Anonymous, I just heard a song and it reminded me of you so I wanted to share it with you. It's by Rascal Flatts (tho they support thing not of the bible, the song is great), it's call "I will stand by you." If you don't or can't listen to music search the following scriptures: were God says; I will stand by you- Ephesians 6:11, He will dry your eyes- Rev 21:4, I will fight your fight- Exodus 14:14 & I will hold you tight & won't let go- Deuteronomy 31:6 .Prayers to you again, and always!
Please God guide Brooke through this spiritual test of faith. Please Holy Spirit intervene and enrich Brooke with your spiritual gifts and Bible scriptures that she will stand firm in faith and biblical truth I pray in the name of Jesus Christ!
Please remember that whatever is above your head is already under the feet of Jesus Christ!
Please consider reflecting on this scriptures: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 73:21-26, Psalm 18:1-29 and Ephesians 6: 10-18.
To avoid hogging all the space here; I will conclude here for now.
As with a computer hacker and viruses used to take down a system; we need to be familiar with the toolbox the enemy has and his tactics. A general statement is that he uses possession for some not in the faith; and oppression for believers as the "complimentary" tactic. Satan is what I call the "equal opportunity destroyer". If outright persecution fails; he then resorts to false doctrine. If that fails he will dangle a carrot in front of us; then accuse us once we take the bait. He will use our own weaknesses over and over again through our thoughts; he will use people to accuse us if that doesn't work and circumstances to overwhelm us; music and entertainment to mesmerize us; news of the world to grip us with fear; etc. The sword of the Spirit is said to be the only offensive weapon available to us ( Ephesians 6:11-12). Of course to use that all of our defensive armor and gear needs to be present and accounted for as an active element in our daily battles.
It would be nice to see churches that would really see themselves as Churchill for example did in the war room when he said "we will fight in the trenches; etc. we will never surrender" The odds may appear against us in the battle but Christ has already won the war. Death itself for the saint is a victory ( Psalm 116:15) as well as precious in His sight. We have overcome the second death through His atonement ( Rev. 2:11). The world system run by Satanic forces tries to convince us that might is right; we through pride continue to ride out the dreams of victory through man's efforts; and other such sentiment. This world is not our home; we are aliens in this life and pilgrims ( Eph. 2:12). We are already seated in heavenly places ( Eph. 2:4-6) with Christ our High Priest ever interceding for us ( Heb. 4:14-16). Let us faithfully follow the captain of our salvation to the end ( Heb. 2:9-10) Agape
...The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God..." That is part of Galatians 2:20. His Spirit also testifies with our spirit that we "are children of God" according to Romans 8:16. Scripture cannot be read alone with mental faculties and understood as God's truth unless these realities exist; namely being Born of the Spirit ( John 3:6-8) makes the Word living and active in our hearts ( Hebrews 4:12).
Scriptural truth also is what separates the God of truth and His angels from the fallen angels and demons that are the ruling principalities and powers of this world in this age ( Ephesians 6:12). Thus; we can experience God whether "in or out of the body" ( 2 Corinthians 12:2) as Paul did and by extension a demonic spiritual "trip" can occur much in the same way.
Anyone realistically wanting to understand 2 Corinthians 5:8 on being absent from the body; present with the Lord will understand that being in His presence as a believer is overwhelming to the extent that John fell at His feet as though dead ( Revelation 1:17). This is all the more telling since he was the disciple who always was closest to Jesus and even in his own testimony most loved ( John 13:23 and apparently in 4 other verses).
If we are NOT truly in Christ then there is only the terror of the Lord and of course immediate judgment and condemnation for those who are goats rather than sheep. Thus; those who promote a false gospel even if they were brain dead and came back to life God allows them to continue here for a while for His purposes. It would seem that it is possible as long as a body can be resuscitated for a few minutes that this can occur; that is a far cry from Lazarus being raised from the dead or the Lord Himself.
In any case, anyone preaching a gospel other than the truth let him be "anathema" ( Galatians 1:8); and that includes angels as well. To know we are hearing from God being saved is a minimum requirement.
