IGNORANCE WILL KILL YOU

There is a kind of boldness that is actually ignorance.

People can become so convinced that they have authority that they start touching things God never told them to touch. Then something goes wrong and they blame God.

But you are not supposed to go ahead of your Lord and Master.

Samuel was the prophet of the Most High God. He was a man who could pray and storms would happen. Yet when God told him to go to the house of Jesse and anoint a new king, Samuel did not simply say, “No problem,” pick up his staff and run there.

He said, “Saul will kill me,” and God told him to hide.

Jesus Himself, the Son of God, was on earth and there were things He was not simply rushing into.

When soldiers came to arrest Jesus and asked for Him, He said, “I am.” And they fell to the ground. Yet He still allowed Himself to be arrested according to the Father's will.

So what makes you think you should run into every battle simply because you believe you have authority?

Some people say, “But doesn't the Bible say we have authority?”

Yes. But authority does not mean you are permitted to do whatever you want whenever you want.

You cannot run into Jericho without Joshua. You cannot go and take Ai without Joshua leading the battle.

Joshua is Yeshua. Jesus is your Lord and Master. You cannot go ahead of Him.

Some people have spent their whole lives poor, wretched and miserable in ways that were completely against God's will because they were fighting things God was not fighting through them.

They assumed, “God gave me authority, therefore I can touch anything.”

No. Sometimes the demons ruling a place have not been touched by God, and you decide to touch them because you think your faith makes you untouchable.

Then something happens and you say, “God would never allow this.”

The people of God can perish for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).

You need to know what God is doing, what He is not doing, what He has sent you to do, and what He has not sent you to do.

There is a boldness that comes from knowing God, and there is a boldness that comes from foolishness.

Do not confuse the two.

Perhaps this is what Jude was warning us about in verse 10 ....we learn every day and until we get to full maturity in Christ, let's be open to instructions that could keep us alive in Christ Jesus

*BE AS WISE AS A SERPENT*

Jesus said in Matthew 10:16, “I send you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”

Jesus used different animals to describe different traits. He told us to be innocent like doves, and He also told us to be shrewd like snakes.

That shrewdness is not sinfulness. It is not permission to lie, cheat, or deceive people. In the same sentence, Jesus tells you to be innocent. So whatever He means by the wisdom of the serpent cannot be an instruction to commit sin.

The serpent is described in Genesis 3:1 as being more crafty than all the wild animals the Lord God had made. Jesus Himself later said to be wise as a serpent.

You see this kind of wisdom in the life of Jesus. In John 7, His relatives told Him to go publicly to the festival. He told them that His time had not yet come. They left, and afterward He also went, but not publicly. He went in secret.

That is an example of not making everything public.

You also see this with Samuel. God told Samuel to go and anoint another king, but Samuel was afraid that Saul would hear about it and kill him. In 1 Samuel 16:2, God told him to take an animal and say that he had come to sacrifice to the Lord. And that was true. He really was going to offer a sacrifice.

The wisdom was that two things were happening at the same time. One thing was known, while another thing was not known.

Sometimes you need to withhold information. Sometimes you need to be quiet. Sometimes you should not tell everybody everything about what you are doing.

God Himself does this with us. Many times, He does not tell you everything about why He is sending you somewhere. He positions you, and later you understand what He was doing.

That is the wisdom of the serpent.

Good morning!

GIRD UP THE LOINS OF YOUR MIND

The Bible says to gird up the loins of your mind. (1 Peter 1:13).

Think about what a belt does. It tightens something that would otherwise be loose and flying around. That is what you are meant to do with your thoughts. You don't allow your thoughts to just fly free.

When you face a battle, you are meant to get weapons. You don't cry and say, "I can't help it." Fight.

That is one of the things that has helped me have victory for many years. God is faithful, but you also have to fight. When a wrong thought comes, don't just sit there and entertain it. Replace the thought.

If you find yourself thinking spitefully about someone, start praying for that person. Put their name before you and pray in the Spirit. Instead of allowing your mind to continue going in the wrong direction, deliberately take control of what you are thinking about.

Your mind is a primary battleground. This is why you cannot afford to be careless with it.

