YOU ARE VALUABLE TO GOD by Adonai Magazine

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VALUABLE

COVER STORY

YOU ARE

TO GOD

Jesse Duplantis

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([a]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

Put Your Confidence in the Cross! It’s time for the body of Christ to go back to the cross. Let’s re-focus on what Jesus did for us over 2000 years ago. He didn’t die for nothing, you know! He didn’t give up His heavenly privileges and come down here to get beaten, bruised, and crucified so that we would live in misery, sickness, or defeat. He said He came so that we might have life, and have it in abundance ( John 10:10). But He gave us more than eternal life in Heaven. His prayer was that we would live eternally in love, peace, joy, prosperity, and in health “in earth, as it is in Heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

many people have a problem believing in themselves? They have a lifetime of conditioning from this world concerning their worth. The devil is constantly striving to undermine human worth.

Don’t Just Believe You Are Valuable, Know It! You see, Jesus gave up His life based on your worth— that’s how valuable you are to God. He didn’t die for somebody more talented, more intelligent, more prestigious, or more beautiful. He gave His life for you while you were still a sinner. Why? So that you might become righteous by accepting His sacrifice. How do you accept His sacrifice? By faith in God. If

Jesus wanted us to be able to communicate and receive from our Father God without sin hindering our access to the throne of grace. Jesus is our Mediator and He He says you’re righteous through the blood, then you wants to freely give us ALL that we desire from His are righteous through the blood whether you feel like Word! But it takes confidence to receive it or not. almost anything—spiritually, physiJesus is our MediaThe Apostle Paul said, “...I cally, or financially. In order to have contor and He wants to know Whom I have befidence in yourself, you must first have lieved, and am persuaded freely give us ALL confidence in the blood. that we desire from that He is able to keep that which I have committed You need to know that what Jesus did His Word! unto Him against that on the cross is enough to make you a just day” (2 Timothy 1:12). He person—actually, it’s more than enough. I got beyond simply believing Jesus. He knew that what like to say that it is “too much.” His love is too much. Jesus had done was enough. He was persuaded that His grace is too much. There is nothing that He did that God was able to fulfill His promises. is simply “enough”—it’s always more than we can ever You need to know you are just so that you can boldly need or use. Jesus paid the ultimate price to get rid of come to the throne of grace and get what you need— ALL the sin that has made you unjust—past, present, spiritually, physically, and financially. A just person is and future. worthy of receiving ALL that His shed blood bought. Your righteousness didn’t come cheap! So, why do so You see, there is only one message and that’s the mes4

cont. on pg. 26

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WWW.ADONAIMAG.TV 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.

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Henry Ayensu Franklin Kwaku Kyei

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NABA CONVENTION

Theme: LET’S GO FISHING

North American Baptist Association of the Ghana Baptist Convention, is holding its Annual NABA CONVENTION at Westborough, MA from July 27 -29, 2012 under the theme “Let’s Go Fishing”; with a renowned keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Frank Ofosu-Appiah. The convention is designed to bring together all Ghanaian Baptists for Spiritual awakening and fellowship. Most importantly this year’s theme is set to bring to realization the ultimate commission of believers in the Kingdom of God; that is winning souls for Christ. I warmly welcome you to join us as we reason together with Christ. Shalom

Rev. Nana Opoku

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Franklin K. Kyei

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Deception Revisited visit www.adonaimag.tv for more articles

eception is a real and factual occurrence or phenomenon that is very much alive in the affairs of humankind. Defined as the act of deceiving, the fact or condition of being deceived, something that deceives, or trick meant to deceive; the issue of deception is no stranger to mankind in our efforts to interact with the spirit world and with God; and in our dealings with one another in the community of men and women. (Genesis 3:1-21; Exodus 32:1-8; Deuteronomy 11:16; Romans 1:18-23; 10: 1-3; Joshua 9:3-21; Jeremiah 17:5-6,9; 2 Timothy 3:13; Matthew 7:15).

Deception exploits manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s egocentrism, ignorance, unbelief, secularism, spiritual curiosity, anxieties; and manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fear of the unknown and the unseen world of spirits, to lead us on courses that turn us against God, either directly or indirectly. It employs speciousness or spuriousness, as well as direct and indirect coercive methods that are rationally, spiritually, or mystically juiced, to create curiosity, excitement, false hopes, doubts, helplessness, fear, and obsession in the vulnerable, to turn them into docile subjects. In the biblical sense, it simply means walking away from God, or walking and living in ways contrary to what the Word of God says. It also means to wander away from the truth. In both the Church of God and the world outside the church, the effects of deception cannot be discounted. The news headlines in both the Church and the society at large attest to its insidious and destructive power. It spares neither great nor small; pulpit nor pew; poor nor rich; leader nor follower. All it needs is a fertile ground to spawn, and it would enslave and bring down a leader, as easily and quickly, as it does the follower or credulous and gullible individual. The landscape of human history documents deceptionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power at enslavement, disillusionment, despondency, bewilderment, and destruction. Deception by way of bigotry and demagoguery was the undoing of mankind during the Second World War. It began with one man's prowess at manipulative demagoguery, and ended with the loss of millions of lives. Deception continues to bedevil societies the world over, informing the political confusions, terrorisms, religious fanaticisms, and other ideological and 6

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social issue extremisms of our day. We are living witnesses to the proliferation of all kinds of religions, all of which lay claim to divine authenticity, deceiving and leading many to eternal damnation.

The Church of God has not been spared the insidiousness carried by deception. The early church had its own battles against this choice weapon of Satan that was first employed in the Garden of Eden (Galatians 5:1-9; Philippians 3:2; II Timothy 3:5-9;Titus 1:10-13); which explains the Apostle Paul's warning to the Ephesian Church in Acts 20:28-32. Daily in Christian communities and circles, we come across men and women and environments laying claim to the anointing of God; but pursuing, reflecting, and promoting teachings, activities, and conducts, that contradict the letter and/or the spirit of the word of God; either blatantly or subtly. The only claim some of these environments and questionable characters have to spiritual authority and mandate is their controversial/unusual skills at working miracles, and some mastery of theological semantics and oratorical presentation. These charlatans are all over the place laying claim to all kinds of ministerial anointing; and many are those who have been taken in by them. Some of them are so Christian-like in the conduct of their affairs that it is sometimes difficult to distinguish them from the genuine servants of God (II Corinthians 11:13-14). These pretenders are having a field day, because some in the Church of God, apart from failing to heed the warnings concerning deception, also lack the keys to identify deceivers (Matthew 7:15-20). Some in the church are willing to believe anything so long as it comes wrapped in outward religiosity: tongue-speaking, signs and wonders, sensationalism, emotionalism, theological eloquence, and scriptural quotations. The situation has become so fluid that it calls for discernment on the part of every member in the Church of Jesus Christ, if we hope to sustain ourselves in that which is of truth that is acceptable in the sight of God and conforms to the letter and spirit of the Word of God.

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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

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Laws, Potential & Purpose n order to develop a better understanding of the overall kingdom concept, it is important to have knowledge of the origin, nature, and function of laws in a kingdom. The Kingdom of Heaven is a good model for demonstrating the kingdom concept. The Bible, the Kingdom of Heaven’s constitution, establishes the standards for life in the Kingdom. Unlike other constitutions, however, it also lays out the penalties for noncompliance. In addition to being a constitution, then, the Bible is also the law book of the Kingdom of Heaven.

We often think of laws as unpleasant and inconvenient demands that restrict our freedom and limit our options. In reality, laws are designed to free us to pursue unlimited options by providing a safe environment where we can live in peace, security, and confidence. True freedom is always circumscribed by boundaries, and laws define those boundaries. Within those boundaries we are free to thrive, prosper, and reach our full potential. The Bible states, “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” (Ps 19:7). What does the “law of the Lord” do for us? It revives our spirit, gives us wisdom, and fills us 8

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with joy. It enlightens our minds and emboldens us with confidence because of its permanence and uprightness. It places us on the path to “great reward.” Laws are the key to successful existence and a guarantee of fulfillment of purpose. Obedience to laws promotes prosperity and ensures success. All a bird has to do to fulfill its purpose is fly and reproduce; both of these functions are governed by natural laws. Every plant and creature on earth will succeed and fulfill its purpose simply by obeying the natural law inherent within them. It is no diﬀerent with us. As long as we acknowledge the laws of God and submit ourselves willingly to living by and obeying them, we too will succeed and fulfill our purpose in God’s design. We will realize our full potential. Laws also protect purpose. When we obey laws, we protect the purpose for which we were born. As long as a fish stays in water, it will be able to survive and prosper. As long as a seed stays in the soil, it will sprout, grow, and prosper. As long as a bird stays in the air and there is space to fly, it will fulfill its purpose and prosper. As long as we obey the laws of God, we too will live and grow and prosper.

