The Power of God’s Word

~ Kim Balogh ~ 1 Comment

The word of God is so powerful that it can set captives free, make the blind see, and give understanding to the simple. In my neck of the woods is a coffee shop where many people with developmental disabilities hang out. I like to sit with them and enjoy their fellowship when I go there. I get the opportunity to share Jesus and be their friend. One particular guy I call the “Bible man” always carries a Bible with him. He quotes scripture about everything! One day we were sharing about the word of God when he looked at me and said, “It’s not all intellectualism, is it, Kim?”

The Holy Spirit is all over this guy all the time! It’s wonderful! I knew immediately that Holy Spirit had just spoken to me out of that guy’s mouth! I pondered the statement and discussed it with the Lord afterward. He revealed that his word is so powerful that it bypasses human reason. That man considered slow by human standards has more Holy Spirit power in his life than most Christians! Why? Because he is full of the word of God!

For every situation, this guy has a scripture. That’s all he talks about! If someone is struggling, he will give a scripture. If anyone has a need, he gives a scripture. Only some people receive what this guy has to say, though. I heard complaints once. “Oh, all he talks about is the Bible! That’s too much!”

I replied, “Well, that’s why he has the power of God in his life!”  

They all became silent. No one disputed it!

Jesus told us that faith in his word could move mountains! He said his word had the power to heal, set free, and deliver. Jesus would often ask a person a question before he laid hands on them for healing. He would say, “Do you believe I can do this?”

The key to receiving our miracle from God is to believe his word! If we do not believe God’s word, we will not receive what the Lord has for us.

“For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” Hebrews 4:2

The ‘Bible man,’ full of the word of God and Holy Spirit power, sits among people all the time, but many remain oppressed and defeated. Why? Because they look at the natural. They have their eyes on material things. How could a simple man help them?

How can a simple carpenter heal the sick and do many mighty miracles? We need to see things the way God sees them. Even in the mouth of a donkey, the word of God is a powerful force of miraculous power. Take, for example, the prophet who wanted to curse the Hebrew children. The Lord gave the donkey speech to bring forth his word. (Numbers 22:21-38)

Paul told us not to regard any person by the flesh but by the Spirit because those born of the incorruptible word of God are temples of the Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 5:16)

Often, the flesh is weak, and we may not understand or even like the vessel born of God, our brother or sister. That’s alright. We are all a work in progress! However, we need to remember that God uses imperfect people. No one will be 100% to our liking until we go home to glory! But if we look to Holy Spirit inside that person, we can receive from their gift. 

I learned over time as a Christian that God’s word is powerful no matter who speaks it! If it’s pure and unadulterated! I have learned that a vessel may be used by God for our benefit if we are open to looking past the flesh. 

I don’t always get along with my husband. We have different ways of doing things, but I know he has a healing anointing. If the devil tries to put sickness on me many times, I go to him for prayer because I believe in God’s word. I get healed every time! 

God’s word is so powerful that it can change any circumstance! All we have to do is believe it! Will we get tested by Mr. Devil? Yes, for sure, but if we trust in the Lord’s word above every other word, he will honor his word in his way and in his time!

God’s word is yes, and amen! God can’t lie! I tell the devil that all the time! “You are a liar, devil! God told me, and he cannot lie! Get away!” 

Do you want to prosper and be in health? Do you want to walk in Holy Spirit’s power? This is the instruction I got from the Lord. Obey what he says, and you will find your life transformed!

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:1-3 

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How Faith Works

~ Kim Balogh ~ 1 Comment

                                                    

Scriptures tell us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6)

Since this is true, it is important to understand faith and how it works.

According to scriptures (Hebrews 11:1), FAITH (trust in God, truth, reliance, belief) is the substance or confident assurance of things HOPED FOR or expected, the EVIDENCE or proof of things (material objects, business, things that work, matter) not (none, nothing, without, never) seen. (behold, sight, take hold, look, perceive)

In other words, Faith believes God’s truth or his word and trusts in it with confident assurance without any material evidence or proof of things visibly seen or perceived with the mind.

To please God, you must have faith in his word and what it says above anything you see, hear, or feel in the material world, expecting what he says in his word to occur or be materialized.

Now that we know what faith is, we need to understand how faith works. According to the scriptures, Faith without works is dead, being alone. In other words, if I say I have faith but do not act or work on what I believe, my faith will be inoperative.

James gives us a classic example. He says what profit or gain do I get if my actions are contrary to my faith. Notice that James tells us that if I SAY or speak that I have faith in God but do not act on my faith, my faith is dead or void.

James is talking about salvation or our Christian witness in this context, but if you read the gospels or Paul’s account in the book of Hebrews about faith, you can see faith in action within a broader sense. Faith in God can be used for salvation and other means, such as provision, healing, and deliverance.

James gives the example of applying work to feeding and clothing the poor to demonstrate our faith in action. This same principle is to be applied in all aspects of faith. Let’s take a nonmaterial example.

When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.  He said, Lord, “my servant lies at home paralyzed. He is suffering terribly.”

Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”

The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Matthew 8:5-8

Jesus was pleased with this answer because it demonstrated his faith in God’s word without needing evidence or material representation.

Another example is the woman in a crowd following Jesus, who had suffered for many years with constant bleeding. She had gone to many doctors over the years, spending everything she had to pay them, but she got no better. She heard about Jesus healing the sick, so the woman came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. She told herself that if she could touch the robe of Jesus, she would be healed.

Notice that this woman had faith or trust in the Lord’s healing power and was willing to push through the crowd to touch his robe. In other words, this woman was putting action to her faith.

