The World Gone Wrong

The World Gone Wrong

Excerpt from Battle Cry Good vs. Evil, Chapter 2 Spiritual Warfare

Genesis 3:23 says, “So the Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made.”  Over time, our disobedience and sinful behavior got incessantly worse.  Genesis 6:1–3 says, “Then the people began to multiply on the earth, and daughters were born to them.  The Sons of God saw the beautiful women and took any they wanted as their wives.  Then the LORD said, ‘My Spirit will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh.  In the future, their normal lifespan will be no more than 120 years.’”  Satan has been successfully influencing our behavior, and negatively affecting our lives, since the beginning.  We went from living in a garden, created to live without knowing evil, to a lifespan of no more than 120 years, knowing evil.  God was obviously not pleased.  His disappointment is felt by the fact His Spirit would not tolerate what we had become, so therefore, He limited our normal lifespan.  Do you think He’s anymore pleased with us today?

 Author’s comments:  Revelation 3:15–16 says, “I know all things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold.  I wish you were one or the other!  But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!”  God is telling us, we must pursue Him with all our heart.  We must become more enlightened and turn our backs on the darkness.  We need to turn our face toward God, and walk toward the Light.  If we’re not walking toward God, we’re either standing still, or walking away from Him.  To learn more, please go to my website.  If you have thoughts, questions, or concerns, reach out to me.  I’d love to reach out to you!          

To order the book, read blogs, or contact the author personally, go to brucedillender.com, battlecrygoodvsevil.com, or battlecrythebook.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.

Losing Faith

Faith

Excerpt from Battle Cry Good vs. Evil, Chapter 9 Faith

In a world so overrun by evil and corruption, we can easily find ourselves losing faith and trust in mankind.  Consequently, it causes us to lose faith and trust in God.  This lack of faith leaves us more vulnerable to the spiritual attacks of Satan, and we become a part of the evil and corruption.  Our only hope of rising above our circumstances is to develop the faith to turn back to God.  We must learn to rely on the strength of the Spirit to be more successful in battling Satan and finding true peace.  Although we will still face daily challenges, the stress will no longer dominate our mind.  We’ll have the faith to trust that everything will work out according to God’s plan.  Take a moment to pause right now and look back on your life.  Identify the times, even though you weren’t being faithful, trusting, or dependent on God, He had you anyway.  God truly is in all things, at all times, according to His plan.  So what keeps you from taking a leap of faith?  What keeps you from accepting and receiving God’s love, grace, forgiveness, and the peace that comes when you have the faith to trust Him?  I challenge you to take a leap of faith, to completely trust God, and to give the control over to Him.  Hebrews 11:1–3 (NLT) says, “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.”

Author’s comments:  Are you losing faith and trust in mankind?  Are you slowly becoming a part of the evil and corruption?  Are you focusing more on the darkness and less on the Light?  Depend more on the strength of the Spirit, and less on your own strength, and you will be amazed at what God can do.  To learn more, please go to my website.  If you have questions or concerns, reach out to me.  I’d love to reach out to you!          

To order the book, read blogs, or contact the author personally, go to brucedillender.com, battlecrygoodvsevil.com, or battlecrythebook.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.

It's a Heart Problem!

It’s a Heart Problem!

Change of Heart, Change of Behavior

Excerpt from Battle Cry Good vs. Evil, About the Author

Bruce is a biblical counselor by degree.  But he believes that no matter how much someone is biblically counseled, without the personal awareness and dependence on the Spirit of God, there won’t be a change of heart, and there won’t be a long-lasting change of behavior.  We are all spiritually transforming.  We are all discovering who God is and His plans for us.  But we must not only listen to God, we must be willing to obey Him.  

Spirituality is an ongoing, life-changing transformation.  We must transform from less of who we are to more of who God wants us to be.  Ephesians 4:22–23 (NLT) says, “Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.  Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.”  Ephesians 2:2 (NLT) says, “You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.  He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.”  Romans 7:21–25 (NLT) says, “I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.  I love God’s law with all my heart.  But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind.  This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.  Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?  Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.  So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.” 

Author’s comments:  Jesus says in Matthew 9:13 (NLT), “For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”  Do you know you are a sinner?  Are you personally dependent on the Spirit of God?  If so, you should be experiencing a change of heart and a long-lasting change of behavior.  If not, I would love to help.  Please go to my website and reach out to me.  I’d love to reach back out to you!          

To order the book, read blogs, or contact the author personally, go to brucedillender.com, battlecrygoodvsevil.com, or battlecrythebook.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.

What Are You Waiting For?

What Are You Waiting For?

Excerpt from Battle Cry Good vs. Evil, Chapter 17: I Am, My Best Friend

To be your own best friend, you must always be able to depend on yourself and have your best interest at heart.  Stop blaming everyone else for your shortcomings.  Stop waiting on everyone else to motivate you.  Motivate yourself.  Take more of an interest in improving yourself.  Read and study the Bible more.  Spend more time with God to become more spiritually stimulated and aware.  Make better choices.  Eat better.  Become more physically active.  Exercise to become a stronger vessel for God to use.  A stronger vessel means being better equipped physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  You will be more successful at fighting and winning spiritual battles.  Then, as you depend on the strength of the Holy Spirit, you become more confident.  God will help you become the person He created you to be.

Author’s comments:  To become the person God created you to be, you must spiritually transform.  This not only affects the Spirit, it also affects the mind and body.  Ephesians 4:22–23 (NLT) says, “Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.  Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.”  What are you waiting for?             

To order the book, get information, read blogs, or to contact the author personally, go to brucedillender.com, battlecrygoodvsevil.com, or battlecrythebook.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.

If Not You, Then Who?

If Not You, Then Who?

Excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs. Evil, Chapter 20: Saul of Tarsus Becomes the Apostle Paul:

What makes you think you are different than any of the characters in the Bible?  Why would you think you’re not worthy?  Why would you think it can’t be you?  No matter where you are in your spiritual walk, you need to keep striving to be the best you can be, in Christ.  You need to shine your Light to become that beacon of hope for others.  Paul says in Second Corinthians 5:17-20 (NLT), “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.  The old life is gone; a new life has begun!  And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ.  And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.  For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them.  And he gave us the wonderful message of reconciliation.  So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.  We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!’”  If we don’t embrace this task of reconciling people to God, who will?  Don’t miss your opportunity to be an ambassador for Christ.

Author’s comments:  You never know whose life you’ll touch.  You never know whose lives you’ll help change.  Attached to God’s gift of reconciliation is the responsibility of reconciling people to Him.  If you’re willing, God will use you!   

For more information, blogs, or to contact Bruce, go to brucedillender.com, battlecrygoodvsevil.com, or battlecrythebook.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.

The Blame Game

Excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs. Evil, Chapter 4: The Mind Is the Battlefield, The Heart Is the Fort:

As we examine the condition of the family, our inner circle of friends, neighbors, acquaintances, our towns and cities, we can see the devil has a foothold. We can see how Satan is influencing the decisions of individuals within those factions. Although we are personally responsible for every decision we make in our lives, how quick we are to blame everyone else. It wasn’t my fault. Another person influenced me. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I’m a product of my upbringing. The drugs made me do it. The alcohol made me do it. The devil made me do it. The devil can’t make you do anything. He can only attempt to influence behavior. How about friends who lead others astray by influencing them to make a bad decision? There are so many life-changing decisions, made in a split-second, resulting in horrific life-changing consequences.

Ephesians 4:21-27 (NLT) says, “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off you old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And ‘“don’t sin by letting anger control you.”’ Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Author’s comments: From the anger we see and the evil unfolding on a daily basis, there can be no denying the devil has a foothold on the hearts of many. We must stop blaming everyone else, and we must start speaking and living the Truth, that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. Why are we so reluctant to take a stand for God? We are in the midst of spiritual warfare. It’s time to suit up with the Armor of God and stand on the front-line in spiritual battle, for Christ.

For more information, blogs, or to contact Bruce, go to brucedillender.com, battlecrygoodvsevil.com, or battlecrythebook.com. Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.

Why all the hate? We have a problem, and it's spiritual.

Why all the hate?  We have a problem, and it’s spiritual.

 

Excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs. Evil, Chapter 4, The Mind Is the Battlefield, the Heart Is the Fort:

     Watch the news, surf the internet, or simply observe other people and the choices being made.  Do we see the love of God, or the hate of Satan?  God is love, the devil is hate.  So when an individual embraces evil, and their actions affect innocent bystanders, it exposes the devil.  Evil creates consequences for others who had no idea that something was about to happen.  In an instant, innocent lives can be changed forever.  First Peter 5:8 says, “Stay alert!  Watch out for your great enemy, the devil.  He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”  This warning to stay alert is directly associated with our need to be constantly aware of a spiritually powerful attaching enemy.  Our lack of awareness makes us more vulnerable to Satan’s attacks and easier for him to devour.  The word devour is specifically used to help us get a mental picture of a ruthless and brutal enemy.  Take a moment to envision a ferocious lion attacking his prey with precision, to overwhelm, conquer, and devour.  Now envision Satan attacking us with such precision.  Not a pretty sight.

Author’s comments:  What we continue to witness, is not a pretty sight.  It leaves everyone scrambling to find reasons behind acts of hatred.  The answers can’t be found in human explanation.  The answers can be found in spiritual explanation.  We have a problem, and it’s spiritual.

For more information, blogs, or to contact Bruce, go to brucedillender.com, battlecrygoodvsevil.com, or battlecrythebook.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.

PARADISE

I had a very vivid dream last night.  You know the kind.  You wake up and for a fleeting moment you’re surprised it’s not actually real.  In the dream, I had died and was on my knees in front of Jesus.  I looked like me, but I felt very different, spiritual in fact.  Although I could see it was Jesus, there was this spiritual presence about Him.  Even knowing I had died, the overwhelming emotion I felt was compete calm.  Other descriptive words that come to mind are serenity and tranquility.  In Luke 23:43 (NLT) Jesus says, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”    

I’ve always thought of paradise as being a physical experience, something to behold, with some emotion involved.  But through this dream, God has shown me that the paradise He’s referring to is not physical at all.  It’s a spiritual experience that is all emotion.  I hope and pray you are in some way inspired to pursue a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God.  Only God can give you a spiritual and emotional paradise beyond human understanding.

For more information, blogs, or to contact Bruce, go to brucedillender.com, battlecrygoodvsevil.com, or battlecrythebook.com.  Battle Cry Good vs. Evil is available in paperback or eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.

(Re-post) Knowing God

Excerpt from Battle Cry Good vs. Evil, Chapter 13 Knowing God:

Although God’s Word is by far the best way to know Him, how else might we know Him? Romans 1:19-20 (NLT) says, “They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” We know God when we see the beauty and splendor of a sunrise or sunset. We know God by the perfection in the color and pattern of a flower, or butterfly wing. We know God by exploring the depths of the ocean, or observing the majestic mountains. We know God by studying all creation, the human body, the plants and animals, the Earth and all the galaxies.

Author’s comments: If you look around at all you see, hear, touch, and feel, and you’re not able to recognize God in anything, then you’re in need of a spiritual awakening!

Order your copy of Battle Cry Good vs. Evil today. Order one for a neighbor or friend. Give one to a stranger. We are all responsible to further the Kingdom of God. What an opportunity for you to do your part.

Knowing God

Excerpt from Battle Cry Good vs. Evil, Chapter 13 Knowing God:

Although God’s Word is by far the best way to know Him, how else might we know Him? Romans 1:19-20 (NLT) says, “They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” We know God when we see the beauty and splendor of a sunrise or sunset. We know God by the perfection in the color and pattern of a flower, or butterfly wing. We know God by exploring the depths of the ocean, or observing the majestic mountains. We know God by studying all creation, the human body, the plants and animals, the Earth and all the galaxies.

Author’s comments: If you look around at all you see, hear, touch, and feel, and you’re not able to recognize God in anything, then you’re in need of a spiritual awakening!

Order your copy of Battle Cry Good vs. Evil today. Order one for a neighbor or friend. Give one to a stranger. We are all responsible to further the Kingdom of God. What an opportunity for you to do your part.

Freedom

Freedom excerpts from Battle Cry Good vs. Evil    

Introduction:  Even something as precious as freedom, has become more about self and less about God and country. 

Chapter 4 The Mind is the Battlefield, The Heart is the Fort:  We also have the freedom to make choices despite how the Spirit moves in us.  Even though we know deep down that something doesn’t feel right, we can ignore the feeling, do what we want anyway, and suffer the consequences.  The consequences of ignoring the Spirit is witnessed in what we see going on all over the world.   

Chapter 5 The Fiery Arrows of the Devil:  Colossians 1:13-14 says, “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” (NLT)

Chapter 8 War Wounds and Battle Scars:  When we think of war wounds and battle scars, what usually comes to mind is the physical and emotional cost of freedom our soldiers pay when engaged in physical warfare.  But there is also a physical and emotional cost of freedom associated with spiritual warfare.  Spiritual warfare is about fighting for the freedom to carry out our good intentions.  

Chapter 19 Fear of the Lord:  Some people have the attitude that nobody should be telling us what to do, or dictate how we live.  Some confuse freedom with the right to act the way they want.  

     Author’s comments:  Thanks for reaching out with your questions and comments.  Discussion leads to understanding; understanding leads to wisdom.  Proverbs 3:14 says “For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold.  Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.” (NLT) Although Independence Day is about celebrating freedom, let’s not forget about the role God plays and the price He paid for our freedom. Every decision you make has a profound influence on determining the person you become.  It’s not what you think and say, it’s your actions that define you.  The action you take becomes your reality.  Are you happy with your reality? If not, start today to effect change within yourself, which influences change in those around you. This is how we further the Kingdom of God!

For questions, comments, insight, and information, go to the website: battlecrygoodvsevil.com, battlecrythebook.com, or brucedillender.com.

Fathers Day

As a father, I chose Father’s Day as the day for my family to be baptized. I couldn’t think of a better day, or a better way, to honor our heavenly Father. My wife and son joining me on this special occasion is a memory I cherish every Father’s Day. I share this story on this Father’s Day to ask everyone to remember your heavenly Father on this special day. Earthly fathers are to be honored today, but lets not forget our heavenly Father. Without Him, we wouldn’t have earthly fathers. He is the mastermind behind the family. Happy Father’s Day to all you fathers out there.

Knowledge is everything!

With knowledge comes understanding, spiritual strength, faith, and trust, that we can defeat the enemy. Ultimately, your dependence on God is your only hope of defeating Satan, whose “soul” purpose is to keep you separated from God.

Order your copy of Battle Cry: GOoD vs dEvil today from Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, and iTunes!

Spiritual Transformation

Here’s the Truth.  Everyone needs to change and everyone can change.  If we’re not changing, we’re not developing, and we’re not spiritually transforming into the person God wants us to be.  We need to transform from less of an existence of the flesh, to more of an existence of the Spirit.  This spiritual transformation continues our entire life. To find out more about spiritual transformation, order Battle Cry: GOoD vs dEVIL today!