Garment of Praise

The Lord recently brought me through a tremendous battle.  This battle spanned weeks, but these last several days have, by far, been the most trying for me.

When praying a few days ago, I said, "Lord, I need you to pray for me because I don't have the words."
That may sound strange, but He prayed for Peter, so I asked Him to pray for me - to guide me - to rescue me from the anguish of it all.  We are told in the Word that when we don't know what to pray, the Spirit will intercede for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:26).

I praise the Lord for His provision.  He began moving on my heart within a few hours or less after I asked Him to intercede for me.  I was led to pray shortly after that prayer, and even though I had felt so terribly broken due to this battle, I began praying about HIS power, HIS worth, HIS justice, HIS goodness, HIS ability.

I was led to completely PRAISE HIM in the prayer and didn't speak of "my woes."  It was a freeing prayer.  Do you know that within moments things in the natural world began to turn around?  Very precisely, events changed in my life.

The Lord's direction for me became utterly and miraculously clear in the natural and in the spiritual.

Later that night, I spoke to my husband and to another person about Isaiah 61:3 and how God will do exactly what that verse says!  We only need to cast our burdens at His feet.

Isaiah 61:3 - To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, THE GARMENT OF PRAISE FOR THE SPIRIT OF HEAVINESS; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

I told my husband the LORD shows up in the presence of genuine PRAISE!

The story does not stop there.  Later that night, as I lay in bed, I heard:  "HILLEL."

I looked that word up.  It is this Hebrew word -->   הָלַל

Do you know what that word means?   It means PRAISE, namely praising GOD.

I ask you, WHO has an infinite understanding of every language spoken?  Who created all tongues?

Let us rejoice in this GREAT SAVIOUR, The LORD JESUS CHRIST!  Lift up your broken heart and praise HIM.  Ask Him to give you strength where weakness seems to abound.  HE WILL.  HE WILL.

Let us lift up His Name & His Power & His Glory!  We are NOT defeated IN Christ Jesus.  Rely on HIM.  It is His good pleasure to rescue us from the enemy.There IS Power in the Name of Jesus

I wouldn't change anything about these moments of affliction, these times of being threshed by the tribulum -- because it has always been during these times of trial that the LORD has made His presence apparent & His strength perfect.   It is all about HIS glory!
______________________________________________________________________

I am adding this over 24 hours later, but it is further glory to God.  While I was sitting in my back yard watching my boys play, my mother pulled into her driveway.  She had my youngest sister with her. (I hadn't seen her in several days to weeks, for she doesn't live close by.) My sister walked over to me and handed me a book, which was a compact concordance.  I told her something to the effect of it being neat, and then she start walking away.  I said, "No, this is yours.  You should take it."  She said, "No, it's for you."  As she walked away, my eyes went to a pink post it.  I flipped that page open and saw this:

This is a picture of the actual page. The pink post it marked the page with PRAISE.  All verses with the word PRAISE begin on this page.  I called over to my mother's house when I came into my home and asked if my sister had any idea about the blog I had just written.  I asked if she had been on Facebook, etc.  But, you see, my youngest sister doesn't have Internet access.  I don't think she even knows that I have a "blog".

Even more profoundly, Satan had shown up just a few hours before she handed me that book, and he had attempted to steal the purity of this whole blog entry from me.  He had attempted to make me think that I should erase it and that I call on the Lord too much!  (I kid you not!)  We are told in the Parable of the Sower that the enemy (Satan) arrives soon after the Truth of the Word is sown in order to steal the Word that has been sown in our hearts.  But, The Lord, Bless His Holy Name put the brakes on Satan yet again.

Friends, let us abide in the Lord's Goodness.  Glory to His Name.  I am in awe of His Power.

Doctrines of Devils: Salvation, Discipleship, & Loving the Lord Are Not the Same

Having read a post from a complete stranger yesterday basically stating emphatically the title above, I am led to post this.  God help us not to believe such lies.

Does the Bible Really Say That?

1)  Even in Christ, you can still continue in sin and be saved.  Believing and being a disciple of Christ are not the same.

