OVERCOMING SPIRITUAL GIANTS

 

OVERCOMING GIANT SPIRITS IN ECONOMY

                  Exodus 3:8

“And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good land and a large, to a land flowing with milk and honey; to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites and the Jebusites.”

1. The Canaanite Spirit

The Canaanite spirit itself is the Prince of Economics or Mammon. Canaan means “merchant or trader” He is a trader spirit that inspires lust for material goods. This spirit operates through the root of greed.

The Canaanite spirit is behind world trade, finances and international economy. God gave the children of Israel the land of Canaan and this spirit is cursed and made to be ‘servant unto the servants” Gen. 9:25.

Therefore, this spirit is to ‘serve’ us as God’s servants.

2. The Hittites Spirit

The word Hittite means “sons of terror”. The Hittite spirit is a spirit of fear – and the meaning of the name suggests – ‘those who are broken or fearful’. It manifests through the root of doubt and unbelief.

The Hittite spirit prevent believers from giving their tithes and offerings in churches.

If you are a businessman, this spirit hinders customers from buying your product or services.

3. The Amorite Spirit

This is the spirit of slander. This is a bold spirit which plots together with other spirits in conspiracy.

Amorite means “babbler, bitter, rebel and talkative’. The spirit works through the people who harbor the roots of bitterness and idleness.

The Amorites were a race descended from Canaan the fourth son of Ham. The attacks can be best summed up under the following five C’s:

a. Conspiracy

b. Curses and Criticism

c. Confusion

d. Condemnation

e. Crippling spirit

4. The Perizzite Spirit

The Perizzite is a thieving spirit. The word ‘Perizzite’ means ‘to dispose or dwell in an unwalled city’. The chief aim of this spirit is to steal and to dispose of all that you have built.

The root cause which allows the Perizzite spirit to freely operate is slothfulness and complacency.

Some characteristics of this spirit:-

Disloyalty and unfaithfulness

Private ambition

Not honouring agreements

Envy, Stealing and manipulation

Blocked thoughts

5. The Hivite Spirit

The Hivite spirit is a single spirit of deception. The meaning ‘Hivite’ is ‘villager, wickedness’. As a village the spirit disguises itself as someone ordinary. The basic  nature of this demon is wickedness.

A list of their characteristic is as follows:

a. They appear peaceful and legitimate.

b. They are smooth talkers.

c. They want alliances and one sided agreement.

d. They play mind –games through manipulation.

 

6. The Jebusite Spirit

The Jebusite spirit is a spirit of heaviness.  Jebusite means ‘to tread under foot’. This spirit attacks the emotions with negativity. It works through the root of rejection.

It saps confidence and strength. Its main objective is to instigate resignation or to give up or quit.

Symptoms of Aimlessness

Lost of vision or purpose –

Hopelessness – feeling trapped.

Negative and low morale.

Failure and a defeat attitude to quit and give up.

 Jesus and the Church has overcome every spirit by the power of the Holy Spirit. Greater is He that is in you than he that is of this world. The greater ONE lives in you and empowers you to overcome every enemies of this world. So take on the Armour of God and quench all fiery darts of the enemy. Cast out every unclean spirit that influence our minds and spirit today and Be strong in the Lord.

SEVEN PRIORITIES OF A SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN

SEVEN PRIORITIES OF A SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIANS

What is your priority as a Christian?

Some of you mention prayer, some say reading the bible and others say serving God and family. The meaning of “priority” is “the fact or condition of being regarded or treated as more important than others.”  Below are seven priorities in our successful walk with God:

1. THE PRAYER PRIORITY

Acts 6:4 – “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word.”

“The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men”

“What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use --- men of prayer, men mighty in prayer.

The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men --- men of prayer.”  ― E.M. Bounds, Power Through Prayer

What is Prayer?

Prayer is having a spiritual experience with God.

Prayer is not a physical act. One may kneel down when one prays but kneeling down is not praying. One may be talking, but talking is not praying. One may folded or raise hand it’s and not praying also.

In prayer the most important thing is to make contact with God in one’s mind and spirit; concentrate on Him, give undivided attention to Him, fellowship with Him, experience Him and hear from Him. How deep is your prayer time with God?

2. THE BIBLE STUDY PRIORITY

In Matthew 13:12-15 Jesus states a spiritual principle.

12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:

‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; 15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing,

And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’

16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

Then Jesus said, “Whosoever has will be given more and he will have an abundance.” Matt. 13:11.

As we use our spiritual eyes, our eyesight will improve. As we use our spiritual ears, our hearing will become more acute. As we respond to the light of God has given us, he will give us more and more light until our lives are flooded with the glory of God.

Application: As we immerse ourselves in Word or Scripture, our goal is to develop within ourselves the mind and heart of God. We want to be able to think and to respond to every situation the way God Himself would.

3. THE CHURCH ATTENDANCE PRIORITY

PSALMS 63:2 – NIV.

I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. I come to Church to see Jesus, I praise Jesus, I worship Jesus, I believe Jesus. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”

I go to Church to Offer Worship that Pleases Him.

Psalms 69:30  “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock.”

God is pleased when our worship is authentic. Worship in spirit isn’t referring to the Holy Spirit but to your spirit. God designed your spirit to be in communion, worshipping Him.

God is looking for worship as an overflow of our heart. Worship in the Spirit and truth means worship will be authentic and accurate.

 4. THE WITNESS OF CHRIST PRIORITY

Acts 1:8  - But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Power to Witness for Christ

Paul uses four words for “power” –
•     dunamis – Gods power and ability  eg.  His Eternal energy
•     energeia – authority delegated, right to act
•     kratos  – strength
•     ischus  – ability or force (personal)

The Word is used 100 times in Greek in Acts 1:8  It denotes “being able”, or having the capacity to control another or situation.  In this verse Paul speaks of God’s power toward us who believe. The highest act of His power on our behalf is the resurrection of Christ -  (Ephesians 1:20-22; Rom 1:4)

5. THE SEED SOWING PRIORITY - Galatians 6:6-10

The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

a. Prepare Your Seed For Sowing

In this year season of Joyful Giving, let me share with you a very profitable way of sowing and reaping. You need to know how to prepare your seed before sowing it into the intended ground for your expected harvest! If you want to have a bountiful harvest, you must never sow casually and carelessly! Your giving is SACRED! IT MATTERS TO GOD AND IT MUST ALSO MATTERS TO YOU!

b. Steps to Prepare your Faith Seed

i. Determine the SIZE of your seed.

ii. Prepare your seed by soaking it in the Blood of the Lamb & speak a prophetic destiny into it (what you want the seed to achieve - healing, financial increase, salvation of loved ones, etc)

iii. Release the seed into the hand of Yahweh Tsabaoth, the Lord of Hosts, the King Who sends forth His Angels to fight your financial battles & bring the harvest to you.

iv. Finally Prayer over it.

6. THE PURSUIT OF HOLINESS PRIORITY - Hebrews 12:14

   “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”     1 Pet. 1:14-16  - "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

What is Not Holiness?

1. Holiness is not hardness.

 Some people think that they are holy because they are opposed to everything.

2. Holiness is not haughtiness.

 Some people think that they are holy because they are better in their behaviour than others.

3. Holiness is not unhappiness

 Some people think that they are holy because they are miserable.

What Is Holiness?

1. Holiness is displaying God’s character.
2. Holiness flows from Christ into us.
3. Holiness is empowered by the Spirit.

7. THE SERVICE TO GOD PRIORITY

John 12:26 – “If any man serves me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant: if any man serves me, him will my Father's honor.”

JESUS MISSION

Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). That was His personal mission statement.

Am I going to live with a clenched fist expecting others to serve me?  Or am I going to live with an open hand, giving and serving? In the world, greatness is determined by how many people SERVE YOU; but, in God’s kingdom, greatness is determined by how many people YOU SERVE.

CONCLUSION:

The Seven Priorities of a Successful Christian:

THE PRAYER PRIORITY

THE BIBLE STUDY PRIORITY

THE CHURCH ATTENDANCE PRIORITY

THE WITNESS OF CHRIST PRIORITY

THE SEED SOWING PRIORITY

THE PURSUIT OF HOLINESS PRIORITY

THE SERVICE TO GOD PRIORITY

PRAYER

Dear Lord Jesus,

Lately I’ve been feeling out of focus, and I’ve been distracted by all the things on my schedule. I need the help of the Holy Spirit today. Search my heart, Lord. Reveal anything in my life or on my schedule that needs to change.

When I look at my calendar, I get discouraged. I haven’t been putting you first, which has thrown everything else off balance. I am starting anew right now, coming to you each morning in prayer to evaluate my priorities. Help me to see what’s most important according to your truth. As I bring each decision before you, guide me with your wisdom in how I spend my days.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

BENEDICTION

Romans 15:5-6 

“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus; that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

THE PURPOSE OF WORSHIP SERVICE

THE PURPOSE OF WORSHIP SERVICE

Why do we have worship service?  Since going to church and worshiping God is so important, we need to know its total purpose. So worship is : “To bring the total man to a place of total worship.”  There are eight purpose of Church worship below - 

1. To Reveal The Character of God

Ø   Psalms 9:11 – ‘Sing praise and declare the doings of God.”

Ø  “Doings” – the exploits, deeds, works and actions of God.

Ø  Many will hear and see our worship and know the Lord because of  the character of God revealed in our praise.

2. To Bring Unity to the Body of Christ

v  The worship service will bring everyone into one accord – one train of thought  (Acts 2:46,47)

v  Jer. 31:12 – “They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and shall flow together …” Singing in the heights of God’s presence will cause a flowing together

What is the Principles of Unity?  -  Philippians 2:1

Encouragement in Christ

Consolation of Love

Fellowship  of the Spirit

Affection and Compassion

   (Having the same mind)

3. To Offer Spiritual Sacrifices To God

Hebrews 13:15 -  “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”

1 Peter 2:9 _ “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

v   “Sacrifice” – Greek “Thusia”  The act of offering something meaningful and valuable.

v   Sacrifice of Thanksgiving – Psa. 116:17

v   Sacrifice of Praise – Jer. 33:11

v   Sacrifice of Joy – Psa. 27: 5,6

v   Sacrifice of Giving – Luke 21:1-4

4. To Offer Worship Gives Glory to God 

 1 Corinthians 6:20  - “For you have been bought with a price therefore GLORIFY GOD in your body.”

1. To be obsessed with the glory of God is the consuming passion of the true worshipper who lives to exalt God. (Psalm 86:12)  
2. The chief end of man is to glorify God…magnifying His glory now, and relishing it throughout eternity.

        (Jude 24,25; Revelation 5:13; 7:9-12)

5. To Offer Worship Pleases Him

Psalms 69:30 – “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.  This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock.”

God is pleased when our worship is authentic. Worship in spirit isn’t referring to the Holy Spirit but to your spirit. God designed your spirit to be in communion, worshipping Him.

God is looking for worship as an overflow of our heart.

Spirit and truth means worship will be authentic and accurate.

6. To Offer Worship to enjoy Him.

Psalms 16:11 – “… In they presence is fullness of joy; at they right hand there are pleasures forevermore.”

Enjoying God is to know God intellectually, to admire God in his beauty, to delight in him emotionally, and to dedicate oneself to him; in essence, to enjoy God is to praise God for the God that he is.

7. To Become More Like the Lord

2 Corinthians 3:17,18 – “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed by the Spirit of  the Lord.”

Psalms 135:15-18 – “The idols (gods) of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.  They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes they have, but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make them ARE LIKE THEM: So  is EVERYONE WHO TRUSTS IN THEM.”

8. To Receive Commission and Direction

Matt. 28:17 –16 Meanwhile, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had designated. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted.

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Conclusion:

Ø  CHEER LEADING – the ability  to lead cheers, shouts and make people happy.

Ø  SONG LEADING – the ability to lead people in songs.

Ø  PRAISE LEADING – the ability to lead in thanksgiving and praise.

Ø  WORSHIP LEADING – the ability to lead people in spiritual worship.

“ANYONE CAN LEAD CHEERS, SONGS AND PRAISE BUT FEW CAN LEAD IN SPIRITUAL WORSHIP”

PRAYER

MAY THE LORD BLESS YOUR AND YOUR FAMILY AS YOU WORSHIP THE FATHER
IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH

    BENEDICTION

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

— Numbers 6:24–26

MAN FULL OF GRACIOUS GRACE

MAN FULL OF GRACE

Acts 6:7, 8 - And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. 8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. RV

Those who are full of grace are:

1.   Responsive to grace  

Acts 18:27 – “Helped them much, which had believed through grace” 

2.   Dependent upon grace

Acts 15:11 – “We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved.”

3.   Testify of grace

Acts 20:24 – “To testify the Gospel of the grace of God”

4.   Manifest through grace

Acts 4:33 – “Great grace was upon them all”

5.   Build up by grace

Acts 20:32 – I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up”

6.   Continue in grace

Acts 13:43 – “Persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.”

7.   Evidenced by grace

Acts 11:23 – “When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose”

Grace is the power of the Spirit coming into our lives and we can overcome the flesh, devil and this world. Grace empowers us to live holy lives. We are not to worry how to live this holy life because Christ lives in me, we are also not to have a light attitude towards sin for sin will not have dominion over us. Good works and obedience cannot produce grace. Grace will produce good works and obedience. Faith without works is dead but faith in His grace works. Grace will empower us to obey God without trying. We need to tap into the limitless Grace of God.

Another verse in 2 Corinthians 6:1 says, “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that you receive not the grace of God in vain.”

Grace is God’s ability to do for you, what you cannot do for yourself. Watchman Nee says, “the law is you’re doing for God; Grace is God’s doing for you, in you, through you.” The Law is me doing it all; Grace is God doing it only. Anything you’re doing it – it is short but if God is doing it – it is good and perfect. So receive in your spirit the grace of God today.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with your spirit – Phil. 4:23

 

HABAKKUK FOUR EXPERIENCES

 Habakkuk Four Experiences

Hab. 1:5 – “I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you.”

