SPIRITUAL WARFARE SERIES

(Deliverance is the children’s bread)





This series on spiritual warfare has been long overdue, hasn’t it? The fact that most churches do not preach or teach on this subject anymore does not mean it isn’t important. You see, church, everything in the Bible is important and should be preached.

Let me make something clear to you. I do not see demons behind every bush. I actually do not even dwell on the subject that much. But, I am not and will not be ignorant of all that God has done for us. I find it to be a high priority to understand why Jesus died on that cross for us. I want to know and understand the tools and concepts Jesus taught us in the New Testament. Certainly Jesus taught us who our enemy is. And he, through his apostles and followers in the New Testament, has shown us how to resist the devil so he will flee from us. My pastor in Michigan used to say “The devil would flee from us as in terror.” And, that is exactly how I want it for you and for me.

Let me welcome you and let me stress once again, everyone is welcome in this service. This 24/7, week long, online church is designed to lead you to Jesus so you may have a victorious life on this earth and eternal life with God and his Son, Jesus Christ. Please turn with me to James 4:7 and let’s read it together.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

The interesting thing about this is James was talking to believers. So, the advice he gave to them would also apply to us, wouldn’t it? In today’s terms, submitting yourselves to God would mean reading his Word (the Bible), and choosing to follow God’s instructions for living. The truth is, you can only do this by faith in Jesus Christ and what he did for us on the cross. The first thing James says, resist the devil and he will flee from you – so what does that say to us? To be blunt, it tells us that even though we are saved by the grace of God, the devil is still hell bound on destroying us and drawing us away from God. Well, how do you see it?

My friends, Satan deploys his evil spirits, which we know commonly as demons, to attack us in every way possible. This brings us to the question people, including many preachers, like to ignore. Can Christians have demons? I have a good pastor friend in Tennessee who says “Christians can have anything they want.” Unfortunately, they can
also have things they may not want, such as oppression from evil spirits.

Now, before you close your mind to this teaching, let’s look at the Bible and see what God’s Word has to say on this subject. Who is deliverance for? Who should devils be cast out of? Believers or nonbelievers? You want the truth don’t you? Mark 7:24-27, talking about Jesus here, states:

“And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into a house, and would have no man know it: But, he could not be hid. For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet: The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation: And she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. But Jesus said unto her, let the children first be filled: For it is not meet to take the children’s bread and to cast it unto dogs.”

Basically what this scripture is saying, is that deliverance and healing are the children’s bread. Deliverance and the casting out of devils are not for the unbeliever, but is for God’s children, which believers in the saving grace of Jesus Christ are. Do you get this, church? It is very important!! Simply put, deliverance is the children’s bread. That is the reason when Paul was talking to the church of Ephesus, he stated, as we have pointed out in every segment of this series, in Ephesians 6:12, which was a message to believers:

“For we (believers) 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.”

So let us repeat ourselves. Deliverance and the casting out of devils is the children’s bread. It is only one tool to resist the devil so he has to flee out of us and not be able to return to harm us. Why? Because we will fill our hearts and spirits with the protection that God’s Word provides for us. That, my friends, is what the unbeliever or you might say, non Christian, would not do. The very reason when Jesus says in Mark 16:17:

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.”

Jesus is not talking here about casting devils out of nonbelievers. Let me prove it to you. Turn with me to Matthew 12:43-45. Please, pay real good attention here, Jesus is speaking:

“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he sayeth, I will return into mine house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept and garnished. Then goeth he and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: And the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.”

How much clearer could it be said? Demons consider your bodies as their house. My friends, the worst thing you could ever do to a nonbelieving friend, relative or stranger, would be to cast evil spirits out of them. You would be condemning them to a fate seven times worse than whatever state they were when you began this. You want to cast the devil out of them, get them saved. Then cast the devil out and fill their heart up with the Word of God.

Now you see why deliverance is only the children’s bread. Wow, we have covered a lot of ground this week, haven’t we? You know, church, I very rarely recommend books to you. But I am going to make an exception this week. There is a book based entirely on the Bible entitled “Pigs in the Parlor” by Frank and Ida Hammond. This is a great basic book on spiritual warfare, which of course includes deliverance and the casting out of evil spirits. The premise is this: If you were a farmer and you left the front door open and the pigs walked through your door into your parlor, would you let them stay there? Of course you wouldn’t!! Then as believers, if evil spirits enter into you would you not kick them out just as quickly? Pigs in the Parlor can be found in most Christian bookstores. You may have to order it as it was written quite a number of years ago. But the truth it reveals is still valid today. You may find it in the spiritual warfare section of your Bible book store. I urge you to read this book and read every scripture it refers you to. You will become well informed and will be blessed.

Next week we will conclude this series on spiritual warfare by revealing how demons enter in. But, most importantly, how they can be blocked from entering in. You see, my friends, God is revealing these things to you because he loves you. Let’s leave you this week with a special scripture. II Timothy 1:7:

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

In other words, church, if you sense a spirit of fear while digesting this message, it is not of God. So cast it out, in Jesus name.

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob

Urgent Prayer Requests: Please pray for Regina Hidley. Regina is a mother of small children and she has lost her job. She needs finances to pay her bills and to care for her children. Please pray that God will lead her to good employment that pays well, has good benefits, and safe working conditions.

We have a prayer request for Brenda. We ask the Church to pray for her personal needs.

SPIRITUAL WARFARE SERIES (A Continuation)

Let me start by welcoming everyone to your 24/7, week long, online church service. This service is for any and everyone who desires to know more about the things of God. No one is excluded from this place.

This week I would like to continue our teaching and preaching on spiritual warfare. If we as believers do not understand the concept and doctrine of the power God has given us over Satan and his evil spirits, we will be doomed to defeat, sickness and trouble at every hand. God desires we have joy and victory over all the wiles of the devil. After all, didn’t Jesus come to this earth for that very reason?

Did he not come to this earth to save us, give us eternal life and to show us by example how to live a victorious life right here, right now? And then, beyond this life, right onto eternal life with the heavenly Father and his son Jesus. You see, my friends, God loves us more than we can comprehend. He did not just dump us on the earth and say “Good luck.” No, he gives us tools to live victoriously until we unite with him in the afterlife known to us as eternal life. I want to give you a couple of scriptures from the Old Testament books of Nahum and Micah. Nahum was a prophet of the Lord around the year 625 B.C. In other words, Nahum was anointed 625 years before Jesus to give forth God’s Word. I believe you will see how those words pertain to us today. Nahum 1:7 states:

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.”

These words are just as truthful and relevant today as they were in the year 625 B.C. Let’s look at this a little closer. Nahum is telling us because God is so good, he will be our stronghold or you might say strength in times of trouble. Now, I ask you, my friends, are these not troubling times? Of course they are. And who is our strength? The Lord!! That is, if you accept that strength through his son Jesus. And that also is if you as believers use the strength that God is in your life. It is important for us to believe the Word of God (the Bible), and its instructions on how to defeat Satan’s constant and relentless attacks against us.

We must learn to trust God. This scripture says God knows them that trust him. How does he know that? I could be flippant and just say because God knows everything. But that would not be fair to you, even though it is true. Seriously, folks, God knows those who trust him by their faith in Jesus and by their hunger for the things of God. When Jesus says over and over again “In my name cast out devils,” those that trust him know there are times when that is exactly what we should do. How do we do that? By faith in Jesus. For example: You have an addiction you can’t stop even though you have tried everything you know to do. You hate the addiction and what it is doing to you. Draw on the truth of God. Search the Bible on spiritual warfare scriptures and use the strength of God that Nahum talks about and speak to that spirit of addiction and command it to leave your body in the name of Jesus.

If you need support, ask God to lead you to a church or preacher who believes the Bible and knows how to pray for you and will in faith and by the name of Jesus, cast those evil spirits out of you and set you free. Deliverance from evil spirits is provided for you by Jesus and what he did for you on the cross. Use it, my friends, use it.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am sick and tired of seeing people that I know who love God suffer at the hands of the devil. This message is not a message designed to please the multitudes. Many preachers would advise me to not preach on this subject. They would advise that it would cost us church membership. Now it definitely won’t cost us a decline in money, because we never ask anyone for money. Some would say this subject is too controversial, but I would say – since when is Bible truth to be stopped by controversy? What I am showing you in this continuation of a two or three part series is how much God loves you.

Our church believes in salvation, healing (physical and mental), and deliverance from demonic oppression. It would not be fair to you if we did not preach on each of these subjects. God gives me the messages based only on his Word, and I am obligated by my promise to God and to you to deliver them to you. These messages are designed to inform and bless you with God’s Word. I cannot and I will not back away from the truth of the Word that God has revealed to me. Why? Because I love God and his Word and I love you. But, God loves you even more than I do. Okay, let’s continue.

I mentioned earlier Micah, who was a prophet and minister of our Lord around 725 B.C. Let’s take a look at what he has to say about us believers when we have fallen and feel like we are surrounded by darkness. Micah 7:8 states:

“Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: When I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.”

This is an example of Micah, a believer, speaking to his enemy and telling him he would not be defeated because God would be his light and deliver him from darkness. Would he not do the same for us? So, who is our enemy? The Bible says, as we reported last week, that our enemy is not man, but are evil spirits sent to destroy us and to draw us away from God. Remember the scripture we gave you last week out of the book of Ephesians? Let’s read it again. Ephesians 6:12 states:

“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.”

So you see, my friends, Micah was telling us to speak to our enemy, which is Satan and his evil forces. Tell them no longer can they rejoice or laugh at your despair. In fact, command them in Jesus’ name to depart from you, never to return again. Speak out loud to that devil and say as Micah said “Even though I have fallen, I shall arise, because my God is for me.” Say out loud “Even though I may be in darkness, God is my light and I am coming out of your darkness into the light of God.” I think you are beginning to get the picture, my friends. God loves you so much he has given you the ability to defeat the devil at every turn. Will demons attempt to oppress you? Yes they will. Do they have the right to oppress you? Only if you let them. But you are learning through this online church that you don’t have to let them oppress or destroy you. Deliverance is available for you in the name of Jesus from all oppression of the devil. We will continue this series next week. Stick with us to the end. I guarantee you will be blessed.

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob

Prayer Request: Please pray for Judy Girouard. Judy is in need of a job that pays well, has benefits, and safe working conditions. Also, pray that Judy is able to obtain a new car and she needs transportation.

WHO IS YOUR CONFIDENCE AND TRUST IN?

This week has been quite a week, hasn’t it? If you have watched the news at all this past week, you have seen multitudes in Egypt protesting and succeeding in driving their president, who many call a monarch or dictator, out of office. In truth, people all across the Middle East are revolting against oppressive government leaders. Those they once had confidence in have stolen from them. Not just their money, but their liberty, their dignity and their freedom.

Welcome everyone to your 24/7, week long, online church service. Each of you regardless of where you find yourself spiritually is welcome in this place. I received an email recently that showed me what chapter and verse was at the center of the Word of God (the Bible). Psalms 118:8. What an instructive scripture this is. Psalms 118:8 states:

“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”

You know, one of Israel’s biggest troubles as shown in the Old Testament was putting more confidence in their kings than in God. Even today man is no different. We put more confidence in men than our trust in the Lord. Well, it’s true, isn’t it? We listen to government leaders, college professors, doctors and yes even preachers more than we trust God and his Word.

It’s time to turn from our dependence on man who will always come short of what we need. Only God through his son Jesus can complete us. Many of us have come to Jesus, received his salvation, his love, mercy and grace only to defer his truth to what man has said to us. I don’t say this with any degree of pride. It is a sad thing that we as believers can be led astray so easily.

Remember when you first became a believer? All things seemed possible to you, didn’t they? We believed Jesus and what he said in Luke 18:27. Let’s read it together.

“And he said, the things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

Remember when a doctor would give you bad news and you knew even if the doctor couldn’t heal you, God could? Remember the times when your friends, teachers and even sometimes your family would say things are hopeless - you would rise up and in faith say things are not hopeless, God is with and for us. You would say as the psalmist said in Psalms 121:1-2:

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord which made heaven and earth.”

The psalmist was looking up. All we need to do is look in the Bible for our help. Our trust in God must always be more than our confidence in man. Let me give you an example of trusting man over God. Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus and their neighboring churches. He was giving the instructions to Christians, or as I like to say, believers, the way to live and follow God. Ephesians 6:12 states:

“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.”

In plain old fashioned terms, Paul is telling all believers to beware of evil spirits, sometimes just known as demons. He is telling us here that we as believers are the targets of demonic forces, isn’t he? Now to be sure, Satan constantly uses humans to carry out his dirty work against us, but not always. Otherwise, we could just fight off the humans, right? No, my friends, Brother Paul is telling us in no uncertain terms demonic forces are being sent to destroy you and to draw you away from God. And remember, he is talking to believers. If you are a believer, he is also talking to you.

When is the last time you heard in church about demonic oppression and how to combat it? My guess is not very often. Many preachers do not even believe demons can enter in and oppress Christians. However, the Bible clearly shows that their teaching is false. God has given us the ability to cast out devils and he expects us to do just that. When you are wrestling against principalities, rulers of darkness (demons), against spiritual wickedness in high places, you better know how to cast them out. If you don’t, you better find someone who believes the Bible and knows about deliverance. Look, Jesus in Mark 16:17-20 gives us the instructions. Now, read it with me and decide for yourself whether you believe what Jesus has to say or what misguided or misinformed men say. In Mark 16:17-20 Jesus is speaking:

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues, they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.”

Notice that these are the last words Jesus spoke before he left the earth and notice these words were about believers. I would conclude they were very important words, wouldn’t you? Now there is a multitude of sermons in this scripture. But for today let’s zoom in on where Jesus said “In my name they shall cast out devils.” That, my friends, is how you wrestle with evil spirits. You win, they lose.

Why do churches today not teach this or even better, why do they not cast out devils in their church services? I don’t know the answer, ask them. I say, have more trust in God than confidence in men. The question might arise – Bro. Bob, how can I know if I have a demon or evil spirit (they are the same) oppressing me? My friend, let me put it this way. If you are born again, love God with all your heart, you hate sin yet find yourself not being able to stop a particular habit or sin even though you try with all your heart, you might be struggling with an evil spirit. You have a medical condition that doctors can’t cure. You are like the lady with the issue of blood, who went to doctors, spent all her money, but by faith was healed by Jesus. Now you do everything you know to do. You pray, people have prayed for you, yet no healing. Perhaps you are struggling with a spirit of infirmity. Many times in the Bible it shows Jesus casting out evil spirits and the people were healed.

Jesus did not tell us to cast out devils for no reason, my friends. I know this may be new to some of you. It may go against everything you have been taught in church. But, what does the Bible say and are you going to put your confidence in the teaching of men, or are you going to put your trust in God and his Word? I, as a preacher of the gospel, say put your trust in God.

Hang around folks. In future messages we will be teaching more on spiritual warfare which includes the casting out of devils. A tool God has given his children. Finally, you will be able to use it.

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob

A Special Prayer Request: Please pray urgently for a young girl in Georgia who has been diagnosed with scoliosis of the spine. We are asking God for a complete and total healing in Jesus' name, Amen.

I WILL LOVE THEE, O LORD, MY STRENGTH (Psalms 18:1)

Before we get started with today’s message, I have a special request for you. We have a very urgent prayer request that needs your attention. A young mother of two in Tennessee has just survived a stillborn birth but now has been diagnosed with colon cancer. This cancer has spread to her liver. Please, church!! I am asking you to pray urgently and with purpose for Sarah Walker. It’s for times like this that we as an online church are in existence. Please join Sarah and her friends and family in Tennessee in praying for a complete and total healing. A miracle would be good, wouldn’t it? Thank you for being faithful to answer our call for prayer. Also, look at the right side of our message for today and pray for each prayer request you see there. Now, let the service begin.

Psalms 18:1-2 states:

“I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”

What a great declaration of love and faith in our heavenly Father, the God above all gods. We’re starting out on shouting ground and going even higher today, church. Give God all the praise you can muster up. It feels good, doesn’t it? You want to get up and shout out your praise to God? Go ahead. You feel like dancing in the spirit, start dancing. Welcome everyone to your 24/7, week long, online church service. Please know you are welcome in this place.

David first said the words in this Psalm on the day the Lord delivered him from all his enemies headed up by King Saul. You can read the whole story in II Samuel Chapter 22. It is worth reading, and I urge you to do so. My friends, God loves you so much, he is waiting for you to call out to him. Do you know he was not just David’s strength, fortress and deliverer, but he is just the same for you. Trust in him through his Son, Jesus Christ. Cry out “I love thee, O Lord, you are my strength.”

You know folks, in a couple of days I’ll have another birthday. I’ve been on this earth a long time. One of the greatest pleasures I still have is the ability and desire to wake up each morning and say “Thank you Lord for this day. Thank you for this day of salvation. Thank you, Lord, for your son Jesus Christ who died on that cross so that we may have salvation and eternal life with Jesus.” The great thing is, you too, my friends, may have these same desires and abilities. Turn to Jesus today. Ask him to forgive you of all your sins. Believe in your heart today that God raised Jesus from the dead. Confess Jesus as your Savior and make him your Lord. Repent!! Which just means to turn away from sin, and the ways of the world and to walk hand in hand with the Lord. Then you can honestly say “I love you, O Lord, my strength.” Now you can walk through life on his strength and not your own.

