An Attack From The Enemy: What If?

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The Soul, The Deciding Factor

We all are made up of Body, Soul (mind, will, emotions), & Spirit. We all are born in sin and need to be made new. We must understand the whole man. 

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (KJV)

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are born in sin and have the nature of Adam, who sinned from the beginning. That is why Jesus told Nicodemus he must be born again. 

John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

If we are going to know the difference between the soul & the spirit we must be in the word of God. 

Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Even though many are born again and their spirits are alive, they still act and think in their Adamic nature. They are living in the old man. They are living in the ways and the feelings of the old nature. 

"The spirit of man must rule; otherwise, the soul and the body will take over." (Lester Sumrall, Spirit Soul and Body)

For the Christian, it is imperative that we understand how to walk and build up the spirit within. Jesus said in Matthew 26:41: "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." 

Galatians 5:16-18 (KJV)

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Colossians 3:9-10 (KJV)

Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

First we must be born again so our new nature can receive the things of THE SPIRIT. Then the battle begins. Our flesh doesn’t want the things of our born again spirit unless it is ruled by our new nature. Our soul, which is our mind, our will, & our emotions. Our soul is the deciding factor. The mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, it doesn’t not submit to God’s law. 

Colossians 3:10 (KJV)

And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Ephesians 4:22-24 (KJV)

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Our soul - mind, will, & emotions will decide to accept or reject the things of God. If your soul is not fixed on eternal things, it will not hold steady in the time of crisis. The word of God in you controls your thinking & transforms your life. 

James 1:21 (KJV)

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Romans 12:2 (KJV)

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:2 J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS) Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.

Galatians 5:16 (KJV)

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:25 (KJV)

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Romans 8:13-14 (KJV)

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

We do not follow in our strength. We are led by His power. (Stay hooked up to the divine source of Power & go wherever He leads) As we surrender to the work of THE HOLY SPIRIT in our lives, He will work the miracle of renewal in our lives. When we let Him lead our flesh will be conquered. 

If we surrender to the flesh we will produce the works of the flesh. But if we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us we will produce the fruit of the Spirit. 

Galatians 5:18-25 (KJV)

But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

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.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Our soul (mind, will, & emotions) can surrender to the work of The Holy Spirit or our flesh (body). If we fill our minds with the things of this world and the things that will produce the works of the flesh then we will give in to all the things that are contrary to the ways of God. 

Romans 8:5-8 J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

5-8 The carnal attitude sees no further than natural things. But the spiritual attitude reaches out after the things of the spirit. The former attitude means, bluntly, death: the latter means life and inward peace. And this is only to be expected, for the carnal attitude is inevitably opposed to the purpose of God, and neither can nor will follow his laws for living. Men who hold this attitude cannot possibly please God.

Read all of Ephesians 2, We were dead in trespasses and sins. We walked according to the course of this world. BUT GOD, who is rich in mercy, for his great love changed all that. We must receive this gift. 

Matthew Henry:

The mind is the acting ruling part of us; so that the renewing of the mind is the renewing of the whole man, for out of it are the issues of life, Prov. 4:23. The progress of sanctification, dying to sin more and more and living to righteousness more and more, is the carrying on of this renewing work, till it be perfected in glory. This is called the transforming of us; it is like putting on a new shape and figure. Metamorphousthe—Be you metamorphosed. The transfiguration of Christ is expressed by this word (Matt. 17:2), when he put on a heavenly glory, which made his face to shine like the sun; and the same word is used 2 Cor. 3:18; where we are said to be changed into the same image from glory to glory. This transformation is here pressed as a duty; not that we can work such a change ourselves: we could as soon make a new world as make a new heart by any power of our own; it is God’s work, Ezek. 11:19; 36:26, 27. But be you transformed, that is, “use the means which God hath appointed and ordained for it.” It is God that turns us, and then we are turned; but we must frame our doings to turn, Hos. 5:4. “Lay your souls under the changing transforming influences of the blessed Spirit; seek unto God for grace in the use of all the means of grace.” Though the new man be created of God, yet we must put it on (Eph. 4:24), and be pressing forward towards perfection.

