The Epiphany of 2009
[ The Epiphany Season continues to the Passover Season on the Christian Calendar ].
The Manifestation of the CHRIST Child to the Gentiles
or, Wise Men Seek HIM+

Beating the Strongman
Step 5

Let us hear the Words of The LORD:

But if I cast out devils by the SPIRIT of GOD,
then the Kingdom of GOD is come unto you.

Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house,
and spoil his goods,
EXCEPT HE FIRST BIND THE STRONG MAN?
and then he will spoil his house.

He that is not with ME+ is against ME+;
and he that gathereth not with ME+
scattereth abroad.
Matthew 12:28-30

Our LORD JESUS CHRIST gives us the power to attain spiritual victories. That is why HE+ gave us instructions in verses like the ones in Matthew.

Verily I say unto you,
Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth
shall be bound in heaven:
and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth
shall be loosed in Heaven.

Again I say unto you,
That if two of you shall agree on earth
as touching any thing that they shall ask,
it shall be done for them of
MY+ FATHER which is in Heaven.
Matthew 18:18,19


We have the strength to win, the ammunition needed for victory to defeat of the devil and his demons. By the Blood of The LORD JESUS CHRIST we go forth to battle with spiritual strongmen in HIS+ Name… having carefully fulfilled our obediences to The LORD. (YES! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! ) We know the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Here, then, is an adaptation of a prayer found on page 69 of Prayer from Christian Word Ministries, 428 Southland Drive, Lexington, KY 40503. That ministry lists a web site at www.christianword.org.

Strongman called Spirit of Anti-Christ,
I bind you in the Name of JESUS CHRIST…
along with all your works, roots, fruits, tentacles,
links, lies, deceptions , torments, and spirits…
that are in the life of _________________

with all of your fruits and spirits of :

1. Denying the deity of CHRIST
2. Denying the Atoning Blood of JESUS
3. Against CHRIST and HIS+ Teachings
4. Teachers of Heresy
5. Anti-Christian
6. Deceiver
7. Humanism
8. Lawlessness/ Rebellion
9. Worldly speech and action…

And I cast you out of ___________________
along with all of your works, roots, fruits, tentacles, links, lies, deceptions, torments, and spirits,

And I loose you from ____________________

and I force you
ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST and by all the authority that HE+ grants me BY HIS+ HOLY BLOOD
to go wherever HE+ sends you.

I bind you, strongman called spirit of anti-CHRIST, in the Name of JESUS CHRIST and declare that all of your works, roots, fruits, tentacles, links, lies, deceptions, torments, and spirits
are dead works in the life of _____________________

In the Name of The LORD JESUS CHRIST I command you not to come back into the presence of ________________________ again.

I ask you, HOLY HEAVENLY FATHER,
to send forth unto ____________________
Thy Spirit of Truth according to I John 4:6.
Amen.

[Here are the Scripture references: I John 4:3 and 5, II John 7, II Thess.2:3-12, I John 2:18,19, Rev. 13:7.]

In the name of The FATHER, The SON+,
and The HOLY SPIRIT.
Amen.
+ + +

STEP 4 ~ Beating the Strongman...

The Epiphany of 2009
[ The Epiphany Season continues to the Passover Season on the Christian Calendar ].
The Manifestation of the CHRIST Child to the Gentiles
or, Wise Men Seek HIM+

Beating the Strongman
Step 4

Building Spiritual Muscle

And JESUS said unto them,
Because of your unbelief:
for verily I say unto you,
If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed,
ye shall say unto this mountain,
Remove hence to yonder place;
and it shall remove;
and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Howbeit this kind goeth not out
but by prayer and fasting.
Matthew 17:20,21

.

.

In Chapter 17 of Matthew, three disciples had been with JESUS on the mountain top and had seen HIS+ Transfiguration. When they returned, the other disciples had had a dilemma: they could not cast out a demon out of a child. Hence, The LORD gave them HIS+ Words in the instructions above.

BELIEF / FAITH / TRUST must involve more than a mental mind-set here, as we can see from the grain of mustard seed. How DOES a mustard seed have faith, seeing that it has no brain, no mind, no heart? Furthermore, it is a tiny, tiny seed.

The mustard seed simply DOES what it is created to do by the MASTER’S Hand. It lies dormant when it is supposed to lie dormant. It cracks open at the appointed time. It sends forth a tiny shoot up and a tiny root down… just like it is created to do. It is 100% “mustard seed.” It has not one whit of other material in it… just mustard seed. In other words, it is unmingled with anything else in this world.

When we become as UNMINGLED as that tiny mustard seed we will see victory in prayer. Becoming single of eye is exactly what spiritual discipline does for our soul.

This is why The LORD JESUS followed up instruction about our faith becoming like the mustard seed with further instructions about how to cast out stubborn demons: by prayer and fasting. Prayer and fasting makes us single of eye… or at least, takes us much closer to this goal.

We have flabby spiritual muscles in this age. Many things pit themselves against us to keep us in that state of INEFFECTIVE praying. Most of us need to fast and pray FOR STRENGTH… to fast and pray!

Thus, Step 4 involves putting muscle into our desire to have effective, fervent prayer. Not hyped up with emotion necessarily, but intense and determined to win the victory for CHRIST’S name…. in HIS+ name… and for HIS+ sake. To do this we must root out of us every and any thing that does not agree with CHRIST’S Words. We must lay on the altar any pet values we have carried over from our old man days. We must lay aside any activity which keeps us from giving our energy to this cause. We must train for the fight in singleness of eye.

.

.

How badly do you want to beat the strongman?


Confess your faults one to another,
and pray one for another,
that ye may be healed.

