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Dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus, part of the growing repentance remnant, cleansing as His Bride, getting ready for His soon return as our Bridegroom-----
I believe the man above is filled with joy having just destroyed, with the Helper Holy Spirit, an old lie of the enemy, a stronghold. As a preacher, he may have been earlier sought a "seeker friendly," lukewarm Word to preach to attract more members. He never was converted (Acts 3:19). He had never repented (Matthew 4:17). Thus he never received the Holy Spirit, and, as a hypocrite, actually preached against it! This pattern was an old stronghold, an old lie of the enemy. Having later been corrected humbly of his gross error, having been taken captive by the devil (2 Timothy 2:25,26) he then repented, joined Jesus' KINGDOM, received the indwelling Holy Spirit, and then replaced the old lie with the Truth of God's Word, now bold for Christ. He and His flock are now growing that much more in Christ. The lie of the enemy had blocked for years the fullness of God's love towards him, His forgiveness to him, and thus his love towards Him and his love towards others, including witnessing to others, and making disciples to advance the Lord's Kingdom.
Today, the stronghold to "chew-- to dine on" [Revelation 3:20] with the Holy Spirit, our Teacher, is hypocrisy; neglect of Truth in preaching- including by conduct.
Sin strongholds are false beliefs picked up at some point in our minds which, until removed by the Holy Spirit and our free will decision to repent, still govern our responses to circumstances, still mute or cover up God's Truth in His Word. All your thoughts can be traced back to beliefs based on either the truth of Scripture or on satan's lies. If that thought is based on satan's lies, it will lead to fear. Fear will then lead to some form of idolatry. One commentator in the New Spirit Filled Life Bible says: " Idols are established wherever there exists a failure to trust in the provisions of God that are ours through Jesus Christ."
This series, going through Passover, God willing, is intended for you and me to remove strongholds as did this woman above. The process is: 1) repent [ really change your thinking] , return to God, convert (Acts 3:19) from the world and the flesh, die to that old rebellious spirit into which you and I were born (Ephesians 2:3), die to the old self, stop playing church, truly come into His Kingdom if you're not in already (Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15; Acts 3:19); 2) receive the indwelling Holy Spirit; and 3) spend time with that Holy Spirit, the Helper (John 16:7-15), as often as possible, day after day, asking Him if you have even a residue of the sin issue presented that day. The process is private, between you and Him. Again, there's no condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1).
But old sin patterns blocking His Eternal Word have no place in a Holy Spirit-filled believer, now a "temple of the living God." ( 2 Corinthians 6:16). Given all His promises, including that He will be a Father to each of us believers, and we are His sons and daughters, we are called to " cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1; 1 Peter 1:15).
The Risen Christ already sees us as His Bride. He will sanctify and cleanse us by the washing of water by the word (Ephesians 5:26, the sword of the Spirit ). As each lying stronghold is demolished, replace forever the old lie with the word of God. Be washed in HIS Truth. In that repentance and cleansing process, the Lord is presenting us to Himself, "a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:27). He is the soon-coming Bridegroom (Matthew 24:36-51; Matthew 25:1-13; Revelation 19:7-9).
The classic scripture to remove strongholds is in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. Here it is in the amplified version: "For though we walk in the flesh [as mortal men], we are not carrying on our [spiritual] warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man. The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ...,"
Strongholds are pulled down, and old mental blocks are broken, as you and I use spiritual weapons the Lord has given us, particularly the sword of the spirit, the Word of God. (Ephesians 6:17).
here is a short teaching on strongholds on one of our Zoom calls:
https://youtu.be/ykQ90uy7evo
Today's issue is hypocrisy, neglect of Truth in preaching. The Word in 2 Timothy 4:1-5 is right on point: " I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."
You and I "preach" not just by standing in front of a podium, but also by our conduct. Is it Godly or ungodly? Being candid with yourself and the Holy Spirit, is this issue of watering down the Word to appeal to others blocking your serving your Almighty Creator today? Is there any remnant of this old hypocrite pattern needing to be confessed? Are there any old vows you made that you will always seek approval even if it means you'll be a hypocrite? Do you think this is only applicable to the disciples 2,000 years ago? Do you have any residue of a residue of this issue for such a time as this? Was it connected to your upbringing as a child? Was it a family pattern in any way?
God bless you as you seek His Holy Spirit Wisdom and Comfort on this issue. May you go forward on His narrow path, "perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Corinthians 7:1).
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Pastors preaching repentance are seeing amazing results. But at the same time they need support for food for their families and neighbors, for chlorine bottles to combat cholera, for gasoline and repairs for their old cars, etc. Whenever you sow into their work through NDR donations, you too receive their FRUIT! (Matthew 3:8;Mark 6:12,13; Philippians 4:17).
Here is a current appeal to plant repentance with our OUT training:
Dear brother
Though we have many unpaid bills due to two previous out activities next week we have this Out training in Kasinje Ntcheu District. tuesday next week the budget $400 but the leaders in the area promise to raise $100 meaning we need $300.
kasinje Ntcheu is part of eastern region where the population is mixed with Yao tribe and the yaos are moslems this is a place we first launched OUT in 20s where we had first graduates from moslems back ground , we cant afford to miss this day of 16 April we are praying for donation to come in
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Joseph G.Kazembe
Please pray to the Lord to see if this ministry is one He wishes you to support with His Provision. Thank you for being "righteous, showing mercy and giving." As He gives you a "yes"---whatever the amount--- you'll receive His blessing: Matthew 25: 34-36.
God bless you,
Pastor Jeff Daly
National Day of Repentance
www.repentday.com
www.americankneels.com
www.globalrepent.com
pastorjeff@repentday.com
here is a copy of a recent "Cleansing the Bride" zoom call every Wednesday. Please email for zoom info, and join us 10:30 AM Pacific USA time ! https://youtu.be/RVpOEvCQ_qU
Please join us! May 3 and 4, at historic Moravian Falls: Renewing the Wells of Revival: Pastor's & Leaders Summit at Moravian Falls (campaign-archive.com)
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The Lord makes it clear: Luke 13:1-5, repent or perish. Here's a NDR video on this key scripture: https://youtu.be/oT15XrDvv9c
and this video on ETERNITY: https://youtu.be/evrL-H29908
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