All the memories of deeds gone by...

Today has been a day when 'all the memories of deeds gone by, rise within me and thy power defy.' It is very difficult to live with a converted addict – whether their poison is alcohol, slot machines, drugs or sex. Sin that has been forgiven still has power and the enemy will do everything it can to use memories of the past to inflict misery and pain in the present.

With me this happens in two ways:

First of all I find myself re-running mental recordings of all the wicked things I've done in my life (this usually happens when I'm lying in bed or standing in the street selling the War Cry!) The enemy urges me to focus on the stupidity of my actions and on the pain they caused others.

Secondly, he uses innocent events to resurrect feelings of mistrust in those I love. For example, I may be late home one night and unable to contact Tracey (or maybe just not think to call) and then the enemy puts all kinds of ideas into her mind "where is he?" – "what is he up to?"

The first method of attack I can (through the grace of God) deal with by following the advice of Paul and "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Spiritual warfare also quickly sends the enemy scurrying!

The second method of attack is more difficult to counter and requires a great deal of discernment and wisdom – the truth is that even now I can fully understand why trust is so difficult – because I am, like all sinners, always only one decision away from disaster.

Praise God – time heals!

Praise God – 'love covers a multitude of sins!'

Praise God – 'we are more than conquerors through him who loved us'

"He breaks the power of canceled sin,

He sets the prisoner free;

His blood can make the foulest clean,

His blood avails for me."

Today's bible readings: Hosea 8:1 to 9:17, Proverbs 17:25-18:5, Romans 8:1-17

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." (v1&2)

"You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you." (v9-11)

"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." (v15-17)

Grace and peace, A

Why should the devil have all the best pumpkins!

In the powerful name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth; who died and rose again and who now lives; seated at the right hand of God the Father - in his powerful name I stand against the 'principalities and powers, the rulers of this dark world' and I rebuke them and bind them up with chains forged in the precious blood of the lamb.

I command them to go to the place that has been prepared for them and to leave my heart, mind, body, soul and any sphere of influence they may have over me or my family. In the almighty name of Jesus Christ I forbid any demon, evil spirit or stronghold to have any power or influence over my life or the lives of my family. I remind those that dwell in the spiritual realms that 'no weapon formed against me can prosper' I remind them that 'he who is for us is greater than he who is against us' and that 'the battle is the Lord's!'

I pray that the same Holy Spirit who led Christ to victory at Calvary and who subsequently led Satan captive in triumph through the heavens would move today in the town of Dartford and beyond, I pray that dear Holy Spirit you will send ministering angels to confuse and negate the work of Satan and all who serve him.

I wash myself, my home, my family, my hall, my car and my people in the precious all powerful, deep cleansing blood of Jesus. We are children of God and nothing can harm us!

Jehovah is our Strength,

And He shall be our Song

We shall o’ercome at length

Although our foes be strong.

In vain does Satan then oppose,

For God is stronger than His foes.

The Lord our Refuge is

And ever will remain;

Since He has made us His

He will our cause maintain.

In vain our enemies oppose,

For God is stronger than His foes.

The Lord our Shepherd is;

He knows our every need,

And since we now are His,

His care our souls will feed.

In vain do sin and death oppose,

For God is stronger than His foes.

Our God our Father is;

Our names are on His heart;

We ever will be His,

He ne’er from us will part.

In vain the mightiest powers oppose,

For God is stronger than His foes!

Amen

Todd Bentley and the dangers of partial consecration...

I’ve just read the following on the web page of www.God.tv in response to the revelation that Todd Bentley of the Lakeland Revival has filed for divorce following an affair with a member of his team and bouts of binge drinking.

“Was it because Todd was vulnerable and certain areas of his life were not surrendered wholly - Yes - like so many of us - in all probability. Was it because the character of Christ was not yet formed in him in the equivalent measure to his gifting? Yes - like so many of us - in all probability. Could it be the case that ‘there but for the grace of God go I’… Yes - In all probability.”

If the ‘rich young ruler’ were a Salvationist then he would probably be considered the holiest soldier we knew! He had been obedient to his ‘soldier’s covenant’ (in his case the law), he tithed his income and was punctilious in his duty to the local Corps. If Jesus had carried out an appraisal of this man it would have contained just once comment ‘he lacks only one thing!’

There’s the rub – entire sanctification is exactly what it says on the tin – entire. Even when we give 99.9% of what we have, what we hold back invalidates the rest of our surrender.

When we hold back even 0.1% we place ourselves at risk! This is especially so for Christian leaders. Let’s pray for Todd and for Future Fire Ministries and for the Lakeland Revival and let’s make sure that we leave no unguarded place – this is war and in war there are casualties on both sides!

Love and prayers, A