Grace Magazine His
June 2022
Photo by
Heidi Power
Gros Morne, Bakers Brook Falls,
Newfoundland, Labrador
WOOD
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?." Ministries
Luke 11:13
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Table of Contents His Grace Magazine!
June 2022
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16
Prayer.................................................................................Page 3 From the Pulpit.................................................................Pages 4-6 Book in Review..................................................................Page 7 Timeless Truths.................................................................Pages 8-10 Entertainment News.........................................................Page 11 World News.......................................................................Pages 12-13 Sports News.......................................................................Page 14 Recipe.................................................................................Page 15 Athletes for Christ.............................................................Page 16 Poetry Pages......................................................................Pages 18-19 Bible Study.........................................................................Pages 20-21 Movie in Review................................................................Page 22
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June 2022
His Grace Magazine!
Keep your eyes on God
Dear Heavenly Father, I lift up my hands in praise and thanks to You for loving me, for walking with me, for caring about the details of my life, no matter how big or small. Lord God, help me to live boldly and confidently for You. Open my eyes so I see all I possess in You. Strengthen my faith to trust You at Your word. Guide my steps that I may stay on Your highest and best path for me. I am not alone; You are with me. Thank You for all that You do for me, In Jesus' mighty name I pray,
Amen
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
Isaiah 26:3
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His Grace Magazine!
June 2022
Our Father! Our Father who is in Heaven loves all of His Children Owner/Publisher: Rob Wood
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Corinthians 6:18 says, "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty." This makes me think of my father. Does this scripture make you think of your father? What does Father's Day mean to you? Or better yet, what does the word Father mean to you? To me, it meant a time to give back to my Dad, to show him how much I loved him. He had helped shape me into the man I have become. I remember him teaching me how to ride a bike. He held the bike, then he told me to lean on the barn with one hand until I could find the right combination of balance, which wasn't easy for me; I didn't
have good balance as a kid. But after a few times around the barn and a few slivers in my hand, I found the right balance so that I could start riding without help. He would always find a beat up bike, bring it home and fix it up and make it look brand new, and to me that was a brand new bike. They lasted longer than new bikes; he was good at fixing them up. I also have memories of watching many hockey, football and baseball games on TV with my Dad. To me, that is the way a father should be with their children, loving and caring. For me, the word Father means memories of guidance, provision and love. On the other hand, I know that not everyone has a good father; that is a truly sad thing. Fathers are to take care of us, teach us and be a blessing to the family. Some
people experience disappointment with their Fathers, or maybe a father who worked hard to provide was never present in their children's lives. A father should never provoke any of their children. Ephesians 6:4 says, "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." My brother, sisters and I were blessed that way. A father in the United States had a daughter named Katherine; she had cerebral palsy. She now is 19 years old, but has been in a wheel chair all her life. Her dad, Barry Dean, is a Grammy nominated songwriter for A list country artists, which includes Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, and Martina McBride. Because of his concerns about tipping her wheelchair over, (a common
thing where as many as 30,000 people end up going to the hospital every year,) he decided to do something about it. A few years ago, he started working on a wheelchair with his brother Jered, who is also an engineer. He realized that no one else was working on this problem in any meaningful way, so he started working on a solution for his daughter Katherine. Working on the wheelchair started out as a hobby of sorts, as they started hacking on Katherine's wheelchair to help her out, and when they were done with her chair, she would have technology to help her. He then developed a functioning prototype that wouldn't let her run into things or drive off steps where she could get hurt. By doing this, it would allow her to go into the backyard by herself. But unfortunately,
June 2022
there wasn't any technology out there for such a wheelchair. So the brothers decided to start a company to bring their invention to the public. The hardware and software platform mounts onto the wheelchair and it uses sensor fusion technologies to allow the chair to see its environment and it avoids collisions and prevents dangerous drop offs. It also provides unprecedented stability, security and even connects to the cloud. The best thing about this invention is that it can be attached to any wheelchair so you don't have to buy a new chair! Now that is true love from a father to his daughter. It's all about taking care of those that you love... a father's love for his children. Just like how our Father in Heaven takes care of us, His children. 1 John 4:9-10 says, "In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that
His Grace Magazine!
we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." God has many names including The "I AM" and others in the Old Testament, and one is rare, and that one is God as Father, and the Bible talks about God being our Father 250 times. One of the most powerful Trinitarian and worshipful texts in Scripture is from Ephesians 1:3-14. It says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of glory of His grace, by which He
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made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy
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Spirit of promise,who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory." Here Paul tells us of an exalted view of how the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit work together in our salvation. Paul said, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." (verse 3). In His love for us, the Father, as the gracious Designer, "predestined us for adoption as His children" (verse 5) through His beloved Son Jesus Christ in whom "we have redemption through His blood, and the forgiveness of sins" (verse 7). When we are made sons and daughters in Christ, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit, "who is a deposit guaranteeing us of our inheritance (verse 14). Each one of the Godhead does the job of securing and
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activating the believer's salvation. Each of them are powerful and moves closer to the climax of God's saving purpose for the world. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit act in harmony with clear roles in our salvation. The overview is amazing, it will leave us breathless. Here are some scriptures on the title of Father, "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," (Ephesians 1:3). "the glorious Father," (Ephesians 1:17). The "one God and Father of all, who is over all, through all and in all," (Ephesians 4:6). James also describes God as "the Father of light" (James 1:17). 1) Fathers provide They find joy in giving to their children; the role of fatherhood is to provide. Jesus also used this reality to tell us of the goodness of God when He said in Matthew 7:11, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is
His Grace Magazine!
in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" 2) Fathers correct Children don't usually like to be disciplined, but it strengthens us and gives us security knowing that Dad loves them enough to correct their bad behavior. Good parents reflect the fatherhood of God when they administer the short-term pain of discipline to shape their child's character. Hebrews 12:6 says, "For when the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." 3) Fathers love As a parent, you've probably received a little taste of how God feels and how much He loves us as "Our Father in Heaven." When parents gaze into the eyes of a new born baby, they know that, no matter what, they will love that baby. That is how much God loves us, and how He feels about us. 1 John 3:1 says, "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should
June 2022
Our Father!
be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him." God the Father, at one point, was angry with Moses, as Moses had sinned and because of that, he wasn't allowed to enter the promised land. Moses kept asking God if he could just step on the inside of the land, bugging for the same thing all day long. God became angry and said, "Enough!", just like a father would, if their child kept nagging. Deuteronomy 3:26 says, "But the Lord was angry with me
on your account, and would not listen to me. So the Lord said to me: 'Enough of that! Speak no more to Me of this matter." It was roughly 1,600 years after Moses' death that he was on the Mount of Transfiguration, and he appeared with Elijah and Jesus. Matthew 17:3 says, "And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him." After all those years, Moses was finally allowed to set foot in the promised land. That shows you how much of a loving God our Father is!
WOOD Ministries Publisher/Sales/Graphic Designer/Writer: Rob Wood wood.ministries.2020@gmail.com
Editor/Writer: Donna Wood
wood.ministries.2020@gmail.com
Writer: Lynne Wood
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Owned and published by Rob Wood of Wood Ministries. Contact us @ 905-380-4489, or email us at wood.ministries.2020@gmail.com
His Grace Magazine!
June 2022
After the Rapture
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An End Times Guide to Survival
Book by: Dr. David Jeremiah Written by: Lynne Wood
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fter the Rapture is an eye opening book written by Dr. David Jeremiah. When I was reading this book, I felt like I was living life on earth after the rapture had taken place. It was very hard reading about what will happen to all the people left behind. However, this book is not meant to scar you but to open your eyes, to know and to prepare you for what life will be like after the rapture takes place. He wrote this book for two things, really, in the hope that people would give their life to Jesus and accept Him as their Lord and Saviour before the rapture takes place, and secondly, he wrote this book for those who will ultimately be left behind as a guide to let them know what to expect in the years after the rapture takes place. Can you imagine for a moment on that day when millions of people will suddenly, in the blink of an eye, be taken up to meet Jesus in the air. What a glorious day that will be for those of us that will be taken up to meet Jesus! However, for the people left behind, it will be absolutely devastating. Think about it... airplanes will fall from the sky without pilots. There
will be carnage on the highways; people that are left behind will be shocked and saddened at the devastation that just took place. After the Rapture, there will be seven years which is the tribulation period. It will be filled with natural disasters, persecutions and massive death toll. God will be sending His judgement on the rebellious humanity. With all believers suddenly removed, evil will now take over. Three and a half years into the tribulation, the Anti Christ will appear and things will get much worse. You will have
to get a mark on your hand or forehead or you won't be able to buy or sell anything. Also, Dr. David Jeremiah explains in his book to not get that mark; if you do, you will be his and suffer eternity in hell. If you are someone left behind, God is merciful. He is giving you one more chance to accept His Son as your Lord and Saviour. That's all you have to do to be saved and spend eternity with Jesus. Jesus has made the ultimate sacrifice so you could be saved; all you have to do is confess your sins. We've all sinned, and trust in Him knowing He is the son of God and you will be saved. The future of what is to come is in the book of Revelation in the Bible; if you're not sure or don't understand it, read this book. He makes it very clear of what will take place in the near future. After the Rapture is an end times' guide to survival; it will definitely make you think and open your eyes to what is coming. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the sea." Psalm 46:1-2.
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ave you been called by God? One way to define a true Christian is to realize that such a person must be called by God. Jesus stated that, "For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14). God invites many out of spiritual darkness and deceit and into His wondrous truth that fills us with an understanding of that precious truth. Revelation 17:14 tells us that we must be "... called, chosen, and faithful." If we remain faithful, we have the promise of eternal life. Who does God call? Those who are more apt to see their inadequacies and know they need forgiveness of their sins. Those who are humble and recognize their human weaknesses and mistakes are more likely to acknowledge that they need God's help more so than the powerful and self-sufficient, who fail to see a need for God in their lives. Not everyone answers that call. The Christian life is a narrow and difficult path and "there are few who find it (Matthew 7:14). However, God's Word reveals that, through
His Grace Magazine!
June 2022
Is God calling you?
studying His plan of salvation, He is letting most people live the
heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew
human experience under Satan's way. but eventually they will want to go His way. It is then they will realize that the only real truth is God's absolute truth, as set out in the Bible, and that only God can define what is right and wrong, holy and unholy, good and bad. From the beginning, we have always tried to determine what is truth and, as a result, we have rejected God's revelation. Because of that, "... whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" (Galatians 6:7). Wrong choices and decisions that we make can affect the way we worship God. Jesus Himself says, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of
7:21). Jesus warns of those who practice their own doctrines wrongly and expect God to honor such worship. If we choose to worship Him our own way, instead of how God tells us to worship Him, our prayers are useless and in vain. Matthew 15:79 says, "Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." A true Christian worships God according to His instructions as laid out in His holy Word (Deuteronomy 12:32). We are told to strive daily to live
"... by every word of God" (Luke 4:4). Some people do not realize that satan continues to deceive the majority of mankind (1 John 5:19; Revelation 12:9). They do not understand that satan, '... the god of this age' (2 Corinthians 4:4), extends his lying ways even into teaching and practices embraced by mainstream Christianity (2 Corinthians 11:1315). Once God opens one's mind to His truth though, we are responsible to act on it. If we choose to not live by what we have learned, God will not add anything more to our understanding. We need to truly repent for our wrongdoings, recognizing that it was for us that Jesus was crucified. What does it mean to repent? It means to change, to turn around, to stop going the way we are going. It means to be truly sorry for our sins, as well as to have sorrow for our inclinations and desires to do the wrong things. Repentance is a process; it is a process of change, or surrendering yourself and turning your life over to God. It starts with having a repentant attitude and turning in the
June 2022
right direction. God reveals His truth through His Word so that we can understand exactly what sin is to help us know the way of life we are called to live. We learn, through the teachings of the Holy Spirit, how to pass from a sinful way of life to a completely new one where righteousness prevails. With time, we learn to leave our old self behind; we die in the flesh and begin to live in the Spirit. Romans 8:9 tells us, "But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His." The Holy Spirit helps a Christian build godly character and shows evidence of God at work in his or her life. The Spirit also provides power, love and a sound, godly mind (2 Timothy 1:6-7). True Christians are willing to give their lives to God and to always put God first. God becomes the head of that household and He helps them to work through any uncertainties that they may be faced with. They learn to walk in faith, to trust in
His Grace Magazine!
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Is God calling you?
Him, becoming totally dependent on Him. The rewards are enormous for those who choose to serve God and become true followers of Christ! If Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior, you have the promise of eternal life! Hebrews 9:15 says, "And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of eternal inheritance." You are a child of God! John 1:12-13 says, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." You have access to God and peace with God! Romans 5:1-2 says, " Therefore, having being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. "
You have been adopted into God's family and can call God your Father! Romans 8:15 says, "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, Abba, Father." You are loved by God! John 15:9-10 says, "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love." You have been chosen by God! John 15:16 says, "You did not chose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask in the Father in My name He may give you." He created and fashioned you and gave you a purpose to fulfill. You are not an accident! Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." You are accepted! Ephesians 1:6 says, "...
to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved." He cares for you when you are weak! Hebrews 4:15-16 says, "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." You are forgiven! Romans 8:33-34 says, "Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us." You are free from condemnation! Romans 8:1 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." You are a new creature in Christ. You have been transformed! 2 Corinthians 5:17 says,
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"Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things are become new." God will strengthen you to do all you need to do! Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." God will not leave or forsake you! Hebrews 13:5-6 says, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?' You are a heir with God and a joint-heir with Christ! Romans 8:17 says, "And if children, then heirsheirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." You have an inheritance in heaven! John 14:2-3 says, "In My Father's house are many mansions; If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come
His Grace Magazine!
again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." You are able to overcome! 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you; for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.'" God's righteousness has been inputed to you! Romans 4:23-25 says, "Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offences, and was raised because of our justification." You have an advocate! 1 John 2:1-2 says, "My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world." God is working in you! Philippians 1:6
June 2022
Is God calling you? says, "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." God has given you a lively hope! 1 Peter 1:3-5 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." He will protect you to the end! John 10:27-29 says, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and noone is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand." You can have full assurance of faith! Luke 12:32 says, "Do
not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." You are complete in Christ! Colossians 2:10 says, "And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." Nothing can separate you from God's love! Romans 8:35-39 says, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: 'For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.' Yet, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
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Ministries
Written by: Donna Wood Photo by: Heidi Power
June 2022
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His Grace Magazine!
Alexa PenaVega
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Actress Alexa PenaVega says faith helped her overcome her eating disorder
lexa PenaVega, an actress and author, is talking about her all her struggles that she faced growing up in Hollywood and that her faith gave her strength to get her through it all. Alexa is known for her role as Carmen Cortez in the movie, Spy Kids, and now Alexa is excited about the new release of her new book called "What if Love is the Point? Living for Jesus in a Self Consumed World." In the book, Alexa talks about her overcoming an eating disorder and how she recovered from a terribly painful divorce. In a recent interview with host Sadie Robertson Huff on her podcast called, "Whoa That's Good," Alexa, who is 33 years old, talked about her biggest fear being that someone would find out about her eating disorder. Alexa said, "I was living with this secret that I was
really ashamed of. I was praised whenever I looked skinnier and if I didn't look as skinny one day, nobody would
Alexa said she remembers how her mother would warn her about not telling people that she had an eating
compliment me. I started thriving on what other people thought of me instead of focusing in on God." Alexa said that her eating habits had such a tight grip on her. It changed when she started talking about her problem; it felt like "breaking off all those chains." Alexa also said, "It became this thing that no longer consumed me. Obviously, God did a whole number in my life to get me through the eating disorder."
disorder. Her mother said if she told people, they would only see her disorder. Alexa said, "I know she meant it as a way of protecting me, but I really feel like the enemy took those words and just turned it into something that had a stronghold over my life. I just lived with my secret and it just tormented me for so long. And I think I also probably could have solved this much faster had I confided in the right people earlier on."
Alexa also talked about the pressures that a lot of young people are facing today with social media and how it shows a filtered side to life. Alexa said, "I think it's really hard, especially for girls nowadays, because every photo that we post, we're like, how many people liked it.' This new generation, it's a hard mental thing for young kids to deal with because it is a form of rejection." Alexa also said, "I think that's where you really have to lean on God's Word. Honestly, that's what got me through my eating disorder. I had this faith my whole entire life. I craved relationship with God and I know it was deep than what I had and I wanted to know more." Alexa has compared living in service to Jesus Christ with the Bible verse, 1 Corinthians 9:24, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize."
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His Grace Magazine!
June 2022
Russia Strikes Mall
A missile strike hits Ukrainian Mall that killed 18 civilians and wounded dozens
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any rescuers in Ukraine have been searching through all the rubble of a shopping mall as they continue to look for more people who were victims of a Russian missile strike that killed around 18 people. There were at least 60 others who needed medical help and 25 of those people needed to be hospitalized. Ukraine and the Western leaders are calling this attack a war crime and a terrorist attack. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called it, "one of the most daring terrorist attacks in European history." He also said more than 1,000 afternoon shoppers and workers were inside the mall in the city of Kremenchuk at the time of the Russian attack on this civilian target. Western leaders who are meeting at the G-7 Summit in Germany has condemned Russia's aggression and violations of human rights. The G-7 leaders
said, "Indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians constitute a war crime." President of France, Emmanuel Macron, said he is declaring that Monday's attack on the mall was "a new war crime." He also said, "Russia cannot and should not win the war in Ukraine." The missile strike came as a bombardment of Russian missiles were striking all over the Ukraine, including the
capital of Kyiv. A British lawyer, Wayne Jordash, is helping the Ukraine as they investigate war crimes. He said that there appears to be no military targets near the mall that could even be used as a excuse for the mall attack, but their investigation is moving forward. He also said that a factory nearby was also struck by missiles. Ukrainian prosecutor general, Iryna Venediktova, said that
the missile attack was one of Russia's "crimes against humanity." Saying that Moscow has been "systematically shelling civilian infrastructure with the aim to scare people, to kill people, to bring terror to our cities and villages." The Russian brutal invasion is designed to make the Ukraine to surrender its territory and to recognize Russia's sovereignty over Crimea, which Moscow took from the Ukraine back in 2014 under President Obama. The United States senators from both parties are increasingly frustrated over President Biden's delay in delivering global food, aid funding that was already included into the Ukraine bill, that was passed by Congress this past spring. Congress passed the $40 billion emergency aid measure in early May to help countries that have been hurt by the Russian invasion.
June 2022
His Grace Magazine!
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Another Election!
Israel is now preparing for their fifth election in 3.5 years, as Lapid becomes the interim PM
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sraeli Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid, is now Israel's Prime Minister after Israel's parliament had voted to dissolve and set up another election for November 1. Yair Lapid had worked along with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to form the "change government," who overturned Benjamin Netanyahu last year. Their coalition government was the most diversified in Israel's history; it united eight parties from the left, center, right and also for the first time, an Arab Islamist party. Their common goal was to kick out of power then Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Their government had come to an end after one year, mainly because of all the infighting, the resistance from Netanyahu's alliance in parliament, and several key people leaving Bennett's right wing allies who had accused
him of leaving his core ideas. Israel's parliament had officially decided to vote to dissolve itself after months of political crises and that prompted the country's fifth election in three and a half years. Yair Lapid decided not to speak publicly after the vote had taken place but rather he visited Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. He said, "Immediately after the vote, I went to Yad Vashem to promise my father that I will always keep Israel strong, able to defend itself and ensure peace for its children." Yair Lapid is not preparing to face a
refreshed Benjamin Netanyahu who is now looking to take back his position as Israel's Prime Minister. Bennett has announced that he will not be running in the upcoming elections. Benjamin Natanyahu lashed out at the outgoing government and he is urging Israelies to hand him a victory this coming November. He said as he addressed parliament, "They promised change, they spoke about healing, they tried an experiment, and the experiment failed. We are the only alternative: a strong, stable, responsible nationalist government." In three separate
TV polls, it shows that the two rival politicians will likely remain in a standstill, as they were in the last four elections, with neither one of them receiving enough votes to win a 61 seat majority in Israel's 120 seat parliament. But Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc appears to be in a better situation than it was in 2021. United States President Joe Biden congratulated Yair Lapid on his role as Israel's interim Prime Minister. President Biden said, "Congratulations to Yair Lapid, Israel's new Prime Minister, and thank you to Alternate Prime Minister Naftali Bennett for your friendship over the past year. I look forward to seeing you both in July to celebrate the unbreakable United States, Israel partnership." President Joe Biden is expected to visit Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Saudi Arabia next month.
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His Grace Magazine!
Steph Curry Wins!
June 2022
Steph Curry says his Christian Foundation was built on a New Testament Verse
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teph Curry, a NBA star, has been very open about his Christian faith for many years. He even wears a Bible verse on his shoes of Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," which is my favorite verse also. But Steph said recently in a podcast that the New Testament of Romans 8:28 had formed a foundation for his faith when he was a young man. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Steph told Christian singer, Tauren Wells, that he was always being compared to his father, Dell Curry, who played for 16 seasons in the NBA. Steph said that even though his father was on the road playing basketball, his mother Sonya was the daily foundation of discipline, encouragement and
support for him and Steph's two other siblings. It was his mom who had led him and his siblings into a loving relationship with Jesus by taking them to church every Wednesday and Sunday. Also, she led at the 6:30 a.m. Bible study every morning before school started. Steph said, "It kind of gave me the confidence to find out what that meant for myself. These last crazy 12 years in the league, a lot of it has come down to forming an identity and knowing where my foundation is so that with all the things thrown at me, like you said, I knew who I was and I know who I am. I credit my mom a
lot for showing us the way." Even though Steph helped lead the Golden State Warriors to their fourth NBA championship and he is known for being one of the best 3 point shooters ever in the NBA, when he was younger, he was still known as the son of Dell Curry and that continues to this day. Steph laughed and said, "No matter what gym I walked into in high school, I would hear the student section on the other side shouting, 'Daddy can't help you.'" Steph said that his success has always gone back to the foundation set especially by his mom. Steph said, "My
mom messaged over and over and over and over again, Romans 8:28, and that was the verse that she spoke life into me. To me, that was something that I really believed. Whatever I put my mind to, whatever I decided, I was going to really work it and have that spirit of accomplishment." That spirit is continuing. Last week, the 34 year old just led his team to his fourth NBA championship; they defeated the Boston Celtics 103-90. Steph Curry scored 34 points to lead the Warriors in winning their seventh championship in NBA history. He is unashamed of his faith in Jesus Christ. He praised God after their big win. Steph said, "We've got four championships. God is great. The ability to be on this stage and play with amazing teammates against a great Boston Celtics team gave us everything to try to get to the finish line. This one hits different for sure... It's special."
June 2022
His Grace Magazine!
Cream of Wheat Muffins
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In a large bowl, sift together: : • 1 c Flour • 1/4 c White Sugar • 1/4 c Br. Sugar • 1 tbsp B. Powder • 1 c uncooked Cream of Wheat • 1/2 tsp Salt • 1/2 tsp Cinnamon • 1/4 c Choc Chips In a medium bowl, mix together: • 3/4 c Milk • 1/4 c Veg. Oil • 1 Egg • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients • Mix lightly • Pour into greased muffin tins • Bake at 375 deg for 15-20 minutes • Makes 12 muffins
2 Corinthians 9:10
"He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness."
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His Grace Magazine!
June 2022
Juan Guzman
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Juan Guzman with the Toronto Blue Jays 1991 to 1998
Juan is now an ordained Minister
uan Guzman was born on October 28, 1966 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Juan originally signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers as an amateur free agent in 1985. He was an amazing pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays and their World Series Championship teams of the early 1990's. In his first three years with the Blue Jays, from 1991 to 1993, Juan won 40 games while losing only 11 games for a .784 winning percentage. But in 1993, he had a fantastic 14-3 record, giving him a .824 winning percentage which led the American League. Juan also pitched in the post season for his first three years and he had a 5-1 record with an 2.44 Earned Run Average. He had the hot hand when it came to the playoffs. Juan would end up winning two World Series Championships with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1992 and 1993. Juan had a lot of fantastic seasons in Toronto with the Blue Jays, which included an All Star appearance in 1992 and winning the American League pitching title in 1996 with and ERA of 2.93. Juan played with the
Blue Jays for seven and a half years. The Toronto Blue Jay fans nicknamed Juan the "Human Rain Delay" because of how slow he was between pitches; he was very calculated out there on the mound. During the 1998 season, Juan was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for relief pitcher B.J. Ryan and Jacobo Sequea. In 1999, he was traded again; this time to the Cincinnati Reds of the National League, then he was traded back to the American League; this time to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2000, where he only pitched in one game before retiring from the game of baseball. Juan finished his career with a record of 91-79 and a 4.08 ERA. Juan had a great fastball and some in-your-face pitching had allowed Juan to strike out 7.5 hitters at the plate per 9 innings throughout his career. He also had 1,243 career strikeouts. Juan was one of many great Dominican players that the Toronto Blue Jays scouting team found for the team over the years. They also helped the Blue Jays with their great play during their back-to-back World Series Championships. Juan is now running the Juan Guzman Foundation, whose sole purpose is to bring the love of God to children in Latin countries. He is married to his wife Ana; he is also an ordained minister who has published his testimony in his book called, "Yes You Can."
June 2022
His Grace Magazine!
Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the Lord, For He is coming to judge the earth.
1 Chronicles 16:33
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Dysphoria "You thought you knew what you wanted; You thought you had it all figured out. And now you're there, you wonder why you're filled with self-doubt." The greatest mistakes in life causes us profound regret; I thought I knew what I wanted, but what I wanted, I didn't get. I had fallen into deep despair; I didn't know how to survive; My life was permanently changed; Would I get out of this alive? Being stabbed with bolts of fear, I convinced myself to believe In a happy-ever-after ending, In finally becoming free. Whatever I thought I was getting into, it wasn't what I was expecting; I had binged on disillusionment And then, harsh reality set in. Everything seemed out of control; The pieces didn't fit anymore; I told myself I was being liberated, But what I lost, I couldn't restore.
June 2022
June 2022
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Dysphoria Now facing sadness and pain, Feeling a strange sense of grief, I needed to make peace with myself; I needed to find healing and relief. I lost something deep and meaningful; Life had no rhythm or rhyme; The despair was overwhelming 'Cause I knew I couldn't turn back time. Feeling betrayed, anxious, confused, I discovered a new realm of sickness; The plans I had made for my future Had turned into meaninglessness. "How did I even get here? Why did I do what I did? Why didn't I run in the opposite direction? How do I find my way back?" Dysphoria is a humbling experience; Feeling scarred, I'm holding out my hand; "Please God, help me get through this; You're the only Rock on which I can stand."
(Psalm 34:18)
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
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I
John 10:30
June 2022
"I and My Father are one."
n John 10, Jesus was in Jerusalem since His arrival for the Festival of Booth in chapter seven, teaching regularly in the temple. His teaching caused much discussion concerning His identity, origins and authority and resulted in quarrels among the people. Jesus presented Himself as the Good Shepherd, who gives eternal life, and promises that no one will be able to be snatched from His hand. Jesus says in John 10:28: "My sheep hear My voice. I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish." Some time had passed between that discussion and the discourse that began in John 10:22, which took place at the time of the festival of the Dedication (Hanukkah). Once again, Jesus was at the temple, and some religious critics gathered around Him, cornering Him, daring Him to repeat His former claims about being the Messiah. Jesus had claimed earlier that He was the only source of salvation
and that His salvation was eternal, permanent and irrevocable. Jesus offered eternal life; He first referred to His people as being held in His hand, then referred to the same people as being held in God's hand. This statement suggested that Jesus and God were unified as one, in the sense of Jesus being equal to God. Jesus did not claim
was His Father, making Himself equal with God." John 1:1 tells us: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The unity between Christ and God the Father is again revealed in John 10:30. Further along in the chapter, Jesus claimed preexistence
to be merely a messenger or prophet, but of equal power with God, which enraged His critics. Jesus had healed a man born blind, but the Pharisees saw only that Jesus had healed on a Sabbath. John 5:18 says, "Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God
in the Father's presence when He said that the Father sent Him (John 10:36). No biblical prophet had ever made such a claim before, yet Jesus claimed to exist before Abraham. John 8:58 says, "Jesus said to them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.'" Colossians 1:16-17 affirm this
teaching: "For by Him all things were created; that are in heaven and are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist." Some believed that Jesus was the Messiah, and others believed that He was a blasphemer. The Jewish leaders rejected Jesus' divinity and they were armed for violence (John 10:31). The critics tried to stone Him, as these claims were blasphemous according to the Jewish Law and it was the legal, Godgiven punishment for such a claim. Jesus then escaped and left the area. He returned to the region where John the Baptist had once preached. Jesus' claim to have equal power as the Father however, was not blasphemy. It was the plain truth. The Son of God, united together with the Father and the Spirit is the undisputed second person of the Holy Trinity - infinite, perfect,
June 2022
gracious and good. Yet this God-Man humbled Himself and clothed Himself in the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. For thirty-three years, the eternal Son of God lived the life of a man in humble submission and perfect obedience to God, full of wisdom, grace, in perfect union and fellowship with His Father by the power of the indwelling Spirit. Though He was God, Christ lived as man in
His Grace Magazine!