You have to draw lines in your mind. If a negative picture comes into your mind, stop it. Reverse it. If a negative thought comes to your mind, stop it, rebuke it and speak a positive word instead. Keep stopping it until it becomes possible to stop it completely.

Many people try to think everything in their minds and then physically restrain themselves. But your primary battleground is your mind.

You have to learn to fight there.

Don't say, "This is just how my mind works." Don't say, "I can't help it." Get weapons. Use the Word of God. Pray. Replace the thought. Take responsibility for what you allow your mind to entertain.

The mind can be redeemed. It can become a place where you practise obedience instead of a place where you entertain sin.

So gird up the loins of your mind. Tighten your thoughts. Don't allow them to fly free. Fight!

Good morning!

GIRD UP THE LOINS OF YOUR MIND

The Bible says to gird up the loins of your mind. (1 Peter 1:13).

Think about what a belt does. It tightens something that would otherwise be loose and flying around. That is what you are meant to do with your thoughts. You don't allow your thoughts to just fly free.

When you face a battle, you are meant to get weapons. You don't cry and say, "I can't help it." Fight.

That is one of the things that has helped me have victory for many years. God is faithful, but you also have to fight. When a wrong thought comes, don't just sit there and entertain it. Replace the thought.

If you find yourself thinking spitefully about someone, start praying for that person. Put their name before you and pray in the Spirit. Instead of allowing your mind to continue going in the wrong direction, deliberately take control of what you are thinking about.

Your mind is a primary battleground. This is why you cannot afford to be careless with it.

You have to draw lines in your mind. If a negative picture comes into your mind, stop it. Reverse it. If a negative thought comes to your mind, stop it, rebuke it and speak a positive word instead. Keep stopping it until it becomes possible to stop it completely.

Many people try to think everything in their minds and then physically restrain themselves. But your primary battleground is your mind.

You have to learn to fight there.

Don't say, "This is just how my mind works." Don't say, "I can't help it." Get weapons. Use the Word of God. Pray. Replace the thought. Take responsibility for what you allow your mind to entertain.

The mind can be redeemed. It can become a place where you practise obedience instead of a place where you entertain sin.

So gird up the loins of your mind. Tighten your thoughts. Don't allow them to fly free. Fight!

Good morning!

THE WORLDS YOU BUILD IN YOUR MIND

Fantasy feeds on hiddenness. It feeds on secrecy.

You don't like people to see what you're doing, so you create a private world in your mind. You imagine something, replay it, and keep going back to it.

Have you noticed that when you think beyond a boundary, the next time you come back, you don't start again from the beginning? You continue from where you stopped.

You thought something you were initially shocked that you could think. You were afraid. You were ashamed.

But after thinking about it repeatedly, the shock disappears.

Now you think more.

You think of yourself saying something to somebody that you should not say. You think of yourself being sexual or prideful. You imagine yourself disrespecting your parents, your boss, or your pastor.

Have you forgotten the conversation you had in your mind when you pictured yourself telling your father, "Daddy, you should not oppress me"?

Did it start physically? No. You had that discussion in your head.

You pictured yourself slamming the door and walking out on your mother. You saw yourself doing it many times until the day you actually did it.

How did you get there? You went there in your mind first.

Wisdom is this: never go to places you should not go physically in your mind.

You must understand that what you repeatedly entertain in your mind can become easier to act out physically.

You cannot keep telling yourself, "I'm never going to do it," while continually picturing yourself doing it. Don't think it.

Do not picture yourself having the audacity to say certain things.

Many people have thought things through before they eventually did them in reality. By the time they are doing it and saying, "I'm sorry," they are not really sorry in the way they think they are, because they thought the thing through many times.

After that, they excused it.

Your mind begins to justify that thing, and then you begin to practice it physically.

So don't go to places you should not go, even in your mind.

Good morning and do have a blessed day!

THE WORLDS YOU BUILD IN YOUR MIND

Fantasy feeds on hiddenness. It feeds on secrecy.

You don't like people to see what you're doing, so you create a private world in your mind. You imagine something, replay it, and keep going back to it.

Have you noticed that when you think beyond a boundary, the next time you come back, you don't start again from the beginning? You continue from where you stopped.

You thought something you were initially shocked that you could think. You were afraid. You were ashamed.

But after thinking about it repeatedly, the shock disappears.

