The FRUIT-BRUISERS

     Bernie Cull, a local evangelist who lived to be 98 years young, was an amazing man.
Whenever he greeted you he would always say "Heaven-O", because he believed

no-one should end up in "Hell". Well Bernie, the name of his org was "Jesus Fire Department" with the slogan "Keeping People From The Flames". He told people far & wide, "Jesus Paid Your Debt at the Cross" and he passed out "tickets to Heaven".

 Bernie was a wonderful "old saint", and I had the pleasure of knowing him for a while ... I got to film him and I viewed his little message videos he made, and even got to edit a few myself. The thing I loved about Bernie the most, was of course, his love for Jesus, his wife (who went on to glory before him), and he absolutely LOVED people! 

One of the things he shared with me, he frequently ran into
"false brethren", he referred to them as "fruit-bruisers". These were folks who liked to "examine fruit" but were mean-spirited and harsh. They went around, targeting the young & the innocent, sensitive ones, perhaps ones with weaknesses, to see if they measured up to "their christianity". These full of "christian pride" ones, these so-called "under-shepherds" and "sheriffs to the body of Christ" would often grill others with many questions, be very legalistic and even challenging to see if these "little ones" were genuine --
or not!

Bernie did not like them, he wanted to see Jesus "straighten them out". Quite frankly, I never saw him so bugged about anything else.
  

 I wanted to call this blog "The Backstabbers" because the topic reminds me of this song

by The O'Jays:
   

      (What they do)
(They smile in your face)
All the time they want to take your place
The back stabbers (back stabbers)
(They smile in your face)
All the time they want to take your place
The back stabbers (back stabbers)

(Writer/s: HUFF, LEON / MCFADDEN, GENE / WHITEHEAD, JOHN
Copyright © 1972

Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Released in 1972)

*You can listen to the whole song here:   The Backstabbers Song 

BUT THEN, I realized that some of these yahoo characters actually will stab you right in the front, in your heart!  You meet them, and they pretend to like you and be your friend.

Later, as time wears on, they become "familiar" with you, your personality, your "quirks" and your lifestyle. And then one day, suddenly, they POUNCE! They become "another person" and totally not Christ-like or loving. All of a sudden, they are your JUDGE.
Now to all of you who have never experienced anything like this, consider yourself

very, very fortunate. Very blessed even. And I will give some examples of this soon.
But remember Bernie? He wasn't the only one that had to deal with these "Fruit-Bruisers".

Jesus had the Pharisees & Sadducees. Brrrrrr! They were "cold as ice" and many of them

were blind, and they were the Top Fruit-Bruisers. In Luke 11:53, The Pharisees began to

bombard Jesus with many questions:
 

When He left there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be 

very hostile and to question Him closely on many subjects,   

plotting against Him to catch Him in something He might say.

Jesus had to put up with The Parasites, er, I mean Pharisees, for most of his ministry years here on the planet. They were constantly challenging him, all of the time. It was hard to get away from it. But each time, he handled himself brilliantly! I love the way he would answer questions with more questions! There's a lot of record of this in Matthew ... by the time chapter 23 rolls around, Jesus exposes them real good!
What about Paul the Apostle?
I'm glad you asked!

Paul talks about having dealt with "false brethren". He gives a scathing rebuke here:

^{[M]en will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,  unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,} treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power;  Avoid such men as these.

(2 Timothy 3)

Paul also had a run-in with a certain "Alexander the Coppersmith".

His response to this episode goes like this:

          Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; 

the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.

(2 Timothy 4:14)

Not sure what all happened here ... but suffice it to say, Paul left the judging up

to God, who alone brings righteous vengeance.

Now ... I would like to focus on the 2 Timothy 3 passage above -- NOTICE how all these characteristics are very anti-christ behavior, anti-christian, anti-fruit of the Holy Spirit! I do not fathom how "christians" can operate like this, claiming to be "saved", even some "spirit-filled" and "holy" etc. but they seem to be full of snakes, hate and SELF! Notice also where Paul says "holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power"!!!  When you stop to realize that it is IMPOSSIBLE for someone to know God if they are devoid of God's LOVE (1st John, epistle) >>> And then you realize that The Love of God is a "power" of God; The Grace of God is a "power" from God; The Holy Spirit (including the FRUIT, not only the gifts) is the power of God AND The Glorious Gospel of The Lord Jesus Christ is the power of God!! >>> You REALIZE that some people are just "religious" and have "religious pride" and indoctrination, programming, "spiritual pride" and are just plain F A L S E.  They come to you proud of their church-going, with an air of religiosity and sometimes superiority, and look down upon you ever so condescendingly!
Paul says "Avoid such men (or women) as these"!

There is a "true-blue" nature of The True Believer. He has surrendered any "jackass" nature he or she might have had to JESUS ... and in return we have a brand new HEART, brand new MIND and a brand new NATURE, by the power of the gospel, the faith of God, the righteousness of Jesus, and by The Spirit of God! There is TRANSFORMATION.
We are CHANGED!!!
Don't agree? Just read Romans 12. It's in there. Paul uses a Greek word, where we get our word "metamorphosis", describing the process of change, from a lowly caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly. That's part of the transformation when we believe the Gospel, and receive that free gift of righteousness, and the infilling of The Holy Spirit. We start to feel like Jesus feels, think like Jesus thinks, and we WANT to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. It happens in the Heart, our spirit. Some people want to bring up the "old man" verses, without realizing that we are supposed to be something UNIQUE by that transforming power! And we do. We will. Unless we don't get delivered from some of the junk mentioned above.

EXAMPLES OF THE FALSE

*These things actually happened to me or to some of my friends*
• My Dad just passed away, and my "christian" neighbor responded,
      "Well you know after death comes the judgment ..." I wanted to 

     drop through the floor. Or hit them with a watermelon. One of the two.
• A friend loses his son, and "christians" come out of the woodwork, either 

      to judge or just be plain "cold as ice". Where's the comfort of the Holy Spirit there??
      (which is supposed to be IN christians???)

• A wife gets a phone call from an old friend. Out of the blue, she starts quizzing her

      on how her husband makes money, and for whom does he work? The spirit 

      in which the questions are asked  are "interrogating". Is it any of your business, really?

• A man tries to win a daughter's affection, but by "forcing his will" upon her

      so that she will become "his wife". What planet did you drop off of? Is that

      anyway to win a girl, or better yet, to win her parents??
• A neighbor mows a yard for a man. The next day, he comes over and says,
      "God told me to stop helping you". Really? Which God again??

• An old friend shows up after 25 years ... she wants to take out her friend

       for a "good time". She then spends the next 24+ hours gossiping, asking

       all kinds of personal questions, and in short, making the other friend feel

      very uncomfortable.

Now ... couple this with some wierd voodoo-type witchcraft and some mind-bending

control, manipulating emotions and circumstances, solely for the purpose to enslave

and make "them" look good ... well, it's time to "call it quits"! Get away from them. 
Sound crazy? Well yes it is, in fact, insane. But there is deliverance from all the 

effects of the powers of darkness or from ungodly, unsavory people.

God has called us to PEACE, not to strife, and not to slavery or mind-control or 

anything that will bump us off of His Destiny for us. Please realize that not everybody

that is sent your way, comes "from God". There are handlers, programmers, and false

believers out there who are like PREDATORS, and they just want to screw up your

life!  DON'T LET THEM. And Jesus, the master of "The Question" can surely give you

an amazing answer to any and all of your "opponents". It's time to shut them up,

and expose them for what they really are.
Be Free in Jesus' Name, and don't let yourself become the slaves of men. 

AMEN.

Smashing Through The 'Perfect' Doctrine

This blog may make some people of the "cessation theology" bracket angry; it may also anger some of my "preterist" friends who believe that the Holy Spirit closed up supernatural-acts shop, after 100 AD. For many others, countless millions perhaps, this blog could be the key to their freedom from what I consider to be a very oppressive belief system, which steals FAITH from "these little ones" who want to believe in God's supernatural powers. This blog was inspired by a "friendly" conversation/debate on Facebook recently. My intent is to discover and share the truth about I Corinthians 13, Paul's passage on "the perfect". May we all be open to learn new things.

A MOST EXCELLENT WAY

The Apostle Paul is writing the somewhat wavering, confused and immature Corinthians; well, some of them seem to be immature. In chapter 13, we have the grand "Love Chapter" as it has been so fondly called through the ages. But Paul is not interrupting his dialog on spiritual gifts from chapter 12; he is not launching a new devotional or inserting a poem here. Oh no no. Paul just lined out for the believers special orders & instructions and protocol for the usage of the gifts, explaining them as well. He ends this chapter with a slew of rhetorical questions: "Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?  Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?"  We're assuming from the context of "the body" all having differing members etc., that the answer is a resounding "No". But notice the next line: "But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts."
Whaaaaat??? What do you mean, Paul?? What exactly are the 'greater gifts'?
Well, that is explained in chapter 14, when he lines out instructions on PROPHECY.
Any gift that has the most benefit for the most people are assumingly "the greater gifts".
Now back to 12. He throws this line in there like it is a ray of light, a word of great wisdom:

"And yet I will show you a still more excellent way."

The "way" he is referring to brings us to chapter 13, where Paul defines the love of God,  agapao. That love that is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit and influences our hearts to love like God loves! In a moment I hope to show you exactly what Paul means.
 
"If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction].  And if I have the gift of prophecy [and speak a new message from God to the people], and understand all mysteries, and [possess] all knowledge; and if I have all [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love [reaching out to others], I am nothing.  If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it does me no good at all.
 Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant.   It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured.   It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail].   Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]." -- AMP BIBLE.

It seems that Paul uses hyperbole to express how someone can be so great with the gifts ... but having NO LOVE makes them, shall we say, useless. Paul then gives one of the greatest definitions for love and the practice thereof. Do you get his drift?? He's saying that if you want the gifts to work perfectly, then do them WITH LOVE! I think that is plain, even if you have to meditate on it, it ain't exactly spelled out, like the way I said it, but Paul makes us think!
And that's his message. Well, part of it. He then continues:
 
"Love never fails [it never fades nor ends].  But as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for the gift of special knowledge, it will pass away.   For we know in part, and we prophesy in part [for our knowledge is fragmentary and incomplete].  But when that which is complete and perfect comes, that which is incomplete and partial will pass away.   When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.   For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God].   And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces];  but the greatest of these is love."


