Overcoming the Spirit of Midian

Journey of the Sons of God to the Promised Land Today’s Focus: The Spirit of Midian – Overcoming Midian Scripture: Proverbs 10:12; 17:19; 22:10; 29:22,23; James 3:16-18; Matthew 5:9; 44,45; 2 Thessalonians 3:11-14; Philippians 4:6-9 Greetings Sons of God: We know the spirit of Midian is the spirit of strife and contention. So how do we as the sons of God overcome this spirit. Let’s look a couple of Scriptures for the answer. James 3:16-18: For where envying and strife is there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. Proverbs 10:12: Hatred stirreth up strifes; but love covereth all sins Proverbs 17:19: He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. Proverbs 22:10: Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease Proverbs 29:22,23: An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. A man’s pride shall bring him low, but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. When we examine these scriptures and know that there are plenty more we a couple of ways we can overcome the spirit of the Midianite which is strife and contention. We overcome strife by abiding by the wisdom of God that produces peace. Matthew 5:9: Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God. We also overcome strife and contention with love: Matthew 5:44,45: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good and sendeth rain on the just and unjust. We can overcome strife and contention by cutting fellowship with those who keep up strife and contention: 2 Thessalonians 3:11-14: For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. So the Lord has shown the sons of God that we overcome the spirit of the Midianite with wisdom, peace, love and in some cases by cutting fellowship. The end result of overcoming is peace (Philippians 4:6-9). In the next message, we will the spirit of the Edomites. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

The Sin of Midian

Journey of the Sons of God to the Promised Land Today’s Focus: Spirit of Midian – The Sin of Midian Scripture: Numbers 22:4; 31:1,2,16 Greetings Sons of God: Numbers 22:4: And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. The Moabites are a very evil nation toward Israel and we will talk about the spirit of Moab but we see Israel advancing through the Wilderness and they settle in the plains of Moab and Balak is concerned about Israel and so Balak, king of the Moabites consults the elders of Midian about what to do about Israel in stopping them. We know the advancement of physical Israel is a picture of maturing of the sons of God and advancement of the Kingdom. So the nation of Moab and Midian are seeking to stop this advancement. The Lord despises anything and anyone who seeks to be a stumbling block to the advancement of His Will. Because of this evil union and devised plans against Israel, the Midianites will feel the judgment of the Lord against them. Numbers 31:1,2: And the Lord spake unto Moses saying, Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people. Now God tells them to go out and kill the Midianites because of the evil they caused Israel to commit against God through the counsel of Balaam. But the captain of the armies brought back not only the spoils of war (cattle, flocks and goods) but they also brought back the woman and children of Midian and Moses was upset with them for a particular reason and now we will see the sin of Midian in this scripture: Numbers 31:16: Behold these caused the children of Israel , through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord Now we will revisit this story when we talk about Moab but the Midianites participated in causing the children of Israel to defile themselves b sleeping with the women of Moab and Midian and eat forbidden foods sacrificed to idols. A plague went throughout the children of Israel and ultimately 24,000 Israelites we killed because of their sin with the women of Moab and Midian. Because of Midian’s co-conspiratory ways with Moab to try to destroy Israel they would be overcome by Israel In the next message we will look at how the sons of God overcome the spirit of Midian. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

The Spirit of Midian - History of Midian

Journey of the Sons of God to the Promised Land Today’s Focus: Spirit of Midian – History of Midian Scripture: Genesis 25:1,2,5; Exodus 2:15-3:1 Greetings Sons of God: Genesis 25:1,2: Then again Abraham took a wife and her name was Keturah. And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. So as we can see Midian was a son of Abraham through his wife Keturah but if you keep reading to Genesis 25:5 we see this: Genesis 25:5: And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac Now we know that Isaac was the child of promise from the Lord and we also see that Abraham had many more sons besides Isaac and Ishmael. Midian is one of those sons. The name Midian means “strife and contention”. The definition of strife is heated or bitter conflict. So when we examine the spirit of Midian we will examine the spirit of strife and contention. Now Midian is also the name of a people and place. Now let’s look at the importance of Midian. Exodus 2:15: Now when Pharoah hears this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well So after killing the Egyptian Moses fled to Midian (strife and contention) and it would be in Midian that he would marry Zipporah and Jethro, the priest of Midian would become his father-in-law. It would be in Midian that Moses would learn how to be a shepherd (Exodus 3:1). He was taught by his father-in-law how to lead the flock and watch over (pastor) the flock of his father, sounds familiar, very important spiritual significance considering Moses would eventually be the one to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness. So it sounds like Midian is a great place because everything that happened for Moses but in the next message we will look at the sin of the Midianites and see why it is a spirit that we as the sons of God must overcome if we are to prepare ourselves to enter into the Promised Land and receive our inheritance. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Overcoming the Spirit of Amalek

Journey of the Sons of God to the Promised Land Today’s Focus: Spirit of Amalek – Overcoming Amalek Scripture: Numbers 1:2,3 Greetings Sons of God: The spirit of Amalek comes in constant opposition to Spiritual Israel, the House of God. It seeks to try to stop you from coming into the knowledge of your inheritance as a son of God. Remember Amalek’s grandfather Esau, saw his birthright as insignificant and sold it for earthly gratification and provision. When the sons of God do not realize their spiritual inheritance they will not see the significance of their inheritance and will settle for earthly provision and gratification instead coming into the understanding that they are a son of their Father’s House and everything that the Father has, belongs to the son. Now we saw in our previous message that Amalek was a coward nation that attacks the weak and feeble of Israel after coming out of Egypt. So how does God remedy this problem from this happening again. This is what He does, He numbers them! Numbers 1:2,3: Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies. Remember God brought them out of Egypt and they traveled in one big mass of people and understandably the weak and feeble would trail in the back but it would make them susceptible to enemy attack by the Amalekites. So what God does He arranges the children of Israel into their 12 tribes. Now we know that this arrangement according to Numbers 1:2 is by the households of their fathers. By arranging the children of Israel into households and subsequently into their tribes would allow them to advance and as long as they obeyed God they would overcome every enemy. It would be in this arrangement of Spiritual Israel as households and subsequently the 12 tribes (James 1:1) that the Kingdom of God would advance and if the sons of God would obey the voice of the Lord, they will overcome every attack of the enemy. But let me take this a step further, in this arrangement of households the weak and feeble will be protected because the strong will bear the infirmities of the weak. They will be truly their brother’s keeper and care for those who may be spiritual immature and vulnerable. So in the proper arrangement and obedience of the sons, Amalek will be defeated and the Kingdom will advance. In the subsequent messages you will see the crucial importance of the arrangement of the House of God in the advancement of the Kingdom. In the next message we will look at the spirit of Midian. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

The Sin of Amalek

Journey of the Sons of God to the Promised Land Today’s Focus: The Spirit of Amalek – The Sin of Amalek Scripture: Deuteronomy 25:17-19 Greetings Sons of God: Deuteronomy 25:17-19: Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt. How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God. Therefore it shall be, when the Lord thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the rememberance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it. The major characteristics of the spirit of Amalek is one of being a coward and cruel. They did not desire a fair fight. In Exodus 18:8 the Scriptures say that Amalek came and fought Israel at Rephidim. Rephidim means rest. So in a place where they would temporarily rest from their journey from Egypt. The Amalekites came out and attacked Israel but how they did it was they attacked from the back and killed those who were feeble and or weak that were in the back. Now remember the children of Israel were moving as a massive group of people towards Sinai and this fact is crucial in understanding how God solves the problem when dealing with Amalek. Of course in Exodus 18 the nation of Israel would overcome this attack and defeat the Amalekites. Why is all of this significant and what does this have to do with the sons of God? Natural Israel is a picture of Spiritual Israel, who is the House of God, the sons of God, the church. After being delivered from the world and being baptized the enemy will try to come in and “pick-off” the weak and feeble who are not spiritually mature or strong. Remember Amalek is a sum of His parents and grandfather, Esau. So he has no regard for spiritual things and a lover of earthly material things. He attacks those who desires spiritual things but picks out the weak and feeble to attack. This shows the coward and cruel nature of this spirit. Those who are spiritually immature are very susceptible to this spirit if they are not protected and cared for after being saved and delivered from the kingdom of darkness. The spirit of Amalek picks these sons off by flooding them with the number one device of the enemy, deception. In the next message we will see how God deals with this spirit and how we as the House of God will overcome this spirit. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

