A city that was thriving with exquisite poetry, royal decrees, massive military strength, and many thought provoking philosophies was the super power of the day. In ancient Rome the citizens were free to worship many gods.  One top student of the highly regarded Hebrew teacher, Gamaliel – was a young Jewish boy named Saul. Saul came to Rome as a Pharisee who had been exposed to all the deceived hearts of the citizens of  Rome.  Saul was born in Tarsus, in the tribe of Benjamin, he had attended synagogue regularly and was known as a Hebrew among Hebrews. Saul was given authority from the High Priest to persecute any Jew who followed Jesus.  Today, our self indulgence urges us to chase our dreams, and to celebrate our freedoms. Is our measure of significance found in our followers on social media, or in God’s word? Examine closely.

What we seek is either in direct rebellion or in humble obedience to God. Take a deep dive into a word God gave Paul to pen. The emphasis is that our fight is NOT against flesh and blood, but against principalities of darkness. 2000 years ago the Gospel came into the wayward culture of Rome. The collapse of America began with the same Dark Trinity. 1) The god of Baal, the god of the turning away, a nation seduced into materialism. 2) The god of Ashtoreth, the principality of lust, the destruction of holy marriage, prostitutes, and pornography. The 1960 sexual revolution yet thrives as the merging of male and female remains the assignment of Ashtoreth, transgender confusion is her doing. 3) The god of Molack was glamorized in 1973 as a law was passed authorizing abortion. Saul knew God’s law, but missed knowing God. Saul had his plan, BUT GOD had use for this passionate student of God’s Word. Be transformed by the appeal of Paul. “Present your body as a living sacrifice.” Paul wrote out all the mercies of God in the first eleven chapters of the book of Romans.  Chapter 12 represents the response of a people who are grateful for all the favor God has already extended.  Paul’s plea is that we surrender ourselves to God. Our FULL submission is our acceptable sacrifice. Every day CHANGES happen in our health, economy, family, and in our associations. The deep question is: Do people witness the eternal CHANGE in us? The people who knew Saul before he was Paul, knew that Saul was a different, set apart person of GOD. Previously, Saul knew God’s law, but after Saul encountered Jesus, Saul was transformed into Paul, a man who KNEW GOD personally.  God knows us.

Paul wrote 13 books: Romans, First and Second Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, First and Second Thessalonians, First and Second Timothy, Titus and Philemon. “And “IF” the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you.” 8:11 The fire of the Holy Spirit indeed lit up the pen of Paul! As God’s servant, Paul wrote to the new believers in Rome. The temptations in the world today are the same as they were in Rome. The most important thing we can do is PAY ATTENTION to the WORDS that God gave Paul to pen. We have been set apart and saved by Jesus Christ for His divine purpose while on earth. Paul’s enthusiastic letters should grip us with conviction; to do God’s will today. God stirred the heart of Paul to emphasize that we have an obligation to eagerly share our testimonies to the glory of God. Wherever we live, let us NOT keep our salvation a secret. It is a miracle how a simple prayer of repentance invokes such a dynamic heart change! The Holy Spirit enters our most holy place, the unseen treasury of our heart space. We have a new life “in Christ”. Paul’s white hot conviction was in full flame after he experienced the fullness of God’s power! Jesus prayed that we be one in Him. “that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in US so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.” John 17:21

“The righteous will live by faith.” Living by faith can be as easy as flipping a light switch on. As we turn a light on, we trust that the dark gets replaced with light! By saying YES to JESUS, we can not see what is going on in our soul’s atmosphere, but when the Holy Spirit enters, the Light of the world fills us. We are told what faith is by God. “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 1:1) If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, you were given faith. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8 Every born again believer, baptized in water and by the Holy Spirit, are God equipped to do mighty works in Jesus name. Prior to accepting Jesus as Lord, Paul tried to keep all the Law of Moses. After Ananias laid hands on him, Paul received the Holy Spirit and was forever grateful for his freedom in Christ. We, too, walk in the Spirit without guilt, shame, or fear but in the full power of the Holy Spirit. “And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.”

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans8:1 “Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:17 Paul talks about the peace and joy that we have by the grace of God. “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; character, and hope. And hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who He has given us.” Through the power of the indwelt Holy Spirit, we are more than conquerors in Christ. “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? The one who keeps God’s commands lives in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us.” 1 John 3:24 People in Rome and today ask what they must do. Jesus answered; “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:29

A prophetic Word given by Jonathan Cahn in 2024 leads us into a deeper truth as to what we are witnessing today in America. Submit to God, get right with God, and do not be deceived. Jonathan emphasizes that our fight is NOT against flesh and blood, but against principalities of darkness. Jonathan recounts his visit to India, Cuba, Brazil and Africa and the spirits he came up against.

Maturity is unshaken by criticism or flattery. Maturity has the ability to delay gratification. Maturity is the fruit of self-discipline. Maturity is not ruled by emotions. “Not my will, but God’s will be done.” Maturity expresses gratitude constantly, regardless of the circumstance. Maturity prefers others over self. Maturity is teachable and leaders do not have a know-it-all spirit. Maturity is responsible and they do not conform to the opinions of others, for God is their only Judge. Maturity brings freedom. Leaders accentuate the benefits as they execute wisdom. They allow results to speak for themselves. Don’t run from the FIGHT, take your ground, take your place before God., receive the victory.