VERSE

 VERSE

When the devil shoots at you with his lies and accusations,

verse him with a Scripture verse!

 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness 

to be tempted by the devil. 

And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, 

afterward He was hungry. 

Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, 

"If You are the Son of God, 

command that these stones become bread." 

But He answered and said, "It is written, 

'Man shall not live by bread alone, 

but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' 

" Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, 

set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, 

"If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. 

For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' 

and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, 

Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' 

" Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 

'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.' 

" Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, 

and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 

And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You 

if You will fall down and worship me." 

Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! 

For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, 

and Him only you shall serve.' " 

Then the devil left Him, and behold, 

angels came and ministered to Him.
Matthew 4:1-11

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ESTHER - 9

ESTHER - 9

Overcoming Victory

Esther 9:1-3
Now in the twelfth month,

that is, the month of Adar,

on the thirteenth day,

the time came for the king's command

and his decree to be executed.

On the day that the enemies of the Jews

had hoped to overpower them,

the opposite occurred,

in that the Jews themselves overpowered

those who hated them.

The Jews gathered together in their cities

throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus

to lay hands on those who sought their harm.

And no one could withstand them,

because fear of them fell upon all people.

And all the officials of the provinces,

the satraps, the governors,

and all those doing the king's work,

helped the Jews,

because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.

Luke 10:19

"Behold, I give you the authority

to trample on serpents and scorpions,

and over all the power of the enemy,

and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Although Satan still has power on earth,

we have been given sufficient power

to overcome Satan

and live victoriously!

Romans 16:20
And the God of peace

will crush Satan under your feet shortly.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

be with you. Amen.

Esther 9:22

as the days on which

the Jews had rest from their enemies,

as the month

which was turned from sorrow to joy for them,

and from mourning to a holiday;

that they should make them days of feasting and joy,

of sending presents to one another

and gifts to the poor.

John 16:20
"Most assuredly, I say to you

that you will weep and lament,

but the world will rejoice;

and you will be sorrowful,

but your sorrow will be turned into joy.

John 16:33

"These things I have spoken to you,

that in Me you may have peace.

In the world you will have tribulation;

but be of good cheer,

I have overcome the world."

Look To JESUS

Look To JESUS

"who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; - Deuteronomy 8:15 
There are demonic forces of darkness in this world like the fiery serpents in the wilderness.

And the people spoke against God and against Moses: "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread." So the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live." So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived. - Numbers 21:5-9 
All of mankind have been bitten by satanic powers and are suffering from the sickness of sin. The only hope for mankind is JESUS Who came in the flesh, without sin, Who has overcome Satan.

"Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. - Isaiah 45:22 
Every tribe, tongue, colour and creed has the hope of salvation by looking to GOD spiritually.

"No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. - John 3:13-16 
The LORD JESUS CHRIST was falsely condemned to die as a criminal. 
He was nailed to the cross and was lifted up hanging on the cross between heaven and earth. 
Thus He has made a way for man to be reconciled to the Holy Almighty GOD.

"Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." This He said, signifying by what death He would die. - John 12:31-33 

Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. - Revelation 12:10-11 
Satan, the author of evil, lies and deception was crushed under the cross of CHRIST.

Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. - Romans 8:33-34 
Now the LORD JESUS is making intercession to GOD in heaven on behalf of those who come to Him in faith.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:1-2 
When we repent of our sin and turn to the LORD JESUS, we begin our journey of faith. 
As we continue to look to Him, He leads us on and keeps us by His grace until we finish our course on earth. 
At the end of our life He will receive us to glory!
What a great victory He has gained for us!
What great glory awaits us!!

Look to JESUS and be saved today.

Salvation of the Soul

Now Ben-Hadad the king of Syria gathered all his forces together; thirty-two kings were with him, with horses and chariots. And he went up and besieged Samaria, and made war against it. Then he sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel, and said to him, "Thus says Ben-Hadad: 'Your silver and your gold are mine; your loveliest wives and children are mine.' " And the king of Israel answered and said, "My lord, O king, just as you say, I and all that I have are yours." Then the messengers came back and said, "Thus speaks Ben-Hadad, saying, 'Indeed I have sent to you, saying, "You shall deliver to me your silver and your gold, your wives and your children"; 'but I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they shall search your house and the houses of your servants. And it shall be, that whatever is pleasant in your eyes, they will put in their hands and take it.' " So the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, "Notice, please, and see how this man seeks trouble, for he sent to me for my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold; and I did not deny him." And all the elders and all the people said to him, "Do not listen or consent." Therefore he said to the messengers of Ben-Hadad, "Tell my lord the king, 'All that you sent for to your servant the first time I will do, but this thing I cannot do.' " And the messengers departed and brought back word to him. - 1 Kings 20:1-9 
Ahab was willing to be servant to Ben-Hadad as long as his precious possessions were not taken from him.

Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.' " - Matthew 4:8-10 
Having the whole world under him, Satan tempted JESUS with all the kingdoms of the world and their glory to worship him and be his servant. In worship, you surrender your whole self and submit your will to the one you worship. By rebuking Satan vehemently and flatly refusing his offer, our LORD overcame this temptation.

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? "Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." - Mark 8:36-38 
Our soul is saved and free when we worship and serve only GOD our Heavenly Father and the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. - Hebrews 4:12-13  
The word of GOD brings a revelation of the distinction between the very source of life to our spirit through the Holy Spirit - like the marrow, and relationships of the soul in life - like the joints.

"Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. "For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; "and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.' "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. - Matthew 10:34-39 
JESUS is the word of GOD made flesh. Unlike Satan the LORD requires our soul that is free from our possessions that possess us.

Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' "This is the first and great commandment. "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." - Matthew 22:37-40 
The first and great commandment is to love the LORD our GOD with all our heart. He is our very life.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. - Matthew 6:33 
Our main motive and goal in life should be to see GOD'S Kingdom come. This is what we should seek in life first.

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ - Philippians 3:7-8 
This is the victorious life in CHRIST that is great gain!

PRIDE

We are enjoying observing the progressive development of our precious grandchild. Even before she could stand steadily, she attempted climbing! Isn't that a natural instinct every human being is born with? I suppose it is the fallen nature of man that pushes from within to lift himself up.

Don't we take every precaution to prevent our kids from climbing dangerous heights in order to protect them from falling and hurting themselves? The greater the height we climb, the greater the fall and greater the injury! The up-ride is exciting. It seems to put us above our rightful level of authority. From such a height we can look down on others and oh, the thrill of having others look up to us!

"Don't climb there!" Get down before you fall!!" As parents urgently warn their kids, so our Heavenly Father warns us. He brings us down graciously to protect us from a disastrous spiritual downfall. He lifts us up in His way in His time.

Knowing that our natural tendency is to go up, we need to diligently make every effort to come down humbling ourselves. The right way up goes down!

The proud heart is an abomination to the LORD. GOD resists the proud and destroys his house. The pride of life, wine and riches are of this world and cause strife and envy. Pride lifts up the heart and hardens the spirit and brings destruction. It is the attitude and way of Satan. It is totally contrary to the way of the LORD.

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man." Mark 7:21-23

Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished. Proverbs 16:5

A man's pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor. Proverbs 29:23

Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

The LORD will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow. Proverbs 15:25

By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom. Proverbs 13:10

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate. Proverbs 8:13

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:1-15-17

Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:26

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Isaiah 14:12-15

"How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.

' Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.

GOD humbles us if necessary through affliction to draw us to Himself and to give us victory over the enemy who is the king of all the children of pride!

 And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD. Deuteronomy 8:2-3

Spiritual Warfare - 5

Taking my stand with GOD


Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  Ephesians 6:10-17 (NKJV)

Once we find our position in the Lord, the enemy will do his part to oust us from this position. Therefore we are exhorted to stand, withstand stand and stand!

1. I stand in this position of submission to the Holy Spirit, overcoming my flesh, pleasing Him and not my selfish lusts.

Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.   1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (NKJV)

2. Following JESUS and not overtaking Him.

 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”   Matthew 16:21-23 (NKJV)

It is Satan who tries to put us ahead of GOD. In that position, not only are we in danger but we are also a hindrance to the work of GOD.

 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.    Matthew 10:38 (NKJV)

3. Fearing GOD and not Satan or man.

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.   Matthew 10:28 (NKJV)

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.   1 John 4:4 (NKJV)

We need to understand that Satan can only touch us as and when GOD permits.

 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. 7 And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” 8 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” 9 So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” 12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.   Job 1:6-12 (NKJV)

 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.   Luke 22:31 (NKJV)