Offense is the "bait" of Satan.  He works overtime to bring lies and deception into the life of the believer that lures us into His traps.  DON'T TAKE THE BAIT!    Stay in the Word and in prayer.  If someone has hurt you go to them and make amends.  Communication and forgiveness will stop offense in its tracks!  Matthew 18:15, Matthew 5:23-24

There is a complete freedom found in Christ and through the Holy Spirit.  Forgiveness is a choice, but healing can take time.  Let the healing anointing of the Holy Spirit and the power of God through the blood of Jesus bring freedom to you today!  Whom the Son sets free is free indeed!  John 8:36

Posted December 13th, 2013

I went through the McDonald's drive-thru the other day and ordered exactly what I wanted:  double cheeseburger (no onions, no mustard), large fries, and large sweet tea.   I left satisfied, filled up and ready to go in less than 10 minutes!  The funny thing is, that within a few hours I was hungry and thirsty again!

There is a story in the Gospel of John that tells about a woman that met Jesus at a well. Jesus told her that He could give her water from an eternal spring from which she would be satisfied eternally.  Later that day the disciples came to Jesus and asked if He wanted something to eat.  Jesus replied "I have meat to eat that you do not know about and that meat is to do the will of the Father."  Jesus also said, "they that hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled."

Many people have been introduced to a "McDonald's God."  This way of thinking about God is that He is there when you need Him, but He'd better make it fast, I've got a life to live. The rest of the time God is relegated to the back of the bus or when He can fit into our schedule.  When, actually, the Bible says that we are to live our lives with Him as the central focus of our life.  Acts 17:28 says, "In Him we live, and move, and have our being."

If you will make Jesus the center of your life, you wouldn't have to keep running through the drive-thru picking up a little snack. You would live your life doing the will of God, filled with rivers of living water!  It's in this place that there is true peace, true nourishment, true power and true fulfillment!

Posted by Pastor Jared Baker on October 20th, 2013

1 Timothy 3:15: “but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."  The Greek word for pillar is stulos, from stuo, which means a post, something that supports. In other words, Paul is conveying that the purpose of the Church is to uphold the truth that was given to her. If the church is not preaching the truth of God's Word, she has lost her way.  When the "pillar of truth" is removed, the building has nothing to support it!

Instead of boldly proclaiming the truth of the Gospel, much of the church is now apologizing for and reasoning away the very foundations of the Gospel. I recently watched a very well-known minister interviewed on a national talk show.  When he was asked the question "is Jesus the only way to God?", he could not bring himself to say that JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY.  Some say, "but you don't want to offend anyone" and "we want the church to be accepted by the world."  Jesus said, "I am THE way, THE truth and THE life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me," (John 14:6).  The Apostle Paul said the cross would be an offense, not to mention the fact that in Acts 17:6 the apostles had "turned the world upside down."  The church has been telling the truth badly and the world telling a lie rather well. Come on church, we can change the sound, the look, the style and the feel of things, but we cannot change the foundational truths of the Gospel and the Word of God.  When we do, we are just another powerless social organization with a pretty building. It's time to stand with Peter and proclaim with Holy Ghost boldness the TRUE GOSPEL that is the power of God unto salvation! (Romans 1:16)

Posted on October 17th, 2013

Let's see...wake up, eat breakfast, brush teeth, iron clothes, comb hair...what comes first?  If you were my 8-year old twin boys, your answer would be EAT PLEASE!  They are not any different from the rest of us.  The dilemma of "what comes first" is a question we face everyday.  What is God's opinion when it comes to our priorities?  "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you,"  Matthew 6:33.
God, His Word, and His church, should take the #1 place on our priorities list!  As we obey God by putting Him first, then He will bless all the other things in our lives that seem so important.  "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:  and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever,"  Psalm 23:6.  Let God be your #1 -- for the rest of your life!

Posted September 20th, 2013

Have you heard about the Mars One Project?  This fascinating project plan is to send earthlings to Mars to set up a human colony.   Think of the irony:  for the first time in human history, earthlings will be aliens on Mars!  Did you know that the Bible refers to Christian believers as aliens?  "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us,"  I Peter 2:11-12 (NIV).  
 
One of the first things they will do upon arriving on Mars is create a new atmosphere around their habitat -- the atmosphere is not ready for human habitation.  As Christians, the cities that we inhabit should be experiencing a change in the atmosphere.   During the Great Awakening of the 18th century and the Welsh Revival at the turn of the 20th century, bars, brothel houses, and gambling joints closed down because they didn't have any customers!  Church, it's time for revival!  "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven,"  Matthew 5:16.  Entire communities will rejoice and be changed because of the "alien invasion"...Christians moving in!

Posted September 10th, 2013

Have you ever turned the light on in an outdoor shed and all kinds of bugs and spiders scurry to escape? That is because light exposes what it hidden in the dark. Did you know that the Word of God gives light to your life? As you spend time reading and meditating on the scriptures, the light of His Word will expose the hidden things of the heart. Jesus came to bring sight to the blind, heal the brokenhearted, and set the captives free. God loves you and wants you FREE! Take time to read your Bible everyday and watch those unwanted things in your life be exposed! It's time to ... TURN ON THE LIGHT!  "The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple," Psalm 119:130.

Posted August 11th, 2013

HOW ARE YOU INTRODUCING YOURSELF TODAY? "Hello my name is ...I am poor, tired, sick, depressed, and worried" God told Abram to call those things which be not as though they were (Romans 4)...He begin to say what God said about him. God changed his name to "Abraham"...Father of many nations (and had no idea how he would have a son at 100 yrs. old!!!). What does God say about you? "Hello my name is...I am blessed, I am healed, I am redeemed, I am highly favored of God, I am more than a conqueror, I am an overcomer, I am in Christ, I am a new creation, old things are passed away and all things have been made new!!!"  Say what God says about you today!  SAY THE SAME THING!

Posted June 30th, 2013

I remember having my first child like it was yesterday.  Preparing for her to come was so much fun.  I had my bag packed and every family member on stand-by.  With the baby room ready and lamaze classes under my belt, I felt like "Super Mom!"  The day came...and the contractions came.  The nurses and doctors were so patient with me in pain.  However, it seemed as though all of my lamaze class training flew out of the window.  Instead of breathing the way I was taught, with every contraction I would bury my head in my chest and hold my breath!  The nurse would say, "you are going to have to breathe."  I did not want to hear that.  I just wanted to bear the pain and get through the birth.  We all know that what was best for Mommy and baby, was for Mommy to breathe!

The Lord told me that it is the same for many Christians concerning their faith.  When the storm comes, we have the tendancy to bury our head in the sand and just tough it out hoping it will pass soon. When we are going through a faith fight, God says, "Breathe!"  He does not want His people just toughing it out, surviving the storm.  He wants His people to thrive and prosper right in the middle of it!  We have to open our mouths with the confession of faith that lines up with the Word of God, and with a spirit of faith breathe life into our circumstances!  "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place,"  2 Corinthians 2:14.

Posted by Pastor Jessica Baker on January 1st, 2013

Have you ever been faced with a decision concerning your child's education?  From grade school to college, every conscientious parent has the task of choosing the best school.  You probably do some major research on the dean or principal, the administration, the state scores, location, sports program, etc.  All of this in effort to choose was it best for your child!

Did you know that God gives us instructions in His Word concerning our children and their education?  Take a look at these scriptures:  "And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children,"  Isaiah 54:13.  "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it,"  Proverbs 22:6." And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus,"  2 Timothy 3:15. "As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth,"  Psalm 127:4.

It looks like the Bible gives us the answer to our child's education!  It strongly recommends that "Sunday School" is "The Best School"! Take your children to church everytime the doors are open.  Teach them by example the importance of giving God His time and they will never depart from Him!

Posted by Pastor Jessica Baker on December 11th, 2012

Many Christians seem to think that living for Jesus is hard to figure out.  You are not a rat in a maze!  God's greatest desire is to lead and guide you in the right direction.  Making right choices is as simple as being led by the Word of God and His Spirit.  God is not the author of confusion, He is the author of revelation and understanding.

Romans 8:14 says, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."  There are three ways the Holy Spirit leads His people:  the inward witness, the still small voice of your spirit, and the authoritative voice of the Holy Spirit.  "The Holy Spirit is a Genius;  if you listen to Him, He will make you look smart,"  B.B. Hankins.

Psalm 119:105 says, "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."  My father-in-law tells the story of getting lost in the woods as a young boy at dusk.  As darkness covered the dense woods, he began to get afraid because he could not even see his own hand in front of his face.  As he stumbled through the darkness, he began to get cut and bruised.  He said he would have given anything at that moment to just have a small flashlight.  The light that comes from God's Holy Word, will keep you from stumbling through this dark world -- cut and bruised!

Take time today to get quiet before the Lord, spend time in His Word, and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit.  God is faithful to lead you -- allow Him to bring that clear direction that only He can provide!

Posted by Pastor Jared Baker on December 2nd, 2012

God will always ask His people to take steps in life that require His help.  Without faith, it is impossible to please Him.  So how do we walk by faith and not by sight (reason or circumstance)?  Take a look at Romans 4:12-21:  "...Walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham...who is the father of us all...and calleth those things which be not as though they were.  Who against hope believed in hope...and being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead...He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief;  but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;  And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform."
Consider the steps of faith of our father Abraham:
1.  Call those things that be not as though they were.
2.  Against hope, believe in hope.
3.  Do not be weak in faith, only consider (think about) what God says about your situation.
4.  Stagger not at the promise of God, be strong in faith, giving glory to God.
What our God promises in His Word, He is well able to perform.  There is nothing too hard for Him!  There is no broken-body, broken-heart, broken-family, broken-life that He cannot heal.
Our God is a God of miracles!  Read the Word today, allow Him to strengthen your faith -- because with God, all things are possible!

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us:  For it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on the tree,"  Galatians 3:13.  In summation, the curse (Deuteronomy 28) is poverty, sickness, and death.  God wants His people to live in the fullness of the reality that He has already provided our freedom in Christ.  The way we obtain the things Heaven has already provided such as healing, salvation, deliverance, and prosperity is by FAITH.  Grace says "Thank you" and Faith reaches to Heaven and says "I'll take that!"  The just shall live by faith and faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.  Listen to the Word, allow God to strengthen your faith, and then pray the prayer of faith. God is no respector of persons, but He is a respector of faith. Expect God to do everything He says He'll do and watch the miraculous happen!

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven,"  Matthew 5:16.  Jesus said you are the light of the world.  You may be the only "Jesus" that your family, friends, and co-workers ever come in contact with.  Live every day in light of eternity looking toward the day when your Heavenly Father says "Well Done!"  "Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;  Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest,"  Matthew 9:37-38.

Have you ever asked yourself the question, "How can I live a life free from sin?"  Well, if so, you are not alone.  The Apostle Paul, the greatest apostle who ever lived, who wrote two-thirds of the books in the New Testament said,  “I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway,” (Romans 7:18 NLT).  Even the Apostle Paul understood that there is a "war in our members."  But God in His infinite mercy provided through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, the power for us to overcome sin.  Sin leads only to death, but the gift of God leads to eternal life -- the quality of life that God intended for you to live even on this earth (Romans 6:23).

God in His unfailing love towards us wants us free from the torment of sin.  The Spirit of God dwelling in the believer yearns over us -- He yearns to be welcome in our lives with a jealous love.  We must humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord.  As we draw near to God and are deeply penitent and even weep over our disloyalty to Him, James 4:8 says that He will draw near to us!  Christian, sin makes your life insignificant.  Look at this awesome promise that God makes to us if we are willing to repent of our sins:  "Humble yourselves (feeling very insignifcant) in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant],"  James 4:10, Amplified.  Praise God today for His infinite mercy!  Thank Him for His great love and amazing grace!

Posted November 19th, 2012

Have you ever wondered if it will ever be possible to have peace in such a confused world?  Many of us have tried to find peace from so many different sources and turned up empty-handed.  The truth is, there is really only ONE giver of peace.  "Peace I leave with you;  My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.  [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed;  and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]"  John 14:27, Amplified.

When everything around you seems to be in chaos, as a child of the Most High God you can live in complete peace and undisturbed composure.  We obtain this kind of divine peace by taking our troubles to the Lord in prayer (Philippians 4:6-7).  Take your requests to the Lord today...You will find that He is the only source of true, supernatural peace -- something this world will never be able to offer you!

Posted November 13th, 2012

Have you ever wondered if it will ever be possible to have peace in such a confused world?  Many of us have tried to find peace from so many different sources and turned up empty-handed.  The truth is, there is really only ONE giver of peace.  "Peace I leave with you;  My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.  [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed;  and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]"  John 14:27, Amplified.

When everything around you seems to be in chaos, as a child of the Most High God you can live in complete peace and undisturbed composure.  We obtain this kind of divine peace by taking our troubles to the Lord in prayer (Philippians 4:6-7).  Take your requests to the Lord today...You will find that He is the only source of true, supernatural peace -- something this world will never be able to offer you!

