Biblical Life Emag 2 Spiritual Warfare Issue

SpiritualWarfareIssue|Summer2012
InThisIssue:
The Foundaonal Nature of Spiritual Warfare | Michael K. Lake, Th.D.
Ahab Rehab | Michael Rodhouse, B.A. A Mothers Torah: A Prophec
Warning | Mary L. Lake Biblical Life Kids: Teach Them Diligently |
StephanieEmmerson
Biblical Life eMag

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Arming Believers with Gods Truth
Biblical Life eMag | Spiritual Warfare Issue 2012

Biblical Life eMag | Spiritual Warfare Issue
Summer 2012
Irom My Desk | Notes from the Editor 2
Understand|ng the Ioundat|ona| Nature of Sp|r|tua| Warfare | Michael K. Lake, Th.D. 3
Ahab kehab | Michael Rodhouse, B.A. 13
A Mothers 1orah: A rophet|c Warn|ng | Mary L. Lake 38
8|b||ca| L|fe k|ds Corner: Teach Them Diligently | Stephanie Emmerson 45
8|b||ca| L|fe eMagaz|ne is published by Biblical life Assembly. Although this publication is copyrighted, we
encourage you to pass this eMagazine along to your friends and neighbors anyone who is hungry for more of
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z
A Note from My Desk
Michael K. Lake, Th.D.
he response to the first edition of the Biblical
Life eMagazine was nothing short of
awesome! I stood amazed at how it took off
at the website and through social media. It is with a
grateful and humble heart that I express my sincere
thanks to the LORD for using it to touch and encourage His people.
As time drew near for the next edition, the administrative demands really picked up at the
Seminary. Graduation time came swiftly and required most of our attention. Then in June, I
had the next edition ready to publish to the Internet, but God took away all of my peace
concerning the publication. This left me somewhat dismayed, so I stopped everything and
sought the face of God.
Over the years in ministry, I have discovered several important aspects of proclaiming Gods
Word. They are:
Truth
Perspective
Timing
If any one of these is off, you can share Gods Word out of season thus, reducing its
effectiveness. I was asking God whether my perspective or timing was off.
After much prayer and reflection, the Holy Spirit began dealing with me. In a nutshell, He
showed me that everything I have done in ministry for the last thirty years has been about the
College and Seminary. Both the local congregation and publishing ministry were birthed out of
BLCS. I automatically assumed that this new eMagazine ministry would be another outreach of
BLCS. So I contacted various graduates, colleagues, and professors to ask them to submit
articles. I am glad to report that they graciously modified all of their busy schedules to
accommodate my request. (I sincerely thank them for all the articles, prayer, and support that
they have given me in this endeavor.)
My perspective was wrong. The eMagazine is not to be a new ministry of BLCS; it is to be a new
ministry of Biblical Life Assembly. In this small congregation, God has placed a treasure trove of
giftings. (In fact, because of the Kottkes move to Missouri, Chad was unable to submit an
article for this issue. Chad is a gifted writer, and we are looking forward to future articles from
him.)
T
)
So we have centered in on what Biblical Life Assembly is about in this eMag, adding new
sections on A Mothers Torah and Biblical Life Kids Corner to address more than just
theological issues. Separating the eMag from the Seminary allows us more freedom to deal
with a greater spectrum of issues that are expressed from a congregational perspective. I am
sure it will continue to expand and mature with each issue.
Blessings and Shalom!

Understanding the
Foundational Nature of
Spiritual Warfare
by Michael K. Lake, Th.D., D.R.E.
Isaiah 46:10 (KJV)
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient
times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel
shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
s I approach the end of days (or the last part of the end of days), I am finding Isaiah
46:10 rings truer with every passing day. I also believe it reveals why the enemy has
planted such an aversion to the Old Testament in the modern Church. In the
beginning (i.e., BResheet Genesis), many of the secrets of the last days are revealed.
Encoded into the stories and instructions provided within the Torah are definitions,
principles, and powerful clues to the last days that every believer must possess to both
empower his/her walk with God today and to prepare for the final move of the Almighty in
the earth, before the return of the true and only Messiah - Jesus of Nazareth!
Let me give one very powerful example: the hermeneutical principle of first mention. (I
know that I harp on this principle quite a bit, but I find it is also the most ignored of all
hermeneutical principles.) Here is a basic definition of this important principle:
A.W. Pink: Interpretation of the Scriptures
We have treated the principle of first mention, and showed that the initial reference
to a subject or the earliest occurrence of a term indicated from its context and the
manner in which it was used would be its force in all later references.
1
Wikipedia: In Definition of Biblical Hermeneutics
The First Mention Principle: "God indicates in the first mention of a subject the truth
with which that subject stands connected in the mind of God."
2
Biblical Research Organization: Rules for Interpretation
The Meaning of the Law of First Mention
1
A. W. Pink, Interpretation of the Scriptures, electronic ed. (Escondido, CA: Ephesians Four group, 2000), 132.
2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_hermeneutics .

