Yet, this locust plague is different...and appropriately so. This particular swarm has crossed over Egypt and spread into Israel itself. The very ones whom God delivered from Egypt with the help of a plague of locusts are now being themselves hit with the same plague. I say this is appropriate because Egypt - often symbolizing the world in Scripture - has invaded the church. Much of what calls itself the church is carnal and so enthralled with the world that there is virtually no difference between the two. There is no evidence of the new birth and the life of Christ within much of the churchworld because many professing Christians are feeding on the world instead of the word of God. Their desires therefore mirror the desires of those in the world, although God has called us to "Be ye holy." (Leviticus 20:7; I Peter 1:15-16)
Yet, God says to His people ensnared in Babylon, "Come out of her my people that you don't become a partaker of her sins and a partaker of her plagues." (Revelation 18:4) Yet what do we see? Israel becoming a partaker of the plague sent against Egypt. Friends, if you don't realize that time is winding down, then you need to pray to the Lord for eyes to see. Prophecy is unfolding right before our eyes as the systems of this world come together with one mind to give their power to the beast (Revelation 17:13). The only question of importance is, "Where do you stand?" Don't be found too busy or distracted to prepare for His coming (Matthew 22:1-14).
"Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?" Luke 12:56
When Israel was in Egypt, Pharaoh increased the pressure & stress on God's people in order to deter them and turn them back from wanting to go into the wilderness to worship their God (Exodus 5:1). Likewise, Satan is increasing the pressures on the church in order to deter & distract them from pressing in to the Spirit of God so as to reap the Lord's promises. Yet, as rough as it may be, as seemingly hopeless as your circumstances may appear, I tell you that God is bringing you out! Hold on and press in to the Lord all the more. In spite of Satan's schemes, the Lord Jesus Christ is mighty to deliver, only believe...and keep believing. No matter the situation, hold on to the promises of the Lord and see His faithfulness unfold in your life. How can you give up when victory is just around the bend?
"And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever." Exodus 14:13
Remember the old paths and turn your whole hearts unto the Lord (Jeremiah 18:15). Sometimes, even the "old school" music is better than the contemporary. Songs that truly relay the Gospel message and can strengthen you in times of going through. The Sensational Nightingales, The Gospel Keynotes, The Williams Brothers, The Angelic Gospel Singers, Dorothy Love Coates, Wynona Carr, The Jackson Southernaires, Bessie Griffin...but as the old folks might say, "Yal don't know nothin' about this here." :-)
Hold on Saints!
Latter Days Ministry,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post. I feel in my spirit that the Lord is soon to return I and want to get right with him. Right now I am pregnant with my second child out of wedlock. This has caused me great grief and shame. I know the word, I have confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior, I attend church. How could this have happened? I stop going to church for a while and I fell into sin. I am having a hard time finding forgiveness as everyone around me (i.e friends and family) are condemning me and rightfully so. I guess what I am trying to ask you is, how can I find my way back to the Father. I have sinned against my first love and I cry even as I write this because I honestly Love him. I want to live for him. I want to be obedient unto him. I want to serve him and please him but I keep coming up short. If you can offer any wisdom or advice or even encouragement I would appreciate it.
Signed, Sister in Christ.
It sounds as if you have repented of your sin and returned to the Lord. He loves you so much! I will pray that the Lord will help you to know the he forgives those who truly repent of their sins. Remember he washes those sins away. He has a plan for your life and he is so merciful to forgive us when we fall if we turn away from our sin. Ask the Lord to give you self-control and wisdom and he will help you in every area of your life. Stay in the Word and be obedient to him. Lord, bless my sister and give her peace and use her life in a mighty way to minister your love to others.
