Devotional

Second day of fasting: Sunday, August 2, 2020

GOD’S SPRING IS FLOWING IN THE DESERT

Isaiah 43:19 

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

OBJECTIVE:

To pray and believe in our hearts that, even though we are going through difficult times, the Lord will do something new. He will make a pathway where we believe that it is impossible to see the hand of God work. The rivers of God will flow in your favor.

What is a desert? It is an arid, deserted, solitary place. 

As children of God we have a promised land. Many times, we have to go through deserts to get there, which is called processes.

There are deserts where the Holy Spirit empowers us to come out in victory and there are other deserts that are caused by our bad decisions.

For the Israelites the desert lasted 40 years. They wandered through the desert before reaching the promised land.

Deuteronomy 8:4 

For all these forty years your clothes didn’t wear out, and your feet didn’t blister or swell.

God manifested Himself powerfully with His people, even though they were a rebellious, unbelieving and murmuring people.

God never abandoned them in those 40 years. Their clothes did not wear out despite all their walking and their feet did not blister or swell.

God only asks for obedience, holiness.

This year (2020) has been a very difficult year; for many it has been a desert.

We have experienced deserts, loneliness, pain, suffering, illness, anguish, fear, and separation from our families. We’ve been deprived of our freedom regarding our coming and going.

This has been a desert that God has allowed for us to know his love and power. The sole purpose is for us to grow in faith and move into another level of life.

Romans 12:2 exhorts us not to conform to the system of this world, but to renew our thoughts, our hearts, our words, in order to know not only the good, not only the pleasant, but the perfect will of the Lord.

The Lord our God is in control of what is happening!

What is happening now, has happened before, Ecclesiastes 3:15.

God fed a people who tempted him, who put him to the test.

Deuteronomy 8:3 

Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

I want to tell you that He will not abandon us and that He will surprise us.

Everything we have lived and are living now, is a lesson so we may understand that man does not live by BREAD alone, but by every WORD that comes out of His MOUTH.

So prepare yourself!

Stay prepared in your mind and heart, because God will do something new with your life if you believe it.

Remember that everything comes to light; this will be a time of revelation in the darkness.

God will always open a way where you least imagine it, even if we are going through deserts or the valley of shadows, etc.

Speak the word of God, and rivers of living waters will flow from within you!

The freshness of the Holy Spirit will remove all loneliness and we will walk with faith and in the assurance of His word.

PRAYER:
Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for all of your provision because you have sustained us to this day.

Fasting from August 1-8.

"New Beginnings"

First day of fasting: Saturday, August 1, 2020

"HEART TRANSPLANT SURGERY"

Ezekiel 11: 19-20-21 

19 I will give them a new heart and a new mind. I will take away their stubborn heart of stone and will give them an obedient heart. 20 Then they will keep my laws and faithfully obey all my commands. They will be my people, and I will be their God. 21 But I will punish the people who love to worship filthy, disgusting idols. I will punish them for what they have done.” The Sovereign Lord has spoken.

PRAYER: Father, in the name of Jesus, I come before you acknowledging that I need a heart transplant surgery. I give you my heart so that the Holy Spirit may guide me. I surrender all that hinders my walk with you.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE: For all of God’s children to check and align their hearts with the word of God, through the healing and liberation that the Word of God brings.

In His mercy, God gives us the opportunity to hope for a new heart. This is the time when God will use a scalpel on our hearts with the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit. If you are willing, He is ready to do an individual work of TRANSFORMATION.

There are hearts that are wounded, proud, foolish, deceitful, rebellious, wicked, evil, callous, malicious, hardened, deceived, betrayed, inveterate, lost, dedicated to idols, full of plans to do evil, lacking repentance and far from God.

There are many reasons for a heart to harden, for example, Pharaoh's heart in Egypt hardened in Exodus 4:21

THE HEART IS A SPRING OF LIFE.

Proverbs 4:23 (CEV)

Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life.

The mind and heart are united. God longs for his children to have a heart that believes in his word; believing gives power to the mouth, this is how we become freed from a wounded heart. A wounded heart becomes bitter and that bitterness becomes a seedbed for the devil.

A wound that has been healed becomes a bond, and that bondage becomes an influence of the devil.

You have the power to free yourself today and receive healing and life.