I don't think that that dream of yours is about the last fight of Armageddon. I think that God is telling you (as well as all of us) that during this life we will have (spiritual) fights with the devil all the time untill the very end of our lives. The only way one can win is by using (following) God's Word and commandements/directions written in the Bible. This is our sword which is an offensive weapon, but we also have defensive weapons, for these please read Ephesians 6:10-18, where the armor that God provides His children is described. BUT those who will stay faithful untill the end, they will come to the earth together with Jesus Christ and all the saints and His angels to fight against the antichrist and his armies in the fight of Armageddon. And so we will be with Him for ever...
Please Lord intervene within this family and fill them with Your Grace, Love and Mercy as they endure through daily life and the attacks by the devil. I know what is ever above our head us under the feet of Jesus Christ. Please uplift this family Holy Spirit with Your gifts and guidance that through this valley of life, they will see the light of Jesus Christ that will bring them to peak of blessings, prosperity and patience I pray in the name of Jesus Christ.
Please consider reflecting on: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, Psalm 23, Psalm 37. Ephesians 6:10-15, 2 Timothy 1:7 and 2 Timothy 2:1.
Peter, I'm praying for you tonight but I want to ask you if you are a Christian?
Is Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior? Do you believe that He came down from the Heavenlies and was born of a virgin?
That He died on the cross for your sins and rose again on the third day and that His blood sacrifice makes you free when you believe and repent?
If so, His blood also coves and protects you even now.
Devils cannot cross the bloodline around you. Read the word ( the Bible) out loud. Make sure you have zero known sin in your life to the best of your ability. And love the Lord your God with your whole heart!
Ephesians 6:11 and so on explains about the armor of God. You need it. Put it on.
We love you here at KJBO and we're praying for you.
Hello John. As Richard has given you the requested Scripture ( Ephesians 1:14), I will simply share my understanding of the verses 13 & 14: "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."
The Apostle Paul is writing to the believers that they also had put their trust in Jesus after they had heard & believed the Gospel. They were sealed by the Holy Spirit - the Spirit is given to all who love & trust Jesus for their salvation & their lives. The Holy Spirit, by His residence in the believer, ministers to our hearts in every way. Some of the ways are: teaching ( John 16:12-15); Guiding ( Romans 8:14); Assuring ( Romans 8:16); Praying ( Romans 8:26, Ephesians 6:18); Comforting/Helping ( John 14:26).
But the foremost Work of the Spirit in the believer is to "seal" him, or 'set a mark' that we belong to Christ. And that is why Paul states in Romans 8:35-39 that nothing, absolutely nothing, can ever separate us "from the Love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord". And here in Ephesians, Paul is stating that our sealing (or, eternal security) by the Holy Spirit is our "earnest", or God's guarantee/pledge until our redemption. Some might say, 'I thought we were already redeemed when we believed & bought by Christ's precious Blood?' Yes, we were fully redeemed spiritually, i.e. inwardly, when we were born again, given a new Spirit, which is of God. But our flesh (body), still tainted with sin & prone to failure before God waits for, rather longs for the day when our redemption is made complete ( Romans 8:23). So Paul says in Ephesians, that our redemption will be made complete when we are taken from this Earth, given new bodies, outfitted for Heaven. And all praise & glory goes to the Lord Who has done all this for us.
Dear Christina, This is something all born-again believer goes up against. 2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) God has given us His Word to combat the arrows of the devil and his demons. Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. What is the whole armour of God. Ephesians 6:14-18
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Don't argue with him. Do what Jesus did when He was tempted in the wilderness. For example:
Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
See? Don't argue with him. Memorize scriptures that guide you against whatever things you are tempted to do, and quote them as Jesus did. James 4:7 Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
This is my understanding; Satan is our accuser, and he still accuses us before God. We see in Job 1:6 and Job 2:1 Satan came along with the sons of God/angels to present themselves to God. I understand that would be in heaven.
We are told to put on the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6:11-12 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. The Greek word for high places is epouranios, heavenly realm.
In Revelation 12:7-8 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. The words "neither was their place found in heaven" tells me they still have access to heaven until they are cast out, down to earth.
Verse 10:12 shows Satan accused the brethren before our God day and night it was by the blood of Christ, they cast him out and he only has a short time. My understanding this starts the tribulation when Satan gives his seat, power, and authority to the beast Rev. 13.
So, my understanding is Satan still has access, I am sure it is limited but until they are cast out permanently that will be in the future. If you understand another way that is ok.
Fact Two (continued). The emphasis of prayer related to the edification of the Body should be fairly obvious with the overwhelming emphasis on such in the Epistles. Other than the Book of James we should note that there is not ANY instruction about right vs. wrong types of prayer in scripture. When we consider the nature of Paul's sufferings often associated with imprisonment; we see that his concern was for the state of the churches; with only a passing request for his own needs. It should go without saying that we should put the needs of others above our own (Phillippians 2:3-4). We are asked to remember those with "like temptations" ( 1 Peter 5:9). Although this doesn't directly address prayer; it does discuss the Devil prowling about; certainly in spritual warfare prayer is tied in (see Ephesians 6:18-20). The preceding verses in this chapter explain about the full armor of God which probably is a separate fact for praying with authority.
Fact Three: Personal application. When we have a proper perspective on lifting His name up in praise and considering the saints above ourselves; we then get to our personal devotions and prayers. I think it should be said that we should do as much work as we can with the opportunities available to be the "hands and feet" of Christ in service. For our own needs; we pursue possibilities; and seek "in and out of season" ( 2 Tim. 4:2) to perform our jobs and live our personal lives working "heartily unto the Lord." ( Colossians 3:23-24). This is not to puff ourselves up; but to ensure that our own laziness; or any other vices may not interfere with God answering prayers; or unnecessarily turn people off when opportunities arise. To trust God for blessings based on His promises rather than seeking self gain may only be something God Himself can judge in each individual case. Gaining access to "more of the Holy Spirit" certainly is a win/win situation ( Luke 11:13).
It looks like it is a message from God to you (it also applies to all of us).
The dragon is obviously the devil.
The sword in your hands is the Word of God (see God's armour in Ephesians 6:13-17).
We fight devil not by using human arms, but with God's arms given to us. The fight is strong. Satan doesn't go away/fall down with the first blow. Jesus faced satan in the dessert in the begining of His ministry. That can be seen as a fight of Jesus against the devil. Jesus always faced his attacks only by using the Word of God, nothing else. Satan didn't quit after Jesus answered him the first time, he kept attacking Him even by using himself the Word of God and misinterpreting it. But Jesus was always fighting back using the Word of God. Finally satan left, he lost that fight. But he will come back sometime later on. And again, and again ..., such fights will keep going on until we finally reach the end of our christian course. Notice that satan came to Jesus when He felt hungry. He always comes to us when he sees that we are somehow volnurable, in some sort of need. He always tries to discourage us and make us go back to our old sinful lifes. So keep your faith (which is your shield against his attacks) and fight using the written Word of God. This means that in every challenge/trial/difficulty/temptation in your life do what God advices us to do in His Word, this is the only way to withstand satan's attacks and win.
What you should do then? Keep reading the Word of God (the Bible) to know how to act in every situation in your life and be always in prayers so that God gives you strength to withstand and fight back. ( Matthew 26:41 "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak"). Also in every matter in your life, do what David was always doing. He was asking God to guide him and tell him what to do. Nothing has changed since that time.
People who are not yet believers have their reasoning blinded by sin. They see the world and all of the wonders of creation and are prevented from truly being convinced that God is. It takes the work of God providing grace to unbelievers to open their minds up to understand that creation came about by a powerful Being who existed before there was anything else. God administers this grace by using the truth of Scriptures to change an unbeliever's thoughts and desires about His existence, Who He is, and what He is like. This enlightenment often comes with the realization that God is holy and that the unbeliever is very sinful in comparison. This conviction of sin is a good thing, it leads to desiring God's mercy and this leads one to seek this mercy in the Jesus, who is the Mercy of God. The Gospel brings the reality of the grace and mercy of God one can receive in the Person of Jesus.
So, Sheronda, I can see that it is overwhelmingly common for unbeliever's to not know that God is, and if they do, they refuse to accept Him as the Sovereign of their lives. This does not negate His sovereignty. It just shows that they want a god that they devise rather than the True and Living God of all.
