To Silence You from Sharing the Gospel

 To Silence You from Sharing the Gospel

We are discussing 6 things the devil wants from you. We already discussed not trusting the Bible and paralyzing you with fear. This one is one of the aspects he wants you to fear. Sharing the Gospel. This is what we will be talking about today. Let us pray, 

Father, LORD God, we come before You today with thanksgiving and praise. We praise You because You are God, and there is no other. We thank You for life itself and for life everlasting. We thank You for the ability to gather in Your name and to learn from Your Word. We understand that the devil is real and that he wants us to stay quiet. He wants us to “keep it to ourselves.” But we know that You, Jesus, commanded us to go forth and preach the gospel throughout the land. Please, Father, give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and the ability to receive Your truth and revelations, so we are better equipped to deal with the enemy. In Jesus' name, Amen! 

Here are some ways that the devil tries to keep you from sharing the Gospel. 

Fear and Intimidation: Fearing rejection, awkwardness, or not having all the answers.

Distraction and Busyness: Overcrowding schedules so outreach feels like a low priority.

Apathy and Indifference: Numbing compassion for those who don't know the Gospel.

Insecurity and Shame: Convincing people they aren't "holy enough" or "qualified enough" to speak.

Fear is a powerful tool of the devil. Fear can and does paralyze you. It can keep you from doing what God asks, receiving what God has for you, and yes, of course, sharing His Word. How does fear play into this? Fearing rejection: what will people think? They may think I’m a weirdo. They may hate me. They may think I think I’m better than them. What if I lose my job? What about awkwardness? I mean, is now really the time and place? I don’t know; it seems a little, well, awkward. Oh, and who am I? I’m not a pastor. I never went to seminary. Who am I to teach others?

So sadly, more times than not, we simply keep quiet. Have you forgotten who you are? There is a growing fear sweeping through the Land and the World. God is under attack, and His Word, His Will, His Truth, and yes, His Children, are under attack. "Gay Rights" has nothing to do with "Gay Rights." If it did, there would be cries all over the world against Muslim Countries who tie Gays to trees and torture them to death. They drown them, set them on fire, and sell them into slavery. Yet nothing. In this country, Muslim Bake shops refuse to bake a cake, or refuse to allow Gays to join their companies or groups? Nothing. But if a Christian simply says, "Homosexuality is against God and nature," they are attacked.

Some really good people {Worldly sense} who are not founded in the Word of God, even Children of God who have not grown in Faith, are celebrating Sin being justified and called Good. Great confusion is sweeping the land. Even those that should know better are being swept up in the false compassion of equality, and confusion of sin vs. good. 

Why? Is it true compassion to watch someone walk right up to and through a fire? Or is it true compassion and love to do whatever you can to warn and stop them? The Gospel is not bad news.

“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.” Romans 1:16. 

For how can we? 

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

If we are so afraid? We can’t; that is the point. Remember the armor of God? In Ephesians 6:15 

“And, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.” 

Ok but I’m afraid I do not know what to say. 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.“ John 3:16-18

Ok ok. I get all that. But you know what? I’m too busy. I got work, kid sports, wife, something, and I really have to cut the grass. I really do not have time. Well? Then I would suggest you do not think about time all that much. You have less than you even know. 

Our life is so very short here on earth. The Word declares it is but a vapor, a mist. Something that is here one second and gone the next. You may think you have a long time. Let's say you are blessed with a long life here on earth; let's say 75 years. Now, picture 100 years. In that time, you were born, raised, became an adult, married, and had kids; they had kids. And you have now been gone for 25 years.

Let's do some math. How about 500 years? Do you know how old America is? It is 250 years old. That equates to approximately 3.31 people whose lives would total 75 years each. Currently, 341,138,802 people are living in America. According to world population statistics, there is one birth every 9 seconds and one death every 10 seconds.

Think about this. We die. Our loved ones mourn us. In a year or so, they feel better. In 5 years, “Wow, I can’t believe it’s been 5 years.”  20 years pass, and we may end up being pictures on someone's wall that no one remembers. In 50, we are all but forgotten. Is your life really just about working and paying bills? 

Well, I don’t know. They seem pretty happy not hearing the Gospel. Hey, I got mine; I’m good. They can figure it out. Right? Live and let live? No. What this mindset actually says is live and let die. Remember, those who do not accept Jesus. Those who do not believe join these. 

“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

They do not have to commit murder, dance naked around a fire, or anything else. All they have to do is not believe. 

“For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" Romans 10:13-15 

This is you. You are the one. I, as a pastor, see you. Hi Mary. Hi, Joe. You? You see people all the time whom I will never meet. Guess what? You may be the only Jesus some people see. What are they seeing? What are they hearing? But the truth is, YOU are the Child of God in their lives. 

OK. I get it. I’m responsible. But let’s say I start talking about God and the Bible and stuff, do you even know who I really am? I’m not talking about church. I’m talking Tuesday afternoon. I’m talking Friday night. I’m not "holy enough" or "qualified enough" to speak into someone else’s life. If you only know what I did. 

Well? Noah got drunk. Abraham pimped out his wife. David committed covetousness, rape, and murder. Don’t forget the one who wrote a lot of the New Testament, Paul? Attacked, enslaved, and murdered God’s people. So, uh, what is it that you think God will not forgive you for and use you to spread the good news? 

The truth is, they do not know what they do not know. They do not understand that it is all very real, and what it is that is truly awaiting them. What if I tell them and they say, "I do not believe in God." Or "I do not believe that you have to accept Jesus to get to Heaven." Or "Religion is for Idiots." Something to this effect. Have I failed? Have I not communicated properly? 

Are you responsible for the fact that they will now die, not accepting Christ, and forever be cast out? You think about this. Someone you care about, someone you love, and you have the Key to give them, so that they may enter into Heaven, and yet, they are on their way to Hell. Have you failed to save them?

The simple answer is NO. You have fulfilled your obligation. You are now free and clear. You have told them the Truth. You are not responsible for their decision to accept or not.

"When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul." Ezekiel 33: 8-9

It is your responsibility to tell people the Truth. It is your responsibility to live as God commanded us to live. John wrote this to warn us not to think of ourselves as higher or more Holy than anyone else. We are responsible for keeping ourselves in check and spreading the Truth. He wrote this.

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:5-10

Check yourself. Make sure you are right with God. Then, do what He told us all to do. Share the Gospel. Those who do not know or do not accept await a hell they cannot even imagine. Don’t let the devil keep you from warning them. 

We talked briefly about one aspect, one tool the devil uses, that needs more direct attention. Insecurity and shame: convincing people they aren't "holy enough" or "qualified enough" to speak. We'll discuss this next time. Won’t you join us? 

Remember, you can always find this, and so much more, in the archives over at TAG

The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the Lord our God go before you as your way maker, as well as behind you as your rear guard, and may He be with you always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

Song of Solomon 8

 Song of Solomon 8

If only you were to me like a brother,

    who was nursed at my mother’s breasts!

Then, if I found you outside,

    I would kiss you,

    and no one would despise me.

2 I would lead you 

    and bring you to my mother’s house—

    she who has taught me.

I would give you spiced wine to drink,

    the nectar of my pomegranates.

3 His left arm is under my head

    and his right arm embraces me.

4 Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you:

    Do not arouse or awaken love

    until it so desires.

Friends

5 Who is this coming up from the wilderness

    leaning on her beloved?

She

Under the apple tree I roused you;

    there your mother conceived you,

    there she who was in labor gave you birth.

6 Place me like a seal over your heart,

    like a seal on your arm;

for love is as strong as death,

    its jealousy unyielding as the grave.

It burns like blazing fire,

    like a mighty flame.

7 Many waters cannot quench love;

    rivers cannot sweep it away.

If one were to give

    all the wealth of one’s house for love,

    it would be utterly scorned.

Friends

8 We have a little sister,

    and her breasts are not yet grown.

What shall we do for our sister

    on the day she is spoken for?

9 If she is a wall,

    we will build towers of silver on her.

If she is a door,

    we will enclose her with panels of cedar.

She

10 I am a wall,

    and my breasts are like towers.

Thus I have become in his eyes

    like one bringing contentment.

11 Solomon had a vineyard in Baal Hamon;

    he let out his vineyard to tenants.

Each was to bring for its fruit

    a thousand shekels of silver.

