Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:5
So we must,
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:38
Also remembering that,
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
And the LORD said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have PRAYED for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Luke 22:31-32
Sift:
(to sift out)
To separate something from something else
The enemy will use any temptation or tactic, that he is permitted, to divorce the BODY OF CHRIST from CHRIST. Anxiety, fear, unholy family ties, social groups, traditions, customs, religiosity, classism, nationalism, racism, sexism, denominationalism, sectarianism, ethnocentrism, monetary greed, social media, television, movies, sports, career aspirations, ungodly music and art, misplaced loyalties, inappropriate allegiances and culture can be ammunition in Satan's artillery. Remember, there should be no divisions among you; For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body. And again, For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 1:10
1 Corinthians 12:13
Galations 3:26-28
Divorce:
a separation between things
which were or ought to be connected;
latin derivative
divertere
(di- 'aside' + vertere- 'to turn')
The Devil employs cunning craftiness. Seemingly, innocent acquaintances or presumed innocuous proclivities, oft times, show themselves to, actually, be schemes of the enemy to keep the child of GOD away from the PRESENCE OF YAHWEH; Moreover, to divert the believer from the, vitally imperative, prayer closet experience.
Divert:
draw the attention of someone away from someone else
The "accuser of the brethren" knows when one sincerely cries out to the LORD, that they go to fetch power against him. Remember, it is written in James 4:7; Submit yourselves therefore to GOD. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
The prayer war cry in Wales many years ago was, “Bend us, bend us, O' GOD bend us!” JESUS made his supplication to the FATHER; saying in Luke 22:42; nevertheless not MY will, but THINE, be done. The more I pray to the LORD; the more I lose myself; my personality, my likes, my fleshly-base-carnal and secular desires. As John the Baptist taught in John 3:30 concerning our MASTER; HE must increase, but I must decrease.
Well, friend, what is the end of the matter? I tell you, it is the WORD OF GOD given to Solomon and the BODY OF CHRIST in 2 Chronicles 7:14. By the way, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
If MY PEOPLE, which are called by MY NAME, shall humble themselves, and PRAY, and seek MY FACE, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14