Articles - Spirit Lifestyle with Rob & Aliss Cresswell

The Spirit of Prophecy

Rob Cresswell — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 15:23:45 +0000

For those who desire to understand prophecy, whether receiving it or delivering it, a key principle is to understand that there is a spirit behind all true prophecy. This should not surprise us because prophecy is essentially the receiving and communicating of God’s will, and God himself is spirit (John 4:24). Furthermore, understanding what the spirit of prophecy is will also help us weigh or test prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:29).

The power of testimony

When we talk about a testimony in a Christian context we often mean ‘my personal story of how I came to accept Jesus as my Lord and saviour’. But a testimony can also be about other experiences of Gods divine intervention too. For example, for a transformed life, a healing miracle or for any unexpected blessing. A testimony is something we may share in public, in front of an audience, but it can also be shared with an individual in a simple everyday way.

In The book of Revelation the apostle John tells of an amazing prophetic experience. He is shown the end of the age and the beginning of the one to come by an angel. At one point he is so overwhelmed by the glory of the angel that he falls down to worship it, but the angel quickly stops him:

And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10

What did he mean by that? Well, putting it very simply, the testimony of Jesus is that he died and rose again to make all things new (Revelation 21:5). He is the saviour of the world (John 3:16). And this testimony is at the heart of all true prophecy.

Getting back to our testimony or witness to the work of God in our lives, the act of testifying to Gods goodness has the essence of prophecy within it because every time we honour Jesus like this we are releasing the power of the gospel; to save, heal and deliver. Let me explain…

The Ark of the Covenant

Part of the root Hebrew word for testimony means to be a witness but it also means ‘to return, repeat, do again’. That’s why one of the names for the ark of the covenant was also, ‘the ark of the testimony’ (Exodus 25:16), because it contained elements which testified to Gods promises made in the past (Hebrews 9:4). But also it was the place of present and continuing encounter (the place of meeting). It was where God would ‘return, repeat and do again’ the miracles and wonders that he’d done before.

The power to overcome

Every time we testify to the reality of the power of God in our lives it contains the testimony of Jesus and therefore the spirit of prophecy. And when we testify like this it releases present and future power to save again, heal again or deliver again…

That’s why in revelation we are told that the saints overcame their enemy, the accuser, “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation‬ ‭12:11‬). Because testimony (about the work of Christ in our lives) releases the power of God.

This doesn’t mean that every time we testify to Gods goodness in our lives we have to explain the whole gospel message, any more than it does when we prophesy. We may prophesy over someone’s life, “God loves you and has great plans for you”, or “I see you going to the lost, to the dark places and ministering in healing”. We don’t explicitly explain the gospel, but the reality of it is behind or within the words.

You may not think of yourself as being ‘prophetic’ or having ‘prophetic gifting’ but if you speak to others of God’s goodness in your life then you are already operating according to the spirit of prophecy. The testimony you release is prophetic in nature because it releases the power of God to ‘return, repeat and do again’. I’m not suggesting that prophecy ends here (with testimony) but that the testimony of Jesus is the source, the spirit, the very beginning of the prophetic flow. So the next time you speak of the goodness of God in your own life to others, whether great or small, miraculous or commonplace, remember that you are releasing the power of God to bless others too, and that is the spirit of prophecy; the testimony of Jesus.

This teaching is part of GROWING IN THE PROPHETIC an eight part video teaching series.

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A New Year Cairn

Rob Cresswell — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 18:54:24 +0000

If you’ve ever been hill walking you may have come across a cairn; a pile of stones or rocks heaped up in a significant place. The most common of these sites is at the highest point of a hill or prominence – often marking the top of a big climb. It lets you know you’ve arrived, you’ve done it! Just like many who have been here before you, it’s time to sit down and enjoy the view, and if you’ve packed one, have a spot of lunch. I’ve got a video to show you in a moment that I took at the top of a mountain in North Wales recently…

Photo: A cairn near our cottage in North Wales

The cairn is a place of pause and appreciation. Every stone represents someone who passed through here before us. There may have been some hard climbs and bad weather on the way up and we feel a sense of relief and achievement. Placing a stone on the cairn helps to mark this achievement and share it with others who come after us.

The turn of the year is a good time to reflect on life and particularly our journey over the past year. We can consider what we feel good about as well as the difficulties and challenges that we’ve had to face. Articulating these or even writing them down can help us move forward with a renewed sense of purpose. It can be a bit like sitting on that hill top and deciding to place a stone or two on the cairn. This can create a meaningful moment that can become a monument, not just for us but for others too.

Reflecting on the past year

First it’s good to focus on the positives. One of the oldest descriptions of a cairn is in the book of Joshua as the Israelites cross over the Jordan River to enter their promised land. This passage over the river was accompanied by an amazing miracle as God held back the flood waters to allow the thousands of Israelite families to cross over. Joshua gave this instruction to 12 of the Israelite tribal leaders:

“Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭4‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Then…

“Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant had stood. And they are there to this day.” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So place a stone on the cairn (or write a note in your journal) that represents those times of Gods blessings and provision in your life. Let it be a testimony to his faithfulness and goodness. When I think back on this past year I think of special events, new friendships, the kindness of people letting us stay in their homes, and all the times God made a way where there was no way.

And then there are the stones that represent hardships and pain. I’ve had a tough year in many ways this last year, particularly with an accident I had with a circular saw (fingers damaged but well on the way to a full recovery). But often it’s the hardships and difficulties of life that shape us most of all and times of reflection can help us to see beyond the hardships. In this way we can begin to appreciate the preciousness of our relationships more than ever and thank God for what others have imparted into our lives.

VIDEO: I Had a great day walking around the Lake Ogwen peaks (Snowdonia, North Wales) at the end of August last year while Aliss was at the café in Bangor. The day began with low cloud that cleared up as the day went on. I set out at Idwal cottage and then climbed up to Carnedd Dafydd peak – walked along the ridge to Carnedd Llewelyn and then up the other side of the valley to go around Tryfan – there were some hard climbs but I never get tired of these views.

Enjoying the View

There may have also been some unexpected delights on the way up and it’s an opportunity to remember those times too. A sudden breakthrough of sunshine, a brilliant rainbow or perhaps the discovery of a place of peace. Here at the top we can also take in the amazing view – not everyone gets to see this 360 vista and we feel privileged to share it. We are impressed with Gods majesty and the vastness of His creation.

It’s not only mountain tops that are marked by cairns. If a terrain is particularly difficult to read and the paths are vague travellers can leave stones as way-markers. I’ve been particularly glad of these on occasions where I’m trying to find my way up a hill without a path. Then there are the little cairns that appear on a significant stopping place on the way to the top. This could be a nice flat area with good places to sit half way up a rather steep climb. It’s a little breather and the pile of stones left by others say – “Well done, you’re half way up, keep going!”

Journaling can be like these way-markers and encouraging cairns. We can get a sense of the journey, of where we’ve been and how far we’ve come.

Making Memorials on the Landscape of Life

For Joshua and the children of Israel the cairn by the Jordan became a memorial to much more than the miracle itself. It wasn’t at the top of a mountain but perhaps figuratively it was. The memorial stones marked the transition of the Israelites from a nomadic desert people to settlers and warriors of a Kingdom. It’s powerful to mark significant transitional times in our lives with acts of thanksgiving and testimony. It releases the blessing and power of God into our future when we do this (Find out more in ‘The Spirit of Prophecy’ video).

Reflecting on the past is a valuable way to begin to adjust and determine our plans for the future too. When we take time to consider our recent history, for example, our various relationships and how they are developing (or not), it helps us form goals and objectives for the future. Where do we want to focus and invest our time? How can I make that better in the future? It’s the same with our job or spiritual growth. We can decide to make changes that can leave some things we don’t want in the past and form goals that we would like to achieve in the future.

What will you place on the cairn at the beginning of this year?

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A CHRISTMAS BLESSING

Rob Cresswell — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 15:36:19 +0000

Christmas is a time for giving and receiving and a time for blessing others but who was the first person to bless Jesus? Was it a shepherd or one of the wise men? Or, if you know your scriptures, you may remember Simeon or Anna at the temple (Luke 2)? However, in the gospel accounts did you know that one of the very first acts of blessing upon Jesus is proclaimed over him while he is in the womb?!

In Luke 1 we read how Mary (having conceived Jesus by the Holy Spirit) visited her Aunt* Elizabeth who was six months pregnant with her own baby, John (the Baptist). Elizabeth’s pregnancy was an unexpected miracle too:

“because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they (she and her husband Zechariah) were both very old.” Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬‬‬

Her pregnancy had been a long time coming, so long in fact that when it was announced to her husband Zechariah (by the archangel Gabriel no less), he was so full of doubt about it that the angel had to silence him with muteness – for over 9 months! (Read more: ‘How not to stop your miracle’). Little wonder then that 4 months into her pregnancy Elizabeth was so excited to see her niece Mary visit her home in the hills for some much needed companionship and conversation!

AND I THOUGHT IT WAS ALL ABOUT ME!

For this reason I can imagine that Elizabeth was looking forward to being the centre of attention, after all, it was her husband who had been visited by the Angel Gabriel, and it was she who had miraculously conceived. But this was not to be, because, as Mary arrived, before she had any chance to tell her Aunt anything, Elizabeth, filled with the Spirit, launched into a spontaneous blessing over her niece instead:

“But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”” Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭43‬-‭45‬

Wow! Talk about an unexpected turnaround of events! Elizabeth felt her unborn child ‘leap’ in her womb and was simultaneously filled with the Holy Spirit! All at once she had a revelation about Mary and her baby.

“In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!” Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭42‬

And so Elizabeth is likely the first person on earth to recognise and declare the present incarnation of Jesus before he is even born.

THE POWER OF BLESSING OTHERS

Don’t get me wrong, this first ‘Christmas Blessing’ between Mary and Elizabeth is of a highly significant prophetic order. However, one of the insights this highlights is that the act of blessing doesn’t only initiate and release others into their destiny but it also activates ours. Because, as Elizabeth announced this blessing she also inaugurated the ministry of her own son John to ‘prepare the way of the Lord’ – in affect declaring (as John would), “He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30

So remember this Christmas that though you may need many things from God: a divine healing, a prophetic word of guidance or a miracle provision, often these blessings come as we bless and proclaim the favour of God upon others. And this is the great power of blessing others – that as you bless others it releases and draws down the blessing of God on your own life too:

“Those who live to bless others will have blessings heaped upon them, and the one who pours out his life to pour out blessings will be saturated with favour.” Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭25‬

So this Christmas why not ask the Lord for an opportunity to speak out and express Gods blessing and favour over others and see what God will do in your own life as a result?

MORE RESOURCES ABOUT THE POWER OF BLESSING

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WHAT ARE THE HEAVENLY REALMS?

Rob Cresswell — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 10:41:06 +0000

PART ONE: PLACES AND INHABITANTS

The heavenly realms are mentioned numerous times in the Bible but what are they and what have they got to do with us?

According to the Bible the heavenly realms exist in the spiritual dimension and are inhabited by spiritual beings, including God himself. If you were to assume that the heavenly realms are a good place you’d be right (mostly!). They are a spiritual dimension of celestial beings who radiate light and are full of divine love for God and his ways.

However, it’s a mistake to think that, because they are called the ‘heavenly’ realms, they only concern the highest heavens – where everything is in harmony with God. On the contrary, the heavenly realms also include factions of rebellion, of demonic powers and even human spirits. Perhaps, for this reason, it’s more helpful to think of the heavenly realms as simply the spiritual dimensions – both high and low and everything in between!

A DIVINE CONTEXT

When referring to the heavenly realms the Bible often uses earthly language to convey spiritual truths. So when, for example, it speaks of ‘God’s throne’ it does not mean that God is a being like other beings sitting on a throne that is a bit higher and bigger than everyone else’s! When Scripture speaks of God’s throne it means the SOURCE of ALL power and authority – in fact we could even say God IS POWER and IS AUTHORITY.

Similarly it’s important to understand this principle when scripture uses terms like ‘high and low’ or ‘light and dark’ – they are simply terms to express spiritual relationships or dynamics within the context of an all powerful, all knowing and all present God.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE HEAVENLY REALMS

If you don’t believe that there is a spiritual dimension then the heavenly realms will not make any sense to you (in fact – nor will Christianity or most of the teachings of Christ). It’s an oxymoron to profess to be a Christian (in any meaningful sense) and not believe in the heavenly realms.

The Bible teaches that the heavenly realms are more important than the physical or earthly realms because they are eternal (1 John 2:17). The heavenly realms are the complex universe of the spiritual dimension(s). This spiritual universe has hierarchies of power, laws, armies, envoys, boundaries and citizens. To be ignorant of the heavenly realms is to be ignorant of the true realities and powers that govern life on earth (it’s source, purpose, and meaning).

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

‘The Kingdom of Heaven’ (also known as the Kingdom of God), is a theme Jesus spoke about a great deal in his teaching, conversation and parables. The Kingdom of Heaven – simply put – is Gods rule and reign. Nothing happens in the Heavenly Realms unless God wills it or allows it. Jesus taught us that one characteristic of the Kingdom of Heaven (Gods rule and reign) is that it is already here on earth but also coming in fullness in the future – it is an increasing Kingdom (that’s why we pray, “Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” Matthew 6:10).

Conversely the Bible uses terms such as ‘the Dominion of Darkness’ to describe a state of entrapment, alienation and enmity with God and his will.

HEAVENLY REALMS AND THE MATERIAL WORLD

When spiritual realities affect the material world we call this the ‘manifestation’ of the spiritual (whether good or bad). This is not only dramatic ‘supernatural phenomenon’ like miracles, but also hidden influences of great spiritual power that change the course of whole nations over time.

God is everywhere by His Spirit (omnipresent) – in fact, the Bible teaches that he holds the physical universe together by his power (Colossians 1:17) – but He doesn’t manifest his power and presence unless He has a purpose to do so. And this is where it gets really exciting because the Gospel message teaches us that God has determined to show his manifest power on the earth through his Son, Jesus Christ and subsequently through the Holy Spirit and the community of believers…

In Ephesians we read regarding Gods manifest power:

“That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms” Ephesians 1:20

And

”His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,“ Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬

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WHAT IS A REALM?

A ‘realm’ refers to a territory and peoples that serve a ruler who exerts their authority over certain lands or domains. As a citizen of a monarchy here in the UK I likely have an advantage in understanding what that means. The law abiding people of that land serve and support ‘the crown’ – represented by the monarch – (serve in government, pay taxes, support the rule of law and the army etc) in return for certain rights and protections (even when away from the country). These passages from Ephesians tell us that Christ sat down at the right hand of God the Father and was made the supreme ruler of the heavenly realms or the spiritual dimensions (Matthew 23:22). When we recognise Christ as our saviour and Lord, and obey his commands to love God and one another (John 14:15) then we also have rights and protections as citizens of his Kingdom too (and we’ll look at these in a future article…).

