our own wisdom but a revelation of the Holy Spirit into our spirits (heart). It may seem simple, but it has power to make you free.

• Let’s see how the Christians in Thessalonia received the truth of God,

‭‭I Thessalonians‬ ‭2:13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” The truth works in us when we believe it. The Thessalonians believed it even though it was preached by mere men.

4- Love truth

‭‭II Thessalonians‬ ‭2:9-17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.”

POINTS TO DISCUSS:

• Jesus will give you what you want. If you truly love the truth of God, He’ll give you the truth. The reason God will give a strong delusion to people is because they do not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. God is not the bad one here, but the people who choose unrighteousness. Don’t focus on the negative but in what says next that, “God from the beginning chose us for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called us by his gospel,” this is something to rejoice about!

• Titus‬ ‭1:1-3‬ ‭NLT says‬‬, “This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Saviour that I have been entrusted with this work for him.”

• God calls everyone to come to the truth but only chooses those who really want the truth. Who are not satisfied with alternatives or half truths but the real truth.
  

5- We have the Spirit of truth. 

John‬ ‭14:17-18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”

John‬ ‭4:24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

POINTS TO DISCUSS:

• The Holy is the one who reveals the truth to those who are hungry for it. He opens up the Scriptures to us.

• Don’t be afraid of going wrong, but instead trust the Lord, He has given you the Holy Spirit and He dwells in us. He will guide us and teach us the truth.

• if you don’t have the Holy Spirit, you can receive Him today.

Karina Maile

Healing Traumas

1- We are part of the army of the Lord 

‭‭II Samuel‬ ‭22:29-40‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ (See also in Psalm 18 and Habakkuk 3:18-19)

“For You are my lamp, O LORD; The LORD shall enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. “For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places. He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. “You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your gentleness has made me great. You enlarged my path under me; So my feet did not slip. “I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them; Neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed. And I have destroyed them and wounded them, So that they could not rise; They have fallen under my feet. For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose against me.”

Psalms‬ ‭144:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Blessed be the LORD my Rock, Who trains my hands, And my fingers for battle—”

POINT TO DISCUSS:

• As we read these Scriptures, we can see the protection of the Almighty and His wisdom. He actually teaches us and trains us for war, He trains our arms, fingers and feet, but remember the fight is in the spirit and not against people. (See Eph 6:17)

Ephesians‬ ‭6:12 ‭NKJV‬‬

 

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

2- The armour of God.

Ephesians 6:11 and 13-17 NKJV 

11 “Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…13 Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”

POINT TO DISCUSS:

• The Lord has provided us with an armour to keep us safe from the wiles and darts of the enemy. The enemy is going to fire at us but we will be safe as long as we have the armour securely put on.

3- The weapons of our Warfare.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6

3 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

POINT TO DISCUSS:

• We have been equipped with not only with an armour but also with powerful weapons. The Word of God, the Blood of Jesus, the Name of Jesus, the Spirit language and the Praises of Israel (Praise and Worship). These weapon are so powerful that pulls down strongholds, wow!

4- A wounded soldier

You can have the best armour and most powerful weapons and even done advanced training in battle but you will not be able to fight any battle if you are wounded, especially if you are wounded on the head. Many of us come to the Kingdom with many wounds and need to receive healing. The sad thing is when we receive wounds while being a Christian, because we didn’t know about the spiritual warfare or we knew about it but dropped the guard. We were not wearing the armour appropriately and use the correct weapons and it caused us pain and loss.

The Bible tells us clearly that the Lord has given us a protective armour to cover us from wounds. Today we will focus on the head wounds.

Ephesians‬ ‭6:17‬ ‭

NKJV‬‬

“And take the helmet of salvation…”

TPT‬

“Embrace the power of salvation’s full deliverance, like a helmet to protect your thoughts from lies…”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“But since we [believers] belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope and confident assurance of salvation.”

POINT TO DISCUSS:

• The biggest battle a soldier of Christ can face is to think he/she lost her salvation. Let’s establish one thing first, if you are worried and concerned thinking you lost your salvation, then you haven’t, otherwise you wouldn’t care about it. Recognise these are lies of the enemy because he wants you out. If you sinned repent and get up again.

• Many wounds at the head can be prevented when you know and recognise who you are in Christ. The past is gone and in Christ you are new, and like Ephesians 2: 8-10 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

• The helmet of salvation is part of the armour of God to protect your thoughts from lies. When you know God’s truth, the truth found in God’s Word that tells us that salvation is a gift from God, we cannot earn it with our good behaviour or good works or our perfection but simply accepting the gift offered to us by Jesus, then we will be free.

• Another thing that can cause you wounds, is to think people are the evil one. Even though people do evil things, the source of evil is Satan and your battle is against his forces and powers that influence people to do terrible things. Forgiveness sets us free from those wounds of rejection and betrayals.

5- Example of people who overcame in the Bible

A- HANNAH’s Story

‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭1:18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“And she said, “Let your maidservant find favour in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.”

• After she gave her hurt to the Lord, she cried no more.

B- JOSEPH’s Story

Genesis‬ ‭45:1-8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Make everyone go out from me!” So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph; does my father still live?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.”

‭‭

• So many years of injustice, growing up, as a slave, and in prison but Joseph released forgiveness to his brothers for he saw God’s greater purpose.

WARNING

• Don’t take the counsel and the wisdom of the world about injustice and prejudice. But fight injustice with God’s Word. God is against all prejudices since the beginning of time. Don’t bow down to the spirit of the world because it causes more division, do it God’s way. Let Him change your heart so you can think like Him and love like He does.

