In the Name of Jesus Christ

I've heard it preached that you cannot just go up to someone and cast out devils, that you need that person's permission first, because the spirit in operation has legal rights to possessing that person because of the sins in their life.

Well when I read in Acts 16, I see a totally different thing happening.

A woman was following Paul and the others around.  She was a fortune-teller and possessed by a spirit of divination.  She kept on crying out that these men were servants of the Most High God proclaiming to them the way to salvation.  Now imagine yourself in Paul's position...here you are proclaiming the good news to the people and there is this woman constantly shouting, being a distraction, a disturbance.  See how the devil tries to hinder God's work?

Paul was greatly annoyed and turned around and commanded the devil to leave her!  He did not first ask her if she wanted to be delivered, he just cast that devil out!  There is power in the Name of Jesus.

In the Name of Jesus Christ!

Hallelujah!  Amen.

Customs

I have been so saddened lately when seeing online how Christians accuse others in Christ of disobedience and punishment in hellfire for having short hair.  I have short hair!  I was the one being accused by another brother in Christ of being disobedient to scripture and that I will be punished for it, basically saying I will go to hell because of my short hair.  No one will know how that made me feel.  It broke my heart.  Here I am, a born again Christian and I always thought that Christ was the one who did it all on the cross to set us free, give us liberty.  My response was that if God was unhappy with my short hair and that I pray to Him with my head uncovered, why has He answered my prayers so many times?  Why has He showered me with His love, comforted me so many times?  I believe it was a custom in Paul's day, that's how they did things then.  He was laying down a guideline for others to do it the same way.  I was told by this Christian that no, it was not a custom and that I am twisting and adding on to the word of God.   Now all this had me very upset.  I cried out to God in prayer about it.  No, I did not cover my head.  Today, after I don't know how many days of asking Him, God leads me in His word to Galatians 5.  One of my favourite books in the Bible. :)   God led me to where Paul talks about circumcision.  The Jewish Christians were trying to drag the Gentile Christians back under the law, under the yoke of slavery, when Christ has set us all free!  So I was reading this and it just became as clear as daylight....women having long hair and having their heads covered when praying, was their custom.  That was how they were used to doing it, how they were accustomed to doing it.  Then Holy Spirit confirmed to me in Galatians 5....that it's not what we do on the outside that matters, it is what Jesus has done for us on the cross and that all we have to do is love God with all our heart, mind and soul and love our neighbour as ourself, meaning love all people, even our enemies! :)  You will never know how much peace I had after this.This does not mean that Paul was wrong!  No, not at all!  That was their custom, it is not a salvation issue!  God led me to Galatians just to show me not to worry so much, to show me that He set us free and that He is not mad at me with my short hair.  It's my heart He cares about.  Please do not take my word for the truth, take this to God in prayer.  This is how I interpret that scripture.  If I am wrong, it is between God and I.  I don't want to lead anyone astray.  I am also just forever learning.
Precious people, enjoy your freedom in Christ, not to sin and indulge the flesh, but just enjoy and do not worry.  Trust in Jesus!  He finished it all for us!  Thank you Jesus for all that you did for us. ♥  Look here what the greek word for custom means in the Concordance: 

Strong's Number:   4914
Original Word Word Origin sunhvqeia from a compound of (4862) and (2239) Transliterated Word TDNT Entry Sunetheia None Phonetic Spelling Parts of Speech soon-ay'-thi-ah    Noun Feminine
Definition
intercourse (with one), intimacy custom a being used to, accustomed

http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/kjv/sunetheia.html   13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair it is a disgrace to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her as a covering. 16 But if anyone wants to argue about this, we have no other custom, nor do the churches of God.•~1 Corinthians 11:13-16   1 Christ has liberated us into freedom. Therefore stand firm and don't submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Take note! I, Paul, tell you that if you get circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. 3 Again I testify to every man who gets circumcised that he is obligated to keep the entire law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace! 5 For by the Spirit we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness from faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love.   13 For you are called to freedom, brothers; only don't use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. •~Galatians 5:1-6, 13-14

False Apostles

The other day I saw how quickly someone gets promoted from prophet to apostle.
It seems nowadays every Tom, Dick and Harry is an apostle, mostly self-appointed.  You shall know them by their fruits!

So this morning God led me to 2 Corinthians 11 where Paul speaks about false apostles.  Then later today God brought my attention back to something I shared yesterday about Revelation 2.
He's just confirming what I think and discern.  God knows our every thought!

We must be vigilant, pray to God for wisdom and discernment in these last days that are so full of deception.  He will give to you liberally without reproach, but you must ask in faith, without doubting.  For if you doubt, don't expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Thank you Jesus my King. † ♥

And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself.
10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows!
12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.
14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
•~2 Corinthians 11:9-15

I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
•~Revelation 2:2

The Mystery Revealed

What is this mystery that Paul speaks of in Colossians 1? 
The mystery is a blessing to the nations!The mystery is Christ in us!  Christ is our hope of glory.  Is that not wonderful?  Think about it people, come to Jesus, you who do not know Him.  The day you repent, Jesus comes to live inside your heart.  Absolutely wonderful!  Our loving and merciful God.Hallelujah!  Praise our Lord Jesus Christ!  Thank you Abba!   the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to His saints. 27 God wanted to make known to those among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.•~Colossians 1:26-27  

 

Art:  Scott Yardley