Praise and Worship

Music is a large part of our culture.  Music existed from the very beginning of time when God Himself created music to worship Him.  In Job 38:4-7, God speaks of when he “laid the foundations of the earth…When the morning stars sang together.”  Ezekiel 28:13 says of Lucifer “The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created.”  Lucifer had been an anointed cherub with immense musical ability.  But Lucifer wanted to be like the Most High.  He has devised many close counterfeits of God’s truth.  One of his most subtle perversions has been to corrupt God’s music.  He does not want anyone else to be a chief musician or have music that praises and worships God.  You can understand why Satan tries to bring down people in the music ministry.

God’s music will bring life and health to the body, soul, and spirit.

Isaiah 12:2 sums it up “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song.”  In 1 Samuel 16:23 it says “And so it was, whenever the spirit (of distress) from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.”  Satan’s music, on the contrary, seeks to “steal, and to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10).

God’s music will emphasize the melody, not the harmony or rhythm.

Ephesians 5:18-19 says, “but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”  Isaiah 23:16 tells us to “Make sweet melody, sing many songs.”  There are three parts in a musical composition: the melody, the harmony, and the rhythm.  Melody is the essence of music.  The melody carries and reinforces the words; therefore, God’s music will emphasize the melody and its words, not the harmony or the rhythm. The word “music” comes from the word “muse” which means to “think.”  A song’s words make us think; too much harmony can distract from this.  A loud dominant rhythm sets the flesh moving, which in some cases can feed our fleshly nature.

The devil’s music emphasizes a loud, hypnotic rhythm, and has little melody and very little meaning.  It feeds the flesh and not the spirit.  Many of the secular songs out there have beat of the Shaman which has a trance effect on the mind.

God’s music will contain scripture references that teach and admonish (Reprimand Gently).

Christian music is not entertainment.  Christian music is spiritual “food.”  The book of Psalm 98:4 says to “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.”    Colossians 3:16 says to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”  A Christian musician should be a student of the Word of God!  Young people today can quote the lyrics of contemporary Christian music, but often cannot quote the Holy Bible. 

Much of contemporary Christian music omits the Lord, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, and God with pronouns such as “he,” “him,” or “you.”  How can anyone writing God’s songs omit Jesus, Holy Spirit, and God?

God’s music will be spiritual, not sensual.

Ephesians 5:18-19 equates walking in the Spirit with singing spiritual songs.  It says, “but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”  A Christian is born again of the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:15 says, “I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with understanding.”   Therefore, Christian music should feed the spirit, not the flesh.  The Sprit and the flesh are contrary and opposite (Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish).  God’s music will give us things to understand and think about that are pure and godly. 

Godly music will praise God, and not draw attention to the singer.

Hymns are about HIM!   Psalm 28:7 tells us, “And with my song I will praise Him.”  Psalm 66:2 Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious.  Praise redirects our thinking to God’s power and not our circumstances.

On the other hand, the devil’s music will redirect the worship to man (or false gods), and not to the Lord.  You can hear the audience at a concert practically worshipping the singer.  John 12:43 says to such things, “For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”  Have you ever felt in your spirit, a member or leader of a praise group was just putting on a show? The song can at times be almost irrelevant lacking the presence of the Holy Spirit.  The focus is on the person and songs have become performance driven, rather than a message.  Christians are to draw attention to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, not to themselves.

God’s music will be sung and played by Christians who live by the book.

In the Bible, God did not allow just anybody to be his musicians.  When He chose his musicians in the Old Testament, he specifically chose the Levites, who were separated for the service of the sanctuary.  The priests were also chosen from the Levites.  1 Chronicles 15:16 tells us “Then David spoke to the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, by raising the voice with resounding joy.”  We cannot choose ourselves to be in the music ministry.  You must be chosen by God.

Music is an expression of the heart.  Beautiful voices are a “dime a dozen,” but beautiful hearts have the Holy Spirit within and are more precious than gold.  Your music, singing, and worship must be led by the Holy Spirit and it must praise God.

The most important part of the service is praise and worship.  It allows the congregation to praise and worship God, to thank God and His Son who died on the cross for our sins, to sing in the spirit, to surrender, to petition the Lord, to confess sin, to ask for forgiveness, to forgive others and self, to come to the altar, for healing, for deliverance, and so much more. Praise and worship is not a time to come late or have ongoing conversations during this time. 

Why is this time of the service so neglected?  Why is the altar during praise and worship devoid of believers who are struggling and in trouble?