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3

However – it isn’t over yet, because the scripture also tells us that not everything in the heavenly realms are submitting to Christs rule and reign… well, not yet – but that time will come…

“With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfilment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.” Ephesians 1:9-10

WHO LIVES IN THIS REALM?

The Heavenly realms are populated by angels (arch angels, cherubim and the seraphim and other beings) who serve the Lord God as servants: warriors, ministers, consultants, messengers and worshippers. But it is also populated by the fallen angels and all spiritual beings that are rebellious towards Gods authority – the demonic (both great and small), the dark powers of the world and all spiritual forces of evil. So we could say that the heavenly realms are populated by the good, the bad, the ugly!

There is another class of beings that populate the heavenly realms and that is the created beings who have a spirit – that’s you and me – human beings! Whether you are a believer or not, every human has a spirit and that spirit is subject to what is happening in the heavenly realms (for better or for worse). The Bible even talks of those humans who have died as still living in the heavenly realms (for example, ‘the great cloud of witnesses’ Hebrews 12:1). There are also many accounts in the Bible of people having dreams and visions of being in the heavenly realms (‘in the spirit’) and seeing what is taking place there.

Places and structures are mentioned in the heavenly realms such as ‘the courts of heaven‘ (Psalm 82:1) where strategic decisions are made and angelic messengers are dispatched on assignment (2 Chronicles 18). We also read of spiritual realities of earthly structures such as the tabernacle and the heavenly city (Hebrews 8:5, Revelation 21).

So the heavenly realms are rich and complex spiritual dimensions that are both a place of Gods rule and reign but also places of dissent and rebellion.

A HIERARCHY OF SPIRITUAL POWERS

There is a hierarchy of spiritual powers in the heavenly realms. Colossians 1 refers to these as thrones, powers, rulers and authorities. The Bible teaches that God is enthroned in the highest heavens but in Christ he has created these powers to serve his sovereign purposes in the created order:

“For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” Colossians. 1:16-17

However, possessed by a lust for power and glory these powers have rebelled against God (under Satan’s leadership) and are allowed (for a season) to operate in the lower heavens and earthly realms often behind human beliefs systems, cultural institutions, and governmental structures (what Paul calls – ‘the elementary things of the world’ Galatians’ 4:3 and ‘the elemental spiritual forces of this world’ Colossians 2:20).

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

This is why Jesus refers to Satan as ‘the prince of the air’ because he, along with a third of the angels, have been cast down from the highest heavens (Revelation 12:9) and have been empowered by the worship and allegiance of men to have power on the earth. The Bible calls this idol worship and it takes many forms – from ancient animism to modern Godless ideologies:

“Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.” Romans 1:22

Angels on assignment may operate in the earthly realms (the lower heavens – sometimes called the first and second heavens) but the demonic is strictly excluded from the highest heaven.*

THE BATTLE OF THE AGES

Many religions maintain that the Highest Heaven is distant and inaccessible – certainly way too Holy for the vast majority of the unclean masses. But Jesus changed all that. When Jesus taught about the Kingdom of heaven he was referring to the realm of Gods rule and blessing – the highest heavens. He taught that he had come from that realm and that all he was and did revealed what his Heavenly Father and his Kingdom was like:

“If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:7

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” John 18:36

His kingdom is merciful and forgiving to the contrite and repentant, it is healing and reconciliation to the poor and the humble, it is close to the broken hearted and the lowly. He taught that anybody who trusted and believed in him (as the Christ the Son of God) would enter that realm or kingdom and belong to it by virtue of being united with him:

”And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,“ Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬

And what’s more – God would make his home in the heart of that person by his Spirit and transform them inside out:

“Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” John 14:23

Jesus taught more about the Kingdom of heaven than anything else and that the highest heavenly realms are not a vague far away place of clouds and angels playing harps but a present reality of joy, love and peace that can be experienced in everyday life. However, the heavenly realms are also a place of strategy and warfare; a realm of valour, battle, heroism, betrayal and loyalty.

and we’ll talk about that next time…

* though there are some notable exceptions in the Bible – for example, the book of Job tells us that Satan himself was allowed to have an audience with God, though his usual habitat was – “roaming throughout the earth going back and forth on it” Job 1:7. (However, on reflection, this audience is not explicitly stated as being in the highest heavens).

What Does Halloween Mean?

Rob Cresswell — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 06:34:54 +0000

‘Trick or treating’, making pumpkin lanterns, dressing up in creepy costumes… What does Halloween mean?

Around this time of year many prepare to celebrate Halloween. As the days get shorter and colder kids do Halloween craftwork at school, homes get decorated with spooky cobwebs, spiders and bats, and pumpkins will get carved with scary faces and lit up with candles. For most this is a fun time of sweets, candy and games. Social media, restaurants and cinema go full-on ‘creepy season’ and shops overflow with treats, costumes and toys for ‘spooktastic’ fun and frolics.

Some may be tempted to explore the darker side of Halloween by dabbling in mediumship (marketed as ‘games’) and spell making ‘kits’. And beyond this still, all kinds of pagan and occult devotees mark the event in their particular ways, from the seemingly harmless to the diabolical. But have you ever wondered where this ‘celebration’ of Halloween comes from? Why do so many of us dress up and play spooky games? What’s it all about?

What does Halloween Mean?

The word Halloween actually means “The evening before Hallows (or Saints) day”. It was originally called “All Hallows Eve” and was celebrated on October 31st before “All Hallows Day” on November 1st. It is observed by Roman Catholic and many protestant churches in the west to honour deceased members of the church who have been canonised (recognised as Saints). So why all the scary stuff on the evening before?

Like so many ancient Christian festivals the reason lies in what we might call a (monster) mash-up of pagan and Christian traditions. All Hallows day hasn’t always been on November 1st; up until the 8th century it was on May 13th, until it was moved to the new date by the Pope (Gregory III). Historians suspect it was moved to replace the existing pagan festival of Samhain (in the same way that Christmas day was placed on 25th December – a winter solstice festival).

The Festival of Samhain

The oldest records of pagan celebration on 31st October are linked to the Gaelic Festival of Samhain which was held at a significant turning of the seasons (summer to winter). This seasonal transition was considered to be spiritually ‘thin’ – when the spirit world was ‘closer’ to the material world and would manifest more readily. In the Northern hemisphere this is a time of natural death and dormancy for many plants and animals as winter draws in.

It is believed that the dressing up as ghosts and ghouls was a way to ward off any malignant ghosts and spirits by fooling them into thinking they were just other spirits. In the same way jack-o’-lanterns (pumpkins carved with frightening faces as illuminated with candles) would also ward off evil or mischievous spirits. Many of the mystical rituals from Samhain evolved into games, for example, ‘Bobbing Apples’ in water was originally a form of divination (often to foretell who you would marry). When November 1st became a Saints’ Day perhaps this fed the myth that the old pagan evil spirits would do their worst the night before.

Soul Cakes and Trick or Treat

Strangely enough the practice of ‘trick or treating’ originally came from a Christian influence. From medieval times children would dress up as saints and go door to door on ‘All Hallows Eve’ asking for ‘soul cakes’ – a kind of sweet cookie (similar to a cake called Parkin in England). This was because November 2nd was actually another church day called “All Souls Day”*. In exchange for the soul cakes there would be prayers offered for the household (particularly those who had passed on). It is still practiced in some parts of England and countries such as Portugal and Philippines to this day. This paved the way for the practice of ‘trick or treat’ that became popular in the mid 20th century. So dressing up as saints and asking for soul cakes became dressing up as a witches and ghouls and asking for candy as an insurance against pranking (in the 20th century). What a strange and confused mix up Halloween is!

*All Souls Day, also called ‘The Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed’ – established in the 10th century to allow for, not only honouring of canonised Roman Catholic saints but also all departed relatives. This is why in countries like Mexico ‘The Day of the Dead’ is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, again, a strange mixture of church and ancient Aztec traditions (notably featured in the opening sequence to the James Bond movie Spectre).

What’s behind the mask?

Because Halloween is such a mixture of things it’s difficult to have a ‘one size fits all’ approach. As far as I can tell, people who engage with any kind of Halloween celebration fall into three basic types:

1. Devout Christian observation of All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

2. Serious observation of pagan and occult practices rooted in Samhain.

3. The modern (mostly secular) widespread tradition of dressing up, partying, dabbling in occult ‘games’, watching spooky movies etc

For the sake of this article I’m going to focus on the third group (largely secular celebration), because this is by far the biggest group. So let’s look at two of the main aspects behind this type of Halloween observation:

1. The thrill of being scared

2. The attraction of the supernatural

1. The thrill of Being Scared: Facing our biggest fears

People have always had a macabre fascination with the ghoulish and the grotesque. From the old English epic Beowulf poem about a terror called Grendel, to Mary Shelly’s monster and Bram Stoker’s Dracula in the nineteenth century, horror fiction has become ever more popular. I remember when I was a kid that we would dare our friends to go into the graveyard at night. Not many were brave enough, it was terrifying! We ‘love’ to try and confront our fears; particularly fears of death, decay and the dead.

Much like the psychology of ‘enjoying’ horror stories and movies, Halloween is perhaps a celebration of facing up to our biggest fears: fears of the dark, fears of monsters, fear of the unknown. For in doing so we hope to conquer those fears, overcoming them, and laugh at them (from a place of safety). But for many Halloween goes far beyond ‘facing down our fears’ – it actually celebrates and glorifies them in a way that is far more likely to feed the monster than to defeat it.

Looking upon the Serpent

In the Old Testament of the Bible there is a story about a time the Israelites were suffering from the bites of ‘fiery serpents’. They had grumbled against God and his servant Moses and the consequence was severe. Moses, always a good mediator for the people, cried out to God for mercy, to which God responded with a rather surprising remedy:

The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” Numbers 21:8

So Moses made a bronze serpent and everyone who had been bitten and looked upon the serpent lived. The very thing that had caused them pain and death was the very image that caused them to live! The serpent is the ultimate representation of our ancient enemy, the devil and it represents the curse of death upon mankind (Genesis 3). This is an ancient example of ‘facing up to the monster – bringing deliverance’, but it was also a foreshadowing of an even greater salvation to come.

Jesus Christ is the polar opposite of the serpent. He is the perfect, sinless man; the Son of God. And yet Jesus himself actually identified himself with this bronze serpent in the Gospel of John:

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” John 3:14-15

He was referring to the way in which he would be lifted up and crucified on the cross. He would in effect, become everything we fear: pain, suffering, humiliation and death. In this respect we could say the heart of Christianity is the ultimate expression of this desire to ‘face and conquer the monster’ because in the crucifixion of Jesus we see all our worst fears put on display. Scripture teaches us that in his crucifixion Jesus became ‘our curse’, ‘our monster’, ‘our worst nightmare’ (Galatians 3:13). However, in doing so he truly conquered all these horrors on our behalf. In a mysterious way, the crucified Jesus is our worst us. However – when he rises from the dead in glory he is also our best us! He really did defeat death and decay. Not only rising from the dead in glory himself (Mark 10:9) but also bringing us into the promise of the light of life:

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1

So whatever you are doing this Halloween I hope that you would know that in Jesus there is nothing to fear – because for all who look upon the cross of Jesus and believe in him (that he is God’s Son, the saviour of the word), the fright-fest of the crucifixion, and therefore all there is to fear in this life is over. It’s not that bad things won’t happen to us, but that we can face them with hope, confidence and a bright future. We do not need to fear ghosts, or demons or even death; in fact we have much to enjoy and celebrate!

having cancelled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross… Colossians 2:14-15

2. The Attraction of the Supernatural

Despite modern science and technology our appetite for the supernatural seems to be ever increasing. From the Harry Potter series (the best selling novels of all time), to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Paranormal TV, we can’t seem to get enough.

From a Christian point of view this should be very understandable. The Bible is one of the most supernatural books on the planet! Most pages of the Bible are filled with miracles and supernatural events. God himself is, by definition, supernatural (that which is outside of nature, or spiritual – John 4:24). By strict definition Jesus was one of the most supernatural men that walked the earth. So, no wonder then, that as those created in the divine image (Genesis 2), that we are ‘wired’ to desire the supernatural.

However, there are good spiritual powers and bad spiritual powers. In regard to the idea of ‘spiritual power or protection’ in Halloween – you can be sure that dressing up as Dracula and messing with Ouija boards isn’t going to help. The Bible teaches us that if we want to enjoy a healthy and long life then we should steer well clear of anything associated with the occult: divination, mediumship and spell casting (Deuteronomy 18:10-12a). If we truly desire peace, health and freedom, these activities will make things worse for us, not better!

Furthermore, these occult practices are poor counterfeits of the true supernatural manifestations of the Holy Spirit filled life: prophecy, healing and true spiritual authority.

The spiritual dimension certainly is real and there are spiritual entities and powers that will cause us great harm if given permission or invitation to manifest through occult paraphernalia. The Bible teaches that divine protection through faith in Jesus Christ is the only true antidote to spiritual attack:

“Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16

We have met many who have unwittingly got involved and entangled in witchcraft and mediumship. What may have started off as ‘a game’ or ‘harmless fun’ had quickly spiralled out of control and trapped them in demonic oppression and fear, yielding all kinds of physical and mental health issues.

The good news is that for those who truly desire to be free the Lord Jesus offers a way out of it and a brand new life.

^“for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38

So, what does Halloween mean?

Halloween is many things to many different people: holy festival, pagan or occult festival and party time – all rolled into one! For many it is a time of superstition, revelry, spiritual experimentation and playing with fear of the paranormal. As I’ve said, there certainly are very real dangers for those who choose to participate in any occult activity (at any time) and Halloween is no different. However, for most, much like Easter and Christmas, it’s a time for fun and games and treats – spooky ones!

So this Halloween, as you’re carving your Jack-o-lantern with the kids, maybe remember that there’s only one who will truly ward away the evils of this world and the next. Jesus brings us into our ‘day of the saints’ because he came to do away with all our fears and nightmares when he died on the cross and did away with them forever. Jesus is the one that delivers us from all evil and restores us to the supernaturally divine life we were created for. Now that’s worth celebrating!

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Is it always God’s will to heal?

Rob Cresswell — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 10:01:39 +0000

Is it always God’s will to heal? Christians believe that (in a sense) complete healing will come in the resurrection when we are given a glorified immortal body, ‘like his glorious body’ (Philippians 3:21). But what about God healing people in this earthly life? Is it God’s will to heal? And if so, is that just sometimes, or all the time?

This is a particularly important question when it comes to the way in which we approach healing prayer. Is it always God’s will to heal? Can we confidently pray for anyone to be healed, or should we rather pray, “FATHER God, IF it’s your will, please heal this person”?

People may wonder about Paul’s thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) – a passage where Paul asks God to remove a ‘thorn’ or torment but is denied (to save him from arrogance). Could this be a case where it wasn’t God’s will to heal? Well, an honest answer is ‘we just don’t know‘ and where there is ambiguity in a certain passage we must always look to the many passages where we can be more certain.

So, in light of this, here are 5 major reasons from scripture why we can be confident that it is always God’s will to heal today.

1: JESUS REVEALS THE FATHER’S WILL TO HEAL

The Gospel accounts tell us over and over again that Jesus healed ALL who came to him:

“That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.” Matthew 8:16

“Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.” Luke 4:40

“Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them.” Matthew 15:30

The eye witnesses of these mass healing events were not exaggerating – they simply saw and reported that Jesus healed ALL who came to him. Furthermore, in the few accounts that individuals asked Jesus for healing his answer was always ‘Yes, I am willing’! (Matthew 8:2-3, Matthew 9:28, John 5:5-9).

A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. Matthew 8:2-3

No matter how much we would like there to a scriptural example of Jesus refusing to heal somebody that asked him for healing, sorry, but it just isn’t there. Some people are so desperate for an example of this that they even put it into the popular ‘The Chosen’ series – inserting an extra-Biblical scene where Jesus tells one of his disciples ‘No, sorry, I’m not going to heal you’! (The Chosen, Season 3 Episode 2).

No, in scripture Jesus healed ALL that came to him and taught us that these healings for all comers were categorically the works of our Father God:

“ The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.” John‬ ‭14‬:‭10-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus declared the healing works that he did to be the works and will of God the Father. By the testimony of Jesus it was God the Father who healed all – the righteous and the unrighteous (the unclean, the undeserving, the confused, the doubters and the outcasts), because it is Gods will to heal all.

2: SICKNESS IS OF THE DEVIL

In the book of Acts we read,

“how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” Acts 10:38

This verse says that Jesus healed ALL who were ‘under the power of the devil’ and designates sickness as part of the devils work. Now forgive me, but isn’t the whole point of the gospel to deliver all people from the power of the devil?:

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,” Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus mission was to ‘destroy the works of the devil’ (1 John 3:8) and he did this by healing people under his power because God was with him. Why? Because this was the will of God – and still is!

3: THE NEW COVENANT IS GREATER THAN THE OLD

The fourth main section of Hebrews, from 8:1 to 10:39, tells us that the new covenant enacted by Christ is superior to the old. The new covenant is superior to the old because the old covenant of Moses was only a shadow or a type, while the new covenant of Jesus is the ‘real deal’, the reality, or fulfillment of the type.

Before the Israelites entered the promise land the Lord told them how they were to live there and how one of the consequences of living Gods way would be that:

“The Lord will keep you free from every disease.” Deuteronomy‬ ‭7‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This scripture explicitly states that part of the blessing of living under Gods covenant would be ‘freedom from every disease’ – not in the afterlife but in this life. If the old covenant was the shadow and the new covenant is superior in every way then health and healing must be (at least potentially – as it was in the Old Covenant) part of the blessing of the New Covenant (in this life). Otherwise it is blatantly inferior to the Old Covenant and we are denying the power of God to profess that Christ brings ‘a better promise’ but NOT expect that promise to include health and healing.

4: THE COMMAND OF HEALING – NOT THE REQUEST

In the Biblical record of life in the early church there is not one single instance of someone praying, ‘Father IF it be your will please heal this person’. Every single account of a miraculous healing is imparted by the confident command or act of healing – because they believed it is always Gods will to heal:

“Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”” Acts‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

““Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up.” Acts‬ ‭9‬:‭34‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.” Acts‬ ‭14:9-10

It is evident that there was a certainty in the early church that it was God’s will to heal and that they had been given the authority to act on that will. Jesus words that ‘anyone who believed in him would do the miraculous works that he had been doing’ (John 14:12) was coming true and still is today!

**5: TEACHING THEM TO OBEY ALL I HAVE COMMANDED YOU**

And finally, an often overlooked aspect of the great commission is that Jesus told his disciples to ‘go make disciples – and teach them EVERYTHING I have commanded you’:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20

This means that as well as all the wonderful teachings of Jesus the disciples were to make disciples who ALSO DID THE THINGS that Jesus taught them to do – including ‘healing the sick’.

“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” Matthew 10:8

When Jesus sent his disciples out to ‘heal the sick’ there were no caveats, no exclusions, no ‘heal them if its Gods will’ but simply – go and the heal the sick. So we can confidently conclude then that when the disciples made disciples that this mandate to ‘go heal the sick’ was passed on to all believers just as Jesus had commanded them to do.

CONCLUSION

There are many things that may impede or block the healing command or prayer but doubting that it is God’s will to heal should not be one of them. One of the ironic things about NOT believing it is always God’s will to heal is that one should also question then the legitimacy of seeking medical treatment at all! But this just reveals the inconsistency of such a pessimistic view of God’s intentions towards us.

The scriptures are clear that it is always Gods will to heal through us, and so we are to partner with him to ‘eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit’ – including healing (1 Corinthians 12). So when we have the opportunity to release the power of healing in Jesus name, we should do so with faith and confidence that God has not changed his mind and is still desiring to heal today just as he did through Jesus and the Apostles.

MORE RESOURCES:

SHOULD I COMMAND OR ASK FOR HEALING?

Blog article

HOW TO BE HEALED AND STAY HEALED

A book by Alisss Cresswell

THE NORMAL SUPERNATURAL CHRISTIAN LIFE: ‘HEALING’

Training Video

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Is it ok for Christians to ‘manifest’ what they desire… including love and money?

Rob Cresswell — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 09:39:35 +0000

Championed by the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lady Gaga, who all testify to its power, the practice of Manifesting is more popular than ever. It’s all over social media and a massive commercial industry offering people the chance to ‘claim’ what they want in life through positive thought and rituals. I’ve also noticed it popping up in conversations with family friends and on TV programs; just light hearted stuff- “I’m going to manifest this treat” or “Let’s manifest winning this competition”.

Framed in the language of ‘positivity’ and ‘good vibes’, for many it’s hard to see the harm in it when ‘all it does is help people achieve their dreams’. However, as Christian believers what are we to make of this increasingly popular trend of MANIFESTING?

It’s potentially confusing territory because Manifesting has much of the language and the principles of faith outlined in the scriptures regarding Christian practice, for example:

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

So in this article I will identify what scriptural manifesting is, where the modern cult of Manifesting comes from (which I will designate for the sake of clarity with a capital M) and what we can learn from this about our own faith walk.

MANIFESTING IN THE BIBLE

As Christians we should be very familiar with the term ‘manifest’ or ‘manifesting’ because it is used throughout the scriptures to describe the phenomenon of something spiritual becoming physical.

The Greek words translated as manifest or manifesting (phaneroō, phanerōsis, apokalýpto) in the Bible are words that mean revealing or being made known. The sense of the word is that when something is purely spiritual it is hidden, but when it is made physical it is revealed, made known or manifest.