Believers, you know what I’m talking about, don’t you? Now admittedly, some believers have slipped off the path. But, the good news is that you can get back on the right path again today. Come on. God is for you and so are we. God has not left nor forsaken you. Deuteronomy 31:6 gives the instruction:

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: For the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

This scripture along with Hebrews 13:5 is speaking to God’s children, to those that trust him even if you have feel you have failed him (at the very least in your own mind). God is saying to stay strong in him through his Son Jesus. Hebrews 13:5 says:

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Do you get this, church? God knows we are not perfect, but he desires us to keep putting him first in our lives. Just be content where you are. God will move you up or out of your situation. He will always be with you. That is his promise to his children.

I know we like to make this thing much harder than what it is. God’s plan for our life is really quite simple. Believe on him through his Son, Jesus, read the instruction book of life (the Bible) and follow the instructions. Listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Follow God’s ways and not the ways of the world. Along the way you’ll hear and see all kinds of things both in church and out of church designed to draw you away from the love of God. But just keep reading and giving your ear to God. You will make it. I promise you.

You see, church, once you truly accept Jesus as Lord of your life, things change, don’t they? Paul states it so well in Galatians 2:20. This applies to all of us.

“I am crucified with Christ: Nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Do you get that, my friends? Jesus loved us so much he gave himself as the only perfect sacrifice, dying on a cross so that you may be saved. And yes, he did that just for you and me. All the petty differences in denominations, doctrines and made up things of man don’t seem so important now, do they? I guess the point I’m trying to make is: Love God through his son Jesus. We believers are like Paul. We are crucified with Christ. We surely live, but in truth it is Christ who lives in us. We live in our flesh but we walk by the faith of the Son of God. Always remember what Jesus did for us.

So now, knowing this, when I look at my wife and children, the home I live in, the faith I have and yes as I write this message for you, is it any wonder that I can and will say “I love you O Lord, you are my strength. Thank you so much for this life on earth you have given me. And Lord, I am looking forward to eternal life with you.” Why don’t you take a look around you, my friends? You can say the same thing, can’t you? One thing I do know, God loves you!! Love him back. Okay?

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob

WHAT’S NEXT?

This has been an interesting month, hasn’t it? We have presented messages designed to provoke thinking on your part. Just look at the titles of the previous weeks – “But what is ahead in 2011?” Then we presented a Christmas message part one and two that does not fit the usual cookie cutter version of Christmas. Finally last week, “Follow the directions.” This was a more basic message designed to get all of us together back to reading the Word of God (the Bible) and doing whatever God reveals for us to do.

Welcome everyone to your 24/7, week long, online church service. No one is excluded in this place. In the upcoming weeks and months we are going to explore many subjects that are presented to us in the Bible. Some of these subjects will be controversial to some of you. That is not our intention, however remember back nineteen months ago when we first introduced your online church to you. At that time we told you we would give forth the revealed word of truth that God has revealed to us. You know, my friends, God through his Word reveals things to all of us (this means you and me) through the Bible and by the Holy Spirit. Oftentimes, the truth that is revealed to us differs from the accepted teaching and preaching of today. It is not a question of sharing that truth with you, but rather when to share it with you, just as when you should share what God reveals to you with others.

We will be teaching, preaching and having discussions on subjects like the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, is there really an unknown tongue understood only by God? Well, as a preview, turn to I Corinthians 14:2. Let’s read this together.

“For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.”

Now, I understand there are many points of view on this subject. Some believe tongue talking is not for today. Others believe it is precious and a gift of God. There are even denominations that believe it is of the Devil. What do you think? And, what should you do with the above scripture? If you do not believe speaking in tongues is a valid doctrine of the Bible, should you ignore or rip this scripture out of your Bible? We will give forth detailed and exciting messages on these subjects soon so stay tuned.

Another controversial subject we will preach and teach on is evil or demonic spirits. Are they on the earth today? Can Christians be oppressed or have demons living in them? Should demons be cast out of nonbelievers? Or, is this a tool that God has given us to help Christians? Jesus points the way in John 14:12 and this is what he says to us:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also: And greater works than these shall he do: Because I go unto my Father.”

So, the questions begs, what did Jesus do while on the earth? We know he healed the sick. He taught and preached to the multitudes and yes, he cast out devils. Let’s look at Luke 9:38-41.

“And behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: For he is mine only child. And lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddently crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. And I besought thy disciples to cast him out and they could not. And Jesus answering said, Oh faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? And suffer you? Bring thy son hither.”

It sounds like he was not pleased with his disciples lack of faith and action, was he? Verse 42 says:

“And as he was yet a coming (the child), the Devil threw him down and tear him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child and delivered him again to his father.”

The first sentence in Verse 43 says:

“And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God.”

My friends, how long has it been since you have been amazed at the power of God in your church? Maybe it is time for churches to once again teach and preach about the gifts of healing and the casting out of devils. This online church will be glad to lead the way. Healing and evil demonic spirits are subjects we will be touching on in a very thorough way during this year. God wants his people to know and use his power to overcome evil in this present lifetime. Get ready folks, you will not be disappointed.

We will also be preaching and teaching on faith. Hebrews 11:1 will explain what faith is. Take your time and meditate on this verse.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

In other words my friends, faith is not based upon your five senses. But rather, on every word that is in the Word of God (the Bible). Why is this important to know? Hebrews 11:6 tells us.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

You know, to listen to some preachers you would believe teaching on faith today is wrong. But the truth is, they are wrong. We will be doing a complete series on faith in upcoming meetings. Can you see why I am so excited, my friends? Together we will learn and grow in the knowledge of God because everything we preach and teach will be based on the Word of God and I will repeat myself, all that we preach and teach will be based only on the Word of God, which is the Bible. I hope you are as pumped up and excited as I am.

Finally, all these subjects would be nothing if Jesus had not died on that cross to redeem us to the Lord. Our main function as a church is to draw you to Jesus. We are nothing but we can point you to someone who is everything. He name is Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. John 3:16 tells what you need to know about him. Jesus is speaking here:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

That is the eternal message and the ultimate truth. Salvation is and will always be our most important subject. Nonbeliever, come to Jesus!! Believers who have walked away, come back home now! Faithful believers, stay faithful! God loves you, my friends. That is why you are drawn to this online church. We know God loves you and we are not afraid to tell you the truth.

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob

Urgent Prayer Request: Kathleen Warren has requested a prayer request for her brother Blake. He has been diagnosed with a serious liver condition. Please pray for a complete and total healing. Also, pray that Blake receives Jesus as Lord and Savior of his life.

FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS

As we now journey into the year 2011 there are decisions to be made. Are we going to carry on alone? Are we going to face the challenges of life that are now clearly facing us with or without God’s help? Even believers must ask these questions. It is amazing how many believers have God’s ear but never talk to him. Not because they don’t believe in God, but because of possible bad teaching by false teachers or preachers. They don’t even know God listens to their prayers and cries for help and direction.

The other reason some believers get mixed up is that they listen to all the advice of persons who do not follow God’s ways and begin to follow them instead of God. Our purpose is to lead you back to the Father. We state emphatically!! Talk with God. Believe on his Son Jesus Christ. Listen once again to the spirit of God that will lead you into truth and the only correct direction for your life.

Welcome to your 24/7, week long, online church service. How many ways must we say – everyone is welcome in this place. I truly say welcome to all that enter into this service. I know if you read or listen to this message God will touch you with his Words of Life.

All right. Let’s start by seeing what God’s Word (The Bible) has to say about who you listen to. Please turn with me to Psalms 1:1-3.

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

This scripture is very clear, isn’t it? My friends, the Spirit of God is warning us in no uncertain terms to be very careful who we listen to. The lesson is always follow God’s Word no matter what man has to say about the matter. Regarding standing in the way of sinners there is a lesson to learn. Do not ever be an obstacle to a sinner coming to the Lord. Not by word or action.

I remember an incident when I returned to the Lord from a backslidden condition. The decision to follow God again was a firm one. I felt so good to be back under the blessing, mercy and grace of God, but one thing really bothered me. I had to tell a very close friend I could no longer go with him to the bars, no longer could I listen to or be a part of some conversations or jokes. Do you get the picture? This friend was very worldly and easily provoked to violence. He was a black belt in karate.

I finally summoned up all the courage God was giving me and told Gary I had to talk with him. I had no idea how he would take it, but my mind was telling me it would not be good. I explained to my friend how I had known and walked with Jesus, but had walked away due to my own weakness and the circumstances of life. Gary didn’t say a word, he just stared at me. I explained about God’s mercy and grace. I told him I know Jesus is calling me back to him. My calling was to serve God and I was going to do my best to do just that. After about ten minutes of complete silence, Gary spoke and this is what he said: “Bob, I hope you make it. I am going to watch you closely because if you can make it, then maybe there is hope for me.” You see, my friends, we never know who is watching us. Our job is to offer evidence of our faith in God to all who are observing us. Verses 3 and 4 point out very clearly that “if,” and the key word is “if” we delight in God’s word we will be able to withstand all that life throws at us. That, my friends, is true success and God says we will prosper in all our ways. Now that sounds good to me. How about you?

Remember we are talking about direction for our lives in this New Year. What better place to find that direction than in the instruction book of life, which is the Bible. My desire for you in 2011 is very simple and very straight forward. I desire you have and show love. I pray for good health, financial prosperity and peace of mind for you. I am believing God for protection and safety for you everyday. But most of all, my prayer is that you will come to know God fully and completely through his son Jesus. This prayer is the burden God has put on my heart and I gladly accept it.

Even though this is an online church, I see each of you in the spirit. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God loves you. He tells me in his Word to love you as he loves me and that, my friends, is without condition. That is the reason everyone is welcome to attend this and every service we are blessed to present.

Believers, this message in large part is designed for you. There is a call from the Spirit of God to you loud and clear!! Stand fast in the love and mercy and grace of God. Your effectiveness in bringing your friends, family and others to the Lord depends on it. We must never let the draw of the world on us become more pronounced than the draw of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:1 gives us our direction for 2011.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

To abandon the liberty and freedom Jesus has provided us by his death on the cross will guarantee the bondage of sin once again in our life. To stand fast in the liberty and freedom Jesus provided for us guarantees a life of freedom and peace of mind no one can take away from us. Yes, my friends, God has set us on a path of love, goodness, mercy and grace. Get out your Bible and follow the directions.

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob

WAS JESUS REALLY EVER IN CHRISTMAS? (Part 2)

This week we will continue our discussion regarding Christmas. Together, perhaps we can discern what is mans’ tradition and what is really Biblical regarding our celebration or acknowledgment of the birth of the baby Jesus. I would suggest if you have not read or listened to last week’s message that you do so now. It’s alright, go back to last week’s service and read or listen to what was taught so you will be up to date.

Welcome everyone to your 24/7, week long, online church service. Surely you know by now you are welcome in this place. Let me get something straight with you right away. The celebration of Christmas is a free choice. Don’t let it be said that Bro. Bob is telling people to not celebrate Christmas. What I am doing is giving you factual knowledge based on the Word of God. You can then take this knowledge before God in prayer. What will that do to your celebration at Christmastime? I don’t know. That will be up to you. Perhaps nothing or you may make changes in the focus and methods that you use. It’s possible you may eliminate Christmas as you have always perceived it.

I mentioned last week this is not an easy message to deliver. But, it is an important one. When we celebrate Christian holidays, we want to be sure they are of God, don’t we? It is important we serve God in spirit and in truth. God only honors what is done in his name if it is really the way God would have it done. Proverbs 14:12 states:

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

In other words, there are traditions of men that seem good but actually lead you away from God. Certainly the acknowledgment of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is a good thing. It may just be the method we use that is not of God.

Let’s review Part One of this message: (a) We talked about the stress of Christmas on so many. The over spending of borrowed or bill money on gifts. The rise in depression and suicides during the season. The overindulgence of alcohol and drugs all, in the name of celebrating Christmas. We asked, does this sound like anything Jesus would desire to be associated with? (b) We talked about how the Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity yet still worshiped false gods such as Saturn and Baal. He brought his celebration of false gods that was celebrated in December to the Roman Church and a devilish agreement was entered into. To bring the pagans and worshipers into the Church, the Church agreed to combine the festival of Saturnalia with the celebration of the birth of Christ and they called it Christ/Mass; thereby combining the worship of false gods and Jesus as one worship. And there, my friends, is the origin of Christmas. In fact, Christmas has never been a pure celebration of the birth of Jesus. Sad, but true.