It is my position that pastors, music leaders, and the congregation should prepare ourselves by inviting the Holy Spirit into the presence of the congregation and to submit to the direction of the Holy Spirit in our praise and worship.  Believers are under the misconception that the Holy Spirit automatically shows up. Understand, the Holy Spirit can show up whenever He wants and He does in parts of the congregation, but I don’t see that happening in the congregation as a whole in the many churches I have visited.

I know this promise from God’s Word, if we call the Holy Spirit, He will answer us.  I can say without a doubt, if you call on the Holy Spirit with the congregation, the praise/worship and the service will be magnified like you have never seen before.

Psalm 50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

Psalms 86:7 In the time of trouble, I will call upon you, for you will answer me.

Psalms 91:15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

Luke 11:13…. how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Blessings to you all, Tony Sanchez, revised 7/15/17

7 Steps to Sin

 There is a place of rest for the people of God, but they do not rest because of unbelief or because of getting out ahead of God by fighting their own enemies themselves.  There’s a time to defeat the enemy, but there must be a time of preparation before you take your enemy on.  Before you can defeat sin, you need to understand what is occurring within you.  And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts.  Mark 7:20-21.  So, when you have committed a sin, (and when haven’t you?), this is a reality to set you free.

 There are seven steps to a completed sin.

 

1. Temptation – The first step to sin is temptation.  Temptation is the thought of evil.  Temptation comes in the form of thoughts without exception!  No matter what the sin is, it starts as part of your thinking process.  It can be so strong that it feels as if it has already happened. At times, it can be so overpowering.   Many people sin simply because they had the thought of sin and they therefore think they have sinned already, so they go ahead and actually sin.

 Temptation is not sin.  You do not have to sin just because you feel like doing it.  With temptation, there is always something within us that has nothing to do with anyone else.  But, there may be temptation or evil in another person that hooks up with the temptation or evil in you and the two, start working against each other so both people fall.

Lust is not just a sexual thing.  Even if temptation involves a simple a thing as having a disagreement with your brother or sister in the Lord, the process of lust is there.  Lust includes everything.  We have many examples about lust.  1 Corinthians 10:6 says: Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.

 Lusting over evil things includes exalting ourselves over another in every area of our existence, whether from jealousy or envy or bitterness or hatred or whatever.  Your self-exaltation and self-fulfillment is idolatry and pride.  You are king, everything revolves around, and your faith is all about you. Satan has stolen your faith because whatever is not Godly faith is sin.  But without faith it is impossible to please Him.  Hebrews 11:6. 

Every problem and every temptation you have already exists within your spiritual makeup.  Satan comes with his kingdom to exploit your weakness.  You could have a thousand temptations, but there is always at least few or more that you are going to fall into.  Satan will always work on you at your weakest link.  Most of your trials, tribulations, and temptations are already spiritual problems in your life.

 

Job was perfect in a lot of ways, yet he had weaknesses.  He was full of pride and fear.  He tried to be God over his family, making sacrifices for his children.  The thing he feared most came upon him, For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, And what I dreaded has happened to me Job 3:25

There is incorrect teaching that says that when you are tempted, it is God’s way of teaching you something.  Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone James 1:13.  Everything that is going on, as a temptation in you, is common in the world, No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

You can quit praying for God to remove the temptation, because He wants you to defeat it.  He will make provision for you so you can overcome.  It has to be dealt with because it comes from within and is already in place and already a problem.  The difference between “defeat” and “resist” is this: “defeat” is permanent; “resist” indicates there is still a battle taking place.

God wants you to defeat temptation because, in the day you don’t, it becomes your sin and you are fellowshipping with devils, Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 1 Corinthians 10:20.

All evil in mankind comes from within the heart of a man, woman or child, And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, Mark 7:20-21.

 Jesus was tempted continuously, just as we are, For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15. Every demon of hell was looking for Jesus to trip up so they could have a legal right to come into His Spirit and cause Him to become sinful.  Once we succumb to temptation leading to sin, the enemy has a legal right to work in us.  Satan personally tempted Jesus at the highest level possible.

 There is a blessing in the midst of temptation, Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12. Every temptation you face is an open door to God’s blessing.  Every trial you overcome is a stepping-stone to victory.

2. Being Drawn Away – We become preoccupied with a thought.  To be drawn away is to have a strong imagination about a temptation, to start to view it and to let your mind be drawn to it.  At this stage, sin is starting to form a reality in you.  It is not just an idle thought; it is starting to take form.  Being drawn away is still not sin.

3. Personal Lust – This is the forming of the sin, But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires (lust) and enticed. James 1:14. You have a strong imagination and you start to take pleasure in watching what is in your mind and in your thoughts.  It is no longer an idle thought.  First you had the thought and then you had the strong imagination.  Next you sit back and turn your mind’s TV on and start to take pleasure in watching what is in your mind and your thoughts.  This is still not sin.  It is an evil spirit integrating itself with you and you are starting to weaken and fall into agreement with it simply because you are entertaining the thoughts.

An evil spirit is like a projector; it projects images in you because of its nature and it wants to fulfill its nature and make you a sinner in that area.  You think it is you because you have fallen into agreement and started becoming one with it, which is the process of you becoming prepared to sin.

4.  Enticement – The forth step to sin is enticement.  Enticement is the weakening of the will.  You can have every feeling and seemingly enjoyment of a lustful thought in any area of your life.  The object is to weaken your will because Satan wants you to act it out.  The ploy is to get you to start weakening, to get you to yield your will to what the temptation is. If Satan can break down to a point where you are no longer resisting him, then he has you in motion to commit a sin, ...Resist the devil and he will flee from you  James 4:7.

 5.  Lust Conceived – You cannot have sin until you have lust conceived.  Lust conceived is the birthing of something not in place yet.  The entire weakening of the will is occurring and you are about to come into agreement with it so it can be birthed within you.  It is also a yielding.  Lust conceived is the entrance into the physical of what is spiritual.  At this stage, it is very difficult not to sin because your total will has yielded to what the temptation represents.

6.  Actual Sin – There are many people who say something with their hearts but not with their mouths.  They still have a completed sin in their heart because they are one with it and in full agreement with it.  It is your choice to reject a thought or dwell on it, But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28. Any person in agreement with a thought in his or her heart will eventually act on that thought.

 7.  The Consequences of Sin – The results and consequences of sin is death, Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death James 1:15.  Sin not repented for brings spiritual and physical death.  It opens the door to curses in your spirit, soul and physical body.  It opens the door for sin to rule you, to reign in you, to destroy you, and to have dominion over you.  Unless it is repented for, dealt with, and cast out, it will be continually there to tempt you until you are destroyed.

 If a person has fasted prayed, cried out to God and done everything they could to get rid of a sin, but they keep doing it, they need deliverance because it is no longer just temptation, it is an evil spirit tormenting your soul.

When temptation comes, you can now see the process.  You can find yourself in the seven steps so you will recognize temptation is not sin.  You can start dealing with Satan and your adversaries according to the knowledge of God.  Seek God, His Word (Jesus), the Helper, and fellow believers who can come to your aid in the name of Jesus Christ.

Casting down imaginations (and temptations), and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV.

 Prayer:  Father God, we thank You and we thank You for Your Word.  God, I trust that this teaching has set things in place to assist us in becoming more mature in overcoming temptation and sin.  God, I do not ask You to deliver us in spite of the evil.  Rather, we ask You to deliver us in the midst of the evil so we may be victorious and that You may be glorified. 

 And we all said……. Amen!!!

Tony Sanchez 5-9-17

 

Blood of Jesus Christ

The Power of the Blood of Jesus Christ

Why is the blood of Jesus Christ important to Christianity?  The Bible gives a faithful account of man’s sins and heinous crimes, but also shows God bringing redemption to mankind through the shedding of the blood by His Son (Romans 5:10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life).

Many of us have not recognized how Jesus’ blood is meant to be applied to all aspects of our lives and how it can bring healing, protection, and deliverance for ourselves and those whom we love.  His blood makes available to us greater freedom, power, and deliverance than we can imagine.  When we apply the truth of the blood to our lives, we can live in the fullness and power that Jesus provides for us.

The necessity of the shedding of the blood for reconciliation with God stand at the very center of the ‘Christian message of redemption.  In Leviticus, instructions for carrying out the rituals of sacrifice, blood was prominent.  If people followed God’s instructions to the letter, they brought animals for sacrifice from their own flocks and herds.  The main reason was so they would understand that sin is costly and must be atoned for. 

The sacrifices took place in the tabernacle and later the temple, that was often accompanied by a confession of sin.  In this way, the spiritual truth of the significance of the sacrifice was meant to hit home to the people.  They were to comprehend clearly that blood was necessary for atonement.

Although, the Mosaic sacrificial system was given to the Israelites, its truths are applicable to all people.  The sacrifices, the priests, the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies, and other aspect of the tabernacle were only earthly copies of the heaven reality that had not yet been manifested (Hebrews 9:7-10 But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.  It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience— concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation). 

This animal sacrifice was for our sins, but the only sacrifice qualified to pay for our sins and reconcile us to God is the perfect blood that Jesus shed on the cross.  The sacrificial system is also meant to point people to their need for reconciliation and communion with God. If the sinner himself is not to die for his sins and is not to remain separated from God, then a representative must bear the sinner’s death.  This is the heart of the message of the sacrificial system.  Unfortunately, the sacrificial system was temporary.  A sacrifice availed for a sin, but if a sin was repeated, a new sacrifice had to be presented at the altar.

Jesus death on the cross was superior to the blood of thousands upon thousands of sacrificial animals Micah 6:7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, Ten thousand rivers of oil?  Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

In a spiritual sense, God has verified, ratified, and notarized His agreement with us in blood – the blood of His only begotten Son Jesus Christ.  The blood of the sacrifice served as a propitiation (atonement) for sin (1 John 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world).  This is the purpose of the sacrifice of the blood, and it satisfied the requirements of a righteous God.  Because of God’s great love for us, He provided a payment for our sin.  The blood of Jesus Christ pays for our debt in full (for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus Romans 3:23-26).

When Jesus died on Calvary, He opened up for us the fountain of His Life’s blood.  With that blood, we can overcome the powers of darkness – the devil and the entire spiritual underworld (I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death Revelation 1:18).  His blood may not be visible to you and me, but you can be assured that demons and all other unclean spirits can see it.  They are terrified by the blood of Jesus and cannot remain in the presence of the blood of Jesus Christ. 

There is power in the blood of Jesus Christ.  Because of His suffering, and His death on the cross, we are healed (But He was wounded for our transgressions (things we know are wrong, but we continue to do them), He was bruised for our iniquities (generational curses); The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed Isaiah 53:5). The power and the life and the blood of Jesus Christ, which was shed on Calvary two thousand years ago, has never lost its power and we must proclaim this truth to Satan continuously and take back our lives and lives of those around us in Jesus name.

By His blood, we have power and authority over demons (Mark 16:17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name, they will cast out demons Luke 10:19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you).

By His blood, we can lay hands on the sick and they will recover (Mark 16:18 they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover). 

By His blood, we can rescue souls from the hurts, expectations, disappointments, betrayals, offences, regrets, broken hearts, traumas, un-forgiveness, rejection and generational iniquities (wickedness) (Zechariah 8:11 As for you also, Because of the blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit).

When the blood of Jesus is applied spiritually to our souls, we are safe from the Second death (But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death Revelation 21:8), which is eternal separation from God.  Jesus said, “whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die” John 11:26.

All sin, including murder, leads to spiritual death and can be atoned for only by blood sacrifice.  The price is high, and it must be paid.  Sin must be dealt with.  The sacrificial system was God’s way of illustrating for us what the death of Christ – the shedding of His blood – would accomplish for us in restoring us to God and giving us eternal life.  The blood of Jesus Christ was God’s new blood covenant.

When Satan steps out to challenge God’s cause, you can know that the blood of Christ provides every believer with the necessary provision to defeat him.  We will have peace, joy, and comfort when we think and declare the overcoming power that is made possible by the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 12:10-11 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death).

Tony Sanchez 5-26-17

First Century Church

Acts is sequel to the life of Christ in the Gospels, and it records the spread of Christianity from Jerusalem to Rome.  It is the initiation of Jesus’ Great commission to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.   Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen).  We as believers are the descendants of the original disciples and are called to do the same in carrying out the Great Commission (Mark 16:15-18). 

Act 1:8 is the key to the book (But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth”).  This verse predicts the outpouring of the Spirit and its powerful witness. Under the New Covenant, every believer is given the Promise of the Father (Luke 24:49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high”), the active, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.  By this activity of the Spirit’s fullness in the life of every believer, dynamic devotion is possible and the ministry of Christ in His church continues.  In general, Acts relates the step-by-step expansion of Christianity and the church.  Acts is a record of practicing Christianity under the power of the Holy Spirit.  It teaches believers how to live together in meaningful Christian fellowship.

Probably the most prominent characteristic of the early Christians was their spiritual power.  They fasted and prayed fervently (Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers, Acts 13:3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away). Acts is about ordinary people doing extraordinary things with the power of the Holy Spirit.  Signs followed those who believed (Mark 16:17-18 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name, they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover”).  Acts was the first century church that should be a model for the body of Christ in this age.

Acts contains indispensable material for those who wish to learn the power principles of Christian leadership.  The leadership of the apostles in Acts is some of the most spiritually powerful the church has ever known. The leadership models here provide patterns for effective ministry and service.  Applying the lessons for leaders given in Acts will help give today’s Christian leaders increased power in every ministry.

Leaders, incorporate these four elements into your congregation’s life: Teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. (Acts 2:42-47 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.  Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.  Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common…. So, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved).

Leaders, allow others to share in the work of the ministry (Acts 6:1-6 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.  Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas…. whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them).

Leaders, give prayer a central place in your church life (Acts 12:12 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church).

Leaders, submit to the Spirit’s guidance when confronting decisions.  Call leadership to prayer and fasting in such times.  Release freely those appointed and called by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:1-3 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius…, Manaen…. and Saul.  As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”  Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away).

Leaders, remain humble before the Lord and those you serve, giving Him all praise and honor (Acts 14:14-18 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways.  Nevertheless, He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them).

Leaders, personally train young people who are called to ministry (Acts 16:1-5 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek.  He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.  Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.  And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem.  So, the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily).

Leaders, shepherd God’s beloved people over whom He has given you oversight.  Diligently guard and care for the flock God has entrusted to you (Acts 20:28-32 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.  For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.  Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.  Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified).

Acts summons us to a bold faith.  The lives of the men and women in Acts challenge us to believe in our great God to do great things in a great way in the church of today.  These accounts invite us to the kinds of risks associated with this bold faith and inspire us to have the courage to follow these great examples. Believe steadfastly that God will fulfill everything He has promised in His Word (Acts 3:21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began).  Humbly call to the Lord to perform signs, wonders, and miracles to confirm with power the gospel message of His Son (Acts 14:3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands).

Tony Sanchez 5-11-17

Prophesy 3-26-17

Prophesy 3-26-17

I gave my life to the Lord on November 22^nd 1992 at 9:15 in the morning.  At the time, I had no clue the journey God would take me on, how He would use me, and the blessings He would bestow on me.  In His mercy, God has changed my life and if He can change me, He can change anybody.

My walk with God drastically changed in 2014 when I discovered how important the Helper is to us as the one sent in place of Jesus Christ (But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you John 14:26). 

As I developed a relationship with the Holy Spirt, I began to hear from the Lord.  I began to receive words of wisdom and knowledge.  I began to receive understanding of what the Word is saying.  I began to receive answers to many things that I did not know (‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know Jeremiah 33:3). I begin to receive prophesies and recently, I have experienced visions.  I began to depend on the Holy Spirit God sent to be our Helper who would abide in us forever (And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever John 14:16).

This brings me to the subject matter of this piece.  It has to do with what the Lord showed me a few weeks ago in late March.  It is my responsibility to share what God has shown me.

In the last days, we must operate in and with the Holy Spirit.  In doing so, we will be operating in the prophetic.  In other words, we will be operating in the Spirit world because that is where the real battle will take place.

As this began to sink in, I was reminded of Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  We read and speak this scripture, yet we fail to understand fully what it really means.  It is telling us we must battle in the spirit world today and especially in the last days.   Unfortunately, most of us are not equipped to do so.

So, in the last days, the evil in the spirit world (principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness) will manifest in the flesh through evil men, organizations, consortiums, governments, nations and, groups of nations. It says in Galatians 5:16-17 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. The problem with us specific to this scripture is we walk predominately in the flesh with very little Holy Spirit manifestation in our lives or in the lives of others because we don’t know the Holy Spirit like we know the flesh (sin).  Nor, do we fully know how to access the Holy Spirit in most cases.

In essence, the flesh has become so contrary to the Holy Spirit that the Holy Spirit that resides in us, is buried by our flesh.  This is not what God wants.  God says “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” John 4:23-24. 

Many will question to what level we can walk in the Holy Spirit.  Galatians 5:16 says to “Walk in the Sprit.”  I don’t believe God is talking about partially walking in the Spirit.  Is it possible to walk fully in the Holy Spirit even though we are existing in the physical?  Stephen experienced exactly that just prior to being stoned to death.  He was full of the Holy Spirt (But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” Acts 7:55-56). Another example is Jesus who as man was without sin, meaning he did not operate in the flesh (2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him).  Jesus as man was baptized and the Spirit of God descended on Him, And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove Mark 1:10. From this point on, Jesus operated fully in the Holy Spirit. 

We cannot afford to resist the Holy Spirit as Israel did in Acts 7:51 ^“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.  Can you see history repeating itself in today’s age? We are failing to call on Him, But you have not called upon Me, O Jacob… Isaiah 43:22.

How can we began to operate in the Holy Spirit?

• Acknowledge, believe, and accept that we have received the Holy Spirit and its power when we became born again Christians But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth Acts 1:8.  But truly, I am full of the power of the Spirit of the Lord Micah 3:8.  This power from on High allows all Believers to defeat Satan if we believe what God says said in His Word.
• Immerse yourself in the Word of God so you become one with Him, the Son, and Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 6:17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.  Not letting man interfere with your relationship with God.   Colossians 3: 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.  Conviction will come from the Holy Spirit, John 16:8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.  
• Call on the Holy Spirit continuously at every Godly function and throughout the day for every need because He is "Lord,” “Branch of the Lord,” “Immanuel,” “Wonderful Counselor,” “Mighty God,” “Everlasting Father,” “Prince of Peace,” “Rod of Jesse,” “Cornerstone,” “King,” “Shepard,” “Servant of Yahweh,” “Elect One, ““Lamb of God,” “Leader and Commander,” “Redeemer,” and “Anointed One.”  The Holy Spirt (Helper) was sent to us when Jesus went to be with His Father (John 14:15) and the Holy Spirit will be there when you call on Him to teach us the things Jesus taught in His ministry, But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you John 14:26

Psalms 86:7 In the time of trouble, I will call upon you, for you will answer me.

Psalms 91:15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and   honor him.

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

Luke 11:13…. how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

The time is getting close to the second coming of Jesus Christ and we must be prepared for the onslaught of evil and destruction prior to His coming.  Man, and this sinful world will not have the answers. The ultimate question is:  Are we going to operate in the flesh or will we chose to operate in the Holy Spirit now, and in the last days.

Call on the Holy Spirit to pave the road before us as we go boldly (fearless) out to the world.

So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6

Blessings,

Tony

Fear Is a Choice

Fear is a Choice – Tony Sanchez 3-10-17

From the beginning of the Bible, God has given us a choice to do good or evil (So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate Genesis 3:6).  When Adam sinned, sin entered the world and the end result is death (Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned Romans 5:12).  The first fear man experienced is when God could not find Adam and Eve because they were in fear of their nakedness.

The choices we make in defiance of God have taken us into captivity because we have chosen to believe satan’s lies.  All the lies from satan and he is the father of all lies, are contrary to what God says in His Word (You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it John 8:44). 

Fear abounds in our lives to a degree that we don’t fully discern.  In essence, we are in denial.  Everyone experiences fear each and every day in their lives, but God tells us not to worry about our life (“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life…).  The effects of fear are manifestation in the physical, mind, and emotions.

Traumas (fears) are very difficult or unpleasant experiences that causes someone to have mental, emotional, and physical problems.  If left untreated, they become a Post-Traumatic Stress (fear) Disorder.  Accidents, physical & mental abuse, rejection (unloved, abandoned, not feeling worthy) and offenses are some of the primary traumas we deal with.  Many times, these traumas lead to depression.

Accidents – Accidents can be every bit as damaging as any other trauma. You may had heard of stories of the elderly falling down and breaking a hip resulting in a spiraling decline in their health. We have seen young athletes blow out their knees dashing all their hopes of a great athletic career.  Car accidents can do great damage.  The trauma can become trigger a point that causes additional physical, emotional, and mental issues.

Physical & Mental Abuse – Emotionally, mental and physical abuse does incredible damage whether it be parents, spouses, siblings, friends, co-workers, churches or employers.  It is a form of bullying because it causes one to be fearful, rejected, and not feeling loved or worthy.

Rejection – I found the earliest point of rejection other than generational fead, is in the womb where the child was not expected and not wanted.  The second earliest point of rejection is when the father does not convey the perfect love of God to his children at birth and throughout their life.  Out of the mouth comes blessings and curses (James 3:10).  When we tell our children “I love you,” we are speaking a blessing that shows our children how much we love them and they are worthy to receive God’s perfect love.  Nine out of ten people have not heard these simple words from their father early in their lives or not at all.  “I know they loved me” is not cutting it.  They need to hear the words.

Offenses – Offenses come from everywhere and we must expect them in this fallen world (Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses, must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes Matthew 18:7). But His Word tells us to avoid those who cause offenses (Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them Romans 16:17).  Every offense can lead to trauma resulting in rejection.  It can cause great hurt and self-pity.  Why self-pity?  Self-pity is a victim spirt and it can be very destructive in itself.  Ever hear someone say “Nobody cares.”  “It’s all my fault.”  People with self-pity believe they have suffered more than is fair or reasonable.

I have found that those who are offended will have a record of wrongs against whomever caused the offense and with it they will have a level of anger, bitterness, and un-forgiveness.  This is a choice that is contrary to the Bible (Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice).    A record of wrongs indicates that the offenders are not living or acting according to our expectations. Interesting, an offender will never feel the extreme hurt of the person they offended.   When we consistently have a record of wrongs, we are declaring these records of wrongs as central to our lives, which will not allow us to choose God as central to our lives.  A record wrongs requires the person to forgive the offender allowing the offended to wash their river of wrongs into the sea.  

Conclusion

Fear is a spirit and a single spirit of fear is fairly easy to deal with.  An entry point of fear left untreated can trigger other fears that will latch on causing more extreme issues leading to captivity.  Each and every additional trauma throughout a lifetime can make it worse causing sickness and disease as our mind and immune system breaks down. 

Fear causes depression.  How do I know this?  The Bible says so in Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety (stress, worry nervousness) in the heart of man causes depression (despair, hopelessness), But a good word makes it glad. The medical field does not know this and most believers I ask do not know this either.

Trauma/fear will continue to happen in our lives.  We can choose to hold onto to these fears in the present, we can fear into the future, which will lead to destruction, or we can choose to obey what God teaches us in His Word.

Our present and future is determined by what happened to us in the past.  We have a choice to allow those unpleasant things in our lives to dictate our future or we can wash away these traumas and live a life of peace in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth who came in the flesh.  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ Romans 5:1.  For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit Romans 14:17.

We must cast out every major trauma (fear) from conception to present.  When needed, we must forgive those who caused the trauma.  The next step would be to bring the damaged soul out of prison as David says in Psalm 142:7 Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise Your name; The righteous shall surround me, For You shall deal bountifully with me”  and do as we are anointed to do in Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

Every fear thought has a body or soul part that corresponds to that thought. 2 Corinthians 10:5

If we truly have the mind of Christ, we would not have sickness and disease. 1 Corinthians 11:1

Fearful people embrace fear.  They become in fellowship with fear.

Satan wants to train you to accept fear as a part of your normal.

Blessing to you all.

Tony

Holy Spirit Power

Greetings,

 I pray all is going well for you all across the country.  I had computer issues and I just got up and running again.

 We have a bible study every 2^nd and 4^th Friday and part of our study involves healing as well.  We conduct individual healing on the off Fridays, as we follow Isiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those (souls) who are bound; and the Great Commission Mark 16:15-18.

This message was prepared 2 weeks ago for our last study, but the Holy Spirit had different plans.  We were led to pray for those in our group who had emotional, spiritual, and physical things that needed prayer.  With that, we seen several miracles and continue to see healing miracles at every bible study.  Praise God. 

Power from the Holy Spirit

Mark 3:14-15 (NKJV) Then He appointed twelve that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons

Appointed:  The Greek verb means “to make someone into something.”  Jesus selects the twelve from the larger group to form His closet following.  The purpose of this “Divine Appointment” is that they may be with Him in order to learn from Him, then go out in divine power to extend his work.  He wanted them to imitate Him (1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps) and He wants us to do the same.  Jesus give us divine power (But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; Acts 1:8) and authority (Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you Luke 10:19) to do this as instructed in the Great Commission (Mark 16:15-18 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. ¹⁶ He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷ And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; ¹⁸ they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”).  The Great Commission is not option if we are imitators of Jesus Christ.

Power, exousia; Strong’s #1849: One of four power words (dunamis, exousia, ischus, and Kratos), exousia means the authority or right to act, ability, privilege, capacity, or delegated authority.  Jesus had the exousia to forgive sin, heal sicknesses, and cast out devils.  Exousia is the right to use dunamis (“might”).  Jesus gave His followers exousia to preach, teach, heal, and deliver and that authority has never been rescinded (John 14:12-13 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son, John 14:12-1).  The promise is not that disciples of Jesus will perform works that are greater in value or significance than His.  Rather, they are greater in scope and number in these respects.  Powerless people, home groups, churches, and ministries become powerful upon discovering the exousia residing within in the name of Jesus, by the blood of Jesus, by the exousia of the Holy Spirit, and by Almighty God.

Because He was crucified, Jesus’ earthly ministry was limited to only a few years, but after the Resurrection and Pentecost, His ministry was and continues to be multiplied through Holy Spirit empowered believers.  Our works include the preaching of the gospel which is included in the Great Commission (Mark 16:15-18), resulting in the blessings of justification, reconciliation, and the gift of the Holy Spirit coming to humankind – all post Resurrection manifestations of Christ’s reign (John 5 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel).

A vital key to walking in the pathway of God’s miracles is to stay available to the implications of Jesus’ words here.  When blessing comes in your work, service, or ministry, it is tempting to accept that this is “all” God has for you. Many find it easy to stop and rest, rather than keeping your hand to the plow (Luke 9:62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God”).  Instead, refuse to allow the blessings of God’s grace on your work to lead you to think that He may not be ready to do even more in your life (God is there to take you to a higher level with Him).  He does not call you to attempt to produce more, but to ask and believe Him for more–for greater works He has in store for us to receive and, by His grace, achieve for His kingdom’s purpose and glory.  Keep your heart set and ready for the next level of our walk for His kingdom.

Tony Sanchez (Bible Study 1/13/2017) www.obeygodsword.blogspot.com

 

Walk With the Lord

Taking Our Walk with God to the Next Level

Recently, two things happened in my life that caused me to look at myself.  One, is a need to examine myself to determine if I am at the level God’s wants me to be in my relationship with Him (2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you are disqualified).  Second, I met with two wonderful men of God.  As we discussed ministering to others, the subject of how we minister came up.  The subject matter was this: Do you minister differently with certain individuals that are mature in the Lord?  The answer for me was yes, because there are those who are not mature enough to understand how we are praying or teaching.  The underlining thought was we did not want to offend the less mature for fear they would think that we are absurd or miss-guided.  Bottom line is we are having to minister at different levels.   

The Gospels show that Jesus was forthright in His message to the people during His ministry.  Yes, He did have to speak in parables in many situations to get the message across, but overall, He was blunt in His message.  He spoke the truth, which better equipped His disciples to spread the uncompromised Word of God.  Jesus and His Apostles went out boldly spreading the Word without fear.

 I believe we are in the last days and this is a time when God is pouring out treasures of wisdom.  The apostolic and prophetic era in which we are living is bringing us new dimensions of Jesus’ light.  The Scriptures are being understood with far greater clarity.  There is an unprecedented revelation of the power and manifestation of the Kingdom of God. 

God is raising a spiritual Remnant Army of people who understand the spiritual arena and are willing to operate in the fullness of the Holy Spirit here on earth. It is those who receive and operate in the Holy Spirit that will receive a higher level of understanding, wisdom, knowledge discernment, revelation, visions, prophesy, power, authority and especially the love and compassion that God and Jesus has for us.

The level of revelation depends on the level of love and commitment we have to witness God’s Word on the earth.  We must also understand the pain God suffers as He watches the world being dragged to hell.  He sees how afraid we are to spread the Gospel in its fullness.  He sees a watered-down message from His people that is contrary to what He expects of us.  Jesus and His Apostles did not deliver a watered-down message.

1 Corinthians 2:9 “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

God desires to reveal to us the deep things of His Kingdom.  The light and understanding of the mysteries of God are revealed to us in the measure that we walk with Him in love.

Colossians 1:9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

God in His grace supplies all of that we lack, but He also desires to fill us with knowledge and wisdom.  His hope for us is to be mature children with spiritual intelligence

Colossians 2:2-3 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

 

The Lord has things for us that have not been revealed to other generations.  God expects the Church to grow from glory to glory and from light to light.

John 16:12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.

There are things we cannot handle because of our immaturity, our hardness of heart, or our religious doctrine.  Jesus knows which revelations we may or may not be able to understand.

When Jesus ascended into Heaven, He could not tell His disciples all that He would have liked to share.  However, He gave the promise of the Holy Spirit to teach us all things and to help us understand the things Jesus said and to do greater things than He (John 14:12…whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these…).  This means that the Holy Spirt brings us different depths of teaching, in accordance with the level of our spiritual growth.  A growth the Body of Christ has to encourage.  A person who aspires to great spiritual wisdom and intelligence must spend more time with Him than with the distractions of this world.  This individual must love God and others and seek answers from the Holy Spirit (Psalms 91:15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him).  Then the things that “eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man” (1 Corinthians 2:9) will be revealed.

God has things that have never entered our hearts, yet He wants to reveal them to us (But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you Acts 26:16).  They are biblical and they have always been in the Scriptures, but they have been closed and veiled until we are ready to receive.

Luke 8:10 And He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.

We have entered a prophetic era and must understand these things.  God is empowering this generation with more understanding than those of the past.  The Word of God is being revealed in a higher way, to advance the Kingdom of God more effectively.

Many agree that we are in the last days.  What I don’t hear is that we are prepared for the coming of Jesus Christ.  A question to ask ourselves is: Are we are prepared for the extreme evil and darkness that will manifest prior to His coming?  My position is, Believers do not know the level of spiritual warfare knowledge needed now or for the future when the level of darkness increases.  There will be a time when Satan comes with his army of demons and their manifestation of evil through men.  We have little time and no choice but to prepare the flock for the battle now and the days to come.  It is critical that we know our authority and power in the name of Jesus that will allow us to persevere until the time of His coming.

We (individuals, leaders, and the church) must take our current walk with God to a higher level.  We are tasked to teach and preach the uncompromised Word of God without fear of offending others or worrying about what they may think of us.  God says do not fear man.  Psalms 56:11 In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?

The simple conclusion is this: We must walk according to the spirit of God.  We must love one another, be firm in the truth, and correct the Body in light of the soon coming of Jesus Christ.  It is time to take our walk with God to a higher level.

Blessings to you all,

Tony Sanchez, 12-28-16