The effectual fervent prayer
of a righteous man
availeth much.
James 5:16


Our LORD JESUS CHRIST gives us the power

to attain spiritual fruits;

it is our part to embrace the labor.

O LORD,

we have walked weakly where we should have had strength.

We have mingled our wine with water.

We have avoided the narrow way.

Help us to embrace Thy call to effective, fervent prayer.

We thank THEE+ for the strength to win, for the strength for victory, for the defeat of the devil and his demons. By Thy Blood we will go forth to battle in Thy Name with these spiritual strongmen. Show us how to complete our obedience to THEE+ for this spiritual warfare.

This we pray in the name of The FATHER Who created us, The SON+ Who delivers us, and The HOLY SPIRIT Who sanctifies us. Amen.

+ + +

Beating the strongman... Step 3

The Epiphany of 2009
[ The Epiphany Season continues to the Passover Season on the Christian Calendar ].
The Manifestation of the CHRIST Child to the Gentiles
or, Wise Men Seek HIM+

Beating the Strongman
Step 3

Our LORD JESUS CHRIST
gives us the power
to attain spiritual fruits;

it is our part to embrace the labor.
This is what Scriptures mean when it says to
“walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing…”
Col. 1:10.

.

.

Putting TEETH into the spiritual battle is what we want. We want to see the victory come in all areas of prayer. We want to see friends, family members, and even our enemies saved.

.

.

We want TRUTH to be established so firmly
in all of us Christians
that not only will we be
NOT AFRAID TO DIE,
but we will
NOT BE AFRAID TO LIVE !

.

.
We want HIS+ victory over fear of the face of man, fear over the face of mammon, fear over aloneness and outward-looking defeats. We desire to do the work of The LORD, in HIS+ Kingdom. And, we want to do it effectually. What does Scripture say about effectual prayer?

.
Confess your faults one to another,
and pray one for another,
that ye may be healed.

The effectual fervent prayer
of a righteous man
availeth much.
James 5:16

.
After we are “prayed up” in all areas of our lives, we stand repented, bare, and clean before Our LORD. There is no short-cut to this; we do NOT wish to become like the sons of Sceva who in unrighteousness and presumptuousness thought they could wrestle with evil spirits.

Step 3 brings the time to don some armor… armor distinctly sanctioned for spiritual warfare. We don this divine armor over CLEAN bodies, souls, and spirits. We put on the armor of discipline. This entails a denial of some sort.

Our flesh is not yet glorified, so it becomes vitally important to submit our very own flesh to our Regenerated Spirit. We will have a hard time winning a battle abroad--- in other places, with other spirits--- if we have NOT WON THE BATTLE at home first, that is, in ourselves first.

There are many ways to do this. But one thing is certain: if it doesn’t hit the flesh, it is not the discipline that will be effectual in spiritual warfare. Here are a few disciplines we have found to be effective in Spiritual warfare.

The Discipline of Food

Besides fasting, there are other ways to enter into this discipline. We can eliminate certain foods or drinks, making it or them an offering unto The LORD, putting it or them upon His+ altar.

No, this is NOT REQUIRED FOR OUR SALVATION.

We do this to accomplish a goal, a task we have embraced for love of HIM+, for the love of the Brethren. We can limit amounts, or times, or intakes. We can substitute carrot sticks instead of candy, nuts and honey instead of cake and ice cream. We can simplify. We can GRADUALLY eliminate… every week, add another delicacy onto His+ altar. Most of us eat and drink more than enough “pleasure” foods to do this easily.

Personally, I have gone to drinking a cup of hot water instead of coffee or a cup of cold water when I wanted a tastier drink. This is a little thing, but believe it or not, I still have times when I quarrel with my flesh to accomplish this tiny denial. Sometimes, I lay in wait for my Self to yearn after some treat… then I get Her good (!) for casting her eye upon something to eat … not because I’m really hungry… but just to treat my flesh. [I believe St. Francis used to fling himself into a thorn bush whenever he was tricked by his flesh! ]
.

We train our flesh
to practice submission
unto the spirit
by spiritual disciplines.

.
The Discipline of the Cloth

Another good discipline is the Discipline of the Cloth. Again, there are many, many good ways to do this. The main idea here is to 1) please GOD; 2) be in line with Scriptures, and 3) bear witness of CHRIST at all times, in all places, and to all beings…. both seen and unseen.

To please GOD, we seek His+ will in this matter. To be in line with Scriptures, we dress modestly, amply covering our bodies. Use cloth to bear witness to CHRIST JESUS. Although not in costly array, we dress dignified, as being an ambassador of CHRIST. We dress simply, quietly, and self-effacing.

Why? Because we want people to think immediately of CHRIST JESUS when they look our way, not us. We don’t dress to “catch the eye” of people, but we DO DRESS to bear silent witness to CHRIST. For some of the unredeemed that is the only witness they receive.

It is an effectual witness, too. We can tell this by the reaction of the people we see. Many Christian sisters who seriously follow The LORD don a head-covering. Many, many do this without having a church or group to enforce this upon them. Some Christian brothers seriously change their dress so they do NOT BLEND IN with the world. Afterall, it is not only the sisters who need to do this!

.
Without fail,
beings in the unseen realm
react to Christians who don
the discipline of the cloth.

.

The LORD shows each of us how to move towards HIM+ in the discipline of the cloth. It is an important part of the armor. This is one way that we can submit our flesh to our spirit.

OTHER DISCIPLINES

One involves the on-going battle of time and priorities. The crucial issue here is to have enough time to spend QUALITY QUIET TIME before The LORD, daily.