Posted November 7th, 2012

People around the nation, in our community and in our church family are facing job losses, financial hardship, sickness and many other issues.  Many of our lives have been completely turned upside down!  We believe that much of what is happening is only temporary, but whether things get back to “normal” quickly or not, the real question is where and in whom do we place our trust?  When everything is turned upside down in life where is our foundation? Who or what is our strength and our anchor?  Who or what do we listen to?  

Throughout the Bible God asks His people who they are listening to.  In Revelation 2:29, right in the middle of His words to the seven Churches of Asia, Jesus said we need to “hear what the Spirit is saying.”  In Matthew 7:24-29, as Jesus is ending His sermon on the mount, He says that whoever hears His words and then obeys His words would be like the wise man who built his house on a solid foundation of rock. When the storms of life came, his life didn’t fall apart because it was built on the solid foundation of hearing and doing God’s Word!  I believe now, as never before in our lives, it is time to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to us!

What we “hear” from the Holy Spirit is the most important thing in our lives!  What we hear will dictate the decisions and the actions that we take in life.  Often, what the Holy Spirit is saying will not agree with what circumstances are saying and what things look like.  Think about the Apostle Paul in a prison as he wrote a letter to the church at Philippi.  He hadn’t done anything to deserve prison.  He had simply preached the Gospel.  He was writing to the Philippian church, who were dealing with some extreme persecution and problems themselves.  Paul told the Philippian Christians 16 times to be joyful and rejoice!  What?  Didn’t he know their situation?  Didn’t he know what the churches in Macedonia were going through when he congratulated them for rejoicing in the middle of a great trial of affliction? (2 Corinthians 8:2) The world says to focus on the fear and trouble, but the Holy Spirit will tell you to “hear and obey!”  The Holy Spirit will tell you to have faith and rejoice! The Holy Spirit will say to speak to the mountain! (Mark 11:23)

Paul the Apostle wrote to the church in Ephesus and said that he was praying for them to be filled with wisdom, revelation and understanding (Ephesians 1:17-18).  What you and I need right now more than anything as Christians is to “hear” what the Holy Spirit is saying to us!  The Word of God in our lives will bring faith (Romans 10:17).  It is in that place of trust, faith, knowledge, wisdom, light and understanding, that we will make right decisions!

A spirit of fear will drive you and intimidate you,
but a spirit of faith will lead you and guide you.

A spirit of fear will talk you into making decisions that are based on worry and pressure rather than faith and wisdom.  Never make life-altering decisions in a place of pressure, fear and stress.  Hear what the Spirit is saying, not what the devil is saying.  A spirit of faith will lead and guide you.  Even in the midst of trying circumstances, the Holy Spirit will bring supernatural peace with guidance and strength!  (Romans 8:14)

What are we hearing?  Who are we hearing?  If you are filled with worry, anxiety, fear, torment or darkness, you know that it didn’t come from God!  God is a faith God.  My wife and I have faced many mountains in our lives, as I’m sure you have as well.  I have noticed time and again that the Lord will bring hope and faith, speaking of a bright tomorrow, right in the midst of a very dark today!

Glad Tidings Church, it’s time to face any adversity with faith over fear and wisdom over worry! This is not the time to back up or give up!  Now is the time to draw close to the Lord.  Now is the time to read and study His Word as never before.  Now is the time to “hear” the voice of the Lord in our lives!

The world wants you to hear fear and worry. The devil wants to whisper lies, deceptions, and bring torment to your heart.  Don’t listen to him - listen and hear the Holy Spirit. The media, the neighbor, the movie star, the co-worker, the boss, and even family sometimes, may not be “hearing” what you hear when you listen to the Holy Spirit!

From the Apostles to the Reformers of 500 years ago, to the missionary in China today and the born-again Christian checking out your groceries --  as Christians,  we are to “hear” what the world cannot hear and “see” what the world cannot see!

We want to encourage everyone at Glad Tidings Church to continue reading Psalm 91 every day out loud, especially in the Passion Translation that I mailed to you last week.  I also want to encourage you to begin each day with praying and reading out loud the prayers of the Apostle Paul for the church specifically found in these passages of your Bible: Ephesians 1:17-23 / Ephesians 3:14-21 / Colossians 1:9-14.

