❤️LIBERATION FROM OCCULT OPPRESSION AND SUBJECTION. Part 1 of 2. Two significant questions stand as a hindrance in the minds of those who are unaware of the reality and extent of satanic influence and enslavement among Christians. Satan has used erroneous teachings and beliefs, based neither upon Scripture nor experience, to delude many concerning the following questions: 1. Can a Christian be oppressed by Satan, or possess evil spirits? 2. Can one who has never actively participated in any form of occultism be occultly subjected or oppressed? The answer to both questions is "yes," and this can be supported both from Scripture and experience. Question 1: Can a Christian be oppressed by Satan, or possess evil spirits? Believers can be oppressed, vexed, depressed, hindered, bound, and afflicted by Satan, or even suffer infestation by demonic spirits. Absolute demon possession is when the life and will of a person are completely under the dominion and control of Satan. This is different from the invasion of the mind or body by malevolent spirits, such as spirits of infirmity, fear, resentment, doubt, and depression. We refer to the latter condition when we speak of a Christian suffering "infestation" by evil spirits; demon possession, per se, is what we see in the account of the Gadarene demoniac in Mark 5. In any case, when malevolent spirits invade the mind or body of a Christian, they must be "cast out" before deliverance from the problems which they cause can be realized. For this reason, we say that such individuals are oppressed by Satan or infested with evil spirits to which they have yielded for one reason or another. One may sit in an "ivory tower" and debate the theological possibility of this fact at length, but just one or two encounters with the reality of the powers of darkness in the lives of Christians today can do much to correct one's theology on this matter. A certain pastor knows by experience that believers can be oppressed and suffer invasion of the mind and body by malicious spirits. Of those a certain pastor has dealt with and seen God deliver from all forms of demonic oppression and enslavement resulting from occult involvement, the vast majority were Christians! In fact, many of these were believers who had received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. By occult participation, one can open the door to oppression or invasion by the powers of darkness either before or after becoming a Christian. The fact that believers can be oppressed or suffer infestation by demonic spirits is seen in many examples from the Scriptures. . The oppressing misfortunes and physical affliction of Job are said to be the work of Satan (Job 1-2). . Even in the House of God there can be those possessed with unclean spirits as Mark 1:23-26 clearly teaches: "And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit," whom Jesus set free. There is no reason to doubt that he was a believer who had gone there to worship. . The woman bowed together by Satan and delivered of a "spirit of infirmity" by Jesus was also in the synagogue. She was a believer ("a daughter of Abraham") and was said to have been bound by Satan with a spirit of infirmity, which was cast out of her (Luke 13:11-16). . It is implied in II Timothy 2:23-26 that believers need to recover themselves from "the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." . A believer in the church at Corinth was doubtless possessed with a spirit of lust, and later suffered oppression at the hands of Satan, for the Apostle admonished the church to deliver this member "unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus" (I Corinthians 5:1-5). . Jesus "rebuked" the fever in Peter's mother-in-law and she was healed (Luke 4:38-39). Quite obviously, one does not rebuke a mere rise in temperature, but He addressed Himself to a personality, a spirit causing the fever. . Jesus uses this same term to rebuke Satan in Mark 8:33, and demons in Mark 9:25. Since the Scriptures teach that all sickness is the "oppression" of Satan (Acts 10:38), then any Christian who becomes sick or diseased is suffering satanic oppression. If the oppressed are to be set free, we must rid ourselves of the naive and unscriptural notion that believers cannot be oppressed by Satan, or possess evil spirits in some instances. We must give up the opinion that being a Christian automatically safeguards one against any such invasion. Satan has deluded Christians into believing that, since Jesus defeated him at the Cross, we can just ignore him today; or even if one were oppressed or possessed with spirits before conversion, he is somehow mysteriously set free when saved. If this were true, then why do not blind, deaf, dumb, or epileptic spirits leave upon the conversion of the afflicted person? Why do not cancers and other diseases leave those oppressed by Satan with these ailments when they are converted to Christ? How is it possible for Christians still to be subject to fear, depression, insanity, disease, and pain if believers cannot be oppressed by the powers of darkness? How, then, do we account for Peter speaking at one moment by divine revelation and the next being moved by Satan to speak words which Jesus soundly rebuked, addressing His rebuke to Satan himself (Matthew 16:13-23)? Simon the sorcerer is said to have believed and been baptized, and there is certainly no reason to exclude him from the number of Samaritans who also received the baptism in the Holy Spirit; yet he had not completely been delivered from his occult bondage and was commanded to repent and pray (Acts 8.). If Satan cannot invade the life of a believer, how then was he able to "fill" the hearts of Ananias and Sapphira, two disciples in the early church (Acts 5:1-11)? One of the strongest