“I WILL ALSO GIVE THEE FOR A LIGHT TO THE GENTILES ! AUGUST 2011 BUGLE MAGAZINE by Bishop Steven Liberty Sr.

AUGUST 2011 EDITION OF THE SHEPHERDS WITHOUT BORDERS LIGHTHOUSE BUGLE MAGAZINE: “I WILL ALSO GIVE THEE FOR A LIGHT TO THE GENTILES, THAT THOU MAYEST BE MY SALVATION UNTO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH”(Isa.49:6)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

―Thus said the LORD; Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die, and not live.‖ ARE YOU READY? PART 1&2 (TEMPTATION)

“Examine Self, Pray for Others” & Blinded by the Light: BY JEFF GODSOWN

THE PRECIOUS PRESENT GIFT; THE FOG OF A BROKEN HEART & WORSHIP HIM: BY CATHERIN SKINNER

"The Usurpers”: BY KENNETH WHITE

Where is God? & THE ENEMIES OF REVIVAL :BY DEBRALYNNLAKEROBERTS

THY KINGDOM COME ON EARTH & HEAVEN ON EARTH: BY PASTOR JOEL McNAAB

Standing Strong In Where God Has Called YOU: BY Tim Benitez

Witchcraft, Control, Murmuring, Accusation - This is the Day the Lord Has Made! by Leonard Robinson

THE TEMPER &: EVERYDAY IS A BLESSING FROM GOD :By Babsie van der Berg

THE COVENANT KEEPER: BY PASTOR Emmanuel Baba Isiaka

Forget not your covenant : BY DONNA JEAN BRAMAH

FORGIVENESS: BY PROPHETESS MOTHER JOYCE BENNETT

"THE FORGOTTEN: ROMANS 16": BY JOHN GRACE

GREAT IS YOUR DAY & BLESSED ABOVE THE LAW: BY JOSEPH KING

―Take a closer look‖ BY JOANY AQUILA

"IN TIMES LIKE THESE" : BY MARY BOLDEN

Concerned; But Not Consumed BY Ron Sanders (A RERUN)

A NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF SHEPHERDS MAGAZINE

IT IS ALWAYS AN HONOR TO PUBLISH THE WORKS OF DIVERSE BRANCHES AND SCHOLARS OF MODERN DAY CHRISTIANITY. SOME MIGHT THINK IT IS A WASTE OF TIME , MONEY & ENERGY BUT CONTARARY TO THIS LINE OF THINKING ; IT IS A BRIGHTER LIGHT THAN ANY DENOMINATION , DOCTRINE , Traditional or religious group etc can send out. It is unity in diversity! We are very proud of the reports we get from feed backs regarding the light shed on particular topics that have brought answers to questions in the hearts of many. Last week as I pondered about how I could get this edition out this month of extreme difficulties for my ministry & family; a young fellow of a different religion came running to me with a beautiful magazine in his hands. “look what my brother sent me from Iran where he is studying. He said this is from here in Senegal. They are using it to study diverse Christianity in their Group. What is more amazing to me is I saw your picture in it.” Tears roll down my cheek to my astonished friend amazement when I saw that this beautiful printed magazine was the Bugle. I assured him that he did nothing wrong and answered his questions about how and where he could get copies of the magazine free monthly. I later spoke to his brother and friends on phone and they praise the work of certain writers (this is not a popularity contest so I

will omitted names. for together we all are winning the race as a team) They assured me that not only their group but many others were now using it . Since carrying a Bible openly tagged them as Christians; they could now read about the Word in the magazine without any problems. Your contributions as writers etc is a sure means of taking the Word of God out to the ends of the earth and not for any other reason. You are reaching some who cannot afford to own a Bible, buy religious books on topics that interest them or own an internet like you & I. There are those who are too busy to go to church and take the Word with them as they move along to read during hours of relaxation, in the prisons or hospitals. This is also one sure way of letting others know about what your Ministry is doing in your part of the world. God continues to prove daily the significance of this light that we are holding up in the darkness. Under no circumstances will we ever sell this magazine and to achieve this goal we need you help. Getting this magazine out each month cause us about three hundred dollars in lights & internet. Please if you can; volunteer to help us cover this bill with any amount each month. Our writers are contributing these articles free and you can also do the same. Someone out there needs to know what you are doing, where you are located and what you think about the Kingdom of God. This is also a sure way to reach millions with the word. Lastly I urge you to always share this magazine with others for you can never tell; what God has in it for them. Thanks you and always remember us in prayers as we remembered you! THE SHEPHERDS

â&#x20AC;&#x2022;Thus said the LORD; Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die, and not live.â&#x20AC;&#x2013; ARE YOU READY?

WARNING: THIS IS A SERIOUS WARNING THAT MUST BE TAKEN AS THE MOST URGENT DOCUMENT YOU EVER READ. IT IS ABOUT YOU.(A RERUN FROM 2010) BISHOP STEVEN MAXWELL ALEXANDER J.K. LIBERTY SR When I asked the Holy Spirit to direct me about what I was to speak about; He led me to a passage that I least expected and asked the question: "What if you had the opportunity to start your life again or a couple more years were added to it? What would you do with this new gift? Wow many times I have sat reflecting on this very issue; how I would do things a little different if only I had a second chance to do them again. I am aware of the fact that many of us feel the same way too. If only I had a second chance to show love to that husband that left or that wife who I beat constantly, or that child that I disowned or the parent that I disrespected ; or that friend that I let down. If only I had a second chance to do so many things again; to reset those things that I so carelessly handled in the past; God I would do all I can to do it right and wipe the slate clean. You see this world has a way of making us to forget that life has a tomorrow. I began to ponder this idea in my mind and than my eyes opened to the reality of why the Spirit of God wanted this particular topic. He wanted it because the question relates directly to every one of us that walks upon the face of this earth.

Curiously I considered the question and my mind ran to Hezekiah King of Judah in 2 Kings 20:1-6. "In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2013;. However the Holy Spirit said I was looking in the wrong direction because there was only one valuable statement in that passage as relating to the topic on hand, and while this was a good sub topic; it was not our main point of focus. My oh my I had a very difficult task on hand for the last few days trying to open my eyes to find the passage that would make a great difference to those earnestly seeking wisdom from the Word of God. When I did find the answer I sat in shock. It was a passage that I had heard so many times that I easily overlook it. In fact if not the key topic of majority of the funeral services; passages from it were referred to. So how could a famous death topic be the answer to a question of living again? My eyes were opened to the death of Lazarus of Bethany. Lazarus of Bethany; brother of Mary and Martha had died and had been buried. Normally all that remain was to mourn him and comfort his weeping family. After all if he was to be saved it would have been done while he was lying sick on his bed. Even if Christ was to call him back to life it could have been while his copse was fresh and not decaying and rotten. Even His Sister Martha who had great faith in the power of Jesus Christ admitted to that fact: "Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now,

whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.â&#x20AC;&#x2013; This conversation is a very powerful one where we can see a lot of difference between the faith of humans and what God expects of them. But calling Lazarus back to life was not only to illustrate that Christ was the resurrection and life as famously preached by us but also to point to the fact that even the most decay, rotten sinner can be restore to life eternal for the sole purpose of setting their life in order by correcting their past errors and starting afresh. As no one is above death, so no one is above mistakes /sin; because sin is the cause of death. What kind of life did Lazarus live before that time; I cannot tell you that I will even try to speculate , but I know that after he was given the second chance to live again , he did all in his power to make it right with His maker. From the statement of Jesus earlier and Martha later; Lazarus was very healthy when Christ and his disciples last left him. So he got ill and expected to get well or at least be healed by his best friend Jesus Christ when he pass by ; but to his utmost surprise and those around him it got worse and led to his death. Was Lazarus prepared or like most people, he was waiting for the last minute to put his house in order. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s examine this story very carefully and draw some vital points before relating it to why it is more about a second chance. Martha expressed faith and confidence in Christ powers but fell short of that of a mustard seed. She had confidence that He could have save her brother life because they were close to Him and faithful followers of His teachings. But like many of us today that faith was base upon events of the past and not applications of the present. Yes Christ could have healed her brother if He had come on time but now that he was dead; well, she thought; all He can do is to help us give him a befitting goodbye. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s revisit the scene before Lazarus death. " Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days alreadyâ&#x20AC;&#x2013;. Even the disciples who walked with him day by day and witness Him in action day and night still found it difficult to discern many things ; especially the difference between earthly and divine interactions and intervention, for while thinking with the flesh they behave like men of the flesh. Christ wanted to open their eyes to the reality of their second self; that inner spiritual self. It is only when you learn to use the inner eyes/ spiritual self to discern heavenly fact; that we can fully comprehend the divine meaning of each action. Christ delay was intentional; not only had Lazarus died but all hope of his living again had perished even from the living. But Christ referred to his death as sleep because he was going to get a second chance to awake and live again. He was not playing with words here nor was he referring to any other person but Lazarus. Lazarus was asleep because heaven wanted us to learn a great lesson; 1. The ultimate source of our lives is God and nothing or nobody else; 2. He demands accountability from all; 3. a second chance to make things right is possible and death does not have to hold us captives . 4. There is a difference in having faith and applying it. Christ knew that this was not the end for Lazarus but a eye opener for generations yet unborn. We have been over this many times but I love to sing it into your ears because I do not know if you are holding on to your earthly scientific theories and the

Bible at the same time. Because God is the ultimate source of our lives; He has the right to laid down the rules. He did not intend for us to die physically and illustrated this by planting the Tree of life in the Garden of Eden, (Gen 3:22) so at the proper time when we were fully prepared He would have allowed us to partake in it. However sin stole away that chance from us and brought upon us death. The fact remains that whether we are saints or sinners we all must face the penalty of sin which is death; and that is one important factor that we must deal with or we might be unprepared for the day it comes like Hezekiah King of Judah. I earlier mentioned Hezekiah King of Judah and as directed by the Holy Spirit went back to that passage to find the single most passage that related to that of Lazarus. It read: "Thus said the LORD; Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die, and not live.â&#x20AC;&#x2013; (2Kings 20:1) How many of you reading this message knows that this message is applicable to you? How many of you realized that the day of reckoning takes you by surprise and you need to be prepared. Why will Almighty God send someone to a man supposingly faithful to Him with such a frightening message? The answer is very clear and applies to all of us; the Temple of God that houses the breath of the Living God, which made us a living soul, is not ours forever. Because of our sin we shall surely die and when we die God demands accountability. Hezekiah King of Judah was given a little time because He could list to God how much he had strived to put his house in order but what about you? Is your house in order? Can you boast to God that in the Book of life your name is written and there are passages you can be sure are written there? Are you as sure as the Apostle Paul and can boast in the LORD that there you have a Crown in Glory (2Tim 4:8). I am not talking about empty words here; but deep with in your heart, you know whether your house is prepared or not. Ok take this simple quiz and after reading this message; tell me how many points you score. Try to remember events about your life that you are 100 percent sure gain you a single entry in the Book of Life. Each entry equals one point. Well that is just a personal test that surprises and challenges us to set our house in order; but letâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s not lose focus. The other day I read over the internet that the Pope has apologized for the past abuses carried out in the Catholic Church and promised to correct them by taking measures against offenders and ensuring that it will never happen

again. Wow what a great statement if it is going to be implemented to the letter.( I am not questioning his ability to implement it, I am pointing to the flesh here because many great men and women have fallen victim of it in the past.). If he does implement it; he will have taken a very major step that would change a lot of things. And coming from a Non-denominational preacher like me; it is a compliment, because I am proud of him for taking this step. Yes, I am very proud that at last a religious Leader had finally broken grounds for a solid foundation of personal repentance of evil committed within the house of God. Many people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;t know but behind those curtains and long robes in the churches they attend; a lot of dirt goes on that needs to be clean. The church of God is filthy, dirty, and needs to be wash in the Blood of the Lamb; not red wine etc. Yes that is the first major step to getting a second chance. I know some so-called Holy men and women will jeer about it but check their own closets well and you will find skeletons there that need to be thrown out in order for their own house to be put in order. So it will be best if they too follow the Pope example and confess and repent and try to make things right by throwing out those skeletons from their closets. Wow I said to myself when I read this; what if Barrack Obama ; David Cameroon ; and the rest of the leaders running the physical affairs of the modern world and the Churches today could come clean and confess where they have been wrong and repent seeking the aid of God and promised to correct the way they unfairly run the world affairs and really mean what they say. I can tell you we would witness a lot of difference. But I am going too far; what about you my friend? Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;t you think if each of us take this step we will make a huge difference for ourselves and generations yet unborn? You might rush to say yes but here comes the hitch. Martha the Sister of Lazarus would have said yes if you had asked her before the death of Lazarus if she had faith and confidence in Christ power to raise the dead; but when she was presented with reality her faith shook. People might pronounce very beautiful promises about what they intend to do but when it comes to the time when pressure is mounted from different directions; they question reality. But if they could just implement what they originally pronounce; great things would happen. God wanted us to know the importance of putting your life in order; that is why He provided everything

you need to do it and become a new person. Lazarus of Bethany now knew the reality and I am sure did not forget that life is a surprise. He was Christ great and beloved friend. Things like those should happen to people not close to the Master. He might have felt secured and insured even when He was sick; but God wanted them to know that it is necessary to be prepared at all times for when it came to the quota for sin; there were no favourites. Yet he prepared a means that even death could not hold us captives if only we agreed to a second chance and recognize the Author of life. Martha flesh said: "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.‖ We see the Spirit trying to contradict the flesh because of the Word of God planted in her life. So her second self spoke up: "But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.‖ Jesus answers the second self that had faith in the affirmative; but again we see the flesh taking over and her faith dropping because of earthly logic. "I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.‖ Have it happen to you at times; where you are sick and someone says a prayer and tells you to awake in Jesus Name that you are healed; and you just say thanks for the wonderful prayer and dismiss the action because you doubt the power in the person‘s words? Or you are in need and someone who really mean to assist you but can‘t at the movement; say in faith (different from empty words of jeer); go and the LORD that I serve will supply your needs accordingly and you say amen but think it was a waste of time anyway. This was what happen to Martha; life stood before her but because she lack faith she could not recognize it. There are hundreds of interpretations for why Jesus wept that day; but I believe it was for one reason only. Man had yet to recognize that they were created in the image of God and had all it took to live a full life; instead of slaving under the devil in pains of sufferings they had power over. Two of the most misused words in the Church today are "born again‖. Oh yes I am a born again Christian who was baptized with water and the Spirit. Witches and wizards are claiming the title; thieves, murderers, liars, adulterers; etc make up 99 percent of those who claim to be born again in our world today. They do not even know what it means to be born again. They confess and repent today and drink the blood of the innocent tomorrow. However that is a different topic for a different day. But Bishop I want to set my house in order. I have been trying to do that for years but I do not know if

I am going about it the right way. How can I set my house in order? The first step is to make the decision that you really need a second chance in life; because it is a matter personal choice. No one can make that decision for you because God in His wisdom and fairness give you the will to choose how you want to live your time on earth. He does not influence it in any way but created you in such a way that if you really wants to know right from wrong, you will. Many times we choose to serve God when we are in difficult situations but when the situation goes away we forget about all we said while praying. A few day back as I watch the world cup soccer match I was horrify with the deceit of humans. Before the game started a particular team made me very proud when they began with prayers; during the first half time they played to a goalless draw and again prayed, but God heard their prayers and they score a single goal defeating the game. To my horror they were rejoicing so much that they forgot to pray again. They had forgotten about God who they cried to when things were rough. We must make a decision if we are to get another chance to make things right; for at last count our houses are in total disarray and our faith is very thin. Many followers of the Highest God saw the importance of making a decision and urge us to take this step. It is not easy to come to that point and it can be very painful at times. It can be as painful as a woman carrying a child in her belly nine months and a few hours before birth. Why do I say so? You have been used to the old ways of life; the sex, drugs, alcohol, exploitations, abuses and have developed certain love for them. Saying goodbye to them is like a woman in labour; for after that day if you actually made a decision to get a second chance; you will leave the behind you forever and become a new person. Paul describes it as being babes again and that is very true because it means taking on a hold new way of life. But is it profitable to set your house in order? Listen to what these friends of mine have to say about this topic. "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may liveâ&#x20AC;&#x2013;(Deut.30:19) "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the

other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.‖(Joshua 24:15) "And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;‖(1Sam.1220) "And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.‖(1Kings 18:21) So as you can see my dear friend your decision counts a lot in the eyes of Heaven. It is vital first step to a second chance in life; for whichever way you decide to go there will be some consequences. The Bible compares the road to God to a narrow road. Do you know why? The reason is because many are the things that the Devil has laid in our way to attract us from God and the vast majority of those living on earth have accepted these things as a part of life. If you must get a second chance it means painfully allowing ourselves to reject those things we once adored. Satan and those beautiful things leads to eternal death and hell but choosing the path of God gives you a second chance to make things right; and if you do make things right than life everlasting becomes yours even after death. Yes making a decision is vital but you need to take the second step if you must implement the decision you made. You must have the courage to confess your decision out aloud to the entire world and close your ears to those agents of darkness whom the Devil wants to use to distract you from your decision. Let‘s look at the word courage a little from the Biblical perspective; for with out it your detractors will soon find a means to punch holes in your decision to leave them and start a new life. They will tease you, make jokes of you, and tempt you as best as you can, but you must be strong if you must go to the next stage. Abraham had this very same decision to make years ago. He had been brought up in a idolatry home where they profit from making idols. It was a good way of life for them and they did not lack much; but the day came when Abraham decided to break away from this way of life and benefit from a second chance with God. He had never been out of his father‘s house before and did not know in advance where this new life would take him. He needed courage to venture out in the wild after what he did not even understand.