We are praying with you and for you.  Let’s listen to the Holy Spirit, believe what God says, be obedient to follow Him and be led by His Spirit! (Romans 8:14)

Demons are personalities, they have a voice -- they speak and work in the realm of the spirit. The Bible teaches us that we are not wrestling with flesh and blood, but with demonic entities that possess and oppress man.  Even many Christians deal with demonic oppression. It’s not the person you are really dealing with, it is demonic forces manifesting through the flesh of the individual, even though they are a Christian! This does not give an excuse for Christians to be angry, live in a rage, walk in lust and sin.  But instead, it gives an answer to the struggles that many Christians deal with. If I find the answer, then I need to live in the answer! It’s like someone knowing 2+2=4, but they still live life telling everyone that 2+2=5. They know the answer, but they live in a lie! Why? The Bible calls these things strongholds.

Strongholds are demonically inspired, but mentally and emotionally received and acted upon. (2 Cor. 10:3-5) A stronghold can be wrong ways of thinking, destructive emotions, addictive behaviors, etc. that have built up over time. Strongholds can create deep “ruts” in your thinking processes and in the places of your deepest emotions. They can be generational in nature. The Bible speaks to us about familiar spirits. One way to understand this terminology is “family spirits”! The same spiritual forces that grandpa dealt with, many times, are the same ones you will deal with! The Bible also speaks to us about “generational curses”. As a Christian you need to break the power of these spiritually dark forces and walk in freedom! Use the authority of Jesus’ mighty name and the power of the blood! Break these powers in your life and in your family. Then do not open a door of the flesh through anger, lust, pride and rebellion that would allow these things back in your life and family!


What are some ways that your flesh may respond to demonic temptation and oppression ? Here are a few things to recognize and overcome! #1 Pride #2 Rebellion #3 Witchcraft and Occult (many Christians dabble in witchcraft and the occult on a regular basis, but don’t recognize the danger because they see it as innocent entertainment)  #4 Fear #5 Rejection (a sense of feeling unworthy and unwanted). This last stronghold can result from the breakup of the family. The Bible is very clear that the father brings a sense of security and purpose in a child’s life. The breakdown of the family unit in our nation has been completely demonically inspired!

How do we overcome demonic oppression and subdue the flesh? What about dealing with demons? If it is a demonic problem, why can’t I just “cast out” the demon of addiction and be done? Why can’t I just “cast out” the demon of anger and be done? Because overcoming demons also involves subduing our flesh.  As a Christian, we are to take authority over any demonic stronghold in our life but then we must keep the “door of the flesh” shut! What do we think on and dwell on? (Phil. 4:8) Are we living a sexually pure life? (1 Cor. 6:18) What do we “entertain” ourselves with in media, TV, movies, and music? (Eph. 5:1-12)

#1 You are a spiritual being. (1 Thess.5:23)  Many times people will say, well, “I’m only human”. No, you are also human. First of all, you are an eternal spirit being created in the image of God! As a Christian, you are born again and re-connected with your Creator through the power of the blood of Christ and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Paul the Apostle said your bodies are the dwelling places of the Holy Spirit of God (1 Cor. 6:19). He also said “But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him,” I Cor. 6:17.  As a Christian, we quickly realize that the real battle is not with our neighbor, our spouse, the government, or the boss -- our real battle is a spiritual battle. In these battles, demons will use, manipulate and control other people, circumstances, feelings, and attitudes, to torment Christians and keep them from being effective in God’s kingdom. Jesus said in John 10:10, “the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come to bring life and life more abundantly!” So  Jesus is not my problem, He is my answer! If my problem is demons, then Jesus said I can cast them out! (Mark 16:17)

#2 You have a “flesh”. (Romans 8:1-14)  It is very important to understand the difference between the flesh and demons when dealing with things in life. The Bible says to “crucify” the flesh (Rom. 6:6). We are told to “mortify” the deeds of the body through the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:13-14). The word “mortify” only appears here and in Col. 3:5. It can be understood as “to put to death, render useless, to put down”. The idea is not that the flesh or body ceases to exist, but instead that it is, through the power of the Holy Spirit, made powerless. When you go to the dentist and get a shot in your jaw to “deaden” the pain before the dentist begins to drill, your jaw doesn’t cease to exist, it is just numbed and rendered powerless for a time! The power of the Holy Spirit will “deaden” your flesh so that it does not control, lead and dictate your life and the decisions that you make! Romans 8:14 tells us we are to be led by the Holy Spirit! The Bible does not teach that a born-again Christian can be fully demon possessed. To “possess” is to take complete control. A truly “possessed” person is possessed in their spirit, soul and body. A demon cannot have possession of a spiritually re-born individual! This is not to say, however, that a Christian cannot and does not deal with demonic oppression in the areas of the flesh!