arguments against the unscriptural position that Satan presents no serious threat to the believer is given by the apostle Paul in II Corinthians 12, where he states that he himself suffered oppression at the hands of "the messenger of Satan" who was allowed to buffet him. There are two dangerous and unscriptural attitudes toward Satan and his demonic forces. One is to deny, as liberal theologians do, the reality and existence of a personal adversary, the Devil. But the other is equally absurd. Most contemporary Christians treat the subject with an attitude of indifference. They are naive concerning Satan's extensive power and work, and are deluded into thinking that he presents no real threat to the believer beyond tempting one to sin now and then. There is absolutely no Scriptural basis for such an attitude. On the contrary, Scripture repeatedly warns believers to "be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith" (I Peter 5:8-9), and "neither give place to the devil" (Ephesians 4:27). The New Testament describes the Christian life as a spiritual warfare, admonishing the believer to "resist the devil" (James 4:7), and to "put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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" (Ephesians 6:11-12). Scripture abounds with references to a spiritual conflict, which the believer is to take seriously, against an evil, cunning, and powerful adversary who rules over a vast, highly organized kingdom, consisting of principalities, powers, and world rulers of the darkness of this age. He is designated as "the prince of the power of the air," "the ruler of this world," and "the god of this age." When he offered the kingdoms of this world to Jesus in return for worship, the Lord did not challenge his right to offer them, for the precise reason that they belong to him. His chief strategy, therefore, is to convince believers that he does not have to be taken seriously. As a result, he has achieved tremendous victories over men in many instances. To see the folly in the unscriptural notion that Satan presents no serious threat to the believer, one needs only to recall some of the instances given in Scripture of his victories in the lives of the unwary and careless. Note, for example, the fall of Adam and Eve from their state of sinlessness, together with all their posterity; the yielding of King Saul to an evil spirit and his tragic end; the sin of David and its consequences; the apostasy of Judas, one of the twelve apostles; the denial of Christ by Peter, who was also an apostle; the influence of Satan in the lives of Ananias and Sapphira, two of the first disciples in the early church; the incestuous sin of a member of the Corinthian church; the desertion of the apostle Paul by his fellow-worker, Demas, who returned to the world and gave up Christianity; the blasphemy of Hymenaeus and Alexander, which resulted in their excommunication; as well as the sins and low moral and spiritual state of several of the first-century Christian churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation, which necessitated the sharp rebuke by Christ. To these may be added the prophetic warnings of Scripture concerning the great end-time apostasy and falling away as a result of satanic and demonic influence and work, e.g ., II Thessalonians 2:1-12; I Timothy 4:1-3; II Timothy 3:1-9; Matthew 24:24; Revelation 13; Acts 20:28-31. Thus, the Scriptures plainly forewarn believers that some will be influenced by Satan, drawn away by his deceptions, for "the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (I Timothy 4:1). Note carefully that it says here that some shall "depart from the faith." Quite clearly, an individual must first profess faith before he can "depart" from the faith, as unbelievers were never in the faith. Of the disciples Hymenaeus and Alexander it is said that they "thrust away" the faith from them. Moreover, the Scriptures show that Satan can discourage believers through trials, tempting them to turn away from Christ (Hebrews 3; 6; 10); hinder believers (I Thessalonians 2:18), or even an angel (Daniel 10:12-13); deceive believers (I Timothy 1:18-20; 2:14); speak through believers (Matthew 16:21-23); influence believers (James 3:14-15; Acts 5:1-11); destroy their possessions (Job 1); afflict them with disease (Job 2), destroy their flesh (I Corinthians 5), or bind them with a spirit of infirmity (Luke 13:11-13); oppress them (II Corinthians 12:7); and sift them as wheat (Luke 22:31-32). Satanic oppression is to be found in the lives of many saints. The apostle Paul was oppressed by "the angel or messenger of Satan." Satan and demons were very real to Anthony of Egypt, who had many face-to face conflicts with them. Tertullian speaks of the opposition of demons to Christians whom they seek to terrify and injure. Luther tells of repeated attempts by Satan to interfere with him and his ministry by direct attacks in the form of ghostly noises, poltergeist phenomena, and other weird occurrences. On one occasion, Satan even manifested himself to him. The Wesley family also endured poltergeist attacks which disturbed the peace of the rectory at night with loud knocks, raps on the walls and beds, phantom footsteps, objects flying about mysteriously, and apparitions. St. Teresa suffered much vexation and oppression at the hands of Satan. She sometimes experienced direct spiritual, mental, and physical attacks, as did the Cure d'Ars, Jean-Marie Vianney, A.B. Simpson, and many others. Of course, in setting forth the Scriptural basis for the reality of satanic oppression and demonic attacks upon the believer, we have not forgotten that the believer has victory in Christ over Satan. He is seated in a place of authority with Christ in the heavenlies, far above all principalities and powers (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 2:12-15). But we are recognizing what the contemporary church often overlooks: that the first rule in effective warfare is to know your enemy, his methods, strength, and tactics. Because of the compelling evidence, some will admit that a Christian can be oppressed, depressed, attacked, and vexed by evil spirits; they just cannot accept the fact that a Christian can be infested with such spirits. But if a Christian is suffering from a cancer or mental illness, what is the difference whether we say he is being "oppressed" by Satan, or that an evil spirit has actually "invaded" his body or mind? The source and result are the same. In either event, we have to deal with Satan if liberation is to come. The only difference is in how we deal with the situation: in cases of possession, exorcism of these malevolent spirits is required; in cases of oppression, prayer alone is usually sufficient. Many reliable witnesses agree that Christians can be infested with demons, as well as oppressed by them. When questioned about the possibility of a Christian being possessed by demonic spirits, Dr. V. R. Edman, former president of Wheaton College, replied that theory would say, "no," but the facts say, "yes." Theoretically a demon cannot possess a body in which the Holy Spirit resides; but Dr. Edman said that he knew of true Christians who were truly demon possessed and who were delivered by prayer in Jesus' Name. In a certain pastor’s personal experience, the majority of those for whom he has prayed for deliverance from occult oppression or subjection were Christians, including ministers and the wives of ministers. Gordon Lindsay writes: "It is a matter of grave concern to observe the number of ways that demons are attacking, harassing, and actually dominating people who are professing Christians." Dr. Russell Meade points out in his book on demonism today, based on his experience in the deliverance of Christians, that there is no Biblical evidence for thinking that the Holy Spirit and a demon cannot inhabit the same body. H.A. Maxwell Whyte wrote, " ... we have seen hundreds of people manifestly delivered from all kinds of evil spirits ... our young people have needed this strong prayer of deliverance .... Many today are being set free from unclean spirits ... young people for whom we have prayed are members of Christian churches." He continues, "Most Christians are far more bound by Satan and his legions than they realize, or will readily admit. The whole subject is shrouded in mystery and fear. Pride will not permit us to admit a need, and to permit another to pray for us." A.J. MacMillan wrote, "The objection is frequently made that a true child of God cannot be brought thus under the power of the enemy. Experience disproves this, for even spiritual believers and earnest and successful workers have suffered .... " Dr. Kurt E. Koch, in his book on occultism, cites numerous instances in his ministry of Christians needing liberation from occult subjection and oppression. A well known American evangelist told of a missionary who became possessed by tormenting, malevolent spirits, and suffered terribly until he received deliverance. He then said that similar experiences may be more common among Christians than we suppose. Some who have had occult involvement before their conversion to Christ, although none since, have asked, "How is it possible for a Christian to continue suffering oppression or subjection because of this preconversion participation?" The answer is simple: the "door" which they opened to the powers of darkness by their occult participation remains open to these oppressing spirits until the individuals, by a definite act of faith and personal exercise of the will, close the door against the satanic invasion. If I had opened the door of my home to a murderer, thief, and reprobate, and invited him in before my conversion, the criminal would not automatically vacate the premises merely because I later changed my interests. I would have to deliberately eject him from the house, and close and lock the door against further intrusion. All occult participation, regardless of the kind or degree of involvement, is an open invitation for the powers of darkness to invade the premises. Satan does not withdraw his influences and work until commanded to do so, for he claims certain "trespass rights" in the life of such individuals. We are not merely theorizing as to the theological "possibility" of invasions by the powers of darkness in the lives of believers. The fact of such oppression and subjection is based upon the teachings of Scripture and upon experience. There is abundant evidence, for those who care to investigate the matter, to prove that a person's turning his back upon occult participation after becoming a Christian does not mean that the powers of darkness have turned their back upon him! Question 2: Can a Christian who has never actively participated in any form of occultism be occultly subjected or oppressed? A certain pastor has found many cases where a person who never actively participated in any form of occult practice still suffered oppression or subjection. This is referred to as "passive" oppression or subjection by these powers. Disease can be inherited by the innocent from their ancestors; moral degeneracy and undesirable traits such as uncontrollable anger, dissipation, or intemperance are found in children whose parents bear the same traits; so too, children whose parents and/or blood relations have had occult contacts often suffer various forms of occult bondage and oppression. Christians who were subjected to occult influences in childhood often find that they need liberation from the powers of darkness