“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart”. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
Hindrance: - the state of being interfered with, held back, or slowed down:
a person or thing that interferes with or slows the progress of someone or something
Entangler: - To cause to become twisted together or caught in a snarl or entwining mass.
To involve in a complicated situation or in circumstances from which it is difficult to disengage:
Just before the Ukrainian war started, my niece had just brought things for her apartment to begin her new semester. On February 24, 2022, when the first Russian missile hit Ukraine, she called me and stated she had packed a suite-case to travel to another city for safety purposes, and that she will lock up the rest of her things in her apartment. While I was on the phone with her, things became so tense within no time, that she could not even get transportation to the train station. She had to begin walking to God alone knows where. By the time I spoke with her again, she was left with a small bag-pack with only a handful of the most needed stuff. To explain this, we can quickly understand that she had to immediately put away anything that could be in the way of her safety. She had to make a choice. I can imagine it was a difficult choice. Life circumstances often present themselves and push us to a place where we must make an instant decision.
In Hebrew 12:1 “throw everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles”. Let us start with throwing away things. What are these things? These are things that stand in the way of our ability to worship and serve God in Spirit and in truth. If we must worship God, we was must do it the right way. If it means standing alone in your family, place of work, friends, activities etc, or whatever takes you away from the Lord, you must decide before you transition into 2023. The same old pattern that did not yield any fruits cannot be used again.
The sins that easily entangle are those little sinful habits that have been settling like particles of dust over the years, and you have basically ignored and said; “it does not matter, it’s just this little thing”, God understands. I am still saved, speaking in tongues, leading worship, prophesying, prayer warrior, preaching well” etc. It has accumulated and formed a web, that has entangled you and you cannot grow spiritually. You cannot see it as a problem, thus you cannot change because you have ignored the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit over time.
“Whenever or whoever has the ability to hinder you will be the same that will easily push you into sin”
“A justifiable sin comes only from a heart that is prideful and has not yet surrendered, and thus cannot receive forgiveness.”
1. Ask the Holy Spirit to transform you into a true worshipper as you enter 2023: Matthew 18:20 “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The word of God cannot be clearer. The hour is coming and it is now as we are about to cross into 2023, are you going to because of a true believer or the same BINO-“Believers In Name Only”. We have a choice to make. God is looking for true believers to partner with in 2023 for his mission on earth.
2. The father says come and have a conversation with him. Do not delay, do not do it yourself, talk to him, tell him what you have done even though he knows, and ask for forgiveness. He is merciful and kind: Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool”. Psalm 32:5 “I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin”
3. Pray for grace to put away any form of bitterness, rage, or anger etc; these are the dangerous hindering forcing working against you. You must divorce that, and the fire of God will burn the divorce papers: Ephesians 4:31-32 “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you”.
4. It is wickedness to do the opposite of what God expects from us. We know the things and people that we have allowed access to us and the sins that have entangled us. The Lord forsakes them now. Renounce those ungodly thoughts- lust, unbeliever, sexual immobility etc, and return to the Lord: Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”
5. Pray that the word of God will come upon you and remove whatever is in your way: Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart”.
6. You are not on your own. Your body is not yours. How dare you make decisions without the Holy Spirit! Come before him in repentance and get rid of all the things/people that hinder your relationship with God. Denounce every sin that has become a web around your spiritual life: 1 Corinthians 6:19 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own”
7. The way God wants it is to present at the altar as a sacrifice, that is holy, truthful, and living, then he can accept it. Enter his presence by the blood of the lamb and ask for cleansing: Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship”.
8. Pray for the help of the Holy Spirit to come and teach you all things including those you have forgotten: John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you”.
9. Pray for the grace to partner with the Holy Spirit so you will be able to allow him to guide you into all truth. Hear and understand those things that are to come for you and the call of God for 2023: John 16 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come”.
10. Pray for a fresh Pentecostal anointing so that you are ready to go out to the mission field and win souls: Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
11. The church was in the season of prayer and fasting as the Lord spoke. We are in the same season and truth that the Holy Spirit will speak and send us forth into where he has called us to function in 2023. Pray for that heavenly assistance. Acts 13:2 “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Thank the Lord and declare this bible verse over your life; I have heard the word of truth, the Gospel of salvation, and have believed even now that I have been set free from any hindrance and entanglers. I have from this day forward been sealed with the Holy Spirit, never to look back. In Jesus might name I have prayed and believed-Amen. Ephesians 1:13 “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.”