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voidsentprinces · 5 years ago

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Prompt #2: Bargain

The airship’s floor boards creaked as the large statured man traveled across it. Finely, dressed from head to toe in a style fitting that of a financier. Even after all these years inhabiting this previously, mortal coil. It still felt limiting, cramped, and unbecoming of his original being. But, he knew better than to complain. Twas what was required to fulfill the contract that was agreed upon so long ago.

Slowly, he sat down upon the steel and cushioned arm chair that sat behind his finely made desk. His gaze lingering on the empty office space save a few counters, some chairs, a rug and nick nacks. Including, as he gazed upon it, a monochromic cube that inexplicably exploded forth from a bag. That had been granted a bewildered adventure when they delved into the Palace of the Dead. It wouldn’t of been such an experience, had the bag not clearly been an easy thirteen times the cubes lesser in size and capacity.

But, here it was delivered exasperately by the confused spelunker. For a pretty bit of coin. And no shortage of pep talking convinced the individual to relinquish it. A novice observer might of considered the exchange to be a master stroke. To convince someone who bent and broke themselves. Risking life and limb only to emerge from the pits of despair with only a cube to show for it? A bargain well struck.

Mammon felt less so about it, it was something else to add to his collection. He felt no attachment to it. No greater interest than that which had first appeared in his view. He saw it, he was drawn to have it, he haggled and bargained and it became his. And now it rested in the office on a creaking airship for no better purpose than to, perhaps, rest a mug on. It was rank among the lowest spot in his history of bargaining.

Letting out a sigh, the bones of his vessel ached with exhaustion. He had been at this some time. Perhaps, he was growing old finally? There was a strange occurence. Was he, perhaps, the first Primal in all of the Source and its Reflections to reach old age? Had many of the Primals even counted the seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, or centuries they had been constantly summoned by the beast tribes? Did they count each time a Warrior of Light or one blessed by Hydaelyn smoting them out of the Realm as a finite existence?

Listen to him, he had thought, considering a mortal concept such as aging or time. Was he not immortal in spirit, if not body? Such philosophies bored him, despite his sudden umbridge with the subject. His eyelids grew heavy, his back slack, and he began to rest in his comfortable chair. His memories winding back the clock of that bygone age.

It is neither known nor recorded in the now long-lost annuals of Tartarian history. Whence Mammon was first summoned upon the realm. What was recorded was his great stature and great revel he expended upon his followers. While many Primal’s natures naturally lead them to temper their followers. And twist them to their will. Mammon seemed to be granted an unmatched wisdom, even in his youth. He foresaw what could be built and brought forth should free will be granted to his followers. Had one had hindsight about that comings and goings of Tartarian. They might of considered Mammon’s wisdom, naivety that eventually lead to his down fall.

But so it was, the primal never once enthralled any being who became his child. The many beast tribes and mortals that flocked to him. Speak of tribute, gifts, and promises. Bargains made, bargains broken, bargains haggled, renewed and sealed. Though it is said his shoulders touched the heighest point in the sky. His head alone blocking out the sky and his being nearly as massive as the shard he remained on. There was never an ordeal too small or too insignificant for the Primal to see to.

Whenever the tiny creatures that made Tartarian their home approached him. The great Mammon would lean down from the sky, bringing clouds down with his head. And meet the being face to face. Causing fog to naturally form as he bent down to greet the arrival. Always listening, considering, and then speaking when the little ones were done. The legends speak that Mammon taught the tiny beings to build, trade, hunt, and percieve value in currency.

Mortal and Beast Tribe grew in their own civilizations. Commerce and trade flowed freely. The tiny beings began to speak, communicate, plot, and produce for each other. But, always with knowledge came a wave of ignorance. It only took a few whispers and propeganda from tiny beings seeking to have control for themselves. To label Mammon and those who still brought tribute to him, savages. Heretics. Beings to be brought low.

And so it was not long before these greedy individual built their own towers, their own armies, who marched out filled with vainglorious justice to kill his children. Eventually, an army would break through and challenge Mammon. Who smote them with ease. The tiny greedy ones then began to pray to any being who would hear them.

Inevitably, their prayers grew and gave Hydaelyn succor. And she in return blessed individual adventures with her echoes. And these would-be Warriors of Light went forth to combat the perceived woes of the world. Emboldened by their victories, they eventually came to fight Mammon and his children. The fighting was fierce. But, so ancient was Mammon and so influential, these Warriors of Light could only weaken the great beast.

It was then that a Black Mage stepped forth having learned a sealing principle to bind a Primal to his will. Given to him by a kindly old man wearing a red mask. Ascians, no doubt wanted to create chaos in Tartarian. And no better chaos than smoting the greatest Primal on the shard. But, so it was the Mage bond Mammon to his soul with the aid of the echo. And the great beast was sealed inside him.

So great and ancient was the beast and so young and foolhardy the Mage. That instead of fully cooperating, the beast and the mage constantly fought for control over the Mage’s being. It wasn’t long before the Mage became a danger to his comrades. Fleeing and secluding himself in a mountain range far, far away. Without his comrade’s aid, the Mage began to hear the Beast’s whispers. Promises of knowledge, wealth, glory, and power.

The Mage would try his best to combat these constant flights of fancy. Delving into his studies in an attempt to truly bend the beast to his will. Hours became days. Days became months. And nearly a year to the day of the sealing, the Mage had run out of time. The Ascians, unfortunately, in laying low Mammon had brought upon a precipes that would engulf the shard in Rejoining. And the Warriors of Light were too slow to stop them. They had failed.

The hermit mage found the would being engulfed in dark and the element of Ascian choosing. As the black and void consumed, corrupted, and tore apart life. The mage finally opened his ears to that insidious beast. And Mammon made a bargain, it knew of a way to postpone the Mage’s demise. And get revenge on the Ascians who would now sap the shard of all life.

The Mage hadn’t need for details, he shook hands with the great Beast. Mammon came into control. And true to his word, they body survived...in some capacity. The Mage’s consciousness was gone, naught was left of the previous Warrior of Light. The Primal’s essence and the oncoming void providing too much for even Hydaelyn to shield. But, his body remained and Mammon filled up every lacking aspect of it. Making it his vessel, he wandered the void until some fool Ascian ripped an interdimensial rift while combating another Warrior of Light.

Mammon found his way into Eorzea just as a research facility was set to explode. Suddenly, the previous primal was dropped many yalms down into the world below. Through flame, dark, and allaghan debris. Eventually washed ashore in Horizon. Mammon aimed to keep his bargain with the mage. Having never failed those who became his children before.

Opening his eyes from his rest, a grin formed on his face. He would avenge Tartarian and those Warriors of Light who lay him low. And in return, he would crush the Ascians who deprived him of the many bargains he had yet to take part in. When they snuffed the light out of his realm.

@sea-wolf-coast-to-coast

#{ greed }#long post #FFxivWrite2019

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dalyunministry · 4 years ago

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Pas. Johnraj Lamech

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Greetings in the matchless Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Topic: Faith Life : Part 01 “Commencement of Faith Life”

Rhema Word (1): Habakkuk 2:4(b) (NKJV) “The just shall live by his faith.”

Rhema Word (2): Romans 1:17 (NKJV) “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Let’s pray. Our Gracious Loving Father, thank you for giving us an opportunity to meditate your Word today. Thank you Holy Spirit for helping us to understand your Words which are living and active. Please help us to live a life as per your Word Lord. Father, we give all the Glory and Honour to you. We pray in the mighty Name of your beloved Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Faith is the foundation of Christian life. The importance attached to this truth about faith is made obvious by its emphatic recurrence in three of the New Testament Epistles. There are three key verses, which enlighten the message this truth imparts.

(i) Romans 1:17 “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

(ii) Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”

(iii) Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”

The Epistle to Romans talks about the Commencement of the Christian Faith Life. The Letter to the Galatians deals with the problems we face in the course of the Christian Life, and that to the Hebrews pictures the successful Completion of the Christian Life/Race. Yes, The COMMENCEMENT, the CONTINUATION and the CONSUMMATION of faith life!

Let us meditate these three stages of Faith Life, under the light of the Word and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit in next three week-ends starting from today. Today, let us meditate upon the foundation, The Commencement of the Christian Faith Life

In the contemporary spiritual commotion, believers are tossed to and fro with every wind of strange and diverse doctrines. And we need to be educated about living the faith life in order to survive the sleights of Satan. I sincerely pray that this life changing truth may dawn on us with its full significance. Let our unbelief be destroyed and forts of faith be built!

Let us try to understand about “Commencement of Faith Life” under following five aspects:

1] Faith the Prerequisite

2] Why Failures?

3] Simple Faith

4] Adulterated Gospel

5] Man’s Responsibility

1] Faith the prerequisite :

For a life to be approved by God, faith is the basic requirement. There is nothing that can be a substitute for faith. Traditions cannot be an alternative. Religious practices cannot replace it. We revere God. We pray often. We are regular Church-goers. We are well spoken of by our fellow believers for our pious living. In short, we are doing our best to live Christians life, and the world certifies that we are “Good Christians”, But, “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6) It is possible to be engaged in all Christian activities and yet be out of favour with God. Without faith there is no way. Here are few examples from the Scriptures:

(a) Adam & Eve

Adam and Eve were originally a holy pair. Shortly after their creation they had to quit the place where God Himself had put them. But why? Why were they banished from Eden? Why was God so particular about such a trivial thing as eating a mere fruit? It seems to be too awful a consequence for so small a sin. But if we look deeply into the matter, we may discern their grace error which led to that grievous end.

God created and placed them in an exceedingly beautiful garden, the Eden. They lived in perpetual dependence on God and enjoyed perfect bliss. But they could continue in that happy estate only on a condition. The condition that their Creator laid down was this: And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17)

The tree of knowledge had been made a test of their faith and obedience. It was then that the unwanted intruder came on the scene and asked Eve, “Has God indeed said, you shall not eat of every tree of the garden? (Gen 3:1). He questioned the very Word of God. Alas! Eve began to distrust God’s love and doubt His wisdom. She DISBELIEVED the words of God for whom it was impossible to lie (Hebrews 6:8) and believed the lie of the liar (John 8:44). They became outcast from the garden of Eden. The first sin of our first parents is failure to believe God’s Word. Yes, unbelief is the sin of sins.

(b) Moses & Aaron

Have you ever once stopped to think why Moses and Aaron were denied admission into the Promised Land? God spoke to Moses face to face as a man speaks to his friend. The Bible says, “There has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses” (Deut 34:10). God testified that Moses was a faithful servant in all His house (Hebrews 3:2). Aaron was also no less than Moses. God once said to Moses, “Aaron, your brother, shall be your prophet.” He was called and anointed to be a high priest. Through both of them, God smote the Egyptians with plagues and redeemed the Israelites from bondage. But at one stage, the same God denied them what once He promised! What was God’s reason? God said in Deuteronomy 32:51, ”Because you trespassed against Me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Wilderness of Zin, because you did not hallow Me in the midst of the children of Israel..” Trespassed!

In what way ? God told them in Numbers 20:12 ”Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.” God told them to speak to a rock. To them it seemed a folly to speak to a rock. So, Moses struck that rock with the rod. They disbelieved God’s words and incurred His displeasure. Disbelieving is trespassing.

Israelites were God’s elect. Even when they had not known their Lord, He called them and named them. He delighted in being called, “The God of Israel,” “The Holy One of Israel,” “The Redeemer of Israel” and so on. Yes, He carried them on His shoulders as a father. But did they enter that promised land? Why couldn’t they possess their possessions? On their way, in the wilderness, Israelites became idolaters, committed fornication, tested God and murmured against Him. But the main reason the Bible gives for their failure is this: ”They could not enter in because of UNBELIEF” (Heb 3:19). Unbelief was the deadliest of all their sins.

Let us see some positive examples, as well:

(d) Paul & Silas:

Faithful proclamation of the risen Christ as the Lord and the Saviour took Paul and Silas to the innermost of dungeons. The two peculiar prisoners were prepared for everything. They met the persecution with a spirit of praise and prayer. Whether or not their hymns moved their fellow-prisoners’ hearts, we are not sure. But their praise did move the Roman prison! Following a great earthquake, the foundations of the prison were shaken, all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosened. All these brought the Philippian Jailor on to his knees. Yes, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas and cried, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30).

What do you think was the reply? Paul did not attempt to deliver a sermon on Salvation. Nor did he make him recite a long prayer of confession! He could answer the thirsty soul in one sentence, and I should say, it was the only possible answer that God Himself could have given the jailor: ”BELIEVE on the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and you will be SAVED” (Acts 16:31).

Remember, hundreds of thousands of people today ask the same question that the Jailor asked. “What must I do to be saved?” This is the throbbing of their hearts. They visit places of pilgrimage, one after another, hoping to get their sins washed off by holy baths. But there is only one way! “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!”

(e) The Lord Jesus:

The Bible says in John 6:28-29 “Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”. During His earthly ministry Jesus went about healing the sick and setting free the demon-possessed. The disciples had the opportunity to accompany Him wherever He went and to be the eye-witnesses of all that He said and did.

The blind received sight, the lame and crippled rose up and walked, the lepers were cleansed, the deaf heart and the dead were raised up. The disciples wanted such miracles to be wrought by their hands. They approached Him asking “What shall we do that we might work the works of God?”. They might have expected Him to set up a ministry and teach them the means and methods of performing miracles. To their disappointment, He replied, ”This is the work of God, that you BELIEVE in HIM whom HE sent.” Simple words but profound truth!

(f) The Holy Spirit:

Speaking about the Holy Spirit, Jesus said in John 16:8-11 ”And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” Please note, it is “SIN” and not “SINS”. This sin of sins is referred to in the very next verse: “Because they do NOT BELIEVE in ME”.

1 John 5:16-17 talks about the sin unto death and the sin NOT unto death. “If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.” Please note, the “sin leading to death” is nothing but unbelief.

Let me explain. If you pray for a brother or a sister who has sinned in any other way, God will hear your prayers and the person will be forgiven. But, if you pray to God to pardon a man his unbelief and his unwillingness to accept Jesus as Saviour, God can never grant it. Please note, adultery, fornication, murders and idolatry are all devastating sins, but these are not what take us to hell. There will be in hell those who never committed adultery or murder, but all will be UNBELIEVERS. It is terribly true that even those who know nothing of these heinous sins will be there, just because of their UNBELIEF.

(g) Who believes in Him is not condemned:

Jesus said in John 3:18 ”He who BELIEVES in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Yes, anyone who takes shelter under the shed blood of Jesus escapes that eternal damnation. He will not perish but will have everlasting life. But the one who does not believe in Jesus will be condemned. No, he is “already” condemned! The unbeliever need not wait for the Dooms Day. He is already doomed. His unbelief has made him a son of hell. Believe or perish!

Remember, faith is supreme in everything that concerns God and man. Every step that draws a human soul nearer to God and every growth is founded on faith.

2] Why Failures?

Instead of putting all our faith and trust in God and finding rest in His promises, we strive and struggle, but all in vain. And we encounter failures right where we are supposed to be progressive.

The history of the Israelites serves us with a good illustration here. The reasons for their failure explain our failures. Theirs was not a triumphant life for two reasons. First, they did not realise the futility of self effort. Secondly, they did not realize the temporariness of the Law.

(i) The futility of Self-effort:

The Law was, in simple words, the Holy God’s righteous and virtuous demands placed on man. When the Israelites heard that what their Lord had commanded them, they all answered in one accord, ”All that the Lord has spoken we will do” (Exodus 24:3). They could not comprehend the claims of the Law on them. They did not understand that the requirements of the Law were of a supreme standard and were beyond their reach. They knew not the cost of obedience. With a spring of enthusiasm they promised, “We will do!”.

Many among us have put great confidence in our undaunted and indomitable will-power. We decidedly move forward but often we are detained. Will-power is the vain religion of the world and Jesus never once advocated this. It is neither by will nor by power that we can run this race of faith (Romans 9:16).

James explains in James 2:8-11, ”If you really fulfil the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

Remember, whosoever he might be, whatever possible explanations he might give, if he is a keeper of the whole Law and yet failed in one point of the Law, he was guilty of all the sins and was considered the transgressor of the Law. But, when Jesus ministered in this world, He invited the Jews, the keepers of the Law, to the new and the living way. He said in Matthew 11:29 ”Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Paul confirms in Romans 8:3 ”For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

(ii) The Temporariness of the Law:

The Bible says in Hebrews 7:19, ”The law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” Yes, we can say the Law was not given to make man righteous but to convict him of his unrighteousness and convince him of his need of a Saviour. Further, the Bible says in Hebrews 10:1 ”The law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.”

Shadow is good. But when the light comes it has to give way. The Law was only a shadow of the better things to come. When Christ Jesus, the Sun of Righteousness, rose to shine in strength the shadow had to give way. Paul says in Colossians 2:17 ”These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” Further, Paul gives us a picture of how the shadow was dispelled in Colossians 2:13-16 (a), ”When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having cancelled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Therefore, do not let anyone judge you..”

The Law was the handwriting that was AGAINST us and was CONTRARY to us. The Law made our sin manifest. It was standing on our way and it made hard the possibility of union with God. But Jesus Christ nailed it to the cross and opened the WAY for us, revealed the TRUTH and gave us the LIFE. This new and the living way He opened through the veil, that is, His flesh, His own body (Hebrews 10:20). So none of us is to be judged by the Law. Hallelujah!

Paul further explains in Galatians 3:23-25 ”But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore, the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” Yes, the Law was a strict guard and a stern tutor. It was not all sufficient in itself and so it has led us to a “better hope” (Heb. 7:19). It had been given to us temporarily till the prophecy about Faith Life came to pass.

The following passages makes it obvious that we are justified by faith and not by the Law.

Paul says in Romans 3:21-22 ”The righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.”

Paul says further in Romans 9:30-32 ”What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law.”

Paul concludes in Romans 3:27-28 ”Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” Also Paul confirms in Galatians 3:11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”

There is neither curse nor condemnation for those who believe in Christ Jesus. That is why Paul says in Romans 8:33-35 ”Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Yes, it is neither our self-effort nor our self-righteousness that justifies us. We are justified by our faith on the finished work of Christ on Calvary. We may say a thousand times : ”The-just-shall-live-by-faith!”

3] Simple Faith:

The trouble with the Christianity of today is its complexity. With a dogmatic insistence on externalities, the Church is misleading the believers to a mere religious orthodoxy instead of guiding them to the spiritual realm of reality. The Church is diseased with diverse doctrines. Externalism is esteemed as essentiality. Ritualism is reigning in places which are not worthy of the name “Church”. It is most tragic that Salvation by Faith is neither taught nor believed. Paul says in Romans 3:3 ”What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?” Truth is forever what it is and God always acts like Himself. There can be NO SHADOW of variance either in God or His Word. Justification by Faith is God’s design and its invariability remains indomitable by the man-made dogmas.

Let us see the lives of three sinner women which can be the greatest examples of the simplest form of faith.

(i) Rahab:

The Bible says in Hebrews 11:31 (NLT), ”It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.”

This Gentile woman’s faith was so wonderful! The two spies from the Lord’s army gave her a line of scarlet cord as a true token of their faithfulness. She trusted in their words, ”and she bound the scarlet cord in the window” (Joshua 2:21). Simply a cord! It shows her simple faith! And that saved her when the city of Jericho was burned to ashes. Yes, God honoured her faith and her name is found registered in the list of the patriarchs of faith. Were there not any better women living in her times? But this woman’s simple faith has got her a place in this Book of Life. The Red Cord typifies the Red Cross. She blended herself with Calvary’s love even thousands of years ago.

(ii) The Samaritan Woman:

This woman who was a harlot by profession discovered that Jesus was Messiah! A simple conversation with the Saviour led to her great conversion. A conversion of heart and life. She perceived that the person she had been talking to was a prophet (John 4:19). That gave her too great a joy and she could not hold herself back. A moment later she was found proclaiming Him in the streets of Sychar, a city of Samaria. Yes, she found the fountain of living waters and from her heart began to flow forth rivers of living water.

(iii) Sinner Women in a City:

There was no need in her times to refer to her name as such. She was very popular as “The sinner of the city!” Just imagine! What an immoral life she must have lived! She first met Jesus when He was dining in a Pharisee’s house. The Pharisee saw Him as a godly man, but she saw Him as God’s Son. The burden of her sin prevented her from coming in front of Him. She “stood behind Him weeping” (Luke 7:37,38). How penitent and how remorseful she was! Fear gripped her heart that she might not be accepted by the holy Son of god. She washed His feet with tears of repentance, kissed them with gratitude and anointed them with fragrant oil. It was not oil but her life itself that she poured out at His feet. Except for Jesus, she was an unwanted person in that place. The woman uttered not a word. But, what her tear drops spoke was intelligible to Him and He answered her, saying, ”Your sins are forgiven.” The Pharisee would not let her go forgiven. But Jesus assured her of her salvation, ”Your faith has saved you. Go in peace” (Luke 7:50)

Yes, we are made ‘clean’ by Christ’s blood through faith. There is no sin too dark, no crime too black to be washed by His blood. ”The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

4] Adulterated Gospel:

Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 1:23 ”We preach Christ crucified”. To preach Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as the Saviour is pure Gospel. If we add to this or subtract from this it becomes adulterated. CROSS plus or minus equals NOTHING!.

The faulty exposition of the New Testament truth is the chilly breeze that blows across Church today. The spirit of modern orthodoxy is utterly in contrast with the spirit of the Word of God. People are found preaching many formulae for which they cannot furnish chapter or verse in the Bible. Salvation is not to be found in any formula, but in the Saviour.

Here are few examples of the Adulterated Gospel:

(a) Baptism:

Apostle Peter says in 1 Peter 2:21-22 “This water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.” Trusting in Jesus, you make an agreement with God through baptism. That ‘Baptism – a must’ is the clear teaching of the Bible. But we ought to be careful lest we make a mistake here. FAITH precedes and BAPTISM follows. If it is vice versa, that is adulterated Gospel.

(b) Tithing, Fasting, Praying, etc.

Tithing, fasting, praying, etc., are all necessary. Our righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and the Pharisees. But these things do not save you. Nobody can say that someone is saved just because his prayers are often answered. Jesus granted even the prayers of demons (Matthew 8:31). If we believe that our tithing and fasting can save us, we are deceiving ourselves. Salvation is only in the Cross.

We meet a Pharisee in the eighteenth chapter of the Gospel according to Luke. He thanked God for he was not like others and he delighted in that he was far better. He exalted himself. “I fast twice a week; I give tithes” (Luke 18:12). But he had to take his pride in his hands and go back just as he came! But the Publican with the simple prayer, “God be merciful to me, a sinner,” went home justified.

And we know about another Pharisee who counted everything but loss for Christ. That was the apostle Paul! Paul says in Philippians 3:7-9 ”But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” Remember, that our most religious activities are counted for our salvation is, again, an adulterated gospel.

Have you confessed and forsaken all your sins? This is the question often asked to the new converts. To speak the truth, there is none on this earth who, at the time of conversion, confessed every single sin he had committed. If that is the rule, nobody can say that he or she is saved, because it is impossible to recall to your memory the whole of your past life!

Many are the examples in the Bible to prove that people are saved instantly:

(i) The Tax-Collector (Luke 8:13-14) : He came to God, confessed his sinfulness and got saved “instantly”.

(ii) Zacchaeus (Luke 19:5-9): The moral giants were murmuring outside but Zacchaeus, the saved, was rejoicing with his Redeemer inside.

(iii) The criminal on the Cross (Luke 23:40-43): He hung crucified on the cross. All that could do was to turn his eyes towards Jesus and see the King of kings crowned with thorns, accepted his own wicked deeds and prayed to Jesus to remember him when He comes into His Kingdom. Yes, a sinner a moment before is saved now!

(iv) The Ethiopian Official (Acts 8:35-38): He believed with all his heart and he was saved instantly.

(v) Lydia (Acts 16:13-15): Her heart swelled with the joy of salvation. Yes, she and her household were baptized that day itself. Instant salvation!

(vi) The Jailor (Acts 16:31-33): The Philippian jailor found that Paul’s God was indeed a living one. He wanted to be saved immediately. Yes, he and all in his household believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and he “rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.” Yes, immediately he and all his family were baptized.

5] Man’s Responsibility:

Except Christianity, every other religion offers a balance of works and reward. But Christianity is salvation by faith alone. Trusting in Christ’s saving and keeping power, you cease from your own works and efforts.

It is true that we are not saved by our good works (Eph 2:9), but it is equally true that we are saved for good works (Eph 2:10). You may wonder, whether I left the position of grace and reverted to salvation by works? Certainly not. If an initial act of faith alone will do, what is our explanation for the following Scripture passage?

The Bible says in James 2:17,20,26 ”Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead (Ver. 17)…. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? (Ver.20)… As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (Ver 26)

What does “works” here mean? Are these works the so-called good and religious deeds done with an intention to merit God’s favour and with an expectation of reward from God? A thousand times, NO! Works here mean the corresponding actions of obedience. Faith and obedience go hand in hand in the Scriptures.

Let us see some of the examples given by James himself in his Epistle make clear the implications of the word “works”:

a] Abraham:

James 2:21 ”Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? Here, Abraham is said to have been justified by works! Let us examine the truth about this statement. Turning to Genesis 15:5-6 ”He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then He said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.”

Paul says in Romans 4:9-13 ”We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.”

Further Paul says in Romans 4:20-22 ”He did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” After being justified, Abraham’s faith was revealed in the corresponding actions. When he took his son to Mount Moriah to do as he was told, his faith was confirmed by his works. This is the “works” referred to by James.

b) Rahab:

James talks about Raheb in James 2:25 ”In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?

Let us turn back to Joshua 2:9-11 “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”

This faith Rahab made manifest in her works when she accepted the men from the Lord’s army and helped them to get out of their enemies’ hands.

What the Apostle James actually means by “works” can be well understood by referring to the context in James 2:14-17 ”What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

Remember, by faith we are reconciled to God, by love we have to be reconciled with men. Our right fellowship with God through faith must invariably result in a right interpersonal relationship with men.

Finally, two of Jesus’s disciples were backslidden. One was Judas who was holding an important office, that of a treasurer and the other was the most prominent leader, Peter. Judas did a shameful deed by betraying his Master to the Chief Priests, who, Judas knew, were plotting against His life. Judas did not have the faith to turn back to Christ.

Peter was the worst of the two. He denied Jesus and cursed Him thrice in spite of previous warning. But Jesus had prayed that “his faith should not fail” (Luke 22:31-32). The Father granted the Son’s prayer. When Peter’s eyes met his Lord’s eyes he became penitent and cried bitterly. Unlike Judas, Peter turned to Christ. He, then, became a great blessing to others!

Dear friend, do not suspend yourself in a state of self-condemnation. That was exactly what Judas did with himself. You may have gone to the deadline of backsliding. But Jesus keeps praying that your faith would not come to nought. God awaits your coming back. It is not too late yet. Get back to Christ. Make yourself available to God. You shall surely be made a blessing to others. Yes, that is what Christ did with Peter’s life (Luke 22:32).

Yes, the just will live by faith!

Let us introspect ourselves..

Shall we believe our Lord whole heartedly and run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith?

Shall we stop struggling and striving with our own efforts and put our faith and trust in God?

Shall we live by faith instead of relying on self-righteousness?

Shall we have a simple faith like Rahab, the Samaritan woman, and the sinner woman who washed His feet with tears of repentance?

Shall we be cautious about not mixing religious formulae with the pure Gospel?

Shall we check our hearts whether our faith leads us to good works?

Shall we check our hearts whether we are careful to maintain good works having believed in God?

Shall we get right with God and get right with man as well?

Shall we get rid of self-condemnation and get back to Christ?

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superjournalslibrary-blog · 6 years ago

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Stages of Disloyalty

Becoming Disloyal Is a Process

Disloyalty doesn’t just happen overnight. Becoming disloyal is a process! Most people are unaware of the fact that they are becoming disloyal. Many leaders do not even notice disloyalty in their associates. In this chapter, I am going to outline the stages a person goes through when he is gradually changing into a rebel.

Learn to Detect Disloyalty

There are two reasons why you must know these stages of disloyalty. First of all, it will help you to identify and kill any such tendency within you. Secondly, it will help you to detect disloyalty in any person you work with. This applies to the ministry and even to businesses, especially smaller companies.

The Lord has shown me eight important stages that a person goes through when he is becoming disloyal. The first stage is when he develops what I call an independent spirit.

1st Stage

The Independent Spirit

The independent stage is so subtle that most people do not recognize it for what it actually is disloyalty. When a person belonging to a group, ministry or company develops an independent attitude, he sort of becomes autonomous within the set-up. The rules of the organization no longer control him. Such a person is still a part of the church but does what he wants to do, in spite of contrary instructions.

For instance, the pastor may say, “We are all fasting on Friday.” But the person with an independent spirit would think, “I’ve already decided to fast on Wednesday. So that’s what I’ll do.”

Watch out for the Independent Ones

Pastors, watch out for deacons and leaders who have independent spirits. You may call for several meetings, but a person with an independent spirit decides to attend only those he feels are important. Such a person obeys only certain instructions the ones he thinks are really important.

Because Ghana is independent of the USA, whenever there is an American holiday it has no bearing on Ghana. Ghana and America are two countries in the same world, but independent of each other. When Ghana declares a holiday, America takes no notice of it because America is independent of Ghana.

If you are unfortunate enough to have choristers who have independent spirits you may experience something like this. You would declare prayer meetings, rehearsals, and outreaches, but an independent chorister would decide, “I think I’ll just attend the rehearsal.” Once again this individual is doing exactly what she thinks should be done.

There is nothing wrong with being independent. I believe in independence and we thank God for independent people. However, if you are a part of a denomination, group or company you are not independent.

When you begin to exhibit a spirit of independence within an organization, be it known onto you that you are becoming disloyal.

I Had an Independent Spirit

Many years ago, I belonged to a group that had branches all over the country. I even founded a branch of this group. But as time went on I began to have difficulties with the headquarters of this group.

At that time, I thought to myself that my superiors at the headquarters were out of step spiritually. You see, the group I was leading was growing. Many souls were being established every week.

The overall directors of the organization would call for meetings at the headquarters. They wanted the whole group to come into town for these meetings. But I never went for any such meeting; neither did I encourage any of the members to attend.

I always said to myself, “Those meetings are not important. What I am doing on campus is important. I am winning souls.”

I Was Wrong

But I was wrong. I had an independent spirit and didn’t even know it. The overseers found me to be a successful leader in my little branch. But they could not control me within the organization. At that time, I just attributed the conflict to lack of vision on the part of my overseers.

The point I’m making here is: If you belong to an organization, you are not independent of that organization. Therefore, you cannot just do what you think is right. You must comply with directives that are coming from the head. If you feel you want to be independent then you should resign.

Pastor Joab The Independent Killer

Were there independent people in the Bible? The answer is yes. Throughout the Second Book of Samuel, Joab is noted as someone who did what he wanted to do. He was part of David’s army. He was part of David’s ministry team, if you like. He was one of David’s managers! You could say he was the Prime Minister or David’s right-hand man. He was so powerful, yet he had an independent spirit. This independent spirit manifested itself many times.

The first example of the independence of Joab was in the murder of Abner.

Abner was the commander-in-chief of another section of the armies of Israel. David as the head of government, decided to make peace with Abner after years of conflict.

The King even called for celebrations of this peace agreement by feasting with him.

So Abner came to David… And David made… him a feast… and he went in peace.

2 Samuel 3:20, 21

But when Joab heard that this man had been entertained in the palace, he was furious. He chased him, caught up with him and requested to speak with him privately. But Joab tricked him and killed him.

And...he [Joab] sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again… took him [Abner] aside… and smote him…

2 Samuel 3:26, 27

When the King opted for peace, his right-hand man decided to do otherwise. Although he was supposed to submit to the wishes of the king, he went ahead with his own plan. People like this are dangerous. Joab could have plunged an entire nation into war through his independent actions.

There are people like that in church. The founder or Head pastor is often the vision carrier. He leads the way because he is the head.

All associate pastors and leaders in the church are supposed to flow with his vision. An independent ‘Pastor Joab’ will only bring confusion and strife to the church. Take note of such people in the church, because they are only a few stages away from open rebellion.

The second incident I want you to notice is in Joab’s handling of Absalom’s coup d’état.

Rev. Joab Moves Independently Again

Absalom rebelled and actually ousted his father David from the throne. Absalom was now in power and David was faced with the bizarre circumstance of having to fight against his own son.

In the midst of these extraordinary circumstances, David specifically instructed that the army should not kill his son Absalom. He wanted to spare the life of his son.

And the king commanded Joab… Deal gently for my sake with… Absalom... 2 Samuel 18:5

Thankfully, the battle turned in the favor of King David and Absalom had to flee. A certain man reported that he had seen Absalom hanging by his hair on a tree. Joab immediately blurted out, “Why didn’t you kill him? I would have rewarded you handsomely.”

But the man said,

...Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king’s son: for in our hearing the king charged thee… saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.

2 Samuel 18:12

This unnamed person was part of King David’s set-up and was obviously loyal to him. But here comes a man with an independent spirit and look at what he did.

Independent People Do What They Want to Do

…And he [Joab] took three darts… and thrust them through the heart of Absalom…

2 Samuel 18:14

Independent people do what they want to do inspite of the instructions that are emanating from above.

Ironically, Independent People Don’t Leave

Notice that Joab never really left David’s camp. Such people have not decided to leave. They will stay around but will do what they want to do! That is the independent spirit and it is a degree of disloyalty.

I always notice independent people within the congregation. Some of them are leadership material but because they are independent of me and of my vision, I cannot work with them.

He Was Spiritual, but Independent

I once asked an independent church member, in whom I saw leadership potential, to join our Bible school. Quite characteristic of an independent person, he said, “I have been in the church since it began many years ago. I have heard all of your messages.”

He went on, “Pastor, what else am I going to learn in this Bible school?” That was the end of the matter. He didn’t attend.

At another time, I asked him to become a fellowship (cell) leader within the church. He told me, “Pastor, I am already conducting a fellowship in my home.”

I asked, “Who are the members of this fellowship? Are they members of our church? Do you consider this to be a church group?”

“Oh no!” he answered. “They are my personal converts.”

This brother could not be a cell leader within the church because he was building his own private cell group. He had no intention of defecting from the church. He was within the church but independent of everything going on around him.

Branch Pastor Joab Threatens a Takeover

The next example of Joab’s independence was when he fought against the royal city of Rabbah on behalf of King David. When victory was in sight he sent a warning message, “You better come and participate in the war otherwise I will get all the credit.”

Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it...

2 Samuel 12:28

He wanted David to be there himself! What he was saying in other words was, I’m no fool to do all the hard work only for you to take the glory. As is said in Ghana, “monkey dey work, baboon dey chop”. (In other words, the monkey does all the hard work whilst the baboon benefits from the reward.)

Pastor Threatens to Change Church’s Name

Joab went on to threaten that if the king did not get involved as he was suggesting, the city could be named after him instead of David.

...lest I take the city, and it be called after my [Joab] name.

2 Samuel 12:28

How can you send such a message: “Come quickly otherwise I will change the name of the church?” Such a pastor can take over a branch church and rename it. Such a person can convert a cell group into his personal church. This is the reason why some pastors don’t believe in cells or branches. They fear that they will have Joabs as leaders.

The last example of Joab’s independent spirit comes at the end of the king’s life. David made it very clear that he wanted Solomon to be the next king.

Independent Pastor Helps the Opposition

There was another son named Adonijah who wanted to be king in the stead of Solomon. To do this he needed the help of some perfidious characters. Once again Joab, who knew David’s wishes went contrary to it and helped Adonijah.

Then Adonijah… exalted himself, saying, I will be king... And he [Adonijah] conferred with Joab … [who] helped him.

1 Kings 1:5, 7

2nd Stage Offence

The second stage of disloyalty is offence. Jesus said,

And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

Matthew 24:10

From this Scripture you can see that people begin to betray and hate one another when they are offended. The Bible says folks will betray you when they are offended. I have always been wary of wounded people because I know that they can turn against me. The spirit of offence opens the door to the spirit of treachery.

Is Anyone Hurt?

Dear leader, look around you and observe those who have been wounded by one event or another. If these people have not genuinely overcome their hurts, hear the voice of the Spirit today. They are potential separatists, and they can easily become your enemies.

I believe that Absalom was grievously hurt by two important events. First of all, his half-brother’s rape of his sister. He probably decided to kill his brother from the very day it happened.

Secondly, his father King David did not take the appropriate action against Amnon for raping Tamar. The Bible says King David was very angry with Amnon. However, he was under obligation to do more than just being angry. If he had done his duty, he would have fulfilled the Law of Moses.

And if a man shall take his sister, his father’s daughter… and see her nakedness... [he] shall be cut off...

Leviticus 20:17

The penalty for incest in those days was death. But David failed to implement it. Never forget this, hurts and offences usher people down the road of disloyalty.

3rd Stage Passivity

After being offended by one thing or the other, people become passive.

When a person is in the passive stage of the disloyalty process he does not involve himself in much. He sits and watches unconcerned and uninvolved. Pastors, look out for people in the congregation who are indifferent and unconcerned. They are potential deserters of the ship.

Watch out for the Uninvolved Members

For instance, I consider members to be passive if they don’t get involved in prayer meetings or smaller group activities. If all businessmen were called for a meeting, he is not likely to attend, even though he is a businessman. Such people may have been hurt in the recent past. They say things like, “I don’t want any more trouble in this church. Let me just keep to myself.”

Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.

Jeremiah 48:10

You can see from the above Scripture that God expects you to get involved when you have something to contribute. This verse is actually teaching us that it is a curse to be uninvolved when you have something to pitch in.

Passivity is dangerous because you move rapidly into the critical stage of disloyalty. In order to become critical you must be uninvolved. You must have enough time to scrutinize and despise the church and its leaders. Don’t you know that an uninvolved person more readily sees the faults around him?

As they say, it is the bystander who sees that the worker is digging a crooked trench. All leaders must learn to look for this important sign of passivity among their workers. The uninterested leader is uninvolved for a reason.

Why Was He So Quiet?

Remember the story of Absalom who went through this stage of passivity. Amnon had raped and disgraced Absalom’s sister, Tamar. Absalom was doubtlessly angry with his half-brother but said nothing for two whole years. That is passivity! Doing nothing and saying nothing! I do not overlook silent and detached people who have nothing to say or contribute.

And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad…

2 Samuel 13:22

But notice again that this indifferent person (Absalom) quickly degenerated into a murderer and tergiversator when the opportunity presented itself.

…Absalom had commanded his servants… when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine… then kill him...

2 Samuel 13:28

Are You Happy?

When I talk about being quiet, I am not talking about someone who has a naturally subdued personality. I am talking about someone who is normally outgoing but is consciously subdued and detached.

One of the common questions I ask those around me is, “Are you happy?” I want everybody around me to be happy. I am concerned when someone is unusually calm and cool. Every good leader must ensure that those around him are secure and content. If King David had noticed Absalom’s nonchalant attitude, he might have been able to prevent his son from becoming a full-fledged anarchist.

4th Stage The Critical Stage

A disloyal person is not passive forever; he progresses into the next step of being critical. This is the stage of noticing and magnifying faults. In church, he finds faults with the preaching of the Word and with the order of service. He analyses the building and notices all the deficiencies of the surroundings.

Miriam had become critical of Moses. She had followed his leadership all the way out of Egypt, but now she began to see his faults and humanness. And she spoke about his marital problems.

And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses…

Numbers 12:1

I remember early in the ministry, a spirit of disloyalty entered my church. Many of the church members became very critical of me. With eagle eyes they watched out for my faults. Poor me!

I Was Frightened by My Church Members

I was a young pastor with no theological training. Here I was, being subjected to the critical scrutiny of these people.

“Is he really called?” they asked.

“Can a medical student be a pastor?”

I could virtually hear them saying, “We know you don’t have much to say. Just summarize your message and let’s close the service.”

I Dreaded Saturday Evenings

I would become so nervous on Saturdays that I would have diarrhoea from Saturday night to Sunday morning. Once I asked my beloved (fiancé), “Is this the dread I will have to go through every Saturday night?”

I will never forget standing before the congregation, on one particular Sunday morning. I lifted my eyes from my Bible after praying, and saw the angry and hypercritical eyes of my assistant and a host of others. I knew within me that they would never find anything good in what I was going to preach. This critical atmosphere almost broke up my fledgling church.

Naturally, a hypercritical atmosphere does not help anyone to preach well. Some may ask why I teach so much on the subject of loyalty. This is because I have experienced the devastating impact disloyalty can have on the ministry.

Point of View or Viewpoint?

Someone once told me, your point of view depends on your viewpoint. The value of a thing varies depending on the eyes with which you look at it. If you look at something with critical eyes, you will only see the imperfections. However, if you look at it with an eye of love you will see something good and hope for the future.

Absalom also had begun to find faults with the king’s style of leadership. He was so engrossed with the deficiencies of David’s ministry. He could see no good anywhere. This only led to another stage of disloyalty deception.

And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.

2 Samuel 15:3

5th Stage The Political Stage

When a person becomes political, he tries to involve others in his ideas and philosophies. Politicians operate on the power of people’s opinions. Many politicians cannot tell the truth because they want to please people. What people think and say is what concerns them most.

When a person is becoming disloyal he tries to involve other people in his treacherous ideas. He wants to gather a following and make people believe that he has identified a real problem that must be addressed. This is exactly what Absalom did.

Absalom was hurt (offence stage), then he said nothing for two years (passive stage). He then became unduly analytical of David’s policies (critical stage). Now he began to involve other people in his disloyal thoughts.

And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.

2 Samuel 15:3

The Bible tells us that Absalom sat at the gate of the city. When anyone came to see the king, he would ask if they had any problem. He would then listen carefully and sympathize with them.

He explained to the people, “It is a pity that the king has no time for you today.”

He lamented, “Unfortunately, he has not even bothered to delegate someone to attend to your problems.”

Let’s Pray for our Pastor

Absalom went on, “Let’s pray for our dear king. He’s getting older and is probably finding it difficult to cope with the job.” This is the mistake that some associate pastors make. Because of their work schedule they may have more opportunity to interact with the people. The congregation begins to feel that the associate is more accessible and friendlier than the senior pastor (the king) is. The mistaken associate will allude to the senior pastor (the king) as incompetent and really just a figurehead.

The people of Israel were so impressed with the king’s son for two reasons. Number one, he was so handsome and physically attractive. Two, he seemed to genuinely care for them. After impressing them for a while, Absalom won the hearts of the people.

…so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

2 Samuel 15:6

When someone becomes political he wants to involve others in his train of thought. You see, the more people that you can involve in something controversial, the more confidence you will gain. Disloyal people have an insidious way of discussing the shortcomings of their leaders.

They ask questions like, “How did you find the service today? I thought it was a bit dry.”

They even come up with Scriptures. “As a Bible based church, don’t you think we should have some miracles?”

“Do you think our pastor is as anointed as he was last year?”

“Have you noticed that a lot of people are leaving the church?”

“I think that our pastor travels a bit too much. Don’t you?”

These questions are used as bait for unsuspecting Christians. They drag innocent members into analysis of issues that are “above” them.

…neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.

Psalm 131:1

Gradually they are able to spread their dissenting feelings to a group of gullible Christians.

Many People Are Saying…

The next thing is that they approach you with reports of discontent within the congregation. From experience, I have come to learn that when a person is in the political stage of disloyalty, he has three favourite phrases:

A lot of people are saying “so-and-so”.

Everybody is saying “so-and-so”.

Many people are saying “so-and-so”.

They say, “A lot of people are saying, ‘You travel too much.’ Everybody is saying that the church building project has taken too long to complete.”

They explain, “I am speaking on behalf of many who are not happy in church.”

His Home Was the Centre of Discussion

Some years ago, I had an associate just like that! He seemed friendlier than I was and more accessible. People would take their problems to him. His home was the centre for the discussion of the problems of the church. They discussed all of my shortcomings in his house. The church members became more and more discontent with my style of doing things.

“He preaches too long, don’t you think?”

“He sips water while he preaches.”

“He walks up and down too much.”

With time, he began to tell me, “A lot of people are saying… Many people are saying…”

There Is Joy and Liberty When He Travels

I recall one day I was at a retreat centre for a time of fasting and prayer. I came across the associate pastor of a large church in my city. After exchanging social niceties, I asked, “How is your senior pastor?”

“Oh, he’s around.” He said.

I went on, “How is the church doing?”

He replied, “We have some problems, but we are watching. You know what, when he travels everybody is happy.”

Confused, I asked, “When who travels?”

He smiled and said, “The senior pastor.”

“Why is this so?” I queried.

He answered, “Because when he’s away there is liberty and joy, and the Holy Spirit flows. The fact is that, a lot of people are not blessed anymore when he preaches.” He emphasized, “Oh, many people are not happy when he is here! There is joy and liberty when he is away!”

As I listened to him, I concluded that this man was far down the road of disloyalty. And I was not wrong! Less than a year later he rebelled and broke away from his senior pastor with a section of the church.

Sack Him!

When a person gets to this political stage of disloyalty he becomes dangerous to the unity and stability of the church. Such an individual is a threat to the security of your leadership.

It is unsafe to maintain this “Absalomic” personality within your ranks. In my opinion, you have more than enough grounds to get rid of him.

6th Stage Deception

One thing that I am sure about is that people who rebel are grossly deceived. If they were not deceived they would not do some of the things they did. Most people who have rebelled have ended up in destruction. And I know that no one intends to destroy his life.

I want to take you through some of the common deceptions that ministers encounter as they progress along the road of disloyalty. You must realize though, that every minister is tempted with these thoughts.

Many rebellious people are deceived into thinking they are greater than their seniors. Sometimes a son in the ministry can rise up to do greater things than his father. Jesus did not seem to be worried about the fact that some of his disciples would do more miracles. He actually predicted that his trainees would do greater things than he had done and he was happy about it.

…the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do... John 14:12

History has proved this to be true. Today, evangelists minister to larger crowds than Jesus ever did. Ministers have larger Bible schools than Jesus did (Jesus had only twelve students in his Bible school). Jesus never travelled more than two hundred miles from the place where he was born. I have travelled thousands of miles from the place where I was born. Jesus never wrote a book but you are reading one of my books. Jesus never had an office for his ministry. But most churches do. Jesus never went to the university, but I did for seven years.

Jesus raised only two people from the dead, but someone like Smith Wigglesworth is said to have raised twenty-one people from the dead. At the end of his life Jesus was ruthlessly murdered by his enemies and condemned amongst thieves. Most pastors would be given an honourable exit from this world. But Jesus didn’t have that!

While he was dying, the soldiers gambled for one of the few things he had on earth his coat. However, most ministers now own more property on this earth than Jesus did.

These facts do not make any of us greater than Christ. Christ is still Christ the King. And you and I are still mortal non-entities. Without Him we are nothing. Do not be deceived by your recent promotion in the ministry. You are still you.

Jesus said,

...The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

John 13:16

It is unfortunate that when we make little gains in the ministry, we begin to think that we are greater than anyone who has been before us.

Don’t Despise Your Teacher

Ministers despise their teachers just because they have acquired a little following and a new car. One of the oaths I had to make as a new doctor was to respect my teachers. You must remember that you have been helped by somebody to get to where you are. You must never forget that, in a certain sense, you have been set where you are by or through someone else.

Lucifer was appointed by God, but it seems he forgot the all-important fact.

Thou art the anointed cherub… and I have set thee so…

Ezekiel 28:14

Lucifer forgot that his perfection, wisdom and beauty had come from somewhere. It was actually created. You learnt what you know from somewhere. Eighty per cent of what we preach and teach is learned. Lucifer was a created being. He did not create himself.

...Thou… full of wisdom… perfect in beauty… wast created.

Ezekiel 28:12, 13

Some people have a little vision and go off into the deep end. Some pastors have a few miracles in their churches and from that time they respect no one. They lay hands on one or two people who fall under the power of the Spirit and their hearts are corrupted because of their success in the ministry. Many sing their praises and young ladies approach them with admiring eyes.

Deceived by His Recent Success

Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty…

Ezekiel 28:17

Many Ghanaian pastors become rebellious when they are sent outside their country to pastor churches in rich European and American cities. They walk up and down in the midst of the “stones of fire” and it goes to their heads.

I remember one minister who had been in training for some years. He was sent to pastor a branch church for the first time in his ministry. After six months he returned completely transformed into a rebel.

He Said, “Give Me Six Months”

No one could control or counsel him. He had cutting rebukes for his seniors, pointing out to them that they were not always right.

This person had become deceived into believing he was as gifted as anyone else was. In the end, he resigned, bitterly denouncing and deriding his superiors in the ministry. Out of contempt, he called his former church a cult. He even went as far as calling his father-in-the-Lord (the one who led him to Christ) a fool, for associating with the church he was leaving.

To emphasize the “I’m as good as you are” attitude, he started a church a few meters away from his home church. And began to invite members from his previous denomination to join him.

That was not all. This refractory anarchist vowed to prove his ministerial gift to all and sundry within six months of his defection. However, years after this defiant separatist revolted, he has simply disappeared into obscurity.

This obstinate insurgent thought that within six months he could achieve things that take many years of experience to attain.

I believe that avoidance of deception was one of the reasons why Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. It is to remind everyone that no matter what you achieve or attain you are not Christ! We need to remember our origins. We need to remember how we became what we are today. Jesus said,

…this do in remembrance of me.

Luke 22:19

Many rebellious people are deceived because they are gifted and anointed. Absalom was very gifted but wanted to be the king. Many insurrectionists think that they have acquired all the knowledge they will ever need.

The Mother of All Deception

The mother of all deception is when the mutineer thinks that he can destroy his teacher and father. He thinks he has enough clout to obliterate those who have been a blessing to him. The spirit of rebellion does not only lead assistant pastors to defect but also inspires them to fight against the authorities that have been set over them.

Absalom fought against his own father and failed. Judas tried to destroy Jesus his teacher and Lord but that is the mother of all deception. You cannot destroy the Lord through your uprising. Lucifer thought he could dethrone God, but that was also not possible. What folly! What unthinkable madness!

He Threatened to Destroy His Own Father

Some years ago, I sat at home fellowshipping with a Nigerian minister. This pastor friend of mine is the overseer of several large churches scattered all over Nigeria. As we chatted, I realized he had had experiences similar to mine. He spoke of one mutinous pastor who had grown up in his house as a sort of servant.

I Will Publish a Book about You

This young man had graduated into becoming the pastor of one of his largest branch churches. My friend told me that this pastor had become anarchistic and had decided to fight against him. I was struck by one of the comments that he made.

He told me, “This young man rebelled, broke away and began to say all sorts of malicious things about me.”

His own son in the ministry said, “I will publish a book of seditious material that will bring you down.”

I Will Run You out of This Town

How interesting, I thought. I remembered a similar threat that I had received from a rebel pastor. This person had said that he was going to run me out of my own city.

You see, this is the mother of all deception. This is the spirit of Absalom that fights against your own father. The spirit of Lucifer, is the spirit that tries to replace and take over rightful authority. The spirit of Judas, is the treacherous spirit that betrays and turns against its own teacher.

I want you to learn right here, that all of these things are impossible. You cannot replace God. And you cannot succeed in fighting your own father. God will not help you and in fact, He will fight against you. All of nature, including the wild ravens and eagles of the air will fight against you. The Bible says,

The eye that mocketh at his father… the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

Proverbs 30:17

7th Stage Open Rebellion

This is the stage where deceived insurrectionists fight openly against authority. This open fight comes about because of the confidence the rebel develops over the months and years. He gains psychological support by gaining the support of some of the people he talked to. Remember that Lucifer gained the support of over a third of the angels. He has had time to analyze the merits and demerits of the person against whom he is rebelling. Then suddenly, he exposes himself to be what he is at heart.

1. Lucifer did this.

And there was war in heaven …and the dragon [the devil] fought…

Revelation 12:7

2. Absalom fought against his father.

And David said… Behold, my son (Absalom), which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life…

2 Samuel 16:11

3. Absalom tried to become his father in all aspects, including in the bedroom.

…and Absalom went in unto his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

2 Samuel 16:22

4. Judas betrayed and fought against his Lord and master.

...Judas… came, and with him a great multitude with swords… Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

Matthew 26:47, 48

Judas had told them to get a good hold of Christ and not let him go. This is the open fight against your master, teacher or your father. It is what I call the open rebellion stage of disloyalty. This leads us into the last and final stage of this drama. What I call the execution stage.

8th Stage Execution

The end of all rebels is one and the same execution. Rebellion is an essentially evil thing. The Bible teaches us that rebellion is as witchcraft.

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft…

1 Samuel 15:23

The Biblical punishment for witchcraft is execution.

Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

Exodus 22:18

God does not support rebellion in any form or fashion. Do not involve yourself in any kind of rebellion. Those who get involved in revolts are often simple-minded people. Many of them do not know what is afoot.

And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.

2 Samuel 15:11

Many people run into rebellion because of their innocence and ignorance. If Absalom’s followers had known exactly what they were doing, I believe they would not have followed him.

The fruit of rebellion throughout the Bible is very clear execution. God will divinely displace and replace you with someone else. Your seat will be taken by another who is worthier than you. You will be banished into obscurity and oblivion. There will be a curse on you and your family. Just study the following list of executions:

Lucifer

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Revelation 12:9

Absalom

And ten young men… compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.

2 Samuel 18:15

Ahithophel

…Ahithophel… hanged himself, and died…

2 Samuel 17:23

Shemei

So the king commanded Benaiah… which went out, and fell upon him (Shemei), that he died...

1 Kings 2:46

Adonijah

And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him (Adonijah) that he died.

1 Kings 2:25

Judas

And he (Judas)… went and hanged himself. Matthew 27:5

by Dag Heward-Mills

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gospellighthouseofprayer · 7 years ago

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Whyte House Family Devotions: Prayer for the Family, Church, Nation & World #348 (5/4/18)

https://soundcloud.com/danielwhyteiii/whyte-house-family-devotions-prayer-for-the-family-church-nation-world-348-5418

[caption id="attachment_40916" align="alignleft" width="156"] Daniel Whyte III[/caption] My family and I have had morning devotions, or family altar as some people call it, every day ever since my wife, Meriqua, and I were married 30 years ago. We have prayed and read the Bible together as well as other devotional books as a family, and it is the only reason why this family has stayed together, and the only reason why God has blessed our family and used our family in ministry all of these years. We read Ephesians 5 and 6 every morning as it relates to the role of each member of the family and how that we need to put on the whole armor of God to fight against the devil who is seeking to destroy our family and all Christian families, churches, and Christians. So, now after 30 years of doing this in our home, we are opening this up to others who don't have a family to pray with, who don't have a spouse, or who are single by choice, and to encourage all families who are still intact to go back to the family altar and have devotions together every morning. In these devotions, you may hear me deal with a temptation I'm facing in my life, you may hear me rebuke my wife about not doing what she should be doing, or you may hear me get on one of my children's cases about something they're doing. Don't be shocked; this is real life. SING "DOXOLOGY" Praise God from Whom all blessings flow Praise Him, all creatures here below Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost Amen Billy Graham said, “The devil is alive and kicking. But if you are in Christ and follow the rules of daily Bible study, prayer, and witnessing, he has no power over you.” ------ RECITE: THE NEW APOSTLES' CREED I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of Heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead; He was seen alive by Mary Magdalene and the other women, the disciples, and over 500 other brethren; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth on the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. ------ EPHESIANS 6:12-13 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stephen J. Cole writes in his commentary on this passage: "Christians must be fighters because Satan and his forces are real, evil, and powerful. To shrug off an enemy as a pushover when he is armed, organized, experienced, and dangerous, is to invite defeat. I have seen believers that disregard the reality and power of the enemy. We dare not do that! But I've also seen some that give Satan too much credit. They view him as being almost as strong as God is. It's as if God is desperately trying to get the upper hand, but He hasn't quite succeeded. And they blame Satan for everything, from car problems to anger problems. We need to avoid this error as well. William Gurnall observes that there is a great difference between how God and Satan deal with their followers. God reveals to His followers the strength of the enemy, but Satan does not dare to reveal to his followers the strength of God, or they would mutiny. So we need to look at what God tells us about the strength of the enemy." ------- PRAYER ------- DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE: Psalm 136:16-22 16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. 17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: 18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: 19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: 20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever: 21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: 22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. Regarding this passage, Matthew Henry writes: “The great things God for Israel, when he first formed them into a people, and set up his kingdom among them, are here mentioned, as often elsewhere in the psalms, as instances both of the power of God and of the particular kindness he had for Israel. Israel was his servant, and, though they had been provoking Him in the wilderness, yet he intended to have some service out of them, for to them pertained the service of God. As he said to the Egyptians, Let my people go, so to the Canaanites, Let my people in, that they may serve me. In this, God's mercy to them endureth for ever, because it was a figure of the heavenly Canaan, the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” --------- PRAYER FOR THE ESTATES 1. Family 2. Clergy (church) 3. Government 4. People (citizens) 5. The press (media) 6. New media/Online journalists PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY PRAYER FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP - For all pastors, church leaders, denominational leaders, Bible teachers, missionaries, and ministry workers. GOVERNMENT LEADERS 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." President Donald Trump and his administration Vice President Mike Pence First Lady Melania Trump Second Lady Karen Pence All White House staff including: Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Peter Navarro All leaders of federal agencies including: Congressional Budget Office Director Keith Hall All state governors including: Vermont Governor Phil Scott All city mayors including: Cocoa Beach, FL, Mayor Dave Netterstrom All members of Congress including: Florida Representative Stephanie Murphy All law enforcement officials including: Cocoa Beach, FL, Police Chief Scott Rosenfeld All military leaders including: Defense Secretary James Mattis / National Guard Bureau Chief General Joseph L. Lengyel Leaders of nations around the world including: Namibia’s President Hage Geingob and Prime Minister Saara Kuu-gon-gel-wa For the peace of Jerusalem PRAYER FOR THE PEOPLE / CITIZENS PRAYER FOR THE MEDIA PRAYER FOR CURRENT EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD - For the comfort of families and church family of the 26 people killed in an attack on a church in the Central African Republic. - For the comfort and salvation of the families of 26 people killed in bombings in Kabul, Afghanistan. - For the resolution of the Rohingya migrant crisis where hundreds of thousands have fled Bangladesh to escape military-led violence. PRAYER REQUESTS Bushebi For Your protection and provision over the people in Kenya who are being affected by floods Bhima please provide them with the money they need to build orphanages and plant churches; bless the seminary students with all that they need Eric please heal his daughter and provide him with the money he needs to repair their church building, pay bills and buy medicine, Bibles, bikes, and print tracts Vicki Please end the drought in Israel; for the peace of Jerusalem THOSE WHO HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST AS SAVIOR John Margret Domnic THOSE WHO HAVE RECOMMITTED THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST Marena Billy Maggie DEVOTIONAL READING: “Everlasting Peace,” by Billy Graham Ephesians 2:13-14 says, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace...” “Meaningless mouthings about peace will not bring it to the world. In Glasgow, Scotland, we watched the Communists march around St. George’s Square carrying their banners with the words, “Our motto is PEACE!” My thoughts raced back to Korea, where I had seen the havoc and suffering caused by these people who now use “peace” as their motto. Peace is more than five little white letters painted on a piece of red cloth, carried by a goose-stepping zealot in a Red parade. It is not a mere cessation of hostilities, a momentary halt in a hot or cold war. Rather, it is something positive. It is a specific relationship with God into which a person is brought. It is a spiritual reality in a human heart which has come into vital contact with the infinite God.” - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Now, if you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior, allow me to show you how you can place your faith and trust in Him for Salvation from sin and Hell. First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God's law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death…" Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Now that is bad news, but here's the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:9 & 13 says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen. If you just trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and you prayed that prayer and meant it from your heart, I declare to you that based upon the Word of God, you are now saved from Hell and you are on your way to Heaven. Welcome to the family of God! I want to congratulate you on doing the most important thing in life and that is receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read "What To Do After You Enter Through the Door". Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." Until next time, May the Lord Bless You!

Daniel Whyte III has spoken in meetings across the United States and in over twenty-five foreign countries. He is the author of over forty books including the Essence Magazine, Dallas Morning News, and Amazon.com national bestseller, Letters to Young Black Men. He is also the president of Gospel Light Society International, a worldwide evangelistic ministry that reaches thousands with the Gospel each week, as well as president of Torch Ministries International, a Christian literature ministry. He is heard by thousands each week on his radio broadcasts/podcasts, which include: The Prayer Motivator Devotional, The Prayer Motivator Minute, as well as Gospel Light Minute X, the Gospel Light Minute, the Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message, the Prophet Daniel’s Report, the Second Coming Watch Update and the Soul-Winning Motivator, among others. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Bethany Divinity College, a Bachelor’s degree in Religion from Texas Wesleyan University, a Master’s degree in Religion, a Master of Divinity degree, and a Master of Theology degree from Liberty University's Rawlings School of Divinity (formerly Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary). He is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry degree. He has been married to the former Meriqua Althea Dixon, of Christiana, Jamaica since 1987. God has blessed their union with seven children.

#christian #devotions #family #pray #prayer

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blackchristiannewswire · 7 years ago

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LISTEN: Whyte House Family Devotions: A Prayer for the Family, the Church, the Nation and the World #348 (Friday, May 4, 2018): “Everlasting Peace,” by Billy Graham

https://soundcloud.com/danielwhyteiii/whyte-house-family-devotions-prayer-for-the-family-church-nation-world-348-5418

#christian #devotions #family #pray #prayer

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johnchiarello · 8 years ago

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Friday

FRIDAY

Acts 23:3

Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

NOTE- the reason you see both Yoututbe and Wordpress videos on this post- is because every time I post anything about CCPD- for some strange reason my Youtube site gets hacked- and the settings are changed to private [where the public cannot view the video].

S.B. 4- https://youtu.be/1EdkjZGym6w

http://wp.me/a4V5qQ-Ah

.Caller Times sold out

.Cops not for it

.CCPD

.Austin TX.

.Was Judge Greenwell murdered?

.Guy Williams

.Sandra Watts

.Bishop case

.Chief Markle

.CWW [Brother Rey]

Exodus 20:14

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

Cook- https://youtu.be/WkZg-7_Touk

http://wp.me/a4V5qQ-Ai

.Cook or Crocker- to be honest- not sure

.Code enforcement- unless you’re a cop http://www.caller.com/story/opinion/readers/2016/05/19/code-enforcement-applies-to-some-not-all/91517584/

.Herod

.Adultery is indeed a crime

.Kirk Stowers

1 Corinthians 7:9

But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

Trump like me? https://youtu.be/4PvGpJ3soCE

http://wp.me/a4V5qQ-Aj

.Dirk

.Tennessee

.Trump n Comey

.The mechanic accused of rape and kidnapping

.Nueces counties special rating- number 2- in the U.S.A. !

.Joe McComb

.Loyd Neal [new stuff below]

Isaiah 41:2

Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow.

In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

Letter from CCPD- https://youtu.be/DOUhQ2rgm2A

http://wp.me/a4V5qQ-Ak

.Local news reported more gang arrests in C.C.- then ANY OTHER city in recent federal raids

.Houston has 7 more times population- only 40 arrests

.Corpus had 165

.Why?

.Corruption in Corpus Christi

.The letter from CCPD [read on video] states ‘we determined that the burglary of the gun and wallet- from your vehicle is unsolvable- therefore we will do no investigation’

.Huh? I have never in my life seen a Police department do this- ever!

.Just found the link- Corpus leads the nation! http://www.kristv.com/story/35418681/corpus-christi-leads-the-nation-in-gang-operation-arrest

.Internal Affairs knew!

.Solvability factor?

.Its his I.D. and credit cards and gun for heavens sake- solve it- do your jobs for once in your life!

.And don’t be criminal!

http://www.caller.com/story/news/crime/2017/05/11/ice-led-gang-operation-leads-hundreds-arrests-corpus-christi/101556642/

.Out of a total 1378 arrests made NATION WIDE- 164 were from Corpus Christi- that’s the number they don’t highlight in the article- more than 10 percent of the ICE arrests in this sting- nation wide- were in Corpus Christi- Texas.

14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,

2 And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.

4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

NEW- Talked a little about the new law passed in Texas- S.B. 4. It permits cops to question people about their immigration status.

Most police Departments across the state are against it.

Why?

First- they have enough to do dealing with local crime- and to add a federal crime [Illegal alien] to their plate- is too much.

Second- the cops need the help of the Hispanic community in policing- and the result will be any immigrants- or even just Hispanic Americans- might be less prone to cooperate because of this new law.

In this case- I side with the cops.

I side with the Hispanic community- because they will be the ones who are targeted.

How many citizens carry around their birth certificates?

Or proof of citizenship?

I don’t.

So it seems like a bad law- to me- and to the cops.

So yes- we agree on this.

I also mentioned a few famous local cases that I talked about before.

A girl who accused a local mechanic of kidnapping her- binding her hands and wrist's- taking her to his mechanic shop- and raping her- threatening to kill her.

I watched/read the case.

The girl was out at 3 am- gave some questionable excuse why she was out- that seemed fake.

She never reported the crime to the police- until the next day when her mother asked where she was.

She was checked at the hospital and there were no signs of being tied up and bound.

The morning she left the auto shop- she walked calmly out- past the other mechanics- and did not scream for help- and after she left- did not call 911.

The evidence showed she lied about being bound- lied about being held against her will- probably lied about everything.

Yet- the local mechanic is in prison [I think for life?]

That's just one of the many cases that earned Nueces county the ranking of 2nd most corrupt county in the U.S.A.

And yes- the Trump story.

Trump has tweeted for Comey to be careful because his conversations with Trump- might have been recorded.

Sounds like my first [or 2nd] video!

Yes- we are alike.

And I talked about another case where a CCPD officer saw one of my friends outside Dollar tree- the cop asked why he was there.

My Friend told the truth ‘my girl is inside- buying dinner’.

The Cop assumed he was lying- then the girl came out- with dinner.

The cop responded in an unprofessional manner- and its possible the response has been recorded- and sent to the U.S. justice department for review.

So- that's it for now.

God bless all.

P.S. -why send stuff to the Justice Department? Because Nueces county has a history- Judges that don’t cooperate with the local politicos- are found shot in their judges chambers- that’s why [Tom Greenwell].

Note- I’m not sure of the officers name that I mentioned on the video- I said Cook- Crocker- But I want to make sure I have the name right. And that might be the wrong name. Either way- the incident did happen- remember we might have his voice on recording [or Sessions might have it by now? Along with Trumps recording of Comey!]

NOTE- I made the last video right before posting- and don’t have time to write any comments on that one- so you will have to watch the video to actually see the letter from CCPD [mailed right before I made the video].

VERSES-

Isaiah 41

King James Version (KJV)

41 Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.

2 Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow.

3 He pursued them, and passed safely; even by the way that he had not gone with his feet.

4 Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am he.

5 The isles saw it, and feared; the ends of the earth were afraid, drew near, and came.

6 They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.

7 So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.

8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.

9 Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.

10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.

12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.

13 For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

15 Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.

16 Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the Lord, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.

17 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

18 I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

19 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:

20 That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

21 Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.

22 Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come.

23 Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.

24 Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooseth you.

25 I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay.

26 Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, He is righteous? yea, there is none that sheweth, yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that heareth your words.

27 The first shall say to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings.

28 For I beheld, and there was no man; even among them, and there was no counsellor, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word.

29 Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion.

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gospellighthouseofprayer · 7 years ago

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Whyte House Family Devotions: Prayer for the Family, Church, Nation & World #347 (5/3/18)

https://soundcloud.com/danielwhyteiii/whyte-house-family-devotions-prayer-for-the-family-church-nation-world-347-5318

[caption id="attachment_40916" align="alignleft" width="156"] Daniel Whyte III[/caption] My family and I have had morning devotions, or family altar as some people call it, every day ever since my wife, Meriqua, and I were married 30 years ago. We have prayed and read the Bible together as well as other devotional books as a family, and it is the only reason why this family has stayed together, and the only reason why God has blessed our family and used our family in ministry all of these years. We read Ephesians 5 and 6 every morning as it relates to the role of each member of the family and how that we need to put on the whole armor of God to fight against the devil who is seeking to destroy our family and all Christian families, churches, and Christians. So, now after 30 years of doing this in our home, we are opening this up to others who don't have a family to pray with, who don't have a spouse, or who are single by choice, and to encourage all families who are still intact to go back to the family altar and have devotions together every morning. In these devotions, you may hear me deal with a temptation I'm facing in my life, you may hear me rebuke my wife about not doing what she should be doing, or you may hear me get on one of my children's cases about something they're doing. Don't be shocked; this is real life. SING "DOXOLOGY" Praise God from Whom all blessings flow Praise Him, all creatures here below Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost Amen Billy Graham said, “Put God to the test when troubles come. He won’t let you down. In the midst of a painful illness, Paul begged God to intervene and take it away. But God replied, ‘My grace is sufficient for you.’ It was sufficient for Paul, and it will be for you.” ------ PRAY THE LORD'S PRAYER Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. ------ EPHESIANS 6:12-13 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stephen J. Cole writes in his commentary on this passage: "Christians must be fighters because Satan and his forces are real, evil, and powerful. To shrug off an enemy as a pushover when he is armed, organized, experienced, and dangerous, is to invite defeat. I have seen believers that disregard the reality and power of the enemy. We dare not do that! But I've also seen some that give Satan too much credit. They view him as being almost as strong as God is. It's as if God is desperately trying to get the upper hand, but He hasn't quite succeeded. And they blame Satan for everything, from car problems to anger problems. We need to avoid this error as well. William Gurnall observes that there is a great difference between how God and Satan deal with their followers. God reveals to His followers the strength of the enemy, but Satan does not dare to reveal to his followers the strength of God, or they would mutiny. So we need to look at what God tells us about the strength of the enemy." ------- PRAYER ------- DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE: Psalm 136:10-15 10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: 11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: 12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. 13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: 14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: 15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. Regarding this passage, Matthew Henry writes: “The great things God did for Israel when he brought them out of Egypt were mercies which endured long to them; and our redemption by Christ, which was typified thereby, endures for ever. It is good to enter into the history of God's favours, and in each to observe and own that his mercy endureth for ever. He put Israel in possession of a good land; and it was a figure of the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.” --------- PRAYER FOR THE ESTATES 1. Clergy (church) 2. Government 3. People (citizens) 4. The press (media) 5. New media/Online journalists PRAYER FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP - For all pastors, church leaders, denominational leaders, Bible teachers, missionaries, and ministry workers. GOVERNMENT LEADERS 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." President Donald Trump and his administration Vice President Mike Pence First Lady Melania Trump Second Lady Karen Pence All White House staff including: Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Peter Navarro All leaders of federal agencies including: Congressional Budget Office Director Keith Hall All state governors including: Vermont Governor Phil Scott All city mayors including: Cocoa Beach, FL, Mayor Dave Netterstrom All members of Congress including: Florida Representative Stephanie Murphy All law enforcement officials including: Cocoa Beach, FL, Police Chief Scott Rosenfeld All military leaders including: Defense Secretary James Mattis / National Guard Bureau Chief General Joseph L. Lengyel Leaders of nations around the world including: Namibia’s President Hage Geingob and Prime Minister Saara Kuu-gon-gel-wa For the peace of Jerusalem PRAYER FOR THE PEOPLE / CITIZENS PRAYER FOR THE MEDIA PRAYER FOR CURRENT EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD - For the comfort of families and church family of the 15 people killed in an attack on a church in the Central African Republic. - For the comfort and salvation of the families of 26 people killed in bombings in Kabul, Afghanistan. - For the resolution of the Rohingya migrant crisis where hundreds of thousands have fled Bangladesh to escape military-led violence. PRAYER REQUESTS Bhima please provide them with the money they need to build orphanages and plant churches; bless the seminary students with all that they need Eric please heal his daughter and provide him with the money he needs to repair their church building, pay bills and buy medicine, Bibles, bikes, and print tracts Vicki Please end the drought in Israel; for the peace of Jerusalem THOSE WHO HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST AS SAVIOR Matwetwe Yohana Onyoni THOSE WHO HAVE RECOMMITTED THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST Megan Christine Fredrick DEVOTIONAL READING: “Seeing Our Need,” by Billy Graham Psalm 53:1 says, “Only a fool would say to himself, ‘There is no God.' And why does he say it? Because of his wicked heart, his dark and evil deeds. His life is corroded with sin.” “We live like little ants on this little speck of dust out in space. We get a Ph.D. and we strut across the stage and say, ‘Well, I don’t know whether or not there is a God.’ And we can’t even control ourselves. We can’t even keep from blowing ourselves apart. We can’t even keep from manufacturing nuclear weapons that could destroy the world. We can’t even keep from hating each other, and fighting with each other, and killing each other. We can’t even keep from stealing from each other. We can’t even keep from dying, because all of us are going to die. No wonder the Bible says, ‘The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God,’ because a man that would deny the existence of God, and his own need for God, is a fool.” - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Now, if you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior, allow me to show you how you can place your faith and trust in Him for Salvation from sin and Hell. First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God's law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death…" Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Now that is bad news, but here's the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:9 & 13 says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen. If you just trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and you prayed that prayer and meant it from your heart, I declare to you that based upon the Word of God, you are now saved from Hell and you are on your way to Heaven. Welcome to the family of God! I want to congratulate you on doing the most important thing in life and that is receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read "What To Do After You Enter Through the Door". Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." Until next time, May the Lord Bless You!

#christian #devotions #family #pray #prayer

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blackchristiannewswire · 7 years ago

Text

LISTEN: Whyte House Family Devotions: A Prayer for the Family, the Church, the Nation and the World #347 (Thursday, May 3, 2018): “Seeing Our Need,” by Billy Graham

https://soundcloud.com/danielwhyteiii/whyte-house-family-devotions-prayer-for-the-family-church-nation-world-347-5318

[caption id="attachment_40916" align="alignleft" width="156"] Daniel Whyte III[/caption] My family and I have had morning devotions, or family altar as some people call it, every day ever since my wife, Meriqua, and I were married 30 years ago. We have prayed and read the Bible together as well as other devotional books as a family, and it is the only reason why this family has stayed together, and the only reason why God has blessed our family and used our family in ministry all of these years. We read Ephesians 5 and 6 every morning as it relates to the role of each member of the family and how that we need to put on the whole armor of God to fight against the devil who is seeking to destroy our family and all Christian families, churches, and Christians. So, now after 30 years of doing this in our home, we are opening this up to others who don't have a family to pray with, who don't have a spouse, or who are single by choice, and to encourage all families who are still intact to go back to the family altar and have devotions together every morning. In these devotions, you may hear me deal with a temptation I'm facing in my life, you may hear me rebuke my wife about not doing what she should be doing, or you may hear me get on one of my children's cases about something they're doing. Don't be shocked; this is real life. SING "DOXOLOGY" Praise God from Whom all blessings flow Praise Him, all creatures here below Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost Amen Billy Graham said, “Put God to the test when troubles come. He won’t let you down. In the midst of a painful illness, Paul begged God to intervene and take it away. But God replied, ‘My grace is sufficient for you.’ It was sufficient for Paul, and it will be for you.” ------ PRAY THE LORD'S PRAYER Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. ------ EPHESIANS 6:12-13 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stephen J. Cole writes in his commentary on this passage: "Christians must be fighters because Satan and his forces are real, evil, and powerful. To shrug off an enemy as a pushover when he is armed, organized, experienced, and dangerous, is to invite defeat. I have seen believers that disregard the reality and power of the enemy. We dare not do that! But I've also seen some that give Satan too much credit. They view him as being almost as strong as God is. It's as if God is desperately trying to get the upper hand, but He hasn't quite succeeded. And they blame Satan for everything, from car problems to anger problems. We need to avoid this error as well. William Gurnall observes that there is a great difference between how God and Satan deal with their followers. God reveals to His followers the strength of the enemy, but Satan does not dare to reveal to his followers the strength of God, or they would mutiny. So we need to look at what God tells us about the strength of the enemy." ------- PRAYER ------- DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE: Psalm 136:10-15 10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: 11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: 12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. 13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: 14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: 15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. Regarding this passage, Matthew Henry writes: “The great things God did for Israel when he brought them out of Egypt were mercies which endured long to them; and our redemption by Christ, which was typified thereby, endures for ever. It is good to enter into the history of God's favours, and in each to observe and own that his mercy endureth for ever. He put Israel in possession of a good land; and it was a figure of the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.” --------- PRAYER FOR THE ESTATES 1. Clergy (church) 2. Government 3. People (citizens) 4. The press (media) 5. New media/Online journalists PRAYER FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP - For all pastors, church leaders, denominational leaders, Bible teachers, missionaries, and ministry workers. GOVERNMENT LEADERS 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." President Donald Trump and his administration Vice President Mike Pence First Lady Melania Trump Second Lady Karen Pence All White House staff including: Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Peter Navarro All leaders of federal agencies including: Congressional Budget Office Director Keith Hall All state governors including: Vermont Governor Phil Scott All city mayors including: Cocoa Beach, FL, Mayor Dave Netterstrom All members of Congress including: Florida Representative Stephanie Murphy All law enforcement officials including: Cocoa Beach, FL, Police Chief Scott Rosenfeld All military leaders including: Defense Secretary James Mattis / National Guard Bureau Chief General Joseph L. Lengyel Leaders of nations around the world including: Namibia’s President Hage Geingob and Prime Minister Saara Kuu-gon-gel-wa For the peace of Jerusalem PRAYER FOR THE PEOPLE / CITIZENS PRAYER FOR THE MEDIA PRAYER FOR CURRENT EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD - For the comfort of families and church family of the 15 people killed in an attack on a church in the Central African Republic. - For the comfort and salvation of the families of 26 people killed in bombings in Kabul, Afghanistan. - For the resolution of the Rohingya migrant crisis where hundreds of thousands have fled Bangladesh to escape military-led violence. PRAYER REQUESTS Bhima please provide them with the money they need to build orphanages and plant churches; bless the seminary students with all that they need Eric please heal his daughter and provide him with the money he needs to repair their church building, pay bills and buy medicine, Bibles, bikes, and print tracts Vicki Please end the drought in Israel; for the peace of Jerusalem THOSE WHO HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST AS SAVIOR Matwetwe Yohana Onyoni THOSE WHO HAVE RECOMMITTED THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST Megan Christine Fredrick DEVOTIONAL READING: “Seeing Our Need,” by Billy Graham Psalm 53:1 says, “Only a fool would say to himself, ‘There is no God.' And why does he say it? Because of his wicked heart, his dark and evil deeds. His life is corroded with sin.” “We live like little ants on this little speck of dust out in space. We get a Ph.D. and we strut across the stage and say, ‘Well, I don’t know whether or not there is a God.’ And we can’t even control ourselves. We can’t even keep from blowing ourselves apart. We can’t even keep from manufacturing nuclear weapons that could destroy the world. We can’t even keep from hating each other, and fighting with each other, and killing each other. We can’t even keep from stealing from each other. We can’t even keep from dying, because all of us are going to die. No wonder the Bible says, ‘The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God,’ because a man that would deny the existence of God, and his own need for God, is a fool.” - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Now, if you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior, allow me to show you how you can place your faith and trust in Him for Salvation from sin and Hell. First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God's law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death…" Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Now that is bad news, but here's the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:9 & 13 says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen. If you just trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and you prayed that prayer and meant it from your heart, I declare to you that based upon the Word of God, you are now saved from Hell and you are on your way to Heaven. Welcome to the family of God! I want to congratulate you on doing the most important thing in life and that is receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read "What To Do After You Enter Through the Door". Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." Until next time, May the Lord Bless You!

#christian #devotions #family #pray #prayer

0 notes