Is There a ‘Sign of Witchcraft in the Body?’ Have You Been Bewitched?

The best way to start this sermon is first by getting an understanding of the definition bewitched.

Bewitched: [bih-wich-ed]

verb (used with object)

to affect by witchcraft or magic; cast a spell over.
to enchant; charm; fascinate.
When looking at the key word affect, Not effect Affect means:to impress the mind or move the feelings of: The music affected him deeply. Now effect means:power to produce results; efficacy; force; validity; influence: His protest had no effect.
the state of being operative or functional; operation or execution; accomplishment or fulfillment: to bring a plan into effect.
a mental or emotional impression produced, as by a painting or a speech.
meaning or sense; purpose or intention: She disapproved of the proposal and wrote to that effect.

The Encyclopedia Britannia defines bewitched in the following way:

bē̇ -wich (ἐξίστημι , exı́stēmi )
There are two Greek words in the New Testament translated “bewitch.” The one given above (Acts 8:9, Acts 8:21 the King James Version “bewitched,” the Revised Version (British and American) “amazed”) has reference to the work of Simon Magus. It means “to be out of one’s mind,” “to astonish,” “to overwhelm with wonder.” The other word, βασκαίνω , baskaı́nō (Galatians 3:1), means “to fascinate by false representation.”
The Apostle complains they have been led to accept a teaching wholly contrary to the Gospel of Christ. Both these words reveal to us something of the difficulty the early teachers had to eradicate the idea so widely held by the Jews and Egyptians especially, that there were certain powers, dark and mysterious, which by certain occult forces they could control. For a long time this had to be contended with as one of the corrupt practices brought into the church by the converts, both from Judaism and heathenism.
These words have a reference to the evil eye which for centuries was, and even today is, an important factor in the life of the people of the East. 1 Timothy 6:20 is a reference to this thought and explains the word “science” (the King James Version) as there used.
See DIVINATION; EVIL EYE; SORCERY; SUPERSTITION.
Encyclopedia Britanica

So there are people who are claiming to be of God because of a gift or because of their involvement with the spirit of witchcraft through some form of mind control or through emotions. Now I ask you, if a person is jacked up emotionally and hasn’t been restored, what type of wisdom are you going to get from them? If someone has a problem with someone and their life is always surrounded in controversy, and they have no relationship with God and they’re not assembling themselves with others as the Word of God said not to fail to do. They are like a ship on the ocean without a rudder, being tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine.

James 1:6-7 says, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. and also inches book of:”

We see also in Ephesians 4:11-14, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”

In my conclusion Galatians 3:1 says, “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?”

Does Satan fight against demons, or do demon fight against the true people of God? Son if your life is wrapped up in this life how can you see the truth? Demons can come to you as angels of light appearing to be the voice of God to cause you to go astray from your focus. So think about this: are all you feeling positive and on point as you did months ago or are you feeling some kind of way about you life? If so then it’s time to press pause and selah (reflect over what’s been said). The Bible says that there is a way that seems right to a man or a woman but, their end is the way of death. Has someone stolen your focus, joy, God’s will, and heart from you. Remember God is not the author of confusion, Satan and the demons are. So I ask you again: who’s report do you believe?

Luke 10:17-19 says, “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Week of June 7

I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your body and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26

Lord, Have your way in the hearts of your people, allowing them to hear and feel the way they ought. Silencing the lies of the enemies; to become the best version of themselves for your kingdom. Replace the lies with your truths; for they are who you say you are. May they hear your voice clearly in every way that is needed. Fill them up in all ways that they lack, may they lack no more. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Mark 10

Values of the Kingdom

How important is marriage to God? Is it serious? Its not to be done frivolously. It is something very serious and should be considered wisely. These Pharisees tried to trick Jesus by asking the question of whether or not its lawful for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus’ response was to go to the Word of God, the Torah of Moses specifically. Their reply was Moses gave the option to divorce. Jesus’ reply was that this only was allowed because of the hardness of the Children of Israel’s heart. God’s intent is not for divorce but unity for what God has put together, no man should try to split. The disciples didn’t understand His statement and asked Him privately to expound on it. Its ok not to understand the revelations of God, but it isn’t ok that you don’t inquire if you don’t understand.

Jesus Blesses the Children

Children were not particularly considered viable in society in those times. They were the least of the least. But Jesus turns that concept upside down and says if we don’t accept the Kingdom of God with the innocence, teachability, fragility and dependent mindset of a harmless child, we can’t have access to it.

