Category: Theology

10 Traits of Spiritually Strong People

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When an armed robber burst through the door of a Christian store in Texas, the store owner didn’t submit to the threat. Instead, she told the robber to get out of her store “in the Name of Jesus.” The thief left the store immediately. The store owner was the epitome of a spiritually strong Christian. Below are ten traits of spiritually strong people.

1/ One characteristic evident in people who are spiritually strong is that they walk by faith, not by sight. They aren’t focused on circumstances; they’re only focused on God. They don’t worry about what’s going to happen because they fully trust God to take care of them. People who are spiritually weak, walk by sight. They focus on what they can make happen, instead of what God can make happen.

2/ Spiritually strong people carry the peace of God in their hearts. Spiritually strong people are not anxious. Anxiety has no agency over a spiritually strong person. The only force that has agency over a spiritually strong person is the Holy Spirit.

3/ The spiritually strong spend time with God. Moses was on the mountain with God for so long that the Israelites wondered what had become of him. Throughout Scripture we see men and women of God who dedicated themselves to prayer, worship and fasting for extended periods. David praised God seven times a day, and Daniel prayed at least three times a day – both were spiritually strong.

4/ Spiritually strong people have compassion for others. To be spiritually strong you have to have the Holy Spirit residing in you. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, and God loves people – John 3:16. The spiritually strong love others and they are kind, gentle, generous and patient.

5/ Spiritually strong people run TO God when they sin. In Psalm 51, David acknowledges his sins and pours out his heart before the Lord. David begs God to have mercy on him. Spiritually weak people run AWAY from God when they sin. But the spiritually strong run TO Him. The spiritually strong approach the throne of grace, believing fully in God’s mercy and love.

6/ Spiritually strong people are humble. Moses was very meek. Abraham and Joseph are also men of humility. Many of God’s servants throughout the Bible were humble.

7/ Spiritually strong people provoke others to jealousy. They are so close to God that others yearn for what they have spiritually. They cause others to want the fullness of the Holy Spirit operating in their lives. Yeshua provoked the Pharisees to jealousy. In the book of Acts, Stephen provoked the Sanhedrin to jealousy. Acts 6:15 states that the religious authorities saw that Stephen’s face was like the face of an angel. They became so jealous and enraged with Stephen that they killed him.

8/ Spiritually strong people are disciplined. Daniel decided that he was not going to partake in the King’s delicacies. Daniel was a disciplined man. (Daniel 1:8) Daniel didn’t allow the culture to dictate what was on his plate; he submitted to God in discipline and spiritual strength.

9/ Spiritually strong people are not afraid to take risks. We see this clearly in the book of Esther. Esther was afraid to approach the king, but she was willing to take the risk. Esther knew she needed spiritual strength. So Esther declared a three-day fast for herself and her servants. During the fast she increased her spiritual strength and took a risk that could’ve cost her life. She approached the king with the help of God.

10/ Spiritually strong people obey God rather than man. The spiritually strong don’t care what other people think of them. They are only concerned about whether or not they’ve pleased God. The disciples and apostles are great examples of spiritually strong people who obeyed God rather than man. The apostles preached Christ despite the opposition. They continued to be obedient to God despite the threats, imprisonments, and even death. Spiritually strong people are not afraid to die for the sake of the Gospel.

Let’s ask God to make us spiritually strong.

James 4:7 – A Strategy for Victory in Spiritual Warfare

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James 4:7 – Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

We often hear the phrase “victory over the devil” in Christian circles, but few realize that James 4:7 provides a strategy for complete victory. The strategy is simple. First, one is to submit to God. Submission is obedience. It is obeying the voice of God and being submissive to whatever it is that He wants for your life. Submission is shunning sin, and embracing righteousness. Submission is allowing God to plan your direction and future.

After Christians have fully submitted to God’s sovereignty, they are to resist Satan. The word resist in James 4:7 means to withstand, strive against or oppose in some manner. The word resist is from the Greek word anthístēmi, which means to “take a complete stand against” or a “contrary position” and “refusing to be moved.”

In other words, Christians are taking a defense stand against satan as if readying to engage in war. No one goes to war without proper armor. Ephesians 6:13-18 explains what the armor is and also teaches us that the weapon used in spiritual warfare is a Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Using scripture is another means of gaining victory over satan.

When we take a strong spiritual stand, with God on our side, satan flees. In the Greek, the word for ‘flee’ is the word pheugō, and whenever this word is used in scripture it’s often used to describe someone fleeing for their lives, terrified that they’ll perish if they don’t escape. The technical definition is to seek safety by flight and to escape out of danger. These words help us understand just how dangerous Christians become when they stand against the devil.

When Christians are prepared for spiritual battle, satan knows he cannot have victory, and so he runs for his life, rather than experience defeat.

Biblical Meditation: Romans 12:11

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Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 

Romans 12:11 is as simplistic as it sounds. Christians aren’t to be slothful or lazy in their zealousness. They are to be fervent in their spirit as they serve God. Sounds simple enough on the surface, but let’s dig deeper into the Greek!

In the Greek, the word used for zeal is the word spoude, which means earnestness and diligence. This word is used in reference to promoting an earnestness in promoting or striving after anything. In other words, Christians are not to be lazy in promoting and striving after God. Christians are to be active participants in a world that is growing darker by the day.

The second half of the sentence admonishes Christians to be fervent in spirit and serve the Lord. In the Greek, the word for fervent is Zeo, which translates as boiling with heat or to be hot. This phrase in Romans 12:11 is reminiscent of what we see in the book of Revelation when God tells the church of Laodicea that they are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold. The church in Laodicea lacked the fervency in spirit spoken of in Romans 12:11.

Clarke’s Commentary and Barnes’ Notes eloquently state what is meant by Romans 12:11. Clark states that fervency in spirit is only doing at all times what is to the glory of God, and doing everything as unto Him with a fully engaged heart. He also writes that Christians should aim to please Him, living their lives with simplicity and purity.

Barnes says something slightly different. Barnes believes that this scripture reveals a few things: Barnes first explains that the scripture teaches the value of time. Romans 12:11 begins with the command to not be lazy. Indolence hasn’t just taken over the Western world but has also crept into the church. Many Christians are just as lazy as people who don’t know God – lazy in both their secular and spiritual affairs. Of course, God commands the opposite – telling us to work hard in every area of our lives. Barnes also explains that the scripture is a reminder of the numerous and important things that are to be done.

Our lives on the earth are filled with purpose. We are to live with a zeal for God and the things of God! And we are to be fervent in spirit. So, let’s increase our zeal and fervency. Consider the points below as you fulfill the mandate of Romans 12:11:

1. Pray, worship, fast, and read scripture. Those who lack zeal and fervency or those who feel far from God. Redevelop a deep relationship with the Creator through prayer, worship, fasting and the reading of Scripture.

2. Use your natural and spiritual talents. God has given every Christian both natural and spiritual gifts. No one is without a talent. Use the talents that God has given you to bless others.

3. Be consistent. Water doesn’t boil immediately, and zeal doesn’t always occur overnight, but awakens in the believer and grows as they draw near to Christ. Increase your spiritual temperature over time by staying consistent in using your gifts and talents and deepening your relationship with God.

Is There a Simple Way to Live a Holy Life?

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The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us. – C.S. Lewis

Is there a simple way to live a holy life? Is holiness something that simply comes to us when we accept the gift of salvation or is holiness something that we must pursue? Hebrews 12:14 makes it clear that holiness isn’t something that simply drops out of the sky. It isn’t something that comes to us because we confess that Yeshua is the Messiah.

Holiness comes when we pursue it. Holiness comes with work. Hebrews 12:14 tells us to pursue two things: peace and holiness. If it were something that was inherently within us, then there would be no need to pursue it.

As we pursue holiness, it’s important to understand what holiness is. The technical definition of holiness is total devotion to God. And in scripture, we learn that God Himself isn’t just Holy… but Holy, Holy, Holy. God is so holy, that His Holiness is repetitive. And so, logically, we become holy when we become like God.

If you want to be holy, live as Yeshua lived. Walk, speak, give, think, and love like Yeshua.

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do- 1 Peter 1:15

God Doesn’t Show Favoritism – Acts 10:34

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Peter didn’t want to go to a Gentile home. It wasn’t customary for a Jewish person to visit the home of a non-Jew. It wasn’t how that society worked – but God had a different plan for His church. His church wasn’t going to be a restrictive club that was unwelcoming towards people who looked a certain way. He wanted His Church to be a group of people from every nation… from all backgrounds and ethnicities.

God changed Peter’s heart, and Peter went to the house of Cornelius.

Peter was no longer bound by social boundaries or ethnic and racial parameters – God gave both Peter and Cornelius visions of His love for all. His desire is that all are saved – both Jew and Gentile.

God loves people. He died (and rose) for people. He doesn’t just love nice, friendly people who are hospitable and care about animals. Or people who volunteer and go to church. Or people who work with children or the elderly. God loves everybody – including the grouchy people who kick dogs and curse at others in traffic.

God expects impartiality from His followers – He doesn’t want us to treat people according to worldly standards, but by righteous standards. We must ignore the appearance, influence, wealth, status, ethnicity, race, personality or any other factors that we use to judge people by worldly standards. Like God, we are to look at the heart.