What the Bible really says:  Romans 6:14, Romans 6:22, James 1:22, Ephesians 5:3, 5:4, 5:5, 5:6, 5:7, Galatians 5:16, 5:18, 5:19, 5:20, 5:21, 6:7, 6:8, John 14: 21, 14:23, 14:24, 14:15, 14:16, 1 Timothy 6:11, 6:12, Hebrews 12: 14  (place your cursor over the verses in order to read them)

                                           

2)  Once a believer is in Christ, that person will always be in Christ.

What the Bible really says:   Romans 11: 22, Hebrews 6:4, 6:5, 6:6, 6:7, 6:8, Hebrews 10: 26, 10:27, 10:28, 10:29, 10:30, 2 Peter 2:20, 2:21, 2:22, Revelation 3:16, John 15:4, 15:5, 15:6, 15:7, Luke 8: 13, 1 Corinthians 15:1, 15:2, Colossians 1:21, 1:22, 1:23, Hebrews 12: 15, Hebrews 12:16, James 5: 19, 5: 20, Hebrews 3:12, 3:13

False doctrines are dangerous.

Some appear harmless, and may be for a while, until a person who believes that false doctrine is put to the test.  If that person succumbs to sin (without repentance afterwards), then that person is lost.

The bottom line is love.  Let your prayer be that you love the Lord.  Those who love the Lord will obey the Lord.  We cannot pretend that believing in Christ is separate from loving Him.  That is HERESY!  The devil's lies are damning people to Hell with every passing second.

All things work together for good to whom?  For those who LOVE God   (Romans 8:28)

Who are promised to be heirs of the Kingdom?  Only those who LOVE God (James 2:5)

Can one's love for the Lord change (decrease, weaken, dissipate)?  (Matthew 24:12, 24:13, Revelation 2:4)

Love Verses That We Can't Afford to Overlook
Matthew 22:37
Matthew 10:37
John 8:42
John 12:25
John 14:15
John 14:21
John 15:9
John 16:27
1 Corinthians 8:3, 1 Corinthians 16:22

Romans 8:35   This verse and those before and after it are so often misused.  No where in the list associated with this verse is SIN found.  In fact, these verses 35-39, in part are drawn directly from Psalm 44.  Read Psalm 44 to see that the Psalmist has not disobeyed the Lord.  That Psalm is about an obedient & God-fearing people who are being persecuted by man. 

Brethren, we cannot afford to fall for the lies that have crept into the church slowly and seductively over the years.  I do not type this for the purpose of strife and debate.  I weep at the number of people who are caught up in false doctrines, and God help them, they are falling away from the faith BECAUSE of the false doctrines.  We must try the spirits.  We have to seek the Lord for ourselves, Brothers and Sisters in the Lord.  We must pray, read the Bible, and fast.  It is the Lord's good pleasure to reveal His Truth to humble hearts that seek Him.

Nothing can separate us from the Love of God which is IN Christ Jesus (Romans 8:39)

You must abide in Christ in order to be a partaker of the promise in the verse above.

John 15:4
John 15:6
John 15:10
1 John 2:24
1 John 2: 28
1 John 3:24
2 John 1:9

                                                    Revelation 21: 7 & 21:8

Salvation Cannot Be Separated From Loving the Lord and Being His Disciple.  

Stand Guard

Brothers and Sisters who profess Christ, we must guard our hearts against that which is sinful. The Lord teaches that out of our hearts sin springs forth and defiles man.

Mark 7:

14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

  “Nothing is man’s fault,” says the world.  “There is no fault to be found in our feelings - no matter what we feel,” says the world.  “We can’t control our thoughts,” says the world.  “We can’t control our behavior,” says the world.  The voices in this world deem themselves experts on matters they know nothing about.  

They make every attempt to disempower God.  What could be more devastating than the world’s mentality?  Many who profess to be a part of the Church are adopting these very same ideas.  

Church, we cannot buy the lies the world is selling.  We can’t afford to forget the Power that is found IN Christ Jesus.  

The Word of God must be our Standard for Truth.  We can overcome our thoughts (our hearts) through Jesus Christ.  No matter what thought presents itself to us, we are not in bondage to act upon or to meditate upon that thought.

1 Corinthians 2:16

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5

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;imaginations - logismos - reasoning, computation, conscience, conceit - synonym thought

We are taught in the Bible that there is a special ingredient necessary in order for us to overcome this world and any deceitfulness presented within our minds/hearts.  

James 1:21

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

We can allow the Word of God (and the Power it surely holds!) to root itself deep within our hearts (our thoughts, our very being), and if we do permit the Word of the Lord to take root in our hearts, we will be transformed.  Out of our hearts, we will see the goodness of God flow forth.  We will see the fruit of the Spirit apparent in our hearts and lives.  And we will see any sinful thought destroyed by the power of God’s Word.  What hope the Gospel brings to those who cling to the Lord!

Read the Parable of the Sower:  

Matthew 13: 18-23

Mark 4:14-20

The Word also teaches in Luke 6:43, “For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.”

We must not adopt the world’s mentality.  Those who follow Christ are not in bondage to sin even when it presents itself in our very own hearts.  Yes, we can expect to battle tempting thoughts.  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

However, we must never relent in the battle for our souls.  There is truly a good fight of faith to be fought.  The condition of our hearts is central to salvation.  Speaking that we believe in Christ, yet nurturing and giving into the wickedness that arises from our hearts will not result in an eternity spent with the Lord Jesus.  It just won’t.  The Lord seeks to sanctify our hearts by the Word.  

Genesis 6

5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

Matthew 15

7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Galatians 5: 19-21

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 6: 7-8

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Brothers and Sisters who profess Christ, it is not optional to guard our hearts -- It is mandatory if we hope to endure unto the end, as the Lord admonished us. If our hope is to enter into the presence of the Lord eternally, all thoughts that are against what the Bible teaches us must be cast down and brought under the authority of Christ.  

1 Corinthians 9:27

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

The Lord will make every attempt to reach us and bring us to repentance by His Holy Spirit when our hearts/thoughts are contrary to His Truth. Yet, the Word also teaches that we must accept His teaching (His chastisement) in order to be transformed by Him.  

Hebrews 12:1

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Hebrews 12:5

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

Hebrews 3: 12-15

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

That which has been defiled cannot enter into eternity with the Lord:

Revelation 3:4

Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

Revelation 21:27

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Those who are not believers in Christ are in bondage to sin.  They won’t be able to overcome the defiling thoughts that are nurtured in their hearts.  I pray that you and I weep for them and cry out to the Lord on their behalf until they come to Christ, for only when a person is beckoned by the Holy Spirit of God can he or she then truly surrender all to the Lord, our Great Christ.  

But for those of us who do believe, we are no longer in bondage to sin.  No matter what thoughts enter our hearts, please know that Jesus Christ can deliver us from every temptation to sin.  If you find strange thoughts entering your mind that are against the Word of God, cast them down.  Even if you must cast them down 100 times a day, continue to do so and call out to the Name above all names:  Jesus.  I am living proof that the Lord will be faithful to deliver you from any and every thought that is against the Word of God.  No matter what Satan attempts to bombard you with, the Lord is stronger.  The Lord is Stronger!  Do not succumb to that temptation.  Fight the good fight of faith.    Fast, pray, read the Bible.  Do this until the Lord delivers you.  He Will Deliver You!  Glory to this Great Lord!  Oh, how thankful I am for His Power and His love toward us.  He longs to deliver us from anything that defiles.

The Same Shall Judge

But the word of the Lord endureth forever.  

1 Peter 1:25

It will endure forever.

We must resolve ourselves to this and not allow our emotions, our pride, or our distorted perceptions of ourselves stand in the way of the TRUTH -

If it is in the Bible, it is true.

If it is on page 2 of the Bible, it is true.

If it is on page 687 of the Bible, it is true.

If it is on page 1407 of the Bible, it is true.

If I don’t understand it, the Bible is still true.

If I don’t like what the Bible says, it is still true.

If God’s Word  points out a fault within me, His Word is right.

If I don’t like the fault, His Word is right.

If I refuse to accept that I have a fault, the Word is still right.

If society says it is right, but the Bible says it is wrong, then society is wrong.

