THE WILDERNESS SERIES: THE DEVIL DISRUPTS VISIONS

Matthew 4:8-11 (NIV):
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[a]”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Today we continue from last week's discussion of the serpent's use of scripture found by clicking this link.

For the final temptation the devil used against the LORD in the wilderness was to take him to a very high mountain-once more the devil took Him-so ask yourself-how did you get into that situation of temptation? Do you feel like you were taken to that position in a manner that is not of God? The devil has a particular personality-he takes and then he offers to gives. Hence if the devil is present in a situation it is clear from the manner in which you got there. He took the LORD and then He showed him all the kingdoms of the world. The devil places the vision the LORD has given you in a different order-Jesus is the LORD but here the devil is showing him the world and his splendor. He is offering the LORD a different display of splendor that is not of God. And to take it, He was told to worship the devil.
This is what happens when you accept the vision the devil has given you-you are no longer worshipping God:

Matthew 6:24 (NIV):
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

The devil will always present the vision God has given you in an unholy order-stick to the LORD’s timing. Don’t disrupt or rush the process-don’t accept any shortcuts-it is not of God.
And Jesus rebuked the devil and once more quoted the appropriate Scripture-to worship God alone.
And since He rebuked the devil-and refused to worship him, he had to leave-and the angels of God came and attended him. This is because darkness cannot stay where light is-this is why the angels came after the devil left. Furthermore, it is important to realize when we do not listen to God, we are listening to the devil.
The world worships Satan-which is why the devil had the authority to offer the world to Jesus. But we worship God-which is why Jesus responded in His service to God. Hence we are not of the world and the manner in which we proceed is not of the world but dependent and determined by God. (John 17:16). Therefore the devil cannot offer you what God has shown you. He can only tempt you.
So whenever the devil tries to twist the vision the LORD has placed in your heart in the wilderness, whenever he comes with his words of lies, saying that it will never happen except you steal that money, cheat, lie-he is essentially asking you to worship him.
Jesus also identified the devil by name-Satan. Can you identify when Satan is speaking?
Notice the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain before he showed him the world and its splendor. This shows that the devil will always offer to elevate you into a position and place that God has not called you to.
Also the devil will always offer you money, but is it of God? This is why Matt 6:24 says you cannot serve both God and money-do you serve God? Are you devoted to Him? Do you love Him? These are questions that are answered in the place of temptation-when as the LORD did you turn down the fast track to success, when you choose the path of righteousness-the path of Christ-there is reward.
This is why angels of God came to attend the LORD.
This was the final temptation for a reason-Jesus had rejected the world and its splendor-the same way we are meant to reject the world and embrace the LORD.
The significance of His decision is further marked by angel's attending Him because angel's only attend to the servants of God (Hebrews 1:14).

Q: What vision has the LORD placed in your heart? How has the devil sought to manipulate the process?
Tip: Find opportunities to worship God ie through songs of praise, prayer, volunteering, acts of service-these will enable you to rebuke the devil.

I will be sharing exclusive content with those that subscribe to my e-mail list on material concerning relationships, faith and destiny! 
What will it entail? Those on my subscription list gain access to tailored information with interactive steps to improve your emotional, physical and spiritual life! 
There will be more studies catered to suit your needs on this new and detailed adventure and I'm excited to begin with you guys!
If you will like to partake of this-Then subscribe by providing your e-mail address under the link on the right or below!
Follow me on Youtube for more discussions by clicking this link!

Have a lovely day!

God Bless,

Tolu.

BECOMING CONFIDENT: FINDING THE COURAGE TO FORGIVE


1.    Recognition: You firstly need to recognize that confidence means you do not allow yourself to be bruised by someone else’s abuse. And you need to recognize this. How? Firstly, you acknowledge that you have been hurt-did someone take your efforts for granted? Where you lied to? Cheated? Demeaned? Recognize the hurt.

2.     Acceptance: This paves the path for acceptance-and acceptance is a powerful part of confidence. It means you no longer feel the need to apologize. You have accepted your flaws and your features and you are proud of both. What does this mean? This means you allow yourself to grow through your flaws and flourish through your features. Self acceptance is so important in learning confidence because it means you have no apologies.


3.    Healing: Healing is part of becoming confident-and you need to practice the two prior steps to allow the bruise to be identified. And now you can apply the salve to heal. You let this happen because you have identified the hurt through recognition, and you have touched the pain through acceptance. And now the salve to heal requires a lot of rest. Resting in the knowledge of who you are, who you were and who you are going to be-this is a powerful and potent recipe.

4.    Receive: Now that you have allowed the healing process to begin, you can speak through the scar. People don’t understand the importance in a scar-your scar tells a story. Allow it to speak and receive the message.

5.    Share:  Now that you have healed from the pain, you can share the story behind your scar. This is how confidence begins to speak because it comes from a place of inner healing. It is a message people react and respond to-it is your job to share it.


Q: Where have you been hurt in the past? Have you healed?
Tip: You confront the pain by acknowledging the experience-in your thoughts and your words each and every time you remember-this allows you to heal and to move on with your life.

I will be sharing exclusive content with those that subscribe to my e-mail list on material concerning relationships, faith and destiny! 

What will it entail? Those on my subscription list gain access to tailored information with interactive steps to improve your emotional, physical and spiritual life! 
There will be more studies catered to suit your needs on this new and detailed adventure and I'm excited to begin with you guys!

If you will like to partake of this-Then subscribe by providing your e-mail address under the link on the right or below!

Follow me on Youtube for more discussions by clicking this link!

Have a lovely day!

God Bless,

Tolu.

THE WILDERNESS SERIES: THE SERPENT USES SCRIPTURE

Matthew 4:5-7: (NIV)
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[a]”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[b]”

Today's teaching is part of The Wilderness Series. Today we continue from last week-for the previous post on this topic click right here.
After the first testing which was a test of hunger, the LORD was tested again by the devil in another area because as the Word says:

2 Corinthians 12:8-9: (NIV)
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Notice the LORD said, My grace is sufficient for you-hence we need to receive the gift of grace when walking through the wilderness. Are you in a season of frustration-rest in the knowledge and understanding of the LORD. And not your own.
The devil takes but the LORD gives-this is why the devil took Jesus to the holy city-the personality of Satan is to always take-so are you experiencing a loss of happiness, peace, joy, stability-it is the devil-because he comes to steal, kill and destroy but the Lord comes to give life (John 10:10).
And Satan took Jesus to the holy city being Jerusalem. And had him stand on the highest point of the temple. In other words, Satan takes and he pressures.
Once more the devil tested the LORD according to his identity-because once you lose your identity in Christ, he can attack you. So he will always come with a question of identity-always questioning your position in the body of Christ. Which is why he took Jesus to Jerusalem-the holy city-and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple-when He is the temple Himself. The devil will always question your calling in the body of Christ in the wilderness.
And he told the Son of God that if he indeed was the Son, he should throw himself down and he quoted Psalm 91:11-12. This says two things-firstly, the devil knows the Word he just does not understand it. Secondly, just because your actions are based on Scripture does not mean it did not come from the serpent. Be careful to make sure the Word you have received is from God. how can you tell? Well God will never tell you to commit suicide-in your life, your position, your calling. That is the voice of the devil-and here the devil was asking the LORD to commit suicide based on the Word-He literally wanted Him to throw himself down. Do you know why? Because Satan can never take your position as a child of God-he needs you to throw that away yourself.
This is why the Word says:

Romans 8:38-39 (NIV):
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And Jesus responded with the appropriate Word in that situation: Do not put the LORD your God to the test.
In other words, He recognized that the only authority in that situation was God and hence He should not be tested to prove Himself. Do you know that? Do you know that the LORD is the sole authority in your situation? And He does not need to prove Himself as He is not a man that He would lie. (Numbers 23:19)
Trust God in the wilderness and do not listen to the devil’s take on Scripture-he always applies it out of context. Root yourself in the Word-and allow Him to respond.

Q: Where has the devil tested you this week? How did you respond?

Tip: Whenever you feel weak, surround yourself with words of faith ie worship, Bible teachings, reading the Word, a brother or sister in Christ because faith is a shield to defeat the flaming arrows of frustration/anger etc of the devil (Ephesians 6:16).

I will be sharing exclusive content with those that subscribe to my e-mail list on 
material concerning relationships, faith and destiny! 
What will it entail? Those on my subscription list gain access to tailored information with interactive steps to improve your emotional, physical and spiritual life! 
There will be more studies catered to suit your needs on this new and detailed adventure and I'm excited to begin with you guys!
If you will like to partake of this-Then subscribe by providing your e-mail address under the link on the right or below!
Follow me on Youtube for more discussions by clicking this link!

Have a lovely day!

God Bless,

Tolu.