I HAVE MOVED.

DEAR FAMILY, FRIENDS, FELLOW-BLOGGERS, FOLLOWERS and READERS, this ministry is going through another transformation by the grace of God, which may be a reflection of my internal changes based on a deeper (growing) relationship with the Holy Spirit.

In an effort to bring the COMPLETE FOCUS to Christ, the Holy Spirit and God the Father, I have been led to take 'ME' out of the picture. 'SMorganMinistries' has changed to 'Epignosis Ministries' and we have furthered the transformation by moving THE BLOG. You can click the link to go to the New Blog.

The email has also changed to epignosistchr@hotmail.com. I will send emails to those persons on the smorganministries contact list to notify you all of the changes. Also follow us on twitter at: @EpignosisTCHR.

I have already exported all of the posts and comments from this blog to the new blog. I will not shut down this blog but will only disable comments. I will continue to monitor this blog but all new posts will be on the new blog. I have activated the FOLLOW option over there as well so feel free to follow me or bookmark the page. To my fellow-bloggers who had me on their blogrolls; if you still want to see my posts simply add this link http://epignosisministries.com to your blogroll.

Blessings to you as you continue your journey with Christ and me.

HOLY BIBLE 101 - Exposing SATAN (part 6).

WE HAVE ESTABLISHED THAT SATAN IS A DEFEATED FOE. So why aren't people celebrating Christ's victory in a way that honours Christ and why aren't they living their lives like Satan is defeated? Why do they often allow Satan to entice them and gain an advantage when the Holy Bible says do not give him room to do so? Why don't they let their born-again spirits dominate their carnal souls. If you have wondered about this then let us analyse it now.

Who am I? I am born again in my spirit because I believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God who died for my sins, rose from the dead, and now sits at God's right hand, talking to Him about me. My spirit was once disconnected from God BUT, because I am born-again through Jesus Christ, it is now reconnected to God who is my Father, and I fellowship with God when I study the Bible, pray, praise, and worship HIM. The mind of my born-again spirit is how I communicate with God because I have the mind of Christ in the mind of my spirit. Let me explain.

There are Christians who are immature because they are babies in Christ. They envy, argue and are very contentious. The Apostle Paul describes them well and says that they can only drink milk; they cannot eat meat. This is true about ALL babies so what did he mean when he used it to describe Christians?

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Paul was saying that these Christians had not grown in Christ from the time they accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour. They had not moved from the level they were at in their spirit when they first became born-again, so he had to give them the simple truths (milk) of the Word of God. He could not feed them with the deep, profound spiritual truths (meat) of the Word of God because they were still babies. They could not manage it then and cannot manage it now. In fact, they were so carnal, they were acting like they were unsaved; they were acting like they were not born-again even though they were.

Paul uses the word 'carnal' to describe them. It is translated from the Greek word SARKIKOS (Strong's G4559), which comes from the Greek word SARX (Strong's G4561). Sarkikos is an adjective used here to describe someone who is controlled by the animal appetites within their human nature; who is not controlled by the Holy Spirit of God. Sarx is a noun that denotes mere human nature. It is the earthly nature of man that is prone to sin apart from divine influence and is opposed to God. Paul acknowledges that even he had struggles between his born-again spirit and the carnal mind (Sarx). But this was very different from being a baby Christian (Sarkikos). Paul says:

"For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin." Romans 7:18-25

Paul was writing to the Roman Christians and he was using himself as an example. Paul said no good thing lives in the flesh (v.18) and even though he wanted to do good, evil was present with him (v.21), warring against the law of his mind and dragging him back into sin (v.23). This very mature and seasoned APOSTLE of God was at war within himself (v.25).

He told us plainly that it was a great struggle. If this happens to mature Christians how much more are babes in Christ completely vulnerable? Paul used the word 'flesh' which is the same Greek word SARX that is mentioned by Jesus as well.

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

The same word is also translated 'flesh', ‘carnally’ and ‘carnal’ in the scripture below:

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:5-8

Anyone who is under the influence of the flesh is not pleasing God! Christians are urged to be spiritually minded, that is, to be led by the Holy Spirit because this is life and peace. The scripture tells us there is a constant struggle between the Holy Spirit and the flesh because they are opposite.

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:17

Note the capital 'S' in the word 'Spirit' signifying that this refers to the Holy Spirit. This struggle was Paul's dilemma but he chose to allow his spirit to be led by the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit led him to do many mighty works for the Lord.

HERE IS THE CRUX OF THE MATTER: When Satan attacks, he attacks us where we are most vulnerable. THIS IS THAT PLACE!!! He plays the carnal mind against the mind of the born-again spirit. Most people fall victim to Satan's tactics and give in to the carnal mind because as Christ said, “...the flesh is weak.”

NOW that you know Satan's tactics, how will you make him flee from you? Use the strategy in part 4, the one God gave us through James. We can also tackle the problem another way. The scripture says we should renew the mind and we will be transformed. Change that carnal mind by letting the mind of your born-again spirit dominate you.

“...be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. ” Romans 12:2

This word 'mind' is translated from the Greek word NOUS (Strong's G3563). It refers specifically to the soul in this scripture. Change that carnal mind by letting the mind of your born-again spirit dominate your soul because born-again believers have the mind (NOUS-soul) of Christ in their spirit.

“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16

This is the same word NOUS, used for your 'mind' that is used for mind of Christ here.

BORN-AGAIN believers are very equipped against Satan but most don't know these things. Because they don't know, they live defeated lives. NOW THAT YOU KNOW, IT IS TIME TO STOP ALLOWING THE DEVIL TO BULLY YOU!

VICTORY OVER SATAN!!!

S. Morgan on Google+

HOLY BIBLE 101 - Exposing SATAN (part 5).

HOW DID JESUS CHRIST DEFEAT SATAN?
We often hear preachers say "Christ defeated Satan at the cross!" but do we know what that really means? How did Jesus do it; what exactly did He do to defeat Satan and render him powerless? Let us examine this in detail.

Before we begin, you should know that the only power Satan has over born-again believers is the power God allows and the power YOU give him. Let me repeat that... Satan has NO POWER over you unless God allows it or YOU give it to him. The Holy Bible is clear about this: see GOD allows:- Job 1:6-12 and YOU give:- Ephesians 4:26-27.

So how did Jesus defeat Satan? This is how it began: Jesus told us Himself that He would be in the centre or heart of the earth for three days and three nights. What did He mean and where exactly did He go?

"For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Matthew 12:40

The word 'heart' is translated from the Greek word KARDIA (Strong's G2588), which, in this instance, refers to the middle, central or inmost part of the earth. What is at the centre of the earth? Jesus, carrying the weight of the SIN of the world (See 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Hebrews 9:28), literally went to HELL (Click the link for a discussion on hell's location.).

The scripture also tells us that Jesus has the keys of hell and death. John saw Christ in Heaven when John was writing the book of Revelation and Christ told him that He (Christ) lives, had been dead, is alive forevermore and has the keys of hell and death.

"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." Revelations 1:18

The word 'keys' in this scripture is translated from the Greek word KLEIS (Strong's G2807). In this scripture it refers to the power to bring the dead from hell back to earth as well as the power (of Jesus the holder of the key) to leave hell. Jesus took them from Satan.

The word 'death' is translated from the Greek word THANATOS (Strong's G2288), which refers to the separation of the soul from the body with the added idea of the soul going to hell. Jesus' power over death means that He has the power to prevent ANYONE from going to hell if they die. This means that Satan once HAD the power to drag people down to hell but Jesus took that power from him. Jesus took the keys then made an open show of his victory over all the devil's forces.

"And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." Colossians 2:15

The word 'spoiled' is translated from the Greek word APEKDYOMAI (Strong's G554), which, in this scripture, refers specifically to Jesus DISARMING Satan and his agents. The word 'triumphing' is translated from the Greek word THRIAMBEUO (Strong's G2358), which refers to celebrating a triumph or a win as well as to cause someone to do the same. Not only did Jesus disarm them, He did it openly, that is, He made an example out of them, celebrated His victory and caused us to celebrate it as well!

Jesus did something awesome. The scripture says He led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men. In addition the scripture tells us that he descended first then ascended above all heavens to fill all things. What does this mean?

“Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)” Ephesians 4:8-10

The words 'captivity captive' are interesting. They are translated from the Greek words AICHMALOTEUO (Strong's G162) and AICHMALOSIA (Strong's G161) respectively. The context is that Jesus captured those who had been taken captive and led them to captivity, that is, Heaven.

IN SUMMARY: When Jesus died on the cross He went to hell carrying the sin of the entire world. While there He disarmed Satan and his army, took the power of death and hell from Satan and rose from the dead. When He rose from the dead He took those who Satan had held captive with Him, celebrated his victory and led them into a good 'captivity' in Heaven. He made the way for us to celebrate that victory as well.

Jesus' actions clearly show us that Satan is a defeated enemy who has lost the most powerful weapon he had over us. So why aren't we celebrating and why aren't we acting like Satan is defeated? Why do we (me included) often allow Satan to entice us and gain an advantage when the Holy Bible tells us to not give him room to do so? Let us explore these questions and more in EXPOSING SATAN (part 6).

REMEMBER: follow the steps in part 4 of this series to overcome Satan's schemes and Satan will have to flee from you.

S. Morgan on Google+

HOLY BIBLE 101 - Exposing SATAN (part 4).

BORN-AGAIN PEOPLE HAVE VICTORY OVER SATAN
Now that we know WHO Satan is and are aware of his JOB let us remember that Christ has already won the WAR against him so you don't have to fear him or stress about his work against you! The little battles that Satan wants you to experience are easily overcome if you are obedient to the following scripture:

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." James 4:7-10

Follow these steps when Satan attacks:

1. Submit to God. The word 'submit' is translated from HYPOTASSO, which was a Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader". In non-military use, it was "a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden". We are urged to give in to God, to yield to Him, to line up under His authority much like a solider 'falling-in' in a parade, and to obey Him.

2. Resist Satan. The word 'resist' is translated from ANTHISTEMI, which refers to withstanding, opposing and resisting something. In this case we MUST withstand, oppose and resist Satan. We MUST firmly set or fix our position, take a stand against Satan and establish our stance. The Holy Bible PROMISES us that when we do this, SATAN MUST RUN AWAY from us. The word 'flee' (PHEUGO), is used here to describe what Satan must do. It refers to vanishing and fleeing to find safety. Interesting huh? Satan MUST run away to find safety from us when we follow these steps. LOL :)

3. Draw near to God. The words 'draw near' are translated from EGGIZO, which refers to approaching, drawing near and joining together with something. In this case we are to approach God (come boldly to the throne-Hebrews 4:16), draw near to Him (Hebrews 10:22) and join Him in fellowship (1 John 1:3).

IN ADDITION: We know that James was talking to Hebrew believers (James 1:1). He urged those believers who were practicing sin to cleanse (2 Corinthians 7:1) their hands, an analogy referring to purifying themselves for the performance of their work. The double-minded are urged to purify (1 John 3:3) their hearts, which refers to cleansing themselves morally of wavering, uncertainty, doubting and divided interest. Lastly, believers are urged to be humble before God so that He can exalt them.

Let us continue this exposé in the next post EXPOSING SATAN (part 5).

God Bless You!

S. Morgan on Google+

HOLY BIBLE 101 - Exposing SATAN (part 3).

SATAN'S NAMES
Satan was once called Lucifer and was an angel in Heaven. He wanted to sit on God's throne and he wanted to be like God. This was traitorous rebellion and treason against God, which resulted in his expulsion from the family of God. The HOLY BIBLE tells us:

"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit." Isaiah 14: 12-15

He was cast down from Heaven to earth where he now lives. He will be brought down to HELL eventually. The phrase 'the sides of the pit' refers to the innermost chamber (the centre) 'inside' hell, which is where he will be chained for a time (Revelation 20:1-3).

He is called Beelzebub, the chief of devils.

"But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub." Luke 11:15,18

This word 'chief' comes from the Greek word ARCHON, pronounced ä'r-khōn. It refers to a ruler, commander, chief or leader.

He is also called Belial.

"And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?" 2 Corinthians 6:15

Christ has no agreement with Satan and likewise born-again believers have no agreement with infidels. This word infidel not only refers to persons who are unbelievers, it also refers to Christians who are unfaithful, faithless, or who reject true faith in God.

FEAR NOT! You will see why in the continuation of this topic in EXPOSING SATAN (part 4).

God Bless You!

S.Morgan on Google+

HOLY BIBLE 101 - Exposing SATAN (part 2).

Satan is NOT a MAN or WOMAN and is NOT flesh and blood. He is a personal spirit-being with several names, many diabolical attributes, limited powers, and personal schemes opposing everything having to do with God. He is called the great dragon, that old serpent and the Devil. He is a deceiver and a habitual and persistent accuser of born-again believers.

"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night." Revelation 12:9-10

His destiny has already been pre-determined. He will surely go to HELL when Christ returns. He walks back and forth, up and down in the earth, seeking people to drag down to hell with him. He walked about in Job's time and he walks about now.

"And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it." Job 1:6-7

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" 1 Peter 5:8

The word translated 'devour' in our English Bible is the Greek word KATAPINO, pronounced kä-tä-pē'-nō. It refers to drinking down, swallowing down, destroying or consuming anything. Now that we know what the scripture says about Satan let us look at some of his many names. Remember that Biblical names have specific meaning and are attributes of the persons to whom they belong.

Let us continue this exposé in the next post EXPOSING SATAN (part 3).

God Bless You!

S. Morgan on Google+