What I learned today, August 23, from Brother Rodney

The will of God is expressed in 1 Timothy 2:4: that all will be saved.

This does not fit with the narrative of most churches because they transform God's will into merely a desire for people to be saved. But a desire may or may not happen; a will is different.

By doing this, they place salvation in human hands, teaching that we have to do something and/or say something in order to obtain it.

But faith comes simply by hearing. By hearing, we can believe, and eventually everyone will believe.

God is omniscient. He knows everything from the beginning, and His plan has already been established. As Isaiah 46:10 says, God declares the end from the beginning.

Therefore, His will does not depend on human beings making it happen. God already knows and has declared the end.

All will be saved. This is His will, and it has been part of His plan from the beginning.

In short, the Bible unshakably demonstrates that a plurality of elders oversaw the activity of the early churches. No church in the first century had a single leader. Consequently, the commonly accepted notion of sola pastora (single pastor) is at odds with the New Testament. The Bible knows nothing of a person who stands at the helm of a local church, directs its affairs, preaches to it every Sunday, conducts its baptisms, represents it in the world, officiates its Communion (or Lord’s Supper), blesses civic events, marries the living, and buries the dead. No such person exists in the entire New Testament.

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Today’s Scripture

John 2:9 (ESV)

“When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom.”

Opening the Scriptures

The servants had done exactly what Jesus commanded.

They filled the jars with water. They drew from them. Then they carried what they had drawn to the master of the feast.

Now John tells us what had happened.

The water had become wine.

There is no elaborate description of the miracle. John does not tell us when or how the transformation occurred.

He simply states the fact.

Jesus had done what no servant could do.

The servants could carry the water.

They could fill the jars.

They could take what Jesus provided to the master of the feast.

But only Christ possessed the power to transform the water into wine.

There is another fascinating detail.

The master of the feast did not know where the wine had come from.

But the servants knew.

They had witnessed what happened because they had been obedient to Christ.

Living God’s Word Today

There is an important distinction here for every Christian.

God calls us to serve Him faithfully, but we must never confuse our service with His power.

We can preach the Gospel, but we cannot give someone a new heart.

We can teach Scripture, but we cannot force someone to believe it.

We can encourage a struggling person, but we cannot transform that person’s life.

We can plant.

We can water.

But God gives the growth.

That truth should produce humility in every Christian ministry.

Whenever lives are changed, sinners repent, churches grow stronger, families are restored, or people come to understand God’s Word, we must resist the temptation to take credit for what only God can accomplish.

We are servants.

Christ is Lord.

The servants at Cana had an extraordinary privilege. They knew where the wine had come from because they had been close enough to Christ to hear His command and obedient enough to carry it out.

There is a lesson there for us.

Faithful service often allows us to witness God’s work from a perspective others may never see.

Someone else may see only the result.

The servant remembers the empty jars.

The servant remembers carrying the water.

The servant knows that the power did not come from him.

Therefore, when God uses your service for His purposes, never say:

“Look what I accomplished.”

Instead say:

“Look what Christ has done.”

Question for Today

When God accomplishes something through your service, who receives the glory?

Respond: “All glory belongs to God.”

Getting banned & shut down on YouTube sure is aggravating & inconvenient!

My video post claims it's too long for here, even after trimming so I will post the transcript!

So, I guess my video must have really chapped someones backside yesterday because I woke up this morning to the news that my you tube channel has been shut down after right about a year & almost 600 followers. They claim I'm in violation of some sort of spam, deceptive practices or scam policy when all I've done is speak some truths. Atleast I have biblically based messages of faith, salvation & recovery, not useless brain rot & dribble. Not once have I ever asked anyone for money or to click on a link that's a hack site, nor have I led anyone down a path that I wouldn't walk on or haven't walked on myself. And sure, I've had some get upset with me & they voice their opinions & sometimes I even offer a rebutle but most of the time when someone doesn't like what someone has to say on their page they just swipe along & move onto something they enjoy more. I'm not sure who got upset about my post yesterday but I'll say again for clarity, prosperity gospel is misleading! You cannot buy your way into heaven by making some preacher mega rich & no, God won't bless your life any more when you do give more because it's not about the amount, it's about freely giving from your heart what you can, not chasing a fairy tale that some well dressed man tells you! God never promised anyone a cooshy life & maybe that's what gets some of you worked up because many christians & churches have watered down the bible to make them feel good to keep attendance & donations up instead of really paying attention & digging deep into God's word. No matter what some may think of me I have appealed their decision & I will continue on my other current platforms as I feel called to plant seeds of hope, salvation & love in others. I will likely make a new youtube account because I am unashamed of my faith & I'm not scared of any establishment's silly guidelines that violate my 1st amendment right of free speach & freedom of religion! I'm an american, I'm an air force veteran & above all I am happily a child of God!

