Shutting Satan Out!
Read this closely and then let’s talk about it briefly okay:
Matthew 16
15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
20Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
21From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
22Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
23But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
24Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”
Verse 23 – “Get thee behind me, Satan” – This is a scary statement and truth for all of us, isn’t it? Like Peter, one minute we can be in the Spirit and the Father revealing something profound to us, and the next minute we can be given over to Satan himself. LORD help us ! Jesus sure is able!
Why did Jesus rebuke Peter? What did Jesus say the reason was? – “thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” (v23)
Savoring the things of God is a daily decision. To savor the Savior is to “seek His face continually” as the Word of God instructs (1 Chronicles 16:11). The man after God’s own heart answered the LORD’s call to seek His holy face:
“When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” Psalms 27:8
After Peter failed, Jesus here gives us all the solution to waning, falling, becoming weak, compromising, falling away, or denying Him. He teaches us to “deny” ourselves and follow Him, losing our lives in this world to gain His life now and for eternity (Matthew 16:24-25). When and as we do, His divine power will raise us up into His blessed, overcoming victory (Isaiah 37:31; John 12:24-26; Romans 8:11; Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12). This is the Gospel of Jesus in our daily lives – death, burial, resurrection!
It is obvious that Peter was denying or setting self aside when God showed him that Jesus is the “Christ, the Son of the living God.” (v 16) Otherwise Jesus would not have said to him: “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (v 17)
In fact, the very thing our LORD rebuked Peter for was that Peter was seeking to prevent Jesus from going to the cross, which was necessary to accomplish His mission to redeem mankind, including Peter, you, and I. Paul says that false leaders today are the very “enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Philippians 3:18-19) Like Peter did, they “mind earthly things” and do not savor or count most important the things that be of God. Their refusal to preach the daily cross Jesus commanded all who would follow Him to take up, identifies them as “enemies of the cross of Christ.” If they do not repent before it’s too late, they will hear “Depart from me” on the Day when we all stand before Him to give account.
Are you preaching or preventing yourself and others from going to the daily cross?
THE MAN WHO DENIES SELF TO FOLLOW HIM WILL NOT DENY CHRIST. THE MAN WHO DOES NOT DENY SELF WILL DENY CHRIST.
EITHER ONE WILL CRUCIFY SELF OR SELF WILL CRUCIFY CHRIST RIGHT OUT OF THAT MAN’S LIFE!
Pride Always Precedes a Fall
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18
Man, in his gross misunderstanding of his relationship with the Almighty, foolishly self-congratulates himself for something that we a sheer gift from and outside Source – God Himself.
It was pride in the heart of Lucifer that caused God to eject him from his heavenly abode (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:15; Luke 10:18). Perhaps pride in the heart of Peter rose up unchecked after the Father mercifully showed him the revelation that Jesus, is the Christ., the Son of the living God. For the “abundance of revelations” Paul the apostle was given a “messenger of Satan” to humble him (2 Corinthians 12:4-10).
“How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 7And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:4-10
One this is for certain – God chooses to reveal Himself to us out of His mercy and grace and in spite of us, not because of any goodness in man (Psalms 39:4-5; Romans 7:18). I don’t think we quite have a clue yet saints. Even Paul the apostle needed help being humbled. He’s also the one who stated:
“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:24
Many today seem to gloat over revelation shown them or even supposed revelation, acting as if they merit such. Like Peter in his early days of immaturity, they do not yet have a clue that such revelation is shown them to humble them in worship before the Messiah and not to be seen as something they received due to any merit of their own. Humility is instant upon deliberate repentance and yet, it is a process after conversion. Jesus taught us:
“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become (denotes process) as little children (totally dependent upon God), ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3-4
Humility is a choice – both initially and perpetually. Did you note that Jesus teaches here that humility is essential to eternal glory?
Peter walked with Jesus for approximately three years and then denied Him. Why? Because He denied Christ in daily prayer. Yes, you heard me. Don’t jump on the messenger yet though friend. Read Mark 14 and track the events that led up to Peter denying Christ. Note that when the disciples were supposed to be praying, they fell asleep. The Bible teaches:
Little prayer, little power
Lotta prayer, lotta power
“Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14:38
Communing with the Father in prayer is the key to granting, sustaining, and perpetuating the child of God in His victory.
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 10:5
“CASTING DOWN IMAGINATIONS IS THE STRONGHOLD OF SELFISH PROUD ARROGANT INDEPENDENT REASONING OR THINKING. SUCH DEPRAVITY OF THINKING MUST MOMENT BY MOMENT BE CAST (SUNK OR EMPTIED) DOWN INTO THE DEATH PROVIDED TO US BY THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST.”
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Gospel Action Mission Mexico Update Video: There Was a Faint Knock at the Door … as I Opened the Door …
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“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
Mission Mexico – See more here.
Download. Read. Print out your supply of the JESUS tract – English and Spanish.
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WHEN PARENTS GET OLD …
author unknown
WHEN PARENTS GET OLD …
“Let them grow old with the same love that they let you grow … let them speak and tell repeated stories with the same patience and interest that they heard yours as a child … let them overcome, like so many times when they let you win … let them enjoy their friends just as they let you … let them enjoy the talks with their grandchildren, because they see you in them … let them enjoy living among the objects that have accompanied them for a long time, because they suffer when they feel that you tear pieces of this life away … let them be wrong, like so many times you have been wrong and they didn’t embarrass you by correcting you …
LET THEM LIVE and try to make them happy the last stretch of the path they have left to go; give them your hand, just like they gave you their hand when you started your path!
(“Honor your mother and father and your days shall be long upon the earth”.) – God”
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3
Karen Cochran writes:
“A few years ago the Lord spoke to me and I heard honor your Father and Mother. I didn’t know that my Mom would be moving close to me in a few months and I would become her primary helper. It has been one of the biggest challenges of my life because she has dementia and isn’t always kind. I have had to come home many nights and sit at the feet of Jesus and ask forgiveness because I was not like Jesus to her. Then I go back everyday because the Lord commands us to Honor our Mother. He didn’t promise it would be easy. I have to be like Jesus and say Father forgive them for they know not what they do. Luke 23: 34 .As people who have dementia do not know what they are doing or saying.”
Sharing how God is working in her life concerning her relationship with her beloved mother, Karen Cochran writes:
“I had to die to being right. Pride! How could I love her (my mother) with the love of Jesus? How would she see Jesus in me? She would not see Him in me in all my pride and arrogance! By being full of pride, all I did was stir up strife. Proverbs 10:12 ‘Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.’ Because she would retaliate and would be angry. I had to learn to keep my mouth shut. And it has completely changed our relationship. But first the Lord had to change me and cleanse me from my ‘know it all’ attitude and my pride. I went to the Lord and said ‘why is she (my mother) so mean to me’. The Lord straightened me out quick. It was me not her! I couldn’t control her! All I could do was allow God to root out what was sin in me.”
“Being broken to the core has been a continuous prayer for me. Otherwise my stone heart will hurt someone else that does not deserve to be hurt. Jesus had shown me my resentment against my parents. As I went to their grave, Jesus begin to say, ‘If they hadn’t taken you to Jesus at an early age, you wouldn’t be where you are now.’ I felt all the bitterness, anger, and hatred leave. How gracious is our Savior!” Thomas Cochran
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Gospel Action in Mexico Part 37
UPDATE – DELIVERED FOOD TODAY; – I purchased numerous food items for Clara and her boys today. Traversing difficult terrain to deliver the goods God supplied through your faithful giving left me with a sidewall puncture. A sidewall puncture cannot be patched and replacement was quoted at $274. Settled for a used tire. In this challenge came opportunity.
God used the punctured tire for me to meet a wayward man. Jose has spent time in the USA and has family there. His wife is presently in Colorado; he expressed strain on his family. Jose received God’s Word preached to him and the JESUS tract and said “You know what? My wife is also a Christian.” Wow. So, his beloved wife is praying for him to be saved and God answered her prayer in part by connecting me with him. This opportunity is because of your support for this ministry. Can we please pray for Jose and his family?
I am continuing to learn to assert Romans 8:28-29 into everything:
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Can anyone relate?
Mark is encouraging me in helping more people, one person/family at a time. Your prayers and giving are more than important, it is essential.
I found out Clara was in need again and was moved upon by the LORD to get her and her 3 sons some food. Her whole monthly money needed to sustain her, and her boys is about $350. The house she rents is $120 per month. I will leave it there.
It is amazing how much further our contributions go in Mexico, how much more it’s multiplied. A little bit of money and ministry here goes a long way to bless and expand Christ’s kingdom! …and to give hope to the hopeless.
We continue to pray for a few more saints to assert themselves into this opportunity. God is able, amen! All I can do is let these things be known. I am blessed by your support as I am encouraged by the fruitfulness of Mission Mexico both in the reach of the spiritual needs and the physical needs of God’s children. You are responding to Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 6:19-21
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Clara’s Cry Video was featured recently. Click here.
Please lift a prayer in Jesus’ name for the fruitfulness and supply of our LORD’s work here with Mission Mexico. God be praised. Multitudes being reached daily with Jesus Christ’s bless-ed Gospel – spoken to them and given in print in the JESUS tract in Spanish.
BELOVED ANTONIO came by again tonight to get something to eat. I warmly received and welcomed him. Had him sit down and rest with fresh water to drink while his delicious meal was cooking. When he left I broke down while hugging him and letting him know you are lifting him in prayer and that God loves him. I played the Spanish Bible audio of Scripture to him while I was cooking so the Word would be planted in his heart…. WHO wants to cry out with me to our LORD for this young man? WHO wants to seek God for a complete change in his precious life? Salvation and good employment/work, etc. Let it not be that he could ever say that “No man cared for my soul.” – “I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul” (Psalms 142:4). Jesus is coming saints. Let us pour out His love to the hurting. Jesus Christ died for this beloved young man! Mission Mexico is rolling! “WE are labourers TOGETHER with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9). This is what it’s all about dear saints. Jump in. God will bless.
“The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.” Psalms 145:14
Beloved brother in Christ, Cesar, spent the last 14 days with his beloved mother before she passed. Mark and I went to visit Cesar the day after his mother passed. Mark and I agreed that Cesar was ministering to us. We went to comfort him and he ministered to us! Whew! You are invited to lift our beloved brother Cesar in prayer.
Oh and Cesar took about 50-60 JESUS tracts to distribute.
The plans are to be spending more time fellowshipping with Cesar again soon.
Months ago, I handed Cesar a JESUS tract and we begin to talk and he shared that he is a born again disciple of Jesus. Yesterday, with tears in his eyes, Cesar shared his testimony of Jesus’ salvation of his life 24 years ago. This is a beloved brother in our LORD Jesus for certain. Unpretentious.
As is so often the case, we gave this man a JESUS tract and spoke the Word to him. A few moments later here he is hungrily reading about His Maker and King, and Savior Jesus.
Saints we are supporting a missionary in the Philippines and am thanking the LORD for your prayers and supply to our LORD’s Gospel work …..
Anyone wish to pause and lift this man to our LORD in prayer? When ministered to, Victor asked questions. He is searching. God is able.
Thank you for praying for the beautiful people of this country. More Mission Mexico coverage here.
Remember brother Justin (from Australia) whom God miraculously saved here in Mexico? He is very grateful that you are lifting him in prayer. Praying for Christ’s saints is an essential (Colossians 4:12). Today Justin sent this:
“I was reading the book of Jo
hn and the woman at the well last night, contemplating how some plant seeds to be harvested by others (John 4). Just being grateful to serve the Lord without needing to see results. Bless you. You certainty planted some seeds with me. I’ll check out Titus! Thank you brother. I am working out my salvation with fear and trembling, for sure, and I wouldn’t be doing it so much harder now without your support.” Justin B.
UPDATE ON BROTHER JUSTIN B.
Thank you for lifting in prayer our brother Justin B. (Australian) here in Mexico. He was saved just a few months ago here. Here’s the latest from our brother. Please pray the Word for him. John 15; Colossians 4:12.
“I am good, brother. I am back in the slipstream of the Word. Felt like I had to experience the desert of doubt to come out with more clarity. Though, ultimately, trust in God is not necessarily clear. Getting confident in God with that ‘cloud of unknowing.’
“Daily brother. It’s my clarion call/prayer now. Diminish me but increase my faith. Purify my heart, Lord, so I may glorify Your name. Thank you for showing me the way and keeping faith in me, brother.” Justin B.
Do we recall how Jesus told Peter: “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:31-32).
Here’s the post where the account of Jesus saving Justin is contained.
This is beloved David (pictured above) who received extensive ministry of God’s love and Word. Please lift up David, Daniel, and Justin. Colossians 4:12.
Omar was invited to have you pray for him. He readily agreed and is glad to know you are lifting him to our LORD in prayer. Jesus told us He desires to save Omar (1 Timothy 2:4).
“My Dear Brother, I will continue to lift Clara and those precious children in prayer; for I know firsthand the hardship of raising 3 little ones alone in this selfish world. I am thankful to the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY for sending strangers into my life during my time of despair and brokenness. Thank you brother for being a good steward with the gifts that the people of God send into the Lord’s Ministry. May the Lord God bless and keep you all the days of your life.” Jacquie
Support Mission Mexico here. Takes seconds.
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
Mission Mexico – See more here.
Download. Read. Print out your supply of the JESUS tract – English and Spanish.
Gospel Action Mission Mexico Update Video: There Was a Faint Knock at the Door … as I Opened the Door …
WHEN PARENTS GET OLD …
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