Tag: Christian blogger

Bewitching (Thief Series #6)

~ Kim Balogh ~ 3 Comments

In this next blog, I want to expose another tactic of the enemy that he uses to kill, steal, and destroy. This is the bewitching spirit. 

We hear about this spirit in the book of Galatians. Paul asks these new converts in Galatia, ‘who has bewitched you?” 

Before we get into this demonic culprit, let’s do some background context. 

Galatia was a major region of north-central Turkey. The name Galatia came from the Gaul inhabitants who settled in the region in 278 B.C. The Gauls were a Celtic people who invaded Greece in the 3rd century B.C. Two centuries later, in 25 B.C., the area became a Roman province.

Paul’s missionary work resulted in the conversion of some of these Galatians (Gauls)from polytheistic paganism.

The Judaizers Paul refers to were both ethnic Jews and Gentile converts, who continued to observe Jewish customs and laws. These sought to persuade Christians that one had to adhere to Jewish customs and laws to be saved. 

Not only did these Judaizers bring in their religious practices to mix with Christianity, but they also brought in their elitist attitude. In other words, they thought their ways were better than the gospel of grace given by the Holy Spirit. Better than God’s method for salvation, which is grace through faith in Jesus Christ APART FROM works or deeds of the law. 

For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8,9

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Titus 3:5

 In the book of Galatians, Paul addresses the problem of adding works to salvation. He exposes these false teachers. Warning against adding anything cultural or social to the gospel for justification before God.

How does he do this? By asking them a question, ‘Who has bewitched you?” 

This is significant. Paul is making a correlation here between witchcraft and adding works to the gospel. To understand precisely what he is talking about, we must know what witchcraft is!

While it is true that blatant practitioners of the dark side use witchcraft, it is also true that witchcraft is used by regular people and carnal Christians. That might be a new concept to some of you reading this blog, but if you understand witchcraft, you will know what I mean.  

The Bible defines witchcraft as a work of the flesh. That means it is a sinful behavior not necessarily equated with blatant sorcery, although it can be. 

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21

Witchcraft, according to the scriptures, is a work of the flesh. Paul tells the Galatians that they are being bewitched by the Judaizers because they are being removed from the true gospel of grace into another false or perverted gospel. (Galatians 1:6)

Paul says that even if an angel came down from heaven and preached another gospel to them, don’t believe it! Paul tells the Galatians that he received the gospel of Jesus Christ through the revelation of the Holy Spirit, not from men. He said those who preach a false gospel will be eternally cursed or lost. (Galatians 1:7-9)

I would like to point out that the scriptures tell us that adding works of the law to our salvation is a false gospel. 

Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Romans 3:28

While most Christians don’t adhere to Jewish customs and laws, some may still add works of the law to their salvation. To understand this fully, we must define what ‘law’ is.   

According to Hugh Evander Willis, Indiana university of law, the definition of law (which I will paraphrase) is a rule of action prescribed by some superior that the inferior is bound to obey. Civil law he defined as “a rule of civil conduct prescribed by the supreme power in a state, commanding what is right and prohibiting what is wrong. These have two main concepts: (1) the concept of a “superior” and (2) the concept of command. The law according to Hugh Evander Willis is a scheme of social control. 

The law of God was given by Moses for much the same thing. For social control of the sinful nature through rules and regulations to have a society operating justly. Since this was not a perfect system, God also set up animal sacrifices as temporal atonement for the sins of the people. 

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterward be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith has come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. Galatians 3: 23-25

Falling from grace is when the law is added to salvation as a justification rather than faith in Jesus Christ alone. 

This brings us to the thief culprit. The bewitcher who operates in witchcraft. 

To bewitch means to attract or interest someone by manipulating them through influence in order to have power and control over them. That’s the definition of ‘bewitching’ in a nutshell. 

This is a method used by many in the church to control others. Witchcraft is a carnal act. It is a sin. 

To manipulate in order to control another person for our own benefit or to keep them under our thumb in any way is to practice witchcraft. Whether a bully club or a honey pot is used to do it, does not matter! 

Formal witchcraft uses these methods! According to the formal operation of witchcraft, Elemental magic or Elemental manipulation is a craft using demonic influence to control. Whether it’s to control the natural elements or a person or persons. 

In much the same way, people not formally practicing witchcraft are, in fact, witchcraft practitioners if they are using manipulation to control another person(s). 

The term witchcraft comes from Old English wiccecraeft. Wicca (masculine) or wicce (feminine). It denotes one who practices sorcery or charming. That’s where we get the word, charm from. (the power or attribute of delighting or arousing admiration.) 

The bewitcher had developed the art or skill of manipulation, charm, indoctrination, groupthink, mind control, and enchantment over others through manipulation. 

Paul calls this art of witchcraft a work of the flesh. In other words, it is a sin in which carnal Christians participate. To manipulate or control through artful means for one’s advantage at the detriment of another is the art of witchcraft.  

Using control through condemnation, guilt, intimidation, fear, charm, or other manipulative means is practicing witchcraft. To bewitch is to charm through deceit in order to sway a person’s thinking. 

The Judaizers were adding Jewish customs and practices to the gospel of Jesus Christ to control others. Paul says Gentiles DO NOT have to observe Jewish holidays or cultural practices to be saved. (Romans 2:12-29)

However, other forms of social control are used in the church to control others. When someone, even preachers influence by the flesh in order to get someone to do something they want rather than allowing Holy Spirit to do his job, (which is to teach, counsel, draw, influence, and control), then they are operating in a spirit of witchcraft. 

Does that mean that God does not use people? No, it does not. God uses people to administer his gifts, but the Holy Spirit is the controller of another person, period! The teacher or preacher’s job is to instruct in scriptures, then leave the rest to God. Using scriptures out of context to manipulate, dominate, and control other people is a sin. It does not matter, even if it’s for a good cause! 

How can you know if you are being bewitched? By the fruit that results in your life! 

Bewitching through manipulation, domination and control causes condemnation, guilt, an inferiority complex, feeling not good enough, you don’t measure up, powerlessness, defeatism, fear, and other negative emotions. There is a difference between Holy Spirit conviction and condemnation. 

Holy Spirit convicts through love. He tells you your problem then gives you a solution, like a Father correcting his child. He does not use a big stick to tell you to measure up or else! 

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. James 3:17-18

 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1,2

 Spiritual abusers use witchcraft to manipulate, dominate and control others. They tell you that if you do not adhere to such and such, then you are not good enough. They give you guilt trips and condemnation in order to make a person feel inferior. It’s their craft! A form of control. Some even use honey sticks. ‘If you do this, we will do that for you’!  

Let me give you some examples.

When I was a young Christian, I began attending this church. Lo and behold, I found myself in the middle of a split! One side wanted to do things one way, and the other side wanted to do things another way. I hardly knew anybody because I was new to the congregation. As it turns out, the leader of one side wanted to secure my vote. (Why I could vote anyway was beyond me) This leader told me that if I voted for their side, I would be given my own bible study. I didn’t have to be a mature believer to know that was wrong, so I found another church, getting out of that mess! 

If you have been saved as long as I have, you probably remember the days of the prosperity preachers. Today some still do the same practices. In those days, preachers would use all kinds of ways or gimics to get your money! Manipulation was rampant! Thank God I stayed out of that stuff! The Bible clarifies that giving to the Lord is a free-will offering that should be delivered from a cheerful heart, not because of necessity or because you have to or don’t measure up. 

God does not need our money. He owns cattle on a thousand hills. The scriptures tell us how to give and how to receive. Each is to be led by the Lord in their giving. Using manipulative methods to get someone’s money is a form of witchcraft. 

 Offering special privileges if you do something is a form of witchcraft. Brow beating from the pulpit by using scriptures taken out of context to make one feel inferior or manipulate them to perform something is witchcraft.

Playing someone through manipulation to do something or buy something is witchcraft. Jesus said to let our conversation be yes or no. In other words be straight up! Many marketing methods used by Christians today are witchcraft. They use misleading click bate, sensationalism, and downright deception for gain. A good product will sell based on its worth. Just tell the truth about what you are offering! Then leave the rest to the Lord.

One last example (there are others) is the use of condemnation. This is also rampant in the church. To make disciples for themselves, some teachers, preachers, and church leaders bewitch others to see themselves always in perpetual need. Constantly feeding spiritual baby food, keeping the people ignorant, constantly having prayer lines, constant inferiority blasted at the sheep from the pulpits. It’s just horrible. 

