The Real Battle
by Pastor Eric Lambert

I feel a burden to share this with you, particularly because we are moving into the day of the supernatural and unfortunately, you and I have not been taught how to negotiate these waters of spiritual reality. Consequently, we vacillate between the land of reality (the spirit) and the land of the visible (the physical). We don’t know how to maintain spiritual stability in the spirit realm. It is from the realm of the spirit that everything originates.

Everything that occurs happens in the spirit first and then is manifested in the natural or visible realm. In fact Paul says we should not even look at the things that are visible but the things that are not seen (2 Corinthians 4:18). Why? It is the spiritual things which empower what we see.

Have you ever been confronted by an individual who may be challenging, threatening, or fighting you? What is our tendency? It is to fight the person, usually with no affect. The person facing you is not the problem. You are binding the wrong thing. We must realize that a spirit from the spiritual realm that has attached itself to that person. Your enemy is not flesh and blood. The Word of God is clear, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places] (Ephesians 6:12).” The person that’s harassing you is not your enemy. They are simply a tool. You can fight the person all you want but the enemy will just use another tool.

Until you learn how to deal with your enemy, you will always be a person who will never have consistent victory. The severity of the pain the enemy wants to inflict will determine the person he uses. If he wants to hurt you a little then he will use a stranger. If he wants to hurt you a great deal then he will use a friend. If he wants to deeply destroy you then he will use a family member or a husband or a wife. You and I must be mindful of the devils tactics when engaged in warfare. Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). This battle will go on and on until we are safely in heaven, yet we are admonished by the Apostle Paul that we should stand and resist the enemy. Now we must examine just how we stand against the enemy.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints (Ephesians 6:13-18);

Now, what did the Apostle tell us to do? Put on the whole armor of God. What does the armor consist of? Truth, salvation, peace, righteousness, faith, the Word of God and prayer. Remember these items must be a part of your daily wardrobe. You must keep yourself clothed with the “whole” armor of God. It is critical that you have on the right clothes if you are to be successful in this battle.

Put on the armor and take off the old man. Who you used to be should have no bearing on your new life in Christ. As you prepare yourself for battle, stay focused on victory and you will be a winner in Christ.

Now, let me hear your war cry!

JESUS!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

In his latest book, Ingredients for Prayer: A Practical Approach for Maximizing Your Time with God, Rev. Lambert, details what he believes is the true purpose of prayer in contrast to the ‘give me syndrome’ of prayer that so many with financial woes seem to have. By using “The Lord’s Prayer” as a framework, he examines pieces of this prayer model to show ways to connect with God, like understanding the mind and will of God and becoming dependent upon and receiving the peace of God. Rev. Lambert says having a God-centered and not self-centered focus on prayer helps you to know that “[p]rayer is not about you. It is about the will of the Lord being done through you. To make supplication means that you should bring your request to the Lord; however, you must be sure that your request does not go against the will of the Lord.”

Rev. Eric A. Lambert Jr. responded to God’s call to Jesus Christ in 1971. From that time he was active in Christian ministry, serving in a variety of capacities at Deliverance Evangelistic Church, under the pastorate of the Rev. Dr. Benjamin Smith Sr. In 1987, after God’s leading, Rev. Lambert established Bethel Deliverance International Church in 1987 with seven committed believers, just north of his hometown of Philadelphia. In addition to pastoring, Rev. Lambert is fulfilling his apostolic calling, having planted a number of churches and developed pastoral relationships with both new and seasoned pastors. He remains committed to spreading the love of God to those who do not know Him while stabilizing and fortifying believers. This is evident not only in his church but in the messages of his books.

For more information about Ingredients for Prayer: Maximizing Your Time with God, visit http://ericlambertministries.com.

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THE JOURNEY
My Father’s Eyes
by Becky DeWitt

At the moment of your birth, several comments were made as to who you may have appeared to look like in your physical features. Time brought on many changes in your appearance, as you developed to favor someone else in the family. I have always been told my entire life that I looked just like one of my father’s sisters. Early in my life, many times I was mistakenly identified as her daughter. But at a recent family reunion, I heard something that I have never heard before. Someone was looking at the family pictures on the wall and said to me, “you have your father’s eyes”.

Naturally, I moved closer in an attempt to see what the person saw. I looked and could see the resemblance, but my thoughts were in another place. Because, the minute she said those words “your father’s eyes”, my thoughts immediately went to the eyes of God. This was a topic that my Pastor had done a bible study on in the beginning of the year.

Remembering this brought back several aspects of the teaching. One question I began to ponder is, if I have my Father’s eyes, is it possible to see as He sees? But then the thought came that I needed to look like Him before I could see as He sees. To look like Him is a part of the new birth experience that connects me back to Him for reconciliation.“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away: behold all things become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17). So as a new spiritual creation in Christ, engrafted in Him, accepted in the beloved, I have the opportunity to have new eyes.

The problem that accompanies this opportunity is that my flesh has not caught up with my spirit. The outward man must die daily as my inward man is renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:6). By the grace of God this process is a preparation to see like I have never seen. The renewing is through the mediation on the truth of God’s word. This daily meditation will cause the “renewing in the spirit of the mind.”(Ephesians 4:23).

I must continue the process because my “eyes have not seen, or my ears heard, or entered into my heart, the things which my Father has prepared for me because of my love for Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9) My Father has things made ready and kept ready for me. As all of my days are written in His book of life, He is ready and waiting for me to recognize, understand, and receive everything He has planned. These revelations will come through His Spirit as He opens my eyes to see as He sees. “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:12). I must possess the mind of Christ, the thoughts, intents and purpose, so that I will not only look like Him, but that my eyes are lifted into His realm.

Once the seed of the words “you have your father’s eyes” hit the atmosphere and penetrated my mind and heart, I began to look for the resemblance. Looking intently after the thought, I saw something. “For as a man  thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7). Meditating on this even the more, I began to wonder what would I see, if I can see as my Father (heavenly) sees. Will He see my faith in this area and open my eyes?

In 2 Kings 6:8-23, the account of the prophet Elisha and his encounter with the Syrians is a revelation to how the eyes can be opened to see into another dimension. The Lord had revealed the plans and movements of the King of Syria to Elisha for the deliverance of Israel. The king was set to come against Elisha with a mighty army. Fear gripped the servant of Elisha as he went out the next morning and saw the army surrounding the city.

The first thing Elisha did was to speak against the spirit of fear. Then he spoke “for they that be with us are more than they that be with them” (2 Kings 6:18). But Elisha also prayed for God to open his servant’s eyes that he may see as he saw, which was the truth behind the scenes. It was at that point that the spirit realm was opened for the servant to see the horses and chariots of fire around them.

The prophet, the mouthpiece of God, knew and had confidence that God was with Him. He walked and exercised authority as he had the vision of God. His eyes were already opened. When Elisha prayed for the eyes of his servant, there was an elevation in the servant’s faith as he saw the power and greatness of God. He experienced a realm that he never even had a thought of before.

Many men and women of God have received great visions for Kingdom purpose. As you serve in the house, you will not be able completely embrace the vision unless your eyes are opened to see what your leader sees. You will never be able to assist him or her in the capacity that God has ordained because your eyes are not opened to that realm.

When you began to see though the eyes of God your spirit will be opened to see as He sees because your spirit is connected to His. It is in that connection that your faith level will increase, because He allowing you to see and experience His awesome glorious power. As this occurs you will began to see differently. As my sight begins to change, will the Father see that I have His eyes as He watches over me? Will I see past what He has for me and see what He has and wants for others to see? Will I begin to look upon others with His love? Will I see with compassion for the lost souls that He wants for the Kingdom? Will I see His heart for His people?

“And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.”

(2 Corinthian 3:18).Amplified

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As a Christian author, Becky DeWitt’s writings reveal trials and tribulations as well as edification to the soul. Her books express the need to talk about Jesus Christ from the ordinary everyday perspective with titles that are uncommon and the cover art as well. Recently, her company, Blood Drop Inheritance Group launched into the area of Christian greeting cards.

Promise Cards are uniquely designed with words of divine inspiration. Currently, the different collections are located in local hotel gift shops in Myrtle Beach, The Lighthouse Christian Book Store in Conway, Jasmine Dreams – an organic Tea Shop in Surfside Beach, Balsa Bill In Myrtle Beach,The Eagles Nest Shop in Loris, and other locations in the surrounding area.

She has published four books with Brentwood Christian Press, with the latest, “Lips-Sacred or Scarred; Take Your Mouth Off The Mess and Use It For A Miracle”, receiving a review on the Publisher’s Review Page. Her articles are also published in the Christian Voice, the local area Christian magazine. She has just published her first children’s short story, Destiny’s Closet. Becky is a member of Tree of Life Ministries under the leadership of Pastor Elaine W. Green. Becky lives and works in the Grand Strand Community of Myrtle Beach, SC.

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How to Become a True Christian and a Distinguished Gentleman by Alvin C. Romer

I was asked recently a series of questions in reference to Christian behavior and how men should carry themselves as such. During the course of eliciting a favorable and balanced answer it dawned on me that the validity of the questions caused for a more in-depth response. As I looked around taking inventory of behavior patterns in men, I found that few gave a true indication of not only being gentlemen, but Christian value either was lacking or non-existent. To be sure, Christians are expected to behave in certain ways, but does behaving in those certain ways make one a Christian? More important, if a person fails to live up to those certain behaviors, what formulaic mannerisms should they be abiding?  Or, is the assessment "lesser" have any bearing on how one should live on a whole?

I firmly believe that men can attain a level of respect, thus regaining any lost luster by living a quality life. True Christians are gentlemen and respected in all quarters of the Kingdom. The gist of this essay is an opinionated view of what I think men should embody to allow double standards not to be parallel for equal parts to be the betterment of the whole in the true sense of being a better Christian.

I never met the grandfathers from both the maternal and paternal sides of my family. Back in the day when there were villages raising children it was easy for me to align myself with elders within the community sitting at their knees listening while they gave aspects of their lives. Several of those ‘lessons’ stuck with me, but there was one that truly made a difference in my life, and that was understanding the vestiges and virtues of what respect means, how to dispense it and how to demand it. Over the years, and especially since I turned my life aroung I learned how respect manifests itself throughout the daily habits of living, and how dependent men should be in developing character and mannerisms to be accountable. Two men that have taught me well in my lifetime were more than willing — Rema Cobb and Dr. Benjamin Mays. Rema Cobb was like family to me. As a matter of fact he was the best friend of my father and I lovingly called him ‘Uncle’. Uncle Rema was a commoner — a man without the rudiments of a formal education, but full of wisdom from a life of experienced living. He called a spade a spade and called it like it was. Growing up in Miami’s central negro district — ‘Overtown’, I can honestly and proudly say that there wasn’t a need to go outside the confines of Jim Crow’s segregated boundaries. We had everything we needed smack dab in the middle of our enclave of influence. Mr. Cobb was a Godsend and a saving grace…he understood the importance of education and growing exponentially for greater resolve. He wasn’t degreed, didn’t even finish high school, but along the way was able to forge stability for a sturdy foundation.   He, along with my father gave me all I needed to know about the hard knocks of life emanating from hell’s kitchen. He was a Longshore, or as some people would refer — a Stevedore working the docks at the Port of Miami. He once told me that “the best thing that any man can learn is how to be respected and gain from how you are viewed by your peers!”

Benjamin Mays was flat out awesome! I met him long after he had left Morehouse College and was then the head of Atlanta’s Public School System. I remember catching the bus from the Five Points area of the city to listen to some of his lectures on the Civil Rights era. I met him personally while stationed at Ft. McPherson while studying at Graves Hall on the campus of Morehouse. Mays emphasized two themes throughout his life: the dignity of all human beings and the gap between American democratic ideals and American social practices.  And this is what galvanized me to not give up because there was too much slack in my rope. I needed to tighten the reins of my influence and Dr. Mays provided that for me! He emphasized the importance of respecting your fellow man and holding your women up to the highest esteem and allowing integrity to be the barometer to measure worth. From both of these erudite men I’ve come to the conclusion that there’s a method to the madness of how not only to display respectful attitudes, but to achieve it from all walks of wisdom and be distinguished to boot! Being a true Christian and a man about respect is all about distinguished in a gentlemanly way. You become a true Christian and a Distinguished Gentleman by doing things to make a sure calling and an election that you can win! I surmise in the passages below how to become the best role model that youngsters can look up to:

First and foremost, one should have a sense of spirituality manifested by Christian value. God HAS to be present in your life to elicit challenging changes for a better life. You must be humble enough to realize that you’re a sinner and that certain standards must me adhered to. Jesus waits at the door of your heart.  He is a gentleman and will not barge his way in.  He knocks.  If you want to enjoy His company just let him into your being. you need to be born again.  This is something that needs to be experienced in order to be fully understood. We all want respect regardless of our circumstance. This is so, because every human value is different from the other, which then requires the understanding between persons on things to help their communication better, especially while walking as a Christian. You may ask yourself “how would Jesus exemplify the art of respect and expecting the same from those looking at him? I’m sure he would agree with my beattitudes, as He would: 1) expect you to be respectful of others truly from your heart for them to respect you; 2) Learn to be positive at all times even in tough situations that break others down. Learn to bring the good out of situations and build on them; 3) Learn to be loyal to friends, family and others. Have a standard mindset that speaks the same truth from the heart to all and not just to those you want their appreciation; 4) Be concilliatory and not make negative judgments about others; 5) Be decent in use of your words and actions. Try to avoid debasing or vulgar statements. Also, dress well and have a pleasant demeanor. 6) Be generous from the heart and be real to yourself. Be the good example for others to follow. Be the bridge builder amongst people, not always for self-centered reasons. Be thoughtful and pursue peace, progress and greatness by building and exercising your inner self to real life expansive vision; 7) Learn to know when to talk and listen attentively to others and let them know you have learnt something from them without necessarily saying what. Be positively responsive and confident with a mild sense of elegance; and…8) do not give promise when you know you would not honor it. Trust and act on your words. Whenever you make mistake, accept full responsibility, not to pass the blame, and then politely move onward.

All of the above are entities that build character and will propel you to become that distinguished gentle;man and a model Christian. This then, will be the foundation to your growth, using the five stages of Christian Growth: Salvation, Spiritual Growth, Stewardship, Spiritual Gifts and Sending Forth. You must be strong though, and purposeful in your walk. We all know that satan is a liar and will do anything to thwart your alignment with Christ. Temptation is one of his biggest ploys to derail yourbest intentions. Learning to resist him is essential. The devil wants to get a hold on us so he can attack to discourage and sway us away from God and His ways. Our defense is simple; we are to stand firm in Christ, pray, and allow His work in us and not ours; what we would bring to the table is just fuel for the devil and his ways! More often than not we falter and sucummb to the ills of society that cause us to not be reverent in the promises made to God. It’s called ‘backsliding’. As I’ve lived and learned through a process of perseverance, symptoms of everyday life where society has ills that are not conducive to Godly behavior have rendered me no choice but to live righteously. I admonish you to think along the same lines. The symptoms are everywhere. We must apply ourselves accordingly and be accountable for what we do and how we present ourselves. True Christians have a blueprint for life following Jesus’ examples. Likewise, you become distinguished as a gentleman by living a Christian life replacing the self-esteem that may have been lost in your iniquity, embrace your family, and attain goals and within your sights a communal attitude for a better foundation. Seize the moment!

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