Entertaining Spirits Unaware

Sometime in ignorance Christians entertain spirits unaware. Ever went on that Disneyland ride at the Haunted Mansion and looked in the mirror to see that you had picked up some companions along the way? Well, sometimes we pick up some unwanted spirits by the things we allow at home. Here are some examples:

Where Is Jesus?

I can't explain the grief I feel in my heart as yet more scandals break out among Christian leaders and churches here in America. I got on my knees this morning and took my husband's hand to ask God to give us more character. I know that if my heart is breaking, that God's heart is breaking even more as wanton lawlessness continues to spread through the church like a virus. There are whole groups of people out there that would rather turn the blind eye than to look at the spots, wrinkles and blemishes on Christ's bride. I don't know about you but I hate getting stains on my clothes. Most people do. As soon as something drops onto our clothes our immediate reaction is to try to clean it off. Yet, churches keep their stains behind pulpits defiling the masses of people who hear them make excuses for their greed and licentiousness. God will not wink at sin no more. and He will not accept a bride who has stained the bridal clothes He has washed in His precious blood. 

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. 

Acts 17:30-31

I see it in the newslines almost everyday as Christians around the world suffer severe persecution for their faith. Children picking through trash in Egypt, Christian missionaries requiring immediate help out of their countries or face death. Where is the money for their release? It is being spent on lavish homes, vacations, and buildings. Recently, they found a pastor and his wife, guilty of funneling money to his wife's Hollywood pop star career. They justified it by saying they were trying to crossover into secular media and be an influence there. How can they be? When his wife is seductively dressed and looks nothing like Jesus. Instead of the church being a Joseph in the time of famine, millions of dollars are misspent on lavish living all the while American parishioners struggle with homelessness, hunger and widespread poverty. It sickens me and it sickens God.


“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. (Revelations 3:15-18)
In the above scripture, Jesus, lets the church know that even though they think they need nothing and are quite content with their status quo, that they are actually blind to their spiritual condition. His counsel is for them to buy gold refined in the fire. There is no other way to rid ourselves of the spiritual blindness, lukewarmness, and shame; other than to be baptized in fire. It is the only way to gain heaven's riches and get our robes to become white again! It is fire that will cause us to reflect the Jesus everyone is looking for!

In this very hour of apostasy, the masses are crying out where is Jesus?! Many wander around from church to church trying to find Him. Others have given up their quest to find this wonderful Jesus they read about in their bible. Instead they spend their time watching an image on TV from a distance that will not disappoint them. Some of them don't realize that the reason Jesus has been hard to find is because He can no longer be seen in their own lives. They have allowed the sin of others to cause their own fire to grow cold. The good news is that your heart can receive a fresh new baptism of His holy fire causing you to return to the passionate, fervent love that you had when you first met Him!

For those of you who are discouraged, I want to encourage you to find Jesus in places you never thought of looking. Jesus is behind the prison walls declaring God's freedom to the captive. He is sitting on the street with a homeless sign and laying in the hospital waiting for your prayers. He waits eagerly in the morning for your eyes to open so He can speak to you. He looks back at you when you look in the mirror. He waits for you to be His hands, His feet and His voice to this world. 

Where are the Mother Theresa's of this hour? Who dragged the sick and dying sinners out of the mud of Calcutta. Where are the William Booth's who called sinners to sing a new song unto the Lord? Where are the William Seymour's who make themselves of no reputation and who hide their faces from men so that they can be seen of God? Where are the Moses' who forsook the treasures of Egypt, refusing to take the name of Pharaoh's daughter and chose to be counted among his suffering brethren? Where are the disciples who do not find themselves worthy to suffer on the cross as their savior did? Where are those who like Jesus, do not love their lives unto death that they might have a better resurrection? Where is Jesus?! He is waiting to be made manifest through you!

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The Corporate Church

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

They said to Him, “We are able.” So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.” And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
(Matthew 20:20-28)

As you can see in every ministry there is the temptation to be seen and compete for position. It happened in Jesus' ministry and it has been happening ever since. Unfortunately, the corporate mentality has crept into church. We have made the Pastor the CEO and we have served the corporate church completely out of selfish motivated reasons! The whole reason the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus was to take the top positions in what they thought was Jesus' company. They wanted to be the right hand guys, part of Jesus' entourage, His yes men and did not care what it took to climb that corporate ladder.

Jesus compared their mindset with the rulers of the Gentiles "who Lord their authority over the people." In other words, he pointed out that the whole reason to want to be in a higher position was for the sole reason of exercising control over people. When you take a higher position in the corporate church you can wear a title. You can now be the head intercessor or the head of the music department. My husband Joshua has always said, "It is time for a title wave! When we all wave our titles goodbye." Unfortunately, along with title there is rank and special privileges. You now hold a place in the church that gives you some sense of control. Careful! This is also the fast track to becoming a target for pride.

Seeing their selfish motivated hearts Jesus warned them that they would drink of His cup and be baptized with the same baptism He was. What is that cup and what is this baptism that Jesus speaks of? Jesus speaks of this cup in the Garden of Gethsemane.

"He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39)

It is the cup of laying our will down and our life for God's kingdom. In God's kingdom the only way up is down. It is a place of servant-hood. Jesus not only taught this but lived it as an example before all of us. Paul later passes on this mindset by saying, "Let this mind be in you..."who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2: 5-8).

Think about this, God himself came to serve us. Now we want to be treated like gods so that we can be served. There is a huge gap in what Jesus demonstrated through His life and the kind of attitudes we now see in the church. Jesus warned his disciples that they too would be baptized with the same baptism he was baptized with. Since they had been baptized in water already by John what other baptism could there be? Our thoughts may immediately go to the baptism of the Spirit but Jesus wasn't talking about that baptism. He speaks of the one that John talked about "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." (Matthew 3:11). There it is. The baptism of fire. What is this baptism of fire? John explains it this way, "His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Matthew 3:12).

Since many of us did not grow up in an agricultural society I will briefly explain this process. After harvesting the fields, they took the wheat to the threshing floor and the oxen would trod all over the wheat to loose the husks or chaff so that they would later take a winnowing fork and throw the wheat up in the air so the lighter chaff would blow away in the wind. Only what holds weight will keep from blowing away in our lives. Paul said, "that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting...(Ephesians 4:13-15).

For more on this process go to this link
http://www.biblewise.com/preview/images/teaching/2008/sep/harvesting_grain.pdf

Nervously you might be thinking so how does the fire come into the process? Let me first clarify what the fire isn't. The baptism of fire is not "the feeling like your body is going to burn up" in some kind of supernatural manifestation. People may shout fire and you may feel like you are on fire but that's not what this scripture is about. It is best described in this Messianic prophecy.
“Behold, I send My messenger,
And he will prepare the way before Me.
And the Lord, whom you seek,
Will suddenly come to His temple,
Even the Messenger of the covenant,
In whom you delight.
Behold, He is coming,”
Says the Lord of hosts.
“But who can endure the day of His coming?
And who can stand when He appears?
For He is like a refiner’s fire
And like launderers’ soap.
He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;
He will purify the sons of Levi,
And purge them as gold and silver,
That they may offer to the Lord
An offering in righteousness. (Malachi 3:1-3)

The whole purpose of fire is so we may become purified, purged, and become an offering of righteousness unto God. Instead of fighting for position and control God wants us to become servants. He wants that whole corporate mentality to cease to exist in His church. If you continue to read in Matthew 20 two blind men are sitting on the side of the road shouting to get Jesus attention. Jesus asked them, "What shall I do for you?" They immediately asked them for their sight. Jesus granted them their sight. When the disciples came to Jesus he also answered them by saying, "What do you wish?" They did not get the same response from Jesus. What they were asking for was purely motivated by a selfish attitude. James tell us that all fighting and strife is motivated out of these attitudes.

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
(James 4:1-3).

Yes, I believe God is going to bring fire back to his church but it will be so He can burn up all of our selfish attitudes like chaff because in reality love and selfishness cannot co-exist. Like Revivalist Johannes Schonken pointed out, "The end result of revival is that people may say...they have been with Jesus." Let it be our goal in this season to have people recognize "that we have been with Jesus" and allow the process of fire purify us like gold.

Notes from Revival Meeting on October 25, 2013
by Dale Kizziar and Jaziz Hallas
Expounding on Prophets, Pitfalls and Principals by Dr. Bill Hamon Chapters 8-12

The Gospel of Popularity, Money and Pleasure

Do you often wonder how people who were once well meaning Christians go off the deep end? Do you scratch your head in amazement as to why some people follow them even when they are clearly gotten off the beaten path. Today I am going to share with you why I think people stray from their faith, and never seem to get on track.

Well, the number one reason is...(drum roll please) they refuse to die to self. No matter what, it is all about them. They want to be seen, and heard no matter what the cost. They will refuse to take a stand on truth, and squirm their way around confrontation. They want to be popular, and be the life of the party. They want people to look up to them for the purpose of being popular and keeping the money rolling into their church. The truth is they stopped caring about truth a long time ago, and their biggest fear is not being liked. They will offend no one except Christ because they refuse to confess Him before men. They water down the gospel to make sure you don't leave the church, and plan of bunch of fun activities to keep you happy. When you are struggling they weigh you down with a bunch of platitudes; avoiding any kind of intimacy or getting in the trenches with you. When the fun runs out, and you start having real problems they can't provide any answers because their job description is...activity director.

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was. (2 Timothy 2:1-9).

As you can see one of the marks of the last days is that people (verse 5) would have an outward form of holiness but their life would be a contradiction of the dunamis or miracle working (power) of God. Paul give us some clues to look for: The first clue is that in the last days people will become lovers of themselves! He warned that they would become narcissists who want to be loved by everyone, and be joined in their apparent love of themselves. Just like the Pharisees they would do everything to be seen of others for the benefit of themselves and furthering of their ministry. They want to be seated in the front, wear the fancy suits, have people cater to them, and acknowledge their title. They like to be admired, and surrounded by people who will do anything they say without question. They will castigate anyone who contradicts them or questions their behavior. They will use scripture to manipulate through guilt, and use their authority to demean dissenters.

You can't correct them because they are stubborn (headstrong) and won't think twice of stabbing someone in the back while smiling in their face. They seem pious until they are behind closed doors slandering others in the ministry. These people creep into your household through TV, radio, church gatherings and take advantage of gullible Christians being deceived by the lusts in their own hearts. The bible compares these last days Christians to Jannes and Jambres who were the Egyptian wizards who resisted Moses in pharaoh's court. They displayed power but it was swallowed by the true anointing, and leadership of God. The bible says that they have become resistant to truth, and unable to fully grasp it no matter how much they read scriptures. Their minds are corrupted and warped because they continually ignore their conscience; making shipwreck of their faith.
(1Timothy 1:9).

In any case people continue to follow them because they want the sense of security, and "good feelings" they get from these types of preachers. Little do they know their walk with God has become shallow, and they are unable to do little else but participate in a myriad of activities that keep them temporarily occupied. When they go home their spirit continues to be empty, and they find themselves dependent on their leaders to stay motivated and focused on God. They find themselves bored unless they are having some type of fun with their friends. After all, they believe that Jesus came so we could have fun all the time! 

They also believe that Jesus came so we would live in eternal bliss, and not have to worry about the real problems in life. If they could be drunk in the spirit, and continually celebrate God's goodness without a thought to the souls that perish that would be fine by them. Their main goal is to get raptured so they can escape any suffering or conflict. They have embraced the gospel of non-responsibility, and believe that they should go to church to be entertained. These believers want God on their terms, and in their way. They don't want to separate themselves from the world. They love the world so much that they incorporate the world into their church services or they disguise their party lifestyle declaring they have found a new form of spirituality, and freedom.

Now these things are examples (warnings and admonitions) for us not to desire or crave or covet or lust after evil and carnal things as they did.(1 Corinthians 10:6-12).

Let's look at another way that preachers become popular. They set up whole doctrines to convince people that the more they give the richer they'll get. Everybody wants to be rich! Though many of us call it the faith movement. It really has nothing to do with faith at times. Faith is great, until you abuse it for the express reason of indulging yourself with life's finest things at the expense of others. God does not mind the prosperity of the saints but we have incorrectly taught people that God is some kind of slot machine. The more money we put in, the more chances we have of hitting the jackpot. Unfortunately, because of the selfish motivation behind the "faith movement" it became more like a Christian MLM which stands for MORE LORD MORE! Don't get me wrong giving is Christ like when it is done out of the motivation of love. We were meant to give to one another, and share what God had blessed us with. 

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. Acts 2:44-45

Another popularity trend is the business of building people's self esteem outside of the work of the cross. The internet is filled with motivational speeches, self esteem boost conferences, and preachers who tell you that you have the freedom to do anything you want under the guise of grace. Once again the message emphasis the rights and freedom of the believer instead of the focus of the cross. Just like most of America, freedom trumps over offending others. Believers are being taught that they are not under the law therefore, have excused themselves from being accountable for their actions. They also have rejected all spiritual authority including the authority of God's Word.

Some have gone as far as labeling their worldly endeavors as "Christian" so they can worship at two altars. In the meantime, the world is in desperate need of a savior but they are too busy at the foot of the mountain dancing, singing, adorning the calf of sin, and fornicating with the world. They are too caught up being lovers of pleasures instead of lovers of God. While Moses is climbing the heights of the mountain for an encounter with God, some stay behind with Aaron to entertain themselves, and worship the things they had in Egypt. The bible warns us in this way:

Do not be worshipers of false gods as some of them were, as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink [the sacrifices offered to the golden calf at Horeb] and rose to sport (to dance and give way to jesting and hilarity).

We must not gratify evil desire and indulge in immorality as some of them did—and twenty-three thousand [suddenly] fell dead in a single day!

We should not tempt the Lord [try His patience, become a trial to Him, critically appraise Him, and exploit His goodness] as some of them did—and were killed by poisonous serpents;

Nor discontentedly complain as some of them did—and were put out of the way entirely by the destroyer (death).

Now these things befell them by way of a figure [as an example and warning to us]; they were written to admonish and fit us for right action by good instruction, we in whose days the ages have reached their climax (their consummation and concluding period). (1 Corinthians 10:7-11)

Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin]. 

If you find yourself tired with the status quo, and really want to get back to the true gospel it goes something like this:

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Matthew 16:24

If you find this article helpful or would like to leave a comment or visit our website:
Jaziz Gutierrez
http://www.loverevivalrevolution.com
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Testimony: Deliverance from Witchcraft

Every night was a nightmare for me as a child. The room seemed to breathe, terrifying dreams disturbed my sleep and sickness filled my body. Countless nights I spent in front of the TV as a child unable to fight off the fear and demons that visited me every night. What made things worse was that my Dad worked at night and I felt totally unprotected. Whenever I could I would try to sneak into the room and maybe find some comfort. I was sent back to my room every time. No one knew the torment I was living or why I was suffering from insomnia at such a young age.

What could have caused such anguish to begin? A simple trip to a witch-doctor as a baby in Mexico. I was deathly ill and it seemed like the only recourse of action. These kinds of self-proclaimed healers don't require insurance or much money. That open door not only kept me sick for years but became an occasion to later seduce me into becoming a witch. One way or another the demons were determined to end my life at a young age and stirred up a drug-addicted teen to end my life. I remember very clearly the day she took out a knife out the drawer and told me that she would kill me if I ever told anyone of her hatred towards me. I was around 6 or so. Too scared to tell anyone I kept it to myself. Unfortunately, my parents decided to go on vacation with this family and I spent my whole time in the tent too scared to come out. Thinking that I was being stubborn and disobedient my Father beat me to get me to come out. It did not work. A beating was far better than death in my young mind.

Physical punishment became part of my childhood and intimidation was used to get me to obey. I think this is the reason I became so introverted and shy. I could never look people in the eyes or speak without blushing. At school, things were not any different. I endured bullying for most of my school life. One time I was followed home and beat up by two boys because they were jealous of me and did not like my race. They decided to follow me after winning a stack of encyclopedias. One of the boys took their bike and rammed it into me while the other punched me in the stomach. I did not know how to defend myself. Another time I was followed home by another boy who grabbed me from behind and tried to sexually assault me. Fortunately, I was able to free myself from him by stepping on his foot.

After a while, I grew weary of the abuse and bullying. During a family vacation at Yosemite when I was 11, a spirit came to me and spoke to me, "Would you like to be strong and powerful?" I can't describe the seduction of that faint whisper and all I can think about was to the TV shows I used to watch. There was a show about a woman who had multiple personalities and it helped her overcome the abuse in her life. There was also a sitcom called Bewitched that had the character use their magical powers to solve their problems. Could I obtain such power I wondered? The seducing spirit gave me assurance that when I woke up that I would be different. When I woke up something had taken over with my full permission. My life took a slow but steady descent into the depths of darkness and the realm of Satan's kingdom.

I went from being shy to being angry and violent. I became the bully and I began my reign of terror on all those who crossed me. My sister used to hide in the bathroom so I wouldn't beat her up. I was around 13 at the time. The devil knew what he had to do to draw me in even more so he sent a girl whose mother was a witch to teach me witchcraft. Soon I was ditching school just to learn tarot cards, palm reading and mind reading. I was intrigued by psychic abilities and began practicing all of it. I was able to open locked doors, throw things with my mind, know what people were thinking and curse them. One day I did a séance for a friend and a spirit showed up scaring everyone who was there. I tried to conduct another séance on my 16th birthday but the prayers of a Christian kept me from being able to do anything. In Jr. High while reading someone's palm at school a girl accused me of witchcraft. Astonished by her accusation I told her I was a white witch. I was so deceived. The more I enjoyed the power I was given, the more I became lost, and soon found that I was losing my mind. By today's standards, I would have been diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenic or bipolar. My mother threatened to send me to a mental institution and at times I felt like I was on the verge of insanity.

Unfortunately, during those years I started to drink, become paranoid, see shadows, hear voices and lose control over my emotions. One day I was having a mental meltdown more like a demonic manifestation when a friend came over to slap some sense into me. I was crying, screaming, and laughing all at once. She jumped on my bed with me, slapped me, and started to shake me so would snap out of it. The demon didn't like that and threw her against the wall like a rag doll. She left my room frightened. Another friend tried to intervene and talk to me about my drinking. I kept a bottle of wine under my bed. I stopped my drinking but it didn't get rid of my crazy. During that time my goal in life was to have as many boyfriends as I was old not because I wanted to be loved but because I hated men so much I wanted to seduce them and dump them. I wanted them to feel the pain I felt because I had been abused by them. 

It wasn't before long that depression set in. I tried running away from my problems and would be gone days at a time. Sleeping and fending for myself on the streets. I was a homeless youth trying to find a place of safety and rest. Finally, I had convinced myself that there was no love and life was not worth living. I started to plan a way to end my life. Yet another voice spoke up and told me that I did not have the right to take the life that God had given me. This idea might be strange to some of you but I was in church most of the time when these things were going on. It proves that religion will never set you free. Only faith in the cross of Christ can bring liberty to the captive.

In God's mercy, he sent me a friend named John. He stopped hanging out with us during lunch and I was curious as to his whereabouts. He told me he was studying the Bible during lunch. I accused him of being too good for us. He told me that I was more than welcome to join him. Feeling challenged by his invitation I went to the Bible study more out of spite and to show him that I was not intimidated by his invitation. As I entered the cafeteria there were a bunch of Christians praying. I was embarrassed by their open declaration of faith. When they were through praying I sat down and they read the following text:

Acts 16:16-18

And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: ¹⁷ The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

¹⁸ And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

Suddenly, I felt naked in that room, I wanted to hide and my heart felt like something had pierced it. I felt like God's finger literally was pointing at me and saying, "This scripture is about you!" I found a way to excuse myself and felt injured like something was still ripping away at my mind. I couldn't shake it and for the next few weeks, I battled with the reality that I had a demon that needed to be cast out.  I was possessed with the spirit of divination and witchcraft. I decided to take matters into my own hands and tell it to leave me and enter a doll I had. No success. I grew more suicidal and desperate.

In my desperation, I heard a still small voice tell me that I had no right to take the life God had given me. I felt led to open the Yellow pages and look for a church called Calvary Church. I had visited this church with my uncle one time in San Pedro and the presence of God was so thick that it made me weep the whole time I was there. All I knew was that I wanted to experience that again. I found a church a few miles from my house and decided to walk there. It was miles away but I was determined.

It wasn't long before I was befriended by the youth and one of them told me I needed to be born again. I couldn't grasp the concept. Then he told me that the devil would do anything to keep me from God and church. Sure enough, I started experience persecution at home and the battle was being waged to keep me from my deliverance. I felt the strength to press on so I kept on going to church though my family was opposed. While meditating on what I needed to do to get free, I felt like God opened up my understanding to this truth, "When I come in, everyone else has to leave!" I knew what I had to do to get delivered from the demons in my life. I had to invite Jesus into my very being and everyone else would have to go! At least that's what I thought.

Excited, about Jesus setting me free, I asked the youth pastor if could get saved. Shocked by this because the youth group was rather lukewarm he had me kneel down and he had me pray the sinner's prayer. To make sure it came from my heart, I prayed again this time making sure it was my words, not his. Immediately, after I prayed I felt a weight leave me, my mind became clear and I knew my captivity was over. I will never forget that day with Pastor Dewey it was on a Wednesday night February 2, 1982. I must have walked on clouds for weeks after that.

I had simply had shifted from darkness to light and now the voice of my shepherd was loud and clear. I became so conscious of His presence and one morning I heard him calling my name. Thinking it was my parents I asked them what they wanted. They could not hear me but I could hear the voice again. Finally, I sat up realizing that it wasn't my parents who were calling me. The voice began saying, "I am the Alpha and Omega; the beginning and the end. The bread of life. Feed my sheep." I knew that God had called me to a greater purpose. It was years before I was ready to answer that calling.

I wish I could say that this was the end of the story but it isn't. Shortly after I gave my life to Jesus I got into sexual immorality and I got infested with demons again.  Even though I spent years in the church I could not get free from this generational iniquity. No matter how much I prayed, read my Bible, and attended church those demons started to cause me problems. I honestly thought I was born again but I never died. I never repented. I only accepted Jesus or incorporated him into my life. I never got out from behind the steering wheel. When I opened this door of sexual immorality, I also opened the door to a Jezebel and Ahab spirit. I continued for years struggling in my relationships and in my walk with God. I thought I could never be free until I finally had those demons cast out of me! If you are reading this today and find yourself trapped and captive in the enemy's camp. I have great news for you. You can be free from your captivity. The truth is when Jesus died for all of us he defeated every dark and evil force in the universe. His blood was shed on the cross to forgive us of all sin and destroy every claim the devil has over us. All you need to do is repent and get baptized then you can receive your deliverance. Surrender to God, ask Him to forgive you, forgive all those who have hurt you, and He will set you free. What you say isn't as important as placing your trust in what He has already done for you.

If you have never been baptized into repentance please visit our website:  californiadeliverancecenter.com/
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Jaziz Gutierrez

Stewardship Series: The Discipline of Saying No

There is no greater discipline than the discipline of saying no. If you are a parent than saying no to your child has been a long and arduous task as your child can wear you down with their constant pleading. One day your child will move out and not have anyone to say no to them. They will have to become their own parent and judge what they should and shouldn't do. Unfortunately, we live in a self-indulgent society and we are constantly bombarded with ads that wear us down with their constant pleading until we give in to their sales pitch. Just think about it. There you are on a diet and they keep featuring mouth watering burgers eaten by skinny, sexy models. Realistically, we all know you will not look like that if you eat at these burger places but the companies don't care about the truth they just want to make money even if that means that you will die from their unhealthy food. 

When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
Consider carefully what is before you;
2 And put a knife to your throat
If you are a man given to appetite.
3 Do not desire his delicacies,
For they are deceptive food. Proverbs 23:1-3

Take some time to observe the commercials run during Saturday morning cartoons. The children are bombarded by ads on the latest toys, junk cereals, fast food and fun places they can go. They are being trained from toddlers how to be consumers and saying yes to everything they watch on TV. As we grow up things don't change the items just become more expensive. Take some time to think about the commercials we watch. The message the companies are giving us are all the same. You will be sexier, have more friends, look cooler, be admired by all if you buy all the latest cars, boats, jewelry, perfumes, clothes, beer, and go to the most exotic vacations around the world. They will even offer you the money up front with interest so you can be that wonderful person now. You only need to say yes to their credit cards. 

Here is the problem. Some people have not learned the discipline of saying no. Therefore, they buy things they can't afford, eat things that make them sick, do things that they shouldn't do and waste time they could be using to be productive.  For instance we buy things we can't afford and get into debt because we don't want to wait to save money. We get credit cards because we don't want to wait to save up for things we can't afford now. This lack of discipline causes people to be poor. You may have many luxury items at home but be in so much debt that your large income goes to paying debt every month. Having these items doesn't make you rich. A lot of rich people are just as poor because they are borrowers just like everybody else. Our government is in a huge crisis because they too have become servants to their debts and lenders. They have even stolen from us to pay their debts. If they could only say no. 

The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender. (Proverbs 22:7)

When it comes to eating we are all guilty of not saying no. We get hungry we eat without a single thought of long term health problems. We go to the nearest fast food restaurant and because we have no discipline to cook at home we stuff our bodies with saturated fats, empty calories, nutrient deficient food that causes to gain weight. In this country we indulge at buffets that have enough calories to support a small village in Africa. The holidays become an occasion to gorge ourselves despite our poor stomach begging us to stop. People smoke, drink, do drugs, and all other kinds of things to their bodies because they can't say no. Whether it be peer pressure, addiction, family traditions, or cultural norm we go along with the crowd not thinking about the outcome. At the end we will be the ones who sit in the hospital bed alone with tubes hanging out of us wondering where all those wonderful friends are and how we let ourselves be fooled into thinking this was a good idea. 

Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise. (Proverbs 20:1)

Those ad pushers don't stop at tempting us to eat, drink, party, and borrow money so we can have more toys. They also push sex. Sex sells. That's why they use it to sell things that have nothing to do with sex like a hamburger. We are so gullible. There is a problem though, sex outside a godly relationship and covenant makes a huge mess. Just ask the guys who are now in jail for not paying child support or who have lost their license or are in so much debt that they will never pay it off until they die. Let's talk to the kids without dads and the single moms without anyone to help them. Once again people succumb to temporary pleasure instead of doing things the right way. Hey ladies how do you like being cheated out of a nice wedding? How about you guys? Do you like having to marry a girl you really don't love because she got pregnant? Do you like to have your child raised by someone else?
For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord,
And He ponders all his paths.
22 His own iniquities entrap the wicked man,
And he is caught in the cords of his sin.
23 He shall die for lack of instruction,
And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray. (Proverbs 5:21-23).

What if everyone waited until they could afford things, found out more about the person they were dating and counted their calories. I bet we would be less miserable. What if we stood up to the ad pushers became parents to ourselves and said no. What if we thought about the long term effects of our eating habits, spending habits and relationships? What rewards could we reap from being disciplined to say no. Can you imagine being in good health, prosperous and happily married? If you learn to wait, not settle for less and make good decisions, you can have all that... Just say no. 

How much better to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;
He who keeps his way preserves his soul. (Proverbs 16:16-17).

If you find this article helpful or would like to leave a comment or visit our website:
Jaziz Gutierrez
http://www.loverevivalrevolution.com

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Stewardship Series: Words of Life or Death?

In the following series we will be dealing with some very destructive mindsets that have crept into the church which have caused some unwanted effects on many Christians. These mindsets have caused anything from continued failed relationships, harmful habits, poverty, compromise and unsuccessful attempts at breaking addictions. It has also kept many Christians from reaching their personal goals and obtaining the prophetic promises of God. Much of this has to do with the idea that all the work has already been done on God's side. While the work of the grace has freed us from the power of sin, death and the grave. However, it has not taken care of our responsibility to work on our character, integrity, motives and attitudes. From the beginning God's intention was to hand mankind dominion and authority over the earth. He gave us all a free will. He gave Adam and Eve the power to name the animals and decide whether they would obey Him. Everyday we become either victims or victors depending on the decisions we make. In this particular blog we will deal with the power of our words. We need to remember that we were made after the likeness of God. He created everything with His words and the bible teaches us that: 

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

Some of us have been eating the fruit of the words that others have spoken over us. Some of you reading this today are slowly dying from the words of death caused by criticism, slander, malice, backbiting, gossip and negativity. Despite of what people say; words will hurt you but we should never allow those words to define us. Sadly, some of these words have come from those who claim to know and live for Christ. Their words betray them. Jude declares a warning to those who have gone in the way of Cain:

Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. (Jude 1:11).

Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure. (Proverbs 101:5).

What was the way of Cain? Cain murdered his brother because he felt slighted by God. He became offended at the thought that God might have been favoring his brother Abel. Instead of correcting the things in his own life so that he too could please God he came against his brother out of jealousy. Some of you might immediately dismiss the idea of this applying to you because you would never think of murdering anyone. Yet Jesus taught that we can murder people in our hearts through judgment, words and hatred. 

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:21-24).

The Apostle of Love also admonishes us not to be like Cain.

For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous. (1 John 3:11-13)

I can't count the many times I have personally witnessed leaders slander people in their fellowship. They think that because they do it behind closed doors that God cannot see. Before long it becomes a toxic waste dump and the Holy Spirit is no where to be found. Believe me when I tell you that I have personally witnessed the destruction of many churches over words. God can not be part of this behavior. The bible calls this spiritual cannibalism. 

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! (Galatians 5:14-15)

What's worse is the gossip and libel that hurts many ministries. Just because it's on the internet does not mean it is true. There are tons of claims online from offended Christians. Some are true but most of the time no one bothered to go to the offender to get things right or pray for them. Pride is a huge reason for these types of behavior. I am better than you because you have hang ups. Yet we fail to see our own short comings. The next quote is true.

'We tend to judge others by their behaviour, and ourselves by our intentions'
Albert F Schlieder?

What we don't understand is that there is nothing that grieves God's Spirit more than the hurtful words that come out our mouths. When we start accusing others in suspicion we have taken up Satan's job. We walk in darkness. God has made us stewards over our words because we are the ones that have control over our tongues. We need to hand over our tongues to God so that by grace he can help us bridle them. The bible tell us to not allow anything out of our mouth that does not impart grace to the hearers. What does that mean? It means that when we speak we are allowing God's mercy and love to encourage others to come up higher in Christ. I have heard many preachers cut people down so low that they feel like worthless worms unable to live their lives for Christ. That's not grace it's judgment. 

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:29-32).

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. (James 3:1-2).

If you have read this today and realize that you have offended others with your words and hurt people in the name of the law. Please take the time to pray with me and ask God to forgive us for our carelessly wielding our tongue: 

Father, I ask you to forgive me for not imparting your grace to others and for not bridling my tongue. Forgive us for the slander, gossip, malice and libel in your church. Help us God not to walk in darkness by being suspicious and hurling accusations at others. Help me speak life over others and not death. I ask you to have your Holy Spirit shed his love upon my heart so that I can stop being so judgmental and critical of others. Put a guard over my mouth that I may not grieve your Spirit. Thank you God. Amen.

If you find this article helpful or would like to leave a comment or visit our website:
Jaziz Gutierrez
http://www.loverevivalrevolution.com
Facebook: School Of Impartation and Living