Mark 5:28 (ESV)

Genesis 35:2 (ESV)

2 So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you and purify yourselves and change your garments.

Jacob originally erected a pillar to the Lord at Bethel and vowed to the Lord that He would be his God if he preserves him and the stone will become God’s house.  He changed the name of the place from Luz to Bethel. Gen 28:10-22.

Through the years, Jacob sees the hand of God in his life as he eventually makes peace with Esau (his twin brother), marries Rachel and Leah and exits from Laban successfully with blessings.   However, it seems the household of Jacob also became polytheistic (worshiped God and the gods from Laban’s household).  God gets Jacob to return to Bethel and it is interesting to note that Jacob sees the importance of properly cleansing his household before completely surrendering to the Lord. Jacob then erects an altar to the Lord and receives the invocation of the blessings of Abraham with the charge to be fruitful, and multiply becoming a nation – Israel.

This is what should happen to us (believers) today:  We believe and give our lives to God have to rid ourselves of idols and our carnality (sinful ways).  This allows us to properly enter into covenant with the Lord and see blessings of the Lord consistently overflow in our lives even in the face of extreme opposition.

Spring cleaning

Spring is in the air and God is asking ALL believers at this time to begin deep cleaning of their households.  It is time to thoroughly clean out the junk in our lives that hinder us from fully experiencing Christ and His blessings in our lives.

Christians, especially in the civilized world have grown weaker and weaker over time and we have allowed too much worldly influence in our lives.  It has become so difficult to really sell-out to Christ. (After all, isn’t this what is required in order to establish Covenant with God?).  Part of the problem is the way people are introduced to Christ.  Simply saying a prayer will not cut it!  There has to be an exchange at the altar. We give God our old lives in exchange for His eternal life.

So we must resolve to stop merely keeping up appearances where all seems well on the outside but things are really chaotic on the inside. As a matter of fact, we need to stop now and ask, “who are we really impressing”?  The truth is that God Almighty is the one who holds the keys to our future.  He is the one who delivers us and blesses us.  He is ever faithful and always fulfills His promises.  God has promised, sworn and decreed blessings to the seed of Abraham – those who are in Christ!  Gal 3:29

Start preparing for garage / yard sales. We are going to look in the nooks and crannies of our homes and lives and clean-up any gunge and filth we find.   There is no need to wait any longer.  There is overwhelming evidence of the need to see breakthrough everywhere. Do we need to consider the evidence for motivation?

Do you experience persistent spiritual lethargy, heaviness and depression at home (sometimes outside) that causes you to lose self-control developing the need to self-medicate every now and then (or frequently).  Is there evidence of fear, frequent unexplained sickness, nightmares (especially children), contention in the home, sexual immorality, sense of poverty, or even general lack of order? You are trying to be spiritual but really cannot – especially once you get home.  Did you give your life to Christ and it seems like life has become much worse for you?

What is happening is that you are dealing with forces that are trying to overrun you! John 10:10.  You are dealing with evil spirits that have an assignment to ensure you do not get God’s help and are defeated! Ephesians 6:10.

Do we even realize that our home is our sanctuary? We must be victorious at home in order to be victorious outside. It is what happens in our homes that sets the tone for our society.  This is why marriages and families are under heavy spiritual attack!

Enemy Attacks

In all of this, we need to consider that there are some things that break or hinder us from continuing to enjoy the manifestations of blessings as we progress through life. These are sometimes things that are hidden from us and we wonder why we strive spiritually and yet not see to prevail against the enemy.  Whether we know it or not, the enemy gains access to our lives and homes when we or others unknowingly or knowingly give place to the enemy.  Eph. 4:27

Yes, let us mature are even begin to realize that we are all born on a battle field and have to gain stronger spiritual intelligence in order to conquer the enemy and remain victorious.  The number one area to watch for is Rebellion! This is especially lethal when involved with Idolatry (the worship of other things ahead of God).  This is true whether we knowingly rebel against God or not.    This is what allows the enemy to gain legal access into our lives even though he is really a defeated foe.  Col 2:15, 2 Cor. 3:4-5

Before we go further, ask yourself the question: “Am I really committed to obeying the word of God?”  If your answer is hazy or mixed with doubt, know that you are likely in rebellion – whether deliberately or not.

Here are some specific areas to watch for so we can know how to take action:

1.      Defilement of the land

The children of Israel suffered a plague when they began to whore after the Moabite and Midian gods and began to yoke with them.  God then allowed a plague that started with the killing of the chiefs of the people and in total about 24000 Israelites lost their lives! The plague was only stopped when the priests took control and all the offenders were eradicated!

Question: Are we really sure the land we live on is cleansed?