Immediately the woman’s bleeding stopped, and she was healed. When Jesus realized that healing power had gone out from him, he turned around and asked who had touched him.

When the woman told Jesus it was her, he said. “Your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”

This woman was healed because she trusted the Lord’s healing ability. She did not even need his attention or any demonstration from him. She simply believed.

I had a similar experience that I will share with you. When I was pregnant with my 4th child, I began to bleed. I thought I might lose my baby. I went up for prayer at a church meeting, and when the speaker laid hands on me, I felt the healing anointing go into my body. But as I walked away, I began to bleed profusely. I cried to the Lord, What happened? I felt your healing power but now this. The Lord taught me a valuable lesson. His Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, “What will you believe? What I just did in manifesting my healing power or this situation?”

I replied, “I’m going to believe you, Lord.”

As soon as I said that, my bleeding stopped, and I went on to deliver my son.

This example taught me that if I had come in agreement with the material world and the evidence of the material world instead of God’s word, my child would not have been born. Our prayers will get aborted if we don’t trust the Lord but look to the material world instead.

There are some things doctors cannot do. The woman with an issue of blood went to all the doctors. They couldn’t help her. But Jesus could.

Now that you know what faith is and how it works, I will show you what faith isn’t.  

Faith is not presumption. Faith is not getting your way and your will. Faith is not to be used for greed, selfishness, or pride. Unfortunately, unscrupulous people, used by the devil, have infiltrated the church and tried to discredit faith in God. Many people have been hurt by this infiltration.

A spiritual principle in this life is that when God sows his seed, Satan sows his. If you remember this, you won’t get upset when the devil tries to come into the church to discredit God’s work. Instead, you will pray and take authority over him, so he gets the boot out!

 Jesus said, if you ask anything in my name, I will do it, but he mentioned in another scripture that it must be according to God’s will. Is it God’s will to heal everybody? Yes, because sickness is demonic. It is not from God. However, we don’t know all the circumstances concerning an individual and their personal walk with God. Many things will hinder healing, such as unbelief, unforgiveness, generational sins, etc.

Since we don’t know all the circumstances, and we are not the healer, we pray and leave the results to God. For personal healing, we can seek God and examine our hearts, repenting of anything he shows us that may hinder us from receiving. Jesus did not go around healing everybody, if you notice in the scriptures. He healed only those with faith in his healing ability. They came to him for healing or he went to a specific person.  

It is the same with anything else we need, like salvation, provision, deliverance, or a miracle.

Faith must be in God’s word and line up with all the context of God’s word. Many have used the faith message to get rich. Do you know that Satan can make you rich? He will answer your prayers if it’s your obsession! That way he will take you to hell for idolatry!

God answers our prayers if they align with his word and will for us. God does make some people rich because they have a ministry of giving into the kingdom of God. Jesus does not make people rich to show off and live like movie stars!

God wants us to have faith in his word, to do his work in the kingdom of God, and bring him glory! We must have pure motives.

There are many work principles in scripture for our needs. If you need provision, give to a need. Giving is the spiritual principle for receiving.

When I was a young mom, we were living in the ’80s in Canada. In America, they were doing well but in my country, jobs were scarce. My husband had a hard time finding work. One time we got really low on food. I prayed then I gave my last 2 dollars in the offering plate on Sunday.

After service, a widow lady gave me an envelope. She told me that the Lord told her to give it to me. It was 100 dollars!  I could tell you many such stories about God providing for us!

Sometimes you cannot do much but just pray and trust the Lord, but at other times you can do something!

I will give you one last example. When I was pregnant with my first child, my neighbor friend, a Christian, had been trying to have a baby for many years, but she had not gotten pregnant. The Lord gave me a word for her. “Fix that baby room, paint, buy everything you need, and trust God!” I told her.

She did just that and very shortly got pregnant. She gave birth to a beautiful little girl!

It is important to get God’s mind in a situation. Then when we have his word, we stand on it, pray it forth and wait for him to bring it to pass in his way and in his time!

 Trust in the Lord, and do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Psalm 37:3

The Court of Heaven

~ Kim Balogh ~ 3 Comments


The Bible says there is a court in heaven. God opens his court to hear testimony.
God is the judge in his heavenly court.
God stands up to open heaven’s court. He pronounces judgement in the earth. TLB PSALMS 82:1

The word for court or ‘congregation’ is Edah. This word does not just mean a group of people. The TLB version says God’s court system is a council. Like a king’s court in which David or Solomon made judgments for the people’s concerns. Like a judge and jury.

Psalms 89:14
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants.

The heavenly court operates much like our western common law court.

In a court of law for criminality, the prosecution brings forth a charge based on a broken law.

To prove the law was broken, there must be evidence presented.

The defense needs a good argument based on a set of defense standards to beat the charges.

Our defense in God’s court is to plead the blood of Jesus Christ once we confess and forsake our sins.

In a civil case, the opposition must have more evidence for or against it to win or lose a case. It’s called preponderance of evidence. In other words, the more evidence one has, the better to prove guilt or innocence.

In God’s court, the accuser (satan) sets out his case against us. He tells the court of God how we have violated the law somehow. He points out all our failures and inadequacies.

It is important to confess our sins before God and repent ASAP because it can be used against us in a court of law. God’s court.

If the accuser has legal precedence against us, we will reap the consequence of our sin. There is a correlation between a particular sin and a particular judgment in our lives. These are set out in scripture under the law.

The law cannot save us but it can call us out on our sins. The law is not abolished under the New Testament, but the sting of death brought forth by breaking the law is broken through the atonement of Jesus Christ.

Unconfessed sin is dangerous in a Christian’s life.

It causes a curse to operate. Scriptures call this the curse of the law. Breaking God’s law causes death. Spiritually, physically, emotionally, and materially.