#3 The old fleshly nature or demons?  It is very important to understand the difference between the two when you are dealing with an issue in life. The Bible says we are to crucify, put to death or mortify the deeds of the flesh. You can’t crucify a demon, you cast it out! You can’t cast out the flesh, you crucify it. Though we are in a supernatural battle, this battle continually manifests in the realm of the flesh. An example would be anger. Is a Christian that is filled with anger and rage demon possessed? Not in their spirit, but they can be demonically oppressed in their soul and body. A demon of anger can easily stir the flesh, controlling and manipulating that person, even though they are a believer in Christ! Does the person need deliverance? Yes, from demonic oppression but they also need to “crucify” the flesh! Cast out the demons, kill the flesh!

If we put down our flesh and recognize the demonic oppression in our lives, we can live a victorious life! Christians, we have authority over all the powers of darkness through the mighty name of Jesus! (Luke 10:19) We do not live in fear of demons – demons live in fear of us! Demons fear Christians that understand their authority In Christ! (Acts 19:15)

Our modern culture may be fascinated by the supernatural, occult and demons, but you don’t have to allow these influences in your life or your family! Take authority! Stand up for light, life, holiness, peace, truth and freedom In Christ! Guard your children’s lives and hearts. Pray over your household daily. Plead the Blood of Christ over the affairs of your life. Drive out lies, depression, darkness, fear, lust, suicide and torment in the name of Jesus. Demons have no right in the life of the believer! Do not give them any place or position of opportunity! (Eph. 4:27) WE ARE VICTORIOUS IN CHRIST!

Don't you realize who you are? This is what the Apostle Paul asks believers over and over in his letters. In I Corinthians 6, he asks them why they are suing one another instead of allowing disagreements to be handled within the church.  He says that we will judge the world one day and then even judge angels! (vv. 2-3)   Don't you realize who you are? He then corrects them for allowing sexual sin to be a part of the church and reminds them that their bodies are the dwelling places of the Holy Spirit! (vv. 18-20)  Don't you realize who you are? The Apostle Paul was having to remind the church at Corinth just who they were because they had lost sight of their true identity.  They had begun to identify once again with their lives before Christ. That old man of sin, that should be dead was now leading. He reminds them that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God and then tells them, “And such were some of you, but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God!”  In other words, “YOU HAVE A NEW IDENTITY!”  

Did you ever stop and think about how awesome it is that our Creator, the One who designed our vast universe, places such a high value on mankind?  Psalm 8:4-5 says, “What are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.”   Who are we anyway?  Psalm 139 tells us that in Him we were fearfully and wonderfully made.  We were His crowning achievement!  Think about it: The God of the universe has given you value and given you worth.  He thought so much of you, that He sent His only Son to die on the cross for you and redeem you! (John 3:16)

Your value and worth comes from understanding your identity in Christ.  Don’t allow the past to dictate the future.  Don’t allow past failures to determine the outcome of your life.  Don’t allow the past to control your destiny.  When God changed your identity, He changed your destiny!  “There is therefore no condemnation in Christ Jesus, “ Romans 8:1.  Incrimination is one of the weapons the enemy uses against us to keep us in a place of condemnation. The enemy wants to keep you in that place of bondage to sin, in that place of guilt and shame! But  2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us “therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation.  Old things are passed away, behold all things have become new!  Don't you realize who you are?

The spirit of the world wants to tell you that your value and identity is about your possessions, the color of your skin, and your talents and abilities. The world and your flesh will tell you that you need to have something or look like something or identify with a certain group of people in order to gain an identity of any value!  God reminds us over and over in His Word that our value and our identity comes from our Creator, not from the created! Don't you realize who you are?

There’s a story in your Bible about a king named Jehoshaphat. He did righteously in the eyes of God and received the blessing of the Lord upon him all of the days of his reign. But there is one part of his story, where he displeased the Lord.   Even after seeing the Lord perform such mighty miracles on his behalf and on behalf of the people of Judah in 2 Chronicles 20,  he made an “alliance” or “joined himself” with the king of Israel.  You might think “why was that so bad?”  Well at that time, the kings of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord.  Jehoshaphat was well aware that King Ahaziah of Israel was an ungodly, evil king.

