Posted on February 1, 2020 by anthonyhopkins33

What are Generational Curses?

What Are Generational Curses?

By: Anthony Joseph Hopkins February 1, 2020

A generational curse is basically a defilement that was passed down from one generation to another. For example, if your mother has been heavily involved in the occult, then she has become quite defiled (polluted or unclean), and has opened herself up to various demons to enter her. The Bible tells us that the sin of the parents can cause that same pollution to be handed down to their children:

Lamentations 5:7, “Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities.”

What happens is that not only is the uncleanliness handed down, but demons move right in and take advantage of this often at a very young age in a person’s life (often before birth). The person then goes throughout life struggling with the same bondages that their parents struggle with. The good news is that the Blood of Jesus is more powerful than any bondage that may have been handed down to you! You can be set free and completely released from the effects of any generational curses handed down to you!

It’s almost always a generational curse at work and a spirit of heaviness took advantage of those cures in each of their lives through the defilement that was passed down. I believe generational sin curses (curses caused by sins of the forefathers) are automatically broken at the time a person receives salvation, but the unclean spirits that entered in before they accepted Jesus still need to come out.

Other generational curses such as encountered in Freemasonry, need to be renounced and broken in order to be set free from them. Once a curse is broken, the next step is to drive out the spirits that may have entered in because of that curse.

Finally, I am bringing this topic up simply because our society consists of breaking down family relationships, and immorality. I have noticed that; the rich are getting richer, and the poor continue to suffer. However, I want to inform everyone that generational curses consists of sexual immorality. It also has a whole lot to do with the activities that are inside of families that deteriorate relationships.

For example, if a mother or father have children by multiple sex partners. To be perfectly frank with all of you, I want to inform all of you that anytime that: there is a lot of alcoholism and drug abuse inside of the families. This means that parents are passing their bad habits to their children. Another example, is when parents that have children by different people. It really hurts because there are some children that are following their parent’s path in life. In which, leads to family dysfunctionality.

I know that there are children, who are following their parent’s paths in life. Even though, there are success stories in a dysfunctional family. For this reason, children are moving away from their family of origin. There are so many children, who decide to pick up bad habits that their parents tend to have. What kind of pattern that you are setting inside of your homes? It varies in one way or another. It really hurts me because I grew up in a family that was filled with generational curses. This is very serious because there are some parents who are teaching their own children how to use vulgar language.

Posted on February 1, 2020 by anthonyhopkins33

What Are Generational Curses?

Lamentations 5:7, “Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities.”

If you struggle with the same bondages as your parents, or see siblings with the same problems, then it is quite possible that you are suffering from the effects of a generational curse. Many times when you see three generations suffering from depression… it’s almost always a generational curse at work and a spirit of heaviness took advantage of those cures in each of their lives through the defilement that was passed down.

I believe generational sin curses (curses caused by sins of the forefathers) are automatically broken at the time a person receives salvation, but the unclean spirits that entered in before they accepted Jesus still need to come out. Other generational curses such as encountered in Freemasonry, need to be renounced and broken in order to be set free from them. Once a curse is broken, the next step is to drive out the spirits that may have entered in because of that curse.

Posted on February 1, 2020 by anthonyhopkins33

Family Curses and Generational Curses 7 Signs

Family curses are reoccurring problems that steal, kill, and destroy. You need to learn how to break a curse. Scripture is clear God visits the iniquity of the fathers upon the children up to the third and fourth generation (Exodus 20:5).

Curses don’t visit your family without cause. When someone up the family tree gives spirits the right to visit because of iniquity, they come looking for a reason to mess up your life. Take courage. After family curses are exposed, Christ’s deliverance is readily available.

THE FAMILY TREE

You cannot choose your relatives any more than you can choose skin color, gender, or race. Someone up the family tree could be the cause of a generational curse. A family curse is a payment or “recompense for iniquity.” It is written, “Render unto them a recompense, O LORD, according to the work of their hands. Give them sorrow of heart, thy curse unto them. Persecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the LORD” (Lamentations 3:64-66).

Before you can break generational curses, we need to identify what they look like. Here is a partial list of family curses for your review. Having one of these in your life or family may not indicate a family curse, to have several “reoccurring” ones might. The help of the Holy Spirit is vital in identifying a family curse. As you read this list, ask Him to give you a spirit of revelation.

EMOTIONAL INSTABILITY, FEAR

“The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart.” (Deuteronomy 28:28)

The first curse we will discuss is emotional instability. Notice the Scripture above says the Lord will “smite with madness.” To be smitten with madness means insanity, craziness, foolishness, irrational behavior, and flakiness. He also uses the term “blindness.” This blindness releases confusion, indecision, and wonderment.

If that’s not enough God follows that with “astonishment of heart” meaning a trembling, unsettled, and fearful heart.

Under this curse, one is easily overcome by emotions and fear. These trigger a person to make foolish decisions and do crazy self-destructive things. In this condition, a person has a continual inner struggle, internal warfare, and frustration.

Confusion and depression are two key indicators of this family curse. This curse teaches why some are double-minded and have problems ordering their lives with the Word of God and renewing their minds.

HEREDITARY FAMILY SICKNESSES

“The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he has consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it. The LORD shall smite thee with consumption, and with a fever, and with inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish.” (Deuteronomy 28:21)

Some family sicknesses are reoccurring. Reoccurring is the indication of a family curse. Notice the terms “pestilence” and “consumption.”

This curse releases sicknesses of all kinds. Consumption is a wasting lung disease, emphysema, COPD, and lung cancer. Lung cancer is the number three killer.

He also uses terms, “fever” and “inflammation.” These indicate a curse that is evidenced by arthritis. Inflammation of the brain leads to Alzheimer disease. Then we read the term “extreme burning.” Extreme burning points toward all sorts of strange fevers.

CHRONIC WOUNDS

“The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with hemorrhoids, and with the scab, and with the itch, of which thou canst not be healed.” (Deuteronomy 28:27)
Botches are open sores or boils. These are experienced by those that have problems with wounds that will not heal. Scripture also says, “The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head” (Deuteronomy 28:35). This curse attacks legs, soles of the feet and the top of one’s head.

The Lord didn’t leave any diseases out of this curse. He declared, “Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the LORD bring upon thee until thou be destroyed.” (Deuteronomy 28:61)

BREAKING FAMILY CURSES
STOP GENERATIONAL CURSES, FAST!

BARRENNESS, IMPOTENCE, FEMALE PROBLEMS“Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.” (Deuteronomy 28:18)

Perhaps you have heard menstrual problems know as “the curse.” Sometimes folklore comes from biblical tradition. Menstrual problems may be the result of a family curse. Scripture says, “Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body.” The word body, Hebrew beten, means womb, belly, or abdomen. The womb deals with reproduction. Signs of this curse are infections, hormone problems, menstrual problems, PMS, cramps, fibroids, painful sex, barrenness, miscarriages, cysts, tumors, bladder problems, kidney stones. Female problems plague millions of women. Men too can manifest this curse with erectile dysfunction and impotence.

FAMILY BREAKDOWNS, DIVORCE

This curse manifest in several ways including divorce, family divides, fights among relatives, families that scatter, no fellowship, jailed children, and estranged relationships.

“Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build a house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof.” (Deuteronomy 28:30)

The divorce rate in America is 50 percent of first marriages, 67 percent for second marriages, and 74% for third marriages, according to the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology. In Japan, the divorce rate is 27 percent, Singapore 10 percent, and India 1 percent.

Children are also affected by this family curse.

“Thy sons and thy daughters shall be given unto another people, and thine eyes shall look, and fail with longing for them all the day long: and there shall be no might in thine hand.” (Deuteronomy 28:32)

“Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity.” (Deuteronomy 28:41)

The iniquities of the fathers are visited on the children. Here are the stats of family breakdowns affecting children:

1.2 million children are born in fatherless homes.
1.8 million children are latchkey kids.
36 percent of kids grow up without a father.
75 percent of kids on drugs come from single-parent homes.
63 percent of youth suicides come from single-parent homes.
70 percent of teen pregnancies come from single-parent homes.
75 percent of jailed juveniles come from single-parent homes.

LACK, POVERTY, INABILITY TO PRODUCE

“Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store (kneading trough).” (Deuteronomy 28:17)

“And thou shalt grope at noonday as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee.” (Deuteronomy 28:29)

This is a curse on finances. A kneading trough is where food is prepared. I liken this to the ability to produce. Production is the vehicle toward wealth building. Under this curse, one’s ability to get wealth is stopped. People under this curse never have anything saved. They are continually oppressed by bill collectors and what little they accumulate is stolen by the spoilers.

DEBTORS

These same people are slaves to their creditors. Scripture declares, “Because thou served not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies that the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck until he has destroyed thee.” (Deuteronomy 28:47-48)

This family curse of lack and poverty needs to be broken as God’s promise says, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Poverty is not having what you need to do God’s will. It is not the blessing of God to not have the means to accomplish His plan for your life. A person under this curse will squander, waste and get further in debt and bondage. They are candidates for get-rich schemes of all kinds. The blessed man is not focused on material wealth but on fulfilling their purpose in life as they keep and follow the commandments of the Lord putting first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

NO AMBITION, VISION, DIRECTION

I have met those that have no internal vision for their lives. They set no goals and are blown to and fro by lives circumstances. This curse is revealed in those without ambition. They go aimlessly through life. Ambition is a strong desire to make a difference with your life. It’s vision, dream, or aspiration to succeed. Those under this curse care less about tomorrow. They are without hope and terribly negative. They “grope” as “blind men” with no direction, always uncertain and full of apathy and lukewarmness.

BONDAGE AND SLAVERY

“The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high, and thou shalt come down very low. He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail.” (Deuteronomy 28:43-44)

This person loses his individualism, liberty, and freedom. They are easily controlled and manipulated into a loss of identity. They lose their freedoms, can’t make decisions on their own, and must get permission from their masters. This person will look to other gods for provision and protection, not unto the Lord. They are faithless, carnal, and full of idolatry, entertainment, and anything that divides them from the lordship of Christ.

CURSES WITHOUT A CAUSE

Knowing that God visits the iniquity of the fathers upon the children up to the third and fourth generation has been quite a shocker for some. You have learned however that curses don’t visit the family without cause. Someone up the family tree could have been the originator. Breaking family curses required you to think about what reoccurring things attack the family. By now we are sure the Holy Spirit has shown you some possibilities. For more detailed information and what to do fast if you are having problems click here.

Posted on February 1, 2020 by anthonyhopkins33

What Does 1st John 4:16 Mean?

◄ What Does 1 John 4:16 Mean? ►

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

1 John 4:16(KJV)

Verse Thoughts

Perhaps this is the verse of all verses that encapsulates the very essence of God and what He has done for us; what He is doing and what He will continue to do in and through all who believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God and place their trust in Him.

As Christians we are participators in the love of the Father, through the witness of the Spirit of Love, Who has been given by the Father of Love to reveal the Son of His Love. This glorious truth and wonderful reassurance binds our heart to God’s eternal heart of love, for we have known and believed the great love that God hath to us. We know, and we believe that the truth and knowledge of God’s Love is simply a matter of faith, which pleases the loving heart of our gracious God of Love.

It was the fiery ‘son of thunder‘ who in his twilight years penned the precious words in this verse: God is Love, and it was the same beloved disciple who increasingly discovered the amazing truth that: God is Love – as did the dynamic apostle Paul who disclosed that love is the greatest of all the gifts and love is the greatest fruit of the Spirit – for the fruit of the Spirit is grounded in LOVE.

The love of God reaches into every aspect of our lives and touches every ‘jot and tittle‘ of our need. Behind the black clouds of sin, shines the Son of redeeming love. Enshrouded beneath the dreary fog of hopelessness is hidden our loving Provider. Submerged beneath the woes and troubles that weary our souls and swamp our minds is the everlasting Spirit of love.

Hidden in the dusty desert of despair we are given streaming rivers of living water that are brimming to overflowing with the Love of God, and Jesus invites all to come and drink deeply of His refreshing Love.

Perhaps this verse, which so simply states that God Is Love, encapsulates the very essence of God and should be increasingly taken to heart, knowing that those that rest; remain; abide and dwell in His love, by keeping their minds on Jesus, are assured that the Love of God will rest; remain; abide and dwell in their hearts – encouraging; providing; upholding; leading; refreshing; comforting and supporting – for God Is Love.

My Prayer

Loving Father I praise You for Your heart of love that is open towards me and for the many ways that You shower Your love into my life. Keep me ever mindful of Your love and use me to stream Your gracious love through my life and out to the weary and thirsty souls that You place in my path, in Christ’s name I pray, AMEN.

Posted on February 1, 2020 by anthonyhopkins33

Matthew 10:36 and How it Pertains To All People!!

Matthew 10:36 and How it Pertains to All People!!

By: Anthony Joseph Hopkins January 31, 2020

Praise The Lord Saints!! Praise The Lord!! How are all of you doing tonight? Fine, I hope. I would like to start things off by asking everyone a very important question. What does Matthew 10:36 really mean to all of us? The answer is simple. A Man’s enemies will be those of his own household. What is the definition of the word foe? A foe is a chief or principle enemy. This can become in a form of principalities, powers, and demonic spirits.

Therefore, I want to inform all of you that I am powerless over people, places, and things. However, when it comes to the institution of the family, things can breakdown very easily. There can be disagreements over comments and other issues. It is that the very first family in the Bible was Adam and Eve. They had two children named Cain and Abel. I am focusing on these two individuals because God favored one over the other. Eventually, Cain killed Abel over the simple fact that Abel was favored by God.

Next, I want to inform all of you that in my family, I had 5 brothers and 3 sisters. My mother had me out of wedlock. I am saying this because my siblings and I do not get along with each other. I want to say that it is not very easy to have brothers and sisters by different parents. My Father’s name is Joseph Webb. He was married at the time that I was conceived. My mother made a conscious decision to take me to my grandmother’s house because she suffered from Post-Partum Depression. I ended up staying with my grandparents for the first seven years of my life.

Further, I can relate with this Bible verse because all of our hairs on top of our head are all numbered. When it comes to the subject at hand, I was subjected to having my name changed to Anthony Joseph Russell. This is simply because my mother got married as soon as my sister was born. My mother did this out of false pretense. I did not understand why my mother had changed my name just to affiliate with a man. That does not make any sense. To me personally, I attended Edison Elementary School in Dayton, Ohio from 1971 -1976. My mother changed my name to appease her husband Mr. Willie Andrew Russell Sr.

