Money Matters 2 - LOCATING THE LYING LOSER

Revelation 20:1-3 - Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven... He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the devil and satan, and bound him for a thousand years... so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished...

Defeated But Still Deadly?

If satan was defeated by Christ on the cross 2000 years ago, why do we still need to deal with him anymore? Why does he still have power over us?

It is true, Christ defeated satan. Jesus totally stripped satan of his stolen authority to mess up people's lives. The devil is indeed a defeated foe.

In the Garden, Adam lost his authority of dominion over the planet to the devil who took over and unlawfully, became the 'god of this world.' The human race came under the spiritual slavery of satan. Every facet of human life - political, social, spiritual, economic and the educational spheres came under satan's evil influence through his lies and half-truths. 

Through the cross, Jesus Christ took back those keys of authority from satan who stole it from Adam its rightful owner.

Luke 10:19 - Behold I give unto 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.

Since the devil and his cohorts have all been defeated, how can he possibly have anymore hold or power over the saints?

Satan's Pseudo Power

Though satan has been denuded of all authority to hurt and harass people, it does not mean that he sits idly by, giving up further attempts to thwart God's plans and purposes. He is not going to roll over and show himself dead. No, he still persists in destroying the destinies of man.


Satan exploits the ignorance of the saints on Christ's finished work and devour those who live in ignorance of the victory of Christ over him.  The devil cannot harass just anyone he sees or he wants. He has to carefully seek and particularly select potential targets. These targets must always be those who are unaware, ignorant and oblivious of the truths concerning the cross and satan's utter defeat.


Destruction from Ignorance
Hosea 4:6 - for My people are destroyed for their lack of knowledge


The greater the ignorance in a person, the greater is satan's advantage over that person. When people are ignorant of God's ways and will, they become vulnerable to enemy manipulation and domination.


Satan's Only 'Power' - Deception!
The 'power' satan has over anyone is released by his getting the person to believe his lies. The devil actually activates his victim's spirit and soul against himself. This is so because God designed a man to thrive when his life is based upon truth. He self-destructs when his life is based upon 'lies' because he was not designed to function on lies.


The devil is not the roaring lion. He only tries to sound like one. He paints a picture of himself as a powerful lion that can destroy people's lives and families. The truth is he is not! He is a totally beaten, toothless little wimp! The actual roaring lion is Christ Jesus - the Lion of Judah!

Satan is a Liar!
The devil lies about everything - about God, about himself, about people, about heaven, about hell, about the earth, about the Church and so on. It is in satan's nature to lie. He can only deceive those who listen to his lies. The devil himself knows - If you can be deceived, you can be defeated.


John 8:44 - You are of your father, the devil, and it is your will to practice the lusts and gratify the desires {which are characteristic] of your father. 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 falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar himself and the father of lies and of all that is false.


Some vital truths from the passage of scripture...


1. All that is false and untrue is sourced in satan. All that is true is sourced in God. Satan is called the father of lies. Jesus is the Truth.


2. Truth gives us access into God's life. Lies forces us into the devil's domain and therefore his dominion.


3. Satan's quest to kill the life of Christ in believers is done through lies and all that is false. He is a murderer or a taker of life. God is Author of Increase in and for believers. He is the Prince or Author of Life.


Only God Reveals Destinies
To fulfil one's destiny, one must first know it. A person's destiny was ordered in eternity, before time, by God Himself. Unless the person is reconnected and stays connected to the Creater, he can never discover his true purpose in life. The connection is only possible through a living, heart relationship with Him. This life is the very thing satan seeks to kill - the life of God flowing in and through the saint - satan seeks to murder the life of God.


Word Looters
How then does he accomplish this murder? It is by stealing the word or rhema - the specific message that God speaks. God has placed His life in His word and satan knows this!


Specifically, the devil's focus is to stop the beleiver obtaining revelation knowledge. It is revelation knowledge that produces faith and without faith, a person is disconnected from the Power of the Life source - God himself!


Hebrews 11:6 - For without faith, it is impossible to please God...
Romans 10:17 - Faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God.
John 16:13 - When He, the Spirit of Truth has come, He will guide you into all truth...


The Weakened Church
As far as money matters go, satanic deception has spanned many decades now on the church of Christ...


a) The Boxed-In Church
Much of the Church is boxed up today. She has not been 'allowed' to fully express herself, optimising every gift, talent and ability resident with her. God being the increase demands that His people multiply and prosper and manifest His manifold wisdom to the world. Since everything in His kingdom operates based on the law of increase, members of His kingdom will necessarily and resultantly be advancing in an upward, increasing direction for all areas of life.


God wants His people to be blessed in all areas of their lives. When the saint is powerfully plugged to the God of Increase, he cannot but increase!


b) The Holey Christian
Much of the church still hold to the lie that God wants them saved and then to wait contentedly - either for the rapture or their death, whichever comes first! While waiting, they believe, Christians are to be contented with what they have and not to shoot for the top, or excel in becoming their best, in contributing to human society. All such quests are deemed ungodly, unholdy and worldly.


c) The Low Life Christian
Many believers have believed that God frowns on such 'ambitions and desires' to be great and successful. So they remain stuck at mediocrity or low level of life. They substitute godly contentment with ungodly complacency and lethargy all in the name of being holy or humble.


The gifts, talents and abilities resident within the saints are rarely allowed full expression. Mediocrity and low-living seemingly praised above the spirit of excellence or the desire to breakthrough in life. The Church is thus boxed up and shamefully limited in her expression of the God of Increase to the world.


d) Molested and Beat Up
The Church believes 'money is the root of all evil' wrongly connects evil to money and consequently avoids all money issues fearing she will become evil.


Last Day Apostasy
The last day Church is prophesied to be an overcoming and triumphant one-in all aspects of life. The Church will again be the world leader in all spheres of life - socially, politically, economically, spiritually and educationally.


The greatest key to experiencing God's promises and power in our lives is to have a listening ear. We need to be plugged into God continually and this comes through being tuned in to God's frequency instead of the other frequencies of the world, satan and man.


John 10:3-5 the sheep hear His voice... and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.


SUMMARY OF PRINCIPLES


1. Through His cross, Christ totally stripped satan of his authority to oppress or enslave people again. It is a done deal, a completed mission, a fulfilled victory.


2. The only 'power' satan has over people today comes through his lies and deceptions. Ignorant Christians are vulnerable and easy victims of satan only because of their ignorance of truth.


3. If you can be deceived, you can be defeated.


4. The success of satan's battle against the Church is tied to his stealing the word or message of Christ to and for the Church. No word (rhema) means no life. No life means unfufilled destinies.

Money Matters 1 - VISION OF VIOLENCE

A Vision

The hideous tyrant appeared both enraged and jubilant. With deadly force, he was tirelessly lashing out his long whip against the people. Loud 'whacking' sounds could be heard. Each time the whip cracked, loud shrieks echoed through the enclosed place. The people were panting, gasping and screaming in terror as they ran amok and around.

A unique feature of the vision was the fact that none of the victims could tell from where or from whom the beating was coming. The evil torturer was invisible to them. Yet they were experiencing unbearable, even excruciating pain all the time. All they could do was to keep on running mostly in a circular direction. Yet, no matter where they ran, the whip seemed to follow them closely. They just keep endlessly running around amok endlessly.

It was upon seeing a black colored dollar sign inscribed on the forehead of the demon that I began receiving some clear words from the Lord regarding the meaning of the vision.

Understanding the Vision

The Lord showed me that many of His people, including and especially His ministers were under the cruel dominion and control of the Spirit of Mammon. Untold numbers, entrapped by Satan, interlocked in a deadly whirlpool of financial hellholes, have become emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually fatigued. This has paralyzed any will in them to fight back. Some have become resigned and indifferent to believing any hope of a turnaround in their adversities. Many are already swept into increasing cycles of defeat, depression and destruction. Also, many have compromised their faith by going back to their past ways in making a living, having lost many more hope in God and believing the like that He has forsaken them or that they are no longer worthy of Him.

The Word of The Lord

And the Lord said to me, "This is one battle Satan has scored well against My people. He

Blessings for your life - Wisdom and Intelligence by Rev Melvyn Mak

Proverbs 30:24-28 (this chapter is not written by Solomon but by an elderly man).

So much intelligence but very little wisdom. Now there is an explosion of information. Lawyer Razid run away. Wisdom is the ability to know what is true and right.

Wisdom is a skill for living and what God intended for our life. God wants to bless us with wisdom. James 1:5-8, 1 Cor 1:27-29

#1) ANT - Strategic Preparation - It's about timing! v35

#2) CONEY - Secure Place - It's about obedience

#3) LOCUST - Strong Purposes - It's about teamwork

#4) LIZARD - Special Position - It's about Grace

#1) Ants are hardworking, they are able to overcome. Ants prepare for winter. The ant creature of little strength yet the store up in summer for winter. Someone who is wise,will prepare himself. Luke 16:8, Matt 5:25-26

#2) Prov 30:26 Coneys are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags. Matt 7. All of us will hear the word of God - some will choose to build the house on their rock, and some to build it on the sand.

Building on the rock = more costly for obedience and wise

Building on the sand = short cut and foolish

Psalm 62:6-7, Prov 9:10

#3) Locust - Strong Purpose v27. Locust have no king, yet they advance together in ranks. When they have a fix focus and power, nothing can stop them and they move in power.

Lev 26:8 Certorn - Lie low and stitch. Family means nobody left behind.

Group - just gather together to meet. Team has a goal, will run together, locust have ownership of their purpose and there is always one person where God will identify to lead with a strong purpose.

#4) Lizard - Special Position Prov 30:28

Creature that can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in King's palace. A lizard and a palace is about grace.

A Place to Be - by Ps Eugene Seow

4987600 - Last Tues - Singapore Population as at June 2009. Are you just one of them.

Question - Why am I here in Singapore? Is Singapore save forever? Is this the PLACE to be? Acts 17:28. God has determined who you are and where you are. God has a wonderful place in your life.

Matt 22:37-40, Gal 5:14 = 'To love Your Neighbour is the Place to be." How can I fulfilled God's greatest commandment / purpose in the place He has placed me. The Place to be Acts 17:26

#1) When you ACCEPT your Place in God's Plan. Gen 1:28, Gen 12:1-2. Gen 35:11-12. God is concerned about the land. 1 Chron 4:10, Jer 29:4-7. God wants them to appreciate where He has placed you.

Destination => Destiny and Nation

Committed to your land - pray for your neighbour, pray for your land.

#2) When you ALIGN God's Plan in your place Acts 17:27

If you want to live in God's purpose, you need to align to HIM. Matt 5:13. Not so much about salt but it is being salty.

Step 1 - They would seek Him - be a bridge of Blessing (make a difference). Ps 16:5,6 - Ps Julie's favoriet

#3) When you ACT in faith - believe God for transformation.

Acts 17:28 Luke 5:17-26

Jesus does not respond to need, but respond to faith. God will move on your faith. All this God is moving us from being salt to light in this land. Matt 5:16

Sermon by Pastor Ashley Evans

Leah => Ruben

Gen 29 - Leah had another son - Simeon where it gives birth of the Levites tribe

Gen 29:35

Praise always come first before breakthrough. God's divine order - praise comes first. Blaming others about her circumstances. Focus on alot of things - your career, being a parent, your studies.

4th Child - Judah, it is not man's first but God's first choice. Gen 37 - Judah is the one who protects his brother, Joseph.

1) Praise Protect the dreams and dreamer

2) Praise protects you when you are vulnerable Gen 44:14-18

3) Praise puts pressure on the problem. Praise begins to put pressure on the problem, issue.

4) Praise changes you

5) Praise was chosen by God to welcome a new day Ps 118:4

6) Praise was chosen to attack the enemy first - Judges 1:1-2

7) Praise says you expect to win

8) Praise declares that my destiny is in good hands

9) Praise is the cure for discouragement and depression Eph 5:4, Be thankful for all things

10) Praise releases the power of God

Staying Fresh For God - Daniel 6

Sermon by Ps Lawrence Khong

Daniel Chapt 1 to 6 talks about life of Daniel

Chapt 7 till end => message from God, concerning the end time.

God is concerned about men before the message. God prepare the man, so he can be the vessel for God.

1) We can learn from Daniel's sensational success in his career, v3 Daniel has excellent qualities

2) We can learn from Daniel's impeccable integrity, Chapt 6 v4-5

3) We can learn from Daniel's unshakeable faith even when he is in the Lion's Den

4) The most important lesson is found in Daniel's spiritual freshness for God!

Daniel 1 = reference back - Daniel is about 14 to 16 years old and you can tell his committment to God is the same as Chapt 6 even when he reaches age 80.

Daniel's success and faith is always fresh = 66 years of unshakeable, integrity, etc

We can have a week, a month, but for a man / woman of God can live for 20 years, 30 years, 60 years freshness for God, Spiritual freshness is doubling charming.

God is ready to give us a freshness. We can stay fresh for God by staying fresh with God. If we draw close to Him, enjoy intimate relationship with Him, He will stay close to you. Chapt 6:10-11

Daniel prayed 3 times/day just as before => lifestyle, Luke 5:15-16

Matt 5:6 => We are not hungry enough but if you are hungry, you will search for your food.

On a Dark and Stormy Night

Matthew 14:22-36, Matt 5:45

How can I survived in a dark and stormy night?

a) Recognising the voice of God - There is security

b) Responding to the voice of God - There is salvation

Passing to the next generation - is recognising the voice of the Lord. How?

1) Voice of Comfort - You can count on Him - Matt 14:25-27, Ps 8:3-4, 1 Peter 5:7

It is I, God is there. 2 Cor 1:3-4

2) It is a voice of communion. You can COME to Him. 1 Thes 5:19-22. James 3:17, James 4:8, Rev 3:20

3) It is a voice of Compassion. You can cling on to Him Matt 14:30-31

4) Matt 14:28,29 - He humanly stepped out. This is responding in faith. He honestly called out. He humbly cried out.

Normally during storm, we want to defend and take control. What is the best antidote for PRIDE is HELP. Matt 14:32-33