Category Archives: spiritual warfare

September 8, 2018 · 7:59 am

The Apostles: Men Condemned to Death (Part 2)

praying

What are the Biblical requirements for being a prophet? Or an evangelist? Or a pastor? Or a teacher?

Actually, outside of being called by the Lord, there are no biblical mandates which have to be met for a believer to become any of these callings. None. Zilch. Nada. Zero.

Now, this does not mean that these callings are imparted without some degree of preparation, but that is strictly the Lord’s decision on what the preparation program will be. He’s the Boss and doesn’t confer with men or groups about His preparation plans.

For instance, when the Lord called me to preach, I didn’t rush off to confer with a pastor or  a group. But rather, I just walked in my calling and used the gifts which came with the calling.

And of course, I made mistakes – lots of them. But my mistakes did not negate the calling on my life. So, I repented often, learned about my calling, and kept on walking in it.

Then, when the Lord called me to be a teacher, I followed the same course. I walked in my calling and began teaching. Period.

Okay, all of that is fine and dandy for the callings of prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher, but what about apostles?

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? (1 Corinthians 9: 1)

The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles. (2 Corinthians 12:12)

If you check Christian internet websites, you will notice a glut of people who claim to be apostles. It’s almost as if the calling is as common as pennies. They’re all over the place. So, do we just take a person’s word that he (or she) is an apostle and then submit to him? Take a look at what Jesus said:

I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false. (Revelations 2:2)

Someone’s supposed apostolic title is not enough to prove the validity of his or her calling. The true apostle must also have had a visitation with Jesus and he (or she) must have signs, wonders, and miracles which glorify the Lord.

Anything less than these biblical mandates causes the supposed apostle to fail the test.

And guess what? We believers are the ones who must check the apostles out.

(Continued in Part 3…but if you want to read all of the parts to date, you can go here.)

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September 7, 2018 · 5:37 am

The Apostles: Men Condemned to Death (Part 1)

Praying

 

“He’s dead! He’s dead!” exclaimed the courier from Rome as he walked toward us.

I stopped working and stood up. The other tent makers did the same. “Who’s dead?” I asked.

“Paul’s dead,” said the courier, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “He was beheaded in Rome about a month ago.”

Even though I knew the Apostle Paul’s ministry would eventually have a sad ending, the news stunned me. O Lord, why? I thought.

I turned away from the group, not wanting to talk about the apostle at that moment. It was just too painful. I walked down to the Aegean Sea and sat on a rock, hoping to sort out my emotions and thoughts. There, I looked back over my years with Paul.

The first time that I met Paul, I was not impressed. His stature was puny, only 4 feet 6 inches tall and 120 pounds in weight, and his public speaking skills were  limited when compared to Apollos and the other orators. Yes, he was brilliant and could write, but these were facts that I learned later and did not figure into my first impressions of him.

Yet, there was something about Paul which drew me to him. Maybe, it was his fiery passion for the gospel or his fierce boldness or his love for the church. I can’t put my finger on it, but anyway, I joined up with Paul and traveled along with him as his aide.

On our first journey to Rome, we ended up swimming in the Mediterranean Sea. Somehow, the Roman soldiers did not execute us and we were able to swim ashore to Malta. We eventually arrived in Rome.

Next, I spent two years, waiting for Paul while he was under arrest. When we finally resumed traveling again, everything became a blur of afflictions, hardships, distresses, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, sleeplessness, and hunger.

Then, the fire in Rome changed everything for us Christians, from bad to worse. Believers were blamed for the fire and Paul became a marked man. Nero sent soldiers to hunt him down in Asia.

The stress wore me down. I couldn’t take it any longer.

“Paul, I didn’t join your ministry to be killed by Roman soldiers,” I said on the day of my departure. “I’m going to Thessalonica, start a business, maybe marry a young woman, and start a family. I haven’t really enjoyed life yet.”

Paul was disappointed, but what could he do? I fled on a boat.

It had been almost two years since I last saw Paul and now he was dead. My mind wandered here and there as the blue waves splashed against the rock I sat on.

Did I make the right decision when I left the Apostle Paul? I wondered.  And how will I be remembered by future Christians?

For Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica…(2 Timothy 4: 9)

Demas’ decision has earned him a shameful legacy in the Bible for all to read. But still, before we are too hard on Demas, we should consider how we might have dealt with an apostle like Paul.

(Continued in Part 2)

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September 6, 2018 · 1:17 pm

Prayers for America (9/6/2018)

Many believers are praying for America to return to its past glory, but I believe those days are gone. We need to learn how to walk in our now and then into our future. Both are uncharted territories, in which we will need our Good Shepherd to lead us each and every day.

My prayer today:

Lord, help American believers to forget about those things which are behind us, and instead to reach forward to those things which are ahead. So we can press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Based on Philippians 3:13-14)

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you today?

Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.

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September 5, 2018 · 10:14 am

What’re Your Plans for 300 Years from Now? (Part 6)

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In the Book of Revelation Chapters 2 and 3, Jesus gives seven promises to believers who overcome, with the greatest promise being:

To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. (Revelation 3:21)

Nancy and Chuck Missler wrote about being overcomers in their powerful book – Kingdom, Power & Glory: The Overcomer’s Handbook —

Okay, so why is learning about being a faithful overcomer so important? Why make such a big deal about it?

It’s important because the Bible teaches us that overcomers are the only ones who will inherit the Millennial Kingdom and possibly rule and reign with Christ. Revelation 21:7: “He that overcometh shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be My Son.” Overcomers are the ones who will have various levels of responsibility in the coming kingdom.

What we are saying is that all Christians will enter the Millennial Kingdom, be “with” Christ” and have eternal life (John 14:3; John 3:16). But only the faithful overcomers – the ones who have fulfilled the conditions set down by God in His Word – will inherit and possibly rule in that kingdom.

Some of these conditions are found in Romans 8:17 and 2 Timothy 2:12, which say, if we don’t suffer with Him, we will jeopardize our being able to reign with Him. Matthew 24:45-47 says the if we are not faithful, we could endanger our being made “rulers” over His household. And finally, James 2:5 warns that if we don’t love (agapao) Him, we could forfeit our being heirs of His kingdom. In addition to these scriptures, Ephesians 5:1-5 gives us a list of other things that if we do, we will not inherit.

So, scripturally, there’s a huge difference between simply entering the Millennial Kingdom and being a “subject” there (which all believers will do) and actually inheriting that kingdom and being a “sovereign” there (which only the faithful overcomers will do). All born-again believers will enter, but only the triumphant overcoming Christians will rule and reign. The deciding factor is how we live our lives here and now.

CHARLES STANLEY (Baptist pastor, radio preacher, and author of forty-five books) in his book Eternal Security wrote: “Does our behavior matter once we are assured of our salvation? You bet it does. Are there any eternal consequences when a believer sins? Absolutely. Will eternity be the same for those who follow Christ faithfully and those who live for themselves? Not a chance. Our God is a God of justice as well as a God of grace. His offer of grace is continually extended to even the most vile sinner. But His justice moves Him to keep a careful record of those who remain faithful and those who do not. His grace moved Him to sacrifice His only Son to provide a way for our salvation. But His justice causes him to take special note o those believers who are willing to sacrifice for His Son.

(Excerpt from Chapter 1 of Kingdom, Power & Glory.

What we do 300 years from now depends on our decisions now.

(Continued in Part 7…but if you want to read all of the parts to date, you can go here.)

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September 4, 2018 · 6:13 am

Prayers for the Church (9/4/2018)

Christ Church Stellarton

The Church should be good at discerning the times and seasons of God but it is not. It usually fails to recognize moves of the Holy Spirit until years after the Spirit has moved upon a group(s). The reason for this is that the Church’s spiritual eyes are blinded by its structure, hierarchy, and programs.

This happened with Azusa Street, the Jesus Movement, Toronto Blessing, Brownsville Revival, and countless other major moves of the Spirit throughout history.

Will it happen again?

For the last fifteen years or so, many American churches have watched committed believers walk out their doors and not look back. These churches have assumed most of the believers were back-slidden or a part of the “great falling away.”

But these churches are wrong in their assumptions because it has been the Lord who has led them out of their churches. He is preparing them for a new move of His Spirit, outside of the traditional church walls, and not under its repressive leadership.

You see, the Lord wants to take His place as the head of the Church and its Teacher.

What many American churches have seen so far as a trickle of departing believers will soon see it turn into a roaring gusher as the Lord empties the pews of believers who are called to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. These callings are not being trained or readied in these churches and the Lord needs them to be prepared for His end-time plans.

My prayer today:

Lord, I pray that You will build Your church so that the gates of Hell will not prevail against it and that You will proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. (Based on Matthew 16:18 and Isaiah 61:1)

Join me on Tuesdays to fast and pray for the American church.

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July 19, 2018 · 8:40 am

Prayers for America (7/19/2018)

 

Jesus said that in the last days, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.”

It’s easy for us to look at His words and only think of China or Russia or another nation fighting America, but there is also another meaning. The Greek word ethnos is translated into our English word nation in most translations, but ethnos also means people groups.

People groups could be blacks and whites, Democrats and Republicans, NRA members and anti-gun groups, LGBTs and straights, Christians and Muslims, and more. The possibilities are endless.

My prayer today:

Lord, raise up peacemakers in America who love You and also will love their neighbors, even though they may disagree with them on certain issues.

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you today?

Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.

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July 16, 2018 · 3:39 pm

What’re Your Plans for 300 Years from Now? (Part 5)

larry-243.jpg

 

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26)

From the beginning, God’s plan was that Adam, and all of mankind after him, would rule and reign on earth. But Adam threw a wrench into God’s plans by sinning and handing over his position of earthly rulership to Satan.

Because of Adam’s sin, all of creation was placed in bondage, subjected to God’s curse. Creation’s only hope was that the sons of God would come forth and take their positions as rulers once again.

Then, in the fullness of time, God sent His Son to redeem mankind at the cross. So, after the Son of God’s death, resurrection, and ascension, there are now sons of God on the earth once again.

But something is missing. What is it?

For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. (Hebrews 2:5)

At creation, God placed mankind under an angelic form of government. His angels were supposed to serve and minister to mankind, but because of Adam’s sin, Satan and his demonic angels became our adversaries. Now, Satan and his demonic horde sit in the governmental positions created by God as principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of this age, and spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places ruling over mankind.

Even though the church has authority to make known the wisdom of God to the demonic governing powers in the heavenly places, we haven’t really walked in that authority as yet. Hopefully, we will soon do that.

But even so, Satan’s angelic government will not be overthrown until after the great tribulation and Jesus returns to earth.

Here’s an important fact to remember: God never rescinded His words about mankind having dominion on earth. Thus, it’s still His plan for us, not under an angelic government, but under the Son of Man – Jesus Christ our Lord and King.

What must we do to prepare ourselves to rule and reign with Christ?

(Continued in Part 6…but if you want to read all of the parts to date, you can go here.)

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July 15, 2018 · 7:49 am

Prayers for our Children (Conclusion)

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Grace, Grace, Grace

Maybe some of you will read this book, follow its advice, pray a few prayers, and see instant miracles in your children’s lives. If so, praise the Lord. And if you write me, I will praise the Lord with you, but I may even drive to your home and shake your hand. You see, I prayed for over fifteen years for my son, daughter-in-law, and my daughter.

But paraphrasing a statement by the late Rev. R. W. Schambach: “Sink or swim, live or die, I will not let go of God’s promises until God moves in my children’s and grandchildren’s lives because all I need is a little faith in God.”

This is the persistent type of determination we must have when we pray for our children and grandchildren. Period.

My prayer for parents:

 Lord, help us to remember when we pray for our children to walk in their divine destinies that it will not be accomplished by our might or our power, but it will be done by Your Spirit. Remind us, Lord, that we can speak to the mountains in our children’s lives and these obstacles will become plains for our children to walk on and when the chief cornerstone −Jesus Christ −takes His place in their lives, we will shout, “Grace, grace, God’s amazing grace.” (Based on Zechariah 4:6-7)

(The above is an excerpt from Praying for the Frozen Chosen: Our Children by Larry Nevenhoven, © 2016, Amazon eBook)

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July 14, 2018 · 7:32 am

Prayers for our Children (Part 7)

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A Testimony of Victory

 My daughter Susan and I struggled with our relationship after my salvation in 1985. She watched her parents undergo first a separation, and then a divorce. To her, my newfound Christianity caused nothing but pain for our family.

She traveled to Ames, Iowa, after her second year of college for a weekend visit with me. I looked forward to showing off my beautiful daughter to friends and enjoying her company, but she was sick most of the weekend. She said it was due to a bad tooth.

When I drove her back to Ottumwa on that Sunday, she curled up with a blanket and fell asleep in my Ford pickup. I used the quiet time to pray softly in tongues, asking the Lord for an answer about her sickness. The Holy Spirit eventually spoke to my heart: “Susan is very sick. Tell her mom to take her to the doctor right away tomorrow morning.”

I related the Holy Spirit’s exact words to Susan’s mom.

The doctor admitted Susan into the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City the next morning. Her mom phoned and said she needed surgery to remove some kind of growth. I notified the Des Moines Vineyard Church, where I attended at the time, so as many people as possible were praying for her.

The physician delayed her surgery for a week because she had a fever. I continued painting houses in Ames while fasting and praying for her.

My prayers were not vanilla flavored ones like: “O Lord, if Thou art not busy next Tuesday, could Thou stop by the hospital and touch Susan. Thy will be done in this matter. Amen.”

Baloney! This was my daughter −not a roast beef dinner needing some pastoral sounding words prayed over it before being eaten. The same God who told me about her sickness was the same One who could heal her with just one word. His power remained the same yesterday, today, and forever. As His son, I had a right to burst into His presence and ask for Susan to be healed.

I prayed prayers like this: “Lord, heal my daughter Susan. You’ve given numerous promises to me about her life, none of which have happened yet. You saw this sickness when You gave those promises to me so I know the sickness has not taken You by surprise. The Bible states You are not a liar and I believe those words. Heal her now and fulfill all of Your promises for her life.”

I bombarded heaven day and night for my daughter. I continually asked the Lord to give me a word from His mouth so I could use it as a sword of the Spirit to battle in spiritual warfare. The Lord did not speak to me right away, but I kept pursuing Him like the woman did the unjust judge.

On the night before the scheduled surgery, I drove my pickup truck to Iowa City. I stayed overnight in one of the hospital’s waiting rooms, sitting in a recliner with a blanket covering me. The Holy Spirit whispered to my heart as I sat there with my Bible: “Isaiah 54:17.”

This was my sword of the Spirit.

I began praying: “No weapon that is formed against Susan shall prosper, and every tongue that accuses Susan in judgment I condemn in Jesus’ name. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication is from the Lord.”

I prayed all night and even though at times, I drifted off to sleep, my mouth went back to praying as soon as I woke up. I continued in this manner until 7 a.m. when I spent time in thanksgiving, praise, and worship. Waiting in His presence, not speaking a word, I had a vision of a Christian bookstore in Iowa City and felt an urgency to drive there. Did I know why? I had no clue.

This was 1995 and neither Google maps nor GPS were available as yet. So, I checked for a Christian bookstore using the old-fashioned way: a phone book. Looking at the stores in the area, I chose the one that felt the best to my spirit.

I drove there and walked in the door at 9:05 a.m. A pretty young girl with long hair stood behind the counter.

“May I help you?” she asked with a smile.

“The Lord sent me here, but I don’t know why yet.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

My prophetic gift kicked into gear at that moment.

“The Lord doesn’t want you to listen to your parents and others who are telling you to go to Bible school. The Lord wants to train you in His own way for your calling. Listen to His voice and not to other people on this particular matter,” I said.

Her hands covered her mouth and tears flooded her eyes.

“I felt this was what the Lord wanted me to do, but my parents and pastor insisted I was wrong. I asked the Lord to make Himself clear on what I should do. Thanks.”

We chatted a bit, hugged each other, and I left.

Later that afternoon, I walked alongside Susan as she laid on a bed being wheeled into surgery. A nurse stopped me at the doors.

“You can’t go any farther,” she said, pointing at the red line on the floor.

I nodded and stood there with tears streaming down my face. My daughter was going into surgery and I wanted to be with her. I turned around, headed to the waiting room, and sat with my parents and Susan’s mom. My eyes closed almost immediately and I fell asleep.

Five hours later, Susan returned to her room. The surgeon removed a noncancerous cyst, the size of two 2-liter bottles of soda from her abdomen and her appendix.

Susan continued to have a fever after her surgery, which frustrated her. Her doctor refused to allow her to go home until the fever dropped into the normal range. She phoned me one afternoon.

“Dad, will you pray I can go home tomorrow?”

“Okay,” I said, “you’ll go home tomorrow.”

Susan went home the next day, eighteen days after first entering the hospital. Her recovery took many weeks.

(Excerpt from The Hunt for Larry Who by Larry Nevenhoven, ©2014, Amazon eBook)

This testimony is a short compilation of all the chapters in this book. It’s not that I’m so unique or special because all believers can do this for their own children. But at the same time, I must admit there is a price for us parents to pay. It comes down to whether or not we want to pay it. You see, we must be willing to seek the Lord with all of our heart and follow Him in the same manner.

I believe most of us will say, “Yes, Lord.”

(The above is an excerpt from Praying for the Frozen Chosen: Our Children by Larry Nevenhoven, © 2016, Amazon eBook)  

(Continued in Part 8)

 

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July 12, 2018 · 9:47 am

Prayers for America (7/12/2018)

My wife and I recently visited San Francisco for the first time. It’s easy to see why the city appeals to so many people with its various neighborhoods, parks,  and all of its historic sights. What a city!

BUT it’s just as easy to see the many problems the city is suffering from right now. The solutions to these problems probably will not end in win/win compromises for everyone.

On Wednesday, a new mayor, London Breed, was sworn into office. She is the first African-American female to head the city.

My prayer today:

Lord, I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to London Breed, the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of her heart enlightened, that she may know what is the hope to which He has called her, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe. (Based on Ephesians 1:17-19)

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you today?

Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.

 

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