Apparently, one can operate in the spiritual gifts without a "whole lotta love" manifesting through them, it's like things can function on "automatic", as it were. But I read that sentence:  "Love never fails"! Love never fails or ends or ceases. The gifts do, they are not "perfect" (they are in fact, tools), but they can never replace LOVE!! Paul is making a COMPARISON!!!  Yeah, I know I sound excited; I am. It occurred to me tonite that Paul is comparing LOVE with the GIFTS. And the two ... are qualitatively different. He's not focusing on the time when gifts "cease" or "fail" or "pass away". No! He's explaining to the spiritual mind, that one day, when the "perfect" arrives (that state when we all operate through the awesome power of Love, the love of God), that we will "know as we have been known". SELAH!  He ends it with "The Greatest is Love"! THAT is the "more excellent way" that he was talking about! That's the message that Paul is trying to convey. Not "hey wait, you can't use those gifts pass 100 AD, you will be in violation of God's time-clock"! LOL

You see, I've got this picture in my mind of believers in the body building each other up in such a way, because of this love, that it becomes exponential ... it's hard to explain in words, but I think you can grasp it by The Spirit;  just think of all the needs getting met in such a supernatural way, that it's almost "magical" ... perhaps that is the result of "the perfect" operating in US, and I get it. It makes sense to me! (I think the cessationists have missed it by a million miles ... Love is the Key, and chapters 12-13-14 of Corinthians are all connected).

I mean you can believe John Crysotom, Theodore and Augustine if you want, but there is actual evidence that the gifts DID continue past the last apostle's death, and for several centuries. Check this out, courtesy of Don Stewart, on blueletterbible.org: 

[T}here is plenty of evidence that the sign gifts did not die out with the apostles.
Iranaeus (A.D. 130-200) described spiritual gifts in his day:
Others have foreknowledge of things to come: they see visions, and utter prophetic expressions. Others still, heal the sick by laying their hands of them, and they are made whole (Philip Schaff, Iranaeus Against Heresies Ante-Nicene: 100-325, Vol. 2 of The History of the Christian Church, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1973, p. 531).
In A.D. 257 Novation wrote:
This is He who places the prophets in the Church, instructs teachers, directs tongues, gives powers and healings, does wonderful works, offers discrimination of spirits, affords powers of government, suggest counsels, and orders and arranges whatever other gifts, there are of charismata; and thus makes the Lords church everywhere, and in all, perfected, and completed (Philip Schaff, "Treatise Concerning the Trinity, XXIX," Ante-Nicene: 100-325, vol. 2 of The History of the Christian Church, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1973, p. 641).
There are other early references to the existence and exercise of the gifts by Tertullian (A.D. 160-200) and Bishop Hillary who died in A.D. 367. Thus the idea that spiritual gifts immediately ceased with the apostles is untrue. The sign gifts remained and were exercised to varying degrees in the early church.
It is true that some church leaders spoke out against the exercise of the sign gifts. But one of them, St. Augustine, changed his mind later in life. He wrote:
But what I said is not to be interpreted that no miracles are believed to be performed in the name of Christ at the present time. For when I wrote that book, I myself had recently learned that a blind man had been restored to sight . . . and I known {sic} about some others, so numerous even in these times, that we cannot know about all of them or enumerate those who know.

So even Augustine changed his mind. Hmmmm think about that ....

What about later? John Wesley has a very revealing thing to say: 
"The cause of their decline was not as has been vulgarly supposed because there was no need for them, because all the world were becoming Christians . . . the real cause was: the love of many, almost all Christians so called was waxed cold . . . this was the real cause why the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit were no longer to be found in the Christian church; because the Christians were turned heathen again and had only a dead form left" (cited by Michael Harper, As at the Beginning: The Twentieth Century Pentecostal Revival, Plainfield, New Jersey: Logos International, 1971, pp. 17,18).

So, there we have it. The gifts did not fall into disuse, not as much as we have been told.
To some, they just let their "love wax cold". And it most certainly does not say that the New Testament is the completion, and therefore we don't need the sign gifts anymore.
Or that after John the Apostle died, lo and behold, no more supernatural. That just isn't so, and history proves that the gifts did keep going, even if not on a large scale.
 
And what about Stephen? He wasn't an apostle, but he did many signs & wonders.
And what about Paul's admonition: "Forbid not to speak in tongues".

I'm saying this: If you want to recieve the baptism of the Spirit, and the spiritual gifts,  they can be YOURS, then BELIEVE IT and RECEIVE IT! You can have them. Just make sure . . .
You operate them by and through THE LOVE OF GOD. Amen. Over and Out! ✞

* Pursue [this] love [with eagerness, make it your goal], yet earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual gifts [to be used by believers for the benefit of the church], but especially that you may prophesy * AMP BIBLE.

What Makes A "Ministry" A Ministry??

Good Question, don't you think?

   I personally have been involved in "full-time ministry" off & on

for over 35 years. Part of that time has been "part-time" ministry

(if there is such a thing) ... and in that has been years of counselling,

even back to the young age of 17. So, long time.  I have had many

different jobs over those 35+ years, but within that time, I have always

known I had ministry "in me". It has been a "calling". I used to say,

"Everybody's a minister ..." >>> but in recent years I have changed

my tune on that. It's a CALLING. It's a unique thing. Not going to

water it down anymore, because the apostles never did.

   Oh, I have tried to run from "the call" before ... to no avail. Somehow,

I managed to come back to it. Even when I said, "That's it, I'm leaving

the ministry now" ... I was thrust back into it, on a different level or

different expression of it. I have had to accept that sometimes it feels

like God Almighty is just bumping me around, from this position to

that position, in order for me to be exactly where he wants me to be.

So, NO ... I am NOT in charge of my entire life, per se ... HE is the Captain

of My Soul.

  

Now back to our question.

What makes a "ministry" a ministry?

Do I have to be a household name?

With a great network on TV & Radio?

Do I have to have a HUGE following that everybody can see?

OR can it be operating with a "invisible means of support"??

(I love asking questions in my teaching ... it spurs THINKING!)

How about this one: Our ministry is known, Big, and has a headquarters

with a HUGE dome on it, the size of Texas!? Sounds outrageous.
(I mean, like "the little guy" doesn't matter much and might
  be bogus, right? Where's his body of supporters?) The general
public can be fickle. They can trash the big ministry dude, and
later trash the little guy too. You can't trust public opinion, can you? 

   I'm thinking of a few examples. One is ISABEL MCMAHEL.

She lived on the planet for over 85 years, and from 1982 on,

she tirelessly gave of herself and out of her own pocket, to

bless the poor and the "working poor", to provide housing,

pay bills, and food distribution for many in the Phoenix area.

She was a Lebanese wonder, a Naturopathic Doctor that wanted

to make a difference in the world ... of her works and influence, the

stories abound. And yet, for all her accomplishments and awards

and big-time HELP, she was never famous, and had no ego to keep

inflated. And yet, she was a minister. She met needs.

   Another is a friend of mine, he is an avant-garde musician/artist;

and a preacher who shoots straight from the hip, who doesn't pull

any punches. He also lives in Phoenix. His name is Paisley Yankolovich.

He is a rarity, definitely an Original. He loves Jesus and works for Him.

And although you might not know this about him, he would give you

the shirt off his back and his last $20 to you, if you needed it.

He reaches thousands of peeps that the church largely ignores. Multitudes

have come to Christ because of his ministry. But ... it is largely "unknown" to the masses.

BUT ... God knows him. God picked him and God uses him. Period.

Is he worthy of your support? Yep. Durn-Tootin'.

   I've heard of churches or ministries paying an old lady to PRAY, all day.

8 hours a day to pray. Sounds like a job to me! And if you don't think

praying or preaching or calling on the sick is "not a job", then you

don't understand "The Calling", my friend. Ministry does not stand still.

It is about "doing something". You have to be DOING something to be

ministering! But also, listen to what Jesus and Paul have to say about it:

"So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel."

-- I Corinthians 9:14

*and*

 "The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching." -- I Timothy 5:17 ("double honor" includes PAY)

*Plus*

FOUR TIMES in I Thessalonians, Paul refers to his teaching, prayer and other

ministries as LABOR. Ministry is WORK, and sometimes "hard work".

   So, just in case you did ask: Yeah, I have a "job". I work for God.

When did this actually happen? I had a friend, an evangelist, Joe Njoroge,

who explained this one to me, for I was struggling with the issue.

He said: "When it comes time to enter ministry, you just "switch bosses".

WOW. How profound that was. And that happened to me when I turned 33!

I switched bosses. It has been a FAITH walk ever since. That doesn't mean

what you might think ... there has been times of "other employment" as

the Lord leads. But I work for Him. He's the one who brings the increase.

WHO MINISTERS TO THE MINISTER?

   Well, that would be the unassuming and humble ... the one that God

puts in your path when you need them most. There are seasons when

the minister needs "refreshing"; restoration even. The Warrior has been

wounded, and he needs repair. There are moments of "burn-out". And

it isn't always a convention or seminar or whatever that fills the need.

God knows what the minister needs ... and he will send one at the proper

time to help. Or he'll send the minister somewhere . . . .

   LASTLY, I think it apropo to mention here that "ministry" is not glamorous,

and most of the time, I don't think you can become rich by it! There are some

that have greatly prospered from it, but that is their walk. I cannot walk where

 other ministers walk, I am unique. And let's not get caught up in where

we all fit, as ministers, in "the five-fold" or compare who has the greater anointing, and blahbity-blahbity. After years of discovery, I know that I am a "deliverance minister". I'm not ashamed of that. Now, deliverance ministry ain't that popular,

and support hasn't poured in like rain ... but God does provide. Thank God.

I'm also a musician/artist. And I asked God about my vocation, my "career

pathways". His answer? He said, "You just keep doing what I tell you to do

everyday, and leave the rest to me." That requires TRUST. It ain't easy. But

I'ma gonna obey, I tell ya! That's what works for me, and if I try to force

something else to work, it usually fails!  And about that "Keep doing what

I tell  you to do" business? For a while, that was about making sure that my

autistic son was taken to school (by me) and picked up (by me) and conducted

safely home ... and he was misunderstood, especially back then in the early days when he was having escalations. I was his "conductor". I dealt with those.

That was hard. Until ... one day ... when we were at the bus stop, waiting for the

next bus; we met a Japanese lady (who must have been in her 80's) who said to

me: "Do not apologize for your boy! No! From now on, he is your 'happy normal

lucky boy'!" Wow. That lady changed my life right there, and my thinking.

That lady made it easier for me to handle Nick in public. And Nick is better off

for it, he has become quite the young man that he is, and I am proud of him.

But that day, THAT DAY, that Lady ... she ministered to me! ✞

ADDENDUM:
Who is worthy of support?

Ask yourself these questions:
* Do they minister to or feed you spiritually?

* Do they exhibit good fruits?
* Do they exhibit integrity in their teaching & lives?
* Are lives being transformed & influenced toward the good and God?   

In essence, are they "good ground"? I.E., I frequently

guage a ministry's foundation on their effective praying,     

positive results from preaching, and either spiritual or financial

return upon my investment. I have seen this many, many times.
I also look for how they manifest The Works of Jesus, and the Love
of God. I check to see if their gospel is the real deal.
One other thing: It is not about how "perfect" or "spotless" a minister
is, we all have a past. God doesn't pick people based upon their faults
or past sins. It's about The Calling. It's about how God sees a man or
woman. Just had to be said.  

In summary, one has to make his own assessments using these keys.

And finally, I leave all other judgment up to Yahweh.  PEACE.    

POVERTY: Symptom of a Greater Problem?

    Poverty, as it is known amongst spiritual ranks, is part of  "the curse",
as in "poverty, sickness and death". This "curse", as it is called, has actually 
been abolished by the sacrifice of Jesus on The Cross, and by the shedding
of his powerful Blood. The fact remains, there are still some who have
fallen prey to its remnants and off-shoots, thus falling into different
types of suffering. This 'suffering' has come to some people who still
live under the curse, "under the law", as it were. Some do not
believe in 'curses', but I assure you, they do exist. It explains how
some folks can live a successful life with blessings, and others have great difficulty.
And so, like with many truths in the Gospel, the 'blessing'
must be received, appropriated and in this case, enforced.
Even people who are not necessarily steadfast "church-goers" can
and do live life with "the blessing of God" upon them. Perhaps their
ancestors lived Godly lives and believed in God's truths, and practiced them.
And conversely, those who are 'cursed' may need to look to their ancestry
to see if some of those lives were contrary to the truths of God. For 'blood-line
curses' or generational curses, and blessings for that matter, are a very real
thing that can affect entire future generations.

Are you or a loved one suffering from the throes of poverty?
It keeps showing up unwelcome and unannounced? Does it seem
like a pattern (or CYCLE) that returns, after a season (or measure) of prosperity?
Just when you think you've got your act together and things are going well,
then KABOOM! Poverty enters in. Maybe you've broken all known
poverty curses. You've rebuked until your rebuker is broken. But
you just can't seem to "break the back of lack" and get rid of poverty.

You've been to pastors and teachers and evangelists; maybe you
have even visited apostles and prophets and intercessors -- and
they haven't been able to "crack the case". Oh, you might get
some relief for a time, for a while. But here comes ol' poverty
sneakin' up on you again, ready to "break your back".

You can find many preachers that will try to help. They may
point out a particular situation when it reeks of poverty. But
perhaps you've done all you know to do, with little or no results.
We all know the signs: Lack, debt, things broken, run-down properties,
poor or no income, little food, rags for clothes, etc.
Preachers may say something like,
"Whoa, there's a lot of poverty spirits here!"
Or, "This one has a curse of ... poverty!"
Is it always so? It may appear as such, but we should look deeper.
Then some of those same preachers will say, "Well, if you're not
tithing etc. then you put yourself under a curse". Part of that is true.
You get under the law system, and you subject yourself to the law curses.
But we believe that it is wrong to put that kind of guilt upon people,
especially THE POOR. Jesus took a totally different view toward
the poor than we do in this modern world.

So is it something else? Could it be something worse?? Is it possible
that another issuance has come in to inflict pain and torment on a
group of people, on a nation or an individual; an issuance that CAUSES
poverty, but in fact by nature of the issuance has a bigger agenda??
We have discovered by personal experience and involvement in ministry,
that the answer to all these questions is a definite YES. If you or someone
you know has suffered like this, and has many unanswered questions, then
this article is for YOU. Our purpose is to point out the evil, and then point
the way toward DELIVERANCE. Yes, there is power to overcome all
types of poverty, there IS deliverance available.

I am writing this article, but other people (from the ministry)
are involved, that is why I switch from "I" to "We" on several occasions.
I am revealing things here that some will find controversial, yes indeed they are.
But our findings are factual just the same.

We will outline our discoveries here, by asserting what others may or may
not be privy to . . . here there will be secrets revealed, and some shocking truths.
I also need to point out, that most of the effects of poverty have their basis in
the SUBCONSCIOUS MIND, a place where many ministers do not address.
You may begin to see this the more you study the facts below.

NINE SPIRITUAL STRONGHOLDS LEADING TO POVERTY

#1. Poverty can be caused by strongholds of selfishness and greed.
I am not asking you to look at the "victims" of poverty now ...
Rather look at their bloodlines ... any past "sins" of greed in ancestors,
selfishness, with-holding, and the "love (lust) of money" can
all bring a curse of poverty, or at least the signs of poverty
into a household or marriage, WHEN these sins have not been
dealt with, not repented of and renounced.

#2. "Sin in the camp" ... this is a BIG one. Reference the story of Achan,
Joshua chapter 7. Achan, deceived and stole, taking some "accursed"
things, things "under the ban". God said, Jericho is off-limits to you
regarding its booty. So Jericho fell, and all was fine with Israel.
Or so Joshua thought.
The next city to conquer, Ai, should have been a breeze
for the armies of Israel. But they were soundly defeated.
Joshua fell to his knees, crying out to God. God replied,
"Get off your knees, there is SIN IN THE CAMP!"
By lot and prophetic direction, they discovered Achan's deed.
Achan's greed and disobedience had a very damaging and rippling
effect, the Israelites got their butts whipped at Ai, which should have
been an easy battle! Achan had to pay dearly for his sin.
God said that Israel needed to make this right, so they could stand
before their enemies. And so God would back them up in battle.
The moral? "Things under the ban", such as HATRED, Deception, bitterness,
STEALING and the like, unrepented for, can block some real blessings from God.

#3. Witchcraft. Not the spooky, Hollywood type, but the sneaky and controlling
kind; the sort that just plain gets in God's way! Reference the story of Elymas,
a sorcerer aka "Bar-Jesus". He would resist Saul (Paul) and Barnabas, lying
and speaking deceit to the Proconsul Sergius Paulus. Then Paul, looked at him
and gave him this word: "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil,
you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways
of the Lord?" And BLINDNESS fell upon Elymas! For a while, at least.
Result: The Proconsul came to faith in the Lord.
BUT before all this, The Proconsul's faith was being blocked.
People who practice secret or sneaky witchcraft love to
block God's purposes, and try to derail the destinies of God's chosen ones.
It is reminiscent of JEZEBEL, who hated God and killed his messengers.
This witchcraft practice is also an "abomination", something under the ban.
Why? Because it attempts to usurp God's role of leadership in his people and
create negative circumstances. Witchcraft has been responsible for a lot of wrecked
lives and ministries, because of the stealth way it comes in to kill, steal and destroy.

#4. Masonic Curses. Anyone who has researched Freemasonry, and has had to repent
and renounce of the plethora of curses that members recite, will know of what
I speak. Freemasonry men and women, take several vows, speak many curses
to befall anyone in their ranks, who divulge the secrets of their society or disobey
the commands given to their members. The nature and wording of the curses
themselves are horrendous. But it is our belief, that they can also enact curses
upon their "enemies", especially those who are of The Gospel of Jesus Christ ...
against those christians who they TARGET. It can be someone in a family.
Or someone in a city. The common denominator is that SOMEONE is involved
in a secret society, called Freemasonry, and that Someone has relatives who
are not. And these curses? Many of them are financial-based, i.e. they are
designed to ATTACK finances directly, just as in war one side chooses to
destroy supply lines. The purpose is to utterly defeat their 'opposition', to discredit
Believers and their ministry, and make them ineffective in the earth. Dastardly
programs are often PLANTED in a person's subconscious, thus harming them
due to the false doctrines and commands that speak to them unawares.
Therefore I can say that the deeds/secrets/curses of Freemasonry are demonic,
and evil and have hurt many unsuspecting "targets", innocent people who
may actually have real calls of God upon their lives.

#5. Outside demonic attacks. These happen when a person has come in contact or
covenant with a witch, warlock etc., who operates in a lot of hate, jealousy
and malice. The Believer could be totally unaware of the darkness in this contact.
They may spread lies about a christian. Try to debunk his ministry.
Spread lies and vicious rumors about him ... try to destroy his reputation ...
by telling "one lie" that seems to stick, and propagate that. "Word Curses"
(words spoken with malice and hate) and "issuances" against the innocent one,
that the powers of darkness carry out because such curses have gone unchecked
and unbroken. These witches love to prey upon those who are sensitive, "weak"
(to them), innocent and easy-going types.

#6. Trauma. This involves an abuser, a violater or molestor who hypnotizes and
otherwise "brain-washes" his victim (an innocent young believer); by mind-control
programming and "triggers", plants subconscious data and creates "alters"
(an alternate personality that presents itself to the forefront) -- altered states
that are uncharacteristic of the real person; Commands are given by "handlers",
who try to direct that person to fail, or act crazy, or even be suicidal.
Some methods include hypnosis, drugs administered and various stimuli
for "brain conditioning", also the planting of suggestions and "programs"
to cause the person/target to divide in the soul, and struggle with stability.
This is to effect their entire mind/will/emotions for the purpose of Control.
The goal is to totally train-wreck the person's life, so that they may become
a "false witness", someone that people will not follow or believe in. If this
innocent one was being supported before, now that the triggers have clicked on
and the alters manifest, all support can stop! This scenario is not as rare as
you might think, people don't want to talk about it. It is a nasty operation,
diabolical and mean and monstrous. The perpetrators of this operation do
NOT care for the health and well-being of their "victims". They want to see
them FAIL, and the programmers & handlers want to continue to look good
in the eyes of the public. Or they just hide from the public, the public then
is totally clueless to what is really going on.
#7. Principalities. Once again, you have to check the bloodlines. By the gifts
of the Spirit, it can be revealed that a demonic entity is at work in a person's life;
whether it is The Spirit of Jezebel OR something entirely different, but
just as insidious. There's usually a story revealed, where someone did
something very wrong, some injustice wrought, someone hurt.
Whatever is in operation, it is possible to uncover the secrets in order to
unravel the mystery.

#8. The Anti-Build Network. This is an insidious program and curse/assignment/
construct from the FreeMasons. It is designed to block a brother who desires
to "build" something with his life; a family/home, business or 'empire', a ministry,
a community or following that is indicative to growth and to posterity. A jealous
brother could rail this against another brother who he disagrees with. Perhaps
one brother is godly, believes in Jesus radically, and the other does not. The
manifestations of such a construct are: lack, poverty, failure, blocked provisions,
hinderance of success in business, friendships falling apart, family falling apart,
mobility blocked, supplies cut off, falling into disfavor and the blocking of
talents expressed that would normally lead to financial success. This is a BIG
assignment that is mean, nasty and hateful and destructive and damaging and
cares not for the welfare of a man or family so targeted.
It is secretive and hard to detect.
But ... all things can be revealed by The Spirit of God. And this stronghold will
have to relinquish hold & claim when it is exposed and powered down.

#9. Dedication to Satan and the worship of other gods.
This "dedication" can actually be done by a parent, an older sibling or
guardian who has charge of a very young child. It is very serious, I kid
you not. What happens is when a child is "dedicated to satan", there
is legal grounds for demonic attacks and poverty effects, and the blessings
of God can be blocked or even thwarted from breaking through. Some
blessings can come through, to be sure, by the mercy (and faith) of God ... However,
because of this usurping of someone's soul & provider source, the dedication
must be broken, by the Name and Blood of Jesus Christ!
This dedication has to be BROKEN, and said child must be dedicated
to God Almighty/Lord Jesus Christ or the child may grow up with all kinds
of disasters or maladies or negative effects in its life. Fortunately, the name
and blood of Jesus can break any ungodly vow, curse or dedication that
would otherwise stand in the way "legally" for success in life.
Idolatry comes in many forms, but the "worship of other gods" is also
a stronghold by which others have been controlled in their mind, with
false doctrines and belief systems that are contrary to the promises of God.
If you read the scriptures in the OT you will see that the good kings destroyed
all the idols and high places. Those scriptures are there for a reason.
 

EXTRA REASONS.
Besides other "curses", issuances, plants, assignments, and
other things that can result in a bout of poverty, there are several scriptures
that we want to mention here, scriptures that explain "if you do this, it will
end in poverty". It is a consequence of wrong actions and wrong thinking.
And probably one of the biggest culprits, one of the main blockers to all
things involving prosperity and success is UNBELIEF. "Jesus could not
do many miracles there for their unbelief." (Matt. 13:58)
Unbelief is a stubborn refusal to BELIEVE.
That is why Jesus many times took only his "Inner Circle",
Peter, James and John. That is also why Jesus ran out all the unbelievers
and all the naysayers before he raised the young girl from the dead.

It is one thing to say that you believe in the blessings of God, and another
thing entirely to actually "walk in them". You must not get into jealousy
or criticism of others who seem to prosper more than you do. I heard one
man say once that he did not understand why or how christians "would
want to be rich, and have all these possessions". Funny thing is, he owned
a house, car and boat and made a rather "modest wage". I don't believe that
he wants to go without, do you? The thing is, if you don't ever believe in
greater prosperity, then you are sure NOT to ever live there! Some people
believe that it is ok to be rich, and become rich, simply because they desire
to accomplish more in the earth, share more and also enjoy some of the
finer things in life. There is nothing wrong with this concept. I also believe
that people can talk themselves into "being poor", just by the words that
come out of their mouth! Jesus said it best: "Out of the abundance of the
heart, the mouth speaks" and from Proverbs "as a man thinks in his heart,
so is he". Now it is not my purpose here to discuss all the facets of prosperity,
that is for another time.

But I will add this: It is true, that some people mis-manage finances. Yes, it
is true, that some people waste what is given to them. And yes, it is true, that
for some, poverty is a state of mind and being. They simply flesh out what is
within, and they never seem to grasp scriptural concepts such as "the power
to create wealth" and WISDOM and GIVING and sowing & reaping. For
some, they will just have to have their minds RENEWED, into "kingdom
abundance", i.e. living like a "king's kid". The thing you "image" in your
mind, that is what you will become.

Along with the above statements, I include the concept of "poverty of the mind"
and "spiritual poverty" are also negative states, that are just as bad as physical
poverty, if not worse. The Beatitudes start out saying, "Blessed are the poor in
spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God". Right. It's like saying, "You must first
realize that you are nothing and bankrupt without The Spirit of God." However,
Jesus never intended any of us to remain in a permanent state of bankruptcy!
I have now exposed the items above, the Nine Spiritual Strongholds, because
it is a subject that many times has been glossed over or ignored. My purpose
is to help the individual unravel the mystery that may be plaguing him or her
or a loved one. I realize that for some of you, I have given a LOT to chew on;
but I also believe there are those out there who will read 50 pages if it brings
them closer to the answer ... they are that hungry!
And as far as mind-control programming, the dark & secret deeds of Free-
masonry and the Illuminati goes, we have just touched the very tip of the
iceberg. So I am including some links/resources below for further research.
Finally, by this article, Do You See that Poverty can be a SYMPTOM of a greater
Problem? And what is that Problem?? Well, if you don't find your answer
here, or in the scriptures or links cited below, then we encourage you to PRAY.
Ask the Holy Spirit . . . IF there is poverty, then ask to be shown EVERYTHING
that is causing poverty IN YOUR LIFE, and then ... prepare yourself for the answer!
Get ready for a wild ride, because you will hear, see and know things that you
have never heard or seen or known before.
TONY PRINCE

***IF you need further teaching or expounding on this subject
please feel free to contact our ministry by email, and then
if necessary we will provide a phone number as well.
When you do call, if you need assistance with deliverance,
someone is willing to walk you through the steps and pray with you.
You also may leave comment below, and we'll get back with you shortly***
THEORIGPRINCE@YAHOO.COM

Below are some LINKS to help your understanding and study.

LINKS
* http://www.isaiah54.org/freemasonry.html
* http://www.ramministry.org/freemasonry.htm
* http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Generational-Curses-Overcoming-Legacy /dp/1577944232
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_MKUltra (mind control programming)
* http://educate-yourself.org/mc/ (more info on mind control)
* http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/illuminati_formula_mind_control.htm
* http://www.biblegateway.com/

SCRIPTURES

***Check out these verses below, and see if any apply.
PLEASE do not come under condemnation in reading any
of them, they are given simply for background education.
And also, to reveal if someone has "cursed" you with any
of the stigmas of poverty so cited below.
Enlightenment shall come! SHALOM. ***

I Corinthians 2:11
We are not ignorant of the devil's schemes

Ephesians 5:11
Have no fellowship with the unfruitful deeds of darkness, rather
expose them.

Proverbs 31:9 [Full Chapter]
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Proverbs 10:15
The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.

Proverbs 11:24
One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

Proverbs 13:18
Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction 

is honored.

Proverbs 14:23
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Proverbs 21:5
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

Proverbs 22:16
One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the 

rich—both come to poverty.

Proverbs 24:33, 34
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,
and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

Proverbs 28:19
Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will 

have their fill of poverty.

Proverbs 28:22
The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them.

Proverbs 31:7
Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.

Luke 21:4
"All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all 

she had to live on.”

2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Revelation 2:9
I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Revelation 3:17, 18
(Jesus speaking to the Laodiceans): "Because you say, I am rich, have become
wealthy, and have need of nothing -- you do not know that you are wretched,
miserable, poor, blind and naked! I counsel you to buy from me GOLD refined
in the fire, and white garments that you may be clothed, that the shame of your
nakedness may not be revealed, and anoint your eyes with eye salve that you may see."

*****

The Return of TONY Blogging!

*After a 20 month hiatus, I have decided to return to my blog. Why was I gone so long??  Did I have writer's block? Did I forget to wear sunblock? Or was I assailed by a bunch of "blockheads"?? Seems like the latter, as my life got very hectic, very busy, and much was overhauled ... for the good. And now, undaunted, I have returned to the clack clack clack of my computer keyboard keys, essentially re-charged and not bored in the least.
I have much to write about ... I have a list! 

And -- I intend to tackle some subjects that may, at first glance, not be on the "religious front" but hey, I'm the "radical pastor", right?
 

I might even change that to "the radical freedom=fighter" OR "the radical ritual-hater" or even "the radical radish-chunker"! LOL Oh Well, which ever fits. I must needs return to my musings, and to tearing down spongy thinking and other rather stupid strongholds, in the minds of unawares peoples. Now, if none of this makes much sense to you, hold on and STAY TUNED. This ride may not be refundable, but it will still be worth the price (FREE!). And ... How Can You Dislike that???*

THE RETURN

As I have said, I have a list of topics that I would love to tackle.
So ... below is my list. And it ain't nuthin' like I've done before:

1. Music Artistry or Music Ministry?

2. Review of The Top Ten Pop Songs of 2013, 2014 & Today. (Yeah!)

3. I Have Left The Overbearing, Abusive & Angry-Challenged God

4. The Stupidity of "Political Correctness" and the Extreme Left

5. Correct Grammar & Ignoring the OP (Original Post)

And These are just a few of the ideas, the above may or may not be Titles.
And just to make it more interesting, I plan to saturate each bloggie with my
own brand of humor and insights ... which I am positively sure will either

make  you mad or make you my friend ... JK (I think?)

IT TAKES TIME

It just plain takes time to come up with good material ... I mean some people

blog on about their daily lives, or their journey becoming a "Neuvo Chef" or

just about anything their hearts desire, whichever keeps the masses attached to
the proverbial "screens". And maybe folks blog on about their favorite pets
and animals. That's OK too.  :D