Friday, October 31, 2014

"Three Keys for Divine Protection"

If you are worried and fearful regarding Ebola and the Plagues that are coming from Africa and other lands, know as a Christian you can be protected. 
Read this exciting Biblical Study by Dr. Sandie Freed
 
  
"Three Keys for Divine Protection"
Dr. Sandie Freed, Hurst, TX
Zion Ministries

Abide, Anoint, and Plead the Blood of Jesus

Several weeks ago, the Lord began to speak to me concerning the Biblical term pestilence. I immediately began a Biblical word search to gain strategy for God's people as well as myself. While involved in an intense study, I was reminded that at the beginning of this year I gave a prophetic message and decree at our local church (Lifegate Church International in Hurst, TX) that we were to "be prepared for pestilence: learn the principles of the power in abiding in Christ, anointing our lives and homes, and applying the Blood to the doorposts" (prophecy and decree is paraphrased). I will explain more on this in a bit, but for now let's examine the term pestilence and how we can be "hidden in Christ" for divine protection.

Pestilence

Pestilence in the Old Testament is a Hebrew word that basically means "plague, to devour, to consume and to destroy." I believe it is safe to conclude that pestilence can be a plague (like a contagious disease) that attempts to destroy our health, our lives, and can also result in a death to our destiny.

There have been many different plagues throughout world history, as you know. There are many Believers who believe that plagues are a sign of the end times. While it is true that 2 Timothy 3:1 states that in the end times we will experience hard and difficult times, I would like to respectfully remind you that there have been plagues and pestilences historically documented throughout world history.

 
It is not my intent to discuss the "judgment" and the "timing" of these four seals of Revelation being opened. However, again, we cannot negate the fact that we have historical documentation of all four of these occurrences – wars for all three reasons and pestilence... for centuries and also just recently!

Keeping Our Focus on Christ

My main point is this – it's not a time to be fearful – it's time to rise up in faith! It's not a time to focus on pestilence, but rather a season to focus on Christ and who we are in Him! I am not in any way advocating that we put our head in the sand and not remain vigilant concerning our health and safety! We need to be diligently praying against terrorism, pestilence, and all opposing plans of our enemy. As Jesus instructs us – we are to pray that Heaven touches earth.

Yet, at the same time, we must rise up in our Godly authority, use our faith and thwart the plans of the enemy, especially the enemy of pestilence and destruction at this time. Still, to witness victory and peace, our thoughts and minds must remain on things above at this time.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

Key #1 for Divine Protection: Remain Hidden in Christ

I would like to now discuss the first key of divine protection. We need divine protection because the enemy has many different avenues which he uses to destroy us. We are at war with evil – this is very obvious. However,  I am writing from two perspectives concerning these thoughts. First, I wish to empower you with knowledge of exactly what "pestilence" is and, secondly, to teach you how to remain "hidden in Christ."

This also involves further understanding of the anointing and applying the Blood of Jesus as we war against pestilence, against "the devourer" and war against the "thief" that comes to kill, steal and destroy.


I have written extensively on how to remain hidden in Christ and how to plead the Blood of Jesus over our lives in my recent book, Power in the Blood: Claiming Your Spiritual Inheritance. In this book you will discover the many different truths concerning the power of the Blood of Jesus to protect you from the plans of the enemy. If you have received prophetic promises, you will want to read how to plead the Blood of Jesus over every portion of your "land" that has been given to you! I also remind every Believer how "every knee must bow to the name of Jesus" and yes, this means the name of pestilence!

When I think of the perfect prayer against pestilence, I am like most of you, I meditate upon Psalm 91. This is a passage that is most familiar to many Believers and has remained a "go-to" prayer when we are faced with opposing situations and don't know how to pray, as well as being a prayer of comfort and divine protection. Praying Psalm 91 is a heart-felt prayer to God; it is a prayer of direction and also a prayer that reaches the throne of God. Psalm 91 is a prayer for healing the heart and physical body, as well as empowering us with His divine comfort and faith for protection.

Grab your Bible and read Psalm 91 in its entirety. I want to expand on a few verses and words for greater clarity. Keep this in mind – the Ancient of Days is wanting to speak to us concerning finding that secret place and the unveiling of mysteries from days past, as well as ancient strongholds that attempt to affect us today!

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. Psalm 91:1-6

Believer, I could have almost highlighted every word in the entire Psalm 91 passage! But for the sake of this article, allow me to get straight to the point. We, as Believers, must remain hidden under His wings! He will hide us in a "secret place." This means it will be a secret even to the enemy and a place where even pestilence can't find us! In hiddenness, we are divinely protected from every enemy which opposes us and our future. In this place we are also given counsel for godly living, something desperately needed, wouldn't you agree?

Please note in your heart and mind that we must continually "abide" under the shadow of the Almighty. To "abide" means that we are to "stay permanently" there. This rules out all wavering concerning His grace, love and mercy. In other words, we can no longer doubt if God "really" loves us and "desires" to protect us. No! We need to be fully convinced that He loves us with an everlasting love and that He desires to bless us and empower us to overcome all evil. Let's also look at a passage concerning remaining "hidden" in Christ:

Colossians 3:1-4: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (Emphasis added)


The word "hidden" in this previous passage is a verb which means "to conceal, hide or kept secret by covering." This means that when we are covered by the Blood of Jesus, we are hidden in Him. There are several obvious benefits in this place.

First, it is a place of safety. The devil cannot locate us, as I wrote earlier, when we are "hidden" in Jesus. Second is empowerment. Being hidden assures us of our power, authority and dominion in Christ. Remember, we are seated with Christ in heavenly places! Third is intimacy. To be hidden means that we are tucked away in a very private and intimate place with God. He covers us with His wings and hides us in Himself. It is in that place that mysteries are revealed. Fourth is blessing. God reveals His secret plans and gives us divine strategies to overcome the enemy and therefore possess our blessings! 

Key #2 for Divine Protection: The Anointing

The word "anointing" actually means "to rub" and can be interpreted as "to smear with oil." In Old Testament times, the priesthood was anointed for their duties in the Tabernacle. This was an example of their being "set apart" unto God. As Christians, we are also referred to as "priests" and are "set apart" unto God. Therefore, we are also anointed by Him to represent Him on earth and become empowered by Him to demonstrate His Kingdom. It is important that during this season we remember that we are "anointed" and "set apart" from all the evils of this world.

 
I can't write about the anointing without first mentioning that, to some degree, to walk in the fullness of anointing requires change.

Change? Why? Well, because God is calling many of us to repentance, and repentance involves "changing the mind." What does this have to do with the anointing?

Everything! First, many of us, including myself, have not fully believed that God desires to grace us and empower us to walk in our Godly authority. Unfortunately, we have failed to fully trust God, believe in all that He says about us and therefore, possess our spiritual inheritance.

We must change the way we think about ourselves so that we can receive and walk in our mantles of authority! God desires to clothe you with victory! There is an anointing from Heaven that will protect and heal you! This anointing will work many miracles in your life, home, workplace and ministry.

Take a moment and read the parable in Luke 5:36-39. You will read about how necessary it is to be a pliable wineskin. The story behind this parable is simple – one cannot remain an old wineskin to receive and contain new wine.

Dear ones, mysteries from Heaven are being given to us and we need a new wineskin for this season.

As divine strategy is given concerning God being our protector (and all the revelation in Psalm 91), we need to shift into agreement with His directives.

To be prepared, we must allow ourselves to be dipped in the water of His Spirit and rubbed with Heaven's oil to soften our hearts and remain flexible. Our hardened and dried hearts must be changed into soft and pliable vessels – ready for the new wine.

 
No pestilence can come near your dwelling! You may desire to recite the entire 91st Psalm, which by the way is what I have done recently also.

Key #3 Pleading the Blood of Jesus

Pleading the Blood of Jesus for divine protection is the third key I would like to share. Please hang in there with me... in just a few minutes you will be given sample prayers that will empower you with a victory structure.

When we plead the Blood of Jesus we are applying the Blood to our lives and also to diverse circumstances. We can compare this to the time that the Israelites were instructed to apply the blood of the lamb to their doorposts. When they did this, they were protected from the destroyer (see Exodus 12).

Pleading the Blood is a very scriptural truth because it means to stand on the spiritual rights that are "legally" ours through the Blood that Jesus shed for the forgiveness of our sins. Dear one, please understand that the Blood of Jesus gives you rights over the devil and rights with God!

Remember this important fact: we are in a Blood Covenant with God. "And they overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony and they loved not their life even unto death... And (God) hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Revelation 12:11, Ephesians 2:6).

This Covenant provides provision for our every need, including protection from accidents, satanic attacks, financial needs, emotional and physical healing and deliverance.

 
Applying the Blood of Jesus


Recalling once more Exodus 12 and the instructions to the Israelites, they were to apply the blood of a lamb with the branch from a hyssop bush. Further instructions were that they were to apply it to the sides and to the top of the doorposts of their homes (verse 7). This signifies the protection of their going out and coming in. If they did not apply the blood with hyssop, they did not receive the full effects of the blood. It was available, but it had to be applied to receive the benefits. I love the fact that the "word of our testimony" is the New Testament hyssop.

The hyssop becomes the confession that we make regarding the Blood of Jesus. Precious saint, it's time to plead the Blood of Jesus and apply it over every circumstance that concerns you!

The following is a sample prayer to demonstrate how to apply the Blood of Jesus for divine protection and health. (For other concerns, stop now and write a list of all that you would wish to cover by His Blood, such as your spouse, children, family, job, safety, etc. You will want to add these areas as you pray.)

Walk through your home place and pray that God will cover each door or your house with his anointing oil, and claim the blood of Jesus for protection over all who enter (and exit) through its doors.

Let's Pray:

Father, I confess today that You are my Lord and that I am Your anointed child. I come to You in faith, knowing that it is Your desire to perfect all that concerns me and my life. I plead the Blood of Jesus over myself. (Reader, this is the time to add others, such as family, spouse, children, job, etc.) I cover my body, mind, emotions and spirit with the Blood of Jesus. As I plead the Blood of Jesus against any diseases, viruses, pestilences or illnesses that would try to overtake me (you may wish to add family, etc.), I release the healing virtue of Jesus Christ into my body.

I thank You that through the Blood of Jesus I am completely redeemed out of the hand of the evil one. I take my rightful authority as one who is set apart and anointed by You and also as one in divine covenant, and claim my right to curse every demonic assignment upon my health and my protection. (Again, you may wish to include others as you pray.) I declare that Jehovah-Rophe healed me and has promised that He keeps me in perfect health all the days of my life. I plead the Blood of Jesus against calamities, catastrophes and any hidden dangers that would attempt to come against me (and others you wish to pray for may be added here as you continue to pray). Amen!

Reader, I believe you are completely protected from the enemy! The Blood of Jesus is covering you and all that concerns you!

In Christ,
Sandie Freed - Zion Ministries
Co-pastor, Lifegate Church, Hurst, Texas

Email: zionministries1@sbcglobal.net
Website: 
http://lifegatechurch.org/

2 comments:

Unknown said...

I totally agree - it is time to rise up in faith and not cower in fear because we serve a very mighty God.

Dawn said...

Psalm 91 has been a dear and precious safe place for many years. It was on of the first Psalms I memorized completely, and used to recite daily. I am encouraged reading this post, Hazel. Thanks!
Blessings,
Dawn