We mentioned that is the reason Christmas celebrations were outlawed in colonial America, due to the people of that era understanding that Christmas was not a pure celebration of Jesus, but in fact, was part of a pagan worship and a reproach to the Lord. Look, don’t get mad at me. This is history that can be checked out. Christmas didn’t become an actual legal holiday until 1836 in the state of Alabama. (c) We talked about the history of bringing trees into the house and decorating them. Now admittedly, they are beautiful and enjoyable to look at. But, do they have anything at all to do with Jesus? The answer is – no they do not. In fact, since earliest times evergreens were worshipped as symbols of life, fertility, sexual potency and reproduction. We referred you to Jeremiah 10:1-5, which I ask you to read again. This scripture warns of the dangers of following pagan or false god rituals. And so, we continue….

If you were to study this out for yourself, (and I would encourage you to do just that) you will find the carrying in and draping of holly and other evergreen plants came down to us from the pagan worship of evergreen plants, especially from Druid rituals conducted in midwinter (late December). Listen, I know and understand you use these items for innocent decoration. I understand you do not consider yourself to be worshipping these objects as the pagans did. But in fact, is it not true knowing what you now know, while not worshipping false gods by your action, your celebration may be based on a foundation that is repugnant to God.

I think it is fair to say we have preached on some very touchy subjects here, haven’t we? Up to now, we have talked about the spiritual or so-called spiritual aspects of Christmas. Let’s change course and address the other side of Christmas and other holidays.

Let’s talk about Santa Claus. I remember when as young Christians God impressed upon my wife and myself that when we were telling our youngest daughter, Lyle, that Santa Claus was coming and bringing gifts to her, telling her that he knew if she was good or bad and so on; we were flat out lying to her. Now granted, our parents told us the same things as parents have been doing for around one-hundred years or so. We felt convicted of our sin of lying and so we told her the truth. God has shown me why the myth of Santa Claus, elves, flying reindeer and all other fabrications are so dangerous. All right, stay with me here. I am not meddling. I am preaching truth.

Parents, I know this is not what you want to hear. None of you would tell an untruth to your children if you really believed it to be harmful. But think about it. We tell our children there is a Santa Claus and then they find out there isn’t one. We tell them there is a tooth fairy and they find out there isn’t one. We tell them there is an Easter bunny and they later find out there isn’t one. Now we tell them there is a God above who loves them. Please explain to me why they should believe you. I took a survey once a while back. I asked adults what was the first real lie or untruth you realized your parents ever told you? Ninety percent said it was about Santa Claus. Ten percent were not sure. I understand you told your child these untruths not to on purpose lie to them, but to build their imagination. Also, it seemed like it was fun for them. That is the deception Satan has placed before us, my friends. Now, do you see the reason I am preaching this message to you? Satan is always ready to deceive us. He combines the birth of Jesus with Santa Claus, the resurrection of Jesus with the Easter bunny. Do you really believe God approves of or is involved in this type of activity?

Let me give you an example of combining Jesus with Santa Claus and what the result of what that action is. There are churches today that conclude their Christmas pageants or plays honoring the birth of Jesus. Now just think about this. You are in church singing O Holy Night and Joy to the World. You are focused entirely on God and Jesus. The spirit of God is present and tangible. Now the pageant and singing is over. God is on your heart and mind. And suddenly down the church aisle bounds the fictional character known as Santa Claus to give out gifts or just to lead the singing of Jingle Bells. What happened in that instant? The focus on Jesus? Gone!! In an instant, in church!! Now seriously, ask yourself would God really be in that?

Let me put it like this, my friends. We often ask ourselves what would Jesus do? Do you really believe that Jesus would tell kids there is a Santa Claus? Do you believe Jesus would want his birthday remembered as just part of a holiday to be shared with Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman? Romans 14:5 states:

“One man esteemeth one day above another: Another esteemeth everyday alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”

Everyday is the Lord’s day. Celebrate as unto the Lord. When the next Christmas season comes around, I am asking God to show you what changes should be made in your celebration. One thing for sure, please do not mix fabrications, untruths and traditions based on pagan and false god worship, with the birth of Jesus.

My friends, I could have made this a four or five part series. There is so much evidence about the origin of Christmas. However, I believe this is enough for this time period. Everything that we have presented and even the things we have not had the time to present, all point to one question. Was Jesus really ever in Christmas? The answer is between you and God.

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob