Pastor Gregory Dickow’s Free Devotional, “The Promises of Hope!”

Reference: http://www.changinglives.org/

Pastor Gregory Dickow wants us to know that Hope is a gift from God and all we have to do is receive it! This month, Pastor Dickow is giving away his eBook, “The Promise of Hope.” I have already downloaded my copy and want to share it with you all. However, you can download your own, that way you can sign up to receive daily encouraging emails from Pastor Dickow; just click on the book’s title, in this paragraph. This is what Pastor Dickow says about hope:

“HOPE is a gift. It is one of the greatest gifts God gives. It is not something we have to earn or deserve – HOPE IS GOD’S GIFT TO US. Because He gives HOPE as a gift, we can expect to receive HOPE anytime we need it. As we look at what is going on in the world today, there has never been a greater need for HOPE. Now, more than ever, we need GOD’S HOPE. The good news is God has HOPE in ample supply! All we need to do is receive it!”

Click Here For "The Promise of Hope" by Pastor Gregory Dickow

God bless you all,
Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks

The Armor of God - Day 2 (Introduction - Session 1 - Part 1A-2)

Photo reference: http://www.scripturetruth.com/images/Armor%20of%20God.jpg

I. Introduction - Session 1 - Part 1A-2: In Ephesians 6:10, Paul says to be "strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." "Be strong" is the Greek word endunamoo, meaning empowered. So to be strong is to be empowered by God and to appropriate His strength. Paul prays in Ephesians 1:15-23 and 3:14-21 that we would recognize that the power of the resurrection is ours. He commands us to act accordingly.

Ephesians 6:11 says to "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Scripture lists two kinds of armor:

1.  Defensive armor, for protection:

• The helmet: protecting the head, comes in various forms embossed with many kinds of figures.
• The girdle, or belt: protecting the loins to brace the armor tight against the body, and support daggers, swords and other weapons.
• The breastplate in two parts: one covers the breast and the other covers the back, protecting the vital organs of the body; it extends down to the legs.
• The greaves, or sandals, cover the shins: a form of a sole was often used to protect the feet from rocks, thorns, etc.
• The shield: to protect the entire body from blows and cuts

2.   Offensive armor for conquest:

• The sword is used to destroy the enemy and bring his surrender. Besides the sword, other weapons of offense included the spear, lance, battle-axe, club, bow and arrows, and sling. 

The phrase, "that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil;" (Ephesians 6:11)describes three blessings received from the armor of God:

1.  The ability to stand against all enemies (Ephesians 6:11-14).
2.  The ability to withstand all attacks (Ephesians 6:13).
3.  The ability to quench Satan's fiery darts (Ephesians 6:16).

"Having done all to stand," or "to stand" is a military term meaning to hold one's position; having already conquered, stand ready again to do battle. "Wiles" is the Greek word, methodeia,referring to the methods one would use to accomplish a task. In this context, it includes the different means, plans, and schemes used to deceive, entrap, enslave, and ruin men's souls. The defensive armor is a soldier's personal armor, used for protection. The offensive armor is for conquest, bringing the enemy into surrender, or slaying the enemy. Paul uses these common military tools to make a spiritual application. Ephesians 4 and 5 encourage us to appropriate the things that are of God. It warns us of many ungodly practices as well. Paul tells us to take up, or put on, the armor of God giving us the power and authority to do those things that we should do, and not do the things that we should not do.

Putting on the armor doesn't just happen; it takes effort. It is not a ritual of some kind. As believers, God gives us access to His armor, but we are commanded to put it on — all of it. This is a result of doing, believing, embracing, responding, and studying to gain knowledge and truth.

Click Here For PDF Version of Day 2

May the peace of God guard your hearts and minds ALWAYS!!!
Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks

****Click to accept Christ as YOUR personal Lord & Savior****

Click here to read copyright information

NOTE: These materials are copyright protected therefore you must request permission to reproduce any part of this material. To request permission, please contact Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks: drdehooks@abusedwoman.org.

The Armor of God - Day 1 (Outline/Introduction - S1 - P1A-1)

 Photo reference: http://www.scripturetruth.com/images/Armor%20of%20God.jpg

Outline

I. Introduction – Sessions 1 & 2 - Parts 1A-1 to 1B

II. The Whole Armor of God

• A. Belt of Truth – Session 3 - Parts 2A-1 to 2A-3
• B. The Breastplate of Righteousness – Session 4 – Part 2B
• C. The Gospel of Peace – Session 5 – Part 2C
• D. The Shield of Faith – Session 6 – Part 2D
• E. The Helmet of Salvation – Session 7 – Parts 2E-1 to 2E-3
• F. The Sword of the Spirit – Session 8 – Part 2F

III.  The Whole Armor of God Study Guide

Introduction

I. Introduction – Session 1 – Part 1A-1: We are in a spiritual battle but the battle is not ours, it belongs to the Lord!! Jesus lets us know that in Him we will have peace and in the world we will have trouble but to take heart, He has overcome the world (John 16:33).  Jesus has fought the battle and won and has given us the victory!! Therefore, we are not fighting the devil and his evil spirits, we are standing firm and resisting them when they attack us!! And to do this, we MUST use EVERY piece of God’s armor.

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6: ³ “For thought we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ 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, ⁶ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” (biblegateway.com – NKJV).

The material in the rest of the sessions in this teaching was taken from Chapter Thirteen (“The Armor of God”) of Dr. Art Mathias’ book, “Biblical Foundations of Freedom Destroying Satan’s Lies With God’s... with his permission. Therefore, no part of this teaching cannot be used without Dr. Mathias’ permission. You can contact Dr. Mathias at:

Wellspring Ministries of Alaska 2511 Sentry Drive

Anchorage, Alaska 99507

907.563.9033

E-mail: akwellspr@aol.com

Web Site: www.akwellspring.com

God gave us spiritual armor to use in our warfare with Satan. Many books have been written and sermons preached about this armor, but it is a subject that is greatly misunderstood and, therefore, misapplied. God's armor is not some sort of magic that our minds apply to fend off the devil. It is not something that we apply or take off each day. We need a clear idea of the make-up, purpose and use of the armor of God.

Ephesians 6:10-18 says, "¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 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, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—“ (biblegateway.com – NKJV).

Click Here For PDF Version of Day 1

Click Here For Study Guide

May the peace of God guard your hearts and minds ALWAYS!!!
Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks

****Click to accept Christ as YOUR personal Lord & Savior****

Click here to read copyright information

NOTE: These materials are copyright protected therefore you must request permission to reproduce any part of this material. To request permission, please contact Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks: drdehooks@abusedwoman.org.

“Are We There Yet? Your Struggle Is Over!” Pastor Gregory Dickow Message 8/21/16

Reference: http://store.gregorydickow.org/Are-We-There-Yet-Your-Struggle-Is-Over-p/bu3385.htm

Are you tired of struggling? Are you tired of rowing in your boat, and not getting anywhere? Or as the old people used to say, “Marking time and getting nowhere!” This is an excerpt from Pastor Gregory Dickow’s message this morning, “Are We There Yet? Your Struggle Is Over!” Powerful message from God! In this message, Pastor Dickow, explains to us how to stop rowing our boat, and accept what Jesus has already done; God has given us His amazing grace because of the finished work of Jesus! Our victories are not in our works or what we do, our victories come from what Jesus has ALREADY DONE for us, over 2000 years ago!! This is part of what Pastor Dickow said in the message and at the end of the broadcast, “Are We There Yet? Your Struggle Is Over!”

“The secret to getting to your healing, your breakthrough, your deliverance, the key to ending the waiting game, and accelerating your arrival to God’s purpose and destination for your life, is found in God’s more than enough amazing grace! Awaken to God’s amazing grace; it will change everything in your life. Grace mean, God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense!

Grace is an awaking, that it is not my efforts that brings victory, but it is Jesus’ victory that gets me to the other side!

When we willingly receive the grace of God, His grace, will take us where we need to go immediately, so activate God’s grace! God’s grace is the answer to all your struggles; step out of your power and into God’s grace!”

Click here, to obtain the complete copy of Pastor Dickow’s message.

God bless you all,
Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks

"Live By Faith In God Alone!"

Photo Reference: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/408560997428662390/

“The cedars of Lebanon are not dependent upon man for their watering; they stand on the lofty rock, unmoistened by human irrigation; and yet our heavenly Father supplieth them.” The Christian who learns to live by faith, is like the cedars of Lebanon, they are independent of man, even in secular things; for his continued maintenance he looks to the Lord his God, and to Him alone. The dew of heaven is his portion, and the God of heaven is his fountain. This is what Mr. Spurgeon said at the end of his Morning devotional for August 13^th:

"Again, the cedars of Lebanon are not protected by any mortal power. They owe nothing to man for their preservation from stormy wind and tempest. They are God's trees, kept and preserved by Him, and by Him alone. It is precisely the same with the Christian. He is not a hot-house plant, sheltered from temptation; he stands in the most exposed position; he has no shelter, no protection, except this, that the broad wings of the eternal God always cover the cedars which He Himself has planted. Like cedars, believers are full of sap having vitality enough to be ever green, even amid winter's snows. Lastly, the flourishing and majestic condition of the cedar is to the praise of God only. The Lord, even the Lord alone hath been everything unto the cedars, and, therefore David very sweetly puts it in one of the psalms, "Praise ye the Lord, fruitful trees and all cedars." In the believer there is nothing that can magnify man; he is planted, nourished, and protected by the Lord's own hand, and to Him let all the glory be ascribed."

This message is inspired by: "Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotional" - Morning devotion for August 13, 2016, "The cedars of Lebanon which He hath planted." Psalm 104:16.

Summary: Once we as Christians learn to live by faith, we will look to God forEVERYTHING; large, small, big, and little! We will know that we are planted, nourished, and protected by God Himself and we will give ALL the praise, honor, and glory to God alone! Learning to live by faith is a DAILY act; the Word tells us that the just shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; and Hebrews 10:38).

We as Christians are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) and we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Before we can walk by faith, we must live by faith; our hope (trust, belief, way out) should be put in God alone! Don't look for man to provide your way out; it is futile – man is not capable of bailing you out, nor providing what you need – ONLY God along! That is why there are so many frustrated, disappointed, depressed people in the world; they have made people and things their god and forgot the True and Living God - not only in the world has this happened, but in the church also! These people are looking for a man, woman, Pastor, money, things, etc. to bail them out of the mess they are in; not realizing that God is the One who can bring them out, not people or things-not even a place. Some people think changing their geographical location will get them out of the mess that they're in. No! If the mass is in YOU, changing locations will not help; you are there and the problem is in you. Therefore, seek God and cry out to Him for yourself; for YOUR deliverance.

I find that most people you go to for prayer, are not as passionate as you are about you getting YOUR breakthrough – go to God for YOURSELF! Don't depend on anyone to seek God for you – you go boldly to the throne of grace yourself; pouring out YOUR heart to God and stay in God's presence, until He answers you – He will answer. God wants YOU to come to Him yourself; God wants to talk with you directly – not through a third-party! Just go to God and be honest; although God knows already what is going on with you, tell Him ALL that is troubling you! Sometimes when you pray, words will come and other times, tears will flow but let God set you free His way – just you and Him – sit at your Father’s feet. When you go to God yourself, no man can claim the glory! ALL honor, glory, and praise belongs to God anyway; even when God uses a person to help you – man has no power unless God give it to him or her.

Surrender all to God! God has a plan for you and He wants to tell it to you and you alone. Don't worry about HOW God is going to work out your situation, just believe He will. EXHALE! God got you so LET “IT” GO! WHATEVER "it" is, release it to God so He can fix it for you – release it into God's hand. God wants YOU to choose NOW, are you going to keep "it" or are you going to release it to Him?

God is not going to take it from you, that would be a violation of your free will; God wants YOU to give it up to Him freely and turn it loose – it is that simple. Remember, ALL things are possible to those who believe (Mark 9:23) – release comes from the heart, not the mind.

My prayer for you: Thank You Father for touching the person whoever is reading this message; God touch him or her, like You never touched them before! Father give them an experience with You like they have never experienced before - when they finish praying, let them KNOW they have been in Your presence. Do it God! I come in agreement with them Father, for their deliverance, healing, and restoration! Father I thank You for hearing my prayer and I ask these things in Jesus' Mighty Name, Amen!

Go in the peace of God and make a conscious decision from this day forward, to live by faith in God alone, so you will be able to walk by faith, and not by sight!

"Live By Faith In God Alone!" - PDF

God's Servant,

Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks, PsyD

These materials are copyright protected, therefore you must request permission to reproduce any part of them. To request permission, contact: Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks: drdehooks@abusedwoman.org.

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