There are two things that I want to share with you today! The first is from Matthew 15 in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. Verses 1-2:
1 Then from Jerusalem came scribes and Pharisees and said, 2 Why do Your disciples transgress and violate the rules handed down by the elders of the past? For they do not practice [ceremonially] washing their hands before they eat.
The scribes and Pharisees were extremely bothered by the fact that JESUS did not MAKE his disciples obey the Jewish man-made instructions that had been handed down over the generations. These were 'religious' instructions that did not come from the Word of God, but were traditions imposed on the people by 'religious' leaders. Many times religious laws and traditions are for the purpose of keeping the people under bondage to their 'leaders'. May times He left them speechless! There IS only ONE leader of the Church of JESUS CHRIST! JESUS Himself is the HEAD of the CHURCH (Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18)!JESUS had this to say to them in verse 3:
3 He replied to them, And why also do you transgress and violate the commandment of God for the sake of the rules handed down to you by your forefathers (the elders)?
I simply LOVE how JESUS could turn a question to Himself into a question to those asking! The Word of our GOD is POWERFUL! Don't allow this powerful Word to become watered down with meaningless traditions that have no power! KNOW why you do WHAT you do, and check it in line with the Word of God! AMEN! The next thing that I want to share today is from Kenneth E. Hagin's "Faith Food":
Mighty Weapon
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds" (2 Corinthians 10:4).
Although we have been made new creatures - created by God in Christ Jesus; and although we are transferred out from under Satan's authority, we still live in a world ruled by Satan.
The Bible calls Satan "the god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4) and "the prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2). Christ also called him "the prince of this world" (John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11).
According to the Word of God, the very air about us is filled with hostile forces attempting to destroy our fellowship with God the Father, and to deprive us of our usefulness in the Master's service.
But our Father God, in His great provision and plan of redemption, has given us a weapon to use against Satan. That weapon is given to us not only for ourselves, but also for the benefit of the Satan-ruled men and women around us. That weapon is the Name of Jesus!
Confession: The weapons of my warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Where Satan's forces have built strongholds, I can pull them down with the mighty Name of Jesus. Satan is no match for that Name. And that Name is a mighty weapon given to me to use against the forces of the enemy.
The Name of JESUS is POWERFUL and the Word of God is exalted, by God, even higher than His Name! Let's agree with the God of the Bible and allow the Truth of His Word get into our innermost being! AMEN! THEN we will be well-armed to fight our fight of faith! Here is Hillsong Worship with "What A Beautiful Name":Although we have been made new creatures - created by God in Christ Jesus; and although we are transferred out from under Satan's authority, we still live in a world ruled by Satan.
The Bible calls Satan "the god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4) and "the prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2). Christ also called him "the prince of this world" (John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11).
According to the Word of God, the very air about us is filled with hostile forces attempting to destroy our fellowship with God the Father, and to deprive us of our usefulness in the Master's service.
But our Father God, in His great provision and plan of redemption, has given us a weapon to use against Satan. That weapon is given to us not only for ourselves, but also for the benefit of the Satan-ruled men and women around us. That weapon is the Name of Jesus!
Confession: The weapons of my warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Where Satan's forces have built strongholds, I can pull them down with the mighty Name of Jesus. Satan is no match for that Name. And that Name is a mighty weapon given to me to use against the forces of the enemy.
Shalom in Him!