Now you think more.

You think of yourself saying something to somebody that you should not say. You think of yourself being sexual or prideful. You imagine yourself disrespecting your parents, your boss, or your pastor.

Have you forgotten the conversation you had in your mind when you pictured yourself telling your father, "Daddy, you should not oppress me"?

Did it start physically? No. You had that discussion in your head.

You pictured yourself slamming the door and walking out on your mother. You saw yourself doing it many times until the day you actually did it.

How did you get there? You went there in your mind first.

Wisdom is this: never go to places you should not go physically in your mind.

You must understand that what you repeatedly entertain in your mind can become easier to act out physically.

You cannot keep telling yourself, "I'm never going to do it," while continually picturing yourself doing it. Don't think it.

Do not picture yourself having the audacity to say certain things.

Many people have thought things through before they eventually did them in reality. By the time they are doing it and saying, "I'm sorry," they are not really sorry in the way they think they are, because they thought the thing through many times.

After that, they excused it.

Your mind begins to justify that thing, and then you begin to practice it physically.

So don't go to places you should not go, even in your mind.

Good morning and do have a blessed day!

This month and beyond,, May Grace and not our efforts carry us.
Happy new month

This month and beyond,, May Grace and not our efforts carry you.
Happy new month

YOU DON'T EMPTY YOUR MIND, YOU REPLACE

You can't just say, "I'm not going to think it." There is a law of replacement.

You must be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things."

You can't have an empty mind. Stop trying to empty your mind. That's against the will of God.

You don't empty your mind. You replace.

You don't just say, "I'm not going to think anything evil." Rather, you think on whatever is true, honest, noble, right.

Is it the right thing to think? How should you think about your parents? How should you think about your boss?

Stop thinking those bad thoughts about your boss. Don't think it. Think what is right.

You have to learn to think differently.

Even when it comes to people you love, you can imagine what will happen when you see them. You imagine how you will greet them, hug them, and express yourself.

There is nothing wrong with thinking good thoughts.

But you also have to understand that God made people differently. Some people are naturally more expressive. Some are more restrained.

The question is whether what is restraining you is simply your personality or whether there is pride involved.

You can examine yourself.

You cannot spend your whole life trying to empty your mind. You have to fill it with what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.

That is the law of replacement. You don't just remove what is wrong. You replace it with what is right.

Shalim! Do have a blessed week.

YOU DON'T EMPTY YOUR MIND, YOU REPLACE

You can't just say, "I'm not going to think it." There is a law of replacement.

You must be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things."

You can't have an empty mind. Stop trying to empty your mind. That's against the will of God.

You don't empty your mind. You replace.

You don't just say, "I'm not going to think anything evil." Rather, you think on whatever is true, honest, noble, right.

Is it the right thing to think? How should you think about your parents? How should you think about your boss?

Stop thinking those bad thoughts about your boss. Don't think it. Think what is right.

You have to learn to think differently.

Even when it comes to people you love, you can imagine what will happen when you see them. You imagine how you will greet them, hug them, and express yourself.

There is nothing wrong with thinking good thoughts.

But you also have to understand that God made people differently. Some people are naturally more expressive. Some are more restrained.

The question is whether what is restraining you is simply your personality or whether there is pride involved.

You can examine yourself.

You cannot spend your whole life trying to empty your mind. You have to fill it with what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.

That is the law of replacement. You don't just remove what is wrong. You replace it with what is right.

Good morning and do have a blessed week.

FIGHT YOUR PHONE!

Your phone is a tool. It was never meant to become your master.

One of the greatest disciplines you can develop is the ability to leave a message unread until the right time. Most people cannot do that anymore.

A notification comes in, and they immediately stop what they are doing to respond.

Before long, they are reacting to everything instead of giving their full attention to what matters.

Train the people around you. If something is truly urgent, let them call you. If it is not urgent, it can wait.

Learn to open your phone, see five, ten, or even fifty messages, and deliberately leave them until you have finished your work.

Self-control is choosing when your phone gets your attention, not allowing it to decide for you.

The danger is bigger than wasted time.

Constantly checking your phone splinters your mind. Your attention becomes fragmented.