In Chap. 1 Habakkuk is a Man with a Burden - on the Ground looking round. Hab. 1:1

In Chap 2 Habakkuk is a man with a Vision – on the Watchtower looking out. Hab. 2:1,2

In Chap. 3 Habakkuk is a man with a Prayer – in the Sanctuary looking up. Hab. 3:1,2

In Chap. 4 Habakkuk is a man with a Song – on the Heights looking down. Hab. 3:17-19

1. Man With a Burden

Hab. 1:1, 2 - The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.

“How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save?”

Habakkuk’s time there was destruction, violence, conflict, strive abounds. The law was paralyzed and justice never prevails. Justice was perverted – like some of our nations today and the wicked was mocking the righteousness.  This was the scenario of Habakkuk’s time. Times like these are tough to swallow.  And yet a burden to pray for help is necessary for the minor prophet.

God is calling for men today of prayer – men of burden for their nations. Men that will cry out to God for natural peace and spiritual revival for their country and churches.

Ezek. 3:17 - New International Version - “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.

Habakkuk Had a Fighting Faith

O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!” (Habakkuk 1:1-2).

Habakkuk needed fighting faith to endure such trials. “The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!” (Habakkuk 1:1-2). Habakkuk needed fighting faith to endure such trials.

The Apostle Paul admonishes us to fight the good fight of faith (i Timothy 6:12).

And Jesus spake a parable to them to this end, that men ought always to pray and not to faint – Luke 18:1

Daniel prayed for 21 days and had no answer – “Lord have you heard your servants cry?”  God responded “An angel was sent from my presence that same day but the Prince of Darkness withstood him; then the angel overthrew him.” and I can hear Daniel say “God answers prayer”

2. Man With a Vision

Heb. 2:2,3 - And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that read it.

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Habakkuk Had a Living Faith

“Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4).

Habakkuk saw what we are seeing now in this age. Our spiritual vision – is to live by faith.   We are called to live by faith and nothing else.

Some Christians live by devotions.

Some Christians live by works.

Some Christians live by feelings.

Some Christians live by circumstances.

 Habakkuk feared this vision, but he feared God more. God cherishes anyone who will tremble at His Word (Isaiah 66:1-2). Fear violating God’s law!

Each of these is meaningless and perhaps dangerous without faith. Faith is the substance hope for – hoping for the God of Hope to come.

Without vision men will perish – Prov. 29:18

What is our vision today?  - Heb. 10:35-37 –Vision to receive the promise – that Jesus shall come will come and not tarry.

Someone says this Once you have God’s vision for your life you will no longer be satisfied with church as usual. You will cry, “Where are the signs and wonders?” Where are the miracles? Where are the revelation and the demonstration of power of the Spirit.  Where are the Revival of old today?

3. Man With A Prayer -  O LORD,  Hab.3:2

•      Revive Thy work in the midst of the years.

•      Reveal Thy power in the midst of the years.

•      Remember mercy in the day of Thy wrath.

Hab. 3:3 - When Revival comes the prophet Habakkuk says “His glory covered the heavens and the earth was full of His Praise. His brightness (glory) was like the light; He had rays FLASHING from His hand, and there His power was hidden.  Before Him went pestilence (Word) and fever (fire) followed at His feet. – Hab. 3:5   (His hidden power is good enough to change and heal lives without us knowing too.) We want to hear people says “I’m healed” But let God works in mysterious ways.

O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years: Habakkuk simply prayed for revival. He knew how God once worked and how His people once responded, and Habakkuk wanted to see that again. 

The prayer of Habakkuk shows us that revival is a work of God, not the achievement of man. There is something man can and must do for revival – simply cry out to God and plead for His reviving work.

4. Man With A Song

Hab. 3:17-19 – “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.”

Habakkuk’s faith caused him to rejoice

“Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments” (Habakkuk 3:18-19). Despite intense trials and sobering visions, Habakkuk rejoiced! He knew God, kept his mind on God, and lived by faith.

Build such faith in your life that, no matter the crisis, you will still rejoice! God’s people know the good news: that Jesus Christ will intervene in world affairs and bring all people joy and peace forever!

Ecc. 9:7-10 – Go eat break with joy – let your garments be white – let your head lack no oil anointing. –Live joyfully all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun.   All your days of vanity.  V. 10 Whatever your hand do – do it with your might for there is no work …The son of men are snared in an evil time when it falls upon them suddenly.

PRAYER

Father thank you for the spirit of Habakkuk that was written for us to follow that we as just and righteous men shall live by faith. We will even rejoice in our times of trouble and in the Salvation of our God.

Lord you are our Strength and Help in trouble and we honour you and bless you. You have made our feet like hinds’ feet and we will be strong and steadfast in our faith in You.