From Hidden Battles: Episode #17- His Story

“Hey everybody, I’m Anne-Marie Michaelis, a Christian author and coach. Welcome to the Hidden Battles Podcast, a weekly podcast about the hidden battles of spiritual warfare and the struggles that go on in our minds and hearts, and the truth to overcoming these hidden battles. My life was radically transformed during a supernatural encounter with Jesus.

God allowed my eyes to be spiritually opened long enough to see the truth of these hidden battles and to scare the rebellion against him right out of me. In each episode, I share a true story about a real life experience, a teaching, and a final takeaway. This podcast will reveal the hidden battles that lurk in our minds and hearts, and the way out.

Hidden Battles, revealing what the enemy does not want you to know. Please take a moment to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and subscribe to my channel on YouTube, at GodDesign LLC. Podcasts are available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

For a free download of my memoir, visit my website at goddesign.org.”

In this episode, I’m going to read a chapter from my book “Blinded By Hidden Battles,” Let The Veil Be Lifted. There’s a lot of scripture in this chapter, so I will read a paragraph and then the scripture within the paragraph to make it easier. This chapter is called “His Story, ” the story of Jesus Christ.

Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born from the Virgin Mary. He was God in the flesh [John 1:1, 14], and He came so He could pay the penalty for our sins [1 Peter 2:24], allowing us to become righteous (right-standing with God) for those who choose salvation through Him.

In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.  John 1:1 (AMP)

And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, [the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception). John 1:14 (AMP)

He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 (AMP)

Jesus came to defeat Satan’s works [1 John 3:8], save the sinners [1 Timothy 1:15], and be the one and only mediator between God and humans [1 Timothy 2:5, John 14:6].

The one who practices sin [separating himself from God, and offending Him by acts of disobedience, indifference, or rebellion] is of the devil [and takes his inner character and moral values from him, not God]; for the devil has sinned and violated God’s law from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8 (AMP)

This is a faithful and trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance and approval, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost … For there is [only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus 1 Timothy 1:15, 2:5 (AMP)

Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6 (AMP)

Over the three years of His ministry, Jesus performed many types of miracles, signs, and wonders [Acts 2:22], which are described in detail in many other scriptures in the Bible (ex. casting out demons, healing the sick, raising the dead).

“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man accredited and pointed out and attested to you by God with [the power to perform] miracles and wonders and signs which God worked through Him in your [very] midst, just as you yourselves know— Acts 2:22 (AMP)

Jesus lived till He was 33 years old when He willingly laid down His life on the cross [John 10:17-18] and, three days later, rose from the dead where His spirit was reunited with His perfected, glorious body.

For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My [own] life so that I may take it back. No one takes it away from Me, but I lay it down voluntarily. I am authorized and have power to lay it down and to give it up, and I am authorized and have power to take it back. This command I have received from My Father.” John 10:17-18 (AMP)

Jesus walked the earth teaching the Kingdom of God and had over 500 eye-witnesses see Him in His newly resurrected body, where He kept the nail holes in His hands and feet so His witnesses would not doubt but instead know that it was truly Him. He remained teaching for 40 days before ascending back into Heaven, at which point an angel of the Lord spoke and promised Jesus to return again at the end of the age.

But when Jesus comes at the end of the age, He will come with final judgments and war and will take His place as King to rule over the entire earth with all those who survive judgment.

Therefore God overlooked and disregarded the former ages of ignorance; but now He commands all people everywhere to repent [that is, to change their old way of thinking, to regret their past sins, and to seek God’s purpose for their lives], because He has set a day when He will judge the inhabited world in righteousness by a Man [Jesus Christ] whom He has appointed and destined for that task, and He has provided credible proof to everyone by raising Him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31 (AMP)

Jesus paid the penalty for all sins because the penalty of sin is death. Christ fulfilled the Law of Moses by coming as a man, being the only human to live a sinless life, dying for all humanity’s sins to pay our penalty (like paying bail fees in court—meaning we are all out on “bail”), and rising from the dead to be seated at the right hand of God the Father.

Thus, God allows us to enter a new covenant agreement and relationship between God and humanity through Christ.

He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness]. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (AMP)

God has given us one and only one way to salvation. If we enter this new covenant relationship, we become truly free (not out on bail – but free indeed).

Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6 (AMP)

And you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free [from the penalty of sin].” John 8:32 (AMP)

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36 (NKJV)

God planned on writing His law of the New Covenant—no longer externally but now internally. Once we receive salvation through Christ’s new covenant, God will put the Holy Spirit within our hearts. We are basically the new temple of God. This is called being born again—reborn spiritually.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NKJV)

For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the [Holy] Spirit of God are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “Abba! Father!” The [Holy] Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit [assuring us] that we [believers] are children of God. Romans 8:14-16 (AMP)

We’ll know if we are following the Holy Spirit’s guidance because the Holy Spirit provides fruits (evidence).

But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites. If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit]. Galatians 5:22-25 (AMP)

Now in this chapter, I mentioned being born again in 2 Corinthians 5:17.  I’ll read it one more time, but I have an illustration I’m going to include in my blog on my website.

Just so if you want a visual of this, along with other scripture in key areas, you can see this in the blog post.

Let me read this one more time.

“Therefore, if any one is in Christ that is grafted in joined to him by faith and him as savior, he is a new creature, reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit, the old things, the previous moral and spiritual condition have passed away. Behold, new things have come because spiritual awakening brings a new life.

Again, this illustration in this particular chapter is really helpful. It talks about being born again.

Here’s another scripture that I’m going to read to you before I wrap things up.  It’s John 3:6-7.

Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life, so don’t be surprised when I say you must be born again.

This goes back to the sin.  Sin leads to death and spiritual death.  When we have spiritual death, we have no eternal life when we leave this earth.

Salvation through Jesus Christ and surrendering and trusting and having faith in Jesus is the only way and a true, genuine faith, not just basically lip service. It’s a true, genuine faith in Jesus and you become part of his family.

For those of you ready to surrender to Christ, let’s pray a prayer of salvation and begin your commitment to walk with Jesus and accept Him into your mind, heart, and every facet of your life!

Pray this prayer with me with all your mind and heart.

Heavenly Father, I come to you as a sinner in need of Your grace. I repent of my sins and confess openly with my lips that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I believe in my heart that He died and rose from the grave for my sins. Lord Jesus, I invite you into my life and ask for the Holy Spirit to dwell in my heart; to be my teacher, counselor, comforter, and helper in all areas of my life. May Your will be done in my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer of salvation, it is a very good first step in beginning your walk with Jesus. Relationships take effort and communication. Keep the communication channel open with Jesus so you can start building your relationship and hear what He has in store for you.

Hey, friends, that wraps up today’s Hidden Battles Podcast. A transcript along with additional devotionals for this week’s podcast, as well as my memoir, are available for free download on my website at goddesign.org, or check out some of my other books that you may find helpful. If you liked this episode, please share with others.

Hidden Battles, revealing what the enemy does not want you to know. Never stop praying, never give up, and I’ll see you next week.”