We must frame our doings to turn. Lay your soul under the changing transforming influences of the Blessed Spirit. Seek the things of God. We must avoid being conformed to this world. Do not fashion yourselves according to this world. Do not conform to the lusts of the flesh. We must labour after the things of God. 

Colossians 3:1-3 (KJV)

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Ephesians 4:22 (KJV)

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

Colossians 3:9 (KJV)

…put off the old man with his deeds;

Ephesians 4:24 (KJV)

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Romans 13:14 (KJV)

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.

Be ye transformed today. Be born again, then let the that transformed life change you. You can be free from this world and its ways. You do not have to give in to the culture and the thinking that produces death. Put off the old man and put on Christ. Our bodies are in submission to our mind. The mind is the control center of our body. In our mind we determine our affections. 

So our part is to set our affections, our minds, our will, our emotions, all on the things of God. Then the work begins. That work is The Holy Spirit’s work. As we do our part, He works a miracle of changing our lives. As we place our faith in what Jesus accomplished at the Cross and surrender daily to that work, we will be transformed!!!

Below is a link to a diagram that will help to understand the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

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Recall Produces Hope

One of my favorite verses is:

Lamentations 3:22-23(KJV)

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

3:20-22 My soul hath them still in remembrance & is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind therefor have I hope. 

I am so humbled every morning on God’s faithfulness. Every-morning is new. No matter what happened yesterday I know today is fresh and free from all burdens, stresses, sadness sorrows, etc., as I recall God’s mercies and His lovingkindness. 

24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

25 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.

Everyday produces thankfulness that I have another day to serve Him and to share His lovingkindness with others. I am so thankful that no matter what happened yesterday I can start new today. He removes all our transgressions from us as we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us. (1 John 1:9)

Psalm 103:11-12 (AMPC)

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

I am thankful that The Lord’s mercies and compassions are new EVERY-MORNING! 

It is because of those mercies we are not consumed. His compassions fail NOT. 

Lam. 3:21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

As we recall all His goodness, His mercies, His faithfulness to our mind it produces HOPE. Our mind is truly the battlefield. Each day we have the opportunity to recall all the bad and evil things or we can recall all those things we are thankful for. The bible says in the last days men shall be unthankful. Unthankfulness produces fear, confusion, and every evil works. But as we remain thankful and look to His lovingkindness and mercies we will have that Godly HOPE it produces. 

25 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.

Daily we should both hope & quietly wait for His salvation which comes for what Jesus did at the Cross for Us. We remember and recall all his goodness and what was accomplished there. 

We recall, remember, think about, remain aware of, muse, recognize, remind ourselves all He has done and is going to do. We remember that this world is not our home. We remind ourselves we are not what we used to be. We have been changed! 

Matthew Henry: 

1. That, bad as things are, it is owing to the mercy of God that they are not worse. We are afflicted by the rod of his wrath, but it is of the lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, Lam. 3:22. When we are in distress we should, for the encouragement of our faith and hope, observe what makes for us as well as what makes against us. Things are bad but they might have been worse, and therefore there is hope that they may be better. 

Therefore will I hope in him. I will stay myself upon him, and encourage myself in him, when all other supports and encouragements fail me.”

It is good (it is our duty, and will be our unspeakable comfort and satisfaction) to hope and quietly to wait for the salvation of the Lord, to hope that it will come, thought the difficulties that lie in the way of it seem insupportable, to wait till it does come, though it be long delayed, and while we wait to be quiet and silent, not quarrelling with God nor making ourselves uneasy, but acquiescing in the divine disposals. Father, thy will be done. If we call this to mind, we may have hope that all will end well at last. 

If it wasn’t for the hope, the heart would break. We need to quietly remember and recall to our minds all His goodness. When we are in distress we should be the encouragement of our pwn faith & hope. Just as David encouraged himself in the Lord, so should we. 

The streams of His Mercies are daily and daily we need to acknowledge them. We are not consumed by all that happens daily due to these mercies. 

Mercies - plural, compassions - plural. God is an inexhaustible fountain of mercy and He is The Father of mercies. His compassions FAIL NOT!

While trouble is prolonged & deliverance is deferred, we must patiently wait for God & His gracious returns to us. We wait for Him by faith & must seek him by prayer and our souls must seek Him. 

