Understanding the Ways and Thoughts of God: How God Uses the Enemy to Help You Enter Your Promised Land (2)
One reason humankind
marvel at God’s creation is because the ways and thoughts of God are
mysterious. Creation speaks of God's wonder to humankind, but man cannot
discern her voice and language.
Like a computer programmer, he understands programs such as HTML, python, java scripts, PHP, react native, android studio, and other computer software’s used in creating websites and applications. Those software’s and coding may look strange to you because you don't understand them, but to the computer programmer, he understands.
That's how creation
works. In the beginning, Adam and Eve could speak to the animals because Adam
named them. When Adam disobeyed God, his communication with the animals,
plants, and other creations broke off.
Animals have some sound
and body language. Until you enter their realm, you might think they are
irrelevant. God reveals Himself through dreams, visions, trance, angels, fellow
humans, and many ways, but men ignore them.
You can download and
read my free book, How to hear the voice
of the Holy Spirit, for more profound revelation. If you can tap into the
frequency of God, the world will become a global village to you.
Some people doubt the
reality of the spiritual world because of the advancement in technology and
science. Child of God, the spiritual world exists. Believe it with all your
heart because the tangible things we see in this world came from the invisible realm.
God spoke the Word, and the Word created its content.
Through faith we
understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which
are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Hebrews
11:3 KJV
The trees, sun, moon,
galaxies, and planets came from the invisible world as God spoke them into
being. When you slept, you saw yourself in another place. That world is a
symbol of the spiritual realm. God reveals His plans and the enemy’s plans to
you so you can take action.
For God speaketh once,
yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
In a dream, in a vision
of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
Then he openeth the
ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
That he may withdraw
man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
He keepeth back his
soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
He is chastened also
with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
So that his life
abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
His flesh is consumed
away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
Yea, his soul draweth
near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
If there be a messenger
with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his
uprightness:
Then he is gracious
unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a
ransom.
His flesh shall be
fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth:
He shall pray unto God,
and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will
render unto man his righteousness.
He looketh upon men,
and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited
me not;
He will deliver his
soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
Lo, all these things
worketh God oftentimes with man
To bring back his soul
from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
Job
33:14-30 KJV
I have had several
dreams similar to the ones the Holy Scriptures prescribed. Most often, the spirit of death projects a death
trap to stop us from pursuing the call of God. Anytime the Lord reveals such
dreams to me, I fast and pray to break the enemy's snares.
Child of God, the
spiritual world is real. Don’t allow some people to use strange theories to
deceive you into thinking that the spiritual world is an illusion. The
spiritual world is real! Angels and demons are real!
By God's grace, the
Lord has opened my spiritual eyes to see most of the spiritual forces in
dreams, visions, and trance. I have physically seen and felt the presence of the
Holy Spirit, angels, and evil spirits.
Most often, the Holy
Spirit and holy angels reveal themselves when I am ministering the gospel.
Other times, they manifest when I am fasting and praying with my gospel song
tune on. You can read my article, discerning spiritual forces for some revelations.
Before I dive into
today’s article, I will share with you the top five reasons people hate you as
a Christian believer. Knowing these truths will help you become stable when
encountering hatred in the church, home, workplace, and social gatherings.
The Top Five Reasons Why People Hate You
1. Because
Christ Jesus prophesied it.
…they deliver you up to
be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my
name's sake.
And then shall many be
offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Matthew
24:9-10
Christ Jesus declared
to His disciples (including you as a Christian believer) that people will hate
us when the world is ending. It doesn’t end there; Christ Jesus declared that the
hatred would spread within the church.
2.
Because of the wickedness of humankind.
And this is the
condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather
than light, because their deeds were evil.
For every one that
doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should
be reproved.
John
3:19-20 KJV
People will hate us
(Christian believers) because they live in darkness. The wickedness and
corruption of the unbelievers will trigger them to hate us because we live in
the light. People who swim in the pool of sin will hate us because their
conscience will condemn them when we (Christian believers) mingle with them.
Child of God, don't be
surprised when people hate you in the church, workplace, home, and at social
gatherings because most of them are in darkness. Most of them are ignorant of
their actions.
They will hate, reject,
and attack you because they are in darkness. The darkness has blinded their
conscience. Some sinners don’t know the consequences of their actions. If they
knew the light (Christ Jesus), they would never hate, reject and attack you.
Sinners and satanic
agents come to the church daily, so do not be surprised when “Christians” hate
you. Pray for their deliverance because, without Christ Jesus and the Holy
Spirit, they are lost. Meditate on these Holy Scriptures for more profound
revelations.
…if our gospel be hid,
it is hid to them that are lost:
In whom the god of this
world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the
glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2
Corinthians 4:3-4 KJV
…the natural man
receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto
him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1
Corinthians 2:14 KJV
3.
Because they hated Christ Jesus.
…ye shall be hated of
all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Matthew
10:22 KJV
And ye shall be hated
of all men for my name's sake.
Luke
21:17 KJV
Christ Jesus declared
that the world (unbelievers) and professed "Christians" would hate us
(Christian believers) because they hated Him. The reason people hate you is
that they hated our Saviour and Lord Christ Jesus.
We are not greater than
Christ Jesus. If the world hated Him, they would also hate us. You may be
innocent, peaceful, and good, but as long as you follow Christ Jesus with all
your heart, people will hate you (Meditate on 2 Timothy 3:12).
Endure the hatred and
rejection because it is one cross you must carry as a Christian soldier.
Meditate on these Holy Scriptures for more profound revelations.
The world cannot hate
you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are
evil.
John
7:7 KJV
If the world hate you,
ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
John
15:18
4.
Because this world is not our permanent home.
If ye were of the
world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I
have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
John 15:19 KJV
One reason the world
hates us (Christian believers) is that this world is our temporal home. Christ
Jesus has sent us here to accomplish a task. Christ Jesus said if we were of
this world, the world would love us.
Have you realized that
when you enter a strange place, they treat you differently? Most Africans
suffer from racism in America and other continents because of their color,
tribe, and other factors.
It is rare to find people of the same tribe mistreating each other. Hatred, rejection, and racism abound when strangers enter foreign environments. Child of God, the world (unbelievers) will hate you because your permanent home is the new earth (heaven). Accept the truth and move on in life because the world will not accept you until you engage in their evil acts.
5.
Because Apostle Paul prophesied it.
This know also, that in
the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers
of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to
parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection,
trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are
good,
2
Timothy 3:1-2 KJV
Child of God, expect
these people in your jurisdiction because we are in the last days. As Paul
wrote, people will despise and hate us because we do things that please God. I
believe these few reasons will build your faith despite the storms.
For more profound
revelations, you can read my series of articles.
1.
The Adventures on the road to the Celestial City
2.
How to Stand the Storms of Life
Coming back to the
article's main theme, I will share with you how Satan used Judas Iscariot and
others to fulfill the plans of God in the life of our Saviour and Lord Christ Jesus.
Numerous lessons rest within this article, so read it with the consciousness of
the Holy Spirit.
Judas Iscariot thought
he could earn some money by betraying Christ Jesus, not knowing he was paving
the way for Christ Jesus to complete the task of God.
Then one of the twelve,
called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
And said unto them,
What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with
him for thirty pieces of silver.
Matthew
26:14-25 KJV
One thing you must
realize about life is that the devil uses people closer to you to distract you
from fulfilling the plans of God for your life. Judas Iscariot was a close
disciple of Christ Jesus. He knew some secrets of Christ Jesus, so Satan and the
chief priests worked through him.
The chief priests knew
the power of money, so they used it to deceive Judas Iscariot. Although Satan
was part of this plan, Judas Iscariot could reject the devil's influence and
money of the chief priests, but he gave in and accepted the devil's thoughts and
the money because of greediness.
Jesus said a man's
enemy should be those of his household (See Matthew 10:36). The enemy knows
your family is the best channel, so he will use them to trap you. Like Samson,
the philistines used Delilah to trap him.
Like Solomon, the enemy
used his wives. Like Adam, the devil used Eve. One reason the enemy uses your
family members, friends, workmates, and those in your circles to attack you is
that the enemy knows they are the best vessels to trap you.
The fact that some
people call themselves "church leaders" and "Christians" does not mean
you should put all your trust in them. The chief priests intentionally bribed
Judas Iscariot to betray Christ Jesus, yet they knew it was evil. When Judas
Iscariot received the money, he sought ways to trap Christ Jesus.
…from that time he
sought opportunity to betray him.
Matthew
26:16 KJV
Child of God, the enemy
knows which key to press to make you react. Judas Iscariot knew the meeting
place of Christ Jesus and the disciples, so he came with a band of Soldiers in
the night to arrest Christ Jesus.
And while he yet spake,
lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords
and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
Now he that betrayed
him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold
him fast.
And forthwith he came
to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
And Jesus said unto
him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus
and took him.
And, behold, one of
them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and
struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote of his ear.
Then said Jesus unto
him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword
shall perish with the sword.
Thinkest thou that I
cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve
legions of angels?
But how then shall the
scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Matthew
26:47-54 KJV
Child of God, the night is the season of attack. It
is at this hour that you become vulnerable to the wickedness of the enemy.
Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus with a kiss! You must realize in life that it is
not all smiles that indicate love.
...all this was done,
that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook
him, and fled.
Matthew
26:56 KJV
Judas Iscariot was
fulfilling the prophecies of the prophets. Child of God, do not be confused
when enemies torment you in life because it might be in the records of God that
they must betray and oppose you.
All the disciples of
Christ Jesus forsook Him at the danger zone. Sometimes, the people you trust
most will leave you when the enemy gets hold of you. When your loved ones
abandon you in some seasons, do not fight them because their strength is
limited. They cannot help you fight the real enemy.
You need God’s help in
that season. Learn to put all your trust in God because He cannot lie (Meditate
on Numbers 23:19). Some friends may try to play the role of God. Child of God,
don’t depend on the strength of men because they are limited. Peter did some
incredible things, and I want you to read it carefully.
And they that had laid
hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and
the elders were assembled.
But Peter followed him
afar of unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants,
to see the end.
Matthew
26:27-58 KJV
Now Peter sat without
in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of
Galilee.
But he denied before
them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
And when he was gone
out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there,
This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
And again he denied
with an oath, I do not know the man.
And after a while came
unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of
them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
Then began he to curse
and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
And Peter remembered
the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny
me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
Matthew
26:69-75 KJV
Peter denied Christ
Jesus with an oath because he didn’t want to identify himself with His Master
in His vulnerable state. Peter cursed and swore that he has never met Christ
Jesus when some people found that he was His disciple.
Child of God, you must understand
in life that not even your parent, wife, husband, children, and closest friends
will stand for you when you enter the arena of no return. People may promise
that they will never leave nor forsake you.
Putting all your trust
in humans is dangerous (Meditate on Jeremiah 17:5-6). Build some trust limits
in humankind regarding life and death issues because they will forsake you
unexpectedly.
Let no man become the
mediator between you and Christ Jesus. You need the Holy Spirit to fill the
empty gap. The lesson continues.
When the morning was
come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus
to put him to death:
And when they had bound
him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
Then Judas, which had
betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought
again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
Saying, I have sinned
in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us?
see thou to that.
And he cast down the
pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
And the chief priests
took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury,
because it is the price of blood.
And they took counsel,
and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
Wherefore that field
was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
Then was fulfilled that
which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces
of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of
Israel did value;
And gave them for the
potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.
Matthew
27:1-10 KJV
When Judas Iscariot recognized
his evil deeds, he returned the money to the chief priest. Child of God, the
real enemy is the devil and his cohorts. Judas Iscariot was just an instrument
of Satan and the chief priests.
If Judas Iscariot was
the ultimate enemy of Christ Jesus, why then did he return the money and hanged himself (suicide). The enemies of Christ Jesus were fulfilling the
prophecies recorded in Zechariah 11:12-13, Psalms 22:18, and Jeremiah 18:1-4;
19:1-3. Whatever you are going through in life is not a mistake. God knows the
end from the beginning.
Now at that feast the
governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
And they had then a
notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
Therefore when they
were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto
you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
For he knew that for
envy they had delivered him.
When he was set down on
the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with
that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of
him.
But the chief priests
and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy
Jesus.
Matthew
27:15-20 KJV
Child of God, you must
realize that behind every deed, there is an action. Pilate knew the chief
priests hated Christ Jesus because of envy. Jealousy is one of the invisible
seeds the enemy uses to break the purpose and peace of people.
You can read my book, The Mysteries of Jealousy, and a series of articles for more profound revelations. The chief priests persuaded the
multitude that they should demand Barabbas’s freedom.
The people thought they
rejected the sinner, not knowing they rejected their deliverer (Christ Jesus). Enemies
may think they are harming you, not knowing they are hurting themselves.
Barabbas, the murderer,
would probably continue his wickedness because he had not repented when Pilate
bailed him. The decisions of your enemies are their detriment. At the initial
stage, they may appear to be victorious. Endure the pain, and you will receive
the victor’s crown.
And they that passed by
reviled him, wagging their heads,
And saying, Thou that
destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be
the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Likewise also the chief
priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
He saved others;
himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from
the cross, and we will believe him.
He trusted in God; let
him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
The thieves also, which
were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
Matthew
27:39-44 KJV
Like the unbelievers,
they mocked Christ Jesus and demanded He proved Himself as the Son of God. In
your vulnerable season, your enemies will trap you to prove yourself. Some may
be ignorant of their actions, while others will intentionally tempt you to
prove to them that you are innocent.
Don’t fall prey to
their deceptive schemes because they will never trust you when you prove to
them. Secondly, you cannot convince an enemy that has sworn to destroy you.
Your evidence is nothing to them!
The enemy wants you to
forfeit the plans of God. The nearer you are to the victor’s ground, the
greater the temptation. The enemy attacks most when he sees that you have some
few steps to enter your promised land. Don’t prove yourself to the enemy; prove
yourself to God because He knows you.
Now from the sixth hour
there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
And about the ninth
hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is
to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Some of them that stood
there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.
And straightway one of
them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed,
and gave him to drink.
The rest said, Let be,
let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
Jesus, when he had
cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
And, behold, the veil
of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did
quake, and the rocks rent;
And the graves were
opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
And came out of the
graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto
many.
Now when the centurion,
and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those
things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of
God.
Matthew
27:45-54 KJV
Darkness dominated the
earth for three hours from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm when Christ Jesus hanged on the
cross. In that season, Christ Jesus cried out to the Heavenly Father. Christ
Jesus was left alone because He carried the sin of the world at that moment.
The Holy Spirit and the
Heavenly Father temporarily rejected our Saviour and Lord Christ Jesus because
a load of sin was upon Him. Child of God, a season may feature in your life
where you will feel that everyone (including God) has forsaken you.
Enduring the pain will
bring salvation to the ignorant enemies. Like Christ Jesus, His death brought
life to the dead. Some centurions trembled and believed in God because of
Christ Jesus’ death.
The veil that covered
the Holy of holies chambers rent into two, signaling salvation to the world. Anyone
could access the throne room of God because of Christ Jesus' death. Child of
God, the works of the enemy in your life will bring salvation to the lost souls in the
workplace, home, church, and jurisdiction.
God has programmed the
deliverance of some people in your trial. Some people will observe your trial
and believe in the power of God. Do not give up on the faith because the
silence of God and rejection of the people does not mean God has abandoned you.
Like an egg, it must
pass through hot water before it gets cooked. Until the egg passes through hot
oil, it cannot fry. Like a seed, until it dies in the fertile soil, it cannot
germinate. Until the uncooked rice passes through the electric rice cooker for
some minutes, we cannot consume it. That is how God prepares His children
(Meditate on John 12:24).
In the end of the
sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary
Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
And, behold, there was
a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came
and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
His countenance was
like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
And for fear of him the
keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
Matthew
28:1-4 KJV
On the third day,
Christ Jesus rose from the dead. God sent an angel to roll back the stone that
covered the tomb. Child of God, God intervenes where human strength fails. When
God intervenes, your enemies become helpless.
Your strongest enemies
will become weak like a newborn baby when God stands by your side. God will use
His angel to eliminate the stone (accusation, shame, and pain) in your life if
you endure to the end. Finally, Christ Jesus met His disciples after His
resurrection.
And Jesus came and
spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Matthew
28:18 KJV
Christ Jesus declared
that all power had been given unto Him in heaven and earth because He completed
the task. Christ Jesus’ suffering activated divine power. Child of God, can I
present to you that God has preserved some anointing, blessings, leadership,
and authority to you.
Your duty is to pass
the test. God will never test you with evil (See James 1:13). Gather some
courage from the Holy Spirit and the Word (Holy Scriptures) because your enemies are your helpers. Without
them, you cannot accomplish the task. Meditate on these Holy Scriptures for
more profound revelations.
…we speak the wisdom of
God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world
unto our glory:
Which none of the
princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have
crucified the Lord of glory.
1
Corinthians 2:7-8 KJV
To be continued…
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