The law of first mention may be said to be the principle that requires one to go to
that portion of the Scriptures where a doctrine is mentioned for the first time and to
study the first occurrence of the same in order to get the fundamental inherent
meaning of that doctrine. When we thus see the first appearance, which is usually in
the simplest form, we can then examine the doctrine in other portions of the Word
that were given later. We shall see that the fundamental concept in the first
occurrence remains dominant as a rule, and colors all later additions to that
doctrine. In view of this fact, it becomes imperative that we understand the law of
first mention.
3
I have included three different definitions of the principle of first mention to provide
several points of view regarding this habitually overlooked rule for proper biblical
interpretation. When we extrapolate the various points of view into a useable formulated
principle, we could say that:
The law of first mention assists the biblical researcher in discovering the initial
truth in the mind of God when it is first revealed in Holy Scripture. This established
truth remains consistent and is only expanded upon (rather than altered)
throughout the whole of Scripture.
When we violate this principle, it causes the biblical researcher to define principles and
truths in the Word of God from something other than the mind of God. This causes the
researcher to perform eisegesis instead of exegesis. (Exegesis is drawing from Scripture
the original intent of all meanings presented. Eisegesis is adding to Scripture your own
cultural or personal bias, thus causing a misinterpretation of what is presented.)
Dr. James White, in his book Pulpit Crimes provides the following warning regarding
eisegesis:
Eisegesis. The reading into a text, in this case, an ancient text of the Bible, of a
meaning that is not supported by the grammar, syntax, lexical meanings, and over-
all context, of the original. It is the opposite of exegesis, where you read out of the
text its original meaning by careful attention to the same things, grammar, syntax,
the lexical meanings of the words used by the author (as they were used in his day
and in his area), and the over-all context of the document. As common as it is, it
should be something the Christian minister finds abhorrent, for when you stop and
think about it, eisegesis muffles the voice of God. If the text of Scripture is in fact
God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16) and if God speaks in the entirety of the Bible (Matt.
22:31) then eisegesis would involve silencing that divine voice and replacing it with
the thoughts, intents, and most often, traditions, of the one doing the interpretation.
In fact, in my experience, eisegetical mishandling of the inspired text is the
single most common source of heresy, division, disunity, and a lack of clarity in
3
Article: Rules of Interpretation: The Law of First Mention. http://www.biblicalresearch.info/page56.html
6
the proclamation of the gospel. The man of God is commended when he handles
Gods truth aright (2 Tim. 2:15), and it should be his highest honor to be privileged to
do so. Exegesis, then, apart from being a skill honed over years of practice, is an
absolutely necessary means of honoring the Lord a minister claims to serve. For
some today, exegesis and all the attendant study that goes into it robs one of the
Spirit. The fact is, there is no greater spiritual service the minister can render to the
Lord and to the flock entrusted to his care than to allow Gods voice to speak with
the clarity that only sound exegetical practice can provide. (Emphasis mine)
4
Dr. White, I could not have said it any better. By ignoring the principle of first mention
regarding the truths of God, we have muffled the voice of God and, therefore, have become
the seedbed of modern heresies! The last place you want to be standing regarding spiritual
warfare is in a man-made heresy. It could not only cost you a victory in a given situation,
but your very life!
Back to the Beginning
Genesis 1:1-2 (KJV)
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was
without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit
of God moved upon the face of the waters.
There are several important clues in verse 2 for understanding spiritual warfare. The first
is the Hebrew word used for was referring to the earth was without form and void.
Lets take a look at this Hebrew word:
Was: Strongs # H 01961 hayah {haw-yaw}
5
Meaning: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
The primary meaning of the word hayah is to become or to come to pass. The
Theological Workbook of the Old Testament also provides additional insight into the usage
of this word:
Very seldom in the ot is hy used to denote either simple existence or the
identification of a thing or person.
6
In other words, something happened that caused Gods creation to be something other than
that which He had created it to be.
4
Art|c|e: Exegesis v. Eisegesis. Reformed Theology Website.
http://www.reformationtheology.com/2006/10/exegesis_v_eisegesis.php
5
Strong's Enhanced Lexicon. BibleWorks for Windows 7.0. BibleWorks, LLC, Norfolk, VA. Copyright 2006.
6
Victor P. Hamilton, "491 " In , in Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, ed. R. Laird Harris, Gleason L.
Archer, Jr. and Bruce K. Waltke, electronic ed. (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 213.
)
The second clue is the phrase without form and void. Again, lets take a look at the
Hebrew word used here:
Without Form: Strongs # H 08414 tohuw {to'-hoo}
7
Meaning: formlessness, confusion, unreality, emptiness.
Something happened that caused confusion and an unreality to take hold on this planet.
The Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments provides
further insights:
2. the earth was without form and voidor in confusion and emptiness, as the
words are rendered in Is 34:11. This globe, at some undescribed period, having been
convulsed and broken up, was a dark and watery waste for ages perhaps, till out of
this chaotic state, the present fabric of the world was made to arise.
8
Notice that the commentary states: having been convulsed and broken up. This is an
event that is separate from the process of creation. The RSV of the Bible translates tohuw
as chaos. Chaos is something that took hold of this planet after God had created. The
Word of God reminds us that:
1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV)
33
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
What happened that caused such chaos? Many theologians believe it was possibly the fall
of Lucifer. When Lucifer fell, he was thrown to the earth. Finis Dake, in his annotated
reference Bible, makes the following statement regarding Genesis 1:2:
According to Isa. 14:12-14, Lucifer actually invaded heaven from earth, hoping to
defeat God and take His kingdom; but Lucifer himself was defeated and his kingdom
cursed. Before his defeat, he had a throne, implying a kingdom and subjects to rule
over. His kingdom was under the clouds, under the stars, and under heaven --
therefore, on earth. Having weakened the nations over whom he ruled, and wanting
to be like God and take His place in heaven, Lucifer led the invasion of heaven. All
this had to be before Adam's day, because no such things have occurred since Adam
was created.
9
The work of Lucifer (and his rebellion toward God) affected this planet and the result was
chaos, darkness, and unreality (i.e. bringing about something other than that which God
had in mind). These are still the fingerprints of Lucifer in the lives of men today.
7
Ibid.
8
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, A. R. Fausset et al., A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New
Testaments (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), Ge 1:2.
9
Dake's Annotated Reference Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments of the Authorized or King James
Version Text.
8
The question that we need to ask ourselves in light of all this is:
By what method does God restore His creation to His original intent once Lucifer
brings chaos?
This is paramount in the life of the believer. Let me explain:
God created, and then Lucifer brought chaos. Listed in Genesis 1:3-31 are the
recreation principles of God in motion (rather than creation). Man was placed in the
Garden in Earth 2.0 a recreated earth. (Remember, man was commanded to
replenish the earth.) In the midst of this recreation, Lucifer was able to sneak into
the Garden and bring Chaos 2.0. This new chaos was not released upon the physical
planet like we find in Genesis 1:2; rather it was released into the spirit and heart of
man. Even within the lives of those recreated through the new birth (Man 2.0), we
find that Lucifer is still able to release chaos into our lives. (We call this spiritual
warfare.) So what we will discover in Genesis Chapter 1 is crucial in the life of the
believer today.
Gods Cure for Chaos
Genesis 1:3 (KJV)
3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
The answer is so simple, and yet so profound. God began releasing His Word into the
situation. I am reminded of the Scripture:
Psalm 107:20 (KJV)
20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
In Psalms 107:20, there are many layers of understanding that we can draw from. Here are
a few:
1. God released His Word in Genesis 1 to heal the planet of the destruction it had
received.
2. God released His Word through the mouths of the prophets to His people to
deliver and restore them.
3. God sent His Word and He became flesh. Through the working of His Word in
the earth, the Word made flesh provided the ultimate deliverance through
Messiahs completed work on the cross.
All of these are true and very significant. Yet there is still another truth revealed that has
escaped the sight of most believers. We find in A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory,
on the Old and New Testaments a powerful clue:
g
3. God saidThis phrase, which occurs so repeatedly in the account means: willed,
decreed, appointed; and the determining will of God was followed in every instance
by an immediate result. Whether the sun was created at the same time with, or long
before, the earth, the dense accumulation of fogs and vapors which enveloped the
chaos had covered the globe with a settled gloom. But by the command of God,
light was rendered visible; the thick murky clouds were dispersed, broken, or
rarefied, and light diffused over the expanse of waters. The effect is described in the
name day, which in Hebrew signifies warmth, heat; while the name night
signifies a rolling up, as night wraps all things in a shady mantle.
10
(Emphasis
mine)
God began to speak commands to His creation to restore the chaos that had occurred. In
other words, the commands of God provide a cure for the chaos that the enemy releases
into our lives.
After reviewing the creation story in Genesis 1, here are a few observations that I have
made regarding the nature of Gods commands:
Gods Commandments Contain the Spiritual Blueprint of His Complete Thoughts
(Hope)
Gods Commandments Contain the Spiritual Power to Bring the Word to Pass
Again, we find these truths in both Psalms 107:20 and the Gospel:
God releases His Word (which will have commands embedded in it). If the
command is received and acted upon, it releases the power of the
command/promise to bring it to pass. (All of Gods promises are wrapped in
commands/instruction.)
The heart of the Gospel is that one must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and trust
in His completed work upon the Cross. Believe it or not, this is actually a command.
In fact, there is no other way to be saved. By following the commandment of
believing on Jesus, the power of God is released to produce the new birth.
The realization of the truths presented here will demand that the modern believer examine
his/her paradigms regarding Gods commandments. As we will see in Genesis 3, it is the
work of the enemy to get man to question the very nature of Gods commandments.
10
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, A. R. Fausset et al., A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New
Testaments (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), Ge 1:3.
o
The Nature of Spiritual Warfare Revealed
Genesis 3:1-3 (KJV)
1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God
had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every
tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit
of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the
garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
There is so much revelation revealed in the account of mans fall in the Garden. First, it
reveals the nature of sin. God commanded Adam not to eat of the fruit of the tree of
knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve disobeyed the command of God and thus
defined what sin is. The Apostle John reminds us of this truth in 1 John 3:4.
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression
of the law.
Note: The principle of first mention is fully intact here. What God established as sin in
Genesis 3 is still sin all the way in 1 John (to the shock of most believers today).
The second truth revealed is the very foundational nature of all spiritual warfare. What is
the seedbed of the work of the enemy in the lives of men? It is to get them to bring into
question the commandments of God! That is exactly what the serpent did with Eve. How
powerful and practical these seeds are in spiritual warfare. If the enemy can get us to
question Gods commands and then to violate them, it will always give him access and
control in our lives!
Just like the principle of first mention regarding the definition of sin, this truth about the
very nature of spiritual warfare will flow from Genesis to Revelation. Lets look at another
example of these truths:
Isaiah 42:22 (KJV)
22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and
they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil,
and none saith, Restore.
Years ago, I heard one minister preach from this verse and say that there was no one to
stand in authority and command the enemy to give what was stolen back. Although this
conclusion can be drawn from snippet theology, hermeneutically speaking, it is not at all
what is being said here.
The Hebrew word used here for restore is shuwb. Here is what it means:

Restore: Strong # H07725 shuwb {shoob}
11
Meaning: to return, turn back.
It was not a call for the enemy to give back what was stolen. Rather it was a call to Gods
people to return to the ways, statutes, and commandments of God. It was their disregard
for Gods commands that enabled the plundering! This same truth is revealed in the
famous Scripture regarding the ministry of the intercessor.
Ezekiel 22:29-31 (KJV)
29 The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have
vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. 30
And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in
the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. 31
Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them
with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads,
saith the Lord GOD.
In reality, this Scripture does not refer directly to the ministry of intercession (although
that is indeed a part of what is going on here.) Here in Ezekiel, it is referring to the ministry
of the prophet. The prophet sees the gap in the hedge of protection in the lives of the
people. The task of the prophet is twofold:
To call the people to repent and to return to the ways of God. Here is the
connection with the concept of restore in Isaiah 42. Violation of Gods commands
created the gap. The only way to close this gap in our hedge of protection is through
repentance and renewed obedience.
To intercede for the people. This includes interceding for God to give the people
the time and grace to repent and to push back the enemy so that the people can
move in true, heart-felt repentance and obedience.
Another truth that we need to adjust in our modern paradigm is that, throughout Scripture,
Gods judgment for violating His commandments and covenant was revealed by the enemy
gaining a foothold to plunder and destroy among His people. This is a truth we need to
understand in light of 911. Americas hedge was broken down because of her disregard to
the covenant the founders made at the very beginning of this nation with the God of
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Note: Only two nations have done this in the history of
mankind Israel and America.) 911 was a wake up call, or as Rabbi Jonathan Cahn so
powerfully reveals in his bestseller The Harbinger, it was a harbinger of Gods impending
judgment upon America.
11
Ibid
z
What is the Foundational Nature of All Spiritual Warfare?
When we prayerfully examine Genesis 3, we will discover that the foundational nature of
spiritual warfare is:
1. To get you to question Gods Word, Gods commandments, and Gods very
nature. The primary purpose Satan has in mind for both the temptations and trials
you go through: Has God really said?
2. To get you to disobey Gods commandments and instruction. Disobedience
opens the door for Lucifer into your life.
3. To get power and control over your life. Sin (disobedience to Gods
commandments) opens the door to the enemy and gives him control in your life.
The truths revealed in Genesis 3 also are emphasized by both Jesus and the Apostle Paul.
John 8:34 (KJV)
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is
the servant of sin.
Romans 6:12-18 (KJV)
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts
thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto
sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your
members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have
dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15 What then?
shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye
are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto
righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have
obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then
made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
2 Timothy 2:22-26 (KJV)
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them
that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But foolish and unlearned questions
avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24 And the servant of the Lord must not
strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing
those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the
acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the
snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
The key to staying free in Messiah? Become a servant of righteousness and begin
walking in the commandments of God through the power of the Holy Spirit within you!
)
This is a consistent truth from Genesis to Revelation, and it will empower you today for the
road ahead!
Dr. Michael K. Lake is the founder and chancellor of
Biblical Life College and Seminary, the president of Biblical Life
Publishing, and the Apostle of Biblical Life Assembly. He has
earned doctorates in theology, religious education, and pastoral
psychology. Dr. Lake has been teaching and mentoring those
called to ministry for nearly 30 years and serves as a consultant
on Christian education for many religious organizations. He is
known for his where the rubber meets the road teaching style
that makes complex theological concepts easy for all to
understand and live out in their daily lives.
From the first year of Bible College through the
doctoral level, BLCS has been producing graduates for
nearly thirty years that truly shepherd Gods people.
Programs are available in Biblical Studies, Biblical
Counseling, Hebraic Heritage Studies, Divinity, and
Christian Education. All of our programs are designed
to be completed at home, so no travel is required.
Accredited, affordable, and most of all, life changing!
You can download our complete catalog and
enrollment application in PDF from the website or call
to request an enrollment packet.
www.biblical-life.com
PO Box 588
Marshfield, MO 65706-0588
417-859-0881
biblicallife@centurytel.net

Ahab Rehab
by Pastor Michael Rodhouse, B.A.
And it came to pass, as if it had been a light
thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam
the son of Nebat, that he [Ahab] took to wife
Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the
Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and
worshipped him.
(1Ki 16:31)
Note: I was originally going to title this article Overcoming an Ahab Spirit until my son, Jonathan,
noticed the topic and blurted out Ahab Rehab! His title was just too catchy to resist. Thanks, Son.
he Church today could stand to spend a little time in Ahab Rehab. For it to
become the spotless bride that is fit to be the wife of the King of Kings, youll have
to agree, we have some work to do. I believe overcoming an Ahab spirit will play
an important role in this last days preparation.
A lot has been written about Ahabs evil wife, Jezebel. Francis Frangipane and John
Paul Jackson have both written excellent works that identify the spirit of Jezebel and
offer good strategies for overcoming it.
While the spirit of Jezebel is no small thing, oftentimes it is only a symptom of a deeper
problem: the presence of an Ahab spirit. In my ministerial training, I was always taught
that
You cant have a Jezebel without an Ahab!
Before we can overcome an Ahab spirit, we first need to know who Ahab was. After
Solomons reign and the kingdom split into Israel and Judah, Ahab was the 8
th
King of
Israel. While his predecessors were evil by themselves, Ahab took their evil to new
heights. (More on that in a bit.)
To rightly understand Ahab, we also need to know what Jeroboam, the first King of
Israel, did. In fact, the Scriptures define Ahab by comparing his deeds to the deeds of
Jeroboam.
Heres a quick summary of what Jeroboam did:
He built golden calves.
He established pagan worship sites in Israel.
He authorized priests who were not of the tribe of Levi, violating the Torah.
He set up his own holidays (or appointed times) instead of following the Torahs.
T

He repeatedly ignored Gods prophets.
As I studied Jeroboam, I was amazed how the mercy and kindness of God was
extended toward this guy. God basically promised Jeroboam that Hed be with him,
would build a sure house for him, and even give him Israel (1 Kings 11:38) if he would
walk in Gods ways, do right in His sight, and keep His Commandments and Statutes.
Problem was, Jeroboam left the Law of God and did things his own way. He did not
heed the prophecy of the Prophet Ahijah in 1 Kings 11 or the prophecy of an unnamed
man of God in 1 Kings 13. I encourage you to read Jeroboams story in 1 Kings
Chapters 12-14. The opportunities he had to repent will shock you.
Although Jeroboam committed a string of abominable atrocities, blatantly rebelled
against Gods Law, and repeatedly refused to heed prophetic warning, God considered
all of that a small thing compared to Ahabs marriage to Jezebel!
Why?
John Paul Jackson, in his book Unmasking the Jezebel Spirit, explains:
The marriage was meant to seal a peace treaty between two nations;
however, the alliance proved to be a costly compromise. Ceremonially, it
required that Israel follow the religious and political protocols of Ahabs
new wife by agreeing to take a foreign queen, Ahab knowingly violated
Gods Command.
12
The God we serve is very particular when it comes to covenant. When a king of Israel
formed a covenant with someone that served another God, it was worse in Gods eyes
than all of Jeroboams sins combined!
While Jezebel was inherently strong-willed, she was given additional power and
authority by her relationship to a king of Israel. This relationship amplified the evil
inside of her. With Ahabs seal, it enabled her to authorize the letters that conspired the
stoning of an innocent man named Naboth in 1 Kings 21.
Today, the Spirit of Jezebel can have a legal right to work among us when an Ahab
spirit is present. Remember-
Battling a Jezebel spirit by itself is no small matter. Many have fallen to its devices, and
many still fight and resist its wiles to this day. If the Body of Christ, especially we men,
can overcome an Ahab spirit, it will greatly curtail the influence of a Jezebel spirit- if not
12
Jackson, John Paul. Unmasking the Jezebel Spirit. Streams Publishing House, North Sutton NH 03260.
Copyright 2002. Page 9
6
entirely annihilate it. Conquering an Ahab spirit can pull the rug out from under the
influence of a Jezebel spirit because
So how does one overcome an Ahab spirit? While the following is not a cure all, here
are some principles that can help in the fight:
Return to the Torah. Jeroboam was the first to get Israel away from Torah. Jeroboam
knew enough Torah to realize that everybody would go back to Jerusalem on the 7
th
month to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. Feeling threatened by this, he devised his
own feast day in the 8
th
month! Many believers do the same thing today. They like
certain aspects of the Torah and the Hebraic roots movement, but they still cling to their
traditions that arent found in the Word of God.
Ahabs abandonment of the Torah was obvious when he married a woman whose
fathers name meant, with Baal!
Heed Prophetic Insight. Jezebel killed the prophets of God, but fed the prophets of
Baal. Ahab feared Jezebel so much that he called Elijah the troubler of Israel. If
Jeroboam and Ahab had heeded the words of the prophets, things would have turned
out so much better for them. In fact, the one time that Ahab did humble himself, God
showed him mercy!
We must permit a true prophetic voice today. Im not talking about warm fuzzy words
of knowledge. Im talking about deep teachings that return us to the Torah! Today we
need prophetic utterance to apply the Torah in the context of what Jesus did for us! We
need prophetic that exposes the enemys devices, comforts the afflicted and afflicts the
comfortable!
I know what this is like. When influenced by an Ahab spirit, I used to get irritable when
genuine prophetic was stirred. Do you ever feel that way when Gods prophets speak?
It might be worth some self-examination. Ahab might be in your neighborhood!
Dont Marry Outside of Gods Covenant. This is tricky in todays age because you
wont usually see a Bible-believing Christian marry a non-Christian. Sadly, though,
there are many so-called Christians in the pews today that dont have a true covenant
with God. What do I mean by this? They just aint saved! They have no conviction of
sin, they dont tremble at Gods Word, and there is no genuine fear of God under their
religious spirit mask. Cutting covenant with people like this is dangerous!
Ive seen good, Godly folks who are truly saved enter a marriage covenant with people
who are not. While some marriages worked out by the other spouse getting saved,
most either ended in disaster or were sustained with a pseudo-spiritual religious spirit
that bore no genuine fruit.
)
Know Who You Are. I want to preach this primarily to the men. If Ahab had really
known that he was to be a covenant keeping, Torah observant, God-fearing King with a
prophetic destiny to back him up, he would have never sought the approval, alliance
and influence of a woman who had no covenant with the God of Israel! If Ahab had
really known who he was, he would have taken one look at Jezebel and said, Youre
outside the covenants of God, baby!
Ahabs wife was not a helper that was fit for a king of Israel. She was a political alliance
with a pagan nation to help make Ahab feel safe. Ahab did not dwell in the secret place
of the Most High God. He abided in the shadow of Jezebel. Men, we must know who
we are and determine in this hour whose shadow we will dwell under!
Know Your Calling. If Ahab had busied himself doing the Torah, it would have opened
the doors wide for God to send him a daughter of Israel that was fit to help him! Once
we, as men, know what we are called to do, and get busy doing it, God sends a helper
to.help. A lot of men today dont know who they are or what theyre called to do, yet
whine that God hasnt sent them a wife. I love how T.D. Jakes responded to this
attitude: You want God to send you a helpmeet, well he aint gonna send you someone
to help you sleep!
Remember, Adam was doing everything in the garden before God brought him Eve! A
wife does not complete a man. A wife helps a man in his calling. Men, if we are not
ardently doing what God has called us to do (whether we are single or married), we will
make a place for an Ahab spirit.
Look To God for Your Blessings. I was always prone to look to others for blessings,
instead of looking directly to God. Once I got focused doing what God had called me to
do and stayed faithful in it, the blessings seemed to come out of nowhere.
When Ahab didnt get what he wanted, he whined to his mommy, Jezebel, instead of
searching his heart before God. I can just hear Ahab pouting when he came home that
day, Jezie-bellNaboth wont give me his vineyard and I need you to pat my head
It makes me wonder if Jezebel was the original author of Hush Little Baby Dont You
Cry
Hush, little Ahab, dont say a word
Jezebel will get you your vineyard
Dont let Naboth make you moan
Jezebel will take care of him with stones
I know Im exaggerating, but you get the idea. Some of us men rely too much on
women. Guys, its wearing them out. Its time we fix our eyes on where our help truly
comes from! Our help comes from the LORD, The Maker of Heaven and Earth! Fixing
our eyes on God cultivates an atmosphere that God can bless!

Ahab in the Last Days
I truly believe that these principles can help Gods people overcome an Ahab spirit.
Despite our best efforts, though, the Ahab spirit will again rear its ugly head in the last
days. Read what Jesus said to the Church at Thyatira in Revelation 2:19-20
I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience,
and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I
have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman
Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my
servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
Notice that God was not rebuking Jezebel in this passage. He was rebuking the Church
at Thyatira for permitting Jezebel to work. Im sure Thyatira meant well. After all, God
mentioned their works twice in verse 19! Their latter works were greater than their
former works. Although Jezebel is the one mentioned by name, there is an obvious
implication that the spirit of Ahab was at work there because
Some Ahab Rehab time is in order for us as we prepare for Jesus return. As this is
done, my hearts cry is to see the power of God move like it did in the First Century
Church!
We must cling to Jesus Christ of Nazareth and all that He purchased for us with His
precious blood. We must be filled with the power of His Holy Spirit - His deposit
guarantee. And, especially in this hour, we must have His Torah (the Law of Moses)
restored to its proper place among us!
When these three converge, Ahab cant stay!
Pastor Michael Rodhouse, B.A. has been associated with Biblical Life
for over 15 years. He served as the Registrar of Biblical Life College
and Seminary for nearly a decade before starting his own personal
business Rodhouse Field Services. Michael also serves as an
associate pastor at Biblical Life Assembly and is the congregations
praise and worship leader.

Now you can watch teachings from Dr. Michael Lake on
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channel. YouTube videos will play on any computer,
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and biblical instruction that is always on.
http://www.youtube.com/biblicallife
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Make a donation to the vision of Biblical Life.

A Mothers Torah: A
Prophetic Warning
by Mary L. Lake
believe that the information in the following
article can actually save lives. I prefaced this
article with that statement because we have
received reports of one tragedy after another
among our brothers and sisters in Christ from all over the nation, and the urgency of this
prophetic warning can no longer be presented as just something to consider. Im pleading
with readers to heed the warning and pass it on to those that you feel may be in danger.
As many of you know - in 1994, I was delivered from a lifelong depression, which had rendered
me spiritually dormant. Within a year of my deliverance, our family had an unbelievable
encounter with people involved with the occult in the community where I grew up, which
evolved over several years into a direct confrontation with extremely powerful occultists that
were connected to a hidden and pernicious empire comprised of several groups throughout our
nation. This backdrop served as the foundation for our basic and advanced training in spiritual
warfare, which was prompted by the Holy Spirit as we searched through the Word of God.
Almighty God was so faithful to perform His Word in our lives, and we have experienced His
divine protection.
Through many hours of prayer, research, conversations with well-educated professionals, and
face-to-face confrontations with Satans followers, we were able to uncover some of Satans
highly guarded secrets. We still have much to learn, and I do not want to leave the impression
that we consider ourselves experts in this area. I dont believe that we are going to understand
some things until we get to Heaven, but God has been unveiling the tactics of the enemy so we
can be prepared for what is coming on the earth.
In 1995, as I was learning the Word of God and seeking to hear the voice of God, I had several
visions about the future of the United States. God told me that judgment was coming to
America. He spoke to me about the sins of our nation, and He conveyed how Satan was going
to unleash his wrath on the people. I not only saw catastrophic events, but I saw the lives of
Christians being destroyed. I saw some of these Christians losing their faith because they
couldnt understand the calamities that were befalling them, and they couldnt fit what they
had been taught in church with the events occurring right in front of their eyes remember,
most of us have been taught that we will be taken in the Rapture before any trying times arrive.
I have been an eyewitness to activities that would mirror a science fiction movie. Horrible
crimes against humanity have already been taking place for over 70 years meticulously and
strategically hidden. When this information is brought to light, it will shake the foundations of
I

every believer in Jesus Christ. It is critical that we hold on to the tenets of our faith like never
before.
My visions were not well received as I shared them with others. Part of this was probably due
to my immaturity even though I was 37 years old, I was a baby Christian in many ways. I was
definitely arrested in my spiritual development. I had no training in how to handle a prophetic
gift, so I backed off to research and seek the Holy Spirit for help. I had to spend many hours on
my knees asking God for guidance. I was unyielding when it came to standing up against the
forces of evil, but I didnt have the confidence to warn the people about what was coming.
Now I sit with tragedies affecting Christians on every side. I believe that God will hold me
accountable if I dont boldly proclaim what He has told me. One prayer time stands out in my
mind - God told me that if our nation did not repent and turn to Him, that there would be a
time when a treasured gift for a little girl would be a comb and brush. I was startled at what I
heard. I reflected on the many toys that we had given our children, and I was alarmed at what
could possibly transpire in our nation that would result in a child treasuring gifts that are now
such common household items.
I even heard a well-known teacher on a Christian television program recently discussing the
tragedies that were occurring among Christians and the steps we need to take to be safe.
When they inquired of God about the tragedies, they declared how God had taken them to the
Book of Revelation, explaining that Satans time was short and how he was essentially going to
release hells fury. They went on to explain how we had to use our faith, be obedient to the
Word of God, be watchful and pray. I couldnt agree more with what they said, and I have
admired this persons faith as I have watched them throughout the years. Here is my question.
What if Satan has deceived us into being disobedient without even knowing it? One of the
reasons that my family was able to survive the assault from those in the occult is that the Holy
Spirit was teaching us and giving us prophetic instruction at every turn. One of the first prayers
that the Holy Spirit told me to pray was ASK GOD TO APPLY THE BLOOD OF JESUS OVER THE
DOORS IN MY LIFE. At the time, I didnt know that I had any doors - nevertheless, I was
obedient. Thank God for that prayer, because I found out as time went on that I had numerous
doors (areas where Satan had a legal right to attack me).
I had to learn about generational curses, breaking soul ties, etc. I have to admit that this
cleansing process could not compare to the stark reality that I had to face concerning the pagan
practices that we have all grown up with. To those that listen weekly to my husbands teaching,
it probably sounds like our ministry is on a soap box about the practice of Christmas, Easter,
and the myriad other holidays with pagan origins. Let me assure you that we are not merely
engaging in theological debate - we are attempting to steer the Body of Christ to safety. We
are hoping that others will not have to go down the path that we took to discover these truths.
Those in the occult know about the pagan origins of Christmas and Easter they are well versed
in this information, because it is essential in the performance of their craft. They are highly
successful at surveillance and investigation of Christians to uncover sins where their curses can
light and bring about their desired effect (their successes of destroyed marriages, ministries,
etc. bring them more power and promotion). They are aware of the biblical truth that a curse

without a cause will not light. Therefore, they take delight when Christians unknowingly open
a door to be cursed. I know most people believe that witches are harmless, but there are
degrees in witchcraft, and some of these individuals have performed atrocities to gain power
from Satan; they are well trained and proficient in the execution of their rituals. Remember, I
was raised in a community infiltrated by these people, so when they told me about their
successes, I knew exactly which situations they were referring to. Some of them told me this
information with regret; others spoke of these incidents with arrogance. I was finally able to
make sense of situations that had perplexed me for years.
I believe that the mercy and protection that God has so graciously bestowed upon all of us, as
we participated in pagan celebrations, is lifting. I have seen a steady increase of tragedies
among Christians after January 1
st
for several years now. I have heard many people
emphatically defend their participation in Christmas with the following statement, when
presented with the truth about the pagan connections Thats not what it means to me;
therefore, Im not going to give up my Christmas. The operative phrase here is my
Christmas. If you were presented with verifiable evidence that December 25
th
is not Jesus
birthday, solid proof that all of the aspects of the celebration have pagan origins, and scriptural
references that prove it is in violation of the Word of God to participate in pagan celebrations
(since none of the aspects of Christmas ever belonged in Gods kingdom, they cannot be
brought back to Him and sanctified or redeemed), would you still have a problem giving up
Christmas?
No one could have been more in love with Christmas than me. As I outlined in my book, it was
someone that claimed to be connected to the occult that arrogantly told me about Christmas. I
argued, stood my ground with great faith, and participated in the following Christmas. Our
whole family got sick, our vehicles broke down, our appliances stopped working, our finances
decreased, etc. It was obvious that we had opened a door to the enemy, and we had to
investigate the celebration of Christmas, because the curses were landing. So out of necessity,
we conducted exhaustive research. When we discovered the truth (and I could not justify the
celebration in any way), I knew that I had to stop participating in it. Trying to rationalize that
the celebration of Christmas could be pleasing to God was futile. For a couple of years, when
Christmas rolled around, I felt like I was in mourning. I finally went to God in prayer, and told
Him, Father, I know that the research is correct and that Your Word is clear on the celebration
of pagan practices, so why am I mourning? I heard Him say, Mary, you are under the
influence of a Christmas spirit. You have been placed in this tradition since birth. I thought of
all of the indoctrination that we receive our entire life that the Christmas spirit is representative
of Jesus. I asked forgiveness for participating in a pagan practice, bound this religious spirit and
commanded it to leave me, in Jesus Name. There was an immediate release. I started to look
at the tree (symbol of male reproduction), the ornaments (testicles), and the wreath (female
reproduction) for exactly what they originally represented. It became ugly to me. Years ago, I
remember reading a report where one administration in the White House had placed condoms
on a Christmas tree. I remember thinking how obscene and blasphemous! If this report was
accurate, it appears that the First Lady knew much more than I did, and this may well have
been the most accurately decorated tree of all.
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Once you step out of the matrix of unreality, you can see clearly for the first time. I became
keenly aware of how that old devil (the anointed cherub according to Ezekiel 28:14) can take his
anointing and attach it to something pagan. As we participate, we accept that perverted
anointing with all of its glitter and awe, and we partake of the deception that Christmas is
wonderful and is all about Jesus, as we succumb to the spell. Its a startling revelation when
you realize that Satan has the ability to make something look and feel so appealing, when its
designed for our destruction. We have underestimated his cunning abilities and have been
oblivious to his seduction. Weve fallen prey to his devices. Its the same seduction that causes
us to think those cartoons, that portray witchcraft as good, are innocent and cute.
A couple of weeks ago, my husband made a statement as he was preaching that I had to ask
God about. I knew that my husband was under the anointing of the Holy Spirit when he made
this statement: Christmas is not worth going to hell over. My husband and I have discussed
numerous times how the celebration of Christmas is not a salvation issue, but it is an issue of
opening a door to an attack from the enemy. This is what I heard the Holy Spirit say:
Christmas is going to be the catalyst in the future for believers losing their faith. There is such
a deception over Christmas that many will not receive the truth. Consequently, they will be
drawn further and further into the last days deception and be led away from Him. In the last
17 years, my obedience to the Holy Spirit (in what most would consider extremely difficult
decisions) has paved the way for me to have my eyes opened. Each step I took in returning to
biblical truths propelled me to more freedom from the influence of Satans deception. Keeping
the Sabbath as prescribed in the Word of God, eating according to Leviticus 11, turning away
from Babylon and Egypt and their practices have all been life changing for our family both
spiritually and physically. Once you step outside of this incredible delusion that Satan has
prepared for these last days, it is hard to see how we could have ever been this deceived its
actually mind blowing. I truly believe that God is warning all of us that there is danger ahead if
we dont examine our traditions and make changes accordingly. I dont consider this a trivial
issue. Struggles with family members and friends arise at even the mention of making some of
these changes. The gravity of the entire discussion weighs heavily upon me.
Now, I want you to look at how we have been set up to fail in these last days. We have been
tricked into not being obedient to the Word of God. For decades we all have been participating
in these pagan traditions with no apparent repercussions (although I believe we have all
suffered at different degrees many people suffer with depression over the holidays). We
have all been taught that the Sabbath is Sunday. We spend the biblical Sabbath (Friday night to
Saturday night) rushing to do chores, taking our kids to ballgames, shopping, etc. By following
the teaching that Sunday is the Sabbath, we are not resting and keeping holy the true Sabbath
and, thereby, breaking one of the Ten Commandments. Im not trying to give Satan glory, but
the truth is that Satan has been a smooth operator and executed a massive ruse, while we were
boasting from the pulpits that he was stupid.
Im simply trying to make others aware of the fact that Satan has put us in a vulnerable
position. Essentially, we have been poised for destruction. Satan has been preparing a legal
z
case gathering his evidence against each of us for every time we did not keep the Sabbath and
every time we joined with the world in pagan celebrations. Satan has amassed all of the
evidence against us, and he is getting ready to launch his greatest legal offensive. No one has
repented, because we havent known that we have sinned. Satans plan is coming together.
Even though God has sent His prophets to sound the alarm and show the way to safety, Satan is
satisfied that most will continue as they have for decades. After all, with his twisting of the
scriptures, he has a majority of believers fooled into discarding the Old Testaments instruction.
Standing in the victory of Jesus requires us to overlay the Old Testament with the New
Testament, not throw the Old Testament out. Believe it or not, they fit together perfectly.
Satan knows that he has put us in a position where our legal defense is weak. Where is the
Bride of Christ? We are supposed to be without spot or wrinkle; Satans deception has
rendered us disobedient, powerless, physically impaired and clothed in dirty attire not fitting
for our Righteous King. Satan is going in for the kill. I am hearing one report after another of
believers being involved in horrid accidents resulting in death, others with life-threatening
illnesses, and other alarming events. These are good, faith-filled people so where are we
missing it? I believe the aforementioned is part of the problem.
What God showed me in 1995 is coming to pass, and I believe that many of the attacks that I
have seen can be averted. Heres my plea research our traditions; test these traditions
against the Word of God; and, above all, pray and ask God to show you the truth. He will
answer your prayer He is the Spirit of Truth. Then, the rest is up to you. The decisions to get
your family to the safety outlined in the 91
st
Psalm can be made with determination and prayer.
In 1995, God told me that He was going to prepare a safe place in Missouri. There are people
preparing the Ozarks to be that safe place all around me Im not even sure if they are aware
of the big picture, but it is exciting confirmation to me.
I grieve for our nation and for whats coming on the people with areas of their lives open to
attacks from the enemy. My hearts cry is that believers get to a safe place, and I pray each day
for more time and for Gods supernatural help. If we could see in the spirit realm, I am
convinced that we would see angels trying to reach believers in danger, but they are engaged in
battle with (and being hindered by) demonic forces that have a legal right to surround the
people. The following are doors that need to be addressed very soon:
Are you a freemason or a descendent of a freemason? The attacks that I have
witnessed on families of freemasons are some of the most disturbing that I have seen.
These doors must be addressed in prayer for the safety of the children.
Do you have any ancestry in witchcraft, astrology, New Age, or any other form of the
occult? These doors can have an enormous impact on your spiritual walk.
Do you have American Indian ancestry? The Cherokee bloodlines are particularly
attacked.
Are you taking Friday evening to Saturday evening and devoting time to God and
resting? Even if you attend church on Sunday, please pray about your activities on the
biblical Sabbath.
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Are you still celebrating Christmas, Easter, and other pagan celebrations?
ON A MUCH LIGHTER NOTE:
In subsequent articles, I am looking forward to sharing some of the pleasant aspects of our
transitional journey. I am going to share recommendations on presenting your families and
communities with the many heart-warming aspects of the celebrations of the Feast of
Tabernacles, Purim, etc. We consider the opportunity to observe the Feasts of the Lord a
privilege, and we have felt the presence of the Lord as we worship Him during these times. I
understand the challenges of moving in drastic ways from our societys traditions, but we hope
to extend our encouragement and ideas (food, decorations and activities for the children) on
how to make this transition as smooth as possible for those courageous souls whose hearts
long to know the truth about walking in the blessings of Deut 28. Our celebrations are unique;
our congregation feels a call to introduce believers to our Hebraic heritage - our focus is always
on the Lord Jesus Christ in these feasts. I pray that you will find the Feasts of the Lord to be
anointed gatherings with all of the blessings that God bestows. My grandchildren have only
known these joyous celebrations, along with other parties that we have designed just for the
family. It is possible for your families to look as forward to these celebrations as the ones we
grew up with.
May you know the Lord Jesus Christ and the fullness of His joy.
Mary L. Lake has worked alongside her husband, Dr. Michael K.
Lake, for almost thirty years. In the mid 90s, God set her free from
depression and activated her prophetic giftings. She is the author of
the book What W|tches Dont Want Chr|st|ans to know and serves
in ministry with her husband at Biblical Life.
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ow you can use a blending of the powerful curriculum at
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N
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Biblical Life Kids
Corner: Teach
Them Diligently
by Stephanie Emmerson
And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall
teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your
house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Deuteronomy 6: 6-7
s a mom, I have to admit that I find these scriptures so inspiring and yet terrifying, all at
the same time. What an enormous responsibility God gives us as parents! I didnt fully
realize the enormity of these instructions until my first son was born. All of a sudden, I
was not only responsible for caring for the daily needs of this precious gift, but I was called to
teach him diligently the Word of God! At that moment, I felt completely inadequate to meet
this challenge. Arent you glad His grace is sufficient?
I grew up with the traditional holidays of Christmas, Easter, etc. It wasnt until my late
teens that we began to learn about and keep the Sabbath and Biblical Feasts. Ill admit that
changing the way I thought about the holidays wasnt easy. I loved everything that I thought I
knew about them. I loved decorating, baking and big celebrations. Unfortunately, Christmas
and Easter were the holidays that I knew how to celebrate well. A good part of our year was
spent planning and looking forward to these celebrations. But as we began to look at the
Biblical Feasts, I was grieved by the lies that we had inherited and how far those lies had caused
us to stray from what God intended for His people. Learning about the appointed times of God
was very exciting! They are days for us to look back and remember all that He has done and
days that cause us to look ahead and long for His return. But to tell you the truth, I was a little
stumped! I had no idea how to make these days memorable and exciting for my children. But
my hearts desire was to find out how to teach them in a way that made these times something
they would look forward to all year long. So my journey began
A
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I have the great privilege of homeschooling our two boys. I can tell you that this has
been the most rewarding and, at times, the most exhausting experience of my life. I read
recently that a four year old asks an average of 437 questions a day. I can totally believe this!
As my family can testify, Nathan meets this quota every single day. While this can be very
trying, to say the least, I find that all of those questions make the verses of Deuteronomy 6
seemwell, doable. Its in the midst of all those questions - in the midst of the daily grind - that
you teach them. Its an easier and much more natural process than I imagined. In the
simplicity and innocence of their questions, they draw it out of you. Sometimes this requires a
lot of prayer and searching to find the answers. The simple way that they see and trust God can
be a lesson to us all. When we look at the example Jesus set in Mark, Chapter 10, we see just
how important children are to Him. Over and over, He made time for them. In the midst of
everything else He could have been doing, He stopped and gave them His attention and
affection. They were the standard of faith. They werent an inconvenience or something to be
seen and not heard. I cant imagine that their 437 questions would have given Him anything
but joy. Theyre naturally inquisitive. Its simply how He made them. They deserve our time,
attention, and affection as well. They come to us as a blank canvas, and its our job to fill that
canvas with the beautiful picture of their Messiah and His Kingdom. Its in the process of filling
that canvas that I am constantly amazed at how my view of God changes and the lessons the
Father teaches me through my childrens faith. Thats just my two cents about kids. Back to
the journey
In making the transition from the customs of Babylon to flowing with the times and
seasons of Gods kingdom, I believe that the first thing you need to establish in your home is
the Sabbath. Were going back to basics here! In celebrating His Sabbath each week, we follow
the example He gave us at creation. Its a day to rest, a day to worship, and a day thats
different and set apart from the rest of our hectic week. Who doesnt need that? Its a day to
remember our Creator and marvel at the wonders of His creation. Dont make it a long list of
things you can and cant do, especially if this is new to your family. Sabbath doesnt mean
bored and miserable. It doesnt mean that youre stuck at home with nothing to do. Get
together with family and friends. Talk about all that God has done for you that week. Go
outside and enjoy a beautiful day. Celebrate this day for the great gift that it isa gift He gives
us 52 times each year. The Sabbath is supposed to be a delight to His people! It quickly
became my childrens favorite day of the week. Ill share with you just a few of the things that
weve done in our home that have made this day something we cant wait to get to.
On Fridays, we try to put schoolwork and errands aside by lunchtime so that the
afternoon can be spent preparing for the Sabbath. Preparing for the Sabbatheasier said than
done with a house full of kids, right? Ive found a little bit of planning goes a long way. I ran
across a blog about raising boys, and they had something they called Fort Fridays. Every
Friday we build a new fort. Sometimes its a bunch of blankets thrown over the dining room
chairs, and sometimes its a pop-up tent in the back yard or just a big cardboard box that
becomes a rocket ship or secret cave. Whatever it is that week, its usually enough to keep the
boys occupied while I get some housework done and meals prepared. Its awesome! Fort
Fridays forever!
zg
Long work days and extracurricular activities make it a challenge to sit down and eat
dinner together every day, but the Sabbath is the night we make it a priority. Its a time
together that we guard and cherish. We have special placemats and table settings that we try
to only use on Friday nights, and the boys love to help set the table. Another great idea for
little ones is to let them color their own Shabbat placemats and laminate them. Its neat to see
how their artwork changes over the years. It doesnt matter if its elegant or goofy, as long as
its something special that will make great memories for you and your family. Pray together! It
sounds simple, but its so important. Take this time to speak blessings over each of your
children, and tell them that they have a special destiny in Gods Kingdom. Now Id love to say
that we always have this impressive, extravagant meal and our Sabbaths are picture perfect,
but the truth is that sometimes we just have pancakes and sometimes the boys fight like cats
and dogs. Sometimes the house is still a mess, and I think thats okay. Its not about
perfection. Its not about trying to impress anyone. Its about setting this day apart to honor
God, enjoy your family, and REST!
After dinner, we all pile up on the couch for a special time of devotions. Im sure this will evolve
as our children get older, but for now were using a kids devotional book. Pick one that you
think your family will enjoy and save it for Friday nights, or wing it as the Spirit leads you. Right
now were reading Discovering Jesus in Genesis by Susan and Richie Hunt. It reads like a
storybook, and each chapter has a Treasure of Wisdom and Knowledge along with a memory
verse and some discussion questions. I think my husband and I have enjoyed it as much as the
boys! Sometimes we play board games or watch a family movie. Creatures that Defy Evolution
is a great video series that will really help you see just how detailed God was when He created
this amazing world. The boys have always been fascinated with animals and love learning
about how God made each of them with special features and a unique purpose. In a world that
is so determined to deny the Creator, I think its increasingly important to teach our children to
recognize Gods hand in everything we see around us. Theres no better time to do this than
the Sabbath!
If keeping the Sabbath is something completely new to you, I pray that this inspires you
to seek out truth and enjoy the gift of rest He has given us. I truly believe when you set this day
apart, rest, and honor the Creator that the peace of God will fill your home, and His blessings
will begin to flow in your family just as they have in ours. My hope is that we can all learn from
each other in this journey to teach them diligently!
Stephanie
)o
Childrens Book for a
Hebraic Perspective
Books by Roma Kottke, M.C.E. - Roma received her
Master of Christian Education degree from Biblical Life College
and Seminary. She and her husband (Chad) are members of
Biblical Life Assembly. God has gifted her with the ability to share powerful principles of the
Kingdom in such a way that captivates the hearts of children. We are sure that your family will
treasure these books.
The Kingdom
The Kingdom is a fun and colorful book, either for children
or the coffee table, that describes Yeshua's (Jesus')
Millennial Kingdom in a simple and hopeful way.
Purchase at Amazon.Com
The Torah
The Torah is fun and colorful book that introduces the
importance of the Torah to children.
Messiah
The Messiah is a fun and colorful book, either for children or the
coffee table, that describes Yeshua's (Jesus') love in a simple and
hopeful way.
)
Creation
A fun and colorful book that teaches children about Yeshua's
creation.
Available at Amazon.Com
Other Resources from
Biblical Life Assembly
Eating Gods Way
By Michael K. Lake, Th.D
Did you know that God is concerned about what you eat? Have you
examined what the Word of God says about the existence of clean
and unclean animals before Moses? Did you know that what you
eat can affect your soul? Did you know that Gentile believers ate
according to Leviticus 11 in New Testament times?
Over the years, our traditions and carnal appetites have skewed
our interpretation of what the Old and New Testaments teach
about food. We have also taken many Scriptures out of context as
prooftexts to justify our eating habits. Isnt it time to return to a lifestyle that is completely
biblical?
Eating Gods Way provides an honest and balanced hermeneutical examination of every
major Scripture that deals with what God wants us to eat, what He wants us to avoid, and
why. Let Eating Gods Way become your handbook for learning (and explaining) Gods
instruction for spiritual and physical health!
Purchase Paperback Edition at Amazon.
Purchase Kindle Edition at Amazon.
What Witches Dont Want Christians to Know
By Mary L. Lake
The pages of this book recount some shocking events in a small
town in Missouri. Mary Lake had struggled with depression for
years and couldn't find the joy that the scriptures indicate is
available to all Christians. In her quest to find answers, she was
not only healed and delivered, but this process uncovered a
startling revelation of dark practices in the small town where she
was raised. God shined the light on some of Satan's greatest
secrets. In this book, she shares how God protected her family
from assassination attempts and face-to-face encounters with
)z
Satan's followers, who were desperately trying to keep their secrets hidden. She also shares
the truths that her family learned during this process that were essential for their safety, as
she endeavored to break down the prison doors for the people that she loved. These biblical
truths will help any Christian family stay under the protective cover of Almighty God.
Purchase Paperback Edition at Amazon
Purchase Kindle Edition at Amazon
Restoring Biblical Foundations
By Chad Kottke, M.Div.
God gave the church a sure foundation in the Scriptures, but
various doctrines throughout the centuries have taken away
from or added to the truths of Scripture. Restoring Biblical
Foundations returns to two foundational aspects of Scripture
covenant and Torah to examine what God says about each
one. The covenant section is a review of seven covenants that
God has made with man. These covenants are shown to
complement one other as they come together to form the
covenant that Jesus the Messiah has made with His body. The
Torah section develops principles about the Torah from nearly
two hundred passages of Scripture. These Biblical principles
are then used to build an extensive definition of Torah, and to
show that the Torah is a necessary part of a believers walk.
Purchase Paperback Edition at Amazon.
))
Biblical Life Publishing
Looking for More?
Use these materials in personal study or a home group setting. Complete studies series from
Biblical Life that include:
Professionally printed study guides.
Teaching sessions in either MP3 or DVD.
Subjects available from Biblical Life Publishing:
Priesthood of the Believer
The Leader of One
Kingdom Authority and Warfare 1 3
Biblical Life Prayer Dynamics
Feasts of the LORD
Eating Gods Way
The Bond Servant
Holy Fire Strange Fire
Growing in Grace
Covenant Faith (Coming Soon)
Paths to Walk In 1 (Coming Soon)
www.biblical-life.net

Biblical Life Emag 2 Spiritual Warfare Issue

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SpiritualWarfareIssue|Summer2012

Biblical Life eMag

Biblical Life eMag | Spiritual Warfare Issue 2012

Biblical Life eMag | Spiritual Warfare Issue 2012

Biblical Life eMag | Spiritual Warfare Issue 2012

Biblical Life eMag | Spiritual Warfare Issue 2012

Biblical Life eMag | Spiritual Warfare Issue 2012

Biblical Life eMag | Spiritual Warfare Issue 2012

Biblical Life eMag | Spiritual Warfare Issue 2012

Biblical Life eMag | Spiritual Warfare Issue 2012

Biblical Life eMag | Spiritual Warfare Issue 2012

Biblical Life eMag | Spiritual Warfare Issue 2012

Biblical Life eMag | Spiritual Warfare Issue 2012

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