If we recall this to our minds, we will have hope and know that all things work together for good to them that love God and are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Remembering that:

James 1:2-4 (AMPC)

2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.

3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.

4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.

He has a great plan for you. One that will produce hope no matter what you are going through. He will never leave you nor forsake  you. (Hebrews 13:5)

Jeremiah 29:11(AMPC)

11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

Matthew Henry:

He will give them to see the end (the comfortable termination) of their trouble; though it last long, it shall not last always. He that in the beginning finished the heavens and the earth, and all the hosts of both, will finish all the blessings of both to his people. When he begins in ways of mercy he will make an end. God does nothing by halves. He will give them to see the expectation, that end which they desire and hope for, and have been long waiting for. He will give them, not the expectations of their fears, nor the expectations of their fancies, but the expectations of their faith, the end which he has promised and which will turn for the best to them. 

Philippians 1:6 (KJV)

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Psalm 103 King James Version (KJV)

103 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

22 Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.

David knew this very thing, I remember these things and he encouraged himself in the Lord by recalling those areas in his life where God had brought him through hard times. (even if he produces those hard times)

Psalm 42:4-6 (KJV)

4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

Final word from the above scripture: HOPE THOU IN GOD!!!!!

Not only can we recall what the Lord has done for us but as we read the bible we see how God has brought many through hard times. He is the same today as yesterday. (Hebrews 13:8)

Here is a 2 week reading plan I found that shows some areas to recall. 

• Day 1: Genesis 8 – God saves Noah and his family in the flood
• Day 2: Genesis 41:1-36 – God saves Joseph from being in prison
• Day 3: Exodus 12:31-50 – God saves the Israelites from Egyptian bondage
• Day 4: Exodus 14:5-31 – God saves the Israelites from Egyptian slaughter
• Day 5: 1 Samuel 17 – God saves David in his battle with Goliath
• Day 6: Daniel 3 – God saves Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace
• Day 7: Daniel 6 – God saves Daniel in the lions’ den
• Day 8: Isaiah 40:12-31 – Praise God for his sovereignty
• Day 9: Isaiah 61 – Praise God for his comfort
• Day 10: Psalm 19 – Praise God for his majesty
• Day 11: Psalm 27 – Praise God for his salvation
• Day 12: Psalm 91 – Praise God for his refuge
• Day 13: Psalm 119:1-88 – Praise God for his Word
• Day 14: Psalm 119:89-176 – Praise God for his Word

Here are a couple of videos that produces hope:

“If I were the devil, I would tell you…”

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The Newsboys United - The Cross

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Our Great & Glorious God

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Today I Need Strength

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A Transformed Life by Angie Paxton

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Phillips, Craig, & Dean Benefit Concert, March 6, Traverse City MI

Joyce Paxton - medical expenses - needs help

"Our Mom (80 yrs old) wanted me to share with all our friends on FB her story. Let me first thank you all for your prayers and calls. Mom has more than 3 inoperable tumors in her brain. She wants to encourage everyone to pray and search the scriptures with their families because these are the important things in life. Mom would also talk to you of the importance of loving each other and to refuse bitterness and judgmentalism in your hearts. Mom will be with the precious savior and with Dad again. Mom also wanted me to emphasize the importance of having a compassionate heart to all God brings into our lives. This brave, courageous lovely lady will always be my hero. I love you so much mom. Mom has asked me to tell these simple test profound lessons of love as her legacy! I will do my best Mom. See you tomorrow! I love you!" With all the medical expenses & other cost we need all our friends & families help. Please consider a donating. Thanks & God Bless You

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Discipleship Moments Season 2 Episode 17 : Five Confessions by Len Paxton

Discipleship Moments Season 2 Episode 17 : Five Confessions by Len Paxton from Pastor Len Paxton on Vimeo.

Even Now Faith by Len Paxton

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Redemption by The Blood Of Jesus

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Random Hero - A Band or A Movement

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Peace I Leave You by Len Paxton

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Faith & Obedience by Len Paxton

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Ask For Wisdom by Len Paxton

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A True Champion - Dr Lester Sumrall

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The Lord is My Rock & Fortress By Len Paxton

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GUY PENROD COMING TO TRAVERSE CITY MI