Hello, It still amazes me that people still feel like Gods' existence had to be proven. God superseded the court of law. We only obey the law of the land to maintain his obedience and the prevention of chaos. Present law, like past law, changes based on who is currently in power; which seems to never serve the majority well.
If you go back to the original question that I was answering , you will see that it was about wether we should pray to the saints to ask them for their help . It was not about us , alive Christians praying for each other .
"Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;"
Ephesians 6:19-20
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."
Colossians 4:2-3
"Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds"
1 Thessalonians 5:25
"Brethren, pray for us (Paul says)."
Acts 12:5
"Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him."
And many many more. If Perer and Paul needed prayers from others how necessary it is for us to pray for each other?
James 5:16
"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."
You are right saying that the saints are those that have made a covenant with God by sacrifice. Haven't we, christians, made a covenant with God by the sacrifice not of a lamp or a bull but with the sacrifice of God's Lamp, the Son of the God, Jesus Christ? If those who were not sanctified by the Spirit were called saints, how much more appropriate is for us who are baptised in the Spirit to be called so?
Please read how apostle Paul calls the believers in every church he addesses.
i.e. 1 Corinthians 1:2 "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be SAINTS, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:"
Ephesians 1:1 "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the SAINTS which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus"
Colossians 1:2 "To the SAINTS and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
And he calls saints all the LIVING BELIEVERS in all churches he has written letters to. So the saints are God's people from all over the nations through all the ages, dead and alive. GBU
To answer your question, we should let the Bible tell us or define "Who" the "Saints" are. For the Bible says to lean NOT unto thine OWN understanding.
"Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice." Psalms 50:5 KJV
- according to scripture, The Israelites of the Bible are the only nation to make a covenant with God by sacrifice - "And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the COVENANT, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words." Exodus 24:8 KJV. Refer to Exodus 24:7 as well as they made a blood in, blood out agreement by the blood of an animal - sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.
"He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD." Psalms 148:14 KJV - The word "even" throughout the Bible means "indeed". Knowing this, this is another verse that tells us the "Saints" of the Bible are the Israelites, which is all twelve tribes. The Bible defines itself for the most part if not all parts. Hope this helps, as the scriptures are the truth.
Hello . I don't believe that we are turn to anyone for help in prayer , other than God , through the mediatorship of His Son Jesus Christ , who is our Sinless High Priest in Heaven . You will not find anyone doing that or advocating that in the Bible . Only God can help us , the saints are / were just humans like we are . Only God is all powerful and we should never be afraid to ask for His help . All things are possible with Him .
Dear God, Father in Heaven. Thank You, Lord, for creating us all in Your image, You saw us before we were. And is Lord of all. We pray in the holy name of Jesus Christ that the terror that troubles "T M" disappears right now in Your Holy Name Jesus Christ, for in His Name we have authority to do so, after Your will Lord. Amen.
Ephesians 6:10-18 God bless u and yours in Jesus name love u in Christ.
Jesus is Lord!
Jesus is Lord!
Please remember that whatever is above your head is already under the feet of Jesus Christ!
Please consider reflecting on this scriptures: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 73:21-26, Psalm 18:1-29 and Ephesians 6: 10-18.
To avoid hogging all the space here; I will conclude here for now.
As with a computer hacker and viruses used to take down a system; we need to be familiar with the toolbox the enemy has and his tactics. A general statement is that he uses possession for some not in the faith; and oppression for believers as the "complimentary" tactic. Satan is what I call the "equal opportunity destroyer". If outright persecution fails; he then resorts to false doctrine. If that fails he will dangle a carrot in front of us; then accuse us once we take the bait. He will use our own weaknesses over and over again through our thoughts; he will use people to accuse us if that doesn't work and circumstances to overwhelm us; music and entertainment to mesmerize us; news of the world to grip us with fear; etc. The sword of the Spirit is said to be the only offensive weapon available to us ( Ephesians 6:11-12). Of course to use that all of our defensive armor and gear needs to be present and accounted for as an active element in our daily battles.