You hear instructions but do not fully process them. Important responsibilities are interrupted by trivial conversations, and over time your ability to concentrate becomes weaker.

Stop saying you need to be available online every second because you are busy.

Some of the busiest people in the world deliberately protect their attention. They understand that productivity is not built by responding to every notification but by giving uninterrupted focus to what truly matters.

What begins as a habit of checking messages can eventually affect decisions that carry serious consequences.

This generation has grown up with smartphones in our hands, so this discipline will not come naturally. You will have to fight for it.

If you do not take control of your attention, someone else will.

No training in self-discipline is wasted.

Every time you resist unnecessary distraction, you increase your capacity for greater responsibility.

Guard your attention. Protect your focus.

God cannot trust major responsibilities to a mind that is constantly being pulled in every direction.

Happy last Sunday of the month!

FIGHT YOUR PHONE!

Your phone is a tool. It was never meant to become your master.

One of the greatest disciplines you can develop is the ability to leave a message unread until the right time. Most people cannot do that anymore.

A notification comes in, and they immediately stop what they are doing to respond.

Before long, they are reacting to everything instead of giving their full attention to what matters.

Train the people around you. If something is truly urgent, let them call you. If it is not urgent, it can wait.

Learn to open your phone, see five, ten, or even fifty messages, and deliberately leave them until you have finished your work.

Self-control is choosing when your phone gets your attention, not allowing it to decide for you.

The danger is bigger than wasted time.

Constantly checking your phone splinters your mind. Your attention becomes fragmented.

You hear instructions but do not fully process them. Important responsibilities are interrupted by trivial conversations, and over time your ability to concentrate becomes weaker.

Stop saying you need to be available online every second because you are busy.

Some of the busiest people in the world deliberately protect their attention. They understand that productivity is not built by responding to every notification but by giving uninterrupted focus to what truly matters.

What begins as a habit of checking messages can eventually affect decisions that carry serious consequences.

This generation has grown up with smartphones in our hands, so this discipline will not come naturally. You will have to fight for it.

If you do not take control of your attention, someone else will.

No training in self-discipline is wasted.

Every time you resist unnecessary distraction, you increase your capacity for greater responsibility.

Guard your attention. Protect your focus.

God cannot trust major responsibilities to a mind that is constantly being pulled in every direction.

Happy last Sunday of the month!

SELF-PITY IS ALSO A STRONGHOLD

There is a world people can build inside themselves. A world called self-pity.

Self-pity says: "Nobody understands me." "Nobody sees what I have suffered." "Nobody appreciates me." "Look at everything that has happened to me."

Now, there are real difficulties in life. People go through painful experiences. People have been hurt, but there is a difference between acknowledging pain and building your identity around pain.

Self-pity keeps bringing you back to yourself.

Everything becomes about your disappointment. Everything becomes about what people did to you. Everything becomes about what you did not receive. And slowly, you become trapped in a world where you are always the victim.

Look at Elijah. After Jezebel threatened him, he ran away and sat under a tree. When God asked him what he was doing there, Elijah answered by focusing on himself.

He said he had been very jealous for The Lord,.... but he was the only one left (1 Kings 19:10)

But Elijah was not seeing the situation correctly. God still had people, and He was still working.

The problem was not that Elijah had experienced difficulty. The problem was that his pain had become his entire perspective.

Self-pity can make you forget God's bigger picture. It can make you abandon your assignment.

You must burn down that world — not because your pain is fake, but because your pain cannot become your master.

You are not only what happened to you. You are not only what people did to you. You are a child of God with a purpose.

Do not allow self-pity to become a place you live. God has more for you than constantly looking at yourself and your wounds. Remember this Scripture and let The Word spoken there be your comfort:

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith The LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Shalom!

SELF-PITY IS ALSO A STRONGHOLD

There is a world people can build inside themselves. A world called self-pity.

Self-pity says: "Nobody understands me." "Nobody sees what I have suffered." "Nobody appreciates me." "Look at everything that has happened to me."

Now, there are real difficulties in life. People go through painful experiences. People have been hurt, but there is a difference between acknowledging pain and building your identity around pain.

Self-pity keeps bringing you back to yourself.

Everything becomes about your disappointment. Everything becomes about what people did to you. Everything becomes about what you did not receive. And slowly, you become trapped in a world where you are always the victim.

