Dan McDaniel
I am Associate Pastor of Ephesians Four International Church, an inner city church in the Chicago Metro area. I'm honored by your visit.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Greatest Heroes and Legends of the Bible
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Enlarge the Place of Your Tent
We are getting ready to launch a new youth service at Nite Light in Berwyn and we are gearing up to start a Spanish service in Chicago. God is truly on the move in our midst. The train is already moving, all we need to do is catch hold of the vision and go for along for the ride!
I can't believe it but, I will be a junior in the fall at Trinity! God is good! Annette and Esther have some exiting things planned for the kids. Please consider allowing God to bless you as you serve in children's church. We are going to experience a growth spurt in the near future. We have a solid core group and now it's time to stretch our tents.
Isaiah 54:2-3 (ESV)2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. 3 For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left,and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities.
Your offspring will possess the nations and inhabit the city! That is God's promise to us! We are here for such a time as this, strategically placed in Berwyn to change the spiritual DNA of the city! It is our children who will inhabit the land that we possess for them! We are not going to take this territory without a fight. But, be encouraged because we have a promise in 1 John 4:4 (ESV)"4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." Our job is to be obedient to God's call, to break down the barriers, and to engage the the enemy and defeat him! You don't defeat an enemy by sitting by and watching and hoping he will leave you alone. This is war! You take the battle to the enemy and attack! We do not have the luxury of being passive observers. You know too much, and you are a threat to the enemy.
Pastor Dan
Monday, February 23, 2009
Last week was an eventful week.
Then, yesterday in church a lady who donates food every week was carrying a box in and hit her hand on the door. I took her to the emergency room and she end up with nine stiches in her finger as a result. I spent the afternoon with her making sure that she was taken care of. I said all of this to say this, I the Lord and find it an honor to be in His service.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Today is the first day of the rest of my life
Philippians 3:13-14 (KJV)
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Friday, January 23, 2009
God cannot fail
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Well here we are in Tennessee
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
This is too cool
Philippians 3:13-14 (KJV)
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Friday, July 18, 2008
College Student? at 55?
Psalm 71:18 (KJV) 18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Hosanna in the Highest
The whole earth shakes, the whole earth shakes
I see His love and mercy washing over all our sin
The people sing, the people sing
[Chorus]Hosanna, Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest (x2)
[Verse 2]I see a generation rising up to take the place
With selfless faith, with selfless faith
I see a near revival stirring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees, we're on our knees
[Bridge]Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity
[Chorus]
HOSANNA. The Gk. form of a Heb. term, used at the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (Mt. 21:9, 15; Mk. 11:9; Jn. 12:13). The Heb. consists of the hiphil imperative hôša‘, ‘save’, followed by the enclitic particle of entreaty nā’, sometimes translated ‘pray’, ‘we beseech thee’. It does not occur in the OT except in the longer imperative form hôšı̂‘â nā’ in Ps. 118:25, where it is followed by the words, also quoted at the triumphal entry, ‘Blessed be he who enters in the name of the Lord.’ Ps. 118 was used in connection with the Feast of Tabernacles, and v. 25 had special significance as a cue for the waving of the branches (lûlaḇ); see Mishnah, Sukkah 3. 9; 4. 5. But similar expressions of religious enthusiasm were not restricted to the Feast of Tabernacles: 2 Macc. 10:6–7 implies that psalm-singing and branch-waving were part of the festivities at the Feast of Dedication also. We may reasonably assume that the waving of palm-branches and the cries of Hosanna which welcomed Jesus were a spontaneous gesture of religious exuberance, without any reference to a particular festival and without the supplicatory meaning of the original phrase in Ps. 118.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
God is Faithful
Monday, May 5, 2008
Well.... I did it!
Friday, December 14, 2007
On Eagles Wings
Abide in me I pray
Here I am longing for You
Hide me in Your love
Bring me to my knees
May I know Jesus
More and more
Come live in me
All my life
Take over
Come breathe in me
I will rise
On eagles wings
I took the day off today and I've been justing hanging out in my quite time with God. I am sitting here listening to this song by Hillsong. It says so well what I don't seem to have words for at times. All I want is to have the breath of God on me. The only way you can feel some one's breath is to be very close to them. It also implies intimacy. You know, I just want to be God's friend. I want to be his "go to" man when there is a task at hand. Father God, make me your "go to" man.
Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ. 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10. That I may know Him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made comformable unto His death: 11. If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of he dead.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Modern Technology
Jeremiah 29:11-14 (KJV)
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
This tells me that if we have turned our heart from God in any area of our lives, that all we have to do is seek Him and we will find Him. God promises to deliver us from the bondage of sin. Praise God! I'm not just talking about the "big" sins, I'm talking about any area of our lives that is not totally submitted to God. God is ready and waiting to take us to the next level, but, the ball is in our court. It's our move. Father God, help us to submit every area of our lives fully to you. Please reveal areas of our lives that are not submitted to you. We give you glory and honor, in Jesus' holy name. amen.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Day Off
Saturday, November 10, 2007
A Conversation in a Truck Stop
Saturday, October 27, 2007
It pays to be nice
Romans 12:18 (KJV) 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Having a good day
The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989. Thomas Nelson: Nashville God help me to ever be mindful of what you did for me through the sacrifice of your son Jesus.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Catholic TV
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995. Logos Research Systems, Inc.: Oak Harbor, WA
Sunday, October 7, 2007
My first Senior Citizen Discount
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Nothing Cheap about Grace
17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Steps to Peace with God
I've been looking for a simple way to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Following is what I found at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's Web Site. I contacted them and got permission to post this on my BLOG. I've also included a link to their website. Be Blessed!
Step 1: God's Purpose: Peace and Life
God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life—abundant and eternal. The Bible says ...
"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
—Romans 5:1 (NIV)
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
—John 3:16 (NIV)
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
—John 10:10 (NIV)
Why don't most people have this peace and abundant life that God planned for us to have?
Step 2: The Problem: Our Separation
God created us in His own image to have an abundant life. He did not make us as robots to automatically love and obey Him. God gave us a will and a freedom of choice. We chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from GodThe Bible says ...
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
—Romans 3:23 (NIV)
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
—Romans 6:23 (NIV)
Our Attempts to Reach God. People have tried in many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God ...The Bible says ...
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death."
—Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."
—Isaiah 59:2 (NIV)
No bridge reaches God ... except one.
Step 3: God's Bridge: The Cross
Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between God and people.The Bible says ...
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ."
—1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)
" For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God."
—1 Peter 3:18 (NIV)
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
—Romans 5:8 (NIV)
God has provided the only way. Each person must make a choice.
Step 4: Our Response: Receive Christ
We must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal invitation.The Bible says ...
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
—Revelation 3:20 (NIV)
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
—John 1:12 (NIV)
"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
—Romans 10:9 (NIV)
Where are you? Will you receive Jesus Christ right now? Here is how you can receive Christ:
1. Admit your need (I am a sinner).
2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)
Sunday, September 2, 2007
8 Things you didn't know about me
1. I was co-captain of the football team in high school. Believe it or not, I used to be very athletic.
2. When I was a kid I thought that I would end up being either a doctor or a preacher. Doctor's mistakes die, preacher's mistakes just might end up in hell. Being a pastor is the crowning achievement of my life.
3. God gifted me with musical talents and abilities. I never really had to work at playing drums. The first time I sat down behind a drum set, I played them, it was just in me. Guitar is another story all together. I really, really, really like to play drums. I would love to be playing in a Christian Rock Band but, that's not where God has me planted for now.
4. I have always been a better than average singer. I took a music theory class a few years ago and was told that I have perfect pitch.
5. I felt God's call to the ministry before I was born again. I have memories of being very young and looking through my mother's Bible and could feel God speaking to my heart. God told me shortly after I got saved that I was to go to school and pursue a Doctorate in Divinity. At almost 55 I don't see that happening, but, you never know.
6. I have two grandchildren (Brennen age 10 and Lauren age 5) in Tennessee that I REALLY miss. If I had my way, I would go to Tennessee and pastor a church tomorrow. OH by the way, my grandchildren call me "papaw big truck".
7. Contrary to what most people think about me, I do NOT like being a truck driver. It's just a means to an end and I have had just about enough. It's frustrating not being as involved in church as I would like to be.
8. I'm amazed that I survived a career in the military since I always have questioned authority and don't do well with the "because I told you to" leadership style. So... I stayed in trouble for 20 years.
I'm supposed to tag six other people who read this and have a blog. I only know one other person that has a blog and you tagged me.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
In a moment in the twinkling of an eye
- Jesus really did come to this earth.
- He really did die for our sins.
- He really is coming back. and finally
- (added by me) There really will be a judgement and all who have not accepted Jesus' payment for our sins will be judged and spend eternity in Hell.
