Abounding Love Podcast with Former ”Tex” Watson

201 - Resisting the Devil

"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7, NKJV). In my prior life, I didn't resist the devil at all. But now I resist the devil in everything. In James 4:7, we are told there is something we have to do before we gain the power to resist the devil. And that is very simple: "Submit yourselves therefore to God" (KJV). If you are submitting yourselves to God, that means that you are submitting yourselves to God's Word and to what it says. It's the Word of God that gives you the power to resist the devil, then he will flee from you. When you submit to God's Word, you submit to Jesus, Who is the Word made flesh [John 1:14]. You also submit to love, because "God is love" (1 John 4:8). This gives us the power to resist the devil, because "perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18).
Submit means "to commit to the decisions of another." Another definition is "to surrender." Therefore, submitting to God means we are to commit or surrender ourselves to God's Word, to His decisions. The Scriptures are what God has chosen to reveal about Himself, and they make up a guidebook for our lives. When cars are manufactured, the company puts out an owner's manuel. It's a guide to care, maintenance and operation of that particular vehicle. The Bible is the guidebook for us and our lives. Follow it and thrive. Ignore it and perish. 
Then we are to "resist." Resist means to oppose, to stand firm against, and to fend off. This takes place in our words and actions. We are to work against the devil and oppose him by agreeing with God and speaking His Word. We resist the devil when we overcome temptation through faith in God's grace.  Which leads us to the armor of God as the apostle Paul outlines in Ephesians 6:10-19. In this message, I go over the armor of God and many other things He gives us so we can resist the devil. A really big one is the power in the Name of Jesus. When you wrap yourselves in these truths, the devil won't come around you much. He'll look for easier prey. Join me as we find out these things.
Let me hear from you - Charles
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199 - The Christian's Weapons

In this message we're looking into all the various weapons we, as Christians, have. Like all my messages, this is based upon what the Word of God says. And the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled" (2 Corinthians 10:3-6, NKJV). These verses confirm we are involved in a war against the works of Satan. And we have weapons that are not of this physical world like steel swords and guns. Our  weapons are spiritual and powerful in "pulling down" the strongholds of Satan. 
What strongholds? These are things that Satan uses to make us powerless. These attacks of the world try to dig strongholds into us; sickness, guilt, fear, feelings of inferiority, for example. [I am battling with pneumonia as I write this blurb which is ministering to me.] Those things that try to draw us out of the battle. But we have weapons for destroying these "strongholds." Verse 5 says we are "to cast down arguments." The King James Version translates this as we are "to cast down imaginations." This gives us the key to understanding these "strongholds." They come from our minds [thoughts]. Listen, 99% of the things we worry about never happen. We imagine they will happen, and we spend a lot of time thinking about them. But they aren't true and will take you down if you let them. 
How do we combat this? By bringing into remembrance the Scriptures that tell how God delivered us through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Satan was defeated at Calvary and our remembrance of this brings victory. [You may recall seeing "In Remembrance of Me" written on a Communion table cloth.] In this message I bring out the Truth of God's Word to show that Satan is a defeated foe, but the battle continues until his final reckoning. Join me as we examine God's Truth, for the knowledge of the truth sets us free [John 8:32-36]. Selah!
Let me hear from you - Charles
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200 - Praise God!

In this message, we look at ten (10) reasons for praising God. We'll only look at #1 in this introduction, but I encourage you to listen to all ten for the full impact. Point #1: "But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31, NKJV). When we pray according to God's will, our prayers get answered. This verse demonstrates that prayer and praise go together. The word "wait" in the verse isn't about time and patience. "Wait" here means to serve, like a waiter serves. When we do the service of the Lord, we receive power and strength to accomplish what is needed. We need to know God's Word, and act on what it says. Things happen when we act on His Word! Chains get broken in Christ for example, when we are freed from the habits of our former life.
Meditate this verse [Isaiah 40:31]:  ". . . they [you and I] shall mount up with wings like eagles." Wings; there's two of them, and they are prayer and praise. When we pray according to God's will [His Word] in faith, we need to praise God for the answer. Praise is our language of faith. It takes both wings; prayer and praise to ". . . renew [our] strength", to ". . .mount up with wings", to ". . . run and not be weary", and to ". . . walk and not faint." 
The apostle John wrote: "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him" (1 John 5:14-15, NKJV). This verse confirms point #1. The Word represents God's covenant with us. We need to go to God's Word and find out what it says about any given situation, then pray according to that Word. Make your prayers specific based upon the solution found in the Scriptures. If we have a problem with doubt, or finances, or relationships; go to God's Word. Find out what God says, then pray specifically, and praise Him for the answer. There are nine other points in this message. Join me as we look at all of them. [This is my last message in the praise series.]
Let me hear from you - Charles
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140 - Receive the Miracle Today