2.      Keeping dead things

Under no circumstance can we keep what has been devoted to darkness.  (This is perhaps the most serious point to consider in this discourse).   Consider the story of the Israelites in Joshua 7.  Israel just finished their first major conquest as they formally entered the Promised Land.  The wall of Jericho tumbled; the people of Jericho were badly defeated; Israel knew the hand of God had procured their victory.  Of course all the other nations occupying the land became terrified – after all this was God’s army.  The next place to conquer was Ai.  Ai was going to be easy.

Israel lunged for Ai, with a reduced force but was shocked to experience defeat!  36 men died before they retreated. What happened?

What happened was God was no longer fighting for them and they did not even know it – they went out presumptuous and got a rude awakening.  Does this not happen to us today?  Many believers continue to press forward, get defeated, make excuses, and blame others still not realizing the simple truth that God was just no longer fighting for them.  This is one of the main areas where many depart from the Christian faith.

God told the Israelites that they had sinned!  After investigations, they realized that it was really only one man; Achan, who sinned by keeping some the spoils of war from Jericho that were devoted to destruction.

It is a major sin to not destroy what God has already designated for destruction.  This was why Saul was rejected by God for not utterly destroying the Amalekites. 1 Sam 15:1-23.

What about us? Have we completely cleansed our dwelling places of the things devoted to destruction?  Anything that is directly of evil origin must be destroyed!

3.      Sins of others

It is totally possible that the sins of a member of a household could cascade to affecting others in the household if action is not taken. Remember the story of how Israel was initially defeated at Ai because of one man! Achan Josh 7

THE SIN OF ACHAN CAUSED HIS ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD INCLUDING THE AMINALS TO BE STONED TO DEATH! Josh. 7:24-25.

4.      Ungodly soul ties

An ungodly soul tie is really an illicit covenant that displeases God.  This is one of the most severe issues affecting the world today.  What we call freedom has allowed different types of wrong relationships to form and many remain bound to the consequences of those wrong relationships even though they already gave themselves to Christ.

Samson had an ungodly soul tie with Delilah. 

All ungodly relationships must be completely severed!  Period!

5.      Attachment to physical things or people

This is basically giving physical things spiritual significance – a form of idolatry.  Yet we realize that God will not allow light to yoke with darkness. 1 Cor. 10:14-20

To make this plain, anything or person we replace God with as a source of wellbeing is an idol.   We cannot have good luck charms, clothing, rosary beads, specific jewelry and even other items like crucifixes.  A crucifix, whether Christ is on or off does not save!  It is Jesus Christ who saves.  Mary the mother of Jesus was blessed but NOT the savior!  Too many people all over the world (including apparently strong Christians) have mixed in superstitions and traditions with Christianity in a syncretic mixture and what has resulted is no longer pure.  Let us remember that Jesus Christ our Lord is returning soon for His bride, a church without spot, wrinkle or blemish! Eph. 5:27

6.      Souvenirs of past sins

The enemy loves to attach to things that give them legal access to our lives.  Eph. 4:27 Do not give place to the enemy!  Sell gifts and other items that point to illicit relationships or sins in your past.  Those breaking off soul ties MUST carefully adhere to this.  You cannot be free if you still keep photos, expensive gifts or other items as such even for sentimental value only.  This is one of the reasons why those in previously serious relationships struggle!

Other items that are evil should be simply destroyed!  Please note that if you have pornography hidden in your home or are addicted to certain things that are abominable you could be contributing to the defeat in your household and impotence in the church

7.      Wrong priorities

Lack of spiritual investments:  Stop sowing to the flesh and reaping corruption.  Sow to the spirit instead and reap the God kind of life – Zoe! Rom 8:13, Rom 8:2.   We reap what we sow. Gal 6:7

You cannot survive as a Christian if you do not first fight to read your bible and pray regularly.  God is calling men especially at this time to make the Lord their first priority – not power money and sex.

Nightingales train their young to sing

Need deliverance

The Lord told His disciples to pray for deliverance from evil Matt 6:13.  Why would He do that is that was not an issue?

God wants us to be really free not almost free! Don’t just be free enough just to attend church once a week.  We need to be free enough to be fruitful and make a difference – free to engage properly in our local churches and with other believers.  God is committed to perfecting His bride and will make a way for you if you are serious about Him. 

It is time for believers to stop being like the world.  You may have to sacrifice what you love. Yield to God if you see that He is dealing with you.  Do not make excuses or harden your heart.

Ephesians 5:11 (ESV)

11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Romans 13:12 (ESV)

12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 (ESV)

22 Abstain from every form of evil.

Finally understand that your home needs to be united in order to be effective in eradicating even the appearance of evil from your midst. Matt 12:25

Action Plan

Here is the plan of attack – Reveal, Repent, Remove, and Dedicate

Reveal

Go to a place of prayer – perhaps your prayer closet. Ask God to reveal things to you and don’t take anything for granted.  You know it is not right to have spent all this time involved with Christianity with no real victory.  Frankly, it is a red flag when people come into Christ and things in their lives get worse!

Pray with Psalm 139:23-24

You may have to look in unusual places in your home like the arctic. Look at your children’s rooms – what music are they listening to?  I know we say some music is positive but look at the source!  We never had it so bad years ago.  Now there is so much decay because of extreme secularism. Mark for destruction anything that has an evil source even

though it looks harmless on the surface.  Get rid of the Halloween costumes and paraphernalia, Harry Potter movies, demonic comics, novels, posters, anything occultist, mystical, contrary to the dealing of God in the light MUST GO!

No more fear – No more defeat cycles!

One question I have is: why is it so difficult to make the necessary adjustments required to help us improve in life? We spend some time hearing the word of the LORD, promises are made and we almost feel better only to realize that the very things we are trying to shake-off are still there. After going through a number of gyrations, we become conditioned and settle in our minds that perhaps this is our lot in life. We lose faith when we stop expecting divine change. There is no middle ground! The absence of faith is fear! Sure, you can see this is what immobilizes us. Imagine why people endure domestic violence when they have safer alternatives. Unfortunately, for so many, all hope seems lost!

Well, I want to say that GOD is asking us to NOT be fearful! GOD has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. Barbara Kingsolver once said: “The changes we dread most may contain our salvation.” We must see that God has placed the potential for freedom and lasting victory within us!

So, let us take some time to open our minds and go back to see what provisions GOD made for us in His word. I pray you begin to see how so enriching and humbling it is to gain comprehension of what GOD has procured for us through His word. I have to mention that it is often so overwhelming and difficult to contain when one receives divine insight concerning GOD’s plan of salvation in Christ as revealed in both Testaments.

Just take a look at how GOD leveraged Israel. His dealings with Israel provided many types and shadows of what was to come. You see, it was crucial for mankind to be disqualified from salvation by his merit (works). The resulting back drop is what helps to shape our minds as we become properly prepared to receive the in-grafted word which through the Holy Spirit yields life in us!

Just imagine how GOD leveraged the difficulties of the Israelites during the time of the Judges to teach us that man cannot self-govern and really needed consistent divine rule.  Can I say that this also applies to us today? The Israelites seemed independent and everyone did what was right in his own eyes which caused Israel to sin and their enemies to oppress them. Today, in many parts of the world, mankind is
again tending towards independence with lack of divine guidance.

In the case of Israel at that time, the predominant act that ended the oppression of the enemy was repentance from sin (mostly idolatry). Just like Israel, we also have the power to break any wrong conditioning and enemy oppression through repentance, mind renewal and the expectancy for GOD to fight for us and prevail. As new covenant believers, we also have the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to transform us and unleash even the impossible through us.

The same GOD who delivered the Israelites (during the reign of Jehoshaphat) from the great horde from Moab, Ammon and Mt. Seir will also deliver you. The word of the LORD is for you to have no fear! God will bring you out of ALL your troubles Repent, cry out to Him and He will deliver you. GOD has given us the power to change. Let’s leverage it. Your best years are ahead of you. Arise and shine for your light has come; the glory of the LORD is risen upon you! Isa. 60:1.

God is well able and willing!

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It is very encouraging to know that God still does miracles today!  Also, without a shadow of doubt so many people on this planet qualify for miracles.  How is this so?  Well, a miracle is none other than a supernatural occurrence that manifests a solution to an otherwise impossible problem.  

No believer wants to suffer. Period.  People who have perpetual challenges are typically looked down upon as misfits or individuals who lack wisdom and/or the spiritual chops to be victorious.  With this line of reasoning, majority of believers would be disqualified as there are serious levels of prevalent suffering on planet earth.

Apostle Paul spent a long time in jail, was beaten with rods, got 40 minus 1 lashes 5 times, shipwrecked 3 times, attacked, punished, had to starve often and the list goes on.  Why did God allow these things to happen to Paul?  What about the many that are in anguish right now?  2 Cor. 11:22 to 12:12

The truth is that we have been fed a false, feel-good gospel that does not produce any lasting fruit.  We do not see as many miracles in this hemisphere because of false securities, and apparent affordability leading to unbelief.  Okay, here is the truth:  There is no miracle without a mess!  The blind man Jesus healed in the gospels, was born blind only so the glory of God could be revealed at the appropriate time.  Lazarus had to first die so we could know the Lord as the Resurrection and the Life.

No matter how bad your situation is right now, please see that God always desires the best for His loved ones.  God will use the things you have endured to raise you up and give you a very strong faith foundation that will allow you to endure all the way to the end and receive the prize; the crown laid up for you!

It was important for the Israelites to be confronted with the Red Sea with their enemies (the Egyptians) right behind them before the Sea was parted.  God is telling you to know that He is your deliverer!  He is saying “stand fast! Stand still and see my salvation”.  He delivered Daniel from the Lion’s den and the Hebrew boys from the fiery furnace.  What a mighty God we serve!  It is time to understand that God’s strength is made perfect in weakness and He will work a miracle in your life.  Even today!  Praise God!