DeleteI just want to let you know first and foremost that God NEVER condemns us, he will convict you so that you know what you are doing is a sin and sin always separates us from God. You only need to repent for all your sins ( which means to turn away from sin and not go back to it) with an honest heart and surrender to his will for your life. Don't let people or the devil condemn you,that is not of God it comes straight from hell to deceive you and keep you from turning back to God. Read your bible as much as possible for it will build your faith and give you hope. The true plan of salvation is to repent,be baptized in Jesus name for the remission of your sins and receive the gift of the Holyghost. Find you a good truth based church and go as often as you can and I promise you God will turn your life back around and bless you with the desires of your heart. I will be praying for you and your babies. My church has a live webcast on Sunday am @ 10:10 and @ 6:10 pm. Check it out I know you will be blessed by it. www.Livingway.cc. God Bless You and yours.
DeleteHi Standfortruth07,
DeleteDear Sister, the weight of sin is heavy because we aren't meant to carry it. All have sinned (Rom. 3:23), but it's God's will for all to be saved (I Tim. 2:4). God isn't a tyrant making you jump through hoops to earn or prove yourself to Him (or any other). Just as you are, He invites you to give it all to Him and He will give you the oil of joy for your mourning.
"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." Isa. 61:3
He takes our broken sinfulness and gives us His righteousness. Don't fall into the enemy's trap of thinking you have to somehow clean yourself up before God will accept you. He knows what's in your heart and what you've done. The pricking of your conscience is the drawing of the Holy Spirit for you to leave that old life behind and have new life in Him. He still wants you as His own and has already paved the way for you to be.
In this Christian life, we need the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We can't follow Christ by mere willpower or in the flesh. We need the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to fill us continually so that we can overcome sin. The Holy Spirit will change us to be more like Christ. He will even change our carnal desires and give us desires which are like His (Psalm 37:4).
To help shake off some of what binds you, start on a fast. As you are pregnant, a food fast is not advisable. However, fast from those things which feed the old man, i.e. TV, secular music, idle conversation... Bathe yourself in praise & worship music. Spend more time in prayer & study so that your spiritual man can be built up to cast down the lies of condemnation the enemy launches against you. This may help to restore your peace in the Lord more quickly.
It isn't about going to church or not going to church. You fell into sin, not because you stopped going to church but because of what is inside of you. When each man sins it is because he is drawn away by his own lusts (Jam. 1:14-15). However, brothers & sisters in the Lord can most definitely help to encourage, strengthen, & edify you. Remember, the effectual, fervent prayers of a righteous man avails much (Jam. 5:16), so having a body of people who can intercede for and pray with you is a tremendous blessing & spiritual resource in your fight. My church broadcasts it services over the Internet each week and also has a nightly prayer line.
Omega Church & Ministries Center
Prayer Line Info
There may be areas where you still come up short or things which the Lord will put His finger on that you did not even know was there; it is for all of us. However, you will also see yourself gaining victory over sin. Things in the past which used to tempt you will fade. Unclean desires you used to have will dissipate. This is the promise and the reality of walking with the Lord (I John 1:7).
Lastly Sister, know that His mercies are new every morning. It's His desire to forgive & cleanse us, as we submit to Him in repentance. Repentance also does not mean sinlessness, but it means that we adopt the attitude towards sin that God has: hating it. Stay in His word and meditate on it day & night. In this, you will make your way prosperous and be given light to see & escape every snare of the enemy (Psalm 1:1-3; Psalm 119:105).
All is far from lost. Look to the great promises that God gives you and set your mind like a flint not to be dissuaded. If God is for you, who can be against you? Grab a hold of Him and let Him lead you in the way; He is faithful to do it. My heart & prayers are with you and your children.
The Lord recently lead my husband to this site and we have been eating it up...We are so thankful for your blog and exposing so much thru it that needs to exposed!
DeleteI usually don't leave any kind of reply but I read the first reply here from the sister that is currently pregnant and I would like to encourage her at this time...
Dear Sister,
Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save the world! The enemy is the accuser!
The Holy Spirit gives us conviction of our sin the leads us to repentance, that leads us to life!
