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Breaking Strongholds Blog
Scripture-Based Poetic Sermons

Nicodemus in Disguise

4/30/2020

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Hypocrisy is in the midst!
Yes it does still exist.
Take a look around.
There is judgement in this town.

“Heresy!”
came out of the mouths of Pharisees
who held tight to the law,
instead of following Jesus.  

"Blasphemy!"
shouted those in Capernaum
who accused John the Baptist
as being possessed by a demon.

Can you hear them now?
“Since you sit with sinners, then you must be like them.”
“What is wrong with you?” 
“Why are you mingling with the condemned?”

But I say to you,
you who are wise in your own eyes,
you walk in vain,
like a Nicodemus in disguise.

Just wait and see
and you will finally believe
for Judgement Day 
is coming for you and me.

Korazin and Bethsaida
are not the only places miracles have been done
for right here in Clermont
souls of men are being won.

"Open your eyes and see
everything the Father has trusted unto me.
Stop walking among the secular
so you can learn to trust and believe.
Father has hidden my ways to them
who are wise and clever to logical ways of men.
I seek the meek 
the humble in spirit and sight
for they come like children
excited to learn what they might."

Self-righteousness
lies within the proudest of men.
They rely on their goodness,
and their pride from which it stems.
The same characteristic was embedded in the soul of Job.
Do you remember how his story was told?
Despite being upright, he fell into the sinner's plight;
He dug his own hole, the more that he spoke.
Over and over again, he spoke of how innocent he was.
It was daunting to hear him act on the whim
that nothing was wrong within him.

"If I were to take back his spirit
and withdraw my breath,
all life would cease
and humanity would turn again to dust!"

He was like Nicodemus in disguise, for sure.
He believed in himself.  He was so self-assured.

So what about you?
Are you like Nicodemus too?
You have become so good
at finding fault with men.
Do you really believe
that you can clearly see
the log that blinds them?

How can this be?
Has the apple fallen far from the tree?
Knowing good and evil has become a stumbling block to thee.

A log is entombed in your own eye
and it is buried so very deep.
You don't even realize
your stumbling block is six-feet under
layers of heavy concrete.

I am the Amen,
the medicinal salve for your eyes.
I am the faithful and true witness
who dispels all of the enemy's lies.
I am the origin of all that exists.
I am the Word that allows you to persist.  
Who you think you are
is so very contrary to me.
They will know me by my fruit
so stop being a stumbling block to me. 

While you have kept my greatest command,
to love Me with all your heart.
You struggle with the second,
to love your neighbor as YOURSELF.

I know this is hard for you,
because you have foolishly determined from within 
that loving yourself is a deplorable sin.

While dying to flesh is absolutely true,
sin has distorted your view. 

Dying to flesh has become twisted to mean
that we must hate the flesh that we live in.
While we know that the flesh is inherently full of sin,
I am not saying to kill yourself or to throw your towel in. 

Don't misunderstand why I have come.
I have come to the heal the brokenhearted,
and to turn the heart into flesh
from a heart of stone that you've worn.

No!  I did not come to abolish the law of Moses
or the writings of the prophets. 
I came to accomplish their purpose.  
I came to reconcile my spirit back to me
It is the cry of my heart
that you will have faith to believe.
Your zeal for knowledge and activities
has prevented you from building
a genuine relationship with me.

Many say
they want more of me and less of them, 
but is that really true?
Are they willing to let go?
Are they willing to let me lead,
when I ask them to walk through?

Introspection is the mission field
of my Spirit working in thee.
Thoughtful meditation of the heart
is how spiritual eyes come to see.

So, I ask you to plead your case to me.
When did I tell you not to consider
the image I created you to be?
Are you not a three-part being,
made in the image of me?
I created you as spirit, soul and body,
so tell me,
which part should be the amputee?
I knitted you together in the womb,
so why would you assume
your mind, will and emotions mean nothing to me?
Why would you discount one part of yourself,
when I have clothed you wholly
in my glory?
Do you think I have made a mistake? 
Can I not transform
the one I have reconciled back to me? 

It is true,
self by Yourself is rotten to me,
for how can you be fruitful if you are separated from me?

But self covered under my blood
 is how I created you to be.
Designed for the work that I want you to do.
My holiness transforms you,
and brings you back to me.

True transformation
requires the inner parts of you
being fully exposed to me.
For when you are true,
I can trust that you are
faithfully devoted to me.

Since peace, love and joy are a part of my fruit,
then why do you believe that emotions are bad?
Doesn’t the mere thought of eternal separation
cause you to be sad?

Do you think I would give you a soul
for no reason at all?
Do you think I created you to be numb
and without hope?

Scholars scoff at the heuristic
imposing their logic upon men;
and discovery can be what is needed to
to create an open end.
For when we are open
we often will see
that the blood of Christ was poured out
for even sinner's like me.

Curiosity and wonder
may be where the journey starts for some.
"Come just as you are"
is how I call the the ones that I love.

Those who know - 
just know,
They follow their heart.
They act spontaneously
and they do not depart.

So men like Nicodemus
be careful not to dissuade
those who step forward
to follow my way.

Stop telling my people
to stop trusting their feelings,
Your job as my disciple
is to show them my mercy and love.

Intimacy in marriage
is formed through deep affection
between a groom and his bride.

I ask you this,
how do you form a deep connection
if you constantly slam the door and hide?

Stop bringing me your sacrifices
of all that you do,
instead show me your heart
and show me that you are true.

Do you have any idea how much I love you?
Do you have any idea what I willingly went through?
I've sent my only son to cover your filth with his blood.
It is only his living water that washes away your mud.

My law does not free you
from the sin that spiritually separates us.
Instead it reveals your brokenness, 
so I ask you now, "In whom do your trust?"


Even my servant Paul told the people to pray
"for the eyes of their hearts to be enlightened to God's ways."

Listen carefully,
Nicodemus in disguise.
It is time to smell the coffee
and stop following lies.

When I call you to sit
at the sinner's table with me,
will you drink of my blood
and eat the flesh of me?

When I ask you to lay down
all that you know,
will you give it up freely
when I tell you, "It is time for us to go."

Did you know that a change of heart
is produced by my Spirit?
A man cannot redeem a man,
no matter how much fear you put into it.

It is truly our faith that delivers us from sin.
It truly the blood of Christ that redeems us back to him.
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"WAIT & SEE"

4/26/2020

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"Wait & See"
It is the command I give to thee.
You will suffer for only a while.
It's the burden that had to be.
Everything is in my plan.
Even when it is hard to see.
My Spirit will reveal the truth
embedded in the mysteries.
You do not have to worry,
for my Son is part of the plan.
But you will need to reach
when I extend my hand.
I have put my pieces in place
before you even knew his name.
Now fall on your face
and let me explain.
There will come a day
when all will bend a knee.
There will come a time 
when all the world will see.
But for now you must believe
when I say to you,
"Let go of all your worries,
and give them all to me."
Trust that I am true,
and that I am here for you.
His blood covers the sin 
that you all have been through.
His blood penetrates the depths 
where confusion has been strewn.
So when you walk into the place
that I have devised for you,
let your mind be at peace
​and know that I am working through and through.
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FAITHFULLY FOCUSED AND FREE

4/26/2020

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Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
It’s how intimacy with God  is found.
Faith in the Lord is the beginning of miracles.
It’s how we are healed by the touch of his hem.
Fear of the Lord creates favor.
Faith in the Lord creates freedom.
Faith in the unseen
falls fresh over me;
Fear of tomorrow
falls under anxiety.
Where the Spirit is Lord
there is freedom.
Where the Spirit is rejected
there is folly.
Foolishness is found in the wicked.
Insight is expressed in the pure of heart.
Circles and stumbling are the paths of the lost.
Straight and sure-footed are the ways of the found.
Feelings of worthlessness consume the disconnected.
Feelings of belonging underline the union of One.
Fear of the Lord implies honor.
Fear of man implies failure.
Faith in God emanates freedom.
Faith in man emanates imprisonment. 
Frivolity besets the careless.
Focused intention is the character of the sober minded.
Pride guides the self-centered.
Worship of the Lord is the glory given by men.
Balance and breath is tied to the yoke,
hard or light is determined by choice.
Feeling implies the living.
Numbness is connected to the dead.
Thoughtfulness is careful consideration.
Impulsiveness is reactive to flesh.
Spontaneous is the natural growth of an inward nature.
Reserved occurs from cultivated containment.
Forwardness is moving ahead.
Backwardness is moving in the opposite direction.
Twisted is the forcing of abnormal truth.
Straight is untying the knots of a plumb line.
Tormented is severe suffering.
Heavenly is rest within.
To scoff is to scorn.
To console is to mourn with.
Compassion comes from love.
Condemnation comes from hate.
Accusation is from the enemy.
Judgment comes from the Lord.
Blame is the name for fault.
Responsibility is the name accountability.
Sin is separation.
Blood is the bridge.
Life is found in the breath of God.
His breath departs from those who deny him.
Fondness is found in the fullness of God.
Indifference is found in the resistant and proud.
Instability is for those who chase after the wind.
Security is for those who live faithfully focused and free.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is -
his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:2
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LOGOS AND RHEMA

4/24/2020

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Two days ago, right before sunrise, I had a waking dream.   There was no vision and everything was dark.  I heard a voice say, "Matthew 4:1-4."  Then, I heard “Luke 4:1-4.” 
I asked, "Lord, which is it?" 
He repeated the same words,  "Matthew 4:1-4" "Luke 4:1-4.”  

Upon waking, I reached for my phone to put the verses in my Bible app. 
I was shocked when I saw that both verses said the same things. 
Both scriptures were about Jesus being tempted in the wilderness. 
Almost right after I read them, another verse came to mind,
Romans 8:38-39:

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Once again, I sat in awe at the Lord's magnitude. 
His Holy Spirit is truly alive and active. 
As I laid there in reverent speechlessness, I knew there was more to the message. 
There is always more. 
I used the Blue Letter Bible to look up the word for "word" in Matthew 4:4,
"Man shall not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God"

The Greek word for "word" in this scripture is "rhema." 
I was surprised because I thought for sure that it was "logos." 

While I have a difficult time explaining rhema, rhema is how the Lord talks to me most. 
​I have a hard time explaining to people what the difference between logos and rhema are, so let me just put the definitions I found on Google that made it easy for me.  According to the Institute of Basic Life Principles (IBLP): iblp.org/questions/what-rhema.

Logos—The Word of God
There are two primary Greek words that describe Scripture which are translated word in the New Testament. The first, logos, refers principally to the total inspired Word of God and to Jesus, Who is the living Logos.

Rhema—The Spoken Word
The second primary Greek word that describes Scripture is rhema, which refers to a word that is spoken and means “an utterance.” A rhema is a verse or portion of Scripture that the Holy Spirit brings to our attention with application to a current situation or need for direction.

This morning I wrote a poem to honor God for sharing with me his utterance.
Here it is:

It was the Holy Spirit
who led Jesus into the wilderness,
a land of bliss it was not.

Desolate and in despair,
with sand everywhere,
it was a dry land full of bones.

There was no care
to bring forth life.
It's only mission
was to choke on strife.
Without water
there's only the ocean's floor.
The land of living
was no more.

Jesus stepped in 
and entered this land.
This is where
he made his stand.

He and Spirit
followed the Father’s voice.
They walked for 40 days

and 40 nights.

Body depleted
from its own energy
He held on tight
to Spirit’s might.


Hungry within,
Jesus prepared his mind
to withstand sin
when it tried to enter in.


It was in this place
the enemy approached,
promising grace
from reproach.

Satan took out his sword
and wielded his lies;
He offered hope
instead of demise.


“If you are the true Son of God,
then turn these stones into bread.”
Jesus's identity was attacked 
with hopes to appease the flesh. 
 

This is the place
the enemy starts,
he cuts to the chase
and attacks the jugular of death.

If he can get you
to doubt who you are,
then you will be decapitated
from your true Father.

You will walk around,
looking to the wind,
desperately seeking
trying to find him.

This is the seed
that enemy plants,
in the souls
of parched men.


But Jesus the man
was also God.
He knew how to fight
with law and command.

“For it is written
that man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word
that comes out of the mouth of God.”

Spirit swelled up
so FULL of POWER.
He shot down the enemy
who came for devour.


The enemy continued
three times in a row,
to entice the Lord
by showing him how
his power could grow.
​
But Jesus responded
the same way every time.
With Logos and Rhema,
combined into one.

I know who I am,
I am the true Son.
“The scriptures say”,
declared with a powerful command.
“Get out of here, Satan.”
“I will only serve him.”
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IN THE FLESH

4/20/2020

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Dying to self will come,
when you are intimate with the one whom you love.
The circumcision of old 
is retold
by the unfolding of the Word.
The cutting of the flesh transpires
when the love of God is discovered.
You can try to do it in your own power,
but I wouldn't even bother.
"It is not by force nor by strength, 
but by His Spirit that we are overpowered.
Instead of focusing on the law,
which is a dim shadow of good things to come;
Let us to focus on the One,
who brings faith, hope and love.
Since Jesus is the perfecter of our faith,
let us keep our eyes on him.
He is the final sacrifice,
and his blood covers it all.
He alone brings new life.
because he rescues us from the Fall.

How long will you fumble and fall?
How long will you put up new walls?
"Why would you rebuild the old system of law
that I have already torn down?"
Who do you think you are,
to run around and try to rebuild your own town?
Do you not have eyes to see,
how you consistently desecrate me!

Do you not listen to my command?
It's the greatest of them all.   
Love God and Love People
This is how you have been called. 

Why do you continue to run,
back to the wall of you?
Why would you not look up,
to the SON that died for you?

You say,
"but Father...what can I do?" 
"Am I not to look different than the others,
the ones who don't know you?"
But I tell you this,
"You're definition of different just is not true."
Have you not heard, 
"Unless the Lord builds the house, you will labor in vain."
Do you not know,
"Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain."
So this I say to you,
"Do not move in my name, unless I tell you to go."

Now.
Ask again.

"How are my children to appear?"
I tell you,
"They will walk in peace, not fear."
"I am expressed through my fruit,
to the destitute and the prostitute."
"This is who the world will see,
when looking at those who are grafted into me."

You children who love the law
are the ones who rely on human reasoning for applaud.
This is not my way.
I am the one who molds my clay.
It is a twisted version of truth.
Read ALL of Galatians and Hebrews
and you will find your proof.
 
"Did you receive the Holy Spirit
by obeying the law of Moses?"
"Of course not!"
"You received the Spirit because you believed."
"You believed the message you heard about Christ."
"After starting a new life in the Spirit,
why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?"
"Since you are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses to the life of FAITH, 
strip off every weight that slows you down, especially the sin that so easily trips you up.  Run with endurance the race I have set before you." 
"Set our eyes on Jesus, 
the author and perfecter of your faith." 
For while he endured a physical death,
it was not the end of the story.
Jesus was resurrected, with confident hope
to bring home the lost and brokenhearted.
Dying to self comes when you live for Me.

"I lay before you life and death,
choose life so that you and your descendants may live."

​  
References
Galatians 1-6
Hebrews 1-12
Deuteronomy 30:19
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It's All About Jesus

4/20/2020

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How do we handle evil in this world?

Is there anything in us as humans that can discern good from evil?

The Lord gives the gift of discernment of spirits.

Yet, if all Christians have your Spirit living inside of them, then why does one group strongly believe one way and another group believe the other way?

Is there a difference between how we handle discernment and judgment?

Is this why Jesus tells us not to judge? To take the log out of our own eye before pointing out the log in another’s eye?

Typically, when praying for wisdom I go to Proverbs. This time, however, the Lord nudged me to stay on track with my reading plan and just keep reading where I'm at. So, I'm in 1 Samuel 24 - 25.