Moreover, I want to inform all of you that my mother had 8 consecutive children by Willie Andrew Russell Sr. This has taken place from 1967 to 1980. I am simply saying all of this because this man tried his best to kill me by putting my head inside of a very hot stove back on May 30, 1972. I will admit that I was staying with my mother at the time. I came home from school hungry and I decided to get something to eat. This man grabbed me and slapped me a few times on my face. He put my head inside of a hot stove because he did not know how to properly discipline children. He was not my father in the first place.

In Addition, I want to say that this man was very abusive both physically and verbally. My mother shot him at the time because what he had done to me. My half siblings and I really do not get along because we have never learned how to really relate well with one another. I also will admit that I became the Man of The House at the time because my mother and stepfather used to leave the house for a long period of time. I also understand that I am not supposed to say things that are against God in any way. This means that God is taking an account of what we actually say out of our mouths. We will be held accountable for our actions.

Finally, this is the reason why I do not believe in men and women having children out of wedlock to begin with. Anytime that men and women get together, it is best to start things off by being friends; instead of having sex with each other. This is simply because it makes things worse. When it comes to Matthew 10:36, my own family members and I do not get along with each other. I know that this pertains to those who live inside of our household. I know that it is not very easy for me to really relate well with people who are very contentious.

In Conclusion, I know that when I was a child, I stayed with my grandparents for safety sake. This is simply because I was around someone who really did not like me as a person. My baby brothers and I relate a whole lot better than the middle children. I can really say that: there is also a lot of division inside of all of the members of the family. There is also a lot of use of vulgarity and a lack of love in the first place. My family members tend to group with one another and forsake those who are older than them.

In Summary, I want to inform all of you that I am in serious need of all of your prayers. This is simply because there are members of my family, who are really against me personally. Matthew 10:36 is very serious to me because I am not accustomed to drama. I cannot stand anyone who goes against the truth. I am not supposed to fellowship with darkness in any form.

Even when it has a whole lot to do with this world. Favoritism also exist in my own family. This is a complete shame. Favoritism also goes against God’s principles. My family members really choose these things. I am saying all of this because I am not used to this form of behavior. Please pray for me and the rest of my family. Thank You very much!!

Posted on January 31, 2020 by anthonyhopkins33

What Does Proverbs 27:19 Mean?

◄ What Does Proverbs 27:19 Mean? ►

As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man.

Proverbs 27:19(NASB)

Verse Thoughts

Just as gazing into the mirror-like qualities of a still water-pool reflect the detailed features of a man’s face, so the standards and qualities residing deep within a heart reflect a man’s character and display the innermost calibre of his soul. Just as we are enabled to study the physical characteristics of our facial features through the mirror-image, reflected in a clear standing-pool of water, so an examination of the inner thoughts of the heart gives a reliable indication of our spiritual standing – or perhaps uncovers a hypocritical facade.

The literal translation of this verse reads: ‘like water face to face, so is the heart of man to a man.’ Too often we are quick to identify the qualities, or criticise the defects, we see reflected in the life of a fellow believer, but often we are not as swift to identify areas in our own hearts that need to be critically analysed; spiritually evaluated; offered-up to the Lord and purged of anything that is unholy or detrimental to our spiritual growth.

God alone knows a man’s heart and can read the secret thoughts in the inner depths of his soul, but it is the outworking of those concealed attributes, which are demonstrated through words, actions and attitudes that manifests a man’s true identity to his fellow-man.

Reverence and respect towards our heavenly Father; a Christlike love towards others and inner peace, is often identified through the godly works, pure thoughts and sound speech that flows through our daily life. It is the inner heart that identifies a life that is walking in spirit and truth. It is careless speech, a critical attitude, thoughtless behaviour and an unrighteous lifestyle that warns us that we have fallen from grace and strayed from the path of peace. Corrupt hearts breed corruption, while a sanctified heart exhibits Christ-likeness.

Man’s countenance is frequently an index of his thoughts, and the fruit of his attitude of mind is often displayed in his words, his ways, his will, and his walk. As a man thinks so is he, and whatever becomes the central focus of that man’s mind, influences his attitude of heart and is displayed in the out-working of his life… “As water face reflects the face, so the heart of man reflects that man’s character”.

Ambitions and emotions; temptations and trials; hope and fear; inner thoughts and expectations together with spiritual strengths and weaknesses can all be reflected in the face and mirrored in the expression of the eyes. It is often as we openly gaze into the reflection of our own face, through the mirror of God’s word, that we can identify areas that need spiritual adjustment and God’s forgiveness.

How important to examine our own heart and scrutinise our inner thoughts, through the mirror-like qualities of a still water-pool and to reflect whatever is good and pure and wholesome and holy.

The Word of God is the truthful mirror into which we should look carefully. The Bible is the still, water-poon in which to gaze day by day – for the face of Christ is the reflection upon which our hearts should rest.

May we preach this truth to our own hearts and be doers of the word as well as hearers of God’s truth. May we all… with unveiled faces, gaze at the glory of the Lord… as beholding HIM in the mirror, so that we may be transformed into His glorious image, from glory to glory – through the power of the indwelling Spirit of the Lord – as we die to self and live for Him.

My Prayer

Blessed Lord and Father, what wonderful truths are contained within Your Word. I pray that I may learn to keep the eyes of my heart fixed upon Christ and to daily search the scriptures more faithfully, so that I may learn more of You and increasingly reflect the Lord Jesus, in all I say and do. I pray that my life may be a mirror-image of Him… that I may only say the things that He has taught me and only do those things that honour Him… so that His grace and love and care and beauty may be seen in me and flow out to others, in Jesus name I pray, AMEN.

Posted on January 31, 2020 by anthonyhopkins33

What Does Psalm 148:5 Mean?

What Does Psalm 148:5 Mean? ►

Let them praise the name of the LORD, For He commanded and they were created.

Psalm 148:5(NASB)

Verse Thoughts

A magnificent song of praise bursts forth from the pen of the anonymous psalmist, as he summons together the host of heaven, with all those that dwell on the earth, to worship the Lord… to praise His name and glorify Him with exultant shouts and great rejoicing of the heart. “Hallelujah!” his song begins, “Praise the LORD.”

The opening word of the writer informs us that we are not going to slowly climb up a ladder into heavenly praise. Rather, we are catapulted headlong into joyful worship and reverent praise that thunders forth, from this heavenly choir. We are immediately raptured into an explosive outburst of ecstatic rejoicing, that is calling on the highest heavens above to praise their great Creator.

From the furthest reaches of the universe to the outer extremities of the entire creation, comes this call to glorify the name of the Lord – HALLELUJAH! Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens. Praise Him in the heights!

The call to worship is given to the vast angelic host and the various heavenly beings, for all were created by the Lord. All began their existence because of His creative hand and magnificent wisdom – Praise ye Him, all His angels. Praise ye Him, all His host. Praise ye Him, sun and moon. Praise Him all ye stars of light. Praise Him ye heavens of heavens. Praise Him ye waters that are above the heavens.

It is the Creator Who is being acknowledged by His creation… in this cacophony of praise, for He spoke the world into being and provided permanence and stability to all He made. He established laws and principles that govern the world. He has allotted periods of time and fixed immovable boundaries. God has placed limits in each element of creation and holds it together by the might of His power.

The prime purpose of calling the heavenly host and angelic beings to unite their voices in praise to God and join together in this harmonious declaration of His eternal glory, is because He is Creator. “Hallelujah! PRAISE ye Jehovah from the heavens. Praise ye Him in the heights. Praise Him all His angels, Praise Him all His host. Praise Him sun and moon, Praise Him all ye stars of light. Praise Him you heavens of heavens, and you waters that are above the heavens. Let them praise the Name of Jehovah, for HE commanded and they were created. He set them there forever and ever and gave a law.. and not one transgresseth it.”

If such a resounding call to praise and worship God as Creator, is given to angels and the heavenly host, how much more should our worshipful praise and humble thanksgiving be offered to the Lord, Who not only created us, but had also redeemed us, by the blood of Christ Jesus, His dearly beloved Son.

“Glory to God in the highest heaven” was the hymn that the angels sang at Christ’s birth, and it continues… ‘peace on earth, goodwill to men, or more accurately it should read… goodwill to men of peace – God’s blessing on those that have made peace with God, by faith in Christ.

Peace on earth and goodwill to all men is not the song of the angels and fully understand, for only those who gain peace WITH God through faith in Christ will receive the peace on earth, and peace with God… for which men crave so deeply.

While the heavens declare the glory of God and continue to display His marvellous works, the fool has said in his heart, “there is no God!” While God’s invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature has been clearly seen by every man, through the witness of creation, foolish men too often refuse to glorify Him as God or show Him the gratitude He justly deserves.

There are times when we, who have been saved by grace through faith in Christ become complacent in our faith, and do not give the Lord the praise and glory He justly deserves. May we discover the wonders of Him anew, and swell the heavenly chorus, with overflowing hearts of thanksgiving and praise to our great Creator and rejoice in the God of our Salvation.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, You alone are worthy of all praise and glory, for You not only created us, but have redeemed us through the precious blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Renew in me a new and glorious song of worship and praise, for You commanded and the world was created and in Your grace, You gave Your only begotten Son to redeem that same fallen creation. Thank You that I have been born-again into Your new creation in Christ and I pray that I will never become complacent with my salvation, but live and work for Your greater praise and glory – this I ask in Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Posted on January 31, 2020 by anthonyhopkins33

What Does 2nd Corinthians 7:1 Mean?

◄ What Does 2 Corinthians 7:1 Mean? ►

Therefore dear friends, since we have such promises, we should wash ourselves clean from every impurity of the flesh and spirit, making our sanctification complete in the fear of God.

2 Corinthians 7:1(HCSB)

Verse Thoughts

The Lord God Almighty desires His people to separate themselves from fond affinity with the filth of this seductive world system. He charges that all such unnatural bonding of purity with evil should be discarded with equal revulsion and tenacity, as if fleeing from Satan into the arms of the Lord.

The precious promises for those that heed this call, is that God will be a Father to them and they will be His dearly beloved sons and daughters. The serious warning to those who reject His offer of salvation, is eternal estrangement from God the Father and eternal condemnation, “because they have not believed on the only begotten Son of God.”

We are not only called to cleanse ourselves of physical impurities, and to rid our lives of fleshly pursuits, that dishonour our Lord, but we are to be holy, for God is holy. We are to be righteous in thought and word – in deed and in motive. We are to love the Lord with all our heart and soul and mind and strength, and we are to love one another as Christ loved us, and gave Himself for us.

Paul instructed the Corinthians by telling them… “Therefore dear friends, since we have such promises, we should wash ourselves clean from every impurity of the flesh and spirit, making our sanctification complete in the fear of God.” We are all being given a call for spiritual purity and the purification of the inner heart. This is a call for godly virtue in the inner being. We are summoned towards integrity within the hidden motives of the minds.

This is not implying that a man or woman is sinlessly perfect during their post-salvation life, for we occupy a sinful body and we live in a sinful world. Indeed, we are sinners, saved by grace, who are going through a beautiful sanctification process, which will continue throughout our entire, earthly walk. It is during this life that we are being prepared for our heavenly home. As we walk in spirit and truth we are being changed from glory into glory.

It is as we grow in grace, mature in the faith, abide in Christ and He in us that we are making our sanctification complete. At the moment of our salvation, we were given all we need for life and godliness, and our sanctification will be finalised at the rapture of the Church, when the dead in Christ are raised. But as we travel through life, we are to make our sanctification complete by actively depending on Him in all things.. by choosing to die to self and live for Christ.

Practical sanctification is a vital part of our Christian growth. Progressive sanctification is part of our spiritual development, where we are being conformed, day by day, into the image and likeness of the lovely Lord Jesus Christ. Although we were positionally sanctified the moment we first believed, and enjoy all the benefits of sonship… we are also being called to develop an inner attitude of reverential fear of the Lord, which produces in us, humility of heart and willing obedience to His word. And the Lord has promised to be Father to all who trust in Christ for Salvation.

In His grace, He has forgiven our sins; adopted us into His family; covered us in the righteousness of Christ and raised us up to sit with Him in heavenly places. Can any human mind begin to fathom the enormity of such tremendous promises, given to a sinful and rebellious race of fallen creatures… who are estranged from their Creator, Who is eternally perfect and unchangingly holy?

No wonder the apostle Paul encourages us to cleanse ourselves from all fleshly filthiness, moral impurity, and spiritual pollution. No wonder we are called upon to purify our hearts from all that is offensive to the Lord.. and it is no surprise that we are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of awe, wonder and reverential fear of the thrice-holy Triune God.

God has given to all who are saved, by grace through faith in Christ, many precious promises that are all ‘yes’ and ‘amen’ in Him – and He has exalted His Word of truth above His holy name – “Therefore dear friends, since we have such promises, we should wash ourselves clean from every impurity of the flesh and spirit, making our sanctification complete in the fear of God”.

My Prayer

Dear heavenly Father, I kneel in awe and wonder when I consider the grace that has been showered on me, that I should be called a child of the holy Creator-God and made joint-heir with Your beloved Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. I pray, that as I gaze into the face of the lovely Lord Jesus, I may pass from glory to glory, and become increasingly conformed into Christ’s image, and separate myself from the impurities and lusts of the world system and my fleshly self, in Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.

Posted on January 28, 2020 by anthonyhopkins33

What is The Definition of Spiritual Discernment?

What is The Definition of Spiritual Discernment?

By: Anthony Joseph Hopkins January 28, 2020

The fundamental definition for Christian discernment is a decision making process in which an individual makes a discovery that can lead to future action. In the process of Christian spiritual discernment God guides the individual to help them arrive at the best decision.

Next, I want to inform all of you that the definition of Spiritual Discernment is separating what is worldly from spiritual. It is distinguishing the spirit of truth from the spirit of error. This means that if someone is saying something that does not make sense, please look at the Holy Bible for the answers to all of your questions. We are supposed to decide what the truth is. One of the things that I actually do is consult with my personal Savior Jesus Christ about what I have heard to see if it lines up in the Bible.

Further, I want to inform everyone that the Lord Jesus Christ will guide you and lead you in the right path. It is that when it comes to Spiritual Discernment, we have to understand that there are false prophets out there, and we have to expose them. I pray to the Lord Jesus Christ for all things. I also realize that it is not me who is doing the work. It is the Holy Spirit that is inside of me that is doing all of the work. I used to hear voices that were not the Holy Spirit for 10 years. I know that God’s word tells me the truth. God’s word also talks to me.

Moreover, I want to inform all of you that having Spiritual Discernment is very important. This means that you really understand what is true from what is actually false. I am a type of person, who pay close attention to what the Pastor is saying on the pulpit. I have received total acceptance from God. Spiritual Discernment comes from the Lord Himself. I know that this is something that is not acquired overnight. It takes a lot of prayer, reading the Bible, and becoming a doer of the word of God.

In Addition, possessing the gifts of the Holy Spirit is very important. It enables all of us to distinguish the full truth that comes from God. I know that I have been baptized almost 5 years ago. As soon as I got baptized, I have felt a complete change inside and outside of me. Spiritual Discernment gives me an opportunity to fully understand God’s message. I know that I am still a Work in Progress according to God.

I know that I am going to make mistakes in my life. I truly want to say that I no longer destroy my own Temple by drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana every single day. I know for me personally, I have been clean and sober for 30 years from marijuana as of January 21, 1990. I have been clean and sober from alcohol since Wednesday May 2, 1990. Spiritual Discernment had to really grow on me. This is simply because I used to let people take full advantage of me. I used to be a Yes Man. I used to concur everything that someone says out of their mouth; without fully thinking all about the consequences in my personal life.

Also, I want to say that I have learned a whole lot about real life, and real life situations. I used to be a person that did not understand what Spiritual Discernment until the very last minute. This is simply because at one point, I dwelt inside of the world. I obviously did what others did inside of the world. Spiritual Discernment gives you a sense of maturity. It will really make you aware of all things. What is the definition of awareness? Awareness is knowledge or perception of a situation or fact. “We need to raise public awareness of the issue” concern about and well-informed interest in a particular situation or development. “A growing environmental awareness”.

Awareness is the state of knowing something, such as the awareness that the sun comes up every morning. The adjective aware gets turned into a noun when the suffix -ness is added, so awareness is the state of being aware, or having knowledge of something. Definition of discerning. : showing insight and understanding: discriminating a discerning critic. There are three different types of awareness. There is prompted awareness: when asked, people tell you they know the organization when picking them off a list. There is unprompted awareness: when asked, people come up with the organization on their own without having to look at a list to say “Oh yeah, I know. “

Finally, I want to say that having discernment is very important to everyone. This is simply because our job is to know the truth. We have a job of spreading the Gospel, casting out evil spirits, and to make disciples of everyone. I have invited people to Church all of the time. Sometimes, people come, and there are times when they did not come to Church. I have been very understanding to everyone. I share the Gospel with everyone. I share the Gospel online and in my personal life. What is Spiritual Discernment? Spiritual Discernment is a learned behavior. God will have to give this to you. I know that it has taken me years to have Spiritual Discernment. Being able to distinguish the truth from error takes a lot of practice.

In Conclusion, I want to inform all of you that this is not a very easy gift to acquire. God has to bless you with this gift. I know that I have always been aware of things that people do; whether it is right or wrong. This is something that takes a lot of experience. I will admit that I used to be a follower for 18 years of my personal life. From 1972 to 1990, I did exactly what everyone else was doing. I concurred very easily because I used to be easily influenced by people, places, and things. Currently, I am a person that has changed my behavior for the better. My relationships took a lot of time. Relationships takes time. Spiritual Discernment is a gift that someone has to be blessed with it.

Postscript: I want to inform everyone that God has given me wisdom and grace. I have acknowledged that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior. I really love people. I know that it has not been very easy learning about Discernment that comes from God. We have God’s Spirit inside of us. I want to inform all of you that Spiritual Discernment is a very careful walk with the Lord. We have to take an inventory about everything that we have done in my life. We have to take an inventory when it comes to being around other people. We have to make the most of our time because the days are evil. We have to be very careful how we spend our personal time. God loves you and so do I.

Please take good care of yourselves. Please keep me in your prayers. I really love all of you very much. Please take good care of yourselves. I really mean it. God and Spiritual Discernment is what I have in my life right now. Whenever, you have Discernment, it means that you cannot believe everything that people tell you. We all have to ask God for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.

Posted on January 28, 2020 by anthonyhopkins33

What Does Ephesians 2:11 Mean?

◄ What Does Ephesians 2:11 Mean? ►

Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands–

Ephesians 2:11(NASB)

Verse Thoughts

When we are positioned in Christ and united with Him by faith, we received all we needed for life and godliness. We are given God’s sufficient grace and His supernatural strength through the indwelling Spirit of Christ, Who causes us to be victorious in our journey through life, and enables us to be triumphant in every situation we meet.

When we were saved by grace through faith in Christ, we were transferred from Satan’s kingdom into the family of God and accepted into the bosom of the Father. At redemption, we were made part of God’s new creation-in-Christ, and the list of benefits we are given reach into the eternity of eternities. His gifts and graces are far beyond our imagination. But we should never forget where we came from and what we were before salvation. We should never forget to be grateful for all that God has done for us, and live for Him, with a grateful heart and in humility of spirit.

We were born in sin and at enmity with God. We were dead in our sins and without hope in the world. We were condemned sinners who were bound for the fires of hell, and Paul urges us to remember that formerly we were Gentiles in the flesh. Not only were we separated from the camp of Israel, but had an uncircumcised heart. We had not been brought into fellowship with the Father, through faith in His word and trust in His Son.

Before salvation, we were excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, to whom were entrusted the oracles of God and through whom the Saviour of the world was to be born. “You, who were dead in your trespasses and sins have been made alive by God,” Paul reminds us. ‘Remember that formerly you were Gentiles.. in the flesh. Originally you were unsaved – estranged from God and walking according to the course of this world’.

There is a time in the life of every man when we have an uncircumcised heart, and Paul is reminding these believers, in Ephesus, that formerly… as Gentiles in the flesh – i.e. unsaved people, they were labelled as ‘The Uncircumcised‘, by people who proudly called themselves ‘The Circumcision‘. However, Paul identified these Jews as “the so-called-circumcised”, because their circumcised flesh was not reflected in a circumcised heart, that trusted God.

Israel had been given the sign of circumcision as a reminder of the covenant God made with their forefather. Abraham. As God’s chosen people they were to walk in His way and obey His word. Gentiles should always remember that it was through the nation of Israel that the Messiah was born, and it was through Israel that the Scriptures were given. However, the so-called-circumcised – the Jews, incorrectly considered themselves to be spiritually superior to the rest of humanity, because of the sign in their flesh. They thought they were automatically saved from the slave-market of sin, because of their unique, covenant relationship with God – their circumcision. But this was not the case.

Throughout their history, Gentiles were despised by Jews and considered as dogs and outcasts. Because Gentiles did not have the outward sign of circumcision in their flesh, they were disparagingly referred to as ‘The Uncircumcised“. Israel were proud of their covenant sign, and many Old Testament passages demonstrate a deep contempt of Gentiles. One such example was, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine,” was David’s scornful comment concerning Goliath!

However, Paul wanted these believers to understand that it is not the circumcision of the flesh that honours the Lord, but a circumcision of the HEART… And when Israel rebelled against the Lord, the prophets accused them of being uncircumcised in their heart… because they were following after other gods. A true Jew is not only circumcised in the flesh but one whose heart is also circumcised – through faith.

Paul was not promoting circumcision. He was pointing out that before salvation, both Jews and Gentiles have an uncircumcised heart, irrespective of whether the flesh of the foreskin has been cut. We are justified by faith and not by circumcision. It is not the cutting of the flesh that designates one’s spiritual standing before God, but the condition of the heart. An uncircumcised Gentile can have a circumcised heart that honours the Lord, while a circumcised Jew can be uncircumcised in the heart because of proud, unbelief.

By referring to Jews as “the so-called circumcision”, Paul was making it clear that the cutting of their flesh did not designate spirituality or salvation, and urged Gentile believers not to fall into the same prideful trap. NOTHING we can do in the flesh can elevate us in the eyes of God. Circumcision is nothing, and neither is non-circumcision. Jews have nothing to boast in their circumcision, while Gentiles have nothing to boast in their uncircumcision! The ONLY thing that affords salvation and pleases God is a heart belief in Him. The ONLY thing in which we can boast is Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Paul urged the Gentile Christians in Ephesus to “remember that formerly they were called “The Uncircumcision” by the ‘so-called’ Circumcision – which is performed in the flesh by human hands“. It appears that the Jewish ‘pot’ was calling the Gentile ‘kettle’ black! Neither the Jew nor the Gentile can boast in their former condition, for salvation is not a matter of circumcision OR uncircumcision. It is a matter of faith – a circumcised HEART.

During Christ’s ministry, He told his disciples not to rejoice that they could heal the sick or cast our demons. They were to rejoice that their names were written in heaven. In like manner, neither Jews and Gentiles should boast in their heritage, circumcision or non-circumcision. Rather, we are to rejoice that our names are recorded in the Lamb’s book of Life.

It was necessary for the Ephesians to recall their unregenerate condition prior to salvation… for it brings into sharper focus ALL that Christ has done for us. Without HIM we would all remain dead in our sin. Without His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, we would be totally alienated from God – condemned sinner bound for the Lake of Fire.

In consideration of all that Christ has done for us, we are called to remember our unregenerate condition before we were redeemed. We are to reflect on our status as sinners, with a fallen nature We are to remind ourselves of the miserable state we were in, prior to our conversion. We are being called to recall the sorry state that existed before we were redeemed, when we were totally alienated from the Lord.

May we NEVER hold Christ’s sacrifice for us lightly nor try to identify things in our life that we consider make us worthy of our salvation! May we never place importance on the ministry to which we are called, the study we have done, our past heritage, current achievements or spiritual gifts – for ALL that we are and all that we have is given to us from above. WE ALL need to remember that formerly we were dead in our sin and estranged from the Father… but by God’s grace, through faith in Christ, have been made children of God and imputed with Christ’s righteousness… through time and into eternity. PRAISE His Holy Name.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times when I have elevated myself above others, who may not have the same heritage, background or understanding that I have been granted. Thank You for making me who I am, and thank You that every member in the body of Christ is equally important to You and each has his own specific role to play. As I remember… that formerly I was dead in my sins, at enmity with God… with an uncircumcised heart and without hope in the world – I praise and thank You for the work You have done in MY life. Keep me humble before You and low at the cross – in Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.