Encouragement

[Avidan]

A slave to sin or to Christ?

I pray that this is read thoroughly:

. http://christianchat.com/prayer-requests/34666-more-gay-pastors.html#post598868

It's quite a read, but, it's very important. There are other posts linked on this post too. Take your time on them.

Heavenly Father, I pray for all of the youth of our nations. Move powerfully in them. I pray a fathers covering over them. That their prayers would be heard and answered; that Your Love would be revealed in them and perfected in their hearts. Let them turn the world upside down by power and love for Your glory. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Here's a song I like:

No More by Tedashii | Song | Free Music, Listen Now

If you don't like this genre of music, or if it's something that trespasses against your conscience, will you please forgive me? I won't mention it around you if it does.

Here are the lyrics:



"No More"
[feat. Lecrae]


[Intro:]
Yi-ah. I ain't a slave to you no more sin.
Yi-ah. Let's get it. There's some things I ain't gonna take no more.
T-dot! Let's get it.

[Verse 1:]

Y'all, I remember thirsting for God,
Walking that sweet communion,
On and on my soul was longing for us to live this union.

Wanting nothing else in life except to just be with Him,
Felt like nothing in this world could ever compete with Him.

But I'm in college now, tryin to walk this out,
But it's harder now, can I talk to y'all?

I got caught in this mess, learning to walk in the flesh, and now I thirst for Him less, watchin her walkin in dress.

I saw the cross and how it took me from the worldly things, and how He told me to count loss the dress and hurt me things.

I know I wanna sin, but dog I'm born again,
And by grace He displaced my disgrace now it's on again.

So I'm gonna buffet my body make it my slave man,
Crucify my flesh daily till I see my grave man.

So I'm gonna fight and your games, I won't play them no more. To the world: listen up, we fed up, we won't take this no more!



[Chorus:]
We not gonna take it no more
We not gonna take it no more
We not gonna take it no more
We not gonna take it no more

We not gonna take it no more
We not gonna take it no more
We not gonna take it no more
We not gonna take it no more

[Verse 2:]

No more hang time or playin time,
Man it's 'bout to be gang time,
Hate you sin, you quench the spirit,
Done em both at the same time.

First you holla 'round with us,
Now my flesh starts risin up.
This why 1st corinthians was talking 'bout all that dyin stuff.

Sick of heartache, sick of pain,
Sick of you, I gotta quit this man,
But me and myself can do nothin without the Spirit man

Eyes having seen this, having heard in things revealed, by the Spirit dwellin withing me through which I'm sealed.

I no longer belong to you,
I'm not holdin on to you,
I fight with all His might through every night that I long for you.

I wrote this here song for you,
My hatred is strong for you,
My love for God is greater than the lust that I offer you.

Cause everything's wrong with you,
The world wanna roll with you
'stead of you slaving me the Holy Spirit's controllin you.

And this here I know is true,
The scriptures are showin you,
Since I belong to Christ I ain't gonna take this no more from you!

[Chorus]

[Bridge:]
Yi-ah. You know what it is man, we free now!
We were once slaves to sin, but now we free to live in righteousness.
We ain't a slave to sin no more man. Yeah. Yeah.

[Outro:]
We ain't now slave to sin!
We ain't now slave to sin!
We not gonna take it no more, because we born again! [x4]


Here's one more called "Make War" at this link (or you can Google - Tedashii make war):

Tedashii - Make War (@tedashii @reachrecords) - YouTube


Fight the good fight.





.

 

[Avidan]

Here are some psalms to pray that have helped me a lot:



Psalms 3
Psalms 16
Psalms 18
Psalms 23
Psalms 35
Psalms 68
Psalms 71
Psamls 91
Psams 121
Psalms 138


Remember that we do not war against flesh and blood as David did in his days. That our enemies are defined in Eph 6:12. So when declaring these psalms, declare them 'into the darkness'.


If you hear any thoughts that say something like, "this won't work" or, "you can't know the bible well enough to defeat me", or anything else that tries to push you down on the inside, then that is 'the darkness' that you focus on and speak the words, contained in these psalms and other places in the Bible, that pertain to the Lord's deliverance and wrath against your enemies.


Satan will also always try to get your focus (pertaining to declaring GOD's Word like David did to Goliath and like Jesus did to Satan) off of him and try to pin it on a person... this is where you say “No, I don't war against flesh and blood...”.


Though we may not be able to know the Bible as well as Satan (which is Satan's major argument against using the Word of GOD the way Jesus did to resist temptation) it doesn't matter.


Because, our Sword is sharper, and our Shield disarms Satan.


Do you see that when one is right with GOD through Christ, that Satan can not pour his words into him to conceive sin.. because, when we are right with GOD, we are dead to sin. Sin can not conceive without the lust of the flesh. When we are alive in Christ, we are dead to sin and Satan can not hurt us with his weapons because he has been disarmed, your faith acting as your shield.


How do you use your shield? You confess your faith:


I am the righteousness of God in Christ!


Here's some good scriptures to use in raising up your shield and abiding in Christ:

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif].
Isa 41:11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.
Isa 41:12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.
Isa 41:13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Isa 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif].

Jer 33:14 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.
Jer 33:15 In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.
Jer 33:16 In those days shall [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Judah[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif] be saved, and [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Jerusalem[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif] shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]she[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif] shall be called, [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]The LORD our righteousness.

Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]But he is a Jew[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif],[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]which is one inwardly[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif];[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif] and [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif], and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]
[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]soul[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif] and [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]spirit[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif], and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
[/FONT]


(The Word of God separates our heart from the spirit of the world. It circumcises our heart)



[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]that we might be made the righteousness of God in him[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif].

Rom 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]It is God that justifieth[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]. [/FONT]

Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded (assured), that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psa 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
Psa 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

Psa 118:17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.


…...........................................................................................



If anything condemns you, or tries to say that you are not good enough (in whatever way that may come), here are some scriptures (an example of a battle for a friend) that will raise a standard up against that flood. Using our weapons of warfare like this will bind the 'strongman.'


The 'strongman' is the spiritual force behind the temptations that you struggle with, your friends committing suicide, cutting, pornography and sexual sin, rape, murder, and so many other things that young men and women turn to the LORD for because they can not win on their own.




Read the post below by, Dr. Dale A. Robbins , for further information about this.


Here is how to win:


It is a combination of using your Sword (the Word of GOD) and Shield (Your righteousness in Christ- your faith) and humility (Confession of bearing corrupt fruit). Take your sword handle first.


These scriptures are not to be spoken against you, but, against the tempter, and working up to the point of speaking against the oppression in your city and nation, with others if possible; including worship and praise amongst your weapons.


If they (the scriptures) start to turn on you (which is the 'strongman' fighting back) stand on Christ, which says that nothing can separate you from the love of God and that He will perfect everything that concerns you.


If you can not stand on this fact because of overflowing and persistent corrupt fruit in your life, don't go into battle for your city! FIRST Learn to resist Tempter yourself


(you can still use the scriptures below to help in your struggle against sin though)…


... all sexual sin (anything sexual outside of a man and woman marriage), any type of idol worship, speaking and thinking evil of others; and any other habitual, enslaving, destructive habits are the big ones.


If you have corrupt fruit in your life, confess it first to a brother or sister and learn how to master the tempter by becoming skilled in the the Word of GOD. This is where the humility part comes in.


CBN has a prayer line that comes in handy for confession. You can google it.


But, know that when you master what is tempting you, that you are making headway for your whole city and nation to be set free from Sin.


Here is a battle that I went through with my knowledge of God's Word, for a friend; using the weapons the LORD has given me to allow the victory contained in His Word to set this person free (I also use worship with my guitar and I often times put my face to the ground in prayer to the LORD when I don't know what to do, if the storm gets to be to much for me):