GOOD MANIFESTATIONS IN SCRIPTURE

For example, the letter to Timothy tells us that God himself was made manifest in Jesus:

“This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.” 1 Timothy 3:16 NASB

Jesus is also said to have manifested his glory or divinity through the miracles he performed:

“This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.” John 2:11 NASB

It is evident that believers also manifest the power of God as we read of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit through the spiritual gifts that he gives to each one for ministries like healing and prophecy:

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭7‬ NIV

NEGATIVE MANIFESTATIONS IN SCRIPTURE

However, the term manifesting is also used in a negative context in scripture, because, as we have seen, manifesting simply means that what is hidden or spiritual is being revealed:

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness…” Galatians 5:19

There are many spiritual powers which, according to the scriptures, seek to dominate and destroy us by driving us towards greed, lust and pride. The spirit of the flesh is one of these powers along with the spirit of the world and the devil (Ephesians 2:1-3). This is key to understanding the dangers of ‘Manifesting’.

So we have established that ‘manifestations’ in the context of the scriptures is neither good nor bad in itself, but a way of describing the revealing of what is spiritual or hidden. However, the wilful act of manifesting is an entirely different matter! It is not a passive thing but a powerful reality or life changing power that is determined by the will of a spiritual personality – whether that be divine, angelic, demonic or human.

THE MODERN CULT OF MANIFESTING

The practice of Manifesting may draw on this same scriptural principle of ‘revealing that which is hidden through spiritual power’ – but its root is not in the Holy Spirit (though proponents may like to think its the same thing). In this respect – because it is invoking spiritual powers to bend to a human will, it is basically a form of witchcraft.

A typical ‘Manifesting’ trope

It’s important to note that many of the methodologies employed by Manifesting literature are simply natural laws observed in empirical sociological and psychological studies. For example, ‘the laws of attraction’ (or the Pareto principle), or ‘the power of single mindedness’. This disguises the practice of Manifesting in a thin veil of ‘science’ and gives it a modern twist.

This also leads to much confusion among Christians because many of these principles are found in scripture, for example: “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:8 – which affirms the power of focus and single mindedness. But again this is typical of counterfeit practices that desires to have the benefits of the Kingdom but without the King.

In regard to this, the faith and spirituality which are employed in Manifesting are often drawing on spiritual powers in ignorance – not realising that there is always a price to pay for a transfer of spiritual power. In Christianity we believe this price was paid by Jesus through the cross and that is why we are able to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. However, in the cult of Manifesting, instead of a particular god or gods there is a vague notion of a benign universe of which we can ask for anything we want – a bit like a divine Father Christmas.

These roots of modern Manifesting can be traced back to an early 19th century metaphysical cult called the New Thought Spiritual Movement. Behind the practice of manifesting is an underlying quasi-religious belief that we are inherently good and powerful; having the ability within us to influence circumstances (and therefore positive outcomes) from a spiritual source.

THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT

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A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE

Like all Kingdom counterfeits the true value of manifesting is revealed in WHAT PURPOSE it is serving, and perhaps more importantly, WHO IT IS SERVING.

MORAL RELATIVISM

In this respect we pretty quickly run into the heart of this new age practice with an ideology which claims that good and evil is a relative concept. Since we are all gods in our own right and agents of our own destiny I get to decide what is good and what is evil. I get to choose what I want – I manifest how much money, the perfect mate, the ideal job – in a nutshell; I determine my own destiny.

We can see how this message is so appealing: ‘You are the king on the throne of your life and ‘the universe’ is a treasure trove to loot and bend to your will.’ The moral relativism of Manifesting should ring all the alarm bells of our spiritual discernment because it points right back to the root of all sin in Genesis 3:

“But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”” Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭4‬-‭5‬

This expression of ‘knowing good and evil’ is more helpfully understood as ‘determining what is good and evil’ and is a major prerequisite of the relativism of modern manifesting (‘follow your heart’, ‘your truth is your truth’, ‘you do you’, etc). So, not so much a new age practice as as a very old age one!

To be clear, like all Kingdom counterfeits, there is indeed some truth and real power in the methods of manifesting that may be materially or superficially beneficial – hence its rising popularity. However, like all occult practice there is a heavy price to pay as Jesus warns us:

“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” Matthew 16:26

A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE

In Christianity we don’t deny the value of achievement and prosperity, but they must never be on the throne – in fact – the only way these things can be a blessing to us at all is if they are kept off it! The Lord God is on the throne and we serve him and his purposes, even if that means denying ourselves material gain or our own desires.

Furthermore we also believe (in line with scripture) in divine attributes of God that overrule the laws of Manifesting:

The Sovereignty of God – That ultimately God determines our destiny (not us). Ephesians 1:11

The Interventions of God – That God can work all things (even bad things) together for our good. Romans 8:28

The Authority of God – That Jesus, as the highest spiritual authority, trumps all natural and supernatural laws. (Ephesians 1:21)

So what can we take away from all this as Christians who believe in the power of faith and the manifestations of the Holy Spirit? Well, the first is that we have just as much temptation to climb back on the throne of our lives and start using our spiritual power to manifest what we want as anybody else.

WATCHING OUR MOTIVATION

Be honest, with the small stuff, who hasn’t wanted to manifest a car park space when they needed it? or the chance to get out of a scrape? – or what about the big stuff? – getting a promotion, a new home or a potential mate? We all have a complex array of needs and desires, and choices and decisions to make every day, but the goal of Christian living is to have a life increasingly governed by the Holy Spirit.

“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6

So we must try to check our motivations if we can and pray, “Lord, not my will, but yours be done”. Let me move in true manifest spiritual authority to the extent that I move in true submission to you.

BEING THANKFUL

The second is that we use that authority to manifest (reveal, make known, through faith words and action) the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives always as a gift of grace – for the benefit of others:

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭7‬

We did not earn it or deserve it, but we have a responsibility to walk in the blessing of it with patience, love and humility.

DIVINE DESTINY

And thirdly we must always steer our lives by the ‘North Star’ of Jesus because it is by worshipping and beholding the glory of Jesus that the transforming work of the Holy Spirit manifests in our lives:

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬

Is it ok for Christians to ‘manifest’..?

So – getting back to our question ‘Is it OK for Christians to ‘manifest’ what they desire… including love and money?’ Well, what we really want is to desire is what the Holy Spirit desires! Certainly we want the divine love of 1 Corinthians 13 (agape love) to manifest in our lives and God to provide all we need as we are equipped for the works of ministry – including the manifestations of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12 / :11-13 ). So let’s resolve with the Holy Spirit’s help to always keep Jesus central in all our aspirations and motivations so we can see the true blessings of his Kingdom manifest in our lives including Gods divine love and provision!

MORE RESOURCES:

WHAT ARE THE HEAVENLY REALMS

The heavenly realms are mentioned numerous times in the Bible but what are they and what have they got to do with us?