Galatians‬ ‭3:26-29‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptised into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

6- Promises of Victory

Psalms‬ ‭140:7‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle.”

Isaiah‬ ‭58:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?”

‭‭

Psalms‬ ‭147:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.”

‭‭

Psalms‬ ‭23:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.”

‭‭

Philippians‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”

‭‭

-He never gives up on us. Don’t give up on yourself! Keep fighting the good fight of faith.

Karina Maile

The Commander gives us the instructions for battle

1- We are the Body of Christ.

• We are the Body of Christ here on earth and we are to continue the work of Jesus, advancing His Kingdom. What a privilege!

I Corinthians‬ ‭12:27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”

• After we have been brought to the light of Christ, the Holy Spirit urges us to get into fellowship with one another to become that Body. The body parts don’t work independently but together in harmony obeying whatever the head commands, it’s the same in the Body of Christ.

‭‭I John‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

• In order for a body to be alive it needs to have a spirit. A person dies when his/her spirit has departed from the body. As the Body of Christ we depend on the Holy Spirit to give us life, guidance, protection, revelation, etc. but we must stay together in the unity of the true faith.

‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭3:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

• The Holy Spirit, the third person of the God Head has been sent to instruct us and guide us, we must listen to Him. It’s important to be informed about what’s going on in the world but we must not feed with the news of the world, we must feed with the God’s Word. He know what is happening and what will take place, so get in tune to Him.

2- Maintain your focus.

• As God’s people we must not forget who we are, our mission and our destination. We are at war with the kingdom of darkness, but keep in mind the battle is the Lord’s, which means He calls the shots.

‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭17:47‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.”

Proverbs‬ ‭21:31‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the LORD.”

‭‭

• What is our assignment? There’s always battles to fight, personal ones and as a team, but we are not called to fight all the battles. We can learn this lesson as we see the story of Gideon, only a few were permitted to fight. Don’t try to be a hero and fight battles for the Lord which you were not called to fight, you will loose.

• How must we fight? We must follow the Commender of the Army of the Lord. He will give us instructions. Stay alert to listen to them. Every battle was different in the Old Testament, not battle was the same, and before going to battle the people that enquired from the Lord and obey Him where the ones that won, the people who went ahead without asking the Lord lost miserably.

Amos‬ ‭3:7‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“Surely the Lord GOD does nothing Without revealing His secret plan [of the judgment to come] To His servants the prophets.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭25:14‬ ‭AMP‬

“The secret [of the wise counsel] of the LORD is for those who fear Him, And He will let them know His covenant and reveal to them [through His word] its [deep, inner] meaning.”

• Two people facing the same enemy, but the Lord will tell each one different instructions in how to overcome the enemy. The Lord considers everything in your life, He considers how much revelation of the truth of God you have (the truth will set you free) Jesus is the truth but not everyone has the same revelation of His person.The Holy Spirit will bring the revelation.

‭‭John‬ ‭8:31-32‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

• One thing we must know is that the Lord will reveal Himself through the Scriptures, it will never be outside of God’s written Word, that’s it is why we must hear, learn and study the Scriptures ready to obey His command.

3- Strategies for the battle.

• The new person in Christ goes beyond the right or wrong mentally to the way of LIFE, the life of the Spirit. Many times we could be right about something but if we don’t do it in the right way, at the right time or with the right motive, the breakthrough will not come and even worse we could even jeopardised it . But when we hear the Lord and wait on Him, He will tell us the right way to do it, at the right time, and with the right heart. This will produce life. (The difference between the tree of knowledge of good and evil (right and wrong) and the tree of life.) Jesus is the tree of Life, listen to Him.

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“She ( wisdom, ) is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭15:4‬ ‭

“A soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life, But a perversive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes the spirit.”

• Many times, the enemies we think we are fighting are not the real enemies. The enemy, satan, is working through people. But the battle is not against flesh and blood. Civil war in the Church is satan’s intention, divisions and fighting against one another breaking the unity of the Spirit. Don’t fight and hate the people, fight against the real enemy.

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:10-18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—”

• It takes humility to receive the strategy that the Lord will show us because many times it will not make sense, like walking around 7 times around a tall wall. But Hold!!! Hold for His instructions wait for His command, there is always an strategy from the Lord.

Psalms‬ ‭24:8‬ ‭

“Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46:10‬ ‭NKJV

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

‭‭‬‬

• Don’t mistake silence from the Lord (as you suppose is silence) that He won’t tell us what to do at the right time. He is for you!

Ephesians‬ ‭3:20-21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

• Stay in your post. Stay in your assignment, Do what He says and not in your preferred method. Trust in the Lord with all of our heart and lean not on your own understanding‭‭.

Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.”

Deuteronomy‬ ‭10:21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen.”

‭‭

4- We will win.

• The father is in the secret place. Don’t fret! Don’t dismay! You will find Him there.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

• We will overcome by the Blood. When we believe and apply His Testimony (the specific Promise, Word, Scripture given to you by the Holy Spirit) in our life and hold on to it no matter what could happen to us, we will overcome! The Blood of Jesus made it possible for us to apply and receive God’s promises, Do we love Him more than our lives, opinion, safety, etc.?

Revelation‬ ‭12:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

‭‭I John‬ ‭5:4-5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

‭‭I John‬ ‭4:4‬ ‭NKJV

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”