Another discipline is what comes to us through our SENSES. We monitor the books, magazines, internet articles we read. We monitor what our eyes take in. We monitor what music we listen to… if any! Some of us would do well to “listen” to the quiet.

Monitoring our interaction with others, even family members, is an area in sore need of discipline amongst Christians. Do we call the family into times of Holy Silence? Do we call the family into times of “only speaking Praise or Thanksgiving?” Do we call our family and friends into a place of only speaking positively about others… and not critically, following the Accuser?

Do we EVER think to set apart a time to ONLY breathe thanks unto Our LORD … and not to be continually asking for things for ourselves, our lives, our friends and families? Sometimes Sundays are a good day for disciplining our selves to do this. Most of us bombard Heaven with supplications for us and others constantly.

Many ways exist to effect spiritual discipline in our lives… discipline that will bear fruit in the spiritual kingdom. It is a constant struggle for some of us to balance out duties of home, family, and work with this Work for The LORD. It is simply a matter of setting priorities, in HIM+.

.

.

But what things were gain to me,
those I counted loss for Christ.

Yea doubtless,
and I count all things but loss
for the excellency
of the knowledge of CHRIST JESUS my LORD:
for whom I have suffered
the loss of all things,
and do count them but dung,
that I may win
CHRIST…
Phil. 3:7,8

How badly...

do you want...

to beat the strongman?

+ + +

Beating the strongman... step 2

The Epiphany of 2009
[ The Epiphany Season continues to the Passover Season on the Christian Calendar ].
The Manifestation of the CHRIST Child to the Gentiles
or, Wise Men Seek HIM+

Beating the Strongman
Step 2


Our LORD JESUS CHRIST
gives us the power
to attain spiritual fruits;

it is our part to embrace the labor.
This is what Scriptures mean when it says to
“walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing…”
Col. 1:10.

This labor is not “legalism;” it is a labor born out of love for our SAVIOR. Sometimes, similar to any earthly union, this labor can lose the “honeymoon effect.” Then simply out of duty we do those things necessary to KEEP THE UNION TIGHT.

Yes, that works in a pinch. It is not the best thing to do with our friends and families AND IT IS NOT OPTIMAL WITH Our LORD, either. Duty-work soon turns into obligation. Obligation soon turns into legalism. Legalism turns into resentment, bitterness, and anger. These lead to division and separation… the opposite of the TIGHT UNION necessary between a person and The LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Thus, step 2 in beating the strongman is to TIGHTEN UP our obedient-love-faith relationship (quoting Bro. David Bercot of Scroll Publishing) with The LORD. This is done when we are closeted in with HIM+.

O GRACIOUS SAVIOR,
we ask for Thy+ Light upon our hearts.
We do love THEE+.
We proclaim Thy+ Goodness.
We delight in Thy+ Victories.
We marvel at Thy+ Grace towards the ungrateful
and Thy+ Great Patience with the stumblers
… of whom I am chief.
Bless this offering of love,
Gracious SAVIOR,
and multiply it until our hearts burst
with Joy in Thy+ Presence.
Amen.
+ + +

Beating the Strongman... Step 1

The Epiphany of 2009
[ The Epiphany Season continues to the Passover Season on the Christian Calendar ].
The Manifestation of the CHRIST Child to the Gentiles
or, Wise Men Seek HIM+

Beating the Strongman
Step 1

Our LORD JESUS CHRIST gives us the power

to attain spiritual fruits;

it is our part to embrace the labor.

This is what Scriptures mean when it says to

“walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing…”

Col. 1:10

This is the first step in beating the strongman.

<(((><

.

The GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT are to HIS+ credit; the FRUITS, however, are laid to our account, through the Grace and Mercy of The LORD. Not to use GOD’S gifts for His+ Kingdom’s work, to do His+ Will, is equivalent to burying what GOD has given us. Note this: HE+ did not give us His+ talents for our benefit, but for the Kingdom’s benefit.

The judgment the servant faced who buried the Master’s one talent entrusted unto him was exactly the same as the branches being cut off from the Vine+… by that very same Master and Husbandman. That servant of The LORD buried his Master’s talent and then absorbed himself in the doings of his own life. He did not trouble himself to be about his Master’s interests. He did not concern himself to work primarily for the one he called “master.”

GOD forbid that any of us take advantage of GOD’S grace and mercy toward us! We were not saved to “better our lives” for ourselves but to live for CHRIST JESUS our LORD.

.

.


Accepting this
is the first step in beating the strongman.

.

.

Do we have faith to believe that IF WE PUT the Kingdom of GOD first, that all things we have need of will be given unto us? [That IS the Word of The LORD, you know.]

Can we believe… have we trust in the fact that… our families will be well cared for IF WE do The LORD’S work first? If properly done according to the will of The LORD, not only will our young ones and spouses be rightly cared for, but they will be concerned about the Kingdom of GOD also, to the glory of GOD our FATHER!

.

.


Acknowledging this truth
is the first step in
beating the strongman.

Let us pray:

Dear LORD and Heavenly FATHER, In the name of Thy Beloved SON+ JESUS CHRIST, we ask for help to seek THEE first and Thy Righteousness. We do this in accordance with the Words of Thy SON+. Help us to turn away from the insistent cares of this life and focus only upon the VITAL, the ONE THING that Thy Beloved SON+ said was necessary. Grant us wisdom and strength to do this, according to Thy Will and leading, to the glory of Thy Holy Name. Amen.

+ + +

The EPIPHANY ~ His+ Manifestation

The Epiphany

Year of Our LORD
1.6.2009

or
Day of the Manifestation
of the CHRIST Child
to the Gentiles
or

Wise Men Still Seek HIM+

.