GOD’S PURPOSEFUL STRATEGY:

8 video series – Navigating life with the Holy Spirit

GET RID OF THOSE DEMONS

Book by Aliss Cresswell

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Navigating the Future by Reflecting on the Past

Rob Cresswell — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 13:26:57 +0000

At the beginning of a new year having a time of quiet and thoughtful reflection on the past is really worthwhile. In fact it can help us in navigating the future. Reflecting on the past, particularly the year that has just come to an end is a great way to plan ahead. I personally find deliberately setting aside some time for this helpful. I often go for a solitary walk in the countryside at the start of the year (so long as the weather isn’t too bad!). But you may prefer a less energetic time of solitude. Whatever works for you…

I’m not a fan of ‘New Year Resolutions’. I know that sometimes they can work, but often they set us up for failure. Why? Because usually they are rash decisions that are often not properly thought through or articulated. For these reasons most New Year Resolutions don’t last until the end of January.

However, if we spend some time thoughtfully reflecting on our recent past, our successes and failures, we can begin to form some goals that are far more geared for personal development and long term direction.

Setting the scene

It’s important to get in the right frame of mind to do this in a healthy and positive way. This isn’t a time for dredging up guilt and self-condemnation. Rather, it’s a time for almost detached reflection on your life, as if you’re pretending to be somebody who wants to seriously help you (which surprisingly very few of us do!).

It’s always good to pray. Begin with prayers of thankfulness. Thank the Lord for your life and all he has done and brought you through; the good, the bad and the ugly. Thank him for his grace and goodness. Ask him to help you navigate your way forward in life with his wisdom and guidance.

Make sure you have a journal or notebook so you can write some things down. This is for your eyes only. There are no right or wrong things to write down, just what comes to mind. And what you write is not a contract, fixed in stone. It’s more like a creative sketch or doodle in words that will form into more solid goals later on… so for now we keep it open and fluid…

Reflecting on the past

First focus on the positives. What went well this last year? Think ‘relationships’, ‘skills’, ‘responsibility’, ‘achievements’. What did I do that I’m pleased about? What did I find fulfilling and purposeful? Did I learn anything new? Did I get better at anything? Can I improve still more in that relationship, skill or occupation? Did I achieve anything worthwhile? Do I want to do that again or get even better at it? Did it open up new possibilities for the future? And so on.

And then you can begin navigating the future: Are there some new goals emerging from these thoughts that I can aim for in the coming year?

Then turn to the ‘could do better’

What did not go so well for me this last year? Did I do anything (or not do something) that created inner turmoil within me – something I should or should not have done? This is not to make you feel guilty but, as if trying to help yourself, ask yourself why you did this. Try and understand what makes you act in this way and what you can learn from this. Ask yourself: What am I afraid of or what am I avoiding?

If you are brave enough to begin to understand yourself better, you can take steps to embrace your successes and confront your fears. Not in a big dramatic fashion but by setting realistic goals and taking small steps in the right direction. In this way the New Year is a great opportunity to go forward with fresh understanding about who you are, where you are and where you want to be.

Navigating the Future

Whatever you do this new year we pray for fresh understanding and vision for the future. In a world that is increasingly volatile and chaotic let’s be those who are living with purpose and conviction, who know their God and their way forward.

Here at Spirit Lifestyle we are working through a brand new course called LIFE GPS (God’s Purposeful Strategy for Life). It’s a course designed to help you navigate through life with the Holy Spirit using the wisdom of the Bible and some great inspirational tools and activations (much like the one suggested in this article). We will be looking at our past, our passions, personality, giftings and more. We will be seeking the will of the Lord to help us navigate our way forward according to his plans and purposes. Why not join us on the journey and see where your road might lead…?

CHOOSE YOUR AMOUNT HERE

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THE POWER OF BLESSING

Rob Cresswell — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:53:04 +0000

The power of blessing is often overlooked in everyday life but blessing others is a central theme in the gospel message. Have you ever had someone smile and say, “Bless you” (and not just because you sneezed)!? Perhaps you helped someone with their bags or did some other good turn – that might provoke them to say, “Bless you!” Some people say, “Bless you” all the time, almost as a greeting or a way of saying ‘have a nice day’. I think of my late father as being one of those, “Bless you” people – he was very liberal with his blessings!

But what do we mean by “Bless you”? Is it just a nice thing to say? -A slightly old fashioned nicety? Or is there something more to blessing others?

WHAT IS HAPPENING WHEN WE BLESS OTHERS?

Well, if you think about it, there’s A LOT going on when we bless someone with sincerity because it’s rooted in some BASIC SPIRITUAL TRUTHS and BELIEFS:

When we bless others it’s actually an act of faith that is expressing:

GOD EXISTS and IS GOOD
WE OURSELVES ARE CHANNELS OF HIS GOODNESS
THE RECIPIENT CAN ALSO RECEIVE GOD’S GOODNESS

That’s a powerful spiritual punch in such a small phrase! Not only that, but the act of blessing others also implicitly declares that we ourselves are beneficiaries of God’s grace (and that’s why we believe in the power of blessing in the first place).

So where does ‘blessing’ come from and why do we even believe we can bless others?

THE FIRST BLESSING

Did you know that the first thing to be blessed by God in the Biblical account is people?

“God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it…” Genesis 1:28

The nature of this blessing was, in a nutshell, a thriving and purposeful future. Now hold onto that word ‘FUTURE’ because it’s important.

And the second thing in Genesis that God blesses in ‘the beginning’? It might surprise you because it’s a period of time – the seventh day:

“Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” Genesis 2:3

So God also blessed a time for all creation to be at peace or rest with the divine – in the PRESENT.

These first two blessings help us understand how true blessing is not simply about having a prosperous future but having one in the context of being right (or at peace/rest) with God today.

BLESSINGS IN JESUS

In the Christian faith, when we accept (by faith) Jesus as our saviour, the New Testament teaches that we are rescued from the dominion of darkness and brought into the Kingdom of God – the place of Gods blessing and peace:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has BLESSED us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” Ephesians 1:3

This means that whatever your circumstances are today that, if you are in Christ, this is your true spiritual reality and destiny (because true sabbath rest is in Christ, Hebrews 4:9-11). That doesn’t mean that you may not suffer or face many challenges in life – but that you will do so from a present reality of peace with God and the hope of a brighter future (even an eternal one).

Want to know more about how to live in the power of God’s blessing?

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BLESSING OTHERS

In this verse from Ephesians Paul starts with blessing God himself – the author of all blessing. After all, it’s not difficult for us to bless God in the light of the rest of the verse: ‘Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing…’.

However, some may question the legitimacy of blessing others because, after all, most of the promises of blessing in the Bible are linked to conditions such as obedience or faith. So what right do we have to declare blessings over those who may be in disobedience or doubt?

This is where the teachings of Jesus shame us in our sense of misplaced protection towards God’s grace with this challenge from the Sermon on the Mount:

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you…” “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:44,48

A teaching so central to the Gospel that is repeated throughout the New Testament:

“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9

and

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” Romans 12:14

Jesus teaches us that it’s easy to bless those who are good and kind to us but if we really want to be like our Father in heaven we should extend blessings to everyone – just like he does to us!

BLESSING IS AN INVITATION

What we need to understand about blessing is not only that it is deeply spiritual in nature – but also that ultimately blessing is an invitation. What do I mean by that? Putting it simply – that blessing someone (declaring the peace of God over someone) in the name of Jesus is always an invitation to know God fully in every aspect of life – wherever they are (or are not) in their faith walk.