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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. visit www.adonaimag.tv for more articles

How To Get What You Don’t Have ear Reader, I ‘ve got good news for you today; the news is that there is a way you can obtain what you need. As you read this article, you will be shown the steps to take, with the help of God, to begin to receive those things that you deserve but have lacked. The bible says, “Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David! Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David! So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, What do you want Me to do for you? They said to Him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.” (Matthew 20:29-34 NKJV).

When you call out, you will get attention: Upon hearing their call/ cry, the bible says, "So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, What do you want Me to do for you?" Mat. 20:32 Do not assume that no one can help; There are people the Lord will make to come your way, just to assist you if you will open up. Do not assume that Jesus cannot hear you. His ears are sharp; He neither sleeps nor slumbers (Psalm 121:4). Be truthful (candid) about your situation: When your prospective helper asks what your needs are, please do not lie about your situation, so they may know how to help you. The blind men went straight to the point, saying, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened." lying about your predicament wastes time, presents you as not serious or trust worthy, and may cause you to lose your goodness.

Now let’s learn from this story and begin to take the steps that the story characters took, in order for you to begin to receive what you never had but have been longing for:

When you use what you have, God will supply your needs: The bible says, "So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight," (verse 34). The Lord is ready and able to show you mercy.

Use what you have: The men did not have sight (eyes) but they used what they had (ears) in order to receive what they did not have; The bible says, "when they heard that Jesus was passing by..."- Mat. 20:30. They also used their mouths - to speak; they "cried out, saying, have mercy on us" - Mat. 20:30. If you have to choose between speaking up and keeping quiet when you have a problem, you should speak up, especially when you know that someone can help you.

When your needs are supplied, pay back with a life of thanksgiving: Even without Jesus asking them, they followed Him. You do not need to be forced to serve God and any goodness received should result in drawing you closer to Jesus, not taking you away from Him. God does not supply needs that take His people away from Him. The bible says, “… and they followed Him.” – Mat. 20:34

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Joyce Meyer

For more on this topic, order Joyce’s four-CD series Making Good Habits, Breaking Bad Habits. You can also contact us to receive our free magazine, Enjoying Everyday Life, by calling (800) 727-9673 or visiting www.joycemeyer.org. Ladies, join Joyce Meyer for the 30th Anniversary Love Life Women’s Conference September 20-22 in Saint Louis, MO. For more information, go to www.joycemeyer.org/womensconference.

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Getting a Grip on Bad Habits e all have habits—good ones and bad ones, even unconscious ones. On the “bad” side, people chew their nails, overeat or spend compulsively. Maybe you’ve wrestled with a short temper or you’re always running late. I used to be a smoker. When it comes to getting a grip on a bad habit, one of the first things we need to do is change the way we talk about it. Our words are powerful. They can reinforce a helpless, hopeless attitude. I’ve heard people say things like, “If I see one chocolate chip cookie I have to eat the whole plate.” No, you don’t. You are a child of God with the power of God living inside you. There’s no reason you can’t have authority over a cookie! There’s a tendency nowadays to use dramatic, self-defeating language to describe what are really just bad habits. People will say, “I’m in bondage” to this or that. “Bondage” is a scary word. “Bondage” makes us think we need a miracle before we can change. Or they will say, “I have an addiction.” They’re addicted to shopping. Addicted to food. Addicted to TV. Now I’m not suggesting that there aren’t people who do have genuine addictions. But for most of us, it’s just bad habits that we can conquer with God’s help. We don’t need to be pushed around by them.

