The Ancient Enemies of Israel Have Entered Our Land
The Ancient Enemies of Israel Have Entered Our Land
Thank you for joining us as we seek to better understand some of the things going on in our lives and nation today. This is an in-depth study written by Susan Pons. As you read, please ask the Holy Spirit to give you ears to truly hear and understand this important message.
“Behold, I will send you Eli′jah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse.” (Malachi 4:5-6 RSV)
This is the perfect Scripture to begin with in order for each of us to perhaps face the happening that a curse has been released across our land and the reasons for its release.As a culture, the hearts of the fathers are not being turned toward their children.This makes it almost impossible for the hearts of the children to be turned to their fathers. Malachi declares the consequence of the sinful divide between fathers and children… ‘lest I come and smite the land with a curse’. Amazing as it is, this is the final warning of the Old Testament.
When a curse comes upon a nation, it covers the nation except for those people who recognize its debilitating force.
What happens when enemies enter our land?
Exodus 34:10 (The Message) says“And God said, As of right now, I’m making a covenant with you: In full sight of your people I will work wonders that have never been created in all the Earth, in any nation. Then all the people with whom you’re living will see how tremendous God’s work is, the work I’ll do for you. Take careful note of all I command you today. I’m clearing your way by driving out Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. Stay vigilant. Don’t let down your guard lest you make covenant with the people who live in the land that you are entering and they trip you up”.
Who were these enemies that had entered the land of Israel? Let’s define them and compare them to our America in today’s world.
- Hittites – literally translated means, sons of terror”; and as we know the word terror refers to an extreme manifestation of fear. The Hittite spirit will bring intimidation and fear and discouragement. In Numbers 21:1-4, King Arad heard that Israel was coming. He fought against Israel and took captives. Israel made a vow to God and asked for His help. God accepted the vow, and Israel with God’s help, won the battle… but the Hittite spirit did its damage.
“And the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way” (Num 21:4 KJV).
The Hittite spirit had done its job causing Israel to become fearful.
In America today, it may do us well to recognize the Hittite spirit operating in our nation to bring fear to those who disagree with their agenda that goes against the peace and safety of our nation and citizens. School, church, and synagogue shootings; violent shows over our television and movie screens; violent video games; in Chicago 75% of Black homes are fatherless…thus the Hittite spirit is free to operate.
2. Ammorite – the word for Ammonite in Hebrew comes from another Hebrew word, amor,which means to utter, to say (gossip, slander, and evil speaking). This implies that people with Ammonite spirits are people who want their name uttered or mentioned. Ammonites are haughty fame-seekers; seekers of human glory and greatness. Practically all dictators in history are Ammorites. These are people like Saddam Hussein, Fidel Castro, Adolph Hitler, and Joseph Stalin, who like to dominate and control others. Ammorites are again mentioned as people who followed false gods. Cherish was the name of a god they worshipped whose whose name means “destroyer”. The aim of the Ammonite spirit is to stir up discord and division in our mind as it beats us down in spirit.It is aimed at the Christian faith that preaches liberty to the human soul.
Perhaps we can place much of the media into the tribe of the Ammorites.
3. Canaanite – the name Canaanite means trafficker. This is the exact same description given to Satan in Ezekiel 28:13-18. This spirit is behind addictions and sexual impurity. This is why in the Scriptures, Sodom and Gomorrah were said to be Canaanite cities (Genesis 10:19). Jezebel was the daughter of Ethbaal king of Sidon, which means she was Phoenician, who were Canaanites. The Canaanite spirit uses wealth and material gain to bring God’s people into compromise and backsliding.
Sexual trafficking, labor trafficking, and drug trafficking, are all start examples of the Canaanite spirit that has invaded our land.
4. Philistine – The name Philistine means strangers, emigrants, foreigners, forces foreign to the Spirit of God.
A person who is guided by a Philistine agenda is usually disdainful of intellectual or artistic values. Philistine also means a people who are contentedly commonplace in ideas and tastes. They are called Allophyli, (foreigners in the Septuagint). They are spoken of as uncircumcised in the Books of Samuel. Philistines are a people who are lacking in, or hostile, or smugly indifferent to cultural values such as art work, theatre, manners, respect, homes in God’s order, etc. Christian and Godly cultural values are taught and learned in the home. Uncleanness can enter our homes in what we view, read, and the way we speak to each other.
The giant Philistine spirit operating in our nation today is tolerance of the Muslim faith but persecution of the Christian faith.
5. Hivite – Hivite means dwellers in the land.The first time they play an active roll in the Bible is when Shechem the Hivite raped Dinah. The Hivite spirit’s goal is to lure us using illusions, delusions, and sensual pleasures that place the mind and imaginations into a snare.
The word Hivite can mean tent dweller, living a lifestyle that is lived out in the confines of the systems of the world and in conflict with the Kingdom of God. The Hives speak of our conflict with the world and its lifestyles. The prodigal son operated under the Hivite spirit.
Movies, television, the internet, pornography, and sexual abuse (especially with children) are ensconced with the Hivite spirit.
6. Jebusites – Jebusite means thresher. From this we can infer that Jebusite spirits, being threshers, are spirits that tread or stomp on others. People whose hearts are infected by Jebusite spirits tend to be people who do not hesitate to put down and humiliate others. By stomping on people, Jebusites make a concerted effort to prevent them from growing taller. They like to make people feel small, and deliberately put them down anytime they see them trying to establish spiritual authority.
Here again, arrogant politicians, media, Hollywood, and government systems are rampant with the Jebusite spirit.
In our homes we need to make certain that we are not bullies and our children are not growing up to become bullies. We need to learn how to confront this arrogant spirit.
7. Perizzite – Perizzite means unwalled town, city, or village. Ezekiel 38:10-11 says, “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. You [the evil army] will say, ‘I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people – all of them living without walls and without gates and bars’.”
A nation without borders loses its identity. A home without boundaries is a home without an identity. Illegal immigrants and foreign enemies easily enter into our unwalled cities and towns. Many cause violence, harm, and aid in the cultural collapse of America. This is the Perizzite spirit invading our unwalled nation, cities, and our citizens.
This Perizzite spirit can operate in our homes that have become unwalled…homes without fathers…homes that do not give their marriages or children a holy identity to carry with them throughout life.
“Joshua marched up from Gilgal with his entire army, including the best fighting men. The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you”. The Lord threw them into confusion before Israel, so Joshua and the Israelites defeated them completely at Gibeon” (Joshua 10:7-8).
Perhaps each of us should embrace the challenge that we are included in the fight for our nation. Some examples of ways we can make a difference are calling our representatives, writing letters, posting facts and articles, teaching our children truths about the history of our country, sending funds to those organizations that stand for true American values, or writing editorials to our local newspapers, etc…
“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!”(Ephesians 5:14).
There are so many ways that we can truly get involved in the way our nation is run. Even a small effort (which may seem insignificant) will be blessed by our Father who is always looking for righteous people that honor Him. These people are a blessing to Him.
Here at CTCI, we pray for our nation and government daily, weekly and sometimes more often. It’s that important! We believe Godly character is taught and begins in the family. We offer “Train to Reign” programs throughout the year to guide and teach (and many times restore) families, experientially, to know how to honor God and fulfill their God-given role in the family – with love. Everything we teach is based on God’s Truth found in His Holy Word.
If you would like information about our Train to Reign program, or other programs and events we offer throughout the year, please click here, or fill out the form below and we will get back to you promptly. We thank you for your interest in this ministry for our Lord Jesus.
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The Ancient Enemies of Israel Have Entered Our Land — Who are the Philistines?
Thank you for joining us today as we study the fourth part of our series. We are looking at the ancient enemies of Israel, who and what they represent, and how these spirits are still relevant today in our nation and world. This is extremely valuable information to raise our awareness of the battles we fight daily. We know these battles are not of flesh and blood, but of spirits and principalities.
What happens when enemies enter our land?
Exodus 34:10 says “As of right now, I’m making a covenant with you: In full sight of your people I will work wonders that have never been created in all the earth, in any nation. Take careful note of all I command you today. I’m clearing your way by driving out Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. Stay vigilant. Don’t let down your guard lest you make covenant with the people who live in the land that you are entering and they trip you up”.
Who were these enemies that had entered the land of Israel? Let’s define them and compare them to our America in today’s world.
Part 4 – Who are the Philistines? ~~ by Susan Pons
Philistine – The name Philistine means strangers, emigrants, foreigners, forces foreign to the Spirit of God.
A person who is guided by a Philistine agenda is usually disdainful of intellectual or artistic values. Philistine also means a people who are contentedly commonplace in ideas and tastes. They are called Allophyli, foreigners, in the Septuagint, and in the Books of Samuel they are spoken of as uncircumcised. Philistines are a people who are lacking in, hostile, or smugly indifferent to cultural values such as art work, theatre, manners, respect, homes in God’s order, etc. Christian and Godly cultural values are taught and learned in the home. Uncleanness can enter our homes in what we view, read, and the way we speak to each other. Tolerance of the Muslim faith but persecution of the Christian faith, this is the giant Philistine spirit operating in our nation.
Before we pray it’s worth mentioning that the Philistines were known to have giants among them. Do you remember the story of David and Goliath (the Philistine)? This is a giant problem in our nation today.
Father God, we pray for Your mercy and we repent for the sin of allowing uncleanness into our homes. We have slowly faded into a nation that allows things that You hate. We don’t even notice or see it as a sin anymore. Our values should and do begin in our homes. May we have eyes that see the areas that we need to change to please You. Let us be the change we want to see in this world and let us stand out as Christians to be an example for others.
Here at CTCI, our conferences and retreats throughout the year provide a time for Christians from far and wide to come together for insightful teaching, sincere worship and life-changing ministry. We have been blessed to host a number of outstanding Bible teachers including Lance Lambert, Derek Prince, Bob Mumford, Johannes Facius and Gary Bergel. We are please to welcome Dave Kubal from Intercessors For America this summer as our repeat speaker during our Appeal to Heaven conference. Bob and Kathy Fittts will be leading worship! Most importantly, in all we do, we seek the presence of the Lord.
If you would like more information about our upcoming conferences or our ministry, please go to our website at http://www.lifeisrelationships.com, or fill out this contact form below and we will get back with you promptly.
If you would like to donate to the Christian Training Center, please click here.
Check out our upcoming ministry programs for young adults and families. Please click here.
The Ancient Enemies of Israel Have Entered Our Land — Who are the Canaanites?
Welcome, and thank you for joining us today as we share the third part of our series. We are looking at the ancient enemies of Israel, who they are and what they represent, and how these spirits are still relevant today in our nation and world. This is extremely valuable information to raise our awareness of the battles we fight daily. We know these battles are not of flesh and blood, but of spirits and principalities.
Part 3 – Who are the Canaanites? ~~ by Susan Pons
What happens when enemies enter our land? Exodus 34:10 says “As of right now, I’m making a covenant with you: In full sight of your people I will work wonders that have never been created in all the earth, in any nation. Take careful note of all I command you today. I’m clearing your way by driving out Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. Stay vigilant. Don’t let down your guard lest you make covenant with the people who live in the land that you are entering and they trip you up”.
Who were these enemies that had entered the land of Israel? Let’s define them and compare them to our America in today’s world. Today we will talk about the Canaanites.
Canaanite – The name Canaanite means trafficker. This is the exact same description given to satan in Ezekiel 28:13-18. This spirit is behind addictions and sexual impurity. This is why in the Scriptures, Sodom and Gomorrah were said to be Canaanite cities as told in Genesis 10:19. Jezebel was the daughter of Ethical king of Sidon, which means she was Phoenician, who were Canaanites. The Canaanite spirit uses wealth and material gain to bring God’s people into compromise and backsliding. Sexual trafficking, labor trafficking, and drug trafficking are start examples of the Canaanite spirit that has invaded our land.
Father God, we repent on behalf of our nation for all of these trafficking offenses that are so evil in Your eyes. When we look from a heavenly perspective it’s so hard to believe what our nation has become. We know that Your promises are real, and if we repent and turn away from these things You will heal our land. We pray for Your help and Your healing, holy, and righteous Spirit to increase in our nation. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Here at Christian Training Center International, we put much time and effort into making sure we are all updated and at least aware of current news and happenings in both the spiritual and also the physical realm in this world. The spiritual battle on earth is not new nor has much changed in the enemy’s tactics. It is so important for us all to be involved in prayer to Almighty God for our government and nation and other current world events.
If you would like more information about our ministry, please go to our website at http://www.lifeisrelationships.com, or fill out this contact form below and we will get back with you promptly.
If you would like to donate to CTCI please click here.
Why is Jesus the light for all of us? Why can’t His light be overcome?
Light shines
What is Jesus to me? Jesus is life. In Jesus, and only Jesus, I have life. There is no way around it. I can’t, and don’t, want to deny it. It is reality for me. Jesus is life!
In Jesus [him] was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light.
The true light that gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. | John 1:4-13 (CSB)
Life is a key theme in John’s good news book; it is used thirty-six times. What are the essentials for human life? There are at least four: light (if the sun went out, everything would die), air, water, and food. Jesus is all of these!
Jesus is the Light of life and the Light of the world. He is the “Sun of righteousness”. By His Holy Spirit, He gives us the “breath of life”, as well as the Water of life. Finally, Jesus is the Living Bread of Life that came down from heaven. He not only has life and gives life, but He is life.
Light and darkness are recurring themes in John’s good news book. God is light while Satan is “the power of darkness”. People love either the light or the darkness, and this love controls their actions. Those who believe on the Messiah are the “sons of light”. Just as the first Creation began with “Let there be light!” so the New Creation begins with the entrance of light into the heart of the believer. The coming of Jesus the Messiah into the world was the dawning of a new day for man.
You would think that blind sinners would welcome the light, but such is not always the case. The coming of the true light brought conflict as the powers of darkness opposed it. A literal translation of John 1:5 reads, “And the light keeps on shining in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it or understood it.” The Greek verb can mean “to overcome” or “to grasp, to understand.” Throughout the good news book of John, you will see both attitudes revealed: people will not understand what the Master Jesus is saying and doing and, as a result, they will oppose Him. John 7–12 records the growth of that opposition, which ultimately led to the crucifixion of the Messiah.
Whenever Jesus taught a spiritual truth, His listeners interpreted it in a material or physical way. The light was unable to penetrate the darkness in their minds. This was true when He spoke about the temple of His body, the new birth, the living water, eating His flesh, spiritual freedom, death as sleep, and many other spiritual truths. Satan strives to keep people in the darkness, because darkness means death and hell, while light means life and heaven.
This fact helps explain the ministry of John the Baptizer. John was sent as a witness to Jesus the Messiah, to tell people that the Light had come into the world. The nation of Israel, in spite of all its spiritual advantages, was blind to their own Messiah! The word witness is a key word in this book; John uses the noun fourteen times and the verb thirty-three times. John the Baptizer was one of many people who bore witness to Jesus, “This is the Son of God!” Alas, John was martyred and the Jewish leaders did nothing to prevent it.
Why did the nation reject Jesus as the Messiah? Because they “knew Him not.” They were spiritually ignorant. Jesus is the “true Light”—the original of which every other light is a copy—but the Jews were content with the copies. They had Moses and the Law, the temple and the sacrifices; but they did not comprehend that these “lights” pointed to the true Light who was the fulfillment, the completion, of the Old Agreement.
