Christian Spiritual Struggle; 10 Ways to Overcome Spiritual Stress!

Christian Spiritual Struggle; 10 Ways to Overcome Spiritual Stress!

Christian spiritual struggle means the stressful circumstances encountered by Christians on their spiritual journey with the LORD. All Christians will go through spiritual struggles but thank GOD for the availability of HIS Power that gives victory at the end.

“…strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God…”” (Acts 14:22)

If you are going through a Christian spiritual struggle and you are tired and fed up then today’s message will help you to regain your strength and give you victory in Jesus’ name.

3 Categories of Christian Spiritual Struggle

1. Struggles with the Commandments of the LORD

2. Wrestling with your Self – the carnal nature

3. Tussle with things of this world including people around you

6 Causes of Spiritual Struggles for Christians

1. The LORD wants you to be under HIS rules and regulations.

2. The Devil entices you every day to enjoy his sinful and ‘beautiful’ styles.

3. You are solely responsible for your power of choice.

4. The LORD does not abuse HIS Power on you.

5. The Almighty GOD and the Devil cannot stay together in your heart.

6. You want to enjoy this world but you don’t want to miss Heaven!

7 Signs of Christian Spiritual Tussle

1. You get confused!

2. Not interested doing anything by giving excuses

3. Want to sit on fence by misconception of the Bible

4. Depression

5. Your faith in the LORD starts dropping

6. Emotional imbalance

7. Going through suffering of different forms

10 Ways to Overcome Christian Spiritual Struggle

1. Be Hopeful that you’ll come out strong

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

2. Your strong and steady faith in the LORD is the master key you need

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith.” (1John 5:4)

3. Let the world hates you and dislike things of the world too

“If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:19-21)

4. Have the understanding that to live godly in Christ you will suffer persecution

“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12)

5. Endure the spiritual struggles and fight with force because there is a crown for you

If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.” (2 Timothy 2:12)

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” (Matthew 11:12)

6. Always ask the LORD to dwell in your mind every day

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1John 4:4)

7. Don’t allow the fear to consume you!

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”” (1 Peter 3:14)

8. Be spiritually minded

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” (Galatians 5:16-17)

9. Christian spiritual struggle cannot be overcome without prayers

Don’t kneel down and start complaining to the LORD. When I found myself in tussles I kneel down and acknowledge the Greatness of the LORD through praise and worship and I receive miracles and victory.

10. Read and meditate the word of GOD every day

The secret of your victory can be discovered in the word of GOD recorded in the Bible. No pastor or prophet have the solution to your spiritual stress so don’t be duped! If you read the Bible with a disciplined heart then the Holy Spirit will communicate to you.

 

Christian spiritual struggle is not a strange event but it is a circumstance you must overcome through the power from the LORD. Many great men of GOD including Jesus Christ went through spiritual tussles but they overcome by faith and the obedience to the commandments of GOD.

So, I ask you to go through the ten points above and obey them. You would surely share testimonies!  

Is Satan in Hell Enjoying, Suffering or Tormenting the Dead?

Is Satan in Hell Enjoying, Suffering or Tormenting the Dead?

Many artworks and doctrines of men mislead us from the truth about Satan, hell and dead souls. Satan in hell is erroneous and untruthful!

Today’s message would explain to you the true facts about the current place of the Devil and the controller of hell.

I grew up to see many pictures portraying Satan tormenting the dead. I read many books of authors who claimed to have visited the hell in vision and saw Satan enjoying the torment of the dead souls. But I thank the LORD who gave me the right understanding about this topic.

To avoid bias and confusion, all my points are restricted to the reference of Jesus Christ our great Teacher.

Jesus Christ did not Say Satan in Hell Enjoying

I want you to please patiently read this passage narrated by Jesus Christ below:

“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores.”

“So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

“Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.”

“And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us…” (Luke 16:19-31)

Brief Description of Hell

With respect to the passage above:

1. There are some angels whose duty is to usher dead souls to their next place of existence, so, no silence for your soul when you die.

2. In the world of the dead there are two sections; hell/hades where there are torments and the other side where there is comfort.

3. Dead souls are not blind or deaf and not without feeling!

4. Prayers are made in hell but can never be answered.

5. There is a great architectural job done by the LORD that separate the torment zone from the comfort zone.

6. Devil’s name was not mentioned by the rich man. Since drop of water was not given to him, he would have prayed to Abraham to appeal to Satan to reduce his torments.

So, Satan in hell is not established in the passage above.

Where is the Location of Hell?

Please, I would advise you not to be too inquisitive about the location of hell because it has no physical or spiritual benefit for you. Hell is not a fiction but a real existence best known to the LORD of all Creations.

Many prophets give a downward position for hell and not upward heavenly position. Since Jesus Christ did not give us the geographical location of hell or paradise then we should care less about the place because it is impossible for a man to visit for holiday or excursion.

Satan in Hell Tormenting the Dead Not Real!

Many movies we watch and books we read about the devil and hell are deception. Let’s go through the authentic information below:

1. Satan moves from one place to another on earth.

“And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So, Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” (Job 1:7)

2. The Devil was chased out of Heaven to earth and not to hell.

“…Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time. Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child…” (Revelation 12:12-13)

3. Satan too busy on earth (not in hell) tempting and deceiving people.

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (Matthew 4:1)

4. Devil was not among the fallen angels bounded in hell, so no business for him there.

“For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment.” (2 Peter 2:4)

No matter the number of messages you must have heard either in your church or anywhere that contradicts the truth above must be disregarded. My Pastors previously preached the heresy and I have also preached it before because I thought my pastor was correct until I study the Bible with the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

So, the four points above are powerful and please do not find it impossible to change a long-time believe that Satan in hell enjoying and tormenting souls. The Devil is not in hell yet with respect to the expository bible verses above!

Who Controls the Hell Fire?

It might interest you to know that the Almighty LORD is the Supreme Controller of hell fire. Satan is not in hell because his time have not come. For instance, you hear some demons telling Jesus that their time is not yet up and He shouldn’t cast them to hell – Matthew chapter 8 verse 29.

1. The LORD designed the place of dead such that the souls of saints and sinners are not mixed together but well separated as mentioned by Abraham. (Luke chapter 16)

2. The rich man’s response gave us the understanding that only dead sinners suffer hot punishment in hell and it is difficult for saints like Abraham to help them.

3. GOD created all the tormenting agents and phenomenon in hell. Devil who was also GOD’s creation did not have the authority.

4. Satan can kill the body but does not have the power to send any soul to hell, only the LORD can do such!

Jesus Christ says: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)

Don’t be deceived by the brilliant motivational speakers who tells you that GOD cannot be so wicked to throw sinners into hell fire. Note that GOD can never be blackmailed.

The LORD made it clear that those who disobey His instructions would be cast to hell (Matthew 7:21…). For instance, if you disobey the law of the land, are you not seriously dealt with by the law of the land? So, when the LORD said that He would throw all sinners to hell/lake of fire, then some deceitful scholars told you He is a loving GOD He cannot do that you better watch your back…!

The Final Place for the Devil

After Satan’s roaming from one end of the earth to another busy deceiving many people so that he could have many souls with him in eternal condemnation, he would be cast into the lake of fire. Hell, and every soul in it would also end up in the lake of fire.

The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

“The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.”

“Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:10-15)

 

Finally, the revelations of Jesus Christ in today’s message shows that Satan in hell enjoying is untrue. Please, make sure you don’t fall into the deceits of the Devil by studying the Bible always and remain spiritually alert.

Father, I pray you continue to expose the secrets of the Devil to us and save us from falling because lake of fire is not your plan for us. So, help us in Jesus name. Amen.   

Light of Jesus Christ: 5 Ways to Receive it and What Gains?

Light of Jesus Christ: 5 Ways to Receive it and What Gains?

Light of Jesus Christ means an exposure to truth and deliverance from bondage of confusion. Before the arrival of Jesus Christ there was a thick darkness filled with confusion in the spiritual realm of the world which affects the progress of the great people. But, the light of Jesus Christ had changed the narration now.

Today’s message emphasizes the significance of the light of Jesus Christ and how to benefit from it.

Functions of the Light of Jesus Christ

1. Gives spiritual sight and you also find it easy to identify and understand the power of spiritual darkness cast by the devil into the world.

2. It enhances the process of repentance from sins because you can see and understand the repercussions of staying too long in sin.

3. It gives a healthy spiritual growth because you don’t keep stumbling and perambulating on your spiritual journey in life.

4. Light of Jesus Christ takes away confusion from your life because Holy Spirit makes you to see and understand the aftermath of every decision you take.

5. It becomes impossible for the devil or demons to occupy your heart because the beam of the light of Jesus Christ consumes impurity.

How to Receive the Light of Christ

1. Readiness to forsake worldliness and to obey every instruction of Jesus Christ.

2. Personal Bible Study with an open heart of obedience to the Holy Spirit.

3. Strong prayerful life; seeking to see His Face every day and night.

4. Fasting and taking away distractions that hinder personal fellowship with the LORD.

5. The light of Christ beams through you as you forsake sins and practice holiness every day.

What Does the Bible Say about Light of the World?