It would be nice to see churches that would really see themselves as Churchill for example did in the war room when he said "we will fight in the trenches; etc. we will never surrender" The odds may appear against us in the battle but Christ has already won the war. Death itself for the saint is a victory ( Psalm 116:15) as well as precious in His sight. We have overcome the second death through His atonement ( Rev. 2:11). The world system run by Satanic forces tries to convince us that might is right; we through pride continue to ride out the dreams of victory through man's efforts; and other such sentiment. This world is not our home; we are aliens in this life and pilgrims ( Eph. 2:12). We are already seated in heavenly places ( Eph. 2:4-6) with Christ our High Priest ever interceding for us ( Heb. 4:14-16). Let us faithfully follow the captain of our salvation to the end ( Heb. 2:9-10) Agape
...The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God..." That is part of Galatians 2:20. His Spirit also testifies with our spirit that we "are children of God" according to Romans 8:16. Scripture cannot be read alone with mental faculties and understood as God's truth unless these realities exist; namely being Born of the Spirit ( John 3:6-8) makes the Word living and active in our hearts ( Hebrews 4:12).
Scriptural truth also is what separates the God of truth and His angels from the fallen angels and demons that are the ruling principalities and powers of this world in this age ( Ephesians 6:12). Thus; we can experience God whether "in or out of the body" ( 2 Corinthians 12:2) as Paul did and by extension a demonic spiritual "trip" can occur much in the same way.
Anyone realistically wanting to understand 2 Corinthians 5:8 on being absent from the body; present with the Lord will understand that being in His presence as a believer is overwhelming to the extent that John fell at His feet as though dead ( Revelation 1:17). This is all the more telling since he was the disciple who always was closest to Jesus and even in his own testimony most loved ( John 13:23 and apparently in 4 other verses).
If we are NOT truly in Christ then there is only the terror of the Lord and of course immediate judgment and condemnation for those who are goats rather than sheep. Thus; those who promote a false gospel even if they were brain dead and came back to life God allows them to continue here for a while for His purposes. It would seem that it is possible as long as a body can be resuscitated for a few minutes that this can occur; that is a far cry from Lazarus being raised from the dead or the Lord Himself.
In any case, anyone preaching a gospel other than the truth let him be "anathema" ( Galatians 1:8); and that includes angels as well. To know we are hearing from God being saved is a minimum requirement.
I don't think that that dream of yours is about the last fight of Armageddon. I think that God is telling you (as well as all of us) that during this life we will have (spiritual) fights with the devil all the time untill the very end of our lives. The only way one can win is by using (following) God's Word and commandements/directions written in the Bible. This is our sword which is an offensive weapon, but we also have defensive weapons, for these please read Ephesians 6:10-18, where the armor that God provides His children is described. BUT those who will stay faithful untill the end, they will come to the earth together with Jesus Christ and all the saints and His angels to fight against the antichrist and his armies in the fight of Armageddon. And so we will be with Him for ever...
GBU
Please consider reflecting on: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, Psalm 23, Psalm 37. Ephesians 6:10-15, 2 Timothy 1:7 and 2 Timothy 2:1.
Is Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior? Do you believe that He came down from the Heavenlies and was born of a virgin?
That He died on the cross for your sins and rose again on the third day and that His blood sacrifice makes you free when you believe and repent?
If so, His blood also coves and protects you even now.
Devils cannot cross the bloodline around you. Read the word ( the Bible) out loud. Make sure you have zero known sin in your life to the best of your ability. And love the Lord your God with your whole heart!
Ephesians 6:11 and so on explains about the armor of God. You need it. Put it on.
We love you here at KJBO and we're praying for you.
The Apostle Paul is writing to the believers that they also had put their trust in Jesus after they had heard & believed the Gospel. They were sealed by the Holy Spirit - the Spirit is given to all who love & trust Jesus for their salvation & their lives. The Holy Spirit, by His residence in the believer, ministers to our hearts in every way. Some of the ways are: teaching ( John 16:12-15); Guiding ( Romans 8:14); Assuring ( Romans 8:16); Praying ( Romans 8:26, Ephesians 6:18); Comforting/Helping ( John 14:26).
But the foremost Work of the Spirit in the believer is to "seal" him, or 'set a mark' that we belong to Christ. And that is why Paul states in Romans 8:35-39 that nothing, absolutely nothing, can ever separate us "from the Love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord". And here in Ephesians, Paul is stating that our sealing (or, eternal security) by the Holy Spirit is our "earnest", or God's guarantee/pledge until our redemption. Some might say, 'I thought we were already redeemed when we believed & bought by Christ's precious Blood?' Yes, we were fully redeemed spiritually, i.e. inwardly, when we were born again, given a new Spirit, which is of God. But our flesh (body), still tainted with sin & prone to failure before God waits for, rather longs for the day when our redemption is made complete ( Romans 8:23). So Paul says in Ephesians, that our redemption will be made complete when we are taken from this Earth, given new bodies, outfitted for Heaven. And all praise & glory goes to the Lord Who has done all this for us.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Don't argue with him. Do what Jesus did when He was tempted in the wilderness. For example:
Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
See? Don't argue with him. Memorize scriptures that guide you against whatever things you are tempted to do, and quote them as Jesus did. James 4:7 Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
God bless!
This is my understanding; Satan is our accuser, and he still accuses us before God. We see in Job 1:6 and Job 2:1 Satan came along with the sons of God/angels to present themselves to God. I understand that would be in heaven.
We are told to put on the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6:11-12 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. The Greek word for high places is epouranios, heavenly realm.
In Revelation 12:7-8 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. The words "neither was their place found in heaven" tells me they still have access to heaven until they are cast out, down to earth.
Verse 10:12 shows Satan accused the brethren before our God day and night it was by the blood of Christ, they cast him out and he only has a short time. My understanding this starts the tribulation when Satan gives his seat, power, and authority to the beast Rev. 13.
So, my understanding is Satan still has access, I am sure it is limited but until they are cast out permanently that will be in the future. If you understand another way that is ok.
God bless,
RLW
1st pray for wisdom James 1:5-7,
2nd in your spirit you already had a leading to what the beast was
3rd To clarify GOD does still speak through dreams, visions, prophecy : Matthew 2:13, Acts 2:17, Malachi 3:6,
4th The Holy Spirit will teach you: 1John 2:27,
5th The Sword of the Spirit = The WORD of GOD, (as you declared in your dream) Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12,
6th if You're struggling with addiction & fear of it returning; continue to turn to GOD 'deny the flesh' : Matthew 17:20-21, Romans 8, Psalms 139,
Hopefully these are all helpful & I've prayed for you also as you've asked
Fact Two (continued). The emphasis of prayer related to the edification of the Body should be fairly obvious with the overwhelming emphasis on such in the Epistles. Other than the Book of James we should note that there is not ANY instruction about right vs. wrong types of prayer in scripture. When we consider the nature of Paul's sufferings often associated with imprisonment; we see that his concern was for the state of the churches; with only a passing request for his own needs. It should go without saying that we should put the needs of others above our own (Phillippians 2:3-4). We are asked to remember those with "like temptations" ( 1 Peter 5:9). Although this doesn't directly address prayer; it does discuss the Devil prowling about; certainly in spritual warfare prayer is tied in (see Ephesians 6:18-20). The preceding verses in this chapter explain about the full armor of God which probably is a separate fact for praying with authority.
Fact Three: Personal application. When we have a proper perspective on lifting His name up in praise and considering the saints above ourselves; we then get to our personal devotions and prayers. I think it should be said that we should do as much work as we can with the opportunities available to be the "hands and feet" of Christ in service. For our own needs; we pursue possibilities; and seek "in and out of season" ( 2 Tim. 4:2) to perform our jobs and live our personal lives working "heartily unto the Lord." ( Colossians 3:23-24). This is not to puff ourselves up; but to ensure that our own laziness; or any other vices may not interfere with God answering prayers; or unnecessarily turn people off when opportunities arise. To trust God for blessings based on His promises rather than seeking self gain may only be something God Himself can judge in each individual case. Gaining access to "more of the Holy Spirit" certainly is a win/win situation ( Luke 11:13).
My opinion about your dream and what it means.
It looks like it is a message from God to you (it also applies to all of us).
The dragon is obviously the devil.
The sword in your hands is the Word of God (see God's armour in Ephesians 6:13-17).