which have gained access and are oppressing them in mind, in body, or in some other manner. We are not trying to convince the skeptics of the reality of passive oppression. Our purpose is to help those who know of no active participation in occult practices on their own part, yet are suffering some form of oppression for reasons unknown to themselves. A certain pastor has dealt with individuals who were suffering from "passive" oppression or subjection of every description: chronic fear or doubt, uncontrollable lust, persistent illness, emotional instability, or depression. Some tell of suffering incubi assaults; of hearing spirit voices; of seeing demonic apparitions; of possessing clairvoyant and psychic powers; and so on, all of which result, not from their active occult participation, but either from the occult involvements of their relatives, or from having been innocently subjected to occult influences as children. Passive subjection and oppression have resulted from a child being taken to an occult "healer" to have warts removed, burns healed, or diseases cured by magic charming or other occult means. Children have also been subjected by being taken to the meetings of Spiritualists and other religious cults (Theosophy, Rosicrucian, Christian Science, Unity, etc.). Passive oppression or subjection has also been found in those whose parents or grandparents have been involved in seances, fortunetelling, or other forms of spiritism and occultism. The Scriptures show the innocent suffering oppression by Satan and sometimes possession by evil spirits. For example, in the case of the boy who was possessed with an unclean, deaf and dumb spirit, his father said the spirit entered the boy as a child (Mark 9:17-29). The disciples' question in John 9:2: "Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" indicates the possibility of a prenatal cause for oppression by Satan. The apostle Paul shows in Romans 5:12-14 that all mankind is affected by the curse which fell upon Adam as a result of his transgression. Finally, it should be pointed out that there is no such thing as "minor" or "harmless" involvement where the powers of darkness are concerned. Some of the most severely oppressed victims merely had warts removed by magic charming; played with the ouija board "in fun"; attended a religious cult or Spiritualist meeting "out of curiosity"; had their fortune read (though they contend that they "never really believed such things were genuine"); or followed the horoscope column in the newspaper each day (though they "did not allow it to affect" their lives and decisions). When one enters Satan's domain for whatever reason, he opens himself to demonic oppression or subjection, and invokes upon himself the curse of God, whose Word clearly declares that those who participate in any form of occultism are an abomination unto Him! In view of all of this, the reality of Christians being oppressed and the innocent sometimes suffering passive oppression should be apparent. This reality must be recognized and acknowledged before liberation from these powers of darkness can be considered. A certain pastor has found from experience that, until the individual under oppression sees and admits the connection between his occult involvement and such oppression, he cannot exercise sufficient faith to resist and overcome it. But where such acknowledgment is present, liberation in the Name of Jesus Christ is certain. Edited. Shared. To be Continued. ❤️ God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.

The fathomless mystery of the Cross! (Alexander Smellie, "On the Secret Place" 1907) "From the sixth hour until the ninth hour, darkness came over all the land!" Matthew 27:45 With bowed head and an adoring heart, I draw near to the crucifixion-darkness of Christ's suffering and my salvation. I think of the fathomless mystery of the Cross! On Calvary, I am within the clouds of God's eternal purpose. The beginning of His grace in Jesus Christ, is beyond my reach. He loved me from eternity — before the foundations of the earth were laid! How can I comprehend it, this everlastingness of redemption? Yet it should be my joy to ponder it. If He has cared for me from eternity past — I may be assured of His sustaining me through an incalculable future. But on Calvary, too, I am within the clouds of God's immeasurable sorrow. There are secrets of unfathomable anguish here, with which I dare not meddle. This is a midnight blackness before which the angels must veil their faces with their wings. "God — forsaken by God!" Luther exclaimed, "who can understand it?" I tread softly — the place is holy ground. Yes — but happy ground, since He has redeemed me. My Savior was made a curse for me — that I might be a child forever within His heavenly home! On Calvary, moreover, I am within the clouds of God's ineffable wisdom. The Cross of Jesus has been the central theme in the study of the profoundest Christian thinkers — and none of them has exhausted the theme. It is God's most wondrous work — God's last word. I can never explain it fully. But I perceive that it glorifies both the inflexible holiness of my Judge — and the unfathomable love of my Father! This I am sure of, that it gives me an unveiling of His many-sided attributes and perfections, such as I cannot gain anywhere else. Shrouded in the darkness — Christ gained new beauty, new worth, new dominion. It was in crucifixion-darkness, that His glory shone most brightly forth. Now He was invested with the Calvary-attraction which draws me to Him. May the thick crucifixion-darkness be an ever-opening secret between Him and me. Out of the shadows, may the beams of divine hope and love pour into my soul. Jesus sacrificed for my sins — may He be all my salvation and all my desire!