As you study John’s good news book, you will find Jesus teaching the people that He is the fulfillment of all that was typified in the Law. It was not enough to be born a Jew; they had to be born again, born from above. He deliberately performed two miracles on the Sabbath to teach them that He had a new rest to give them. He was the satisfying manna and the life-giving Water. He is the Shepherd of a new flock, and He is a new Vine. But the people were so shackled by religious tradition that they could not understand spiritual truth. Jesus came to His own world that He had created, but His own people, Israel, could not understand Him and would not receive Him.
They saw His works and heard His words. They observed His perfect life. He gave them every opportunity to grasp the truth, believe, and be saved. Jesus is the way, but they would not walk with Him. He is the truth, but they would not believe Him. He is the life, and they crucified Him!
But today we need not commit those same blunders. John 1:12–13 gives us the marvelous promise of God that anyone who receives Christ will be born again and enter the family of God! John says more about this new birth in John 3, but he points out here that it is a spiritual birth from God, not a physical birth that depends on human nature.
The Light is still shining! Have you personally received the Light and become a child of God?
If you would like to donate to CTCI please click here.
Sources:
- Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 1:1–51). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
- Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 285–286). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
The Ancient Enemies of Israel Have Entered Our Land 2 of 7
Thanks for joining us today as we read the second part of our series by Susan Pons regarding the seven types of ancient enemies of Israel, and how these evil tactics are still relevant in today’s world. We pray that this seven part study raises awareness and causes more believers to pray for healing of our nation. This same spiritual battle of old continues to affect our nation and world today.
The Lord is Molding This Guy
Welcome from all of us at Christian Training Center International. Today we would like to share a testimony from one of the students who attended our spring 10-week Heroes Semester Program. Actually, he came 6 months early to volunteer here at the ministry, then he stayed on after the program to continue volunteering and helping us out here through the busy summer. We are so very thankful and grateful to the Lord for sending Ian to us! You can hear his take on it by clicking on the video below.
Father God, it is only by Your grace, mercy and favor that we even exist. We thank You so much for Ian, he is such a blessing. We also thank You for the opportunity to share Your gospel and Your love with families and young people here at CTCI. As You send people to us, we pray that all of our efforts, teaching, and work, would be for Your glory and honor only, amen.
If you would like information about how we may be able to help you and your family or details regarding our ministry or any of the programs we offer, please go to our website at http://www.lifeisrelationships.com or fill out the contact box below and we will get back with you promptly.
If you would like to donate to CTCI please click here.
The Ancient Enemies of Israel Have Entered Our Land 1 of 7
Welcome, from all of us at CTCI. Please join us today and the next six Mondays as we study, one at a time, the ancient enemies of Israel and how these spirits are still relevant to our world today. This is extremely valuable information to raise our awareness of the battles we fight daily. We know these battles are not of flesh and blood, but of spirits and principalities.
Part 1 – Who are the Hittites? ~~ by Susan Pons
“Behold, I will send you Eli’jah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse (Malachi 4:5-6).
Yes or No?
Welcome from all of us at CTCI. Please join us today as we see what the Lord God says about how we should handle our responses to others’ requests of us.
How often do we make a promise and fail to keep it? Our intention at the time we committed was good. We know that it’s wrong to go back on our word, but still we say to ourselves “It’s not very important what’s the big deal? What does it matter?” Well, the Word of God tells us that it is very important. I for one, am guilty of missing the mark, but convicted today to do something about it. Where and when did this business of promising begin anyhow? Why do we need to go beyond the simple answer of yes or no? Here is what the Bible has to say:
Will you join us at the Christian Training Center this summer? Heroes Week — Ages 14 – 18 — July 15-20, 2019
Welcome, here is a little taste of what you can experience here at the Christian Training Center this summer during our Heroes Week program. Ages 14 – 18 — July 15-20, 2019
If you are interested in becoming a hero and would like more information about how you or someone you know can attend this summer, visit our website by clicking here or fill out the contact form below and we will get back with you promptly.
Learn More and Register
If you would like to donate to and/or pay for a young person to attend this summer here at CTCI, please click here.
Under Pressure-Devotional
I was crushed…so much so that I despaired even of life, but that was to make me not rely on myself, buy on the God who raises the dead. (2 Corinthians 1:8-9)
What other faith in this world expresses such experiences in truth such as this scripture? Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake for when I am weak, than I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10) Or, how about this one?…
The Life I Live
“To life by faith is to trust and obey – if you trust AND obey that’s a living relationship. There is intimacy. There is growth. There is vitality.”
On November 5th our dear friend, Herman Weits, came and shared with us about the life of his ministry.
Herman and his wife, Ross, lead Bali Christian Retreat Center which is a ministry of Words of Hope International and he came to spend some time with us while on a visit back to the states.
WATCH the full video HERE.
The Fullness of Life | Jay Fesperman (3/3)
Finally, Paul tells Titus (Titus 3:14): “Our people must learn to DEVOTE THEMSELVES to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities, and not live un-productive lives!”
Here then is the principle upon which the Kingdom of God will be built. Like the human body, the Church – the BODY OF CHRIST – will thrive and grow up, until “We all reach UNITY in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become MATURE, attaining to the whole measure of the FULLNESS OF CHRIST!” (Ephesians 4: 13). Jesus said, “Whoever tries to keep his LIFE will lose it, and whoever LOSES his LIFE will PRESERVE IT. . .” (Luke 17: 33).
The Fullness of Life | Jay Fesperman (2/3)
God’s highest purpose for man is. . .”FULFILL OTHERS!” Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” This is the first and greatest requirement of God’s law. And the SECOND IS LIKE IT: “LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF!” All other laws hang on these two.
In order for man to grow up into this kind of citizen, God knew he must be brought forth in such a way that he would be TOTALLY DEPENDENT on other people. A human baby comes into the world totally devoid of the capacity to supply his own needs in response to the natural laws inherent in his being. Without a total contribution from others than himself, he will surely die. So, as he grows up into maturity, most of the support systems are governed and controlled by other people; so “God set the solitary in families.” He establishes us in relationships with others; father and mother, brothers and sisters. As these relatives – members of our family – nurture us out of our state of helplessness and our self-gratifying nature, we learn how to live. As we mature, we develop the capability of following the natural laws and, equally important, we come to see our roles of responsibility as members of a family, imparting life to others. We learn how to RECEIVE life; therefore, we learn how to GIVE life. . . God’s basic, most elementary structure of society then is the FAMILY.
The Fullness of Life | Jay Fesperman (1/3)
Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they might have LIFE and have it to the FULL.” (John 10: 10). One of the most deceptive things the thief, the devil, is bringing forth in the world today is the idea that DEATH is the solution to many social problems. The highest court in the land, by its 1973 decision, opened the floodgates to abortion, and millions of children have been murdered. Many of these deaths, it is said, are “for the convenience of society”; either the family, the community, or the nation. Now, serious consideration is being given to PLANNED LIFE-TERMINATION for the elderly, the poor, and the maimed. . .Wars and terrorism all over the world continue unabated – indeed, are on the increase. In many of these instances, people in certain religions are told that dying in a “holy war” will assure their eternal destiny. Elsewhere, life is cheap and expendable; the state owns its people. . .and so forth!
Life is Relationships
“Life is relationships. If you’re having a good life it’s because you have good relationships. If you’re having a tough life, it’s because you have problematic relationships.” – Jay Fesperman
Jay’s quote is such a truism. Relationships are so vital and central to life that it is a wonder we can be so negligent at times of our relationships – our relationship to God and our relationship to others. It is when we become careless in our relationships that our lives can become tough.
Consider this…