Jesus said…go and make disciples for him, not for yourself! The teaching ministry exists to train, instruct in righteousness, and mature God’s sheep, so they don’t need your services anymore! Making disciples means letting the sheep go when it’s time. Letting go when they are ready, when they get itchy feet to leave home. Helping the lambs mature so they can go out and do the work of the ministry! You wouldn’t let your young adult son or daughter stay home forever, would you? It is the same with sheep or those we mentor or disciple. The objective is to train them in the ways of the Lord then let them go! 

Paul gives a remedy for the Galatians who have been bewitched. He tells them that they have been justified and made righteous before God by faith in Jesus Christ without the deeds of the law. 

To be justified means that a person has a reasonable and acceptable basis for something. In common law, this is a type of defense. This defense exempts the defendant from liability because the defendant’s actions were justified. 

In other words, the defendant will not suffer the usual penalty for their actions in a court of law because they had a valid justification. The defendant could not have been asked to act any differently in this situation. (Cornell law school legal information institute)

It is the same with God’s law. The shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ is our justification for the penalty of sin. (Hebrew Chapter 9) 

 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Romans 3:28

Paul tells the Galatians that he is now dead to the law (It’s an old method) so that he can live for God by faith in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells in him! 

   I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Returning to old methods by adding works of any kind for our justification is slavery, according to Paul. Bewitchers want to make slaves to be under their control. (Galatians 4)

Bewitchers want to bring you under their laws, customs and forms. They seek to bind you to a custom, practice, or rule of conduct in order to control you! Witchcraft is the manipulation of the flesh. It is a skillful art used by bewitchers to control others.

God’s Holy Spirit brings the fruit of righteousness; Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against this fruit, there is NO LAW! (Galatians 5:22-23) 

Links to my other platforms.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-balogh-0b675050/?originalSubdomain=ca

https://www.instagram.com/on_fire_4_jesus_/?hl=enklohyuj

https://www.facebook.com/KimBalogh/

 

Tares: Thief Series #5

~ Kim Balogh ~ 1 Comment

Jesus relays a parable in the book of Matthew explaining what happens when we are ‘sleeping’ rather than watching in prayer. 

But be sure that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. Matthew 24:43 

Watchful is a term for being alert concerning spiritual matters, being attentively observant, and exercising care or restraint. 

That being said, I want to draw your attention to another type of thief that comes in when we sleep, both corporately as a body and as individual Christians.  

This thief comes along, and plants tares after the word of God is sown. 

  Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. Matthew 13:24 

This is a kingdom principle. When the seed, God’s word, is sown on the earth, the enemy comes along immediately to sow tares. You can know you are sleeping and not being watchful if you have yet to consider this spiritual principle. 

The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. Luke 8:11,12

 “So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” Mark 4: 26-29

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. LUKE 8:11

Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, 1 PETER 1:23

The enemy sows tares. The enemy, the devil, is a thief. He comes to kill, steal, and destroy. He does this by coming along after the seed is sown to sow his tares. 

What is interesting is the interpretation of the word tares. It is the Greek word zizanion. This is a type of Darnel that resembles wheat. Darnel, known as Lolium temulentum is a false grain. It is an annual plant of the Lolium, Poaceae family. Which are types of grass.

Darnel grows in the same areas as wheat. In fact, it looks so much like wheat that it is often mistaken as wheat. Darnel however is a toxic grass. 

Eaten in enough of a dose, Darnel can actually kill a person. Darnel seeds actually make a person drunk. It was used at one time to make beer. 

The Latin word for Darnel is L. temulentum. It means ‘to get drunk’.  

Darnel looks similar to wheat until the ear appears. 

Farmers have to separate Darnel from the true harvest. Darnel today is removed by sorting machinery that separates it from wheat. 

On closer observance, wheat can be distinguished from Darnel. Darnel has thinner spikes than wheat. However, if Darnel is plucked out too soon, the true wheat will be damaged. 

At harvest time, the Darnel and wheat can be more easily distinguished. 

Watching in prayer is making sure the seed that is planted is indeed wheat. We do this by observation or discernment in the Spirit. 

Seeds can be separated before planting, but sometimes this process is difficult, so Jesus tells us to wait until harvest. Then, it will become clear which is wheat and which is not.  

Sometimes people look and act like real Christians, or a ministry may seem to be of the Lord, or the message preached may seem sound, but after careful observance, we find that it is really Darnel, not wheat. 

Also, sometimes wheat and Darnel grow together. There is a mix, and we need to be able to separate. 

It is easier to spot a blatant false way than one that seems right but is slightly off. Since a little leaven will eventually grow, it’s best to separate ourselves before we get choked out from the false wheat!   