Luke 6:45 (GNT)

45 The good man says good things because good is in his heart, and the bad man says bad things because evil is in his heart. For what abounds in his heart speaks his mouth.

This is the day when the power of God and the Holy Spirit heals you. You are the one to remove from your heart everything that is hurting and allow God to put a new heart and spirit. What for? So you can live.

Ezekiel 11:20 (GNT)

20 Then they will keep my laws and faithfully obey all my commands. They will be my people, and I will be their God. Wonderful opportunity!

THE KEY TO HAVING AND MAINTAINING A NEW HEART AND A NEW SPIRIT.

Proverbs 4: 20-27 (GNT)

20 Listen to my words, my son; pay attention to them. 21 Never lose sight of them, engrave them in your mind! 22 They give life and health to everyone who finds them. 23 Take care of your mind more than anything in the world, because it is the source of life. 24 Avoid saying false things; get away from the lie. 25 Always look ahead, always look straight ahead. Take a good look at where you put your feet, and you'll always be on firm ground. 27 Do not stray from your path; avoid walking in bad steps.

1) Pay attention to the word of God.

2) Never lose sight of His word.

3) Engrave the word in the mind, and learn to renew the mind.

4) The word gives you life and makes you sensitive.

5) Take care of your words, do not to speak lies.

6) Stay focused, look forward.

7) Look closely where you walk.

8) All this will bring security and firmness on your way (Jesus is the Way)

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

God is not pleased with those who do no stop these practices. The day will come when God will ask for an account of their behavior.

Ezekiel 11:21 (GNT)

21 But I will punish the people who love to worship filthy, disgusting idols. I will punish them for what they have done.” The Sovereign Lord has spoken.

What are those disagreeable and detestable practices?

Deuteronomy 27:15

Proverbs 16: 5

Romans 1: 26-31

God will ask us to render accounts for our behavior.

Our calling is to keep our heart healthy and free; where Jesus is the only one who governs our life.

Matthew 22: 37-40 GNT

37 Jesus said to him: - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind." 38 This is the most important and the first of the commandments. 39 But there is a second, similar to this; says, "Love your neighbor as yourself." 40 On these two commandments all the law and the prophets are based.

It is my hope that today you can be free and that Jesus Christ reign in your heart.

Day 8: April 12
“The Power of Christ’s Resurrection” 

Mark 14:32-36 (NKJV)

32 Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. 34 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.” 35 He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”

Main Goal:

Let’s freely enter His throne of grace with praise and gratitude. In prayer, let’s please Him by humbling ourselves in His presence so He may hear our cry! We continually ask forgiveness for our shortcomings and for the sins of our nation and nations of the world. We want to see resurrection’s light shine on a new time.

We all go through difficult moments. Yet, the point is not to ask the “why” behind those difficult moments or painful seasons. Rather, we should focus on how to face them. Gethsemane was a place the Lord used to meet with His Father in prayer. Gethsemane means olive press.

What was Jesus doing at Gethsemane? He went there to pray because He knew what was to come would be very strong. Only prayer with the Father will keep us strong and certain of our purpose 

His soul became exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. He fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. However, He could not fail God's plan; Adam had failed. He knew that His life had purpose.

Mark 14:36 (NKJV)

And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”

They arrested Him in that place; He faced death.

Mark 15:33-38 (NKJV)

33 Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” 35 Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, “Look, He is calling for Elijah!” 36 Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.” 37 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. 38 Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Regarding verses 33-34, the sixth hour is 12:00 am and the ninth hour is 3:00 pm.

The approaching event began affecting earth’s climate and atmosphere. Jesus suffered three hours from the nails pierced into His hands and feet before He breathed His last.

Mark 15:37-38 (NKJV)

37 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. 38 Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

The veil was a thick curtain that separated the Holy place from the Holy of Holies place.

Hebrews 9:1-14 (NKJV)

1 Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; 3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. 7 But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; 8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience— 10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

The tearing of the veil came about after Jesus cried out with a loud voice. He said, “It is finished!”

Hebrews 4:14 (NKJV)

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

Jesus cried out with a loud voice causing an earthquake; supernaturally, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The veil prevented entrance into the Holy of Holies place. Only the high priest could enter the presence of the Lord in the Holy of Holies place. The high priest did so only once a year and on a special day in order to offer sacrifices on behalf of the people. He would enter with a cord and bells tied around his waist that made noise. If the noise stopped it was because the high priest had died. Thus, the high priest had to enter in complete holiness and purity to offer sacrifices. 

Read Leviticus 16

Isaiah 59:2-3 (NKJV)

2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
And your sins have hidden His face from you,
So that He will not hear.
3 For your hands are defiled with blood,
And your fingers with iniquity;
Your lips have spoken lies,
Your tongue has muttered perversity.

Through His death, Jesus came to tear the veil so we can have an open path to the Father. Jesus became our mediator unto the Father. Jesus is our High Priest forever of a new covenant. 

Hebrews 8:13 (NKJV)

In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

The old covenant ended with His death and a new dispensation began - a period of grace.

Read Hebrews 8

Through the path He opened for us we can confidently enter into the throne of His grace. 

Hebrews 10:19-22 (NKJV)

19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

The Temple’s veil was torn in two from top to bottom. “From top” means divine transcendence. “To bottom” means our human reality. We are called to bring heaven on earth.

Luke 24:46 (NKJV)

Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, [a]and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,

His resurrection is the reality of our faith. His sacrifice, death, and resurrection not only gave us eternal life but also gave us orders to follow. We must fulfill the great commission. We have the means and benefits to do His will.

Matthew 28:19 (NKJV)

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

The nails that were pierced through His hands and feet activate us to fulfill the great commission.

My loved ones, Bethania family - 
As we conclude our fast, we believe God is working. We’ll see His power and light in the midst of darkness. Let’s continue to intercede while we hold onto the Word which is alive and effective. Let’s pray in the morning, in the afternoon, at night, and at dawn. God bless you.

Day 7: April 11

“The Power of the Blood”

Galatians 4:4-5 (NKJV)

4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Main Goal:

Let’s enter the presence of the Lord with thanksgiving. With a broken heart, let’s intercede and plead on our knees. We believe the blood of Christ is mighty to save and heal humanity - through forgiveness. We believe God is working in the midst of this situation.

God's purpose in sending his Son Jesus Christ was to rescue us from slavery. For those who were in bondage to sin, His purpose was to redeem and convert us into children of God.

God makes us His children through Chris and He confirms it through the Holy Spirit. “Abba” is an Aramaic diminutive word to express affection for the father.

Ephesians 1:7 (NKJV)

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

What does redemption mean? Redemption is a ransom payment. He redeemed us.

Ephesians 2:13 (NKJV)

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Only through Christ does God offer forgiveness. Forgiveness is possible because He loved and gave Himself for the church.

Ephesians 5:26-27 (NKJV)

26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

John 1:12 (NKJV)

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

The atoning death of Jesus Christ is the source of all grace. The price for His precious redeeming blood was the cross.

Romans 3:23-25 (NKJV)

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,

Faith in His blood not only frees us from God’s wrath but infuses us with divine life. Faith in His blood gives us strength to triumph over sin. It is the means for a victorious life. Christ’s blood reconciles us with Him.

What does justification mean? To be justified means to be declared righteous by His grace. It’s receiving forgiveness even though we don’t deserve it. As sinners we deserved death. Redemption, through Christ, makes us righteous so we can present ourselves before God. Now we have the righteousness by faith in His Son.

Jesus Christ paid the ransom with His own blood. Peter tells us in -

1 Peter 1:18-20 (NKJV)

18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you

Titus 2:14 (NKJV)

who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Jesus gave His life for us; He bought us with blood. His blood cleanses us of all iniquity. It purifies us so we can be His people; He is a jealous God.

Galatians 1:4 (NKJV)

who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

1 John 1:7 (NKJV)

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

His blood cleanses us. Christ’s blood is inoperative if we don’t have communion with our brethren.

Revelation 12:11 (NKJV)

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

His blood is our weapon. The blood of the lamb allows God’s people to prevail. For, it responds to all of the enemy’s accusations.

The blood of the lamb provides us with:

1. Protection. Exodus 12:7 (NKJV)And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. Exodus 12:22 (NKJV) And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning.
2. Path to the Father.Hebrews 10:19-22(NKJV)19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
3. Presence of the Holy Spirit.1 John 5:6-8 (NKJV)6 This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.
4. Through His blood we have the benefit of being His children. 1 John 1:7 (NKJV)But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
5. We are able to enter into covenant through His blood. Luke 22:20 (NKJV)Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.
6. The blood that Jesus shed from his head (crown of thorns) was for the Son of God to have victory over your thoughts. Romans 12:2 (NKJV)And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
7. The blood that was shed from his side was to guard our heart; His blood gives us life. John 19:34 (NKJV)But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
8. The blood that was shed from his hands and feet was to change our attitudes and so we can fulfill the great commission. Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
9. The blood that was shed from his feet. Matthew 28:9 (NKJV)And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.
10. The blood that was shed from his back - he received thirty-nine lashes so we can receive healing from any worldly disease.Isaiah 53:4 (NKJV) Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted,

Prayer:

Blessed Father, thank you very much for your sacrifice and rescuing us. Thank you because you rescued me from slavery. Thank you because your blood has power to protect me from death. Thank you because your blood cleanses me from all sin.

Day 6: April 10
"The purpose of the cross"

1 Corinthians 1:18-23  (NKJV)

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness

Main Goal:

Let’s praise Him as we enter His presence with thanksgiving. We pray and intercede in brokenness. We stand in the gap for those who are suffering and dying without Christ.

Let’s ask mercy for our President, civil, military, and spiritual authorities. Let’s pray and minister over our families for peace, emotional healing, and trust.

Today, most countries are celebrating "Easter". Coincidentally, I want to talk about the purpose of the cross. We recognize it’s the message of the cross that can break through hearts of stone. I am certain it’s the message the whole world needs to hear at this time to bring about repentance and hope. The Apostle Paul says, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God”.  As children we have that power delegated through the sacrifice of Christ.

In moments of grief, death, and despair, everyone looks for someone to turn to for an answer.

Psalm 96:3-5  (NKJV)

3 Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. 4 For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens.

Religion tries to reach God yet it’s powerless to change anyone. Only the power of the gospel in Christ Jesus can do it. He came to save what is lost. The change that Christ brings about is internal, from the inside out.

Jesus Christ was a stumbling block for the Jews; He is still a stumbling block for many because they still do not understand Him. There are people who admit they have needs, but do not believe Jesus is the answer. Christ's message is one of salvation, forgiveness of sins, healing, restoration and his eminent return. His return is soon, however He’s not coming to save but to judge.

Romans 14:11-12 (NKJV)

11 For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

Long before Jesus was crucified on the cross at Calvary, He exhorted us to take up our cross daily and follow after him. This is what a disciple does.

Luke 9:23 (NKJV)

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

The Romans used the cross as a brutal method of criminal execution but through Christ's sacrifice the message of the cross became a message of hope.

• The core of our faith in Christ: His death on the cross and resurrection.
• The point of the cross: Jesus took our place. He suffered all that our disobedience deserved.
• Our disobedience was placed on Him and His goodness came upon us.
• Due to His obedience on the cross, we’ve received all that He conquered. The challenge is to be like Jesus; as He became like us.
• On the cross, the Father placed all iniquity, punishment, blame, and rebellion on Jesus.
• The cross freed us from the flesh. Luke 9:23  (NKJV) Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. The flesh wants to proceed outside from the will of God. Living in the flesh is to fulfill our own will.
• The cross freed us from the world. Galatians 6:14  (NKJV)But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 2:20  (NKJV) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

These passages are very important. Let’s understand them since we are currently going through a season of affliction. The majority of people are anguished by the world - death, pain, hunger, etc. This represents the cross without Christ. Needless to say, children of the Kingdom must understand that we are in the world but not of the world. We should learn to discard our earthly mentality and adopt the mind of Christ. These types of events will always occur. They announce to the coming of the King.

Our duty is to be the difference, to be light in the midst of darkness, and to bring comfort to those who need it.

• The cross frees us from Satan’s power and authority. On the cross, Jesus defeated the devil forever. If we confront the enemy through the cross we will have victory; we need to believe in the risen Christ.
• Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law. Galatians 3:13 (NKJV)Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”).
• The enemies of the cross are those who set their mind on earthly things.Philippians 3:18-19(NKJV)18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.

Prayer:

Father, in the mighty name of Christ, we thank you for having sent your Son to die on a cross like a criminal so that today we can have peace. Thank you for freeing us of all curses. We ask and plead that you may set the nations free. May they know Jesus. Amen.