Mᴏᴜɴᴛ Sɪɴᴀɪ Day 6 – Fourth ascent, intercession “𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘥 𝘥𝘢𝘺, 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯; 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥, 𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯. 𝘕𝘰𝘸 𝘔𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘪 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘮𝘰𝘬𝘦, 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦. 𝘐𝘵𝘴 𝘴𝘮𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘧𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘭𝘺. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘳, 𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘬𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘣𝘺 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘔𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘪, 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘶𝘱.” 𝘌𝘹𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘴 19:16-20 𝘕𝘒𝘑𝘝 Can you imagine standing in that crowd with the Israelites, looking up at this terrifying scene? Here was a nation that had known only the cracking whips of Egypt. They had never travelled beyond those borders until now, and they likely had never seen a mountain at all, let alone one engulfed in thunder, lightning, smoke, and fire. Understandably, they trembled in absolute fear. It is during this fourth ascent that Moses actually protests. He reminds God, “𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘔𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘪. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘴... ‘𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘺.’” Moses was concerned about the safety of the people, but he missed a vital point: 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻'𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀; 𝗛𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. Throughout the Bible, the theme of testing is often illustrated with fire. Moses didn't protest because he was tired of climbing the mountain 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯. He climbed despite the smoke, the thunder, the fire, and the earthquake. The nation had asked him to 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘥𝘦 on their behalf, promising they would listen to him as their mediator (verses 18–19). Lovely one, there are days when our personal mountains look exactly like Sinai, shrouded in smoke and shaking with uncertainty. Often, these mountains involve the people around us, and this fourth ascent teaches us the power of intercession. It calls us to step up and pray for others, regardless of how we feel about the mountain we are currently climbing. Pray with me: Father, give me strength and a bold spirit to obey Your voice regardless of what the mountain in front of me looks like. Situations come with their own fire and earthquakes, but thank You, Lord, for being on top of it all. Let Your Word purify me. Teach me during these climbs to intercede for others, too. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Pastor Iriza www.womenoftheword.co.za

As to the word Mystery , the papal church has always shrouded herself in mystery—the mystery of baptismal regeneration; the mystery of miracle and magic whereby the simple memorials of the Lord’s Supper are changed by mysterious transubstantiation from simple bread and wine into the literal body and blood of Christ; the mystery of holy water; the mystery of lights on the altar; and the mystery plays and other superstitious rites and ceremonies mumbled in a language that tends to mystery and tends to confusion, which is the meaning of the word Babylon .

In this compelling work, I delve into an unprecedented inquiry, treating the ancient tale as a criminal case—examining the motives, means, and elusive truth behind the guilt of Adam, Eve, and the Serpent. Their culpability is not in question; what remains shrouded in mystery is the specific act that transgressed the divine commands, birthing mankind’s first sin.

An ocean of consolation! (James Smith, "Gleams of Grace" 1860) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio "For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ!" 2 Corinthians 1:5 There is great consolation in Christ's unvarying love. The love of Jesus is always the same. It never ebbs, but flows on in one continuous stream. His love is . . . as ancient as eternity, as strong as omnipotence, and as unchangeable as His nature. Creature love may fail; and creatures who love us today, may hate us tomorrow—but as Jesus ever lives, so Jesus ever loves. In His . . . covenant engagements, perfect sin-atoning work, tender sympathy, constant care, prevalent intercession, precious Word, and unvarying love —there is an ocean of consolation! Jesus is . . . our Substitute, restoring that which sin took away; our Surety, paying all the debts we would contract; our Shepherd, taking charge of our persons . . . to nourish them, to preserve them, and to set them before His Father's face forever! His obedience, is our righteousness. His blood, is our ransom price. His death, is our life. There is consolation in Christ's tender and constant care, which extends . . . to all our circumstances, to all that concerns us, even to the very hairs of our heads! He cares for . . . our needs, to supply them; our holy desires, to grant them; our eternal salvation, to secure it. There is always consolation in Christ. Whatever may be our outward circumstances, and they may be very trying . . . in poverty and pain, under losses and crosses, however tempted or tried —there is still consolation in Christ! Creatures may prove crosses, ordinances may be like wells without water, providence may frown, the meal barrel may be empty, and the brook may dry up —but there is still consolation in Christ. Though . . . harassed with doubts, tormented with fears, tortured with temptations, shrouded in darkness, and drinking the wine of astonishment —there is still consolation in Christ. All within may be discouraging, disheartening, and depressing: our evidences may be lost, our fears may be great, our convictions may be painful, and our terrors may be dreadful —but there is still consolation in Christ. Our immediate prospects may be dark . . . all going out, and nothing coming in; all losses, and no gains; disease may be working in our body; old age may be creeping upon us; our business may be failing; claims upon us may be increasing; our families may be increasingly trying —but there is still consolation in Christ! Yes, though the crops fail, though provisions give out, though resources are cut off, and poverty stares us in the face, let things be as bad as they may, and threaten to be ever so much worse—there is still consolation in Christ! Yes, when all without us is dark, and all within us dreary; when friends are removed, and enemies increase; when with Jacob we are ready to look around and before us, and say, "All these things are against me!" There is still consolation in Christ! As there is always consolation in Christ, we should learn . . . to know and love Christ, to know and love Him well, to know and love Him experimentally, to know and love Him in His person, offices, and work, to know and love Him in His relations, characters, and love, to know and love Him as our unchanging source of supply, comfort, and peace! We should trust Christ at all times and in all circumstances. However our experiences may vary—He is ever the same! His Word is like the great mountains! His heart is an ocean of love! His faithfulness reaches to the very Heavens! He is our strength, and we must look to Him to strengthen us. He is our wisdom, and we must look to Him to counsel us. He is our righteousness, and we must look to Him to justify us. He is all in all to us, and therefore we must . . . look to Him for all, go to Him with all, and expect Him to bring us through all.

A case not about their guilt or innocence, but whether the evidence points to the actual crime they committed. Could the sin of Adam and Eve be the beginning of a chain of events linking the golden calf, Passover, the dispersions, death, murder, debt, wars, abortion, even the last days of Jesus in a common Biblical pattern? In this compelling work, I delve into an unprecedented inquiry, treating the ancient tale as a criminal case—examining the motives, means, and elusive truth behind the guilt of Adam, Eve, and the Serpent. Their culpability is not in question; what remains shrouded in mystery is the specific act that transgressed the divine commands, birthing mankind’s first sin. The repercussions of their actions reverberate throughout history, shaping humanity and all of creation; but what could two individuals with nothing, not even garments, have committed that would cascade into an epoch-defining transgression impacting the entirety of existence?

Good evening, brethren. 1. Evening devotion for today. i. DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) SUNDAY, 19TH APRIL, 2026. SUB-THEME: THE CROSS: CULMINATION OF GRACE. TOPIC: GRACE PERFECTED AT THE CROSS. TEXT: JOHN 19:28-30. 28 After this, when Jesus realized that everything was now completed, He said (in order to fulfill the Scripture), “I’m thirsty.” Psa 69:21 29 A jar of sour wine was standing there, so they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to His mouth. Mat 27:48 [Mar 15:36] 30 After Jesus had taken the wine, He said, “It is finished.” Then He bowed His head and released His spirit. Joh 17:4 [Luk 23:46]. TOPIC: GRACE PERFECTED AT THE CROSS. THE MESSAGE: "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (Jn. 1:29), is fulfilled in this text. The statement, "It is finished," is not a cry of defeat but a proclamation of victory and the completion of the divine plan of redemption. The grace operating in the Old Testament through sacrifices, covenants, and prophetic promises culminated at Calvary. The Cross was not an accident; it was the appointed moment when God's justice and mercy kissed. Grace culminated in God's justice and mercy, where sin was judged, and sinners were justified. At the Cross, grace stopped being a concept and became an experience. Beloved, the unearned favour of God found its expression in Christ's willing sacrifice. Like the thief on the Cross, embrace the fullness of God's grace today. REFLECTION: Grace is ultimately expressed at the Cross. PRAYER: Lord, help me to live in the power of Your finished work. Amen. MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH: COLOSSIANS 2:15. "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 CHRONICLES 21-25. ii. Skip to content Dalily Devotional by Elizabeth Haworth Posted onApril 19, 2026 by Editor Earthly Truth Christian Applications Store:: Christian devotional App Store; Explore Recommended Christian Books and Devotionals Many Religions All religions have tried to find God. All faiths have tried to reach God. All philosophies have tried to define God. All philologies have tried to express God. All searches prove fruitless.. except the discovery of the true Anointed. All Babel towers are laid waist.. save His strong arm, mighty to save. All definitions are worthless.. save the One Way, One Truth, One Life All expressions are inane.. save the One expressed through the Lord Jesus. One Truth The Bible is the only truth that stands as an eternal monument. The Scriptures alone are shrouded in ineffable glory. Every religion, faith, philosophy and philology are counterfeit toys.. cast in humanity’s path to avert the eye of mans’ understanding from truth. Every attempted definition negates God.. save those of sublime inspiration. Many Vain Ideas Take possession of your own vain ideas or distorted images of God and you will not glimpse the living One. Rest your hope on false ideas and relativism’s hypotheses of Him.. and the severed head your Dagon** will smash to the ground. One Lone Voice When the fluency and eloquence of poetic utterances about God is hushed.. when the extravagant tints of religious art have been stopped… when the last harmonic strains of musical praise drifts into silence – there is one lone voice that remains: I am the way and the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father except by Me. John 14:16 Chastened Heart Only when silenced by the plethora of such considerations about God can we begin to contemplate the enormity of Who He is. Only with a chastened heart that is disciplined and stilled before His throne can we whisper with Job in the fullness of our time. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee – wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. Job 42: 5,6 Post navigation Previous Post Previous Heavenly Guidance Proudly powered by WordPress. 