"TO FIND A MORE INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD" -- PART 2

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"TO FIND A MORE INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD"

Part 2


~ L.D. Oxford


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OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER THAT CAN BLOCK YOUR PRAYER LIFE:


(This is not a complete list, but involves major areas of strongholds, where repentance may be needed. I listed mainly, the ones that are critical issues when dealing with alot of people, who have come for help and ministry over the years.)


Please, go through the list and address each of these areas honestly, just between you and God. In some cases, it may involve other people, so, you may need to go to some people to make things right before God.


Use this list of categories to go through in repentance, confessing your sins to God, and for anyone else involved also. Repentance will bring breakthrough in your lives and will free you up to become the people, that the Lord has destined for you to be.


*LIVE YOUR LIFE BY THE PRINCIPLES GIVEN IN THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD --THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD. THIS IS WALKING IN TRUTH AND WISDOM.


"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
~ Matthew 4:4


"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."- Romans 15:4


"And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which in in Christ Jesus. 16, All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." - 2 Timothy 3:15 -16


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REPENT AND RENOUNCE ALL INVOLVEMENT AND TRAPPINGS OF THE OCCULT, Witchcraft, Channeling, Spiritualism, Divination, Graven Images, Idol statues, New Age materials, music etc. -- Get rid of all of those types of Books, Tapes, and Cd's, out of your homes, destroy them, and burn them.


Study the scripture references below:


Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all [men]: and they counted the price of them, and found [it] fifty thousand [pieces] of silver. - Acts 19:19


Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I [am] the LORD your God. - Lev 19:31


And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, [Is it] peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts [are so] many? - 2Ki 9:22


Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. - Rev 2:20


Moreover the [workers with] familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD. - 2Ki 23:24


For rebellion [is as] the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness [is as] iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from [being] king. - 1 Sa 15:23


And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? - Isa 8:19


EXAMPLES OF CURIOUS ARTS:


Magic, Black Arts, Witchcraft, Witch doctors, Shamanism, Wizardry, Necromancy, Divination, Tarot Cards, Conjuring up spirits, Rituals & Spells, all Occult related music, New Age related, use of Charms and Amulets, etc.


So, this would include anything that is Occult oriented and related to different types of Idolatry. These days, there are many other branches and avenues of the occult, and new age practices that would fit into this category, as well. Also, Harry Potter Books, etc.


CURIOUS ARTS DEFINITION:


Occult related, mysticism, magical arts; jugglery practised by the Ephesian conjurers. Ephesus was noted for its wizard and the "Ephesian spells;" i.e., charms or scraps of parchment written over with certain formula, which were worn as a safeguard against all manner of evils.


The more important and powerful of these charms were written out in books which circulated among the exorcists, and were sold at a great price.


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"If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth." - 1 John 1:6


"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
- 3 John 1:4


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LET YOUR LOVE TOWARDS OTHERS BECOME A MEASURING STICK OF YOUR LOVE TOWARDS GOD


"This will make you more mindful and alert, on how you treat others. Because, what you do towards people, is what you are actually doing towards the Lord."


Ye, have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. 44, But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.


45, That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.


46, For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? - Matthew 5:44-46


For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.


37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?


40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.


41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.


44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?


45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. - Matthew 25: 35-46


"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for another." - John 13:34,35


Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.


9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. - 1 John 4:7-11


If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? - 1 John 4:20


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GET RID OF ALL UNFORGIVENESS -- and make things right with others when needed. Note: When we don't forgive and release others, then we cannot be forgiven by God either. He will hold this to our account, if we choose to hold on to unforgiveness.


When, you truly forgive others, then your conscience will become clear. And, if the other person involved refuses on their part, then leave the matter in God's capable hands and let Him deal with it.


"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15, But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." - Matthew 6:14 - 15


And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 - But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. - Mark 11:25 -26


NOTE: IF THERE IS A PERSON THAT YOU HAVE A DAMAGED OR BROKEN RELATIONSHIP WITH


Confess your part of the wrong to God, and tell the Lord that you will go to the person and make things right. And if there is distance involved, then call them, or write them, and make thing right on your part. Don't try to justify yourself, just talk to them straight from the heart. Just do it! Then you will be forgiven by the Lord.


KEEP THE OFFENSES REMOVED FROM YOUR LIFE


Make peace with others quickly, if you feel that someone has somehow offended you, or if you have offended someone, then it is always best to get the problem settled quickly.


Don't allow it to get harbored in your mind. Go ahead and clear the air with others, when needed. It is best to just get it over with, because if you hold on to it, it will defile you and hurt you worse than the other person.


"Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." - Matthew 5:23, 24


"This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men." - Acts 24:16


"If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." - Romans 12:18


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BRING RESTORATION TO OTHERS


(Fellowship related guidelines for dealing with other believers)


Don't black-list other people. Just make the effort to go to them and talk about the fault without condemnation. Do your best to help them, and look for different ways that you may be able to minister to that person effectively.


If the person does not receive you, only then, should you take with you one or two others as a witness. Don't be judgemental, but treat them with respect when you see them, as to set a Christian example. You may win them over, when they see God's genuine love operating through you.


And then, if the person is still not repentant, it should be told to the Core-leadership of the Church, and let them decide how they are going to deal with the person, and any disciplinary measures that would need to be taken. And, from that time on, if the person did not show repentance, then you can count them as a heathen, as mentioned in the book of Galatians.


NOTE: A VERY SHARP CONTRAST TO HOW MANY BELIEVERS HANDLE THESE THINGS IN OUR DAY.


"It is always wise and best to stick with the guidelines shown in the scriptures, when dealing with people and problems in fellowship related situations."


Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.


16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.


17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. - Matthew 18: 15-17


"Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted." - Galatians 6:1


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DON'T SLANDER, GOSSIP OR DEFAME OTHERS.


Don't talk behind people's backs, or gossip, because, it is equivalent to the sin of witchcraft, and you are binding others with evil words, when you speak it out. It's like speaking word curses, when you gossip, slander, or defamate another persons character.


It also shows other people, what kind of person you really are. So, don't do it, so that you may become known, as someone who walks in true Christian character and in godly wisdom.


Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: - Luke 6:37


Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,


30, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful;


32, Who knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. - Romans 1:29-32


Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,


21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. - Galatians 5: 19-21


"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32


Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.


14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. - Colossians 3:12-15


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