"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18) He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God," (John 3:16-18).

     Deliverance is basically a question of dealing with ownership. We own and allow the old ways of life to rule us because it is the way we have always followed. What we need to do is get rid of the ownership of these demonic forces that cheat us out of living an overcoming victorious life, one of peace, love, joy and freedom. (2)

     Each one of us is answerable to God to make certain Jesus Christ is dwelling in us, creating his life through us, and that we have the witness of the Holy Spirit within us, (Romans 8:16). "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves," ( II Corinthians 13:5).

     God made us spiritual beings. We live out of our spirit. We must be controlled by our spirit, through our soul (mind) in our body. 1 Corinthians 15:44 says, "It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body." There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

     When Satan tempted Adam and Eve, they sinned ( fell) from that spiritual walk, his spirit died and he was separated from God. He lost his God consciousness. God initiated a plan led by the Holy Spirit of conviction and sacrifice of the cross. This brings man back to life from the death of sin. Ephesians 2:1, shows us this: "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." Adam was living physically, but dead spiritually.

     Jesus Christ restores us to our original spiritual condition when we repent and receive His sacrifice. In Ephesians 2:8, we see that "all these things are not of ourselves, lest we should boast, but all a gift of God."

     "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us," (Romans 8:37). Every Christian emerges either trusting in people, or trusting fully in God, that is, either cursed or blessed.

     "Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited," (Jeremiah 17:5-6).

      The individual Jeremiah talks about in these verses does not wait for God to move. He takes matters into his own hands, making his own plans, turning to people he thinks have clout and he takes shortcuts. He is always conspiring, scheming, conniving, and manipulating. The philosophy is, "It's not what you know that counts, it's who you know." And this person is forever looking for that special "who" to solve his/her problems!

     Scripture says a spiritual dryness sets into this person's life: "... he shall be like the heath (shrub) in the desert... " (verse.6). This individual looks scarcely alive, with no fruit, no wellspring of life. He or she is always on the brink of dying!

     We are to trust in the Lord and His Word! Jeremiah 17:7,8 says "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit."

     Look at the individual who trusts God in the hard places. This Christian is planted. He or she has roots, security, a reservoir of Living Water. He or she is always "spreading out," fruitful and green with fresh life. Scripture says, "he shall not be careful (frightened) in the year of drought . . ." (verse 8). This individual says, "Jesus, I give up looking to any person to bring me out of my trial. I turn to You alone! You're my only keeper, my only hope. I look to You to bring me out of this!"

     Isaiah 45:2-3 says "I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron. 3) And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel."

     God says, "Trust Me, My child, and you'll be blessed!"