I started smoking when I was nine years old and eventually became a chain smoker. I remember times when I was at church and the urge to smoke was so strong, I’d leave the service to have a cigarette. I’d sneak out to the car and scrunch way down on the front seat so no one would see me. When God put the desire in my heart to quit, I thought I couldn’t do it. The first day was BAD. The second day wasn’t much better, but I made it to the weekend. Then Dave and I had an argument at a picnic. I left the picnic in a huﬀ, stopping to buy a pack of cigarettes on the way home. I thought, I’m going to go home and smoke the whole pack![ital] But I knew if I gave in to that urge, I would probably never quit. So, by God’s grace, I took every single cigarette 12

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out of the pack and threw them in the toilet. It got a little easier each day after that. After 30 days it was a piece of cake. Most of us have to reach a crisis point before we’ll get serious about dealing with our bad habits. We must get to the point where we are truly sick and tired of living the way we’ve been living. If you’ve reached that point with a habit you are trying to break, don’t try to do it on your own. Ask God to help you. He will do it. In a way, we are[ital] helpless in that we can’t do anything[ital] apart from God. But that kind of helplessness is really a place of power. See, we aren’t really helpless because we have the Holy Spirit, who enables us to do whatever we need to do, living in our spirit. That doesn’t mean it will always be easy for you to do what you need to do. And you may need to be willing to be uncomfortable for a little while. But with God’s help, you will succeed. God’s Word instructs us to put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within us (Colossians 3:5) and to think about the things of heaven, not earth (v.2). Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes (Ephesians 4:22-24). Decide that you are going to put the things of God first in your life. Paul said we can do all[ital] things through God who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). That includes getting a grip on our bad habits. Stay immersed in God’s Word. Form a habit of saying “no” to yourself and “yes” to God. If you fail the first time, the second time or even a third time, don’t beat yourself up. Keep praying and believing that you will break those bad habits—not through your own eﬀorts but by the power of the Holy Spirit within you. Put God first in your thoughts and priorities and you will[ital] have victory.

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Rev. W. D. Watley Ph.D.

is the Senior Pastor of St. Philip A.M.E. Church, Atlanta Georgia. A world renown preacher and teacher, he is the author of 18 books. For more information and materials, visit www.williamwatley.org. visit www.adonaimag.tv for more articles

Hardship Makes Character "In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us" (Romans 8:37). his is more than victory. This is a triumph so complete that we have not only escaped defeat and destruction, but we have destroyed our enemies and won a spoil so rich and valuable that we can thank God that the battle ever came. How can we be "more than conquerors"? We can get out of the conflict a spiritual discipline that will greatly strengthen our faith and establish our spiritual character. Temptation is necessary "The things that are to settle and against you will produce the character confirm us in the spiridesired by God. tual life. It is like the fire which burns in the colors of mineral painting, or like winds that cause the mighty cedars of the mountain to strike more deeply into the soil. Our spiritual conflicts are among our choicest blessings, and our great adversary is used to train us for his ultimate defeat. The ancient Phrygians had a legend that every time they conquered an enemy the victor absorbed the physical strength of his victim and added so much more to his own strength and valor. So temptation victoriously met doubles our spiritual strength and equipment. It is possible thus not only to defeat our enemy, but to capture him and make him fight in our ranks.

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The prophet Isaiah speaks of flying on the shoulders of the Philistines (Isa. 11:14). These Philistines were their deadly foes, but the figure suggested that they would be enabled not only to conquer the Philistines, but to use them to carry the victors on their shoulders for further triumphs. Just as the wise sailor can use a head wind to carry him forward by tacking and taking advantage of its impelling force; so it is possible for us in our spiritual life through the victorious grace of God to turn to account the things that seem most unfriendly and unfavorable, and to be able to say continually, "The things that were against me have happened to the furtherance of the Gospel." A noted scientist observing that "early voyagers fancied that the coral-building animals instinctively built up the great circles of the Atoll Islands to aďŹ&#x20AC;ord themselves protection in the inner parts," has disproved this fancy by showing that the insect builders can only live and thrive fronting the open ocean, and in the highly aerated foam of its resistless billows. So it has been commonly thought that protected ease is the most favorable condition of life, whereas all the noblest and strongest lives prove on the contrary that the endurance of hardship is the making of the men, and the factor that distinguishes between existence and vigorous vitality. Hardship makes character. "Now thanks be unto God Who always leads us forth to triumph with the Anointed One, and Who diďŹ&#x20AC;uses by us the fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place" (2 Cor. 2:14, literal translation).

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CLASS OF

2012

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Auntie Elsie Graduates from Ambassadors with Associates D

dors College of Ministry & Theological Seminary tes Degree in Theology Bronx, New York - July 2012

Pictures by Mr. CNN (www.3gmediaonline.com)

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Jimmy Evans

Open and Honest Communication About Sex visit www.adonaimag.tv for more articles

e are sexual beings. Without a doubt, sex is one of the greatest blessings of marriage and the greatest physical pleasure in life. God created marriage in Eden—a word which means "pleasure and delights" in the original language.

more than men. Some husbands want their wives to fulfill fantasies that can make women feel very uncomfortable, or that gives their wives a sense of being violated. (For instance, if the husband wants to view pornography together.)

Despite God's desire that marriage be a place of sexual pleasure, not every couple experiences the same level or frequency of pleasure. How can you enhance it in your marriage?

It is absolutely OK for a wife to be true to her conscience in this matter and say no to the request. But this must be done compassionately, without damaging the relationship with her husband and without somehow communicating rejection of him.

A healthy marriage is a marriage with a healthy sexual atmosphere—and that's exactly how God intended it.

One way is to communicate honestly and openly with your spouse about your sexual need. The only way we can truly know how to please our spouses sexually is for them to tell us—before, during, and after sex. If that's going to happen, however, both spouses need to commit to a couple of things. First, you must both commit to sharing—it can't be a single-spouse monologue—and you both must be open to receiving what is shared. Second, you and your spouse need to create an atmosphere in which you both feel comfortable being honest about your sexual needs and desires without worrying about rejection or condemnation. Does this mean you have to accept anything your spouse wants, even if it's sinful or wrong? Not at all. But even if your spouse desires something sinful or something that violates you, you need to be careful how you respond. Let your spouse know that you are uncomfortable with it—give a firm "no"—but make it clear that you still love them and are committed to them sexually. Let's face it: this is something women probably deal with 22

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On the other hand, many men become frustrated with their married sex lives because their wives only communicate with them through negatives. "Stop!" "Don't do that!" "I don't like that!" Rather than openly sharing their desires and explaining what pleases them, some wives may be reserving their sexual comments only to express what they don't like. The only instruction some men receive about sex is what not to do. Talk about frustrating! It's also confusing and counterproductive. It explains why many married men don't know how to meet their wives' sexual needs. Almost every man I know wants to please his wife sexually. Women, please understand that your husbands need positive instruction. Give them a roadmap! Tell them what satisfies your desires. They need to know what excites you. A healthy marriage is a marriage with a healthy sexual atmosphere—and that's exactly how God intended it. But don't make the mistake of thinking a great sex life will just happen on its own. You need to help each other along the way. The best place to start is with open, honest, and helpful communication. Blessings,

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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 © 2006, Ralph F. Wilson: pastor@joyfulheart.com. All rights reserved.

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Smiling Outside, Lost Within "stiﬀ upper lip," as the British call it, so often masks the pain within. But sometimes God reaches inside. Let me tell you a story....

On the streets of town one day, Jesus was mobbed by people bumping, jostling, elbowing one another in an attempt to get close to this famous teacher and miracle-worker. In the crowd was a middle-aged woman who suﬀered from chronic bleeding. Over the last dozen years she had gone to doctor after doctor, hoping that one of them could heal her. She'd spent all her savings, and in the end was no better, but getting worse. In our day she would have had a hysterectomy and been done with it, but in those days no one could help. On the outside she was a respectable woman. Inside she felt ashamed, alone, desperate. Why me? What's the use? Is there any hope? But even still she hoped and yearned. Of course, each of the people who crowded around Jesus that day had a need. For some it was family strife, for others a son or daughter who had gone astray. Some were struggling with debt, others had physical ailments. Outside they looked normal, but inside -- when they took time to think about it -- many of them were hurting, drifting, struggling, lost. Jesus spoke of them as "sheep without a shepherd." But on this particular day, the hemorrhaging woman, weak though she was, wouldn't let others get between her and Jesus. She pushed and slid and shouldered her way until she was within reach. "If only I can touch the hem of his robe," she thought, "I'll be healed." And so she reached out, and suddenly, what she had longed for these many years happened. The bleeding stopped. Inside she felt an unmistakable healing. 24

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Abruptly, the crowd which had surged along with Jesus halted, because the Master himself had paused. He was looking around. As the murmuring hushed, you could hear him say, "Who touched me?" "Everyone's been touching you, Master," answered one of his disciples. "With this many people, they can't help but touch you." "Someone touched me," Jesus repeated. "I felt power flow out of me." He turned around, looking, searching, until his eyes met the healed woman's, and she was suddenly very afraid. She fell down in front of him and poured out the whole painful story. Every hurt, every sorrow, every doubt. And then she looked up and said through tears of joy, "But now I'm healed!" I can see Jesus looking tenderly at her saying, "Daughter, your faith in mehas made you whole. When you go from this place, you will go in God's peace and be healed from your disease." Her eyes weren't the only ones shedding tears that day. Because in this woman -- this fellow villager, this fellow sojourner -- the townspeople saw their own struggles and inner loneliness, and heard those words for themselves: "Your faith in me has made you whole. Go in peace and be healed." If you feel desperation akin to that woman's struggle, why don't you reach out to Jesus in a simple prayer: "Jesus, to be honest, sometimes I feel very lost inside. Very empty, very lonely. Please come to me and make me a whole person again. Show me the path, and I'll walk it with you. Please, Jesus, please ... because I believe that you don't just love that woman only, but you love me, too. Amen." This story can be found in Mark 5:25-34 and Luke 8:43-48.

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YOU ARE

VALUABLE TO GOD

sage of the cross—what Jesus did for mankind. Every other message is consumed in the salvation message. 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. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17 Without the blood, you couldn’t walk to the throne of grace. You couldn’t be righteous. It’s only because of the blood that any of us are able to live free. Sometimes I hear Christians complain that they need deep messages in order to feel fulfilled. That makes me laugh because I know some people so deep, they’re drowning! They have yet to understand the simple things, and yet they’re the first to criticize messages for being too “simple.”

Never get so deep that you drown, because the very thing that is going to pull you out of the muck of life is the simple message of Christ. Live, eat, and breathe John 3:16-17 for a while. Get a revelation of His love and your righteousness. Get a revelation of what it really means not to perish, but to have everlasting life. It’ll cast out all fear and renew your mind. Consider the amazing power of salvation. When you accept Jesus, you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus rose again, and you are saved. Righteousness is astounding!

Your Value is Based in God’s Love! Everybody believes they are a little righteous. They don’t believe they are “a lot” righteous! That’s why we come to the throne even after we’re saved and say, “Lord, forgive me.” We know we need forgiveness, but we leave the throne still feeling unworthy while God is saying, “That does not compute in My way of thinking. You are pure! You are just!” It is so simple, but that’s why we struggle with it. We make it hard on ourselves, but God says, “Just come to Me if you’re heavy laden and I’ll give you rest. See that I love you and value you more than everything else I’ve made. Believe in My plan of salvation. The blood of My Son is enough to pay the price for you. Know your 26

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worth, child! Nothing is of greater value to Me than you!” The Bible tells us a soul is worth more to God than the whole world. Add up the value of real estate in your city, in your country...across the entire world. Add up the value of all the natural resources that rest in our earth. What about the massive amounts of money that change hands on Wall Street every day? What about the value of all the precious metal and stones that lie buried in our earth? The ability of the land to produce food for the planet? Put everything of value that we have on this earth together, and it’s still less valuable to God than you. Human worth is underestimated—not by God, but by people! We do not know our worth. We do not believe we are valuable. We’ve been conditioned to believe that we are worthless—that our value comes from only what we are able to produce in the world. But that is a warped way of thinking. I believe God wants us to be people of action—because faith without works really is dead—but our value should come from who we are. We are God’s children, made in His image! He loved us while we were yet sinners—so we weren’t doing anything right then. We were just being human, and yet God saw our worth and sent His Son to make a way for us. Why? Because He loved us.

The heart of righteousness is love. Before you can have faith, you must believe you’re righteous. Before you can believe you are righteous, you must understand that God’s love is all consuming.

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BIBLE GAMES

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