This is just like the Lord.  He will surround you with His peace and will send all of the help you need if you will allow Him to rule.  His peace is irreplaceable.  The world cannot offer it to you.  You will never find it in a bottle.  You will never find it in another relationship.  There is no medicine, drug, or drink that can bring this kind of peace.  This peace that passes our ability to comprehend only comes from Heaven.  His peace is Divine.

Have you ever been in a car wreck?  Whether it was just a fender bender or not, it probably left your vehicle damaged.  It would be foolish for you to call the car company and complain about the dents when it originally came off the assembly line perfect.  The damage isn't any more their fault than mankind's imperfection would be God's fault. You see, God created man in perfection after His own image.  Everything was great, until man got into a wreck.  Sin, death and the curse entered the realm of man's authority -- this world. The condition that Adam received (not the condition he was created in) was passed down to each succeeding generation. We are born into a world that is cursed, that is dying and that is in a state of rebellion.  We inherited a separated condition from the perfect and righteous ways of God!  Man was the one who had a problem, and God in His mercy provided an answer.

God began His dealings with sinful, fallen man, through "the law" first given to Moses. This law could not fully fill the requirements of righteousness, but instead showed God's people that they could not measure up to God's standard and therefore needed a Savior!  Mankind needed an outsider that could repair what they could not.

God was the only one that could fix our problem. The broken cannot fix the broken.  Along came Jesus, bringing us Grace and saying things like..."under the law you cannot commit adultery, but I say if you even look at another woman to lust after her you have already committed adultery in your heart!"   He said, "under the law you cannot murder, but I say if you have hatred in your heart toward someone you have already committed murder!"  Then Jesus really went straight to the heart by saying, "be perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect!"  Huh?  What?  Is He kidding?  How is that even possible?  I don't need a little repair work, I need to be completely re-made!

“There is not a reinforcement which the prince of darkness can order up from the profoundest depths of his dark domain for which those who believe God’s Word are not more than a match; not a poison gas manufactured in hell which the breath of God will not dissipate; not a fiery dart which the shield of faith will not quench; not a pestilence which the precious blood boldly displayed on the lentil and door posts of our dwellings will not avert. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper...(Isaiah 54:17).”  Healing From Heaven, Dr. Lilian B. Yeomans.

God’s Word is binding. It is irrevocable. It is resolute. Satan will challenge God’s Word in your life because he knows that if you ever fully realize the power that you have at your disposal, his strategies against you will be crushed. By having faith in God’s Word and what it says about who Christ is and who we are in Him, and the unmatchable redeeming power of the blood of Jesus, and the authority that we have in the Name of Jesus in this earthly realm — you will steadfastly be victorious!  

Faith in God‘s Word will cause you to become impregnable— unable to be captured or broken. Your life in Christ will be lived out in a fortified position and there will be nothing that the enemy can do to defeat you or destroy you.  “They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion which cannot be removed but abideth forever.”  Psalm 125:1

Take some time to read your Bible today and believe it!  Our God is our refuge and His promise is that He will never fail us.  Pray in faith according to His Word because "Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever!"  Ecclesiastes 3:14

If you or someone you love are dealing with depression, I want you to know that THERE IS HOPE.  Your story does not have to be written with the pen of sadness on the pages of sleepless nights and days that you wish would quickly come to an end.  Your situation may not change overnight, but your emotions and state of mind can.  The Bible says that the "joy of the Lord is our strength!"  God will give you the strength that you need to overcome.  He will not fail you.  Jesus died on the cross and paid the price for our freedom -- even from depression.  Have faith today in the One who has given us power to overcome through the precious blood of His Son, Jesus Christ!  

When you are facing the struggle with depression, you do not need just any kind of hope -- you need the kind of hope that will anchor your soul.  Hope that is found in Jesus Christ is the only hope that will keep you. This kind of HOPE is the true antidote! An antidote is a substance that can counteract a form of poisoning.  Depression poisons the mind with shame, guilt, fear, sadness, loneliness, anger, frustration, and suicidal thoughts.  Jesus shed His blood so that we might be free from this kind of poison! Through the power of His blood and the Word of God, you can be free from DEPRESSION.  You must acknowledge everything that Jesus did for you on the cross and meditate on what the Word of God says about the hope He has provided for you.  Take some time today and read these scriptures out loud over your life...

