Gates

Nehemiah 13:19 “So it was, at the gates of Jerusalem, as it began to be dark before the Sabbath, that I commanded the gates to be shut, and charged that they must not be opened till after the Sabbath. Then I posted some of my servants at the gates, so that no burdens would be brought in on the Sabbath day.” (NKJV)

Walls and fences serve several purposes. They can provide safety, security and also add beauty to the landscape. Depending on the height or thickness of the wall or fence, it might be possible to scale the wall or climb over the fence.

Most walls and fences have one or more gates that provide someone or something access to the secured area. An easy way to gain access to the secured area is to enter through the gate, and if a gate is left open, it can defeat the purpose of keeping an area secured.

Our 5 senses assist us with being aware of where we are and what is happening around us. The five senses that we have can also be identified as gates;

We have an ear gate to able to hear.

We have an eye gate to be able to see.

We have a tongue gate to be able to taste.

We have a nose gate to be able to smell.

We have a touch gate to be able to feel.

Believers have to constantly be watchful and on guard to what is attempting to enter their gates.

Proverbs 8:34 “Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.” (NKJV)

If a person allows one or more of their gates to remain open to the wrong thing, it can give the enemy an opportunity to “come in like a flood.”

The Spirit of the Lord (the Holy Spirit) will lift up a standard that gives a believer the power needed, to stop the attempts of the enemy to enter into our gates.

“O God, thank you for the power of your Spirit that warns and reminds believers about what they are listening too, what they are smelling, watching, tasting or touching that can allow the enemy access to enter in our gates, in Jesus name…Amen!“

Continuing in His service…Rev

Anger

Ephesians 4:26-27 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, ²⁷ nor give place to the devil. (NKJV)

This passage of Scripture tells the reader several things about anger.

Depending on what happens we will experience anger, but we should not allow anger to cause us to sin. The passage then tells the reader to deal with the anger as soon as possible. This passage also includes a warning about how this can be an opportunity for the devil to have influence on how we may act on the anger that we are feeling.

Anger can be a complicated emotion that has profound effects on a person, and can also have an effect on the people around that person. Anger is a feeling that a person can experience without warning at any time. Sometimes we might see anger coming and sometimes we might not, and can be easily caught off guard.

Anger often causes people to act in ways we may not be proud of, and can cause us to make mistakes that will have consequences in our lives that we may regret. Anger can be difficult to control at times, and can develop into madness or uncontrollable rage.

A person experiencing anger may often experience physical effects, such as increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and increased levels of adrenaline.

Anger is a way that we can give gratification to the flesh if we are not careful, and if the anger is not dealt with correctly, and in a reasonable amount of time, it can lead to that anger bearing fruit. That fruit can be identified as feelings of anxiety, hurt, despair, rejection, financial loss or broken relationships.

Proverbs 15:1-2 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

The way we respond when we get angry can determine if we are allowing anger to control us, or if we are controlling the anger.

Proverbs 16:32 “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” (NIV)

Lord Jesus, give your people wisdom to recognize anger when it happens, and strength to control any feelings of the anger they are experiencing, in Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

 

Not on My watch

Psalm 121:4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep. (NKJV)

The phrase “not on my watch” is from the nature of command on board a ship that has different shifts that have been divided and called ‘watches”. Individuals take turns to be “the person on watch” and is in charge of the ship.

To be “the person on watch” entails serious status, having a great responsibility for the entire ship itself, also everyone that is on the ship.

Everything that happens on “your watch” is your responsibility. So if any mishaps, accidents or any kind of damage occurs, the person “on watch” will be held responsible, even if they don’t have anything to do with it.

It is considered to be a bad mark against the person “on watch” if a problem occurs when they were in charge, and did not take corrective action to stop the wrong doing from happening.

Our Heavenly Father is “on watch” 24/7 for His people, and will keep them from dangers seen and unseen.  

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (NKJV)

A believer never has to feel that they are alone or unprotected.

Our Heavenly Father is “on watch”

Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. (NKJV) Selah

Because God is a safe hiding place, He can keep his people from any danger that may come their way.

Our Heavenly Father is “on watch”

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.” (NKJV)

No matter what season a person may be in, whether it be day or night, the word of God will persevere in a season of trials or tribulation that may arise.

Our Heavenly Father is “on watch”

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord. (NKJV)

God can see weapons that are being formed against His people. Because He is on watch constantly and will intervene on His peoples behalf, He prevents what is being done, or what is being said from prospering and having an effect on His people.

Our Heavenly Father is “on watch”

Psalm 91:10-11 No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
¹¹ For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways. (NKJV)

“Thank you heavenly Father for being “on watch” for your people and for preventing any evil or plague to come near. Thank you also for encamping angels around and about your people, that keep your people each and every day. You said in your word that you would never leave us or forsake us. Our trust is only in You, in Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (NKJV)

Identity theft can happen both in the natural and in the supernatural.

Identity theft in the natural happens when someone deliberately uses another person’s identity, or credit to gain a financial advantage for themselves.

By stealing a person’s identity, this often takes away the buying power from the person whose identity that has been stolen, leaving them at a disadvantage or loss.

The person who’s identity that has been stolen, can sometimes be held responsible for the perpetrator’s actions limiting the person’s buying power to make purchases.

Identity theft in the supernatural can be described as taking a believers identity in Christ.

Someone might ask the question “what is my identity in Christ?” The answer can be found in the following scripture;

1st Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” NKJV

One goal of the enemy is to try to steal a believer’s identity in Christ. If the enemy can accomplish this, not only is the believer’s identity taken, but a believer’s power and authority can also be lost.

Many times people will base their identities on what they do (from their jobs to their roles in relationships), defining themselves by these pursuits.

Many people struggle with their identity as a Christian because they do not know who they are in Christ. The enemy can often cause confusion or distractions by getting a believer to identify with other things which can easily lead to “supernatural identity theft.”

A believers identity defines who they are as a Christian and with that identity, believers can encompass the abundance of being a beloved child of God. Who are you in defines your identity, and that can be a question many people struggle to answer.

Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart so is he” (KJV)

The way we think, and the thoughts we have as a believer, will reaffirm our identity as being;

A child of God

Ephesians 1:5 “He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will—” (AMP)

A citizen of heaven

Philippians 3:20 “But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;” (AMP)

A new creation

2nd Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. (AMP)

Lord Jesus, thank you our identity that we have in You, …Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev