Beauty & The Gospel ISSUE NO 4 VOL 4

Beauty & The Gospel MADE PERFECT THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

MAY 2021

| ISSUE 4 VOL 4|

SEEK WHLIST THERE'S TIME

0UR VISION Romans 15:20(TPT) It is my honor and constant passion to be a pioneer who preaches where no one has ever even heard of the Anointed One, instead of building upon someone else’s foundation.

OUR MISSION 1 Corinthians 1:17 (MSG) God didn’t send me out to collect a following for myself, but to preach the Message of what He has done, collecting a following for Him. And He didn’t send me to do it with a lot of fancy rhetoric of my own, lest the powerful action at the center—Christ on the Cross—be trivialized into mere words.

declarations e u g n o t e h t f o Power V E R B S 1 8 : 2 1 PRO

My destiny helpers and midwives are locating me My hands shall produce results that shall build up the Church, family , community, & colleagues by the grace of God for His Glory Out of my belly shall flow rivers of LIVING WATER My life is an answer and solution to those in need I declare divine acceleration and edification upon my physical and spiritual life My life is a testimony that shall draw man unto GOD this month is filled with the manifestaion of the Kingdom of GOD O Lord , oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight against me.

Beauty & The Gospel

CONTENTS HOW TO LIVE THE BIBLE BUILDING CHARACTER 351 chambers of hell & 47,000 cities of Heaven Prophet Aston gives accounts of these real revelations THOU SHALT NOT STEAL "the answer is connected to one of the Commandments of the LORD"

MAINSTREAM MEDIA IGNORES CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION WORLDWIDE NEED FOR SPIRITUAL MENTORS why we can't follow JESUS by ourselves The Blessed life series unlocking the secrets on how to activate the blessed life FOUR SPIRITUAL WAREFARE PRINCIPLES IN MARRIAGE

"The reason why men do not look to the Church today is that she has destroyed her own influence by compromise."

G. Campbell Morgan (England, died 1945)

PRAYING FOR YOUR CHILDREN "it's not a privilege but is necessary" Monthly Devotions CHOSEN BEFORE EXISTENCE faith oracles ISSUE NO 4 VOL 4

our CONTRIBUTORS

MINISTER MONICA

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Tshego Molekoa of the Preacher s all form in el Gosp ys wa and Analyst Business Artist rd Wo Spoken ! thusiast Health en

Letters to Kallah bring Here to ent to em ag ur enco Christ of e the brid hand h ug ro th g. g/ writin letterin

Chanelle Pillay

ied A qualif woman d an attorney thor Au ! of faith! :‘A ed tl ti of books d an ’ KING SHEPHERD ERDAY ST YE OM AWAY FR lable on all avai az Am on.

Kendra Dublin c energeti I am an that it ir sp free fe. In my loves li me i love ti spare zzles. to do pu

Karabo Lekwape

Faith Woman of ace. I Gr Saved by ng, play si to love d izzes an Bible qu in be l, al most of God. ence of the pres my life! e ot wr Mercy re

JillbelBU GUessS & a CHAN EV .GoANodn Ntom of God, servants Jesus of r love rents , pa Christ , ts and en ar dp gran ters. es soul harv

KOa SAbel PA Ntom ess NT odnOR GoST

to one married . I yiselani wife, Ti g and in ok co enjoy f. new stuf learning ly st mo m I' te about passiona g God in rv se

Dr André & Jenny Roebert bels,a rent esss ,Ntpaom Gopaodn stor sus Je lovers of d His Christ an unders of Word. Fo Faith Tv

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EDITOR'S NOTE you while Therefore, let all the godly pray to drown in the there is still time, that they may not 6 floodwaters of judgment. Psalm 32:

Grace & Peace unto you my beloved, and all the Glory to Master Jesus for yet another chance to experience His divine grace, mercy and peace in this land of the living. With yet another year added to my life this month!

With this editor's note, I just want to call to remembrance the seriousness of God’s Judgement but particularly the day of Judgement. This is a day we should constantly be thinking about.

As it’s a day where our own wisdom, intellect, feelings or whom we know will not count unlike this world.

Beloved, as the above scripture opens it says: "Let the godly pray to You whilst there is still time".

We know not the hour when the trumpet of death or rapture will sound. Let’s not forsake pleading for His mercy for there is a day of judgement that will surely begin in the house of the Lord.

For more deep revelations on the seriousness of the Judgement Day, please I ask humbly you check out SISTER KATE ON YOUTUBE

EDITOR

tsakani mhlongo @empress_teekay

THE 351 CHAMBERS OF HELL & THE 47,000 CITIES OF HEAVEN

HELL & HEAVEN TESTIMONY

SOURCE: HTTPS://SAVIOUR4EVER.WORDPRE SS.COM/|| REVEALED TO : PROPHET ASTON ADAM MBAYA

Transcribed and compiled by Joshua Chong Thanks to Peniel Ngonde who translated the French sermons of Prophet Aston Adam Mbaya to English and posting his videos on YouTube.

CHAPTER 1 THE SECRETS OF THE AFTERLIFE Welcome, Beloved. The Lord took me to Hell for 351 days and to Heaven for 40 days.

On that day in prayer when I fell for the first time in a trance, I was breathing since I was not dead. They tried hard to wake me up. But it was not possible.

THE LORD SAID, “ON THE EARTH, THE WICKED AND THE SAINT, LIVE TOGETHER. BUT AFTER DEATH, THE WICKED WILL BE LED TO THE ABODE OF THE DEAD AND THE SAINT WILL DWELL IN THE

Since I was working with pastors, they

PARADISE OF GOD.

understood that the Lord was working

THERE IS NO MIDDLE

with me.

GROUND.”

HELL & HEAVEN TESTIMONY

And whenever I fell into unconsciousness, these men of God work on keeping my body in a private room.

Welcome, brothers and sisters, I’m Pastor Aston Mbaya from the Church of Sacred Chapel in Congo. Brother, no one preached the gospel to me. I was in the bar with my friend drinking alcohol, when suddenly I heard the voice of God calling me. I was stunned. I said, “I am not a Christian. But why is this God interested in me?” I resisted the voice of God. And I said, “I am not serving any God.” But it was on that day that things changed completely. I gave my life to Christ. I was ordained by a man of God who trained me in the things of God. It is in that church that I serve God. It is the Lord who commissioned me to render the testimony of things I saw that I’m going to talk about.

Actually, this encounter began one day while I was praying at night. As I kept praying, I saw a light. When I wanted to check who switched on the bulb above that I turned off not long ago. It is then I saw a light that was intense. It was a hundred times greater than the sun. I could not watch this light and I fell on the ground into a coma. This experience was not a death experience since I was breathing. It was a trance since I was raptured in the spirit and I left my body as I collapsed on the ground.

Immediately I heard a voice in the middle of a light that called me by my name and said, “Aston, My son, you have been chosen by God to be a witness of things you are about to see.

You will tell the world about secrets that I will show you and you will tell them that Hell is real. Whoever will refuse to follow My way will fall into that horrendous place.” I was in a coma. But when I stood up from the floor, I saw that I was standing. However, my body was still lying on the floor. I was wondering what was happening to me.

I was unable to touch physical things. I mean, I could not even touch my body, for there is no bond between the living and the dead. I was troubled. But whenever I tried to touch things, my hand was going through the material and physical things. The people that were sleeping in my room could not see my spirit. When I tried to open the door, I saw that my body went through the steel door. And I wondered. In fact, I had all my senses, my intellect, my memory, and my will yet I could not touch anything. I was really troubled by all these phenomena.

And I began to run around the neighborhood and I was shouting for help. I went to my pastor’s place and I tried to talk to him, but he could not see and hear me. I went to my brothers, but they could not see me. I went to the street shouting to my neighbors, “I’m Prophet Adam, come and see what is happening to me.” But no one could hear me.

Whenever I saw the living in the street, I tried to tell them about what was happening to me, for I was really troubled and restless.

However, no one could hear me since I was in another dimension. I kept shouting to people to come and see what was happening to me.

HELL & HEAVEN TESTIMONY

As I was moving in the street, I began to realize that I was moving at great speed in comparison to the people who were alive. It was when I saw a man going through me that I began to come to the realization that I was dead.

Brother, I saw that this man was in the same situation as me. He was troubled and in despair, and he was crying, talking to himself and asking, “Why have you people buried my body? I am still alive.” The man was crying bitterly.

I continued to move around the city. And I began to see more people who are running around crying like me. They were all complaining that their families had buried their bodies. Brother, these people that I saw in the street were actually the dead. They were wandering spirits, for they were dead and theirsouls were wandering the Earth. I was also a wandering spirit like them. I realized that I was in the world of the dead like these wandering spirits.

It was when I reached the 18th street of the National Boulevard of the city that I met a late Christian singer who was notorious in the country. This servant of God was known and popular. When I met brother Charles Momba I saw that he was dressed in shorts, and his shirt was torn. When I saw him I was stunned because he was a popular singer. Yet I saw that he was crying and saying, “Why have these people buried my body? I am alive.” In fact, this singer was dead and he became a wandering spirit moving around the Earth.

Like all the dead that I was encountering in the street, I tried to tell him to stop so that we can talk, but he was so troubled, he went away in confusion. Then I got to a popular church in the city. This church was not of God, for I saw demons in this church trying to capture my soul. Quickly I ran away from them in fear. As I continued to move to the city I found myself in another part of the capital.

I saw a group of people walking, they were naked. When I looked again, I saw that these people that were naked had horns on their heads. There was a demon leading these witches. He was dressed in black. I saw that the demon that was the leader of these wizards was carrying pots containing human blood. It was evident that I was actually in the spirit world, seeing what normal men cannot see. I saw that these naked wizards were dragging a man that was tied up over the body. This captive was also bound on the neck with a chain like a dog. This captive soul was dragged like a dog in the street and he was moving on four legs.

I heard him saying, “Oh, my wife, you are a Christian. Rise up and pray for me your husband. These people have captured my soul and they are taking my soul to destruction. Please, my wife, I don’t go to church like you. But please wake up and pray for me. I beg you, the mother of my children. Bad things are happening to me.” These wizards replied to this captive, “Keep quiet and shut up. Your wife is not coming.” As these horned people were dragging this man, I told them,

HELL & HEAVEN TESTIMONY

“Now you’re going to stop this. What are you doing to this man? You got to release this captive.” Quickly their leader who also had horns looked at me and he looked at these wizards and said to his servants, “Let’s ignore him.

We must move on.”This demon and the witches ignored me and they moved on dragging this captive with them. As they move forward, I decided to follow them.

I was telling them, “You can release this man.” We traveled to a place that was like a compound. In the end, I saw these demons hanging this man on a piece of wood. They butchered his body and they shared his flesh and I saw them consuming his flesh and they devoured his whole body. When I saw this horrendous scene, I feared and I ran away for fear of being devoured by these demons.

As I was moving, I saw people doing satanic and diabolic rituals in the middle of the boulevard, in churches, in the public places, on the top of the trees.

