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dailytafsirofquran · 4 years ago

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Tafsir Ibn Kathir: Surah Al-Baqarah Ayah 122-124

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

122 O Children of Israel! Remember My favor which I bestowed upon you and that I preferred you over the nations.

123. And fear the Day (of Judgment) when no person shall avail another, nor shall compensation be accepted from him, nor shall intercession be of use to him, nor shall they be helped.

Allah says;

O Children of Israel! Remember My favor which I bestowed upon you and that I preferred you over the nations.

And fear the Day (of Judgment) when no person shall avail another, nor shall compensation be accepted from him, nor shall intercession be of use to him, nor shall they be helped.

We mentioned a similar Ayah at the beginning of this Surah, and it is mentioned here to emphasize the importance of following the Ummi Prophet and Messenger, who is described for the People of the Scriptures in their Books by his characteristics, name, the good news about him and the description of his Ummah.

Allah warned them against concealing this information, which is among the favors that Allah granted them. Allah also commanded them to remember their daily life and their religious affairs and how He blessed them. They should not envy their cousins, the Arabs, for what Allah has given them, the Final Messenger of Allah being an Arab. Envy should not incite them to oppose or deny the Prophet or refrain from following him, may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him until the Day of Judgment.

124. And (remember) when the Lord of Ibrahim (Abraham) tried him with (certain) commands, which he fulfilled.

He (Allah) said (to him), "Verily, I am going to make you an Imam (a leader) for mankind (to follow you).''

(Ibrahim) said, "And of my offspring (to make leaders).'' (Allah) said, "My covenant (Prophethood) includes not Zalimin (polytheists and wrongdoers).''

Ibrahim Al-Khalil was an Imam for the People

Allah is informing us of the honor of Ibrahim Al-Khalil, who He made an Imam for the people, and a model to be imitated, because of the way he conducted himself and adhered to Tawhid. This honor was given to Prophet Ibrahim when he adhered to Allah's decisions and prohibitions.

This is why Allah said, And (remember) when the Lord of Ibrahim (i.e., Allah) tried him with (certain) commands.

This Ayah means, O Muhammad! Remind the idolators and the People of the Scriptures, who pretend to be followers of the religion of Ibrahim, while in reality they do not follow it, while you, O Muhammad, and your followers are the true followers of his religion; remind them of the commands and prohibitions that Allah tested Ibrahim with. which he fulfilled.

indicating that Ibrahim implemented all of Allah's orders.

Allah said in another Ayah,

And of Ibrahim (Abraham) who fulfilled (or conveyed) all that (Allah ordered him to do or convey). (53:37)

meaning, he was truthful and he was obedient to Allah's legislation.

Also, Allah said,

Verily, Ibrahim was an Ummah (or a nation), obedient to Allah, Hanif (i.e. to worship none but Allah), and he was not one of those who were Al-Mushrikin (polytheists), (He was) thankful for His (Allah's) favors. He (Allah) chose him and guided him to a straight path. And We gave him good in this world, and in the Hereafter he shall be of the righteous. Then, We have sent the revelation to you (O Muhammad saying): "Follow the religion of Ibrahim Hanif (Islamic Monotheism _ to worship none but Allah) and he was not of the Mushrikin. (16:120-123)

Say (O Muhammad): "Truly, my Lord has guided me to a straight path, a right religion, the religion of Ibrahim, Hanifan, and Ibrahim (to worship none but Allah, alone) and he was not of Al-Mushrikin.'' (6:161)

Ibrahim was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a true Muslim Hanifan (Islamic Monotheism _ to worship none but Allah alone) and he was not of Al-Mushrikin.

Verily, among mankind who have the best claim to Ibrahim are those who followed him, and this Prophet (Muhammad) and those who have believed (Muslims). And Allah is the Wali (Protector and Helper) of the believers. (3:67-68)

Allah said, (with Kalimat (words)) which means, "Laws, commandments and prohibitions.''

`Words' as mentioned here, sometimes refers to what Allah has willed, such as Allah's statement about Maryam, And she testified to the truth of the Words of her Lord, and (also believed in) His Scriptures, and she was of the Qanitin (i.e. obedient to Allah). (66:12)

"Words'' also refers to Allah's Law, such as Allah's statement, And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. (6:115),

meaning, His legislation.

"Words'' also means truthful news, or a just commandment or prohibition. For instance, Allah said, And (remember) when the Lord of Ibrahim tried him with (certain) Words (commands), which he fulfilled, meaning, he adhered to them.

Allah said,

He (Allah) said (to him), "Verily, I am going to make you an Imam (a leader) for mankind (to follow you).''

as a reward for Ibrahim's good deeds, adhering to the commandments and avoiding the prohibitions.

This is why Allah made Ibrahim a role model for the people, and an Imam whose conduct and path are imitated and followed.

What were the Words that Ibrahim was tested with

There is a difference of opinion over the words that Allah tested Ibrahim with. There are several opinions attributed to Ibn Abbas.

For instance, Abdur-Razzaq said that Ibn Abbas said, "Allah tested him with the rituals (of Hajj).''

Abu Ishaq reported the same.

Abdur-Razzaq also narrated that Ibn Abbas said that, (And (remember) when the Lord of Ibrahim (Abraham) (i.e., Allah) tried him with (certain) commands) means,

"Allah tested him with Taharah (purity, ablution):

* five on the head and five on the body.

As for the head, they are:

* cutting the mustache,

* rinsing the mouth,

* inhaling and discarding water,

* using Siwak and

* parting the hair.

As for the body, they are:

* trimming the nails,

* shaving the pubic hair,

* circumcision and

* plucking under the arm and

* washing with water after answering the call of nature.''

Ibn Abi Hatim said,

"A similar statement was also reported from Sa`id bin Al-Musayyib, Mujahid, Ash-Sha`bi, An-Nakhai, Abu Salih, Abu Al-Jald, and so forth.''

There is a similar statement that Imam Muslim narrated from Aishah who said that Allah's Messenger said,

Ten are among the Fitrah (instinct, natural constitution):

* trimming the mustache,

* growing the beard,

* using Siwak,

* inhaling and then exhaling water (in ablution),

* cutting the nails,

* washing between the fingers (in ablution),

* plucking the underarm hair,

* shaving the pubic hair,

* washing with water after answering the call of nature, (and I forgot the tenth, I think it was) rinsing the mouth (in ablution).

The Two Sahihs recorded Abu Hurayrah saying that the Prophet said,

Five are among the acts of Fitrah:

* circumcision,

* shaving the pubic hair,

* trimming the mustache,

* cutting the nails and

* plucking the underarm hair.

This is the wording with Muslim.

Muhammad bin Ishaq reported that Ibn Abbas said, "The words that Allah tested Ibrahim with, and that he implemented were:

* abandoning his (disbelieving) people when Allah commanded him to do so,

* disputing with Nimrod (king of Babylon) about Allah,

* being patient when he was thrown in the fire (although this was extremely traumatic),

* migrating from his homeland when Allah commanded him to do so,

* patience with the monetary and material demands of hosting guests by Allah's command,

* and Allah's order for him to slaughter his son.

When Allah tested Ibrahim with these words, and he was ready for the major test, Allah said to him, ("Submit (be a Muslim)!'' He said, "I have submitted myself (as a Muslim) to the Lord of all that exists.'' (2:131) although this meant defying and being apart from the people.''

The Unjust do not qualify for Allah's Promise

Allah said that Ibrahim said, (Ibrahim) said, And of my offspring (to make leaders), and Allah replied, My covenant (Prophethood) includes not Zalimin (polytheists and wrongdoers).

When Allah made Ibrahim an Imam (Leader for the faithful), he asked Allah that Imams thereafter be chosen from his offspring. Allah accepted his supplication, but told him that there will be unjust people among his offspring and they will not benefit from Allah's promise. Thus, they will neither become Imams nor be imitated (for they will not be righteous).

The proof that Ibrahim's supplication to Allah was accepted is that Allah said in Surah Al-Ankabut,

And We ordained among his offspring Prophethood and the Book. (29:27)

Hence, every Prophet whom Allah sent after Ibrahim were from among his offspring, and every Book that Allah revealed was to them.

As for Allah's statement, ((Allah) said, "My covenant (Prophethood) includes not Zalimin (polytheists and wrongdoers).''

Allah mentioned that there are unjust people among the offspring of Ibrahim, and they will not benefit from Allah's promise, nor would they be entrusted with anything, even though they are among the children of Allah's Khalil (intimate friend, Prophet Abraham).

There will also be those who do good among the children of Ibrahim, and these it is who will benefit from Ibrahim's supplication.

Ibn Jarir said that this Ayah indicated that the unjust shall not be Imams for the people.

Moreover, the Ayah informed Ibrahim that there will be unjust people among his offspring.

Also, Ibn Khuwayz Mindad Al-Maliki said,

"The unjust person does not qualify to be a Khalifah, a ruler, one who gives religious verdicts, a witness, or even a narrator (of Hadiths).''

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mattchase82 · 4 years ago

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WHY EVERY CATHOLIC NEEDS TO JOIN THE CONFRATERNITY OF THE HOLY ROSARY

During This Time Of Diabolical Disorientation And Mass Confusion Of The Faith, It Is More Important Now Than Any Other Time For Catholics To Put On The Full Armor Of God And Join The Confraternity. Satan Will Try To Stop You Don't Let Him.

The Immaculate alone has from God the promise of victory over Satan.

(Saint Maximilian Kolbe)

Mary was made Mother of God to obtain salvation for many who, on account of their wicked lives, could not be saved according to the rigor of Divine justice, but might be saved with the help of her sweet mercy and powerful intercession.

(St. John Chrysostom)

http://www.dominicansavrille.us/signup-form-for-the-rosary-confraternity/

BENEFITS OF JOINING THE CONFRATERNITY

1. The special protection of the Mother of God.

2. A share in the prayer of countless Millions of members the world over, and this even after death.

3. A share in the prayers, Masses and apostolic works of the entire Dominican Order.

4. The intercession of the entire Heavenly Court.

5. Various plenary and partial indulgences.

The Rosary Confraternity is a spiritual association, the members of which pray the entire rosary during the course of a week. They form a union of the faithful in heaven and one earth who, along with their own intentions, include the intentions and needs of all its members.

"If anyone has the happiness of being in the Confraternity of the Rosary, he has in all corners of the world brothers and sisters who pray for him." -St. John Vianney

"Whenever a person fulfills his obligation of reciting the Rosary according to the rule of the Confraternity, he includes in his intentions all its members, and they in turn render him the same service many times over." -Pope Leo XIII

Saint Louis de Montfort tells the story of a young girl of noble station named Alexandra, who had been miraculously converted and enrolled by St. Dominic in the Confraternity of the Rosary.

After her death, she appeared to him and said she had been condemned to seven hundred years in purgatory because of her own sins and those she had caused others to commit by her worldly ways. So she implored him to ease her pains by his prayers and to ask the Confraternity members to pray for the same end. St. Dominic did as she had asked.

Two weeks later she appeared to him, more radiant than the sun, having been quickly delivered from purgatory by the prayers of the Confraternity members. She also told St. Dominic that she had come on behalf of the souls in purgatory to beg him to go on preaching the Rosary and to ask their relations to offer their Rosaries for them, and that they would reward them abundantly when they entered into glory.

The Fifteen Promises of Mary Granted to those who Recite the Rosary Daily

The Blessed Virgin Mary Promised to Saint Dominic and to all who follow that "Whatever you ask in the Rosary will be granted." She left for all Christians Fifteen Promises to those who recite the Holy Rosary.

Imparted to Saint Dominic and Blessed Alan de la Roche

1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive signal graces.

2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.

3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.

4.The Rosary will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire for eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.

5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall not perish.

6. Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.

7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.

8. Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plenititude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.

9. I shall deliver from Purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.

10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in Heaven.

11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.

12. All those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.

13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.