The enemy brings accusations, self condemnation, and guilt that leads us to self destruction and death. Those that are standing around you throwing stones are not acting in the spirt of God...They are being used by the enemy to keep you down...If you have already truly repented of your sin, the Lord immediately forgave you! In the story of the woman caught in adultery everyone was ready to stone her to death (condemn her) and Jesus said, "He who has no sin, throw the first stone"....One by one they put all their stones down...Then he looked at her and said, "Your sins have been forgiven, now go and sin no more". He loves you and has already forgiven you, the enemy is a liar and he wants you to believe that he hasn't so that you don't run to the Father arms!
We have all fallen short...but God is more than able to take what the enemy meant for evil and use if for good!! I believe you have to forgive yourself! Trust God to heal your heart and let him remove that grief and shame from you that also does not come from the Father... One of the first spirits we open doors to when we sin is the spirit of shame. When Adam and Eve sinned they first thing they did was see there nakedness and covered themselves up because they felt shame for the first time...
Remember the word is your sword, when those lies come to your thoughts, hit him back with the truth and you will receive your victory and your healing! You are in a great place for your spiritual growth, if you would stand firm and allow the Father to do the work! Just take up your cross and lay your will down completely!
I know the pain that you are in right now but if you trust him and if you would just worship him in the middle of the storm, and ask the Lord to show you what it is he is doing in your heart, he will show you! He is faithful! You will be thankful for this storm in the future if you hang on to daddy because he will bring you thru it and out of it, and at the end you can say like Job, "My ears had heard of you, but now I have seen him with my very own eyes!"
Here are some scripture weapons for you!
Rom 8:1, John8, Gen 3, Rev 12-10, Eph 6:12, Mat 16:24, Job 42:5, Mark 2:17
May the Lord give us strength and courage to face what is in our own hearts!
Bless you,
Anais
Amen Anais! He is surely faithful to see us through. Thank you for offering encouragement to this Sister. I know many will be blessed by what you have shared.
DeleteGod bless you!
Wow, very blessed by this song and your encouragement.
ReplyDeleteWe're almost there - or rather, He's almost here. Hold on a little while longer, bretren!
Grace and peace
Ian
Amen!!
DeleteHi, I was reading about the possible new Pope and how the front-runner for the new Pope is a black cardinal from Africa whose uncle is a Muslim and some consider him a Catholic-Muslim. What does this mean for Christians? I have read from other Christians and on some blogs that this Pope is the false prophet that the Book of Revelations was referring to, that this Pope will usher in the anti-Christ. Some of my Christian Facebook friends are happy that the next Pope might be black and are celebrating that we have a black president and now potentially a black Pope. What does this say about the conditions of the black Church?
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous,
DeleteI am not trying to be funny here, but I honestly can think of no response but the following:
"For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." I Cor. 2:2
All I know is that the word of God is true. Time is winding up. How things unfold I am not even particularly interested in at this time. I am not saying that such studies are not a worthy endeavor. I am just saying that my mind is just not over there right now.
I can remember my pastor once referring to Simon of Cyrene who was made to help carry Jesus' cross at His crucifixion. (Matt. 27:32). Simon was a man of color for Cyrene is in present-day Libya. Pastor Price indicated that he believed this indicated that people of color would play a prominent role in the end times. If true, I suppose such a role could be both in terms of Satan implementing his plans and the Lord performing His will; Satan after all does like to imitate the things of God.
I don't know why people would be happy that a man of color might become the head of one of the most idolatrous institutions in Babylon. I guess it just goes to show how blind people are. Same as with people's exaltation of Pres. Obama.
I don't think these things say anything about the black church. Much of the churchworld is steeped in idolatry, and that is no different based upon ethnicity. Even the thoughts about people of color being prominent in the end times is not about ethnicity, but about how God uses the things that the world sees as foolish to confound the wise (I Cor. 1:27). For the history of the world, people of color have been largely disenfranchised due to racism (both overt & covert). In relation to the end times, the Lord has said that the last would become first, and the first would be last. So, it further makes sense that the Lord may have a particular plan for using people of color in the last days.
Hello Maisha
ReplyDeleteJust want to say I appreciate you and your obedience to God so much. The comment you wrote back to that young lady I feel as if it were meant for me. My husband and I are also expecting but my struggle, has been a continuous battle with sexual perversion and lust within myself (masturbation and pornography), its my hardest battle a definite stronghold (and root to my other problems), seems the more I fight it the harder it fights back. I have been fasting the first 7 days with the ministry, as you suggested above, food as you said is not an option but other things that feed my flesh, but its still very hard. We do want to come down next month myself especially for the deliverance session but my hubby's biggest worry is the long drive with little to no help on the driving. I ask if you would keep us in prayer for both our strength to be able to make it to the fellowship. I want to be free from this bondage so that I can opperate as a whole woman, wife and mother.
Hi Charlene,
DeleteIt brought me to tears to hear of your struggle. I have started praying for you and your family and binding the devil in his efforts to torment you. While I don't have experience with this particular issue, I don't think that matters. The answer for all sin is Jesus Christ. We overcome by the blood of the Lamb, no matter the sin. So I will share with you an issue where lust has shown itself in my own life, and that is through food.
I have loved food and the experience of eating since a child, the flavors, textures... Some say that eating itself can be a sensual experience because it involves what you see, smell, taste, touch, etc. Yet, because I was not overweight, it was a secret sin of sorts. No one would look at me and guess that it was an issue. With all the sins there are, it is this particular vice that the Lord says will be a snare in the last days (Luke 21:34; Phil. 3:19), so I was concerned. There is nothing wrong with appreciating food of course, but anything which is an obstacle to our growth in the Lord is idolatry.
God promises that for every temptation we face, He will provide a way of escape (I Cor. 10:13). Yet, here I was bound. So I started praying to God that He would open my eyes so that I could see the way of escape. And He did! In each situation, I started to sense a pause (don't know a better way to explain it). I would have the realization that I don't have to make the choice to eat. I knew this was God answering my prayer to allow me to see my way of escape. But then I discovered an even bigger issue: I didn't want to take the way of escape.
I would be faced with a situation where I could see the way of escape God had provided, but I would choose to eat anyway. I was heartbroken. Now, each time I did so, I was keenly aware that I was choosing food over God. That knowledge was even more torment than being bound. I knew that I needed help outside of myself because left to my own devises, I would never choose not to sin. So I prayed that God would not only let me see the way of escape, but give me the will & strength to take it (Phil. 2:13). And He answered that prayer too! There were times when I had to literally go running out of my kitchen to resist the urge to eat. I am sure I must have looked like a looneytoon to the neighbors (and maybe to my family too LOL), but I didn't care. If I have to look crazy, so be it; I just wanted to be free. Just as Joseph with Potiphar's wife, sometimes you literally have to RUN from temptation if you know your flesh is not strong enough yet to resist it (Gen. 39:12).
Eventually, I grew stronger. As God continued to work on me - and as I stood on His word to see and take the way of escape He provided - it took less & less effort to resist those desires. I had my victory...so I thought. But Satan is slick! As the devil saw that I was gaining victory over him in this area, he started attacking me in my sleep. I would actually have dreams about food, where I was gorging myself. Can you imagine anything so crazy as dreaming about food? Yet, this taught me something. I had to learn how to fight anew. Although I was gaining victory while awake, being asleep seemed to be something else altogether. The strength I had while awake just didn't seem present while I slept...and I am sure Satan knew this. He believed that he could bombard my subconscious mind and keep me bound that way.
Cont...
DeleteAt first I rather enjoyed the dreams. If I could not indulge for real, then I could do so in my dreams. What was the harm anyway? It was just a dream. But I was wrong. Even dreams have spiritual roots. I realized that I couldn't take dreaming about food lightly because it was still feeding the old man. If left unabated, the inordinate desires for food would eventually increase and I would lose the ground I had gained in this fight. So I prayed again for God to help me to see and take the way of escape from such meditations on food, even while I slept. And He did again (God is so faithful). Yet, I was right where I had been in the natural. Although God made plain the way of escape in my sleep, I still had to exert the will not to do indulge. The times when I didn't, I would engorge myself in my dreams. The times when I chose not to eat, the dream would fade.
I learned that we must fight Satan both in the natural (by not yielding our members to unrighteousness, Rom. 6:13-19) and in the spiritual (getting in mental agreement with God's word, for the mind is really just a spiritual entity anyway, Eph. 4:23). Over time, I was able to get a true victory and even the dreams went away. But not for long. Just as with Jesus, when Satan left from tempting Him in the wilderness, it was only for a time (Luke 4:13). The Bible says that when an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he doubles back later with 7 more spirits stronger than itself to see if he can return to his "house" (Matt. 12:45). So even after you begin to get the victory in this area (and I know that you will through Jesus), don't let your guard down. Stay strong in the Lord and His word so that when (not if) the devil sneaks back around to regain a foothold, he will have no success.
I truly believe what I wrote in this article. God is in the process of rendering a strong deliverance for His people, breaking off the shackles which bind them. When I first heard of this plague of locusts, I had this feeling in my spirit that time is indeed very short and our deliverance draws near. God is going to break the back of the enemy; for our benefit, but for His name's sake. Amen! Just be encouraged Sister, and hold on. Press through, and stand as we stand with you. He is the God of our salvation and we shall see His deliverance wrought in the earth.
I searched on the Internet yesterday in the hopes that I could offer suggestions for you from the mid-west (assuming I have the right Charlene in mind), but to no avail. Maybe it would be possible to leave early and break the trip up in pieces rather than take it in one fell swoop? Or maybe you can meet up with others from different parts of the country part of the way through so that the rest of the drive is not just on your husband? Bro. Rashid did that a year ago, as they actually met up with another brother farther out than yourself so that they could all come together (and share the drive). Lastly, perhaps reach out to Sis. Barbara. She may know of some with whom you guys could connect. If there is anyway we can help, please let us know. But in the meantime we will keep you in prayer about it. God is able to make a way when we see know way. :-)
Love you Sister and praying for you still!
I too had a problem with porn and masturbation and was introduced to it at an early age. After I met my husband, the flesh re-introduced itself to the past cravings of lusts of the flesh. I started back masturbating and watching porn when he wasn't around. I confessed to him that I was watching porn. He said to me, "Now you know that you are a christian and you don't need to do that." The guilt and conviction I felt when he said that made me instantly sin no more with pornography. I continued to masturbate for a while, until the Lord shook my world upside down. When I cried out to Him, He heard me and delivered me out of all my distresses.
ReplyDeleteI started to really fall in love with Jesus by studying all about HIm and wanting to be just like Him. I began to HATE sin! The Word helped me to crucify my flesh. I stopped masturbating and no longer feel the need to do so. Get in the Word and fall in love with Jesus. Peace and blessings to you sister and I am praying for you! This too shall pass...
Hi Jenn,
DeleteGod bless you for sharing your testimony. So often ,we can feel alone when we are dealing with strongholds in our lives and it helps to know that others have experienced God's deliverance in those areas. I pray that you continue to be in love with Jesus, used by Him to be a light to others. He is surely the keeper of our souls as we trust in Him.
May God continue to bless your marriage and bring you closer to each other by His Spirit!
Heard this song today and thought immediately of many who have posted here. I hope you are blessed by this song!
ReplyDeleteAt the Foot of the Cross
Hi Latter Days sister. Whilst listening to Premier Christian Radio (UK station), I heard something I have not heard before - a transgender 'woman' who became an Anglican Priest. She is being interviewed on the radio as I type this, and talks of God coming into her life, yet looking on her website and reading her theology writings(poems)it is clear that there is still huge deception in her life. Please look at:- http://www.rachelmann.co.uk/pp002.shtml as I would like to know your comments. I am clear that whilst our Lord can indeed reveal himself to people who are 'transsexual' and any kind of sinner to save them, yet He calls us to new life in Him and turning away from darkness. Please pray for Rachel Mann.
