Tag: church

Bewitching (Thief Series)

~ 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) 

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FOXES: (The Thief Series)

~ Kim Balogh ~ 1 Comment
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In part 3 of the thief series, I would like to talk about foxes. Scriptures use the analogy of the fox to depict certain characteristics which are dangerous to the Christian. Things to look for so that we can stay safe in Jesus.

A fox is a nighttime predator. One who works undercover in darkness. Foxes are focused on what they do and are very cunning.

In Nehemiah 4:3 we are told that the fox climbs up the wall of the temple in order to burrow through any gap or unstable area.  

Nehemiah was building the Lord’s temple, but the naysayers said the temple would not be strong enough to keep a fox out. Since we are now the temple of the Holy Spirit, our temple must be secure. If not then it is possible for a fox to get in and cause damage.

Neither give place to the devil. Ephesians 4:27

What kind of damage does a fox do? Foxes spoil the fruit. They tread all over the fruit growing on the vine. S of S 2:15

Our fruit is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Foxes want to spoil our fruit. That is they want to trample on it, destroy it, cause havoc in our lives, and undermine our fruit.

In order to understand how this is done, we must understand what the Bible refers to as the fox.

Jesus referred to Herod (the ruler of Israel at that time) as ‘that fox.’

Herod was not appointed by God. He was put in his position by secular authority. Herod was hated by the people but worked alongside the religious order of the day. In other words, Herod was a religious and secular institutional enterprise.

In addressing Herod Jesus called him a fox. One who spoils the Lord’s Vineyard. The religious institution of Jesus’ day was in agreement with this secular appointment. Notice the message Jesus gave to Herod!

“Go tell that fox behold I cast out devils, I do cures, (heal the sick), today and tomorrow and the third day I shall be perfected.” Luke 13:32

Jesus was declaring his Kingdom policies to the religious secular institution. The power of the Holy Spirit with signs following are evidence of God’s Kingdom. The kingdom of God is not a secular religious institution.

Little foxes come into the vineyard to spoil the vine (Jesus Christ and his kingdom) in order to trample on the fruit. The secular religious institution is a man-made system. It rejects the power of God! These institutions have a few earmarks to look for.

These secular religious institutions claim to be followers of Jesus Christ, but they deny the power of the Holy Spirit! They have instead aligned themselves with the secular realm!   How you may ask? Several ways. Taking government money, relying on for provision, parroting man-made secular policies and ideas, and using secular protocols with world views instead of the scriptures.

Such are the foxes who have burrowed into the walls of the church. God’s Holy temple!

Here is another indicator that a fox is burrowed into God’s house. Prayerlessness!

 Lamentations 5:18
Because of the mountain of Zion which is desolate,(Prayerlessness) foxes walk on it. ( religious secular institutions hyjack)

Ezek 13:4
False prophets are like Foxes in the desert. (chorbâh desolate, destruction, destroy)

Without a life dedicated to prayer and seeking the Lord, foxes will come in and spoil the vine. These foxes are both predators, preying on God’s people and scavengers. They eat what food is left out for them to get into.

Unless you close that gap, foxes will burrow into your life!

What do the scriptures tell us to do when we think we have a fox trying to burrow into our temple? (That can be individually and corporately.)

Simply get out of that situation! Stay away from those who deny the power of the Holy Spirit with signs following! Those foxes will bad mouth the things of the Spirit, stomp all over the vine, causing destruction in the lives of others, and in the end be removed.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. John 15:2

Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Timothy 3:5

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever! He is not dry religion filled with dead man’s bones! Your temple (if you are born again) is filled with the Spirit of the living God! The river of life is in your belly! The same Spirit that rose Jesus from the dead! The Spirit of faith, the Spirit of prayer, the Spirit of love, the Spirit of soundness, and the Spirit of miraculous power!

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Mark 16:17-18

Stay far away from the little foxes that spoil the vine!

Walk in the power of the Holy Spirit!

Jesus Christ is the head of the church. He has all power and authority. He has entrusted that power to his true church!

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True Worshipers

~ Kim Balogh ~ 1 Comment



 In John 4:19-20, the Samaritan women said to Jesus, (after he told her information about her life) “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.”

In response Jesus says to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 

Samaria was a part of Israel that many Jews avoided. They would go around, taking a longer journey when going to Jerusalem from Galilee, rather than go through Samaria  

The Samaritans were Israelites from northern Israel who historically were part of the Assyrian captivity. (2 Kings 17:24-29) They had intermarried with settlers from other nations who occupied northern Israel.

The Samaritans were not thought of as Israelites by the Judeans, but rather as “people of the Mesopotamian city of Kutha/כותה‎’, which refers in itself to a certain reception of the passage 2 Kings 17.24, Josephus’ Antiquities.

While holding to many Jewish beliefs and customs which included looking for the Messiah, the Samaritans believed that because they had come to live on Mount Gerizim they were called (because of Moses), to protect it as a sacred mountain.

The Samaritans also held different theological and political beliefs than the Judaeans in the south of Israel. While the Samaritans worshipped YHWH they had competing temples. Mt. Gerizim was the Samaritan sanctuary while the Judeans worshipped in the temple built by King Solomon in Jerusalem.

They also had different religious texts. The Samaritans had 5 books of the Torah in their Samaritan Pentateuch with a Samaritan twist, including the Mount Gerizim doctrine. The Samaritans rejected much of the Hebrew Masoretic text consisting of 24 books.

The Samaritan women at the well was told by Jesus that the Samaritans did not know what they worshiped but the Judeans knew what they worshipped. This was due to the fact that the Samaritans had little knowledge of God because they rejected much of the Hebrew text.

Also many Samaritans mixed Hellenistic ideology into their culture. (The idea of reasoning, science, moral ethics based on human standards.)

After the conquest by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, the Samaritans, like all other people groups in the region, came under the influence of Greek culture. The Samaritans in time developed their own form of Hellenism.

Fragments of Samaritan literature in Greek, as well as a number of Greco-Samaritan inscriptions ( In Palestine and the diaspora) testify to this. The Ancient Samaritans and Greek Culture Pieter W. van der Horst Faculty of Theology, Utrecht University (Emeritus), 3512 JE Utrecht, The Netherlands

The Hebrew text confirms the temple of Jerusalem as the place where YHWY was to be worshipped. That is why Jesus said, “we know what we worship.”  

“The Lord said to him: ‘I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.” 1 Kings 9:2-4

The Samaritans rejected the Judean authority of scriptures and their oral law.

Jesus made it clear to the Samaritan woman that the hour would come when neither on Mount Gerizim nor in Jerusalem would the Father be worshiped. For two reasons. Both temples would eventually be destroyed but also after Jesus’ death and resurrection those who were true worshippers of YHWY would now worship Him in spirit and in truth.

No longer would those two temples be necessary anymore because after Jesus’ death and resurrection the temple veil in Jerusalem was ripped in two, giving direct access to God for his worshippers. Jesus would now be the high priest and intercessor of his people.

Jesus told the Samaritan women that God is a Spirit and requires his worshipers to worship him from a spiritual perspective. Not from a religious perspective based on a physical temple.

YHWY no longer lives in a temple made by hands. Those who are born of God by his Holy Spirit are God’s temple. He resides in the born again spirit of his elect, chosen from the foundation of the world. Ephesians 1:4

 Jesus said, “You must be born again to enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:3


Jesus continues in John 3, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit”

To be born again is to be born of God, born of his Holy Spirit. (Regenerated into a new spiritual person.) Mark 1:15;  Acts 2:38

How can one become born again in order to become a child of God and enter his kingdom?

Consider the following scriptures.

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel. Mark 1:15

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:36

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.” John 5:1        

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Walk in the Light

Good From Nazareth?

~ Kim Balogh ~ 3 Comments

Luke Chapter 4, tells us that Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by the devil. ” If you are really the Son of God then prove it,” (my paraphrase)

Jesus does not comply. He had nothing to prove. Jesus knows who he is!

Considering the source, Jesus rejects the temptation. He tells the devil to take a hike.

Then after that temptation trial Jesus returns in the power of the Spirit into Galilee.

There Jesus becomes well known throughout all of that region. Jesus teaches in the synagogues, heals the sick, casts out devils. All the people are blessed!

After that Jesus comes to the city of Nazareth where he grew up and where every one knows him as Jesus the carpenter.

It was in a synagogue in Nazareth (where he probably went every Sabbath as a kid) that Jesus reads from the book of Isaiah, announcing that he is the fulfillment of that Messianic prophecy.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Isaiah 61:1,2

After closing the Torah Jesus sits down. Everyone’s eyes are on him.

Then Jesus gives notice to all the people that he had grown up with that he is the promised Messiah.

This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. Luke 4:21

Only Messiah could fulfill that scripture. He knew that. They knew that.

The people of Nazareth were blown away by that announcement. Is this not Joseph’s son?

Whaaattt? Is he saying what we think he’s saying?

Then Jesus tells these people who he knows on a personal basis.  And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. Luke 4:23

Seems quite fantastic that Jesus knowing full well he would be rejected in Nazareth would make the announcement of his being the promised Messiah there. To all his friends and family.

Is there a bigger picture happening here?

Nazareth was a small town. Populated mostly with farmers, shepherds and labourers. It basically was a place with low social status.

That is why Nathanael said to Jesus “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” John 1:46

Jesus goes to his own home town, small and insignificant, tells them he is their promised Messiah and they out right reject him!

Who saw that coming?

After Jesus tells them that a prophet is never honored in his own home town the people in the synagogue get so riled up that they literally grab Jesus and haul him to a cliff in order to toss him off. They were intent on harming Jesus. Maybe even kill him.

The guy had the audacity to call himself a prophet! That’s it! He’s out of here!

But passing through their midst…what? How could that happen? They had him by the scruff of the neck and he passed through them?

Well Jesus transported or something because he got away.

Then Jesus goes to the next town and preaches in their synagogue. The people in that place were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.

That place loved him! At least they loved the miracles.

I think Jesus was making a point or a prophetic act if you will when he announced who he was in Nazareth.

Nazareth was a foretaste of what was going to happen to Jesus in the future. The whole nation of Israel would reject him but this time instead of throwing him off a cliff they would crucify him.

Interesting but it goes even further than that today. Now it seems the world is rejecting Jesus’ Christ’s claim to be Messiah or Savior of the world with the same old unbelief.

Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Where is the promise of his coming? Who made that guy a ruler over us?

Jesus gives the same answer today as he always does to the doubters. 

One day you will say to me …if you really are the Son of God ….prove yourself…make these stones turn to bread….fix all these problems we ourselves have created. You are only an historical figure. We don’t want you! Give us Barabbas. You know that rebel! We want him not you!

History really does repeat itself doesnt it?

There is a good ending to this story however. Remember what the angels said after Jesus rose from the dead and was taken up in the clouds in front of over 100 of his disciples?

Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” Acts 1:11

And don’t forget this time, “Every eye will see him!” Revelation 1:7

Can anything good come out of Nazareth?

Maranatha! 

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Trust in the Lord

~ Kim Balogh ~ 4 Comments

Trust in the Hebrew is bâţach. It means to have confidence in. To put your hope in. To be secure in.

The Bible tells us that those who put their trust in the Lord are defended and kept safe.

They are healthy and satisfied. They are shielded from danger. Delivered from the enemy’s wiles and they are blessed.

Proverbs 28:25
Proverbs 29:25
Proverbs 30:5
Psalm 2:12
Psalm 17:17

Many in the world do not have this kind of security. They put their trust instead in the universe.

To put one’s trust in the universe is to put trust in fate.

What is fate? By definition fate is events beyond a person’s control that is determined by a supernatural power.

In ancient Greek and Roman mythology fate was determined by the gods. When the gods destined one’s life it was predetermined by fate.

Fate or the universe in effect is luck which is failure or success brought on by fate (whim of the gods)rather than one’s own actions.

To trust in the universe or fate is really to trust in a supernatural power to order the events of one’s life.

What supernatural power are they trusting in?

The God of the Bible requires surrender to his Son Jesus Christ. YHWY requires accountability for actions. The outcomes of one’s life are determined by the choices one makes in life.

Isaiah 1:19, 20
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Joshua 24:14

As any logical person knows the universe is an abstract material element and not something able to determine one’s life outcomes.

The universe is matter and space as a whole that make up life as we know it. The universe is not able to determine the events of one’s life. That would be like trusting in the moon or a comet. These are material elements. There is no mind. No magic wand. No personality.

God on the other hand is a personality. He has a mind and supernatural power.

To trust in the one true God is to trust in a power that is higher than oneself. This requires allegiance. Not the whim and fancy of a fallen star disguised as a deity.

Why do you think that many people put their trust in the universe instead of God?

Because trusting in God means dependence on someone with the ability to have control over one’s life.

Trusting in random chance and the universe are less threatening to those who want to be in control of their own life.

The universe can be manipulated! Bamboozled! Conned into determining their outcomes.

What does trusting in the universe really mean?

Trusting in the universe means trusting in fate. Trusting in fate is trusting in luck, which determines good or bad outcomes.

When people say that they are trusting in the universe, in effect what they are saying is that they are trusting in fate which they hope will make them lucky.

The universe however is not the source of the outcomes because the universe is a material reality not a supernatural reality.

Whence then comes this supernatural reality? Fate is none other than a fallen one spoken of in the Bible.

Isaiah 14:12
2 Corinthians 4:4

A rebel who did not like to submit to the one true God. Therefore that rebel was cast out to dwell over the affairs of all the rebellious who dwell on the earth.

If one does not surrender to God who gave his Son Jesus Christ to save us all from the eternal consequences of having an non surrendered disobedient life then one’s fate is in no way going to be lucky.

In fact the Bible says that rebellion is like witchcraft. That is rebellion just like witchcraft seeks to dominate and control life events through the use of manipulation.

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. 1 Samuel 15:23

Kind of like trusting in the universe or trusting in fate to get lucky.

Surrendering to Jesus Christ is trusting in the God who has definite good guaranteed outcomes.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 

Those outcomes are determined by obedience to God’s word which produce an abundant life. A life that is satisfied, safe, blessed and eternally secure.

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Repentance

~ Kim Balogh ~ Leave a comment

Repentance means to have sincere regret and remorse for sin. It also means to turn from evil and do good. (Jeremiah 26:3, Mark 1:4)

The Bible teaches that salvation is bestowed upon the one who confesses trespassing against God’s law and putting trust in the salvation provided by God. Under the New Covenant that salvation is provided through faith in Jesus Christ. Unless there is repentance there is no salvation. (Luke 13:3-5)

Belief in Jesus as in intellectual assent is not faith. May I repeat this. Belief as in intellectual assent is not faith. At least not Biblical faith. It is not enough to believe something in order for it to apply to you.

I can believe that soap will clean my body but unless I apply that soap it will have no effect on me. The same is true for salvation. One must receive Jesus through both repentance and faith.

The devil believes in Jesus. He knows Jesus is God who came in the flesh to save mankind but that does not save him. Why? Because he has an unrepentant heart. He is still in his sins and can never be saved. (James 2:19)

This is the same for people who believe in Jesus as Savior but are still in their sins. Salvation means to be saved. Saved from what? Sin! If one still lives in sin then that person is not saved. Why? Because there is no repentance. ( Romans 6:2)

Some Christians battle over the faith and works argument because they leave out a major prerequisite for salvation to occur in the first place. Jesus specifically said that if you do not repent you will perish which means to be eternally lost. ( Luke 13:3)

If one is really saved according to the Bible they will produce godly fruit. (Matthew 3:8-10, )

Works in and of themselves don’t save but works revealing godly fruit is the evidence of having been saved. (James 2:18)

When repentance comes to the heart through conviction or convincing of sin by the Holy Spirit then salvation can occur. Sorrow for sin is a prerequisite for faith to come. How can you reach out to the Savior to save you unless you know you need saving? ( 2 Corinthians 7:10)

To mentally assent to Jesus Christ as the Savior is the first step towards salvation BUT does not constitute salvation in and of itself.

The salvation equation is as follows. GOD reaches out by grace which is undeserved mercy to those who believe in Jesus as the Saviour and repent of their sins. Then faith comes to the heart to trust in the Saviour for salvation.

Biblical faith is not a human quality. To have Faith in God cannot come by one’s own ability. You can reason to believe with the mind in Jesus Christ but you cannot fully trust, rely upon with confidence in Jesus Christ the Savior without the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 10:17 John 14:6 )

That is where the confusion doctrinally lies. Mental assent is mistaken for faith. The Greek word PISTIS for faith is based on relationship. It is not acknowledging something to be so.

This is why Jesus said in the Bible that MANY will say to him in that day. “Lord, Lord did we not do all these things in your name? Then Jesus will reply “I don’t know you.” (Matthew 7:21-23)

This is why James said. “I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:14-26)

A truly saved person will desire to live according to Biblical protocol. They will desire to be free from sin. They will not love the world or anything in the world. They will be constantly seeking God’s will for their life. (1 John 2:15-17)

If you are still living in your sins it’s best to be honest with God and ask him to bring you to the end of yourself where you hate your sin and want to give it up.

Perhaps, as Paul says, God will be merciful and grant you repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. (2 Timothy 2:25)

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The Salt Of The Earth!

~ Kim Balogh ~ 2 Comments

Why Lot’s wife was turned into a pillar of salt?

I think the Lord was trying to make a statement like, “I have now cleansed the land.”

Repentance will often lead to tears of sorrow. The salt in our tears are heart cleansing so after a good heart wrenching cry of repentance the soul is cleansed by God.

Our tears also have a physical effect on our body. Scientific studies have shown that tears help the body recover from stress by excreting excess proteins and the cortisol hormone which can be damaging to the body in excess. Emotional tears also release endorphins responsible for reducing pain and improving mood.

Salt cleanses from disease. Our bodies have a perfect balance of salt and water. If we don’t have enough salt in our system then disease may rear it’s ugly head. It’s the same with sin. Sin is a deadly disease. Not only can it kill physically but it can kill spiritually.

That is why the Lord calls his church to be the salt of the earth. As long as God’s people are here there is healing and salvation. But what happens if the salt looses its saltiness? Sin creeps into society and the world becomes perverted. Only salt purifies and preserves.

The ungodly can trod all over the world when there is an unsalty church and that is why we are exhorted by the Lord to be like salt. Be life preserving. Bring the salt to a sin infected world. Bring to others the cleansing of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

Be the salt of the earth.

Truth Produces Faith !

~ Kim Balogh ~ 1 Comment

God’s word produces faith because the truth sets us free!

According to 1 Thessalonians 2:13 when we receive the word of God, as truth, then the word of God, will effectually works in us who believe it.

To work effectually in the Greek is energeō which means to be ferverently and effectively active.

So in other words if we believe the scriptures as truth in our hearts then the word of God is able to produce an outcome or result with intensity and passion.

The key to this effective ferverent working of God’s word to produce a desired outcome for us is to BELIEVE.

What does it mean to believe? The word believe in this verse is translated pisteuō which means to have faith, trust and confidence in.

How do we get this faith, trust and confidence in?

Roman’s 10:17 says faith comes by HEARING And HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD.

Wait a minute ! You mean in order to believe the word of God I must hear the word of God and believe it? Yes, you see unless the word that you hear is mixed with faith it will not bring you any profit. You can be a hearer but not a doer of the word of God the Bible says.

So you must hear the word of God being proclaimed AND then you must understand what you are hearing. Holy Spirit revelation or rhema is what produces faith.

Faith comes by hearing or inclining your ear to hear and hearing or the ability to hear as receiving truth comes by the rhema or living word of God through the Holy Spirit.

Head knowledge or theological education does not produce faith. Holy Spirit revelation of God’s word is what produces faith.

So how do I get this Holy Spirit revelation of God’s word? By inclining your ear! Reading the Bible with your ear open to heaven. Listening to the Holy Spirit as he opens your understanding to his truth.

This requires frequent visits to the secret place of the most High or as Jesus put it entering into your prayer closet.

As we pray that our understanding may be enlightened and that we can know what is the hope of our calling and the riches of the inheritance of the Saints. Then the Holy Spirit will reveal to us his word and when our understanding is enlightened we will receive manna from heaven or rhema. THEN faith will come ! ( Ephesians 1:18 )

Remember that Jesus was walking with his disciples after his resurrection and they didn’t know him UNTIL he opened their understanding and expounded to them the scriptures. (Luke 24:27)

When Faith comes by receiving rehma then the word revealed to you will begin to
work effectually and fervently to produce the desired result.

What are you desiring from the Lord Jesus? Healing? Provision? Sanctification? Deliverence? Whatever it is the answer is in the Bible. Read the scriptures concerning your need and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal his truth to you about the matter by enlightening your understanding.

Then when faith comes for your need wait patiently for God to effectually work his word to manifest the desired outcome!

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Are You IN the Faith?

~ Kim Balogh ~ 2 Comments

The Bible says that in the last days there will be a great falling away from the faith. (2 Thess. 2: 1-3) Many countries that once were Christian are not any more and many atheists and unbelievers today once were Christians. But were they really?

Scriptures tell us specifically to examine our hearts to see if we are really IN the faith. (2 Cor. 13:5) Are you really IN the faith or do you just believe in the faith?

Did you know that the devils believe the gospel? (James 2:19) In the same way many people who go to church and are even in the ministry today have an intellectual assent to Christianity but they are not IN the faith.

Just because you hang out in the barn with the cows does not make you a cow. You must have cow DNA and produce cow milk and other cow attributes. You can dress up like a cow, moo like a cow and hang out with the cows but still not be a cow.

The determining factor is your DNA. Were you born with cow DNA? If so then you are a cow. If not then you are an impostor or a cow wanna be and not a real cow.

It is the same with being a Christian. Are you born of God? (John 3 )Are you filled with the Holy Spirit? Do you not only look like a Christian and act like a Christian but do you intimately know the God of the Christian, Jesus Christ ?

The Bible talks about believers who are sensual having not the Spirit of God. ( Jude 1:19) These sneak into homes and families (through many venues) to draw people after themselves. They like to have groupies. These make a loud noise, mimic many Christian attributes but rather than being in submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ they are seeking after sensual earthy things. Many times its money and fame.

A popular Christian author personality recently denied his faith publicly. He didn’t live up to his own expectations. He fell from his self made pedestal. Now he is in the marketing profession. It doesn’t take a lot of discernment to figure out that this guy may have been a believer but he was never a Christian in the first place. His fruit is evident. (Math. 7:15-20)

Now I realize some Christians believe one can loose their salvation but from my close examination of scripture I disagree. Oh, one can be an impostor Christian either deliberately or unknowingly and fall away but that is because they never knew Jesus in the first place. Notice that the Lord tells these believers who did works in his name and yet still were in their sins …I NEVER KNEW YOU. (Math. 7:21-23)

When one has God’s DNA born of his Holy Spirit then that child of God not only looks like and acts like God but does God’s works by the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells in him/her. The born again Christian’s life is hid IN CHRIST and no one can pluck them out of the Father’s hand. Why? Because Jesus said MY FATHER IS GREATER THAN ALL. (John 10 :28-30 )

So here we see the key. No disappointment, trials, tribulations, temptations, failures, short comings or any other thing will move God’s born of his Holy Spirit children out of his hand of security and yes his eternity is secure.

My question to you today friends is are you really born of God? Do you know Jesus by his Holy Spirit in a personal way or do you just know about him? Do you live off of a second hand relationship with God by going to church and Bible studies or do you seek him in your prayer closet having intimacy daily with him. Do you know the Shepherd’s voice or do you just listen to his words from some one else?

If you know in your heart that you do not really know Jesus Christ personally in an intimate way I challenge you today as scriptures exhort to examine yourself. Are you really IN the faith?

If not then go to God and pray. Ask him to make you born of his Holy Spirit and baptize you with his Holy Spirit and lead you by his Holy Spirit. I guarantee you that if you are really sincere, God will make you his child born of his spiritual DNA because Jesus promised in his word that whoever comes to him he will never cast out. (John 6:37)

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