THE SEASON OF GOD'S KINGDOM by Adonai Magazine

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Dr. Myles Munroe

For Books or Teachings by Dr. Myles Munroe on CD, audio or video tapes, call or visit us at: Bahamas Faith Ministries International. The Diplomat Center, Carmichael Road. P.O.Box N-9583, Nassau, Bahamas Tel: (242) 341 – 6444. Fax: (242) 361 2260

The Season of God's Kingdom visit www.adonaimag.tv for more articles

e need to talk about sex, particularly sex among singles. The media has too much to say about sex. Billboards go as close to the edge as they can to flaunt sex. Turn on the television, and every day, we’re bombarded with images, many that hinge upon the lewd and the crude. Now here’s a shocker, similar to how a new employee waits 90 days before enjoying a company’s benefits, there’s a concept going around which says, women who date should wait 90 days before sharing benefits of a sexual nature. And there’s more! Popular opinion says 90 days is too long to wait! Did anyone ever think about going to The Expert? God. After all, He created sex—for a husband and a wife, that is.

And just like in the garden, the results of sin are not limited to one person. What happens to one affects another. For instance, the act of fornication involves at least two people. However, these days, many more could be involved, as in group sex. If a pregnancy results, another life or more is added to the equation. One bad decision, in the heat of passion, or weakly following popular opinion can affect an entire family for a lifetime.

The Word of God is very clear concerning sexual activity among singles. It is called fornication, which is consensual sexual intercourse between two people who are not married to each other. The Bible calls it sin sex. Yes, there’s marital sex and then there’s sin sex.

Remember the saying, “If everyone else jumps off a bridge, would you do it too?” Well,

In Corinthians 6:18, God says, “Flee fornication.” That means don’t toy with it, debate it, or consider it—flee! Strong words for sure, but God is serious about this—seriously trying to save you from harmful and unnecessary pitfalls. However sex, like all gifts from God, requires responsibility on the part of the receivers. For example, God richly provided Adam and Eve with the Garden of Eden, but they were not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When they disobeyed by willfully eating the fruit of that tree, there were adverse consequences, not just for the two of them but for all of mankind!

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Another result of “sin sex” is sexually transmitted diseases—or STDs. The numbers for people affected by STDs is on the rise and is at pandemic levels, affecting a large population.

before you decide to follow popular opinion or a media craze, stop and think about it. Also, remember you will receive the corresponding popular results we just talked about, not to mention social embarrassment, a broken heart, or the ultimate—missing God and missing heaven. Popular opinion can vary from day to day. James 1:7 says God does not change. In the end, God is always right. It may take awhile before it is obvious, but He has the last word. Moreover, the Word of God is accurate, dependable, wise, and remains standing, long after popular opinion isn’t popular anymore. If you are ever in doubt about whether the Bible is still relevant or current with the times, the book of Isaiah makes it plain. Remember these words: “The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8, NLT).

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The name Adonai is translated Lord in the Bible. Adon means, “steward administrator, master, or Lord.” The addition of ai to adon intensifies or elevates its meaning, changing it to mean “the ultimate Lord, the Supreme Lord, or Lord of all.” The vision of Adonai Magazine goes beyond denominational, traditional, ethnic and cultural barriers that are sometimes imposed and have interfered with the Lord’s vision for an international kingdom building.

COLUMNISTS

Henry Ayensu Franklin Kwaku Kyei Pas. Abraham Obadare

COVER PHOTO PROPHET ERIC OWUSU

MOVING INTO YOUR YEAR OF VICTORY In the season of times there are times of failure and times of victory, but for 2013 I prophesy over you that it will be a season to enter into the abundant blessings and favor of God. That is why the theme for 2013 is “moving into your year of victory”. If you will agree with me and join us in prayer, and have faith in God, we shall be more than conquerors in Christ Jesus; for he said in Joshua 24:13-14 I have given you a land for which you did not labor and cities you did not build, and you dwell in them; you eat from vineyards and olive yards you did not plant. These will be our portion. After going through the wilderness of life, our God Yahweh, will give us rest and victory will be ours. Shalom: Prophet Eric Owusu Advert on Page 19

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Jimmy Evans

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Trusting God’s Wisdom And Integrity visit www.adonaimag.tv for more articles

he present conditions on the world stage and at the local levels seem to send messages of a future that does not bode well for mankind. Coming straight from an election, which was supposed to make a nation hopeful into a situation where the nation, at the time of writing this piece, was trying to avoid a precarious fiscal cliff that could plunge the world into financial turmoil, does not offer certainty and fortitude.

Coming on the heels of a ceasefire that was just reached between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East, after a week of heavy bombardment of each other’s territory with rockets and bombs, is the news that Iran is making attempts to re-arm Hamas with more powerful rockets. This is no good news for the future; otherwise why would World leaders go into a hyper mood of diplomatic frenzy to stop a war that was just heating up. The planet escaped a major global conflagration via the Iranian Nuclear Crisis with the skin of its teeth in 2012, and is still tethering on the brink of war should Isreal decide to bomb the Iranian facilities. It does not take much to conclude that the future holds no better prospects for the peace and prosperity of mankind than what we have already experienced. One morally disturbing development that silently took place during this last election, which will go a long way to weaken the moral fiber of this nation and affect the moral perceptions of millions now and in the future, is the fact that Maryland, Maine, and Washington, voted to legalize homosexuality; which the Word of God condemns in no uncertain terms as an abomination and perversion (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-28). Rejecting moral perversion is now regarded as intolerance by some in today’s society. Do we still believe in the Word of God that says “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20)? The standard for morality is not what man says but rather what is written in the Word of God. We can argue with man but 6

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we cannot debate God in such matters. “Let God be true and every man a liar”, it is written (Romans 3:34). Even though all around us wars are raging, kingdoms and moral standards are falling, and uncertainty about the future is on the ascendancy; believers can still count on the unfailing Word of the Lord God Almighty (Num. 23:11). In the midst of it all we can still hear the still, soothing, small voice of Jehovah saying, “My children you are safe in me”, because I “the Eternal God, I am your refuge and underneath you are my everlasting arms”; and “because I live, you shall live also”. In Him, our defense is sure. Yes, we can face the uncertain days of the coming years because Jesus lives and He is coming back for His Church (Deut. 33:27; John 14:19). As we come to the close of the year, the Adonai Team would like to encourage our readers to continue to look to God’s Wisdom and Integrity, which are revealed in His plans for our lives and His faithfulness to see us through to the very end. His plans for our lives are for good and not evil; to give us hope and a future; and when He starts a good work He sees it through to a successful end (Jer. 29:11; Philippians 1:6). In His divine wisdom He has set in motion plans for His Church and the individuals who make up His Church. In that divine wisdom He has also purposed all things to work together for the good of His Church. In His integrity He will forever remain faithful to His word and what He has purposed for His people, regardless of what happens around. Be, therefore, steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; for any labor guaranteed and secured by God’s wisdom and integrity shall never be in vain (Rom. 8:28-30; Eph. 1:11; I Corinthians 15:58). MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR READERS

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Joyce Meyer

For more on this topic, order Joyce’s four-CD series Total Restoration. You can also contact us to receive our free magazine, Enjoying Everyday Life, by calling (800) 727-9673 or visiting www.joycemeyer.org. Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. She has authored nearly 100 books, including Battlefield of the Mind and Change Your Words, Change Your Life (Hachette). She hosts the Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs, which air on hundreds of stations worldwide. For more information, visit www.joycemeyer.org.

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Don’t Settle for Stuck in the Middle: Go All the Way with God! t seems that many Christians end up halfway between bondage and victory. What I mean by that is they don’t want to go back to where they came from, but they’re just not sure they can make it all the way through and reach the ultimate goal. But Jesus didn’t die for us to be halfway to anything He oﬀers. God wants us to go all the way the way through.

So what does it take to go all the way through? It takes spiritual maturity, growing up in God and even dying to self. You know, usually we do okay along this journey until it becomes costly, inconvenient or even hurtful. But what we don’t realize is victory is often just on the other side of that pain. I wonder what would have happened if Jesus would have said He wanted some cushion on the cross. The cross means resurrection, but it also means death. Thank God for the resurrection and what happened on Sunday, but in order to get to Sunday, Jesus had to go through the pain and death of the cross. He had to go through it. And victory was waiting on the other side. Why did He have to go through death? To take the keys of hell and death away from Satan (see Revelation 1:18). He did it for us, so we don’t have to live halfway to the best God has for us, and He sent His Holy Spirit to help us go all the way with God. As I mentioned above, in order to go all the way, we first have to die to self. Dying to self, or the desires of the flesh, isn’t easy, but it’s how you gain freedom from the things that are holding you back in life. How do you die to something? You quit feeding it. You see, every time you give in to the desires of your flesh, you feed it. But every time you press through and starve those desires, a little bit of your flesh dies.

I could list hundreds of things I’ve had to die to over the years, but here are just a few. Sin: There were things that I knew without a doubt I shouldn’t do but I did them anyway. I’ve learned through my experiences that I can’t receive the full blessings of God and live with sin in my life. Blame: It’s almost second nature to find someone to blame when something goes wrong. For example, if I lost my car keys, it was because the kids or Dave misplaced them. I eventually got it that always blaming someone else just made me unhappy and it didn’t fix the problem. Excuses: Deciding that “It’s just too hard” or “I’m not like anyone else” is easy to do. But if we will take responsibility for our choices and what we’re supposed to do, we will be more positive in general and make progress in our relationship with God. Self-pity: Feeling sorry for ourselves is the most useless waste of energy on the planet. It does absolutely no good. We can’t let our circumstances or what others do or don’t do control us. We can decide to be happy regardless. Complaining: It may seem like it would be a miracle to get through one day without murmuring or complaining. But if we will set our minds to say positive things instead and ask God to help us, we can progressively get complaining out of our conversation. Just think about how much better your day will be if you go to work and don’t complain about anything. Rebellion: Because my dad abused me, I was determined to never let a man tell me what to do. God clearly showed me that I needed to be a submissive wife if I wanted to be eﬀective in ministry. The truth is, if we don’t learn to submit to authority, we won’t ever learn to submit to God. Reputation: The more people I reach, the more people there are that have opinions about me. Not everyone loves me, but I have to be okay no matter what they think about me.

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Pas. Abraham Obadare

Pastor Abraham Obadare is a minister at Christ Apostolic Church WOSEM, New York City •Our TV programs show: Queens: QPTV 34 on Wednesdays at 10:30pm & Fridays at 5:30pm, Brooklyn: BCAT 56 at 12am on Sunday Long Island: CABLEVISION 20 on Saturday 7:30am Tel: 718 658 8981.

Blessings in Tithing

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ccording to Malachi 3:10-12, there is a list of blessings for you as a tither that I’d like to bring your attention to; believing that the knowledge of this will cause you to rejoice and remain grateful and faithful to God in what He has in stock for you. At the same time this will spur nontithers to start tithing in order to come into the blessing realm that God has provided for them.

When people tithe, they are acknowledging the Almighty God who is the Founder of heaven and earth and the giver of all things. This is what Abram did when he returned from battle, giving the tithe of the spoil to the priest of God (Gen. 14:18-24).

#1. Tithers work under open windows of heaven God says He will throw open the floodgates (windows) of heaven for tithers. First of all I want to register that the blessings of tithers come from heaven, not from man. This verse says “windows of heaven.” Man cannot supply your needs enough, for they themselves have needs. The type of blessings that God promises is not a handout from man but outpouring from up on high. David said I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence come my help, my help comes from the Lord who made the heavens and the earth (Ps. 121:1). Heaven locates God’s people where they are and brings them favor where they don’t know anybody. Now speaking of windows, one Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo of KICC in U.K. said, “When a window is open, you have light where there was darkness, you no longer experience confusion.” 10

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When others are in darkness, tithers are in the light. When your window is open (because you tithe), you are able to see what God is about to do. Window is for vision. You will know where your favor lies and are able to go there, because you are looking through the window. Jacob saw a ladder and he saw what had been scheduled for him in heaven (Gen. 28:10-17), then he said every tithe of what I get will go to God (Gen. 28:1822). Your vision will guide you from today on in the name of Jesus. “People who do not tithe are living in windowless house and windowless lives, because to those who tithe, God shall open windows of heaven.” To operate without the window of heaven is to work under closed heaven. Such man is blind and cannot see what is hidden. As photographers do, the only thing that is developed in the dark room is the negative. But for tithers, since their windows are open, meaning they have light coming into their lives, they hear the words of God in Isaiah 60 which says, “Arise and shine for your light has come …” In this scriptures are also listed the class of people that shall come to you (from verse 3).

#2. Tithers operate under “So much blessings” He said He will pour upon you so much blessings; take a look at another long list of the “so much blessings” as shown in Deut. 28:1-14. Can you imagine living under this condition of blessings? Yes, it is possible if you and I will obey the commandments of God and worship Him with our tithes. Read full article on www.adonaimag.tv

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Jimmy Evans

What Are You Teaching Your Children about Authority? visit www.adonaimag.tv for more articles

ere's something every parent needs to know: Parenting is more caught than taught. What your children see in you is a far more powerful influence than what you tell them to do.

This means that parents with a strand of rebellion in their own personalities are bound to see heightened rebellion in their children. These parents will have a more diﬃcult time keeping their kids' rebellion under control. Why? Because their own lives contradict the demands they put upon their children.

As living examples, parents should show their children the proper way to love God, love others, and encounter life.

Consider the message the Apostle Paul gave fathers in the church at Ephesus: "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). Fathers "provoke [their] children to wrath" by requiring something of them that the fathers are unwilling to do themselves. Hypocritical parents who refuse to live by the standards they impose on their children create two destructive situations in their home: their kids' resentment and their kids' rejection of parental standards. But look what Paul commands of fathers after telling them not to provoke their children. He tells them to raise their families in the "training…of the Lord." This "training" is much more than just giving verbal instruction. To train a child means to model for a child what 16

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is desired of him or her. Children don't just learn through verbal messages. They need visuals. The most powerful, immediate visual is their mother and father. As living examples, parents should show their children the proper way to love God, love others, and encounter life. This means moms and dads (and husbands and wives) need to consider what they may be communicating to their children about authority. I advise all parents to ask themselves these questions: • Am I really submitted to God's authority? Do I pray before I make decisions and consult God's Word for answers? • Do I believe authority is necessary for my life? Do I see God's authority, the authority of my pastor, my boss, and my spouse as needed and positive influences in my life—or as negative influences restraining my need for expression and pleasure? • Do I have a teachable spirit? What is my response when confronted or corrected by authority? • Do I speak negatively of police, government leaders, church leaders, my boss at work, or other leaders? • Do I demonstrate the attitude toward the authorities in my life that I want from my children? • Do I reinforce the figures in authority over my child (teachers, etc.), or do I take up my child's oﬀense against them and dispute their authority? These are hard questions, but they require honest answers. Examine your heart, and understand that your attitude toward authority influences your child's life— both in the present and in the future.

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For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 Dear Child of God, may your home be filled with joy, your heart filled with love, and your life filled with laughter. Embrace the warmth of Christmas in your heart and soul, and spread the goodwill all around. Christ is Born. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all! Auntie Elsie

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Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

Dr. Ralph Wilson is a California pastor, director of Joyful Heart Renewal Ministries, and author of more than a dozen free online Bible studies from the Old and New Testaments. (www.jesuswalk.com/ebooks). Copyright ÂŠ 2006, Ralph F. Wilson: pastor@joyfulheart.com. All rights reserved.

Always Abounding: An Exposition of 1 Corinthians 15:58 visit www.adonaimag.org for more articles

o you get tired? Discouraged? Bummed out? Of course. All Christians do sometimes. Here's the verse which helps when you feel overworked and underappreciated: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. -- 1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)** My beloved brethren. The Apostle Paul addresses us as family-- brothers and sisters. Christians are part of a family that cares deeply for one another. The church is the visible expression of that caring love. And though we sometimes feel alone, we belong to the family of God. Be ye steadfast, that is, don't always be moving around. Each of my children, at the age of nine or ten, have come down with what my wife and I call "tapping disease." They drum their fingers on the dinner table, swing their feet, tap their feet. Constant motion. They don't settle down. It can drive a parent loony. That's how I explain my own peculiar condition. "Be steadfast" means "be stable," "be firm." The Greek word alludes to sitting in a chair rather than pacing around-"fixed." Unmoveable, means "not to be moved from its place." Perhaps people have called you "stubborn." Now you can be stubbornly opposed to God's will. That's bad. But you can be stubbornly, doggedly devoted to God, so that circumstances and people don't distract you from Him. That's good. Call it persistent, call it faithful. Always abounding in the work of the Lord. The word translated "abounding" means "exceeding a fixed number or measure," "over-andabove." Some people do what is expected. Others, out of love, go far beyond that. Their lives pour out and overflow. "Doing what?" you ask. The work of the Lord, is the answer. Work? "Not a good word," you say. "I work five or six days a week. When I get home I just want to rest." That's understandable. Do you have any loafers at work? You know, people who only do the minimum, and only that if the boss is looking over their shoulder. And who takes up the slack? You and the other consci entious workers.

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God's work is the same way. Just a few of the ways we do His work, build His kingdom here on earth, is to teach our children about Jesus at home and at Sunday school. We serve as an usher or choir member on Sundays. We encourage those believers who are down. We make a meal for a family when one of the parents is sick. A church is a caring body. But when loafers don't pull their part of the load, it falls on others to do. My sister, my brother, this is a word for you: be "always abounding in the work of the Lord." Always. Over-andabove. Knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord Some people hate washing dishes because more dirty dishes magically appear over night. Sweeping and vacuuming are the same way. Things never stay clean. Someone is always tracking dirt on your carpet. Is there no end? You get discouraged. It's only when you consider the alternatives that you get out your Hoover vacuum cleaner and have another go at it. Your wife may not keep track of how often you change the spark plugs. Your husband has no idea of how often you have to dust. But God keeps track of our faithfulness in His work. He sees us serving Him when no one else sees. And seeing us hanging in there brings joy to his heart. Our Christian service is not done in vain for three reasons: 1. Christ's kingdom is built on your service, stone upon stone, act of kindness upon teaching the Junior boys Sunday school class, serving refreshments upon spending time with a grief-stricken believer. 2. Seeing your faithful service brings joy to God's heart. 3. God will reward you for your faithfulness, even when no one else sees. His ledger book gets fresh notations every time you serve Him. In a word, your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Yes, I get discouraged and so do you. But God keeps bringing us back to this verse to buck us up and help us to see the importance of faithful service. Don't give up. Your labor in Christ is not in vain.

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Dr. Kelafo Z. Collie M.D.

Dr. Kelafo is a life coach, leadership developer and trains persons into purpose worldwide. He is president of Kingdom Apostolic Ministries Intl. and Kingdom Apostolic School of Ministry. He is the author of two books “You are my Father, I am your Son- Understanding Kingdom Sonship” and “ Re Ordering the Nation- Principles to transforming the Bahamas”, visit www.adonaimag.tv for more articles

Baby’s first Christmas Keeping things stress free this festive season

he biggest and most important thing to remember about your first Christmas with a new baby is not to have your family – or his – at your house! That’s right. Do not volunteer to host Christmas lunch, dinner or even an afternoon shindig. I don’t care if you normally do it every year, or if it’s your turn this year, or if there’s nobody else to host it. Don’t. Do. It.

Unless your baby was born in January and will be 11 months old by the time Christmas rolls around, the most you’ll be able to manage comfortably is to bring a plate or two. A very simple plate. I took a rocket, pomegranate and goat’s cheese salad to Christmas lunch when my bub was eight weeks old and it was a disaster. There was pomegranate in every crevice of the kitchen while I tried to fit in a feeding and wash the rocket simultaneously. I forgot the goat’s cheese of course and had to stop oﬀ at a petrol station on the way because that was the only thing open but of course, they don’t stock goat’s cheese. Lesson? Nothing complicated. And perhaps make it the night before Christmas lunch. There’s a clever girl.

your baby up in Santa outfits and taking cute photos with elf hats on. Jingling bells and Christmas stockings filled with toys your little one will love to play with. Or eat. Remember, they don’t know it’s Christmas, so essentially, this year is all about you. And the photos, naturally. A tree might look good and help you get into the Christmas spirit, but it’s not essential and to be honest, may be a tad dangerous if your bub is crawling. Instead, try decorating with Christmas wreaths, tinsel on windows and walls and fairy lights at a very safe distance. The biggest thing to keep in mind is safety. All of those baubles and tiny lights can be a real hazard. While you’re busy with all of this super-mumming, there’s another thing you shouldn’t forget. What, you ask, do you need to remember besides the baby? Ahem. Yes, it’s easy to do, but don’t forget your partner. Remember how you used to celebrate Christmas? That’s all he wants, and probably not much else.

Christmas at this time should be all about dressing 22

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coutesy: http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com

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