If the Word of God contradicts what I believe to be true, the Word of God is right… and I am wrong.

If the Word of God wounds me by its Truth, then wounded, I must acknowledge that the Word is true.

 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

Are we shaped by the Word of God or by the word of man?  How many of us believe certain things about ourselves and others based on what society tells us? How many of us believe that we think for ourselves, but in reality we really believe the trends of the current generation in which we live?  If we had lived 100 years ago, many would have accepted those trends just as easily.  No matter the time period, we are being conformed to accept who society tells us to accept, and we are being conformed to reject who society tells us to reject.  

If the song says it’s okay to call females derogatory names, I guess it is okay.  If the professor says there is no God, well I guess there is no God.  If psychologists tell us that we can’t control these violent tendencies we have, well I guess we can’t.  If society says there is no such thing as sin, well I guess I’ll never need to repent.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  Romans 12:2

If we were to examine closely the man-fostered beliefs of each generation before us, we would see that man changes.  What would have been deemed wrong a generation or two ago is now “right” - according to our current evolving society (generation).  Are we to assume this generation is more correct in their views than perhaps the generations of the past?  We cannot measure truth simply by comparing it to a previous generation.  Usually, the current generation will applaud their advancement in “truth”  and condemn the “erroneous” practices of the past generations.

How do I measure right and wrong in my life?  Which actions are acceptable?  Which thoughts are wrong?  Who is my standard bearer?  If it is society, which society, then?  American society?  Or should we allow current tribes that practice cannibalism be our standard bearer for right and wrong?  Or should we revert to the Nazi German society?

The Nazi's View of "Right"

The Islamic State's View of "Right"

The Supreme Court's View of "Right"

The Supreme Court's View of "Right"

Who is my standard?

Standard:  a rule or principle that is used as a basis for judgment

Do I follow this man or that man?  This type of confusion can lead one to insanity.  Society is like

water. It is unstable. It is fluid, ever moving and ever changing. There is no solid ground. Society’s "standard" for right and wrong is not constant. Thus, there really is no standard in a society. So-called norms change at the whim of man. I can’t put my faith in man.

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 16:25

No man can effectively dictate what is right and what is wrong using only his understanding.  

When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19

Even when that unstable water of society's "truths" attempts to confuse us, there is a Standard that never flinches and never backs down. He who was, and is, and is to come IS the Standard.  God has never changed.  

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

Jesus said that those who believe in Him  (in word and in deed) will have everlasting life. John 3:16

John 3:18 -- Those who do not believe are already condemned.  

You see, I can’t condemn anyone, nor do I have any desire to condemn others.  But those who are In Christ are to warn others in order to prevent others from being condemned.  All of us will be judged by the Word.  -The same Word that will endure forever.-

John 12:48  - He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

We cannot say we believe in Jesus and at the same time turn from the very Words He spoke.  He cannot be separated from the Word of God, for Jesus is the Word made flesh. The Bible tells us this:

John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

His Word has not and will not change.   

I do not follow Jesus in order to change Him; I follow Him so that He can change me.

 John 14: 15

1 Corinthians 8:3

1 Corinthians 16:22

His Word transforms those who follow Him.  If we say we follow Him, yet our thoughts and actions are not actively being transformed by Him, then it is not Christ we follow.  We have veered off of the path somewhere along the way and started following a counterfeit  jesus -  a false jesus created by society, or perhaps we were never really on the path.  

Corruption has existed throughout the ages. Every society has offered some element of that which is abominable, corrupt, & detestable, and sold it as “right”.   We cannot afford to be controlled by the machine known as “Society”.  

What is able to save our souls?  The engrafted WORD of God

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.  James 1:21

If you read the Word of God, you will see that it has the power to heal your brokenness.  It has power to transform your mind and any thoughts you have that are in opposition to the Lord.  The Word is a balm to a broken heart.  The Word can cradle you in its Truth.  

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 1 Peter 1: 23

As one society rises with its self-designated truths, so will it fall in due time.  As the grass, societies wither and fall away.

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 1 Peter 1:24

The Word of God will endure for ever.  It will endure.  Societies crash into destruction, but the Word of God will stand unchanging forevermore.  God is the only Standard of Truth.  He does not change with the passage of time or with each new generation.  I am thankful for His unchanging Word.  I can rely on Him.  All of us can rely on Him.  

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 1 Peter 1:25

A few nights ago at church,  I read a precious message on the whiteboard, “There is something better than medicine …. God.”  Those words had been written by a child.  The Lord calls us to lay down all customs and traditions of man and, instead, we are to come to Him as a child …. in humility and by faith.  

Look to Him as our Standard, and we, too, will endure forever.

Jehovah-nissi

Skin for skin

Within the Bible, it is rare for the character of Satan to be revealed through his own direct words. Yet, there are a few occasions when Satan's words are made available -word for word- within the Bible.

The Lord brought me to a distinct area of the Word earlier today. We study the Word of God to know what God expects from us, to know what God thinks of us, to know what God has done for us, to know how to pray, to know how to worship, but have we examined the Word to see what the Accuser of the Brethren believes about us.

Satan makes it known what his assumptions are regarding man:

"Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.  But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face."  Job 2: 4-5

How often do human beings prove Satan right?  When afflictions, anguish, and trials come,  how many outstretched hands become angry fists cursing God?

Satan is confident that you will curse God when affliction is poured into your life, into your being. Satan insinuates in the verses above that your worship of your flesh will prevail when you find yourself in the midst of tremendous affliction.   -That your devotion to God will fall by the wayside when your flesh is being attacked.

Satan counts on man loving his life so much that man will turn his back on the Lord when suffering arises.

Today, when the Lord brought me to these verses in Job, the Lord also spoke:  "Love not your life even unto death."

I searched for that phrase in the Word just now, and what was revealed amazes me.  This verse is found in Revelation 12:

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." (Revelation 12:11)

Right after reading this verse, I read the verse just before it.  My how the Lord brings His revelations full circle in such a way that man could never take credit for it!    The Spirit of the Lord is alive and at work.  The previous verse reads:

"And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night."  (Revelation 12: 10)

When the Lord spoke a portion of verse 11 to me today, I had no recollection of its location in the Bible, and I had no idea the verse before it would speak of the very situation occurring in Job.  At the beginning of the blog, I used the phrase Accuser of the Brethren to describe Satan, not realizing the Lord was leading me to the very same phrase in Revelation 12:10. Satan stood in the presence of the Almighty God accusing Job.  

Afflict Job, and he will curse You.  He will turn his back on You.  

When Satan said  "All that a man hath will he give for his life," he did not say this about Job alone.  Satan contends this about every man.  Every woman.  He is counting on you giving up when difficulties arise.

What is the conclusion of the message the Lord has led me to share here?

No matter the afflictions you face in your flesh - physical battles & mental battles.  Hold on to the
Lord, for He will be faithful to deliver you at a precise time.  Jesus conquered Satan.  We need only abide IN Christ for the victory.  Victory can only be found in Jesus.

Jesus tells believers how we are to regard our lives.  Let us take heed and fully obey Him while we endure the inevitable anguish that we are called to experience in this life:

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

Can we imagine the physical anguish and the emotional agony Christ endured while carrying the cross?  Yet, He calls us to endure the same anguish.  Where Satan paces to and fro throughout the earth in hopes of tormenting a person to the point of the individual cursing God, the Lord says bear your cross daily.  Follow Him daily.  Deny yourself daily.  Where Satan is banking on man loving his flesh more than he loves his God, the Lord says carry the cross of affliction.  The Lord says allow your flesh to be crucified.  Deny the flesh.  Endure the agony.

What Satan means for evil, the Lord calls us to endure for the purpose of GOOD, for the purpose of eternal life, for the purpose of sanctification, for the purpose of Christ being formed in us.

If we love ourselves more than we love the Lord, the Accuser of the Brethren will ensnare us by that which we love:  our flesh, our lives.  

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Revelation 12:11)

Overcoming the Accuser of the Brethren:
(1) by the blood of the Lamb  
(2) by the word of their testimony
(3) they loved not their lives unto the death

Romans 16:20 

Rev 2:10