20th February, 2025.
Deliverance and Salvation: The Power of God to Save
Acts 16:16-19, 23, 25-34 (ESV)
"[16] As we (Paul and Silas) were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. [17] She followed Paul and us, crying out, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." [18] And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour. [19] But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
[23] And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely.
[25] About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, [26] and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. [27] When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. [28] But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." [29] And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. [30] Then he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" [31] And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." [32] And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. [33] And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. [34] Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God."
The Message of Salvation
You're in a cult, you've held many captive, even the children of God who don't have keen knowledge of him. You've manipulated destinies, destroyed souls and you imprison the spirits of men and women.
Like unto the jailer who imprisoned Paul and Silas, salvation has come.
I bring you good news; the gospel of salvation. Jesus died for the whole world, he died for you too, and I'm here to tell you about it! Jesus didn't die for a special class of sinners: adulterers, fornicators, liars, thieves, murderers. No. He died for all and sundry.
God’s Strategic Mercy
Like the jailer and his family God wants to save you and your coven members. Through your cult you rose to prominence in society, yes God allowed it. He allowed the devil to do his work. Now he wants to use you for his glory. God allows the sun shine on good and evil alike. If the evil doers use his creation, he too can use their hardwork for his glory.
The same Egyptians God caused the sea to swallow up, owned the civilization that taught Moses a large part of all he knew. God literally placed him in the centre of his enemies. He grew up under pharaoh's nostrils. Many years later God would send him back to go and warn him. Is it not said "do not bite the finger that fed you?" God had him bite the whole body!
The strategies of God against his enemies are.... Awesome! Wewwh!
The fact God left you there doesn't mean he doesn't know what he's doing. You've seen, you've heard, you've learnt... Now he's pulling you out so you can testify and warn many.
From Saul to Paul: A Story of Redemption
Look at Paul of Tarsus. The Romans were tyrants to Judah and Israel. The Romans crucified Jesus; yet, the Lord himself gave Paul__ a Roman__ an honorary calling. He spoke to him by himself! And what a missile Paul became! Radical! Fervent! On fire!
1 Corinthians 14:18 (KJV)
" I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all"
And because of the knowledge he had on legality, he was majorly able to deflect the scrutiny of the Roman soldiers while preaching the gospel. He became an advantage to the early church of Christ.
Acts 22:22-29 AMP
"[22] They listened to Paul until [he made] this [last] statement, but now they raised their voices and shouted, "Away with such a man from the earth! He is not fit to live!" [23] And as they were shouting and throwing off their coats [getting ready to stone Paul] and tossing dust into the air [expressing their anger], [24] the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, stating that he was to be interrogated with a whip in order to learn why the people were shouting against him that way. [25] But when they had stretched him out with the leather straps [in preparation for the whip], Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, "Is it legal for you to whip a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned [without a trial]?" [26] When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and said to him, "What are you about to do? This man is a Roman!" [27] So the commander came and asked Paul, "Tell me, are you a Roman?" And he said, "Yes." [28] The commander replied, "I purchased this citizenship [of mine] for a large sum of money [so how did you acquire yours?]." Paul said, "But I was actually born a citizen." [29] So those who were about to interrogate him by torture immediately let him go; and the commander was also afraid when he realized that Paul was a Roman and he had put him in chains."
A Call to Salvation
Come boldly to God and receive salvation. It's yours, you are now a unique breed to the body of Christ. A special advantage. An awesome specimen. You are a living testimony, an epistle of God's boundless mercy and grace. As you read this I declare the power of God hits you where you are... Delivering you from every evil yoke. The same light that shone on Saul of Tarsus shines on you now by the power of the Holy Ghost. Be free! I cast out every spirit of witchcraft, every spirit of divination, every marine spirit. Every unclean spirit. Come out now! In the mighty name of Jesus! The spirit of God rests upon you, his angels are operating right there with you.
Now that you are free, call upon the name of Jesus, for whosoever calls upon the name of Jesus shall be saved.
Simon the Sorcerer’s Transformation
Acts 8:9-12, 9-13 AMP
"[9-11] Previous to Philip's arrival, a certain Simon had practiced magic in the city, posing as a famous man and dazzling all the Samaritans with his wizardry. He had them all, from little children to old men, eating out of his hand. They all thought he had supernatural powers, and called him "the Great Wizard." He had been around a long time and everyone was more or less in awe of him.
[12] But as Philip preached the wonderful news of God's kingdom realm, and the name of Jesus the Anointed One, many believed his message and were baptized, both men and women. [13] Even Simon believed and was baptized! Wherever Philip went, Simon was right by his side, astounded by all the miracles, signs, and enormous displays of power that he witnessed."
"For whosover shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."Romans 10:13(KJV)
A Simple Prayer of Salvation
Romans 10:9-11 (NIV)
"[9] If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. [11] As Scripture says, "Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame."
Say "Jesus is Lord."
"I believe in Jesus, the Son of God. I accept him as my Lord and personal savior. Save me Lord Jesus! I repent of all my deeds. I desire you, and your spirit of truth. Have mercy on me, I walked in darkness, and I have seen the light. You are the light."
A simple prayer, yet the HolySpirit would respond swiftly, and when strange circumstances start playing out, you'd know it is God's response.
Blessed be God forevermore.
Shalom.
Comments
Post a Comment