TOPIC: FREEDOM BY ASSOCIATION II
MEMORISE:
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
2 Corinthians 3:17
READ: Daniel 2:13-19
13 And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.
14 Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:
15 He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.
16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.
17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:
18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
MESSAGE
There was a couple who had just joined the church. After some weeks, we noticed that the wife stopped coming, so we decided to visit her. When we did, she said that she stopped coming because ever since she started attending services, she lost the ability to fly in the middle of the night to her coven of witches. Just by attending our services, the spirit of witchcraft in her became paralyzed. Just as I mentioned yesterday that people can contact demons by associating with demon- possessed people and staying in demonic environments, people can also become spiritually vibrant by associating with godly people and staying in Spirit-filled atmosphere.
The quality of your association will impact the state of your life. If you are surrounded by people who despise godly things, you can't expect to enjoy freedom in life. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says you must not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. Anyone you will call your close friend must also be a friend of Jesus. However, if your friends love God and desire His presence fervently, you cannot remain spiritually lukewarm.
Also, what you listen to, watch, and read plays a huge role in how much liberty you will enjoy in all areas of your life. You cannot study the Bible diligently every day and remain in satan's bondage. As you read God's word, His light will fill your heart, and you will receive life-saving directions and instructions. As you fellowship with God's word, you will become enlightened in His ways (Psalm 119:130). Enlightened people cannot be easily deceived or swayed by the devil's lies. They are not ignorant of the devil's devices, and therefore, he cannot take advantage of them (2 Corinthians 2:11). Apart from God's word, you should also fellowship with godly materials, songs, and videos. Let your eyes be fixed on things that will always uplift and strengthen you in God. Fill your environment with godly things that will push you to seek God more and more. As you do this, you will enjoy greater spiritual freedom, and everyone who encounters you will perceive and receive the fresh breath of heaven.
Beloved, spend time with people, things, and places where God's presence abides, because in His presence, there is freedom, joy, and all-round peace and prosperity.
KEY POINT
Your association will greatly impact your life.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Numbers 5-6
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
HYMN 28: GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH
1. Guide me, O thou great Jehovah
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but you are mighty;
hold me with your powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me now and evermore,
feed me now and evermore.
2. Open now the crystal fountain,
where the healing waters flow.
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
ever be my strength and shield,
ever be my strength and shield.
3. When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside.
Death of death, and hell's Destruction,
land me safe on Canaan's side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever sing to you,
I will ever sing to you.
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