Look at Elijah. After Jezebel threatened him, he ran away and sat under a tree. When God asked him what he was doing there, Elijah answered by focusing on himself.

He said he had been very jealous for The Lord,.... but he was the only one left (1 Kings 19:10)

But Elijah was not seeing the situation correctly. God still had people, and He was still working.

The problem was not that Elijah had experienced difficulty. The problem was that his pain had become his entire perspective.

Self-pity can make you forget God's bigger picture. It can make you abandon your assignment.

You must burn down that world — not because your pain is fake, but because your pain cannot become your master.

You are not only what happened to you. You are not only what people did to you. You are a child of God with a purpose.

Do not allow self-pity to become a place you live. God has more for you than constantly looking at yourself and your wounds. Remember this Scripture and let The Word spoken there be your comfort:

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith The LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Shalom!

DON'T BE BROUGHT UNDER THE POWER OF ANYTHING

There is nothing wrong with enjoying good things. The problem begins when good things begin controlling you.

Many of us had favourite biscuits when we were younger. Every time you passed the shop, you bought them. Eventually, the excitement disappeared, you moved on. That is how it should be.

Nothing should master you. Whether it is biscuits, soft drinks, noodles or any other habit, learn to stop and ask yourself: "Is this controlling me?"

The issue is not whether something is lawful. The issue is whether it has power over you.

The Bible says: "All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." (1 Corinthians 6:12)

Many unhealthy habits continue simply because people refuse to discipline themselves.

People choose convenience over stewardship. Then, years later, they suffer the consequences.

Your body is God's gift. Take care of it.

Don't keep doing things simply because they are easy. Learn discipline. Learn restraint. Learn to say no.

Freedom is not the ability to do whatever you want. Freedom is the ability to refuse anything that tries to master you.

If a habit has become your master, break it. Don't negotiate with it. Don't excuse it.

Break it for your health. Break it for your future. Break it because you belong to Christ, and nothing but Christ should rule your life.

Shalom!

DON'T BE BROUGHT UNDER THE POWER OF ANYTHING

There is nothing wrong with enjoying good things. The problem begins when good things begin controlling you.

Many of us had favourite biscuits when we were younger. Every time you passed the shop, you bought them. Eventually, the excitement disappeared, you moved on. That is how it should be.

Nothing should master you. Whether it is biscuits, soft drinks, noodles or any other habit, learn to stop and ask yourself: "Is this controlling me?"

The issue is not whether something is lawful. The issue is whether it has power over you.

The Bible says: "All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." (1 Corinthians 6:12)

Many unhealthy habits continue simply because people refuse to discipline themselves.

People choose convenience over stewardship. Then, years later, they suffer the consequences.

Your body is God's gift. Take care of it.

Don't keep doing things simply because they are easy. Learn discipline. Learn restraint. Learn to say no.

Freedom is not the ability to do whatever you want. Freedom is the ability to refuse anything that tries to master you.

If a habit has become your master, break it. Don't negotiate with it. Don't excuse it.

Break it for your health. Break it for your future. Break it because you belong to Christ, and nothing but Christ should rule your life.

Shalom!

*YOU ARE NOT THE LIGHT*

One of the reasons David fell was because he was not where he was supposed to be.

The Bible says it was the season when kings went out to war. (2 Samuel 11:1)

David stayed home. He had begun believing his own importance. The reasoning sounded noble.

"Let the light of Israel not be extinguished." (2 Samuel 21:17)

But David was never the light. He was only a lamp. There is a difference.

A lamp carries light. A lamp is useful because of the light that burns in it. But the lamp is not the source.

Jesus is the Light. (John 8:12)

No matter how greatly God uses you, you never become the source. The moment you begin to think you are indispensable, you have stepped into dangerous ground.

God may use you mightily. People may be blessed through your ministry. You may preach, teach, lead, or serve faithfully.

None of that changes who you are. You are still a vessel. You are still carrying what belongs to another.

The greatest danger is not success. It is forgetting where the success came from.

Pride quietly builds an exaggerated image of yourself. Outwardly, you may appear humble. Inwardly, you are sitting on a throne.

You begin comparing yourself with others. You think you are above them because you know more, perform better, or achieve more.

A person may have achievements and still be bound by lust, bitterness, fear, or pride. Meanwhile, another person may never have your achievements while obeying God, yet they walk in peace, contentment, and freedom.

So, who is truly successful?

True success is not measured by results alone. It is measured by submission to God.

Never mistake the lamp for the Light. Never allow your usefulness to become your identity.

Everything you have came from God. Remain a faithful lamp. Keep pointing people to the Light.

Good evening!

*YOU ARE NOT THE LIGHT*

One of the reasons David fell was because he was not where he was supposed to be.

The Bible says it was the season when kings went out to war. (2 Samuel 11:1)

David stayed home. He had begun believing his own importance. The reasoning sounded noble.

"Let the light of Israel not be extinguished." (2 Samuel 21:17)

But David was never the light. He was only a lamp. There is a difference.

A lamp carries light. A lamp is useful because of the light that burns in it. But the lamp is not the source.

Jesus is the Light. (John 8:12)

No matter how greatly God uses you, you never become the source. The moment you begin to think you are indispensable, you have stepped into dangerous ground.

God may use you mightily. People may be blessed through your ministry. You may preach, teach, lead, or serve faithfully.

None of that changes who you are. You are still a vessel. You are still carrying what belongs to another.

The greatest danger is not success. It is forgetting where the success came from.

Pride quietly builds an exaggerated image of yourself. Outwardly, you may appear humble. Inwardly, you are sitting on a throne.

You begin comparing yourself with others. You think you are above them because you know more, perform better, or achieve more.

A person may have achievements and still be bound by lust, bitterness, fear, or pride. Meanwhile, another person may never have your achievements while obeying God, yet they walk in peace, contentment, and freedom.

So, who is truly successful?

True success is not measured by results alone. It is measured by submission to God.

Never mistake the lamp for the Light. Never allow your usefulness to become your identity.

Everything you have came from God. Remain a faithful lamp. Keep pointing people to the Light.

Good evening!

THE STRONGHOLD OF REVENGE

Not every stronghold of fantasy is sexual. Some people are trapped by revenge fantasies.

They constantly imagine themselves humiliating those who hurt them. They replay arguments in their minds. They picture themselves finally getting even. They imagine people suffering for what they did.

Then they justify it by saying, "I'm not actually doing anything." No. You are doing something.

You are feeding hatred. You call it justice, but it is revenge dressed in legal clothing.

You convince yourself they deserve it. You rehearse conversations that never happened. You replay painful memories. You build entire imaginary worlds where you finally win. All of that strengthens the stronghold.

Many people have spent years imprisoning someone in their hearts.

Every time that person's name comes up, the prison door remains shut. But while you think you are holding them captive, you are the one living in bondage.

God never asked you to carry vengeance. He said, "Vengeance is Mine." (Romans 12:19)

When you refuse to release someone, you are trying to do a job God reserved for Himself. That is why forgiveness is not saying what they did was acceptable. Forgiveness is handing the case back to God.

It is saying, "Lord, You are the Judge. I will no longer carry this burden."

When Satan loses his grip over the heart, his grip over many other areas begins to break as well.

So what do you do when the person comes to mind? Bless them. Don't replay the offence. Don't hold another imaginary trial in your mind. Simply say, "Lord, bless them." Then leave the matter there.

Do it again tomorrow. Do it the next day. Keep doing it until your heart feels free of the pain from the event.

You are not setting them free because they deserve it. You are setting them free so that you can be free.

Stop carrying what belongs to God. Release the prisoner. Let God handle the judgment.

Shalom!

THE STRONGHOLD OF REVENGE

Not every stronghold of fantasy is sexual. Some people are trapped by revenge fantasies.

They constantly imagine themselves humiliating those who hurt them. They replay arguments in their minds. They picture themselves finally getting even. They imagine people suffering for what they did.

Then they justify it by saying, "I'm not actually doing anything." No. You are doing something.

You are feeding hatred. You call it justice, but it is revenge dressed in legal clothing.

You convince yourself they deserve it. You rehearse conversations that never happened. You replay painful memories. You build entire imaginary worlds where you finally win. All of that strengthens the stronghold.

Many people have spent years imprisoning someone in their hearts.

Every time that person's name comes up, the prison door remains shut. But while you think you are holding them captive, you are the one living in bondage.

God never asked you to carry vengeance. He said, "Vengeance is Mine." (Romans 12:19)

When you refuse to release someone, you are trying to do a job God reserved for Himself. That is why forgiveness is not saying what they did was acceptable. Forgiveness is handing the case back to God.

It is saying, "Lord, You are the Judge. I will no longer carry this burden."

When Satan loses his grip over the heart, his grip over many other areas begins to break as well.

So what do you do when the person comes to mind? Bless them. Don't replay the offence. Don't hold another imaginary trial in your mind. Simply say, "Lord, bless them." Then leave the matter there.

Do it again tomorrow. Do it the next day. Keep doing it until your heart feels free of the pain from the event.

You are not setting them free because they deserve it. You are setting them free so that you can be free.

Stop carrying what belongs to God. Release the prisoner. Let God handle the judgment.

Shalom!

DON'T STAND ON THE THRESHOLD OF TEMPTATION

Many believers think temptation becomes dangerous only after they commit the sin. That is not how Scripture presents it.

There is a threshold. There is a middle place where you are simply considering whether you will obey God or not. That is where many people lose the battle.

It is like the bird flying over your head. The bird has not built a nest yet, but you allowed it to keep flying around because you refused to deal with it immediately.

That is why the Bible says not to give room to the devil (Ephesians 4:27). Don't give him a foothold. Don't let him stand on your veranda. The attitude should be, "Why are you standing here?" Deal with it immediately.

Many Christians remain in that middle place. They entertain thoughts they should have rejected the moment they appeared. They consider things that should never have been considered.

Then comes the next stage. You begin to agree with the thought. You enjoy it. You rehearse it. You keep turning it over in your mind. You defend it. You begin to justify it.

"There is nothing really wrong with it." "Even other Christians struggle with this." "Even pastors have weaknesses." You start building arguments for something God already condemned.

Finally, you begin planning how to act on it. That is why sin rarely happens suddenly. It has already been welcomed long before anyone sees the outward action.

David did not suddenly commit adultery.

First, he saw. Instead of turning away, he lingered. He kept looking. He imagined. The thought was welcomed and furnished. Then he inquired. He asked, "Whose wife is that?" That inquiry should never have happened.

Fantasy had already begun looking for support.

Many people excuse themselves by saying, "I'm just curious." No. There are questions you should never ask.

There are numbers you should never request. There are conversations you should never begin. There are places you should never investigate.

Every time someone has confessed how they fell into sin, there was an inquiry that should never have happened.

If you know something is a temptation for you, avoid it completely. Don't negotiate. Don't stand at the threshold. Reject it while it is still outside the door.

That is how many battles are won, before they ever become battles.

Do have a wonderful evening!

DON'T STAND ON THE THRESHOLD OF TEMPTATION

Many believers think temptation becomes dangerous only after they commit the sin. That is not how Scripture presents it.

There is a threshold. There is a middle place where you are simply considering whether you will obey God or not. That is where many people lose the battle.

It is like the bird flying over your head. The bird has not built a nest yet, but you allowed it to keep flying around because you refused to deal with it immediately.

That is why the Bible says not to give room to the devil (Ephesians 4:27). Don't give him a foothold. Don't let him stand on your veranda. The attitude should be, "Why are you standing here?" Deal with it immediately.

Many Christians remain in that middle place. They entertain thoughts they should have rejected the moment they appeared. They consider things that should never have been considered.

Then comes the next stage. You begin to agree with the thought. You enjoy it. You rehearse it. You keep turning it over in your mind. You defend it. You begin to justify it.

"There is nothing really wrong with it." "Even other Christians struggle with this." "Even pastors have weaknesses." You start building arguments for something God already condemned.

Finally, you begin planning how to act on it. That is why sin rarely happens suddenly. It has already been welcomed long before anyone sees the outward action.

David did not suddenly commit adultery.

First, he saw. Instead of turning away, he lingered. He kept looking. He imagined. The thought was welcomed and furnished. Then he inquired. He asked, "Whose wife is that?" That inquiry should never have happened.

Fantasy had already begun looking for support.

Many people excuse themselves by saying, "I'm just curious." No. There are questions you should never ask.