Also today as I was filing a claim with the insurance company of the man that hit me, the lady that I was talking to thanked me for being so polite. She said that I had a "different spirit" about me. I told her that I am a pastor and as I was about to hang up I said "God bless you". As I was hanging up, I heard her say "I need that". I immediately called her back and asked her if there was anything that she wanted to pray about. She told me that her and her husband were searching for meaning in their life and that they really wanted to know what God's purpose is for them. I am so blessed to have been able to pray with her on the phone and encourage her. She told me that she knew that it was not a coincidence that she was the one assigned to handle my case. I told her that we had talked by Divine appointment, not coincidence and that God loves her and her husband enough to allow these circumstances to happen so that we would have that conversation. We had a genuine encounter with Father God. It's humbling to know that while I'm worrying about my car, there are people walking around with no hope. It put things into perspective for me.
1 Corinthians 15:51-58 (KJV)
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O gravec, where is thy victory? 56 † The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Monday, August 20, 2007
God and Golf
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Help me be the man my dogs think I am
Friday, August 10, 2007
A conversation in a truck stop
Monday, August 6, 2007
God's Grace
Sunday, August 5, 2007
My daddy and his daddy were truck drivers.
My Daddy is a Truck Driver, By Dan Baker
It was sharing time in Sunday School Class, what does your daddy do? One boy’s dad was a Doctor and another one’s was a CPA. The teacher said “Their daily bread was bought with their daddy’s pay.” Then the teacher looked at the little boy and could tell he was about to cry, so the teacher figured something must be wrong. He quickly asked him why? The little boy replied with tear filled eyes, ya’ll have all the luck. All your daddies are rich; they drive big cars and have important jobs. My daddy just drives a truck! The teacher spun his chair around and grimly faced that class. He said yes I’ve taught you well, but I will burn in hell, before I’ll let that statement pass. You kids see me as a Sunday school teacher, just a cripple with a lesson plan, but down inside these twisted legs are the bones of a Truckin Man. I was a high Rollin, hammer stompin, Dude till the ice on Interstate 10 took the finest old rig that a bank ever bought to the bottom of the Rio Grande. There isn’t much to tell about what came next, except the ole wheel chair I ride, and now and then I teach this class so the Good Lord will know I tried. And I tried young fellows, I tried real hard just to pay for all I done, but I’m going to close this Good Book now and I’m going to talk to this truckin man’s son. He’s a trucking man, boy do hear me? Don’t give me that hang dog look, your daddy is a gear jamming king of the road. He’s a winner in any man’s book. Who feeds you kid? Does a grocery store or the fast food joint down the street, or does some eighteen wheeler running all night long bring home every bite you eat? There ain’t a thing you’ll use today that some ole trucker didn’t bring. Somebody’s daddy rode all night long so you can do your thing, this country’s thing, this whole thing rolls on wheels. We are kept alive by these men that drive, these men that God made out of steel. You just can’t jam gears for thirty years without learning a thing or two. If a country don’t move, then a country don’t eat, and son that brings me back to you. The next time you talk about your daddy, you understand son, you’re talking about the Man. You’re the son of a hard headed, proud thinking, Hoss who just doesn’t fit in most folk’s plans. So don’t tell me your daddy is just a trucker. He is the man that takes this country where it goes, and I just hope that somewhere down inside, that someday you will feel that pride that I used to feel pushin that ole road. The teacher seemed to lose his concentration. You could see the memories flooding through his brain, his eyes were fixed a million miles from where he sat there, as the driver inside slowly spoke his inner pain. He said, “I don’t know what they will ever say about me. Let them call me whatever they want to but more than anything write the truth upon my gravestone, I was a Trucker Man.” I ‘ll never know what happened to that teacher – just a wounded Angel grounded from the road. A trucker man that taught me daddy was the finest man that this truckin man will ever, ever know. Amen
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Daily Scripture Confessions
Psalm 119:105 says "Thy word I have hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee"
1. JESUS IS LORD OVER MY LIFE. Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved.
2. I AM FREE FROM THE CURSE AND THE BLESSINGS OF ABRAHAM ARE UPON ME. 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:
3. I HAVE FAITH. Romans 4:17 (As it is written, I have mad thee a father of many nations,) before him, whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things, which be not as though they were.
4. I AM PROTECTED. Isaiah 54:14 in righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.
5. I AM WORRY FREE. John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
6. I AM HEALED. Isaiah 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
7. MY THOUGHTS ARE ONLY GOOD. Proverb 12:5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
8. I AM THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
10. EVERYTHING THAT I LAY MY HAND TO PROSPERS. Psalms 1:3 And he shall be like a tree in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
11. NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST ME SHALL PROSPER. Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me saith the Lord.
12. I HAVE NO FEAR. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
13. I CAN RESIST TEMPTATION. 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14. I AM THE HEAD AND NOT THE TAIL. Deuteronomy 28:13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments o the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
15. GOD WILL FINISH THE WORK THAT HE STARTED IN ME. Romans 11:29 for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Melissa
Monday, July 30, 2007
An interesting thing happened to me yesterday
Monday, July 23, 2007
10% of our potential?
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroyc the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. 12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
So.. even if this is true, God can take that 10% and do much more than we can even ask or think with it. If I give God 10% of my income (which I do by the way), He promises in His word that He will pour out a blessing that I will not even be able to contain. That tells me that if I will give the 10% of my brain that I'm using to God, the same principle of sowing and reaping applies. Too cool.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Five Smooth Stones
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Times of Refreshing
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995 . Logos Research Systems, Inc.: Oak Harbor, WA
What this says to me is that there will be times that I will miss the mark. But, Thank God for Jesus who through His infinite love gave Himself as the sacrifice for ALL my sins. There is no sin that I can commit that was not in the future when Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice on the cross for ME!
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Mind Games
2 Corinthians 11:1-3 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.(listen to me anyway)For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds (your thoughts) should be corrupted from the simplicity (liberty/freedom) that is in Christ. (KJV)
a. Satan wants to get our attention away from the simplicity that is in the Gospel. When the Word of God renews our minds, there is liberty and freedom.
2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord there is liberty.
b. The word mind appears 95 times in the New Testament in 92 verses.
c. Satan wants to keep us so bound up in guilt and condemnation that we never fulfill the will of God for our lives.
We will be looking at five scriptures today: Acts 10:38, 2 Cor 2:11, James 1:14, 2 Cor 10:3-5, and 2 Cor 4:
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (KJV) There are two words in this passage that we will be looking at: Oppression and devil.
a. Oppression - This word is the Greek refers to the habitual activity of a wicked tyrant or king. This puts me in mind of communism. It also gives the idea of mental confusion - A mind that is under siege from an outside force. People in eastern block countries can spot an American by the way that we walk and carry ourselves. The people in those communist countries walk with their heads down and will not look you in the eye because they have been oppressed for so long that there is no hope left in them.
b. Devil (diabolos dia - penetration bollo - to pick up something and
throw it like a rock.
1 satan keeps throwing accusations and condemnation against our
2 He will keep on over and over and over and over until he can gain entrance into our minds.
3 How many times have you had thoughts just pop into your mind
and you are trying to figure out where they came from? Satan wants to get into our minds and give us a distorted view of ourselves. We read the Word of God and it says one thing about us, but our minds constantly give us another view of who and what we are.
Romans 7: 14-25 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. (KJV The word devices describes a mind that is so confused that can no longer tell the difference between the truth and a lie. It also refers to the emotions.
James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. There is one word that I want to look at in this verse. The word encticed gives the idea of a fisherman luring a fish out of his protective cover to take the bait.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
There are three words that I want to look at in this verse.
a. Strongholds - This word describes a fortress or a jail. If satan can penetrate our minds and make us believe whatever he tells us, he has built up a stronghold in our minds.
b. Obedience - Someone who is in a subordinate position
1 When thoughts come into your mind, bring them into captivity.
2 Satan would love to get us to believe that surely God could never use us for anything. The anointed one - When our minds are in subjection to the Word of God, then the anointing can be released into our lives.
c. My paraphrase of 2 Cor 10:3-5 For the instruments, implements of our host or army are not of the flesh or subject to the human intellect, but they are powerful as of those possessed of spiritual power to the demolition and destruction of the accusations that satan casts against our mind.
d. Satan wants to divert our attention from the simplicity that is in the Gospel. He does this by constantly coming against our minds trying to stir up our emotions. The habitual activity of the devil is to constantly hurl accusations against our minds. If he can get into our minds, then he builds a stronghold in whatever area he is oppressing us in. Once he builds that stronghold, our effectiveness in the kingdom of God is damaged or destroyed. He wants us so confused or discouraged that we have no effectiveness for the kingdom of God.
e. The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but spiritual. It is our job to constantly renew our minds by reading the Word of God, prayer and fellowship with other believers. By this God is always at work showing us areas in our lives that are not submitted to Him.
CONCLUSION: 2 Corinthians 6:11-12 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. (KJV)
a. God is speaking to our hearts. He has such great love for us!
b. When we allow our feeling of guilt; condemnation and unworthiness stop us in our relationship with God, the enemy has won!
c. God is saying to all of us, "The feelings that you feel are not from me." 1 John 3:32 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. (KJV)
d. 2 Corinthians 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.
e. For he hath made him sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (KJV)
f. Proverbs 12:5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. (KJV)
g. 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. Hebrews 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
h. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.