Renouncing the Religious Spirit

Pentecost: The Tower of Babel vs. The Holy Spirit

What if the deepest spiritual resistance comes not from evil, but from our own ability? In this teaching on Pentecost, we explore three ancient rebellions—Eden, the hybrid race, and the Tower of Babel—and uncover why humans are always tempted to build in their own strength instead of surrendering to God's power. Pentecost isn't just about speaking in tongues or a moment in Acts. It's about the redemption of the nations and the restoration of humanity as the Image of God. Fifty days after the Exodus, God descended on Mount Sinai in fire and wind. Fifty days after the Resurrection, the Holy Spirit descended on 120 believers in the upper room. They became "little Mount Sinais"—living temples where God's presence burned within them.

The Ascension of Jesus was not the end, it's the Point.

Jesus ascended not to get out of here, but to fully accomplish his mission. His ascension into heaven is just as important as taking on flesh, dying on the cross, and rising from the tomb. Belonging House International is a fellowship of Christian artists and creative people who are called to raise up an army of artists who will build Jesus a throne in the earth. We are here to help you grow and thrive as a Christian artist, develop in your relationship with God, experience transformation, and discover the change you can make in the world. Our videos and teaching are designed to transform your spiritual life. Your inner life determines your creative output. You can support Belonging House at https://belonginghouse.betterworld.org or buymeacoffee.com/christjohnotto. We have a Mighty Network for artists and creative people who are committed to a lifestyle of discipleship: https://belonging-house.mn.co You can get our Friday email at https://belonging-house.kit.com/06983bab0b You can find out more at https://belonging.house [https://belonging.house/] Fear not God can be trusted. #artists #Christian artists #thriving #discipleship #Jesus #Bible #creatives #creativity #healing #spiritual healing #prayer

Renouncing the Religious Spirit

I have crafted a prayer for the renunciation of the religious spirit. Father, I believe that Jesus Christ is the only Son of God, and that he took on the flesh of the blessed Virgin Mary. By his death and resurrection, I have been given the power to become a child of God. And I can only be a child by the power of the Holy Spirit in me. I renounce the lie that I have to do things to remain a child of God. I renounce the lie that I have to do things to make you come to me. And I renounce the lie that my works or activities, my knowledge or expertise will cause you to do things. I renounce the lie that I have to do things to shift the spiritual atmosphere, or have power over people, places, or things. Only you have this power, and I submit to your work in my life. I renounce the lie that my activities, my church membership, my political party, or my theology make me a better person than others. I know that this attitude puts me under the law of sin and death and blocks the flow of the Holy Spirit. Forgive me for coming into agreement with the prevailing religious culture in the United States. I am guilty of the worst of all sins, Pride and all the works that flow from it. I acknowledge that the belief in my own activity opens me up to a curse, and that I am bewitched. I have allowed witchcraft to operate in my life. Forgive me for any way I have touched your glory. Father forgive me, have mercy on me a sinner. I am powerless and helpless to be a Christian in my own strength, and all my "righteousness" is a filthy rag. I am no different than the woman caught in adultery, and I ask you to forgive me that I may go and sin no more. Now I renounce the religious spirit, and any agreements I have made with pride, immorality, or witchcraft. They have to leave me now and go to Jesus. Open my eyes to see every way I have come to agree with this spiritual power and help me walk differently in the future. Help me walk softly before you. I thank you Lord, that Jesus Christ became a curse for me on the cross so that I can enter into the blessing of Abraham. I break the religious curse operating in my life and ask you to release the blessing over me. I now break the power of witchcraft and close the open door witchcraft has in my life. Thank you Lord that it is for freedom that Christ has set me free. Jesus, you promised that you would not leave me an orphan. I ask you now to release the Holy Spirit in me and unblock the flow of life and healing so that I can walk in love and know the presence of the Father in me. Amen. Belonging House International is a fellowship of Christian artists and creative people who are called to raise up an army of artists who will build Jesus a throne in the earth. We are here to help you grow and thrive as a Christian artist, develop in your relationship with God, experience transformation, and discover the change you can make in the world. Our videos and teaching are designed to transform your spiritual life. Your inner life determines your creative output. You can support Belonging House at https://belonginghouse.betterworld.org or buymeacoffee.com/christjohnotto. We have a Mighty Network for artists and creative people who are committed to a lifestyle of discipleship: https://belonging-house.mn.co You can get our Friday email at https://christjohnotto.substack.com [https://christjohnotto.substack.com/] You can find out more at https://belonging.house [https://belonging.house/] Fear not God can be trusted. #artists #Christian artists #thriving #discipleship #Jesus #Bible #creatives #creativity #healing #spiritual healing #prayer

The Greater Work of Letting Go

In John 14 Jesus tells us that we will do the greater works. How this happens is described in Acts, when God chooses seven men full of the Holy Spirit to become deacons. Belonging House International is a fellowship of Christian artists and creative people who are called to raise up an army of artists who will build Jesus a throne in the earth. We are here to help you grow and thrive as a Christian artist, develop in your relationship with God, experience transformation, and discover the change you can make in the world. Our videos and teaching are designed to transform your spiritual life. Your inner life determines your creative output. You can support Belonging House at https://belonginghouse.betterworld.org or buymeacoffee.com/christjohnotto. We have a Mighty Network for artists and creative people who are committed to a lifestyle of discipleship: https://belonging-house.mn.co You can get our Friday email at https://christjohnotto.substack.com [https://christjohnotto.substack.com/] You can find out more at https://belonging.house [https://belonging.house/] Fear not God can be trusted. #artists #Christian artists #thriving #discipleship #Jesus #Bible #creatives #creativity #healing #spiritual healing #prayer

The Shepherd Creates #artists #Jesus

Jesus Christ is the good shepherd, the door for the sheep. His sheep here is his voice, and whenever he speaks he makes something new. The Shepherd is always creating. Belonging House International is a fellowship of Christian artists and creative people who are called to raise up an army of artists who will build Jesus a throne in the earth. We are here to help you grow and thrive as a Christian artist, develop in your relationship with God, experience transformation, and discover the change you can make in the world. Our videos and teaching are designed to transform your spiritual life. Your inner life determines your creative output. You can support Belonging House at https://belonginghouse.betterworld.org or buymeacoffee.com/christjohnotto. We have a Mighty Network for artists and creative people who are committed to a lifestyle of discipleship: https://belonging-house.mn.co [https://belonging-house.mn.co] https://christjohnotto.substack.com [https://christjohnotto.substack.com/] You can find out more at https://belonging.house [https://belonging.house/] Fear not God can be trusted. #artists #Christian artists #thriving #discipleship #Jesus #Bible #creatives #creativity #healing #spiritual healing #prayer