JULY/AUGUST 1997 Vol. 1, No. 4

IN THIS ISSUE:

What Does The Bible Say About -- UFO's
Covenant -- R.S. "Bud" Miller
Purpose And Vision -- Copyright Information
Letters To The Editor -- Our Answers
Spiritual Warfare -- Steadfastness Needed for Victory
Exposing Satan's Devices -- Two Powers in the Earth
End Times -- Mark of God or Mark of the Beast
Prophetic Voice To The Church -- Prophecy for the 90's
Little Foxes (Little Compromises) -- Smoking
Share And Tell -- Internet Testimonies
Prayer Focus Spotlight -- Praying for Others
Special Guest -- Pastor Steven Ross
Book Review -- Exposing Satan's Devices
Poetry Corner -- Prophetic Poem
Personal Word From The Millers -- Closing Words
Past Issues of the Digest -- Archives
Return to Main Menu

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT....UFO'S?

by Betty Miller

UFO Followers

There has been a lot about UFO's (Unidentified Flying Objects) in the news headlines lately. The tragic events stemming from the extra-terrestrial beliefs of members of the Heaven's Gate Cult in Rancho Santa Fe, California, U.S.A., made headlines in March of 1997. Thirty-nine cult members committed suicide with the belief that a spaceship was following the Hale-Bopp Comet (the great comet of 1997) and they were to die so their spirits could rendezvous with the alien ship and be taken to a higher realm of life. As the background of this group was investigated, more and more astounding and bizarre revelations were exposed. The group's belief that they were catching a ride on a UFO hiding behind Comet Hale-Bopp plus the fact that eight of the male members of the group had been castrated were weird enough, but one of the most blasphemous things that we learned about the group's leader, a man called "Do", was that he believed he was Jesus. ("Do's" real name was Marshall Applewhite.) Below, we quote from information posted on Heaven's Gate website:

"A member of the Kingdom of God -- the Evolutionary Level Above Human -- I, who am called "Do", acknowledge that: I am about to return to my Father's Kingdom. This "return" requires that I prepare to lay down my borrowed human body in order to take up, or reenter, my body (biological) belonging to the Kingdom of God (as I did approximately 2000 years ago, as Jesus, when I laid down the human body that was about 33 years old in order to reenter my body belonging to the Kingdom of Heaven)."

There was already a lot of cyberspace controversy about this comet and the purported spaceship following it. It was supposedly intelligently guided and designed to prove to the world that extraterrestrial and/or nonphysical spirit-beings exist along with spaceships or "flying saucers".

The Roswell Incident

Another UFO controversy making the headlines was the Roswell, New Mexico incident that fifty years ago reported the crash landing of what some called a "flying saucer". The military found scraps of metallic foil and stick-line material near Roswell, N.M. back in 1947. At first, the report said the wreckage came from a flying saucer, but this report was quickly withdrawn and it was claimed instead that it came from a weather balloon. In 1994 the federal government said the balloon-borne apparatus was actually used in a top-secret monitoring project. Others believe the government has covered up evidence of an actual alien body that they found at the time of the crash. Government leaders have officially closed the case declaring they were dropping test dummies along with their balloon experiments.

The Phoenix Sightings

In the state of Arizona, where my husband and I reside, there have also been recent UFO sightings. The Arizona flap (also called the "Phoenix Sightings") became big news to the UFO research community last March 13, 1997, when an enormous object (or objects, depending on whom you talk to) was observed over several Arizona cities by thousands of witnesses and videotaped by dozens of them. (The object was most often described as a series of six lights forming a v-formation and trailed by a seventh light. The other common descriptive was that it was enormous -- reports describe it as anywhere from three football fields to a mile long -- and silent as it passes.) The object was seen by Arizona air traffic controllers who reported that it did not register on their radar screens. At last report, there was still no explanation of the strange lights.

End Time Deceptions

Over the last year there have been many movies, books, etc. that have dealt with this topic; the movie, Independence Day being one of them. There is a reason why there is such an interest in this subject. What does the Bible have to say about UFO's and extraterrestrial beings? First, let us look at some scripture that will give us some answers as to what is going on in the world at this time. In Matthew 24:3-14, Jesus gives us a description of our day.

Matthew 24:3-14:

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

This scripture tells us that in the time that Christ is to return to this earth the above conditions will be happening. Jesus particularly warns His people against "deception". Those sober minded people that are not even Christians can take one look at the "Heaven's Gate" cult members and realize they are deceived. They just don't understand how they got that way. Here is a man named "Do" that claimed he was Jesus Christ, just as the above scripture says some would do. This man was a false prophet leading others astray. What gave him the power to be able to do this? How were people so deceived that they would commit suicide? "Do" talked about moral righteousness and doing good and even quoted the Bible on occasion. This man was controlled by a seducing devil (evil spirit) that deceives others. Because he had an evil supernatural power he was able not only to deceive others, but he himself, was deceived in the process. "Do" was communing with demon spirits that he thought were extraterrestrial spirits from another planet. Actually these were demons from hell that were not only talking to him but manifesting themselves to him as well. He even believed the lie that he was Jesus Christ.

The true answers to the above questions lie within the scriptures. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 says,

13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

How can we protect ourselves from this sort of deception? The Bible tells us that we must study the Bible so we can know what the Holy Scriptures tell us about this kind of thing and avoid it.

Luke 21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

2 Timothy 3:13-17 & 2 Timothy 4:1:

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.

If "Do" really had known the Scripture he would have known the Lord's admonition in Deuteronomy 4:19 that says,

And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.

"Do" would not have been looking to the "heavens" and spaceships for the answers to life but would have been seeking the true creator of the heaven. His followers would have been spared if they had known this scripture:

Matthew 24:23-27:

23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.
26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

The scripture tells us that Jesus will one day return to this earth to judge all people and it is that event we should be preparing for as we watch the heavens for His return. He declared that this event would occur during a time of great deception in the earth (a perfect description of our day.)

"Do" was not only very deceived but so were all his followers. The men that he convinced to be castrated did not know the scripture that warns against that lie found in I Timothy 4:1-3:

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

It easy for most people to agree that "Do" and his followers were definitely deceived and listening to demons or if they don't believe demons exist, they at least know he was deranged. Some people believe that the reports of those who say they have had an encounter with an extraterrestrial being or a UFO are just imagining these things because they have watched too many science fiction movies. (Some of these reports probably do fall under this category.) However, many of the true believers in aliens and UFO's cannot be dismissed simply as oddballs or eccentrics. They include scientists, intellectuals, government leaders and astronauts. What are these strange sights invading the heavens and does the Bible give an explanation for them?

Natural or Supernatural?

First of all, we must understand that all unexplained sightings or strange manifestations have their origination from one of two sources: the "natural" or the "supernatural". If the source is something in the natural it can be explained by scientists or other people responsible for the occurrence. (The military sought to do this in regard to the crash of the so-called Roswell flying saucer with the explanation of a weather balloon and dummies falling from the sky.)

But what about unexplained lights in the sky that don't show up on radar such as the lights over Phoenix? If no physical explanation can be found for this phenomenon then we must assume we are dealing in the "supernatural" or spiritual realm. Then we must realize that all "supernatural" occurrences come from two sources: Satan or God. In the spiritual realm there are two kingdoms, Satan or the devil's kingdom and God's kingdom.

Since Satan is the enemy of God, he tries to lead people into deception by taking their attention to things that are not of God in order to ensnare their souls. The current emphasis on UFO's and aliens (extraterrestrial beings) is a disguise for Satan's activities and demons. They are designed to lead people astray. His tactic then is to blind people to the gospel of Jesus Christ by capturing their minds with a New Age philosophy that incorporates a belief in UFO's and aliens.

Demons Impersonating Aliens

Many science fiction movies over the last number of years have conditioned the hearts and minds of this generation to accept demons as aliens from outer space. Even very young children view E.T. as a friend. This sets them up to accept demons as good entities instead of the evil beings that they are. It is no wonder that "Do" was deluded into believing they were good heavenly visitors. Star Trek and Star Wars, along with a host of other science fiction movies, has encouraged an interest in life in outer space , thus preparing a whole generation to accept UFO's and aliens. They should be taught to stand against the deception that comes along with these movies and encouraged to understand the reality of a real heaven and hell. As Christian parents we should be very careful about allowing our children to view these sorts of movies as it prepares children early to accept the witchcraft and New Age philosophy incorporated in such films.

Most people that see UFO objects or "little green men from mars" are actually seeing something. What they fail to realize is what they see are not aliens from another planet, but evil spirits disguising themselves as aliens, to lead people astray. In many cases, the reason they see these demons manifest is because they have in some way opened their spirit up to receive this sort of deception. How can one do this? When anyone tampers with the things of darkness (Satan's domain) he becomes susceptible to Satan and his demons attacking or manifesting themselves to them.

Witchcraft Involvement Can Cause UFO Manifestations

Many people that see UFO's or extraterrestrial beings either have been involved in some type of witchcraft or the place they encounter these things has been a site for witchcraft or perhaps their close friends or family are involved in it. What is the scriptural definition of witchcraft? It is the power or practice of witches. Anything that is evil or occultic in nature constitutes witchcraft and is an abomination to God. The Bible speaks of Manasseh, one of the most wicked kings in Israel, practicing witchcraft and as a result Israel was taken captive by their enemies. (1 Chronicles 33). King Saul in the Old Testament consulted a witch for guidance and it resulted in his downfall and death (1 Samuel 28).

Misguided Christians often partake in witchcraft practices without knowing the truth about what they are doing and they end up suffering the consequences of their involvement. This happened to me many years ago when I, in ignorance, was going to "fortune tellers" and began studying astrology and other occultic teachings. I came under a very oppressive spirit of fear and torment and my health began to fail. Next, I started having severe relationship and financial problems. I knew nothing of the spiritual world of demons, until demon spirits began to invade my house and I began experiencing the manifestations of frightening sounds and smells. (The sound of a window glass breaking, yet there were no broken windows in the house. After I would go to one of my fortune tellers for a "reading" and would come home I would smell bees wax candles burning in the house; racing through the house I could find no candles burning.) Most of my fortune tellers claimed to be religious people, as they would many times do their readings with our hands placed on a Bible. (They would also ask me to put my money for their fees under the Bible.)

They were deceived and I fell into the trap of deception myself as I did not know the scripture forbade such practices. Not until I was filled with the Holy Spirit and began to study the scripture did I receive deliverance from these demon spirits.

Supernatural phenomenon surrounding UFO's in different areas can many times be traced to the practice of witchcraft in that area. When corporate Satanic practices are going on in certain vicinities, unexplained sounds as well as weird displays of sights, lights, and electrical shorts can occur. These will occur without any natural explanation as they are coming from the Satanic spirit world. Many times the practices by witches' covens will produce these sorts of Satanic manifestations. One of these practices is the slaying, blood letting and castrating of cattle or other animals. People who know nothing of the spirit world think these deaths were the result of extraterrestrial beings attacking the cattle or animals. The truth is those who are Satan's followers are seduced into animal sacrifices in order that they might know higher realms of his power. Satan's ultimate goal is to destroy these souls and damn them to hell.

Other scripture in the New Testament of the Bible tells us what we are to pursue and what we are to avoid so that we do not come under Satan's influence. Witchcraft is in this list.

Galatians 5:19-25:

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Lack of Knowledge Opens the Door for UFO Visits

Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge....". Many of God's own people can be destroyed if they become involved in some of our modern-day cults and New Age practices. We must seek the knowledge of the Word of God so that we are not vulnerable to Satan and his demons. Many Christians are wasting time reading too many worldly books and watching too much secular television while their spiritual knowledge of the things of God is very limited. This gives the enemy an advantage over them. The Lord does not want us to suffer destruction. The Bible tells us in John 10:10 that we have an enemy (Satan) who is a thief and he is the one who robs and destroys our lives. Jesus has come to give us the abundant life.

John 10:10-11:

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Many people who are deceived by cults are ignorant Christians who do not know their Bibles. We must return to the Word of God as the standard for our guidance and our answers. We are warned in 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 to not accept any other gospel but the gospel of Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:3-4:

3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Only knowledge of the truth can keep us from the spirit of error. We must first receive the true Gospel which is found in John 3:16-21:

John 3:16-21:

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

We live in perilous times. As Christians we are promised that we shall not be destroyed but through the power of the Holy Spirit we shall be able to live an overcoming life in Him. However, if we do not seek Him and His truth, desiring His righteousness, we can become deceived and believe a lie as spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2:8-13:

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.

Satan Performs Lying Signs and Wonders

From this scripture we can see that Satan is able to perform "signs and lying wonders." Among these are the Satanic UFO manifestations. God is also capable of performing supernatural signs and wonders but His works will always bring glory to God and point people to salvation through Jesus Christ. We must have the discernment to know what is of God and what is not of Him. This only comes as we know Him personally and know more of His Word. In 1 John 4:1-6 we are given this advice:

1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Power of God's Spirit Will Keep Us From Deception

We must have the power of the Holy Spirit to live in victory and overcome the enemy and his deceptions at this hour. We must ask to be filled with the Spirit and seek Him with our whole heart and turn away from all that is not of Him. Pride stands in the way of many. We must not be high minded, but seek God in humility asking Him to keep us from deception and error in this hour of much evil.

2 Timothy 3:1-7:

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

As Christians we are admonished in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 to "Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good."

If you are one of those who have been ensnared by Satan's deceptions, there is a way out. The Bible says in James 4:7-8:

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."

If you know people who are in bondage to Satan and his deceptions, remember we are to pray for them to receive the light. We are called to love. We must remember our battle is not with people (flesh and blood) but with the forces of darkness that hold their minds captive to a lie. The Bible should have the last word on this subject. Here is what we are told in Ephesians 6:10-18:

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Life In Outer Space?

The only worlds the Bible speaks of as being inhabited are this earth, heaven and hell. This does not rule out the possibility of other galaxies that have planets that contain life but the Bible was given to man so he would know how to live in this life and procure heavenly life in the world to come.

To speculate on things that the Bible is silent about is presumptuous to me. Many people are spending hours seeking to understand the mysteries of the universe but haven't even taken the time to understand the mysteries of this life that are revealed in the Bible. To me it is more egotistical to theorize and allow my imagination to conjure up things that the Bible is silent about. Many people seeking the mysteries of outer space are prone to receiving suggestions and suppositions that are not Biblically based. When we delve into things that the Bible is not commanding us to seek we open ourselves up to deception. As Christians our goal should be to first be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ and to then get the gospel out.

I do not know everything God has in store for His children in the world to come, perhaps exploring the galaxies is one of them. However, we should leave those things to God and the future we have been promised in Him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

NOTE: If you desire more knowledge on the origin of Satan and his demons and how you can be free from his power, we have a book in our Chapel Bookstore entitled EXPOSING SATAN'S DEVICES. It has a list of major cults and occultic practices with a checklist of warning signs to alert you to any false group that could ensnare you or your loved ones in their deceptions.

Click here to order EXPOSING SATAN'S DEVICES from the CHAPEL BOOKSTORE

Return to Table of Contents for this Issue

R. S. "Bud" Miller

Note: (This teaching is continued from last month's Overcoming Life Digest. See Menu above for Archives.)

WHAT IS A BLOOD COVENANT?

For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats . . . and sprinkled both the book, and all the people. Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission (of sins). Hebrews 9:19-22

Very simply stated, a covenant is a contract. A Biblical blood covenant is a contract ratified (or made legal) by the shedding of blood. This kind of covenant also doubled as a "last will and testament," which could not be fulfilled until one of the parties to the covenant died (Hebrews 9:16,17).

The shedding of animal blood was a "token" and assurance that the death of the real "testator" and eternal sacrifice, Jesus, would occur in due time.

The blood covenants, old and new, were legally binding agreements between God and Abraham's descendants, natural and spiritual (Galatians 3:29). The New Covenant, fulfilled and ratified in the blood of Jesus, is the "title deed" to what we inherit as Christians.

