Book Review: ENEMY ACCESS DENIED By John Bevere

The title to this book, “Enemy Access Denied”, comes with this byline: “Slam the devil’s door with one simple decision”. It was previously published as “The Devil’s Door” by Charisma House. 

True to form, this book by John Bevere is backed by an arsenal of Scripture passages and verses, giving us an informed and well-balanced presentation of the truth of God’s Word. There is a lot of ground being covered. But as I soldiered on to the end, I have been richly rewarded with a better understanding of God’s heart, especially with regards to uncompromising obedience. 

The chapters in this book are as follows:
1. The Devil’s Door
2. Sacrifices That Ensnares
3. Obedience – Not Sacrifice
4. The Mystery of Lawlessness
5. No Witchcraft, Except …
6. The Strength of Rebellion
7. The Strength of Obedience
8. Grace That Misleads
9. The Fight of Faith
10. Humility – the Road to Success
11. Arm Yourself
12. The Blessing of Obedience

Chapter 5 (“Grace That Misleads”) delivers an urgent and chilling wake-up call to modern Christians as it challenges us to grasp a balanced understanding of God’s goodness and severity. 

In it John Bevere reminds us that: “Many Christian circles have overemphasized the goodness of God to the neglect of His holiness and justice. This swing to the extreme left has caused many to lose their taste for the whole counsel of God. … The grace of God is not merely a cover-up. Yes, it covers, but it goes beyond that – it enables and empowers us to live life of obedience. … 

Just saying you have faith does not prove you actually do. How can faith be real without corresponding actions of obedience? Hear the words again” “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (James 2:24). Perhaps the day will come when the church will proclaim this scripture as loudly as it has Ephesians 2:8-9. Then it will be zealous, not floundering in a dangerous, lukewarm condition. …

Scripture speaks of two groups of people who expect entrance into the kingdom of heaven but will be denied:
1. Those who give their lives to Jesus for selfish purposes. They are more interested in blessings than the Blesser. From the start they are deceived because the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life choke out the Word they hear and confess. (See Luke 8:15)

2. Those who convert with sincere motives but later lose their salvation. This group (which I believe is smaller than the first group) walks away from obedience to His lordship.”

This book is gripping and provides uncompromising Scriptural insights which will spur us to deepen our understanding of the whole counsel of God’s Word and to align our will more and more with His will. Blessed reading!

What Can We Offer to God?

There are a good many things we can offer to God from whom all blessings flow. Everything we possess comes from Him; the earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof.

We can offer to God our tithes, offerings, time, talent and so forth for the advancement of His kingdom. All of these would constitute part of offering our body as a living sacrifice unto Him out of love translated into willing obedience. Additionally, we can offer sacrifices which are direct and personal to God Himself.

Today, the Holy Spirit beckons me to meditate on Psalms 50:14-15 (NKJV):-

"Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble;I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."

Yes, we can offer to God thanksgiving. Nobody is perfect, unless, of course, if your name is "Nobody". Let us, therefore, set a guard over our tongue and be mindful to give thanks to God habitually. 

When, where and what do we give thanks to God? 

"in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV)"

Why do we give thanks to God? 

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NKJV)" "Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! Psalms 107:8 (NKJV)"

Just as important as thanksgiving would be the keeping of our promises to God -- rendering unto Him what is due lest we be guilty of honouring Him only with our lips.

Then, when we call upon him in the day of great distraught and He will come to our rescue. The day of trouble speaks of a particular momentous day. It could be our Waterloo where the odds are turning against us. Alternatively, it could be the day when we face our Goliath. 

When God delivers us and saves the day for us, we shall proclaim His goodness and mercies all the more!

Thus, we do well to give Him thanks (and praise), pay our vows and call upon Him. At the very least, we could offer to God the sacrifices of praise and thanks. "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God. Psalms 50:23 (KJV)"

To wrap up our reflection for today, the following take on Psalms 50:7-15 from The Message is as follows for your edification:-

“Are you listening, dear people? I’m getting ready to speak;

    Israel, I’m about ready to bring you to trial.

This is God, your God,

    speaking to you.

I don’t find fault with your acts of worship,

    the frequent burnt sacrifices you offer.

But why should I want your blue-ribbon bull,

    or more and more goats from your herds?

Every creature in the forest is mine,

    the wild animals on all the mountains.

I know every mountain bird by name;

    the scampering field mice are my friends.

If I get hungry, do you think I’d tell you?

    All creation and its bounty are mine.

Do you think I feast on venison?

    or drink draughts of goats’ blood?

Spread for me a banquet of praise,

    serve High God a feast of kept promises,

And call for help when you’re in trouble—

    I’ll help you, and you’ll honor me.” 

An Interview with Dr Robi Sonderegger: On Obedience, Crisis Management & “Looking Up” by Yong Yung Shin

Please click here for the interview with Dr Robi Sonderegger by Yong Yung Shin of City News.

Follow JESUS the Good Shepherd

"Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” John 21:22 (NKJV)"

After having breakfast by the Sea of Tiberias, Jesus asked Peter three times whether he loves Him just as Peter had denied Him three times. In so doing, Jesus restored Peter and charged him to "Feed My lambs", "Tend My sheep" and "Feed My sheep". Then Jesus prophesied the manner of Peter's death to the glory of God and exhorted Peter to follow Him.

That said and done with, Peter ventured to ask Jesus what would happen to John -- is he going to die for being a follower of Jesus, too? Jesus did not answer Peter's question. Instead Jesus reminded Peter to follow Him; to focus on his life's mission to be a follower of Christ.

For sure, Jesus, who knows all things, would know what will happen to John. Perhaps it was not the time to reveal the matter. In any case, it was His prerogative to keep what needs to be hidden for the moment.

We. too, can be like Peter by wanting to know what will happen to other believers in their walk of faith. Following from Jesus's discourse with Peter, we can surmise that our walk of faith is personal to us and we are to keep following the steps and the path He leads us.

When we follow and serve Jesus: He will make us "fishers of men" (Mark 1:17); we deny ourselves and take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23); we shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life (John 8:12); we will be with Him and His Father will honour (John 12:26); and experience the fullness of Psalms 23.

To be approved by God the Father, we need to follow Jesus and do whatever He tells us to do. When they ran out of wine during a wedding at Cana of Galilee, Mary told the servants, " Whatever He says to you, do it.” (John 2:5) Lo and behold, after those servants have filled the six waterpots, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece, with water just as Jesus said to do, the water was turned into wine of exquisite quality.

Would we hear His voice as a servant and follow Him? Can we be like those servants who filled the waterpots to the brim? Can we be like servant Caleb? "But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it. Numbers 14:24 (NKJV)"

As we trust and obey the Good Shepherd, our walk will be pleasing to Him. We will then know who we are and whose we are. Remember the words of Jesus, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27 (NKJV)"

It is crucial for us to obey what the LORD has told us to do specifically. The account of the prophet in 1 Kings 13 is a sombre reminder. The LORD's instruction to him was: "You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came." 

When King Jeroboam entreated the prophet to eat and drink, he remained steadfast to the the Word of the LORD. But, an older prophet came to the prophet and said: "I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’” (He was lying to him.)" 

Because of his disobedience to the Word of the LORD, the prophet was consequently killed by a lion. Click here to read the full account in 1 Kings 13.

God still speaks today. Just yesterday, while browsing over some books in City Harvest Church before the service, I saw Pastor Edmund and felt prompted to approach him to ask for his blog address which I had heard of months ago during one of his sharing in a prayer meeting. 

However, I disobeyed the voice of God and missed the golden opportunity for an aspiring writing like me. God is gracious. He confirmed His prompting when Pastor Kong Hee called Pastor Edmund during the service  to give a testimony. Pastor Edmund shared on how the LORD has blessed him through his blog and writings for honouring (obeying) Him in tithing and givings. 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. His call for us today is still, "Follow Me".


P/s: I am reading "Surprised By The Voice of God" by Jack Deere and you may find it helpful in your desire to hear the voice of God. Click here to view. 

Jack Deere (Th.D). formerly an associate professor of Old Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary, is a writer and lecturer who speaks throughout the world on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He is the author of the best-selling book, Surprised by the Power of the Spirit. Deere lives with his wife and three children in Whitefish, Montana.