2. Evening devotion for today. i. Evening Prayer The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. ⏤ Numbers 6:24-26 A day without prayer is a day without blessing, and a life without prayer is a life without power. ⏤ Leonard Ravenhill We thank You, O God, for this blessed day. It began with grace, and grace has brightened all its sacred hours. We have seen Your face, and our hearts have been filled with joy. We have waited on You, and You have renewed our strength. We went to Your sanctuary, and You met us there and blessed us. We prayed to You, and You came near to us in love, breathing Your life into our souls. Sanctify to us all the lessons and influences of this day. Help us remember the words You’ve spoken to us. May we carry in our hearts new desires, higher aspirations, and stronger determination from today’s devotions. May we be stronger for duty, more courageous for the challenges ahead, gentler in spirit, with more tender sympathies and sweeter affections—because we’ve seen You today. Bless Your people everywhere with the rest and worship of this Sunday. May good come from every sermon preached, every lesson taught in Sunday school, and every holy word spoken in public or in private. May Your people be strengthened in their faith, their love increased, and their zeal deepened because of today’s ministry of Your word. We now ask for special grace to prepare us for the work of the week ahead. We can’t foresee even one day. We don’t know what the future holds—not even the near future. But You know, and we will go forward into the unknown without fear. Everything will be well because You will lead us, and we’re not afraid to trust You. Choose the path for us. We wouldn’t choose for ourselves, even if we could, because Your wisdom is far greater than ours. So we commit everything to You, and we will go on in Your name. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/14/evening #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

https://www.jamaer-productions.com/sin-paradox-1 A case not about their guilt or innocence, but whether the evidence points to the actual crime they committed. ​Could the sin of Adam and Eve be the beginning of a chain of events linking the golden calf, Passover, the dispersions, death, murder, debt, wars, abortion, even the last days of Jesus in a common Biblical pattern? The Sin Paradox offers a fresh perspective, challenging the traditional narrative while engaging readers in an intriguing examination of theological history. It presents a unique opportunity to dissect, analyze, and contemplate the origins of humankind’s moral fabric. ​ In this compelling work, I delve into an unprecedented inquiry, treating the ancient tale as a criminal case—examining the motives, means, and elusive truth behind the guilt of Adam, Eve, and the Serpent. Their culpability is not in question; what remains shrouded in mystery is the specific act that transgressed the divine commands, birthing mankind’s first sin. The repercussions of their actions reverberate throughout history, shaping humanity and all of creation; but what could two individuals with nothing, not even garments, have committed that would cascade into an epoch-defining transgression impacting the entirety of existence? The question now becomes, could our modern society be committing the same sin as Adam and Eve? Are we now about to come face to face with our own judgment?

Good evening, brethren. 1. Evening devotion for today. i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* MONDAY, 6TH APRIL, 2026. (EASTER MONDAY). *SUB-THEME:* THE CROSS: CULMINATION OF GRACE. *TOPIC:* THE CROSS WROUGHT FORGIVENESS. *TEXT:* COLOSSIANS 1:13-14. 13 God has rescued us from the power of darkness and has brought us into the Kingdom of the Son whom He loves, Mat 3:17 Mat 17:5 Eph 2:4 1Th 2:12 2Pe 1:17 [Mat 12:18] [Mar 1:11] [Mar 9:7] [Luk 3:22] [Luk 9:35] 14 through whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Act 20:28 Eph 1:7 Heb 9:14 1Pe 1:19 [Mar 10:45] [1Ti 2:6] [Heb 9:12] [Rev 5:9] *TOPIC:* THE CROSS WROUGHT FORGIVENESS. *THE MESSAGE:* Today's text reveals the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice demonstrated on the Cross for our forgiveness. The redemptive work relocates man, causing a change of allegiance and citizenship from this dark and sinful world to the glorious Kingdorm of God. Man is no longer spiritually dead because he has been forgiven and freed from the grip and domain of sin and its consequences. Have you been forgiven, or are you still wallowing in sin? Remember, Christ has paid the price by shedding His blood to set you free. All you need to do is to invite Jesus into your life and situation. The guilt and shame that sin brings will be taken away, and you will experience spiritual freedom, inner peace, and certainty of eternal life. *REFLECTION:* Are your sins forgiven? *PRAYER:* Lord, I come to You for forgiveness and cleansing. Amen. *MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:* COLOSSIANS 2:15. "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." *TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:* 1 KINGS 18-20. ii. Skip to content Dalily Devotional by Elizabeth Haworth Posted onApril 6, 2026 by Editor The Mysteries of God Christian Applications Store:: Christian devotional App Store; Explore Recommended Christian Books and Devotionals It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2 Mysterious Thought What a mysterious thought, that it is God’s glory to hide things from view, and we wonder how do those that are kings search out the hidden things? Today many ‘preachers‘ and ‘prophets‘ love to ‘reveal’ hidden things of God. They often come from ‘dreams‘ and ‘visions‘ and missions spring-up from their roots! Gnostic revelations and mystic thoughts – oh, and how men run after such ‘ministries’! Secret Things Secrets and mysteries belong to God, but many love to pretend they know His thoughts. Many love to share God’s ‘secret things’ with others, and many others love to receive them. However: the secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deut.29:29 True Revelation How do kings really search out His hidden mysteries? How are His concealed secrets revealed to those who desire to find them out? True revelation lies in one realm and one realm, alone – the word of God. True revelation lies in the Holy Spirit inspired, God-breathed scriptures. Final Revelation God may gracious illuminate the mind of man from His own Spirit-revealed revelation, but God’s revelation to man is an open secret in the scriptures of God: for God, spoke in many ways and means, in time past to the fathers, by the prophets, Hebrews 1:1 But God’s last and final revelation came through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He was the One appointed heir of all things through whom also He made the worlds. Spirit’s Illumination It is only by Spirit’s illumination of Scripture that revelation is unfolded. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God. John 17:7 God may indeed conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search it out – not through dreams, visions, and experiences of man – but via God’s Word: through searching the scriptures daily; through comparing scripture with scripture – through the illumination of the Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit teaches: comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1Corinthians 2:13 Spirit’ Guidance Life’s circumstances may indeed be a gateway to understanding, Experience also can teach us many things but they are not an end in itself. The Spirit of God takes life experience and combines it with His Word. The Spirit uses this to teach us the truths that He would have us learn. It is the Spirit of truth, Who will guide you into all truth. Humble Heart But God wants a heart that is entirely yielded to His leading and His guidance.. a heart that is totally, utterly and completely broken and humbled before Him.. a heart that is emptied of self, so that Christ can rule and be all in all. It is then that through life’s circumstances, some of God’s secret things can be revealed. Trials and Temptations God reveals patience and other graces through life’s trials and temptations. God develops faith in the man or woman that is thus broken before Him. James tells us to count it all joy when you fall into various trials. James 1:2 Questioning ‘How’ Nights of black temptations and trial give way to mornings of joyful illumination.. but how do we understand the value of trials if we don’t know the word of truth? And how do we learn that God is working in life to procure ultimate perfection in us? How can God use all things together for good if we do not feed on His manna? How do I learn to rejoice in my sufferings for you, if not from Scripture? Word of God Paul tells us, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials.” 1 Peter 1:6. God reveals that faith and spiritual fruit is perfected through sufferings… but He also reveals that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Revelation and Illumination God combines the revelation in His word and illumination through His Spirit – to bring to light many hidden truths He wants you to understand. The purposes of God’s mysteries are not to tantalise or to tease us, for like Moses, who was shown the glory of God, we can only be shown so much: thou canst not see my face, for shall no man see Me, and live. Exodus 33:20 A Glass Darkly Yet more and more mysterious revelation from God was unfolded within scripture, until God Himself in the form of Man, showed His face, shrouded in servant-hood. But the day is coming when we shall see Him as He is. The day is fast approaching when we will know as we are known – but until then we see through a glass darkly. Yet in the power of the Holy Spirit, we have the mind of Christ. Wisdom and Glory Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God – how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! Romans 11:33 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2 Post navigation Previous Post Previous The Choice of Faith Proudly powered by WordPress. 2. Evening Prayer for today. i. Evening Prayer Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. ⏤ Psalm 139:23-24 Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed. ⏤ George Whitefield As evening comes, we turn to You, God, to end the day as we began it—with You. We asked You to help us keep the promises we made on Sunday and to live out the spiritual insights we gained. We’re thankful for the help You’ve given us today. You’ve watched over us, guided us, and blessed us. We’re grateful for everything You’ve done for us today. But we also admit our shortcomings. We didn’t do everything we promised to do. We found ourselves too weak for some of today’s challenges, temptations, and burdens. We ask You to forgive us. We always need Your forgiveness because we always fall short. But tonight, we pray that You’ll help us grow stronger so that tomorrow we’ll do better and live closer to You. We want to grow in grace, overcome our faults, develop good habits, and become stronger against temptation. So our prayer is that You’ll cleanse us, make us more like You, and fill our hearts with more of Your Spirit so we can live better lives. If we’ve hurt anyone today with a careless word or action, please forgive us and help us make it right. If we failed to show kindness or didn’t help when we should have, please forgive us and teach us to be more caring in the future. We ask all of this in Jesus' name. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/01/evening #taptapstudio #youdevotion.