Jesus came to redeem us from the curse of the law. All confessed, and repentant sin is redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Some Christians make excuses for having chaotic lives with trouble on their doorstep all the time. They argue, “well, we live in a fallen world.”

I know about the consequences of having sin in my life. I’ve had to learn things the hard way. Since I am old and wiser now, I can warn you to make sure you work out your salvation with the fear of the Lord always at your forefront. That is, don’t take anything in the Bible lightly. Disregarding the scriptures will cause you no end of grief.

Just because you may have been honest all your life but your mouth shoots off doubt, scorn, disbelief, accusations against others, gossip, slander, etc., this will cause demonic activity to flourish in your life. The tongue is a wicked member, but some Christians don’t take this seriously.

When I started doing some huck and chuck, my life got better. When I took God’s word more seriously, I had more success.

Jesus came to redeem us from the curse of the law. Not to let us wallow in sin with the world. Christians do have tribulation, but the Scriptures tell us there is deliverance. The devil will try to trip us up, but we have a way out. That way out is a sword.

In the story of Ester, when the wicked one wanted to kill all of God’s people, the King gave them a sword in order to defend themselves.

We have the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God to counter the accuser.

When MR. Devil tells you that you are a failure because you blew it too many times,you can take the sword of the Spirit and say…IT IS WRITTEN; Mr. Devil, that a righteous man, falls 7 times and gets back up again. That means I’m going to get this right, and you are a liar!

God will back you up.

That’s legal precedence for him to be able to kick the devil out of your life.

If Mr. Devil says, “oh, you are weak, sick, infirmed. You can’t possibly be of any use.”

Take the sword of the Spirit and give him a good one.

Mr. Devil, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Get behind me, in Jesus’ name.

The only thing that the devil listens to is the word of God. He has to. Its the word of God that holds all things together.

Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Hebrews 1:3

When we bring our legal precedence before God’s court, he will honor it.

If you believe that God’s word is more powerful than anything in the universe, you will see your life changed for the better. When you take God’s word and present it before the court of heaven, God will always honor it. He watches over his word to perform it. Be patient and give him time to work all things together for your good!

Don’t give Satan any place. Use the sword of the Spirit when he attacks. Keep a clean slate with the Lord. Plead the blood of Jesus over your life every day. Then the accuser will stay under your feet where he belongs.




Walk in the Light

~ Kim Balogh ~ 1 Comment

Scriptures tell us to walk in the light.

What does it mean to walk in the light? To find that out, we need to know what is ‘the light’?

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

Obviously, light is the opposite of darkness. Darkness is the absence of light.

According to the ancient Greeks light, or phōs was a pure brilliant light that overcame or triumphed over darkness, blindness, and ignorance.

Scriptures say that we have been delivered from the domain of darkness. Satan’s kingdom has no light. It is void of anything to do with God. When we were lost, we were alienated from God. That is, we lived in darkness under the domain of the wicked one.

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. (Collisions 1:13 Ephesians 5:8, 1 John 2:8,1 Peter 2:9)

Those of us who are born again no longer belong to the kingdom of darkness because we have been translated into the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Refer to my blog: http://kimbalogh.online/2020/12/18/born-of-god/)

Now we are living in the kingdom of light. That being said, we must walk in the kingdom of light. Why would scriptures exhort us to walk in the light if we are born into the kingdom of light? You would think that would be a given, but, it is not. Many are born into the kingdom of light but they do not walk as if they belonged to the kingdom of light.

God’s kingdom of light has no darkness at all. That is why Jesus said, ‘if your eye be single (clear) your whole body will be full of light’. (1 John 1:5)

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. Matthew 6:22

To be clear is to perceive, understand, or interpret. (oxford dic.)

In other words, if your focus or eye gate is on the kingdom of light, then you will be filled with that light.

God dwells in the light. Where he lives there is no darkness at all. (1 Timothy 6:16)

Scriptures tell us that we are seated with Christ in heavenly places. We are in Jesus Christ positionally. Therefore we dwell in the light. (Ephesians 2:6, Colossions 1:12 )

Now we must walk in the light.

How do we do that? We know, first of all, that it is by perception. By understanding who we are in Jesus Christ, what was accomplished through his death and resurrection, and understanding the mysteries of the kingdom.

Let’s examine this scripture verse to find out more.

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:6,7

If we say or epō, speak, say, tell, or write that we have fellowship with God.

In other words, if we make a claim that we have fellowship with him, (Jesus)

Koinōnia: Social intercourse, communication, benefaction, communion

And walk or peripateō, to live, regulate one’s life, conduct one’s self, tred around in, live in, be occupied with.

In darkness skotos, that is in shadiness, blindness, ignorance.

(See my blog. http://kimbalogh.online/2022/08/24/is-ignorace-a-sin/)

Then we deceive ourselves and others. (We are not in the truth)

And do not the truth. (God’s word is truth. alētheia)

But, if we walk (peripateō to live, regulate one’s life, conduct one’s self, tred around in, live in, be occupied with) in the light phōsphōs or luminescence of God’s word, in his Kingdom of light, then we have fellowship with one another.

We are in a relationship with each other or those who are like-minded.

Whoever loves his brother abides in the light. 1 John 2:10

AND the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us (purges and purifies)us from all sin. 1 John 2:6

This is important. It means that IF we are walking in the light, then the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us continually from all sin. In other words, IF we are dwelling in the light, under the blood, in a covenant relationship with God who dwells in the light AND are walking in the light of his word or truth, THEN we are under the covenant of grace.