The Spirit of Amalek: History

Journey of the Sons of God to the Promised Land Today’s Focus: The Spirit of Amalek: History of Amalek Scripture: Genesis 36:12; Numbers 24:20 Greetings Sons of God: One of the biblical concepts that we should know that a person is a sum product of his forefathers, so to understand the son, you must go back and examine the father. Genesis 36:12: And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau’s son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau’s wife. So we know that Amalek is a person who is the son of Eliphaz who is the son of Esau. Now let’s examine Esau. Esau means “red” but we know that Esau was the twin brother of Jacob. What made Esau important in this story is that Esau gave away birthright for some food. This is a spiritual picture of one who disregards the importance of his spiritual inheritance for earthly provisions and fleshly gratification. He regarded his birthright as insignificant and of little value. Esau was a man of the world and this is crucial to know because it will become important in talking about the spirit of the Amalek and Edom. Now let’s examine the parents of Amalek: Eliphaz means “god of gold”. This means he was a lover of material and earthly things. Amalek’s mother, Timna, her name means “restraint or holding back the will”. The spiritual meaning of this is to bind your ability or free choice regarding spiritual things. So this is what we have as a spiritual picture to bring us to Amalek: Esau – Man of the World Eliphaz – Lover or material and earthly things Timna – One who binds your ability to freely choose spiritual things Hence Amalek means “Nippers or People that Wring” . The definition or wring is to twist forcibly, as to extract liquid out. God thoroughly disliked the Amalekites. This is what He would say about Amalek: Numbers 24:20: And when he looked upon Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever. The reason God calls Amalek the first of the nations is because they were the first nation Israel would be attacked by in the Wilderness after exiting Egypt. Now the reason God really dislike them was not only the fact that they attacked Israel but how and how plays a crucial role in understanding the spirit of Amalek and how it plays a role in the Journey of the Sons of God to the Promised Land. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

New Teaching Series: Journey of the Sons of God to the Promised Land

Journey of the Sons of God to the Promised Land Today’s Focus: Introduction Scripture: Greetings Sons of God: It is vital for us as sons of God to study God’s Word so that in our search He will give us His wisdom, knowledge and understanding into who we are, who He is and what He has called us to do. For many of us when we read Scriptures we for the most part really do not deal with the Old testament because we are as some people say “A New Testament church”. Of course I do not advocate this mentality because there is so mush wisdom, knowledge and understanding locked in the Old Testament that for us to understand who we are, we must go back into the Old Testament and allow the Lord to show us. That brings me to this series. Now we know that physical Israel journeyed from Egypt into the Promised Land by way of the wilderness but what we have been shown by the Lord is that, this journey was not just for physical Israel but it is a picture for Spiritual Israel, the House of God to understand the journey that we must take if we are to come into our inheritance which is the Kingdom of God and possess the earth once again in the name of the Lord. Now one of the important biblical principles is how God hides wisdom in names. For example: Abraham=Father of Many Nations Samuel=The Lord Hears Jehoshaphat=The Lord Judges Now understanding this when we start to examine these four major nations that come against Israel in the wilderness in their progression to the Promised Land we must examine what their names mean and in the revelation of their names we will then be able to see what spirits we as the Sons of God, the House of God must overcome if we are to come back into righteous rule in the Earth. When you began to understand what their names mean then when you see them in Scripture then you will began to understand what is going on and the issues Israel is dealing with in their advancement to the Promised Land. The four nations we will examine in this series will be: 1. Amalek 2. Midian 3. Moab 4. Ammon It is time for us to study and stop regarding men by the flesh but by the spirit and when we do that we then have a heavenly view and an accurate view and ministry then can be true and effective. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

The Story of Ruth

Restoring Spirit of Father to the Church Today’s Focus: The Story of Ruth Scripture: Book of Ruth Greetings Sons of God: Now you maybe wondering what does Ruth have to do with all of this, well let’s see! For the sake of time and information I will provide the Scriptures for you to read. Ruth 1:1: Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem-Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife and his two sons. Ruth 1:4: And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. Elimelech, his wife Naomi and his two sons Mahlon and Chilion went into the country of Moab. Remember Moab represents the spirit that kills fathers. As they dwelt in the country of Moab, Elimelech died (Ruth 1:3) and her two sons (Ruth 1:5) So now all you have is Naomi and her daughters-in-law living in the country of Moab. In this current situation the family name would die because there was no father or son to perpetuate the seed and continue the generation. We have 3 widows. Of course Naomi makes the suggestion that Ruth and Orpah go back to the house of their mothers (Ruth 1:8). Notice it does not say fathers because the spirit of Moab kills fathers. Of course Orpah went back but Ruth clave to Naomi. Now this is significant because Ruth made a declaration that would begin to set everything else in motion: Ruth 1:16: And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God Ruth desired to be in covenant relationship with Naomi and she was willing to walk away from her identity as a Moabite and be joined to the children of Israel and make Jehovah, Yahweh her God. Now in order to be in covenant relationship, she would have to marry into the family. Of course we know that Boaz comes into the picture (Ruth 2)and marries Ruth. Now pay close attention: Ruth 4:10: Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day. The son that Boaz and Ruth are to have is meant to fill in the gap left by Elimelech and his sons. Obed, the son of Boaz will fill the generational gap and continue to perpetuate the seed of Christ. The unique aspect of this story is at the end of Ruth 4 it says Boaz and Ruth gave the son to Naomi and she nursed him and this is what the Scripture says: Ruth 4:17: And the women her neighbors gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. The story of Ruth is not just a love story but a eternal picture of the redeeming of the sons of God to the House of God and the generational gap filled to perpetuate the seed of Christ in the Earth. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Moab and the Doctrine of Balaam

Restoring Spirit of Father to the Church Today’s Focus: Moab and the Doctrine of Balaam Scripture: Numbers 22:1-3; Numbers 25; Revelation 2:14 Greetings Sons of God: Revelation 2:14: But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication Now the Lord tells the church at Pergamos that He has a few things against them and that they have people there who hold the doctrine of Balaam to teach people to cast a stumbling block before the believers. But what is this doctrine of Balaam, well you have to go back to the Old Testament and see who Balaam is and what he did. Let me start with this scripture to set the setting because the setting is crucial to this message: Numbers 22:1-3: And the children of Israel set forward and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho. And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. First we see the children of Israel have set up the nation in the plains of Moab. Remember Moab is the spirit that mocks the need of fathers. The Scriptures say that Balak who is the king of the Moabites (Numbers 22:4) was afraid of Israel. Now he looks out and see the children of Israel and sees that they are many and understand they are in family units and tribes. Now Balak, king of the Moabites fears Israel and sends for Balaam to come curse Israel. Now Balaam’s name means “destroyer of the people or confuser of the people”. Now Balaam finds himself blessing Israel more than anything, even prophesying the destruction of Balak and the Moabites. But what Balaam suggests Balak to do is to get the children of Israel to have sex and marry the Moabite women. When the children of Israel did this, the Lord was angered because of the mixing of the holy seed with the profane. Spiritually you have the children of God becoming unequally yoked with unbelievers. The Spirit of Moab is present to eliminate and destroy the image and rule of father over the House of God. The judgment of the Lord was very brutal towards Israel for this sin. Over 24,000 people died due to this transgression (Numbers 25). When the spirit of Father (Antipas principle) is removed Satan can set up His throne and the primary weapon of use is the flood of deception. The doctrine of Balaam can now come in and confuse and destroy the people by placing a stumbling block of offense in their path in that they sin against God. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Confronting the Spirit of Moab

Restoring Spirit of Father to the Church Today’s Focus: Confronting the Spirit of Moab Scripture: Numbers 1:1,2; 2 Chronicles 20 Greetings Sons of God: Numbers 1:1,2: And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, Take ye the sum of all the congregation of he children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, ever male by their polls; Before the nation of Israel could enter into the promised land they had to overcome 4 nations to the east of the Jordan. These nations are the Midianites, Edomites, Ammonites and Moabites. The Edomites are the sons of Esau and the meaning of Edom is “red or red earth”. Meaning these people represent people who have lost their birthright (Esau and Jacob) and are not a covenant people. The Ammonites are sons of Benammi (Lot’s son) and the meaning of the name is “son of the people” representing democracy. Finally the Moabites are sons of Moab (Lot’s son) which means “what father?” Meaning they mock the need of a father in their lives. Now we know that Israel’s journey is a picture of the journey of the church or House of God in the Earth and like physical Israel having to confront and overcome these three nations, the church, the sons of God must overcome these three spirits before coming into the promised land. But look at the opening scripture, before they journey to the promised land the Lord orders them in a particular fashion. He tells them to number themselves after their families or households by the house of their fathers. In other words, for the church, we must arrange ourselves in households that have fathers over them. It is in this arrangement that God sets Israel out in their advancement to the promised land. It will be in this formation of households that Israel will advance and overcome the 3 nations in the wilderness. For the sake of time and information it will be in the Valley of Jehoshaphat (means “The Lord judges”) in battle with Jehoshaphat, king of Judah and Israel that Israel will triumph over the Moabites and the Ammonites (2 Chronicles 20) 2 Chronicles 20:22: And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. In the next message we will go back and look at Pergamos and see how this place called Moab plays a critical part in trying to destroy the move of God. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

History of Moab

Restoring Spirit of Father to the Church Today’s Focus: History of Moab Scripture: Genesis 11:27; 19:30-38 Greetings Sons of God: In as much as we see the importance of the restoration of the spirit of Father to the church we must understand that the devil has spirits and/or demons that come against the spirit of Father to destroy and/or defile the very thing that God is doing. For the next couple of messages we will look at the spirit of Moab and see how it comes against the church and the building of the House of God in the Earth. Now we know that God hides wisdom in names so let’s examine what the meaning of Moab is: Moab: What father? Seems weird but let’s investigate. Moab was not only the name of a place but the name of a person. Moab was the firstborn son of Lot. Understanding biblical principles of families we know that sons are a product of their ancestors. Genesis 11:27: Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor and Haran; and Haran begat Lot So we see that Lot is the nephew of Abram. Now Haran died when Lot was a very young boy and so Lot became an orphan (critical point) at a very young age. Lot then goes with his uncle Abram and they set off on their journey. Eventually to make a long story short, Lot’s herdsmen and Abram’s herdsmen do not get along and for the sake of peace they go off in different directions (Genesis 14:8-18) Of course, Lot ends up in Sodom and Gomorrah and Abraham intercedes for Lot’s safety and as the come out of Sodom and Gomorrah Lot and His two daughters go up into the mountains to stay. Now right here I want to point out some critical points: 1. Lot was an orphan at a young age but even under the care of Abram, Lot never saw Abram as his father. No where in scripture will you find that Lot sees Abram as his father. This is critical. 2. Lot had no sons, just daughters. With those two points it brings us to Genesis 19 and the meat of our story. Genesis 19:30 starts with Lot’s daughter realizing that their father has no son to carry his name and so they devise a plan to get him drunk with wine, sleep with him and bare him a son. They pull the plan off and the two daughter become pregnant and bore Lot a son each: Genesis 19:37-38: And the firstborn bare a son and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day. And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day Remember God hides wisdom in names: Moab means “What Father?” and Benammi means “Son of the people”. These two people born of a incestuous relationship mock the role of a father and promote the rule of the people (democracy). Of course the Scriptures state that they are the fathers of the Moabites and Ammonites which dwell in the wilderness. It is the spirit of Moab we want to concentrate on over the next few messages because it is the Moabite spirit that comes to destroy God’s people and unless God’s people overcome this spirit, they will never inherit the promised land. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Principle of Adoption

Restoring Spirit of Father to the Church Today’s Focus: Principle of Adoption Scripture: Luke 3:23; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 4:4,5 Greetings Sons of God: Galatians 4:4,5: But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father In making sure that we are modeling the Father’s model of His House in the earth we must not put people in the wrong place of our lives. To understand the principle of adoption is crucial especially to the father over the household that God has set. Well let’s start with understanding adoption in the natural and bring it to the spiritual. When we adopt a child, they become a son or daughter of our household even though “biologically” they are not ours. Meaning, when we adopt a child that child was not birthed from our very loins but the loins of someone else. We are then entrusted to stand in the stead of the biological parents and raise that child like one of our very own biological children that were born of our loins. Now going back to the Scripture and watch the careful use of words by our brother Paul, he says that because God sent forth His Son made of a woman under the law to redeem us who were under the law, THAT WE MIGHT RECEIVE THE ADOPTION OF SONS. This does not say that the Lord will adopt. That can’t be right because if we are born again we are born of the Father and He does not adopt us but gives life or birth to us. Adoption points one who is already born being placed in a household under the care of someone else who stands in the place of the one who biologically births them. Hence the we points to the sons of God receiving the adoption of sons of God. Sounds weird huh? Let’s break it down and understand everything in this teaching series is to bring us up to this point so that we can understand the arrangement of God’s House: God is our Father and Lord of all. 1 Corinthians 8:6: But to us (sons) there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things and we by Him No one else can have that place in your life. If you are a son of God then you were born of God and He is your Father and Source. Now as we studied in the previous message of the Antipas principal, God matures sons then graces them with the Spirit of Father and then stand in the Father’s stead, a representational son who is carrying the grace of Father, to watch over, defend, protect and help mature the sons of God. Spiritual fathers are mature sons who is carrying the grace and Spirit of Father and is set over a household of faith to put on display the nature and character of the Father. They bring the grace of God to you and dispense it as the Father directs them. They are not the Father, this is why the Pope is out of place because people call him his holiness and the heavenly father. That is not correct and nobody on earth is worthy of that title but God. Hence the household of faith and the holy nation is a collection of households of faith with spiritual fathers set over them by the Father combined to make tribes and ultimately the entire holy nation. Now let me leave you with the greatest picture of this Adoption Principal Luke 3:23: And Jesus Himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph which was the son of Heli Question how did Jesus come to Earth? God the Father placed Jesus in the womb of a virgin named Mary. Of course we know God united Mary and Joseph but understand Joseph was NOT the biological father of Jesus, BUT YET the Father gave His Son to them and told them to watch over Him and bring Him to maturity. The Father would direct them in protecting Him until He came of age. Joseph was not Jesus biological father but Jesus grew up receiving him as a father and would come to learn of His biological father, God the Father. Joseph and Mary both knew this and loved him as their son even though He was not biologically theirs. The sons of God belong to the Father but the Father places them in household of faith and matures son to carry the Spirit of Father to watch over, protect and mature the sons of God. These mature sons or spiritual fathers carry the Antipas principle and by that order of fathers and sons the households are protected from the enemy and prevents Satan from establishing his throne amongst the sons. It is time for us to get back to the Heavenly model and receive the Spirit of Father over households of faith. Satan has established his throne in a lot of churches but it is in households of faith governed and protected by the Spirit of Father that prevent this from happening. If we remove Antipas or the spiritual father that carries the Spirit of Father we have just given Satan the legal right to establish his throne amongst the believers to rule over them. When Antipas was killed, Satan established his throne. It is time to receive the one who comes in the name of the Lord and is carrying the Spirit of Father. God Bless you. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Antipas Principle

Restoring Spirit of Father to the Church Today’s Focus: The Pergamos Church and the Spirit of Father Part 3: Antipas Principle Scripture: Revelation 2:13 Greetings Sons of God: Revelation 2:13: I know thy works, and where thy dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name , and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth When we examine Antipas we see the Lord designate him as a faithful martyr. Now we know God hides Himself in names so what does the name Antipas mean? It comes two words Ante and Pas and of course this is in the Greek: Ante – instead of, in place of Pas – Father (from the word pater) Antipas – In place of or like the father Antipas was the presiding elder and spiritual father over the church at Pergamos. Now his name means like the father or in place of the father and the reason is the Father, God expresses Himself in the one whom represents Him and that is the Son. Antipas as the spiritual father over the House of God in Pergamos was the set-man and representative of the Father to watch over and be a defense against anything that comes against the family of God of Pergamos. The Spirit of Father within Antipas prevented the enemy from coming in and destroying and defiling the church. This is why his martyrdom was brought about by the Lord in writing this letter and this is why: When the people allowed Antipas to be killed it allowed the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes (Doctrine of lawlessness and taking the grace of God for an occasion to sin) to take hold and now Satan has a LEGAL RIGHT to set up His throne within that church because the Spirit of Father and grace of Father no longer is in place. Satan can now sit comfortably amongst believers because the security system of the church, the Spirit of Father is not resident. Antipas was a representative of the Father of the family in Heaven and Earth. He is not the Father but the representative who is carrying the grace of the Father to watch over and protect the children of the Father. This is why we must shift from the pastor/congregational model to the model of fathers and sons because it is the Spirit of Father that will protect the children from the infiltration of the enemy amongst the believers. Now if we are saying that the Spirit of Father resides in a son set to oversee a household of faith and help protect and bring the sons of God to maturity. We must now examine the principal of adoption. We do not want to be neglectful and think that spiritual fathers carrying the Spirit of Father means they are the Father. That is not what we are in anyway saying. What we are saying is that he that the Father sets over a household of faith is a mature son with the grace of Father who oversees, protects, nourishes and represents the Father over the household. In the next message we will examine the principal of adoption because this is how the Father sets His House in the earth and method by which He matures the sons. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Seat of Satan

Restoring Spirit of Father to the Church Today’s Focus: The Pergamos Church and the Spirit of Father Part 2: Seat of Satan Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17 Greetings Sons of God: Let us continue discussing the significance of the Spirit of Father and the Pergamos church. Revelation 2:13: I know thy works, and where thy dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name , and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth Meaning of Dwelling, Holding Fast His Name and Not Denying the Faith When the Lord was talking to the church at Pergamos He lets them know that He knows where they dwell. The Lord was not talking about a natural location but their position in the Spirit. He also stated that they held fast to His name. This means they have the name Father and Son in their heads and they are Father-centered. Finally, he said they did not deny His faith meaning that they believed in the Word of God and walked in it. Now this sounds like a church that anybody would like to be a part of but there is this glaring statement that Jesus makes that is the giant elephant in the room and that statement is: Satan’s seat is in Pergamos. Seat of Satan Now what seems to be a great church is it possible for Satan to have a seat in that church? Is it possible for Satan to have a throne in the church? First let us state that this seat or throne is an elevated seat of government. It is the seat of executive power and authority. Now understand before we go any further that this situation happened in the Pergamos church but the Lord says at the end that those who have an ear to hear, hear what the Spirit says to the churches. In other words, this situation was not just for the Pergamos church but for the entire Body of Christ. What we must allow the Lord to illuminate is the eternal concept that He is presenting for us to learn and watch for. Now we know that Pergamos was an elevated church that had a view that could see the enemy coming and did not allow the enemy to penetrate the church. They kept the faith, held fast to the Lord’s name and stayed in position with the Lord. So what was it that allowed Satan to have a throne in such a powerful church? The Lord speaks of this one person called Antipas and He states that he was the Lord’s faithful martyr. The key to understanding how Satan got this throne is to examine who Antipas was and his significance to Pergamos and how Satan got his seat there. In the next message we will examine the Antipas principal. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Pergamos Church and Spirit of Father Part 1

Restoring Spirit of Father to the Church Today’s Focus: The Pergamos Church and the Spirit of Father Part 1 Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17 Greetings Sons of God: Over the next couple of messages we will examine the Pergamos church and how the Spirit of Father functions within the church. So let’s get right to it: Revelation 2:12: And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; Meaning of Pergamos Now we know that God hides himself in names so let’s dissect this from the beginning. The word Pergamos means “Well fortified tower”. We know that a tower represents an elevated position. From this elevated position they have a aerial view and with that view they can see the enemy coming before they even get there. For it to be a well fortified tower means it is such a stronghold against enemy penetration. So this church is at an elevated position, it is well protected and can see the movement of the enemy before the enemy gets there and it is well protected from enemy penetration. Sharp Sword with Two Edges When many people see the passage of the sharp sword with two edges the majority points to the Word of God and they are right but let’s take a deeper look. Look how the Lord phrases this: He says the sharp sword with two edges. Now a sword with two edges we would assume is already sharp but why the emphasis on saying sharp. Let’s examine the word sharp: Sharp in the Greek is “Oxus” and it means: acidic The reason the Lord uses the word acidic as it pertains to the Word of God (sword) is because the Word of God, when it comes into your life, everything not of God will be dissolved. The Word of God will dissolve inaccurate positions and cut off anything that is not like God. Hebrews 4:12 says it best: Hebrews 4:12: For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. The Word of God divides the soul from the spirit because the purpose of the Word of God is to accomplish the Will of God and that can only happen in truth and in spirit. It is our objective to silence the soul and get it to blindly follow the spirit in complete obedience and when we do this we can represent the Father. In the next message we will look at verse 13 and get into the meat of this discussion and the significance of Pergamos. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Obedience of the Sons of God

Restoring Spirit of Father to the Church Today’s Focus: Obedience of the Sons of God Scripture: Romans 5:19 Greetings Sons of God: God has called the sons of God to absolute obedience. You can never represent the Father without obedience. Faith should take us to obedience. Let me explain: Faith gives you the opportunity to choose. You can choose to live by your soul or live by the spirit. The objective that God is trying to achieve in is to shut the eye of the soul, which was opened in the Garden, and learn to move beyond faith to absolute obedience. The eye of the spirit is a single eye and the spirit will simply obey without question or rational. Jesus never operated on the platform of faith but from a position of absolute obedience. Jesus learned the excellence over His soul and in the Garden of Gethsemane we see an example of how. Jesus said and I am paraphrasing “My SOUL is sorrowful unto death, the FLESH is weak but the SPIRIT is willing” and then he would say, “Not my will but thou (Father’s) will. Because He understood who He was and how important it was for him to obey the voice of the Father, we have the opportunity to be reconciled back to the Father, His House and His Kingdom. Jesus showed us that we as sons must move from faith to obedience. I am not discounting faith because faith brings us to Christ but it is obedience to the voice of Christ that allows us to walk in Christ and handle the Kingdom. Let me show you these Scriptures: Romans 5:19: For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous Because of the obedience of the Son of God, Jesus Christ we are able to be reconciled back to the Father so just like the patent Son, Jesus we are to come that extreme obedience and that happens when we submit our soul to the rule of the spirit. Know this God never intended for us to know darkness, only the light. This is why God forbid Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil because we are children of light and we were not designed to see darkness. However, we chose darkness through disobedience and faith in Jesus Christ gives us the choice to choose light and knowledge of Christ and the Father but we must make the choice and if we have faith then we should choose the voice of the Father over the voice of the soul. In the next message we will look at a particular situation in Scripture and how the Spirit of Father is administered in the church and the consequence of the absence of that Spirit. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

The Single Mind and Single View of the Sons

Restoring Spirit of Father to the Church Today’s Focus: The Single Mind and Single View of the Sons Scripture: Genesis 1:26; Romans 12:1,2; Philippians 2:5; Colossians 1:19; Hebrews 1:1,2 Greetings Sons of God: If we are sons who are called to represent the Father in the earth and we will talk about the representational principal later. If we are sons of God, representing the Father then we should have a single mindset and single view. Philippians 2:5: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus 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. The single mind is the mind of Christ and the view from the Son should be one of the Father. When we as sons completely obey the voice of the Lord through submission and sacrifice of our own will and desires, the perfect will of God will be shown. Our sole purpose in the earth as sons is to occupy our mind with His Will. Our primary objective as sons is to represent the Father and bring pleasure to Him. Now the Father can only be expressed in a representative called a son: Colossians 2:19: For it pleased the Father that in Him should all the fullness; Hebrews 1:1,2: God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers, by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. So it pleased the Father that all the fullness of the Godhead dwell within the Son and it is also through Son that the father speaks. The perpetual nature, identity, expression and work can only be expressed in a Son and it is the son whom He sends so when you see the son, you see the Father. We have been called to be ambassadors of Christ and that is representation of the one whom sends us. When we embrace this identity and paradigm shift, burdens will begin to be lifted and the bonds and yokes of religion will be broken because God did not create you to be a member of some institution but He created to be His son and the son carries not only the image of the Father but also the likeness and that likeness can only be demonstrated: Genesis 1:26: And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. We are made in His image (spirit) and after His likeness (character). Image is given, likeness is matured. And in the next message we will talk about the importance of obedience of the sons of God in expressing the likeness of the Father. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

New Teaching Series: Restoring the Spirit of Father to the Church

Restoring Spirit of Father to the Church Today’s Focus: Primary Identity of God Scripture: Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6 Greetings Sons of God: Now you may ask what do I mean by restoring the Spirit of Father to the church? Isn’t the Father already in the church? Well if we examine the state of the church, in particular because I live here in the United States, the Spirit of Father is not the dominant rule in the church. When we talk about God we hear all of the wonderful things He is such as Redeemer, Deliverer, Healer..etc and these are all true. But these are descriptions of how God comes into our needs. So we get caught up in knowing God by how He comes and meets our needs but what about who God is before there was a need. Who is God before the beginning of the world and evil? That is who we need to know God as. Before all of that God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit Now if this is the primary name of God before all of time then we must come to know Him by that name. Now when we become born again, and receive the Holy Spirit there is a cry that must come from one who has been born again and come into the House of God and that cry is Abba, Father. The presence of the Holy Spirit with us is expressed through the cry of Abba, Father. Let me show you: Romans 8:15: For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father Galatians 4:6: And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying Abba, Father. So when we receive the Spirit of the Son or Holy Spirit the expressed cry from one who has become a son of God is Abba, Father. You come to first know God as your Father. If this is the primary identity and cry then there is a purpose in that identity that the Father desires to live through and impact the earth with His will. It is in being a son and knowing God as your Father does He manifest the gifts of the Spirit and come how He desires in the needs of our lives in being a Deliverer, Redeemer, Comforter but we do not know Him by how He meets our needs, we know Him because He is our Father, first. With this said and with that identity comes a single purpose in being a son who cries Abba, Father and in the next message we will look at the single mind and single view of the sons of God. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

2012 Election Reflection: The Spirit of Laodicea

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Maintaining Your Deliverance: Renewing of the Mind

Releasing Hurts Today’s Focus: Maintaining Your Deliverance: Renewing of the Mind Scripture: Romans 12:1,2; 1 Corinthians 15:31; Hebrews 4:12; James 4:7 Greetings Sons of God: The renewing of the mind is the most crucial step in maintaining deliverance because it allows us to do the three major principles to keep our deliverance which are: Standing on the Word, Resisting the Devil and Walking in Fellowship with the Lord. 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 1 Corinthians 15:31: I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. Now the common theme we see between these two scriptures is sacrifice and death. We sacrifice the rule of ourselves and we die to our own soulish desires. Jesus said it best, you must first deny yourself. We are laying down our own will, desires (life) for the will of God to rule in our lives and others. For this to happen one must learn how to sacrifice and suppress the rule of the soul and bring it under submission to the rule of the Spirit. So when faced with a situation that you have just been delivered from, it is crucial for you to know the voice of the Spirit and obey. To know the voice of the Spirit and obey is to: Stand on the Word And when you stand on the Word you: Resist the Devil And in resisting the devil you are able to: Walk in fellowship with the Lord Do we see how renewing our mind sets everything else into motion? Let me show you this other scripture: James 4:7: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you Could it really be that simple just to say no and the devil will flee from you? Yes! When we stand on the Word (Sword in the Armour of God) the enemy has no power over us because we are standing on truth. It is when we subit and succumb to the trap that he gains legal access and control over us. This is why it is critical to renew your mind daily because the devil is clearly more cunning that us and has a distinct advantage of invisibility over us. This is why we must abide in the word of God because Hebrews 4:12 tells us the five-fold ministry of the Word: 1. Quick – life-giving 2. Powerful – ability to overcome 3. Piercing – offends 4. Divides the soul from the spirit (This is the big one) 5. Discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart The Word of God does all of that for us so that we can fellowship and walk with the Lord daily and resist the devil (discernment). Renewing your mind is a everyday requirement to continue to grow in Christ. This allows you to fellowship more with God and mature as a son. Maintenance of your deliverance is all on you. It is a choice you make to either walk with God and live or go back into bondage and oppression under Satan and be destroyed. It sounds like an easy answer but when we examine the lives of believers it looks a lot harder than we think. But, the great thing is God is raising up sons that will be a light and show the ways of Christ to those struggling and their testimony will be used to help their brothers and sisters transfer from living by the soul to living in the Spirit. When we make that transition we maintain our deliverance and freely walk and serve the Father as His sons and representatives or ambassadors in the Earth. Peace, Love and Grace from the Father, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Maintaining Your Deliverance

Releasing Hurts Today’s Focus: Maintaining Your Deliverance Scripture: Romans Isaiah 55:11 8:5,6 Greetings Sons of God: Now that we understand that forgiveness is a major key to releasing hurt and true deliverance, the next question should obviously be how do we maintain our deliverance? How do we stay free from the sin and hurt that we just been delivered from? For many people this is where it gets cloudy and many do not every walk in true freedom because they backslide and believe that they never were delivered when in fact they were. It is the enemy’s job to cause doubt and fear this is why in Ephesians 6 the Lord tells you to carry the shield of faith to block the fiery darts of the enemy which consists of lies and doubts. Of course, he also tells you to wear the helmet of salvation to protect your mind. Now both of these pieces of armor are crucial in maintaining your deliverance. You must understand that the old adage says: “Whoever controls the mind, controls the body” and the enemy knows that and you must protect your head and your mind from the attack of the enemy and this leads me to our discussion today. In the previous message we said in order to get delivered you must: Repent, renounce and forgive but to maintain that deliverance we need to do some other things and here are three things the sons of God must do to maintain their deliverance: 1. Stand on the Word 2. Resist the Devil 3. Walk in fellowship with the Lord Starting this process is the hard part because you must first get control of the internal war between the soul and the spirit. When God has spoken something and/or done anything we know for a fact that it is truth and will or has happened. Isaiah 55:11: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. When the Lord declares your deliverance and freedom from any situation, you can take that to the bank and know that it has happened. But what the devil tries to do, He tries to make you believe that it has not happened and what he does is try to put you put into the same situation you came from and this is the break point. Now when this situation happens you now hear two distinct voices: One telling you to “leave” and the other saying “I thought I was delivered from this, why is this happening again?” Now who you believe determines whether you stay free or go back into bondage. This internal war is between your soul and spirit and Paul speaks clearly to the consequence of listening to both: Romans 8:5,6: For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. So we can either listen to our soul where the enemy loves to attack us and try to get us to be carnally minded which leads to death or we can listen to the spirit man because it is with our spirit that the Holy Spirit speaks and testifies truth and revelation and if we listen to the Spirit then we will have life and peace. Now we know from previous studies that the soul and spirit have a mind and will but we also know that we need to be sensitive and obedient to the Spirit because in obedience to the Spirit there is life and peace. So when we come out of that darkness or stronghold of the enemy there must be a shift and a change and this is the most crucial step in maintaining your deliverance and that is one must renew their mind daily. In the next message we will talk about the importance of renewing the mind daily in maintaining deliverance. Peace, Love and Grace from the Father, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Steps to Forgiveness

Releasing Hurts for Deliverance Today’s Focus: The Power of Forgiveness in Deliverance Part 3: Steps to Forgiveness Scripture: Hebrews 12:14; John 20:22,23; Matthew 18:21,22; 5:9 Greetings Sons of God: Why do we seek forgiveness? Well of course we desire to be forgiven by the Lord so yes we must forgive also but why and what does it produce? Hebrews 12:14: Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord Now I do not know about you but I desire to see the Lord but in order to see the Lord you must follow peace with all men and holiness. When we forgive we make peace with man. And as a son of God it is our divine character and mission to follow peace. Matthew 5:9: Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God So pursuing peace is our goal in forgiveness because in our past message we see that unforgiveness give the enemy legal right to torment us and there is no peace between the parties until forgiveness takes place. Now let’s look at the steps to forgiveness: 1. One Must Choose to Forgive John 20:22,23: And when he had said this he breathed on them and saith, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. What is Jesus saying? He has given us power and authority in the name of Jesus to forgive sins and we also have the choice to retain sins. Now understand when you retain the sin and not forgive the person, you can now be tormented and held back from forgiveness yourself from the Lord. We must all make the choice to forgive and when we choose not to forgive the Lord is not obligated to forgive us because we are not forgiving. The Spirit of the Lord is forgiveness and if we are in the image and likeness, we must forgive and forget. 2. Be Specific in your Forgiveness When you are denouncing soul ties or even trying to release a person through forgiveness be specific in your request to the Lord. Deal with each situation and release the person through forgiveness 3. Pray until God Restores Love This is where a lot of people miss the forgiveness principle. So many people ust want to say “I have forgiven them but yet they still remember and when they see the person they still dislike them. If that is the case then they were never forgiven to begin with. Forgiveness replaces hatred with love. In other words, when you have truly forgiven someone you forget the situation that separated you in the first pace and you love them as your brother and sister in Christ. Matthew 18:21,22: Then came Peter to him ,and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say, not unto thee until seven times; but, until seventy times seven. Jesus was stressing the fact that we must have the heart of forgiveness to a point where we forgive unto we love again. No matter how many times it takes, we must get back to the point where we love them unconditionally and when we see them we are not reminded of the past situation but love them in the present. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

The Power of Forgiveness in Deliverance Part 2

Releasing Hurts for Deliverance Today’s Focus: The Power of Forgiveness in Deliverance Part 2 Scripture: Matthew 6:9-15 Greetings Sons of God: It is amazing even the model prayer when the Lord was teaching us how to pray, we were being taught this very principal of forgiveness and deliverance. Let’s take a look piece by piece at this so that we can really understand the hand-in-hand relationship between forgiveness and deliverance. Mathew 6:10-12: Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Now the first thing the Lord admonishes us to pray for is for the Kingdom to come. This does not mean that the Kingdom is not present in the earth because it is. What we are petitioning is for the rulership of God to come into our lives and rule and whatever the Will of God is in heaven, we pray for it to manifest in the earth. The second request is for daily bread. He is not talking about physical bread that you eat but our daily subsistence that we need to make it through the day and that would be grace which is in the Word of God. Then we come to forgive us our debt as we forgive our debtors. But go back and read that slowly and carefully: Forgive us OUR DEBTS, AS WE FORGIVE our debtors. We petition the Lord to forgive us AS WE, meaning we must forgive, forgive our debtors or those who have hurt or wronged us. If you do not forgive, God will not forgive. Now with that said watch the next thing we petition: Matthew 6:13: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil for thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen When we forgive those who have wronged or hurt us, the Lord will deliver us from the evil, the torment and the hurt that has been in place and He does it by you submitting to His rulership (Kingdom of God) over you and the power within the Kingdom by His presence (glory). Forgiveness releases God’s forgiveness and healing for you. And to show you just how important forgiveness is. After the model pray, Jesus says this: Matthew 6:14,15: For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Forgiveness is the key for deliverance to release hurts. You cannot effectively minister to people hurt because hurt people, hurt people. In the next message we will look at the steps in forgiveness that we need to take in order to ensure our deliverance. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Power of Forgiveness in Deliverance Part 1

Releasing Hurts for Deliverance Today’s Focus: The Power of Forgiveness in Deliverance Part 1 Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35 Greetings Sons of God: Without forgiveness there is no deliverance Now with that said when we examine the scriptures in our last message and many others we will see a connection as it relates to forgiveness and release from some type of iniquity whether it be physical or spiritual. Many times when Jesus healed someone, He would state “sin no more”. Now why is forgiveness so important to deliverance in releasing hurts. First, we must understand when we have been hurt the relationship between two people or even a group of people is broken. In that broken relationship bitterness is at the heart and it cuts people off from the grace of God. How does it do that? The one who is carrying the hurt is bound to the past and the people of the past. Now what this does is this: 1. The person cannot live in the present and the bitterness from the past flows into present-day relationships. We know this today as carrying-baggage. 2. You are bound to that person spiritually as long as you are carrying the hurts and bitterness of that relationship regardless if the person is dead or alive. 3. Your unforgiveness can actually keep God from working in another’s life. Because of this the one who is carrying the hurt is tormented by the enemy and cannot be effectively used for Kingdom advancement. Let me share this scripture with you and we will pick up this in the next message: Matthew 18:21-22: Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, until seven times: but until seventy times seven. Now Peter asks the question we all would at some point ask and Jesus answers His question and thin proceeds to a parable describing the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 18:21-35) and an unforgiving debtor who the Lord forgave and set free from his debts but when put in the same situation, he failed to show the same compassion and mercy that the Lord showed to him. He punished the unforgiving debtor by turning him over to those who he owed so that he would have to pay them all that was owed and the Lord says this in verse 35: Matthew 18:35: So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. Because of the unforgiving heart of the debtor the Lord handed him over to the people he owed and the Lord calls them the “tormentors”. We as the sons of God have been given authority in the name of Jesus to forgive sin. Now do not jump off the boat I will explain this in the next message. Failure to forgive only leads to a life of torment and disappointment and not of eternal freedom. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

New Teaching Series: Releasing Hurts for Deliverance - Legal Tormenting through Unforgiveness

Releasing Hurts for Deliverance Today’s Focus: Legal Tormenting through Unforgiveness Scripture: Genesis 1:26; Matthew 18:27; Luke 13:12; Romans 8:15 Greetings Sons of God: Let me preface this entire teaching series with this statement: Forgiveness is the key to releasing hurt Now I should be able to say case closed with that statement but if it was really that easy the Body of Christ would be better unified and we would not have all of this bitterness within the House of God between brothers and sisters. Now understand when you do not forgive someone, God does not forgive you and if you are not forgiven, the devil, Satan, has legal access to you to torment you. Many sons of God are being tormented, legally, by the enemy because of unforgiveness. The result of unforgiveness is bitterness and bitterness is at the heart of every evil work. To release bitterness you must forgive. Now let’s get a definition of forgiveness. Luke 13:12: And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity Loosed (Greek-Apoluo) – to set free, to liberate (as if it were a captive) Matthew 18:27: Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt Forgave (Greek-Aphiemi) – To let alone, to send away, to bid going away or depart The reason we want to forgive is because if we are sons of God, when we forgive, we become LIKE God (Genesis 1:26). Forgiveness is the Spirit of the Lord. Now on the opposite end, when we do not forgive and retain the hurt we become just like the person who hurt us and unforgiveness and hatred is the spirit of the world. When we walk in any aspect of the spirit of the world we are in bondage (Romans 8:15). The enemy loves to stir hate and contentment within a son because he knows that you cannot grow, you cannot operate in the spirit under that heart and mindset. In the next message we will examine how forgiveness and deliverance goes hand and hand. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Godly Soul Ties: Sexual Unions

Understanding Soul Ties Today’s Focus: Godly Soul Ties Part 3: Sexual Unions Scripture: Matthew 19:5,6; 1 Corinthians 7:1-3 Greetings Sons of God: Matthew 19:5,6: And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. The only godly soul tie by sexual union is the ones God ordains through marriage. Simply put sex is for the marriage bed. This is why 1 Corinthians 7 speaks of it being good for a man not to touch a woman to avoid fornication and then 1 Corinthians 7:2,3 goes on to speak letting husband tend to his wife and each wife tend to her husband. God did not deal with intermediate situations (boyfriend/girlfriend) and this is why you do not see, boyfriend or girlfriend in scripture. God wants you only to connect to people who He knows through His divine wisdom, is the one He has prepared for you and through your godly union, God’s glory and goodness shines through the relationship between husband and wife when they procreate and God blesses them with children. In closing, sex is reserved for the marriage bed period and it is not a lustful sex where a husband or wife sees their spouse as some sex toy but it is true ministry and benevolence between two people bonded by God in love. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Godly Soul Ties: The Early Church

Understanding Soul Ties Today’s Focus: Godly Soul Ties Part 2: The Early Church Scripture: Acts 4:31,32 Greetings Sons of God: Now let’s examine the early church. We saw how God knitted the souls of Jonathon and David together to show us how in true godly friendships we will lay down our lives for our friends and today I want to show you this powerful picture of the early church. Acts 4:31,32: And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost , and they spake the Word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of ONE HEART AND OF ONE SOUL: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common The power that a unified Body of Christ has!! In this story and I urge you to read the entire story but for the sake of time, Peter and John were taken before the chief priest and elders and they threatened them to stop teaching about Jesus but the chief priests feared all the people outside that stood with them and together on one accord with one heart and one soul they prayed to God. In that prayer they spoke Psalm 2 and after their prayer the place was shaken and the Holy Spirit filled everyone and spoke the Word of the Lord. When we pray as a unified Body for the Will of God to be done, expect it to be done. The early church prayed all the time and through their prayers and faith, God did many wonders through the apostles and people. Even before the chief priests, Peter and John could not deny what they had seen or heard because they were with Jesus before the resurrection and after the resurrection. The unified church, in the eyes of the Roman Empire was a huge threat to their power and reign. Over 5 million Christians were killed during the 10 emperor reign of the Roman Empire. This was the great tribulation spoken by the Lord that would happen in Matthew 24. No matter what they did, they could never stop the advancement of the growth of the Kingdom of God in the earth. But we must return to prayer and intercession because that communication with God allows Him to come in and manifest His perfect will. The Scriptures say we should always pray and the most powerful family on earth is a unified Body of Christ praying on one accord for the Will of God to be done. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Godly Soul Ties: Friendships and the Body of Christ

Understanding Soul Ties Today’s Focus: Godly Soul Ties Part 1: Friendships and the Body of Christ Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:1-3; 19:1-3; John 15:13; Greetings Sons of God: Now that we see the impact of negative soul ties, let’s look at some positive soul ties and how they benefit us in the Kingdom and House of God. When we examine friendships within the Body of Christ we must understand that true friendships within the Body of Christ are based in love and self-sacrifice. Let me show you: John 15:13: Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you These are the words of Jesus to the disciples and understand that Jesus is saying you are friends if you follow and obey His Words. So another aspect of true friendship within the Body is that they share the mind of Christ which unifies the Body. Now in the Bible there was a unique story of a Godly soul tie friendship between two, possible unlikely people and they are Johnathan and David: 1 Samuel 18:1-3: And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the SOUL of Johnathan was KNIT WITH THE SOUL of David, and Johnathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house. Then Johnathan and David MADE A COVENANT, BECAUSE HE LOVED HIM AS HIS OWN SOUL. Johnathan was Saul’s son and his soul was knit to the soul of David. Understand at this point in the story David had slayed Goliath and brought his head back to Saul. Saul became all the more extremely jealous of David to a point that he continually plotted to kill him but watch how powerful a godly soul tie is when it is ordained by the Lord watch this: 1 Samuel 19:1-3: And Saul spake to Johnathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore , I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself: And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art and I will commune with my father of thee and what I see, that I will tell thee. Now I urge you to read the rest of the story because it is phenomenal but understand, the covenant bond between Jonathon and David was so strong that Jonathan would risk his life by betraying his father to protect his friend from death. Jonathan in 1 Samuel 19:4,5 would plead with his father to not slay David because of all of the blessings and good works that have been done for Israel by him and to slay him would be to shed innocent blood. Jonathon laid his life on the line for David because he loved him just as his own soul. As the story would go, of course Saul would not keep his promise out of jealousy and continue to hunt David to kill him, even trying to use his personal messengers to try to kill him. The Lord was with David and Jonathon was connected to grace and in subsequent actions he would serve David to help him along the way. We in the Body of Christ who are connected by the Spirit should present this same picture one towards another. We should always be ready to lay down our life for someone else to live. Do not expect the enemy to do this because that is not in his character but it is in the character of God because it is the greatest show of love to lay down your life for your friends. We need to take a deep examination of what a true friend is biblically and then ask the Lord to show us who our true friends are and show us and cut loose those who are not godly and will hinder our walk with the Lord. In the next message for the sake of time we will look at the early church and the power of the godly soul tie. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Keys to Freedom: Restoration

Understanding Soul Ties Today’s Focus: Keys to Freedom from Soul Ties Part 3: Restoration Scripture: Psalm 51:10-13 Greetings Sons of God: Psalm 51:10-13: Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. So after we have acknowledged our sin, renounced the soul tie and repented, the Lord in all His wonderful mercy and lovingkindness (Psalm 51:1) will restore you to a righteous position in Him. Understand sin cannot stand in the sight of God and David cried out for a clean heart and a renewed spirit from the sin he had committed. In Psalm 23 David asks for His soul to be restored. Why ask for our soul to be restored? In the process of restoration is ordering parts of the body back to the original configuration set by God in the Garden and restored by Jesus Christ through His death, burial and resurrection. Before the fall this was the order of the being called man: Holy Spirit communes and testifies with your spirit -> Your soul blindly follows the spirit -> Through your flesh, Manifest the will of God in the Earth But after the fall this arrangement was corrupted and we became soul dominant: Eyes of the spirit are closed → Soul interprets everything → Flesh manifest the desires of the soul Notice when we are soul dominant there is no revelation or communion with the spirit. Now in the case of the believer or the son of God the spirit and the soul are warring against one another. The spirit desires to do the will of God but your soul desires to do what it feels is comfortable and safe. David asks for his soul to be restored because it was in the wrong place for a person seeking the heart of God. David asks the Lord to renew or bring back the original mindset and state that places me in right-position with the Lord. So when the Lord restores us, it is up to us to stay obedient and avoid situations that can trap us back into those un-godly soul ties and covenants. The Lord restores you so that you can accurately represent Him in the Earth and put the culture and nature of the Father on display. Wen He restores you, it is up to you then to stay the course and obey His voice. Romans 8:14: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God It is time to come from being unequally yoked with un-godly soul ties. The Lord will not be a third wheel in your life. He is your Source, Abba, Father and in order to manifest His perfect will, you must present your body as a living sacrifice, HOLY and acceptable unto God. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Keys to Freedom Part 2: Breaking the Pattern and Repentance

Understanding Soul Ties Today’s Focus: Keys to Freedom from Soul Tie Part 2: Breaking the Pattern and Repentance Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 119:133,134; John 8:36 Greetings Sons of God: 2 Chronicles 7:14: If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land Many people quote this scripture as it pertains to healing and when we talk about breaking soul ties you must talk about breaking the pattern and repentance. When we examine the above scripture we see that God is calling His people but He tells them what they must do so that their prayers are heard and He will forgive the sin and heal the land. He tells them to humble themselves, pray, seek His face and TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS. When we turn from our wicked ways, this is how we break the pattern through repentance. We must reject the former way and resist it from bringing us back into bondage. Let me show you this scripture: Psalm 119:133-134: Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. After we recognize the ungodly soul tie, denounce it before the Lord, break the pattern and repent our direction should be in the ways of the Lord to prevent bondage again. The path is ordered by His Word and when we walk in His Word through obedience no enemy will have dominion over you because they no longer have legal access to you through sin. Now understand, God knows our heart and He knows a true repentant heart, so if you are truly not sorry, do not bother but if we are truly repentant, the Lord hears the cry of His child and will forgive the sin and heal the person. Breaking the pattern is the hardest thing to do because the enemy wants to make you believe that nothing has changed and so he will attempt to re-connect you to that ungodly person or situation. However when we have truly turned and repented and the Lord has forgiven the sin then we are free. John 8:36: If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed In the next message we will look at restoration. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Keys to Freedom: Recognition and Renunciation

Understanding Soul Ties Today’s Focus: Keys to Freedom from Soul Ties: Recognition and Renunciation Scripture: Psalm 51:2-4; Zechariah 3:3,4 Greetings Sons of God: There are four keys to freedom from soul ties and here they are: 1. Recognition 2. Renunciation 3. Repentance 4. Restoration Now the only way you can solve a problem is to recognize that you have one and this brings us to our first key: Recognition Psalm 51:2-4: Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest and be clear when thou judgest. David wanted to be clean from the sin that the Lord made aware to him through the prophet Nathan about Bathsheba. David was a son after God’s heart and did not want to be in an unrighteous position with Him and because of that yearning the Lord made him aware of His sin. Psalm 51 is a plea from David to be restored back to righteous position with the Lord and notice he starts the Psalm with acknowledging his sin because you must acknowledge the sin before the Lord before you can be restored. Here is another example naturally that we see almost everyday. We hear the old example that the first key thing you must do in order to solve a problem is to recognize or admit that you have one. The best example of this is the Alcoholics Anonymous example: Whenever someone goes to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings everyone is sitting around in a semi circle and there is the moderator of the meeting sitting there. Now what is unique is that the moderator already knows that you have a problem with alcohol but you must confess out of your mouth that you have a problem. Typically you may hear this common line “Hello my name is Calvin and I am a alcoholic” (This is an example ☺). In order to break a soul tie you must admit that you have one. How do you know that you have one? God will reveal it to you but you must receive the Word of God from the mouth of His messenger and usually it is a message of correction to get you back on the right track. The first step to freedom is recognition of the soul tie and the Lord will make you aware. We need to always be in a position of submission and humility to obey and admit out faults before the Lord. He knows everything. The next thing you must do is denounce the soul tie before the Lord. Denouncing or renunciation of a soul tie is the petitioning of the son to the Father to separate them from the ungodly union the have made with a person or thing. This crying out to the Lord is critical because the Lord can and will only break something unless you ask Him to. Sounds weird but biblically true. God will not force Himself on you. You freely had to choose salvation so this is no different and if you are needing to be set free from a soul tie then you must petition the one who has power to break the bond. When it comes to soul ties many people think that they can just say Lord forgive me and that’s it and that is not true, you must petition the Lord for what you desire. HE will not break a bond that you set without you desiring for it to be broken. This is the integrity of God. Denouncing a soul tie is simply crying out to the Lord asking Him to break the bond that was formed out of rebellion and other sinful acts. The prophet Zechariah would say this: Zechariah 3:3,4: Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will cloth thee with change of raiment. When we recognize and renounce the soul ties we have formed that are ungodly the Lord will break that covenant and take away that iniquity by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed for the remission of sin. In the next message we will look at repentance and restoration Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Hindrances from Freedom: Coping

Understanding Soul Ties Today’s Focus: Hindrances from Freedom by Soul Ties: Coping Scripture: Ephesians 6:10; Romans 8:35-37 Greetings Sons of God: Let’s examine how coping hinders us from being free from soul ties. When we examine coping, it simply is adjusting one’s life in order to deal with or be comfortable in a situation. This may sound reasonable but it is not reasonable when the person copes in the midst of being in denial. Being in denial is commonly observed in people who always say “it never happened” even though it did and because did and the enemy has made such a stronghold in that person. The person adjusts their lives to cope with the situation instead of actually confronting the situation and finding a solution to the problem. A great example of coping is when there has been some type of abuse repeatedly. The victim of the abuse learn to cope with the fact that it happened and they try to forget it. When confronted by someone who knows the truth and they come bearing an answer, they deny the situation ever happening and try to show how they are currently living as proof that the situation never happened when all they are showing you is the cover they made to try to hide the hurt. Children or child abuse (sexual or physical), Women of domestic violence (sexual and non-sexual), sons of God being violated sexually by pastors or overseers. Many of these victims try to hide the abuse but eventually this no where good and sadly in some cases, suicide. We as the church, the sons of God do not cope but we turn to the Lord and find our strength in Him. Ephesians 6:10: Finally, my brethren be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might God’s power can change every situation. We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus. You do not have to accept what happened but the Lord wants you to confront it through Him, let Him heal you and restore you so that that situation no longer can hold you and hinder you from the freedom that Christ’s death on the cross and His resurrection paid for. The devil wants you to cope and try to forget about what happened. This is ho he maintains the soul tie that binds you from true freedom, healing and deliverance. Let the Lord show you the hurt and let Him deal with it because if you don’t you will cope and live a lie and the devil is the father of all lies. Let me leave you with this powerful scripture: Romans 8:35-37: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, for thy sake we are all killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, IN ALL THESE THINGS WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM THAT LOVED US. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Hindrances to Freedom: Passivity

Understanding Soul Ties Today’s Focus: Hindrances to Freedom from Soul Ties Part 2: Passivity Scripture: James 4:17 Greetings Sons of God: James 4:17: Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin Passivity is a huge hindrance to freedom from soul ties. Passivity is basically putting up no resistance and in many cases people have been oppressed so long that they typically say “It has been like this for so long”. Here is two particular example how passivity can prevent you from coming into freedom. Children of Israel in Egypt The Lord God told Abraham that the children of Israel would go into Egypt and be in bondage and unknown leadership for 430 years. Of course we know that Joseph became a major leader in Egypt and the children of Israel were led into Egypt because of the famine in the land and under the leadership of their brother Joseph. Of course another Pharaoh rises who does not know Joseph and they enslave the Hebrews children for over 430 years. In the midst of the 430 years generations of Hebrew children are born who did not know the God of their Fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. So we fast forward to Moses and of course we know God chooses Moses to help God lead His people out of Egypt but of course Moses encountered resistance by his own people because they were used to living in Egypt, though they were enslaved but would give up freedom for provision and protection. Sounds like the culture of the orphan. Even after they would come out of Egypt many times they would complain to Moses about how they had it in Egypt and it always pertained to provision and protection. God was showing his people by the plagues and wonders that He is bringing them to another and better life but to enter the promised land they had to live differently than how they lived in Egypt. There minds for 430 years were assimilated to the Egyptian way of life, including serving their gods. When God sends change to bring you into a closer relationship with Him, do not allow passivity and doubt to come in and try to hold you captive to a lifestyle that does not promote the eternal life that God has called you to live. Jesus and the Kingdom of God When Jesus came to Earth, He came to restore the sons of God back to dominion and bring the Kingdom of God (Rulership of God) back to the earth. Now because the people had been living by the Law of Moses and you had the Pharisees and chief elders oppressing the people through hypocrisy and abuse of the Law, Jesus looks like a rebel to the religious sect of Israel. Many of the people were so used to “just the way things are” mentality that anything that comes against “their standard of living” is a threat to them. Now with all that said, Jesus brought a new way of living to people who had been living in slavery under the Law. Jesus came to set them free from the Law to bring them to grace. Passivity prevented many of the children of Israel from shift from the Law to grace. Traditions are another hindrance from freedom. Jesus warned the children of Israel about allowing the traditions of man to transgress the Law of God. Many traditions we have in the church are not biblical and some are because of the misinterpretation of the Scriptures. We are in a season of correction and the biggest fight has been over traditions and because of the passivity of leaders and people amongst congregations. Great example is Halloween celebration. As simple as this should be, churches still celebrate Halloween and use the excuse, it is tradition and fun for the children. But, the Word of God says “Abstain from all appearance of evil”. If you abstain from the evil and do not celebrate Halloween then that is one less chain that is broke that the enemy no longer has you in bondage to. Jesus has come to set us free but also bring us into the knowledge of the ungodly soul ties we have made that hold us from having a closer relationship with the Body of Christ and Christ Himself. In the next message we will look at how coping is a hindrance to freedom from soul ties.. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Hindrances to Freedom: Accepting the Situation

Understanding Soul Ties Today’s Focus: Hindrances to Freedom by Soul Ties Scripture: Romans 8:15 Greetings Sons of God: Romans 8:15: For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father Understand that when you have created a soul tie (negative) you are in bondage. This is why it is called a soul TIE, because it binds you to whatever you make a covenant with. Now, look at Romans 8:15, Paul is exhorting the church at Rome to understand that they have not received the spirit of bondage which produces and rules by fear but they have received the Spirit of adoption that makes them sons where they cry out to God, Abba, Father. Now we know the devil seeks to enslave us to sin, oppress us, defile us and ultimately destroy us in his attempts to prove his position to God that God was wrong in making us heirs of the Kingdom. So when we get into un-godly soul ties the devil tries to change our perception of reality, especially if we are a son of God and hinder us into coming into the understanding and knowledge of God which makes us free. If he can hinder and hold you, then you cannot be free. Let’s look at ways the devil uses the strongholds of soul ties to hinder our freedom. Acceptance of the Situation 2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new John 8:36: If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed Acceptance of the current situation caused by the soul tie is a powerful tool of the enemy. When he can make you accept the situation and make you feel defeated and believe you cannot overcome then you will find it very hard to believe that you will overcome. Take account of the many interactions within the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) of people who were in situations that held them in bondage and how when they came into the presence of Jesus and had an encounter with Him, they overcame those situations by the power of the Lord and recognition of the Son of God. Listen, when you realize who God is and believe He is your Lord and give your life to Him, He breaks every yoke upon you, especially the yoke that He has brought to your attention and decided to have the Lord break. One of the saddest things we accept is homosexuality. I cannot tell you the number of times I have heard a parent just say about their child being homosexual “well it is their choice and I will support them and continue to love them” So you accept a demon residing within your child and you just gonna let them go and find their way? God did not do that with you so why do that to your children? One of the powerful encounters I can recall is the story in Scripture of the father whose son had a demon and the demon in many attempts was causing the boy to foam at the mouth and bruise him. The father cried out to the Lord for help. He did not accept the situation, He sought for the solution, the Lord and the Lord cast the evil spirit out of him. We do not ever have to accept or submit to a situation that is clearly a bad one. We do not have to accept bad relationships or any other situation when we know the Lord. This is why we pray “His Kingdom come and His Will be done” because His Kingdom and Will can change everything if we allow it to. When it comes to soul ties when the Lord sends someone to you to bring you to the knowledge of the soul tie and the reasoning for the many situations surrounding that ungodly covenant or union then you have the choice to either stay and accept the situation and stay in bondage to that situation and soul tie. In the next message we will look at passivity as a hindrance to our freedom. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Establishing Demonic Strongholds through Soul Ties

Understanding Soul Ties Today’s Focus: Establishing Demonic Strongholds Through Soul ties Scripture: Exodus 34:6,7 Greetings Sons of God: Exodus 34:6,7: And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the father upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. How do the demonic build strongholds through soul ties? When a person submits or subjected (voluntarily or involuntarily) to any form of abuse (sexual or non-sexual), covenant with person, group or organization, the demonic lay a foundation within the person which they build upon during subsequent actions related to the soul tie formed. Some of the ways these demonic strongholds include: 1. Manipulation – Person’s will is controlled by another through fear, threats, sex..etc 2. Violence - Coming out of violent situations which perpetrates violence within the individual 3. Domination - when a person is undermined to the point of losing their ability to make decisions 4. Incest – Continual sexual harassment by a member of the family 5. Transference – From father to son or mother to daughter in situations of adultery, domestic violence, illegitimate children 6. Jealousy – Suppression of character by another person 7. Verbal abuse – Continuous undermining through negative speech (stupid, useless..etc) 8. Sexual Abuse – By one or many people and this include homosexual abuse. 9. Failure – Not succeeding in life and meeting expectations 10. Alcoholism and Drug Abuse – Utilization and abuse of drugs and alcohol in attempt to solve problems These are a few ways that the demonic establishes strongholds in our lives. Usually when someone allows themselves to stay in those situations for a long time the demonic builds such a stronghold that the demon becomes a familiar spirit to the individual, understanding how to manipulate the mind of the individual to accept and continue in the situation and sin. For example a common familiar spirit is homosexuality. Now that we understand through these soul ties the demonic builds these strongholds in the individual to enslave them and oppress them from coming to the freedom of Christ and identity of being a son of God, in the next message we will examine how we are hindered from freedom from soul ties. Peace, Love and Grace, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.