Promoting Purpose Magazine

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PROMOTING

PURPOSE

MAGAZINE

APOSTLE GLENN C. FRAZIER

PSALMIST RAINE

DR. GREGORY CRUELL

REV. VICTOR GIVERA

EMPOWERS

EXCLUSIVE BISHOP CLARENCE R.

WILLIAMS JR. NEW MINISTRY NEW LOVE & NEW BOOK

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WWW.PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | WINTER 2017

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PROMOTING PURPOSE MEDIA HOME OF PROMOTING PURPOSE, TODAY’S PURPOSE WOMAN & TODAY’S PURPOSE MEN MAGAZINES THE WORLD AWAITS YOUR MINISTRY! www.promotingpurpose.com

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PURPOSE… EVERYONE HAS ONE.

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CONTENTS 8

LETTING GOD’S PROPHETIC SONG “RAINE” ON HIS PEOPLE By. Andrea R. William

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5 STAGES OF BIRTHING VISION By. Apostle Glenn C. Frazier Sr.

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THE YEAR OF REFRESHING Dr. Gregory Cruell By.

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SAM SERIO: HEALING SEXUAL HURT

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REV. VICTOR GIVERA

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BISHOP CLARENCE R. WILLIAMS JR.

NEW BEGINNINGS

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Editor –in- Chief Sherrell Valdezloqui welcomes YOU! UNITED STATES Promoting Purpose Media promotingpurposemagazine@gmail.com www.promotingpurpose.com EDITOR –IN-CHIEF Sherrell Straker-Valdezloqui CONTENT EDITOR Tiff’s Editing Café GRAPHIC DESIGNS & LAYOUT Promoting Purpose, LLC CONTRIBUTING & GUEST WRITERS Andrea R. Williams Apostle Glenn C. Frazier Sr. Dr. Gregory Cruell Rev. Victor Givera SUBMISSIONS/INQUIRES ppsubmissions@yahoo.com CONNECT WITH US ON: FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/promotingpurposemagazine TWITTER @ppurposemag

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PRAISE & WORSHIP

LETTING GOD’S PROPHETIC SONG

‘RAINE’ ON HIS PEOPLE BY ANDREA R. WILLIAMS

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usic has a way of touching believers in a way that nothing else can. The prophetic song, a song sung by a psalmist directly from the Lord to His people, is one of the most powerful displays of God’s power. Psalmist Raine is one who God has gifted with this extraordinary gift. She was commissioned to do what hasn’t been done before in Gospel music; she recorded a virtually unrehearsed live prophetic recording. Recorded at Chicagoland Christian Center Embassy last year, ReFresh Worship Live broke new ground in Gospel music. The 2½ hour recording featured only one rehearsed song, the first song, by Psalmist Raine and the ReFresh Team prior to the night of the event; all other songs were given to the gifted prophetic psalmist on the spot. The result was an unforgettable worship experience and a collection of songs truly inspired by God. Captured on two CDs and a DVD, the musical recordings are now available on iTunes and other digital music outlets. The DVD, which showcases the worshipfilled night in living color, can be purchased on the artist’s website, BeReFresh.com.

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The recording of ReFresh Worship Live was an enormous step of faith for the psalmist. Few artists can imagine stepping on a stage, standing before hundreds of people with no idea of the songs that will be sung. “About a year ago, the Lord spoke to me about doing a live ReFresh recording,” recounts Psalmist Raine. “I was excited because I had songs that God had given me. But He said ‘no’ to the songs I already had. He said that He wanted it to be a straight prophetic recording. That was very, very challenging for me. I had never heard of anyone doing a prophetic recording before. Literally, we had to remain open and build stamina and endurance for the presence of the Lord. We had to consecrate ourselves so that we could remain in His presence for the entire recording,” says Psalmist Raine.

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ReFresh Worship Live contains 23 songs of surrendered worship and exuberant praise. Joining in the night’s events were prophetic speakers stepping from the audience to the mic, speaking inspired words which flowed flawlessly with the divinely-motivated psalms. Exhibiting a dynamic execution of one song after another; the project is perfect for anyone wanting to get closer to the Lord. Music and worship has been part of Psalmist Raine’s life for years. She is an ordained elder, a prophetess and the Worship Arts Pastor at Life in Christ Family Worship Center in Chicago. In addition to leading worship, she also trains other worship leaders through her ReFresh Workshops and her newly formed ReFresh Worship Institute, Inc. A nominee for the Chicago Gospel Music Award for Praise & Worship Artist of the Year and Winner of the Peculiar Art Award from Kierra Sheard’s BRL (Bold Right Life) Chicago Chapter, she was a member of the University Choir at Grambling State University in Grambling, LA. ReFresh Worship Live is Psalmist Raine’s sophomore release; her debut album, Believe Again – The Live Experience, was released in 2013 to rave reviews.

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A native of Chicago, Illinois, Psalmist Raine has been called to share God’s message of hope, love, healing, and deliverance with the world through the vehicle of song. Throughout her musical life, Psalmist Raine has worked with a number of artists within the Gospel music industry. Bridget Campbell, Todd Dulaney, Kevin Gray, Maurice Griffin, Ernie Allen, Lonnie Hunter and the late Lecresia Campbell have all played a part in nurturing her gift. She has been seen on Atlanta Live, Babbie’s House, Nite Line, Bridges on the Christian Television Network, TBN, TCT and other television stations and in publications such as Simple Grace Magazine. For Psalmist Raine, it all comes back to worship. “When I am on stage, my mindset is really on creating an atmosphere conducive for God to inhabit,” says Psalmist Raine. “When God enters, I feel His presence and the power arrests people. That’s what I long for, the presence of God.” For more information on Psalmist Raine, log on to www.BeReFresh.com. Connect with Psalmist Raine on Facebook and Twitter (@psalmistraine).

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Sweet!

IF YOU THINK CHOCALATE IS SWEET WAIT UNTIL YOU GET A TASTE OF HEAVEN! PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM

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5 STAGES OF BIRTHING VISION BY APOSTLE GLENN C. FRAZIER, SR

The natural birth process which brings a human baby into the world is similar to the process of the birth of a vision in the spirit world. You will experience the following 5 stages as you give birth to spiritual vision for your life and ministry.

Without it, there is no life. Jesus Christ Himself is both the WORD of God and provides the source of life. (John 1:1-3; John 6:63) Scripture also tells us that we are the seed or CHILDREN/OFFSPRING of God. (Acts 17:28)

STAGE 1: CONCEPTION:

STAGE 2: DEVELOPMENT:

"Conception" means to create. A spiritual vision is created in your spirit by God. In the natural, conception requires a male and a female. One is the giver, the other is the receiver. Our anatomy is divinely created that way for life to be established. In natural life the MALE provides the SOURCE (SPERM, SPERMA) and the FEMALE provides the EGG. It doesn’t matter how many EGGS the female has, she can NEVER conceive without what the source has to give her, which is SPERM.

Spiritual vision firsts begins in "embryonic" form. An embryo is a basic cell of life. Just like the development of the human embryo, God develops our spiritual vision as we grow in Him.

Our Heavenly Father is our SOURCE. I submit to you today that the WORD OF GOD is His SPERM or SPERMA.

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From the embryo, all basic human features are developed. If you try to change the embryo, deformity or death can occur to the child. If you try to change the vision, it will be deformed from the perfect plan of God, and becomes in danger of being aborted.

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The vision will grow and develop as you mature spiritually. Its features will not be the same as yesterday, last week, or last month. But you must never forget the basic vision which is the divine purpose for which you are called or joined to a particular ministry God has connected you with. If the vision does not develop within you it will die. It becomes a vital, living part of you. It draws from your own life source as well as from the divine source which conceived it. As your vision develops, you may have to deny yourself of certain things. That includes denying yourself of your own plans and ambitions. You may have to lay aside worldly pleasures. You will have to sacrifice time to fast and pray. This DEVELOPMENT STAGE requires a brand new mindset to TRANSFORM the mind. Romans 12:2 STAGE 3: TRAVAIL: Ecclesiastes 5:3 states: “For a dream cometh through the multitude of business.” The word "multitude" means “great.” The word "Business", according to one Hebrew meaning, is travail [difficulty]. So a dream or vision comes through "great travail.”

This transition is the most difficult time of travail right before the birth canal is open to permit the birth of the child. Likewise, when God births vision within you, you too will experience a time of transition. Transition means change. As God gives you vision it requires change in your life. It will call for new commitment and dedication. You will experience pressure in every area of your life. Everything within you will cry out for relief from the spiritual birth pangs of what God is birthing. This is the point where many fail to give birth. Time and time again God has brought His people to the time of transition to birth His vision within them, but because the transition was too difficult many have turned back. They could not take the pressure of this difficult time. It required changes in their thought patterns and lifestyle which they were not willing to make. They could not abandon self-effort and tradition. They could not set aside their own ambitions and desires to embrace the plan of God. This is what happened to the nation of Israel. (Isaiah 26:17-18) Travail brings sorrow but it leads to the birth which brings joy. John 16:21

Natural travail is a time of intense, concentrated effort to birth the child. This time of travail is also called "labor.”

Through travail, the vision of redemption from sin became a reality. Travail is a painful experience, but it is only through travail that the vision can be birthed. (Isaiah 66:8-8)

Spiritual vision is birthed by intense mental, physical, and spiritual concentration. I encourage each of you to concentrate on what God wants to birth in your spirit.

5. THE BIRTH:

In the natural world during labor [travail], the one giving birth must let the natural forces take control. Physically forcing the child into the birth canal before it opens can kill the child. The same is true with vision. Let God take control of your life. If you try to birth the vision in your own strength it will abort God’s plan. 4. THE TIME OF TRANSITION: There is a time during the labor birthing process that is known as the time of "transition.”

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The development of a spiritual vision has an expected end, just as a human embryo. That end is birth (Jeremiah 29:11). Prematurity of birth and delay of birth can result in death, both in the natural birth process and in the birth of spiritual vision. After birth in the natural world the child continues to grow and develop. After the birth of this spiritual vision it will continue to grow and develop. It will have new features and form, but they all must develop from that basic cell of spiritual life which is the vision.

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They have the potential to arise anywhere and at any time. Yet David declares in the International Standard Version of verse 11 says, “You crown the year with your goodness; your footsteps drop prosperity behind them.” Wherever God steps, and steps are always indicative of movement, in other words when God moves there is a progression of His promise, and in His promise is His prosperity! God further says to His people through the prophet Haggai in chapter 2, verse 7: “I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. For many of us a New Year’s resolution to lose weight or to be a better husband or wife is a wonderful goal. However, I submit that it is not a New Year’s resolution that we need in America and in our churches, but rather a New Year’s revelation from God that this year is not going to be better, it is going to be greater! How so? By faith! The Babylonian captivity for Haggai’s congregation represented trial, trauma and drama. Looking from the outside their time in Babylon was not good, but through the trial, trauma and drama it worked together for their good!

THE YEAR OF

REFRESHING BY DR. GREGORY CRUELL

How so? Because God said, “I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory.” On trauma and drama that “your house, your tabernacle” may have experienced in 2016 may not have looked good or felt good; but in 2017, The Year of Refreshing, God says in Proverbs 14:11, “the house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.” GOD ABIDES IN YOUR HOUSE! (See 1 Corinthians 6:19). How shall all of this be in 2017?

From the context of Acts 3:19, God declares to us that this is “The Year of Refreshing!” To refresh is to renew or make new that which once was. In this year of refreshing God will refresh and renew that which once was by our faith and by our praise.

The International Standard Version of Psalm 92:10 says, “You’ve grown my strength like the horn of a wild ox; I am anointed with fresh oil.” The Year of Refreshing is the year of fresh oil upon your life, your family and your ministry by Jehovah!

In Psalm 65 verse 1, David says, “Lord I’ve got praise for you!” The English Standard Version says in verse 4 that, “Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!” David was reflecting on how God had blessed him and how satisfied he was with God’s blessings. During the holiday season there are will always be those in our society that focus on what they do not have as opposed to what they do have.

In verses 7 of Haggai 2, the name Lord is translated as Jehovah; the Self-Existing One. The One who was, The One who is and the One who is to come. As you enter into the New Year, the Year of Refreshing, Jehovah, The Self-Existing One. The One who was, The One who is and the One who is to come says to us…

Yet David says in verse 9, that God “visits the earth and waters it…” Some scholars have suggested that David penned these word due to a plentiful harvest after a significant amount of rain after a long drought. Drought and doubt are like weeds.

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Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory!” Selah. (Psalm 24:7-10)

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I went back to the drawing board and saw God’s promise of tender healing and restoring of those who repent. I studied the Bible to see other examples of Jesus forgiving the thief on the cross and the Apostle Paul for causing the death of others. I saw God’s wisdom in showing the grief a woman has for her child. As I improved and upgraded my messages to preach truth and grace in my Pro-Life messages, an even larger number of women came up afterwards with stories of being sexually abused or assaulted when younger. Some had partners involved in porn. Some had turned to same-sex attraction since they hated men for what had been done to them. They had unbelievably terrible and painful memories and hurts!

SAM SERIO Healing Sexual Hurt

Sitting in Seminary Class years ago, I’ll never forget the day when I heard my Professor challenge each of us to be an expert in one single book of the Bible AND in one controversial issue in society. So I did….. I chose the New Testament Book of Ephesians and I chose the Topic of Abortion. I decided to study both and spent a few years in learning all about Ephesians and all about Abortion. I eventually became a Pro-Life Speaker and would describe what happens to unborn babies during this procedure. Being a new preacher, I did a great job with instilling guilt and terror – as preachers can sometimes be taught to do! A lot of ladies would come up afterwards to me and ask if there was any forgiveness and hope for them. They would have sudden flashback memories and triggers of their abortion procedure and felt SO sorry. I didn’t know what to tell them, at first. I knew how to preach truth but not how to communicate grace!

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Wait a minute! This was waaaay outside the scope of what I had signed up for – way back in Seminary Class! I heard stories that broke my heart and made me angry. That’s when God told me to help them, as well. So for the past 35 years, I have been counseling and helping women and men with either sexual hurts or habits. I’ve specialized in using God’s Word to bring about transformation and restoration to their souls. Abortion. Porn. Casual Sex. Same-Sex Attraction. Sexual Assault and Rape. Sexless Marriage. Childhood Sexual Abuse and Molestation. Those are not your ordinary topics taught on any Sunday morning, are they? Those seven sexual topics and the tons of emotions that you feel as a result – that’s my calling where I am being obedient. People are shocked when a Christian understands and isn’t ashamed to listen or talk about their sexual memories, events, struggles, addictions, temptations or experiences! Most people think that God and sex are at totally opposite extremes and can never be in the same sentence or sermon. That is so not true – God made us male and female – and it was very good! He knows how we are wired and knows what sex can do outside of marriage and inside of marriage! He is not ashamed to talk about it and He included lots of stories of sexual delight - and disaster in the Bible. I wrote a Book called “Sensitive Preaching to the Sexually Hurting” for church leaders and members, too. It’s the very first book to include all seven types of sexual hurts or habits, from both a preaching and counseling perspective.

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It will help you to help others. It will give you tools and tips to bring healing to either yourself or others who need to hear how God helps you in your secret struggles that no one else knows about. He is a very big God and nothing is too hard for Him. True? No sexual wound or sin is bigger than God. The Bible really does have the answer to all of our doubts and disappointments.

That’s where God has led me…. How about you? Maybe you’ve felt directed to help people who hurt. Maybe you want a career in something that others don’t understand – but that’s God talking to you. Maybe your divine calling is out-of-the-box and not your ordinary lifestyle? I hope you’ll listen to Him. His plans for you are good! Similar with me, does He want you to also do something quite unique???

God also led me to create a contemporary Ministry Website that is now viewed all around the world: www.HealingSexualHurt.com I get to Skype or chat with people whose partners are hooked on porn. I get to counsel women and men moved by their abortion decision. I use God’s Word to help people whose childhood or teenage years were deeply damaged by sexual abuse or assault. I talk with couples where one partner doesn’t want to have sex. I counsel with people who have had a lot of casual sex. I help men and women with same sex attraction and gender identity issues. The list is endless, it seems.

I hope that my story or journey has encouraged you to dare to be different and to dream huge for Him! You don’t know where it’s going to end up, just like I had no idea that my Ministry would be much bigger and deeper than I originally planned. It’s okay. He can handle it. After all, He is able to do abundantly above all that you could ever ask or imagine. By the way, that promise is from that very same book of Ephesians that I started studying in Seminary. God has a way of making it all fit together, doesn’t He!

LET US PROMOTE YOUR PURPOSE IN 2017!

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GOD

DOESN’T CALL THE QUALIFIED HE QUALIFIES THE

CALLED PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM

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NEW BEGINNINGS BISHOP CLARENCE R. WILLIAMS JR.

Maybe you’re thinking about giving up when you know God has a calling on your life. Don’t give up; God knows how to bring you out of whatever you’re facing, whatever you’re going through. Stay true to God and He will stay true to you. I want to encourage those Pastors who’s currently looking for a building or perhaps your congregation is small and you know that God has a calling on your life and you’ve been doing everything you possibly can and things seem to not be getting better. Stay true and hang in there. Don’t move, trust God and watch how God work miracles in your life.

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Before meeting with Bishop Clarence R. Williams Jr. at his office, I reflect on how good God is and how His timing is perfect. I was thinking about how just a little over a year ago during a Sunday service I was sitting down listening to Bishop Clarence R. Williams Jr. preach. And as I was sitting there the Holy Spirit said to me, your Pastor will be on the cover of Promoting Purpose Magazine Winter 2016. I immediately thought to myself, That’s cool but Lord that’s 1 year from now and that seems like such a long time to even really think about it. And then just like that I was preparing to sit across from the Senior Pastor of Living Word International Ministries in Junction City, KS to conduct an interview. It’s 10:30 am and I’m greeted with hugs and smiles from the staff. Something I can honestly say I experience each time I walk through the doors of Living Word International Ministries. Bishop Clarence R. Williams Jr., then greets me with a warm smile and shortly after, the interview begins… Within the one year of being under the leadership of Bishop Williams I’ve been able to see a spirit of excellence, a leader and most importantly a man who’s constantly seeking more of God in a way that goes beyond the norm. Bishop Williams’ feels that God’s desires for his people are for them to go to the next level. “I’ve always thought there was more to God. More meaning, I wasn’t satisfied with just being blessed with a house or a car or things of that nature. The covenant that God has made with us is so much greater than material things. God is able to make us whole and complete.” He says. You could hear the passion in Bishop Clarence R. Williams, Jr.’s voice as he talked about seeking more of God and being that vessel willing to be used to the capacity in which he was created to be used. “It’s time to not just see sporadic healing but great healing, Miracles should be the normal and churches should be filled with love through the Holy Spirit.” He says. Bishop Clarence has been in ministry for 35 years. Last year (First Lady) Wanda, a great woman of God whom labored with Bishop and had been by his side for many years transitioned to heaven. After this transition a shift occurred and along with this shift a 2nd ministry was birthed through Bishop Clarence R. Williams Jr. God knew that Bishop Williams would need help and did not forsake him. Bishop Williams, now a newlywed, is married to Melony another beautiful, elegant and classy woman of God. Despite the critics and naysayers concerning his ministry and personal life he’s able to move beyond those not in agreement because he holds on to what God has spoken over his life. “God justifies His own so I’m completely happy.” Bishop Williams says.

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LOVE & HAPPINESS Bishop Clarence’s face lights up even more as we begin to talk about his new love, Melony. I never thought that I would love again. Wanda and I were in love. I never forget her last day she said to me, “I want you to be happy.” I really, really wasn’t ready. I didn’t think I was ready and God spoke to my heart and said, You won’t be single for a long period of time. I said, “There’s nobody else, God. With Melony God orchestrated this, He did all the match making”. Bishop says as he laughs. “I thought I could never love anyone else like I loved Wanda, but that’s not true. I love Melony just the same, she makes me happy and she’s so godly. I feel like I’m a young teenager. I’m energetic and I look forward to talking to her on the phone. I also look forward to doing ministry with her. Being in love with Melony has me on my toes; she keeps me straight and I love it. It’s a wonderful feeling to be in love again.” Bishop Williams says. I couldn’t help but smile as the whole time his happiness and excitement showed when mentioning lady Melony’s name. He was so happy that he mentioned just sitting down during the interview talking about her made him want to call her just to tell her how much he loved her.

WHAT’S NEXT Indeed, putting God first has opened many doors for this man of God. He is slotted to air his show on TBN and has a book out called Eight People, $76, but Led by The Spirit. A book Bishop says was written to encourage people to be lead by the Holy Spirit. “The Holy Spirit is the key to success in ministry especially for Pastors. My success and all the supernatural that happened in my ministry came through hearing what the spirit has to say to the church. It’s a good read. I believe it will make an impact on the lives of those who read it.” He says. Bishop Clarence R. Williams Jr.’s expectations are high for 2017. He believes some great things are going to happen. “Great things are going to happen. We can expect more of God’s presence, more breakthroughs, and more prophetic words that are accurate. The year 2017 will be one of doors being opened and people living successfully. Whatever God tells you to do, do it when He tells you to,” He says.

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Everything we do is unto the Lord, for He is the Head of the church.It was Jesus that said in John 12:32, And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. Note that the word “men” is not in the original Greek text; it is a translator’s addition. So He draws all of something, but what? It cannot be all “men” (humans) who ever were or will be, because at the time He says this, there are already untold millions that have passed into eternity, and many unto condemnation. Does it mean absolutely all humans ever from now on? But that cannot be either, because it took centuries for the Gospel to spread out of the Middle East, and even today there are unreached people. During that time, many more have passed away without being drawn to Him. Yet Jesus Himself tells who the drawn ones are: John 6:44-45, No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

REV. VICTOR GIVERA There is a silent movement in the spiritual world. While I was praying, I saw a shifting of positions and power in the kingdom of the prince of the power of the air , the Devil. I saw them shifting possession and making preparation for war/ battle. Scriptures tell us that we are not fighting a physical battle/warfare, but a spiritual warfare. We are fighting four (4 )different ranks or category of demons and that there present abode is the atmospheric heaven. We need to begin to get ourselves ready for battle. Get up from sleep and slumber and begin to use the power of prayer and the sword of the spirit to begin to take authority over our homes, children, our churches, communities and nations. We need to take control over our airways by the anointing and the power of the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus. The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:16, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

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Therefore, those who are drawn are all that do in fact come to Jesus. They come to Him because God has opened their heart and taught them. Another reasonable interpretation is possible. The plan of God is grander than just people going to church and worshipping Him. He means to reconcile the whole created order to Himself. Since Jesus says He will draw “all,” He may be referring to “all things.” Thus, He may be saying that His death, and the power it has to eradicate sin, will be the fulcrum God will use to undo all the effects of evil everywhere in the universe: Colossians 1:19-20 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. As we use the weapon of prayer, in the war room, we are seeing demons being cast out , sickness and diseases are being eradicated from people's lives, broken marriages are being restored, people are receiving an awakening of God’s holiness and are living right with expectations. We are at the battle front and we have to awaken from sleep and declare war on our enemies, self, flesh and the devil and his demons. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. (Prov. 14:34)

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Righteousness (Heb. ‫ הקדצ‬tsedaqah, Grk. δικαιοσύνη dikaiosune) is understood in two ways in the Bible: First, it refers to the standing of those who are God’s people by means of the imputation of His righteousness that is credited to them at the moment of salvation (Gen. 15:6; Rom. 4:1-5). God’s righteousness is given as a gift by means of faith, “to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly (Rom 4:5; cf. Rom. 3:24; 5:17; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9). Second, righteousness refers to the high moral behavior that God expects of His people, in which He instructs them “to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age” (Tit. 2:12). “In order for a nation to be great, its leaders and people must have upright, moral characters known for their righteousness.” The generations and ages have repeatedly proved the truth of this proverb. A nation which conducts itself in righteousness ‘exalts’ itself. The word ‘exalts’ describes the lifting up, or elevating, of the people’s collective life. It is more of a moral term than descriptive of material benefits. This has already been stated in regards to a ‘city’ (Prov. 11:11) and it applies to ‘kings’ (Prov. 16:2; 14:28). In contrast, the people who tolerate and promote sin find it, in the end, to be a disgrace. The word here is rare and unusual…It describes a deep and disgraceful shame of almost unspeakable proportions (Lev. 20:17).

When God established Israel as a nation under the leadership of Moses, the Lord commanded the parents to teach His word to the children. God said: These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. (Deut. 6:6-7) It is being obedient to the word of God that brings deliverance and lasting change. If we have a fear for God (a holy reverence) and walked in His truth, then God will pour out his blessing upon us. For God has given to us, the church, everything that pertain to life and godly living.

The values of a nation are never neutral. They either conform to God’s character or not. Righteousness is not accidental. When the majority of people in a nation purpose in their hearts to know God and walk in His will, then that nation will reflect righteousness and be morally strong. When leaders and citizens choose righteousness, the nation is lifted up and reflects the highest and best in mankind. But sin destroys a nation; and it does so from the inside out (arrogance, selfishness, greed, hatred, and the list goes on). Righteousness is taught from one generation to the next. It starts with believers learning and living God’s word, then teaching their children to do the same. Each child must choose to accept the biblical values of the parents, then to walk in those values. This is where healing and deliverance comes or is realized, when the word of God begin to take root in our hearts and life and we transmit that truth by example to our children, church family , neighbors, coworkers and communities. Lives become transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS

IT’S THE

LORDS

1 Corinthians 15:57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM

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And Believe God Will Answer You! ``````Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV

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FOR GOD DID NOT SEND HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEM THE WORLD, BUT TO SAVE THE WORLD THROUGH HIM. John 3:17

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Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10 NIV)

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Love John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

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THERE IS POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS Philippians 2:9-­‐11 NIV -­‐Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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