Part Two Dr. W. Terry Bailey

  Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: Moving in the Timing of God

  Verse 6 – “Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”  Verse 7 – “And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.” Acts 1:6-7

  A Cycle is an interval during which a recurring sequence of events happens.  A Cycle can also be a periodically repeated sequence of events, something that happens over and over at a certain time. Breaking Old Cycles

  A cycle can be linked with a time or an event and orchestrated supernaturally so that a repeating wound or injustice occurs from generation to generation.  Satan would love to keep us going around the same mountain or held in a cyclical pattern.  BUT GOD – has a remedy for iniquity.  By embracing the blood and redemptive sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, we can break out of any old pattern. Breaking Old Cycles

  “The LORD our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: ‘You have dwelt long enough at this mountain. 7 Turn and take your journey,….’” Duet. 1:6-7

  “And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”  The principle here is that when three strands come together, they form a triple-braided cord that is very difficult to break. Ecclesiastes 4:12

  Three demonic strongholds that all of us most likely will deal with are:  Poverty  Infirmity  Religion Three Demonic Strongholds

  Dr. Pierce writes, “Since any one of these (Poverty, Infirmity, and religion) can stop us from walking in victory, you can imagine when all three of these demonic strong holds align with each other.”  Let’s examine these three demonic strongholds. Dr. Chuck Pierce

  The first of the three cords is INFIRMITY.  Infirmity is a term that encompasses more than just sickness and disease.  It is also related to suffering and sorrow. Infirmity

  Matthew 8: When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,”  Verse 17 – “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “ He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.”  Isa. 53:4 Infirmity

  Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. Isaiah 53:4

  Dr. Pierce writes, that “infirmity can also refer to a disability of one kind or another.”  “Infirmity can occur as a result of moral or spiritual defects that cause our will to stray from God.  “Infirmity can be related to the influence of an evil spirit.”  Luke 13:11 Dr. Pierce

  “And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up.”  New King James Version (NKJV) New King James Version Luke 13:11

  Infirmity can also be linked with overall weakness in our bodies or with anything that created weakness, such as grief.  Romans 15:1 – “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.” (NASB)  This weakness is infirmity. Weaknesses

  “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”  KJV – reads, “Infirmities.” Romans 8:26

  One of the most difficult spirits is Poverty.  Poverty is refusing to become what God has created and destined us to be and not believing that the Lord can branch us into the fullness of His plan.  Poverty is not just experiencing lack but also the fear that we will lack. Poverty

  Poverty occurs when we conform our circumstances to the blueprint that the world has surrounded us with.  Poverty occurs when the god of this world surrounds and influences us with only a world perspective.  Poverty is the voice that says, “God is not able!” Poverty

  Through oppression and wrong authoritative structures – Isa. 5:8  It can occur if we develop a mentality of covetousness or gluttony – Prov. 23:21  Laziness – Prov. 24:33-34  Get rich schemes – Prov. 28:22  Poverty can occur if we resist the Holy Spirit and negate the blessings of the Lord in our lives. Poverty Through Various Means

  Matthew 16:6 – Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees.  The Spirit of Religion resists change.  It is one of the strongest spirits to break. Religion

  Religion is not a bad thing when we adhere to the word’s literal meaning – to consider divine things.  The word “religion” has three meanings in the Word of God:  Outward religious acts, such as praying and going to church; the feeling of absolute dependence; and the observance of moral law as a divine institution. Religious Spirit

  Verse 26 – “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”  Verse 27 - “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” James 1:26-27

  Ritual – Relationship = Religion  Dr. Peter Wagner – “ “The Spirit of Religion is an agent of Satan assigned to prevent change and to maintain the status quo by using religious devices.” What is a Religious Spirit?

  A religious spirit views God as a cold, harsh, distant taskmaster  A religious spirit places emphasis on doing outward things  A Religious Spirit is an Oppressive Legalistic Spirit  A religious spirit becomes joyless, cynical and hypercritical.  An Attitude of Pride and Judgment  A religious spirit rejects progressive revelation and refuses to embrace change.  A religious spirit persecutes those who disagree with his self-righteous views. Characteristics of a Religious Spirit

  Religion is linked with worship.  When it is pure it is powerful.  Religion can also be defined as an organized system of doctrine with an approved pattern of behavior.  Behavior has to demonstrate a proper form of worship.  This is where we move from pure and undefiled religion to ritual.  Demons of doctrine rob individuals of their freedom to worship a holy God in purity by instituting rules and regulations for their worship. Religion - Worship

  We must not fear change.  Dr. Chuck Pierce writes, “Fear not change! Fear not embracing the paradigms that will bring change.  Fear not confrontation.  Fear not the next great move of the Spirit of God.  Fear not letting go of worship methods in the church that have caused us to become comfortable.  Defy the spirits of religion around you and move with boldness into your future. No Fear