12 But my own vineyard is mine to give;

    the thousand shekels are for you, Solomon,

    and two hundred are for those who tend its fruit.

He

13 You who dwell in the gardens

    with friends in attendance,

    let me hear your voice!

She

14 Come away, my beloved,

    and be like a gazelle

or like a young stag

    on the spice-laden mountains.

To Paralyze You with Fear

  To Paralyze You with Fear

Fear is a tactic often used by the enemy. Fear can bind you. Fear can make you lie, cheat, and steal. Fear can cause you to commit murder. Fear can give others power over you. Fear can enslave you. Fear can rob you of your very life. Fear is very real. In the field of psychology, fear is so predominant that they have named it a Phobia. From Arachnophobia to Acrophobia (fear of heights), all the way to Pantophobia. Not fear of pants, though, if that's what you're thinking. It's fear of everything. Including pants, I suppose. In that case... Sorry. Let's go on. 

But fear is a very real and very powerful force. I will never forget that back in the days when I was a Hotel Manager, I met this Woman and her soon-to-be husband. They were asking me to host their wedding guests and the wedding itself, which they wanted to have in the lounge. Well, that's not possible, I told them, because the lounge is a nightclub, and we would not be able to shut it down for a private function, and I offered to show them other rooms and put them in touch with my salesperson.

Well, the woman said, "I really need to speak with you privately." So we went into my office, and she told me that her sister has been diagnosed with Agoraphobia, Anthropophobia, and Ochlophobia. I said, understandably, "What?" So she explained it to me. Agoraphobia - fear of open spaces, Anthropophobia - fear of people or the company of people, and Ochlophobia- fear of crowds. She believed that she also suffered from Xenophobia - fear of strangers. Now, setting aside my wondering how Anthropophobia, Ochlophobia, and Xenophobia are any different, and what that difference would really matter, I said: "Please go on."

She said, "Well, the lounge has that greenhouse dining room attached that can be seen from the rooms, and my sister could stand outside it and watch the wedding. This way she would not miss it." So I agreed. She is going to have the wedding in the lounge. But she was not done.

"Can I ask you a HUGE favor?" I thought, "You already did." But what I said was, "Sure." Then she said, "I need you to meet my sister. She cannot go outside by herself, and she really wants to see me get married. If you meet her and spend some time with her, she may trust you enough to go outside and stand with you for the ceremony." "Uh, OK."

So I did. I met her. Through the door. I went to the room often for two days. She eventually opened the door. To my surprise, here is this absolutely stunning young lady. I mean it. She was beautiful. I kinda pictured an Igor-looking person. I know, I know, not nice. But it's the truth. I thought she would be homely and mousy. But here stood this model-looking young lady.

At first, she would not make eye contact. But we talked, and I spent time listening to her. Then she asked if I would bring her something to eat. So I did. After some time, she looked up and into my eyes. "Will you come and get me right before the ceremony?" "Of course I will." Was my response.

So there it was, time. I went and got her. She opened the door and was all dressed up. She was wearing what she would wear if she could go in. It took her a little bit to step outside. I had to remind her that the ceremony was about to start. To my absolute shock, and it even startled me for a second, she took my hand. We walked together to the outside of the greenhouse, and she watched her sister get married. She asked if we could stay a bit longer so she could watch the dancing and stuff. To my surprise and without thought, I said: "We can stay here all night if you want." She smiled. We only stayed for about 30 minutes, and she felt she needed to go back to the room. So we went back, and I brought her some food and cake from the wedding with her sister.

I saw firsthand, call it what you will, how fear can rob you of your very life. This absolutely beautiful woman was a prisoner to her fear. This is what we will be talking about today. Thing two that the devil wants is for you to be paralyzed with fear. Let us pray. 

Father, we come before you today with thanksgiving and praise. We know instinctively, beyond any doubt, that you, Father, are the great I Am and there is nothing besides you. We know instinctively that since we are yours, we have nothing to fear. Your Word declares, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Father, we come and gather today to learn your Truth, which we know is the Truth. We pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and the Spirit to receive your Truth and revelation. Show us, Father, that we have nothing to fear. In Jesus' name, amen! 

You, as a Child of God, have nothing to fear. Seriously.