(Gen.12:1-9) I love to talk about the courage of Abraham because the things he went through I really wonder if most of us could have the courage to do the same. However his courage taught us great lessons and like I said before choosing the narrow road can sometimes be as painful as a woman in labour. I wonder many times how did Abraham feel when God asked him to take his only child that had taken him many years to conceive and sacrifice him on an Altar to him? I have asked myself if he slept that night or even inform his wife; or maybe he just bore that pain alone, not question God motive but trusting His Words and promises for his life. What would have been your answer to God if you were in his place? Would you have condemned God as a bloodthirsty God? Would you have argued and try to convince Him that He was wrong? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s so easy to talk about now; but the reality was much, much difficult. (Gen 22:1-14) The fact that Abraham dealt with it proves to us that we also can build the courage we need to endure any situation and in this case leave the old way of life behind for the new. It is written: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.â&#x20AC;&#x2013; ( 2 Tim 1:7) Other men like Gideon understood this when he took the bold action to destroyed the altar of Baal; according to divine instruction. He did not hesitate once he knew it would give them a second chance to make things right with God. (Judges 6:25-31) In seeking for a second chance to make things right; Ezra undertook a perilous journey from Babylon to Palestine. (Ezra 8:22-23). Courage my friend is very vital in taking the second step for God. Sometimes it is easier to just wallow in sin but the end is eternal destruction. If you must stand against all odds and take the next step; then courage is what you need. Satan works in many ways and can use various means to distract you from the truth. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;t be surprise to see him in your Leaders. He uses them to implement his evil plans and if you are not firm and have the courage to take a major step and disagree publicly with evil decisions; it will always go the way of Satan. However if you stand firm and brave, the Lord backs you and protects you as you defeat him in his own battle. There are three examples in the Bible that I want to remind you about because I am sure you read or heard about one or all of them before; however it might not have been related to getting a second chance from God. The first can be found in the book of Daniel (3:16-18); where three Hebrew boys who were captives (because their people had disobeyed God and followed strange gods and committed other

sins; and God allowed them to be taken captives;) refusing to bow down to the image of (Satan worship) Nebuchadnezzar. The second can be found in the book of Acts (4:19; 5:29) Where Peter and John refuse to obey men rather than God and the last act of courage I want us to take note of is again from the book of Daniel (6:19) where Daniel persisted in praying to God regardless of the Edict(law) against praying passed by the Government ; of which he was a part. I am sure these are more than enough to show you that you have the power to withstand any opposition against your taking a major step in order to get a second chance to make things right with God. Summon the courage my Dear friend to take that step that will grant you a second chance to make it right with God. Be brave and confess your sins and repent of your evil ways. The fact is many of you don‘t even know how to confess your sins. It does not mean simply acknowledging your sins and pronouncing to the public that you have sinned in your thoughts, words, or deeds. It goes way beyond that, my friend; it means that first of all deep within you; you are convicted of your sins and you want a second chance to make them right. What does it actually means to be convicted of your sin? It means that you admit first to yourself that you have been wrong all the while; that you have been treading on the wrong path and you need a second chance to make things right. Sometimes it comes from the social structure of the system that you live within; or traditions lay down by your forefathers that had been practice by countless of generations before you. Because of these reasons you accepted that way of life as right. In the book of Acts ; (16:30) we see the Philippians jailer who had been made to understand that Paul and Silas were preaching lies and doing things through magical powers and the system he lived in was perfect; therefore these evil men were not worthy of being treated as normal men but as criminals. Well when the chance presented itself for them to escape (and in his case or yours, you would have taken the chance to run away) ; they remained there ; for if they had run it would have meant death to the jailer. Right there the jailer was convicted that indeed he and the entire system was wrong and confessed: "…. Sirs, what must I do to be saved?‖ (Acts 16:30). Another good example of conviction is that time when Paul like most people today who feel they are doing the right thing because the system requires it done that way or because members of the same

profession are living comfortable, well respected, and politically connected; met Jesus on the road to Damascus and realized that their system was wrong altogether about Jesus Christ. He was instantly convicted and sought a second chance to make things right. To his dying day he still felt he had not done enough to pay for his miscalculation but at least he could go in peace because he confessed that he had in his own weak ways set his house in order with these words: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:â&#x20AC;&#x2013; ( 2 Tim 4:7) How many today can say with out a doubt in their minds that they have set their houses in order and are prepared any hour the LORD calls them ? You see; Paul could use these words because at the time of his personal conviction and the fact he agreed that he and the system of the day was wrong and even though it was not an easy journey , (sometimes it was painful ,he was beaten, jailed, etc) he stuck to it to his dying day. I could go on and on but conviction is not an end in itself. There are those who are convicted today and go back to their old ways of doing things because they were not convicted from their hearts but circumstances force them; like many today, and when the cloud lifted they returned to their old ways of doing things. I can speak about Pharaoh who was convicted after the plague of the hail (Ex 9:27,28)the plague of locusts (Ex 10:16,17) and the death of the firstborn (Ex 12:31). Oh Yes, I can speak of the children of Israel who were convicted after being rebuked and punished for worshiping the golden calf (Ex 33:4). They all were convicted when circumstances choked them and they had no where to run; therefore they confessed; but when the cloud lifted they returned to their old ways of evil. My Dear Friend, do I see you in this category? Is this the case for you sometimes? Listen carefully; you can still clean up the dirt in the corners of your house and get a second chance before it is too late. I say this to you because you are wasting your precious time fooling yourselves; thinking that you are fooling God with your empty confessions. If you must gain entry to the corridors of those who set their houses in order; I tell you the truth; you must mean every word you confessed to yourself and publicly. Listen to these men of God who were convicted of their sins. Oh yes; they reduced themselves to the nothing that they really were, worthless dust, seeking help to be something in the eyes of God.

"Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.‖ (Job 40:4-5) "For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed‖ (Ps.31:10) "Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.‖ (Isa 6:5) "Behold, O LORD; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home there is as death‖ (Lam 1:20) "

But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity. All hands shall be feeble, and all knees shall be weak as water. They shall also gird themselves with sackcloth, and horror shall cover them; and shame shall be upon all faces, and baldness upon all their heads. Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none. Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients.‖ (Eze 7:16-18;25-26) "They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee.‖ (Mic 7:17) "When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.‖ (Luke 5:8) "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?‖ (Acts 2:37)

"And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.‖ Acts 9:6) "But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.‖ (1Cor 14:20-25) ARE OUR HOUSES IN ORDER? HAVE WE CHECKED THE CORNERS OF THE HOUSE PROPERLY? IT IS NOT TOO LATE FOR OUR GOD IS READY EVEN NOW WHEREEVER YOU ARE. WHO KNOWS THE NEXT SECOND MIGHT NOT BE OURS. ....You will find part two of this work until the title Temptation at the end of this magazine....A HINT TO THE WISE....

THY WORD IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET, AND A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH. (Psalms119:105)

―Examine Self, Pray for Others‖: BY JEFF GODSOWN

I, we, have seen leadership in the church fall and fall and fall, and it has troubled myself and others. It would seem that leadership is more concerned with themselves than the flock they‘ve been entrusted with. Mat 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mar 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mar 8:37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? If any of us for any reason believe that we‘re above scrutiny, we are deceived, especially those in leadership. What good does it do to say, why find fault with me, when in my opinion, you have a beam coming out of your eye? We are all called to be transparent, living in glass houses, that all may see the life we live, and that we live it for Christ alone. This not only includes leadership but more so them than any other in the body. The other day I heard this most amazing teaching on each of us acting like the good Samaritan, who had the audacity to stop and take care of the needs of another, wounded. Luk 10:30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

Luk 10:31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Luk 10:32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. Luk 10:33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, Luk 10:34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. Luk 10:35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Luk 10:36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? The Pastor said to take someone hand and begin to pray for their needs and for their healing, begin to take on the attitude of the good Samaritan. As each one took the hand of another and began to pray, I saw this one little girl, all by herself and she walked up to the Pastor, then I was shocked. I saw the Pastor do something I would never expected, he sent the little girl away and I suddenly heard scripture run through me. Mar 10:13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. Mar 10:14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Mar 10:15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. Mar 10:16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

Though this was a shock to me, it made me stop and examine myself and as soon as I had, I also asked God to show me, my hurtful wicked ways. God is very faithful at doing just that, a measure of His correction with conviction being my pain. We each are good at talking a good game, but what good is our words, even our faith if we do nothing? Jam 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? Jam 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, Jam 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Jam 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Jam 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. The Pastor was very correct about all of us taking on the Samaritan‘s heart; Luk 10:37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. Though this message is of an awkward nature, as it points out someone‘s fault, there is much can be gained and learned from this message. Hopefully, if the Pastor reads or hears about this message and recognizes this, it will cause him to change his ways, remembering he lives a life that is to be transparent. Another thing we can learn from this; if we see this go on in our church or circles, we will lift up those in fault in prayer, believing God will take care of the situation. We need to stop praying that fire and brimstone take out those we don‘t agree with or who are faltering, that‘s us making judgment and not loving, amen! I hope this blesses rather than brings condemnation, we all do need to learn to walk in love and we all need to know how to walk in love. Remember, love is an action verb, not an emotion.

THE ENTRANCE OF THY WORDS GIVETH LIGHT: IT GIVETH UNDERSTANDING UNTO THE SIMPLE (Psalms119:130) THE PRECIOUS PRESENT GIFT: BY CATHERIN SKINNER

THIS WEEK ON MY 30 MINUTES LUNCH BREAK I SPENT 15 MINUTES READING THIS BOOK THE PRECIOUS PRESENT. BEFORE I GO INTO THE DETAILS OF THE BOOK HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW WHAT THE PRECIOUS PRESENT GIFT IS THAT ONLY YOU CAN GIVE YOURSELF? AS I READ THE BOOK IT KEPT MY ATTENTION WHILE QUIETLY SITTING IN THE MEDIATION ROOM. THE BOOK WAS SPEAKING ABOUT A YOUNG BOY AND AN OLD MAN. THE OLD MAN TOLD THE YOUNG BOY ABOUT THIS PRECIOUS GIFT AND THAT ONLY HE COULD GIVE IT TO HIMSELF. EVERY DAY THE OLD MAN WOULD WATCH THE YOUNG BOY AND WOULD TALK WITH HIM, ALL THE WHILE THE OLD MAN WAS VERY HAPPY. SO THE YOUNG BOY BEGAN TO SEEK FOR THIS PRECIOUS GIFT. EACH DAY HE WENT ABOUT HIS DAY LOOKING AND ASKING HIS SELF WHAT THIS GIFT COULD BE! HE NEVER HAD SUCH A GIFT. SO HE ASKED THE OLD MAN WAS IT A MAGIC RING AND THE OLD MAN TOLD HIM NO. IT IS NOTHING MATERIAL AND ONLY HE COULD GIVE IT TO HIMSELF. SO MANY TIMES WE WASTE OUR TIME LOOKING FOR MATERIAL THINGS TO MAKE US HAPPY AND YET WE NEVER FIND THAT RIGHT THING AT THE MOMENT WE NEED IT. WITH EXCITEMENT

AS I READ FURTHER INTO THE BOOK, MY MIND BEGAN TO WONDER MYSELF WHAT THIS GIFT WAS. AS THE BOY GREW OLDER AND MANY OF WASTED DAYS AND NIGHT OF YEARS SEEKING, HE BECAME DISCOURAGED. HE EVEN GOT A LITTLE FRUSTRATED WITH THE OLD MAN BECAUSE HE WOULD NOT TELL HIM WHAT THE PRECIOUS GIFT WAS. THE OLD MAN BECAME WEAK AS HE GREW OLDER AND BECAME TIRED. THE YOUNG MAN NOW WENT BY TO SEE THE OLD MAN, AND SAW THAT HE WAS THE SAME HAPPY AS HE ALWAYS WAS WHEN THEY WERE TOGETHER. STILL THE YOUNG MAN COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PRECIOUS PRESENT GIFT WAS. FINALLY AS HE GOT OLD HIMSELF, HE STOP SEEKING AND THOUGHT ABOUT HOW HE SAW THE OLD MAN EVERY TIME THEY WERE TOGETHER. HE WAS HAPPY! THE FUNNY THING ABOUT THIS IS IT ACTUALLY TAKES SOME OF US A LIFE TIME TO REALIZE THAT NO ONE CAN MAKE US HAPPY ONLY WE CAN. AT AN OLD AGE THE YOUNG BOY/MAN FINALLY REALIZED WHAT THE PRECIOUS PRESENT GIFT WAS. THE OLDER MAN FINALLY DIED AND THE NOW OLD MAN SAT DOWN AND THOUGHT ABOUT HOW MUCH HE REALLY MISSED THE OLDER MAN, AND HOW HAPPY THEY WERE TOGETHER. FOR A FEW MOMENTS HE WAS HAPPY THEN HE BECAME SAD AGAIN!

DO YOU KNOW NO? HAVE YOU FIGURED IT OUT YET WHAT THE PRECIOUS PRESENT GIFT IS? PRESENT! WE HAVE TO LEARN TO SEIZUES THE MOMENTS OF OUR LIVES AND ONLY WE CAN MAKE US HAPPY IN THAT MOMENT BY CHOOSING TO BE HAPPY OR SAD IN THE PRESENT….. HAVE NOT FINISHED THE BOOK JUST WANTED TO SHARE THIS MUCH WITH YOU ALL.

SIEZE THE PRESENT: take hold of something: to take a hold of an object quickly and firmly exploit something immediately: to take advantage of something such as a chance eagerly and immediately affect somebody suddenly: to overwhelm the mind or emotions suddenly Synonyms: take hold of, grab, grab hold of, get hold of, snatch, grasp, clutch pres路ent the present the time being; now . grammar a. the present tense b. a verb in this tense . at present at the moment; now . for the present for the time being; temporarily [C13: from Latin praesens, from praeesse to be in front of, from praebefore, in front + esse to be]

THANKS FOR READING AND SHARING YOUR THOUGTHS. SHARED BY CATHERIN SKINNER

THE PEOPLE WHICH SAT IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT ; AND TO THEM WHICH SAT IN THE REGION AND SHADOW OF DEATHLIGHT IS SPUUNGUP (Matt.4 :16)

"The Usurpersâ&#x20AC;?: BY KENNETH WHITE

In 1st Samuel ch 15 vs 23 rebellion is likened to witchcraft, used by Samuel in describing Kings Sauls forsaking the Lord and seeking the advice from the witch of Endor. Saul rebelled against God and this is what witchraft is-rebellion against God. Ahab and Jezebel rebelled against God and we see theri demise as well. Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, and is doing so, were in open rebellion against God. This occurs in the Bible in many places and times as people rebell against God, and thus are considered to be in witchcraft. In the days of the ministry of Jesus, we find the scribes and pharisee`s opposing Jesus every where he went. They constantly tried to trick him or set him up with one of their lawyers(one of their esteemed big boys). Everytime Jesus would confound them but they would never cease from challenging his authority. At one point Jesus told them "you are of your father, the devil". They contested not only Jesus, but his disiciples as well, and many who had been touched by the Lord. Even on the cross they called out to Jesus mockingly, "if you be the Son of God then come down from the cross". This is because they were evil beings. Jesus and Christianity was a threat to them so when asked by Pilate if Jesus was their king, they cried "we have no king but

Ceasar". They alighned themselves with the pagan government of Rome over the king of Kings. They were in open rebellion against Jesus Christ. If you read all the Apostles works and actions you will find they were persecuted also by many of these same religious nuts. These hateful people were fearful of the Christians and their devotion to Jesus till they sought to kill the followers of Christ. What was so dangerous about the Christians? They were good, law abiding, peaceful, and industrious people who tried to live at peace with all men. However, in the rebellious heart of the religious, there is no peace around these Christians. The Christians don`t belong to the sect of Jews and therefore did not support them financially as well.The teachings and life of Jesus was 180 degrees in opposition to the Pharisees. We can read this through every book in the Bible. But what about today? We have people who claim they`re in authority over God`s people and use threats and imtimidation to control the sheep of the lord. They teach false doctrines such as "you can`t hear God unless you hear it from me" is what one of their minions told me. They teach another temple to be built in Jerusalem, and this is supposed to be the temple Jesus is coming to. This is a false doctrine in direct opposition to the words of Jesus concerning who the real Temple is. These fornicators of religious sects with worldliness has made their gathering places a den of iniquity. They have described a horrible God who is going to burn every one who is not a member(tithe paying)of their group. Yes, they will burn and scream for eternity because the people did not heed the modern day pharisees, buy their books, CD,`,DVD, join their group, love the pastor as God, and numerous other ways to horrify God`s little ones into submission to their evil ways. They are in open rebellion against a merciful and soverign God, and their message is antichrist. Simply put, they have an alternative christ. However, this guy is not recognized by those who are led by the Spirit. Well did John warn us about these antichrist in his day. They will come into your group and try to get you to come under their leadership and covering. You can`t function unless you`re under their covering. They in open rebellion to Jesus Christ will bring you back to ceremonial laws, under there stewardship to where you can`t go to the bathroom w/o their approval. Their goal is to seal you in your forehead with their mark, and it is the mark of a

rebellious false belief system called antichrist. They`re out there looking for you. They will devour you with their enticing words of deciet and cause you to turn from God to follow their wicked ways. "Who has bewitched you", Paul told the galations. Who is this serpent preacher or group who have caused you to turn from the grace taught you , and turn back to things which John calls antichrist. The open sin of rebellion against the Spirit, and the presentation of Jesus Christ in a way that takes away his diety and his Lordship. Who are these people? Look around you if you go to a churchhouse somewhere. They may very well be your pastor, or they could be a false teacher here on FB who may be trying to make a living by writing false doctrines. Gullible will fall prey to these thugs, but the Sons of God are led by the Spirit and won`t fall for their

pernacious ways... Breaking free from Mystery Babylon: what a great day is at hand!

THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND MY SALVATION; WHOM SHALL I FEAR? THE LORD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY LIFE; OF WHOM SHALL I BE AFRAID?

Where is God? BY DEBRALYNNLAKE-ROBERTS

Where is God? So many think wrongly in reference to where God is. I know I did!!! I grew up THINKING that God was some far off entity in the sky that I would one day meet when I died if I was good enough to get through the pearly gates of heaven. What LIES I believed that set me up for performance driven religion while the whole time I could have had an intimate, loving relationship with Him through Christ. Intimacy, it's what ALL of our souls long for...please love me, accept me, want me just as I am! I am grateful to know the Truth now that set me free from all the lies I once believed that kept me trapped in a dead and loveless religious relationship with God. God's closer than you THINK and when you learn the Truth, I promise, you will be filled with soooo much JOY you just want more and more and more of God. I am addicted to God and there is no shame in admitting that : ) Anyone else out there that can relate??? Let me hear from you, I have friends who need to hear what YOU have to say too! May God be Glorified in all we do and say.

Abounding Love, Debra

THE SUN SHALL NO MORE LIGHT BY DAY; NEITHER FOR BRIGHTNESS SHALL THE MOON GIVE LIGHT UNTO THEE, BUT THE LORD SHALL BE UNTO THEE AN EVERLASTING LIGHT, AND THY GOD THY GLORY (Isa.60:19) THY KINGDOM COME ON EARTH; BY JOEL McNAAB

Two thousand years ago two men showed up in Judea with the same message. Their message was not, repent and miss hell as some would have us believe. John the baptizer came preaching ―Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand‖, and when his time was fulfilled, Jesus began His ministry and preaching the same message. His Father was ready to begin setting up His kingdom here on earth as He has it in heaven. To those who believe the message of the kingdom and become a part of it, they will miss hell, and have everlasting life. ―Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee‖ (Neh 9: 6). It is God who has everything, it is His dominion, this world was made to worship Him and it is His will to have kingdom here on the just like the one He has in heaven. He devised a plan to set this in motion from the foundation of the world. God created man in His image to give man the control and dominion of the earth (Gen. 1:26-28). How many of us, as believers, have prayed or said what is called the Lord‘s Prayer? These words, which Jesus taught were not necessarily a repeat after me prayer, but as He said ―After this manner therefore pray ye‖. He gave us an outline of how we can reach God. First, we address God as ―our Father Which art in heaven‖. Second, Jesus gives us an example to praise the Father and glorify His name ―Hallowed be Thy name‖. Thirdly, to ask God to fulfill His purpose and will on this earth. ―Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven‖ (Mt 6:9-13).

These three things come first in importance before our needs and requests. The Kingdom of God on earth is God‘s plan since the creation of man. Jesus didn‘t come just to save sinners, though it is a faithful saying. He came and died for our sins, to enable us to become a part of His kingdom. Jesus even told Nicodemus, ―Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God ― (Jn 3:3). ―But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name‖ (Jn 1:12)‖ Jesus‘ death and resurrection allows mankind to attain a condition of spiritual holiness enabling us to be a part the kingdom that God will have here on earth. When Nicodemus asked Jesus, ―How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother‘s womb, and be born‖? Jesus answered, ―Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again‖ (Jn 3:4-7). The point Jesus is making is that to enter the kingdom of God, one has to be born of woman. When a child is ready to enter the world, his mother‘s water breaks and the child comes forth. One has to be ―born again‖ to see what the kingdom of God is and enter it. ―The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD‘S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men‖ (Ps 115:16). God sent His Son to earth in the form of man, because the He has given the earth to man. He will also fulfill His promise to David. ―Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me‖ (2Ch 6:17). The promises of God the Father are sure, they cannot fail, there will be a man to sit on the throne of David, even Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

God‘s plan after the Lucifer‘s rebellion, was to inhabit the earth with man to worship Him, and to give the angels that remained in God‘s heavenly kingdom a visual lesson of how grievous the insurrection of Lucifer was. But, while in the Garden of Eden, the first Adam relinquished his dominion of the earth to Satan by disobeying the commandment and will of God to not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. On the day of Pentecost, when it had fully come, Peter filled with an unction of the Holy Ghost preached to the crowd, that Jesus was raise from the dead to immortality, God not leaving his body in hell to see corruption, so that there would be a man to sit on the throne of David (Acts 2:25-31). I often hear believers talk of heaven and the desire to go there, how they can‘t wait to go home and be with Jesus. The songs they sing, the books they write, are all filled with pictures of endless walks on the street of gold, with family and friends. What happen to the promise to Abraham that he would be heir of the earth? Or the blessing in Matt. 5:5 that Jesus gave to the meek that they also would inherit the earth? I hear the words, ―Thy kingdom come Thy will be done in earth‖, or it is in heaven. If it is on the earth, then where is His kingdom on earth? Jesus said to the Pharisees when they demanded of Him when the kingdom should come: ―The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you‖ (Lk 17;20-21). Many have read these words of Jesus, and have gotten the idea that once you are born again the kingdom of God is in you. I would question this doctrine, and ask why was Jesus saying this to some unsaved Pharisees? He was saying it to them, because God had chosen the children of Israel to be His kingdom on earth, and even though they had been under foreign country‘s rule from the time of the Babylonian empire, they were as King David thought, when he fought Goliath, ―the armies and kingdom of the living God‖ on earth (1Sam 17:26,36). Jesus also knew the Jews of His day had the kingdom, when He was teaching in the temple and the chief priest and elders of the people came to Him.

He spoke to them in the parable of the householder who planted a vineyard and hedged it letting it out to husbandmen. he sent servants to receive the fruit and the husbandman kill them and sent others and they beat and stoned them. Then last of all he sent his son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. Jesus then asked the question, ―When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord‘s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof‖ (Mt 21:33-46). Here we see Jesus letting the Jews of His day know they were going to loose the kingdom of God, and God would give it to another people (nation), who when He comes will have fruits that kingdom on their tree. By their rejection of the Son of God and having Him killed on the cross, they sealed their judgment, and at the death of the testator the covenant, the ten commandments which God made with Israel, was annulled. As Paul said, ―The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord‖ (1Cor 7:39). At the death of Jesus, God took the kingdom from the Jews, and in 70 A.D. He took the promised land and scattered the Jews around the world. The promise Jesus made, that there will be a nation rise up with the fruits of the kingdom of God, will come to pass. In Nebuchadnezzar‘s dream of the image, (from the head of gold, to the feet mixed with iron and clay), God reveals He will set up a kingdom in the days of those kings (ten toes), which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever (Dan 2:31-35).

We are living in the days of the ten horns and the beast (the G10 and the UN). There will be a little stone, (a small nation), which comes out of the mountain and it will smite the feet of the image. The stone became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. ―That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him‖ (Eph 1:10). We are living in the fulness of times. Are you expecting our Lord‘s return to rule and reign on this earth? The message is the same as it was two thousand years ago, we still have time to repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand, and He is ready to gather His wheat into His barn. Are you ready, are you bringing forth the fruits of God‘s kingdom??? It‘s time to hear the trump of God and gather unto Him. Get ready saints, the Kingdom of God is at hand! ―And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever‖ (Rev 11:15).

THE LIGHT OF THE BODY IS THE EYE; THERFORE WHEN THE BODY IS SINGLE, THY WHOLE BODY ALSO IS FULL OF LIGHT; BUT WHEN THINE EYE IS EVIL, THY BODY ALSO IS FULL OF DARKNESS.(Luke 11:34)

Standing Strong In Where God Has Called YOU: BY Tim Benitez

I have been in Ministry for about 25 years now and during this time have come through quite a bit, I have sat under numerous Pastors and been put in leadership several different times serving as As Nursery Worker, Sunday School Teacher, Assistant Pastor, Worship leader,Youth Sunday School Teacher, Youth leader,Youth pastor,Pastor and now Apostle, I have been to a Ministry School where it was Charismatic and was teaching wrongfully and had to leave because of it, to attending a Church where Christian Science and other wrong teachings was being taught , as you can see I have been through some stuff, from this I learned and made mistakes and learned from those mistakes and have learned to stand strong in the Lord, to depend on the Lord for strength and how to stay where God leads you no matter what others may think, I have learned from good leaders and bad leaders, many i have sat under has gone back into the world in Adultery, some even on drugs, but because of what I have been through I know what it's like to come through Victoriously, I learned to be stable, sure of who I am in Christ, and how to gain strength through stirring up the Gifts God gave us, so with that I am going to say this to help many of you through this, First you have to be led by the Holy Ghost , if you are Baptized in the Holy Ghost and speak in tongues then you are ready to follow where He leads, if you are in a place of a Ministry or Church you have to know this is where He is leading you to be and you are there not by man but by Him, ( other issues is not dealt in this teaching) you need to get this clear first and foremost, you was called by god to be there not by man, if God called or lead you there, there is a reason you are there, if you're not sure why that's OK it will come at the right timing, now all this is cleared, if you're not growing there you need to find out why? examine yourself, are you walking in what he called you to walk in? Are you getting in the word? are you submitted there? A Good Leader will train, and equip you to walk in what you're called to walk in,

( A Pastoral Church does not have a prophet or an Apostle operating in it and can't train a person to walk in those areas ) Prophetic people need to be taught and trained in a Prophetic Church, a non Prophetic Church can't train you or equip you to walk Prophetically, Now if you are in a place and God has led you there it may be a teaching to take you to the next level, we are made to grow allot of people stop growing because they have outgrown what their church walks in, if you have come to this point you need to pray and ask the Lord is there more you need to learn before you leave there ( this can be a miserable place and can be really bringing you down this is where you have to stir yourself up and pray in the Spirit and find a place to be watered that won't interfere in where you're at) Again remember you're following God not man, you can not like what's going on but you can't cause division there) if you are speaking against Gods delegated Authority you can cause division among members this can be damaging and a hard place to be) You have to be fed always Spiritually as we are created to grow and to produce fruit, as a youth pastor I couldn't learn from the pastor or the Leaders I had I was outgrowing them so I found men I could learn from and got the material from them while staying faithful where I was at, I knew when it was time after I gave out the word I had to receive some word, this will keep you growing to a certain point, another thing I faced was constant persecution i was dealing with hurt children, many terribly abused and many from broken homes, most people in the church I was in grew up in Church and couldn't understand these children, I learned I had an Evangelist calling but I thought then all of us had that now i know we all have a commission but not all are evangelist and not all can understand street people, sometimes people especially Pastoral Church leaders can attack the moving of the Holy Ghost ( don't expect people to see or feel the same way about people as you do that's why there is different callings) if you experience any of this you have to be careful not to allow bitterness in you toward Religious type people, also understand this the word says (My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, or through ignorance) God may be using this to build character in you for you to be different when it's time I sat under a spirit of Religion for many years but it taught me to walk as I now walk although I couldn't see it at that time, don't allow bitterness, resentment or hate to attack you for these type people,

( These are mentioned as scribes and Pharisees who like to tell you how to do things but never do them their selves, also they attack everything that has to do with the Holy Ghost or the things of God because they have no understanding or knowledge of the things of God) I have to stop for now to allow you to think on this and meditate on this so far if this is you pray ask the lord to forgive you for your attitude and for holding things against Leaders who don't know or understand the things of God, then allow the Holy Ghost to do a work in you especially for healing your mind, and heart for holding this so much against them, pray that they might understand, be strong in the Lord and know it's just a season towards your God given purpose and destiny, God Bless Apostle Tim and Rhonda

YE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. A CITY THAT IS SETON A HILL CANNOT BE HID. ( Matt 5:14)

Witchcraft, Control, Murmuring, Accusation - This is the Day the Lord Has Made! by Leonard Robinson

What is witchcraft in the Bible? It is rebellion. You can tell when someone is operating out of witchcraft. They are rebellious to the truth. Many times rebellion can be found in those who claim to be following Jesus. They have no sensitivity and respect for authority and even lack the ability to recognize God ordained authority in their midst. The scribes and Pharisees suffered this kind of witchcraft and disobedience. They heard and saw the works that God was doing through Jesus but yet they chose to allow their prejudice, their bias and religiousity to keep them out of the truth of God's Word and the fullness of His presence through the person and works of Jesus, God's anointed. It is amazing the lengths people will go through to register the demon spirits of religion that dominate their thinking and their attitudes. People laboring under the delusion of self-deception believing they have arrived and yet bound as the child of the devil. Bishops controlling the people from the pulpit is witchcraft from the pulpit. Wives controlling their husbands and husbands controlling their wives via manipulation is a controlling witchcraft spirit. Are you controlling someone, and you know you are controlling them even if they don't know it? You are operating out of a spirit of control and being used of the devil to operate in witchcraft.

The Kingdom of God is the inbreaking of the sovereignty of God's will upon the manipulations, the deceptions of the devil that keep you out of the flow of God's will. The Kingdom of God is the return of the dominion that was at the first, the Kingdom rule that Adam walked in. What is the purpose of this rule? It is never that you would rule over others. Pastors, five-fold ministers do not believe for one moment that your position in God entitles you to lord yourself over the flock of God. Those of you in the pew, how dare you think that you are somehow entitled to try to control the man or woman that God is using. You will set yourself up to be destroyed of the serpent as so many were for their murmuring and complaining. The Kingdom of God is a culture, a way of being, a way of life the Father releases to those who walk uprightly making the Kingdom of God and His righteousness their number one priority. Witchcraft is rampant in the religious system and among those who seek to control others. When you understand the witchcraft spirit you understand that rebellion starts often times with an accusation against leadership or a loved one. What you have to watch out for is when that spirit of accusation comes at you to cause you to accuse your brethren. The Bible teaches us that satan is the accuser of the brethren therefore you should not be. Instead, resist the temptation to accuse and the devil will flee from you. See in the Kingdom of God the enemy wants to divide and conquer. He can't bring God down so he tries to bring you down because he knows that God is in you and so you become the consolation prize. Friend, study the Kingdom, its power, authority, and urgency, and study the culture of your kingdom citizenship. You will be less prone to the manipulations of the enemy. Here are seven (7) signs you are under attack of the devil and laboring under a spirit of witchcraft.

1. You are rebellious to the Word of God and practice only "selective" obedience. 2. You seek to control your mate through manipulation, coercion to include withholding sexual intimacy or money or whatever else should be the right of the other to receive without a fight. 3. As a leader you delight in the people serving you so you lord yourself over them having discovered within them an inability to be their own person. While you preach to them that they need to know God for themselves you are not really interested in what they are coming to know from God. 4. When the Holy Spirit is moving in the service you will purposely do something inconsistent with keeping the flow of the Holy Spirit. For some, it is changing the direction of the service. For others it is leaving the sanctuary just at the time the ministry of the Spirit is going on. 5. You delete people from your Facebook that you disagree with when they are telling you something you need to know and understand. 6. You don't like anyone telling you what to do. You feel as though you are just as good as them. Consequently your forget that while you are equal their responsibility in the Kingdom of God may be different than your own and therefore they operate in an authority that you do not even though you are in the same family of God. 7. Everything you just read irritates you so much that you are about to hit the delete button. My brothers and sisters, saints of the Most High God...if you have a hope for walking in the revelation of the Kingdom you are going to have to deal with people you don't like. You are going to have to take correction, and you are going to have to humble yourself and cast all your cares on the Lord. Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and what comes with it is hatred and variance, gossiping, murmuring and complaining and the spirit of accusation.

This same witchcraft has with it the spirit of control. Don't let the enemy manipulate you into trying to control your mate (spouse) or other people in any way. Pastors those who are a part of your fellowship cannot leave and those who are called to leave can't stay so you might as well trust God day to day for the people He has entrusted to you. Remember, at all times God is king and you never changed anyone by manipulating them. All you did was delayed the inevitable. God's Ambassador Dr. Leonard Robinson Kingdom Vision Ministries International 267-357-9816

LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN, THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN (Matt 5:16)

THE TEMPER: By Babsie van der Berg There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, 'You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. But it won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound will still be there. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one. Remember that friends are very rare jewels indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed; They lend an ear, they share words of praise and they always want to open their hearts to us

EVERYDAY IS A BLESSING FROM GOD : By Babsie van der Berg He is the First and the Last The Beginning and the end He is the Keeper of Creation And the Creator of all! He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times. He always was, He always is, and He always will be... Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated , and never Undone! He was bruised and bring healing! He was pierced and eased pain! He was persecuted and brought freedom! He was dead aand brought life! He is risen and brings power! He reigns and bring Peace! He is Light, Love, longevity, and Lord. He is Goodness, Kindness, Gentleness , and God! He is Holy, Righteous, Mighty, Powerful, and Pure! His ways are right, His Word is Eternal, His Will is Unchanged, And His mind is on me DELETE – Your worries, ACTIVATE – Your faith, SAVE – Your hope and FORWARD – Your desires, 2 Heaven’s line. ......Remember GOD’s NETWORK, is never offline.

YOU ARE ALL CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT AND THE CHILDREN OF THE DAY; WE ARE NOT OF THE NIGHT NOR OF DARKNESS (1Thess.5:5) THE COVENANT KEEPER: BY PASTOR Emmanuel Baba Isiaka

GOD IS COVENANT KEEPING GOD THERE IS NO ONE LIKE HIM HE IS THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA THE BEGINNING AND THE ENDING HE IS FAITHFUL HE CANNOT FAIL TRUST HIM! MEMORY VERSE: "My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips." (Ps 89:34).

BIBLE READING: Jeremiah 33:20-21 30 But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge. 31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

When Exodus 2:24 says God remembered something, this does not mean that He forgets. He does not forget His own. He cannot forget you. It simply means your time is yet to come, and all you have to do is wait on Him in faith, expectation and thanksgiving. Are you waiting patiently on the Lord? He will remember you this season. In addition, the word 'remember' can mean 'visit'.

For instance, while 1 Samuel 1:19 says God remembered Hannah, Genesis 21:1 says God visited Sarah. So, when God remembers somebody, it simply means God has decided to visit the fellow. You are Heaven's candidate for God's visitation this season! Moreover, what exactly did God remember? He remembered His covenant. He is a covenant keeping God. It is impossible for Him to violate His covenant. He takes this so seriously that the penalty for breaking one is death. Since God cannot die, He definitely cannot break His covenant. Jeremiah 33:20-21 says, "Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season; Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers". Oh! How reassuring! Do you know that when God makes a covenant with you, it could affect your future generations? Even when you are no more on the scene, God remains faithful to your generations! David and his descendants were great beneficiaries of this. Entering a covenant with God also means that God will sustain such with that individual, with the same zeal and resources He sustains His covenant of day and night. The only one who can alter God's covenant with you is the fellow who can stop day from following night. There is no one who has been able to do this, not even the devil. This means nobody can tamper with what God has promised to do in your life. No matter how satanically empowered that fellow is, he or she cannot break God's covenant of blessing, promotion, healing, protection and prosperity with you. God is too faithful to fail! THE FATHER‘S BLESSING‖ I pray for you today, the Lord even your God will remember you today. He has not forgotten you, it is just that your time of visitation has come. He will never break His covenant of blessing over you, you are blessed forever. God will not break the covenant promotion over you, your advancement and progress shall never be delayed or hindered. He will never break His covenant healing with you. You will enjoy divine healing and health throughout your life. God will never break His covenant of protection with you and your generation. Ten thousand may fall around you, no harm will come near you or your family. The Lord will keep His covenant of prosperity with you. You shall be great, your children shall be very great, your children‘s children shall be exceedingly great in the mighty name. God‘s covenant is a covenant of Life and will be forever! (Amen)

EVERY GOOD GIFT AND EVERY PERFECT GIFT IS FROM ABOVE AND COMES FROM THE FATHER OF LIGHTS, WITH WHOM IS NO VARIABLENESS, NEITHER SHADOW OF TURNING.(Jas. 1:17)

Forget not your covenant :BY DONNA JEAN BRAMAH

Forget not your covenant. Do not walk in the counsel of the wicked or join in with sinners, for they are like chaff that the wind blows away and they will not stand in the assembly of the righteous. The Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Woe unto the man who once walked in covenant but soon forgets where his strength came from. The people in the bible are what makes the bible and if you took the characters out of the bible it would be a skeleton. God intended for us to learn about him through these characters. Just like the church, we need people, because we learn from each other. Sometimes its good lessons and sometimes its lessons that teach us our boundaries with God. Sampson is one of those people in the bible that we can learn much through.

I'm going to teach you something about Sampson today. He was strong. He was a judge. But all that he could have been never materialized. He was the strongest man that ever lived. He should have been referred to as the greatest judge of Israel but sin cut him short of that destiny. Sampson walked a perfect pattern of sin and God had blessed him. Judges 13:24. What attracted him to sin? The enticement of the world. He went down into the town and he saw Delilah in Timmi. He went back and told his parents of this beautiful woman. His father said to him, "Is there not any other woman among our people that you have to go to these Philistines to get one?" Sampson was a strong man in God, but he forgot that and became bent on what was in the world. He had been directly touched by God, yet it meant nothing to him after he met Delilah. He said, "for she pleases me well," and he took her as his wife. Young people, you don't have to go to the devil's people to find a spouse. But Sampson took Delilah, stepping out of God's will. She represents the world. Sampson wanted her even though she was promised to another. Sampson was smart and he should have become great. He didn't think about what his acts were going to do to the nation of Israel. Delilah was a pagan, morals were nothing to her. Sampson was about to fall into the abyss. There's nothing more important than who you marry. Sampson had forgotten where his strength came from and the devil was setting a trap for him. Sampson's strength became his problem. Sometimes it's not your weakness that gets you in trouble, but your strength. Especially when you come to believe it is through your own power that you can operate. You watch your weaknesses all the time but the devil can move in on your strength and cause you to miss God.

Preachers, don't ever get up in the pulpit and think that your gift is of your own self. You must humbly pray for anointing every time you step behind the pulpit and depend on Him for your delivery to the people. Because I can tell you now that without anointing you can only touch the people's minds but if you preach with anointing you can pierce their soul and heart. Never glory in yourself, because you are what you are because of Him. Once you lose position with the Lord you will fall. Look at Judges 15:15 and see Sampson's protection. Sampson took a jaw bone of an ass and slew a man. Do you use all your protection? Some are great preachers that don't prepare. We have great singers but uncommitted. We have great writers but choose to write of their own knowledge. We need to use our gifts God has given us and be committed and prepare when we use those gifts to serve Him. Most serve themselves and that is why we see gifted people still in lack and can't see the blessing upon them. It is a dangerous thing to be once enlightened by God and then turn from Him. Sampson fell because he didn't listen to his parents or God. He went his own way. He was anointed but he allowed the devil to cause him to fall. He was moving in all the wrong directions led by his desire to partake of the world. He went and slept with a harlot. The people said, Oh here he comes the strong one, and they began to plan on how to kill him the next day as he lay in his sin with the harlot. Sampson frequented places that could only cause him to fall one day. He climbed a mountain top to show the enemy his strength, but sin has a downward spiral. How could Sampson have this anointing and why? Because God has a covenant with you. But Satan is after that covenant you have with the Lord to get you to break it. Sampson's covenant was marked through his long hair. If you're not living right, and have anointing, don't brag because you're on your way down. Take some notes here because you'll see they won't stay in ministry long. You see, the devil is a pusher. You think a drug dealer is a pusher? They are nothing compared to the devil pushing on a called man by God that takes his eye off the Lord.

What takes us into sin like that? One step at a time. It doesn't happen over night. This is what happens to God's people. They think they can get away with it because after all, they are so gifted and too important to fall. Take a look back into recent history at the famous ministers that have fallen. But, to be sure, your sins will find you out. Don't dance with the devil because soon you will lie down with him, and don't ever allow him a ride because if you do, he'll take over the driving. You thinks Sampson would have learned. The world represents the flesh sin and Delilah represented the devil, the tempter. She was a clever woman. He hung around her too long. The enemy had hold of her. The enemy didn't know where Sampson's strength was. That's the way the devil does us, he keeps on until he finds out where your strength comes from and he will attack that. If you dabble with the devil he will get you. Delilah was beautiful, voluptuous, and sensuous. She starts to pick Sampson's mind, "If you really love me you would tell me where your strength comes from." She lied to him, and she duped him. You would think Sampson had learned but he went back one more time. She said again, "If you loved me, you would tell me all. Where does your strength come from?" Each time he speaks to her she gets closer to his strength, his anointing, his hair and his covenant with God. Delilah represents three things: 1. World 2. flesh 3. devil -tempter Make no mistake about it, the devil wants to destroy you. Finally, Sampson told Delilah all, "It's my hair," and he went on to say, "and if I shaved it I would lose my strength." He told the devil all of his heart. That night she bound him while he slept, in the enemy's camp. She called for a man to come and shave his head.

After she began to afflict him he lost his strength. He cried out to God, "Oh God you are always with me." But when you break your covenant God is no longer with you. Sampson should have been a champion but he played. He was a judge but the Philistine's reduced him to an animal. They made him like a mule to grain their mill. Around and around in a circle grinding and grinding. He became a grinder at the devil's mills. Sampson was well dressed man, and they took his image and his strength to become a nobody. He asked God for forgiveness, "Give me one more chance. Remember me Lord." God will forgive you. Sampson said to God, "I don't ask for my eyesight back but just one more time to have my strength and anointing." The devil dismembers you but God puts you back together. That's what the criminal asked Jesus beside him on Calvary, "Jesus, remember me." This mighty man, Sampson cries out, "Oh god remember me." Sampson said to the lad that led him around and around, "lead me to the pillars in the city." This event came fast and swift and destroyed the enemy's camp. God's champion was blind now. He calls upon God as he starts pushing the pillars. There were 3,000 men that died that day when the pillars that Sampson pushed down collapsed the city. Sin's payday had come and Sampson died with them that day. He will go to heaven but he stands before God with all his works burned up. Is that the way you want to stand before God one day? Sampson went down in history as the Strong Loser.

BUT YE ARE A CHOSEN GENERATION, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, AN HOLY NATION,A PECULIAR PEOPLE; THATYE SHOULD SHEW FORTH THE PRAISES OF HIM WHO HATH CALLED YOU OUT OF DARKNESS INTO THIS MARVELOUS LIGHT. 51Pet. 2:3)

FORGIVENESS: BY PROPHETESS MOTHER JOYCE BENNETT

Forgive and forgetâ&#x20AC;? is how the old saying goes. But is it that simple? A boy who was dumped by his girlfriend says, "She really hurt my feelings. How can I ever forgive her for what she did to me?" A girl whose father sexually abused her for years asks, "Why should I forgive him for that?" The drug dealer who wants to turn his life around wonders, "Will God really forgive me for all I have done?" How do we forgive others who have wronged us? How do we accept God's forgiveness?

God hates sin; He cannot stand to look at its ugliness. Therefore, un-confessed sin in our lives comes between us and damages our relationship with the Lord. "Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, or his ear too dull to hear, but your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that He will not hear." (Isaiah 59:1-2) Not only does un-forgiveness come between us and God, it also breaks our relationships with others. "He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends." (Proverbs 17:9) The Requirements for Forgiveness..! Because God hates sin, the price for forgiveness is high. Scripture gives the following requirements for forgiveness: Sacrifice. Hebrews 9:22 says that "without the shedding of Blood, there is no forgiveness." In the Old Testament, a sacrifice of an unblemished lamb was required to satisfy God's wrath. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, died on the cross and became the ultimate sacrifice for sin. Jesus bought our forgiveness when he died on the cross. "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." (1 Peter 3:18a) "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." (Ephesians 1:7) Forgiveness of others. Another requirement for forgiveness of sins in that we forgive others. 1 Corinthians 13:5 says that "real love keeps no record of wrongs." Remember that Proverbs 17:9 tells us that a real friend will forgive.

God has also made forgiving others a requirement for receiving His forgiveness. "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:14,15) "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32) Confession of sin. We must admit our sins to God if our relationship with Him is to be restored completely. Looking back at the real need for forgiveness, we see that unconfessed sin can separate us in our relationship with God. Confession is the way to restore that relationship with the Lord, remembering that it is for our own benefit that we confess to return to the Lord because He is faithful even when we are not. (2 Timothy 2:13). "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) Repentance. We must decide to change, to turn from our sins. "Therefore this is what the Lord says, 'If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me.'" (Jeremiah 15:19) The Results of Forgiveness...! The Bible promises the following benefits of God's forgiveness: Happiness. When we know God's forgiveness, we are blessed (happy). "Blessed (happy) is he whose transgressions are forgiven, who sins are covered. Blessed (happy) is the man whose sin the Lord doesn't count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit." (Psalm 32:1,2)

God chooses not to hold our sins against us. Another result of forgiveness is that God doesn't keep a record of our sins, He does not hold them against us. Because the blood of Christ covered our sins, God chooses to put them out of His mind. "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." (Isaiah 43:25) God removes our sin from us. "It is possible for the Lord to look at us without seeing our sins because when he forgave us, he removed our sins "as far as the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12) We can forgive ourselves. When we are forgiven, we can forgive ourselves and go on with our lives." Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heaven-ward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13,14)

AND THE CITY HAD NO NEED FOR THE SUN, NEITHER OF THE MOON, TO SHINE IN IT; FOR THE GLORY OF GOD DID LIGHTEN IT, AND THE LAMB IS THE LIGHT THEREOF. (Rev. 21:23)

"THE FORGOTTEN: ROMANS 16": BY JOHN GRACE

"It's amazing all the accolades that certain people receive. If you look around, people are celebrity-hunters. We all want to admire, praise, and emulate the illustrious people. We crave their success, their wealth, and we envy their lifestyles. This is not a matter foreign to the Church either. We tend to flock in groups towards one personality or another; whichever seems to best suit our fancy. Much of it depends on what theological camp we're in. This is not a new trend, but has been around forever. Paul had to address it with the Corinthians (I Corinthians 3). The point Paul makes with them is the one specific to this note: "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was making it grow and HE gave the increase. So neither he who plants is anything nor he who waters, but only God who makes it grow and become greater...for we are fellow workmen...". We tend to gravitate to the more outstanding people, those who are publicly visible. We praise the people like St. Paul, or Apollos, or the Apostles, yet we tend to disregard the unseen elements; those who surround the "celebrities"; the ones I call the forgotten. You see, the kingdom of God is diametrically opposed to the world's ways. While we focus on the recognizable aspects and people, God Himself gives greater regard to the lesser parts, the "forgotten" parts (I Corinthians 12:23-24). At the core of every human being is two basic needs: 1) The need to be loved 2) The need for value We all want to know that we are truly loved. It's essential. We also want to know that, in the grand scheme of things, our life matters and has value. We all want to feel like we've made a difference in this world; that we've made a significant impact while we lived.

In short, nobody wants to be forgotten. God, our Creator, who has made us as we are, knows this well. He's designed the Body (physical and spiritual) to reflect that. No one is without value, and nothing in anybody's life is wasted. I know this because chiefly His Word declares it so, but also because I have lived a lifetime as one of the forgotten. I have strived to be seen, heard, understood, recognized, valued, and worthy of attention. I needed to know that I mattered. In Christ, I found my true sense of worth. Man has overlooked me, like I was a ghost, yet I have seen a tree, stained with crimson, that roars out: "You matter!" The very Blood of the Lord God Incarnate declares my worth. He literally left the realm of perfection, clothed Himself with flesh, suffered innumerable abuse, and ultimately died of a broken heart, hanging on a tree of torment, just to tell me how much He loves me, and how much I matter to Him. Do not envy those in the limelight. The One who stood in greater limelight than anyone ever in all of human history, did so for YOU! and for me, and for everyone else. He did this so that every one who believes in Him, will have a place in His kingdom. No one is greater than another there. No one is forgotten. Paul, perhaps God's greatest illuminary knew this. If you read the letters Paul sent, you will see this clearly. In fact, the conclusion of his epistle to the Roman Christians is a litany of remembrance. Paul knows that his ministry (for which mainly only he is remembered) is lifeless and without power if not for the "forgotten" ones around him. He calls them his co-workers in Christ; not his inferiors, but his partners. I challenge you to read through this litany (Romans 16) and see. Yes, some will only have a sentence to mark their existence in life, but they are NOT forgotten. Read these sentences; read between the lines. Consider their lives. You and I, well, we may be just like them. Most people will never know our names, nor perhaps remember us. But I have good news even in that. "Those that feared the Lord talked often to one another; and the Lord listened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who reverenced and worshipfully feared the Lord and who thought on His Name. And they shall be Mine, says the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I publicly recognize and openly declare them to be my jewels (my special possession, My peculiar treasure).." (Malachi 3:16-17). Isn't that glorious? Perhaps we may be forgotten here, but we are to do what we do NOT to please men, or be recognized by man. Jesus says the ones who do that, already have their reward (fame, public recognition). We are to live to please God, i.e., as unto Him.

Even if we remain invisible and forgotten on earth. There is a day coming when the forgotten will become the very showcases of God Himself!! Hallelujah! If you are one of those who needs to know your life matters, and is worthwhile..this note is for you. You DO matter, and God Himself knows all about you. He created you with a plan and purpose in mind. Only YOU can do what God created you for. Remember that. God Himself declares.."I will never forget you. I have engraven you on the palm of My hand". The Lord Jesus bless you and keep you. He loves you and knows your name. Amen!!" Grace and peace in our Lord Jesus, fellow-laborers in the Master's vineyard! ~Brother John Grace~

GREAT IS YOUR DAY: BY JOSEPH KING

Isa 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. The light of GOD is upon you; yes, today, you awake not just to the business of the morning, or the sounds of birds or traffic, or just to work it round, business as usual. Far from all that; this is your day, the day the LORD has made for ...you, marked out for your greatness. Yes, GREAT IS YOUR DAY!!! In this great day, you shall shine that gloriuous beam of CHRIST that is all over you. Yes, you shall reveal the CHRIST to you loved ones, to your community, to your city, nation, your generation. Today, you walk into the stage that GOD ordained for you to be filled with HIS greatness. You shall be blessed with all spiritual blessings pertaining to life and divinity. Both spiritual and material blessings shall converge on you causing you to be distingusihed, celebrated, enormously considered. Today, your mind ceases to be bothered over material vanities, over temporal challenges as the HOLY SPIRIT lifts you up to a glorious plain of profound and rich thoughts akin to that of the GODFamily. Yes, today you see what the FATHER does and you do it also. I am soooo glad that you woke up today, so glad that you live among us today, so glad that GREAT IS YOUR DAY!!!! In this greatness, you heal the sick, cast out devils, walk in super health, raise the dead; everything you set out to do evokes wonders and glory. You are awesome today and from now on, always.

Today is marked, you have entered a new platform, have become the fullness of GOD'z desire for you. Today, the cloud of witnesses obsewrve your every move with awe and praise to the FATHER. YOU ARE GOD'Z AMBASSADOR TODAY, GREAT IS YOUR DAY!!!!! Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life: and you will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

WORSHIP HIM! BY CATHERIN SKINNER

Dear Lord God: I humble myself before You this morning and I come to worship You in spirit and truth. As I lift up holy hands that I may give and receive from You AbbaFather, Lord Jesus, and Holy Spirit. May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable unto Thee my Lord, my Savior, my King, my Redeemer and most of all my God. ―The Spirit of the Lord is now up on Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called the tree of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.‖ Isaiah 60: 1-3 Not only is the Spirit of the Lord upon me but He is at work within me. If God had not done in me what I am sharing with you I don‘t believe it would be taken heed to. Because I have encounter and experience these words my self I am able to share the good news about the name of Jesus with you. We all have been poor in spirit, our hearts have been broken by others that may or may not know the truth that there is no other name where unto we receive Salvation. Where all healing comes, because He shed his blood on the cross at ―Calvary‖ by the stripes on his back! For where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty (Freedom). He has set us free by going to hell and taken the keys that kept us bound and open the door that was shut before us keeping us ignorant to the fact that we are free in mind and spirit. It literally to me to go to prison to become uninprisoned within my mind! It was from prison to praise for me.

Though my body was incarcerated I was free within the walls as I learned the Word of God and hide them within my heart. As I submitted my body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which was my reasonable service. I asked God to create within me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. The Word of God washed me from all the filth that covered my spirit mind so that I could net see me how God saw me. Romans 12: 1, 2; Psalms 51: 10 Sealed with The Spirit of the Living God, I was taught how to live a life I never knew would cause me so much suffering, but it is all for my good working together according to the purpose God created me for His pleasure here on earth. Therefore, not be confirmed to this world but allowing His Holy Spirit to transform me into the likeness of Himself in the form of Christ Jesus. The Lord my God is in the midst of me is mighty to save, He rejoices over me with gladness because I am His own. He has quiet me with His love as He rejoices over me with singing because I worship Him for who He is to me and is in my life. Zeph. 3:17 ―For I, says the LORD, ―will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.‘‖ Zech 2:5 We have to give God back His Word, so that He may establish them in our lives as we allow the Holy Spirit to work through and by the Cross of Calvary. It is not by might nor by power but by My Spirit said the Lord, that I am able to do all things through Christ Jesus that strengthen me. I have learned to give God my broken heart and allow the love for His Son‘s death and resurrection to heal and deliver me from all unrighteousness for He is my righteousness. For this I worship Him and give Him all honors, glory, power and praise due Him and His Holy Name. For the battles are not mines but the Lord. Thus will I praise His name forevermore! I just can‘t stop praising His name, for He has been so good to me and done for much for me I will never be the same. You don‘t know like I know what He has done for me and how He has set me free. Nor can you tell it like me. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Glory Hallelujah, thank you Jesus for what you have done for me! I just can‘t stop praising You, Lord, for what You have done for me Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Inspired by God : Written and shared by Catherin Skinner

“Take a closer look” BY JOANY AQUILA

II Samuel 11-12 There was a season in King David’s life in which he gave in to the thoughts of his heart which ended up manifesting itself in his affair with Bathsheba. Let’s take a closer look and learn from this Biblical example. A Little Background: I Samuel 17:12(KJV) “Now David *was+ the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem - judah, whose name *was+ Jesse; and he had eight sons.” David was the youngest of Jessie’s eight sons. From a youth he tended his father’s sheep. He knew early in life that it was God who had given him the strength, power, and victory over his enemies, the lion and the bear. During this time in his life he learned to play the harp. The Bible tells us that David was a cunning harp player. It was also during this time that Samuel the prophet anointed David to be the future king of Israel. He did this without King Saul’s knowledge. The Spirit of the Lord came upon David from this time on, though he did continue to tend to his father’s sheep. It was David’s musical skills that initially brought him into service for King Saul. David became known for his fighting skills when he killed a champion from the Philistine’s army, the giant, Goliath, from Gath. David then entered into King Saul’s service fulltime. David became well known due to his victories in battle over the Philistines. King Saul wanted to kill David though because he had a growing jealousy toward him. David ended up having to flee from King Saul in order to save his own life. He had many followers and he became their leader.

God was with him wherever he went and made him victorious in battle. After King Saul and his son Jonathan were killed in a battle against the Philistines, David moved to Hebron and became king of Judah. About seven and one-half years later, after much warfare, David, with the help of Abner, the advisor to Saul’s house, became king over all Israel. David was known as a psalm writer. He also was known as a righteous man, a man after God’s own heart. The Bible records that David was very passionate about wanting to build God a house, but because he was a man of war and had shed much blood on the earth, I Chronicles 22:8, he would not be the one to build Him a house, but one of his own sons would be. David put lots of supplies aside for the future building of God’s house though. God made a covenant with David, telling him that he would be with him and his seed forever and would establish his kingdom. He would also cut off his enemies. All throughout David’s entire life, he truly had a heart for God and God was with him. Even when his heart strayed and he sinned, God’s love and mercy led him to repentance and David was fully restored. God continued to do great things through him. II Samuel 11:1-2 (AMP) “IN THE spring, when kings go forth to battle, David sent Joab with his servants and all Israel, and they ravaged the Ammonites [country] and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. One evening David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king's house, when from there he saw a woman bathing; and she was very lovely to behold.” Behold means “to fix the eyes upon, to see with attention, to observe it with care, to affix attention upon an object, to attend, to direct or fix the mind.” After reading these scriptures, here are some of the thoughts that came to my mind. I wondered why King David stayed behind when it was springtime and kings went out to war. He was known as a mighty warrior and for going out to battle with his armies. He himself was famous in battle and had won some great victories. There was no mention of him being sick, tired, or just needing to regroup. The Bible says “David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king's house.

” King David was a very intelligent and strategic man. He knew every angle of his kingdom, and he knew exactly what he could see from every angle and at what time he could see it. He could have gone anywhere and fellowshipped with whomever he wanted. – God is always faithful to provide a way of escape! But instead, David chose the roof of his house. I thought more than likely because he had walked on the roof of his house before, and now, his heart was being pulled in a certain direction. This became evident through his actions. Bathsheba was lovely to behold. King David, who already had a weakness for women which had not been repented of, allowed himself to look upon her in a way that he really shouldn’t have, which ended up manifesting itself in his affair with Bathsheba. King David was known as a righteous man that walked closely with God. Why then didn’t he have the ability or the strength to resist this temptation? I believe that King David’s thoughts and the meditation of his heart caused him to step out of fellowship with God for a season. His desires, priorities, and actions were affected by it, which resulted in his inability to resist this temptation. He started to covet what was not rightfully his, and then he went into a plan of action to get what he wanted. .” As we walk in close fellowship with God, He always give us the power to resist any temptation that we may face due to the thoughts we may have, the circumstances we may face, or any other situation we may find ourselves in. The Bible instructs us in James 4:7 (KJV) “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” It is when we choose to meditate on a particular thought that may be immoral or thoughts that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God that we are apt to fall into these very things that we are meditating on. This is why the Bible instructs us in II Corinthians 10:5 (KJV) “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” The Bible also says in James 1:1315 (KJV) “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” The Bible also says in 1 Corinthians 10:12 (AMP) ”Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands *who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall *into sin+.” This is so relevant for us today. How often are our hearts being pulled on or led astray by private struggles or un-repented of sin? It’s seems to be easier at times to repent of - or even avoid the more noticeable sins. As Christians, we normally do not go out and commit the more noticeable sins like ‘robbery’ or any other sin that openly draws attention to ourselves. The main reason being; we do have a revelation of Christ and a basic knowledge of His word. In most cases we will put forth the effort to walk the walk faithfully. We also truly care about what others may think about us. We don’t want to damage our reputation, our integrity or have some one look at us in a bad light. Because of this, it’s so much easier to be accountable to one another with these more visible sins. But sometimes, we as Christians sincerely do struggle with unseen forces that seem to demand our attention. The secret sin’s of the heart are usually less noticeable and therefore can go unseen or undetected for some time. For this reason, I believe these sins can pose even more of a danger for us and because they are hidden, they can go undetected, giving them much more time to fester and grow in strength. The person who struggles with secret sins often feels shame, embarrassment, and isolation in this part of their life. It is truly a work of the devil to bring shame. He works his best in darkness and tries to deceive us into believing we are the only ones dealing with this type of sin. This is one of the tactic’s he uses to keep us bound like a prisoner to a particular sin and often with success. He works through the ‘spirit of pride’ to keep these private struggles or secret sins covered up or hidden. Pride says “I don’t have any problems-everything is fine with me.” And it tries to block us from getting the help we may need and thus keeping the sin from being brought into the light. Therefore these sins are not always dealt with until they eventually manifest themselves.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV) “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:” The Bible also says in I Corinthians 10:13 (GNB) “But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.” David, through a servant, inquired of Bathsheba and found out that she was married to Uriah the Hittite. Even though he knew that what he was about to do was wrong, he sent for her anyway and was intimate with her. David was in no way sexually deprived. He had many wives and concubines even though the Bible says, in Deuteronomy 17:17 that the kings of Israel were not to take for themselves multiple wives. I wondered if Bathsheba would have had a choice in all this. Could she have said ‘no’ and lived? Did she feel violated? What was he doing looking at her like that anyway? David was her trusted king! I believe she may have been attracted to King David as her leader because of his outstanding qualities, but she loved her husband. In II Samuel 11:26 the Bible says that she mourned when her husband died. I also thought of how adultery was looked at during that time of history. It was in strong violation of God’s word with some very serious consequences that followed if you were caught, usually the death penalty by stoning. Deuteronomy 22:22 (KJV) “If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, [both] the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.” Bathsheba had sent word to David that she was with child. Now David was seeing the results of his actions. Instead of repenting right away, he moved quickly in an attempt to hide or cover up his sin. II Samuel 11:6 (KJV), says “And David sent to Joab, *saying], Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.” He even managed to pull Joab in on his sin by having him take an active part in it. Once we transgress God’s written law and sin, the enemy will try to ensnare us into the bondage of continuous sin. This is a good example of why it is so very important to quickly repent once we are aware that we have sinned.

Otherwise, our natural tendency will be to try to cover up our actions or figure out a way to justify them. David found out later after much heartache and having to pay the consequences for his actions that only true repentance from his sin would break its power off of his life. David sent for Uriah the Hittite, Bathsheba’s husband, calling him home from the war with one motive in mind. He wanted him to go home and sleep with his wife ‘Bathsheba’ so that men would think he was the father of the baby. Instead, Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house. When David asked Uriah why he didn’t go down to his house, Uriah answered him in II Samuel 11:11 (AMP). Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah live in tents, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field. Shall I then go to my house to eat and drink and lie with my wife? As you live and as my soul lives, I will not do this thing.” Uriah the Hittite was passionate about the ark of God and the armies of the Lord. He had been taught well by his leader, the king. At this time, it appears that Uriah is more righteous than David, and when you compare where the two of them were in their thinking, there is a vast difference. Uriah was more concerned with the ark of God and his fellow soldiers. To him it would have been a sin to even think of going home and sleeping with his wife at a time like this. Uriah’s testimony to David should have provoked David’s heart to jealousy since this is where David’s heart once was. It should have caused him to see that his priorities were off and his heart was astray, leading him to repentance. But because of his sin, his heart had become hardened and he couldn’t hear God’s voice when spoken through Uriah. Unlike Uriah, David couldn’t even think of the ark of God or the soldiers. He had lost his focus and had become entangled in his sin. Uriah could represent the common things that God places in our lives in order to help us see our need for repentance. In Nathan’s parable to David, he likened Uriah to a poor man. Though later in II Samuel 23:39 he is named as one of David’s ‘mighty men’. The result of David’s adultery was great. One sin led to another. When he saw that his plan for Uriah to sleep with his wife didn’t succeed, he planned Uriah’s death. The shedding of innocent blood had always grieved David’s heart.

There was usually a death penalty from David for those who did it. Joab, who was David’s advisor and his army commander, had in an earlier chapter killed Abner, the adviser to King Saul’s house and the commander over Saul’s armies. Joab killed Abner to get revenge because Abner had killed Joab’s brother during war time, even though he killed him in self defense. This grieved King David greatly. He wept, fasted, mourned, rent his garments, rebuked Joab, and spoke curses over him. He made sure everyone knew it was not him who had killed Abner. But, he kept Joab in his position of leadership even though Joab showed no signs of true repentance. In fact, in chapters later, David sought Joabs assistance in killing Uriah. The very thing that he detested in men! So, even though David mourned Abners death in earlier chapters, his own sin of adultery and keeping Joab in his position, caused David to come into an unspoken agreement with Joab and ‘the spirit of murder’, a transfer of the ‘spirit of murder’ by association. He had no problem getting Joab who had killed before to help in the shedding of Uriah the Hittite’s innocent blood. The Lord then sent Nathan the prophet to address David’s sin and to pronounce the judgments for them. David listened to Nathan because he knew Nathan spoke the word of The Lord. David confessed his sins and repented. The Lord did restore him, but, there were still consequences to his actions. Two scriptures in particular really stand out. II Samuel 12:12 (KJV) “For thou didst [it] secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.” II Samuel 12:14 (KJV) “Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme.” The only ones that knew of David’s sin of adultery were David, Bathsheba, and possibly the servant that he sent to bring her. The only ones that knew of the murder of Uriah the Hittite were David and Joab. The Bible says, “For thou didst *it+ secretly.” In these scriptures it really does show that he did do these things secretly, yet the Bible says that because of David’s deeds, he had given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. These scriptures show that nothing is ever really done in secret because God sees it all. Not only does God see it, but the enemies of God see it - evil spirits and the spiritual realm.

So, even if we sin in the privacy of our own homes and we think it’s done in secret, we can see from the Biblical example that our secret sins could still possibly bring great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. Luke 8:17 (KJV) “For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither [anything] hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.” Also, just like King David, we reap what we sow! What he did in secret was permitted to be done to him in broad daylight in the presence of all Israel and the sun. God’s mercy allowed David’s sin to be exposed through the prophet Nathan so that King David would repent. It was recorded as an example to us so that we might learn from it. When we are involved in the ministry, it is very important to keep these things in mind. Sin within our ministries affects us all as a whole! What David had done not only affected him personally, but also affected the whole nation of Israel. We are many members but one body. The Lord showed me this picture. I saw this big, beautiful puzzle, and every piece had its place. But from time to time I would see a puzzle piece that had a sore, rough edge that was sticking up a little bit. Even though it was still a part of the puzzle, the piece looked as if it wasn’t sure that it actually belonged! It also appeared to be a source of irritation for the other pieces surrounding it. Just like the puzzle with all of its many pieces, we also have a place where we fit in; our place is in the Body of Christ. I Corinthians 12:20 (KJV) “But now *are they+ many members, yet but one body.” Sometimes though, due to the attitudes of our heart or our sinful actions, we can become restless and irritable; no peace from the inside out. Our outward man can become sore, irritable, and rough and we may feel as though we don’t fit in. We also may become a source of irritation for those around us and can end up saying or doing things that we really shouldn’t. Even if we can’t see the things that would cause us to be rough with the natural eye, it is often felt by the person experiencing it and also by those around us. But, if we will truly repent of our sins, The Blood of Christ Jesus will cover our sins and there will be a healing that will begin to take place in us, a healing from the inside out -- healing that will smooth out those sore irritable edges.

A healing that will help us to know that we know that we are a part of the body of Christ and that we do fit in. It’s a part of our human nature to look at or set our thoughts on things that we know we really shouldn’t; but God does give us a way out when it comes to these things. We must be diligent about guarding our eyes and our thoughts, setting them on things above, always remembering to look up because there is a much higher purpose for our lives. Sin never causes us to ascend, it only pulls on us and destroys our lives. We may look at King David’s life and say “but he was a leader of such great magnitude”, and we are right, he really was! But in a sense, the same is true for us as well. We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, that we should show forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light: We are God’s people and in God’s Kingdom. We are ambassadors for Christ. In this day, we are getting ready to see such a tremendous engrafting of souls into the kingdom of God’s dear Son and people are definitely watching us and will follow our example. I Peter 2:5(MSG) “Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you'll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God.” Written by: Joany L. Aquila Psalm 19:12-14 Who can understand [his] errors? Cleanse thou me from secret [faults]. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous [sins]; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Read and pray: Psalm 51:1-19 Are you struggling today? There is help in God’s house and amongst His people and God absolutely does provide a way of escape for each one of us! Amen!

I would like to challenge and encourage each one of you if you have not already done this, to find a trusted friend or leader that you are comfortable with confiding in. Ask them if you can be accountable to them. Then go to them when you are struggling with the issues of life, talk with them about your struggles and let them pray with you. As hard as it may seem at times, we need to bring these private sins or struggles into the light so that they can be dealt with once and for all.

THE ENEMIES OF REVIVAL: ADDED BY: DEBRA LYNN LAKE-ROBERTS

2 Chronicles 7:14 THE ENEMIES OF REVIVAL Intro: This is a well known passage that is often used by preachers to talk about the subject of revival. It is a revival verse. This word was spoken to King Solomon at the dedication of the temple. He is told by God that disobedience and rebellion will result in judgment upon the nation of Israel. This verse is Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s promise that those who turn from their sins; call on Him and walk in His ways will experience a revival of the presence and blessing of the Lord. Now, this is a verse to Israel, but it speaks to every generation as well. Those who meet the conditions detailed in this verse will experience the promises mentioned in this verse. Folks, we need revival! We Baptists love our meetings; but we need more than a meeting, we need a revival. We need something that we cannot produce by our own efforts. Revival is a supernatural event. It comes only by the sovereign decree of the Lord. We can have a meeting this week, but we cannot have a revival unless the Lord gives it. While we cannot produce a revival, we can meet the requirements set forth in these verses, and that will make revival much more likely. The Chronicler speaks of the possibility and the problems associated with revival. While telling what we can have, he also tells us about what can prevent revival. I would to point out The Enemies of Revival today. There are four problems mentioned in this verse that can sabotage and prevent revival from taking place.

We need to listen closely to what the Bible has to say about this matter and do whatever we need to do to see that these enemies of revival do not hinder us from getting what we need from the Lord. Let‘s look into this passage together and talk about The Enemies Of Revival. (Note: This verse is directed to God‘s people. He says, ―If My people, which are called by My name…‖ This is not a verse to lost people. Lost people do not need revival, they need to be saved! If you are not saved, you need to come to Jesus Christ, confess your sins and call on Him for your soul‘s salvation. If you do know the Lord today, then God has something to say to you from this verse. He will help us, if we will allow Him to. Here are the enemies of revival.)

PRIDE IS THE ENEMY OF REVIVAL

A. ―Will humble themselves‖ – This phrase deals with the area of our pride. The word translated ―pride‖ in the Old Testament means ―to rise or to swell up.‖ It refers to the rising of the waves of the sea. It speaks of men thinking more of themselves and their abilities than they do of God. Pride says, ―I do not need God, I can make my own way. I know best. I call the shots in my life.‖ Friends, we are eaten up with pride in our modern churches! We have adopted the Laodicean mentality, Rev. 3:17a. We have learned how to function without the help of the Lord and it has destroyed the power of the church! When we compare ourselves the to the world, we are looking pretty good; but when we lay the modern church alongside the early church, Acts 2:42-47; it is easy to see that we are in sad shape! God hates pride! Ill. Pro. 6:16-19. Each sin mentioned in that list is a result of pride! Here is God‘s Word on pride: Pro. 8:13; 11:2; 16:5; 18-19. How can you tell if you have a pride problem? Here are the evidences of pride in a life: 1. Pride refuses to listen, it always interrupts others. 2. Pride likes to talk about itself all the time.

3. Pride has an intense desire to be noticed. 4. Pride believes that it deserves everything it gets. 5. Pride is not thankful. 6. Pride cannot be corrected. 7. Pride does not like to follow instructions. 8. Pride exalts itself in the presence of others; it brags. 9. Pride criticizes and tries to makes itself look better by putting others down. 10. Pride thinks of its own needs first.

(Ill. Muhammad Ali furnishes a good example of pride at work. He was on an airplane once and he was standing up in the aisle, talking and laughing and entertaining the passengers. Finally, the stewardess came back to him and said, "Mr. Ali, you'll have to take a seat and fasten your seat belt because the plane is about to take off." Well, Mohammed Ali looked at her with a snarl, and said, "Honey, superman don't need no seat belt." She looked at him and said, "Yeah, and superman don't need no airplane either. Now sit down and buckle up.")

B. God has a better plan! He calls on His people to ―humble themselves‖. The word ―humble‖ means ―to bend the knee; to bring down; to place self under another.‖ Pride will not allow the prideful person to bow their knee to the Lord! God desires His people to take whatever steps are necessary to bring themselves under His authority. He wants us to know that we cannot do it. He wants us to know that we are dependent upon Him for everything we have. He wants us to bend the knee to His authority in our lives.

C. We need to take the steps Jesus laid out for the church in Laodicea, Rev. 3:17b-18. When Jonah entered Nineveh and preached his message of impending judgment, the king of that city proclaimed a fast and all the people humbled themselves under God‘s mighty hand, Jonah 3:1-8a. That is what the church needs to do today. God‘s people need to realize that we were nothing when He found us; we would be nothing without Him and that we can accomplish nothing apart from His power in our lives, John 15:5. D. If we are going to have revival, then pride, the enemy of revival, must be dealt with forever!

II.

PRAYERLESSNESS IS THE ENEMY OF REVIVAL

A. The people of God are challenged to ―pray‖. Prayerlessness is the first cousin to pride. Prayerlessness says, ―I do not need to call on the Lord, I can make it just fine without His aid.‖ Prayerlessness does not say, ―He is all I need‖; but ―I am all I need.‖ Prayerlessness relies on self and the resources self can produce and refuses to lean on Jesus alone. Prayerlessness is the enemy of revival! B. It is a fact that we can prayer and not have revival; but we will never have a revival apart from prayer! Prayer is the ultimate statement of inability. Prayer looks to God and says, ―I can‘t, but you can!‖ Prayer acknowledges personal, profound dependence upon the Lord. We do not have revival because we do not pray! And, we do not have revival because we do not pray as we should, Ill. James 4:2-3! Charles Finney said, ―Prayer is the essential link in the chain of events that leads to revival!‖ We have lost the art of waiting before the Lord in prayer! Too much of our praying is anemic, antiseptic, formal, repetitious and long-winded. We pray around issues and never really get down to trusting God by faith. Our prayers leave our mouths, but they do not move God in Heaven.

(Ill. Dwight L. Moody, a famous evangelist from Chicago went on vacation to England. He wasn‘t planning to do any preaching; he was on a sabbatical. But he met a preacher there who said, "Mr. Moody you‘re so well known, would you come and speak at our church?" So he went to preach the next Sunday morning. That afternoon Moody wrote in his journal that they were the deadest crowd he had ever seen and that the only thing worse than preaching to those people was that he had promised to go back that night and preach again. But he went back that night, and about halfway through the sermon something happened. The people started to come to life, and he felt compelled to ask if anyone there would like to become a Christian and a lot of people stood up. He didn‘t know what to do. So he said, "Maybe you don‘t understand what I am asking. So when we are dismissed if you want to become a Christian come over to this little room and meet with me." When the service was over, he went to the room and it was packed. Moody said to the minister, "What does this mean?" He said, "I don‘t know. But I think you need to preach again tomorrow night." The next day Moody got on a train and went to Ireland to continue his vacation. But when he got off the train there was a memo that said, "Come back. Revival has broken out." So Moody got back on the train, went back to that church and preached 10 straight nights. And 400 responded to the invitation. Moody couldn‘t understand. Those people were dead, and something changed it. What happened was that an 80 some year old invalid widow named Mary Ann Adelard had read one of his sermons in the newspaper and had started praying every day that God would bring D. L. Moody to her church. That is revival praying.)

C. We pray for a few minutes and think we are ready for meeting. We recite our lists to the Lord and make our requests for our fleshly, material desires and we think God is going to move in mighty revival power. Well, it is not going to happen!

We have to come to the place where we sacrifice our pride on God‘s altar; declare our utter helplessness; and cling to Him until He moves in power in our lives and church. Leonard Ravenhill said, ―The church is dying on its feet because it is not living on its knees!‖ D. When Jonah‘s message came to Nineveh, the people humbled themselves and they began to pray, Jonah 3:8b. When they did, God moved in power and sent a revival! Another example of revival praying can be found in Neh. 9:12. When we call on God from a pure, humble heart, we will see revival follow! How is your prayer life? III.

PRIORITIES ARE THE ENEMY OF REVIVAL

A. God‘s people are told to ―seek His face‖. The word ―seek‖ means ―to search out by any method; especially by worship and prayer.‖ The word ―face‖ refers to ―the countenance; to turn toward His direction.‖ This little phrase is a call for God‘s people to stop looking for help and purpose in every other thing in life. They are called upon to make God their primary focus and their first priority. You see, revival does not come to people who seek revival; but to people who seek God! Far too many people are caught up in what God can do for them. But, seeking His face means that we hunger for Him more than for what He can do. He wants us to love Him for Who He is! The essence of genuine revival is falling in love with Jesus all over again, Ill. Rev. 2:1-7. Seeking Him will bring revival to His church, James 4:8; Isa. 55:6. B. If you had to be really honest today, what is the number one priority in your life? Is it your job? Is it your bank accounts or retirement? Is it your family? Is it your church? Is it your spouse? Is it your hobby? Or, is it the Lord? When anything but God is the number one priority in your life, you are out of balance and you are not a candidate for revival. When God is our first priority, the things He cares about are the things we will care about. When we are seeking His face, we will be able to see what has His attention. And, what has His attention is to be that which has our attention. He wants us to love what He loves, hate what He hates and do what He does. He wants us to develop that attitude Jesus adopted while He was here on earth, John 5:19-20.

C. If you really want to know what your priorities are today then ask yourself three questions: 1.) On what activity do you spend most of your time? 2.) On what do you spend the bulk of your money? 3.) On what do you focus your thoughts? Look at where you go; what you do and where you spend your money. Do that and you will have a good idea of your priorities in life. Where does God fit in the equation of your life? Is He in first place? If He isn‘t than you are not a candidate for revival! D. Misplaced priorities are the enemy of real revival. The priorities of Nineveh were all messed up. Then, Jonah came to town with his message of doom and destruction. The people of Nineveh, from the king on down, got their priorities fixed up and they began to seek the Lord, Jonah 3:8. They got interested in the things that interested the Lord. Things like prayer, holiness, worship, etc became a priority and God sent them a revival. He can and will do the same for us, when our priorities are what they ought to be.

IV.

PRESUMPTION IS THE ENEMY OF REVIVAL

A. Finally, God‘s people are told to ―turn from their wicked ways.‖ That is, they are to forsake their sins and embrace holiness. The problem in Israel is that they were guilty of presuming upon the grace and goodness of the Lord. The same trend is evident in the church. We say, ―I am saved and some of the things I do don‘t matter!‖ Yes they do! Sin keeps us out of the presence of the Lord, Isa. 59:2. Sin closes the Lord‘s ears to our prayers, Psa. 66:18; Pro. 15:8, 29; Pro. 28:9. B. It is easy to see the hypocrisy and sin in our nation. We need more money for schools, so we legalize and promote gambling. We need to stop teen pregnancy, so we give out condoms and open abortion clinics. We want to balance the budget, so we raise taxes. We want to stop the spread of AIDS, so we practice ―safe sex.‖ It‘s no wonder God won‘t send revival to America!

