Receive Ministry

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Discernment is the ability to make accurate distinctions between things.  It entails the use of understanding and judgment.  Spiritual discernment is Holy Spirit-led and Holy Spirit-dependent; He gives us the ability to understand a situation, sift through its implications, and make a wise and God-honoring decision.

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 teaches that it is the responsibility of every Christian to be discerning: "Test all things; hold fast what is good.  Abstain from every form of evil." The apostle John issues a similar warning when he says, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).

Being a sailboat captain requires you to discern the influences that affect your journeys, such as the wind, the waves, and the currents.  In our Holy Spirit-filled walk, we are called to act and respond similarly to the sailboat captain.  ABBA (My Great God Jehovah) requires us to use our wisdom and discernment of what He is doing and for us to join Him in the journey called life.  What does this mean? It means that you have to constantly contact Him and use discernment as we notice the wind, the shifting currents, or the growing waves.

The next question is, how do we stay connected with our Heavenly Father?

The best answer is to examine what Jesus did when He spent time with the Father.  In Matthew 26:36, we see He spent time in prayer.  Prayer was His first choice whenever He wanted to hear from the Father.  So when you spend time with ABBA, lay aside your agenda and honey-do list.  Ask Him for His agenda and then listen.  Remember, approach ABBA as a sailboat captain - one who is willing to discern the movement of the waters, wind, and waves.  Be willing to release control to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as you listen for Him and fellowship with Him.

Jesus used spiritual disciplines to connect His heart to the Father while He was on earth.  How was Jesus spiritually disciplined?

Jesus approached the Father through prayer, fasting, Scripture reading, meditation (pondering), solitude, simplicity, service, and submission.

"There is hardly ever a complete silence in our soul.  God is whispering to us well-nigh incessantly.  Whenever the sounds of the world die out in the soul, or sink low, then we hear these whisperings of God.  He is always whispering to us, only we do not always hear, because of the noise, hurry, and distraction which life causes as it rushes on." Frederick W. Faber (1814-1863)

Jesus prayed at the door of the tomb of Lazarus, and the one who had been dead for four days came forth (John 11:1-44).  The thief prayed, and Jesus assured him that he would be with Him in paradise (Luke 23:39-43).  Paul prayed, and churches were born in Asia Minor and in Europe (Acts 9:11-31).  Peter prayed, and Dorcas was raised to life to have added years of service for Jesus Christ (Acts 9:36-42).

Hezekiah prayed when his city was threatened by the invading armies of the Assyrians under the leadership of Sennacherib.  The entire army of Sennacherib was destroyed and the nation was spared for another generation because the king prayed (2 Kings 19:15-37).

Elijah prayed, and God sent fire from Heaven to consume the offering on the altar he had built in the presence of God's enemies (1 Kings 18:17-40).  Elisha prayed, and the son of the Shunammite woman was raised from the dead (2 Kings 4:17-37).

Abraham prayed, and so long as he prayed, God did not destroy the city of Sodom where Abraham's nephew Lot lived (Genesis 18:20-33).

John Wesley prayed, and revival came to England.  Jonathan Edwards prayed, and revival came to Northampton, Massachusetts, where thousands of people joined the churches.

Events have been changed time after time because of prayer.

How do I get delivered?

1.  Affirm your faith in Jesus Christ (see Hebrew 3:1; 11:6)

2. Humble yourself (see James 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:5-6)

3. Confess any known sin (see 1 John 1:9)

4. Repent of all sins (see Proverbs 28:3)

5. Forgive all other people (see Matthew 18:23-25)

6. Break with occult, false religion, and secret societies

7. Prepare to be released from every curse (see Galatians 3:13-14)

8. Take your stand with God (Romans 8:31)

9. Release yourself

How do I stay delivered?

1. Yield to the Lordship of Jesus in every area.

2. Be continuously filled with the Holy Spirit (see Ephesians 5:18).

3. Live by the Word of God (see Luke 11:13; Acts 2:4; Matthew 4:4, 7, 11).

4. Put on the whole armor of God (see Ephesians 6:10–18).
   a. Especially the “helmet of hope” (see 1 Thessalonians 5:8; 1 Corinthians 13:13; Romans 8:28;       Hebrew 6:18–20).

    b. Also, the “garment of praise” (see Isaiah 61:3; 60:18; Luke 4:18; Hebrew 13:5).

5. Cultivate the right relationships.

6. Cultivate the right fellowship. Both faith and unbelief come through what we hear (see
   Romans 10:17; Mark 4:24; Luke 8:18; Proverbs 19:27).

7. Make Jesus central (see John 12:31–32).

Four Common Reasons Why Full Deliverance Is Not Obtained 

1. Lack of true repentance.

2. Failure to confess certain sins (particularly adultery and abortion) (see James 5:16). 

3. Failure to forgive others (see Mark 11:25–26).
4. Failure to break with the occult (see Acts 19:25–26).

Why don't people manifest demons?

1. People want deliverance, but they are not willing to die of themselves to serve God.

2. Not everyone wants to be delivered.  Some people like to control others, and for some people, God has to work in them before they can be delivered.

3. God is your deliverer, and He chooses the time for people to be delivered.