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
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.
BOHO + THEO 