John 10:30 utter dependence upon the Father. His entire life on earth consisted of doing His Father's will. He said, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me" (John 6:38). Even while Jesus' flesh cried out on the cross, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?", His spirit still bowed and said, "Not My will, but Yours, be done." So He became obedient, even to death.
Philippians 2:8 reads: "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." In the same way, we are called to live in total dependence upon the Son, in joyful obedience to His will. Not only does He understand our temptations, He also shows us an example of perfect obedience to the Father. 1 Peter 2:21 says, "For to
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this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps." When Christ returns to earth at the hour of His Father's choosing, He will receive to Himself all who are in Him, submitted to the Father as He is. All who enjoy eternity with Him in the Father's house will be there by His grace, because of His perfect submission to the Father. Are you ready?
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June 2022
The Girl who Believes in Miracles
“From her Lips, to God's Ears”
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his movie, The Girl who Believes in Miracles, opens with the main character, Sara Hopkins, a young girl, going to her brother's high school soccer game. Sara's brother, Danny, gets pushed to the ground by an opposition player and on that same play, the other team scores a goal. At that moment, Sara's grandfather, Sam, asks that Sara start praying to God so Danny's team would win the game. Sara starts to pray that his
team wins, but then can't help but wonder why her prayer didn't work, as Danny's team lost the game. Sam then tells Sara that, "sometimes the answers to our prayers are not revealed to us in the ways we think they will be." After the game had ended, Sara, Danny and Danny's girlfriend, Cindy went for a hike to the lake to go fishing. At that moment, Sara sees a dead bird and she starts to pray over the bird for
the entire time that she is at the lake. When they decide to head home, the bird comes to life and flies out of Sara's hands. But Danny and Cindy do not believe that Sara brought the bird back to life; they believe that it was caused by the wind. Even though no one believes Sara brought the bird back to life, she is firm in her faith and decides to tell her best friend, Mark, about the bird and how she brought it back to life. The next day, Sara and Mark are accosted by bullies as they make fun of her bird story. One of the bullies happens to be the opposition soccer player that pushed Danny to the ground. The bully's dog gets hit by a car and is presumed dead. Sara then goes and heals his dog and brings the dog back to life. Also, after her best friend Mark is in a car accident, he is paralyzed from the waist down. Sara heals Mark and he walks for the first time in a year after the accident. People start talking around town that Sara has the gift of healing. Then many people start travelling to see Sara so they can have a chance at
being healed. Sara then heals a girl with cancer, a girl that is blind and a boy who is paralyzed. Sara gives God all the glory for her healing abilities; God is standing by her side the entire time. After Sara healed the third child, Sara then faints and becomes sick. Sara then is rushed to the hospital where they run many tests on her. It is then revealed that Sara has an inoperable brain tumor and doesn't have much time left to live. Sara's family and friends are devastated by this awful news; at this time Sara is in the hospital resting. Sara then tells her grandfather that her last wish would be to go to the lake where she saw God. Sara's grandfather then thinks of a plan to take her from the hospital so that he can grant her wish of going to the lake. Will God give Sara another miracle? The quality of The Girl Who Believes in Miracles is very good; the actors are fantastic. They do a really good job showing their walk of faith in the characters that they play. This movie is not only enteraining but inspirational as well.
June 2022
His Grace Magazine!
Grace Magazine His
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His Grace Magazine!
BE STILL
AND KNOW
THAT I AM
GOD Psalm 46:10
June 2022