14. All who recite the Rosary are my sons and daughters, and brothers and sisters of my only Son Jesus Christ.

15. Devotion of my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.

7 Reasons to Pray the Rosary, from the “Secret of the Rosary” by St. Louis de Montfort

Here are his 7 reasons:

1) It gradually gives us a perfect knowledge of Jesus Christ

2) It purifies our souls, washing away sin

3) It gives us victory over all our enemies

4) It makes it easy for us to practice virtue

5) It sets us on fire with love of Our Blessed Lord

6) It enriches us with graces and merits

7) It supplies us with what is needed to pay all our debts to God and to our fellow men, and finally, it obtains all kinds of graces for us from Almighty God

A GIRL IN MORTAL GIVES HER LAST CONFESSION TWO DAY'S AFTER HER DEATH

Father Eusebius Nierembergh relates, that there lived in the city of Aragona, Sicily, a girl named Alexandra. Being both noble and very beautiful, Alexandra was greatly loved by two young men. Driven by jealousy, these young men fought one day and killed each other. Their enraged relatives, in return, killed the poor young girl as the cause of so much trouble. They cut off her head and threw her remains into a well. A few days later, Saint Dominic of Guzman was passing through that place and inspired by Our Lord, approached the well and said: “Alexandra, come forth.” Immediately the head of the deceased came forth, perched on the edge of the well, and asked the saint to hear her confession. Perhaps accustomed to bizarre phenomena, Saint Dominic heard its confession and also gave it communion, in the presence of a great concourse of curious persons who had assembled to witness the miracle. Then the saint asked her to tell why she had received such a grace. Alexandra answered that when she was beheaded, she was in a state of mortal sin and would have been damned to hell. But on account of the rosary which she was in the habit of reciting, Most Holy Mary appeared and preserved her soul from unending torments.

So it happened that for two days the head of Alexandra retained life and when summoned was set upon the edge of the well, in the presence of all, and then the soul went to purgatory. Fifteen days later, Alexandra’s soul appeared to Saint Dominic, beautiful and radiant as a star. She then told him that one of the principal sources of relief to the souls in purgatory is the rosary which is recited for them; and that, as soon as they arrive in paradise, they pray for those who apply to them these powerful prayers. Having said this, Saint Dominic saw that happy soul ascending in triumph to the kingdom of the blessed.

(St. Alphonsus Liguori)

Don't let anyone tell you that praying the Rosary is "meaningless repetition" (when we don't pray it, we don't know it, anyway, and how could we?). If you ever feel the temptation to stop, because it feels "tedious," that's when you keep going, if only because love is not a feeling, but an act of the will. Take your time; praying it effectively and loving it is gradually learned. And the appetite does come with the meal. Turn "tedium" into persistence.

The Rosary is the ‘weapon’ for these times.” -Saint Padre Pio

“Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world.” – Blessed Pope Pius IX

“The greatest method of praying is to pray the Rosary.” – Saint Francis de Sales

“Some people are so foolish that they think they can go through life without the help of the Blessed Mother. Love the Madonna and pray the rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother.” -St. Padre Pio

“Go to the Madonna. Love her! Always say the Rosary. Say it well. Say it as often as you can! Be souls of prayer. Never tire of praying, it is what is essential. Prayer shakes the Heart of God, it obtains necessary graces!” -St. Padre Pio

The holy Rosary is a powerful weapon. Use it with confidence and you’ll be amazed at the results.” -St. Josemaria Escriva

“Say the Holy Rosary. Blessed be that monotony of Hail Mary’s which purifies the monotony of your sins!” -St. Josemaria Escriva

“For those who use their intelligence and their study as a weapon, the Rosary is most effective. Because that apparently monotonous way of beseeching Our Lady as children do their Mother, can destroy every seed of vainglory and pride.” – St. Josemaria Escriva

“You always leave the Rosary for later, and you end up not saying it at all because you are sleepy. If there is no other time, say it in the street without letting anybody notice it. It will, moreover, help you to have presence of God.” – St. Josemaria Escriva

“The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin…If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labors.” – Pope Pius XI

“The rosary is the book of the blind, where souls see and there enact the greatest drama of love the world has ever known; it is the book of the simple, which initiates them into mysteries and knowledge more satisfying than the education of other men; it is the book of the aged, whose eyes close upon the shadow of this world, and open on the substance of the next. The power of the rosary is beyond description.” – Archbishop Fulton Sheen

““The Rosary is the most excellent form of prayer and the most efficacious means of attaining eternal life. It is the remedy for all our evils, the root of all our blessings. There is no more excellent way of praying.” Pope Leo XIII

“No one can live continually in sin and continue to say the Rosary: either they will give up sin or they will give up the Rosary” – Bishop Hugh Doyle

“The Most Holy Virgin in these last times in which we live has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the Rosary to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, whether temporal or above all spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families…that cannot be solved by the Rosary. There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary.” -Sister Lucia dos Santos of Fatima

“The Rosary is a long chain that links heaven and earth. One end of it is in our hands and the other end is in the hands of the Holy Virgin…The Rosary prayer rises like incense to the feet of the Almighty. Mary responds at once like a beneficial dew, bringing new life to human hearts.”

St. Therese of Lisieux

“When people love and recite the Rosary they find it makes them better.” -St. Anthony Mary Claret

The Rosary is the most beautiful and the most rich in graces of all prayers; it is the prayer that touches most the Heart of the Mother of God…and if you wish peace to reign in your homes, recite the family Rosary.~Pope Saint Pius X

When you say your Rosary, the angels rejoice, the Blessed Trinity delights in it, my Son finds joy in it too, and I myself am happier than you can possibly guess. After the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, there is nothing in the Church that I love as much as the Rosary.~Our Lady to Blessed Alan de la Roche

One day, through the Rosary and the Scapular, Our Lady will save the world.~Saint Dominic

Even if you are on the brink of damnation, even if you have one foot in hell, even if you have sold your soul to the devil as sorcerers do who practice black magic, and even if you are a heretic as obstinate as a devil, sooner or later you will be converted and will amend your life and will save your soul,IF YOU SAY THE HOLY ROSARY devoutly every day until death for the purpose of knowing the truth and obtaining contrition and pardon for your sins-Saint Louis de Montfort

“When you say your Rosary, the angels rejoice, the Blessed Trinity delights in it, my Son finds joy in it too, and I myself am happier than you can possibly guess. After the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, there is nothing in the Church that I love as much as the Rosary.” - Our Lady to Blessed Alan de la Roche

Even if You Pray the Rosary for Years and See No Improvement Spiritually, Do Not Give Up. Mary and Jesus Will Always Come to Your Aide.

Imprimatur: Patrick J. Hayes, D.D. Archbishop of New YorkWhy All Catholic's Need To Join the Confraternity of the Rosary Immediately

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ayshaelshamayleh · 4 years ago

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Call to action: not. [change]

It has been years since I’ve written, for words sake. I know the screens and music that keep my rhythm going. But my thoughts have no space or time in that. The scenes are endurance workouts for judgement-day testimony to show that I saw existence with more timidity and faithfulness than my kinsfolk -forgive my dry humor and competitiveness [I flaunt spiritual swag in private, being a Leo, I at least find it healthier to boast in God than bling-bling, you’ll need to cut slack if we are to get along]. This is what I stand for, remember that. I don’t care about the quality of lighting, or the budget behind all of it. It comes with time. And my interests are different. In either case, I come back to the page, aged. My mind lies, still. In the intercession of adjectives, praying my way out of a void that is still here. I can mean ‘still’ in two ways. But what does that mean if I don’t mean anything by it? (food for thought for creatives).

If I may be honest I feel, and I may well be delusional, that I’ve arrived beyond the threshold of all there is to know about the fundamental aspects of life. It sounds arrogant, but I feel it, regardless of opinion. I suffer with it, regardless of criticism. I sleep with it, regardless of caste. The facts that one must know before they kick a bucket. Like purpose. Like matters and values. Like a belief system. Like wisdom about my life post-mortem. A dogma. I’ve identified it for my soul. And I’m still alive. I know where I will go in the end. But I am alive, for one goal I can state in one sentence. That’s how I raised myself since childhood, which was half-stashed in national team locker rooms, I revisited a week ago. Royal adults and good parents. Bruises and emotional strike-downs. All the jazz one grows up with, strong. And it comes back to me now, in my thirties, yet unable to stand tall before it, let alone influence change on earth.

What I have learned about existence is that, since I’ve found God, praising is an everyday labor that involves forgiveness. I do nothing but dwell in the mysteries of love, coming out empty handed in tangible reality. And I think that’s how it should be, if that is how it’s divinely willed for now. I have an unshakeable trust in the one behind all of it. It disqualifies me from being drawn to conspiracy theories that I see three-quarters of my generation suck up to. And complain about incessantly. On and off social media. COVID hasn’t helped. And it stops me from relying on myself to be.

I am Jordanian in part. Totally anonymous to myself. No gender or socialization, nor set of expectations or laws. I’ve vouched for the one true theology that rises above these things. I do not believe in earthly stature, when I have it I focus on paying it no mind. I look beyond it into the will of God. I think of myself as a pilgrim, going village to village, I don’t know why it simplifies things for me. To this day, my Jerusalem is the one that crucified me outside of her walls. And I’ve resurrected. She cares not about my faith. Only cares to ravage through facts in hopes of catching an impending political threat that would bring her down. She thinks of herself as Babylon and I have zero interest in the paranoias of her mind. I just pray against them, and bless her. Which isn’t easy. Sometimes I don’t want to bless my enemies. But He died for me to learn how.

Why does a person of faith exist? I once thought life’s requirements would be satisfied by the arrival at knowing God, personally. That is the end of intellectual pursuit. For sure. No human brains allowed, let alone necessary, past the point. When I first got there a few years ago, as my father was dying (I’ve written about it before), I sat in a farm waiting for Azrael by myself, I told my friends. But in my newly-dawned enlightenment, I was just being stupid again. Nothing but dreams about burglary in my house and visions that still hold true. This was when I first recognized the name of my savior. In case you’re wondering whether I know, I am still prone to stupidity, yes.

After that, a cab drove me blind to Amman for the funeral of a friend who hung himself. Then I preached the gospel to a town that killed me. And I died. Now I’m alive again. I’m supposed to work on a music video for a religious minority that believes in reincarnation, imagine that. Those are the fun metaphorical summersaults God is good at. But the most curious concept to me, personally, is marriage, I don’t know why. I find goodness in the opportunity to taste the resurrection in the flesh. For my savior to animate himself in the body. For monogamy to be fulfilled in the truth of love. It’s the only thing I can think of that could console me in my present state. I know why at the beginning, when man tended the garden of Eden, God said it was not good for him to be alone. The badness of tending a garden alone aches my bones most days and I wonder what exactly the Lord is waiting for, because I am ready. I told Him so. I’m only becoming more incessant and rude in my prayer. Today I realize my heart is growing fond about adoption because I myself was adopted into the kingdom by the Father and I wish to know that bread in communion. I was not in the family. But my best friend Alysia prayed and the Lord heard her. So there it goes.

Remember to pray for your friends, folks.

Photo credit: George-N. Al Khouri.

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traitorousheroes · 4 years ago

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in the hands of a Goddess

Notes: I originally wrote this little ficlet back in June of 2016. Obviously it’s been awhile since I even worked on it, but I figured I should post ficlets in order to get myself back in the writing habit. The basic gist is my personal headcanon that Syldor worked for the Raven Queen before Vax ever did (something to do with Vax’s Fate-Touched status). IDK, I know this probably won’t be everyone’s cup of tea (because Syldor is a terrible father) but I like adding a little more nuance to characters if I can. Also, skamelar is an Old English word for parasite, if anyone gets confused. Enjoy!

At eighty-five years of age, he became Her steward.

This was not how his life was supposed to turn out.

“Skamelar,” he hissed, ducking under the talons of the scowling vampire. The nails scraped against his blade, throwing a shower of sparks into his face. The flash of light made him blink, giving the second strike of the creature purchase against his shoulder. The vampire’s snarl turned gleeful as he brought the bloodied nails to his mouth.

“Elf,” the vampire replied, sucking his finger clean. “So far from your home. What calls you to my domain?”

“One higher than you,” Syldor replied, holding his twin short swords at the ready.

The creature tilted his head, examining him. Then, as if realizing a joke, he laughed. Syldor tightened his grip on his blades, before forcing himself to relax. The vampire tried to circle him, but it was easy enough to keep him in view.

“Another paladin, then?” the vampire asked. “Come to avenge your fallen brethren?”

The image of a woman, armored in black plate, came unbidden to Syldor’s mind. Her eyes, dark grey in life but clouded white in death, had stared unseeingly into the morning light. The people of the town, Wrettis, had been all too willing to point him in the direction that the travelling stranger had gone. He had barely passed within the treeline before finding her body, tossed aside like refuse for the forest to claim.

“She was no kin to me,” said Syldor.

That, in and of itself, was true enough. He was no paladin, no warrior bound to a sacred oath. Nor was he a cleric, the arcane magic that flowed from his fingers in direct contrast to what they would wield. Priest was not the correct term either, since he wielded a blade with far more lethality than temple service would ever require. The title bestowed on him, however, was one that he could not refuse.

“Then why stand by the body for five days?” the vampire asked, swinging a claw at his guard.

Syldor blocked it with an ease that did nothing to betray his weariness. The vampire stepped back, the slightest hint of a limp on his right side. Considering that they had been trading blows with neither side earning a significant hit, the limp was from another wound. Perhaps a parting gift from the deceased paladin, or another older wound that had not healed well.

“My Lady commanded it,” he said.

“Your Lady,” the creature mocked him. “You serve the same patron as her, then. The one she cried to as I drained the life from her body. She wouldn’t stop praying for her intercession. I suppose Her Raven Majesty didn’t care much for her, in the end.”

Syldor struck out at the insult to the dead woman. He scored a graze against the monster’s chest, a line of dark, almost black, crimson bubbling up from the leathers. The vampire snarled, his fangs catching the light of the waning moon. Rather than wait for him to attack again, Syldor rallied and struck. The edge of his blade sunk into the flesh of the creature’s neck, slicing harmlessly in a shallow gash across his throat.

“Even if you spoke truth, I would see you dead in justice for her,” he replied. “Do not mock the dead, skamelar, for their Queen sees you for what you are.”

“And what would that be?” the vampire asked. He reached for Syldor again, only to have his reaching claws batted away by the flat of the blades.

“One who steals life from those who hold it still. One who steals the lives of children in the night, leaving them cold and bloodless in their beds.”

The edges of the vampire’s lips curled up at the charges laid before it. “There are others who do worse than I, elf. Leave me at peace here and hunt them instead.”

Syldor shook his head slightly. The vampire sighed, although the feral gleam in his eyes betrayed his true thoughts on the matter. He dashed forward, grabbing Syldor’s right arm and trapping it between them. His foul breath made Syldor recoil just far enough to escape the fangs that struck for his throat. As he looked down on the miserable creature, Syldor flicked his left hand up, the blade finding purchase again in the vampire’s throat.

This time there was no chance for him to escape. Reversing his grip, Syldor pushed the blade against the wound. Blackened blood streamed from the gash and splashed on both of them. His strength waning as the blood continued to pour, the vampire released his right arm. He scrabbled at the blade embedded in his throat, but it was a useless effort. Dropping the sword in his right hand, Syldor grabbed his left handed blade, and used the extra power to saw through the remains of the vampire’s neck.

The head dropped to the ground as the body collapsed. The eyes twitched as Syldor watched, before the expression fell slack and the creature truly died. The fact that the creature had not collapsed into a gaseous state in a bid to escape spoke to its youth. Syldor let out a deep sigh, his shoulders slumping forward as the exhaustion from the fight crept up his limbs. Reaching down, he grabbed the head by the hair, letting it swing in the air. It was more of an effort to get a hold on the leather-clad body, but soon enough he had a good grip on it.

Dawn was cresting over the farmlands when he made his way back to Wrettis. Those who went to tend the fields fled back towards the town when they saw him. Syldor paid them no mind, dragging the corpse to the temple district of the town. A priestess, robed and veiled in black, met him at the entrance with a small bow. It was the warmest greeting he had gotten since entering the town five, now six, days before.

“I learned of your victory a few hours ago, Steward,” the woman said.

“I have done as She asked,” Syldor replied as the priestess fell into step beside him. “As I always will.”

She nodded, and he had the faintest idea that she was smiling behind the veil.“Perhaps.”

The rest of their short walk was made in silence. The woman, as most of her fellow temple priests and priestesses, did not seem uncomfortable by the lack of conversation. The quiet was useful to him as well, letting him organize his thoughts and affairs.

Those of Syngorn would wonder at his sudden departure. It had taken less than two days to reach Wrettis from the elven city, but what he had found and the task that had passed to him had extended his leave beyond what was normal. They would question his absence, considering the others that had occurred since his eighty-fifth year. While not prone to gossip, some of the more fanciful of his people had concocted tales of a woman he held dear outside the walls of their city. Instead of denying their claims, Syldor let them talk, allowing their childish stories to cloud the true reason for his leavings.

“Your mind is troubled,” the priestess said as they mounted the steps to the small temple. The body, dragged as it had been across the fields and the city streets, was easy enough to pull into the doors of the temple.

“It is nothing to trouble yourself with, my lady.”

“I will always listen if you have need, Steward,” she said.

Syldor stopped, watching the woman as she continued to walk forward. Her gait did not falter, but now that he was paying attention, he noticed that her footfalls made no sound against the stone. The hair on the back of his neck stood up as she came to a halt before the altar. She turned back towards him, her face hidden behind the veil. Taking a deep breath, Syldor forced himself forward.

“He was a stablehand,” the not-priestess told him as he laid the body on the altar. “Thom was his name. He used to ride and break the horses for one of the stables in Wrettis, until one of them broke him. It shattered his leg like glass, and he lost his one true joy in life.”

Syldor looked at her from the corner of his eye. The not-priestess had her hand cupped against the vampire’s cheek, the gesture almost looking like pity that echoed in her voice. With a sigh, she dropped her hand and lifted her head to look at him.

“Who are you?” he asked.

She chuckled, and again Syldor got the impression that she was smiling at him. “My Steward, do you not recognize me?”

“My Lady?” Syldor said. Again, the feeling that the woman behind the veil was smiling at him.

“You have done well, my Steward,” the Raven Queen said. “And you have done more than I would have asked.”

“I fulfilled my duties.”

“Your duties did not include standing watch over the body of my warrior,” she said. “And yet you did anyway.”

“There was no one else,” he said.

“And yet you could have pushed the duty onto one of the priests, but did not. Your compassion reveals itself in the strangest of ways.”

“It was my duty.”

“As you say,” the Raven Queen acquiesced. “Your duties have been fulfilled. You are free until I have need of you again.”

“Of course, my Lady,” Syldor said, bowing at the waist.

By the time he glanced upwards, she was gone, leaving nothing but a single raven’s feather on the breast bone of the corpse. It was the work of a few minutes to light the pyre, and Syldor watched the creature’s corpse burn, even as his mind turned towards home.

#critical role #vox machina #syldor vessar #the raven queen #thwrites

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itsyourchoicedevotionals · 4 years ago

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Using Authority

“…To obey is better than sacrifice…” 1Samuel 15:22NIV

In discussing dominion/authority, we’ve learned how we received and lose what was rightfully ours through Jesus Christ. We’d been returned to all the authority of Adam— if we exercise it in faith.

You’ll find the following lengthy message very interesting. A very close friend of mine sent me the following message—

Holy Spirit asked if I would go to Yellowstone National Park. I did not do any research, but the last time He asked me to go somewhere was Mother’s Day weekend 2018. I didn’t know why I was going, but while there He took me to The Korean War Memorial. He then told me that I was sent there as a representative of all the Korean mothers who had been in intercession for their children and their nation, North and South. I was there to declare peace and to speak certain words to release the power to bring this war to conclusion. A year later Trump meets with NK and September 22 2020 South Korea calls for an official end to the war. It will happen. Before that trip I didn’t do any research I don’t like putting ideas in my head before a prayer assignment because I am not there to pray my will. While I was flying to Yellowstone, I opened a map in the plane and two tourists sites jumped out at me. The first one is called Earthquake Lake. It was the site of a terrible earthquake that killed many campers back in the 50’s. The second site was the geyser basin. I still didn’t know why I was going but I knew it was nature related. Side note: I do not think it was a coincidence I was there on Rosh Hashanah. Saturday morning the 19th I drove an hour to my first stop which was Earthquake Lake. As I was driving Holy Spirit instructed me to place my hands on the ground and say “ Peace peace, it’s not your time yet. You must calm down.” Afterward He had me speak over the region and pray for a few hours. Later, the same day I drove an hour in the other direction to the Geyser Basin. Before I got to Old Faithful, which was my original intent, He instructed me to stop at a river. The River was beside a field of small geysers. As I was walking the property He made me sit in a particular spot and told me to place my hands on the ground and again say “Peace Peace, It’s not your time yet.” I then walked the grounds praying. When I was done, He told me I finished what He sent me for and I could enjoy the rest of my stay and see the sites. Sunday 20th I went up to the Canyons. While there He gave me an amazing teaching on our relationship and responsibility to the earth. From the beginning in Genesis we learn that one of our original purposes on this earth was to dominate it. To take control of it. The earth was not made to make decisions for itself. Man was always supposed to supply the direction of the earth. GOD did not create this earth to just exist. It needs a master. For thousands of years its masters have been negligent. The enemy has hijacked the earth again after the resurrection. Satan had his authority taken from him by the Son Of Man. But he has found a way to still dominate by tricking man into using his creative power for his purposes. Which this time it’s to destroy the earth. Satan created a false religion called ‘Climate Change.’ With the rise of this religion he has been able to create a world wide prayer chain of destruction. Millions of people around the world from every nation are praying and confessing that our world is dying. Words have power. This earth has been waiting for man to take control and give it direction, Romans 18:19. The earth can not reason, it can only obey what man is saying. This rise was made possible by man once again being negligent. We as believers still have time to stop his plans in our planet. We have focused on the man made drama but neglected the natural responsibility. There is still time. We need to wake up believers to use God’s Word to declare over the earth words that cause healing and replenish those things that are depleting. No animal should have ever become extinct. No ozone should ever have been depleted. No virus should have ever been allowed to jump from animal to human. But there is still time. Over and over and over GOD expresses His desire to return to the earth and stand on its mountains. His desire is not to destroy the earth but to cleanse it so He can return and live here with us. That part is our responsibility. Our words needs to redirect what the earth thinks it’s supposed to do. Mans words through guidance of the enemy is causing the earth to destroy itself. But there is still time to change this. We must change the destructive course our planet is on. Words have power. He is the word. He gave us His name. We MUST course correct our planet.

What are we saying? Praying? Believing? Will we fulfill our purpose of dominion, creating godly control for the earth we’re in charge of? It’s your choice. You choose.

PRAYER: Father forgive us for neglecting our job. Help us to speak healing and guidance into the earth in Jesus Christ’s name.

#Jesus Christ #lord of lords #Holy Spirit #Lamb of God #God #it's your choice #devotional #authority #dominion #reason #replenish #assignment #prayer #love #hope #faith

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apostlelicteachings-blog · 5 years ago

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What is Salvation

CLASS PG 1

CHRIST’S STUDENTS: The Doctrine of the Grace and Truth of Christ

Prophet Joachim Francis

1. WHAT IS SALVATION

7/22/19, 14:26 - Prophet: We will look at WHAT SALVATION IS and look at WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CHRISTIAN. The biggest challenge in today’s church is that, many people feel saved but in truth not saved, though they are Christians and are involved in the church or houses of worshiping.

The purpose of this teaching is to lay the foundation for why we are called Christians. Number two, to understand salvation which is the foundation of Christianity.

The first one we need to know is WHAT IT MEANS TO BE CALLED A CHRISTIAN.

To be a Christian is not to attend worship every Sunday. To be a Christian is not to offer sacrifices. "A Christian is to be an Agent or Ambassador of the Kingdom of God on earth." That is, "you represent the Kingdom of Heaven on earth."

This has no Pastor ... Prophet ... Evangelist ... nor believer. Here, everyone carries the Kingdom of God and responds to the exercise of his authority on earth as it is in heaven. The meaning of the word 'CHRIST' is 'OILED / ANNOINTED ONE.' Christ is the Word that has been derived from the three languages ... the Greek, which is the ‘Kristos’.... Latin which is ’KRISTHEN’.... Hebrew that is 'MESSI / MESSIAH;' which means, the person anointed. And in the Old Testament who were anointed were Kings ... the Jews, King was appointed by God to be anointed by the Prophet, therefore, he handed over the Kingdom to be oil on it.

In the New Testament, Jesus became Christ by the anointing of the Holy Spirit - Matthew 1:16. Jacob became the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ '- Luke 4: 17-18. [17] He was given the Prophet Isaiah's college, opened the college, and searched for the place where it was written, [18] 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He hath sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the blind to see, to set at liberty them that are bruised...

Prophet: I want you to understand one thing:

The Holy Spirit is not the ‘oil’, I am talking about here ... but it is authority / power assigned the oil. When I say oil, I do not mean oil as oil but rather 'Power from the Holy Spirit.' That power is what is called 'Christ.'

The power I am talking about is 'GOD'S WISDOM.'

On the other hand, the glory of God ... of that, Jesus came to earth; he came to restore the lost human relationship with God. Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned, 'and come short of the glory of God;' without this glory of God or His presence being in us, we cannot have a relationship with God.

Being a sinner means is "short of the glory of God '... or ‘fall short of the glory of God's presence,’ which is called 'DEATH!'

Adam was a victim of ’death’ after sin caught him. All that came after he inherited the condition of death or short of the glory of God after failing to obey the WORD OF GOD.

Romans 5:12 - Therefore, 'as by one man sin entered into the world, and by sin death;' and so death came to all men because they had all sinned...

Therefore, be very careful as you begin to pray for mercy and say that you are a sinner before God. Because, we have to remember, we received Christ and we are no longer sinners. That is, we do not lack the glory of God. God gave us the gift of his son Jesus and through Him; we receive 'Eternal Life!'

We receive that life only by believing in Jesus Christ.

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.

Now, I read with attention here:

In what is called the life of eternity? Because we receive presence / glory of God in the world and after leaving this world, therefore, we find the guarantee of living longer lives after death into glory.

Therefore, this eternal life / glory of God or the presence of God, we receive and dwell in us ... not at the altar ... not for servants ... but in us because our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes into our worship because of the presence of God within us.

1 Corinthians 6:19 - Or do you not know that "your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you," which ye have of God? You are not the property you own...

This is the mystery of God which he has set up from the foundation of the world; that His presence will abide in us and we will be His people.

Colossians 1: 25-27 - [25]in which I have been made a minister, according to the stewardship of God which was given me for your profit, 'to fulfill the word of God; [26] 'the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but is now made manifest to his saints;' [27] To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, 'which is Christ in you, the hope of glory ...'

If you understand that you are carrying the glory of God / God's presence in you, then you will be able to exercise the royal authority within you.

I said before that we are Ambassadors of the Kingdom of God on earth:

2 Corinthians 5:20 - "Only Ambassadors for Christ", as though God were making his appeal through our mouths; we ask you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God.

We have the ‘royal authority of God’ when we are "born again here on earth" through the Word of Christ / the Kingdom of God.

Unless we change our living systems by believing in the word of the Kingdom of God, we cannot see the glory of that kingdom manifesting into our lives.

John 3: 3 - Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

We are born again here on earth ... being born again does not happen spiritually ... I want you to understand this paradox from today because, there are many interpretations of what it means to be born again ... Jesus made this clear by telling Nicodemus that, what he was telling him was the stuff here on earth…

John 3:10, 12 [10] - Jesus answered and said to him, Art thou the teacher of Israel, and knowest not these things? [12] 'If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, where will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?'

To be born again is to transform living systems from earthly systems into a system of the Kingdom of God through the knowledge of God's word of His Kingdom.

Ephesians 1: 18-19- [18]Let the eyes of your heart be enlightened, and know the hope of his calling; and the glorious riches of his inheritance in the saints: [19] 'and the greatness of the greatness of his power in us which we believe to be; according to the exercise of his power; '… understand these things you cannot see the glory of God manifesting in your life. There are works of God but there is glory of God, now you will see works but glory is what you will have trouble seeing if you do not understand what God's kingdom is.

+255 767 540 7 **: It is very true and I feel we are saved by God's grace. Is salvation measured by your actions?

Prophet: Salvation is not measured by our actions. Ephesians 2: 8-9 [8] 'For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; [9] 'not by works, so that no one can boast.' He tells you that you must make an effort to show that you are saved. If you understand that there is a presence of God in you then you will receive the promise to receive the Holy Spirit as a helper in your life here on earth. Unless you are led or inspired by the Holy Spirit, you will still be unable to find it in the kingdom of God.

John 3: 5 -Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Being born of water and the Spirit is led by the Holy Spirit. Those who are led by the Holy Spirit are sons of God. They are heirs of God's promises in their lives ... you cannot inherit God's promises without being led by the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of God ... and the purpose of being led by God's Spirit is to that you may know what is yours in the Kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 2:12 - "But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God."

Everything you need God has given you but the prerequisite to receiving it is to listen to Him and accept the guidance of the Holy Spirit because He alone knows the Will of God in relation to you. Your life... not a Prophet ... not a pastor or any minister...

'But we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God;

That we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Romans 8: 26-27- [26] likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit maketh intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered. [27] 'And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.'

1 Corinthians 2: 10-11 - [10] But God hath revealed them unto us by the Spirit. "For the Spirit searches all things, even the mysteries of God." [11] For it is what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? 'So also with the things of God no one knows but the Spirit of God.'

Prophet: Here I just finished explaining the meaning of the Christian. Anyone in question may ask me via +255743238599.

I will continue to teach another subject.

+255 713 626 4 **: Thank you very much.

+255 654 333 5 **: May our Lord Jesus keep you Man of God. I ask, there is this notion that, "to be saved you need to live a life of repentance every hour; every day, because as humans we are imperfect so we need to repent frequently ... now, how do you talk about that?

Prophet: This is not appropriate. If it happens, we are wrong, the Bible does not say to ask for mercy. The Bible does not say that. The bible says we have an intercession with God for our transgressions. Acts 26:18 - 'to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God; then they shall receive remission of their sins, and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me.

1 John 2: 1-2 - (1) My little children, these things I write so that you may not sin. In addition, if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, [2] and he is the propitiation for our sins; not only for our sins, but also for the sins of the whole world.

+255,654,333 5 **: In addition, the reason we humans are too weak, is because heaven exists for those people who God is justified by his grace through Jesus Christ.

1) All who did not believe and would not believe in Jesus

2) All who know the truth and do not follow it

3) All who mend salvation

4) All who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit

5) All who do not live a life of repentance, their place is hell

Life of repentance is not just a matter of asking for forgiveness but continuing to be cleansed in the Blood of Jesus.

+255 654 333 5 **: …be blessed to see this teachings; especially, the last paragraph ‘not just a matter of repenting but continuing to purify yourself with the Blood of Jesus."

+255 767 540 7 **: Thanks, Servant of God!

Prophet: This sounds good but it is not the true teaching. It is not on WORD at all.

Repentance is not an apology. Repentance is changing your attitude, intentions, and thoughts and focusing them on the WORD of God. Do not pray for the Blood of Jesus to sanctify you every minute; every day or whenever you want to pray. The Blood of Jesus once cleansed us when He died on the cross; we were indeed cleansed once and for all. What we need is to receive that forgiveness right away. We do not need to pray daily cleansing: Purification was done in Calvary; it is just a matter of believing that you are sanctified. Hebrews 9:28 - so also Christ, having been once offered to bear the sins of others, and he shall appear a second time, without sin, to them that hope for salvation.

Hebrews 10:10 - In that will you have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

+255 686 361 1 **: Amen!

+255 654 333 5 **: Amen!

+255 654 333 58 **: Wow, it is totally true...

+255,767,540 7 **: This is in fact often confuses a lot, so, for example, someone has committed a sin of lying, do not repent but only believe that Jesus has already forgiven you as a reason of His death at the Calvary? I ask for help, Servant of God.

Prophet: That is what the word says. The problem is the tradition we are in for long time.

+2557675407**: Ok, thank you.

Prophet: We are not told to pray for sanctification because our prayers cannot purify us. Here is where we need to understand that we have been forgiven by grace. If we understand this, even committing a sin will get harder.

Laura: Amen, today I have learned something very great. Be blessed the Servant of God. I also have a question ... how about every time when we enter the church and somewhere we are led a prayer of ‘repentance’? Put it clear Man of God or it will confuse me…

Prophet: It is just the tradition!

Laura: So, as we are praying; are we screaming loudly or is God watching over us?

Prophet: It is that we have been taught unanswered prayers and understanding of the Word of God. If you say, O God, I am a sinner, forgive me and cleanse me: you mean, you have not been saved yet. Moreover, you do not believe that, Jesus died so that you might be sanctified…

Laura : Ah!

Prophet: It does not make God pity on you, He sees you perishing for lack of knowledge, nothing else!

Laura: Today is today!

Prophet: Because God is watching His ‘Word’ to fulfill it, it is not the sound of your prayers or you are many words…

+255 719 513 9 **: Very good lesson, my Prophet, I have been blessed.

Prophet: Amen!

+255 719 513 9 **: Amen!

Laura: Prophet Jo, I say, we have been lost in the wilderness. Bring us back to the real gospel of Apostle Paul!

Prophet: Satan knows; if people know this, he will stop bothering them!

+255 719 513 9 **: Did you notice they are not telling us the truth…

Laura : They 've taught us so much ... they don't analyze it like this ... I am completely puzzled because every new day ... Truly, Servant, you just teach us something of great value and God will bless you. As we go to our churches, we will know to differentiate between what is true and what is wrong.

Prophet: ‘HOW TO PRAY CORRECTLY…’ I want to teach you briefly about ‘How to pray correctly’ because I know you are about to go to bed and you will pray…

+255 686 361 1 **: Okay!

Prophet: The key to look before you pray, is to examine the motives that make you pray.

First of all, I want you to understand that prayer is not giving God information. The application is a confession. Prayer is not an excuse for God to do certain things for you. God knows your needs. Therefore, the important things to consider before you pray are what motive has made you pray to. Are you believing what you ask for? Any requests you make will be answered if you have the right motive and confession based on faith. Matthew 7: 7 - [7] Ask and it shall be given unto thee; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; hide and you will be released…

+255 785 918 6 **: Amen!

Prophet: Any application has three rules which are:

1. Pray for Faith

2. Pray for God's will to be accomplished

3. Pray through the name of Jesus

Praying by faith:

Praying by faith is believing that you have received what you asked for: Mark 11:24 – Therefore, I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. If you do not believe that what you ask for, you have received it; you will not receive it because you have not prayed in faith.

+255 785 918 6 **: Amen!

+255 785 918 6 **: God help us!

+255 686 361 1 **: Amen!

Prophet: Secondly, make sure that what you ask for, if you get it, will bring glory to God! James 4: 3 - Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

1 John 5: 14-15 - [14] And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. [15] And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the needs that we have asked of him.

Vesta: O God, help us, we do not understand your scriptures. We are fed things we do not fully understand!

Prophet: Do not ask for things you can use for your own benefit, you will not receive.

Vesta: Amen!

Prophet: Pray ‘God’s will to be fulfilled’, is that, you ask that, whatever they will receive will also be used to develop the Kingdom of God.

+255 785 918 6 **: Yes!

Vesta: Amen!

Prophet: Thirdly, pray in the name of Jesus. Jesus said that, He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to God except through Him, so He is the door.

When He had said ‘knock,’ and it shall be opened unto you; He meant to pray through His name only.

John 14: 6 - Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14: 6 , 13 -14 - [6] Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life: no man means the Father, but by me. (Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.)

John 14: 13-14 - [13] 'And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, this will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. The promise of the Holy Spirit.

John 16: 23-24 - [23] And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything, he will give it to you in my name. [24] 'Until now you have asked nothing in my name; ask, and ye shall receive; let your joy be full. '

Prophet: Now, if you ask for the name of your favorite and trusted servant then you lose the address completely! You get into other gods. When you pray, make sure you know and believe that God is your Father; He loves you and you are in relationship with Him and you know you will find what you ask for in faith. God is your Father; you better not ask for something until you understand that you have a relationship with the God who is your Father...

Matthew 7: 8-11 - [8] ' to mean everyone who asks receives; and he that seeketh findeth; and he that knocketh, shall be loosed. [9] 'Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?' [10] 'Or if he asks a fish, will he give him a serpent?' [11] ' If you, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, do you not? How much more will your heavenly Father give the good things to those who ask him? ‘If you ask for in this manner, you will enjoy your life of prayer and prayer will not be a burden to you.

+255 719 513 9 **: Amen!

+255 713 626 4 **: I am pregnant now!

+255 713 626 4 **: I guess it is not that they do not tell us the truth, probably they do not understand!

+255 6543335 **: For me, everyone has different traditions. I do not know what to do to get to a place where all Christians can find the right teachings…

Prophet: They are available but very few. That is why many of the Christian life do not have good results because of wrong or weak teachings they receive or fed.

+255 654 333 5 **: Well, we need the power of God to help us get out of this tragedy!

+255 654 333 5 **: I have a question. When a young child is baptized, is this wrong? If I look at many of our churches, children are baptized when they are toddlers or under 5.

Prophet: Okay, WHAT IS BAPTISM? Many people have been convinced that, baptism is ‘water baptism’ that is why you even see young children being baptized. I will bring up the scriptures very briefly.

Are We Christians baptized with water...?

Our baptism is through faith in receiving the Holy Spirit and receiving His power in us. To receive the Holy Spirit, we must believe in the baptism of Jesus Christ. Here now, is the great challenge...

What is the baptism of Jesus?

The baptism of Jesus is His death and resurrection. Unless you believe in dying and rising with Jesus you will not receive the Holy Spirit.

Let me bring you the Scriptures first:

Luke 3:16 - John answered and said unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but there cometh one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire;' so, it means, Jesus did not come to set up Water baptism, no!

He came to establish the baptism of the spirit. Therefore, here comes the question may be: to why Jesus was baptized with water?

In fact, Jesus was baptized in water as a sign and prophecy of death and resurrection. It is not necessary for people to be first baptized with water as a tradition. Therefore, those who baptize in water are the only ones who know about John's baptism and not Jesus' baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 18: 24-26 - [24] 'And a certain Jew named Apollo, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. And he was mighty in the scriptures. [25] The man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and as his spirit was aglow with him, he “began to speak and to teach with correctness the things about Jesus. And he knew only the baptism of John. [26] He began speaking with confidence in the synagogue; even when Priscilla and Aquila heard him and took him to them, they 'directed him in the way of the Lord more correctly.'

Therefore, this servant was preaching about Jesus but he only knew about John's water baptism. Therefore, the baptism of Christian is acquired through trust. Colossians 2:12 - "Buried with Him in baptism; and in that ye were risen with Him, through the faith of the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.”

Vesta: Where do we Africans go wrong?

Prophet: Here is what the true meaning of baptism is, let me explain it well…

Vesta: We are indeed fed with wild cucumbers, God, help us to know your writings and understand it correctly.

Prophet: Unless you believe that Jesus died for our sins and we died with Him spiritually, raised with the Holy Spirit and raised with Him in the spirit; and set very high with God, you cannot receive the power of the Holy Spirit.

Vesta: Absolutely true!

Prophet: What I will say here is the basis of our belief as Christians, that, Jesus died; and we died with him; He arose, and we arose with Him. Colossians 1:23 - "if ye continue in the faith grounded and grounded, and be firm; unless ye be turned from the hope of the gospel which ye heard of him, which was preached unto every creature which is under heaven; of which I Paul was made a Minister. Colossians 2: 4, 6-8 - [4] I say this, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. [6] So as ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him; [7] with a stump and built in Him; being made firm in the faith, as ye have been taught; more than giving thanks. [8] 'See that no one be taken captive by his vain doctrine and empty deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after the manner of Christ.'

Romans 6: 3-5, 8 - [3] 'Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?' [4] 'Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.'

[5]For as ye have been united with him in the likeness of his death, so also ye shall be joined in the likeness of his resurrection; [8) 'But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him; Therefore, unless you believe that we have died to the nature of sin and received life through the Holy Spirit, it is very difficult to live a victorious life through the power of God ... and no other divine power can be gained without believing this truth.

(If you want that anointing, you are here.)

1 Corinthians 15:14, 17 - [14] 'And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.' [17] 'And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. ‘So, if you don't believe this and if you don't know this and you go to church you are still not a Christian.

This is not today's lesson but I just answered the question asked above because it touches some areas of today’s lesson.

+255 785 918 6 **: Amen!

+255 654 333 5 **: Thank you very much Servant of God ... now this lesson I have understood it. So, for those who believes in the baptism of deep water what is it exactly? Because one member of my family this week is going to the deep water baptism.

Prophet: Nothing but will come out wet!

+255 654 333 5 **: When they will hear you about their baptism, they will not understand you! They give their testimonies, some of them on the day they were baptized that, they were touched by the Holy Spirit…

Prophet: You know, many people mix the feelings and power of the Holy Spirit. If you want to know, follow them after two to three days… and see whether they have been transformed…

+255,654,333 5 **: I heard one Servant of God claiming that the true baptism is the baptism of deep water and not shallow water or water in the cup…

Prophet: Now, the challenge is to understand the scriptures…and connect to the reality.

Prophet: God help us too…

Prophet: We end up here for today. We will continue with the second part of our lesson focusing on GOD'S PROMISES.

Continue to next Class 2

Contact: +255743238599

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christian-perspectives · 2 years ago

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The Destruction of the Earth

Isaiah spoke of the destruction of the earth in chapter 24. Because of ramped up sinful lifestyles, God promised to devastate their land and scatter them. Look! The Lord is about to destroy the earth and make it a vast wasteland. He devastates the surface of the earth and scatters the people. Isaiah 24:1 In chapter 23, Isaiah foretold the destruction of the shipping ports of Tyre. Which served as the center of commerce for the world. They brought you grain from Egypt and harvests from along the Nile. You were the marketplace of the world. But now you are put to shame. Isaiah 23:3-4 In Isaiah 24, the focus turned to God’s people. Isaiah called it the destruction of the earth. It’s not talking about the whole earth. Just where the Israelites lived. The Lord is no respecter of persons. This devastation included people from all walks of life. Priests and laypeople, servants and masters, maids and mistresses, buyers and sellers, lenders and borrowers, bankers and debtors—none will be spared. Isaiah 24:2 God brought destruction to the earth once before with a flood. He promised though, that He wouldn’t do that again. But when it comes to sin, He will never look the other way. The earth suffers for the sins of its people, for they have twisted God’s instructions, violated his laws, and broken his everlasting covenant. Isaiah 24:5 In this chapter, Isaiah said, singing and celebrations ceased, joy turned to gloom, with gladness banished. Therefore, a curse consumes the earth. Its people must pay the price for their sin. They are destroyed by fire, and only a few are left alive. Isaiah 24:6

A Picture of Isaiah's Prophecy of Devastation

Isaiah continued this prophecy in chapter 25. Verse 1 begins with honor and praise to God for the wonderful things He does. Verse 2, however, is a different story. You turn mighty cities into heaps of ruins. Cities with strong walls are turned to rubble. Beautiful palaces in distant lands disappear and will never be rebuilt. Isaiah 25:2. As I am writing these words, we are getting a picture of what that scene looks like. According to news reports the Russian army is creating mass devastation in Ukraine. They are turning cities into ruins, which may never be rebuilt. Death has struck people of all ages and walks of life. I am not saying what the Russians are doing is fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy. But it does give us a picture of what he said. What is happening to the Ukrainians is more in line with what Jesus said about the end times. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. Matthew 24:6-7 Destruction and devastation will happen and continue to happen until Jesus comes back again. Whether we just read about it or see it in our backyards, we must remain faithful to the Lord. Even if it looks like the destruction of the entire earth.

The Destruction of the Earth Means the End of Sin

When it comes to dealing with sin, God does not fool around. Sin started with Lucifer which caused his expulsion from heaven. And through his efforts, he brought sin’s contamination onto man. With that, we all have a sinful nature. We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind. Isaiah 64:6 Because God hates sin, every person who ever walked on the earth must choose their eternal destiny. We can choose to spend it with God or away from Him. Jesus, when speaking with His disciples told them (and us) how they can see the heavenly Father. Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6

The Only Way to Heaven

The only way to get to heaven is by accepting what Jesus did for you. He died on the cross and rose again making intercession for all who call upon His name. All other ways, including making no decision, will result in spending eternity away from God. Only through Jesus can anyone have eternal life. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15 The destruction of the whole earth is a reality, but it will come at the end of time. Lord, there are many things we don’t understand. One thing we know though, we must trust you through everything that happens Check out this related post called Does the Mud of Sin Need to be cleansed from Your Life? Read the entire chapter of Isaiah 24. Read the full article

#BibleStudy #Devotions #Isaiah #sin

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igate777 · 3 years ago

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WHEN YOU PRAY, DONT BE LIKE THE HYPOCRITE...

WHAT JESUS TAUGHT US IN THE PLACE OF PRAYER MATHEW 6:5

AND WHEN YOU PRAY, DO NOT BE LIKE THE HYPOCRITES. FOR THEY LOVE TO PRAY STANDING IN THE SYNAGOGUES AND ON THE STREET CORNERS TO BE SEEN BY MEN. TRULY I TELL YOU, THEY ALREADY HAVE THEIR FULL REWARD.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO KNOW ON A PERSONAL BASIS, NOT THROUGH SOME HEAD KNOWLEDGE OR TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS BELIEF SYSTEM, BUT THROUGH A DEEP CONSCIOUS BIBLICAL SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE, TO CONCLUDE THAT THE ENTIRE EARTHLY AND ASCENDING MINISTRY OF JESUS WAS SOLIDLY BUILT ON THE FOUNDATION OF PRAYER.

THIS PERSONAL ACCEPTANCE IS CRITICAL IF WE ARE TO FULFILL THE FATHER’S PROPHETIC INTENTIONS AND PURPOSES FOR OUR LIVES.

PRAYER IS NOT AN OPTION FOR A BELIEVER WHO SEEKS TO SUCCEED ON THE JOURNEY OF LIFE. THEREFORE, LEARNING AND PRACTICING THE THINGS THAT JESUS CHRIST TAUGHT, ESPECIALLY IN THE PLACE OF PRAYER AND INTERCESSION, IS A MAJOR BOOST TO OUR DEVELOPMENT AND SPIRITUAL PROGRESS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS CURRENTLY EMPHASIZING, PARTICULARLY IN THIS HIGHLY CHALLENGING AND DIFFICULT SEASON, IS FOR THE CHURCH TO REVAMP THEIR CALL TO EFFECTIVE PRAYER RESPONSIBILITY.

WE KNOW THE PRAYER IS PRIMARILY TALKING TO THE FATHER. THIS TALK OR COMMUNICATION MUST BE BORN FROM A PLACE OF PURITY AND HONESTY OF HEART.

IF PRAYER IS CONNECTING, RELATING, AND INTERACTING WITH THE MIND OF THE LORD, THEN IT MUST NOT BE DONE FROM THE POSITION OF HYPOCRISY.

JESUS CHRIST TOLD US NOT TO PRAY LIKE THE HYPOCRITES. AN HYPOCRITE IS AN ACTOR; ONE WHO PLAYS A ROLE THAT IS NOT HIS OR HER TRUE ESSENCE AND IDENTITY. AN HYPOCRITE IS A DISSEMBLER!

WE NEED AN IN-DEPTH UNDERSTANDING THAT OUR PRIMARY ASSIGNMENT IS TO PRAY, AND TO PRAY THE WAY THE LORD TAUGHT US ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES. THERE ARE FEW THINGS JESUS TOLD HIS DISCIPLES WHEN THEY ASKED HIM TO TEACH THEM HOW TO PRAY, AS JOHN TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLE. INDEED, THERE IS A SOUND, WELL LAID DOWN BIBLICAL DOCTRINE THAT WE SHOULD LEARN SO THAT WE CAN GREATLY ENHANCE OUR APOSTOLIC MANDATE.

HOWEVER, BIBLICAL-CENTERED PRAYER DEMANDS THAT WE SHIFT OUR FOCUS ATTENTION AND DIRECTION FROM EARTHLY THINGS TO SPIRITUAL REALITY. THIS IS THE FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANTLY POINT IN APPROACHING THE INITIATIVE OF PRAYER. PRAYER MEANS WE SHIFT FOCUS FROM OURSELVES, FROM THE EVENTS AND SITUATIONS CAPTIVATING OUR ATTENTION.

TO PRAY IS TO FOCUS ON THE HEART OF THE FATHER; TO SEEK TO KNOW THE DESIRE TO HIS MIND REGARDING THE PETITION WE’VE BROUGHT BEFORE HIM. THIS ATTITUDE IS WHAT MAKES PRAYER EFFECTIVE WHEN ALL DISTRACTION IS REMOVED FROM OUR HEART BEFORE APPROACHING THE THRONE OF GOD.

ONLY WHEN WE’VE SUCCESSFULLY REMOVED OUR THOUGHTS AND IMAGINATIONS FROM ALL FORMS OF EARTHLY NEEDS AND DISTRACTION IN PRAYER, AND TUNE IN TO THE HEAVENLY REALM, CAN WE TRULY SAY WE ARE PRAYING. MEANING THAT WE MUST BE HUNDRED PERCENT, FOCUS ON WHAT THE LORD DESIRES FOR US.

BIBLICAL PRAYER IS NOT JUST ABOUT WHAT WE THINK IS RELEVANT AS A REQUEST TO BE PRESENTED TO THE LORD, BUT ALSO ABOUT GETTING TO KNOW AND HEAR THE HEARTBEAT OF THE LORD REGARDING EVERY SITUATION WITHIN AND AROUND US. THIS UNDERSTANDING CHANGES OUR PERSPECTIVE AND PHILOSOPHY AROUND SPIRITUAL MATTERS, PARTICULARLY IN THE PLACE OF INTERCESSION AND PRAYER.

. PRAYER IS FIRST TURNING TO THE FATHER’S HEART. HE SAID TURN TO ME AND BE SAVED. SO, WHEN YOU PRAY, JESUS SAYS, WE MUST START BY SAYING, OUR FATHER, WHO IS IN HEAVEN, MEANING THAT OUR FOCUS MUST BE ON HIM. WE MUST RECOGNIZE HIS PLACE AND POSITION AS A FATHER IN OUR LIVES.

IT'S FROM THIS POINT THAT WE BEGIN TO LAY SOLID LAYERS IN OUR RELATIONSHIP OF PRAYING TO THE FATHER. AND OF COURSE, THE TEMPLATES THAT ALLOW OUR PRAYERS TO BECOME EFFECTIVE.

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god-whispers · 3 years ago

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jan 10

shall we talk today about our fellowship with God? it is necessary for us to remain God centered if we are to walk in the Spirit, as we are commanded to do. "walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." gal 5:16 there are many ways for one to remain God centered. shall we investigate a few?

personally, my favorite way is to spend time in worship and praise. there is a song that says "it does as much for us as it does for Him cause we get lifted up". i know it's not scripture, but i believe it is truth. it says in revelation 4:8, "the four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. and they do not rest day or night, saying: 'holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!'"

there is a constant worship of God in heaven as they linger in His presence; just beholding Him and His glory. as we behold Him in our limited way, i think we can join in that choir. we are admonished, "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord". eph 5:19

then there are times of intercession. we labor in prayer in behalf of others. as we bear "bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ". gal 6:2 there are times when one is going through something so difficult that we are allowed to help carry their cross. we may be weeping for someone around the world and never have an understanding in this life. have you been awakened to pray? respond.

there are times when we bring our petitions before the Lord. we are told in luke 18 about the widow who wore down the judge with her constant badgering. "and shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?" luke 18:7 we do not pray in unbelief because the answer did not come when or as we expected. in faith we persist and in faith we believe, "the Lord will perfect that which concerns me". psalm 138:8

we may also come to the Lord in times of fellowship. have you ever just talked to the Lord. not about your wants or needs, just about things going on. have a conversation with Him as with a friend. have you ever bothered to ask God what was on His mind? did you ask Him to share it with you? and perhaps that brings us to the final thing i want to mention on prayer.

just be quite before the Lord. in other words, "be still, and know that I am God". psalm 46:10 this is not a time when your mind is vacant of thought. it's where all your thought is directed at Him. it a time of exploring the wonders of His person. a time of knowing where we are in comparison. a time of realizing the great love that emanates from Him.

yet prayer can often seem dry and tedious. the enemy will try to fill your mind with all sorts of thoughts and distractions. i am reminded of a couple stanzas from a poem.

Ah dearest Lord! I cannot pray, My fancy is not free; Unmannerly distractions come, And force my thoughts from Thee.

Sweet Jesus! teach me how to prize These tedious hours when I, Foolish and mute before Thy Face, In helpless worship lie.

Prayer was not meant for luxury, Or selfish pastime sweet; It is the prostrate creature's place At his Creator's Feet.

so i urge you to remain persistent in your endeavor. time and persistence will soon not only make this a cherished and sought for time, but a necessary one to walk in His understanding and power.

He wants us to be one with Him, even as the Son was. i believe there is a time coming such as the world has never known. scripture says the Spirit was given to Jesus without measure. will it be given to us without measure also? that i do not know. i do know what scripture says. "for whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." rom 8:29 i also know we can do nothing unless we abide in Him.

we must be practiced and conditioned to hear His "clarion call". as we lay aside the things which bind us to this world, let us "be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." rom 12:2 let us all grasp more firmly the joy set before us.

linda

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goddardfamilyrefuge · 3 years ago

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One day an important man was riding in a chariot on a dusty road. As he bounced to and fro, he was trying to read the Scriptures. The Lord told Philip to approach the chariot and talk to the man inside who was reading from Isaiah 53 (Acts 8:26–40). Philip asked him, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man replied, “How can I . . . unless someone explains it to me?” (vv. 30–31). Philip told the man the “good news about Jesus” (v. 35), and this Ethiopian official became the first recorded African believer in Christ!

In the second half of his book, Isaiah looks forward to Israel’s return from their exile (Isaiah 40–66). Because the exile was a result of Israel’s sin, Isaiah also foretold of a unique servant, Jesus, who would pay the ultimate sacrifice for their sins and for the sins of those to come: “For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (53:12).

This servant of the Lord would not look impressive by worldly standards (53:2). In fact, He would be despised and rejected by many (53:3). He would be beaten to the point that He would look inhuman (52:14). Unlike Israel, this servant would not suffer for His own wrongdoing. Instead, He suffered on behalf of those who had sinned. “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (53:5). The suffering of the Lord Jesus was not merely for Israel’s sins, but for all the nations (52:15).

>> God fulfilled the promise told by Isaiah. As one commentator put it, “there is only one brow upon which this crown of thorns will fit.” Because Jesus, the suffering servant, paid our debt, rose again, and conquered the grave, we have eternal hope! Read Isaiah 53:5 and reflect deeply on His sacrifice today.

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the-christian-walk · 4 years ago

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BE EQUIPPED

Can I pray for you in any way?

Send any prayer requests to [email protected] In Christ, Mark

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

** Follow The Christian Walk on Twitter @ThChristianWalk

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”

“Nothing,” they answered.

He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in Me. Yes, what is written about Me is reaching its fulfillment.”

The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”

“That’s enough!” He replied.

Luke 22:35-38

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Jesus had less than 24 hours left to live and His arrest was imminent as soon as He arrived at Gethsemane’s garden and finished praying. His disciples had leaned on Him and leaned on Him hard over the past three years they traveled together. They had all they ever needed in Jesus, all they could ever ask for, but their safety net would soon be removed from them. Jesus’ faithful, chosen followers would be on their own, left to not only carry on Jesus’ ministry work but also to fend for themselves.

The road ahead was not going to be an easy one. Emboldened with a renewed burst of confidence after feeling they had eliminated Jesus, the Jewish religious authorities would next turn their attention to any of His followers and there weren’t any better candidates than the ones who comprised Jesus’ trusted inner circle.

As we turn to our scriptures, we find Jesus using what little time He had remaining to try and provide His disciples some final guidance. Look again at His words here:

Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”

“Nothing,” they answered.

The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”

“That’s enough!” He replied. Luke 22:35-38

You may remember Jesus sending His disciples out for a trial ministry run, one that would give them a foretaste of what would be to come. Wanting them to rely on faith more than their own self sufficiency, Jesus gave His followers these orders:

When Jesus called the Twelve together, He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt… So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.” Luke 9:1-3, 6

The disciples did as they were told and were no worse for wear for it. They learned to go forth to do the work of the Lord without needing anything except the basics, not only surviving but thriving.

As we fast forward in Luke to Chapter 22, we find Jesus reminding the disciples of their first commission to go and do the work of their Master. He asked His disciples:

"When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”

To which they replied:

“Nothing.”

Indeed, they relied on the Lord to provide for them as they did His work and in return, they were rewarded for their faithful commitment.

But Jesus wanted His followers to understand that what happened in the past was in the past and things were going to have to change if the disciples were going to make it through what was ahead.

And so He basically gives them a message that lets them know they now need to do the exact opposite of what they did prior. It was important for them to be equipped to go forth and answer the call to carry on the work that Jesus had started.

Now, they needed to make sure they supplied themselves to survive when they were exiled and scattered, when they were being hunted and pursued. If they had a purse, they were to take it with them and if they didn’t have a cloak, then Jesus demanded they get one, even selling a weapon if necessary. For things were about to go south in a hurry and what would happen to Jesus would be a fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah:

…He poured out His life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12

This fulfillment, resulting in death, wasn’t an option. Jesus made sure His disciples knew that what would happen had to be done to Him because He was the only One who could serve as the perfect atoning sacrifice to bring salvation for all people, those Jesus identified as “the transgressors”.

Jesus’ direction seemed to be simple enough but something got lost in translation. We know this because it seems His followers thought their efforts should go toward shoring up their defense, immediately showing Jesus two swords. Their words obviously frustrated Jesus who quickly closed the discussion with the words:

“That’s enough!”

And that was that. Soon, Jesus’ words would come alive and the disciples would find that life without Him would be harder than they could have ever expected. But I’m sure they fell back on His words, remembering His guidance to be prepared and ready for whatever might come, equipping themselves accordingly.

And this brings us to some questions that I think our lesson is asking all of us to consider today.

How ready are we in advance to carry on the work of Jesus in His name?

How well do we prepare ourselves to carry out His will and way in our lives?

Like the disciples, are we focused on needing the wrong things instead of focusing on what’s most important for the ministry work we need to do?

These are valid questions for us to consider because today, just as in the New Testament days documented by Luke, we find Jesus followers still answering His call to ministry and having done some missionary work before, I can tell you from experience that there is a lot of preparation required before you leave so that you’ll be ready to carry out the work of the Lord.

As in the days of Jesus, it still pays to be equipped.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it. Send any prayer requests to [email protected]

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itsyourchoicedevotionals · 3 years ago

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Part 4: Dominion Using Authority

“…To obey is better than sacrifice…” 1Samuel 15:22NIV

Discussing dominion/authority, so far, we’ve learned how we receive and lose what’s rightfully ours. Through Jesus Christ— we’ve been returned to all the authority of Adam— IF we exercise faith in dominion.

The following lengthy message from a dear friend is very interesting— *********************************************** Holy Spirit asked if I would go to Yellowstone National Park. I did not do any research, but the last time He asked me to go somewhere was Mother’s Day weekend 2018. I didn’t know why I was going, but while there He took me to The Korean War Memorial. He then told me that I was sent there as a representative of all the Korean mothers who had been in intercession for their children and their nation, North and South. I was there to declare peace and to speak certain words to release the power to bring this war to conclusion. A year later Trump meets with NK and September 22 2020 South Korea calls for an official end to the war. It will happen. Before that trip I didn’t do any research I don’t like putting ideas in my head before a prayer assignment because I am not there to pray my will. While I was flying to Yellowstone, I opened a map in the plane and two tourists sites jumped out at me. The first one is called Earthquake Lake. It was the site of a terrible earthquake that killed many campers back in the 50’s. The second site was the geyser basin. I still didn’t know why I was going but I knew it was nature related. Side note: I do not think it was a coincidence I was there on Rosh Hashanah. Saturday morning the 19th I drove an hour to my first stop which was Earthquake Lake. As I was driving Holy Spirit instructed me to place my hands on the ground and say “ Peace peace, it’s not your time yet. You must calm down.” Afterward He had me speak over the region and pray for a few hours. Later, the same day I drove an hour in the other direction to the Geyser Basin. Before I got to Old Faithful, which was my original intent, He instructed me to stop at a river. The River was beside a field of small geysers. As I was walking the property He made me sit in a particular spot and told me to place my hands on the ground and again say “Peace Peace, It’s not your time yet.” I then walked the grounds praying. When I was done, He told me I’d finished what He sent me for and I could enjoy the rest of my stay and see the sites. Sunday 20th I went up to the Canyons. While there He gave me an amazing teaching on our relationship and responsibility to the earth. From the beginning in Genesis we learn that one of our original purposes on this earth was to dominate it. To take control of it. The earth was not made to make decisions for itself. Man was always supposed to supply the direction of the earth. GOD did not create this earth to just exist. It needs a master. For thousands of years its masters have been negligent. The enemy has hijacked the earth again after the resurrection. Satan had his authority taken from him by the Son Of Man. But he has found a way to still dominate by tricking man into using his creative power of speech for his purposes. Which this time it’s to destroy the earth. Satan created a false religion called ‘Climate Change.’ With the rise of this religion he has been able to create a world wide prayer chain of destruction. Millions of people around the world from every nation are praying and confessing that our world is dying. Words have power. This earth has been waiting for man to take control and give it direction, Romans 18:19. The earth can not reason, it can only obey what man is saying. This rise was made possible by man once again being negligent. We as believers still have time to stop his plans in our planet. We have focused on the man made drama but neglected the natural responsibility. There is still time. We need to wake up believers to use God’s Word to declare over the earth words that cause healing and replenish those things that are depleting. No animal should have ever become extinct. No ozone should ever have been depleted. No virus should have ever been allowed to jump from animal to human. But there is still time. Over and over and over GOD expresses His desire to return to the earth and stand on its mountains. His desire is not to destroy the earth but to cleanse it so He can return and live here with us. That part is our responsibility. Our words needs to redirect what the earth thinks it’s supposed to do. Mans words through guidance of the enemy is causing the earth to destroy itself. But there is still time to change this. We must change the destructive course our planet is on. Words have power. He is the word. He gave us His name. We MUST course correct our planet. ***************************************** What are we saying? Praying? Believing? Will we fulfill our purpose of dominion, creating godly control for the earth we’re in charge of? It’s your choice. You choose.

PRAYER: Father forgive us for neglecting our job. Help us to speak healing and guidance into the earth in Jesus Christ’s name.

#Jesus Christ #lord of lords #Word of God #Holy Spirit #God #it's your choice #devotional #authority #using #negligent #declare #peace #pray #natural #love #hope #faith

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uglysantas · 4 years ago

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Blessed To Be Called Mimi Floral T Shirt

Communication of faith 1 living faith 2 active faith 3 powerful faith philemon 1 6 that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in christ jesus power authority in jesus christ john 14 12 verily verily I say unto you he that believeth on me the works that I do shall he do also and greater works than these shall he do because I go unto my father don’t let the devil steal your joy nehemiah 8 10 for the joy of the lord is your strength 1 joy should not be dependent on our abundance habakkuk 3 17 18 although the fig tree shall not blossom neither shall fruit be in the vines the labour of the olive shall fail and the fields shall yield no meat the flock shall be cut off from the fold and there shall be no herd in the stalls yet I will rejoice in the lord I will joy in the god of my salvation psalms 4 7 thou hast put gladness in my heart more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased abounded 2 joy should not be dependent on our acceptance matthew 5 11 12 blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you acts 13 50 52 but the jews stirred up the devout and honourable women and the chief men of the city and raised persecution against paul and barnabas and expelled them out of their coasts but they shook off the dust of their feet against them and came unto iconium and the disciples were filled with joy and with the holy ghost 3 joy should not be dependent on our circumstance acts 16 23 25 and when they had laid many stripes upon them they cast them into prison charging the jailor to keep them safely who having received such a Blessed To Be Called Mimi Floral T Shirt charge thrust them into the inner prison and made their feet fast in the stocks and at midnight paul and silas prayed and sang praises unto god and the prisoners heard them wherever we are we should be in god’s presence psalms 16 11 in god’s presence there is fulness of joy at god’s right hand there are pleasures for evermore 4 joy should not be dependent on our challenges for in christ we have the victory joshua stopped the sun and moon moses split the ocean david slew an evil giant paul’s praise caused an earthquake hezekiah’s praise wiped out an army elisha raised a dead boy to life www njchurch org sermons eternal joy mp3 I am god I change not romans 11 29 for the gifts and calling of god are without repentance if god gave you a promise a dream hold on to it trust him and in due time he will fulfill his word for he is faithful malachi 3 6 for I am the lord I change not therefore ye sons of jacob are not consumed nothing can harm us for god’s love to us is stedfast numbers 23 19 god is not a man that he should lie neither the son of man that he should repent hath he said and shall he not do it or hath he spoken and shall he not make it good romans 8 28 34 and we know that all things work together for good to them that love god to them who are the called according to his purpose for whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son that he might be the firstborn among many brethren moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified what shall we then say to these things if god be for us who can be against us he that spared not his own son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things who shall lay any thing to the charge of god’s elect it is god that justifieth who is he that condemneth it is christ that died yea rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of god who also maketh intercession for us romans 8 37 in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us www njchurch org sermons change mp3 focus on god psalms 27 1 4 the lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear the lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid one thing have I desired of the lord that will I seek after that I may dwell in the house of the lord all the days of my life to behold the beauty of the lord and to enquire in his temple mark 12 30 and thou shalt love the lord thy god with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind and with all thy strength this is the first commandment www njchurch org sermons focus mp3 everything works out for our eternal good time is passing youth is fading thoughts and plans pass away education degrees may fade away in glory on that day i’ll see my jesus as he’ll be glorious day wonderful day awesome day sorrows will pass away pain will go away sickness no more that day seeing jesus face to face jesus lover of your soul beckons you as time of your death draws near to you as relatives surround you and loved ones wail missing you your life live keeping jesus first in joy of the holy spirit finish your race with power keep your faith forever romans 8 28 and we know that all things work together for good to them that love god to them who are the called according to his purpose www njchurch org sermons 4good mp3 why we have to live a righteous life and what is the difference between the righteous wicked 1 wicked temporary prosperity but eternal torment 2 righteous temporary adversity but eternal prosperity 1 wicked attacks the righteous but is destroyed in the process 2 righteous prays for the wicked turns them to righteous there by saving many from destruction 1 wicked chaff which wind driveth away 2 righteous abideth for ever like trees planted by rivers of water 1 wicked their paths and thoughts will perish 2 righteous their plans and thoughts will flourish 1 wicked will rot with the devil and will be ashes under the feet of the righteous 2 righteous will become like god and live with god in the heavenly jerusalem in structures made of transparent gold foundation of jewels and gates of pearls 1 wicked will lose everything 2 righteous will gain everything proverbs 15 29 the lord is far from the wicked but he heareth the prayer of the righteous proverbs 10 25 as the whirlwind passeth so is the wicked no more but the righteous is an everlasting foundation proverbs 29 16 when the wicked are multiplied transgression increaseth but the righteous shall see their fall look up lift up your heads rapture is imminent don’t be distracted be attracted to jesus luke 21 28 and when these things begin to come to pass then look up and lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh we are trees planted by the living water jesus to bear fruit in our season psalms 1 3 and he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that bringeth forth his fruit in his season his leaf also shall not wither and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper when a fruit tree flowers you know the unripe fruit will soon follow when the fruit is ripe it gets a new beautiful color red yellow or green now it is time to look up lift your head and pluck the fruit and enjoy it’s delicious taste our lord jesus christ the fruit we have waited for 2 000 years is coming to transform our vile body into the likeness of his divine godly immortal body we will look like him and be with him for evermore the fruit on the tree is about to ripen what we lived longed and hoped for is about to happen look up at the tree of life jesus christ and enjoy his fruit song of solomon 2 3 as the apple tree among the trees of the wood so is my beloved among the sons I sat down under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet to my taste psalms 24 7 10 lift up your heads o ye gates and be ye lift up ye everlasting doors and the king of glory shall come in who is this king of glory the lord strong and mighty the lord mighty in battle lift up your heads o ye gates even lift them up ye everlasting doors and the king of glory shall come in who is this king of glory the lord of hosts he is the king of glory selah www njchurch org sermons trump mp3 mountains will disappear iron gates will melt turbulent oceans will become a highway micah 2 13 the breaker is come up before them they have broken up and have passed through the gate and are gone out by it and their king shall pass before them and the lord on the head of them isaiah 41 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 psalms 114 3 4 7 the sea saw it and fled jordan was driven back the mountains skipped like rams and the little hills like lambs tremble thou earth at the presence of the lord at the presence of the god of jacob www njchurch org sermons breaker mp3 _________________________________________ christianity is not a religion it is a relationship www njchurch org presentations christianity pdf watch worship him and praise him and jesus christ god almighty goes before you on youtube how to move mountains break barriers overcome fear inherit god’s promises jesus is coming soon www etube us. Yesterday morning I checked my bank account and noticed two charges from your company I was not made aware that these charges would happen I called immediately went on chat 630am as soon as it was open I asked to have these orders cancelled and refunded one was cancelled but the other was not I was told if it ended up going to the shipping carrier you would have it sent back to you and I would be refunded this did not happen and now its on its way to me I have now been only offered a partial refund and am stuck with diapers too small for my child I am very concerned that the honest company charges their customers without informing them beforehand then will not fully refund them for products they do not want need. To disrespect those who lost their lives at grenfell tower as well as their families and loved ones is utterly unacceptable

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dalyunministry · 4 years ago

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¶ Pas. Johnraj Lamech

Greetings in the matchless Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¶ Topic: Jesus in the Ministry of Intercession.

Rhema Word (1) : Hebrews 7:24-25 “Because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.”

Rhema Word (2) : Ezekiel 22:30 (NKJV) “I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.”

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. We give all the Glory and Honour to you only Lord. We pray in the mighty Name of your beloved Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer is the most important work on earth. It is the greatest thing that anyone can do on earth to advance the interest of God, the Church, man and himself. Yes, prayer is the greatest power in all the world. Unless the prayer life of an individual is revived and kept vigorous, all that may be happening in his spiritual life may be just activities of the soul life, which are bound to be short-lived before man and of no consequences at all before God.

Yes, prayer is the way to God’s heart. God has committed Himself to answer all prayers that are in His will and that flow forth from pure hearts.

Remember, praying people have more power over nations than heads of Countries and the world is controlled by praying believers. Yes, one praying man can change a life, family, city, nation and continent. Yes, all things are possible to the one who prays.

Let us try to understand the following today with the help of our beloved Holy Spirit:

1] Who is an Intercessor and what is his importance in this world?

2] Why an Intercessor is required?

3] The Lord Jesus as Intercessor while on Earth:

4] The Lord Jesus as Intercessor while in Heaven:

5] The Holy Spirit – the Resident Intercessor:

6] What God expects from us today?

Firstly, let us try to understand who is an Intercessor and what is his importance in this world?

An Intercessor is a person or a group of persons who take the sin of another on himself or themselves, identify fully with the sin and the sinner, and then labour with God until the guilty party is forgiven. God has ordained the ministry of intercession so that through it the needs of people that would otherwise not be met are met. It is a part of His great love for man. In intercession, the helpless can receive help, the ignorant can become informed, and the untaught can become taught.

Intercessors are needed because they stand in the gap between man and God, causing God to bless man or causing God not to bring well-deserved punishment upon man. Although intercessors are so important, the tragedy is that they are in short supply. God Himself has complained about their shortage, and there is much judgement that could have been averted had He found an intercessor. The judgement of God has come and is coming on the world, not only because the world has sinned, but because there is a shortage of intercessors. No one pleaded before God. No one asked for pardon. God waited in vain for someone to do something about it – intercede- but nothing was done. The Lord, instead of punishing them as they deserved, went out of His way to seek for a man among them who could intercede. He looked and looked, searched and searched, but it was all in vain. Because the Lord found no intercessor, He poured out His indignation upon the people.”

Isaiah recorded this in Isaiah 59:15-16 “So truth fails, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. Then the Lord saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; and His own righteousness, it sustained Him.”

Please note, God does not normally wonder. However, He wondered! He did not wonder because of their sin. He wondered that there was no one to intercede.

Ezekiel recorded in Ezekiel 22:29-31 “The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads, says the Lord God.”

If I am not an intercessor, I am the one to be blamed. Others should not be blamed. Shall we check ourselves? Yes, I am the root-cause for this pandemic situation in the world, because I failed to stand in the gap and intercede before my Lord for the sins of the world…

Secondly, Why an Intercessor is required?

Prophet Ezekiel recorded the reasons very clearly in Ezekiel 22:23-31 ”And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, say to her: ‘You are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation.’ The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain. Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord had not spoken. The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God.

Yes, the people committed many evils, the political leaders, the priests, the prophets and the entire population. Regardless of this, the Lord was looking for just one intercessor who could change the situation. He did not say, “I sought for men among them,” but, “And I sought for a man among them.” Yes, He wanted a man. He still wants a man. One will serve the purpose!

Yes, God was saying that the political leaders could continue to be corrupt. The priests and prophets could continue to be as bad as they were; the population could continue to be what it was. However, if He found one intercessor, the nation would not be punished!

As far as I am concerned, this one of the greatest possibilities in the Word of God: the fact that God can act so mightily if He finds an intercessor.

I need to face one question truly and honestly. The question is, “Am I an intercessor? Do I intercede? If I am an intercessor, things ought to change. Things must change. Things will change.

If I am not the intercessor, I am the one to be blamed. The problem is not with God. The problem is not with others. The problem is me.

Let us examine ourselves…Am I an intercessor?

Thirdly, The Lord Jesus as Intercessor while on Earth:

The Lord Jesus prayed! He was given to prayer. He laboured at it. He went to the temple at the age of twelve and astounded those who spoke with Him. He was well able to start public ministry then. Why then did He wait until He was thirty? I believe that He spent those eighteen years interceding for the ministry that He was to carry out later on. He spent eighteen years preparing through intercession for a three-and-a-half-year ministry. He therefore invested about five years of preparation in every year of public ministry! This we would learn from Him.

In John 17, Jesus permits us to see something of what prayer meant to Him and what He went through. We shall look at it briefly, for it opens our eyes to intercession as it ought to be.

a] Jesus’ Introduction to Father:

Jesus addressed His intercession to the Father. He was so caught up with Him. He lifted His eyes towards heaven. There was a burden, a consuming passion, in His heart. He hoped that the Father might glorify Him. He confessed the power that the Father had given Him over all flesh. He confessed to the Father what the power given Him was. He declared to the Father what He already knew-what eternal life is (John 17:1-3).

b] Jesus’ Presentation to Father on His faithfulness:

The next thing that Jesus did was to confess to the Father the fact that He had been faithful. He said:

• I have glorified thee on earth (John 17:4)

• I have accomplished the work which you have given to me to do (Verse 4)

• I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. (Verse 6)

• They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. (Verse 6)

• Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. (Verse 7)

• I have given to them the words which You have given Me. (Verse 8)

• They have received them” (Verse 8)

• They have known surely that I came forth from You.” (Verse 8)

• They have believed that You sent Me.” (Verse 8)

So Jesus clearly presented to the Father the fact that He had been faithful. He told Him very clearly that the work had been accomplished and that it had borne fruit in the lives of the disciples. He also told the Father clearly how the fruit was manifested.

What we learn from this? One who had received a commission from the Father and fulfilled it would be in a position to intercede. Remember, the unfaithful can never intercede. God will not be able to hear them! Are we faithful to our Lord in accomplishing His commission?

c] Those for whom Jesus was interceding?:

Jesus was interceding not just for everybody. He had a clear burden for a particular people. He did not leave this in His heart. He made sure that He told the Father those He had in mind. He put it plainly as follows:

• I am praying for them (Verse 9)

• I am not praying for the world (Verse 9)

• I am praying for those whom you have given me (Verse 9)

• I am praying for thine (Verse 9)

• I am praying for those in whom I am glorified (Verse 10)

• I am praying for mine who are in the world and cannot come with me as I am leaving the world (Verse 11)

• I am praying for those who will believe in me through their word

Real intercessors have a clear burden and a clear object of intercession. Jesus refused to pray for the world. He prayed for His own. Let us examine ourselves. To what extent do we follow suit?

One more thing, Throughout His intercession He talks of the Word:

They have kept Thy Word.

• I have given them the words which you gave me.

• They have received them.

• I have given them your Word.

• Sanctify them in the truth.

That they also may be consecrated in truth.

Those who believe in me through their word.

One thing becomes clear: real intercession is standing on the Word of God. There is no other basis for intercession.

An intercessor cannot ask the Father to do in others what he has not allowed the Father to do in himself. He must be different from those for whom he is interceding. He cannot step into the gap for others while he himself is bound by the things that hold them in bondage. Jesus was more clear about this. He said “They are not of the world even as I am not of the world… As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world... For their sake I consecrate myself, that they also might be consecrated in truth…the glory which you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one.

Personal Lessons what we can learn from Jesus’ Intercession:

• I cannot have God move except by prayer.

• I must live a holy life. To sin and intercede is an abomination.

• In intercession I must not take for granted that God knows everything. It is my duty to tell Him everything.

• Intercession is arguing a case with God. It is presenting it neatly and thoroughly in such a way that God is compelled to act.

• Intercession is the holy act of compelling God to do the things in His will that He has decided will not be done unless the compelling is done by prayer and fasting.

• I must put in all that I have, all that I can put in, before I can intercede honestly.

• God must be petitioned in prayer as He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

• Although I must come to Him with boldness because of the shed blood of Jesus, I must always come with fear and trembling.

Fourthly, The Lord Jesus as Intercessor while in Heaven:

Hebrews 7:23-28 “Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore, He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.”

We know that our Lord Jesus Christ paid the price for man’s salvation and finished every thing Father assigned to Him to do. When He got back to heaven, He could have settled there to perpetual enjoyment of the glory of heaven. He could have said, “I have done my part. If anyone wants my salvation, holiness, and glory, let him do his part as I have done mine.” This would have been perfectly logical. It could have been perfectly acceptable. However, Jesus did not do that. He knew that God works in answer to prayer. God only acts in answer to prayer. He knew that even though He had done all that needed to be done on earth for the salvation and perfection of His own, all would be lost if the Father did not act to bring it to pass. Knowing that the Father always acted in response to prayer, He made intercession His priority in heaven.

Remember, the Father still wants the intercession of the Son before He can act on earth. Yes, He actually wants, looks for, and expects the intercession of the Son before He can act on behalf of the Son’s interests on earth.

Because, this is so, the Son, the glorified Lord Jesus, has given Himself to an unceasing ministry of intercession. The Lord Jesus has been before the Father carrying out active, vigorous, and moving intercession 24 hours every day, from the time He got to heaven until now. He is constant and He is persistent. Isaiah records this in Isaiah 62:6-7 “I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” Jesus is doing the same thing in heaven now. He is the heavenly watchman.

Yes, Jesus has submitted Himself to the Father and committed Himself to intercession. He is living to intercede. He is always interceding. Intercession is one preoccupation and He never departs from it. He has been faithful to His Father. He has been faithful to the people for whom He came to earth. He is a faithful high priest. He is a faithful intercessor.

What is the burden of Jesus’ heavenly intercession?

As we get nearer and nearer the time of Jesus’s return, one subject of intercession that must weigh very heavily on His heart and be most frequent on His lips is: “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:24)” This must be the only burden on His heart, and He must be pressing it in intercession with the Father unceasingly. He well remembers the promise that He made, saying to His own, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:3)

Fifthly, The Holy Spirit – the Resident Intercessor:

Paul while writing to Romans captured this in Romans 8:26-27 ” Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

Jesus promised in John 14:16-17 ”And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”

a] Thank God there is a helper available:

The Bible says: “The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought.” The Lord is committed to intercession. He is also committed in intercession. He has promised the intercessors a helper to help them in all their weaknesses in intercession. When the intercessor has come to the end of himself, he should remember that he has a helper. When he is so confused and disintegrated in praying, he should remember that he has a helper. That helper is the Holy Spirit. He is resident in the intercessor to provide help from inside. When you as an individual get to that point where there seems to be no breakthrough, when there seems to be a real impasse, do not give up. There is a helper around. He is resident in your spirit, and wants to help you. Because He is helping you, you should press on. Soon the cloud will be over and the weakness gone and you are through to communion and battle again.

b] Lack of knowledge to pray as we ought:

Remember, the spiritual dimensions are huge. The dimensions are not easily fathomable. The Bible warns us that we are not fighting with flesh and blood but with spirits – principalities, powers, wicked hosts of darkness in heavenly places, etc. The battle being spiritual, that is, against spirits, we cannot fight with the arms of the flesh or soul. We cannot merely use our wills, minds and emotions. Our spirits have to be released. We must have our intuitions fully sensitized by the Holy Spirit.

There is another side – even if our spirits were normal all the time and our souls responding perfectly to what is released from the spirit, we would still see only in part. Believers like the apostle Paul also experienced this and says in 1 Corinthians 13:12 ”For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” Because of this limited knowledge, there are many things about which the sincere, consecrated, advanced intercessor cannot intercede as he ought.

c] There is a Helper to Help:

The Bible tells us that when we do not know how to pray as we ought to pray – that is, when we pray and fall short because of our weakness and limitations through seeing only in part – the Holy Spirit prays for us.

d] The Intercessor for Intercessors:

The Holy Spirit intercedes for intercessors! This is wonderful! He does not intercede for those who are too lazy to intercede, too sleepy to intercede or too busy to intercede. He intercedes for those who, having put in all the time, energy, effort, and drive, still fall short fulfilling their ministry as intercessors and still fall short of the successful moving of God’s hand to move the hand of man.

The Holy Spirit helps in weakness in two ways. First of all, He renews the strength of the intercessors and gives them more knowledge to see things God’s way. The Bible says in Isaiah 40:29-31 “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

e] Praying with sighs too deep for words:

The Holy Spirit not only helps the intercessor by strengthening him; He also intercedes for him. He prays to the Father for the intercessor. He prays to the Father what the intercessor has in his heart but cannot pray. He also prays what He knows is the will of the Father but which the intercessor does not know so that what is lacking is made up for.

We can therefore say that the intercession of the Holy Spirit is for:

• The renewal of the strength of the weak and weary intercessor

• The strengthening of the intercessor

• The lifting of the intercessor to new heights of intercession

• The things that the intercessor has left out in error

• The things for which the intercessor has prayed too inadequately

• The things that are in the will of God but which the believer does not know about

• The plans of the devil that are unknown to the intercessor.

These sevenfold coverage assures the sincere intercessor that after he has done all that he could, he should not be swept away by discouragement and worry about what has not been done, but rest in the Lord and count on the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit to put the finishing, enabling and transforming touches on his efforts. What an encouragement!

The glory of the whole intercession is that the Holy Spirit not only intercedes, He intercedes at the highest height and at the deepest depth. We know that there are three planes at which one can intercede. These planes are:

1] With known words (with the human mind)

2] With unknown words (with the human spirit which receives utterance from the Holy Spirit)

3] Without words (with sighs, groans, etc)

It is at the third plane, the highest, that the Holy Spirit intercedes with groans and sighs that are too deep either for words that are known or for words that are unknown. The needs of the intercessor are transformed into groans and sighs. The Spirit searches the heart of the intercessor, sees what is there, perfects it and completes it. He then prays it through to God in sighs and groans that are too deep for words.

The Lord Jesus said in John 14:16 “ And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.” Yes, Jesus is the first comforter who is in heaven interceding. The Holy Spirit is another comforter who is in us interceding. We are in good hands. Glory, Glory, Glory be to God, Son and Holy Spirit.

Finally, What God expects from us today?

Remember, the unchanging condition for a life that is invested in intercession is absolute consecration and absolute purity. The Author of Hebrews says in Hebrews 12:14 says “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”

Let us examine ourselves:

Have we laid our all on the altar?

Have we bind our sacrifice with cords on the altar so that it may remain there?

Can God testify to the fact that we are not holding anything back?

Does the Holy Spirit testify to the fact that we have surrendered all and the surrender is irreversible?

If our answers to these questions are “Yes”, surely we can count on the Holy Spirit to intercede for us and with us.

Remember, you are not alone. The Holy Spirit is by you. He is in you. He will not abandon you. He will strengthen, lead, and teach you. He will bless you and lead you into new heights of intercession. He will show you things to come and enable you to intercede for them. He will show that are God’s perfect will and cause you to pray that they will come to pass. He will show you the plans of the enemy and enable you to bring them to nothing. You will have Him as your partner in intercession, and how blessed you will be! Amen.

Yes, God is still searching for a man (could be you or me) and groans with heavy heart “I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.”

Shall we present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God and dedicate ourselves to be an intercessor today?

Let us Pray: Heavenly Gracious Father, we thank you for helping us to understand about “Jesus in the Ministry of Intercession..” Thank you Holy Spirit for helping us to understand about an intercessor and his importance in this world, reasons for requirement of an intercessor, how your beloved Son Jesus interceded while on Earth and still interceding in heaven for us continuously since His resurrection till date and how you are in us as resident intercessor and interceding for us while we pray. Please help us to step into the gap today, Lord. We give all praise, glory and honour to your Holy Name Lord. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

God bless you all..

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