It's a supernatural miracle that we can have fellowship with Jesus. That God becomes a man, born as a infant to destroy the works of Satan. It's a miracle of love and life and freedom. "And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord . . ." (Luke 2:10-11, KJV). The angel said, "Fear not." Have no fear, Jesus is here! The angel said, "I bring tidings of great joy." Joy comes from God. When salvation comes, deliverance, redemption and eternal life comes with it and this brings supernatural joy! It's miraculous and can only be from God. He comes into us in a supernatural way, because a natural way won't work. Our salvation is a miracle from God. He shines light where there was darkness and drives the darkness away. 
This "joy" comes to "all people." Salvation is available for everyone. The angel goes on to say: "And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger" (Luke 2:12, KJV). A baby, God has become a man; the most powerless form of a man; a newborn baby. "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men'" (Luke 2:13-14, KJV). Salvation has come to all people of the world to deliver them from the works of Satan and to bring them into an intimate relationship with God the Father and with His Son, lying in that manger: Jesus Christ. Have you joined in the miracle? It's as real today as it was when the angel made the announcement to those shepherds. It remains a miracle for today as much as it was 2000 years ago. This short message explains the Truth of the miracle of Christmas. Selah!
Let me hear from you - Charles
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196 - Praise God for Faith

We all go through trials and tribulations; even pastors and Bible teachers. We have problems, cares and anxieties; even those who are strong in the faith. We believe more money will solve the problem, or a better relationship with those we care about. But what we really need is to believe God and to act in faith. Faith is acting upon what we believe. We think if we call someone, the right someone, our problem will be solved. But the one whom will always answer when we call is the Lord, God. This takes faith -- child-like faith. Jesus said, ". . . Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3-4, NKJV). A child-like faith is one that believes all things are possible.
We must believe in the promises of God as stated in His Word. Salvation, prosperity, healing and the gifts of the Spirit all rely upon faith to happen and the faith needed is also a gift of God. "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith" (Romans 12:3, NKJV). Instead of thinking of ourselves based upon our worldly accomplishments or position, we need to think of ourselves as who we are in Christ. All the things of this world, especially our wrongdoings and sins have been placed under the blood of Jesus Christ. We are new creations. The Lord sees us as forgiven, righteous and clean. We need to believe His Word and think the same.
The "portion of faith" the Lord provides only works when it is acted upon. Faith is acting upon God's Word. If we focus on the problems, cares, trials and anxieties, we will not be thinking about the promises of God, but about the lies of Satan. We have to think "soberly" and praise God for the faith He provides. For example in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 16, verse 14: "The Lord opened her [Lydia's] heart to heed the things spoken by Paul." In the same chapter, Paul and Silas were freed from prison when their praise caused an earthquake and the jailor and his family to believe and be saved. Join me in this episode as we learn to praise God for faith by acting upon what you believe. Selah!
Let me hear from you - Charles
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193 - The High Praises of God

In Psalm 149, the Psalmist praises God for His salvation and judgment, singing: "Praise the LORD! [Hallelujah!] Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise in the assembly of saints. Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise His name with the dance. Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp" (vs. 1-3, NKJV). It is a good thing to praise God; to praise Him in songs and even in dance; and to praise Him with musical instruments. Why? "For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation" (v. 4, NKJV). We experience beautification through our humble praises of the Lord, our God. The Lord takes pleasure in praise. 
The Psalmist continues: "Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds" (v. 5, NKJV). There is no time when we can't praise God, even while in bed. "Let the high praises of God be in their mouth . . ." (v. 6a, NKJV). Notice the text says to let the "high praises of God" be spoken by the believer, but then the Psalmist goes in a different direction. "And a two-edged sword in their hand" (v. 6b, NKJV). "To execute vengeance on the nations, And punishments on the people; To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute on them the written judgment -- This honor have all His saints. Praise the LORD!" (vs. 7-9, NKJV).
What is this two-edged sword? It's the Word of God: "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intent of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12, NKJV). The word, "discerner" in this verse means "judge" and we, as believers are to judge the intents of the heart, but be careful, for this sword is two-edged -- it cuts two ways. This is a form of the high praises of God. Join me as we explore how judgment based on God's Word can be the highest form of praise to God. For "this honor have all His saints" (Psalm 149:9:b, NKJV).
Let me hear from you - Charles
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066 - Be Ye Thankful

Thanksgiving is an American holiday that began in 1621, when the Pilgrims came over to flee religious persecution in Europe. They worked with the native people to survive the harsh weather and the conditions they found. They had a celebration together to give God thanks for the abundance of food they had been able to store for the coming winter. Likewise, we need to get back to thanking God, back to His Word and back to a strong relationship with Him, recognizing that He provides all our blessings. How is your relationship with God this Thanksgiving? How much do you depend on Him, recognizing that God supplies all?
Thanksgiving didn't begin with the Pilgrims. It starts in the beginning of the Scriptures. All great people of the Bible gave thanks to God for what He had done for them, especially delivering them from trouble. They encouraged us to remember all God's wondrous works. That is, to be mindful of the covenants He established with us. To remember and be thankful for the blood that Jesus shed on Calvary, freeing us from sin. Remember, Jesus ". . . took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body which is given for you, do this in remembrance of Me.' Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you'" (Luke 22:19-20, NKJV).
We were heading for eternal damnation like a run-away train with the brakes off, but God rescued us. That is something to be thankful for today, which is often expressed in tearful worship. "Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles, and sing praises to Your name" (2 Samuel 22:50, NKJV). Declare his glory and give praise to Him. Listen to David praise the LORD for His love and faithfulness. "It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your loving kindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night, on an instrument of ten strings, on the lute, and on a harp, with harmonious sounds" (Psalm 92:1-3, NKJV). The hope of this message is for you to acknowledge the need for thanksgiving in your Spiritual walk, not only as a holiday. The need for us to thank God and to sing His praise at all times, not just at Thanksgiving. Selah!
Let me hear from you - Charles
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192 - Why We Should Praise God

When you come into the realization of the eternal life you've received from God, and all that gives you; you will want to praise God. "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32, NKJV). All things -- all good things. ". . . as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue . . ." (2 Peter 1:3, NKJV). That's something to praise God about! PRAISE HIM, saying, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ . . ." (Ephesians 1:3, NKJV).
When Jesus rose from the dead, He gave us "every Spiritual blessing" and all the good things of God. He has even given us the desires of our heart in Christ. Jesus tells us: "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10, NKJV). More abundantly than what? What the world, the flesh and the Devil [the thief] gives us. Prior to having Christ in your life, you may have believed your life was "abundant," but actually it was built on a lie, on sinking sand, and not on the eternal life that Jesus promised you.
In this message, we're going to look at twelve (12) addition Scriptures to give us a foundation of why we should praise God. For example, #1: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7, NKJV). In Hebrew, the word for peace [shalom] means far more than just a lack of conflict. It means "wholeness" -- health and prosperity, nothing broken nor missing, and a life guarded from conflict. We should praise God because we have peace with God, which exceeds all our understanding. Peace is the "soil" where the Word of God is planted, so we can produce the fruit of God. Join me as we look into these verses, building our faith so we can produce Godly fruit. Selah! 
Let me hear from you - Charles
https://www.aboundinglove.org/
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