If we say we are in the light, that we have fellowship with God, BUT we are not walking in the light the Bible tells us that we are deceived. Because God is light and in him is no darkness at all.

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Ephesians 5:11-14

He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. 1 John 2:6

Whoever abides in him or dwells in him, (the light) continues in him, endures with him, remains in Jesus Christ, is under obligation or has a moral duty to walk (peripateō -to live in, tred around in, be occupied with) in the kingdom of light doing things that pertain to the kingdom of light.

Jesus told us that we are the light of the world. When we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we are dwelling in the redeemed state, holding forth the light before those who are still in darkness. Jesus told us to shine our light in this dark world. That is, by walking in the light we show others the way out of the darkness. We are a witness to the light who is Jesus Christ.

Phōs is where we get the word phosphorus. (Latin) It means ‘to bear the light’. Luminescence or light bearing is a result of a chemical reaction from phosphorus.

In the same way, when we are in a relationship with God the light in us shines in the darkness.

When we walk in the light we reveal who God is to the world. We shine like beacons or lanterns. This is why we must be like the 5 virgins who had light in their lanterns. Walking in the light of God’s kingdom in a dark world.

If we are like the 5 virgins who had no light in their lanterns or who walked in the darkness, then we cannot radiate God’s light.

Moses spent so much time in God’s presence that he radiated God’s light so brightly it was visibly manifest to others. The same with Stephen. He was filled with God’s word. No one could refute his wisdom.

Jesus said, ‘let your light shine before others so that they will see your good works’, or the works of the kingdom. (Matthew 5:16)

Walking in the light brings glory to God! It reveals his kingdom to the world that sits in darkness. Walk in the light of God’s kingdom and let it shine in the darkness!

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Be Not Deceived!

~ Kim Balogh ~ Leave a comment

  One of the things that the scriptures say but most of us Christians do not take seriously is the spiritual law of sowing and reaping.

In the natural realm, we call this by many things;

Input and output, cause and effect, action and consequence. To name a few.

Even people adhering to false religions and false spiritual ideologies understand this principle. Though they may call it by another name.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:7-9

 The positive outcome of sowing, which brings a good benefit, is often focused on, to the detriment of the adverse effects that result from sowing that result in a bad outcome.

Being deceived is the result of not taking this spiritual law seriously.

By nature, I’m an analytical person. It’s a personality trait that some in my family find annoying, but from my perspective, I’d rather know the truth about something than live my life in pain because I failed to look into a matter.

Due to ignorance, most of us including myself do the same dumb thing, over and over again, ending up with the same dumb results.

My dumb results piled up until I had a mountain of dumb results.

I guess it takes a hammer to fall on my head before I get it, but better late than never.

When I realized that my actions in life resulted in my bad outcomes, I had to do a great deal of repenting.

I did the same thing everyone else did when bad things happened to them. I blamed God or the devil.

When that didn’t do me any good but only gave me another big fat headache, I started seeking God. Why? Why? Why?

I took every nut and bolt apart. With God’s help, he showed me the ins and outs of a good deal of my problems.

Don’t get me wrong. There is a devil who wants to beat your brains out, BUT did you know that Satan can do nothing to you without your permission? That is unless you violate scripture.

‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:27,30

When I went to the Lord with my why he gave me back his whats.

Why did this happen?

What did you do?

Huh?

What did you do?

Well…

I began to see that most of the time I was getting back what I had given out.

They were mean to me.

Were you mean to others?

Well…

Why did you let this happen?

Didn’t you judge somebody going through something similar?

Uh, yeah.

After a while, I discovered that I was reaping many bad effects from my bad actions.

To tell you the truth most of my bad outcomes in life were due to my bad actions or the bad actions of others.

Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin. John 19:19

When I finally got this revelation, I started changing things big time.

I started rearranging my attitude instead of rearranging someone else’s attitude.

I also started keeping my mouth shut. Making critical judgments and lambasting others wasn’t something I would play around with anymore. I might as well place my palm on a hot iron! No thanks.

Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. Proverbs 13:3

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:36,37

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:21

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. Proverbs 21:23

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Matthew 7:1-3

But I needed a strategy to stay sane! How was I going to bear all the negative inputs from others? I was responsible for my actions but what about the actions of others toward me?

God, in his mercy, gave me some good advice.

Turn your complaints into prayers.

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:43-45:

Be nice. It doesn’t hurt.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. Proverbs 25:21-22

Persevere in affliction. Pray it through. There’s a reason it’s called laboring in prayer!

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:1-8

Forgive right away. Never and I mean never, hold a grudge. Might as well

be suffering a three-day hangover than be out of God’s presence. That feels awful!

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

Go out of your way. You’d be surprised at how good that feels. While your flesh may be having a bit of uncomfortableness, your spirit will soar!

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Psalm 37:3

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Lastly, pray and do good even if you get no credit. No one thanks you, no one notices, or no one cares.

Remember the Lord is watching!

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Luke 11:1-4 

 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. Colossians 3:23,24

Am I perfect now? Flawless? Grown angel wings? Hardly, but one thing I’m not anymore is deceived.

I know that whatever I sow in this life, good or bad, is what I will end up reaping. Knowing this truth is liberating because, with God’s help, I will have more positive outcomes from giving more positive inputs.

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Do you BELIEVE in Jesus?

~ Kim Balogh ~ 1 Comment

What does it mean to believe in Jesus?

When we use the word believe in English we assume it to mean the English definition.

However the New Testament was written in Greek so we must examine the Greek definition of the word believe.

The English definition for believe according to the Offord dictionary is:

To accept something as true. To hold an opinion about something.

There are many people today attending churches of all kinds of denominations who intellectually believe in Jesus Christ.