SCRIPTURES
​Psalm 33:20-22 We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
Psalm 39:7 And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.
Psalm 62:5 My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him.
Psalm 25:3,5 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause...Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.
Psalm 33:22 Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You.
Psalm 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth
Psalm 42:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.
Psalm 52:9 I will praise You forever, Because You have done it; And in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good.
Psalm 65:5 By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us, O God of our salvation, You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth, And of the far-off seas;
Psalm 71:14 But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more.
Psalm 119:74 Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, Because I have hoped in Your Word.
Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NKJV) I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (NLT)

Now meditate on these scriptures and when your mind and heart want to regress into a state of sadness, say them out loud again.  Say them until they become engrafted into your heart.  YOU WILL OVERCOME!   I want to encourage you to pray this prayer with me today:

“Precious Heavenly Father, I thank you for the blood of your Son, Jesus Christ and for the cleansing, healing power that is found in His blood. My faith is in You. By the stripes of Jesus I am healed. I ask You to cleanse my mind from the poison of depression. Today, I put my hope in the Lord. You are my help and my shield. In You my heart rejoices and I trust in Your holy name. Lord let Your unfailing love surround me and take away my pain. My hope is in You alone! In Jesus’ Name, AMEN.” Psalm 33:20-22, NLT and I Peter 2:24

Have you ever tried to get on an airplane without your personal identification?  You can't even get through the security check line without first showing proof of your identity.  You could tell the officer who you are and that you promise that is your name, but that doesn't matter to the TSA officer.  They will tell you to come back when you have a government issued I.D. with you!

​Your "Identity" is so important!  In the Roman empire during the time of Christ, it was common practice for the government to issue someone with blindness or an individual that was lame or an invalid an identification of a "legal beggar". Many times that identification was literally a "beggars coat". This coat gave them the legal right to beg for money on a daily basis at the side of the road.

There is a story of a blind man found in Mark 10:46-52.  Mark states that Bartimaeus was on the side of the road leading out of Jericho begging.  The Gospel writer says that Bartimaeus had "heard" that Jesus was passing by.  He cried out to Him..."Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!"  Verse 49 says that Jesus stopped in His tracks!  This blind beggar that the world had kicked to the side of the road, had just gotten Jesus' attention.   Jesus was leaving Jericho on His way to Jerusalem, where in just over a week, He would be crucified and pay the price for the sins of the world!  I'm sure that Jesus had plenty to think about at this moment, but something makes Him stop and pay attention to someone crying out above the noise of the crowd.  It was Bartimaeus crying out with a loud voice, "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me."  This shows that Bartimaeus recognized Christ's true identity!  He was calling Jesus the Messiah! 

​​This man had been given the identity of a blind beggar by the world.  This man was told by the world, "here, wear this beggars coat, this is who you are."  The government had said this is who you are and nothing will ever change!  But Jesus stopped and called for blind Bartimaeus. Verse 50 says that he "throws" the coat off.  Why would Mark even mention such a thing? I believe it is to simply show us a powerful symbol of this man's faith.  Bartimaeus was saying, "I won't need this identity anymore, I'm about to receive my sight!"  This man is brought to Jesus and Jesus asks him what HE WANTS!  He doesn't ask for money or any other temporary fix for his life.  He asks for the one thing that will change his life...to see again!  Jesus then says that his faith has made him whole.  BARTIMAEUS WAS HEALED!  He then follows Christ from that moment on.

Do you see the beautiful picture here? I believe Bartimaeus was saying "I am throwing off this old beggars life.  I believe I am about to receive my sight!  I believe this old way of life is ending and I'm ready!  I'm not going back!  We are all born into a sin sick, cursed life of darkness, pain and suffering.  Only Jesus can free us from the bondage of sin and the curse of death itself!  Only Jesus can truly change our identity.  Bartimaeus recognized that his identity was about to change.  2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that we are created new in Christ when we are born again.  Does your identity come from that old man of sin, doubt, fear, failure, weakness, pride and darkness?  Or does your identity come from a relationship with Christ and His Word?  

Ephesians 4:22-24 (paraphrased) says to "strip off or throw away that old man...and put on or dress up in that new man In Christ."  ​The devil and the world may want to identify you with a beggars coat, but in Christ, it's time to throw that coat off once and for all.  You have been given a new coat, a new identity.  Get in the Word of God today and dress up that new person in Christ!