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Word for Today:  October 11

The present-day New Testament church cannot be successfully governed by carnal, uncalled, unanointed leadership. It is not and never was the Will of God for the Church to be a democratic institution.

As difficult to understand as it is in our American culture, proper New Testament church government is not democratic in principle.  We need to understand that the leadership of the local church MUST be unfettered.  They must never be controlled, influenced or manipulated by those who are not spiritually minded.

The early church, which is described in the Book of Acts, had a unique and innovative method of government.  It was not governed by democratic principles as most denominational churches are in this present day.  It was Apostolic in nature.

Decisions and actions undertaken by the church must be made and implemented by those whom God has placed in positions of leadership. The Apostle.  The Prophet.  The Pastor.  The Teacher.  The Evangelist. Ruling Elders… those with a Call from Heaven on their lives who are demonstrating the anointing of the Holy Ghost in their lives and ministry. And those who are privileged to occupy such honored positions need to be accountable to one another and respected for their varied ministries.

God will lead, the Word will Guide and success will be guaranteed.

A Prophetic Perspective of Present Day Global Event

Ezekiel 36 – 39

The Book was written while Ezekiel was exiled in Babylon (Iraq) approximately 600 years before Christ

His ministry extended over twenty-three years  595-573 B.C. 

He was contemporary with Daniel and Jeremiah, and probably also with Obadiah.

His prophesies deal with:

                The captivity of Israel and the destruction of Jerusalem

                Judgment on other nations for their part in Israel’s sin and rebellion

1. In the Last Days Israel will be Re-Born

37:11  Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.

37:12  Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.

37:13  And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,

37:14  And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.

36:24  For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

2. In the Last Days Israel will be Restored

36:33  Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded.

36:34  And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by.

36:35  And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.

36:36  Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it.  (and He has!)

3. In the Last Days Israel will be Re-United

37:15 ¶  The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,

37:16  Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:

37:17  And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.

The Divided Kingdom (Judah and Israel) becomes One Kingdom in the End Time…

4. In the Last Days Israel will be Re-Gathered

37:21  And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:

37:22  And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:

5. In the Last Days Israel will be Invaded by Armies from the North

1 ¶  Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:

2  And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:

AND… “in the last days…”

Restored Israel will be Invaded by Gog and his army… (Eze 38)

38:14 ¶  Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it?

38:15  And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army:

38:16  And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.

“Gog” is a person.  The “Chief Prince” of a group of nations.

“Magog” is an assembly of nations that will be led by Gog in the invasion of Israel in the last                                          days.

Magog, Meshech and Tubal were sons of Japheth (remember the sons of Noah and the “table of nations” in Gen 10?)  They are the ancestors of the people of northern Eurpope…  (the Russians, Muscovites, Cappadocians, etc)

Gog, in the land of Magog, the chief prince of (Rosh), Meshech, and Tubal, will invade the restored land of Israel from the North, with a powerful army of many nations. (38:1-9)

Their intention will be to plunder Israel, which will be dwelling in security. (38:10-16)

But when Gog and his army (from the north) invade Israel, they will be destroyed by the wrath and judgment of the Lord.

On the mountains of Israel Gog with all his hosts and nations will be destroyed by the wrath of God.

The inhabitants of the cities of Israel will spend seven years in burning the weapons of the fallen foe, and seven months in burying the corpses in a valley.

In the meantime all the birds and wild beasts will fill themselves with the flesh and blood of the fallen

What is the meaning of this?

 This is a global conflict that will end this age.

This is a war that will be like no other war in all recorded history.

This will be a group of nations led by a “mad man” with the intent of destroying Israel and Israel’s God.

This battle will be the “mother of all battles” and will be won in an instant.

God will intervene and destroy Gog, Magog and all the nations set in array against Israel

This could well be the Biblical “Battle of Armageddon”… the Apocalypse

Gog and Magog may well be the antichrist and his gathered forces that will attempt to overthrow Israel and destroy Israel’s God

NOW… where are we in all of this??

At this moment in history, all eyes are on Israel and Iran.  They are in the vortex of an impending conflict.

BUT… The USA and Russia are also key players in this end-time scenario.