There are numbers you should never request. There are conversations you should never begin. There are places you should never investigate.

Every time someone has confessed how they fell into sin, there was an inquiry that should never have happened.

If you know something is a temptation for you, avoid it completely. Don't negotiate. Don't stand at the threshold. Reject it while it is still outside the door.

That is how many battles are won, before they ever become battles.

Do have a wonderful evening!

YOUR STRENGTH DETERMINES YOUR VICTORY

One verse in Judges explains why some enemies remained.

"When Israel became strong, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labour." (Judges 1:28)

Notice what changed. Not the enemy, Israel became stronger.

Strength changes battles.

Many people want immediate victory, but they neglect the process that produces victory.

God often strengthens you before He removes your enemies. This is why Scripture repeatedly connects strength with knowledge and wisdom.

"A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increases strength." (Proverbs 24:5)

You do not become spiritually strong by wishing. You become strong through truth, through Scripture, through understanding, through prayer, through obedience.

The stronger you become, the less control the enemy has over your life.

Weak believers struggle with battles that stronger believers have already overcome. That is why God spends so much time teaching before sending people into warfare.

Knowledge builds strength. Strength produces victory.

Some people want demons cast out while refusing to become stronger. Others want instant freedom while neglecting the Word that produces lasting transformation.

Stop asking only for easier battles. Ask God to make you stronger. Because when strength increases, victory becomes possible.

Thank you for your prayers for me yesterday. Only God can reward you more than you deserve.

God bless you!

*YOUR STRENGTH DETERMINES YOUR VICTORY*

One verse in Judges explains why some enemies remained.

"When Israel became strong, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labour." (Judges 1:28)

Notice what changed. Not the enemy, Israel became stronger.

Strength changes battles.

Many people want immediate victory, but they neglect the process that produces victory.

God often strengthens you before He removes your enemies. This is why Scripture repeatedly connects strength with knowledge and wisdom.

"A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increases strength." (Proverbs 24:5)

You do not become spiritually strong by wishing. You become strong through truth, through Scripture, through understanding, through prayer, through obedience.

The stronger you become, the less control the enemy has over your life.

Weak believers struggle with battles that stronger believers have already overcome. That is why God spends so much time teaching before sending people into warfare.

Knowledge builds strength. Strength produces victory.

Some people want demons cast out while refusing to become stronger. Others want instant freedom while neglecting the Word that produces lasting transformation.

Stop asking only for easier battles. Ask God to make you stronger. Because when strength increases, victory becomes possible.

Thank you for your prayers for me yesterday. Only God can reward you more than you deserve.

God bless you!

MEVER BECOME TOO OLD FOR WAR

Many believers think there comes a point where they can stop fighting. They have been in church for years, they know the Scriptures, they have experience, and they assume the battles are behind them. That is not the picture the Bible gives us.

Look at Caleb. At eighty-five years old, he was not asking for an easy inheritance. He was asking for the mountain occupied by giants (Joshua 14:10–12). While others would have looked for somewhere peaceful to settle, Caleb asked for the hardest territory.

His age had not changed his attitude. He said the same strength he had forty years earlier was still with him. He had not spent his life pursuing comfort. He had spent his life preparing to drive out God's enemies. That is the mindset believers are meant to have.

The problem with many Christians is not that they have grown old. It is that they have grown comfortable.

Some people have been born again for ten or fifteen years and already speak as though they have arrived. They assume maturity means the fighting is over.

The question is not, "How long have I been saved?" The question is, "Is there still an enemy occupying territory that belongs to God?"

As long as there is something resisting God's will in your life or around you, there is still work to do.

That enemy may be sin. It may be fear. It may be pride. It may be a mindset that has survived for years. Whatever it is, your assignment has not changed.

Caleb refused to let age become an excuse. Abraham fought kings in old age. David spent his life fighting the Lord's battles. These men did not retire from spiritual warfare because they had lived long.

God is still looking for people who refuse to stop fighting until every enemy has been driven out.

Ask God to show you the enemies still occupying space in your life. Then fight. Not with excuses. Not with resignation but with the determination of Caleb.

It's my birthday today, pray with me so I will always be relevant and available in the battlefield.

Shalom!