The Lord is my shield and my exceeding reward.
The Lord will perfect everything that concerns me.
The Lord will complete the good work He has begun in me.
Whosoever calls upon the Lord shall be saved.
I am the righteousness of Christ.
I shall not die, I will live and declare the works of the Lord.
No weapon formed against me shall prosper.
My righteousness is God.
I shall not fear, the Lord is with me.
The Lord is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
The Lord is on my side, I shall not fear.
The Lord will fight against the wrath of my enemies.
All of that which is incensed against me shall be ashamed and confounded.
No evil shall befall me.
No plague shall come near my dwelling.
Nothing by any means shall hurt me.
The Lord gives me power over all of the enemy.
My enemies are disarmed by Christ.
I am right with God.
The Lord rebuke you Satan.
I will live and declare the works of the Lord.
Every tongue that rises up against me in judgment I will condemn.
I will live and declare the works of the Lord.
The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer.
He is my God, my strength, my shield, the one in whom I trust.
I call upon the LORD who is worthy to be praised.
I will be saved from my enemies.
The Word of the Lord is tried (reliable).
He is a shield to all of those who put their trust in him.
The Word of the Lord accomplishes it's purpose.
Let my enemies be bound up in Jesus Name.
The LORD is a mighty and terrible one who is on my side.
Let all of my enemies fall into their own traps.
Let their strongholds come down and their fortresses collapse.
Let them flee seven ways and let the angel of the Lord persecute them.
Every time they shoot their arrows, let the LORD shoot them.
They will be wounded suddenly.
They are fallen under my feet.
I will live and declare the works of the LORD.
No weapon formed against me will work.
The LORD covers me with his wings.
The LORD shoots his lightening and discomfits my enemies.
The LORD scatters my enemies with His arrows.
The LORD crushes my enemies with hail stones and coals of fire.
I will live and declare the works of the LORD.
I am the righteousness of Christ.
The LORD calms the storms
The LORD rebukes the waves and winds and there is peace
He leads be beside the still waters and into green pasture.
He anoints my head with oil and prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
He is my rest and His Holy Spirit is my Help.
I will live and declare the works of the LORD
The LORD take up his bow, his shield and fights against the wrath of my enemies by the Sword of His mouth.
Peace, in Jesus Name.
Peace to the winds and the waves I speak in Jesus Name.
I will live and declare the works of the LORD.

Jesus is my bright and morning star. I will sail my vessel straight to Him by His Word.

No evil shall befall me
No plague shall come near my dwelling.
1,000 may fall at my side and 10,000 at my right hand, but, it will not come near me, in Jesus Name.
The LORD answers me and honors me.
He hears my cry from out of His temple.
My cry goes even into His ears.
He delivers me because He delights in me and his gentleness make me great! In Jesus Name.

No weapon formed against me will work.


Now, I bind up my enemies in Jesus Name, and by faith in Jesus Name and by his Word, I cast my enemies into the sea. In Jesus Name, go now.

The LORD will perfect everything that concerns me and I will live and declare His Works.


Amen.

.................................................. ..........................

This is how Jesus gave us example to raise the standard of GOD's Word against Satan. It works and persistence will knock the enemy (Eph 6:12) back far enough so he can be bound up.


Notice that I used many verses twice and in combination with others.
Being skilled in the Word of righteousness is what will surround your soul and spirit with Christ. It will be your shield, will fight the flood of the enemy, it will prevail, and it will separate you unto the LORD where Satan can not touch you.

In times of distress I keep repeating Psalms 18 1-3 and thank the LORD in worship in the best way I know how. "I praise You LORD in the storm, thank You for Your work in my life, thank You for the good and the bad....." and so on.


Remember to pray:


LORD, lead me not into temptation, deliver me from evil. In Jesus Name, Amen.


And remember to forgive.

 

[Avidan]

This is another perspective:




By Dr. Dale A. Robbins



All believers are in a war - a war with their adversary, the Devil (1 Pet. 5:8), and his evil spiritual forces which he dispatches and assigns to perpetrate his wickedness throughout the world. The scripture says that we "wrestle... against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Eph. 6:12).
We are well aware of the evil characteristics of Satan, that he "kills, steals, and destroys" (John 10:10). But beyond his routine harassments, temptations or hit-and-run attacks, the Devil's forces seek territory to establish long-term strongholds in which they may dominate and hold captive. Satanic forces search for people, cities, and nations in which they are not resisted and where they may flourish.
"Strongholds" could be actual "demon possession," but can merely be a "strong" influence or grip, persistent oppression, obsessions, hindrances or harassment. Believers cannot be demon possessed, but many Christians are the victims of Satan's strongholds.
Getting to the Root of the Problem
The devil's primary strategy is to disguise his activities so that it appears that someone or something else is to blame. He wants us to get our attention on his surrogates, his instruments, his hindrances and "wrestle" with them, so that our battle will be directed against the "symptoms" instead of the "real source."
We all know that a decongestant will help relieve a stuffy nose, but it will not cure a cold. Likewise, you can fight with the symptoms of the Devil, but you will not end the problems until you deal with the source and bind the "strong man."
Remember when Peter resisted Jesus' decision to return to Jerusalem, knowing that He would be crucified there? Jesus did not rebuke Peter, but turned to Peter and rebuked Satan. "Get behind me Satan" (Matt. 16:23). Peter wasn't demon possessed, and probably didn't intend to be an offense. However, the Devil inspired Peter's statement, and Jesus went after the real source.
Paul said that our battle is not with "flesh and blood" but with spiritual adversaries (Eph. 6:12). How important it is that we understand what the real root of the problem is -- "who" our real enemy is. It is Satan, not flesh and blood, not our brethren, not our family, not our children, not husbands and wives, not employers, nor our government! The Devil is the enemy!
Binding the Strong Man
One time, after Jesus had cast out a devil and healed a deaf and mute boy, Jesus explained that in order to overturn the works and activity of the Devil, we must bind him first. "Or else how can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house" (Matt. 12:29). In order to neutralize the Devil's works, we must go and deal directly with the source and bind up the devil so that his hands are tied. Then we'll be able to take back what he's stolen and bring a halt to his actions.
I've preached in many cities that have been strongholds for the Devil. The symptoms of this are many. Often the local churches suffer senseless conflicts or unexplained problems. The congregations experience little growth, and the preaching of the Word is not easily proclaimed or well received by the community. These are the symptoms, but behind the scene Satan is the culprit. In such cases, those spiritual strongholds must be dealt with and bound for the ministry to be effective.
All Believers have Authority over the Devil
All Christians must be aware that God has equipped them to overcome Satan's power. The Apostle Paul said that "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (of a fleshly or earthly nature), but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds" (2 Cor. 10:4).
You may recall the time when the seventy disciples returned to the Lord rejoicing about the results of their ministry. They remarked, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name" (Luke 10:17). But then Jesus pointed out that the great marvel of this was that the devils were subject to them because their names were "written in heaven." In other words, because they were saved -- because of their relationship with Christ, they had authority over the Devil in the name of Jesus.
Jesus has given all His followers -- all those who know Jesus personally as their Lord and Savior -- the authority to use His name to expel the forces of evil. To all believers, Jesus said, "In My name they will cast out demons..." (Mark 16:17).
How to Break Strongholds and keep them Broken!
1. AUTHORITY -- Every believer has the right to use the authority of Jesus' name to bind and take authority over Satan's activities. "No one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house" (Mark 3:27). Issue a spoken command to the devil that he is bound and he must leave the stronghold! Exercising authority in the name of Jesus will expel the Devil's influence. "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues..." (Mark 16:17).
2. INTERCESSION -- Come together with other believers to pray and intercede against strongholds until you get results. There is intensified power in the gathering of more believers. Prayer with fasting intensifies faith, and faith will break strongholds. "Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast him out? However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting" (Matthew 17:19,21).
3. DISPLACEMENT -- Establish the presence of God. Where Satan has been commanded to leave, fill it up with God's presence. Where the presence of the Lord is, the Devil isn't! Satan doesn't want to hang around where people are lifting up Jesus in worship, in singing and prayer. The presence of the Lord displaces the Devil. "For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14).
4. RESISTANCE -- Submit yourselves and draw close to God. The Bible says this is how we resist Satan and he will flee. The Devil runs from submitted, yielded Christians. He runs from your life, and will run away from where you go. "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).
5. OCCUPATION -- Give no place or vacancy to the Devil. With Satan departed, fill the void with God. Let righteousness be the standard rule and behavior. Provide no pocket of rebellion, corruption or immorality in which Satan can find refuge to rebuild his influence or strength. The scripture says to not "give place to the devil" (Eph. 4:27).
6. FORTIFICATION -- Clothe yourself with God's armor. Take upon you daily, the full array of God's spiritual equipment that you may maintain battle-ready status. With the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit (God's Word) and the other links of armor (Eph. 6:13-17), you will be ready to resist any satanic assault, and will be ready to engage the strongholds in others. "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11).