Fear of Death? Death itself is nothing.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. “ Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Notice there is no time to fear. Death itself is as natural to life as living. Death is not a punishment. It just is. It is only appointed for us to die one time.

“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.“ Hebrews 9:27-28

When you leave this world, that is not truly death. When you die in the flesh, you stand before Jesus Himself. If you have accepted Jesus and been adopted into the family of God, you allow Him to be your substitute. He died for you. You died already. If not, then you are cast into the lake of fire. However, if you are a child of God, then your life is no longer yours to give, nor anyone's to take. So why fear?

Fear losing your job? Your needs will be met. Matthew 6: 25-34

Fear anything else related to it? Bills, Debt, Food? Same thing. Your needs will be met.

Fear God? Is He now your Father? Romans 8

Fear the Devil? He has no power over you. But he wants you to fear. Why? 

Fear paralyzes or restricts

Look at the parable of the Talents.

"Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.'"  Matthew 25:24–25

Fear leads directly to inaction and hiding what God has entrusted to you. Looking at circumstances through fear distorts reality, magnifies the obstacle, and causes an entire community to turn back instead of moving forward into God's promises. Look here. Numbers 13:31–33

“Then the men who had gone up with him said, ‘We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.’ So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, ‘The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height. And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them."

This created fear in the whole community. Instead of trusting what they were told God said, they feared because of what these men said. 

“Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, "Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would we have died in this wilderness! Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?" And they said to one another, "Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt." Numbers 14:1-4

The evil we know, rather than the evil we fear? In 1 Kings 18, Elijah stands alone against 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Fire falls from heaven, the people declare Jehovah as God, and the long drought ends. Yet, in 1 Kings 19:1–3, Queen Jezebel sends Elijah a death threat. Despite just witnessing a massive display of God's power, Elijah looks at the threat, becomes terrified, and runs for his life.

“Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow." Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went on a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers." 1 Kings 19:1–4 

Even after a major victory, a sudden threat of fear can cause spiritual exhaustion, isolation, and a desire to give up.

It should not be this way with us. We are children of God. 

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

Fear does not originate from God; His Spirit provides the internal strength and clarity needed to act.

God's presence is the direct antidote to paralyzing anxiety. Understanding and resting in God's love breaks the tormenting hold that fear relies on.

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love."1 John 4:18

Anchoring confidence in who God is reframes external threats.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

Fear is completely irrational and has no place in your life when you come to the full realization of who you are as a child of God. Who your Father now is. Do not allow the fear of anything to place you into bondage. To rob you of your very life itself. "Greater is He in you than in all the World." 1 John 4:4

Join us next time for number 3; this is a big one. The enemy wants you to fear sharing the Gospel. Join us, won’t you? 

Remember, you can always find this, and so much more, in the archives, over at TAG

The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the Lord our God go before you as your way maker, as well as behind you as your rear guard, and may He be with you always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

Song of Solomon 7

 Song of Solomon 7

How beautiful your sandaled feet,

    O prince’s daughter!

Your graceful legs are like jewels,

    the work of an artist’s hands.

2 Your navel is a rounded goblet

    that never lacks blended wine.

Your waist is a mound of wheat

    encircled by lilies.

3 Your breasts are like two fawns,

    like twin fawns of a gazelle.

4 Your neck is like an ivory tower.

Your eyes are the pools of Heshbon

    by the gate of Bath Rabbim.

Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon

    looking toward Damascus.

5 Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel.

    Your hair is like royal tapestry;

    the king is held captive by its tresses.

6 How beautiful you are and how pleasing,

    my love, with your delights!

7 Your stature is like that of the palm,

    and your breasts like clusters of fruit.

8 I said, “I will climb the palm tree;

    I will take hold of its fruit.”

May your breasts be like clusters of grapes on the vine,

    the fragrance of your breath like apples,

9     and your mouth like the best wine.

She

May the wine go straight to my beloved,

    flowing gently over lips and teeth.

10 I belong to my beloved,

    and his desire is for me.

11 Come, my beloved, let us go to the countryside,

    let us spend the night in the villages.

12 Let us go early to the vineyards

    to see if the vines have budded,

if their blossoms have opened,

    and if the pomegranates are in bloom—

    there I will give you my love.

