D R. K E N N E T H W. J O N E S, P R A C T I C A L L I V I N G M I N I S T RY

Transcription

1 THE P S OF SELF CARE D E A L W I T H T H E A M A L E K I T E S I N Y O U R L I F E ( P R O C E S S O F D E L I V E R A N C E ) O B E D I E N C E I S E S S E N T I A L ; P R A I S E I S O U R W E A P O N D R. K E N N E T H W. J O N E S, P R A C T I C A L L I V I N G M I N I S T RY 1

2 THE P S OF SELF CARE Prayer: Man is the being that prays (nepesh); Genesis 2:7 Praise provides strength and victory to sustain and win (Psalms 8:2) People (God made us relational which is where our strength comes from) Presence (Where you spend your time is where you find your life) Process (It s truly how you go about it) Power (Connection, Association, Authority) Purpose (People without purpose lose strength, restraint, and focus) Perspire (Exertion of Ministry) Pruning and Purging Strengthening our faith and requiring commitment Participation (Activities, Associations, Actions, and Alignment) Priorities (God, Others Self Prepares you for Eternal Life) Pursue Perfection (completeness or wholeness) (Hebrews 13:21; Matt 5:48) Patience (Endurance, Temperance) (1 st Tim 6:1; Hebrews 10:36) Peace (keeping your mind and hearts free from worry) (Philippians 4:7) 2

3 DEFINE DELIVERANCE To draw to one's self, to rescue, to deliver; to set free The purpose of deliverance is for God to rescue His people unto Himself to a place of protection, safety, and well being Psalms 34:17: When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. To deliver out of the hands of..., to escape." This meaning illustrates God's rescue of His people from the dominion of Satan and the world system. Colossians 1:13 - [The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, Deliverance is a process of Self Care Recovery, Restoration, Repair, Removal of curses, sin, and sickness 2 Timothy 4:18 - And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 3

4 DELIVERANCE FROM THE AMALEKITES In Jewish tradition, Amalek represents sin, the city of the world. Represents pure evil, and those who have given themselves over to the dark side of impurity In the Jewish teaching, Amalek represents spiritual blindness acting arrogantly in the world The theme of dealing with the Amalekites also reflect the lusts of the flesh, spiritual strongholds, evil associations, re-occurring oppression, sickness or dilemmas that keep you from experiencing sustainable peace, joy, love, and power Israel was hindered in so many ways due to the Amalekites whose tactics were to steal, kill, and destroy (John10:10) To go out and fight Amalek which is a call to ongoing spiritual warfare. Victory is only achieved through eradication 1 st Samuel 15:1-3: Go out and smite Amalek and utterly destroy all that they have. When God delivers you, He expects you to avoid the sin and/or area of disobedience that was connected with your infirmity 4

5 PURPOSE OF THIS LESSON To review each interaction and conflict Israel has with the Amalekites and discover the biblical principles that God is revealing to us Remember that the Amalekites are a type and shadow of what we are dealing with in the flesh or experiencing through spiritual conflict and oppression. i.e. The tabernacle of Moses represented a type and shadow of Jesus as our high priest (Hebrews 8:1,2) These instances will provide for us wisdom and knowledge in order that we may experience complete & sustainable deliverance & live victoriously in Christ 5

6 HISTORY OF AMALEKITES Descendants of Esau Amalek was a grandson of Esau; thus his descendants would be related to the Edomites: Attacked Israel in Desert For their bitter and implacable hatred of Israel, Amalek was absolutely cursed by God In the Promised Land The Amalekites allied themselves with various other enemies of Israel, including the Canaanites. Numbers 14:40-45 Book of Judges They often raided the Israelites' land after they had planted crops, leaving them with nothing (Jdg 6:2-5) Saul was ordered to destroy them David attacked the Amalekites Hezekiah destroys the rest Haman Appears in Esther Saul is ordered to destroy the Amalekites, but he didn t obey God (1 st Sam 15:2,3): The Amalekites had burned Ziklag and took the women and children (1 Sam 30) Hezekiah killed over 100,000 men. Recovered the good land that they occupied He was a descendant of that Agag, king of the Amalekites, spared by Saul, but destroyed by Samuel Esther 3:1 Even after God told Saul to destroy the Amalekites, they would continue to attack Israel for the next 600 years because Saul did not deal with them as God had commanded 6