The Epiphany Season of the Christian Calendar goes from January 6 until Lent begins. We will share a few meditations throughout the Epiphany Season.

Let us pray:

O LORD, we beseech THEE mercifully to receive the prayers of Thy people who call upon THEE in spirit and in truth. Grant that we may both perceive and know what things we ought to do to please THEE, in both our outer man and inner. We thank THEE that THOU hast given us all the power we need over the enemy, for both the outer man and inner.

Help us to fulfill Thy Will, to the pulling down of strongholds and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of and obedience towards JESUS CHRIST, the Only Begotten SON and Eternal Word, Who+ lives and reigns with THEE and Thy Blessed HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, now and forever, world without end. Amen.

<(((>< Now the GOD of Peace,
that brought again from the dead
our LORD JESUS,
that Great Shepherd+ of the sheep,
through the Blood of the everlasting Covenant,

Make you perfect
in every good work to do HIS+ Will,
working in you
that which is well pleasing in His+ sight,
through JESUS CHRIST;
to Whom+ be glory for ever and ever.
Amen.
Hebrews 13:20,21

.

<(((><

.

Yes, Our LORD JESUS CHRIST gives us the power to attain the spiritual fruit; it is our part to embrace the labor. Not to do so makes us slide into “easy” believism and “cheap” grace… which is a slide that only goes downhill. This is what Scriptures mean when it says to “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing…” Col. 1:10

.

As ye know how we exhorted and comforted
and charged every one of you,
as a father doth his children,

That ye would walk worthy of GOD,
Who hath called you unto His+
Kingdom and Glory.
I Thess. 2:11,12

.

<(((><

.

The fruits of the SPIRIT are NOT “given.” We labor to develop those spiritual fruits. We nourish our spirit with SPIRITUAL food. We weed out those hindering thoughts, motives, and actions. We TRAIN… yes, vigorously train… our thoughts to agree with Scriptures and not with our flesh, our family spirits, and this lying world system. We discipline our activities, pruning off important activities so that we have both time and energy for the VITAL work.

Sometimes we have to take a stick to ourselves during this discipline when we willfully break training. But… this spiritual training can be done and furthermore, The LORD EXPECTS us to sow unto the SPIRIT in this fashion. Indeed, there is no other way to sow to the SPIRIT but through a denial of the flesh.
.

The Husbandman looketh for … the gifts?

NO.

.

HE knows where those gifts are and where they come from: His Beloved SON+. The Husbandman looketh for the fruits in our lives, not HIS. Fruits are laid to our credit, through CHRIST, by the power of His+ HOLY SPIRIT.

.

Fruits, by the way, are NOT optional.

Fruits are either there or NOT THERE,

but fruits are not optional.

.

If fruits… that is, the result of our labors in the Kingdom of GOD, by the power of His+ HOLY SPIRIT… are missing, then we are definitely cut off from the Branch+ and thrown into the fire by the Husbandman. See John 15.

As we seek HIM+ during this new year, which promises to bring only more heartache upon the human race, let us diligently and with a determined discipline prepare ourselves for the fight… the “big fight”… not with flesh and blood but with spiritual wickedness in high places.

Believe me, the wicked ones aren’t going ANYWHERE without a fight.

Let us train ourselves, spiritually,

at least as well as Rocky Balboa did for the ring.

The stakes are much higher.

So are the returns.

.

.

In the name of The FATHER,
The SON+,
and the HOLY SPIRIT
+ + +

Building MUSCLE ~ Day 11 of the INCARNATION

Season of the INCARNATION
Day 11
Year of Our LORD,
1.4.2009

Building Muscle
Part 2

It is FASCINATING to watch a wise man work out.
He never… I repeat, NEVER… babies himself.

.

<(((><

This is an eye-witness account of a dear Christian brother. He had been incapacitated for over 20 years due to a car accident and subsequent work on his spine. Although he could move about and “look” normal, he couldn’t even carry a gallon of water (8 pounds) for years. When The LORD touched his body over a year ago, the gift of healing came in this way: he was strengthened in answer to prayer… but strengthened TO WORK OUT. He was strengthened to labor.

That is, his body was healed ONLY to the point needed to ENABLE this brother to do HIS part, i.e, to pick up the iron, to embrace a stronger discipline than he had ever known before, to deny himself. He now has the POWER to do the muscle work-outs which he had tried before. Earlier, they only made him sicker and he could not continue. He now has the power to overcome his previous condition.

However, note this: his atrophied muscles did NOT automatically bulge with strength when The LORD turned his condition; he had to labor to gain that. Well, labor he did and is still doing. His entire body shape has changed. He looks 20 years younger. His youthful appearance and changed physique are the fruits of his labor. He would NOT have either one if he would have stopped AND MADE NO EFFORT at the gift of healing.

.

.

The good fruits were not given to him in the healing;
only the power or ability to attain them was given.

Gifts versus fruits… interesting thought, isn’t it?

.

.

<(((><

Worldlings can also build their muscles, if they can embrace training, take some additional supplements, and monitor their diet. In reality, however, only a few can see what the body actually needs because that comes through TRUTH. Truth must be embraced at some level or body-killing steroids will tempt them to achieve a “fast fix.” Organ-afflicting foods will be eaten, only to create future surgeries and untold heart-ache.

It is no secret that most of us use food to indulge appetites or appease the emotions. We don’t accept the TRUTH that food is simply a fuel for needed energy for bodily functioning. Most of us will not deny our flesh enough comfort to even embrace a daily health exercise walk of 30 minutes. We all make excuses… good ones, too… revolving around duties and responsibilities. But, we all have been granted the same 24 hours a day.