13 The mandrakes send out their fragrance,

    and at our door is every delicacy,

both new and old,

    that I have stored up for you, my beloved.

6 Things Satan Wants More Than Anything Else

 To Make You Doubt God’s Word. 

If you have been around for a bit, you know one of the things we talk about here is the truth that there is an Enemy, and He is very real. Whether we like it or not, accept it or not, believe it or not, He is real. Known by many names, including Satan, Lucifer, Beelzebub, and the devil, he makes it clear from his first encounter with mankind in Genesis 3 that he has nothing but malicious intent for God’s creation.

I read this article the other day from Crossroads.com entitled 6 Things Satan Wants More Than Anything Else by Victoria Riollano. Victoria Riollano is a mother of eight, veteran spouse, Psychology professor, and doctoral student. She has learned the art of balancing family life while fulfilling God’s ultimate purpose for her. Victoria holds an MA in Child Psychology and is the author of two books: The Victory Walk: A 21-Day Devotional on Living a Victorious Life and  Warrior Mother: Equipping Your Heart to Fight for Your Family’s Faith. When she is not writing, you can find her serving in her local church as the pastor’s wife, worship leader, and youth pastor. Ultimately, she desires to empower women to live a life of victory, hope, and love. You can connect with Victoria at www.victoryspeaks.org and on social media at Victory Speaks by Victoria Riollano on Facebook and @myvictoryspeaks on Instagram.  

I highly encourage you to check it out. As I read it, my spirit knew without a doubt that there is a sermon here. The Holy Spirit started to elaborate on what I was reading, so here we go. Let us pray. 

Father, You are the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last; You are the God of gods and the Creator of all. We come before You with thanksgiving and praise, loving You, Father, with all we are. Lord, we come before You once again to learn about the enemy. We know He is real, but we want to see Him as He is rather than as Hollywood portrays Him. Father, we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and a Spirit to receive and comprehend what You want us to know through Your Word, both today and always. We ask for this in Jesus' name. Amen!

I know. I know. This is not one of those warm, fuzzy messages. I know, I know. This is not a message taught much, even in some very well-meaning Churches. However, it is the Truth. It is a Truth that is inescapable. An absolute Truth that is a constant. Never changing, ever present, non-negotiable Truth.

One of the greatest accomplishments of the devil is convincing the world that he doesn't exist. No devil, then no hell. No devil, no hell, no sin. No sin, no reason for a Savior. No Savior, no God. No evil means no good. No hell, then no Heaven. No judgment for sin, if there is no sin. Simply, live as you will.

Jesus tells us the devil is real. Luke 10:18-19

"And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you."

If he were not real, would Jesus warn us against him? Jesus told the Priests and the Rulers of the Synagogues that reject Him (Jesus) that

"Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my words. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:43-44

There is no truth, no good, no love, and no hope that can come from the devil. When we allow the words of the enemy to have power in our lives, we come into agreement with things that directly oppose God’s Word. Remember, all he does is to “kill, steal, and destroy” anything that brings God glory, including bringing destruction to mankind ourselves.  

Victoria Riollano wrote the article “6 Things Satan Wants More Than Anything Else,” and I am in full agreement. These are the six that she wrote about, expanded.

To Make You Doubt God's Word

To Paralyze You with Fear

To Silence You from Sharing the Gospel

To Cause You to Live in Shame

For You to Worship an Idol

For You to Be Deceived

We will start today with the basics. One, he is real. Two, one of his deepest desires is to keep you from reading this. (Holding up the Bible.)

Son of the Morning. Some say the first Angel. The most beautiful Angel. In Isaiah 14:12-17

"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.

Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, "Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?"

You see, the devil is NOT some red-faced, horned-headed, tail-wagging demon straight out of a Hollywood Horror Movie. He is not a creature so hideous that you would run in terror if you saw him. He is "son of the morning." He is as beautiful as "every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold." Truth is, if he were to walk into a church, many would fall and worship him, thinking he was Jesus Himself. He is what he is.

Satan shows his greatest desire during the first encounter with mankind in Genesis 3.

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, "You shall not eat of any tree in the garden”?’ The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Satan has been convincing people to doubt God’s Word since the beginning of time. To this day, the enemy has convinced people to doubt the inerrancy of the Bible and even the promises that are listed in His Word. 

By doubting even one word of what God has spoken, we start to second-guess all other things that have been said, and that will be said. Remember that one seed of doubt can spread like weeds and infection across entire families, causing many to stumble, just like we see in the Garden of Eden. Above all else, we must remember that God does not lie. 

“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” Numbers 23:19

So why? What is the main reason that the devil does not want you reading God’s Word? First, the Bible exposes his deceptions. Truth vs. lies. Remember, Jesus calls him "the father of lies" (John 8:44). When you don’t know the truth, a counterfeit looks convincing. Reading the Word equips you with the discernment needed to spot his lies immediately.

God provides us with the Truth. 

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 

Satan wants you in spiritual darkness so you can't tell the difference between God’s voice and his lies. Is Jesus really God? Did He really rise from the dead in the flesh? Come on, the Bible has been changed and all that. You can’t trust it. Besides, it was written thousands of years ago; even if you believe it MIGHT be true, it was only for them. It’s 2026, baby.

  

We are talking today about the foundation. After all, how can you have the right mind if you know nothing of God, Jesus, the Word, etc.? You truly can't. First, you must have a solid foundation. What is Spirit? Who is God? Who is Jesus? Is this stuff real? Did Jesus really rise from the dead? Is there a real devil? Without a foundation, you will never grow in faith, and you will believe the lies. 

Two, the Bible provides the only offensive weapon against him. In the Armor of God, every piece except one is defensive (shield, breastplate, helmet). The Bible is the single offensive weapon given to believers to fight back and gain ground.

“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, Ephesians 6:16-17

An unread Bible keeps a soldier disarmed on the battlefield. The Enemy doesn't mind you wearing armor as long as you can't strike back. Think about it. 

Three, Jesus showed us how to overcome temptation using Scripture.  When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He didn't debate Satan using human logic or emotion; He answered every single temptation by quoting Scripture ("It is written..."). Matthew 4:1–11. Satan knows that if you store Scripture in your heart, you will use the same strategy Jesus used to defeat temptation.

Fourth, God’s Word transforms your mind and builds faith. Faith isn't a vague feeling; it comes directly from hearing and understanding God’s Word. Furthermore, Scripture renews our minds so we no longer conform to the patterns of the world.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. “Romans 10:17

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what the will of God is, what is good and acceptable and perfect.“ Romans 12:2

A weak prayer life and fragile faith are often symptoms of a starved biblical diet. Satan keeps you away from the Word to keep your faith small. The last we will discuss today seems to be the most obvious, but if you have not read God’s Word, then you may not know. 

Fifth, it reveals your true identity and his ultimate defeat. Satan relies on shame and accusation. 

“And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, 'Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. “ Revelation 12:10

When you read the Bible, you learn that you are redeemed, forgiven, and loved, and you read the final chapter where Satan loses completely.

"There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1

The Enemy wants you to focus on your past; the Bible reminds you of your future and his destination. Having a Bible in your house doesn't protect you any more than having a prescription bottle sitting on your counter cures an illness. The medicine must be taken; the Word must be ingested. Here are three steps that may help you. 

1 - Commit to a Daily Meeting: Stop waiting for "free time" to open the Word. Pick a specific time and place tomorrow morning.

2- Start Small, Be Consistent: As little as five focused minutes in God's Word every day will transform your life far more than two hours once a month.

3_ Prayerfully Read It. Pray Before You Read: Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes:

 "Open my eyes, that I may behold 

Wondrous things out of your law." (Psalm 119:18)

Never forget, Jesus has already won. Be on the right side when the time comes, and the end of the world will be glorious, rather than scary. As a matter of fact, that will be the next thing we talk about. He wants to paralyze you with fear.

Remember, you can always find this, and so much more, in the archives, over at TAG.

The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the Lord our God go before you as your way maker, as well as behind you as your rear guard, and may He be with you always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

Song of Solomon 6

 Song of Solomon 6

Friends

6 Where has your beloved gone,

    most beautiful of women?

Which way did your beloved turn,

    that we may look for him with you?

She

2 My beloved has gone down to his garden,

    to the beds of spices,

to browse in the gardens

    and to gather lilies.