One way to discern false wheat from true wheat is by comparing what the word of God says to what is being put forth. This is not so easy. Sometimes one must dig deeper to find false wheat. What looks true may be either outright false or have some false attributes. 

All of us have been duped at one time or another by false wheat. This is because false wheat looks almost true. How can we know for sure what is true and what is false? 

By doing what Jesus said, ‘watching and observing’. We must look closely to see if something is off. The Bible gives us guidelines on what to look for in this regard. I am not addressing in this blog blatant doctrinal error or cultish behaviors, (although that is part of the Darnell problem); I am talking more about distinguishing what is Biblically true from what is almost true. 

Paul tells us that false teachers or false messages put people in bondage. Even if the word being presented has some truth in it, if that message is imposed upon another person, it becomes a work of law rather than an act of grace. 

Paul tells us not to impose our views or our conscience upon others. While some have a clear conscience about eating meat, others do not. Some may feel that wearing makeup, jewelry, tattoos, what one eats, or how one worships is wrong. If a view is imposed on another person, then it becomes to them a form of law. Even if that view is grace to you. (Romans 14:1-23)

Christians should always operate in a graceful spirit. That does not mean we give license to sinful behavior, it means being respectful and graceful in our operation toward others. Even if we do not agree with them or practice our relationship with the Lord in the same way. 

Let me give some examples. 

Some Christians feel to get up and pray every day at 5 in the morning. Nothing is wrong with that, but if they impose it on others, then it becomes spiritual abuse. Law is imposed rather than grace being exercised. 

That makes it, Darnell. False wheat. Why? Because everything, if it is not done in love with the objective of perfecting the saints for their spiritual growth, is the law. 

The law brings death because no one can keep all its stringent requirements! My grace maybe someone else’s law! 

Paul tells us that whatever bothers our conscience is a sin! We don’t know another person’s issues, culture or life journey. To impose our lifestyle on other people becomes a sin! It does not matter if it’s a good thing or not! 

This Darnell I’m addressing is the Darnel of the law instead of grace. It can cover a whole bunch of things. The point is that grace is loving another person who does not live up to our standards! 

Now the guy who gets up and prays every day from 5 am until 6 am, then goes to work all day, and then gets up at 5 am the next day and does the same thing has a pattern of prayer that works for him. However, the retired grandma who spends all day in prayer has a different schedule.

She gets up and works in the garden, praying and worshipping. Then she prays as she cooks dinner, prays while she shops, prays after dinner in her rocker, and prays before bed. 

Shall Grandma impose that on all the people who have to work all day?  

What about the biker or gang member who gets saved and has tattoos all over them? Should we condemn that guy for having tattoos before he was saved? Impose our law or grace on him? 

What about the new believer addict in recovery? Should we impose a strict law-based schedule on that guy who doesn’t even know how to live straight, let alone adhere to a bunch of scriptural requirements? 

Do you see the point? Spiritual adherence without love is the law. It is a form of Darnell.

The Pharisees tried imposing their stuff on Jesus all the time. He called it obeying jots and tittles.  

Paul calls it ‘touch not, eat not, handle not’. (Colossians 2:21)

Legalism is Darnell disguised as wheat. 

Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment after loving God is loving others. 

Paul said that if we have faith to move mountains but don’t have love, then we are nothing.

Love is the greatest pursuit. God’s love is revealed through his grace. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

God’s grace teaches us to live godly. Living godly is being an example to others, not imposing our way of doing things on others.  

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

In conclusion, Darnell is fake wheat. It is poisonous. It can even kill.

The law kills, but grace through Jesus Christ brings life. This is the true wheat. God’s word in the flesh!

Love that came down from heaven! 

Links to my other platforms.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-balogh-0b675050/?originalSubdomain=ca

https://www.instagram.com/on_fire_4_jesus_/?hl=enklohyuj

https://www.facebook.com/KimBalogh/

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 

Below are links to my other platforms.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-balogh-0b675050/?originalSubdomain=ca

https://www.instagram.com/on_fire_4_jesus_/?hl=enklohyuj

How Faith Works

~ Kim Balogh ~ Leave a 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

Walk in the Light

~ Kim Balogh ~ Leave a 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: https://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. https://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!

Follow me on LinkedIn and Instagram! https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-balogh-0b675050/?originalSubdomain=ca

https://www.instagram.com/on_fire_4_jesus_/?hl=en


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

Follow me on LinkedIn and Instagram!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-balogh-0b675050/?originalSubdomain=ca

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/raising-standard-kim-balogh

https://www.instagram.com/on_fire_4_jesus_/?hl=en


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

Follow me on LinkedIn and Instagram !

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-balogh-0b675050/?originalSubdomain=ca

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/raising-standard-kim-balogh

https://www.instagram.com/on_fire_4_jesus_/?hl=en

THE WORD

~ Kim Balogh ~ 4 Comments

The Bible is filled with God’s promises. When we put our trust in God’s Word in effect, we put our trust in God’s character. 

Jesus was the Word of God made flesh. 

John 1:1 says that in the beginning, was the word.

Beginning in Greek is archē 

This word is more than just a starting point. It means literally FIRST ESTATE. The first magistrate power. The first principality ruler. 

Jesus was and is the first Word or Logos in Greek.

According to the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus who was the first to use this word in his writings, Logos is a rational divine intelligence. 

Logos was used to define the reasoning of the mind or rational mind. It also meant divine mind or universal intelligence. The universal ruling force governing and revealing himself through the cosmos to humankind. In other words, Logos is God’s mind. 

Putting this together, the Logos or mind of God is the FIRST ESTATE, first magistrate power or principal ruler, was made flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14)

John was speaking of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. 

He goes on to say that those who received him the logos or God in the flesh are given the power or right to become the sons of God. 

We become God’s children by receiving the word. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh. 

We must receive Jesus Christ, which the scriptures express. If we believe Jesus to be an inferior god, as a god or a created being such as an angel, then that is being converted to another Jesus or a false Jesus. Not the Biblical Jesus.

Jesus Christ, or the logos, is both God and man.

I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. John 8: 24

How do we receive this great salvation through Jesus Christ the Logos, God’s divine mind, word, thoughts, and ruling governance? 

It is simply by faith.  

Faith is the gift in which grace flows. Faith is given. Faith comes by hearing GOD’S word. Without faith, we cannot please God, nor can we receive from God. Why? Because unbelief, in effect, says. I DO NOT BELIEVE YOU ARE WHO YOU SAY YOU ARE!

The logos is God’s word expressed through the incarnation of Jesus Christ. The Law was God’s written word which he gave through Moses. The incarnation of the Logos is God’s word in the flesh.

Romans 4 tells us that Abraham believed or had faith in God’s promise, his word, or Logos.  

Faith must be exercised for grace to take effect for salvation to occur. It is the same principle for every scriptural promise. Faith believes before any evidence is manifested.

The soul dead in trespasses and sin did not feel saved before receiving salvation! He hoped, and then God turned that hope into faith. Faith is the supernatural ability to believe beyond the evidence.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Abraham, according to the Bible, hoped against hope. 

Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. Romans 4:18

Abraham trusted God even though all evidence in the natural realm pointed to the opposite of God’s word. 

As we can see, before faith comes, we must have hope. Many people give up or refuse to have hope or trust in the Logos.

Because Abraham believed God’s word, he received the promise. 

If you read Abraham’s story, you will find he messed up a bit concerning getting his promise. He took the wrong advice and got his eyes off the promise, but one thing he did not do was give up hope.

How did this promise to Abraham come about? Was it immediate? Did Abraham all of a sudden turn into a young man again? Did the promise fall out of the sky and into his lap? 

No. None of these things happened due to a series of events. Abraham had to learn to trust God. 

Abraham had an Ishmael. He listened to naysayers, and he also went about trying to bring his own will into the equation. By doing so, Abraham ended up having a lot of conflicts.

How many of us try to fix our problems by creating schemes that get us where it hurts? 

I know I certainly have. Just like Abraham learned from his mistakes, so can we learn from ours. 

Look from the scriptures at how God brings his word to pass. 

The first thing God does is speak his word. He brings a word to your heart from his Holy Spirit, written word, or both. 

God tells us what he is going to do. Not what we plan but what he tells us he will do. That’s why getting a rhema or living personal word from the Lord is important. We can do this by fasting and praying, seeking the Lord’s face.

Then we make a choice to believe that word or not. 

Wait a minute, are you saying I have a choice? 

What did Jesus say? 

 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Matthew 9:28

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Romans 4:21

Like Abraham, we may be hoping against hope for something impossible in the natural. Let’s take a look at how Abraham responded to the same predicament.

God made a promise to Abraham even though it looked impossible. Abraham hoped he might become the father of many nations, according to what was spoken.

When God speaks a word, he calls those things which are not as though they were.

(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Romans 4:17

In this way, we also can receive God’s promises. Let me show you an example through the scriptures of God’s work to bring something to pass.

In Genesis 1:2, the earth had no form. It was empty. In Greek, tôhû bôhû is a phrase that means “empty without form.”

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Genesis 1:2 

The earth had no form. It was empty, “unseen and unformed.” 

And God said...âmar, Which means; appointed, called, commanded, spoke, uttered, promised.

This was the same with Sarah’s womb. She was past the age of childbearing. However, Abraham had faith. He did not consider his body or Sarah’s body.

 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief but was strong in faith, giving glory to God and being fully persuaded that He was able also to perform what He had promised. Romans 4:20,21

Now, look at what God did in Genesis 1.

Darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

So on an empty, dark, formless earth, God’s Spirit moved on the face of the waters.

God’s Holy Spirit broods or shakes up a barren, empty, void situation.

Then God spoke the world into existence. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. Genesis 1:3

This is also what happens at salvation. 2 Corinthians 4:6 tells us that God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

God had faith in his own ability to create. He never had any doubters around to get in his way. He spoke the world into existence, and it happened. To the lost soul who hopes in him and looks to the Lord to be saved, God releases his faith to receive his free gift of salvation.

This is an important principle to remember when praying for the lost. The need to hear the word, then hope in the word, then believe in the word.

In conclusion, God’s word is “yes and amen .”What he promises to do, he will do! Continue to hope in his word. Faith believes in God’s word without seeing any evidence! Trust in him. Be patient, for the Lord’s Holy Spirit is brooding over the darkness. He will bring his light into your situation at the appointed time!

Below are my other platforms.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-balogh-0b675050/?originalSubdomain=ca

https://www.instagram.com/on_fire_4_jesus_/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/KimBalogh/

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/raising-standard-kim-balogh

More Than Conquerors

~ Kim Balogh ~ 3 Comments

When the Bible tells us that Christians are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ, what exactly does that mean? Let us, first of all, examine what the word conquer means. According to the dictionary, to conquer means to defeat or subdue by force. Especially by force of arms. To overcome or surmount physical, mental, or moral force.

Romans chapter 8 tells us that we are more than conquerors. To be more than something means to exceed. To go beyond a gain.

We are more than conquerors because Jesus Christ has conquered. He won the battle and we are now situated in his victory.

According to Romans chapter 8, we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ, over all these things: over the flesh, the sufferings of this present time, having patience, perseverance and hope until the redemption of our bodies, condemnation, persecution, and tribulation of all kinds.

Romans 8 tells us that we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ because the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.

How does the Holy Spirit help us conquer?

Through Holy Spirit inspired prayer!

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26,27

In this present time of tribulation which we have in this world, not only will that tribulation never separate us from God’s love but it will in fact work together for our good. According to Romans 8, we are predestined to be conformed to or fashioned into the Lord’s likeness.

All the tribulations of this life keep us dependent on the Lord, they increase patience, help us see our weakness, brings us to repentance in areas of sin, give us spiritual insight, increase wisdom, develop experience, and bring hope.

Tribulation works the things we experience in such a way that it increases our trust in the Lord. We learn to rejoice through every trial we are brought through because we know that the victory is the Lord’s! He always turns things around for our good!

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. Psalms 34:19

Prayer is the key to deliverance from every trial! Holy Spirit-inspired prayer will work every situation out in our favor. For our good and for our spiritual growth. For we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ who loved us and gave himself for us!

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-38

Below are links to my other platforms.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-balogh-0b675050/?originalSubdomain=ca

https://www.instagram.com/on_fire_4_jesus_/?hl=enklohyuj

Blessed By the Lord

~ Kim Balogh ~ 1 Comment

Psalm 1 reveals how we can walk in God’s blessings.

Contrary to what some teach, being blessed by God is not an automatic response to salvation. 

While Christians are saved by grace through faith we still have to grow up in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:10)

Growing in the knowledge of God means learning about how the kingdom of God works. 

Lack of knowledge pertaining to kingdom principles causes God’s people to be destroyed. (Hosea 4:6) 

Destroyed in the Hebrew is dâmâh. It means to fail, perish, be cut off, silenced, utterly undone. 

Some Christians who have experienced failure refuse to get over their offense. They may have been taught improperly or hurt by grievous wolves twisting scripture. Instead of admitting failure due to ignorance some because of offense will omit scriptures or cherry pick scriptures rather than admit they were wrong.

Failing at something in life should cause us to seek the Lord for answers. What happened? Where did I go wrong? What did I miss?

According to Psalm 1 there are certain prerequisites for being blessed by the Lord which are are not always monetary. 

Psalm 1 tells us how we can prosper in God’s kingdom. 

Psalm 1 says blessed is the person that does not walk in the counsel (takes advice from) the ungodly. 

This is the first principle of being blessed by the Lord. 

God’s word is above every one else’s word. If God said it in the scriptures then it’s true. Regardless of evidences to the contrary because those “evidences” could be the expression of a faulty response to truth. 

For example. Many churches do not teach or preach healing from their pulpits. Consequently no healing takes place in those churches. 

Some churches don’t preach about salvation. Then they wonder why no souls are getting saved. 

Scriptures clearly tell us that God’s works FOLLOW the preaching of the word. 

Whatever you preach about or talk about is what the Holy Spirit will perform in your midst. Whatever you ask for you will get. 

Remember that Jesus literally asked a blind man what he wanted from him. (Mark 10:51) It’s an important spiritual principle, to ask specifically. 

Adhering to secular wisdom rather than Biblical wisdom will prevent God’s blessings from coming into your life. Many times secular wisdom is contrary to the word of God. 

Some Christians put secular reasoning above the Bible. Science is not static. It changes all the time and some times it is wrong. Neither does humanistic ideology benefit the hearers. It has no power to perform miracles.

Putting trust in men’s wisdom can lead to ship wreck of our faith. 

God’s word is above every word. It is “yes and amen” regardless of whether it is believed or not.

An important point to mention is that knowing God’s truth through revelation and experience does not give us the right to condemn others who don’t know what we know. 

The law of love leaves someone in their ignorance if they are not open to the authority of scriptures. 

However, due to incorrect interpretation or outright denial of a scriptural precedent its best to not walk too close with those mindsets. 

People who have to explain away everything Jesus said are not beneficial to our spiritual life. Christian or not. 

Truth hurts sometimes but I’m going to say it anyway. Rejecting scriptures that blatantly tell us something is calling God a liar. 

The next principle for prospering in God’s blessings is to not stand in the way of sinners. That means not walking the way ungodly people walk. Not following their behavior patterns. 

If God condemns something in the scriptures then it’s best to agree with his word and avoid the behavior. 

Some non Christians and even Christians blatantly adhere to non biblical ways of thinking and doing. They believe that God will overlook or even support their disobedience to his word. That is so not true. 

When we are disobedient to the word of God written plain as day then we will reap the whirl wind sooner or later. 

All of us have fallen short and all of us have faced consequences for our disobedience. But thank God he is a redeemer. When we confess our sin and turn from it then God will forgive and restore us. 

Another principle for receiving blessing from the Lord is to avoid taking a seat among the scornful. That means not hanging around with scoffers who don’t believe God’s word or respect it. Unbelief is like a cancer. It’s spreads. 

Jesus said, “be careful what you hear”. (listen to) Mark 4:24

To recap. Psalms 1 tells us that Blessed are those who: 

  1. Put God’s word above every other word.

2. Avoid living ungodly. 

3. Don’t hang with scoffers who deny God’s word. 

Psalm 1 then goes on to tell us that if we do these things then we will have the following blessings.  

We will be like a tree planted by streams of water. 

Interestingly enough but when trees are planted by river banks they keep the soil from eroding into sediment which causes pollution. In other words a life continually washed by the water of the word keeps us from corruption.

Trees planted by streams of water also provide shade to help animals from being exposed to heat. This helps both vegetation and animals flourish. 

Being watered by the word of Jesus Christ is beneficial for the growth of others. They will benefit from being in our presence as we reflect God’s goodness.

Watered continually with God’s word we will make us bear fruit at the right season. Our fruit will be a blessing not only to us but also to others. They will through our witness taste the goodness of the Lord.

Lastly whatever we do will prosper.

When our plans are committed to the Lord he will bring them to pass. The Lord will bless our lives when we go in and when we go out. Everything we do will prosper.

Follow me on LinkedIn and Instagram!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-balogh-0b675050/?originalSubdomain=ca

https://www.instagram.com/on_fire_4_jesus_/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/raising-standard-kim-balogh