Let’s just go back and look at that first blessing again:

“God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it…” Genesis 1:28

When God blessed them he didn’t say – “You will be fruitful and fill the earth and subdue it” He said “Be fruitful…” inviting them to participate in the blessings of fruitfulness and authority. This invitation into future prosperity (spirit, body and soul) is rooted in the fertile ground of present faith. This is often why the blessings we read in the scriptures are often richly prophetic – because prophecy is an invitation to participate in the blessings of God too. For example, look how Abraham blesses his sons through prophecy:

“All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him.” Genesis 49:28

or how Elizabeth blesses Mary with a prophetic declaration:

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Luke 1:42-43

And the many blessings in Revelation for those who embrace Gods invitation to his banqueting table:

“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.” Revelation 22:7

The power of blessing is truly prophetic in nature because it declares what a future in God may be – if we choose to walk in it through faith.

THE MIRACLE MENU

This is why one of the items on our ‘MIRACLE MENU‘ (a ministry resource designed for the market place) is ‘A GENERAL BLESSING‘ alongside ministries such as ‘HEALING’ and ‘SPIRITUAL DIRECTION’ because we have found that just about everybody is happy to receive a blessing. But that is where the fun really starts because as soon as we start to truly declare blessings over somebodies life, invariably prophetic blessing begins to flow, and we can begin to invite them into a whole new life in Jesus – peace with God today and the promise of a glorious future too!

So that is the real power of blessing – from a simple ‘God Bless You’ it is the power to reveal God’s grace and goodness not just for the future but for today as well. The truth is – you can’t force somebody to be blessed (because God never does) – but you can invite them to be, so who are you going to invite into God’s blessings today?

miracle menu workshop with Aliss Cresswell

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The post THE POWER OF BLESSING appeared first on Spirit Lifestyle with Rob & Aliss Cresswell.

Do I command healing or ask for it?

Rob Cresswell — Sun, 24 Nov 2024 13:12:48 +0000

When praying for healing, what is the basis for COMMANDING in Jesus name versus ASKING in Jesus name for healing?

On the face of it there isn’t much difference between:
1) Commanding healing in the name of Jesus
and
2) Asking God if He will heal the person in Jesus name

However, though the difference looks subtle there is a vast difference between these two acts of faith. The first is a statement based on my God-given spiritual authority over the power of the enemy (in this case sickness and infirmity). The second statement is based on the teaching of Jesus that if we ask Father God for anything ‘in Jesus name’ that He will grant it. (John 14:13-14) – but when should we command and when should we ask?

Understanding spiritual authority

In order to know when we should use the COMMAND ‘in Jesus name’ and when we should ask the Father ‘in Jesus name’ we need to understand about our spiritual authority.

Let’s take a look at how the early believers used their God-given authority:

When Peter and John saw a lame man begging at the temple gate, the man got more than he was expecting:

“Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk.” Acts 3:6-8

Peter did not ask God to heal the man in Jesus name, he commanded the lame man to walk in Jesus name. He did this because that is exactly how Jesus had taught His followers to heal the sick:

“Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.” Luke 9:1-2 (Also Matt 10:1, Mark 6:7)

Note that Jesus did not send them to ‘pray for the sick’ but to ‘heal the sick’ – that was the assignment.

How were they to do it? By the power and authority He had given them. This was a transaction which delegated authority from the one sending to the one who was sent. When we operate in authority, we are answering this command and taking responsibility to make sure the job gets done on behalf of the one sending us.

Taking responsibility

A wise man once said, “You can’t give someone responsibility; they can only take it”. Jesus gave them authority but it was up to them to use it. In the same way, it is up to us whether or not we want to take the gift of this authority and use it – God won’t force us to use our spiritual authority.

One time, the Apostle Paul delivered a young girl from a spirit of divination:

“… he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.” Acts‬ ‭16:18‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

So again we see, not a request to God but the command directed at the evil spirit in the name of Jesus.

Nowhere in the New Testament do we see an example of a Christian asking God to bring healing or deliverance in Jesus name. To worship and pray to God in the name of Jesus is appropriate in many circumstances (for example we are told to give thanks in everything in the name of Jesus – Ephesians 5:20, Colossians 3:17) but it is not a Biblical model for ministering healing and deliverance to the sick and demonised.

Why is this? Because the scriptures plainly designate sickness and tormenting spirits as being the work of the devil. We are told that Jesus went around “healing all who were under the power of the devil” Acts 10:38. We don’t need to ask God if we can destroy the devil’s work because we already have his wholehearted permission – more than that, we have his command and authority to do so. (Matt 10:8)

LEARN HOW TO MINISTER IN HEALING

A Military Metaphor

Imagine a new soldier who has been given all the training and equipment he needs to fulfil the assignment he has been given. He arrives at the front line and gets himself into position for action. He sights the enemy and gets ready to engage them, but instead of doing so, he radios back to the commanding officer at HQ, “ Sir, I have the enemy in my sights, so, I know you’re busy but if you wouldn’t mind coming down here to take care of things I’d be so grateful… but I quite understand if you’ve got better things to do…”

That Private is going to get a pretty heated response that likely involves some rich language! Why? Because he has been given the power, the resources and the authority to do the job himself – it’s his assignment and he needs to take responsibility for it.

Obedience not pride

Using a command of authority in Jesus name is not big-headed or ‘stealing God’s glory’ because, as Peter pointed out after he healed the lame man:

“When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?” Acts‬ ‭3:12‬ ‬

It was the power of God that healed the man but it was released through the authority that Peter had been given – it was Peter who stepped out in faith and lifted the lame man to his feet- but it was the power of God released through that act of authority that healed him.

Look at these other instances of healing from the book of Acts:

““Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. Acts‬ ‭9:34‬ ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.” Acts‬ ‭14:9-10‬ ‬‬‬

We don’t even hear the mention of ‘in Jesus name’ in these examples but the command of authority is still there. Paul and Peter act as ambassadors of Jesus to heal – the spiritual powers already know who they are and what power and authority they wield – they simply have to command the healing to come.

Jesus told His disciples that as the Father had sent Him, He also was sending them (John 20:21). So as the Father sent Jesus with authority (John 17:2), Jesus also sends His followers with authority. However, just as the authority of Jesus was based on obedience to His Father – we only move in authority to the extent that we submit to Him too.

Not just words

In the book of Acts, Dr Luke very helpfully tells us about some men (the sons of Sceva) who tried casting out demons in the name of Jesus without the Holy Spirit. It ended badly for them: they were beaten and stripped naked by the demonised person (Acts 19:11-20). So as we can see, our authority doesn’t come simply by having self-confidence or saying the right words. This obedience comes from a living relationship with God through the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit – it flows out of a lifestyle of worship.

So, can any believer use the name of Jesus with authority against sickness and demons or do they have to attain a certain level of maturity? Well, all I can say is that I’ve seen little children command healing and seen the most incredible miracles take place. If you are a worshipper and follower of Jesus, the next time you are praying for God to heal someone, why not try speaking to the sickness with authority? Say out loud, “I command this sickness to go and wholeness to come in the name of Jesus, the one I serve” and see what God will do through you today.

NOTE: There is another clearly identified principle for healing in the letter of James that specifically addresses healing for believers in a church community:
“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.” James 5:14
In this context the directive is that the elders of the church should anoint the church member in Jesus name. Again, this is not a request for God to heal, but an act that symbolises the healing power of the Holy Spirit upon the believer. The elders have a relational authority to minister like this to one over whom they have pastoral care and over-site. The command of authority can also be used, but there is a responsibility on both parties to also come into agreement and submission to that authority.

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The post Do I command healing or ask for it? appeared first on Spirit Lifestyle with Rob & Aliss Cresswell.

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