A Rich Man Meets Jesus

There is no One good but the Father. Our works aren’t enough. Keeping the commandments isn’t enough. Its not the deeds per se but where the heart is seated. The king of the Rich Man’s heart was his money. It is a free thing to come to Jesus, but it will cost you everything. Jesus loved this man and wanted him to see that his heart needed to change and the only way to do so was to remove the distraction of riches. Are you surrendered to Jesus? Its not as though Jesus is telling all of us to sell all we have to the poor. But if He asked us to give something away, could we? It could be the thing that causes you to turn back and prevent you from going to the next level. A test will come upon us and reveal what is truly in our hearts. Will we acknowledge what’s in our hearts and let Jesus heal us, or will we conceal the nature of our hearts and go our own path? Scarcely will a rich person enter into the kingdom, because their possessions have possession over their hearts. The disciples were astonished by this. Well then who can be saved they thought, but the dichotomy of this is that you can be wealthy and have a heart for Jesus, and you can be wealth and have a heart to get more wealth. Its all a matter of the heart.

With God all things are possible. Many people say this but when it really comes down to it, they don’t exhibit that they have that faith. People try to get around things and make themselves comfortable. But to experience this type of faith, you have to get out of that comfort zone. If the rich man would have left his wealth, He would have gained it back as Jesus said in Mark 29-31. God wants to see where our hearts are and He wants us to remove attachments to earthly things that tarnish and perish. Rather, He wants us to us to attach ourselves to something infallible and eternal: Jesus. When He looks into our hearts and discerns with perfect vision that our hearts are truly attached to Him, He rewards us with all that had before and then some as He did with Job.

Jesus Prophecies His Death and Resurrection

Can you imagine having walked with Jesus as one of the disciples and have him tell you in graphic detail that he would die soon?

James & John Ask a Favour

John and James did not fully understand that the baptism Jesus would endure was a baptism of death. Yet, after they were told He would die a brutal death, they asked to be His right hand men. They did not get what He said. There would be death before there would be victory in glory to sit on a royal throne.

Jesus Heals Blind Bar-Timai

Though the crowed wanted to shut the mouth of this blind man, Jesus didn’t not, as many do, assimilate with the mindset of this crowd. He instead acknowledged His request knowing that the man had faith to be healed. Again, faith is all it takes to perform miracles.

Summary

Pray and fast so you will last.
Never let your gift become your ruler.
Don’t let possessions have possession over your heart.
Allow God to do the impossible in your life, 27
Have childlike faith
Strive not to be first but have a heart to serve
It will cost you to follow Christ
There is communion in union
Good works aren’t good enough
Follow God’s commandments just as he meant
Be careful whom you yoke yourself to
Don’t let others silence your faith

Prayer & Verse of the Week

I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
Psalm 138:1-3

Lord you hear our cries, Thank you.
You alone know what your people need.
And our every thought.
Allow us to hear you clearly.
Surround with your peace.
Life may be unpredictable, but you are sturdy.
We give you praise even in our pain
For you care for us deeply
You never stop caring for those you love.

Lord, Have your way in the hearts of your sons and daughters. You know their individual struggles intimately and you care. Allow them to feel your presence surrounding them completely. For their help comes from you when the world is falling apart you are solid. Lord, you continue to provide, making a way out of no way for your people. You are our strength; may your will be done in every situation. Open their eyes to see you. When they see; change will happen O’God in your perfect timing.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Sin Doesn’t Act Alone, It Needs a Friend in You

We are forever trying to decide whether or not to sin. All of us have been driven to this point in our life that there was a overwhelming temptation to sin. All of us have entertained sin or even the thought of it. Just think when was the last time you let sin get the best of you. Do you remember your thoughts and emotions. Often times after the sin has been committed we tend to write it off saying, “I’ll try to do better the next time,” as though you already planed or even excepted your defeat ahead of time, saying things like “the Lord knows me.” That is the point. He does know you.

James 1:12-15 says:
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Sin can not make anybody do anything wrong, because sin is not activated, until it is united to your will. Sin doesn’t control anyone. But when it is united with your will, it becomes a force to reckon with. Once an agreement has been signed in your heart to do sin then it manifests on the outside.

Mark 7:15 says “There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.”

Also Matthew 12:34-37 says:
34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Take a look at Matthew 12:36 again, ” But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”

So be very careful of the person of sin that draws you in, for it will be like a spider web which looks so beautifully interesting, but is deadly to the touch. If you touch it it will entrap you further with every movement you make to be free.

Ark of Covenant Ministries

Where the Bible Comes Alive

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