What about the church? Why aren‘t we having revival? We are just as bad! We do not have revival because we are just as guilty as the world! Church people sin! They drink, they steal, they lie, they cheat; they commit adultery; they engage in sexual activity outside of marriage; they carry hate in their heart; they walk in pride; they walk in hypocrisy; they drag the precious name of Jesus through the mud and He cannot and will not bless a mess like that! We are saved by grace, but grace is never a license to sin! What we need is a season of repentance. We are good with our excuses; and we are quick to rationalize our behavior; but we are slow to fall before the Lord and confess our sins and receive His forgiveness. But, He will never bless us with revival until we do! We must come clean about our sins, before He can bless us, Pro. 28:13; 1 John 1:9. C. James 5:16b says, ―The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.‖ The key word in that verse is ―righteous‖. The word refers to a person who is ―holy, upright and keeps the commandments of the Lord.‖ Does that describe you? Are you a righteous man or woman? Can God hear your prayers, and could you be an instrument of revival in His hands? D. We need revival, but revival will not come to a presumptious people. It will only come to those who get honest about their sin; who confess them; forsake them and turn to God with all their hearts, ―And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart,‖ Jer. 29:13. Revival will come when God‘s people adopt the attitude that gripped the hearts of the people of Nineveh. They dealt with their sin problem and God moved in a great revival, Jonah 3:8-10.

Conc: Yes, there are some enemies that must be defeated. They can be, and if they are, we can experience God‘s power. He promised Israel that He would ―I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.‖ That is a description of revival: God hearing; God cleansing and God working. The word ―heal‖ means ―to stitch back together; to repair thoroughly.‖ That is what we need today!

Are you a candidate for revival? Here is the invitation: 1.) Are you â&#x20AC;&#x2022;His peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2013;? If not, you need to be saved. You need to come today! 2.) Are the enemies of revival, pride, prayerlessness, misplaced priorities and presumption active in your life? If they are, you need to come today. 3.) Would you life to see God send us a real revival? It can happen, but we must meet His conditions. Used with permission from http://www.sermonnotebook.org/old%20testament/2%20Chronicles%207_14.h tm

"IN TIMES LIKE THESE" : BY MARY BOLDEN

WE ARE LIVING IN PERILOUS TIMES AS THE WORD OF GOD CALLS IT, SO IT IS! IT'S NO JOKE TO WATCH THE NEWS EACH AND EVERY DAY AND HEAR OF SOMEONE MURDERING ANOTHER SOUL. AND IT'S NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY THAT THIS COULD'VE, WOULD'VE , SHOULD'VE BEEN A SOUL FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD, BUT THE ADVERSARY USED SOMEONE TO COMMIT MURDER TO KEEP THAT PERSON (S) FROM LIVING THEIR LIFE TO THE FULLEST AND HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE THEIR LIFE TO CHRIST. I'M SPEAKING OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE, OF COURSE. YES, SO VERY MANY ARE TEENAGERS AND EVEN BABIES THAT HAD THEIR LIFE SPAN CUT OFF. IT'S HARD ENOUGH TO HAVE AN ELDERLY PERSON PASS AWAY, BUT WE CAN HAVE SOME CONSOLATION IN KNOWING THAT HE OR SHE LIVED A FAIRLY LONG LIFE AND SOME A VERY LONG LIFE AND HAD EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE BACK TO GOD THROUGH THE WAY THAT THEY LIVED OUT THEIR LIFE TIME. THEY HAD EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO REPENT AND TURN THEIR LIFE AROUND IF THEY HAD FALLEN AWAY IN SIN. GOD HAS SUCH MERCY THAT HE WILL ALLOW EACH INDIVIDUAL UP TO THEIR VERY LAST DYING BREATH TO REPENT AND HE WILL TAKE THEM INTO HIS KINGDOM. REMEMBER THE THIEF ON THE CROSS WHO HUMBLED HIMSELF AND CONFESSED THAT HE DIDN'T DESERVE ANY FAVORS OF THE LORD JESUS, BUT SAID, "LORD, IF YOU WILL, LET ME FOLLOW YOU INTO YOUR KINGDOM. (para). AND JESUS DIDN'T PONDER ABOUT IT, HE SAID IMMEDIATELY, "TODAY, THOU SHALT BE WITH ME IN PARADISE."

SO MANY PEOPLE ARE JUST TAKING GOD'S MERCY AND HIS GRACE FOR GRANTED. SO MANY ARE CHURCH GOERS AND HEAR THE WORD BEING PREACHED EVERY SUNDAY, BUT THEY DON'T APPLY GOD'S WORD TO THEIR LIFE. THEY JUST SIT THROUGH AND SOME WATCH THE CLOCK AND CAN HARDLY WAIT UNTIL THE PREACHER IS THROUGH PREACHING SO THEY CAN GO DO SOME FUN THING. THEY FORGET ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WHAT WAS PREACHED. SOME ONLY GO TO CHURCH BECAUSE IT'S WHERE THEY WERE RAISED AND BROUGHT UP IN AND THEIR MOM AND DAD OR GRANDMA MIGHT BE UPSET IF THEY DIDN'T. SO, IT JUST BECOMES A HABIT SO THAT THEY CAN PLEASE MAN, NOT GOD! I WONDER SOMETIMES, WHERE ARE THE INTERCEDERS? WHO IS REALLY AND TRUTHFULLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CAPTIVE SOULS ENOUGH TO SACRIFICE THE TIME TO PRAY SINCERELY AND REALLY "STAND IN THE GAP" FOR A SOUL WHO IS IN NEED OF SALVATION, DELIVERANCE, HEALING, A JOB, FINANCES TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILY,ETC. TO STAND IN THE GAP MEANS YOU'RE WILLING TO PRAY CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL YOU SEE RESULTS. IT MEANS YOU MAY CALL THEIR NAME UP TO THE LORD BOTH NIGHT, AS WELL AS DAY. IT MEANS YOU ARE WILLING TO TAKE ON THE BURDEN OF HELPING THAT PERSON ALL YOU CAN TO BEAR THEIR LOAD. IT COULD BE AN ELDERLY PERSON (YOUR GRANDMOTHER OR GRANDFATHER OR GREAT AUNT OR UNCLE) WHO HAVE LOST THEIR SPOUSE AND HAVE NO CHILDREN OR EITHER NO FAMILY MEMBER THAT IS WILLING TO HELP THEM THROUGH THEIR SORROWFUL, HARD TIMES. YOU MAY BE THE ONLY ONE THAT THE LORD HAS ASSIGNED TO DO WHAT YOU DO BEST....SHOW LOVE AND KINDNESS, GENTLENESS AND MERCY TO THAT PERSON. AND IF THAT IS THE CASE, GOD WILL HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE IF YOU DO NOT OBEY HIS WORD AND FEED THE HUNGRY, GIVE DRINK TO THE THIRST, CLOTHE THE NAKED, VISIT THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS, ETC. " IN TIMES LIKE THESE WE ALL NEED A HELPING HAND ALONG THE WAY AT ONE POINT OR ANOTHER. THOSE OF YOU, LIKE MYSELF, WHO HAVE "BEEN THERE, DONE THAT"

HAVE NOTHING TO BOAST ABOUT EXCEPT GOD'S GRACE AND MERCY THAT BROUGHT US THROUGH AND TAUGHT US TO TRUST IN THE LORD OUR GOD WITH ALL OUR HEART, MIND, SOUL AND SPIRIT. HE ALLOWED US TO SUFFER FIRST SO THAT WE CAN TURN AROUND AND REACH OUT TO ANOTHER SOUL WHO'S GOING THROUGH SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES. IT'S NOT GOD'S WILL FOR US TO IGNOR ANOTHER SOUL WHO ASKS FOR HELP OR WHO IS ONE WHO HAS MAD THEIR NEED KNOWN, TO HAVE COMPASSION ON OTHERS THE SAME WAY THAT HE DID WITH YOU AND I. WE ARE LIVING IN LAST AND EVIL TIMES. AND THOSE OF US WHO ARE ABLE BODIED ENOUGH TO HELP SOMEONE ELSE WHO MAY BE LAME OR ELDERLY OR HINDERED BECAUSE OF THEIR IGNORANCE OF WHERE TO GO, WHO TO SEE, WHAT TO SAY, ETC. GOD MAY LEAD YOU TO TAKE THEM AROUND AND HELP THEM GET THEIR PERSONAL BUSINESS HANDLED RATHER THAN IGNOR THEM AND PASS UP THE OPPORTUNITY HE GIVES TO YOU TO BE A BLESSING. WE ARE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS. SO WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL FOR EACH AND EVERYTHING HE HAS BLESSED US WITH AND LOOK FORWARD TO EVERY OPPORTUNITY HE PRESENTS TO US TO BLESS SOMEONE ELSE. IF IT'S MONEY AND WE KNOW HOW MUCH WE CAN BLESS A PERSON OR FAMILY WITH SO , WHY DO SOME HOLD ON STINGILY AND REFUSE TO BLESS SOMEONE ELSE? YET, THEY EXPECT GOD TO BLESS THEM WHENEVER THEY ARE IN NEED. WELL, WHAT IF THE LORD JESUS WAS TO HOLD BACK STINGILY LIKE YOU DO? AND SOMETIMES PEOPLE WILL GIVE, BUT THEY ARE SLOTHFUL AND SLOW TO MOVE TO A PERSON IN NEED. THEY ALLOW DOUBTS AND FEARS TO ENTER IN AND JUST DON'T REALIZE THAT THAT PERSON IS IN DIRE NEED AND THEY NEED TO GET IN A HURRY AND TAKE MONEY, FOOD, CLOTHING OR WHATEVER THE NEED IS TO THEM. THEY MAY HAVE LOST EVERYTHING IN A FIRE OR A FLOODING. THEY MAY HAVE LOST THEIR HOME THROUGH FORECLOSURE BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF THEIR JOB. SO, WHY SHOULD YOU OR I HAVE TO STOP AND THINK ON THAT BEFORE WE BECOME PROMPT TO DO IT GIVERS AND GIVE WITH A CHEERFUL HEART? THE WORD OF GOD SAYS WE SHOULD GIVE CHEERFULLY AND BE A PROMPT TO DO IT GIVER.

NOW, IT'S TRUE THERE ARE SCAMS OUT THERE WHO TRY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A GOOD HEARTED PERSON WILLING TO GIVE . WE DO NEED TO PRAY, ESPECIALLY IN HARD TIMES LIKE THESE SO THAT WE BE NOT TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF IN THE WRONG WAY. THE THIEF IS ON THE PROWL ALWAYS LOOKING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO STEAL FROM THE PEOPLE OF GOD. BUT, IF WE ARE PRAYED UP AND FASTED TO HAVE IT REVEALED TO US JUST WHERE TO GO, WHAT TO DO, AND HOW MUCH WE ARE BLESSED TO GIVE, ETC. ,...WE WILL KNOW THAT NO WEAPPON FORMED AGAINST US SHALL PROPSER! IN TIMES LIKE THESE, WE NEED A SAVIOR, LORD, SHEPHERD, THE GREAT PHYSICIAN, A FRIEND WHO WILL STICK CLOSER THAN A BROTHER. WE NEED A WISE COUNSELOR WHO WILL FIGHT OUR BATTLES FOR US AND SET THINGS IN ORDER FOR US. JESUS IS THE ANSWER TO ALL THAT WE NEED HIM TO BE AND HE IS ALWAYS RIGHT ON TIME TO COME AND SEE ABOUT HIS PEOPLE. THE WORD SAYS, "HE IS A VERY PRESENT HELP IN THE TIME OF TROUBLE." AND TRULY , WE ARE LIVING IN TROUBLED TIMES. BUT, ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS CALL ON HIM AND HE PROMISES TO ANSWER AND SHOW US GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS IN JERIMIAH 33:3. HIS WORD IS TRUTH AND HE IS NOT A MAN THAT HE SHOULD LIE, NEITHER THE SON OF MAN THAT HE NEEDS TO REPENT. ASK , AND YOU SHALL RECIEVE, SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND, KNOCK, AND THE DOOR SHALL BE OPENED TO YOU. ALL IN GOD'S OWN PERFECT TIMING AND HE IS AN ON TIME GOD! ALWAYS REMEMBER TO GIVE GOD THANKS FOR WHAT HE'S ALREADY DONE FOR YOU AND REMEMBER THOSE TOUGH TIMES THAT YOU'VE HAD AND HOW HE BROUGHT YOU THROUGH AND OUT VICTORIOUSLY! GIVE HIM ALL THE PRAISE AND GLORY THAT YOU CAN POSSIBLY MUSTER BECAUSE HE'S WORTHY OF ALL THE PRAISE AND HE INHABITS THE PRAISES OF HIS PEOPLE. HE LOVES US AND IF HE NEVER DOES ANYTHING ELSE, HE HUNG, BLED AND DIED FOR US ON CALVARY'S CROSS.

AND THE GOOD THING ABOUT IT IS...HE DIDN'T STAY DEAD, BUT HE ROSE AGAIN AND CLAIMED ALL POWER IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH IS IN HIS HANDS. SO WE HAVE SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT. AND OUR LITTLE SUFFERING DOWN HERE IS NOTHING TO BE COMPARED TO THE GLORY THAT SHALL BE REVEALED. AS I SAID BEFORE,. IN TIMES LIKE THESE....WE NEED JESUS. HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE US. HE NEVER SLEEPS NOR SLUMBERS. CALL ON HIM. MAY GOD'S RICHEST AND CHOICEST BLESSINGS BE RAINED DOWN UPON YOU ALL, LOVE IN JESUS, PROPHETESS SISTER MARY

Concerned; But Not Consumed BY Ron Sanders (A RERUN)

Police Department, Homicide Detective Sergeant, Ron Sanders, was riding high on a series of successful murder confessions, murder warrants and convictions--one case in particular was a serial killer of eleven (11) women the killer had caused great trepidation in the lives of Detroit and Highland Park residents. Ron was tough, admired and respected throughout the department and his community. Everything was going well for him, and getting better each day. Promoted several times during his career, he was in the prime of his life and at the top of his game. Ron was rising from local notoriety to national fame. He was well on his way to leaving behind the local scene and heading to Hollywood. He had signed a six figure movie contract, for the rights to his police career. He had even opted to have "DENZEL WASHINGTON" to play his role in the prospective movie. Imagine that! But, everything came to a crashing halt. The fame, fortune and accolades disappeared in an instant. Detective Sergeant Sanders went from cracking cases, to picking up the pieces of his broken life overnight. . In CONCERNED. BUT NOT CONSUMED, Ron. Sanders shares his victorious journey of rebuilding his life after a severe and devastating stroke. A condition that would change his life as he once knew it, forever. Ron shares how God used the challenges he faced to take his life to a new level — ln Him. Ron moved from isolation, hopelessness and depression —in the wake of the debilitating stroke — to finding love, peace, joy and abundant life. .

It is Ron's sincere prayer and desire to acknowledge the Lord in all we do. His book teaches us that it is okay to be concerned with our well being, but not consumed by world. Ron shows you how to appreciate God in the little things and not take for granted the everyday blessings of Life.

IN HIS OWN WORDS: MISSION POSSIBLE The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me. Acts 20:24 (NCV) For many years I have wondered what is my life‘s mission, as it relates to this worldly life. I am a retired Detroit Police Officer. My last job in the Police Department was a homicide detective sergeant. I retired in 1993 after 23 years of service with the department, because of a stroke. The normal retirement service time is 25 years, but the stroke cut short my police career. The stroke left me with an intelligible speech impediment. The stroke also affected my ability to walk. The speech impediment, along with use of a walker to get around, left me with the thought that my world life‘s mission was over. In August of 2004, a friend told me to listen to message on the internet a spiritual and inspirational audio cassette tape, and told me to listen to it. I listened to the tape and learned that the speaker had a disability, along with a speech impediment more pronounced than mine. Even with his speech impairment, this speaker was able to speak to hundreds of people a year, telling them about the "Good News, of Jesus!‖ Because, of this inspirational speaker who overcame his physical challenges, and the above scripture, I have found a new and more meaningful mission for my life. That mission is for me to spread the "Good News, of Jesus.‖ For my Christian journey and mission, I have written, published and released the book titled "CONCERNED BUT NOT CONSUMED‖ (http://www.concernednotconsumed.com). I have launched a speaking ministry, giving inspiration, spiritual hope and motivation in my presentations to various groups. These groups include not only church and hospital audiences, but secular audiences as well.

I have made inspirational, spiritual and motivational presentations to stroke survivors in hospitals and churches. Also, at the same time I am given the opportunity to spread the "Good News of Jesus.‖ I think, even with the speech impediment, I have discovered that I can complete my new mission in life that GOD has given me. Prayer: Lord, please help and assist me to complete the mission that You have given me. Amen. Thought for the Day Despite ‗any‘ disability or handicap, ‘anyone‘ can complete GOD‘S mission. Ron Sanders (Farmington Hills, Michigan)

PART 2 (TEMPTATION) :―Thus said the LORD; Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die, and not live.‖ ARE YOU READY?

In the first part of this work we dwell with the question: "What if you had the opportunity to start your life again or a couple more years were added to it? What would you do with this new gift?‖ Together we studied Hezekiah, Lazarus, Mary and Martha of Bethany, their experiences with faith, doubt and a second chance. We looked into their preparedness for the encounters they had. We also look into circumstances when they were just on the lips of man and reality. We saw that your personal decision is a vital step in the eyes of Heaven; that enables/disable a second chance; regardless of the circumstances you find your self; for you will end up with the fruits of your choice. We took our inspiration from Abraham, Ezra; etc. and than we touch another vital step which is courage to carry out your decision; challenges and handicaps along the way. We also took our inspiration from the books of Daniel and Acts; looking at the courage of Daniel, the three Hebrew boys, and Peter and John. We than studied the meaning of conviction before confession; if we must gain entrance into the realms of reality. We looked into the question "What does it means to be convicted‖ because there are true and false convictions, in and out of season. And we looked at the Philippians Jailer, the Apostle Paul , Pharaoh etc. and I promised to come back because getting a Second Chance is far more than just lips service; it means action all the way. To take action it is necessary to know what you are up against and how you can combat them; planning, strategies, tactics implementation, your defence/offence and the weapons of their/your warfare. But progress to clarification; confession, remorse and repentance is not possible without first understanding the nature and mystery of temptation. It is topic that we must understand if we must be able to conquer it. Temptation is a deep mystery because it is a two way street that can serve the purposes of good and evil.

It can be used to destroy a person and also be used to refined a person and make them brighter, stronger, and more capable in the eyes of God and man. What is temptation and how can we overcome it; what are the consequences of temptation; can we ourselves be tempters; what defence do we have against temptation? Is there a good and bad side to temptation? No man is beyond temptation as long as they breathe the air of this earth and finally is there a means of resisting temptation? Even Jesus Christ was tempted! Its poisonous vermin does not choose between those who are saved or not saved; covered with the blood of Jesus or not; Pope, Bishop, Saint, drugs addicts, pastors, prostitutes etc are all equal in the eyes of temptation and can be tempted. However the good news is temptation can be overcome at all times; but we must have knowledge of what it is and then how to combat it. Usually it is good to start at the beginning if we must get an original picture of anything; so letâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s go back to the first happenings and see if there is a pattern that this mystery follows. The first incident of temptation happens in the Garden of Eden when Satan tempted eve. "Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.‖(Gen 3:1-13) In order to overcome anything we must know that thing perfectly and temptation is no exception. Let‘s examine some of the characteristics of temptation from the very beginning and see if we can dive into the strategies and tactics used by the tempter to overcome us. One clear fact is Satan choose the serpent to work through because the serpent was more subtle and cunning than the rest of the animals in the garden. Without poison and evil it must have been a very beautiful pet and the woman love to play with it because of this reason. Satan entered it because of this reason and had a way of making a good impression on her mind and appeared to be a friend who had deep love for the woman. (Pet lovers can understand this well. Our pets become one of us and in no way do we associate evil to it; especially when it comes to our relationships). Many people fall quickly because they have been taught wrongly to underestimate the powers of the Satan and his angels. If anyone has misled you into thinking that the devil is a simple, ugly, long tail creature that can be easily defeated; they have lied to you. The devil is like a chameleon and loves to appear as an angel of light ready to help you solve a puzzle. The Apostle Paul wrote these words of caution to the Christians in Corinth. "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.‖(2Cor 11:3,1415)That‘s how he breaks homes apart, ruins jobs, destroyed visions, and upturn foundations that were solid; with sweet misleading advices from his agents (sometimes using the bodies of your very friends, pastors, even parents who have fallen, doctrines, traditions and our leaders). He is very clever and attacks most times the animal instincts of survival in you, through lust, covetousness and the worldly desires of your heart. "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished bringeth forth death.â&#x20AC;&#x2013; (Jas 1:14-15) This is a strong secret war strategy of Satan. He uses it to break the relationships between God and man and even man and man. Definitely he is the master of this mind game and spoke to the woman in a language that she could understand. There are many today who believe that the devil is tormenting them at times and during those times interfering with their sleep and comfort. Let me tell you today if any of you fall in that category; it is a mind game and can be defeated right in the mind. You see if you believe in yourself and the power and authority within you, you can defeat that fear that Satan plants into your mind every time he does it. He has no power beyond drawing a ugly picture for you that will attack your belief and disable your resistant to fear. No donâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;t allow it to happen. Faith is a strong tool that can be use to combat in times like these and help you draw a picture of your impenetrable mind. Believe in yourself, pray, put on some soft music you love and drift away in a peaceful sleep. But Bishop it sounds too simple to be true. The true is you need great strength to fight any battle because there is no small war. You know many pastors in Africa fall to sexual sin because of offering time. In most of the Protestant Churches these days the choir sings and the congregation goes dancing to the offering box. Oh yes, Satan enter into our girls and they wear those shakeable, shining, see-through clothes and when they reach to the front they are bending their backs and rocking their butts in such a way that the weak falls. That weak Pastor, Prophet, Bishop, etc forgets that this is someone wife, daughter, etc and entraps them to their beds or office tables. Again the mind games have defeated them; lust, covetousness and the flesh have always been strong holds in the battle for Satan. He draws a picture in your mind that causes you to be envious of the things others have and you begin to grieve in your heart for them. Because of envy all sorts of debates and new teachings have enter the church; members and Pastors striving over money and women, gossiping and whisperings have taken the place of Bible studies, and many are boasting about their ability to win more members through the signs and powers of magic gotten from the devil. So many Christians believe in the horoscope these days more than the Bible. Now the Church is like a country club or business center for worldly gain because of the evil that has crept into it from the greedy ones.

Satan spoke directly to Eve secret thoughts and hidden desires. My personal impression is that he might even have been eating one of the fruits which both amaze and convince the woman. That is how many of our children are led to become drugs addict, drunks, or prostitutes because the friends they follow introduce them to these things. Oh just try it and if you don‘t love it; you can still turn back. How can a girl turn back if she does not love her first experience that pregnant her? So you are a coward because you do not drink or smoke your lungs away. This same method works even today on majority of those that fall in the church. They seek signs and wonders and are carried away by the signs of many strange gods. Satan was thrown out of heaven because of his uncontrollable lust for power and condemned to judgment and destruction. He desires to take as many as he can along with him and to tell you the truth his crafty ways even convince a large portion of the angels in heaven and they were thrown out with him. So breaking the relationship between man and his Creator was high on his agenda. To do this he had to enter into a creature that was admired by the woman. Like I said earlier when the serpent was not poisonous it might have been a pet the woman admired those days and frequently play with. Satan and his band of angels‘ works through those persons or things that have access to you in one way or the other. Not all that glitters is gold. It is always good to be satisfied with the little God provides to keep you alive; because your destiny is in His hands alone. It is our inability to be satisfied with what God gives us ; protection, love, finance, children and a life style in steps that cause the Devil to penetrate our defences and destroyed our relationships all of the time. You didn‘t have to die of Hiv/Aids if it was not for your covetous behaviour and greed for things of this world that led you from the bed of your poor husband who was struggling daily to put a meal on the table; and going to get fast money from the bed of the rich. There wouldn‘t have been scandals about sexual misbehaviour in the Church if men and women did not bow to the flesh after vowing that they would remain dedicated to the LORD for life. Yet because of their inability to face the facts they end up serving two Masters; Fathers/Priest/ Sisters/ Mothers sexually assaulting the weak, disable, and many times their selves. This weakness is across the board in nearly every church today on the face of the earth.

They bow to their greed and lust and are carried away every time. That little Church or group you had was Spirit filled until you begin to lust after the things of the bigger groups. Well you accepted the check the Devil send through that rich businessman and everything begin to change. You put him on the Elders Board and he began to sleep with the wives and daughters of other members. He introduces the kids to drugs and before you knew it the Spirit was gone and had to be counterfeited. "He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.‖ (Isa 33:15-16) It is also written in the Book of Proverbs: "Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.‖(Prov 5;15-21) He than spoke to the desire in Eve heart because he knew for her life everlasting in that peaceful Garden, where there was no sickness and plenty of love was what she hoped for. He knew that even with all God give her; she would still want more if she was tempted. He blinded her to the reality that the power of everlasting life was just in her hands even more than Satan who was condemned to death and judgement long ago. My grandmother use to put it like this: "When you are in a good home cherish it because bad home is shouting your name loudest in order for you to join their class of tears, distress and regrets‖." And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.‖ Satan had gamble with the lust he knew was buried deep within her heart. He did not pluck the fruit and give it to her, neither did he threaten her in any way but simple spoke direct to that desire within her.

If you noticed the interaction between the woman and Satan you will note that Satan had no power of his own to force the woman to submit to his temptation. God had given His Word and that Word provided for, protected, guided and serves as a watch over their lives. Going against His Words was like stripping yourself naked of all of this. It is written: "Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?(Prov 6:27-28) It was and still is a mind game and he wins because we submit to his wishes every time he presents a lustful picture. Satan knew that the Word of God was the only weapon that could overcome him; therefore he started with it. "Did God sayâ&#x20AC;&#x2013; and than went on to prove with his sweet logic that God Word was in error. Now this is another major strategy he uses to convince people. He told the woman their eyes would be opened and they would know the difference between good and evil. What he cleverly omitted from that was that he was indeed the evil she would experience for the rest of her life and the wisdom they would obtain from the fruit would be limited to earth; having no power over him and leads to eternal death and destruction; unlike the wisdom of heaven which God had in store for them and he benefited from when he was on the LORDâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;S side. This is the same strategy he uses to plunge you into deep fear of spirits and demons. Yes they are around you but what he did not tell you is that you have the power to shut them out of your mind. You have the power to resist temptation and we will deal with the tools that can be used to resist it later. "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.â&#x20AC;&#x2013; (Prov. 1:10-17) His second method is simple and traps a lot of people even today. He speaks to our desires and inner most thoughts and weakest links by drawing a counterfeited true/lie.. He presents a counterfeited truth/lie like many of his agents distorting the Gospel today.

You might say but Bishop what do you mean by a true/lie. I want you to be very attentive to this because it is a powerful trap that actual destroys a lot of people. Satan draws a very pleasant picture of sex, money, a better life with another man/woman, taking drugs or engaging into exploitations of the poor for you, but leaves out the fact that it is possible that it can lead into immature teen-age pregnancy, a life of painful broken relationship, and even death from sickness or abortion, a life time in jail or destroying the lives of hundreds who follow your magic and lies. Here is a good example: The true is that sex is good for those who are prepared and married; because it cements their relationship and helps them to bear children; which they can care for in love not abort, etc. Immature sexual encounter bring people together sometimes for a season which will be regretted for the rest of their lives. Now you must remember I said from the very beginnings that no one is above temptation. Satan can use your Leaders, your Parents and even your best friends to tempt you. Using the strategy of true/lie He use Abraham as a tempter to Pharaoh.(Gen12:12-19) Look carefully at another case study of true/lie from the experience of Abraham. I bring this second encounter to prove my point that even the most righteous man on earth have to be prepared at all times for temptation ; especially the penetration of the minds. Abraham trusted God and had many powerful experiences with Him; yet when He was been refined and had to run to Egypt for shelter; the devil painted a picture of the Egyptians lusting after his wife; to the extend that it could lead to his death. A fearful picture was painted in his mind and he fell for it and became a tool for the Devil to use in tempting Pharaoh. The true was Pharaoh loved beautiful women but the fact is he also fear and respected Abrahamâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s God and would not have touched his wife if he had just said the true. When Satan had convinced Abraham to say that his wife Sarah was his sister; he drew a lustful picture in the mind of Pharaoh to take her to his bed and if not for the timely intervention of God a great evil would have happened. This is how God put it to Pharaoh: "And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch herâ&#x20AC;&#x2013;.(Gen:20:6) Another case in the Bible similar to this is when Balak was used by the Devil to tempt Balaam to defy the Word of the LORD. After God has instructed Him more than once not to go and cursed the children of Israel; Balak promised Him

"For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.‖ (Num 22:17) Isn‘t that the very promises we get from those vessels the Devil use to tempt us every day? There are always the promises of greener and fresher lifestyles or pleasures. Well Balaam like Pharaoh fell into the trap of Balak and but for the interference of God again would have met his untimely death : "And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.‖(Num 22:23-24) God use a beast to open the eyes of a greedy man. "Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee‖ (Ex 34:12) Many that fall to temptation are carried away by the culture and traditions of many strange teachings ,signs and magic. There is a possibility to withhold yourself by sticking to the principles of the Word of God for your life. Yet for many the Bible does not offer them enough so they follow the voice of the Devil "look at your friends, they have big cars, planes, lots of money and live in a life of luxury .Why don‘t you use the power you have over the congregation and gain riches, power and fame.‖ You than begin to change the wording of your once powerful messages to suit the type of exploitation you have in mind. You than began to drop your long time, loyal and honest friends for others who can help you push up in the material world. You now have advisors and walk in the fame of this world; worshipping graven images and falling into the trap of riches and women. There is no more time for God; neither are his commandments your priority anymore. In fact you begin to modify them to suit your cause. I am sure you know people like these and many fall to their tales with their eyes wide open. "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.‖ (1John 2:16-17) Temptation is a mystery that must be understood to its fullest because it is a tool Satan uses most. That is the only way to defeat the tactics of the Devil and gain a second chance to make things right. Lust gives birth to covetousness. Beware for it is written :

"The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therin: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God‖. (Deut. 7:25) "Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. (Deut 8:11-18) One of the weakest links that causes the downfall of man is exalting his self above every other thing. Oh yes a great many heroes have fallen when they leave the path of the collective and start treading on the lonely path of self. It brings about self pride and then covetousness; greed, sets in and hatch the sin that leads them in most cases to their early grave, destroy the future of their generation and tear apart their visions. God warn us many times in the Bible and made a a rule among the ten commandments to open our eyes to the reality of how deadly this sin can be. It is one of Satan major war strategy. "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.‖ See how he play on her selfishness here ‗Ye shall not‘… ‗ye eat thereof‘… ‗your eyes shall‘ and ye shall be as gods‘…. As you can see from this brief break down he play on the selfish instinct of this woman and she did not even notices that the gods he was referring to was not the Creator alone. However like I said from the beginning; temptation has two sides and it is necessary to look at the other side. Temptation can be used or allowed by God as a Test to prove our loyalty or refine us. Have it ever occur to you that God can tempt you too? Wow! Bishop what nonsense; what blasphemy you utter; I am surprise at you and you call yourself a Christian?

Those were the words of a student of mine when he first heard this statement from my mouth. Study the Word of God carefully or you will not fully understand the mysteries of this life. As I said before to unravel the mysteries of temptation we must dive deeply to it very roots and examine it carefully or we can never over come it. Abraham was among the first to be tempted by God."And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.‖(Gen 22:1) But why would God want to tempt those who are loyal and faithful to Him? Why should He allow them to pass through a lot of sufferings and pain? Is He not to protect His own? One fact that many failed to realize is that from the very beginning God built in us an inborn defence system like unto Himself. "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness….‖ We are made in His image and likeness and process the ability to resist evil if we choose to. Now God allows trials and temptations at times to test His faithful ones. After the test you will be refined and will not bow to the foolishness of worldly wisdom. You will know the difference between temporary and permanent riches and wisdom, knowledge and understanding into the mysteries of those things you pass through will be yours to impart. If you have never been hungry before; you will never be able to fully relate to an hungry man. If you have never been jobless or homeless how you do know for sure what those poor homeless and jobless ones are going through. If you are refined by the fire of temptations and comes out ; well you will be strong and shining as pure gold and then God will shower you with great blessings and prosperity because He knows that you can handle it properly."By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son‖(Heb 11:17) It is also written :"If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.‖

What parent does not wish that his child or children turn out good and productive in the future? That is why responsible parents train up their children in such a way that even in the jaws of our strange social systems ,traditions, and cultures of wine, sex , and crime ; they have the Word to guide them. "And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.â&#x20AC;&#x2013; (Deut 8:2,5) Remember the training Joseph parent give him before he was sold as a slave. It was that training that helped him to endure as he pass through great temptations and difficulties in the land of Egypt."And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.â&#x20AC;&#x2013; (Zech 13:9) Old Jacob might have felt great joy as he fell into the arms of his long lost son ; who was saved by the Word of God in his life and not only that he reaped happiness in a life of luxury until the day of his death in the home of his child. The days of our temptations are difficult and dark, painful and tearful and we feel as if we are the last in the world. However if you know the Word of God that applies to your life; you will know that indeed those hard days are only for a season. Yes temptation is a mystery that we must understand in order to over come or else we cannot fully appreciate the second chance in life. It can be a blessings and a thing to rejoice about because you are worthy to be favour and tested like great fathers of faith and refined to gain the Crown of life. "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;Knowing this,that the trying of your faith worketh patience. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.â&#x20AC;&#x2013;(Jas 1:2-3,12) It will move forward to how we can resist temptation and close this session of second the opposite face of temptation with a word from the Apostle Peter: "Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.â&#x20AC;&#x2013; (1Peter 1;6-7) Is it possible to resist temptation and not yield to it. It is a strong force that breaks down the strong and crushes the weak to pieces. Oh Yes in searching the Bible we see prayers against been led into temptation. Jesus Christ Himself who had overpowered and defeated the tempter using the Word of God in the wilderness; warn us to include in our prayers all of the time an appeal to God against being led into temptation and deliverance from the hands of the evil one (Matt 6:13). Again that night when the disciples had followed him after the last supper; he cautions them to pray against being led into temptation. What does this warning tell you about temptation? It sure warns me that temptation is serious business and it needs to be high on our prayers list and conscious mind day and night if we must avoid it. One of the greatest defences against temptation is prayer, an alert and watchful mind and the Word of God. Many are very careless about these three and have fallen prey to the devil mind game and reap serious consequences. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s take a look of some of those who were able to successfully resist temptation. "And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.â&#x20AC;&#x2013; (Gen 39:7-10) Here was a young man who had all rights to be bitter in life; first with his family and next with God for forsaken him. However he was properly schooled by his father about the ways of the LORD and the rewards of the faithful. Here was an opportunity on silver platter to sin and gain the pleasures of the flesh, and a huge amount of silver and gold. Many would have jump to the opportunity today if the same set of circumstances occur in their lives. Many would have betrayed the trust and love the master had given him but Joseph taught us that temptation of such nature can be overcome by the Word of God and respect and satisfaction for one station in life.

He did not seek more than was given him for he did not have a greedy heart. It is written that you have the power to make the devil flee from you.â&#x20AC;&#x2013; Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.â&#x20AC;&#x2013; (Jas 4:7) When we submit to the Word of God we gain the strength and power to resist or endure temptations of any type. The Psalmist wrote these words also: "Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. (Ps 17;4) I wish to end this work with Psalms (73: 2-26). May God bless you as you walk in the newness of your faith in Him . Set your house in order and you will benefit from making things right with God and man. I am sure you will not only get a second chance but will use that chance wisely. In order to do that you must be wise to the things of God. That is why we are going to study the third step in the next part of this work.

Blinded by the Light: BY JEFF GODSOWN

Blinded by the light, is a song written pre 1977, by Bruce Springsteen for the popular British program, Dr. Who and made popular afterwards by Manfred Mannâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Earth Band. This unfortunate is what I woke up to this morning, and this seriously troubled me, but as usual, I went to my Heavenly Father and began to ask Him what it was all about. This is when I got the shock of my life, while at the same time, standing in amazement at God for His gentle correction. God reminded me of Saulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s awakening from his persecution of Christians on the road to Damascus: Act 9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: Act 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Act 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. Act 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. Act 9:7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. Act 9:8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. Act 9:9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

Saul was a man who was so wrapped up in right Biblical thinking and letting the truth be known from a narrow minded stand point, his stand point, he had become a persecutor and murderer. Though it is not my joy or even liking to admit this, but in accordance with God wanting me to be transparent and remain transparent, Father told me this morning, I was beginning to be like Saul. Though my heart was in the right place and my desires are that the Lord be honored and glorified above all things, I was entering the field of persecution if I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;t stop. Psa 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psa 46:11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Father God said I need to be still, I need to find my peace and rest COMPLETELY in Him, for I was headed toward becoming everything I hated, in my passion for righteous things and the truth of God. These are not words any child of God longs to hear, but rather now than when I step over the line in totality. This is exactly why we need to continually examine ourselves and seek God to show us any hurtful or wicked way in us. There is one more thing, this gives me hope in the simple fact, God knew I would listen, I would hear Him and I would desire His way over mine. Yes, without a doubt, I truly want everyone to walk right with God, fully and completely, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;m not God and I need to stand down from one thing, while stepping up to the plate and hitting homeruns, in the place God called me to stand, until He raises me up. I hope others will learn from my mistakes and be blessed!

THE FOG OF A BROKEN HEART: BY CATHERIN SKINNER

This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the Lords mercies we are not consumed, because of His compassions fails not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. ―The Lord is my portion, ―says my soul, ―Therefore I hope in Him!‖ The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seek Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord; let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven. We have transgressed and rebelled; You have not pardoned. I have called on Your name, O Lord, from the lowest pit. You have heard my voice: ―Do not hide Your ear from my sighing, from my cry for help.‖ You drew near on the day I called on You, and said do not fear!‖ O Lord, You have plead the case of my soul; You have redeemed my life. O Lord, You have seen how I am wronged. Judge my case. You have seen all their vengeance, all their schemes against me. I could go on and on as Jeremiah did when he cried out to God for help in Lamentation 3. Truly this is how I feel right now, but this I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. As Jeremiah did so do I see hope in God‘s steadfast love and mercy. God renews our lives day by day. Though our soul is filled with dark fog that slyly imprisons the soul and refuses easy escape. It is a silent mist that eclipses the sun and beckons the darkness. It is a heavy cloud that honors no hour and respects no person.

If you are feeling Depressed, Disappointed, Discouraged, and Doubtful then you have the 4 D‘s. These are the characteristic of the Fog of the Broken Heart. The fog of the broken heart disorients our life. It makes it hard to see the road. Dim your lights. Wipe off the windshield. Slow down. Do what you must but nothing will help when this fog encircles us, our vision is blocked and hope is but vacant phrase. If you have been in this fog or in it now, you can be assured you are not alone. Think back and recall all the broken hearts you encountered, how many wounded spirits you witness, how many stories of tragedy did you read about and the list will go on and on. We just want God to help me make it through the night. The suffering of the broken heart….. The good news is that God is never more human than this moment/hour. God is never nearer to us than when we hurt. The incarnation is never so fulfilled as in the garden of my/our heart(s). As a result, time spent in the fog of pain could be God‘s greatest gift. It could be the moment /hour that we finally see our Maker… Maybe in our suffering we can see God like never before. Abba-Father, the next time we are called to suffer, help us pay attention. It may be the closet we‘ll ever get to You. Help us to watch closely, for it could very well be that the hand extended itself to lead us out of the fog is a pierced one. God‘s Love- I ask this in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen

Reflections of Lamentations 3 The Inspirational Study Bible Max Lucado Inspired by God Shared by Catherin Skinner

BLESSED ABOVE THE LAW: BY JOSEPH KING

Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man. For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also has something to offer…….He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. Hebrew 8:1-3, 6 Through this better covenant Jesus has made it possible for all men to gain greater blessings than the ones Israel had through the covenant of their father‘s and Moses. In HIS precious sacrifice and heavenly service, HE bestows the entire privilege of a sovereign being to all who believe HIM. When we talk of rejoicing in the blessings, we must appreciate them, and distinguish our privilege, over and above the ones that Israel was promised. The believer in Christ has more than the material assurances that God gave Israel. To HIM are privileges from a superior dimension. Celebrating God‘s blessings from this perspective, the apostle Paul exclaimed: 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 beholy and without blame before Him in love. Ephesians 1:3, 4

This is the greatest honor men have ever been given; the greatest privilege any man could ever attain. Boy, this is soooooo awesome: When God gave us Christ, HE gave us love beyond understanding; riches beyond finite measure. The one that believes in HIM has blessings beyond any treasure available on earth. The believer in Christ is bestowed this honor and is raised by God to be above all other entities. HE is in Christ, and Christ is above all in heaven, on earth, and under the earth (Philippians 2:9-10). Such a person has transcended mortality; he is not merely human but has become a supernatural being synonymous to God. HE is a new creation, a blessing of the nations: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Rejoicing in Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s blessings today means, putting off the old man and wearing your new identity wherein, you have surpassed mortality and are positioned in immortality: You have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all in all. Colossians 3:9-11 From whence, you have been commissioned to teach all men regarding the blessings; and to command upon them the full measure that you have received. This duty is possible through the ministering of the gospel. We are not to curse but to bless; we are not to complain but to explain; we are not to prophesy gloom and doom but to prophesy blessings and favor. There are those who misunderstand what has happened and seek to downgrade this favor. In their religious impression, they presume and teach that Israel is still the centre place of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s blessing. They even make it a point to teach from the covenant of Moses, the blessings of God. They mistakenly urge men to rejoice over those blessings.

They underestimate what Christ did. My dear, without any disdain for holy things, I would like for you to know fundamentally without apology and fear that if you are in Christ, you have indeed received more than Moses and his covenant were ever able to offer. Your covenant in Christ is a far superior one offering greater blessings. Make no mistakes about it: From Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, down through Moses and all the kings and prophets of Israel, they desired what you have in Christ. They longed for this privilege but did not live to experience it: And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise. God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. Hebrews 11:39, 40 The privilege we have received in Christ is the icing on the cake; the full flowering of the blessings of God. You are infinitely blessed and a blessing. Neither the tongues of angels nor the eloquence of the wisest of men can fully elaborate on the measure of blessing you have gained in Christ. This chapter is only a good indicator, and all the books in the world that cover the subject are merely a guide. The full measure cannot be fully articulated in this world; it will gloriously unfold through eternity to our great delight. Suffice me though to indicate to you some great disparities between what you have got and what Israel was given: For one, you are not just blessed in the city and in the countryside; you are the blessing in the city, the countryside, and indeed to all the nations. You are the light of the world and the salt of the earth (Mathew 5:13-14). You are not just blessed in your coming in and your going out; my dear, everyone that comes to you is blessed, and so is everyone that comes from you. Your coming in is a blessing, and so is your going out. Wherever you move, the blessing moves. Your moving is the blessing on the move. And in this covenant, God does not just bless your works; your works are a blessing. Whatever you do is a ministry blessing others. Your business is a blessing, your teaching is a blessing, your gardening is a blessing, your farming is a blessing, your financing is a blessing, your mending is a blessing,

your typing is a blessing, your parenting is a blessing, your helping, serving, leading, cooking, preparing, training, whatever you do, is a blessing. You are a blessing. You are such a blessing that even your enemies are blessed. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;t curse them, you bless them, you pray for them, you make peace with them (Mathew 5). You are a blessing. Beloved, rejoice in Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s blessings; celebrate your high calling in Christ and be a blessing to all men. Never accursed, never cursing, take this party of blessings from the level that Christ has lifted it. Seated with HIM in heavenly places, rejoice in your full measure of blessings. From that vantage point, refuse to be downcast and downtrodden. Refuse to be sick, weak, and troubled. Never ever consider yourself to be poor; this blessing qualifies you to be richer than the finite mind can ponder. You are a possessor of heaven and earth; a loaded son of God. You are above any measure of mortal consideration, above every ability of hell. Too blessed, refuse to be stressed. You are above and not beneath, a bright beacon of light shining blessings everywhere you are, everywhere you go. Go on, be a blessing.

HEAVEN ON EARTH: BY PASTOR JOEL McNAAB

We have all heard stories of what heaven may be like; it has been recorded in song, published in books and magazines. You yourself may have a vision of what you would like it to be: Peter at the pearly gates, opening the gate for someone to enter; and you pass by some angels on clouds or in a mansion, or a corner cabin. They are all sitting around the throne of God on his right side, with harps in hand singing, ―Holy, Holy, Holy.‖ Some may have even had an after death experience of seeing a light, going to heaven and then coming back, we want to see our loved ones, the men and women of the Old and New Testament, and most of all we want to see the One who died for all. As Jesus hung on the cross, his promise to the thief next to him was that he would be with him in paradise. With this statement, we envision ourselves in a Garden of Eden type place, strolling around in robes and crowns. Could this really be what heaven is like? Where did Jesus actually go when he died on the cross? We do not see the heavens or the Kingdom of God, so we dream of what heaven will be. Is mortal man able to go to the heavens and see what the kingdom of heaven consists of, or is heaven like we imagined in our dreams? To answer any of these questions we will have to consider John 3:13, ―And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven‖. This passage is not as popular as verse 16 of the same chapter, which most believers are able to quote:, ―For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life‖. John wrote this epistle well after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus; James the brother of John and other disciples were already martyred at this time. This shows Jesus was the only man to have gone to heaven before or after his death. This same John who was exiled to the isle of Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ, said that he was ―in the spirit on the Lord‘s Day‖ (Rev. 1:9-10).

In chapter four when he saw the throne of God and the heavenly host says that he was in the spirit, chapters seventeen and twenty one he was carried away in the spirit, to see the woman on the beast and the great city descending out of heaven. All the things the angel showed John were symbolic of the things God has and will have on earth and in heaven. John was clearer about his experience than Paul was in 2Cor. 12:1-5, that he could not tell if John was in the body or spirit, but we see John said, ―I was in the spirit on the Lord‘s day‖. So what are we to believe? Is heaven some mythical place dreamed up by man to give him peace of mind, or is it real? Jesus told Nicodemus, ―Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God‖ (Jn. 3:3). So the Kingdom of God can be seen; but there is something we have to have before we can see it, the new spiritual birth. This means that becoming born again does not automatically make you a part of the kingdom; it only makes you able to see it. We also must believe that the Bible is God‘s word, for ―faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word‖ (Rom. 10:17). If we are to see and understand what the heavens are and what the kingdom will be like, then it must found in the Bible. The first written words that God gave man were to Moses on Mount Sinai. Before Moses, He spoke to men by voice, by His angel, or they were moved on by His spirit. On the mount, God brought a picture that revealed to Moses His law, how to worship, and the place where they were to worship. He called it a pattern saying, ―do all things according to the pattern… shown on the mount‖ (Ex 25:9, 40; Nu 8:4). Paul said that the law was the pattern of things in the heavens, which things were an example and shadow of heavenly things (Heb. 8:5; 9:23). ―For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect‖ (Heb. 10:1). The things that God revealed to Moses were like a dress pattern one might buy at the store. The individual pattern papers do not look like a dress at all; there are dotted lines on the papers, and you can only tell what shape the dress is by the shape you see in the picture on the package; even after it is cut out, it is not the final product or a dress. The tabernacle, the furnishings inside and out, down to the curtains that made up the tent that was to house the very presence of God all represent those things that God has in heaven, and good things to come.

These were only the dotted lines to a pattern of what God would reveal to man of the real, the things in heaven, and the heavenly things themselves (Heb. 9:23) Even the Temple which Solomon built was after a pattern God showed to David his father, when he wanted to build God a house (1Ch. 28:1-21). Solomon built and furnished it with the same accuracy that God showed Moses, with detailed instruction of every piece of equipment down to the last pin or stitch. The tabernacle and the temple were not the real, just shadows, or layout of what was to come. Jesus said, ―For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John‖ (Mt. 11:13), he knew that when John the Baptist came, those things spoken and done in the Old Testament began to be fulfilled. Jesus and John both preached the same message, repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. With the written prophesies now in motion, the heavenly kingdom of God could be set up on earth as it is in heaven. With our sins forgiven, we become spiritual beings that can be used of God to build His kingdom on earth. We can see Jesus laying the foundations, as Solomon did, in the fourth year the foundation of the temple were finished; (1Kings 6:3738) The fourth year of his ministry Jesus chose twelve men and then another seventy men also, and establish the foundation upon which the church could be built, which Paul called ―the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone‖ (Eph. 2:20). When Jesus went back to heaven, he gave Peter the greater task of building upon that foundation. Think of all the times Jesus took his disciples up on a mountain. I can hear him say, ―see thou make all according to the pattern I showed thee on the mount.‖ Peter was the one who believed on Jesus and did greater works than those that Jesus did. What else could it mean by greater works? (Jn. 14:12) Who could do greater works than those which Jesus did? There is no greater work than when Jesus offered himself and died on the cross. He was speaking of the magnitude of labor involved in putting together the material that both He and John the Baptist prepared by their ministry, as David did for Solomon to build the House of God. Jesus set up the altar of stone which had no man‘s tool on it, the twelve (Ex.20:25). These twelve had not sat at the feet of Gamaliel or any other man‘s feet to learn the law; they were common men, the average Joe, from different occupations. These disciples were prepared by John and called by Jesus, who taught them his commandments in (Mt. 5, 6, 7).

The priests and leaders who questioned Peter and John after the miracle at the Beautiful gate of the temple, marveled knowing they were unlearned and ignorant men, and noticed that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 3:1-11; 4:13) Now that the foundations were set, it was time to build, and on the Day of Pentecost they began to build the house on the apostles and prophets doctrine. Traditionally Jesus‘ ministry was about three and a half years, which would be the right timing of laying the foundation of the new temple in the fourth year. According to the prophecy, the temple took eleven years to build, if we subtract the four years of building the foundation, we have seven years left to build the temple (1Ki. 6:38-39). The greater work that Peter did, in constructing the Lord‘s house, took seven years for him to accomplish, twice the time that Jesus had worked. Once the people had been gathered, Peter‘s massive work was to bring them to a state of acceptance on the altar that Jesus set up. In Acts 5, we are told of an incident that shows the church had reached a form of perfection or acceptance: Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, both lying to the Holy Ghost set an unclean offering on the altar of the Lord, at the apostle‘s feet. They both agreed to this unholy offering, and both were carried out dead; this could and would not have happened if the house had not been perfected. We are told that great fear came upon the church and those that heard of it. And the rest would not join themselves to them, but magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, both men and women. Some even thought that if they brought their sick near enough to Peter, his shadow could heal them. Paul confirms the twelve as being the altar, ―We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle‖ (Heb. 13:10). We can see that the church had been established and set in order; it just needed the finishing touches. The house was finished. Now there was one more prophecy to be fulfilled to complete the house. A question arose; some of the Greeks had notice that the widows among them were not properly being taken care of. They came to the twelve who sounded a little insensitive here; they talked about not leaving the word of God to go about providing for the poor widows. Peter and the twelve were about to put the last nail in the house. They said to choose out seven men full of wisdom and full of the Holy Ghost, to set over this business, ―Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars‖ (Pr 9:1). When the apostles‘ laid hands on them, the word of God was increased, meaning they became the word of God made flesh. (Acts 6:1-7) Whenever prophecy is fulfilled the word of God increases, and becomes alive.

Before Jesus and John came along, the Bible was the word of God written in a book, but now it walks, talks, and is alive. Every prophecy that is fulfilled makes the word increase and true, the men that prophesied had faith that words would become substance. ―NOW we can see the faith is the substance of the things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen‖ (Heb. 11:1). The seven were not just some men chosen to make sure that the finances were taken care of, or caretakers. Look at Steven‘s sermon, and Philip‘s revival. They were men of power, and full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, they became the fulfillment of the Candlestick in the tabernacle, which had seven lamps of fire that the priests kept lit, the apostles being the priests who did not leave the word of God; ordained the seven into those offices. They gave them the word, and they carried it to and fro throughout the land (Zec. 4:10). These men, by the sacrifice of the blood of Jesus, were made to sit in heavenly places. The manner of prayer that Jesus taught was coming to pass, ―Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven‖ (Mt. 6:10). Paul called it a heavenly gift and they were made partakers of the Holy Ghost. (Heb. 6:4) When all this is set up we have heaven on earth now, it is an order, priesthood, offices that makes up the true tabernacle and temple made up of disciples that have followed the commandments of our Lord. The law was the shadow or mirror of what was to be. These men took the pattern Moses saw of things in the heavens, and were purified becoming heavenly things themselves (Heb. 9:23). Paul is shows us three things here, there is God‘s kingdom in heaven (things in the heavens), the tabernacle and temple (the Patterns), and where we can sit if we become acceptable in Christ (the heavenly things themselves). Paul also tells us that they had come to that spiritual city, ―the heavenly Jerusalem, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect‖ (Heb. 12:22-23). The men in the Old Testament prophesies are now fulfilled, the spirits of just men made perfect. It is required that we fulfill what they wrote and did or they would be made liars, ―God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect‖ (Heb. 11:40). ―That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past‖ (Ec. 3:15). All the Old Testament has to be fulfilled, Jesus said, ―Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled‖ (Mt. 5:18).

I know that we all would love to go to heaven and see what God has there. However if He has the same pattern here on earth, and Jesus is sitting on the throne of David in the heavenly places, then it is heaven on earth. The fall of Lucifer left heaven lacking in its members; a third of heaven had gone with the deception of Lucifer. Things in heaven were maimed, and a healing needs to take place. Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s right eye and hand offended Him, and He removed them (Mt. 5:30). So that the heavenly body would not perish, God came up with a plan to restore the heavens and show how great this sin was. He made man to replace that which was lost in heaven, and gave man free choice to choose between good and evil here on earth. Moses was given the law the schoolmaster, to lead us to Christ, who with his sacrifice on Calvary would give us the means to attain unto those places in heaven (Gal. 3:24). When the dead in Christ rise, and we which are alive and remain are joined together, we will make up on earth the complete image of what is now lacking in heaven. Jesus will rule on this earth for a thousand years in a kingdom just like what God had in heaven before the fall, and He will take His Sabbath day. God has given all judgment to the son, and He will reign on the throne of David in the tabernacle of David meting out His true justice (Isa. 16:5). His throne will consist of those who have followed Him, they are the epitome of a disciple, and he will grant them to sit on thrones ruling and reigning in His kingdom (Mt. 19:28-30; 2Tim. 2:12). Jesus will return to those that look for Him and are that mountain, without sin unto salvation; the Bride prepared to meet the Bridegroom (Heb. 9:28; Rev. 19:7). We can have our little piece of heaven on earth now, if we get ourselves into a condition to be vessels of honour in His house. Jesus will reign a thousand year here on earth, for he must reign till he has put all enemies under His feet. Then Jesus will subject himself to the one that put all things under Him, even God the father, that He might be all in all (1Cor. 15:24-28). When all this is finished, then God will have a new heaven and a new earth forever, because we have made our choice here on earth. I pray you will all choose to serve the soon coming risen Savior, for great is your reward when you are made to sit in heavenly places. May the Lord bless you with understanding is my prayer.

FORUM FOR THE ERADICATION OF INTERNET CRIME

IMPORTANT MUST READ NOTICE COPIED FROM: http://www.ic3.gov/media/2011/110311.aspx In light of Hurricane Irene, the public is reminded to beware of fraudulent emails and websites purporting to conduct charitable relief efforts. To learn more about avoiding online fraud, please see "Tips on Avoiding Fraudulent Charitable Contribution Schemes" at: http://www.ic3.gov/media/2011/110311.aspx Tips On Avoiding Fraudulent Charitable Contribution Schemes Recently several natural disasters, including tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes, have devastated lives and property. In the wake of these events that have caused emotional distress and great monetary loss to numerous victims, individuals across the nation often feel a desire to help these victims, frequently through monetary donations. These disasters prompt individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable organization or a good cause. Therefore, before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines, to include the following:

Do not respond to unsolicited (SPAM) e-mail. Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as officials soliciting via e-mail for donations. Do not click on links contained within an unsolicited e-mail. Be cautious of e-mail claiming to contain pictures in attached files, as the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders. To ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes, make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf. Validate the legitimacy of the organization by directly accessing the recognized charity or aid organization's website rather than following an alleged link to the site.

Attempt to verify the legitimacy of the non-profit status of the organization by using various Internet-based resources, which also may assist in confirming the actual existence of the organization. Do not provide personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions: providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft. To obtain more information on charitable contribution schemes and other types of online schemes, visit www.LooksTooGoodToBeTrue.com. If you believe you have been a victim of a charity related scheme, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud by telephone at (866) 720-5721, or by fax at (225) 334-4707, or by e-mail at disaster@leo.gov.1 You can also report suspicious e-mail solicitations or fraudulent websites to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.IC3.gov. 1

National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) was originally established by the Department of Justice to investigate, prosecute, and deter fraud in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Its mission has expanded to include suspected fraud from any natural or man-made disaster. More than 20 federal agencies, including the FBI, participate in the NCDF, allowing it to act as a centralized clearinghouse of information related to relief fraud.

ABOUT THE SHEPHERDS LIGHTHOUSE BUGLE MAGAZINE: The Shepherds Bugle is the voice of Shepherds Without Borders Lighthouse Ministries; which comes out once monthly to highlight messages, news, visions, projects, strength & weakness of the United Body of the Kingdom of God. Inspired Shepherds come together monthly to write message etc for the community of God chosen. Every shepherd chosen, charged, and called by God (YHWH) to care for His flocks is officially a member. Shepherds serve as an ambassadors of the Kingdom of God , advocates for petitioning God for mankind, administrators for the handling and distributing the truth of God's Word and they need a watch tower on the hilltop to help them not to crash against the stones of temptations placed in their path by the Devil. This magazine is the shepherdsâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC; consultant for wisdom and direction when it comes to how the work of the Kingdom of God is being carried out in different places around the world. It is also a confronter of the evil practices that are carried out in the name of the kingdom of God. It is no respecter of any particular doctrine, tradition, color, language, social status, or geographical locations. It is the voice for the united kingdom of God's body of workers in the vineyard here on earth. This magazine is the discussion leader of any topic concerning the kingdom of God and the warfare of God's people. Here you will see and post the work you do for the kingdom; however it should be clear that every work you see here is the responsibility/views of the writer who placed it there and not always necessarily the views of everyone. It is a medium to serve as an encourager for the shepherds around the world who are striving to get the truth of God's Word out even at a risk to their own families and lives. As a spotlight, we intend to also serve as a ground inspector of the work of every ministry we can and highlight their strengths and weaknesses. Shepherds, we say a big welcome to you and your flocks. Let this place be a companion and knowledge dispenser, a place where you can rest and discover your God given talents, your historian where you can view the past and log the present, the nurturer of your visions, your opportunities spotter, and critic.

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