#God
#faith
#christian
#youtube
#life

Patsy and I have been married eight years. Before we met, we had both been widowed. She had been married 43 years to her late husband. I had been married 50 years to my late wife.

The story of how the two of us met, fell in love and married is a testimony of God's grace and favor. During the time we've been married, we have served in ministry to the widowed community we lived in in Texas. We also served in marriage support ministry (we still do) offering premarital counseling to couples soon to be married, or to the very newly married. We also have ministered to couples who were experiencing troubles in their marriages.

When we moved from Texas to Arkansas in 2021, we became involved in ministry to the addiction recovery community. The area in Arkansas where we lived has a major meth addiction problem. There are quire a few Christian ministries serving the recovery community there. She and I taught Bible classes at some of the recovery houses, and both of us engaged in much one on one support to those within the recovery houses.

Upon moving to Arkansas, we began attending a particular church. There we were asked to form and lead a seniors ministry group. We did that until later when we felt that God was leading us to make a change. Then we moved to another church. This one was heavily engaged in the addiction recovery ministry. This church was growing and God was doing some wonderful things there. Lives greatly changed, and the bonds of addiction broken for many.

Something happened, and I won't go into the details, but the church was suddenly abandoned. We had no pastor and we lost the building. It seemed that the intent was for the church to close, and for the attendees to find other churches to attend. But both Patsy and I, and several others felt that God was not through with the ministry of that church

Both of us felt that this was what God had put us there for. I was able to get the non-profit corp. signed over to me, and took on the role of lead pastor. But we had no place to meet. and a goodly number of the former members had moved on to other churches. Every week we scrambled to find a place to meet. Renting whatever venue might be available for that Sunday. We had no equipment including no sound system for praise and worship time. We had nothing

But God provided. We borrowed sound equipment and even folding chairs. We had different ones help us conduct our praise and worship time. And I brought the Word God had for us that day. Soon we were offered the use of an American Legion hall for Sunday mornings. The fee was very good as our numbers were small, and in that community, offerings were very small as well By the way, this American Legion hall had no bar so that was a plus.

During that time we were able to slowly accumulate a few pieces of sound equipment. We also had a family join who had been experienced praise and worship leaders. They were musicians thus we now had instruments.

Later the opportunity came for us to move into an abandoned church building. The building had not been in use for over five years. It had everything we needed in the way of chairs, a small fellowship room, and Sunday School rooms. It was ready to use for services. No longer did we have to go early every Sunday morning to the AL hall to set up for service and then take down following service.

Now we had a six month lease and a regular place to meet. But we knew that God had bigger plans. In November of 2025 we were able to move into a much more capable church building. At the same time, since the couple who lead our praise and worship had been former church pastors, and Patsy and I knew that our time there would soon come to an end, we appointed them associate pastors. In January of 26, this year, we turned the church pastorship over to them. This was in preparation for our planned relocation to Florida.

So now, here we are. We have connected with a wonderful church here in our city. We are not involved in leadership. What the future will bring, God only knows. But we will serve as He leads and what doors He opens, we shall see.

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Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.

Romans 12:11 NLT
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We don’t have to conquer jealousy on our own—God wants to transform our heart and help us step into freedom.
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Take your place, and remember when each of us follows Christ’s lead, our churches will not be a collection of noise but a symphony of grace sounding forth the truth.
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Dear Jesus, please help me to compassionately forgive others and point them to You.
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All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

Ephesians 1:3 NLT

Daily Bible Lesson.
WE ASK GOD FOR MORE LIGHT—THEN MAKE EXCUSES WHEN HIS LIGHT REQUIRES CHANGE

“Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.” — 1 Samuel 15:22

We pray:

“Lord, show me Your will.”

Then His light touches something we love—

our time, appetite, appearance, character, location, or tongue—

and suddenly:

“My situation is different.”
“Everyone does it.”
“I'm not convicted.”

Perhaps our greatest problem is not always lack of light.

IT IS THE HUMAN HEART'S AMAZING ABILITY TO EXPLAIN AWAY THE LIGHT IT DOES NOT WANT TO OBEY.

Jesus asks:

“Why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” — Luke 6:46

So here is the question beneath every reform:

ARE WE SEEKING GOD'S WILL—OR ASKING GOD TO APPROVE OURS?

---

① SABBATH REFORM—WHO OWNS YOUR TIME?

THE EXCUSES:

“I have to work.”
“Most Christians worship Sunday.”
“God knows my heart.”

Yes—God knows the heart.

And Jesus says:

“If ye love Me, keep My commandments.” — John 14:15

God's command still reads:

“The seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God.” — Exodus 20:10

Obedience may cost convenience, approval, opportunity—even income.

But faith asks something deeper:

WHAT IS JESUS WORTH?

“We ought to obey God rather than men.” — Acts 5:29

Do not merely argue for the Sabbath.

KNOW THE LORD OF THE SABBATH—and ask Him for faith to walk in His footsteps.

---

② HEALTH REFORM—HAS APPETITE RENAMED ITSELF “NECESSITY”?

THE EXCUSES:

“My body needs it.”
“I've always eaten this way.”
“We're all going to die anyway.”

But this body is not ours to abuse.

“Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” — 1 Corinthians 6:20

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink… do all to the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31

Health reform is not salvation by menu.

It is stewardship of a body purchased by Christ.

Inspiration warns of those who “frame excuses and make necessities which have no existence” while resisting health light. — Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 399

What a warning:

APPETITE IS A TERRIBLE COUNSELOR WHEN ASKED TO JUDGE ITS OWN HABITS.

Stop asking only:

“Do I enjoy it?”

Ask:

“WILL THIS KEEP MY BODY AND MIND FIT FOR CHRIST'S SERVICE?”

---

③ DRESS REFORM—WHO ARE WE TRYING TO PLEASE?

THE EXCUSES:

“It's only fashion.”
“God only looks at the heart.”
“I don't want to look different.”

Yes:

“The LORD looketh on the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7

And Scripture also calls for:

“Modest apparel.” — 1 Timothy 2:9

The issue is not ugliness.

Not neglect.

Not a religious uniform.

The question is:

WHO IS SHAPING MY APPEARANCE—CHRIST OR THE WORLD?

Christian dress should reflect modesty, simplicity, health, dignity, and good taste without making self the attraction.

CLOTHING CANNOT SAVE THE HEART—BUT THE MASTER OF THE HEART WILL INFLUENCE THE CLOTHING.

Let your appearance quietly testify:

“I BELONG TO CHRIST.”

---

④ CHARACTER REFORM—“THAT'S JUST HOW I AM.”

Perhaps no excuse protects cherished defects more effectively.

Anger becomes “my personality.”
Pride becomes “confidence.”
Bitterness becomes “what they deserve.”

Then comes the universal shield:

“Nobody is perfect.”

True.

But Jesus never made imperfection an excuse for refusing transformation.

“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 2:5

Christ does not merely forgive us in the old life.

HE BEGINS MAKING US NEW.

“When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” — Christ's Object Lessons, p. 69

Stop defending your defect with:

“THAT'S WHO I AM.”

Bring it to Jesus:

“LORD, MAKE ME LIKE YOU.”

---

⑤ LOCATION REFORM—WHY DID INSPIRATION CRY, “OUT OF THE CITIES”?

Here excuses become painfully practical:

“My job is here.”
“My children's opportunities are here.”
“I'll move when everything becomes convenient.”

Yet Inspiration repeatedly urged:

“Out of the cities, out of the cities! This is the message the Lord has been giving me.” — Country Living, p. 29

Why?

Not because soil saves souls.

But country surroundings can favor health, simplicity, useful labor, children learning from nature, greater separation from corrupting influences, and preparation for difficult times.

God's first home for humanity was not a congested metropolis.

“The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden.” — Genesis 2:8

Abraham lived as a pilgrim.

Lot “pitched his tent toward Sodom.” — Genesis 13:12

Their stories remind us:

LOCATION CANNOT CONVERT THE HEART—BUT ENVIRONMENT CAN POWERFULLY INFLUENCE IT.

Yet Inspiration also counseled:

“Out of the cities; but not a moment before God would have us go.” — Country Living, p. 26

So the message is not:

PANIC AND RUN.

It is:

PRAY.
PREPARE.
SIMPLIFY.
LEARN.
WATCH PROVIDENCE.
AND WHEN GOD OPENS THE WAY—OBEY.

And remember:

YOU CAN LEAVE BABYLON GEOGRAPHICALLY WHILE BABYLON STILL LIVES IN YOUR HEART.

Christ's first relocation project is:

SELF OFF THE THRONE—CHRIST ON IT.

---

⑥ SPEECH REFORM—CAN A CONVERTED HEART KEEP AN UNCONVERTED TONGUE?

Here the excuses sound innocent:

“I'm only joking.”
“But it's true!”
“I just needed to release my feelings.”

Scripture answers:

“Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting… but rather giving of thanks.” — Ephesians 5:4

“Speak evil of no man.” — Titus 3:2

And instead:

“That which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” — Ephesians 4:29

Imagine that standard:

WORDS THAT MINISTER GRACE.

No gossip.

No slander.

No degrading jesting.

No cutting sarcasm.

No dishonest flattery.

No spreading bitterness from heart to heart.

“Bless, and curse not.” — Romans 12:14

This does not mean hiding wrongdoing.

Jesus rebuked sin.

Nathan confronted David.

Paul corrected churches.

Truth sometimes must hurt before it heals.

But Scripture says:

“Speaking the truth in love.” — Ephesians 4:15

Before speaking, ask:

IS IT TRUE?
IS IT NECESSARY?
IS IT LOVING?
WILL IT BUILD RATHER THAN POISON?
WOULD I SAY IT THIS WAY IN THE VISIBLE PRESENCE OF JESUS?

“Let the law of kindness be upon your lips and the oil of grace in your heart.” — Christ's Object Lessons, p. 337

What a standard:

**TRUTH ON THE LIPS.

GRACE IN THE HEART.**

---

⑦ PERHAPS THE MOST DANGEROUS EXCUSE—“I'M NOT CONVICTED.”

Sometimes that is sincere.

Conscience must never be forced.

But sometimes:

“I'M NOT CONVICTED”

really means:

“I DON'T WANT TO INVESTIGATE THIS DEEPLY ENOUGH TO BECOME CONVICTED.”

Jesus reveals a searching principle:

“If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.” — John 7:17

Notice the order:

WILLINGNESS → UNDERSTANDING → OBEDIENCE.

Before asking,

“Is this really required?”

ask:

“LORD, IF YOUR WORD SHOWS ME THAT I AM WRONG—AM I WILLING TO CHANGE?”

That question exposes whether we want truth—

or merely reassurance.

---

⑧ BUT HERE IS THE DANGER ON THE OTHER SIDE—REFORM WITHOUT CHRIST

Inspiration defines genuine reformation:

“Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices.” — Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 128

Truth must reach:

the calendar,
the kitchen,
the wardrobe,
the temper,
the address,
the tongue,
and the choices nobody sees.

“Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.” — James 1:22

But never miss this:

REFORMATION WITHOUT CHRIST CAN PRODUCE A PHARISEE.

You can keep Sabbath—

and hate your brother.

Eat perfectly—

and feed on pride.

Dress modestly—

and advertise self-righteousness.

Move to the country—

and take worldliness with you.

Guard your tongue publicly—

while bitterness rules privately.

Jesus did not come merely to rearrange our habits.

HE CAME TO RECREATE OUR HEARTS.

“Without Me ye can do nothing.” — John 15:5

---

THE QUESTION BENEATH EVERY REFORM

When Christ touches your—

TIME—will He be Lord?

APPETITE—will He be Lord?

APPEARANCE—will He be Lord?

CHARACTER—will He be Lord?

LOCATION—will He be Lord?

TONGUE—will He be Lord?

There it is.

DOES JESUS HAVE PERMISSION TO CHANGE EVERYTHING?

“If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” — Luke 9:23

Perhaps we do not need another argument.

Perhaps we need another surrender.

Instead of continually praying:

“LORD, GIVE ME MORE LIGHT,”

perhaps we need to pray:

“LORD, FORGIVE ME FOR RESISTING THE LIGHT I ALREADY HAVE.”

Take my appetite.

Take my pride.

Take my temper.

Take my tongue.

Take my plans.

Take my home.

TAKE MY WHOLE HEART.

“Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” — Acts 9:6

NO MORE EXCUSES.
NO MORE BARGAINING WITH LIGHT.
NO MORE TRYING TO OUTREASON GOD.

CHRIST BEFORE CONVENIENCE.
FAITH BEFORE FEAR.
TRUTH BEFORE TRADITION.
SURRENDER BEFORE SELF.

Because when Jesus truly becomes Lord—

REFORMATION IS NO LONGER SOMETHING GOD MUST FORCE FROM US.

IT BECOMES SOMETHING LOVE IS WILLING TO SURRENDER TO HIM.

SAINTS REVIVAL COMMITTEE - SRC SOUTH SUDAN
SOLIDIFY. UNIFY. MULTIPLY

CALL TO ALL INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIANS, CHURCHES & BIBLE SCHOOLS
TO PARTNER FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE GOSPEL IN AFRICA

Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!

The Saints Revival Committee - SRC South Sudan is sending out this global call to partnership.

We believe God is raising a Revival Movement in Africa, and South Sudan is at the center of it. The time to act is NOW.

WE ARE CALLING YOU TO PARTNER WITH SRC FOR:

1. The Advancement of the Gospel
Together we will take the Good News of Jesus Christ to unreached communities, villages, and cities across South Sudan and Africa.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations_ Matthew 28:19

2. Equip Pastors and Church Leaders
We have thousands of called men and women who need training, mentorship, and resources. Partner with us in Leadership Training, Discipleship Schools, and Apostolic Equipping to strengthen the Church.

3. Uplifting and Reviving the Churches
Many churches need spiritual revival, prayer power, and unity. Let us work together for Revival Meetings, Crusades, and Peace & Unity Campaigns that will bring healing to our nation.

WHY PARTNER WITH SRC?
- We have the field - 84 Apostolic workers in every State ready to serve
- We have the structure - State Coordinators, County Teams, and Church Networks
- We have the heart- To Solidify believers with the Word, Unify them in Prayer, and Multiply disciples
- We will host and coordinate all visiting teams, trainings, and mission programs

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor Ecclesiastes 4:9
“Here am I. Send me!” *Isaiah 6:8*

WHO WE ARE CALLING:
International Christians - Men and women with a mission heart
Churches- To send teams, resources, and prayer support
Bible Schools & Seminaries - To partner in curriculum, teachers, and scholarships for African leaders

Let us build the Church together. Let us see Africa Revived!

To partner, visit, or support:
Elder Daniel Deng
Executive Director - Saints Revival Committee SRC South Sudan
[+211921163669/Email saintsrevivalcommitteeAnderson Mwila.com

Signed,
Elder Daniel Deng
Executive Director
Saints Revival Committee - SRC South Sudan

INVITATION TO JOIN SAINTS REVIVAL COMMITTEE - SRC
"SOLIDIFY. UNIFY. MULTIPLY

Greetings in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ!

The Saints Revival Committee - SRC warmly invites Christian Leaders and Believers across South Sudan and African countries to *register and become members* of this God-given ministry.

The Lord has called us to *take the Gospel forward* with one message and one heart.
_“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations Matthew 28:19
_“Here am I. Send me! Isaiah 6:8

WHY JOIN SRC? BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING WITH US:

1. Participation in Outreach Program - Join evangelism, crusades, and community outreaches in towns and villages
2. Access to Trainings Nationally and Internationally - Be trained in discipleship, leadership, prayer, and ministry skills
3. Get Equipped - Receive teaching, mentorship, and tools to grow in the Word and in service
4. *Certificate and ID of Membership* - Be officially recognized as a member of SRC
5. *Ordination into Apostolic Position* - Faithful and called workers will be ordained and sent for ministry
6. Interaction and Preaching Opportunities - Preach, teach, and fellowship with believers across churches and nations
7. Work in Available Projects - Serve in health, women empowerment, youth, and community projects of SRC & CWFCA

This is your time to stand, to be trained, and to be sent!
Let us Solidify believers with the Word, Unify believers in Prayer, and Multiply disciples across Africa.

HOW TO JOIN:
Fill the SRC Membership Form and submit to SRC Office Aweil, or contact: +211921163669

Together we can reach more together as Christians. Please submit your application to this WhatsApp +211921163669