Common sense would say a familiar spirit is a spirit you are familiar with! It is connected with Satan and sin! Before you were born again in Christ this is the spirit that ruled you! Saul sought a woman with a familiar spirit. Why? We will answer this soon! The word familiar spirit translated from the Hebrew means a necromancer. This is the occult practice of consulting the dead! It is one who proclaims to give revelation in uncertain times. Today a fortune teller or a palm reader would be an example. The Jews were strictly forbidden from engaging in this practice of consulting mediums! There is also another meaning for this Hebrew word. It can signify a leather bottle that may burst under pressure! Remember the Jeannie in the bottle! Remember Jesus said not to put new wine in old wine skins! A necromancer will beat skin stretched drums with chants and burn incense to draw spirits. The connection between the two meanings could be that a medium was seen as a container for a conjured spirit. Samuel the Priest had died and Saul had no one to consult about God’s plans and purposes for him. The Lord was angry at Saul for his disobedience! King Saul was facing the Philistine armies in war against Israel. God had already prepared David for the next King of Israel. Saul continued to try to contact God through the Prophet’s and the Urim. The Urim is a noun meaning fire. It refers to the fire of God’s judgment and God’s destruction of the wicked. It is used to speak of a form of idol worship! That is people burning other people in fire! Saul got no answers so his servant’s advised him to contact a woman that had a familiar spirit. So he went to the medium of Endor and Saul asked her to bring up Samuel’s spirit! Samuel was really upset for Saul disturbing him from the Bliss of Heaven! Samuel gave Saul the bad news that the Philistines were going to defeat him soundly! Saul was later killed in battle. The New Testament of our Bible also talks about spirits! There are unclean, dumb, foul, infirmity, divining, evil, bondage and world spirits. John warned us not to believe every spirit! In the case of Saul and the woman with the familiar spirit an evil spirit revealed a good spirit Samuel! It is usually God’s spirit that reveals an evil spirit! We must remember that at one time we were evil in sin apart from God! So our sin revealed the goodness of God sending His son Jesus Christ to atone for our sin! It was our wickedness that revealed the goodness of God! Remember this when you think you are so Holy above everyone else! John told us to try the spirits! He went on to say that every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ came in the flesh is from God! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Tag: prophets
False Prophets! 1 John 4:1
The Bible from Deuteronomy to Revelation has many scriptures warning us about false prophets! How do you guard against deception from these spiritualists? First and foremost know your Bible! What will happen when error is introduced by a speaker or writer the Holy Spirit will bring to remembrance a scripture that will refute the error! If truth is spoken the Holy Spirit will confirm the truth by scripture! False prophets will try to lead you away from Christ! An obvious example would be where Mohammed in the Quran says that Jesus did not die on the Cross! False prophets in the Church is more subtle! Eighty eight reasons why Jesus is coming back in 1988? Remember? Millions of books were sold and some Christian’s burned their mortgages and stopped making their car payments! Here in this example many thought this author was leading them towards Christ but he was fleecing them! It says in our Bible that Jesus does not even know the hour of His return except the Father! A church leader might infer that you are blessed because I am so Holy and into so many good works! Because of only my prayers you are blessed! Remember it is Jesus response to our prayers that brings blessings! Jesus is also praying for us! Remember your scriptures? I love my Pastor Brady Boyd but he cannot save me! His job is to lead me and others to Christ! Just be careful your attention is not drawn away from Christ unto men! False prophets will try to divide the Church! They promote Church splits! They will promote one group against another! They will spread lies against leadership! We need to come alongside our leaders but be honest enough to say something if you believe error exists! We are all human and need each other to watch over the body! When we were in Pastor Cho’s office in Korean in the 1980’s before leaving for India for three years he made it very clear what our mission was to be in India! I thought he was going to say Evangelism! No! He told us our whole mission in India was to help local Pastor’s! It was such a challenge for us because most do not think they need any help? Cho told us Satan will attack the head to break up the body! Satan is a divider and that is why we have war between Heaven and earth! Between good and evil! Satan is constantly recruiting people into his Kingdom! One of Satan’s tools is false prophets! However he has no power against the Word of God the Holy Scriptures! Put on God’s armor against the wiles of the devil! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
The Pope and Politics!
The separation of church and state was dead when it came to Pope Francis visit to America! The Pope got on the State Bandwagon! Why was the Pope well received? Because he kissed babies? Earlier this year the Pope was asked about the homosexual lifestyle? His response was why should I be a judge? The community here in America thought he had caved in on homosexual behavior! There was a song back in the 1960’s that went, “Hey, Mr. Postman have you got a letter for me?” Hey, Mr. Popeman do you read your mail? God’s letters to him are in his Bible! There are over 200 scriptures in the Bible on judgment! My Bible says that Jesus is coming back to judge the living and the dead! His judgment will be based on a document called, “The Holy Bible.” Pope Francis why should we judge Hitler, Stalin, Ben Laden and Islamic terrorists? Don’t resist just surrender! The Pope is also on the Global Warming and the United Nations one world government scheme! The Bible makes it clear that homosexual activity is a sin! If the Pope does not have the guts to tell the truth I will! On the 200 scriptures in our Bible on judgment here is one of them! Revelation 11:18 “And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and thou will give rewards to thy servants the prophets and the saints and to them that fear thy name small and great, and should destroy them that destroy the earth.” Note: The word earth used here refers to the sin of the inhabitants that pollutes the earth! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
The Nicene Creed
WE BELIEVE IN one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. WE BELIEVE IN one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate: He suffered death and was buried. On the third day He rose again in accordance with the scriptures: He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead, and His Kingdom will have no end. WE BELIEVE IN the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one Holy universal and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen
Are You Having a Cloudy Day?
A cloud is simply water vapor that condenses into rain, snow, ice particles or fog. Clouds at night reflect heat and keep the earth warmer. During the day clouds shade the earth and keep it cooler. On our other planets in our solar system clouds are not made up of water vapor. For example Jupiter has clouds made up of ammonia gas. The clouds on our other planets will not support life. The Bible has 108 verses that speak about clouds. You need to have a cloud to have a rainbow! Remember in Creation God moved upon the waters! Jesus walked on water! The Jews in their wilderness wandering were provided a cloud by day for protection! The Tabernacle was covered in a cloud! God spoke to Moses in the midst of a cloud on Mount Sinai. When the cloud moved the tribes of Israel moved! God’s GPS was a cloud! Remember the cloud at the transfiguration? Jesus ascended into a cloud! Jesus will return in a cloud! The two Prophets in Revelation will ascend into a cloud! God turns water into clouds and clouds into water! Noah was saved by water and the earth destroyed by water! There was a cloud over the earth at Calvary! Today when you see a cloud in the sky think on these things! God is Faithful to you and look up for your redemption draweth nigh! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Surprised By Joy!
This is the 3rd Sunday of Advent. The season of Advent helps us to shape and impact our culture. The Christmas story is ripe with revelation! Luke1:30 The angel appears to Mary! Of all the Prophets Isaiah had the most revelation about the coming Messiah! Isaiah Chapter 9. Isaiah focused on this Prophetic message. We have a gap of time between the old and new testament of 400 years. It is sometimes called the years of silence. About as much time as the Jews were in slavery in Egypt. No Prophets spoke and no further revelation was given during these silent years. The stage was set at the end of the old testament and the curtain was drawn. Is God silent in your life? Have you been listening for Him or just too busy? Then after 400 years of darkness the curtain is split in two! Light appears from darkness! At a time least expected! God will surprise you! Do you have an expectation from Him? God came into my life when I least expected it! Has He come for you? Advent is about Him coming to you! Do you need to welcome Him? When Jesus was born in Bethlehem wise men from the East following His star showed up in Jerusalem. King Herod heard about this and was very disturbed! He was rattled! Herod was jealous! King Jesus was a direct threat to him. Herod the Great was from Idumea and was a descendant of the Edomites who were the family of Esau. These descendants of Esau were always attacking Jacob’s family. Remember Jacob’s name was changed to Israel. After the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. the Edomites vanished from history. Herod ordered an abortion of all the children two years old and younger and knives thrust into the bellies women that were pregnant. Yes, the Devil believes in Christmas! The world worships power, position and influence. Not much room for a baby. It is interesting how God uses vulnerable people to accomplish His work! God uses two pregnant women to prepare the way for the Savior of the world! Do you qualify as vulnerable? Homeless, pregnant, broken, betrayed, on dope, rejected, divorced or disabled? Are you without hope? Then you qualify for God to use you in a big way! He is looking for people who will be testimonies for Him! Pass the test and trust God at His Word! The baby Elizabeth was carrying(John the Baptist), leaped for Joy in her womb when Elizabeth heard the news from Mary about her visitation and God’s plan for the King and Son of God to be born by her! Then Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit! Luke 1:39-41. Do not try to live without the Holy Spirit for He gives you the power to live a victorious life! Without the Holy Spirit you will be like the Pharisee’s who knew about God but did not know Him! Luke 2:25-26. Next an old vulnerable man named Simeon who was just and devout got surprised by the Holy Spirit with Joy and was told he would not die until he has seen the Christ. Luke 2: 36-38. Here we see Anna a Prophetess and widow most of her life who served in the Temple get surprised with Joy! Do you lack surprise? Is life dull and routine? Hopeless? Broken dreams? Remember Joy is a gift! God does not just give joy but He is Joy! In His presence is fullness of Joy! Joy is not happiness. Our Constitution says we have the right to pursue happiness! Happiness you have to pursue or try to chase down by your own efforts! It depends on the economy, politicians, health, ect. Joy is a gift and never earned! The price has been paid for you! Galatians 5:22. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. What are the enemies of Joy? Pride, self, criticism, sarcasm, ect. Do you find fault with everything? Do you leave any room for beauty? No room for Jesus in your Inn? Have you been wounded or hurt by someone? See the beauty of God! No one on earth loves you like Him! He will never leave you or forsake you! He is different from us! I am not offering you a Christian but Christ Himself! Never lose your fascination, awe and wonder for Him! Go for beauty and be surprised by Joy! Joy is a person and not a benefit! The Holy Spirit is a person! The benefits come with the person and not apart from Him! Psalm 16:8-11. Do not get fixed on our cultural problems. Important but not your focus! Rather than be a student of culture be a Worshipper of God! Set the Lord before you. Have fullness of Joy and pleasures forevermore! You can hear bad news but still have Joy. Turn off the news networks this season and enter into His rest! Focus on Christ! Spend time with Him! The word time means, :”To Honor.” Psalm 16:9 Rest in Hope! My heart is glad and rejoices. Joy is an inside job! Your body rests secure. An external God who gives internal pleasure. From without to within! Joy comes at unusual times and unusual places through unusual persons! Is your heart prepared to be surprised by Joy? Source; Sermon notes taken from message given by Pastor Brady Boyd at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Message given Sunday December 15, 2013.
True or False? Matthew 7:15-23
False Prophets! Not all that shines is gold! Jesus warning His disciples. Wolves attack just to kill while other beasts kill only for food. Assassins! Dressed in sheep clothing. They look like you, dress like you, have a good church language but are suicide bombers wearing a Christian costume. Intentional people who purposely mislead us to hurt. Evil at the core. Verse 16- By their fruit you will recognize them. Good or Bad! True or False! Pay attention to the right thing. Walk and be not deceived. Good fruit is moral fruit. Bad fruit is immoral or evil fruit. Verses 21-23. Final Judgment! I prophesied in your name? I cast out demons in your name? I did miracles in your name? Jesus said but I never knew you! Worst thing you could ever hear! Warning! Big crowds always follow those who perform prophecy, cast out demons and perform miracles. They may be genuine or total deceivers? Work for the right fruit. Do they sell products and then sprinkle Jesus on top of their sales pitch? How does fruit come? Fruit takes time to produce. Galatians 5:22- Fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace———-. Is our motivation on self or Christ? Look for sound doctrine! Is your household built on sand or rock? 2Timothy 4:3-4. People want a doctrine that fits their desires. Our desire and God’s desire is different. Make me happy God! The 21st century church theology is called; Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. It says that God is here to make me happy! Use Jesus to get what you want. No sound doctrine. A lot of money made under this false doctrine. Money made in the God business. Why? It sells! Itching ears. We want to hear this! Pleases the flesh. Marketing 101- Find out what the people want and tell them how to get it. Politicians today- They follow the culture rather than lead it! Flow with the stream down the drain. Sound doctrine- Iron sharpens iron. Follow Jesus. Believe Him. False Prophets will appear to go along with the Gospel but yet will say Jesus did not die and raise from the dead. The Death and Resurrection of Christ is foundational to our Faith! The Nicene Creed has been foundational to our Faith for over 1600 years. The early church father’s wrestled these heresies to the ground for us. You have to be able to discern truth to avoid the destruction of the false! Source: Pastor Brady Boyd, New Life Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Sunday Sermon Notes Message given on September 8, 2013. Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
End of the World? Matthew Chapter 24!
About 2000 years ago Jesus disciples asked Him the signs of the end of the age? I suppose we are all curious as His disciples were? Jesus summed it up this way; 1. Many false Christ’s would come. 2. Wars and rumours of wars but end not yet. 3. Famines, pestilences,earthquakes in diverse places. 4. You shall be hated and killed of all nations for my name’s sake. 5. Many shall betray one another and hate one another. 6. Many false prophets shall arise and deceive many. 7. Iniquity shall abound and the love of many shall wax cold. 8. He that shall edure to the end shall be saved. 9. This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then the end shall come! Comments; We have little control or no control over the first 8 events! However the last event number nine we as Christian’s can all participate in! This last event is the one that pleases our Lord as hope is given to a lost and perishing world! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com