7 WHEN ATTACKED, RETALIATE WITH PRAISE 1 Samuel 30:1-6 1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; 2 And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. 3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. 4Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 5 And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. 6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. 7

8 ATTACKS HAPPEN While David is absent from home with the army of Achish, the Amalekites invade Ziklag, and burned it with fire, and carried away captive David's wives, and those of his men What do you do when faced with trials, tribulations, having the enemy steal from you? How do you respond? Immaturity leads us to React, but those who are mature and confident in their God, Respond to situations His soldiers were thinking outwardly wanting to attack the leader, but David responded inwardly Bless the Lord O My Soul and all that is within me! (Psalms 103:1,2) David was reminded how if the Israelite leaders before him had not failed to follow God s instruction to exterminate the Amalekites down to the last one, this would never have occurred. Sometimes it is not always our actions that lead to destruction, but our failure to act. This is why passivity is just as bad as active disobedience. 8

9 SIDE NOTE The Amalekites attacked and there was an absence of men. Because of this the women and children were carried off as prey. Thanks to God s providence, they were uninjured We are in a culture where there is an absence of men, even while there may be males in the home. At the same time there is an uprising of women seeking dominance under the guise of feminism When men are not present, then the enemy can have and advantage in attacking your home, family, and ministry. Presence represents a state of being in the physical and in the spirit David and his men were in league with the Philistines against his own people, Israel. Men, be careful of your associations. David and his men plundered other tribes. Could this be an example of sowing and reaping? The Amalekites did to David what he was doing to others 9

10 SIDE NOTE Feminism Associated with the Jezebel Spirit Disclaimer:While I support rights for women to be treated fairly, not subject to be seen merely as objects, and not be subject to discrimination according to their gender, I am concerned about godly order and the evil spirit of Jezebel that is attached to this movement Queen Jezebel (depicted in the scriptures ) hates men and majors in destroying them. She cannot have a true godly relationship with men because she desires to strip them of all their perceived power and to destroy them, to emasculate them emotionally and spiritually You can t have a Jezebel without a Ahab! When men are weak and more emotional than spiritual, then the enemy is allowed to ruin homes, families, and relationships Quote from Willie Lynch Letter: By her being left alone, unprotected, with the MALE IMAGE DESTROYED, the ordeal caused her to move from her psychologically dependent state to a frozen, independent state. In this frozen, psychological state of independence, she will raise her MALE and female offspring in reversed roles. For FEAR of the young male s life, she will psychologically train him to be MENTALLY WEAK and DEPENDENT, but PHYSICALLY STRONG. Because she has become psychologically independent, she will train her FEMALE offsprings to be psychologically independent. What have you got? You ve got the N WOMAN OUT FRONT AND THE N MAN BEHIND AND SCARED. 10

11 AHAB AND JEZEBEL: CHARISMA NEWS ARTICLE Ahab and Jezebel represent a Spirit of Rejection that is destroying marriages today Ahab, the seventh king of Israel, "did more evil in the sight of the Lord than all who were before him" (1 Kings 16:30). He promoted and participated in Baal and Ashtoreth worship. Ahab is also known for his doublemindedness. He allowed sexual rites homosexuality, bestiality, and every disgraceful perversion and prostitution in the temple of God. What Ahab and Jezebel Can Teach Us About the Spirit of Rejection 11

12 CHARISMA ARTICLE CONT D The dynamic between Ahab and Jezebel provide for us a picture for how double-mindedness works. Ahab portrays the inward manifestation of double-mindedness (rejection). He was fearful and full of lust, insecurity and self-pity. He was envious, pouty and ridden with guilt and shame. Jezebel is a demonstration of the outward manifestation of double-mindedness (rebellion). She was stubborn, self-willed, selfish, confrontational, controlling, possessive, and full of hatred, resentment, bitterness, witchcraft and idolatry. She also had a murderous spirit. Nothing would stop her from getting what she wanted. Ahab would pout in rejection, and Jezebel would rise up to retaliate in rebellion 12

13 HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? This story takes place during the days David and his men were being chased by Saul He makes a statement out of discouragement: 1 st Samuel 27:1: And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand David sought sanctuary with Israel s enemy, the Philistines, King Achish Achish wanted David to be his servant. This was an ungodly alliance Achish gives him Ziklag. Wow! The place the enemy would later attack Remember the roots of David s condition: this was a genuine crisis of faith, when he started trusting more in what he said in his heart (1 st Samuel 17:1) than in what the LORD God said to him. 13

14 AVOID THOSE D S AGAIN Distress David was distressed because he began looking at his situation and not to the Lord. He was also distressed as a leader, because he knew he was responsible for what had happened. Discouragement - Discouragement destroyed his perspective. When discouragement takes over, it clouds our thinking and makes us unresponsive to the Spirit and Word of God Discouragement is inevitable when we attempt to face the problems of life in our own strength Disobedience through Compromise- Ever get to the point that you have compromised your principles, your faith, and your walk with God to the point that it brings you down? David compromised with the enemies of Israel First Samuel 27:2 says that David and the six hundred men with him left and went over to Achish son of Maoch king of Gath. David was living with the enemies of Israel Disobedience often results in a temporary lessening of pressure. Defection David s problem began when he defected over to the enemy trusting them for protection and support David who was looking for temporary relief, is too indebted to Achish that now he has to fight against God s people. He is the perfect example of how we implicate ourselves by relying on our own resources. 14

15 BUT DAVID ENCOURAGED HIMSELF IN THE LORD HIS GOD He exercised faith in his God He encouraged himself in the power, providence and promises of God of God That God would keep His promises and that He was faithful He understood his covenant relationship to God; One translation (TheTargum) states that "he strengthened himself in the Word of the Lord his God; as same as stated that we should be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might, and in the grace that is in him, Remember Ephesians 6:10 15

16 ENCOURAGE YOURSELF IN THE WORD Trying to Encourage Yourself without meditating and speaking the Word of God is like a man trying to work out in the gym without barbells You are also encouraged in the Presence of the Lord Psalms 16:11 - Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Acts 9:31 - Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. Jude 1:20 - But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit 16

17 MAKING PRAYER AND PRAISE A RESPONSE INSTEAD A LAST RESORT Vs 8. And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all. Avoid Discouragement Discouragement and Disappointment is the result of mis-guided hope Psalms 62:5: My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. David received help and encouragement by inquiring. God not only gave him the direction, but also gave him confidence that he would recover all 17

18 SPIRITUAL RESPONSE Spiritual Maturity is not merely measured in Word Knowledge, but in how we respond spiritually when a certain stimuli (become offended, spiritual attack, negative thoughts, darts of the wicked) is experienced and how long it takes us to respond spiritually instead of carnally. Example 1: Your spouse offends you or neglects a felt need. You remain in strife for 3-4 days before you even speak to her. Example 2: Your spouse offends you or neglects a felt need. You respond later that evening by praying for your wife and submitting yourself to God asking him to strengthen you and the Holy Spirit stirs you to do something for your spouse. This Doesn t mean that we will not experience disappointments, hurts, discouragement, but it is how long it takes to respond spiritually from these attacks, thoughts, or feelings that provides a measurement of spiritual maturity. While David s men grieved, David inquired of the Lord. He was distressed just as they were, but he couldn t allow himself to stay there. 18

19 HOW DO WE ENCOURAGE OURSELVES To Encourage means to Strengthen David knew that the LORD s strength was there for those who wait upon Him, so he strengthened himself in the LORD his God Isaiah 40: 29-31: He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Strength and Encouragement comes through Remembering We fail because we forget He remembered God s Love His love for us provides protection, support, guidance, and sufficiency He remembered God s promises and callings God is liberal in His blessings He remembered God s past deliverance To God be the glory for the things he hast done! 19

20 ENCOURAGEMENT The Greek word for encourage, parakaleo, appears 105 times in the New Testament? The word, Comforter which is also known as the Holy Spirit, means summoned or called to one's side (paraklētos) When the Bible talks about encouragement, it usually means that one is calling someone to their side in order to teach, comfort, strengthen or push them to act in a certain way. Somehow, encouragement has become confused with complimenting or praising others. While praise can be part of encouragement, it doesn t cover the full meaning of the word. We often think of encouragement as saying nice things to others to make them feel good about themselves, but this is closer to the definition of a compliment. Encouraging someone can mean you re giving them support or confidence, but is also means that you re helping to develop something in them.

21 SO WHAT WAS DAVID DOING? 1 st Samuel 30: 7,8: Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, "Please bring me the ephod." So Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 8 David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I pursue this band? Shall I overtake them?" And He said to him, "Pursue, for you will surely overtake them, and you will surely rescue all. David didn t have time to go to a positive thinking seminar! He didn t go to Facebook or call someone to affirm his actions. He summoned or called upon the help of the Holy Spirit to come up next to Him and guide him to recover all The Ephod This was a garment that priests wore while in the presence of God to minister unto the Lord (Exodus 28:4;-15). Usually worn to inquire of the Lord To be encouraged is not just to make oneself happy or to make someone feel good. It is connecting with the Father God and inquiring of Him in His presence. God can then minister unto to you and provide you guidance and direction while you are in a state of mind to receive from Him. 21

22 GOOD NEWS: THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOW IN US John 14:16 - And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Acts 1:8 - But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Romans 8:26 - Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 22

23 MAYBE YOU ARE DISTRESSED In your relationship? Have you sought the Lord and incorporated the presence of the Holy Spirit to give you direction or do you sulk like David s men in your self invited pity party? Distressed over your financial situation? Have you encouraged yourself in the Lord, developing a mindset to receive from God, having the Holy Spirit working alongside of you so that you can pursue the right things and make the right decisions? Despondent over your past? Are you forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before (Philippians 3:13) or are you allowing guilt, shame, and anger over your past to rule your thought life? 23

24 OVERCOMING SPIRITUAL ATTACKS Spiritual attacks are inevitable: We are in a spiritual war and we must be prepared (Ephesians 6:10-12; 2 Corinthians 10:4,5) The Amalekites like Satan, don t play fair The results of a spiritually balanced lifestyle is to allow God to bring us to a place of rest, peace, and victory Realize that Jesus is here for us. His blood allows us access and acceptance. The Holy Spirit comforts and assists us Luke 22:32: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. When you are encouraged, take time to encourage others. Just as fear is contagious, so is encouragement and courage 24

25 WHAT TO DO TO STAY ENCOURAGED Praise Daily- Make praise a lifestyle and not just an experience Stay Rooted in the Word Your ignorance of scriptures is no excuse if you are born again Associations Most of our associations can only provide temporal support. People like associations mostly for affirmation and not for ministry and Right Relationships We are relational beings. God made man for relationships and we succeed and exist under the venue of relationships. It s what makes us human Realize that when most people become despondent due to guilt, shame, failures, and setbacks, they usually avoid seeking God and finding strength and knowledge in right relationships Satan wants you cut off. The problem is that even though most Christians are aware of this, why do we try to take on things alone or desire to be alone. We may even disconnect from God at the time we need him most Cast Your Cares Upon Him We must trust God and His Word. He wants us to go to Him with our anxieties and cares 25

26 CAST YOUR CARES 1 Peter 5:7 - Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. Psalms 55:22 - Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. The scriptures say that we are to commit our whole cause to him. If we suffer heavy trials; if we lose our friends, health, or property; if we have arduous and responsible duties to perform; if we feel that we have no strength, and are in danger of being crushed by what is laid upon us, we may go and cast all upon the Lord; that is, we may look to him for grace and strength, and feel assured that he will enable us to sustain all that is laid upon us (Albert Barnes Commentary) 26

27 THOUGHTS TO CARRY OVER I must allow the Holy Spirit to be my true Comforter I have to be care relying upon people and to trust God more God will provide the Encouragement I need if I would seek Him How can I encourage others when I am encouraged of the Lord? 27

28 PRACTICAL LIVING MINISTRY Practical Living Ministry exists to assist individuals, groups, and organizations to operate to their full God-given ability by sharing life changing principles for spiritual growth and development. If this message touched you, please let me hear from you. If you would like to encourage us financially to keep sharing these kind of messages, please go to our donation section on our website at If you would like to contact Dr. Jones for a speaking engagement at your church or event concerning biblical leadership, mentoring, and Christian culture. Please contact Pastor Kenneth Jones at kenjones@practicallivingministry.org 28