ReplyDeleteHi Susanne-FaithWoman,
DeleteSuch is just a sign of the times. Without even reading this woman's site I can tell you she has the wrong spirit. Anyone who still identifies with sin and the old man has not been born again. No matter what we were in the world - or what we thought we were - we are made new creature in Christ Jesus when we turn to Him in faith (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15). No believer - having put on Christ - is still going to consider themselves transgender, a fornicator, homosexual, adulterer...because they will feel about sin the same way God feels. God is not a man that He should lie, or the son of man that He should repent. He created man and designed us to be male and female; He makes no mistakes. Now the devil can certainly come in and pervert things, even from birth through generational curses, but we don't carry those perversions into the new life in Christ.
In these days, the whole world is being prepared to receive the King of Sodom (the Anti-christ). Every world system will therefore reflect that nature, education, religious, governmental, entertainment, etc. In order for the whole world to worship the beast (Rev. 13:3), then the majority of the world must share in that same satanic nature. What we must do is make sure that none of that nature - and no affiliation with it - is in us (Rom. 1:32). That way, we can be prepared to stand and point others to freedom in Christ.
Hope you are well Sister!
Yes there is a vital need for us to have no affiliation with the satanic nature. It is a pity that this transgender priest is leading others astray. She has declared the Bible to be 'inconsistent' and is in a heavy metal rock band.
DeleteI am enjoying and appreciative of your blogs and I praise our LORD for giving you the strength and the wisdom to do His will.
I hope you remain well.
Hi Charlene
ReplyDeleteI have had this problem since I was a child,I can say I truly understand the hurt and desperation that you are feeling. I'm 30 years old now and only received my deliverance 4 years ago. The two always go together, but Thank God for his mercy and grace, what helped me was the desire to please God more than myself. I had to make it up in my mind that I did not want to have God or the Angels see me molest myself in such a way. It took a long while but Truly by the Help of the Holy Spirit, The Word of God, Fasting with Prayer and my strong desire to be free the issue was resolved. I can only say now that I have overcome. I regularly need to cast down imaginations that are perverted, and deprive myself of anything that feeds the desire. Also God showed me that I desire such things when I'm feeling lonely or hurt and it was by trusting that God is always with me that truly helped as well. Do not be dismayed Sister, keep pressing on until victory comes. The enemy will try to undermine the process but just press on, God, in the name of Jesus is our VICTORY.
Thank you so much Supasta for this sound advise. I know it will help many.
DeleteGod bless!
Thank you so much Maisha, ( yes its Charlene from the Midwest :-)). I don't have many words to express my gratitude for you sharing your experience but thank you. Everything you said is true and I know it because Its exactly how I've been struggling. If I gain victory in the natural the torment starts in my dreams until i break. But i believe and know that I will be delivered . Its about a week later that Im responding and I just want to say that I've been feeling different since I wrote the first message. I've been feeling in my spirit that you (and others I have shared with) were praying and I've in response have had you in my prayers as well. Right now its 6:30 am but I've been woke since 3:37, and I was just telling my husband how it feels like i have my joy back and I know its because i haven't been fighting with this as much in the flesh lately. Every time I've thought about that, how i haven't been struggling as much and how I feel my joy in the Lord growing you've come to mind. So again I just want to say thank you (to supasta as well I appreciate you) and I love you so much and see you soon.
ReplyDeleteHi Sister Charlene,
DeleteI am so glad that your joy is being restored and that you are continuing to trust the Lord for your deliverance. Satan always wants us to feel condemned. He wants us to focus on our weaknesses, shortcomings, and failures because he is the accuser. It is a way of disempowering us in the fight. But Sister, fight on because we have been assured to attain the victory!! Although Satan may be right in that we are not worthy to receive such great love from the Father, Jesus IS! And mercifully, in Him we find our deliverance.
When it boils down to it, our battles are all the same, no matter the person; we must war against the devil, crucify this old flesh, and be sanctified from the world. So I thank you very much for your prayers as we fight on together. :-)
Much love to you Sister and praying that we can see each other again next month!