Entering a new year, many of us make woebegone resolutions to exercise our flabby bodies. Some do to lose weight; some do for lost muscle tone. We all know that a simple exercise like walking enhances circulation, increases oxygen to the brain and body, flushes the lymph system, and massages the internal organs… all of which we desperately need to be healthy. However...

.

.

.
knowing is NOT doing.

.

What is the major hindrance to this good activity?
Adherence.
Routine.
Regularity.
Scheduled Performance of it.
Endurance.
Doing it when we don’t feel like it.
Doing it when something else
“more important” demands our time.
Whining.

<(((><
[ to be continued, with even more Truth]

In the Name of The FATHER,
His Only-begotten SON+,
and His Blessed HOLY SPIRIT,
world without end
Amen.

+ + +

Building MUSCLE ~ Day 10 of the INCARNATION

Season of the INCARNATION
Day 10
Year of Our LORD,
1.3.2009

Building Muscle

It is FASCINATING to watch a wise man work out.
He never… I repeat, NEVER… babies himself.

.

.

In all of my 61 years, I have seen exactly ONE MAN close at hand who seriously and intensely works his muscles like Rocky Balboa preparing for “the big fight.”

To the uninitiated, “working out” means to grab a few weights (barbells or dumbbells) and pump that iron up and down a few times before getting on with the important duties of the day. Nothing could be further from the truth. That would injure a person’s body and build more lies in his soul [ i.e., exercise doesn’t work for me].

In reality “working out” is exactly what Rocky did. A person embraces the discipline of training his body before he even looks at a piece of iron (a weight-lifter’s term). But in the end, the fruit of embracing this discipline is that his body trains him ! It not only trains the muscles, but it trains the reflexes, the focus, the thoughts, and ultimately trains the person to deny himself temporarily to achieve the long-term goal set before him.

I watch the meticulousness of each work out exercise he selects. Each one is thought through with great care. The goal is always in his mind and every exercise is tailored to DO A SPECIFIC JOB for that particular muscle group.

For example, his methods are tailored for specific purposes. Working out with weights in bench triceps dips and alternate dumbbell curls (to name only a few), this wise man changes his work out like a recipe.

.

.

· For strength only, he does 5 or 6 sets of 2 or 3 repetitions with the same weights, with 4 to 5 minutes of rest between the sets.

· For adding muscle size only, he does 5 to 6 sets of 8 to 12 repetitions with only 45 to 60 seconds (!) between sets, using the same weights.

· But, to build both strength and size, this wise man does 5 to 6 sets of 5 to 6 reps with 2 to 3 minutes of rest between sets.

.

.

Fascinating, isn’t it? If a man can follow such a well-plotted recipe to make his body build strength, muscle, and size, he must trust there will be a natural response to his work. He trusts because he is following the natural law of how his body works, how human bodies are created. This natural law is so sure, so very certain, that even non-Christians who follow it will reap the same fruits of muscle, size, strength, and endurance.

Furthermore, this Christian brother who works out monitors his diet meticulously. He purposely puts ONLY in him foods that will accomplish his goals: building strength, muscle, size, endurance and ultimately good health. He monitors both the kind and the amounts. He puts “additives” in his body’s fuel tank to boost his high octane food also, keeping ever in mind how he wants his body’s engine to run. He embraces the TOTAL discipline needed to achieve his goal.

Being led by The LORD to work out, he never whines, but rather is thankful that he has a body that can now endure training. He never feels sorry for himself but rather rejoices in The LORD Who+ has granted him another day to do HIS+ Will. He refuses to allow himself to yearn after delicacies because he is intent on Truth… both for the outer man as well as for the inner man. He is delighted to apply himself to the Task Assigned, …unseen and unsung as it is… to show his sincere appreciation to The LORD.

Furthermore, on his one day “off” of the week, he refuses to feed his flesh more indulgently, knowing it will only make the iron harder to pick up again. He walks in Truth.

.

.

[This is a true story to be continued]

Glory be to The FATHER, and to The SON+, and to The HOLY SPIRIT;
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
Amen.

+ + +

+ + +

2009 Day 9 of the INCARNATION

Season of the INCARNATION
Day 9
Year of Our LORD,
1.2.2009

Give ear, O SHEPHERD+ of Israel,
THOU that leadest Joseph like a flock;

THOU that dwellest between the Cherubim,
shine forth.
Psalm 80:1

.

.

O, how we look forward to HIS+ coming again! The LORD’S Incarnation--- taking upon HIMSELF+ the form of a man--- and HIS+ death and Resurrection all point to HIS+ Return…. and HIS+ control.

When that momentous event occurs, everything will change on planet earth and also in the Heavenlies.

When that momentous event occurs, the battle is won, tangibly, for all to see, here upon earth.

When that momentous event occurs, the earth will begin to be restored back to where it was before the fall of mankind. The lion and the calf and the leopard and the kid shall INDEED lie down together, without hurt nor harm. Isaiah 11 is full of these promises, describing what will happen when HE+ comes again.

Yes, the world will weep and howl when its ungodliness is smitten for the powers of darkness love ungodliness. So will those who agree with them.

But how can we who follow JESUS CHRIST, the only true GOD, do anything but rejoice with a mighty joy?

.

.

O Earth, Earth, Earth,
hear the WORD of the LORD.

O Eretz, Eretz, Eretz,
shemai D’BAR JeHoVaH !
Jeremiah 22:29

And there shall come forth a ROD+ out of the stem of Jesse,
and a BRANCH+ shall grow out of his roots:

And the SPIRIT of The LORD [JEHOVAH]
shall rest upon HIM+,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

And shall make HIM of quick understanding
in the fear of the LORD:
and HE+ shall not judge after the sight of His+ eyes,
neither reprove after the hearing of His+ ears:

But with righteousness shall HE+ judge the poor,
and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth:

and HE+ shall smite the earth:
with the rod of His+ mouth,
and with the breath of His+ lips
shall HE+ slay the wicked.

And righteousness shall be the girdle of His+ loins,
and faithfulness the girdle of His+ reins.

And I saw Heaven opened, and behold a white horse;
and HE+ that sat upon him was called
Faithful and True,
and in righteousness HE+ doth judge and make war.
Revelation 19:11

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
and a little child shall lead them.


And the cow and the bear shall feed;
their young ones shall lie down together:
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den.

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My Holy Mountain:

for the earth shall be full
of the knowledge of the LORD,
as the waters cover the sea.

And in that day there shall be a ROOT+ of Jesse,
which shall stand for an ensign of the people;
to *HIM+ shall the Gentiles seek:
and His+ rest shall be glorious.
Isaiah 11:1-10

<(((><

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.

* Although the KJV states “it,” there is no “it” in the Hebrew language; he or she is the third person singular pronoun.

.

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Bless GOD! FATHER, SON+, and HOLY SPIRIT

and blessed be HIS Kingdom

both now and forever.

Amen. + + +

2009 DAY 8 of the INCARNATION

Season of the INCARNATION
Day 8
The New Day, the Day of Completion

Year of Our LORD,
1.1.2009

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.

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.

In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely:
and this is the name wherewith she shall be called,
The LORD our Righteousness.
Jeremiah 33:14-16

<(((><

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst

after righteousness,

for they shall be filled.

+ + +

Return, we beseech THEE,
O GOD of Hosts
[ the Divine, Heavenly Armies]:

Look down from Heaven, and behold, and visit this Vine;
And the Vineyard which Thy Right Hand hath planted,
and the BRANCH+ that THOU Madest strong for Thyself.
Psalm 80:14-15

.
Let Thy hand be upon the Man of Thy Right Hand,
upon the SON of MAN+
Whom+ THOU madest strong for Thyself.

So will not we go back from THEE:
quicken us, [make us alive] and we will call upon Thy Name.

Turn us again, O LORD GOD of Hosts,
[JEHOVAH ELOHIM of the Divine, Heavenly Armies]

Cause Thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Psalm 80: 17-19

+ + +

O LORD our GOD, make me complete in THEE +. Bring me to that state of fullness in CHRIST JESUS where HE+ alone is seen and not me…even in my mirror. Turn me yet again, O LORD, away from the world, away from Self, and unto THEE+, the only true GOD, Who+ lives and reigns with THEE and Thy HOLY SPIRIT, both now and forever, world without end. Amen.
+ + +

Season of the INCARNATION
Day 7
Year of Our LORD,
12.31.2008


O Earth, Earth, Earth,
hear the WORD of the LORD.

O Eretz, Eretz, Eretz,
shemai D’BAR JeHoVaH !
(HEBREW) Jeremiah 22:29

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD,
that I will raise unto David
a Righteous BRANCH+,

and a KING+ shall reign and prosper, and
shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

In HIS+ days Judah shall be saved,
and Israel shall dwell safely: and

this is HIS+ Name
whereby HE+ shall be called,

THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Jeremiah 23:5-6

Neither is there Salvation in any other:
for there is none other NAME+
under Heaven given among men,
whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:12


O Earth, Earth, Earth,
hear the WORD of the LORD.

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, [Adonai JEHOVAH]
Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a STONE+,
a tried STONE+,
a Precious CORNERSTONE+,
a sure Foundation:
he that believeth shall not make haste
[i.e., not hurry due to anxiety, fear, or alarm].
Isaiah 28:16

O Earth, Earth, Earth,
hear the WORD of the LORD.

Unto you therefore which believe
HE+ is precious:
but unto them which are disobedient,
the STONE+ which the builders disallowed,
the Same is made the HEAD+ of the Corner,

And a STONE+ of stumbling, and a ROCK+ of offense,
even to them which stumble at the WORD,
being disobedient:
whereunto also they were appointed.

O Earth, Earth, Earth,
hear the WORD of the LORD.

But ye are a chosen generation,
a royal priesthood, an holy nation,
a peculiar people;

that ye should
shew forth the praises of HIM+
Who+ hath called you out of darkness
into HIS+ marvellous Light;


Which in time past were not a people,
but are now the people of GOD:
which had not obtained mercy,
but now have obtained mercy.
1 Peter 2:7-10

O Earth, Earth, Earth,
hear the WORD of the LORD.

<(((>< O My+ People, listen to ME+. The hour of testing is nearly upon you. Put your trust in ME+ and turn to ME+ with your whole heart, leaving nothing un-surrendered. I will take care of you if you yield. If you do not yield your all, you have put a barrier between ME+ and thee. Hear My+ Word.

In the Name of The FATHER,
The SON+,
and The Blessed HOLY SPIRIT,
both now and forever.
Amen.
+ + +

Day 5 ~ ~ ~ Season of the Incarnation

Season of the INCARNATION
Day 5
Year of Our LORD,
12.29.2008

The GATES of our Souls

Have you ever wondered why ... or even HOW... serious, committed Christians stumble into serious sin?

The GATES have something to do with it.

Whenever we "listen" to the Accuser, the GATES are opened in the spiritual, unseen realm of evil. Guess what happens next? The evil tormentors take an open GATE as an invitation.