3 I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine;

    he browses among the lilies.

He

4 You are as beautiful as Tirzah, my darling,

    as lovely as Jerusalem,

    as majestic as troops with banners.

5 Turn your eyes from me;

    they overwhelm me.

Your hair is like a flock of goats

    descending from Gilead.

6 Your teeth are like a flock of sheep

    coming up from the washing.

Each has its twin,

    not one of them is missing.

7 Your temples behind your veil

    are like the halves of a pomegranate.

8 Sixty queens there may be,

    and eighty concubines,

    and virgins beyond number;

9 but my dove, my perfect one, is unique,

    the only daughter of her mother,

    the favorite of the one who bore her.

The young women saw her and called her blessed;

    the queens and concubines praised her.

Friends

10 Who is this that appears like the dawn,

    fair as the moon, bright as the sun,

    majestic as the stars in procession?

He

11 I went down to the grove of nut trees

    to look at the new growth in the valley,

to see if the vines had budded

    or the pomegranates were in bloom.

12 Before I realized it,

    my desire set me among the royal chariots of my people.

Friends

13 Come back, come back, O Shulammite;

    come back, come back, that we may gaze on you!

He

Why would you gaze on the Shulammite

    as on the dance of Mahanaim?

Good Service, What does Prosperity Really Mean?

 Is this a promise of prosperity? 

Most know this passage. 

"Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Thank you, Jesus. AMEN! So if I give, I will receive such riches that they will be running over, running right out of my bank account. Hey, I know that the Word even says this in the King James Version. 

“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye [are] cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, [even] this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it].” Malachi 3:8-10

What about this? 

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” 3 John 1:2

YES! So all I have to do is give ten percent (Tithe) and give some here and there, and God will make me healthy, wealthy, and wise.

No. Not really. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we come before you today, on this glorious day you have made, to worship you. Thank you. And learn from your Word. We know that some like to twist your Word to get it to say something they wish it to say, but we are here to seek the truth, Father. We pray, God, that you give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and the ability to understand the Truth, revelation, and wisdom of your Word. We pray for the understanding of its true meaning, in Jesus' name, Amen!

"Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Prosperity preachers use this as a "seed faith" proof-text: Give your money to the church/ministry, and God will pour financial wealth back into your bank account. But here is the problem with that: this verse has nothing to do with money. It is about mercy, forgiveness, and non-judgmental love.

Look at the verses directly preceding it. In Luke 6:36–37, Jesus says: 

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."

Jesus uses a familiar marketplace metaphor of a grain merchant. When buying grain in an ancient market, a generous merchant wouldn't just scoop it loosely. He would pour it, shake the basket so it settled, press it down to make more room, and fill it until it overflowed.

What Jesus is saying is this. Whatever spirit you measure out to others, whether it is judgment or grace, that is what will come back to you. If you live a life of lavish mercy and forgiveness, God (and often community) will treat you with an overflow of grace. Sounds a bit different, does it not? 

Now this next one, I purposefully used the KJV for it. As they will, too. 

“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye [are] cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, [even] this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it].”? Malachi 3:8-10  

However, if you notice. The ending is a bit different in other translations. Such as ESV.

“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”

Wait? “Until there is no more need.” Sounds a little different than “pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it].” Right? Taught as a universal legal obligation: If you don't tithe 10% of your paycheck to the church today, you are under a financial curse. If you do, God guarantees financial prosperity.

However, this was a specific covenantal reprimand to ancient Israel under the Old Law regarding covenant faithfulness and agricultural care for the poor. Malachi was writing to a post-exilic Jewish community that had become spiritually corrupt and self-serving.

Under the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 14, 26), tithes were not cash passed in an offering plate. They were agricultural goods (grain, livestock, produce) brought to the Temple storehouse. These stores were used for two primary purposes: to support the Levites (who had no land inheritance) and to feed the vulnerable, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow.

The "Curse": Israel was failing to bring their produce, causing the poor and priests to starve while the wealthy kept everything for themselves. They were breaking the Mosaic Covenant, which explicitly outlined agricultural blessings/curses based on obedience (Deuteronomy 28).

God called them out for spiritual hypocrisy and social injustice. The "windows of heaven" opening refers literally to rain for their crops (in a drought-prone region), restoring agricultural productivity so the whole community would thrive. Applying this as a financial mandate for modern Christians misses the New Testament context of joyful, free-will giving (2 Corinthians 9:7). 

If we were to compare this to today, would it still apply? Yes. When you give to your local church, then, and only then, can the local church supply the needs of the church Pastor, and the poor and those in need. Without you giving, this cannot be done. Is it required today? I do not believe so, but if you do, you will see blessings. 

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” 3 John 1:2

God's supreme desire for every Christian is complete physical health and financial success. Right? Wrong. 

This is a standard, polite 1st-century Greco-Roman letter greeting. In ancient Greek correspondence, it was customary to open a letter with a standard formula wishing health and prosperity to the recipient. It was the ancient equivalent of starting an email today with, "I hope this email finds you well and that you're staying healthy."

John is expressing his personal love and warm wishes for his dear friend Gaius. Turning a polite epistolary greeting into a binding theological promise that guarantees zero sickness or poverty is a massive hermeneutical leap.

Now I know this may be difficult for some. It may be hard to hear. It may even be offensive to some. The New Testament is full of examples of faithful believers experiencing severe sickness (e.g., Trophimus in 2 Timothy 4:20, Paul's "thorn in the flesh" in 2 Corinthians 12, or Epaphroditus near death in Philippians 2:27) and extreme poverty (the Macedonian church in 2 Corinthians 8:2). 

When you frame these verses through the lens of a "Service of Health," their true beauty comes alive. They aren't transactional formulas ("Give $10 to get $100"); they are relational principles for spiritual and communal health. God calls His people into a vibrant ecosystem of grace where serving Him and caring for others naturally yields life, joy, and peace.

 Luke 6:38. The Health of a generous heart. In a "Prosperity" framework: Giving as financial leverage. In a "Service of Health" framework: The emotional and spiritual health of freedom from judgment and greed.

When Jesus tells us that the measure we use will be measured back to us, He is describing the natural echo of kingdom service. A servant of God who measures out mercy, patience, and resources to others isn't drained; they are replenished.

Modern psychology and medicine affirm this: living a life of open-handed service and forgiveness reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and fosters deep emotional resilience (Emotional resilience is a lifelong skill that helps people weather the storms of life and appreciate its brighter moments) By pouring out grace into the "laps" of others, God ensures our own spiritual cup remains full of His peace.

Malachi 3:8–10 discusses the health of the community ecosystem. In a "Prosperity" framework, tithing is seen as a means to avoid a financial curse and achieve wealth. In a "Service of Health" framework, it emphasizes the structural and physical well-being of the entire household of faith.

In Malachi, the "storehouse" was the community's safety net. When the people withheld their tithes, the Levites had to abandon their spiritual service to farm for survival, and the widows, orphans, and immigrants starved. The community grew sick, spiritually and physically.

God’s call to bring the tithes into the storehouse was a call to restore communal health. When everyone brings their portion into God's service, nobody is neglected, the house of God is nourished, and heaven’s "rain" blesses a healthy, thriving society. It’s about collective well-being, not individual hoarding.

3 John 1:2. In a "Prosperity" framework: A contractual promise of immunity from illness. In a "Service of Health" framework: God’s desire for whole-person wellness so we can sustain our calling.

John’s warm wish for Gaius highlights a vital truth: our physical vitality and our spiritual health are interconnected. John praises Gaius because his soul is prospering. He is walking in truth and faithfully serving traveling ministers (3 John 1:5).

John simply prays that Gaius's physical strength will match his spiritual strength so he can keep doing the work! In a "Service of Health" series, this verse reminds us that taking care of our bodies, praying for one another's strength, and seeking wellness aren't for vanity. They equip us to serve God’s people longer and more effectively. 

So you see, the true meaning of these is the opposite of what they are taught in some areas. In Matthew 18:1–5, the disciples asked Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus responded by calling a child to Him and placing the child among them, then saying:

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” 

To lead, serve. Good service, good health. Be a blessing, be blessed. You get the idea; now go do it.  Remember, you can always check out the vast archive here at TAG

The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the comfort of the Holy Spirit and the peace of our Lord Jesus be with you all. May God bless and be with you always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!