HOW TO STAY SPIRITUALLY ALIVE PERMANENTLY
Written in 2009
by Tony Alamo
aka Bernie Hoffman
Because of the incredible beating our minds receive by living in a world run by Satan, we must always remember that this world is not our home.1 We are pilgrims, just passing through.2 JESUS says, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for MY sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles” (Matthew 10:16-18). For me, these things have been going on for over forty-four years since 1964. I’m writing this from jail, in solitary confinement.
King David had this to say in Psalm 71:7: “I am as a wonder unto many; but THOU art my strong refuge.” Many people don’t understand how people such as myself have made their way through the wolves, through all the persecutions, trials, temptations, jails, prisons, false accusations, robberies, and other cruelties. The secret is in the WORD of GOD, and most preachers have never preached it. However, it’s the only way to stay steady in the LORD.
In Romans 12:1-2, the Apostle Paul by the HOLY SPIRIT, tells us, “I beseech you therefore, brethren [Christians], by the mercies of GOD, that ye present your bodies [GOD’S temples, houses3] a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto GOD, which is your reasonable service.” You may ask how you can do this. Here it is: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND.”
How do you renew your mind? You repair it daily, as you would repair anything that breaks down in your house, car, or anything else.4 Ephesians 4:17-24 states, “This I say therefore, and testify in the LORD, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of GOD through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned CHRIST; If so be that ye have heard HIM, and have been taught by HIM, as the truth is in JESUS: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man [your spirit with CHRIST’S HOLY SPIRIT dwelling within].”
Once you have a spiritual rebirth, and are born again of the SPIRIT of GOD, you continue being renewed and cleansed by prayerfully reading the Bible daily.5 That is why the Apostle Paul wrote, “Husbands, love your wives, even as CHRIST also loved the church, and gave HIMSELF for it; That HE might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the WORD, That HE might present it to HIMSELF a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27).
Renewal means to renovate, to restore to the former condition. Improve the condition of your mind as it was when you were filled with zeal for the LORD. Every day, by being in this world of unbelievers, sin-loving people,6 and Satan’s evil spirits, your spirit decays, grows lukewarm and then cold toward living a life of holiness and full dedication to GOD. Little by little, Satan pulls you away from the LORD and into a worldly, sinful life. It can be so subtle that you don’t even notice it. JESUS warns us of this: “Unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of GOD; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of MY mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of ME gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” (Revelation 3:14-19).
When asked what was the greatest commandment in the Law, “JESUS said unto him, Thou shalt love the LORD thy GOD with ALL thy heart, and with ALL thy soul, and with ALL thy mind. This is the first and great commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38). HE wants it all, just as HE gave all HE had for us.7
When our minds are consistently renewed and in sync with the will of GOD, we are led by the SPIRIT of GOD, and do not allow ourselves to be controlled by our carnal mind. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in CHRIST JESUS, who walk not after the flesh, but after the SPIRIT. For the law of the SPIRIT of life in CHRIST JESUS hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, GOD sending HIS own SON in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the SPIRIT. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the SPIRIT the things of the SPIRIT. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against GOD: for it is not subject to the law of GOD, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please GOD” (Romans 8:1-8).
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the SPIRIT of GOD: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). In order to become spiritually minded, we must first be born again as JESUS stated, and walk as we are led by GOD’S SPIRIT.8
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through GOD to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of GOD, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of CHRIST” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
We are commanded to give no place in our lives to Satan (Ephesians 4:27). GOD deserves all and Satan deserves nothing! Therefore, through-out every day, we need to rebuild, repair, reestablish our minds and hearts, walking in the SPIRIT of GOD, and be strengthened through prayer and reading the Bible. This is how we “sit together in heavenly places in CHRIST JESUS” (Ephesians 2:6).
The Apostle Paul prayed for the followers of JESUS, “That the GOD of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, the FATHER of glory, may give unto you the SPIRIT of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of HIM: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of HIS calling, and what the riches of the glory of HIS inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of HIS power to usward who believe, according to the working of HIS mighty power, Which HE wrought in CHRIST, when HE raised him from the dead, and set HIM at HIS own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under HIS feet, and gave HIM to be the head over all things to the church, Which is HIS body, the fulness of HIM that filleth all in all” (Ephesians 1:17-23).
As born-of-the-SPIRIT Christians, “we have the mind of CHRIST” (1 Corinthians 2:16). We live in the natural, but also in the supernatural, walking in love and keeping the Law of the SPIRIT of life in CHRIST JESUS alive! The LORD will protect us and give us supernatural peace. “THOU wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on THEE: because he trusteth in THEE” (Isaiah 26:3).
To disregard GOD’S instruction is to reject eternal life in Heaven and endure torment in Hell forever. JESUS said, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the MASTER of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, LORD, LORD, open unto us; and HE shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in THY presence, and THOU hast taught in our streets. But HE shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from ME, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of GOD, and you yourselves thrust out” (Luke 13:24-28).
Renew your mind today and every day with the WORD of GOD. If you are not saved, born again of the SPIRIT of GOD, then say this prayer to the LORD now, and you will be! “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).
Prayer
My LORD and my GOD, have mercy upon my soul, a sinner. 1 I believe that JESUS CHRIST is the SON of the living GOD. 2 I believe that HE died on the cross and shed HIS precious blood for the forgiveness of all my former sins. 3 I believe that GOD raised JESUS from the dead by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT 4 and that HE sits on the right hand of GOD at this moment, hearing my confession of sin and this prayer. 5 I open up the door of my heart, and I invite YOU into my heart, LORD JESUS. 6 Wash all of my filthy sins away in the precious blood that YOU shed in my place on the cross at Calvary. 7 YOU will not turn me away, LORD JESUS; YOU will forgive my sins and save my soul. I know because YOUR WORD, the Bible, says so. 8 YOUR WORD says that YOU will turn no one away, and that includes me. 9 Therefore, I know that YOU have heard me, and I know that YOU have answered me, and I know that I am saved. 10 And I thank YOU, LORD JESUS, for saving my soul, and I will show my thankfulness by doing as YOU command and sin no more.11
After salvation, JESUS said to be baptized, fully submerged in water, in the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY SPIRIT.12 Then study the King James Version Bible, and, for your benefit and the benefit of others, do what it says.13
CHRIST and GOD the FATHER now live in you through the HOLY SPIRIT. There is a way you can receive a fuller portion of the divine nature of GOD in you. The more the divine nature of GOD lives in you, the more you will be able to stand against the temptations that have so easily moved so many millions of Christians away from salvation. Pray for the baptism in the HOLY SPIRIT.14 For instructions on how to receive the baptism in the HOLY SPIRIT and to receive more of GOD’S holy nature, ask for our literature or call. For without holiness, no man shall see GOD (Hebrews 12:14).
The LORD wants you to tell others of your salvation (Mark 16:15). You can become a distributor of Pastor Tony Alamo’s Gospel literature. We’ll send you literature free of charge. Call or email us for more information. Share this message with someone else.
If you want the world saved, as JESUS commands, then don’t rob GOD of HIS tithes and offerings. GOD said, “Will a man rob GOD? Yet ye have robbed ME. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed THEE? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed ME, even this whole nation [and this whole world]. Bring ye all the tithes [a ‘tithe’ is 10% of your gross income] into the storehouse, that there may be meat [Spiritual food] in MINE house [souls saved], and prove ME now herewith, saith the LORD of HOSTS, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of HOSTS. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of HOSTS” (Malachi 3:8-12).
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footnotes:
1. Isa. 14:9-20, Ezek. 28:11-19, Luke 10:18, John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11, 18:36, 2 Cor. 4:4, Eph. 2:1-2, 6:12, 1 John 5:19, Rev. 12:3-9, 13 return
2. John 8:23, 18:36, 2 Cor. 5:1, Heb. 11:13, 1 Pet. 2:11 return
3. 1 Cor. 3:16-17, 6:15-20, 2 Cor. 6:16, Eph. 2:18-22 return
4. 2 Cor. 4:16, Eph. 4:23-24, Col. 3:8-10 return
5. Deut. 17:18-20, Josh. 1:8, Matt. 4:4, John 8:31-32, 15:3-7, Acts 20:32, Eph. 6:11-17, Col. 3:16, 2 Thes. 2:15, 2 Tim. 2:15, 3:14-17, James 1:21, 1 Pet. 2:2 return
7. John 1:29, 3:14-17, 6:51, 10:11-18, 11:49-52, Acts 5:30-31, 20:28, 26:23, Rom. 5:6-11, 1 Cor. 15:3-4, Gal. 1:3-4, 2:20, 4:4-5, Eph. 5:2, 1 Thes. 1:10, 5:9-10, 1 Tim. 2:5-6, Titus 2:13-14, Heb. 2:9-10 return
8. John 3:3-8, Rom. 8:1-6, Gal. 5:16-25, 1 Pet. 1:17-23 return
Prayer footnotes:
1. Psa. 51:5, Rom. 3:10-12, 23 return
2. Matt. 26:63-64, 27:54, Luke 1:30-33, John 9:35-37, Rom. 1:3-4 return
3. Acts 4:12, 20:28, Rom. 3:25, I John 1:7, Rev. 5:9 return
4. Psa. 16:9-10, Matt. 28:5-7, Mark 16:9, 12, 14, John 2:19, 21, 10:17-18, 11:25, Acts 2:24, 3:15, Rom. 8:11, I Cor. 15:3-7 return
5. Luke 22:69, Acts 2:25-36, Heb. 10:12-13 return
6. I Cor. 3:16, Rev. 3:20 return
7. Eph. 2:13-22, Heb. 9:22, 13:12, 20-21, I John 1:7, Rev. 1:5, 7:14 return
8. Matt. 26:28, Acts 2:21, 4:12, Eph. 1:7, Col. 1:14 return
9. Matt. 21:22, John 6:35, 37-40, Rom. 10:13 return
10. Heb. 11:6 return
11. John 5:14, 8:11, Rom. 6:4, I Cor. 15:10, Rev. 7:14, 22:14 return
12. Matt. 28:18-20, John 3:5, Acts 2:38, 19:3-5 return
13. Deut. 4:29, 13:4, 26:16, Josh. 1:8, 22:5, 2 Tim. 2:15, 3:14-17, James 1:22-25, Rev. 3:18 return
14. Isa. 28:11-12, Joel 2:28-29, Luke 3:16, 11:9-13, John 1:29-34, 7:37-39, 14:15-29, 15:26, 16:7-14, Acts 1:1-8, 2:1-18, 32-39, 5:29-32, 19:1-7, Rom. 5:3-5, 15:13 return