 

Sleep Paralysis is Spiritual – 3 Things You Should Know

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Via StockSnap – Sleep Paralysis is a Demonic Attack

Several years ago, I suffered from an episode of sleep paralysis. I hadn’t suffered from an episode of sleep paralysis since I was a child, and even then the episodes were not frequent, but instead only occurred twice. Both episodes left vivid memories. When I was 11 or so I suffered two attacks on the living room couch. The first time that I suffered sleep paralysis, I knew there was a supernatural undercurrent. I understood that it wasn’t just my mind playing tricks on me and my brain hallucinating, but instead, it was something deeper and spiritual that I didn’t understand.

The only way that I could articulate to my mother what was happening to me was to explain it as a ghost.

Several years ago, I suffered from my third episode of sleep paralysis. This time, I understood the spiritual components of this attack a little better. At the time of the attack, I was in a season of Divine Rain. My walk with the Lord was intense and the spiritual attack at this time made sense.

During this episode of sleep paralysis, I was, of course, sleeping in my bed when I woke up and realized what was happening. I understood that the sleep paralysis that had taunted me those two times on the living room couch had returned. I could both see and feel the evil that permeated the room and then the most amazing thing happened. I had an out-of-body experience.

If you’ve ever dealt with sleep paralysis or if you’re currently dealing with sleep paralysis, there are a few things that you need to know.

1. Sleep paralysis isn’t just physical – it’s spiritual. There are countless testimonies of people who have suffered these attacks and found release only through prayer. There is power in the Name of Jesus, and speaking or even thinking His Name causes the attack to cease.

2. When you’re under spiritual attack, you are either doing something right or doing something wrong. There is little middle ground here. If you find yourself under attack during a time where you are praying, fasting, and reading the Bible more, then press in even further. If you are attacked while you are living a life of sin and plagued by guilt, it’s time to repent and stop the torment.

3. All demons are subject to God. Satan is powerless to do anything against God. God is greater, higher, and the Creator. He rules over all. If you believe in Christ and you are filled with the Holy Spirit – the Holy Spirit in you is greater than any demon in the world. Take comfort in knowing that God is greater.

Praying the Hours: We Need Spiritual Discipline

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Acts 3:1 – One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer–at three in the afternoon.

When I first heard of praying the hours, I thought it sounded mystical – I assumed it was a spiritual practice associated with monastics or nuns. I was a little surprised to learn that praying the hours, also known as fixed-hour prayer is one of the oldest forms of spiritual disciplines, which roots back to Judaism.

Most people in the modern Protestant church are unfamiliar with the idea of praying the hours – or having a set, disciplined schedule of prayer. Yet praying the hours is a beautiful ancient practice seen in scripture.

King David perfectly understood the idea of praying the hours. In Psalm 119 (the Psalm of renewal) we learn that he prayed seven times a day.

Some might argue that by forcing yourself to pray each day (at appointed times) you are practicing vain religion – but I would counter that prayer at set times – even if it feels devoid of deep, emotional meaning is a way to become spiritually stronger.

Praying when you don’t feel like it isn’t a useless spiritual vanity. On the contrary, this is precisely when we need to pray – when we don’t feel like it.

Millions of people go to a gym each day, even when it’s tough, even when they’d rather stay home, even when their body is tired, and they would rather sleep longer. However, millions wake early for the gym because they understand that if they force themselves to go they will become healthier, slimmer, and stronger – praying the hours has the same effect.

Yeshua woke His disciples as night drew near. He forced them awake to pray. They were tired, exhausted even. However, Yeshua wasn’t going to wait for the disciples to feel motivated. He wasn’t going to wait until ‘inspiration’ struck and the disciples felt compelled to pray – He woke them to pray because the hour was nigh.

These are the last days.

The hour is nigh.

Let’s wake up and pray, even when we don’t want to.

Prayer Can Move the Earth… Literally

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Acts 4:31- And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

An earthquake occurs in the book of Acts – there is no other way to describe what took place in natural, scientific terms other than to refer to it as an earthquake. The Christians were praying, and their prayers shook the earth.

We can speculate for days about why the place shook after they prayed. Perhaps it shook because principalities were being dethroned in the spiritual realm. Perhaps it was shaking because the Holy Spirit was coming to fill those who were praying, and the earth shakes at the presence of God. Perhaps the earthquake was a prophetic sign and symbol of the great shaking that the apostles were about to bring upon the earth as they gained the boldness to preach the Gospel and turn the world upside down.

Or maybe it shook to remind us of the power of prayer.

Prayer is powerful. It’s one of the most powerful weapons that a Christian has in their arsenal. I believe fully and deeply in the power of prayer. I so believe in prayer that I don’t go a single day without it. I’ve even written a book about it.

Prayer is powerful. Prayer can move the earth. Prayer can bring the Holy Spirit into a place. Prayer can produce boldness. Prayer can turn the world upside down.

Let’s not forget to pray.