1. John chapter 8 verse 12

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.””

2. John chapter 9 verse 5

“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

3. John chapter 1 verse 4

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

4. Second Corinthians chapter 4 verse 6

“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

5. Matthew chapter 5:14-16

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

6. First John chapter 1 verse 5

“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.”

7. Philippians chapter 2 verse 14 and 15

“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”

What Does Live in the Light of Jesus Christ Mean?

1. To be helpful to your neighbours.

2. Share the Good News of Jesus Christ both on media and the neighbourhood.

3. Visit the prison to encourage the prisoners on the right path to follow.

4. Check on the sick to pray for them and share the love of Christ with them.

5. Go with gifts to the homes of the orphanage and sing gospel rhymes with the children.

6. Don’t cheat in school and stay away from corruption at your place of work.

7. Light of Jesus Christ means to live a righteous life according to God’s commandment.

Take a firm decision today to follow Jesus with all your heart and with all your strength. This would give you a permanent deliverance from spiritual darkness, confusion and oppression of the devil.

God Bless you as you make a fruitful turnaround in Jesus’ name.

How Safe is Astrology for Christians?

How Safe is Astrology for Christians?

Astrology for Christians involves the interest of believers visiting the astrologers to predict their future. Is this practice safe or harmless for the Christians? What does God have to say about astrology? Zodiacs seem to be a fun but does it really tell you the truth?

I was dazed when I read about the survey conducted 2017 among U.S. adults by the Pew Research Centre that 26 percent Christians, 24 percent Protestant and 18 percent Evangelical believe in astrology.

These figures are shocking and disappointing! Everyone is eager to know about the future, then is astrology for Christians? Why can’t the Christians ask the Holy Spirit for guidance?

Today’s message will explain the practice of astrology and the safest way to follow.

The Practice of Astrology

Astrology is a type of divination that involves the forecasting of earthly and human events through the observation and interpretation of the fixed stars, the Sun, the Moon, and the planets.

Natal astrology is the application of astrology to the birth of individuals, in order to determine information about the nature and course of a person’s life. The idea is that since the universe is interrelated, astronomical bodies exert an influence on new-born children.

To tell about a person’s character or possible future, horoscopic astrologers rely on a horoscope, a chart of astronomical bodies that shows the relative positions of the Sun, the Moon, the planets, and the ascendant and midheaven signs of the zodiac at a specific moment in time. Most horoscopes are represented by a circle divided into 12 intersections, called houses.

The practice of Astrology has nothing to do with GOD rather it seeks information from the things created by GOD. Astrology for Christians means luring believers into Idolatry!

Astrology in the Bible

Many Christians were deceived by the astrologers that the study of the star is approved by the LORD. But, my question to the astrologers which they refused to give a clear answer to is: “Does God who created the stars told us to seek for characters and future occurrences from the heavenly bodies?

Bible Quotes by the Astrologers

The following Bible verses are misconception by the Astrologers;

1. Genesis chapter 1 verses 14 to 17

“Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years…He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth.

The original context of the stars in this passage is to perform two main functions; for automatic lightning and season formation. They are not for determination of human destiny as claimed by the stargazer.

2. Genesis chapter 15 verse 5

“Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be”.

 The LORD never give names to stars, but He compared the population of Abraham’s descendants to the uncountable number of stars He created in the firmament.

3. Matthew chapter 24 verse 29

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”

Astronomers use this verse to justify their use of the sun, moon and stars for forecast into the lives of people – Absolute nonsense!

The verse is mainly prophetic which simply means that the automation of lightning and season will cease during the end time.

4. Matthew chapter 2 verse 1 and 2

“… Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

Note: That the action of the Astrology of the generation of Jesus Christ was mentioned in the Bible does not justify that the practice is acceptable by the LORD. Don’t be deceived!

Bible Quotes that condemn Astrology for Christians

The LORD detest astrology for Christians and the following Bible Verses are evidence to show that all Christians must condemn divination offered by astrology with all their might!

1. Isaiah chapter 47 verse 13 and 14

“You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels; Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, And the monthly prognosticators Stand up and save you from what shall come upon you. Behold, they shall be as stubble, The fire shall burn them; They shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame; It shall not be a coal to be warmed by, nor a fire to sit before!”

2. Leviticus chapter 19 verse 26

“You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor shall you practice divination or soothsaying.”

3. Jeremiah chapter 8 verse 2

“They shall spread them before the sun and the moon and all the host of heaven, which they have loved and which they have served and after which they have walked, which they have sought and which they have worshiped. They shall not be gathered nor buried; they shall be like refuse on the face of the earth.”

4. Acts chapter 7 verses 42

Then God turned and gave them up to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the Prophets: ‘Did you offer Me slaughtered animals and sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?”

Hmm, the verse above shows that anyone who believes and practice astrology is absolutely cursed and rejected by the LORD.

5 Spiritual Dangers of Astrology for Christians

1. Horoscope is Idolatry; given more respect to creations than the Creator.

2. It is deceit from the Devil to take your heart away from the LORD.

3. The Astrologers blindfold and swindle you.

4. Their prediction is not accurate and full of assumptions.

5. They make you hear predictions from them instead of listening to the right counsel by the Holy Spirit.

I appeal to you to reject astrology for Christians and do not read horoscope and the likes either from your mobile phones or the newspaper. It is deceitful and not fun as widely referred to. It would separate your spirit from the LORD and make you fall to the hands of the deceitful devil.

Christian Spiritual Journey: 10 Guidelines for a Safe Trip!

Christian Spiritual Journey: 10 Guidelines for a Safe Trip!

Christian spiritual journey is the activities you do every day through Jesus Christ with the strong determination to gain Heaven.

Today’s sermon would broaden your knowledge about Christian spiritual journey and how to survive the rough path.

Types of Spiritual Journey

There are two types of spiritual journey;

1. Christ-like Spiritual Journey

This journey requires constant obedience to the instructions of the Holy Spirit and the use of Bible as the spiritual map.

Jesus says: “Enter by the narrow gate…Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

2. Demonic Spiritual Journey

Devil is the instructor of this course. Example of such practices include; conjure of spirits, astral projection, witchcraft, bloody rituals etc.

Jesus warned: “…for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” (Matthew 7:13)

When Does a Spiritual Journey Starts?

It starts from the ‘womb’ when God forms your body, soul and spirit. We are spiritually formed, so everything that happens in the physical realm has a spiritual implication.

Your spiritual journey starts when you don’t know the difference between good and bad and the Angel of the LORD have the responsibility to guide you.

Jesus says: “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10)

But, the presence of God’s Angel in your life may be short-lived if your parents were not faithful to the LORD and at that moment the Devil takes over the spiritual journey.

I grew up to know that the Devil’s spiritual journey I followed could not give me eternal rest so I quit and followed Jesus Christ.

How to Start a Christian Spiritual Journey?

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

The following steps are vital for you to enjoy a successful trip with the LORD:

1. Quit the Devil

2. Come to Jesus Christ

3. Confess your sins to the LORD

4. Be baptised

5. Read your Bible daily and Meditate the Word of God

6. Live an obedient life as directed by the LORD

7. Share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus with your friends.

When you follow the seven steps above, then your Christian spiritual journey will start on a solid rocky foundation.

What Happens on a Christian Spiritual Journey?

I would sincerely tell you the truth that the spiritual journey with Jesus Christ is not a smooth one. There is time to climb the steep mountains, move through the thick forest and stay at the dry and wet valleys before proceeding on the rough narrow path.

Jesus says: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

There is bad times, good seasons, trials and temptations. Time to mourn and time to give birth. So, don’t be discouraged!

Matthew chapter 10 verse 16 says: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

Why is the Christian Journey a Rough One?

You have made the right choice by becoming a Christian. But, don’t turn back when you go through the tough part of the spiritual journey.

Many people walk through the demonic spiritual journey because they are deceived with sweet things of this world which are short-lived. And, unfortunately the end of their journey leads to hell fire.

Christians spiritual journey is a rough one on earth due to the presence of the Devil who strive to attack and discourage us from getting to Heaven.

Read Revelation chapter 12 to have a deep spiritual understanding for the reason Christian spiritual journey is tougher than the demonic path.

And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Revelation 12:17)

10 Tips for a Safe Trip to Heaven

1. Do personal fellowship with the LORD every day.

2. Invite the Holy Spirit to permanently control you.

3. Identify your spiritual gift(s) and use it for God’s glory.

4. Advance from feeding on spiritual milk to spiritual meat.

5. Your spiritual growth must progressively tend towards maturity.

6. Holiness must be your watch word.

7. Don’t take God’s grace for granted.

8. Be watchful and don’t be carried away by the flashy things on earth.

9. Be hardworking and invest your treasury in heaven by helping the poor.

10. Don’t love anything on earth more than your GOD.

The tips above are extracted from the scriptures, I followed them and I have testimonies to give every day. I advise you to write these tips and obey them. You would surely have a safe trip on your Christian spiritual journey in Jesus’ name.