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They bring other evil spirits into that open GATE. So instead of just hearing the words of the accusing spirit, we are also going to be hearing the words of Spite, Resentfulness, and Bitterness.

.

.

At this point, we can rise up and close the GATE... but it will be a fight with these 4 bullies. It will be a fight to get them out BECAUSE we invited them in! We opened up the GATE to the whisssssspered words of the Accuser.

.

.

.

If, however, we blindly go on and ENTERTAIN these fellows, they whistle to their BIGGER friend, ANGER, to come and join them inside the opened GATE.

.

Together, then, these tormenting evil spirits will wreck any Christian home, heart, or peace.

Rise up, Christians! SHUT THE GATE. Do not allow ANY unclean thought or evil speaking or spirit into your midst. If you do, repent immediately and clean the "house." SHUT THE GATE.

Dear Heavenly FATHER, In the name of Thy precious SON+ JESUS CHRIST, our Incarnate LORD, we ask for help in recognizing these GATES of evil. Help us to be wise in these matters. Thank you for granting us the power now, through Thy Beloved SON+ JESUS CHRIST to shut these GATES. Help us to open up only to THEE+. We praise THEE+ and bless Thy Holy name both now and forever. Amen.

<(((><

Bless GOD,

FATHER, SON+, and HOLY SPIRIT!

and Blessed be HIS+ Kingdom forever and ever!

Amen.

+ + +

Day 4 ~~~ Season of the Incarnation

Season of the INCARNATION
Day 4
Year of Our LORD,
12.28.2008

“O ye Gates…”

Lift up your heads, O ye gates;
and be ye lift up,
ye everlasting doors;
and the King+ of Glory shall come in.

Who is this KING+ of Glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
The LORD mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads,
O ye gates;
even lift them up,
ye everlasting doors;
and the KING+ of Glory shall come in.

Who is this KING+ of Glory?
The LORD of Hosts,
[ of divine, Heavenly Armies]

HE+ is the KING+ of Glory.

Psalm 24:7-10

<(((><

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.

In the natural realm, GATES are found throughout the Bible. Gates are fortified to open and close to protect a city compound during Old Testament times. Gates are found around animal enclosures, to let the flock in and out. Gates differ from doorways, also. Doorways indicate openings or entrances, but gates indicate barriers in that opening that can be opened or shut, being the only way to get in or out of an area fortified by a wall.

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.

In Psalm 24, the GATES have heads.

These GATES also are placed at the entrances of the EVERLASTING DOORWAYS. This, of course, brings to mind the GATES of the Heavenly New Jerusalem which comes down out of Heaven as a Bride. Here is a description of these wonderful GATES, from Revelation 21:

.

And had a wall great and high,

and had twelve gates,

and at the gates twelve angels,

and names written thereon,

which are the names

of the twelve tribes

of the children of Israel:

Rev. 21:12

.

.

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls:

every several gate was of one pearl:

and the street of the city was pure gold,

as it were transparent glass.

And I saw no temple therein:

for the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY

and the LAMB are the Temple of it.

Rev. 21:21,22

.

.

.

If these are the gates David refers to in Psalm 24 as the fortified entrances into the Heavenly Jerusalem, then it would stand to reason that the angels at these gates would be the “heads.”

.

.

If, howver, Psalm 24’s gates ALSO refer to something on earth… where Heavenly Armies and the KING+ of Glory will enter… then we can see this type of gate in Genesis 28:10-17. Jacob had a dream or vision. In it, Jacob saw angels ascending and descending a ladder from the earth to Heaven. At the top of the ladder was standing the LORD GOD of Abraham and Isaac. Jacob called that place Bethel, and said, “This is none other but the House of GOD (Beth-el) and this is the GATE OF HEAVEN.”

.

.

From these Scriptures, Old and New, we can see the many ways gates are used in the Bible to indicate natural as well as supernatural places. Our Incarnate LORD came to break open the GATES of HELL/HADES/SHEOL.

.

.

HE+ did that, as we all know, most valiantly.

.

.

But when HE+ returns at His+ SECOND ADVENT, HE+ will OPEN and SHUT supernatural gates which are still in operation today upon this earth and in the heavens.

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.

Have you ever wondered why some homes, some neighborhoods and towns, some schools and alas, even some churches, have a “dark” or “dirty” feel about them? The people inhabiting these places have opened up themselves to the spirits of sin and darkness and demonic activities. Thus, the GATES are opened in that area to evil beings.

.

.

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When the people of The LORD walk in obedience, stay steadfast in prayer, and pick up their cross daily… the gates of that home, town, school, or church are opened to the Host of Heaven.

.

.

So, we REJOICE when we remember the LORD’S Incarnation because it brought forth spiritual victory into the realm of mankind.

.

Lift up your heads,

O ye gates;

even lift them up,

ye everlasting doors;

and the KING+ of Glory

shall come in.

.

.

Who

is this KING+ of Glory?

The LORD of Hosts,

[ of divine, Heavenly Armies]

HE+ is the KING+ of Glory.

.

.

<(((><

.

Bless GOD, FATHER, SON+, and HOLY SPIRIT!

and Blessed be HIS+ Kingdom

forever and ever!

Amen.

+ + +

Day 3 ~~ Season of the Incarnation

Season of the INCARNATION
Day 3
Year of Our LORD,
12.27.2008

“Lift up your heads…”

Lift up your heads, O ye gates;
and be ye lift up,
ye everlasting doors;
and the King+ of Glory shall come in.

Who is this KING+ of Glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
The LORD mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads,
O ye gates;
even lift them up,
ye everlasting doors;
and the KING+ of Glory shall come in.

Who is this KING+ of Glory?
The LORD of Hosts,
[ of divine, Heavenly Armies]

HE+ is the KING+ of Glory.

Psalm 24:7-10

<(((><

.

.

“Lift up your heads…” we can feel the marvelous victory of this elated phrase, but do we realize all that it entails?
The word head is ROSH in Hebrew. That word and its related form, RAYSH, appear about 596 times in the Old Covenant (Old Testament), according to William White, Jr.* Yes, it does mean a head of a body, animal, or statue, but it has several other usages in the Hebrew Bible.

Interestingly, to “lift up the head” is a figure of speech used often in the Psalms and indicating an intention to begin a war, the most violent kind of self-assertion, according to Mr. White.

With the coming of Emmanuel, GOD-with-us, The LORD declared war on the kingdom of darkness entrapping the human race. Even more, The LORD declared His means of victory: HIS+ Only-Begotten SON.

That… or more accurately stated, HE+… was HIS weapon of warfare. HE+ was all that was needed to deliver mankind from the traps and lies of the adversary… the same adversary who was walking about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

PEACE, yes, was announced to mankind upon the Birth of JESUS CHRIST, not simply to all men, but rather to all who would respond to His+ invitation to repent and follow HIM+.

But at His+ Birth, WAR was announced to His+ enemies, the enemies of GOD. WAR was announced to the rulers of the darkness of this age and to the keepers of the gates of hell [Hades].

Thus, at the remembrance of His+ Incarnation, we need to remember BOTH of His+ announcements: a promise of WAR and a promise of PEACE. Both promises are a matter of great rejoicing! Both promises are for our benefit. And indeed, we cannot have one without the other.

.

.

Bless GOD,
FATHER, SON+, and HOLY SPIRIT!
Blessed be HIS+ Kingdom
forever and ever!
Amen.
+ + +






*Information about head is from William White Jr., editor of the Hebrew section of W.E. Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, pp. 105-106; Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville; 1996.

Day 2 ~ Season of the Incarnation

Season of the INCARNATION
Day 2
Year of Our LORD,
12.26.2008



WHO
is this KING+ of Glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
The LORD mighty in battle.

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a SON+ is given: and the government shall be upon HIS+ shoulder…

Lift up your heads,
O ye gates;
even lift them up,
ye everlasting doors;
and the KING+ of Glory shall come in.

Who is
this KING+ of Glory?

…and HIS+ name shall be called
Wonderful Counsellor…
Emmanuel, GOD with us…

…The mighty GOD…
The LORD of Hosts…


…The everlasting FATHER…
I and my FATHER are One.
John 10:30

…The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Peace
I leave with you,
My+ peace I give unto you:
not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27

Who is
this KING+ of Glory?

The LORD of Hosts,
[of Divine, Heavenly Armies]

JEHOVAH SABBAOTH

HE+ is the KING+ of Glory.

Psalm 24:8-10

Glory be to The FATHER, and to The SON+, and to the HOLY SPIRIT. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen!

+ + +

Day 1... Season of the Incarnation

Season of the INCARNATION
Day 1
Year of Our LORD,
12.25.2008

Who is this KING+ of Glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
The LORD mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads,
O ye gates;
even lift them up,
ye everlasting doors;
and the KING+ of Glory shall come in.

Who is this KING+ of Glory?

The LORD of Hosts,
HE+ is the KING+ of Glory.

Psalm 24:8-10

.

.

JOY… yes, true and ever-lasting JOY is slated for us earthlings… for all of us who hear AND RESPOND to HIS+ Invitation to come to the Water of LIFE+.
.

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Bless GOD,
FATHER, SON+, and HOLY SPIRIT!
Blessed be HIS+ Kingdom
forever and ever!
Amen.

.

.

On this day picked by most of the Christian world (arbitrarily, not historically with any amount of accuracy), we remember the wondrous INCARNATION of Our LORD. GOD’S Only-Begotten SON+ was made flesh and dwelt among us. We never forget that HE+ was born to die… so that we might have life… and that life, more abundantly.

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.

Bless GOD,
FATHER, SON+, and HOLY SPIRIT!
Blessed be HIS+ Kingdom
forever and ever!
Amen.

.

.

In this, we rejoice with personal joy, the joy that is unspeakable and full of glory! But, as we read this great Psalm 24, we get a picture of His+ global and Heavenly victory. The LORD of Hosts, as HE+ is often referred to in the Old Testament, does NOT mean the LORD of the twinkling stars in space… although HE+ is ruler over them also.

The LORD GOD of SABBAOTH means in Hebrew the LORD of the divine, Heavenly armies. Who, indeed, will be able to stand when HE+ returns with this mighty host? Recall that just one angel slew 185,000 men when Israel was besieged by Sennacherib of Syria, with no hope for survival (2 Kings 19). [ One night’s work for Him.]

Night is drawing nigh for this earth and the final showdown between The LORD and the powers of darkness is taking shape. We REJOICE to see that HIS+ Day is coming ONCE AGAIN. Even though as long as we are on this earth we must follow our Example+ as meek Lambs of GOD, the LAMB+ will soon return as a Ruling LION ! At that time, HE+ will bring victory over BOTH the earthly kingdom of sin and the spiritual kingdom of darkness. HE+ will rule both with a Rod of Iron.

.

.

Hallelujah! Our GOD reigns!

Bless GOD,
FATHER, SON+, and HOLY SPIRIT!
Blessed be HIS+ Kingdom
forever and ever!
Amen.
+ + +