The answers to the above questions were found in these passages. To summarize, the scripture is about David sparing Saul's life; the marriage of Nabal and Abigail and how Nabal was crude and foolish and how Abigail was sensible and beautiful; how Abigail intervened and asked David not to take her husband's life but to spare himself from having blood on his anointed hands; and how God handled the matter which included Nabal dying and David asking Abigail to become his bride.

As I share my conclusions I will be putting Jesus's name next to David's as a "foreshadow of Jesus." I will also place some identifiers next to the other characters names.
​

1. There is evil everywhere. David (Jesus) was surrounded by evil on all sides. Saul (man under the influence of Gods curse) was under the influence of an evil spirit which was placed on him by God - not the devil. Saul (cursed) hated David (Jesus) because God loved David (Jesus) and made him successful in everything he did. The more David (Jesus) received the praises of the people, the more Saul (cursed) hated him. YET, the only time Saul received peace was when David (Jesus) played the harp for him.

What I took away from this regarding our circumstance is even though evil is everywhere (and I mean everywhere!!!!) it can not hurt God's anointed ones. Even when it is pressing on all sides, if we just wait on the Lord, He will save us. Which may not be in the physical realm, but in the spirit). Also, cursing can be "lulled" or given relief from torment by the "music" harmony and beauty of the anointed ones.

There are so many people under the influence of the curse who need rest for their souls. I believe this is why the Lord tells us to GO into the world and to SPEAK the GOOD NEWS. It is how we provide rest for hurting and afflicted souls.

Christians can't be so afraid of evil that we run from it and fear it. David actually preferred to play the harp for Saul rather than have to run and hide from him. This response to an “earthly ruler” is also referenced in scripture when Daniel served King Nebuchadnezzar during Babylonian captivity and Joseph served Pharaoh when sold in slavery. In all three cases, the men stayed in prayer and refused to lay a hand on the rulers that the Lord allowed to “sit in office for that present time.” We also see this same response from God himself when he came to earth as fully man and fully God, Jesus! I imagine that until he returns as the Lion of Judah, we are to remain humble and offer intercessory prayer while waiting in God for deliverance.

2. David (Jesus) was a GREAT warrior. He killed thousands of men, yet he would not take the life of Saul (cursed) because, as he said, "I will never harm the king - he is the Lord's anointed one." He recognized BOTH the anointing AND the affliction the Lord put on Saul which is why he allowed God to be the judge and administer the consequence.
As Christians. We have to learn to be wise in God's eyes and not in our own eyes. The Lord alone is judge.

There are many times in scripture when something appears as upside down and turned around, but the Lord is doing a work in that thing. God created a hard heart in Pharaoh when Moses led the people out of bondage. God created a hard heart in King Nebuchadnezzar so that his regime could carry out his wrath on Judah. God worked through the prayers of his people, and vision and dreams to elevate Joseph and Daniel to a place of influence during captivity. Gods will was done even when it didn’t look that way to mankind.

The Holy Spirit is able to "lull" and provide comfort and continued transformation to his people if only they would remain humble. To think otherwise would be foolish on our part - it would be wrongfully judgmental and presumptuous and out us out of alignment with his will.

3. Nabal (cursed) was a crude and mean man, and Abigail (servant of Jesus) was a sensible and beautiful woman (1 Samuel 25:3). David (Jesus) needed provisions for him and his men (servants) and reached out to Nabal for help. David (Jesus) shared with Nabal that he provided protection to Nabal's men and they never hurt them, but Nabal did not personally know David (Jesus). He said, "Who is this fellow David (Jesus)?" "Who does this son of Jesse (Son of God) think he is?" "There are a lot of servants that run from their masters. Should I take my bread and water and meat that I've slaughtered (TOTALLY ABOUT SELF) and give to the band of outlaws (Negative Label) who come from who knows where?" Because Nabal did not know David (Jesus) he mocked and insulted him.

Abigail (servant of the Lord) in the other hand, KNEW who David (Jesus) was (see passages 25:27-31). She INTERCEDED for her foolish husband by accepting ALL blame in the matter. She asked David (Jesus) not to pay attention to his wicked ways. She said, "I never even saw the young men you sent." She told David (Jesus) that if she had seen his messengers, she would have intervened sooner. She thanked David (Jesus) and said, "since the Lord has kept you from murdering and taking vengeance into your own hands, let all your enemies be cursed as Nabal is." She then offered the magnificent present she prepared and asked for forgiveness for the offense committed by her husband.
Just as in the times of old, the culture took God out of their hearts. They had adulterous souls and turned away from THE God to serve their fleshy desires. They became self-righteous and wise in their own eyes. They became their own gods!

So, when God was doing a work many did not see it coming. Some prophets warned but they scoffed at the prophets. They only wanted to hear prosperity gospel. They only wanted to listen to false truth. In fact, false truth tickled their ears.
My hope during this time of rest and repentance would be that Christians would get on their knees and pray for intercession. We need to repent, like Abigail, for “never even seeing it".

We are called to be vigilant and of sober mind so that we can identify the schemes of the devil. We are told in Ephesians 6 that we do not fight against flesh and blood, but against evil rulers of the air and of heavenly places. We are shown the Armor of God and taught how to fight spiritual battles.

If you are a Christian and fighting through the flesh through slander and strife, your faith is weak! If “world news” is your go to source and it stirs up hate and anger, or fear and anxiety then it’s tome to turn off the World News and replace it with the Good News. If worry has replaced worship of God, then your soul (mind, will and emotions) is out of alignment!

Which spirits have you been drinking? Which spirit are you under the influence of?

David (Jesus) so wonderfully says in Psalm 23, "The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bring HONOR to HIS NAME. Even though I walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death (SIN, EVIL, WICKEDNESS), I will fear NO EVIL; for you are with me. Your rod and your staff comfort me. You prepare a feast for me IN THE PRESENCE OF YOUR ENEMIES. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings, surely your GOODNESS and UNFAILING LOVE will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever."

4. When Nabal was sober (he quit drinking the Kool-Aid) Abigail told him what happened. As a result his heart failed him, he laid paralyzed with a HEART of STONE, and 10 days later the LORD struck him dead.

When David (Jesus) heard this, he sent messengers to Abigail to ask her to become his wife. Abigail bowed down and said, "I, your servant, would be happy to marry David (Jesus). I would even be willing to become a slave, washing the feet of his servants!
Quickly getting ready (she was prepared) she took five of her servants (five virgins ready with oil), mounted her donkey (humility), and went with David's (Jesus) messengers.
And so, she became his wife.

God is asking us for be his servant, his bride. Abigail knew David’s sovereignty and was so devoted To him that she was willing to be his slave. Despite not seeing his original request for help, he still loves me.

He has turned what was meant for evil into good. In fact, not only offering goodness, but he gives immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine.

The Lord will take care of those under the curse and under the influence of Satan in his own time. Some will be delivered because they allow their hard spiritual hearts to be broken into dust and remolded by the Living Water of Jesus through the Potter’s hand, while others will maintain hard hearts like Nabam did before finally dying.

Lastly, there is so much FEAR around wickedness. The Lord does not call us to FEAR wickedness or the devil! He tells us to fear HIM! Can you imagine how our lives would be if we feared wickedness. We would not be able to live in this world because wickedness is all around us! We would want to hide in our homes, afraid to go out into the world which would. We would abandon the purpose he has called us to! Instead, he shows us how to put on our spiritual armor so that we can withstand the enemy. So that we CAN go into the world to proclaim the good news!

Even the idea of "spiritual" has taken on a different context in our culture. When people say "spiritual" they automatically think "new age or demonic". We have spent the last two years studying the Spirit of God! We also know that our essence is the spirit of man. We also know through scripture there are "good" spirits (spirit of prophesy who testifies to Jesus, spirit of the angels, spirit of love, power and sound mind, etc...) and there are "bad" spirits (spirit of jealousy, spirit of rebellion, spirit of pride, etc...). We know that we put on spiritual armor to fight of bad spirits. So let us not be deceived by being afraid of spirits. The question is what type of spirit are we following and what type of spirit is influencing us. Without being in the WORD of GOD regularly, we do not know! For it is the Word of God that cuts spirit from soul, and soul from body. His SWORD of the SPIRIT is what discerns the intentions of the heart.

The Lord says, we are to be of ONE Spirit because he has given us each a measure of his Spirit. We are to act as children of the light, and put our light, which is the true reflection of the glory of God on a lamp stand. We are not called to put it under a basket. We are also not called to distort the reflection by following our own thoughts and our own ways.

Why? Because this present darkness needs the light of the Lord!

In truth and grace,
Cherie
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The SPIRIT OF GOD

4/14/2020

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Picture
In the beginning, the Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters;
during the exodus the Spirit of God hovered over the face of Moses.
It was the Spirit of God who filled Bezalel, the son of Ur, 
with ability, knowledge and intelligence to craft perfect work.
After the Lord told Moses to choose 70 men,
to act as leaders to the Israelite tribes,

the Lord told Moses he would take the Spirit that was upon him,
and put some of his Spirit upon them.
To bear the burden of people is never just for one man, 
unless his name is the Jesus, who is in the Master's plan.
Right before Moses died, when the sheep needed a shepherd,
the Lord chose Joshua who would be bold and courageous. 
Moses laid his hands on him to transfer his authority,
and Joshua became responsible for the whole community.
When the oracle was spoken through the diviner, Balaam, 
the Spirit of God came upon him.
He blessed the Israelites instead of pronouncing their curse,
he endorsed their success because God was the source.
When Samson was captured by the Philistines,
the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully on him.  
He snapped the ropes and they fell from his wrists,
and with a jawbone of a donkey, he killed 1,000 men.
After the Philistines captured the Ark of God, 
they took it from the battleground to the town of Ashdod.
They brought the Ark into the temple and placed it beside Dagon,
and in the morning they found the idol lying face down on the ground.
Just after Samuel anointed Saul as King, 
the Spirit of the Lord came upon him; 
and when the Spirit came upon the messengers of Saul,
they continued to prophesy, three times in a row.
When Abijah died and Asa became king, 
he removed the foreign alters and did what was pleasing.
so the Spirit of God came upon Azariah,
the prophet who went to Asa and reminded him how to win.
"Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin.
The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him."
For a long time Israel was without the true God,
they did what was evil and lived without the law;
Judah had abandoned the temple of the Lord,
they decided to worship idols and Asherah poles.
Because of their sin, the anger of the Lord fell on them;
yet, the Lord sent his prophets to bring them back to him.
When the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah,
he stood before the people and this is what he said, 
"Why do you disobey the Lord's commands?"
"Why do you keep yourselves from prospering?"
"You have abandoned the Lord, and now he's abandoned you."
Do you remember Job the upright?
He was allowed by God to endure a horrendous plight.
He said, "As long as my breath is in me, and the Spirit of God is in my nostrils, 
my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit."
Let's not leave out major prophet, Isaiah
and how the Spirit of the Lord anointed him.
He brought good news to the poor,
and he bound up the brokenhearted.
He proclaimed liberty to the captives
and he opened prison doors.
He spoke of the suffering servant
and his book became the Bible's backbone.
What about Ezekiel?  Do you recall the Spirit lifting him?
He was placed between the earth and heaven.
The Spirit gave him visions and told him this news, 
"God will melt every heart and make them weak in their knees."
"Behold it is coming, and it will be fulfilled;
He will not hide His face when he pours out His Spirit on the house of Israel."
The Father says, "the spirit of whoredom is within them,
and has led them astray,
but I am stirring up the spirit of all the remnant,
who will follow my ways."

Did he not make us one, with a portion of his Spirit?
Are we not one body who stand bold and fearless?

We are his offspring, wilt thou be made whole?
Our sin has been atoned by the burning coal.

So let us guard ourselves in our spirit,
now is not a time to be lazy and careless.

With God as our witness,
we the remnant serve him with our spirit,
we do not operate in the flesh,
 but live according to the Spirit.

Since the Holy Ghost dwells inside us,
we find our worth in the God that we trust.

He who has an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit says,
"To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life",
it is the other tree that stands beside the one I told you not to eat from.

The people of my remnant will come to see my face.
They will be satisfied by finishing the race.

The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
It is the spirit that lives inside of me.

It's time to get ready to go to the high mountain,
for the holy city of Jerusalem is coming down.
​
 
Genesis 1:2
Genesis 41:38
Exodus 31:3
Numbers 24:2
1 Samuel 19:20
2 Chronicles 15:1
2 Chronicles 24:20
Job 27:3
​Isaiah 6:1-6
Isaiah 61:1
Ezekiel 21:7
Ezekiel 39:29
Hosea 5:4
Haggai 1:14
Malachi 2:15-16
Revelation 2:7
Revelation 19:10
Revelation 21:10
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THE SIN OF MAN

4/13/2020

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Picture
Sin is the name
that God gives to the curse
spoken by him
when man traversed.
It started when Adam
and Eve ate of the tree,
when they went against God
and came to know good and evil.
The lust of their hearts
gave birth to their sin,
and when that happened
their eyes opened and evil came in.
They looked at each other,
standing naked and afraid;
they hid behind fig leaves
and became subject to shame.
When Father God came
to walk with them,
they could not be found
because they hid from him.
Father yelled to Adam,
“Where are you?”
Adam cringed and responded,
“We are naked,
so we hid ourselves from you.”
Then Father said,
“Who told you that?”
“Have you done what I told you
not to?"
“Did you eat the fruit from the Good and Evil tree?”
“Oh my love, what did you do?”
This is how the fall of man began,
from the lust of the hearts
of woman and man.
The curse was never intended
for us to live in sin,
the curse is about
our separation from him.
God has always allowed
the will of man,
It’s why the two trees
were able to stand.
The Tree of Good and Evil,
and the Tree of Life,
was placed in the garden
to know the heart of the wife.
Love is not achieved
by power and control,
love comes from intimacy,
and hearts made whole.
It was not the serpent
that caused us to sin,
it was the desire of our heart
that allowed his deception in.
To be like God and know everything,
was Adam and Eve’s heart from within.
Their love was tainted
because they wanted to stray;
they were adulterous
from that very day.
There are six things
that the Lord does hate,
seven that are
an abomination to him:
haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among men.
Sin is not just an act,
it’s the condition we are in.
It’s the adulterous heart
that gives birth to sin.
Some think adultery
is only about sex;
but it’s really about the type of heart
that a man reflects.
When you can do all things
without your God,
When you have no time
to read his Word,
When you make excuses
for the life you live,
this reflects the condition
your heart is in.
When we became separated
from the ONE who loves us,
our heart became dead
because it lost its breath.
When sin is fully grown
it brings forth death.
It represents the Spirit of God
departing from flesh.
It’s important to remember
that sin is not something
the Lord placed upon us;
Sin is in the man
whose heart is full of lust.
Rebellion is like
the sin of divination;
trying to be a god
on our own edification.
Arrogance is like
the evil of idolatry;
when we worship a god
that did not create thee.
We find the truth about sin
when we look deep within,
it's not found in the log
that's in another person's eye.
You can blame it on Satan
all you want
but it’s really about
the condition of your heart.
Placing blame on another
is a sign that YOU are in sin,
it’s the same reaction
that Adam did give.
When God asked him what he did,
he blamed it on Eve
instead of owning his own actions.

When sin gives birth to sin,
over and over again;
it becomes the iniquity
that is found in Revelation.
666 is nothing more
than humanity at its worst;
It’s the complete absence of God,
that represents our final divorce.
So take time now
to rest and repent,
turn from your ways
and focus on
the One who was sent.
Get rid of all filth
and expressions of evil;
humble yourself
and give up your will.
Align yourself
to the Spirit of God;
allow yourself to be corrected
by his staff and his rod.
Lay down your soul
so he can make you whole.
Fix your eyes on Yeshua,
for he is the goal.
When you look into the mirror,
what do you see?
Is it a reflection of God,
or your humanity?
Since you were made
in the image of "Father, Son and Spirit"
the clearer your reflection will be
when you commit your soul and your spirit.
It's time to sow into the depth of a man
who takes responsibility
for the state of mind he is in.
So do not delay!
Stop turning away!
God is calling you to PAUSE.
Do not look away.
Reflect in the mirror
he has provided this day.
If you don’t like what you see,
then change your ways.
He is ready to receive
the burden your in.
He says casts all your cares
on the shoulders of him.
It was never his heart
to be separated from you,
but since he is Holy
he had to keep himself
righteous and true.
He does not wish
to put you outside the gate;
He LOVES you!
That is why he gave you
the gift of grace.
Yeshua gave his life
to redeem you from sin;
your Creator desires
to bring you back to him.
So purify yourself
with the flesh of his Word;
eat of his body and
drink of his blood.
God is not the God
of outside in,
His seed grows from inside
the pure hearts of men.
‭‭
​1 Samuel‬ ‭15:23
James 1:15
Proverbs 6:16-19
Revelation 19
James 1:23-25
John 6:54
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MY SON HAS RISEN INDEED!

4/13/2020

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Picture
With a snap of of his finger
and the command of his voice,
Father said “Wake Up”
and look into the light!
My eyes shot open
my mind became awake.
and in an instant
I went from a dream
to a conscious state.
Now pick up your pen
and write what I say,
Get up now.
Do not delay!

I’ve given you the ability
to discern my voice
it’s for the obedient
who make the choice
to serve me as Master
to serve me as King
to serve me as Lord
over everything.

Fear of the Lord
is your reward
It is given by my Spirit
and cut by my sword.

​Now listen very carefully
to what I have to say,
Jesus my Son
has risen this day.
My lamb was slain.
He gave up his life.
To blot out sin
and change the state you are in.
He went to Hades
to pay the price.
He is the atonement.
The final sacrifice.
And while he was there,
he took the keys;
he was bold and courageous
and had the victory.
He spoke to Satan
and all his demons.
He declared his authority,
and they bowed to him.
He reminded them
who is the King.
He said through his blood,
humans are free.
The curse is no longer
attached to men,
who live in the Spirit
and follow him.
They will rejoice
when they lay down their life.
They will have hope,
and have faith in me.
The curse is now
attached only to dust,
to the dead man walking
who is driven by lust.
The dust that does not have
eyes to see;
The dust that is blind
to my identity;
The dust that is foolish
and easily forgets;
The dust that lives for self
and has no regrets;
The dust from the ground
That I created Adam from;
The dust from my creation
that I made my image from.
This dust was beautiful
when it had my breath;
This dust without me,
does not have eternal life.
I’m not talking about
your physical state
I am referring to your spirit,
for goodness sake. 

Without my breath
your the walking dead;
treading in waters
that are above your head;
but when you die
you will come to see;
I am the Creator
of every thing. 
You will step into my court
in the heavenly realms;
where Jesus is Judge
and your accuser stands around.
Satan will point
his finger at you
and blame you for the things
that you did wrong;
but nothing will affect me
more than this,
to deny My son as Lord
will make me angriest!
I sent my Son down
into the physical land; 
I had Mary give birth
and made him fully man.
His blood was to redeem you,
so that I could live with you again.
Yes, Satan will bring up your iniquities
but nothing is greater
than denying me.
If that happens,
do not be surprised
when Jesus says,
“I do not know you,
now depart from me.”
He will look inside
the Book of Life
Your name will be absent
because you chose to deny;
that he is the one
who gives new life. 
He was sent to bridge the gap
that sin divides.
He is the healer
of the wounds that we hide.
This curse was made through Adam
Who separated himself from me,
he was disobedient
and ate from the tree.
He brought good and evil
into his world,
by following his heart
he became soiled.
So I made a way
for those who love me,
who seek my will
and desire purity.
I made a way
for hearts of stone to see,
that moldible hearts
are what I need.
I sent Living Water
to add to your dust,
I reformed you into clay
and I added my breath.
 My Son is your redeemer,
his blood covers your sin.
All you need to do 
is believe in him.
So I give them new life
when they say yes to me.
I open their heart
with my eternal key.
They receive my Spirit
as they listen to my voice,
they grow even closer
and gain intimacy.
But there is another sin
that is grievous to me.
That’s when they have my seed
but pretend not to know me.
They act like I don’t exist
and they continue to control,
They hold on tight,
and won’t let go.
Since they have the heart of Adam
and the seed of me,
they ignore my Holy Spirit
creating blasphemy!
Oh, how my heart breaks
when they refuse to change,
they continue to harden their hearts
and blame it on me.
So on this day,
write down what I say,
Let it all out.
Do not be afraid.
Let them know
my Son has risen indeed!
He had to be the first
resurrection for me.
It happened in the physical
but even more importantly
was when he committed
his Spirit to me.
His blood was necessary
to break the curse,
and through his blood
the curse is reversed.

Before I knew it
I was back to sleep
I heard Father say,
See what I can do
when you are
sensitive to me.
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BLOT OUT GENERATIONAL SIN

4/11/2020

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Picture
Yesterday was Sibling Day,
Father God, what can I say?
You know the pain
that comes my way
when I look at this photo
that I have saved.
My mom was a child,
she was just fifteen.
She was lost and confused
when she had me,
but she and my dad
we’re young in love
they made a plan
to get it done.
Abortion was pressed
by the adults in their lives,
but they would not have it
despite the strife.
So they married and tried
to build a life,
two broken souls
became husband and wife.
Without direction
they made a mess of things,
another child,
and divorced in four years.
I’ll never forget
the memory of my dad
pounding on the back door,
crying to come in, 
but the lady she became
was selfish in every way,
she laughed in his face
and then he walked away.
So my brother and I,
we endured
the life of two kids
under single motherhood.
She partied and drank,
nurturing children
became a bother.
She locked us in our room,
just me and my brother.
We screamed and knocked
asking to be let out,
but she did not hear us,
she left us to rot.
It was only a weekend
that I can recall
but the shame that came
from urinating on our clothes,
brought up feelings
of being abandoned.
Then she got remarried
to my stepdad.
He was always aloof
to the life we had.
They had a son,
that brought joy to my life,
“His name is Johnny”
was announced when I was nine.
I became a mom
at such a young age,
protecting my brothers,
from the sins of man.
Between the drugs and the men,
that filled our house,
I was always a warrior
on the lookout.
I failed my brothers
when I fell to sin.
I became focused on self,
and let life in.
I had my own life
that I had to live,
even though I know
it’s not my fault,
it still eats me from within.
My mom divorced again
when I turned fifteen.
She was out every night
living the bar scene.
And at 2 am,
when it was last call,
she would bring them home,
and the party would roll.
I remember walking the streets,
until the school bell rang,
then I would go to class
and pretended I was okay.
When I was sixteen
I met a boy,
and his family took me in.
I’ll never forget
the first Christmas
when they bought me winter boots
and other special things.
I was so overwhelmed
by the kindness they showed,
they treated me like an equal,
instead of a “ho”.
For so long
I was an object
for men to explore,
and then reject.
So I left my house,
and went to live with them,
they introduced me to the dreams
I had when I was a kid.
When I was a child
And would often write poems
About a life filled peace,
and love and hope. 
So my life went on,
and I lived the dream,
I was accepted into college
and it boosted my self-esteem.
But there was a big difference
between “me” and “them”;
the people in school came from wealth
and I came from “low income”
It’s amazing to me,
how life labels us,
because in the end
we all turn to dust.
Anyway,
let me move on,
My first sibling
is the only one that lives on.
He’s had nine lives,
to say the least.
He lives fractured inside,
under the beast.
I’ve tried to help
in a million ways,
he will not accept
the type of love I relay.
He will not receive
unless it’s done his way.
I had to set boundaries
and walk away.😢
The baby in the picture
is my brother's son.
He died of cancer
when he was eleven.
Christopher was his name,
He was an angel of God.
His beautiful heart
was one to applaud.
He brought joy to my life,
in such a strong way,
his laughter was infectious
and I can’t wait to see him someday.
The blonde boy in the picture
is my baby brother.
He is my heart
and will be there forever.
He died at twenty-three,
after living a short life
that was filled with hurt
and great strife.
He knew the worst in people.
He was viciously abused
by the walking dead,
who are under the curse.
He was raped and afflicted,
by the demon-possessed,
and it took me a lifetime
to forgive and forget.
I blamed my mom for the mess
that we were all in.
I was angry and hurt
by the life she brought us in.
There was a time
I wanted her to die.
I thought to myself,
“If only she had tried.”
But then the Lord blessed me
by putting me near her,
when I moved to Nevada
she got cancer.
I was the only one
who could take care of her.
She had just turned 50
when meth finally took its toll,
the cancer metastasized
and took her whole.
I had forty days
to make my amends
I cared for her fully,
and the hurts were forgiven.
I saw the broken girl
that was buried within.
I felt her brokenness
and saw generational sin.
The feeling of abandonment
cuts straight to the soul,
when we are divided from the one
who makes us whole.
It hurts to the core,
when you’ve been let down,
but it hurts even deeper
when you're totally alone. 
So as I look at this picture,
and see that three are now dead,
I pray to God
they have chosen Jesus
when bowing down to him.
I also ask for direction
for my brother who still lives,
I don’t know how to help
without enabling him.
As for this lady,
who was once that little girl,
I commit my spirit
to the one who makes
all things whole.
I no longer feel abandoned
because I know who my father is.
He’s the one that gives life
to all dead things.
He has never left me
nor forsaken me.
He’s always been there.
He's always cared for me.
I felt his love as a child,
and his peace when I was twelve.
I saw Jesus on the boardwalk
and it's his hand that I held.
I am so blessed to say
abandonment stops with me.
I’ve identified the culprit
in my generational tree.
The demon of rejection
is not welcome in.
I cast him out
in the name of him.
The him that is above
every other name.
The him that will never
quit the game.
The him that endures
all troubles in this life.
The him that makes peace
out of strife.
The him is no other
than Jesus, my King.
The one who grafts our branches
into his tree.
Alone I am not,
because I always have him.
Jesus is the only one
who can blot out generational sin.

I love you Jesus!
Thank you Father God!
Holy Spirit, you have opened my eyes to your everlasting love!
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