Read-Eph.1:19-23.
The spirit of poverty may be the foundational yoke of bondage in my city, but it is combined by other factors such as a fierce territorial spirit that works alongside it. This territorial spirit (a spirit of war) causes people to feel intimidated by outsiders or people who are different. I found out long ago that anytime there would be fasting and prayer, my auditorium was always full! There is also a spirit of delusion in the region that feed addictive behaviors like alcoholism and drug use in this time. All of this has set up many young persons in the region to be open to witchcraft and “Juju” because cults draw those with inferiority complexes. Have you ever heard of an usher or deacon in a satanic cult? No, because everyone is made to think that they are called to be a “high priest.” This particular deception draws those who feel inferior by making them feel special.
Only an hour away in another major city, a very different spirit is prevailing over that city. In place of the inferiority that the people in my mountain city feel, in the city there is much arrogance with people thinking more highly of themselves than they should. In that city there is a spirit of charismatic witchcraft instead of the kind of spiritualism found in my city of mountains. This has nothing to do with the Charismatic Movement, but rather is a tendency to use human charisma to manipulate and control others.
. We try to impart confidence and faith to the people in my mountain city because there are some world-class artists, musicians, and potential leaders who have a hard time seeing their own gifts. We have highly intellectual folks in the University. We need more preaching about humility in that city where many conflicts arise out of selfish ambition and pride.
- Faith is another mark of those who are “partakers of the heavenly calling.” Jesus asked His disciples “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith?” It takes the belief in what is hoped for and unseen to partake of the heavenly things.
- Faith is a diminishing quality in the Ekklesia. Many operate to the level that their intellect or the circumstances will allow them.
- Pray for the gift of faith and that you will be found in faith no matter the circumstances. (1 Cor 4:2)
- Faith worketh by love Gal 5.6. Ask the Lord to reveal to you what is His love for you and pray that the Holy Spirit will teach you to respond to His expressions of love for you.