Before becoming an evangelist and pastor, I was a businessman for many years. I understood contracts and what the signing of one meant for all parties involved. (A contract is an agreement between two parties and the signing of that agreement made the contract a legal and binding covenant.) When I ran across this in the Word of God, the concept was a reality in my spirit. I saw that as born again believers in Christ, we have a literal contract with God which He will not break because He is not a man that He should lie.

Numbers 23:19 says, God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

WE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH GOD

Praise God, what a blessing that fact was to me as a new believer! In all the years since that time, the reality of this truth has never grown old in my understanding. The knowledge that we have a contract with the Creator of the Universe is something you can "hang your hat on", something that will never pass away. We can always trust God to keep His Word to us. He will never go back on His word. Men in the world many times violate their contracts and go back on their word, but God will not and cannot go back on His Word. As men we may fail to keep our word but God will never fail to keep His. He is always faithful. If we understand this about God from the very beginning we can always trust Him and believe what he says He will do.

As we begin to understand clearly how faithful He is, we can gain a strong confidence in all His promises to us which are recorded in the Bible. When we really understand that the Almighty God -- the Alpha and Omega -- has entered into an everlasting contract with us, we cannot help but walk in this earth with a victorious attitude! Let us see how this came about.

The Hebrew word for covenant is b'rith (pronounced "bereeth"). It is derived from the word for "cutting" (bara) in the sense of passing between pieces of flesh; to "cut or strike" (we use the term today when making an agreement with someone that we "struck" or "cut" an agreement with them). It also means to compact, to federate, or (to join in a) league.¹ The nearest equivalent for this Hebrew term we have today is a "contract."

The Greek word translated "covenant" in the New Testament is diatheke (pronounced "dee-ath-ay-kay"). It comes from a root word meaning "to put apart, i.e. (fig.) dispose (by assignment, compact, or bequest):-- appoint, make, testator."²

New Testament usage of diatheke includes:

(a) a promise or undertaking, human or divine

(b) a promise or undertaking on the part of God

(c) an agreement, a mutual undertaking between God and Israel

(d) a token of the covenant, or promise, made to Abraham

(e) the record of the covenant

(f) the basis, established by the death of Christ, on which the salvation of men is secured.³

A second Greek word, suntithemi, is literally "to put together," and means "to determine, agree, assent, and covenant."⁴

In other words, the same Hebrew and Greek words can be translated "promise" as well as "covenant." Therefore, in reading the Bible, we must understand the difference between promises of God to an individual, or to all mankind (as when He promised not to destroy the earth and all flesh again with water as happened in the days of Noah-- Genesis 9:9-17), and between definite blood covenants, or contracts ratified in blood.

God's promises are as unchanging and irrevocable as His contracts. However, some of the promises, such as the one to Noah on behalf of mankind, were not two-party contracts. In other words, man did not have to do anything for God's promise to come true not to destroy the earth or all flesh again with water.

Some of God's promises were not "two-party contracts," but were conditional on the behavior of those to whom the promises were made. (See Deuteronomy 28; Leviticus 26.)

There are two blood covenants in the Bible that were ratified in blood and were to be everlasting:

*The first -- the "old" -- made the natural descendants of Abraham the "people of God." They were chosen to take His light to the world and to become a "holy nation" (Exodus 19:6). But this covenant was limited, because the real sacrifice had not yet been made. Those covered by the Old Covenant were as "minor children" to God (Galatians 4:1-3).

*The second and last covenant -- the "new" -- fulfilled the Old Covenant with better clauses and more rights for those coming to the Lord under it. Born-again believers are sons of God, not minor children (Galatians 4:4,5).

A new covenant was not made because God changed His mind or "missed it" the first time! The "better" covenant, or the total ratifying of the first blood covenant, had been prophesied by inspiration of the Holy Spirit since the days of Abraham.

In other words, the "old" always was intended to be expanded, amplified, and improved in the reality of the new when the Messiah came (Hebrews 8:7-13). Without the Lamb of God (Jesus) being offered once and for all, there could be no eternal blood covenant between God and man.

In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. (Hebrews 8:13)

    ______________________________________________________________

Endnotes:

¹Strong, James. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), "Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary," #1254,1285, pp. 23,24.

²Strong's, "Greek Dictionary of the New Testament," #1242,1303, pp. 22,23

³Vine, W.E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of the Old and New Testaments (Old Tappan: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1981), Vol. 1, pp. 250,251.

⁴Ibid.

(To be continued next month)

(Excerpt from the book entitled: COVENANT God's Guarantee for Victorious Living)

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THE OVERCOMING LIFE DIGEST is published for the purpose of strengthening the Body of Christ by furnishing teaching literature and a prophetic voice to the church in these last days. CHRIST UNLIMITED is helping and working with all Bible-believing Christians regardless of their church or denominational affiliations in promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. CHRIST UNLIMITED believes the hour is late and we must fulfill the great commission. We desire, as Christians, to cooperate with the Lord in breaking down denominational walls. We believe we should all stand for a united front line against the kingdom of darkness. Our goal is to do our part in establishing the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ in the earth through the power of the Holy Spirit.

CHRIST UNLIMITED MINISTRIES, INC. and CHRIST UNLIMITED PUBLISHING provide such tools through literature as to enable the saints of God to take the Kingdom and walk in the overcoming life as promised us in John 10:10 & Revelation 21:7.

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Josh M. (GA) writes:

I was just typing some addresses and came upon your site.

This site is good for young children. I'm only 14 and I know how hard it is to live in today's world and how hard it is to live a Christian life. This and other sites like it help me to encourage others to live for JESUS.

Editor's Reply:

We are blessed by your encouraging words. We commend you, Josh, for living for the Lord. We know it isn't easy but the Lord has great rewards for all those who follow Him. We plan to publish articles that will help young people in these trying times. We are praying that the UFO article this edition will help young people avoid some of the deceptions in our day. Bless you and keep witnessing!

Blessings!

Pastors Bud & Betty Miller

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Freeman writes:

Hello. My friend and I were curious of whether or not the symbol people have on their cars with "Jesus" or "Jesus Lives" surrounded by a fish-like symbol is actually a fish. I was under the impression that it was not a fish at all, but some religious symbol. Could you please help me out on this one?

Editor's Reply:

Dear Freeman:

Actually it is both. The fish sign originated when first century Christians were being persecuted by Rome. The emperor was having many Christians thrown to the lions or crucified so it was very dangerous if someone knew you were a Christian. Christians devised the symbol of the fish to let one another know if they were true Christians before they divulged who they were. One Christian would draw one curving line of the fish and the other Christian would complete the fish outline by drawing the other line. They then knew it was safe to share about the Lord Jesus Christ. Modern day Christians now have added the name of Jesus in Greek in the center of the symbol to identify that they are Christians.

We hope this helps you. Are you a Christian? If you would like more information about the Christian life go to our web site http://christunlimited.com and look under the Overcoming Life Digest link. We have several tracts there that are free. Bless you.

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Betty Miller

Note: (This teaching is continued from last month's Overcoming Life Digest. See Table of Contents for Archives.)

STEADFASTNESS NEEDED FOR VICTORY

Spiritual victories can take time. Let's not be discouraged when answers are not immediate. Sometimes we do gain instant victory, but other times it can be days, months, or even years. I prayed 20 years before I saw my father saved. So don't give up in what you're believing God for.

For years in praying for my father, I was unaware of how to war in the spirit. Basically I just cried out, "O God, save him. O God, save him." When I came into a Spirit-filled walk, I realized evil spirits were blinding my father from the truth. One day as five of us were in prayer, the Lord spoke to fast and pray for my father. We spent the day doing that. Three months later, God sent me to visit my father who was then ill. It was time to witness to him.

When it comes to witnessing to relatives, most persons experience some difficulties. But as we have faith in God, in His timing He will fill our mouths. Don't hesitate; it's no different from witnessing under God's unction to a stranger.

God had prepared my father; the powers of darkness over him had been broken. I sensed holy boldness as I spoke to him about the condition of his soul. I said, "Daddy, you're very ill right now with gout. If the doctor gave you a pill, saying it would remove all sickness and pain, you'd take it, wouldn't you?" He said, "Well, of course." I said, "There is a pill you need to take: it's the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you'll receive Jesus in your heart and ask Him to forgive you of your sins, He'll wash away all this burden of sin you've carried for years." Daddy started crying; I started crying, and he accepted the Lord. We both sensed the Spirit of God. My 20 years of praying had mounted up, but the most effective prayer had been when the five of us had used these spiritual tools: 1) fasting 2) agreement (five of us) 3) travail (our day of prayer included this) 4) God's Word (that day we confessed appropriate Scriptures over my father) 5) resistance to the devil (we spoke God's Word against the enemy). As we applied these tools, the barriers were broken down. Our spiritual warfare opened my father's heart and mind to the truth.

We need to wage war in the spirit to free our loved ones. Good soldiers will enter into spiritual warfare to tear down the powers of darkness that blind the unsaved. The Bible says Satan has blinded the minds of unbelievers preventing them from receiving the gospel. "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (1 Corinthians 4:4). We can witness to a loved one all day long, but until the spirits blinding him are defeated, he won't truly hear. It took spiritual warfare before my father could finally hear and receive.

The morning after my father's salvation, the enemy attacked me with the thought, "Your father didn't really get saved. He was just humoring you, saying that prayer so you would leave him alone." I prayed, "Lord, confirm his salvation experience." I got a Bible for him and took it to his home. I said, "Daddy, you need to read this daily, pray daily, and attend a good church." He responded, "Betty, I already prayed this morning." Since he had received Jesus, the Lord had already prompted him to pray. I didn't have to tell him that, the Holy Spirit did. Thus God confirmed for me his salvation experience. Other changes also came, such as he no longer cursed.

Good soldiers don't give up. Let's not give up on our relatives, no matter how much spiritual warfare it takes. My father could have seemed like a hopeless case as he had a major drinking problem, but through God's love he was saved.

I pointed out earlier that God is no respecter of persons; neither is Satan. 1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." The devil doesn't care whom he devours, just as long as he can get somebody. He's seeking whom he may devour, which means there are those he cannot. If we're good soldiers wearing our spiritual armor, sober and vigilant, then we cannot be devoured. Unprepared Christians, though, can be devoured by the devil. He's ruined the lives of many believers.

SOLDIERS RESIST THE DEVIL

The devil goes about as a roaring lion. We need to know his roar is empty noise. He has no power or authority against us. Too many Christians don't realize this, so they cringe at his roar. Not resisting his attack, these fearful Christians are devoured. But Christians who know the Word and their position in Christ will roar back at the devil. They'll resist the enemy and declare, "Satan, in Jesus' name I resist you. I raise the Word of God against you. By God's power I declare you're not going to destroy my marriage or my loved ones. You'll not rob me of my spiritual inheritance. In Jesus' name, you'll not take away my love, my joy, my peace."

Notice the devil is "as" a roaring lion. The real lion is on our side, the Lion of Judah. Greater is the lion in us than the imitation lion. The devil constantly imitates. He has no original ideas, but counterfeits what God has done, even counterfeiting the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

For example, he tries to give a counterfeit peace. He calls his demons off a person, and that person feels peace in the sense that he's no longer under demonic assault. Satan uses that tactic to keep people in a compromising position, to keep them from battling through to victory. Satan stops bothering them, so they stop crying out to God.

Cessation of assault brings temporary relief, but only the Holy Spirit can bring true peace to our hearts. With His peace inside of us, we can remain calm no matter how hard the storms rage around us. Not so with the world -- their peace is dependent upon agreeable circumstances.

Good soldiers need to know the truth. 1 Peter 5:9-10 says, "Whom (the devil) resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." We know several things from this Scripture. First, that suffering and affliction come from Satan, not God. Satan is the one who brings suffering; he's the one who assaults us. Second, we can be encouraged knowing our brethren have experienced the same trials we suffer. No one has been spared the enemy's afflictions. Third, we can be assured that if we endure the suffering and remain steadfast in the Word, then after a season we will be made perfect, strengthened and settled. God will bring us to that place of steadfastness where we'll no longer be overcome by the enemy.

What is our goal? Certainly it's not to remain in a place of suffering or sickness. Some Christians mistakenly think, "This suffering is my cross to bear." God doesn't want us resigning ourselves to suffering with some sort of grin-and-bear-it attitude. He wants us to overcome it. Our goal is to overcome as we resist the enemy and are made perfect in God, steadfast, strengthened, and settled. Stand fast against sickness. Stand fast against demonic assault. Resist the enemy with the Word of God. Yes, we'll have affliction: "In the world ye shall have tribulation" (John 16:33), but that same verse carries these words of comfort: "but be of good cheer; I (Jesus) have overcome the world."

We must keep our eyes on the promise of overcoming by looking to Jesus. We cannot let the problem loom so large that it overwhelms us. That's Satan's plan: to hit us with a problem that seems impossible to solve. Then we feel helpless and that all is hopeless. In this defeated condition, people can even be susceptible to suicide spirits.

But if we know who Christ is in us, the moment we encounter a problem, we'll view it as an opportunity for God's glory to be manifested as He provides the victory. By resisting the enemy and submitting to the Lord, we can turn every Satanic assault into glory for God. We'll come into this place of strength and victory after we've suffered a little while. We'll suffer some going through a battle. The purpose is not in the suffering itself, but suffering is the route that perfects, establishes, strengthens, and settles us. Then we can walk in strength and not be shaken by the enemy's attacks. When he roars, we roar back, unshaken.

Having passed through the suffering unto victory, we know the same God that delivered us the last time will deliver us this time as well. His Word is still true. 1 Peter 5:9 says we "resist steadfast in the faith." By faith we resist and overcome. James 4:7 also mentions resisting: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." That "will flee" is a guarantee; it doesn't say he might flee -- he will flee!

(Excerpt from the book entitled Personal Spiritual Warfare; Click here to order.)

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Betty Miller

Note: (This teaching is continued from last month's Overcoming Life Digest. See Menu above for Archives.)

TWO POWERS IN THE EARTH

We need to see the true nature of God. By knowing God's attributes we can see the extreme contrast of Satan's nature vs. God's nature. Satan is diametrically opposed to all for which God stands. We need to understand that there are only two supernatural powers in the earth today, and that we are going to be influenced by either one or the other. We cannot remain neutral. The two powers are actually two opposite laws that are working in the world: "the law of life in Christ" and "the law of sin and death" ruled by Satan. (Romans 8:2, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.")

SATAN'S SERVANTS

Many people are serving Satan out of ignorance, not realizing that they are his victims and pawns. (Ephesians 4:18, "Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.") Others have deliberately chosen to follow the devil.

Romans 1:29-32, "Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

Some have chosen to follow their own ways and are thus following the devil because selfishness is part of his nature.

2 Timothy 3:2, "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God."

And, still others have utterly rejected Christ and therefore are also followers of Satan. (Mark 16:16, "...He that believeth not shall be damned.")

Let us look at the nature of Satan so that we will be able to recognize his devices. His lies can be exposed by examining their source, thus perceiving that his work is behind them. Once they are exposed, we can resist the devil and overcome him. It is very important to know the nature and the tactics of our enemy if we are to defeat him.

EXPOSING SATAN'S LIES

We read in Revelation 12:9 the following description of the devil: "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." From this, we see that one of Satan's major roles is that of deceiver. He has deceived the whole world. When we are "born again" into the Lord's kingdom, we are no longer a part of this world. If we seek only the Lord for truth, we will no longer remain under bondage to the devil's lies and deception. (Colossians 1:13, "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.") The only power Satan has over any child of God is the power of deception, and that can be overcome by seeking the Lord and the truth of His Word. Actually, Satan has no power over Christians except what they allow him to have. On the other hand, people in the world who are unbelievers have no protection against the devil and his evils. The only thing that keeps them from immediate death is God's mercy and grace. God is not willing that any should perish. (2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.")

In Genesis, we find the first account of Satan's deception as he, in the form of a serpent, beguiles the first man and woman that the Lord created. Genesis 1 and 2 record the creation of the earth and God's special creation, man. Genesis 1:26-28a reads, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them...".

As we look at this tragic story, we will discover that the same lies Satan told Adam and Eve are the same ones he is still using today to get man to sin and break fellowship with God. He has not changed his method of attack. By studying Genesis 1, we can understand and

benefit greatly from the record of the invasion of the planet earth by this hostile power, seeing him strike at God through the ones whom He created and loved. There was a sweet fellowship existing between man and God in the garden of Eden. Satan knew if he could only break the bonds of that fellowship and cause those two in the garden to step out into independence as he had done, then God would lose something which was most precious to Him.

(Excerpt from Exposing Satan's Devices; Click here to order)

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MARK OF GOD OR MARK OF THE BEAST

Betty Miller

Note: (This teaching is continued from last month's Overcoming Life Digest. See Menu above for Archives.)

Identifying the Beast

Revelation 13:1-18

The beast spoken of in Revelation 13:1 is not the so-called Antichrist. In fact, the word "antichrist" is not even found in Revelation. When the Bible speaks of antichrist, it speaks of " the spirit of antichrist" and speaks in the plural rather than the singular. There are several such references in 1 and 2 John.

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that anti-christ shall come, even now are there many anti-christs; whereby we know that it is the last time" (1 John 2: 18).

"Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is anti-christ, that denieth the Father and the Son" (1 John 2: 22).

"And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of anti-christ, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world" (1 John 4: 3).

"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an anti-christ" (2 John 1: 7).

Throughout the Scriptures, the word beast refers to a system, and not to a man. The beast is a system that rules the world; it's an antichrist system. Daniel 7 speaks of beasts and identifies them as earthly kingdoms. So the beast in Revelation is a beastly system that's ruling the world (it's a dictator beast). This beast is not just one human being, rather it is a system that has infiltrated every area whether it be politics, medicine, art or science; the beastly system is everywhere. This system is typically overseen by a powerful government with those in power making decisions that perpetrate the worldly system throughout mankind.

When Revelation 13:1 speaks of the beast rising up out of the sea, what is meant by the sea? The Scriptures speak of the sea as "masses of humanity." This beastly system is rising up out of humanity, out of all the people on the earth. When John, the author of Revelation, stood upon the sand of the sea, he was standing upon that which could not be numbered, among all the people of the earth.

Symbolism of Numbers in Scripture

This beast rising up out of the sea has seven heads (Revelation 13:1). Numbers are often symbolic in the Scriptures with the number seven standing for perfection, completion. For example, when Jesus told Peter to forgive "seventy times seven" (Matthew 18:21-22, "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."); He did not mean to forgive 490 times. He was telling Peter to forgive completely and perfectly. To the Jew, numbers were descriptions rather than mathematics as each number represented something. Since we will be dealing with several of these symbolic numbers in this chapter, listed below are the Jewish equivalents for each number (see glossary for detailed definitions):

1.) One symbolizes new beginnings and unity.

2.) Two symbolizes witness and division.

3.) Three symbolizes divinity, heaven and God.

4.) Four symbolizes earth and man.

5.) Five symbolizes grace and favor.

6.) Six symbolizes the world and is man's number; it falls short of seven; therefore, it is imperfection.

7.) Seven symbolizes perfection, completeness and abundance.

8.) Ten symbolizes obedience, completeness of order.

9.) Twelve symbolizes government, authority.

10.) Three and a half, being half of seven (perfection), is an indefinite period of time; it is a number of trouble and judgment.

When the beast is described as having seven heads, it speaks of completion or fullness of the wickedness and evil. Heads refer to leadership, to governments and to ruling. When we refer to the head of an organization or a group, we're speaking of the leadership. So seven heads would refer to fullness of governments. Seven heads mean the governments of the whole world (a New World order?). The headship of the governments is upon the beast. The ruling governments are right in the midst of the beastly system. In man's eyes, some governments are good and some evil. But in God's eyes they're all evil because they're not performing the will of God. No country is truly doing the will of God, even my own country which I do love and pray for. Of course, some governments are better than others because of the greater freedom they allow.

The beast in Revelation has ten horns. In the Bible, horns are symbolic of countries with world power and influence. A horn does not represent the whole beastly system that pervades the earth, but rather a country. A little horn would represent a little country. The countries have influence, but not as much as the whole power of the beast. So when the beast is seen with ten horns it speaks of influential countries in the world that are part of the system of the beast. One meaning of the number ten is completeness of order, so ten horns indicate how complete the involvement of smaller countries is with the beast, just as the seven heads of the beast show the involvement of major world powers.

Upon the horns are ten crowns. Crowns stand for authority and political influence. So we further see the beast system coming through the authority in the world, the governmental and political system.

The Name of Blasphemy

The name of blasphemy is seen upon the heads. There's not a country in the world that's doing the will of God. They're all part of the beast system. To blaspheme is to speak irreverently or profanely of God, or to attribute something to God that is not of Him. An example is Saddam Hussein stating that God was on their side in the Persian Gulf War (1991) and therefore they would win. Allah, Saddam's god, is a false god as the war proved. However, America's winning the war doesn't prove America to be a Christian nation. We are blaspheming God by calling ourselves a Christian nation when our greed, materialism, drunkenness, addiction, murder, abortion, pride, etc. prove otherwise. We won the war because of a holy nation within this nation, that is, God's true praying people who were interceding not only for all Americans and allies, but also for the Arabs because we desire to see all men come to the knowledge of the true and living God. The beast does things in the name of God, yet is blasphemous because the motives are wrong. Currently no nation or country is primarily concerned about the gospel going forth as its main focus. (We do see God's people -- His holy nation -- from every country with that concern.) We know the nations of the world won't do God's will until Christ returns and His millennial reign is established.

We're to be preparing for Christ's return when God will set up His authority on the earth. The earth will have a theocracy; being ruled by God will bring perfection into the earth. But until that day, none of the earthly authority is pleasing to God. All of it is blasphemy. Even in the better countries there's evil within the system. In our own country of America we're seeing much sin being uncovered that's within the system.

(To Be Continued next month)

(Excerpt taken for The Mark of God or The Mark of the Beast; Click here to order.)

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As some may not be familiar with prophecy in the church. We want to share this short explanation of Biblical prophecy before we share an actual prophecy from God.

First, what is Godly prophecy? It can be summed up as words that are spoken on behalf of God. A prophet or prophetess is one who is a spokesman for God. It is a divine utterance that comes from the Holy Spirit. (Note: Just as there are prophetic words from God, there are also false prophecies that the Lord warned us about in the Bible. In Matthew 7:15-16 Jesus said, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits--." We must prove the source of prophecy before accepting it as coming from the Lord.)

God is raising up many prophetic voices in the earth today. His gifts of prophecy are basically of two types. One is the "simple gift of prophecy" which every believer can express under the unction or direction of the Holy Spirit after they have been filled with the Holy Ghost.

The other is the "office gift" of the spirit which is given to a prophet or prophetess who is called to the "five-fold" ministry office as outlined in 1 Corinthians 12:28 which says "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." Also Ephesians 4:11-12 which says

"And he gave some, apostles; and some prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."

The basic difference between these two types is, the simple gift of prophecy is given to all spirit filled believers as spoken of in 1 Corinthians 14:31, "For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted."

It is for the purpose of edification, exhortation and comfort as spoken of in 1 Corinthians 14:3, "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort."

The "office gift" of a prophet or prophetess is given to speak to the body of Christ at large. The ministers who are called to the office of a prophet or prophetess will deliver messages also which include edification, exhortation and comfort but their messages can also be directive in nature and futuristic in content as well (Ephesians 4:11-15).

Presently God is leading His people with prophetic preaching and teaching. A prophetic movement is taking place in the world.

PROPHECY FOR THE 1990'S

The following prophetic words were given to Betty Miller by the Holy Spirit on December 23, 1989 which was shared with the local church. It was also printed in tract form and has been distributed for a number of years. We want our newsletter to be a ministry to God's people so we are including this word to help prepare for the remaining days ahead. This message will be printed here in a series form to be continued in future Digests.

TOTAL COMMITMENT

Christians who show up once on Sunday to pay their respects to God will be the first to suffer immense problems. Right behind them will be Christians who have been "lone rangers" and are not a part of any body. Those Christians who have depended on "TV Christianity" to replace the local church will find themselves in deep trouble also.

The Lord's pattern for His church will be the only acceptable means of worship that He will bless. All substitutes for personal commitment to Christ and His local church will become apparent in people's lives as they will suffer much loss without the support of other committed believers and God's anointed five-fold ministers to guide and direct them.

Only those truly called of God will be in this five-fold ministry company as they must be obedient, true servants of His. The Lord will reject all others. All true servants of God will have the mark of humility and servant hood apparent in their lives. God's true ministers will recognize one another's callings and begin to link together to fulfill the great commission.

True unity will exist, as their focal point will be righteousness in Christ and His Word as the final authority on all issues. The Lord will give clarity and revelation to His true ministers and the Word of God will be understood in the light of this new revelation.

Many who are prideful will have a hard time laying down their own understanding of the Scriptures to accept the true doctrine of Christ, just as they did when the truth of speaking in tongues was revealed in the past move of God. The new revelation will not be extra-Biblical, but rather light upon Scripture not fully understood before.

Daniel 12: 8-9: And I heard but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

Ephesians 1:17-23 will be fulfilled in the Lord's end-time church: "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened: that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of his glory of the inheritance of his saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."

The Lord plans to loose His fulness of glory upon His body as they have come into maturity and purity. This will be a glorious hour for many, while others will suffer much.

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(LITTLE COMPROMISES THAT CAUSE BIG PROBLEMS)

Betty Miller

Song of Solomon 2:15 says, "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes." Foxes sometime in search of food would enter into the grape orchards and devour the grapes and spoil the crop. However, the little foxes were too small to reach the grape bunches so they would chew on the vines and it would kill the whole vine. Instead of the farmer just losing his crop, he would lose his vine which was more disastrous. Spiritually some things we do or allow that we might think are little or insignificant can also be disastrous for us.

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SMOKING

I chose to deal with the issue of smoking as a "little fox" because most people that indulge in this practice do not realize the toll it takes on the longevity of their lives until it is too late. I read a shocking statistic from a book by Andrew Salter that stated "the heavy smoker pays with 34.6 minutes of life for each cigarette he smokes. The pack-a-day smoker pays with 11.5 hours for each pack he smokes." This would equate to someone's life span being cut almost in half due to the evil of smoking. The Lord promises us long life in the Bible but those who violate His commandments are choosing to shorten their own lives.

Psalm 91:16:  With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.

Proverbs  4:10: Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

What does the Bible say about smoking? You will find no text that says, "Thou shalt not smoke." Tobacco is not mentioned in the Bible for a very good reason; its use is of comparatively recent origin and was not known in Bible times. In fact, Western Europe was introduced to it from the Americas in the sixteen century.

In 1613 John Rolfe sent the first shipment of Virginia tobacco from Jamestown to England. Sir Walter Raleigh also imported it from the island of Tobago (West Indies) during the later half of the sixteenth century. The practice of smoking tobacco came from the native American Indians and the Carib Indians of Tobago. These practices were done as part of their religious rites. It is interesting to find that the root of smoking tobacco came from heathen religions.

Columbus was amazed when he saw the Indians of the Caribbean drawing smoke through their nostrils with a Y-shaped pipe called a "tabaca", hence the name tobacco.

Satan is always trying to destroy God's crowning creation "man", anyway that he can, and addicting people to tobacco is one of those ways. If Satan cannot destroy us other ways he uses this "little nasty habit" to slowly kill us over the years. Young people are the most vulnerable as many movie and television productions glamorize drinking and smoking. They never show the long term effects this habit has on people.

Coming from a background as a medical technologist I saw so many people in the hospital, suffering needlessly, as the result of their smoking. Most people are aware of the major list of diseases caused by the long-term use of tobacco which are lung, throat and mouth cancer, heart disease and emphysema. However, Satan deceives them into thinking it won't happen to them. Young people just don't think about their latter years, and this "little habit" finally becomes so enslaving it becomes a "big monster" and is very difficult to get free from without Christ.

I have known of a lot of Christians who smoked and really just did not want to give this pleasure up. The Bible does say there is pleasure in sin for a season but in the end we shall reap the result of that sin. The Bible says Moses chose to turn against the pleasures he could have enjoyed to follow God. (Hebrews 11:24-25 says "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.")

Galatians 6:7-8 tells us that in time we shall reap corruption from our sinful habits.

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Tobacco is considered physically harmful because it contains nicotine, a drug which in its pure state is highly poisonous. It definitely is not only habit forming but addictive as well. It is ludicrous to hear the tobacco company executives state otherwise. We all know that their statements were made only because it would produce huge monetary losses for them to state otherwise. They need only ask someone who has tried to get free of this evil if they think it is addicting or just merely a bad habit.

The Bible teaches us as Christians that we are to be clean and holy -- spirit, soul and body. Our bodies are called the "temple of the Holy Spirit". Every Christian is accountable to God for the condition of his body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20:
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Rom 12:1-2:
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Someone might ask, "Why did God make tobacco since it is responsible for so many deaths?" Not only does it destroy the lives of those that smoke but we know also from research that "second hand smoke" is also a leading cause of sickness that leads to deaths, especially in small children. Pregnant mothers also endanger the lives of their unborn with this evil habit. We should also mention the many lives and property that are lost to fires caused by a careless smoker.

It is never God who is to blame for evil, as the tobacco plant has its virtues. There are useful chemical products made from tobacco which include those which kill insects and fungi. If man would spend the time and research for the good use of tobacco, I believe he would discover some healing properties in this plant, outside of smoking it. Satan always perverts the things in this world for evil use, while God has plans for them to bless mankind.

As Christians there should be no place in our lives for this evil habit. This "little fox" is a killer and we should pray for those to be free whom we know have this problem. If you are in this trap, there is a way out. If you sincerely want to be free, tell God about your desire and your resolve. Ask others to pray for you too. Open the door of your heart heavenward and the Holy Spirit, will bring you both strength and victory.

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Psalm 105:1 "O Give thanks unto the Lord; call on his name: make known his deeds among the people."

Here are some praise reports for our July/August Digest. We thought you might be blessed by some of the letters we are getting on the Internet. We were encouraged and blessed by these good reports. Praise be to our Lord!

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Raul of New York writes:

This web site is very good not only for us, the Christians but also for the non believers. This is not the first time that I have got into this site. I have been blessed by your books that I recently bought from the Millers. The books I have from the Millers are Exposing Satan's Devices, Keys to the Kingdom, Healing,Spirit,Soul & Body and The Mark of God. Keep working hard in God's work and you will have a big crown in the Kingdom of Heaven. GOD BLESS YOU!

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Wendy writes:

I was searching for some answers. I found them here. Thank you ever-so-much. God bless you. Sincerely, Wendy

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Hans from Alaska writes:

THANK YOU BUD AND BETTY MILLER VERY MUCH FOR THE ANSWER TO MY PRAYER REQUEST. I THINK YOU HAVE ONE OF THE GREATEST WEB SITES OUT ON THE SUPER HIGHWAY. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. IF THERE IS ANY THING I CAN DO TO HELP TO KEEP THIS SITE ON THE NET PLEASE EMAIL ME AND TELL ME. I WILL DEFINITELY TELL MY FRIENDS ABOUT THIS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, HANS

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PRAYING FOR OTHERS

(INTERCESSORY PRAYER)

The Lord instructed us to pray not only for our needs but to reach out and pray for others as well. We find this in 1 Timothy 2:1-6.

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."

We are told to pray and to make intercession for all men. What is intercessory prayer? The Greek noun, "enteuxus," is the word for "intercession." It primarily denotes a "meeting with," a conversation or petition rendered on the behalf of others. "Intercessory prayer," then, is seeking the presence and audience of God in another's stead.

Jesus was the greatest intercessor of all time. Isaiah 53:12 records the following prophecy about Jesus: "Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."

Hebrews 7:25 speaks of Him as a high priest that is still interceding on our behalf. "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

The Lord is looking for men and women today that are willing to enter into this ministry with Him. He has always sought people that would "stand in the gap" for others. Ezekiel 22:30-31 says,

"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. 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."

The Lord does not want judgment to fall upon people. He desires that they repent and return to Him. However, if they do not repent, judgment is inevitable. Prayer for others causes them to repent and seek God. Therefore, the Lord is always looking for those who will take a burden of prayer for the wayward ones, so that they might come to Him. He needs spiritual warriors who will selflessly intercede on behalf of others. The ministry of intercessory prayer perennially stands open for volunteers who will join the Lord in this work. Through this ministry one can circle the entire world interposing for the multitudes who have no one else to "stand in the gap" for them.

I personally do not believe the Lord will call anyone into a public ministry unless the ministry of intercession has first become a priority in his life. There are many people eagerly wanting to do something for Jesus while this important field of work stands wide open. It is certainly not as glamorous as some other ministries, for no one is seen or applauded in their prayer closet, and perhaps that is exactly why there are so few volunteers. Even when people are interested in serving in this form of ministry, there is often a lack of knowledge as to the equipment and the keys needed to be effective and successful in it.

This is presented here in hopes that if you have a heart toward God and are willing to become an intercessor, you will know how to obtain many victories. Intercessory prayer, being a ministry to others, is not something that directly benefits us. It is essentially an outreach ministry. Through it we can truly lay down our lives for others. As we are faithful by sacrificing our time on the behalf of others, the Lord then takes care of our needs. As we minister to others, the Lord ministers to us. While praying for others, we cannot neglect mentioning the added blessing of being in fellowship with the Lord. As the Holy Spirit directs us in the ways we are to pray for others, we need to keep in mind that He will always have us pray according to His Word.

Negative prayers and judgment prayed down on people are not in harmony with the Spirit of the Lord. God is continually extending mercy and help. Some people in ignorance pray for God to do whatever it takes to save someone. They pray such prayers as, "Lord, if you have to break their back to get them to come to you, break their back Jesus, take their business away from them, but save them. God, if it takes a car wreck to save them, do it Lord. Show them, even if they have to get cancer." These are examples of the way some ignorant Christians pray. They are truly crimes against the heart of Christ. He came to save, not to destroy and kill.

Luke 9:53-56: "And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village."

No one gets saved just because he gets cancer. If that were true, then every one that had cancer would automatically come to God. Getting cancer, or being in a car wreck, never saved anyone. On the other hand, many people have died and gone to hell in these ways. Granted, some do come to the Lord when tragedy strikes, but it was the strength of someone praying for them and the mercy of the Holy Spirit that caused them to come to God, not the tragedy. Without the conviction of the Holy Spirit, their thoughts would never have gone out to God even in their crisis.

God does not send calamities in order to bring people to Himself. He tells us in His word that it is the Spirit of God that "woos" and "draws" people to Himself. This is hastened as Christians pray. John 6:44 says, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." Praise God for intercessors that stand against the enemy and keep him from destroying the souls and lives of men, women and children who need the Lord.

The ministry of intercession is a vital part of our Christian walk and we can never attain to maturity and become overcomers by slighting it. I often use the words "task" and "work" in reference to prayer because it is never easy nor convenient to pray with any discipline or consistency. We must remember that we have an enemy (the devil) who is constantly trying to keep us from our prayer life because he knows (better than most Christians) the damage done to his kingdom through it. Let us never cease to pray.

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THE CAVE SEASON

Pastor Steven Ross

(1 Samuel 22:1 KJV) "David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam..."

(Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV) declares "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"

David spent a season of his life in a cave. Just one year earlier, Samuel came to David's home to anoint him as King over Israel. Now we find him not living and enjoying the pleasure of a palace, but suffering through the discomforts of a cave.

We who are born again with the blood of Jesus Christ are of royalty, but we're not living in a palace. Many are at a cave season. We have come to the place in our Christian walk where we have begun to experience dying to self. It is not by choice, but God has brought us to this place.

The one thing that keeps a believer going today is HOPE. We don't understand our experience, but we keep hoping.

During this cave season, a process of CHARACTER development was taking place to prepare David for the future responsibilities God was going to give to him. All God's people must experience such training and develop a Christ like character for what God is planning for them.

Romans 5:3-5:
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

The word used for character is "EXPERIENCE." Character means experience by testing - as being approved or proven. Many Christians, born-again individuals, are seeking the fullness of God without the experience needed to pull through what the enemy throws in front of them.

To rephrase an old adage, "Experience is the best teacher - but only if you learn from it."

How can we stand invincible with Christ when we have not stood the test of the time?

We think of this "I've got to do something with my Christianity, the troubles of my life are too great. So I'll try to serve God in another capacity or I won't serve Him at all" - instead of allowing experience to teach us.

David did more than most people (1 Samuel 16:18). He:

--was a great musician

--was a brave warrior

--had good judgment

--was spirit-filled (verse l3)

And he was a chosen vessel. The Lord was with him.

This was all before he hit the caves!

We each have qualities that make us who we are. As chosen vessels filled with the Holy Spirit, the Lord is with us, according to His Word. Jesus has given us His power with the potential for greater works. Yet, the bride of Christ is weak, ineffective, and confused.

During the last decade, the Church has been coming out of the closet. It is no longer a shame to be associated with "born-again" believers. We have a freedom to live our own lifestyle. But with that freedom, we lost something that builds character in our Christian walk. From the Holy Spirit comes the fear of God. How many times do we tempt God by some of the things we do?

After the fall, man's conscience was used to restore a relationship with God -- that failed! God gave the law where everything was black and white --that failed! So God Himself came in human flesh and gave us His grace so that all men could know Him!!!

But we have taken advantage of that freedom. A Christian will never sin openly and on purpose if he knows he is going to get caught. So we hide in our caves and may not sin openly, but God still sees. DO WE REALLY FEAR GOD?

The TV is the greatest invention of our century. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a TV. But there is with what we watch. There is with what we hear. Do we still flinch at the immorality we see or hear? If we don't, where is the fear of the Lord? [I went through a period where I wanted to get rid of my TVs. I prayed hard and fast. But I realized God could produce more character in me if I could just say no and turn off the bad. Don't ever let anything control your life except the Holy Spirit!!!]

The fear of the Lord produces a holy way to live. The fear of the Lord changes what you say, how you act, and what you do.

Colossians 3:5 says, "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth..." It means you are to put to death whatever is of the earthly nature in you.

The fear of the Lord is holiness. It has two distinct aspects: consecration & separation. In the law, you were separated from touching anything unclean. But if you did, there was a purification process - CONSECRATION. Israel was also commanded to be separate from all other nations - SEPARATION.

In the New Testament, this was not so: (1 Corinthians 5:9-10 KJV) "I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world." Paul said, in the physical realm we will be with the unclean, but our separation and consecration must be a moral act of the heart.

In the last decade or so the church has become more like the world instead of the world becoming more like the church.

Paul said in Colossians 3:8 that character is getting rid of anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language. When we eliminate this out of our lives, we can replace it with compassion and mercy to those who fail.

When you see a brother living a different Christian standard than you live, you can show mercy and love that will break that hold over his life. Make people feel there is a better way. Let the world become more like Christ. Put on love which binds us together in the fear of God.

During the cave seasons, we think we are losing everything we ever lived for. We feel lost, uncomfortable, defeated and confined. But during this season of life, God is at work.

We must recognize it, embrace it, walk in it and be faithful through it. It is a time to let go of the areas God wants. Many feel hopelessly "locked into" their circumstances with no way out. But there is a way for Christ to release us in His timing. Then nothing will stop us.

(Job 13:15 KJV) "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him."

(Psalm 7:1 KJV) "O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:"

(Psalm 16:1 KJV) "Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust."

(Psalm 31:1 KJV) "In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness."

(Psalm 26:1 KJV) "Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide."

(Psalm 37:3-5 KJV) "Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. {4} Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. {5} Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."

(Psalm 56:3 KJV) "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee."

(Psalm 115:11 KJV) "Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield."

(Ecclesiastes 3:11 KJV) "He hath made every thing beautiful in his time."

                                       _______________________________________--

Pastor Steven Ross shepherds Living Word Christian Fellowship in Richmond, Indiana. Living Word Christian Fellowship is a strong Bible believing church with anointed preaching and worship services. They labor as a "Sister Church" with us in the Internet Ministry of prayer and counseling. You can be blessed by reading more of his teachings at his website or you may write him at the address below:

E-mail: Pastor@lwcf.com

Website: Living Word Christian Fellowship http//www.lwcf.com

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We don't normally review one of our own books in this section. However, because this book has the answers to many of the e-mail questions we have been receiving, we feel we should share an overview of its contents with our readers.

EXPOSING SATAN'S DEVICES

BY BETTY MILLER

EXPOSING SATAN'S DEVICES is a powerful expose` of Satan's tricks, tactics and lies. This book provides a spiritual tool chest of the weapons we can use to overcome the devil's many tactics. His lies and deceptions can eventually destroy those who are ignorant of his devices. This book is very broad and yet specific in its coverage of this subject. Some of the topics covered deal with things we all face in our daily lives, as we are all involved (whether we know it or not) in a spiritual battle. We need to understand how to do spiritual warfare, and use these tools to overcome in our day and age.

As long as Satan stays under cover he is able to continue his evil works in our lives, but when the light of God's Word shines on his deeds, he can no longer use those deceptions. This book will help you understand his schemes, so he will not get an advantage over you. None of us want to be ignorant of his devices.

2 Corinthians 2:11:  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Cult and occultic methods are listed so you detect their activity. Cults and the occult are religious perversions and are spoken of as heresies in the Bible. This book reveals their errors, and gives you a list of characteristics and marks that identify their practices.

The ministry of deliverance and casting out demons is dealt with in detail. Through this book you can equip yourself to overcome the onslaughts of the enemy through your authority in Christ. Not only can you be an overcomer, but you can also help others walk in victory!

Betty writes out of her own personal experiences in certain areas where she had been deceived, and came under fear and oppression from the devil. Since her release she has helped many other people find deliverance through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Betty is an anointed handmaiden of the Lord and is gifted with an unusual ability to condense much material into concise, well-written, and easy-to-understand teachings. This book of 94 pages is a great aid to those who do not have time to do the diligent research and study that went into it. Betty quotes the Bible extensively throughout the book as she does with all her writings. Her 45 years of Bible study is evident in this book. EXPOSING SATAN'S DEVICES is the most popular book in her series of 20 books, the Overcoming Life Series.

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SORROW UPON SORROW

Prophetic Poem From the Lord Given To

Betty Miller

May 7, 1995

Sorrow upon sorrow - I feel the hurt of my own
Your prayers and crying cause me to groan

My people are crying out - "Why this pain?
They look for an answer or others to blame

The answer they seek - they must look within
For changes to come they must deal with sin

You're not meant to have sorrow upon sorrow
This comes because of what you sow

If only you would come and ask of me
I would open your eyes that you might see

The evil and compromise you pursue
Have blinded you with sin, even in the pew

For your praises are not from deep in your heart
You have left your first love and you depart

From the Word that I have spoken that is true
My Word is no longer the rule for you

You have wandered and gone astray
As you seek self and your own way

Sorrow upon sorrow was not meant to be
I'm crying for you to come back to me

The world and Satan is ravaging my own
These judgments come not from my throne

They come because they are the fruit of sin
They come because of the evil within

Depart, depart from your wicked ways
Your hearts need cleansing of what betrays

The sin you see is not always the obvious fare
One of the greatest sins is your lack of prayer

You recognize lust, murder, drugs and booze
Yet your portion of responsibility, you refuse

You ask of me, grace and mercy, so many times
Yet your prayer life remains "nickels and dimes"

"Prayer Changes Things", you stand and quote
But your prayers are sparse and often rote

Then you ask me why there is destruction all around?
Can't you see that you have given the devil ground?

For to know good and not do it is a great sin
Your prayerlessness has left holes to let Satan in

Sorrow upon sorrow is not meant for my beloved people
But they turn to the world and an ungodly steeple

For not all who say "Follow me on this inviting path"
Are really righteous but rather, ignite my wrath

For the anti-Christ spirit is leading them
And they deceive others because of their sin

I'm calling for a Holy and righteous seed
That will listen to my voice and take heed

Then no sorrow nor evil shall touch their temple
These are those that are not proud, but simple

My Word they will declare and simply believe
The blessings are theirs because they receive

Obtaining on the basis of my Son's own blood
There they stand and receive what is good

They turn not to the left nor to the right
For they only see with heavenly sight

They are my overcomers of sorrow and night
They are above and walk only in my light

They are the "City" that's set upon a hill
A people that have purposed to do my will

Now others shall desire this victorious place
And there is room, if they come with a bowed face

For only the holy shall walk therein
On this highway there is no place for sin

"The highway of holiness" - no ravenous beast there
Only the redeemed shall walk without a care

It's not meant to be a place for a faithful few
But, my promises are for only those who are true

Sorrow upon sorrow is not meant for you
Come now and repent and there's a place that's new

Sorrow upon sorrow will then flee away
And you and your loved ones will see a new day!

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PERSONAL WORD FROM THE MILLERS

I, Wisdom, dwell with Prudence and find out knowledge of witty inventions. Proverbs 8:12

We could never have dreamed in our wildest imaginations, how God would open up the world to the gospel with this new, "witty invention" called the World Wide Web on the Internet. The church now has the ability to reach virtually every soul in the world who has access to a computer. Researchers really don't know how many people are on line as the numbers grow daily. The one region where we have a fairly accurate number of those with access to the Internet is in the United States and Canada. That number alone is over 50 million! World-wide, there are estimated hundreds of millions of people who daily plug in to the Internet! Perhaps the most exciting news of all, is the fact that the number of homes acquiring computers and connecting to the Internet has doubled in the last 18 months, and continues to grow at an ever-increasing rate.

Through the witty invention of Cyberspace, God has pulled down the religious and political barriers that have kept the Gospel out of many nations. Praise God that the Gospel is now walking through solid walls and locked doors. God is quickening the pace. This Gospel of the Kingdom is being preached around the world; He is coming soon!

We are amazed that the Lord has called us to this particular ministry as we certainly are not computer experts. The Lord has been gracious to send us several wonderful people who have given of their time voluntarily to help us get started in this endeavor. We are certainly grateful for each of them.

We are also especially blessed with all the encouragement we have received from each of you who have written to us or signed our guest register. We would like to request continued prayer from you as we are involved in this Internet Ministry full time and are seeking God as to how we can make the BibleResources.org site more of a blessing to people around the world. In the beginning we tried to answer all of the email but we now have had over 100,000 visits in the past year to our site and hundreds of letters so it has become impossible to answer it all personally. However, we are seeking ways to remedy this problem so you can hear from us.

One of the things we are doing is to send auto-generated letters to all who write us so each one knows that we did read their comments. Then, if letters are of such a nature that they need an individual reply, we will try to respond later as we and/or our staff can get to it. (At the present we only have a small staff). We really love to hear from each of you. We are getting many questions as to what the Bible says about different subjects so soon we will be incorporating a link that will have a topical index of the most asked questions with the Bible answers. We can help more people by spending the time putting new material on our site than just answering one letter at a time.

Other changes in our site include:

(1.) The availability for speedier downloads for all those that come to our site as we now have the capabilities of a T3 line through our server. This means you will be able to get on and go through our site much more quickly.

(2.) Posted helps on our front page for computer beginners who need instructions as to how to go through the various areas of our site (Tour Guide Link). (This information will help you on any site in the Internet).

(3.) A link (Site Seeing Link) that lists the contents and information available in all areas of our site.

(4.) Secure transactions for those who desire to order books or Bible Study material from our CHAPEL BOOKSTORE. (You can now order immediately the books you desire and feel safe about your credit card orders).

(5.) Additional articles added to our bimonthly OVERCOMING LIFE DIGEST. This link is one of the most popular sites as this magazine covers a number of subjects that we are attempting to make interesting and informative for all ages and walks of life.

Thank you again for your prayers as we really appreciate your love and support of this ministry for the Lord. Pray with us, that we will be able to stay on the cutting edge with the BibleResources.org Web-site, and that God will furnish the finances, knowledge, wisdom, and all else we need to accomplish the work of spreading the message of Jesus Christ to this lost world.

His grateful servants,

Bud & Betty Miller

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