Iran is hell-bent on destroying Israel… and has publically declared that it will “wipe Israel off the map…”

Iran is driven by an Islamic Mad Man who believes it is his mission in life to create a world-destroying war in order to bring back the Islamic “messiah.”

In light of this… Israel is poised for an immediate pre-emptive strike to defend itself… and rightly so.

Ahmadinejad has vowed to wipe Israel off the face of the map.

He has asked Muslims to envision a world without the United States.

He believes that Israel is the Little Satan and the U.S. is the Great Satan.

He believes the end of the world is just a few years away and that it is his mission to bring it about.

Iran is developing its nuclear capability and could literally be weeks away from deploying missiles with atomic warheads.

Today, for the first time in two thousand years, we are seeing all these signs come true, and the rebirth of Israel is the most dramatic sign of them all. We can, therefore, have confidence that Jesus’ return is closer than ever. What’s more, we can be confident that our generation will not pass away before we see this remarkable event occur.  (Mat 24:24)

No other generation in history has been able to say that, but we now can. It is true that Jesus cautions us not to speculate on the exact day and hour of his return. But we are encouraged to watch current events closely and know when the clock is running out.

Word for Today:  October 9

Use what you have. Begin where you are.

David, the sling shot boy, did not wait until he had something else or something better… he took what he had and trusted God to make it work…  He took his staff… his sling… and five smooth stones.  He did not wait for something better or delay for more equipment to arrive… He used what he had.

You can take what you have and defeat the devil today.  If you have been waiting for something else you have been waiting in vain.  Some are waiting for more faith…. more strength… more favorable circumstances… more money…  but God wants you to take what you have and use it to overcome the devil.

You are a New Creation in Christ Jesus and you can do all things through Him.  You have more than enough right now to overcome the devil. Remember… the devil’s biggest and best is still no match for the smallest and weakest in the Kingdom.   Jesus said: “He that is least in the Kingdom is greater than John the Baptist…”

David took what he had and partnered with God. And that, friend, will always give you the advantage over the powers of darkness.  Any warfare with the devil is always unfair to the devil…  he always has the short end of the stick and is at the mercy of the weakest Believer.

What you have is enough.

Just. Use. It.

Word for Today: October 7

_{Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.   Joshua 1:1-2}

_{Notice what God tells Joshua: “Take possession of what I have given you.”  Every place… I have given unto you…  It is there for you.  I have saved it for you and provided it for you.  It is a land of abundance.  It is a land of plenty.  It is a land of rest and success.  It is a place of healing and health.  It is a land of safety and security.  It is a land of deliverance and protection.”}

_{God has purchased awesome possessions for you through the Blood of His Son, Jesus.  The victory has been won and the prize has been captured.  It is for you and it is for me.} 

_{However, you will never have these possessions until you go over and take them.  They will never benefit you until you make up your mind to get up, go over and take possess them.  By action, by force and by faith.}

_{The devil is “squatting” on what is legally yours.  he will stay there and laugh at you until you get up and go over and take it back.  he will homestead on it until you get mad enough, brave enough, faith-filled enough to go in and kick him out.  Get up and go over.}

Word for Today:  October 5

What Authority is:

Authority is the Ability to do something accompanied by the Right to do it.  Ability coupled with Right equals Authority and Dominion.

A policeman has authority that is enabled by the badge he wares.  And the right to use that authority is empowered by the .45 he packs on his belt.

What Authority means…

It means that every believer has the ABILITY and RIGHT to exercise and enjoy every privilege of Salvation.  This includes, Healing from all sickness and disease, deliverance from all demonic powers,  total protection from all dangers, catastrophes, accidents, or threats to life, prosperity and provision for every need,  preservation in and through every trial, test or temptation, soundness of mind and peace of heart.

It means that every believer has the ABILITY and the RIGHT to redeem every promise God has given.  It means that you are WORTHY to receive what God has promised on the basis of the Righteous Nature in you through Jesus Christ.

