Who is the true enemy? -Daniel Ch 3

Daniel Chapter 3:1-18

We live in a day and age of convenience. How many of us have to deliberately raise our own food, read by a coal oil light, or have to struggle just to get clean running water? Many of us in America do not realize how good we actually have it concerning our material wealth.

Yet the overwhelming issue within the American Church is our complete lack of understanding of the spiritual nature of Christianity. The overwhelming philosophy which permeates our society and many of our churches today, is geared towards doing that which is popular and profitable. Yet it completely ignores personal discipline, biblical principals and Christ honoring practices.

It's easy to be trendy. It's easy to compromise for the sake of ones friends and family. However as we look upon the landscape of Americanized Christianity, we undoubtedly see a great movement away from that which is biblical to that which is convenient.

Beloved, just like the priests in the prophet Malachi's day, might I remind you that a more convenient form of worship and service to God is wicked and leaves a bitter taste in His mouth.

If we are to quit compromising our faith, and walk away from that which is convenient, we will begin to build lives of content and character. Character after all is the one thing money can't ever buy, yet you can never afford to live without.

#1 Pride is the great corrupter

Verse 1-Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits : he set it up in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.

We see in this verse of scripture that King Nebuchadnezzar made a statue in honor of himself that those who were in the suronding areas could see for miles. But here is the what is so revealing about this statue. It was 90 feet tall and only 9 feet wide. This shows us that he as a king and leader of his nation had avery in-balanced view of himself and his authority. Proverbs 27:2- Let another man praise thee and not thine own mouth- a stranger and not thine own lips.

One of my main secrets concerning life and ministry is that I never follow or pay much attention to how great somebody says they are. Let another person praise him/her or better yet their actions.

The only reason that a person or king like Nebuchadnezzar makes a ninety foot statue to themselves for all to see is their pride.

In all honesty, I believe each one of would agree that pride is the most dangerous of all sins.

Proverbs 11:2- When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

Proverbs 16:18- Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

1 John 2:16- For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

If we simply look at Isaiah 14:12-14 we will see that the most frequent statement used by Satan is I will . Just like Satan, when we place our will and desires, and what we want for our own personal glory before God's

#2 Pride and Power is a lethal combination

Now as we look at the next 6 verses of scripture in Daniel 3, we learn what the effects of a corrupt leadership has on a people. Lord Acton said it best, all power tends to corrupt- and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Power is an often underestimated drug. It causes us to believe that we are the captains of our fate while we ignore Gods sovereignty and divine providence. The power of our own self will is the longest pathway between God man.

It's like the saying that many of us hear daily. "God will never give you too much that you cant handle it" I hope you understand how anti-God that statement is. If you could handle the situation in your path, you wouldn't need God's help and strength. If you could earn your salvation, you wouldn't need God's love, Gods grace or Gods mercy.

It's always found within the power and pride we place upon ourselves that ultimately drives us to believe we don't need God because we are our own gods.

And within verses 2-8 we see all the glitz and glamour and flare and style. that the wicked king thought he deserved. It looked good. It looked royal. It sounded important, but the reasoning behind it was wicked.

Hollywood has the Oscars.

The music industry has the Grammys.

Megachurch preachers or on television or hold services and conferences that resemble rock concerts.

And both believers and non believers are fooled by it. No matter how good it looks or what good they may be doing, we aren't focusing on what is behind the scenes. If it points you away from Bible Christianity, you should begin wondering what it is they are wanting from you or truly directing you to.

#3 If it isn't Gods agenda, you have got to ask whose agenda is it?

In verse 7-12 we see the response between those with a character based upon the firm foundation of Gods will and Word. The last thing we as believers need to become is the sheep of the worlds pasture.

#4 Remember, Satan is attacking you to get to God.

vs#12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king have not regarded thee:, they serve not thy Gods, nor worship the golden image, which thou hast raised up.

Again, let me remind you that this is a spiritual fight that each one of us are in. 2 Corinthians 10:5- For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God., and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

It's not the person who is in front of you that is attacking you, or the sickness, or burn out, or myriad of other things going on in your life. However it is the person who is behind the attacks. Satan is a spiritual being and he must be fought and conquered on spiritual terms.

This moment in the three Hebrew boys' life was a moment of divinely empowered warfare. The refusal to bow down had nothing to do with how they felt towards the King.

As teen age boys they were taken captive as spoils of war and brought into Babylon and forced to learn the paganistic ways and religion of the Chaldeans. Their names were changed in order to force them to lose their identity and the remnants of the home they once knew laid in waste and ruin.

Yet they still served God. They wouldn't let the circumstances of death or life stop them serving God.

They served the great I Am., the creator of all and the giver of life. They knew that since it was God who gave them life, that their life belonged to Him and He could do with it whatever He pleased. They weren't about to bow down like everybody else did because they had a faith as unshakeable as the Rock of Gibraltor.

If today your following Christ because you want Him to fix your marriage, that's idolatry. If you want to follow Christ to have a better and improved life, beloved that's idolatry. We follow Christ because of who He is not what He can give us.

Why would we choose fame when God promises to supply our needs according to His riches in glory?

Why seek our own destiny when we can live in the absolute and perfect will of God?

Why would we run for a crown that is corruptible when we can run for a crown that never perishes or fades away?

vs 13- Notice real quickly how the king operates not out of a position of principle, but rather out of the emotions of anger, rampage, and rage.

The spiritual battle is a battle of emotions, which we should never let get the best of us. Emotions should never be our guide, and until we learn to live lives based on the principles found within God's Word, we will remain defeated by the enemy.

vs13-15 To be placed before the king mean certain death. Yet the king was willing to take these three Hebrews and give them a second chance at bowing down before the graven image. Let me remind you that not every chance given to you is of God.

Like the Hebrews, you might have the opportunity to save your neck, but it will also mean forsaking your God. It also means that those around you who are watching you, will recall where exactly you stood and how you either caved in or became a testimony of God's enduring grace.Hebrews 12:1-2 ...Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

#5 Be who God created you to be

Did you take time to notice the three little words in vs 14 ...Is it true?

I wonder if that can be said about us. That folks from our past would ask if it was true that regardless of the direction of everybody else we still stood our ground and made a decision to serve the Almighty God the way He demands. Or have you not changed? 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are past away; behold all things are become new.

It's been said that actions speak louder than words. the greatest testimony we have as believers is our walk with God, that begins with a changed outlook that spills over into a changed life. Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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.

#6 Never apologize for your faith

vs 16-17 Do you notice the phrase we are not careful?

Instead of apologizing for their faith or making excuses for what they believe and why they refused to bow, They let the wicked king know exactly where they stood. They counted the cost and regardless of how fast the execution would be, or how painful it was, they did not care. They were not going to bow!!!

The world we are living in today is longing for believers wont bow.

The world is longing for believers who will trust Gods Word.

The world is longing for believers who are willing to forsake all, and leave the world behind them, and go forward to proclaiming the Gospel regardless of the cost, and to rely on His power and His promises. Romans 8:35-39

Anybody can claim to be saved.

Anybody can claim they go to church

Anybody can read their Bible, tithe and participate in the ministry.

Not everybody is willing to trust God to provide their daily needs, yet alone to trust God until death if our walk of faith takes us there.

#7 Be the type of believer that God needs in the world today

vs18 ...But if not

The simple truth of the matter is that our churches and our pulpits are full of individuals that are comfortable with the status quo. Sadly, even many of them will never fall into he category of but if not. That doesn't make them bad people, or any less of a person It simply means that they aren't ready to truly be all that God desires from them.

The three Hebrews weren't the only boys brought into Babylon from Israel as slaves. But they were the only ones who refused to bow. They made a decision to stand for God whether or not He deliverd them.

The world, nation, and even the church you attend is looking for a believer who will stand regardless of the cost and be used of God to stand against the wickedness of this world. Stand your ground and just as Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus in Ephesians 4:27- neither give place to the devil.

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For more information about our ministry contact us at livingstons.sbg@gmail.com or 812-844-5802.

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7 Basic Steps to Win in Spiritual Warfare

The biggest misconception concerning spiritual warfare for the believer is that we far too often focus on demons, spirits and the world along with all of it's enticements. However, spiritual warfare is more about the individuals position in Christ and the amount of surrender in a believers life.

Yes, freedom comes from Christ spiritually speaking. But after our salvation, our personal amount of surrender, which includes the most simplistic daily disciplines which when practiced, become automatic in a believers life.

Ephesians 4:1- I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.

There must be a goal for every believer to live the life and be the best Christian imaginable. We must strive on a daily basis to live lives that would cause us to be recognized as the type of Christian that God desires to sees.

#1 Live a surrendered life.

Living a life of complete surrender is a choice. Your not always going to feel like reading and meditating upon Gods Word, but you have to be filled with His Word if you want to live a successful Christ Honoring, Spirit filled life.

We were never commanded to carry a question mark, but rather a cross. A cross is an instrument of death and torture. We are to die to ourselves. We are to die to the peer pressure around us. We are to die to what everybody else may say regardless of the cost. The reason we do so is not to gain entrance into Heaven, but rather because we are Gods children and it is the right thing to do.

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto god, which is your reasonable service. 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.

I can spend hours with you right now sharing tales of Christians who had a form of godliness but lacked the internalizing of it. Why do we know so many people like that? Because the only way to develop a Godly mind is to know the mind of God. The only way to know the mind of God is to read the only book that came from Him.

All warfare begins as a battle within your mind. Your emotions, will, and desires will cause you to leave the things of God unless you protect your mind with the sacredness of scripture. Your attitude will ultimately depend on how much of the worlds philosophy you feed yourself.

The basic disciplines of prayer, bible reading, witnessing, and fasting will keep you rooted in a a strong spiritual walk with God. Discipline equals freedom. If your disciplined with your money, you'll experience financial freedom. If your disciplined in your eating habits, you'll live a longer healthier life. The same goes spiritually speaking.

The books you read, the movies you watch, the music you listen to, and those you fellowship with and associate with, are all a major influence on your spiritual mindset. In fact they are a good measurement of where your going to be in your walk with god within the next five years.

#2 Are you emulating a life worthy of Christ's death?

We as believers have forgotten that it is the thing that which you chase after is what you are going to get. Philippians 3:13-16...Brethren I count not myself to have apprehended : but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if anything, ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Can you be willing and humble enough to let God lead you? If you say yes, can you be willing to let the past stay in the past where it belongs today? Your not who you were back then so quit carrying the baggage of your past with you. You'll never be able to be all that God wants you to be until you realize that going forward is the only option on the table.

What you used to be will sneak up on you sooner or late. as a child of God you must realize that you are in Christ. You are clothed with His righteousness. Just because you have a sinful past that has remained hidden doesn't matter. If you have forsaken it and repented of it, then remind the enemy and yourself that it is all under the blood.

Even when Satan uses others to discourage you and to keep you from going forward, you have to remind yourself that it is God who is leading you and has called you into His service and made you a part of His family. Even when you have caused the damage of the moment, you must remember that Gods calling , though it may come with certain restrictions, does not come with repentance. He will use a willing vessel that is willing to be made willing and useable.

#3 Build a firm Foundation

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

The Bible is our sourcebook for living. Yet it doesn't do any good to read but not heed. James 1:22-24 But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your ownselves. For if any be a hearer and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass. For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

The Bible isn't some magic book that will change you. It is up to you to internalize the word of God and act upon it. If you don't like the reflection in the mirror, you don't go break the mirror....you fix the person behind the reflection that you see. Part of the Christian life is simple maturation.

Maturity as a believer doesn't necessarily come with age, but it does come with obedience. If you study the attack in the garden of Eden, the First thing Satan said was "Hath God said?" Every attack of his is rooted someway or another in the questioning of scripture.

#4 Never give up

1 Corinthians 15:58-Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, un-moveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

The highways and hedges that we are to walk down being a witness are littered with Christians who were once sitting in the pew your sitting in. Countless millions have gone to their grave after succumbing to attack of the enemy. They didn't lose their salvation, but they did lose the opportunity of being faithful.

Life is full of choices. In the end it's completely up to you if your going to quit and have a rope for a backbone or if your going to tough it out.

We must remember that theologically speaking, God is a sovereign thrice holy God. Nothing passes His throne without Him knowing it, and that includes the attack of the enemy on the life of the believer. God knows what your going through.

God isn't going to give you what you can handle, because that makes a self sufficient Christian. He gives you what you cant handle so you run to Him for all your needs according to His riches in glory.

One of the most dangerous places for you to dwell in is on the border of where Satan wants you, which is usually your own personal promised land, and where God wants you. It's not about where we want to be, but where God is leading us.

#5 Be Zealous

Psalm 16:8-I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right, I shall not be moved.

The main way to be zealous is to develop a whatever it takes attitude. If you want to live the abundant, spirit filled, Christian life...you will find a way to do it. If not, then you'll find an excuse.

The devil didn't make you do anything in the past...nor will he in the future.. He may have been an influencer, but what he does outside of severe demonization is normally behind the scenes. He will bring people into your life. He will bring opportunity into your life. Yet it is up to us to discern whether or not it is of God.

There isn't an excuse for the child of God to be overcome by the things of this world. 1 John 4:4- Ye are of God little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. Yet we do end up giving up ground to the enemy when we put our armour down and let our guard down as well.

1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour : whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

One part of being a zealous Christian is realizing that Satan is on the prowl watching and awaiting for His opportunity to attack you. But we must come to the realization as well that if others have gone on before us and were successful in defeating the enemy....so can we be.

#6 Be Consistent

Proverbs 24:16- For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall find mischief.

Its not what you do every once in a while that creates the life you live, but what you do on an a consistent basis that will manifest itself into the Christian life you earned...not the one you think you deserve.

There are really only two choices that the fallen Christian has...stay down or get back up. Again, it's all about making a personal decision that we would rather stand with God while the world watches in dismay, or stand with the world and forsake the things of God.

Don't ever make the mistake of making greatness your goal. Be faithful. Be disciplined. Be available. And most importantly, be willing to be consistently getting back up regardless of what the world thinks and says. If you want God as well as man to take you seriously you MUST be consistent in your walk.

#7 Be fruitful

The one goal of Satan is to remove all glory for God. Yet we as believers can launch an attack on Him, while God gets glorified. John 15:8- Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, so shall ye be my disciples.

The fruit of a Christian is another Christian. If we make our focus reaching the lost and discipeling them, then whatever ailments and attacks we may experience wont be as important to us as being a yielded vessel for the masters use.

If satan can keep a person from getting saved, he has accomplished a great goal of his in keeping that person as his child. As a believer, we are given the great commission and we have the Acts 1:8 vision for all the world as well. Not all of us are called to be preachers, but we are all called to be witnesses of the gospel message.

Being fruitful as a Christian is as natural as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. What isn't natural is hiding the gospel and refusing to be a lighthouse in our families and community.

The Christian life isn't a hard life to live. It starts on the day of salvation and ends when we pass over into glory. It's a life of obedience that only draws us closer to God. The world and all of it's flash and glitter will fade away. Only that which we do for the Lord will have an eternal significance.

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For more information about our ministry or to schedule a meeting please call or email:

Email: Livingstons.sbg@gmail.com Phone: 812-844-5802

Why You Should Weep as Well

Luke 19:43- And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it.

Tertullian once said, "The seed of the gospel message was watered with the blood of the martyrs" Amazing isn't it? That many individuals were once so sure of their faith in Christ and His power over death and the grave, that they would be willing to give their life.

Even today throughout many countries in the 10-40 window, and even in our own nation...persecution is rampant and even unto death for some. Yet the persecuted still serve faithfully, and are willing to continue on in their course until death if needed. Why? Because of their willingness to trust and obey and live lives worthy of the gospel and it's transforming power.

Yet for all of our buildings, and all of our technology we are still losing the battle for lost souls in this nation. America is in desperate need for revival, and I believe one of the reasons it's not happened yet, is of the compassion we lack when we enter into the city.

Do you weep or sigh? Beloved can I tell you that it makes all the difference in the world. Lets read a quote from the great preacher, author and prayer warrior which God used so mightily in the past, E.M. Bounds "A revival means a heartbroken pastor. A revival means a church on it's knees confessing it's sins- both the sins of the individual and of the church- confessing the sins of the times and of the community."

To weep over the spiritual condition of the day is natural for the believer because it was natural for Christ.

Now, the portion of scripture we have in Luke 19 fulfills what was prophesied in Zechariah 9:9-Rejoice greatly O daughter of Jerusalem: behold thy King cometh unto thee, he is just, having salvation; lowly and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass.

The parallel passage of scripture concerning Luke 19 is Matthew 21:1-5 and it is known as the triumphal entry.

Let's look at Luke 19:28-37 real fast.

Vs 34 Do you notice that once the mention of the needs of the Lord was made that their was no arguing, no lamenting, no trying to haggle about a price- no business meeting- but rather the needs of the Lord were mentioned and the men gave willingly. Proverbs 28:27- He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured unto you.

Not just your money, but your talents, your energy, your time, and your life have been given to you to give to God for His service in that when He blesses you, you get to begin giving again. When we learn to live according to the Word of God, you'll definetly begin to have those times when your drinking out of the saucer.

#1 I firmly believe that the Lord weeps over what His people bring to Him....and we should as well.

Lets read together Malachi 1:6-14 ..... Now as we read this, lets not forget about a little thing called the priesthood of the believer. The priests in Malachi's day knew better, yet they chose to give to God that which was unacceptable in His sight. They were also more willing to give to those who had either a civic rule or a social standing before the people.

Ive noticed in my years as a preacher that folks are more willing to work harder for those who don't have a say in eternity. I've noticed that if somebody is offered overtime, they'll show up. Yet if they are offered a chance to receive a crown when they enter into heaven to lay at Christ"s feet, they wont participate.

Show me your calendar and your checkbook, and I'll show you where your heart is.

Beloved might I remind you that God is not a respector of persons when it comes to our giving. Psalm 51:17- The sacrafices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart he will not despise. Perhaps you haven't allowed God to break you so he can remake you into what it is you need to be. Whenever God desires to make a man great, He breaks him into pieces first.

Can I ask you, why do you attend church?

To cleanse your conciense?

To appease your spouse?

Or do you need to hear from God?

#2 We should weep as well because of the state of Modern Christianity

My friend, the wrong type of church is worse than having no church at all. Are you coming to church today to be used by God?

Are you seeking a church that will challenge you, or are you seeking for God to change you into His image?

Your church isn't a fellowship of believers as much as it is a family in which you belong too. Blood might make you related, but it is love and loyalty which makes you family.

Now concerning verses 11-12 in Malachi chapter 1, They speak of an unworthy worship- despising God- and they were coming to Him on their own terms. When we make the decision to worship God our own way, we are showing a total contempt for the things of God.

He is a Holy and Righteous and Just God who demands a Holy and Righteous and Just form of worship.

A more convenient form of worship is a false form of worship.

Worship literally means worth-ship....worthy of His praise not ours. Worship is no longer worship when it reflects the culture around us more than the Christ within us. If you simply turn to Ephesians 5:18-28 you'll find a simple combination of verses that will help you unlock the desire to worship God the right way.

Our public worship is simply an extension of our private worship.

#3 Our spin on modern contemporary worship ought to cause us to weep.

What we win people with is what we are going to keep them with. If we need to water down the message and make a seeker sensitive church, then we are removing the power of the gospel to change lives and impact people. I'm not saying that there isn't a liberal church doing big things for God. But I am saying that it's a very slippery slope determining which way we allow our church to go.

Their are plenty of churches in oiur great nation which are running triple digit numbers and are still fundamental in their stand, beliefs and convictions. It can still be done with extended seasons prayer and fasting along with Holy-Ghost fire in the pulpit.

vs 13 what a weariness is it....many believers act as if we are doing an almighty thrice Holy God a favor by showing up for church. Many self professing Christians act as if He is ok with us skipping church to partake in the sins He died for. God sent His only Son to die for our sins, yet we cant even get out of the deer stand or out of the boat.

Whatever we do moderately sinful in our generation, the next generation will do excessively sinful. Their is a direct correlation between those believers who are half in and half out spiritually and the families they are in being completely destroyed by self-righteousness and bitterness towards the people and the things of God.

God should always get our best. Whether in cost, quality, or our priorities, or our personal integrity

#4 We should weep over our pride.

One of the things I am learning as I get older is that many folks say they want honesty, but they actually don't want the truth.

Why do we think we can deceive God? Lets read Matthew 15 : 8-9 why was Christ able to quote Isaiah 29:13 ? Because He knows and understands the very heart that lies within each and every one of us. A simple reading of Jeremiah 17:9-10 shows us that in our pride which breaks Gods heart we tend to forget that He truly knows and understands the real us.

Beloved the amount of fruit and type of fruit we bear is in exact pro portion to our hearts condition. And though God sees your heart, mankind sees your fruit.

Has your pride gotten in the way of your service?

Has your pride gotten in the way of your giving?

Has your pride gotten in the way of your salvation?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need to take it up with God, and get it right with Him.

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For more information about our ministry or to schedule a meeting please contact us at:

Phone: 812-844-5802 or Livingstons.sbg@gmail.com