Some people were doing incantation.

Souls of the dead were wandering here and there. I ran away and ended up in the General Hospital. When I got inside the hospital, I saw two kinds of people. I mean, I saw the living and the dead moving in the hospital. I saw physical beings and spiritual beings. When I went into the intensive care unit, I saw a doctor telling a group of nurses, “Our patient is dead.” When the doctor spoke that way, I saw the dead patient sitting on the bed beside her body. And this woman was telling the doctor, “I am here sitting on the bed.

I found myself around our local cemetery.

When I got to this cemetery, I saw a group of people coming out of the cemetery yet it was late in the night. I saw that these people had spiritual and immaterial bodies instead of physical bodies. These people that were coming out of the cemetery were not ordinary humans.

I was watching when I saw a man that sat on a chair at the gate of the cemetery with a book that seems like a registration book on his table. I saw that these entities that were coming out of a cemetery stood in the queue before this man in order to sign in his registration book before leaving the cemetery. These demons of the cemetery were about to come out in order to operate in thephysical world. Beforehand, they had to register their names in the book before leaving the cemetery.

When the first entity signed in the book, I saw him coming out of the cemetery to the middle of the street. I was watching this spirit. I saw that he took the sand from the ground and he splashed the sand in the air. Quickly I saw this demon entering inside the sand and turning into a physical man. I saw that this demon was dressed in the human body thanks to the sand he had splashed into the air. And he had become a human since he now had the appearance of a human.

The second entity that came out of the cemetery did the same process of splashing the sand in the air, and he also became a physical human being.

HELL & HEAVEN TESTIMONY

However, I saw that this entity had become a very beautiful woman with a lot of hair. She was wearing tight clothes and holding a bag like an earthly woman.

I saw this woman that was a demon walking the street in the night when suddenly a driver that was passing stopped his car in order to make an advance to her not knowing that she was a demon, not a human being. In the meantime, these demons kept coming out of the cemetery and they were taking human shape and becoming physical.

I saw one of these entities leaving the cemetery with a photo of a dead man that he took from a grave. I saw this demon entering the photo of a dead person. Immediately he took the appearance of the person in the photo and he was exactly like the man in the photo. I was scared of this terrible phenomenon. In the meantime, many more demons were coming out of the cemetery to operate in our world and I decided to run away. After moving away from this place, I arrived in another borough of the capital. Though it was a late-night, to my surprise, I saw that there was a market with a lot of people buying and selling. I said to myself, “There is never a market in this place during the day and in the physical world.

And where are all these people coming from?” Brother, this was a huge market full of people. I decided to leave. When I was leaving this market of witches and evil spirits, I saw a group of people coming towards the market. They had cotton in their ears and their noses.

After running all over the city I was so tired that I prayed. I said, “Lord, if only I ever serve You please save me.” When I did this prayer, quickly, a light came down from Heaven. And I heard a voice in this light that came to me. The voice told me, “My son, fear not, for you are chosen by God to be a witness of things that you will see. And we will travel to Hell so that you can tell the world that Hell is real, the judgment is real and the satanic power is real. Those who reject My ways will fall to that frightening place called Hell. There is grace for the living to be saved. But there is no more chance for those who are dead.”

The Lord took my hand and said, “We must now travel,” and He took me to a high mountain where there were two chairs. I saw that the Lord was wearing a white garment and a golden belt having the inscription of King of kings and Lord of lords. On His crown, it was written, “The Lord Jesus Christ.” His body was transparent and golden. I could see Him in all dimensions. The Lord was not white or black, but gold and shining. There was blood in the holes of His hand.

The Lord showed me the Earth that was in darkness. He asked me, “My son, what are you seeing?” I said, “I am not seeing anything.” He then pulled a white stone from His garment and put it on my eyes.

It was then I was able to see the nations of the world. I saw men and animals. I saw the minds of men and the hearts of men. I saw many people going to the cemetery to bury their loved ones.

HELL & HEAVEN TESTIMONY

But I saw the souls of their loved ones above the coffin following them. These people that were dead were trying to talk to their loved ones, in order to tell them they are alive but the living could not enter and communicate among the souls of men that were dead and wandering the Earth. saw a man that had died on the Earth. I saw that this man had chains over his body. There were chains on his neck, legs, and feet, and I saw people that were dressed in black. These people were dragging this man that was bound in chains like a dog.I said, “Lord, why are these men dragging this individual like an animal?” I asked Jesus, “Are you seeing what is happening to that man?”

The Lord said, “This man was wicked in his life and he never gave back to people what he owed them. When he died, he was chained and dragged by these demons of death.” Then the Lord took me in the past to show me a traffic accident that had happened in our city. I saw a bus moving on the boulevard. As the bus was moving, I saw an angel of death. He was dressed in black, and he pushed the bus that was moving in the boulevard. As a result, this bus collided with another car and there was an accident.

When this accident happened, I saw the souls of the dead around this bus complaining about their deaths. These people had the shape of their bodies that had received blunt force trauma in the accident. They had the shape of torn and mangled bodies because of the accident.

Jesus said, “These people did not give their lives to God. That is why they are complaining. You’re going to tell the people of the world that there are only two universes after death, which is Hell and the Paradise of God. These are the destinations of the people.” The Lord said, “On the Earth, the wicked and the saint, live together. But after death, the wicked will be led to the abode of the dead and the saint will dwell in the Paradise of God. There is no middle ground.” When the souls of the dead were watching their bodies in this accident, I saw an infernal vehicle of Hell with 12 unclean spirits inside.

The demons inside this vehicle of Hell were dressed in gray, and they had black crowns. I saw that they had pots of blood with them. Inside this vehicle, I could hear secular music of the Earth playing. I heard the leader of these demons ordering them to collect human blood in their pots and to capture the souls of these people that were dead. These demons came from a world of Satan that function with human blood and wherever human blood was spilled on the Earth they come to collect it.When they collect human blood, people’s lives get shortened. These demons often travel to different hospitals to collect blood for the hospital is a place of blood supply. This vehicle was releasing a diabolic and cursed energy.

When the infernal vehicle landed on the site of the accident, I saw these demons with their pots, collecting human blood that was spilled in this bus. They took some souls and left behind other souls.

HELL & HEAVEN TESTIMONY

The Lord said, “Those who are left by these demons are people that had died before the time set by God. Those who died in the will of God as planned were taken to the abode of the dead. When people die before their time they will wander the Earth until they reach the time set by God. This is why there are so many wandering spirits on the Earth.

They cannot go to the abode of the dead until they reach the number of years that God gave them.” The Lord previously said that there are five major kingdoms of Satan. The first is the kingdom ruled by the code 333, which is the dimension of maliciousness, jealousy, rancor, and evil-heartedness.

This is the kingdom whose people have a bad heart. They don’t like their friends to prosper. They reject their friends’ promotion, they feel pain when other people have a breakthrough. They envy other peoples’ positions. These people have the mark 333 on their forehead because they are influenced by demons of wickedness and evil heart of the 333 Kingdom. When these people that have the mark 333 die, they will go to Hell and will be captured by demons of the 333 Kingdom.

There is also the 555 Kingdom that produces the plate 555. These properties of Satan give demons legality. This kingdom of Satan is for household items and food for they control the food, clothing, and the plants we use on the Earth.

Most of the food people eat in the world is not food.

Often companies signed pacts with demons who multiplied food that they produced so that they can supply the world with their food. These demons are from the 555 Kingdom.

They go to the cemetery and collect the bodies of the dead and they transform them into canned meat and processed meat that we eat.

These productions happened from September to February. They turn human parts to chicken.

People who sell food and clothes sign covenants with demons of the 555 Kingdom because they deal with food.

The other kingdom of Satan is the one ruled by the code 666. They deal with the world system, the trend and the pleasure of this world. The second beast required all the people small and great, rich and poor, free and slave to receive the mark 666 on their right hand or on their forehead so that no one could buy or sell unless he has the mark 666.The other kingdom of Satan is the 777 Kingdom that is the kingdom of domination and power. Most politicians work with demons of this kingdom. Even pastors that aspire to have big churches and crowds work with this kingdom.

There is also the kingdom of Satan of code 999.

This is the kingdom that deals with inventions and technology such as Apple, Android, new media. I remember when the Lord took me to the world of Satan, I saw plasma TV. The Lord said this technology of plasma TV was used in the world of Satan 3000 years ago. It is because it is outdated that they sent it to the Earth.

Whatever technology humanity is using today was in trend in the world of Satan hundreds of years ago.

TO BE CONTINUED....

devotions

Boundaries

by Dr André and Jenny Roebert Romans 8:2 (AMP): "For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death."

There exists a law that governs victory and produces goodness and favour in our lives. It's called the law of the Spirit; the Bible calls it a law of life. This law is set in place for every born-again child of God. And it's called a law for a very good reason. This law sets boundaries, keeping us enclosed in God's divine protection and blessing, and out of the life marked by sickness, lack and death. Two different lives are governed by two different, opposing laws.

Even though we have been saved out of - and freed from - a life of slavery to sin and its consequences, we must make a moment by moment decision to live within the boundary that separates us from it. This means every thought, word, and action we take must be deliberately weighed and measured against the law of the Spirit. Ask yourself, does this thought, or this conversation, or what I'm doing resemble the life of the Spirit, or sin and death? If it's the latter, it has no place in your life and will cause you to cross over the boundary into a life that leads to misery and death. But, if it's the former, the consequences will be life-giving and victorious. God's Word is Spirit and life, and the Holy Spirit will always guide us to remain within that boundary line. He knows we cannot thrive outside of Jesus Christ. As we deliberately spend time with Him in the Word, yielding to its truth and work in our lives, we will remain governed by God's Spirit and live!

REMINDER

TO WHAT EXTENT CAN YOU TRUST GOD? SHEPHERD HILL COMMUNITY

"He that spared not His own Son,

He asked for a donkey to ride

but delivered Him up for us all,

on, He asked for Peter's ship, He

how shall He not with Him also

also asked Peter how they might

FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS."

get money to pay tax. He asked,

Romans.8:32.

to show His humanity but that didn't diminish His divinity.

Some people think God is more interested in our asking Him for

As children of God, He is

spiritual things only. This is not

interested in our physical well-

correct. Our Lord JESUS Himself

being and comfort.. JESUS

asked for water, He asked for

Himself said: "......your heavenly

food to feed a crowd,

Father knows that you have-

REMINDER

need of these(physical) things."

David said, "Trust in the LORD at

Matthew.6:32.

all times...." Psalms.62:8; his son Solomon said: "Trust in the

God will FREELY GIVE ALL THINGS.

LORD with all your heart, and

In Matthew .5:45, JESUS says, God

lean not on your own

is generous in giving.. The

understanding." Proverbs.3:5.

Apostle Peter says, He gives us

When we have an alternative to

'ALL THINGS that pertain to life'-

do something because you feel

2Peter.1:3 and Apostle Paul says,

that God is not dependable or

He gives us 'richly ALL THINGS to

very slow..You will be taking

enjoy'- 1Timothy.6:17.