For God hath made Him to be sin for us (Who knew no sin) that we might be made the Righteousness of God in Him…  2 Cor 5:21

It means that every believer has the ABILITY and the RIGHT to take complete dominion over all the powers of darkness.  This is what Reigning in Life is.  The Believer is given all that he needs to Reign in Life… life on earth at this time and in this place.  Right now!

For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.   Rom 5:17

1.  Because I am Saved, ALL THINGS NOW in me are of GOD.

2Cor 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2Cor 5:18  And all things are of God….

2.  Because I am Saved, My SPIRIT has been MADE PERFECT.  It is perfect now  and will REMAIN PERFECT throughout Eternity.

Heb 12:18 ¶ For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest….

Heb 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

 3.  Because I am Saved, GOD DOES NOT LOOK ON MY SIN.

Romans 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Psa 103:12  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.                 

Hebrews 10:19  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

4.  Because I am Saved, I AM FOREVER EXPEMPT from GOD’S  JUDGMENT AND WRATH.

Hebrews 10:10  By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

5.  Because I am Saved, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE for me to DIMINISH my STANDING WITH GOD. (RIGHTEOUSNESS)

2 Timothy 1:9  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

6.   Because I am Saved, MY GREATEST ENEMY is not the   DEVIL… it is MY CARNAL MIND.

Romans 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Romans 8:7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

7.    Because I am Saved, I am ETERNALLY in GOD’S FAVOR.                                  

Galatians 3:13  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Galatians 3:14  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

8.  Because I am Saved, my SIN EFFECTS MY FELLOWSHIP with GOD… not MY RELATIONSHIP to GOD.

1 John 1:6  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

9.   Because I am Saved, the ONLY INROAD SATAN has in my LIFE is WHEN I SIN.

James 1:15  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

10.   Because I am Saved,  ANY and ALL CONDEMNATION comes from ME and not from GOD.

Romans 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

11.   Because I am Saved, my MOTIVATION not to SIN is MY LOVE FOR GOD and not MY FEAR of GOD.

John 14:21  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

12.  Because I am Saved,  I AM a NEW SPECIES of BEING.  My GENETIC STRUCTURE has been ETERNALLY CHANGED.  (Regenerated… re-gened)

Titus 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, (the renewal of an original) and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

13.  Because I am Saved, the GLORY of GOD is RESTORED in me.  I have this TREASURE in my EARTHEN VESSEL.

2 Corinthians 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

14.   Because I am Saved, GOD has DONE MORE IN ME than satan DID IN ADAM.

1 John 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

15.   Because I am Saved,  I WILL NEVER DIE.  NEVER

John 11:26  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Word for Today:  October 4

Our main problem is a mind problem.

The mind tends to believe and act on what the senses tell it.  This is called “sense knowledge.”  When what we do is dictated by sense knowledge, we are living in and on the natural, carnal level.  The Word tells us that:

To be carnally minded is death, but to be Spiritually minded is Life and Peace… (Rom 8:6)

“Death” has many first cousins.  Worry is one.  Fear is another.  Then comes anxiety, dread, stress, unrest, sickness, poverty, bondage, terror, unstable marriages, messed up kids, fractured and broken relationships.

Death has many facets.  Sense knowledge invites death into our lives and hinders our Spirit from believing God.  This is why Paul tells us that it is important for us to “renew” our minds.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Rom 12:2

How you think and what you think determines who and what you are.

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:  Pro 23:7

The message today is a statement of fact:  GOD IS ABLE.  This is the Magna Charta of the New Testament Church.  God is Able.   This is the Emancipation Proclamation of the Body of Christ:  God is Able.  This is the Constitution and the Bill of Rights for the Christian:  God is Able.  Confess “GOD IS ABLE!” 

There is a great need for encouragement today.  God wants to encourage YOU.  He has set aside this day and this moment to BUILD YOU UP and STRENGTHEN YOU and to HELP YOU.  HE has position me here and spoken to my heart with the message you need:  He is ABLE to deliver you out of your fiery trial and out of your furnace and out of your Egypt.  He wants you to know HE HAS EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL and HELP IS ON THE WAY.  Hallelujah!!

