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Blessings and Curses 2 - Dr. David Speicher

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…
 
Is it possible then, that at times in our life, we would miss out on God’s goodness?
 
I know so.
 
There are two systems that exist on the earth, there are only two systems.  
  
Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
 
There is no third kingdom. The kingdom of God is a kingdom of blessings. The kingdom of darkness is a cursed kingdom.
 
The Bible is God’s message to mankind, teaching us how to exist in His blessed kingdom. God makes His kingdom available to anyone who wants to be blessed through the great works that Jesus did on our behalf.
 
Wherever there is sin, the broken and dying kingdom exists. And with that kingdom comes the curse placed upon the Devil who runs the kingdom. Not only does the kingdom of the Devil exist today, it is on the move. Here is how Peter describes it.
 
1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith…
 
We are blessed to be citizens in God’s kingdom forever, and nothing can take away our eternal position in Christ. However, when we partner with the enemy by holding onto our old ways, we end up allowing the unholy kingdom to draw closer to us.
 
As rich in blessings as the kingdom of God is, the unholy kingdom that exists on earth today has horrible and painful attributes in it that Jesus came to save us from. Death, decay and suffering are the results of any part of the unholy kingdom touching our lives.
 
Everything about our life has to be removed from the unholy kingdom and transferred into God’s Kingdom. Even a small seemingly innocent alliance with the enemy can fester into a full blown rebellious infection.
 
The Devil certainly does not want you to distinguish between the kingdoms. He wants you to only see earth and all that is here as one big gray jumbled mess. But the kingdoms are truly like the difference between night and day.
 
2 Corinthians 11:14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
 
The Devil wants you to think that there is only one kingdom, and the other kingdom doesn’t even exist. But it does, and it creeps in on unsuspecting people who partner with the Devil. The distinguishing factor for the kingdom is truth. That being, the truth that is found in God’s word.
 
Blessings and curses are divided by one thing, and one thing only.
 
James 4:7-8 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
 
Father, please help us see the schemes of the enemy. He only wants a small foothold and then He is in. Lord, protect us from temptation. Let us be wise, so that we can stay fully blessed and not cursed. Expose the enemy’s plans to us so that we can submit all things to You. Our blessings in being in Your care and covering, every aspect of our lives. Thank You Jesus for Your amazing gift of redemption.
 
Blessings,
Pastor D