God's provision out of your life. it pays to let go and trust God

Knowing and believing all these

in your waiting. Believing that

about the Person of God should

God will not disappoint you,

encourage you to trust Him for

regardless of the visible

everything and anything. If you

contradictions you might be

are doubting trusting the God

experiencing.

you cannot see... Would you rather trust the human being you

Never think you don't deserve

see?

the thing you NEED from GOD, because none of us deserved

Dear friend, If we doubt God's

JESUS but God gave Him to us

unconditional love , you will find

even without our asking-

it impossible to trust Him. Our

Romans.5:8. Although our trust

trust in God therefore, is

in God is often put to test, I pray

probably the highest expression

In the name of JESUS, that may

of our faith in Him; and trust

trust in God in ALL THINGS AND

remains the surest bond in any

AT ALL TIMES... Job 13:15.

relationship that must outlast the test of time.

Build your trust in God daily in every little matter, because the

You don't need to see God in

God you don't TRUST, for little

order to trust Him. God reveals

things, you can't trust for the

Himself by His Word-

BIG things.

1Samuel.3:21. God is not a man to fail- Numbers.23:19 and He

I pray that God will give you a

will not compromise His integrity

SMILE, laughter, joy and a song

to hold back whatever He

for a testimony IN JESUS CHRIST

promised you in His Word- ALL

NAME.

THINGS THAT PERTAIN TO LIFE. GO AND PROSPER.

5 TAKEAWAYS FROM THE NEW ‘SATAN SNEAKERS’

by: Michael L. Brown

The announcement of rapper Lil Nas X’s limited edition, Satan Sneakers, has created a media firestorm, which was the most obvious goal of the campaign. After all, how much money can be made from a run of 666 sneakers, all allegedly featuring a drop of human blood? Yet there are practical takeaways from this publicity stunt.

First, while the sneakers will be here today and gone tomorrow, we must not underestimate Lil Nas X’s influence on children in general.

Rather, as reported by NPR on January 5, children are his “core audience right now,” and by children, NPR meant little children.

I’m talking about children who watch Sesame Street. I’m talking about elementary school children.

The NPR article references “a surprise show Lil Nas X did at Lander Elementary school in Ohio in 2019. In footage from that day, the rapper enters a gym full of children who start screaming at the top of their lungs.

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Some grasp their heads in disbelief.

Others just jump up and down. Some are so overwhelmed they just stand there slack-jawed.” Yes, little children, in awe of Lil Nas X.

Most recently, Satanists made national headlines with their legal challenge to Texas abortion laws, claiming that these laws are an infringement of their religious rights.

His Grammy-winning song, “Old Town Road,” has been a massive hit with “the elementary school set.” Yet, as he boasted in a tweet, “i literally sing about lean & adultery in old town road. u decided to let your child listen. blame yourself.” (“Lean” refers to “an illicit substance made with codeine cough syrup, soda, and hard candy.” It is “highly addictive and potentially damaging to the body.”)

That’s because “the temple's members consider abortion a ritualistic process, according to co-founder and spokesperson Lucien Greaves. The ritual is meant to take the shame and guilt away from the person receiving the procedure, affirming their choice. The state regulations disrupt this ritual, Greaves said.”

So, to repeat, while the sneakers themselves are a momentary (yet demented) publicity grab, Lil Nas X’s popularity with little children is deeply alarming. What are the parents thinking?

And are they aware that some of their children are among the multiplied millions who have viewed his perverse new video depicting simulated sex with the devil?

Second, we should concentrate on the real Satanic evil in the world around us.

I’m talking about the sexual trafficking of children. About rape and murder. About hatred and violence and injustice. About abortion and the destruction of the family. About deception and spiritual delusion.

So, while it is understandable that the sneaker announcement has garnered attention, we should keep our focus where it belongs, namely, on combating the real work of the devil in our society.

Third, in keeping with the previous point, there will always be something sensational related to Satan. Whether it is a movie like Rosemary’s Baby in 1968 or the so-called “Blasphemy Challenge” of 2007, something satanic will be in the headlines.

The reality is that these occasional, sensational stories will always be here.

Let them be a reminder of the devil’s real presence in society rather than a distraction from his evil agenda.

Fourth, Lil Nas X needs Jesus. According to Vox.com, “Lil Nas X put human blood into 666 Nikes because being queer means embracing your villainy.”

He has been open about feeling spiritually rejected and hated because of his gayness, pushing back aggressively with his new, satanic association.

But, just as Paul could say about his previous life as a blasphemer of God and a persecutor and even murderer of Jewish followers of Jesus, perhaps this rapper is also operating in ignorance and unbelief (see 1 Timothy 1:13). Perhaps he, too, does not fully realize the depth of his own depravity.

In any case, let this publicity stunt be used as a call for us to pray for his soul.

May God bring him to repentance and new life through the cross.

Fifth, in Jesus, Satan is under our feet.

Remarkably, these sneakers have a scripture reference inscribed on them, namely, Luke 10:18, where Jesus states that He saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I can’t explain the logic behind it.

But I can affirm the truth of what is written.

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LAW & FAITH

Chanelle Fairlene Pillay Chanelle Fairlene Pillay is a South African born, qualified attorney with her Masters in Business Law, and woman of faith! She is connected to the ministry known as The SuperNatural Church of Jesus Christ where she encountered more of the Lord and His dynamic plans for her life! Author of books titled :‘A SHEPHERD KING’ and AWAY FROM YESTERDAY all available on Amazon. @chanelle.fairlene

THOU SHALT NOT STEAL One of the most common prayer requests you will hear among believers is a plea for finances. People are continuously seeking God for promotion and increase. We serve a God who desires His children to be blessed and live in continuous overflow and abundance – including in the area of finances. So, in that case, why do His children experience lack and find that their finances are being devoured?

Why does it seem like no matter how hard one works or how much they earn, it is not enough?

The answer is connected to one of the Commandments of the LORD, whether a believer chooses to acknowledge it or not, – Thou Shalt Not Steal (Exodus 20:15).

In the natural, theft is considered a crime across the world and there are consequences for those who commit this act. It is the taking of another person’s property or services without their consent and with the intention to deprive them of it. In the spirit realm, it is the same. The difference with this is that the one whom this crime is being committed against is not just another ordinary individual, but rather against the Most High God; your own Heavenly Father – the One who gave you life and who has blessed you with every good thing.

You may be wondering: How Am I Committing This Crime Against My Father?

LAW & FAITH

The answer is found in the Word of God in Malachi 3:8-11 which says, “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all the nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.”

We often hear the last portion of this scripture being confessed, professed and preached – the part about the windows of heaven being opened with blessings that cannot be contained. However, believers choose to disregard the first part of this scripture which speaks of the tithes and offerings that should be given to the LORD in order for the promises to be fulfilled and for curses and the devourer to be dealt with. Your prosperity and financial longevity is connected to your obedience.

The Word of God says in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments”.

There is a reason the tithe is a tenth which belongs to the LORD. The number 10 is spiritually significant in itself as it relates to divine order and redemption. Your obedience in honoring the LORD and His Word will bring redemption and divine order to every area of your life. Apostle Adrian Elijah Robert from The SuperNatural Church of Jesus Christ once said something profound – You have only ever given to the LORD that which was above the tithe. Because the tithe always belonged to Him in the first place.

A person cannot expect financial blessings from the LORD when they are knowingly disobeying His Word, His Commandments, and these spiritual principles. Rectification will bring restoration.

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As children of the Most High God, we are to reflect His Goodness and His Glory. Our Father in Heaven is able to hold the universe in the palm of His Hand. The gold, silver and precious stones of the earth belong to Him. Not one creature or part of creation can fall to the ground without Him knowing or seeing.

His Word and promises are there for our benefit, our favor, our increase, our promotion, our wholeness and our blessing whilst we are still on the earth.

If you wish to see a change in this area of your life – you are to do your part. Stop robbing the LORD, but rather honor Him with the tithe and in your giving to Him. Be obedient to His Word if you truly love Him.

CHANELLE WISDOM

"STOP ROBBING THE LORD, BUT RATHER HONOR HIM WITH THE TITHE AND IN YOUR GIVING TO HIM. BE OBEDIENT TO HIS WORD IF YOU TRULY LOVE HIM." Chanelle Fairlene Pillay

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MAINSTREAM MEDIA IGNORES CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION WORLDWIDE by: Michael Snyder As you read this article, Christians all

No group is more persecuted all over the

around the world are facing absolutely

globe than Christians are, but there is

horrific persecution.

very little outrage in the western world about this.

They are forced to work as slave labor in concentration camps in North Korea, they

In fact, the corporate media will never tell

are being chased from their homes in

you about most of the things that I am

some parts of India, they live in constant

about to share with you.

fear of Islamic terror attacks throughout vast stretches of Africa, and countless

To the corporate media, Christians are

numbers of believers are suffering in

the main enemy of "progress" in the

secret brainwashing facilities in China

western world, and so pointing out the

right now.

brutal persecution of Christians all over the planet definitely does not suit their agenda.

Beauty & The Gospel

MAY

2021

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But the truth is that what I am about to

These were United Front officials, men,

share with you should be front page news.

women, sometimes unidentified, usually in plain clothes. The police turn a blind

For example, a survivor of the secret

eye to this. You have to accept the

brainwashing facilities in China has come

statement they prepare for you. If you

forward to tell his story. The following

refuse, you will be seen as having a bad

comes from Radio Free Asia...

attitude and they will keep you in detention and keep on beating you."

Authorities in China are detaining Christians in secretive, mobile

Can you imagine what your mental state

"transformation" facilities to make them

would be after being beaten for 10

renounce their faith, RFA has learned.

months straight?

A member of a Christian "house church" in

Li Yuese says that he was brought to such

the southwestern province of Sichuan who

a point of despair that he eventually

asked to be identified by a pseudonym Li-

resorted to self-harm...

"I couldn't sleep; after you've been in

"To the corporate media, Christians are the main enemy of "progress" in the western world" Yuese said he was held in a facility run by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s United Front Work Department, working in tandem with the state security police, for 10 months after a raid on his church in 2018. During the 10 months that Li Yuese was detained in one of these facilities, he was endlessly beaten because he would not sign a statement renouncing his faith...

"They use really underhand[ed] methods," Li continued. "They threaten, insult and

there a week, death starts to look better than staying there. I bashed myself against the wall to self-harm," he said.

"One time in there, I was groggy and was trying to open my eyes but I couldn't.

Four or five of them grabbed me by the arms and legs and pinned me to the ground. They they injected me with some drug, and brought me back to consciousness."

Of course this is not the first time we have heard about these facilities.

According to another victim, some of the torture methods often employed include "cold showers in sub-zero temperatures" and "forcing inmates to carry large buckets of water around their necks".

If you were tortured like this endlessly, would you sign a statement renouncing your faith so that you could go back to your "normal life"?

intimidate you.

Beauty & The Gospel

MAY 2021

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Instead, he created our feelings to operate

Meanwhile, in the only other country that

together with our other faculties and to

has a population of over one billion

respond to our minds and our wills. We can

people, Christians often find themselves

choose to think true thoughts. We can

fleeing from their own homes because

choose to take godly actions. And when we

their lives are in danger.

do, our feelings will start to change.

For example, the following is from a Sadly, this is all part of a nationwide effort by the communist party to diminish the influence of the Christian faith in Chinese society. Online sales of Bibles have been banned, Christians are constantly being monitored, and churches are being

report about an incident that just took place in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh...

Christian families in a village in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh fled

demolished all across China...

after villagers belonging to a tribal

Churches are being monitored and closed

them if they did not convert back to their

down across the country, whether they are underground or part of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement, the officially sanctioned Protestant church in China. The government has also imposed a ban on the online sale of Bibles and uses high-tech surveillance to oppress and monitor

religion ostracized and threatened to kill ancestral religion, but the 10 Christians who could not flee were beaten and forced to "reconvert," according to a report.

"The village gathering (last month) threatened to beat us to death if we did

believers.

not attend the ceremony," Raidhar Nag,

Other crackdowns on Christians have

fled Chhingur village in Chhattisgarh

involved ordering Christians to renounce their faith and replace displays of Jesus with portraits of Chairman Mao and President Xi Jinping, as well as the ongoing demolition of churches.

Beauty & The Gospel

21, who was among the Christians who state's Bastar District, told Morning Star News. "They stopped us from fetching water from the village well, obtaining the free government ration or even working in our own fields."

MAY 2021

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The persecution of the end times is here,

According to Open Doors USA,

and as I discuss in my latest book, it is

approximately 340 million Christians

going to get a whole lot worse in the

around the world "experience high levels

coming days.

of persecution and discrimination solely because of their religious beliefs".

Some of the attacks that we have witnessed so far in 2021 are extremely disturbing.

But I think that number is way, way too

Last month in Venezuela, four Christians

low, because more than a billion people

were brutally assaulted and forced "to eat

live in China and more than a billion

pages of the Bible"...

people live in India.

A recent attack in Venezuela had four

Unfortunately, the way things are going

Christians beaten with sticks, cut many

soon there won't be anywhere on the

times with knives, and forced to eat pages

entire planet where Christians are safe

of the Bible.

from persecution.

The four male believers were in a ministry-

The United States was supposed to be a

owned house when eight hooded men

refuge for those that love religious

broke in, Open Doors UK and CBN News

freedom, but now things are changing at

report.

lightning speed.

The house in Libertador, a city in Mérida

At this point, our society has become

state, was ransacked. One of the victims

extremely hostile to those that love God

says the hooded men covered the

and that seek to live according to the

believer's faces and then began to beat and

Bible, and it won't be very long before

stab them.

severe persecution of Christians starts happening here too.

How sick do you have to be in order to do something like that?

"our society has become extremely hostile to those that love God and that seek to live according to the Bible".

Beauty & The Gospel

MAY 2021

CONTRIBUTOR

POWER OF PRAYER written by:

ANGUS & JILL BUCHAN Jill and I found Jesus as our personal Lord and Saviour on the 18th of February 1979, just two years after settling in Greytown, Kwa-Zulu Natal Midlands, South Africa. Originally from Zambia, we bought a piece of land on which we planned to farm crops and livestock. We had very little to start with but even as brand new Christians, we were content with our farm, which we later called SHALOM.

He said because when he has read the Bible, I heard a beautiful quotation; I think it was from

the Word of God, the Scripture (the speech of

the great preacher FB Meyer who said that

God) gave him direction and showed him how

Scripture is the speech of God to man. Isn’t that

and what to pray about.

beautiful? Scripture is the speech of God to man.

So when people say to you “you know, I’ve never ever heard from God and I’ve never heard Him

If we look at Psalm 119:105 (NKJV), we see that

speak” (neither have I by the way. Not many

it says,

have and have lived to tell the tale). However,

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my

God speaks to us through His Holy Word. He’s

path.

done it for me over forty years and some of the

— Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)

biggest decisions I’ve ever made and some of the biggest steps of faith that I’ve ever taken

Like never before we need to use the Word of

have not come from somebody else’s idea, but

God for our direction, for our instruction,

from the Word of God directly. By reading my

for our motivation and most of all for our

Bible systematically everyday from the Old

friendship. Every morning the first thing I do is I

Testament and from the New Testament.

read my Bible, then I pray. I learnt that from the

That is how God speaks to a person.

famous theologian by the name of George Müller who started the Children’s homes in Bristol England and did it all by faith, never asking for a cent. He said in his quiet time he used to pray first and then read the Word. But after a while he decided to read the Bible first and then pray.

Jesus bless you, Angus and Jill Buchan

ARE YOU A FOOL ACCORDING TO

Bible

WRITTEN BY: MICHAEL L. BROWN

As defined by the Scriptures, a fool is not

1) “The way of fools seems right to them,

someone who is uneducated or a person

but the wise listen to advice” (Proverbs

with a low IQ. Rather, a fool is someone

12:15).

who is deeply deficient spiritually and morally. As summed up in Proverbs 1:7,

The fool is always right in his (or her eyes),

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of

never willing to take correction, never willing

knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and

to listen to sound advice, never willing to

instruction.” Are you a fool according to

acknowledge error or wrong.

the Bible? Am I? Let’s look at just a few of the characteristics of the fool as laid out in

Perhaps we are not this extreme in our

Proverbs.

stubbornness, but is this our general tendency?

Can people approach us easily, without fear?

On a scale of 1-10, if 1 stood for “wise” and 10

Do we receive correction with humility and

stood for “foolish,” how would you score

even appreciation?

yourself? And how would those closest to you score you?

That’s why Proverbs 9:8 says, “Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the

To quote one more relevant verse (among

wise and they will love you.” So also Proverbs

many), “Whoever is patient has great

17:10: “A rebuke impresses a discerning

understanding, but one who is quick-

person more than a hundred lashes a fool.”

tempered displays folly” (Proverbs 14:29.)

What are we displaying by our lives and our

Are you foolish or are you wise?

words?

2) “Fools show their annoyance at once,

3) “The tongue of the wise adorns

but the prudent overlook an insult”

knowledge, but the mouth of the fool

(Proverbs 12:16).

gushes folly” (Proverbs 15:2).

Fools lack self-control. They are easily

Because a foolish person lacks humility and

annoyed, easily angered, easily provoked. In

self-control, he or she is quick to speak,

contrast, those who are prudent will overlook

blurting out whatever comes to mind. As

insult and shaming. Which attitude would

Proverbs 14:3 states, “A fool’s mouth lashes

your friends and family and co-workers say is

out with pride, but the lips of the wise

more characteristic of you?

protect them.”

According to Proverbs, lack of self-control is

In fact, throughout the Bible, few things are so

one of the most common characteristics of a

characteristic of fools as this: They have no

fool. “The wise fear the LORD and shun evil,

filter on their lips. They think something and

but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

they speak. They do not exercise self-restraint.

A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is

Just read these verses for yourself, and see if

hated” (Proverbs 14:16-17).

they are relevant in your own life. I have looked at my life through this grid many times

And, “Fools give full vent to their rage, but

and plan to continue do so while I have

the wise bring calm in the end” (Proverbs

breath. “The lips of fools bring them strife,

29:11).

and their mouths invite a beating. The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their

Are you known as a hothead? Does everyone

lips are a snare to their very lives” (Proverbs

around you know immediately when you are

18:6-7). “It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,

annoyed? Do you find it hard to overlook an

but every fool is quick to quarrel” (Proverbs

insult?

20:3).

According to Proverbs 12:18, “The words of

That’s why, after seeing all kinds of passionate

the reckless pierce like swords, but the

(but irrelevant and even misguided) discussion in

tongue of the wise brings healing.”

response to one of my recent articles, I posted this, “I have this crazy dream that one day

Do our words bring healing or do they tear

everyone will read the article before they post

down and destroy? Is our speech restrained,

their comments in response to the article! It

bringing life, or is our speech reckless,

would really save a whole lot of wasted words.

piercing like a sword?

But I'm probably just dreaming. Many will still air their opinions before reading the content of what

4) “Fools find no pleasure in understanding

I write. I guess I just have to accept it.”

but delight in airing their own opinions” (Proverbs 18:2).

When we do this, when we answer before listening, when we speak before we understand,

Proverbs is quite blunt about this: “To answer

we display the characteristics of a fool.

before listening—that is folly and shame” (Proverbs 18:13). And, “Do you see a person

The other day, a woman rebuked me on

wise in their own eyes? There is more hope

Facebook for criticizing those who still expected

for a fool than for them” (Proverbs 26:12).

Trump to be the president, while, she claimed, I

And, “Do you see someone who speaks in

failed ever to say a word against the policies of

haste? There is more hope for a fool than for

Joe Biden or other Democrats.

them” (Proverbs 29:20).

I asked in reply, “Have you not read my articles Often on social media, when posting my latest

addressing Democratic policies on abortion and

article for discussion, I will add, “Please read

religious freedom and transgender activism and

the article before sharing your thoughts on

China and Iran?”

the article.”

She replied, “I haven’t read your stuff for years.

I’m unfollowing you now.”

Yes, I actually have to do this, as ridiculous as it sounds.

This is all too common in our day, and when we act like this, we are shouting out for the world to

Just think of telling a music critic, “Please listen

see, “I am acting like a fool!”

to the song before you share your thoughts

How about we read a chapter of Proverbs each

on the song.” Or, think of telling a food critic,

day, which basically takes you through the book

“Please eat the meal before describing how it

12 times in a year?

tastes.”

Recognizing my own lack of wisdom over the Unfortunately, despite my appeal, it is very

years, and having a terrible, fierce temper when I

common for people simply to see a headline

came to faith in 1971, I’ve read through Proverbs

and then air their opinion. More times than

countless times, also asking God for wisdom

not, had they actually read the article first,

again and again. That’s a prayer He loves to

they would not have posted their comment.

answer.

CONTRIBUTOR

Dear Builder

Keep Building For God God chose you for the assignment. He gave you the instructions and He knew you would overcome.

Everything that stands in your way is just a distraction to stop you from moving forward. You have to keep pressing through the tears, the doubts, the hurt, the fear, the restless nights and the sorrow and persecution that we as children of God have to face.

You must push through like Nehemiah did when God told him to build the wall of Jerusalem. He stood in the face of adversity and still chose to do the will of His father. When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that that he was rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem they conspired to come against Jerusalem and cause confusion amongst the people to make them lose faith in God’s promise of restoration.

Nehemiah did not run in fear He ran to prayer. He gathered the other builders and together they kept watch.

Nehemiah reminded them “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” Nehemiah 4:13-15 (NKJV).

@monicatheophilus founder @amomentwithmonica, minister, prayer warrior , author, writer and contributor at beauty&thegospel magazine .

@beautyandthegospel

The builders were encouraged so they carried the word of God in their hearts, weapons in their hands and fought to rebuild God’s wall. Finally, after 52 days the wall was restored in Jerusalem.

When the enemy is attacking you don’t run from God’s will out of fear but run to His presence for His affirmation, love and peace. If God called you to it, He will see you through it. The greatest weapon you can use against the enemy is your faith. Do not allow the spiritual warfare to keep your from occupying the promised land. Like Nehemiah, pray and seek the face of God and you will see what you are building come to fruition.

devotions

A Life Marked

by Favour

by Dr André and Jenny Roebert 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV):"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" As children of God, the cry of our hearts is to be in His perfect will for our lives. That's because when we are in His will, our lives are significantly marked by His protection, provision, and blessing. His favour rests upon us, regardless of our circumstances and surroundings - and whatever He has us do, prospers. We see this displayed time and again throughout the Old and New Testaments. In spite of betrayals and abandonment, being sold into slavery, surviving shipwrecks, or thrown into boiling oil, being falsely accused and even imprisoned - God's hand never lifted off the men and women who walked in His will. People like Joseph, Daniel, the apostles Paul and John, were just a few whose lives were marked with unprecedented favour and divine protection - in the midst of great adversity. Even though their circumstances differed, they all chose to walk uprightly before the Lord and sought only to do His perfect will. Our lives will be marked by the same extraordinary favour when we choose to walk in His ways. God's perfect will is His Word. And His Holy Spirit empowers us to follow after its principles. Today, yield to His work inside you and you will walk in the same supernatural provision, protection, and blessing, regardless of your circumstances or surroundings.

praying for your children is not a priveldge but is neccesary source: https://ineedaword.org/ As parents, we are given a wonderful privilege and responsibility of raising our children – who belong to God, not us – to know and love Him. Our responsibility as Christians is to adequately care for our children’s souls as much as we care for their physical needs. It is out of order for you not to take it as high priority. Satan recognizes such loop holes and strikes hard. He constantly tries to convince us to focus our attention and strength on the things that do not have eternal value blinding us to the real needs of our children. The bible says in Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” The battle is not physical dearly beloved, it is spiritual. Do not be deceived.

It’s time to re-focus and re-strategize. It’s time to make the main things, the main things.

Spiritual battles and struggles must be fought spiritually. The only way you can win these battles is through spiritual exercises of which one of them is prayer. Let us contend for our children in the place of prayer regularly.

Regardless of how much effort we put into teaching and training our children, without prayer we won’t see the results we desire.

God takes what we do and uses it in our kids to produce much fruit. Listed below is some of the importance of praying for your children 1.Prayers for our children protect and shield them from the constant attacks from the devil, the world and the flesh.

Our children are under constant attack from-

the world, the flesh, and the devil. We should not relent but consistently commit our Children to the hands of their maker for them to survive in this crazy world. Each day our children are subjected to literally thousands of offensive images and words. Our children also face an enormous amount of peer pressure to become part of what is considered normal by the world’s standards.

Without prayer our children will not be able to stand against the insurmountable odds they will face from childhood until they leave this world.

2.Diligent prayer helps us focus on what is truly important in the lives of our children. Living in a sin-stained world often directs our thinking toward earthly goals for our children. Regular, fervent prayer focuses our thoughts on what is truly important. As we focus on the Lord, our goals for our children are more in line with God’s goals for our children. Remember they belong to God. With that in mind, it becomes clear that we should seek His will through prayer on all matters pertaining to our children’s lives.

3,It leads to transformation in the lives of our children. The salvation of children should be intensely sought so they may avoid the bad habits and struggles that plague many adults. A life transformed by Jesus Christ helps protect against a life full of regrets. Good habits are best formed when young. Prayer, Bible study, the daily fight against sin, and other Christian virtues developed in youth are a powerful defense against the strategies of Satan.

4.No one else knows our children as well as we do so no one else can pray for our children like we can. No one cares for your children more than you do (save for God).

You have an intimate knowledge of your children that others lack. Your regular interaction with them gives you insight concerning their strengths, weaknesses, joys, struggles, and future goals. You are able to pray for each child according to his needs, his strengths and weaknesses. Although you implore others to pray on behalf of your children, few will actually pray, and none will pray with your intensity.

After all, God entrusted their care to you. No one else but you may be praying for your children, so if you do not pray who will?

5.Praying for our children helps us to focus on what is truly important in their lives. Living in a sin-stained world often directs our thinking toward earthly goals for our children. Regular, fervent prayer focuses our thoughts on what is truly important. As we focus on the Lord, our goals for our children are more in line with God’s goals for our children. Remember, they belong to God. With that in mind, it becomes clear that we should seek His will through prayer on all matters pertaining to our children’s lives. It will increase your awareness of what is going on in their lives.

6.It brings us closer to God because if your relationship with God is on point, your communication with him is easier and you get into new levels of understanding and growth. As you pray for your Children, God points you to areas of your life where you need a change and you become better for it.

7.Prayer helps you talk to your children about what God desires for them to have as His children and it will give them comfort to know that they are loved and cared for by you their parents.

8.Praying for our children is the work of eternity right in our everyday lives. It’s going to battle to keep Jesus on the throne of our hearts and the hearts of our kids. It’s humbling ourselves before the Lord, knowing that we cannot change our children, only God can bring about salvation and the fruit of the Spirit in their lives.

You are being cheated by the devil if you are not praying for your children. If only for a moment we could glimpse through the corridors of time and see the results of obedient, fervent prayer through God’s eyes, we most assuredly would fall face down and pray. Parents are to pray for their children’s spiritual as well as physical health and wellbeing. Praying for your children is not a privilege that we have as parents it is a necessity.

C H O S E N

B E F O R E

E X I S T E N C E

'FAITH ORACLES' epistle by: Prophet Joseph Yamkela

W

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose. For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified. ~Romans 8:28-30 CSB The word 'Pre-Destined' means prepared in advance, set apart or a fixed position given before time. In the reality of things God has not called us to become but He has already made us what He wanted us to be; we are not waiting for a future where we will become but once we enter into the realm of FAITH we discover who we already are.

It's a fact that your biological parents gave birth to you, but divine Truth is God is the sole decider of your existence and without Him we would not be here.

It is not because of righteousness or good works, what we had done before our existence that would have allowed God to favour us?

As it is, the case of Jacob and Esau the Lord said the older shall serve the younger even before they were born. None of them had committed any sin or good work but whilst they were still in the womb God said I Love Jacob and I hate Esau.

The question is: what did Esau do to serve his younger brother or Jacob do to deserve such favor?

This is what we call election

by Grace rather than works for none of them had performed any service to God yet God had already chosen His own.

By scripture it says: "for He shows mercy to whomever He chooses and shows favour to whomever He chooses".

We are here today walking in Divine Destiny not because we are better off or righteous than others but we were Chosen before existence, set apart before time, known by Him and called to Him! We didn't choose God, He chose us! When we didn't know of Him or heard about Him, He had already called us by name and set us up for His purpose.

I tell you that there's no amount of good or bad that can erase the purpose of God for your life, before good or bad existed you were already called in Him. CONNECT IN FAITH Father in the name of Jesus, you have set me apart before the foundations of this world, before I was in my mother's womb you called me. Today I commit myself to your purpose, I decree a divine allocation for me, I connect to the fullness of my Destiny and the Manifestation of your Glory!

Thank You Jesus!

FEATURED

THE CURE No matter what your opinion is, I think we can all agree that something is very wrong in our world today.

Something is wrong when a lie becomes the truth, and the truth is considered a lie.

Something is wrong when the hunger for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is openly hijacked by individuals craving total control. Something is wrong when the streets can easily be filled with violent protestors, but churches are in desperate search of prayer warriors.

Something is wrong when the Word of God declared from the pulpit is considered hate speech... and censored.

Something is wrong when public officials open their mouths and blatantly lie, calling themselves public servants. We have become lovers of self, despisers of good, a lawless and greedy people.

What’s wrong? We have a sin problem that is saturating every corner of our society.

What can we do about it? We can seek out a cure. This cure is totally free, paid for by the only begotten Son of God, the spotless Lamb of God. It doesn’t matter where you have come from or what you’ve been through. It doesn’t even matter the road you’re currently walking. This cure is the only thing that can make a way where there seems to be no way.

BY: MATT HAGEE

This cure is 100% effective.

It conquers darkness and heals all sickness and disease. The cure has defeated death, hell and the grave. This cure calms your fears and cleanses you from every sin, removing the yoke of bondage and the shackles of sin and shame.

Something is wrong when the Word of God declared from the pulpit is considered hate speech... and censored.

Our world is sick! Our world is infected! We have a serious problem on our hands! But we have access to the cure, in Jesus’ name!

Psalm 107:20-22 tells us, “He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them sacrifice with sacrifices of thanksgiving and declare His works with rejoicing.”

While we often focus on things that are completely unimportant, we must always remember this one truth that remains. Give thanks to the Lord! That’s it.

That’s the focus you should have for your life, as you walk through the good and the bad...give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

God paid the price for your redemption. Upon your last breath, you would not be seeing the pearly gates. Give thanks! Don’t forget where you were when He healed you. Give thanks! Don’t forget what happened when He saved your marriage.

Give thanks! We serve an awesome God who is worthy of our highest praise! Give thanks!

One of our biggest problems is that instead of the redeemed of the Lord standing up, proclaiming the good news, sharing the word of their testimony...the redeemed remain silent. We don’t want to offend anybody. Guess what? We live in a day and time where everyone is offended. Get over it and proclaim the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

One of our biggest problems is that instead of the redeemed of the Lord standing up, proclaiming the good news, sharing the word of their testimony...the redeemed remain silent. We don’t want to offend anybody. Guess what? We live in a day and time where everyone is offended. Get over it and proclaim the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Maybe you are currently wandering through a personal wilderness. He is a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path (Psalm 119:105). You can’t wander in this world. You have to follow somebody. May I recommend Jesus?

Stubbornness will make you wander on your own.

Rebellion is when you give into your own pride... because, of course, you know what’s best for yourself. How is that workin’ out for you? There are all kinds of things in this world that you can reject, but the one thing you cannot reject is the counsel of the Most High. Our steps are ordered of the Lord.

Maybe you are currently wandering through a personal wilderness. He is a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path (Psalm 119:105). You can’t wander in this world. You have to follow somebody. May I recommend Jesus?

Stubbornness will make you wander on your own.

Rebellion is when you give into your own pride... because, of course, you know what’s best for yourself.

How is that workin’ out for you? There are all kinds of things in this world that you can reject, but the one thing you cannot reject is the counsel of the Most High. Our steps are ordered of the Lord.

For all the ways there are to get into trouble, there’s only one way out...to cry out to the One who can do something about your distress. No matter how you got into trouble, no matter where you find yourself today...if you’re wandering in a wilderness, God is an ever-present help in times of trouble. If you’re lost in a maze of confusion, God is an ever-present help in times of trouble. If you’re bound in chains and shackled by chains, God is an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Are you broken today? Cry unto Him. Are you weary? Cry unto Him. Are you tired? Cry unto Him. Why? Because He hears you. He can deliver you.

Your answer is on the way!

Sometimes the chains we wear are chains of our own making, chains that resulted from our own foolish choices.

All of the chains that bind you can melt away in an instant when you change your focus from the failures of your past to the absolute victory you have through Christ Jesus.

Friends, we have immediate access to the greatest cure man has ever know...or will ever know. Cry out to God and lay your burden at the Cross.

Your debt has been paid. Your sin has been forgiven. You have been set free. And whom the Son sets free, is free indeed.

FEATURED

Cynthia's Letters A Matter of the Heart While many people struggle with compulsively looking at their cell phone for entertainment and the latest social media posts and communication, I have never thought of myself as addicted to my phone. Rabbi would warn me to be careful not to look at my phone all the time, but I never thought I had any cell phone addiction issues. I would respond to him that I am not addicted to my phone, and that I use my phone in a utilitarian manner to “be there” for family and for ministerial needs. Recently the Holy Spirit proved me wrong.

One of my responsibilities is to prepare the travel arrangements for Rabbi, myself, and our production team. Our recent travel to Israel involved very complicated logistics for ministering, filming, touring, prayer and study in The Land. All of my spiritual notes, directional maps, information and Apps are in my phone. Just prior to departing to Israel, I had a strong, fearful image of my very old cell phone suddenly ceasing to function while in Israel. Of course this served to create anxiety in me, but I pressed onward in prayer, calling on the LORD to cover the function of my phone for all of our upcoming travel needs.

Upon our arrival into Israel, while preparing for bed, sure enough, my cell phone went completely black and dysfunctional. With jet lag weariness and stress related to driving a rental car in a foreign country with my GPS not working now, I reeled in panic! While Rabbi slept, I paced the floor in desperate prayer, crying out for the LORD to touch my phone and make it work again. He did not answer my prayer. I cried out, like David in the Psalms, “LORD, where are you??! I am here in Your Land, yet feel as though You are far from me.”

I felt myself sink deeper into fear, anxiety and desperation apart from God and fell to my knees.

Suddenly, the LORD shined His light upon my heart: I am addicted to my phone. Indeed, my phone had become my ultimate resource for maneuvering through our complicated society and daily life. The Holy Spirit spoke to me, “Do you want to lean into the unreliable worldly means, or do you want to lean into Me as your source for all that you need? Do you want to walk in the natural or in the supernatural?” With my heart laid bare before the LORD, I let go. I responded back to Him, “LORD, I want to experience Your supernatural life. I release all of my plans and fallible resources to You. I let go to blindly trust and depend upon YOU.” Immediately the peace of God, that passes all understanding, overtook my mind, body and soul. I looked down, and suddenly, my phone lit up. With my heart peacefully resting in Father’s control and supernatural means for accomplishing His will, my phone functioned perfectly throughout our remaining time in Israel. Beloved, let the Holy Spirit shine in to reveal what it is that your heart is trusting in for security and “safe” navigating through this rugged world. Trusting in the LORD and leaning not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5) will release you into a new peace and freedom!

FOUR SPIRITUAL WARFARE PRINCIPLES IN MARRIAGE BY: MARK DRISCOLL |

SOURCE: HTTPS://WWW.XOMARRIAGE.COM

Have you ever come to a point in your

If you believe lies about your identity,

marriage where you thought, “Man, this

you’ve brought hell into your marriage.

just feels like hell”? If we are honest with

Likewise, if you have any emotional,

ourselves, most of us have. Marriage is

physical or sexual relationship with

either lived heaven down or hell up.

someone else—whether physical or mental—you’ve brought hell into your

Let me explain. If your marriage “feels like

marriage.

hell,” that’s because you have done some things to pull hell up into your marriage.

So many young people are marrying later

You have literally gone into the culture of

and later (or not at all) because they fear

hell and brought death and demonic

marriage. That is likely because they grew

influence into your marriage and family.

up in families where the parents kept bringing the culture of hell up into the

This can happen when you enter marriage

home.

without having dealt with past wounds. If you bring unforgiveness into your

But the good news is that you can also

marriage, you’re also bringing hell into it.

take steps to make the opposite choice.

You can invite heaven down into your

God and humans see the visible realm.

marriage. We’ve all looked at happy

That unseen realm is just as real, and it

couples and thought, “Wow, God has really

affects our daily lives. Satan wants to be

blessed those people.” That’s because

active and involved in our marriage. The

their relationship and home environment

real enemy is not your spouse but the

feel a lot more like heaven than hell. That’s

forces of evil behind the struggles in your

why we love to be around them. They are

relationship.

life-giving. They are joyful.

2. Binary thinking is critical.

A home that invites the kingdom and culture of heaven down into it will be

The Bible always divides the world into

characterized by the fruit of the Spirit:

two categories: truth and lies, light and

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

darkness, good and evil, angels and

goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and

demons. Binary thinking allows us to

self-control. Children who grow up in

understand this truth: Satan wants to

those kinds of environments want to get

counterfeit everything God creates. God

married instead of dreading marriage.

creates marriage, but Satan points us to

They think marriage is awesome.

cohabitation or sex outside marriage. God creates fidelity. Satan counterfeits it with

That’s why spiritual warfare is so

infidelity.

important within a marriage. Think of a biblical, supernatural worldview in

The Bible shows that morality is black and

marriage like a chair. If any of those four

white, but everything that happens in our

legs is missing, the chair will be unstable.

culture seems to exist in shades of gray.

Here are the four principles of spiritual

Refusing to admit that absolute right and

warfare:

wrong exist is a denial of those biblical truths.

1. The unseen realm exists.

3. Everyone is responsible for their “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). That means your spouse is not your enemy. The spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms are your enemy.

The Bible teaches that there is one reality but two realms. God sees the “unseen” realm.

sin.

When some crime is committed, all the participants are held responsible. We see this in Genesis 3, which is the first case study of spiritual warfare. Adam and Eve are perfect beings in a perfect environment until Satan shows up. Eve sins through commission—by doing something she shouldn’t do. Adam sins by omission, by not saying anything and then trying to hide it. Both are punished.

Eve then blames the serpent. Adam

The converse to this is that a husband and

blames Eve. He may have felt he married

wife can invite the culture of heaven and the

the wrong woman. Eve may have felt she

Holy Spirit to bless and heal your

wasn’t good enough for Adam. Both

relationship. Whatever it takes to do that is

believed lies and those lies began to

worth the effort. Be teachable. Pray for each

destroy their marriage. A lie doesn’t need

other. Address your own issues. Listen to

to be true; it just needs to be believed.

your spouse. If you need professional help,

Both men and women must take

reach out for it.

responsibility for the health of a marriage.

God can still heal whatever wounds you have

4. The choice is ours to make.

in your marriage if you’re willing to work together to pull heaven down into your

When all is said and done, there are two cultures and two choices: the Kingdom of God and hell. We either invite heaven down into our marriage or we pull hell up into our marriage. When a home feels like hell, a husband and wife won’t want to be together. They won’t want to spend time with their kids. They’ll ignore each other and do their own thing.

All of those outcomes are demonic. The devil is trying to “steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10) your marriage today as well as for generations within your family.

relationship. Start with your own need for forgiveness, repentance, healing, maturing and growing. Grace and I are only together today because we worked hard to do that, especially during our darkest times.

Marriage is either lived heaven down or hell up. The invitation is yours.

rk D a M

riscoll

I Hear His Whisper . .

Encounter God’s Heart . . .

Stay Calm When it feels like all hell has launched an attack against you, this advice still rings true today. Stay calm. Don’t let your emotions overtake you, but bring each one to the Lord so he can refine you. Don’t explode. Don’t overreact.

Don’t exchange faith for fear. Guard your heart. Don’t panic.

Some of our biggest and seemingly insurmountable trials are nothing more than smoldering stubs of wood in our Father’s eyes. If we could see things from his point of view, we would all feel a lot less stressed. But this is the crux of it all, isn’t it? To go immediately to him in times of crisis and find his presence so we can get his perspective. Too often, we depend on our intellect, frantically searching for answers that only he can give. In times of trouble, let’s not react but intentionally step back to find him.

Father, in times of trouble, you alone are my refuge and peace. When it feels as if the world is crumbling around me, and I feel myself succumbing to fear, wrap me in your arms and pull me close. Help me to remember that you are in control, and I am not. You will work out the details.

Isaiah 7:4 The Passion Translation Give him this message: "Stay calm! Be quiet and guard your heart! Don’t panic or be discouraged over these two smoldering stubs of firewood."

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THE NEED FOR SPIRITUAL MENTORS WRITTEN BY: J. GARRETT KELL

Why can’t we just follow Jesus by our self?

Our personal relationship with Jesus is of utmost importance. But following Jesus is not intended to be done in isolation. The New Testament is clear that Jesus called his disciples into relationship with other disciples. He expects us to help one another follow him as we accomplish the mission he has entrusted to us (Mt. 28:18–20).

Jesus sent his disciples out in pairs to evangelize cities (Luke 10:1). He sent the Spirit to unite his church as a body with many parts (Eph. 4:1–6), as a family of many members (Matt.

12:46–50; 1 Cor. 12:12–14), and as a nation of heavenly citizens (Phil.

3:20). Jesus calls us to follow him in the context of intentional, meaningful community. He expects us to help others grow in their walk with him, and for us to be helped by others.

The Christian life is not primarily to be experienced as “God and me” but “God and we.” That’s bad grammar, but good theology. Faithfully following Jesus requires the help of fellow believers.

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How to find someone to

Do we become a bother to a

disciple you

more mature believer if we

Desiring to grow but not knowing

ask them to disciple us?

how to get started can be overwhelming. While there are no secrets to finding someone to disciple you, here are a few simple suggestions.

Pray. This may seem obvious, but that’s because it is essential. God loves to provide what his children need (Luke 11:11–13). Ask God to bring you someone to help you follow him. He delights in arranging divine appointments (Acts 8:26–40, 10:1–48, 16:6–10). Since he knows what you need before you ask, you can trust him to provide the right person in the perfect timing.

Join a church. The local church is the primary place we learn to follow Jesus. By committing to a healthy church that teaches and applies God’s Word, you’ll develop the kind of relationships that are ripe for encouragement, instruction, and accountability.

Ask someone. Don’t wait for someone to invite you into a discipling relationship. Take the initiative to reach out to someone you admire in the faith. Look for someone who inspires you to be like Jesus. They don’t need to be famous or have a seminary degree. Just look for someone who is faithful and invite them to invest in your life. If they are unavailable, ask them to help you find someone. Keep asking the Lord and seeking help from others. He will provide (Mt. 7:7–11).

To assume that a more mature believer doesn’t benefit from discipling others is a misunderstanding of what happens during discipling. God uses discipling to bless everyone involved. When Christians meet up, Jesus is always sanctifying everyone in the room.

Consider Paul’s words to the Romans: “I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine” (Rom. 1:11–12). Paul desired to bless them with his spiritual gifts, but the same Paul who encountered Jesus personally (Acts 9; Gal. 1:12) and was even called into heaven (2 Cor. 12:2) also expected to be blessed by them.

As I recently reflected on my week, I discovered that God used both younger and struggling believers to bless me. As I watched them trying to trust Jesus, I was challenged to trust Jesus. As I shared the Word with them, I was served by the Word. As we worked through the consequences of their sin, I was freshly emboldened to fight my own sin. God is always sanctifying everyone at the same time. This is true for both the person being discipled and the one doing the discipling. You won’t be a bother to a more mature believer; you will be used by God to bless them.

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What areas of our lives could benefit from discipling?

Jesus commanded his disciples to “make disciples of all nations . . . teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you . . . ” (Matt.

It is easy to expect them to be for us what only God can. As you begin a discipling relationship, pray for God to use your mentor to point you to Jesus, not to replace him.

28:19–20). My life has been marked

How can finding a mentor

by godly mentors who have used

help us not fall away from

Scriptural instruction, thoughtful questions, and challenging correction to help me grow in bringing every area of my life under Jesus’s lordship.

As a young believer, godly men and women showed me how to fervently pray and faithfully evangelize. Godly brothers taught me how to read, study, and apply the Bible. Faithful mentors showed me how to steward my singleness and now, they help me navigate the blessings and challenges of marriage.

Wise friends have helped me process important life decisions and grow in knowing how to save, spend, and share the wealth God has entrusted to me. Fellow church members have taught me how to fight temptation, confess sins, and pursue Jesus from a pure heart.

God calls us to commit our entire lives to him and he uses mature believers to help us do it (Eph. 4:11– 17; Rom. 12:1–2; Gal. 6:1–2).

What are the dangers to being discipled?

As with any good thing, there are potential pitfalls to discipling relationships. One of most common is over-dependence. We can be tempted to rely more on the person mentoring us than on Jesus.

Jesus?

We may not realize it, but we are constantly being discipled by the world. We receive endless messages about who we are and how we should think. We are being trained to be masters of selfishness, manipulation, pride, and self-reliance. Satan strives to snatch the Word while setting snares through tribulations, persecutions, and deceitful temptations (Mark 4:14–19). His aim is to get us to harden our hearts against Jesus and fall away from the faith.

But God calls us to resist the tempter, renew our minds, and resist apostasy (Heb. 12:1–2; 1 Pet. 5:8–10). One of the primary antidotes to apostasy are discipling relationships. The author of Hebrews writes, “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:12–13).

Jesus is the One who holds you fast, and He often works through His people to assure it happens. We need mature believers to help us resist sin, grow in godly affection, and to persevere in faith.

f o e s r ve ! h t n o m the AMOS 8: 11 (NLT)

“The time is surely coming,” says the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the Lord.

SURELY THE TIME IS COMING

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Your old nature and your new one written by : Jentezen Franklin

“The Spirit and your desires are enemies.”

—Gal 5:17 CEV The Bible says: “If you are guided by the Spirit, you won’t obey your selfish desires.

The Spirit and your desires are enemies… always fighting each other and keeping you from doing what you feel you should” (vv.

16-17 CEV). Sound familiar? Here are four keys to winning the daily battle between your old and new natures.

(1) Be honest.

Acknowledge that your flesh will always crave satisfaction in the wrong things—and it never takes a day off.

(2) Be humble.

Acknowledge that you’re powerless to win the battle without God’s help. By committing yourself to God, you draw on His strength in those first crucial moments of each test.

And your ability to do that will grow as you practice this spiritual discipline. The closer you draw to God, the stronger you become when faced with temptation and trouble.

(3) Be disciplined.

This is a personal matter; no one else can do it for you. Paul writes, “You must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives” (Ro 6:12 MSG).

If someone else has to restrain you, it doesn’t work!

(4) Be alert.

As a soldier David should have known better, but Satan caught him off guard with his defenses down. As a result he ended up committing adultery with Bathsheba, then having her husband put to death in an attempt to cover it up.

Final Thoughts Maybe you think it couldn’t happen to you.

Paul, the greatest of the apostles, wrote, “I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1Co 9:27 NIV).

nklin a r F n e z te Jen

contributor

WHAT PATH WILL FEAR TAKE ME T O D A Y ?

BY; KENDRA DUBLIN

Ask yourself this question. Is my fear of God the right type of fear?

There’s a reverent fear and a crippling fear. The reverent fear of God makes you talk and walk in a way that honors God, but crippling fear stops you in your tracks as if a train is coming down your street every day. And in any moment of Son shine, here comes your thoughts taking you hostage until the sun sets. But if the Son has set you free, then why aren’t you free?

As a Christian Life Coach, I help Believers release their past wounds so they can be effective for God’s kingdom in their mission. One thing that stops my clients from moving forward is fear. Fear of failure, which leads you to being stuck. Fear of success, which leads you to being stuck. Fear of God’s wrath, which leads you to being stuck.

Fear of being who you are in Christ, which leads you to being stuck and so on.

@iamkendradublin

working, talking to people, while literally

matter which area you fall under you will

being in the past or future.

continue to live in the past and future, never doing what God told you to do

You won’t know what you did, how you

today.

did it and how you actually stayed alive throughout it all because you were on

It’s like the movie Pacific Rim. If you

autopilot while being cemented.

haven’t seen it here’s a quick summary.

The army created these super-size Iron

As one who was delivered from

Man like robots called “Jaegers” to fight

alcoholism, I understand the revolving

the sea monsters called “Kaiju” that two

thoughts that take our lives captive and

human pilots operate. They control the

the habits we pick up because of it. Fear

Jaeger in the head, which gives you an

never stops at fear, it always comes with a

idea of just how massive they are. Before

handful of recurring payments. Have you

they are assigned their Jaegers, two

started overeating, smoking, drinking,

people have to undergo training and test

oversleeping, binge watching anything

to see whose brain and fighting skills

with a screen? Trust me, your lack of faith

match perfectly to operate it, since they

shows its ugly head every day, but are you

work as one in thought, emotion, etc.

aware of how it keeps you in the same

While fighting the Kaiju, they must stay in

place year after year?

the present because each person is counting on the other to operate in top

Pride even comes to mind. While you are

capacity. If a negative thought or memory

living in your constant toxic thoughts, you

crosses their mind and they go down the

start telling God what you can and can’t

rabbit hole, the one fighter takes on the

do. Can you imagine being God, and

battle using more brain power which is

hearing your children say “I can’t do that”

dangerous and mostly impossible.

constantly? We will delay our testimonies, ministries, relationships and businesses

When the pilot is reliving the past there’s

because we think we know better than

no capacity for them to see the present

God. Can I get an Amen?

even with their eyes open. Sounding familiar? The longer they hold onto the

So, what can you do to release your

memory it decreases their chances to win

fear?.............Give up!...no don’t throw in the

the fight. When is the last time you were

towel of life, but give it up to God. Peace

triggered by a thought and chased it to

and clarity always comes when you begin

the end of the day? Because your brain

to see yourself in the proper perspective

already knows your habits, therefore it

compared to God and begin to follow his

doesn’t have to work as hard, it’ll allow

lead. Only then can a habit be broken,

you to go through the day driving,

and a new set of rules emerge in your brain.

contributor

You see the pattern, right? It doesn’t

When did that thought appear? Who do

honest and know you’re the problem.

you surround yourself with, that

It’s so easy nowadays to say, “I know I am

perpetuates those thoughts? Think about it

the problem” while never implementing

and write it down.

solutions. Who cares if you are aware and yet nothing changes in real time? God

So, what path will fear take you down

doesn’t keep his people fearful to the

today? Will you allow the person in the

point of being stagnant. Gaining faith in a

mirror to cut in on your race? Moving in

thing only comes when you believe. Too

faith is actually not a monumental task. It

often you say I believe in the power of

just takes submission to the Holy Spirit and

God, but it’s not true, because your life

being cognizant of all of your wins through

would reflect that belief. Faith breeds

Christ. And anytime you win you want to

action. Are you in motion for God or are

keep winning. Take the three steps to get

you just playing Christian?

unstuck and on the right path of reverent fear of God because TOMORROW IS

The 2nd thing you have to do is

TOO LATE TO BE GREAT.

become intimate with God. There has

never been a relationship based out of crippling fear that thrived. Get into a practice of praying and meditating on God’s Word and His words to you. Put a reminder in your calendar to stop, drop and read the Bible. Remember that God isn’t asking you to know everything about him in one reading, the same way you wouldn’t meet someone today and know everything about them tonight. Be patient with yourself and the journey of truth, knowledge and understanding. And when God gives you a revelation, take heed to it. When you’ve been on God’s path long enough it becomes easier to believe him.

The 3rd thing you have to do is become aware of your patterns. Fear shows up

so smooth like a melted piece of butter, that half of the time we don’t even know it’s plaguing our lives. And when we do recognize it, because we talk about it on social media so much, it becomes this “little hindrance” versus a thought cycle straight from Hell. When do you become fearful the most?

KENDRA DUBLIN

contributor

The 1st thing you have to do is be

How to Live The Bible — Building Character The word character goes back to the word for a stamp which leaves an imprint, like the dies used to make coins.

Your character is the very shape of your inner life (your thoughts, motives, values, impulses, responses), which is revealed in the shape of your outer life (your actions, behaviors, speech, relationships).

And then this sobering thought: the shape of your character may be stamped on someone else’s character, for good or for ill.

Your character is never defined by one or two significant righteous deeds or one or two failings. It is the pattern of your life that is the shape or the imprint of your life.

What does “good character” look like?

Here is a fine list of character qualities for any person living anywhere in the world at any time: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control.

These are what the Bible calls “the fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23), and they describe a Christ-like life.

I remember a moment years ago in my office when a troubled husband and wife poured out the frustrations and bitterness in their marriage. They couldn’t say what they were hoping for marriage to be, but it certainly wasn’t this! So I asked them: “How would you feel differently about your marriage today if you could use these kinds of words to describe it: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control?”

They seemed almost stunned, and in a hushed voice, the wife said: “If we had those things, there’s nothing else we would ask for.” I told them that these were the qualities the Bible calls “the fruit of the Spirit,” (I had an inkling that these were brand new spiritual ideas to them), and that “fruit” meant the final result, the spectacular gift, which comes from the presence of God’s Spirit in our lives.

There are many ways of describing Christ-likeness. (A superb description comes from the Gospel of John which says Jesus was full of grace and truth.)

But if any of us had spent a month with Jesus, or a week, or even a day, might we not say that we witnessed in his character love, joy, peace, patience, kindness…

How is character built? It is built by the progressive patterning of a person’s life.

In other words, character traits are built over a long period of time by the sustained repetition of right instincts and their matching acts How do you gain patience as a character trait, for instance? How does it progress from thought to action to habit to character to destiny?

“Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.”

Character traits do develop over long periods of time and through sustained commitment. Is that bad news or good news? It’s tremendous news. Don’t be disheartened that you can’t just decide to wake up tomorrow morning and have a completely reformed character. Be encouraged, instead, that the building of character can begin at any moment.

Anything worth building takes many faithful steps. And the moment the steps begin, character begins to take shape.

For instance, the genesis of real peace for many people began when they took the step to really admit to God the things they thought they needed to hide from God–as if anyone could. One step, but what a giant leap!

Be even more encouraged that God is there to put his unlimited energy into it on our behalf. Here is how he does it.

Jesus, as the Son of God, is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation [literally, character] of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word” (Hebrews 1:3). In other words, just as a die is used to stamp a coin, and every tiny engraved detail on the die is exactly reproduced on the coin, so it is with Jesus and God the Father.

Jesus is the perfect pattern of God’s own character. He is the same character, the exact stamp of God’s character, whether he is visible or invisible.

And this Jesus is the Word of God— God’s whispers and God’s shouts, his consolation and his confrontation. God has spoken to us, and everyday he is still speaking to us—clearly, consistently, repetitively, faithfully, fully, patiently, lovingly. In the life of Jesus the stamp of God’s character was impressed on the world. He is the perfect God, and he is the perfect Man. Every time we talk to Jesus we expose our clay-like nature to his impress. When we see Christ with us in our homes, offices, parks, or malls, when we realize that Jesus is there with us even when we’re getting lured into an argument or are tempted to open a lewd magazine, and certainly when we think of Christ in the sanctuary as we sing his praise and in the quiet rooms where we pray. In every place and every way he is there for one purpose, to transform our impressionable minds and hearts into the shape that God will call once again: very good!

The God That is For You

BY: JOHN HAGEE

It's easy to do amazing things and feel great

with all of our hearts and lean not on our

when everything is going well and no storm

own understanding.

is brewing on the horizon. But what happens when you are faced with unprecedented

In the natural things look bleak, but our

obstacles that threaten to consume you,

battles are fought in the supernatural... and

completely altering your way of life? It can

believe me, God sees what you’re going

definitely become very difficult to continue

through right now. He knows your struggle.

the status quo, doing and saying all the right

He feels your pain. And He is praying for you,

things, things that moments ago seemed like

interceding on your behalf, that His Father

a piece of cake.

might send angels to guide and protect you in all of your ways.

God is asking us in this season to trust Him| BEAUTY & THE GOSPEL

May 2021

Romans 8:28, 31 tells us,“And we know that

I miss the luxury of going to the grocery

all things work together for good to those

store without being concerned about masks,

who love God, to those who are the called

gloves and long lines to get inside. I miss

according to his purpose... If God is for us,

dropping my kids off at school and watching

who can be against us?”

the other parents doing the same, in a long line of cars. I miss having light conversations

Never has uncertainty been any greater than

that aren’t weighted heavily by this current

it is today. It is like a vice with a tightly-

season of crisis. But even still, I will lift my

wrapped grip around our nation and the

voice and raise my hands in praise ...for we

world. When I was taking business classes in college, they didn’t teach us how to handle a global shutdown or what to do during mandatory quarantine. I’m sure they didn’t give the teachers any ideas on what to do when things are suddenly, and with very little warning, sent to a 100% online learning format. They didn’t advise the doctors on what to do when life-saving medical supplies were available in limited quantities, warning them that one day they might have to distance themselves physically from their own families in order to save the lives of complete strangers.

There are a lot of things that we have learned in recent months about the world we live in and how quickly everything we know to be certain can change in the blink of an eye.

Here is one thing we know... we are all in this together! It doesn’t matter how you voted in the last election or what your life goals are. It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor, whether you’re educated or not, or what side of town you live on. We are all in this together.

The Bible tells us that it rains on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). But when it rains on the just, our God is a refuge. He is our strength, and an ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).

serve an awesome God, Church. And He is for us.

God is still on His throne, of this I am certain.

The Word of God is true, from beginning to end. God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). I am sure that every promise He gave us is good for a thousand generations. Even though the men of this earth may scheme against us, it is God who exalts us.

God is a healer. He is faithful. He is an allsufficient provider, who can make a way where there seems to be no way. He has given His angels charge over you, to protect you in all of your ways. Though the world around us is in crisis mode, God was not taken by surprise. He has already made a way for you to prosper in all things if you will only trust Him. We each have the opportunity to choose our own outlook. Do you have a positive mindset? Are you focusing on Christ’s love for His children, knowing that everything will be alright? Romans tells us that ALL THINGS are working together for our good. It might not look like that on the evening news, but God’s Word says that the righteous will never be forsaken...and His Word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11).

| BEAUTY & THE GOSPEL

May 2021

As Christians, we are not promised that

If you are unsure of what to do...the Bible

we will walk through life without

tells us that Jesus went about doing good

difficulties, without challenges. It rains on

(Acts 10:38). If you know of a need in your

the just and the unjust. But we walk

area, and you have the means to meet that

through this life knowing that He is our

need...do it. Let the individual or family know

redeemer, our strength. And in our

how much Jesus loves them when you do it.

weakness, He is made strong.

Sometimes that bag of groceries or act of kindness will be just the thing someone

God loves you so much that He gave His only

needs to receive their eternal salvation. Don’t

Son to die for you. So, if God is for you...who

miss this incredible opportunity!

can be against you?

Church, we may be looking at a season of When you are walking through a season of

struggle...but our God is working all things

struggle, do not be defeated. If you’re

together for our good. Our God is for us, in

breathing, God has a purpose for you on this

and out of season. Though weeping may

earth. If you’re overwhelmed, turn to Jesus.

endure for the night, joy comes in the

He is the glory and the lifter of your head.

morning. Do not give in, and do not give up!

He sees your need, and He will meet you

If you are a business owner or employee

right where you are if you will seek Him with

looking at a financially bleak forecast, He is

your whole heart.

Jehovah Jireh, your provider.

| BEAUTY & THE GOSPEL

May 2021

THE BLESSED LIFE TEACHINGS BY: PASTOR ROBERT MORRIS OUTGIVE GOD? The Lord will open up his heavenly storehouse so that the skies send rain on your land at the right time and he will bless everything you do.

Deuteronomy 28:12 , NCV Throughout this remarkable season of giving, Debbie and I experienced tremendous blessing. Our income skyrocketed. It seemed the more we gave, the more God gave to us.

It was as if we were truly living out the saying: You can’t outgive God. Over the course of those eighteen months, it was our privilege to give away nine vehicles.

What’s more, we were able to increase our giving to 70 percent of our gross income. We found ourselves living more comfortably on 30 percent that we previously had on 90 percent.

We simply encountered God’s blessings everywhere we turned. And around each corner, we learned new lessons in the power of Spirit-led giving. Just when we thought we were as radical about giving as we could possibly be, God would stretch us a little bit more.

For example, toward the end of that eighteen-month period, the Lord spoke to us about giving both of our vehicles away. He said, “I want you to give them both away. I’ll show you the couple to whom you are to give them; and another thing, I also want you to take every bit of money that you have in the bank and give it away, too.”

Needless to say, we wrestled with this one.

When we prayed, we said, “Lord, You’re asking us to give everything away that we own. Are You sure this is what You’re saying?”

And the Lord kept saying, “I’m sure, I’m sure.”

So we did. As the Lord showed us the recipients, we gave the vehicles away. We gave away all the money in our bank accounts. And we looked and listened diligently for instructions about giving away the house. In our hearts, we had already given the house away. We had fully released it. We just needed to know to what family we were to hand the title and the keys.

There we were – without transportation and without a dollar with which to buy any. As I sat in my house (which I no longer considered to be mine), I have to admit, I was having some carnal thoughts.

I remember thinking to myself, Aha! I’ve got Him. This time I’ve outgiven the Lord!

So I asked the man on the phone, “What did the Lord tell you to do?” He answered, “The Lord told me to buy you an airplane.” I was speechless.

He continued, “As a matter of fact, I bought the plane today; and I’ve parked it at the airport; and I’m going to pay for the hangar; and I’m going to pay for the fuel; and I’m going to pay for the insurance and maintenance on the airplane; and I’ve hired a pilot. I’m going to pay his salary, so anytime you want to go somewhere, just call him and he’ll fly you there. I’ll take care of all the expenses!”

As I stood there stammering and stunned, I heard the still, small voice of the Lord whisper in my spirit, “Gotcha.”

My friend, you can’t outgive God.

I recall having a very frank and honest discussion with God, saying, “Lord, You know, I think I’ve outgiven You this time. Yes, every time we gave a car away, You gave us another car. Well, this time I’ve given both my vehicles and all my money away! This time I think I’ve got You, Lord. I’ve outgiven You.”

God only offers the only true guaranteed financial results available on Earth. There are principles, however, that we have to follow in order to experience God’s highest rewards.

They are the keys to living the blessed life.

Even as I said that, I sensed in my heart the Lord saying, “Oh, really!” At that moment, the telephone rang. On the other end of the line was a man who said, “Robert, God has spoken to me about helping you with your transportation.” (You need to know that, besides the recipients, no one on Earth knew of what Debbie and I had given. This man did not know we had given our vehicles away.)

I imagine your mind is reeling with thoughts about all the possibilities for your life if you were to change the way you handled your finances and possessions – at least I hope it is! If you begin taking steps outside your comfort zone in the area of giving, what do you think your life would look like? Bleak? Full of hardship? Povertyridden? Or would it look great, filled with blessing, joy, and provision?

My immediate thought was, Well, that’s a blessing. This man is going to give us a car.

My assumption was that the pattern we had seen repeat itself so many times was about to play out once more. I must also admit that I thought, Well, Lord, even if he gives us a car, the fact remains that we gave away two cars, all of our money, and, in effect, our house. So I think I’ve still got You.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

monthly devotions Karabo Lekwape, is the daughter of the Most High.

Who believes that without God you are nothing. She completed her Degree in BCom Accounting and is currently studying Post Grad in Financial Accounting.

Throughout her journey of life, she saw Gods amazing works and would advise that people ensure that they are running their race with God.. Pure Grace..

Introducing to you, monthly devotions by : KARABO karabo.lekwape

LIVING FOR C H R I S T St. Mark 8:35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.

Greeting beloved, the past month was a period where Jesus died and rose again so

Let us not conform to the patterns of this world but let us live for Christ. To live is Christ, to die is Gain.

Prayer: Father, thank you for another day through Grace and Mercy. Help me to live my life for you Lord Jesus and not for the world because in you I willB find my everlasting reward, In Jesus' mighty Name. AMEN.

that you and I can have salvation and eternity. Although that is the case, Salvation needs maintenance. It needs you to deny yourself and take up the cross and follow him even though it may be as challenging as it is. It needs us to live for Christ, to love for His Gospel, to live for His Word. The reward will be eternal life. Let us try by all means to live, eat, sing, sleep, walk, work, serve Him and the reward will be sweet. The world we live in is full of destruction disguising as life whereas in actual fact it is death.

saved by grace,

Karab0

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