Overcoming

Looking at Calvary Part 5

The fountain flows continually as long as the power is not shut off or disconnected. This happens when we take matters into our own hands and refuse to surrender them to the Lord. Have you ever experienced the complete frustration when your self-will is struggling to have its own way? You know you have to yield if you are to stay in fellowship with the Lord, but the strong self is trying to pull the Lord over to our way of handling a situation. It is as if we are saying, “Lord let’s do it my way.” We have to make the decision as the challenges arise not to let our self will rule. There is such victory when we finally let go of the struggle and let the power flow again.

Looking at Calvary Part 3

A water fountain has the ability to cool and soothe you in the heat of the day (symbolic of the spiritual battle we are encountering). Just sitting and contemplating the fountain He opened can help us in troubled times. He provided peace for us and He can speak peace to our souls in the midst of our storm. The peace is there we just have to determine to walk in it and keep our eyes on Jesus and not on the chaos around us. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27.

Looking at Calvary Part 1

John 19: 34 tells us when Jesus hung on the cross the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side and blood and water came out. We have heard sermons on the blood but I personally have not heard teachings on the water symbolism.

“In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.” Zachariah 13:1.

There are five parallels I will explore with you in these blogs. Imagine a public square with a huge cascading water fountain without a ledge around it. You could walk right into it if you were so inclined.

The fountain gushes up with great force if it is working correctly. Jesus’ blood is a mighty force against the powers of evil that try to snare and entrap us. Imagine a bed of stinging ants that you walk into as you are strolling through the park. They are crawling all over your feet and legs and making you miserable. You walk into the fountain and they float away dead. The stinging ants are symbolic of our enemy Satan and his attacks.

Our savior overcame Satan when He rose triumphantly from the grave. We, His followers, have the promise, “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37.

Developing Passion For The Lord (part 4)

There are hindrances to intimacy with the Lord and I have identified seven in my book, Unshackled. When we are feeling “disconnected” we can check ourselves to see where the problem may lie. They are:

1. Not knowing how we were designed and what our unique gifts are
2. Not taking authority over ungodly or tormenting thoughts
3. Taking offense
4. Holding unforgiveness
5. Not being careful of the words we speak
6. Unhealthy dependence on friends
7. Not surrendering our burdens.

These offer an easy way to help us discern where the blockage may be.

It is so satisfying when we are connected to our Savior as we come to Him each day in our prayer time. It is well worth the time to take note of the hindrances so we can break through to His presence in a way we can discern.

Of course He does not leave us once we have accepted Him as Lord and Savior, but the dry times should motivate us to look carefully to see if there is a blockage.

Confession For Overcomers

As the New Year is upon us I thought it good to review some of the “tools” we have for life in the Spirit, the first one being the armour discussed on my previous blog.

Derek Prince, a great bible scholar, wrote an overcomer’s confession that has lived on years over he went to be with the Lord. I have used it often and seen powerful results as I have quoted it aloud. You will note it is all Scripture put together in a way that it is easy to memorize if you are persistent. We know there is great power in the spoken aloud word of Scripture.

Speak out loud:
My body is a temple for the Holy Spirit1,redeemed 2 , cleansed 3 ,sanctified by the Blood of Jesus.4

My members, the parts of my body, are instruments of righteousness 5 , yielded to God for His service and for His glory.

The devil has no placed in me, no power over me, no unsettled claims against me. All has been settled by the Blood of Jesus.6

I overcome Satan by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of my testimony, and I love not my life unto the death. (I crucify my flesh, my self, my ego, my way,). My body is for the Lord and the Lord is for my body.7 Amen.

1. I Cor. 6:19
2. Eph. 1:7, Psa. 107:2:
3. I John 1:7
4. Heb. 13:12
5. Rom. 6:13
6. Rom. 8:33-34
7. Rev. 12:11
8. I Cor. 6:13