We fight devil not by using human arms, but with God's arms given to us. The fight is strong. Satan doesn't go away/fall down with the first blow. Jesus faced satan in the dessert in the begining of His ministry. That can be seen as a fight of Jesus against the devil. Jesus always faced his attacks only by using the Word of God, nothing else. Satan didn't quit after Jesus answered him the first time, he kept attacking Him even by using himself the Word of God and misinterpreting it. But Jesus was always fighting back using the Word of God. Finally satan left, he lost that fight. But he will come back sometime later on. And again, and again ..., such fights will keep going on until we finally reach the end of our christian course. Notice that satan came to Jesus when He felt hungry. He always comes to us when he sees that we are somehow volnurable, in some sort of need. He always tries to discourage us and make us go back to our old sinful lifes. So keep your faith (which is your shield against his attacks) and fight using the written Word of God. This means that in every challenge/trial/difficulty/temptation in your life do what God advices us to do in His Word, this is the only way to withstand satan's attacks and win.
What you should do then? Keep reading the Word of God (the Bible) to know how to act in every situation in your life and be always in prayers so that God gives you strength to withstand and fight back. ( Matthew 26:41 "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak"). Also in every matter in your life, do what David was always doing. He was asking God to guide him and tell him what to do. Nothing has changed since that time.
GBU
People who are not yet believers have their reasoning blinded by sin. They see the world and all of the wonders of creation and are prevented from truly being convinced that God is. It takes the work of God providing grace to unbelievers to open their minds up to understand that creation came about by a powerful Being who existed before there was anything else. God administers this grace by using the truth of Scriptures to change an unbeliever's thoughts and desires about His existence, Who He is, and what He is like. This enlightenment often comes with the realization that God is holy and that the unbeliever is very sinful in comparison. This conviction of sin is a good thing, it leads to desiring God's mercy and this leads one to seek this mercy in the Jesus, who is the Mercy of God. The Gospel brings the reality of the grace and mercy of God one can receive in the Person of Jesus.
So, Sheronda, I can see that it is overwhelmingly common for unbeliever's to not know that God is, and if they do, they refuse to accept Him as the Sovereign of their lives. This does not negate His sovereignty. It just shows that they want a god that they devise rather than the True and Living God of all.
Romans 15:30-31
"Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;"
Ephesians 6:19-20
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."
Colossians 4:2-3
"Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds"
1 Thessalonians 5:25
"Brethren, pray for us (Paul says)."
Acts 12:5
"Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him."
And many many more. If Perer and Paul needed prayers from others how necessary it is for us to pray for each other?
James 5:16
"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."
GBU
You are right saying that the saints are those that have made a covenant with God by sacrifice. Haven't we, christians, made a covenant with God by the sacrifice not of a lamp or a bull but with the sacrifice of God's Lamp, the Son of the God, Jesus Christ? If those who were not sanctified by the Spirit were called saints, how much more appropriate is for us who are baptised in the Spirit to be called so?
Please read how apostle Paul calls the believers in every church he addesses.
i.e. 1 Corinthians 1:2 "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be SAINTS, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:"
Ephesians 1:1 "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the SAINTS which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus"
Colossians 1:2 "To the SAINTS and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
And he calls saints all the LIVING BELIEVERS in all churches he has written letters to. So the saints are God's people from all over the nations through all the ages, dead and alive. GBU
"Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice." Psalms 50:5 KJV
- according to scripture, The Israelites of the Bible are the only nation to make a covenant with God by sacrifice - "And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the COVENANT, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words." Exodus 24:8 KJV. Refer to Exodus 24:7 as well as they made a blood in, blood out agreement by the blood of an animal - sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.
"He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD." Psalms 148:14 KJV - The word "even" throughout the Bible means "indeed". Knowing this, this is another verse that tells us the "Saints" of the Bible are the Israelites, which is all twelve tribes. The Bible defines itself for the most part if not all parts. Hope this helps, as the scriptures are the truth.
Psalm18:1-2 kjv, Coloss 2:15 kjv, Heb 10:19 kjv, Exodus 14:14 kjv,
Ephesians 6:16-18 kjv, Isaiah 59:19 kjv, Psalm 59:16-17 kjv,
Ephesians 6:10-18 God bless u and yours in Jesus name love u in Christ.