Hell Fire

The video (sermon) below, by Pastor Charles Lawson, is so powerful (and true) that there's not much I can really add to it...it's just something I highly recommend watching.  It's a shame that most churches today have steered clear of teaching on end times, the Book of Revelation and hell.  My guess would be that these are unpopular topics among the masses.  How popular was Jesus "among the masses"?  His message was one of love and mercy and forgiveness, of course but He absolutely stressed the judgement that would come to non-believers and "workers of iniquity".  

Regardless of what country you are living in currently, I think it's safe to assume (sadly) that you are experiencing unprecedented trials, tribulations, fear, instability (of some sort).  It's a worldwide nightmare we're living in at this point.  Of course some countries are dealing with tougher situations than others.  All of that being said, I think it's only natural, in times like these, to turn to God for answers and comfort.  I will go a step further and say that I personally believe that God allows the "shaking"/turmoil that we're seeing for a reason.  He wants to get ALL our attention.  There are so many people, too many people, who do not know Jesus and through Him, God the Father.  I can't even imagine my life at this point, especially with the way the world is now, without the knowledge that 'no matter what, I have the Lord Jesus to lean on and His Holy Spirit to help me discern the truth from all the lies being fed to us (from all over).  It's bad now and will only get worse.  

My purpose in sharing this video is the hope that this may "speak" to someone....wake just one more person up to the fact that Heaven and Hell are real...they really do exist and we have a choice of where we'll spend eternity.  

Spiritual Warfare Part 2 - Why Are We At War (And Who Are We Fighting)?

To understand WHY there is spiritual warfare and more importantly, why WE (the church) are the ones being targeted by Satan, it helps to understand who Satan really is and why he was cast out of Heaven in the first place.

Throughout the Bible, Satan is referred to by various names:

• The Tempter - 1 Thessalonians 3:5
• The Wicked One - Matthew 13:19, 38
• The Accuser of The Brethren - Revelation 12:10
• The Ruler of This World - John 12:31
• The god of This Age - 2 Corinthians 4:4
• The Prince of the Power of the Air - Ephesians 2:2

Satan, or Lucifer, was not just any angel, it is believed that he was the highest cherub...a beautiful creation of God.  What happened?  Pride.  His pride got the best of him and in such a way that he dared to challenge God Almighty Himself! 

Isaiah 14:13-14 

13 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:

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

Ezekiel 28:17

17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

The Wiles of The Devil:

In Ephesians 6:11, the apostle Paul tells us to "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

Two things we need to take note of here are the word "wiles" and "devil" (Satan).  Wiles can be translated as methods, and Satan, plain and simple, means adversary (enemy).  In order to be able to "stand" against, and defeat the attacks that WILL come, we need to know who our enemy is and what tactics (methods) he uses to defeat us.

• Satan is a master at bondage (physical/illness, psychological (fear/depression/anxiety/doubt)
• Satan is a master deceiver
• Satan is a master liar (he hides the truth, he doesn't want you to know who you are)
• Satan's "playhouse" is YOUR MIND!

WHY does Satan attack US (the Church)?

If we refer back to the two verses above from Isaiah (Isa 14:13-14), where Satan exalts himself above God Almighty, challenges God Almighty we can see Satan's contempt for God, his hatred for God.  It's safe to say, Satan hates God.

As believers, as born again believer's in Jesus Christ, who have been filled with the Holy Spirit of God, we naturally Love what God loves and Hate what God hates.  It's just something that happens when you are filled with the spirit....you begin to truly despise evil...you love "God's chosen people" / Israel (the Jews).  Why?  Because God loves them and because we know that we are blessed even more for blessing them!

 Isaiah 66:1-2

Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Tremble in the Hebrew means those who love what He loves and hate what He hates.  So, we love what God loves, hate what He hates and Satan hates God....and he hates what God loves most...and that's US!  Satan is unable to "pick a fight" with God!  So, he comes after us...God's treasured possession..and, the ones doing the most damage to Satan's kingdom (here on earth), by spreading the Gospel...well, he hates those the most!

Therefore, consider yourself blessed that Satan considers you worthy to be attacked!  If we are experiencing attacks from the enemy that's a validation that we are doing God's will and planting "fruitful" seeds!!

We are incapable of fighting this fight on our own...but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!  Jesus Christ is The Way, The Truth and The Life.