Some of them even believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. They may even believe that he is their Savior.

But is that the Biblical protocol for salvation?

I would argue that it is not.

According to the Greek definition of believe, it is more than having an intellectual assent to something.

Pistis is the Greek word for believe or faith.

The word means to trust in the reliability of. This trust occurs through intellectual agreement but carries on to assent or adhering to by trusting in. In other words believe or Pistis has two parts.

Understanding the concept of salvation through Jesus Christ BUT also through receiving Jesus Christ as Savior.

Accepting as true is the first part and receiving as true is the second part.

Some preach only the first part and leave out the second.

There is a difference in the words accept and receive. The English word used in the New Testament KJV is to receive Jesus as your Savior.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe (have faith) on his name. John 1:12

The word accept as a verb means to receive with a consent, with favor, or with approval.

In other words I accept the concept of salvation through Jesus Christ alone as true.

The word receive as a verb means to get, to be given something by some one.

I receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior.

So as you can see, accepting Jesus Christ as Savior only means to approve of as true. Acknowledging a truth does not mean one has received that truth in a personal way.

I acknowledge the fact that Cheetah’s are the fastest cat on the planet. However, I do not have a Cheetah in my home because I have not received one. (not that I would want one, lol)

Scriptures tell us that it is not enough to believe intellectually in the gospel.

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. James 2:19

Accepting as true is not enough to constitute salvation.

When one accepts as true ALL concepts of salvation including REPENTANCE then salvation can occur.

However that requires receiving Jesus Christ as Savior.

How do we do that? We actually don’t. Remember that salvation is completely an act of God. Our part is to accept as true then it is God’s part to give. Then we receive the gift of salvation.

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. John 3: 8

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3

These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17: 1-4

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe (have faith) on his name. John 1:12

Let me try to illustrate this by an analogy.

If I believe that the president of the United States exists and that he is my president does that mean that I know him or her personally?

I may read every book written concerning  the president ever written. I may know every written fact about the president there is to know. I may even go to university and get a degree to make me an expert on the president’s life BUT do I know him in a personal way?

Have I had dinner at the president’s house? Shared personal experiences with the president?

Have I had an intimate relationship with the president?

If not then I do not really know the president. I know ABOUT THE PRESIDENT.

Jesus said in his word that having fellowship with him through the Holy Spirit brings us into a relationship with him.

However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. Romans 8:9

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. John 16:13

What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. John 1:3

God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9

To be born of God is to know God intimately. Like a man knows his wife or a child knows their Father. Its a personal know. Not just an intellectual know.

How do you know if you really belong to God and are not just intellectually convinced that Jesus Christ is Savior?

Scriptures tell us that we know we belong to God if we are being led by his Holy Spirit.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 8:14-19

If we are suffering with him. (persecution)

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Romans 8:17

If the Holy Spirit bears witness to our spirit.

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. Romans 8:16

To bear witness (Martureo) means to give evidence, a good report, bear testimony.

This is done through the fruits of the Holy Spirit being evident in one’s life.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

A person born of God does not live in sin.

Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 1 John 3:6

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:15-17

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matthew 7:16-20

As you can see, scriptures make it clear that those who belong to God bear Holy Spirit fruit in their lives. They do not act like the world or live like the world.

Having intellectual belief in Jesus Christ but living a life contrary to scriptures means one has a religious ideology but not a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

You must be born of God to inherit eternal life.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3

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What Is True Repentance?

~ Kim Balogh ~ 3 Comments

For salvation to occur, repentance is required.

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13: 3

Salvation, yasa in Hebrew means to save, help in distress, rescue, deliver, set free.

This includes salvation from eternal death and anything that a believer needs saving from.

In particular, salvation refers to being saved from sin.

Sin is defined as “transgression of God’s law.”

In other words, violation of the law of God as set out in both the conscience and the Bible.

To be saved from our sins we must repent. In the Greek language, this word is, Metanoeō which means to think differently, reconsider, and feel moral compunction. (That is to feel guilty for doing something wrong)

True Repentance, according to the scriptures has several steps or parts.

For repentance to occur in our life we must recognize our sins.

Romans 7: 7-25 tells us that God’s law shows us our sins. When we see that we have failed to live up to God’s expectations as put forth in our conscience and in the word of God, we need to, first of all, recognize we have sinned against God. If we lie to ourselves, disregard the scriptures, and hide our sins we will not prosper. Also, if we do not listen to God’s word, eventually our sins will find us out. They will be exposed. Sometimes publicly, to others.

People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. Proverbs 28:13

But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out. Numbers 32: 23

Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Luke 12:2

For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Luke 8:17

After we acknowledge our sin then we must confess our sin. That means owning up to our stuff. We can confess to God alone, or sometimes it is good to also confess to a friend we trust or a church leader we trust. This is so we can have prayer support.

Acknowledging our sins means taking accountability. We come to the realization that we messed up. The onus is on us, not the other guy. Even if they had a part in our sin. Our responsibility is to confess for our part in the matter.

In Psalm 32 David acknowledges his sin. That is he saw his sin for what it was. He recognized his failure to live up to God’s law. Then David said that he did not try to hide his sin. He looked at his failure well and called it for what it was. Breaking God’s law. 

Many of us have failed to take a good look at our actions, our thoughts and our motives. We justify our sin. 

“Well, you know they did such and such. They said such and such. I’m in the right. I had just a little slip.” 

Failure to own up to our sins will cause us to reap many consequences. Some of us think we are going through trials because God is proving us or it’s appointed for us to suffer, when in actuality, we have unconfessed sin in our hearts and we are reaping the results of our sins! 

Now I’m not saying there isn’t persecution for the righteous but trials we are going through many times are to deal with our stuff! Our bad attitudes, our justifications for wrong behavior, our slothful diligence in spiritual matters.

Jesus told us that Satan came to him but he couldn’t find anything in him to accuse him. That’s because Jesus had no sin. 

I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world comes, and he has nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father commanded me, even so I do. Arise, let us go from here. John 14: 30,31

Peter went through the fire. His heart was exposed. Peter denied Jesus three times. He failed many times in his faith, but he repented and became a mighty man of God! (Matthew 16:22-23)

David Committed adultery, lied, and murdered, but he also repented, and God used him to write the beautiful Psalms. 2 Samuel 11, 12

David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 2 Samuel 12:13

Paul persecuted Christians and even sanctioned their death. (Acts 9)

Just about every Bible character found out through their trial what was in their heart.

Even righteous Job found out he was not so righteous because God challenged him about it. (Job chapter 39)

When our sin is revealed to the light by God then we need to own up to it. 

We must recognize our sin as sin against God’s word, then we must confess our sin.

What does confess actually mean? In Hebrew yâdâh means to bemoan or be sorry for. That is having intense regret. To toss away as bad.  

In Greek confess is homologeō which means to acknowledge, but also to make a promise not to do the wrong behavior again. The word actually means making a covenant agreement.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3670/kjv/tr/0-1/

We agree with God that our sin is wrong. We agree we broke God’s law. We are sorry to the point of changing our behavior. Then we agree in a covenant or promise with God not to continue in that sin.

Some sins, however are so ingrained in us that we need supernatural divine intervention. Addictions are like that, but so are some cultural practices that differ from the word of God. Sometimes it’s our upbringing or training in violation of scriptures or our many years of thinking a certain way. 

Whatever the sin issue is, if we acknowledge that it is against God’s word, if we are sorry, if we want to change then we can work with the Holy Spirit to bring down the strongholds of sin in our life. 

Not everything is a quick deliverance fix. Some things need action from our decision and will. We then cooperate with Holy Spirit to be delivered entirely. This repentance fruit may take a process of time. It is up to us to make that first step.

Renouncing our sin makes the demonic powers who have had their hand in our sin somewhere know we mean business with God. 

Renounced is apeipomēn in Greek. It means to disown or refuse to have a connection to. 

In other words, stop the sin, disconnect from the sin, or any demonic powers associated with that sin.

Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8: 10,11

Finally, we must bring forth fruits of repentance. This means that if we are genuinely repentant, our lives will begin to reflect it. We will walk in the light of the Lord. Then those old sins will not have a hold on us anymore. 

Bring forth, therefore fruit worthy of repentance. Matthew 3:8

God’s blessings flow into our lives when we genuinely repent of our sins. The darkness will have no more control over us. Obedience to the word of God always brings blessings with it!  

If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments so as to carry them out, then I shall give you rains in their season, so that the land will yield its produce and the trees of the field will bear their fruit. Indeed, your threshing will last for you until grape gathering, and grape gathering will last until sowing time. You will thus eat your food to the full and live securely in your land. Leviticus 26:3-10

If only you had paid attention to My commandments!
Then your well-being would have been like a river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea. Isaiah 48:18

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28

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Look to the Lord!

~ Kim Balogh ~ 1 Comment

For every need the answer given in the scriptures is, look to the LORD!

Even when Jesus prayed, he looked up to heaven.

Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. Matthew 14:19

What does it mean to look up to the LORD?

“Look up” in the Hebrew language is tsâphâh which means to peer into the distance, to observe, await, to keep watch.

Keeping that in mind, let’s take a look at “look up” in context.

Psalms 5:3 tells us that looking up is connected to prayer.

I will direct my prayer unto thee and look up.

I will watch and observe in prayer what the Lord says to me. I will wait for his direction, I will wait for his word.

Isaiah 8:17 tells us that the prophet says, he will wait and look to the lord for an answer to his prayer.

Isaiah 45:22 says that when we look with respect to the Lord, he brings salvation. God alone can save us from our sin, and save us from all trouble.

Zechariah 12:10 tells us that when the Spirit of grace and supplications are poured out from the Lord, it causes the nation of Israel to look up to the Lord.

We can see a spiritual principle here. Putting this together we find that when God’s mercy is released through the spirit of prayer, it brings revelation knowledge of Jesus Christ.

An important point to remember when praying for Israel but also for the lost of all nations.

The book of John reiterates this. Using the Greek word optanomai.
To look or gaze with awe and wonder.

 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. John 1:36-40

So we can see that this “looking” phenomenon is more than simply taking a look. It’s looking with respect, awe, and wonder. Like gazing into the eyes of the one you love!

Keeping this in mind let’s examine this “looking up” in the context of prayer.

Hebrews 12:2
Says looking unto Jesus. The Savior pierced for our sins who is the author and finisher of our faith.

Looking with awe and wonder with respect to the Lord, the author of our faith who is also the completer of our faith.

We must look to the Lord for our salvation which encompasses all the things we need to be saved from.

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:4
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Psalm 34:5
 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. Isaiah 45:22

But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7

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IS IGNORANCE A SIN?

~ Kim Balogh ~ 6 Comments

According to the Bible there are 2 kinds of ignorance. The first being innocent ignorance and the second being willful ignorance.

Innocent ignorance is still considered to be a sin, according to Jesus. In Luke 12:47,48, the Lord tells this story.

And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

In our common law which is based on Biblical law, citizens are expected to know what the law says, in general terms even if they do not know particulars.

Ignorantia juris non excusat is latin for ignorance of the law is no excuse. This is a legal principle which means that a person who is unaware of a law, may not escape liability for violating that law, just because they were uninformed concerning that law.

“Ignorantia Legis Neminem Excusat“, Manitoba Law Journal, Vol. 2, Issue 10 (October 1885), pp. 145–157

The Bible makes this principle clear in Numbers 15:22-30. Innocent ignorance is still considered a sin. Not as bad as willful disobedience but never the less, a sin.

But suppose you unintentionally fail to carry out all these commands that the LORD has given you through Moses. And suppose your descendants in the future fail to do everything the LORD has commanded through Moses. If the mistake was made unintentionally, and the community was unaware of it, the whole community must present a young bull for a burnt offering as a pleasing aroma to the LORD. It must be offered along with its prescribed grain offering and liquid offering and with one male goat for a sin offering. With it the priest will purify the whole community of Israel, making them right with the LORD, and they will be forgiven. For it was an unintentional sin, and they have corrected it with their offerings to the LORD—the special gift and the sin offering. The whole community of Israel will be forgiven, including the foreigners living among you, for all the people were involved in the sin.

If one individual commits an unintentional sin, the guilty person must bring a one-year-old female goat for a sin offering. The priest will sacrifice it to purify the guilty person before the LORD, and that person will be forgiven. These same instructions apply both to native-born Israelites and to the foreigners living among you.

But those who brazenly violate the LORD’s will, whether native-born Israelites or foreigners, have blasphemed the LORD, and they must be cut off from the community. Since they have treated the LORD’s word with contempt and deliberately disobeyed his command, they must be completely cut off and suffer the punishment for their guilt. TLB

Innocent sin is lesser in comparison to presumptuous sin, which is knowing something is wrong but in pride rejecting doing what is right or what the word says, due to weakness of the flesh.

Innocent sin is a lack of deep understanding of the seriousness of the sin involved. For example, the unbelief of the lost may in some cases be due to innocent ignorance, but is still considered to be sin according to God. This is because as Paul points out in Romans chapter 1, nature itself is a witness to the Creator plus nature teaches what is right and what is wrong. To defy God’s natural laws by rejecting them as untruth can be innocent ignorance but also may be willful ignorance, depending on the situation.

Willful ignorance is a graver sin. It is not as bad as presumptuous sin or deliberate sin, but it is sin never the less. Willfully ignorant is a legal term which means one who lacks the information or facts because they refuse to acknowledge them.

In criminal cases, willful ignorance is meant to substitute for actual knowledge: When the defendant does not actually know , but was willfully ignorant of it, courts may treat her as if she actually knew. Global-Tech, 131 S. Ct. 2060 at 2070.

Its the same principle in the Bible. The anti Christ spirit may be changing God’s laws today in order to excuse sin, but God’s law always trumps over the devil’s lies.

For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law. Romans 2:12

Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:7,

And Balaam said to the Angel of the LORD, “I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back. Numbers 22:34,

God calls unbelief a sin. Thomas had innocent unbelief. He was not there when Jesus appeared to the other disciples, and was not going to take their word for his resurrection. When Jesus showed up he proved himself to Thomas, then Thomas believed. Jesus however, spoke into his unbelief. “Do not doubt but believe.” (John 20)

Scriptures tell us that without faith, that is trust in God’s word, the scriptures, it is impossible to please Him. Many say they “believe in Jesus” but they willfully reject his word. They deny his power, his deity, his laws.

To reject scriptures because one is told they are not relevant for today, or God doesn’t do that any more, or God approves of me anyway, or they put man’s word above God’s word, can be depending on the situation, innocent ignorance or willful ignorance. Either way, it is still sin.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him. James 12:32

However, they did not listen, but stiffened their neck like their fathers, who did not believe in the Lord their God. 2 Kings 17:4

Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins. John 8:24

So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief. Hebrews 3:19

In order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. 2 Thessalonians 2:13

But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. Revelation 21:8

The spirit of pride is behind taking offense to God’s word. Many today in churches out right reject the Bible. Some reject portions of the Bible. They even persecute those who have faith in God’s word.

So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 1 Peter 2: 7,8

Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. Matthew 24: 9,10

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Mathew 5:10-12

The Bible tells us to be innocent of evil but to wise concerning what is good. Romans 16:19

We are called to pray for our understanding to be enlightened, so that we can know what is the hope of our calling, what is the riches of God’s inheritance that he has provided for us and to know what is the exceeding greatness of his power towards us who BELIEVE. Ephesians 1:18

We are called to walk, not in willful ignorance and unbelief, but by faith in Jesus Christ who loved us and gave himself for us!

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart. Ephesians 4:18

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DO NOT BOW!

~ Kim Balogh ~ 1 Comment

In Exodus Chapter 8 :14, We read about how the Amalekites attacked Israel at Rephidim.

This story has a spiritual application for us today.

Rephidim means a place in the dessert. 

The wilderness of Rephidim is where the Israelites camped out after the Lord delivered them from Egypt.

Rephidim had no water. The Israelites were thirsty and complained to Moses about it.

God heard their complaints and commanded Moses to strike the rock. When he did water came rushing out. The significance of this is that the rock was a representation of Jesus Christ, the Rock, beaten for our healing so that we could receive his living water.

The part I want to focus on in this story is what happened after that. In the Rephidim wilderness, out of the blue appears a band of marauders, looking to cause trouble for the Israelites.

If you go back to Exodus chapter 14 you will find that after the Lord delivered Israel from the Egyptians at the red sea, the Egyptians stood in awe. It actually says that the Egyptians had faith in the Lord.

And Israel saw the great work which Jehovah did upon the Egyptians, and the people feared Jehovah: and they believed in Jehovah, and in his servant Moses. Ex. 14:31

In Exodus 15:14-16 it says that all the nations around that area heard about how the Lord delivered Israel and they feared the Lord.

There was only one nation that did not fear the Lord. In fact not only did they not fear the Lord but they deliberately tracked the Israelites down, attacking them as they rested in Rephidim.

That nation was the Amalekites.

Because of what the Amalekites did, the Lord was very angry. He was so angry that he made a proclamation that he was going to fight against the Amalekites forever.

This sounds kind of harsh until you dig into the story a little deeper.

Amalek was a descendant of Esau, the guy who had no regard for God’s inheritance.

Amalek was the son of Esau’s son Eliphaz, by Eliphaz’s concubine Timna.

Timna was the sister of Lotan, the eldest son of Seir the Horite.

Seir the Horite became a general in Esau’s tribe. Esau developed into a nation which would be in conflict with Israel even up to this time. When Esau gave up his inheritance it had more significance than just material possessions. Esau actually gave up God’s blessing. This is a story in itself.

Seir the Horite was a person of high status in those times. This meant that his daughter was most probably considered to be in a noble position as well. Since Jacob the other son of Isaac was sold into slavery, this meant to the Amalekites that they were “better” than the Israelites.

Just as Esau did not regard the God of his father, neither did the Amalekites regard the Lord.

The Amalekites lived to the south of the Land of Israel, in what is known today as the Negev Desert. 

They were a tribal people who (according to some historians) became wayfaring looters. Hearing that the despised Israelites had taken Egyptian booty when they left Egypt, the Amalekites most probably had intention to rob Jacob’s seed.

Again we can see how Esau’s seed has no regard or respect for the Lord.

Going further into history is another story that ties into this one. When the Israelites were living in Persia they prospered under a foreign king.

Mordechai an Isrealite was in the king’s administration. When Mordechai was rewarded for his service by the king and became a significant person in the palace, Haman the prime minister of Persia, who was a descendant of Amalek became incensed.

(Esther 3:1 indicates that Haman was a descendant of Agag the king of the Amalekites.)

Haman in Persian means magnificent. 

Haman’s father’s name was Hammedatha, (Esther 3:1) meaning ‘overtop’ or one who aspires to be greater than all.

Haman who was the highest ranking guy in the king’s Court, did not like an Israelite showing him up. To the Amalekites the Israelites were beneath them. Haman was also mad because Mordechai would not bow down to him.

Haman the Agagite (Esth. 3:1) regarded as a descendant of Agag (I Sam. 15:8) the Amalekite king.

Esther 3:1-2, says After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the princes who were with him. And all the king’s servants who were within the king’s gate bowed and paid homage to Haman, for so the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai would not bow or pay homage.

Tying in another story, in Numbers 24:7 Balaam prophesied that the Messiah to come would be greater than the king of the Amalekites, Agag. (Numbers 24:7)

Moving on in history we find another king of the Amalekites whose name was also Agag. In 1 Samuel 15:1-3 the Lord commands King Saul to get rid of all the Amalekites and everything associated with them.

King Saul does not obey the Lord but instead lets King Agag live. Due to this disobedient act the Lord removes Saul from being king. This is significant because it reveals the true state of King Saul’s heart. He had no regard or respect for the God of his father’s either.

Due to this act of disobedience we find the Amalekites fighting against David. (1Samuel chapter 30)

David however, is a true worshipper of the Lord. He does not let the Amalekites steal anything. In fact he gives them a good fight.

 We find through out scriptures that the nature of the Amalekites is to disrespect the Lord. The Amalekites constantly fight against his inheritance, they always try to steal from them, and are high minded against them.

The Amalekites operate in the spirit of jealousy. They believe they are the rightful heirs of the land. They also believe that the true worshippers of the Lord need to be eradicated because they stand in the way of the Amalekite agenda. Which is to be magnificent rulers.

The Amalekites are so arrogant that they will not bow to the King of kings. They will not submit to his rule or to his word. They regard not the God of their fathers. If you look in Daniel 11: 37 you will find that the prince of darkness to come will not regard the God of his fathers either.

It is interesting to note that the Hebrew numerical value of Amalek  is 240 which is the same as the value of the Hebrew word for “doubt.”

All the nations feared the Lord when he delivered the Israelites from Egypt expect the Amalekites.

The Amalekite spirit is anti Christ in nature. Opposing all that is of God. Having no regard for spiritual things. The Amalekite spirit prefers the things of this world over the things of God’s kingdom.

Amalek represents, rebellion, disrespect, unbelief, doubt, arrogance, and pride.

All these characteristics are personified in the Amalekites. God said that he would continually oppose the Amalekites until they are completely eradicated. Balaam prophesied that God’s kingdom would be greater in the future. The king of all kings will rule in the earth and every knee will bow to him!

Although the Amalekites do not exist as a people today, the same characteristics exist in the sin nature.

Disregarding of God’s awesome power, disrespectful of his glory, attacking his people, rebelling against his ways, arrogant and proud. The Amalekite spirit doubts God’s word.

The spirit of the Amalek resides in the hearts of those who are in rebellion to God. The Lord is still in a battle today with the Amalekite spirit. He wants us to war against the flesh. Completely destroy the Amalekite spirit! Bring down pride, arrogance, love of the world, jealousy, deception, disregard for things holy.

Jesus wants a no compromising church! One who will not bow to the Amalekite spirit.

Remember that if God’s people will not destroy the Amalekite spirit, that spirit will rule them!

Do not bow to the king of the Amalekites! Like Ester and her people, take up the sword of the Spirit that the Lord has given to you, and fight the good fight of faith! Lay hold on eternal things!

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 1 John 2:15

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