Some of you are on the verge of doubt and unbelief.  Some have given into asking dumb questions.  Some are struggling with what seems to be impossible situations…. situations that seem to have no answer and that never seem to get any better or grow any easier to bear.  God is HERE TODAY to encourage you and increase your faith.  He is HERE TODAY to strengthen you and encourage you in your fiery trial. 

“No weapon that is formed against  you shall prosper…  Isa 54:17

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivereth them out of them all…”  Psa 34

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you…”   I Pet 4:12

“When the enemy shall come in, like a flood the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him…  Isa 59:19

“Fear thou not for I am with thee; be not discouraged; for I am thy God;  I will strengthen thee I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness…”  Isa 41:10

How do you stand in the time of great affliction?  How do you “endure to the end” so that you may be saved?  How do you remain strong in faith when all seems to fail?  What do you do when everything goes wrong?  What should you do when you do everything right and things get worse?  Let’s look at some Bible Characters who STOOD in a time of great TESTING.

I.  DON’T GET DISCOURAGED BECAUSE IT IS HARD!

Remember… situations are not supposed to affect the Believer.  Believers are supposed to affect situations.  Situations changes.  God never changes.  Situations pass, God’s Word never passes.  Remember:  It came to pass… not to stay!!

The 3 Hebrews were in a STRANGE LAND far away from home and they were in the company of a pagan tyrant who set himself up as god.  They lived in the midst of paganism, idolatry, unbelief and outright blasphemy.  They had been taken captive and led away into the headquarters of all that hated their God.  Their hopes and dreams were shattered and their future looked bleak.  BUT THEY REFUSED DISCOURAGEMENT and they BELIEVED GOD.

Paul and Silas landed in jail because they Obeyed God.  They were persecuted, beaten and locked in stocks.  But they refused to get Discouraged.  Instead they considered GOD.  When they considered God they began to SING and SHOUT and PRAISE Him.  They were anything but discouraged.  How are you?

Daniel wound up in a Den of Lions because he refused to stop praying to Jehovah God.  He used one lion for a pillow, another for a foot stool and another for cover.  He slept and the lions trembled in fear.  Because he refused to be discouraged. 

John was left alone on an uninhabited volcanic island to starve and perish in the elements.  The boat was not out of sight before John was “in the Spirit” on the Lord’s Day and fell out in the Holy Ghost.  He saw Jesus.  He was not discouraged or defeated.  He knew that his GOD WAS ABLE. 

Understand that discouragement will breed self-pity and cause complaining.  Complaining will lead to murmuring and grumbling.  Discouragement will cause you to look at the problem instead of the Answer.  DON’T BE DISCOURAGED!!    

II.  REDEDICATE YOUR LIFE TO JESUS 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were more dedicated and committed at the time of their fiery trial than any time before.  Their boldness reveals their commitment.  “Go ahead, King Nebuchadnezzer, we are not afraid.  Our God Whom we SERVE is ABLE to deliver us out of the fire and out of your hands… and HE WILL!!

This is not the time to quit.  This is not the time to compromise.   This is not the time to ease up or let up or back up or give up.  It is the time to PRESS ON!!   The Hebrews didn’t quit.  Daniel didn’t quit.  Paul and Silas didn’t quit.  John didn’t quit.  Are you going to quit?

What will it take to make you quit, anyway?  Are you looking for a way out?  Are you considering a cop out because it is getting “too hard”  or “too hot”? You and I have not resisted unto blood yet.  This is the hour for commitment.  For dedication.  For faithfulness.  For obedience.  For selling out to God.  Are you ready to stop playing Church?  Playing Christianity?  Playing the Spirit-Filled life?  God wants me to tell you… “IF you want to live and not die, COMMITTMENT is essential!”

III.  REJOICE

Rejoice in your trial.  satan is watching and God is waiting.  Be filled with Joy.  Your fiery trial is but a testing ground for your faith.  “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some strange thing happened unto you,  but REJOICE…” I Pet 4:2. 

God likes IMPOSSIBLE situations.  God specializes in delivering HIS OWN out of hopeless circumstances.  Check out Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  Check out Daniel.  Check out Paul and Silas. 

The trial you are presently in is PURIFYING you and REFINING you and PURGING you and CLEANSING you.  Fire burns out the dross and consumes the unnecessary.  It forges and it tempers.  It hardens and strengthens.  It works patience in you and causes you to DEPEND ON GOD.  It directs your attention to GOD… it makes you LOOK UP.

Fires are quenched by FAITH.  “Who through Faith, quenched the violence of fire…”  Heb ll:34  “Above all taking the shield of Faith wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked…”  Eph 6:16

Attack your situation (fiery furnace) with your FAITH.  Name your fire, your furnace, your situation.  Call it by name.  Is it discouragement?  Depression?  Grief?  Disease?  Broken heart?  Wounded spirit?  Physical pain?  Family problems?  Rejection?  Financial difficulties?  Fear?  NAME IT.  Now attack it with your faith.  Release your faith to quench your fiery furnace!

YOU WILL MAKE IT!!

IV.  KNOW THAT GOD IS ABLE TO DELIVER YOU

“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us…”  Dan 3:17

“Now unto Him that is Able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…  Eph 3:20

“Upon this rock will I build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it…”  Mat 16

God has done it in the past and He is able to do it NOW. 

            Ask Moses

            Ask Joshua

            Ask David

            Ask Gideon

            Ask Lazarus

            Ask Philippian Jailer

            Ask Paul

God is no respecter of persons.  If He did it for them, He will do it for you. 

GOD IS ABLE!!

Word for Today:  October 3

Here are some Lies that many Believers have thought true:

• It’s a lie that you are a victim of circumstances.
• It’s a lie that you are helpless and can do nothing about your situation. (According to the Word is no such thing as “I can’t help it.”)
• It’s a lie that you are locked into impossibilities and hopeless conditions.
• It is a lie that “things will never change.”
• It’s a lie that you must be miserable, sad, depressed and defeated most of your life.
• It’s a lie that you must stay sick.
• It’s a lie that you must continually live in lack and need.
• It’s a lie that your family cannot be saved and delivered and that they will never love and live for God.
• It’s a lie that you can never change.
• It’s a lie that your marriage is beyond repair.
• It’s a lie that you will never have a good job, and that you will never make a decent living.
• It’s a lie that you will never be out of debt. (Unless you disobey the Word regarding your money, your giving and your spending.)
• It’s a lie that you must always live under a curse.
• It’s a lie that you will never get better, feel better, become stronger, stop worrying, overcome fear, or be a success.
• It’s a lie that you can’t.
• It’s a lie that it’s impossible.
• It’s a lie that you are weak.
• It’s a lie that you are a loser.
• It’s a lie that Prayer does not work.
• It’s a lie that it is “too late.”
• It’s a lie that things are going to get better in the world.
• It’s a lie that God does not care.
• It’s a lie that miracles never happen anymore.
• It’s a lie that God does not speak today.
• It’s a lie that the government and welfare will be your unfailing security.

“Fear Not” is the most reoccurring command in the Bible.

Fear believes the lie.

Faith believes the Word

Word for Today:  October 2

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh…Gal 5:16.

Right living is a decision.  People choose the way they live.  They can determine what they do, what they say and what they yield to.  The devil has no power to make anyone sin.  Sin and sinful living are the results of decisions and choices that are made.

No temptation is irresistible.  No trial is too much or too great or without a way of escape for the Believer. (1Cor 10:13)  The bottom line is the quality of life you are now living is the direct result of decisions you have made.

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death but to be spiritually minded is life and peace…     Rom 8:5-6

In this hour of compromise and moral failure, decide to live right.  Decide to resist the wrong and embrace that which is good, honorable and right.

It takes no courage to get drunk or smoke dope or pop pills or shoot up.  It takes no talent to be mean, ugly and violent.  But it takes old fashioned backbone and intestinal fortitude to resist the temptations of the flesh and to stand for God and what’s right.

If you want to live and not die… choose to live and choose to live right.   Walk in holiness, purity, honor and integrity.  Determine to present your body to God as a living sacrifice.  (Rom 212:1)   Refuse to hang out with so those who tempt you and lure you do stuff you know is not in the will of God.

Walk in the Spirit.

And you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh