I was listening to Brother Sadhu the other day (founder Jesus Ministries & Angel TV) and he shared something about Church history that shocked me.  I had never heard what these Evangelical theologians did in Germany in 1909. It shocked me because the moment I heard about the Berlin Declaration I immediately knew the cause of World War I and World War II.   In fact, he went on to describe the understanding Christ gave me by the spirit.

You see, if you understand the Bible you can understand how the world works.  But if you choose to ignore God's word and history, well you can continue to play the fool.  Fools are the ones whom pride blinds to truth. 

 In America we all know about the Azusa Street Revival where Holy Spirit was poured out in 1905.  However, I was unaware of what Holy Spirit was doing in other nations like Germany. What I did not know is summarized in the 11/30/2012 Charisma article "Is Revival Emerging in Germany?"  It said,

"Germany’s Pentecostal church can be traced back to 1905, when a group of Lutheran Pietists from the Fellowship Movement experienced the baptism in the Holy Spirit. The move of God, which happened in Mülheim in the Ruhr Valley, saw 3,000 conversions recorded in six weeks. Opposition surfaced after that, and Lutheran church leaders signed the Berlin Declaration in 1909, rejecting Pentecostalism as “from below.”
​
The Berlin Declaration click for Wikipedia article, ..... "was a theological statement by 56 leading Evangelical theologians in Germany.[1] The declaration condemns the German Pentecostal movement which had started two years earlier in Kassel. It stated that the Pentecostal movement was “not from above, but from below..."  

Bottom line, a significant portion of Evangelical leaders blasphemed Holy Spirit. In doing so, they set themselves up to receive an anti-Christ spirit.... and they did!   The results:

World War II & the Holocaust
 Why do I say that? 

Satan's strategy is to ensnare us in our thoughts.  In our spiritual war he has set demonic IED's (improvised explosive devices)  all throughout the seven spheres of society. He wants to trick, deceive, entrap, wound and destroy as many people as he can. ​

Thankfully, God's word provide us seven keys for the wise in heart that empower us to recognize the demonic logic behind his soul traps. But first, let's lay a foundation. 

Strategic Traps
The Greek word translated "snare" (Strongs g3803) means a trap, a trick or stratagem; a snare.  Or you could say, the devil sets strategic traps.  

Apostolic Warfare Wisdom
Paul, the apostle, wrote the books to Timothy and the Corinthians.  In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 he says, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."

In my book "Structures & Strategies" on page 45 I share the real meanings of the English words translated war and warfare.  It refers to a strategic function and an apostolic gift. God made the apostle for strategy.  2 Corinthians 10:3-5 reveals that the battle ground is the mind so what you think is really important.  Why?  Proverbs 23:7 reveals that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.  

What we think impacts what we believe, say and do.  Hebrews 4:12, 11:3 and Proverbs 18:21 reveal how powerful our words are.  Life, death and creation are in the power of the tongue.  Used well, it can frame our world (Hebrews 11:3) or the unruly tongue can set the world on fire by hell (James 3:1-6). 

Don't Be Ignorant of the Enemies Devices
I've highlighted the word thought in 2 Corinthians 10:5 above because it's the same word translated devices in 2 Corinthians 2:11 which says, "lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices."  His devices are like the IED's (improvised explosive devices) used by Islamic terrorists today.  

Strongs Concordance says g3540 means a perception, i.e. purpose, or (by implication) the intellect, disposition, itself: — device, mind, thought.

Satan's End-time Strategy is to Deceive through Doctrines of Demons 
A doctrine present a system of thoughts and ideas.  A belief system can be built such that it can become a stronghold. A stronghold of thought can be changed from good to evil or from evil to good.  Hence, Satan's propensity to use lies and  deception to entrap the unwise. Paul the apostle warns in 1 Timothy 4:1-2, "​ Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron..."

Years ago I played high school and college football. I played defensive end and our defense was rated #2 in Florida at the time.  We played at a pretty high level.  The way that was accomplished was by focusing on and practicing the fundamentals consistently.

Whenever our team started doing poorly, it was often a sign that it was time to go back and review the fundamentals. 

Today, the Church in America is in crisis.  I've had numerous interactions with ministers whose character falls far from the standard set in God's word and or have little or no power.  While I am sure there must be some ministers from bible colleges and seminaries who walk in the character and power of Christ, in the last several years I've interacted with far to many who do not.  It's no wonder that the Church in America is in the condition that it is in.  

Based upon the fruit that I see, it's time to revisit the basics.  This short (50 pages) but powerful workbook is an interactive course designed to get YOU into God's word so you discover what His word says about these essential foundational doctrines that take the believer from the spiritual cradle to eternity.   

Click here to visit Amazon and orders your copy today. 

Here's a message Tim shared at Living Hope in Renton Washington March 18, 2018. 

Leaven is a rising agent. It rises and sets when heat is applied. The question is, when the fire comes, when trials come, what rises out of you?  The leaven of heaven or..... the leaven of this world, the Pharisees or of Herod? 

Discover how to get the leaven of heaven inside of you!  Click read more below if you would like the notes.

Recently a minister asked me a question about a certain situation involving witchcraft which inspired me to share these truths with you.  Like Paul in 2 Corinthians 2:11, I don't want Satan to take advantage of us by being ignorant of his devices.

First let's start with a foundation of understanding.  God created the heavens and the universe.  He created natural laws and spiritual laws.  These laws work just like the law of gravity works.  The law of gravity works the same with a righteous person as it will work with an evil person.  

I can tell you how witchcraft, divination and soothsaying work because I understand how prophecy, words of knowledge, discerning of spirits and other spiritual gifts work.  If righteous person drops a big stone on a pile of rocks he is using to make a wall, the rock will fall at the exact same speed and hit with the exact same force as it will with an evil person.  The only difference might be the target.  For example, the evil person may choose to use the same object for an evil motive.  He may choose to use the stone in the same manner to take someones life or harm another person.  The natural law governing how the stone falls can be the same.  The only difference is the person's motive and target in exercising that natural law. 

It is the same with spiritual laws. Spiritual laws work the same way as they do in the natural world.  The main issue is what's the motive and the target of the practitioner. 

The truth is there is a lot more witchcraft practiced today than many realize.  I'll use the following scriptures to help explain.

The 1Church1Day strategy encourages more people to pray and to pray longer.  Part of that prayer time is to be devoted to watching.  Watching includes listening and reporting what they saw or heard (Habakkuk 2:2).  There are also people God has gifted with a prophetic gift and Amos 3:7 says God does not do anything without telling the prophets.  

Therefore, part of our strategy is to discover who these people are in our churches, networks or communities. They are easy to spot if you know what to look for. Why I've even found them in denominations that don't even acknowledge the gift nor the office.  Over the years I've found some legitimate prophets. Some are known and many are unknown.

So how are we supposed to interact with this gift?  1 Corinthians 14:29 is the scripture that inspired this article. It says, "Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge." 

So the question is, how are we to judge these words, dreams, visions or impressions?  

What are we supposed to "decide" about or judge? 

• The character of the prophet as compared to God’s word?  Are they humble and correctable or proud? (Matt 7:15-20)
• The word itself ! How does it compare to the Bible; God’s written word. (2 Pet 1:19)
• The history of the gift in the man/woman. Do the words come to pass?  Are they accurate? Samuel is a great example. The scripture says not one word fell to the ground. His words fulfilled (1 Sam 3:19)
• You decide, is this the Word of the Lord or not. 

If it is the Word of the Lord then: 

• What are you to pray?
• What are you to do?
• How does time factor into the word?  

That's what we do with prophetic words. That's one of the reasons we encourage forming councils or ministers because there is wisdom in a multitude of counsel (Proverbs 24:3-6).  2 Chronicles 20:20 says:

Do you have thoughts that torture you?  Thoughts that are painful every time you think of a situation or a person?  

Matthew 18:34 provides insight.  It says, "And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him."

What's the context?  This is in the parable of the un-forgiving servant. 

Unforgiveness is a debt that enslaves you to regret.  It's a spiritual law that gives the demonic legal right to come and torture you.

What are the signs of unforgiveness? 

• What situation or scenario do you wake up thinking about over and over?
• What situations or people come to mind again and again? 
• With each thought you play out in your mind what you wish you would have said or done?  
• Each time you think of the situation it leaves you with a sense of regret.

Regret, according to Dictionary.com means "a feeling of sorrow or remorse for a fault, act, loss, disappointment,etc.

Unforgiveness has three targets:

The English language uses a lot more words than Hebrew or Greek.  Therefore, we find that the Greek and Hebrew words often pack a whole lot more meaning and it can take many English words to properly describe what God is revealing through the scriptures.  We also understand through Hebrews 8 and 10 that the Old Testament is used as a type and shadow of the new and this gives us context for this challenge in Proverbs 25:2 which says:

"it is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but it is the glory of kings to search out a matter."

I've been doing some searching!  In fact, I do it every day with Holy Spirit as we read God's word together.  I love being taught by the anointing (1 John 2:27). 

We just returned from India and the core message our Lord gave me to carry was regarding the "rope of hope."

In the New King James Version the first place we see the word "hope" in English is found in Ruth.  But the Hebrew word from which means hope was first used in Joshua 2.  Joshua 2 presents the story about Rahab the harlot and the two spies sent to examine Jericho.  

The spies used Rahab's home for cover. When the king of Jericho sent his men to search for these spies Rahab hid them. Why? It's because she'd heard how God was with Israel. All of Jericho feared for they'd heard how God had delivered Israel.  She used a rope to save the spies and help them escape the destruction the king of Jericho would have executed on them. 

Their response to Rahab's request is loaded with symbology that points to the hope of salvation we have through Christ.

So, are you someone who sees yourself as a horrible sinner?  You think God shouldn't even give you the time of day!  Your feel like your sin separating you so far from God?  I mean, think about how Rahab the harlot must of felt?  Are you facing seemingly impossible circumstances which will destroy you?  Are you in need of some hope?  

Check out what's revealed in Joshua 2:18.  It says:

"unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father's household to your own home. "

I'd like to highlight "line" and "scarlet cord."  

For years and years my focus on Thanksgiving was turkey, dressing, candied yams, and cranberries. Oh, and don't forget the gravy. These were all the things I wanted to be full of.  To ensure I accomplished this mission I'd visit each dish twice or maybe even three times before I left the table.  Then, after a short time I'd switch my focus to my favorite..... LEFTOVERS!  

As I've aged my metabolism slowed which impacts how much I eat and I've grown more contemplative. My focus on Thanksgiving has begun to focus more upon what I believe was God's original intent portrayed through the Feast of Tabernacles. Because of that, I've begun to consider what I am truly "-ful" of?  

Dictionary.com says that "-ful" is a suffix meaning “full of,” “characterized by” (shameful; beautiful; careful; thoughtful); “tending to,” “able to” (wakeful; harmful); “as much as will fill” (spoonful).

Sorrow, Hate & Pride Reveal Wounds or Idols
Are you sorrowful, hateful or prideful? The focus of your -ful reveals wounds that need tending or idols.  Yes, I said idols.  You can recognize idols by what you sacrifice to.  It will be expressed through how you choose to spend your idle time and monies?  
 
Do you try to drown your sorrows through the abuse of alcohol, drugs or sex?  Are you so consumed with hatred for others that your idle time is spent fantasizing or preparing to hurt or payback others?  Or, is your idle time consumed with your ego, your image, or your pleasure  to the detriment of others whom you have responsibility for or owe respect to?    
 
Temporal verses Eternal
The focus on pride, hate or sorrow all deal with temporal situations and that my friends is pitiful.   The opposite of these things is being thankful and grateful which are intertwined ...

Do you know what the main purpose of tithes and offerings are?  It's not to pay the preacher, turn on the lights, maintain the building, fund an outreach etc. 

It is to worship our Lord! 

The scripture gives guidelines to ministers about how these things are to be handled and distributed.  You will find a theme all through scripture that tell us:

• The ministers who receive the offering/tithe are supposed to worship too!
• They are responsible to ensure the altar people give into is holy.
• Everyone should take their offerings/tithe where God chooses to make His name abide. 

We take this responsibility joyfully and seriously before our Lord.  We see it as our sacred trust.

In the founding of our ministry in 1991 the Lord introduced us to Al Houghton, the founder of Word at Work Ministries and the author of the book above, "Purifying the Altar."  It taught us the importance of ensuring that the altar people sow into is holy so they could enjoy God's covenant blessings as every form of giving has a covenant blessings associated with it.  For example: