Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Today looks to be a potentially soggy day again. I checked the weather on my phone and it was a muddy puddle. This brings me to my funny story for you today.

Yesterday, my husband and I had a meeting with our VA lawyer in a new town. Because of all the storms and flooding issues, the crowd was much smaller. We actually got to ask a couple of questions when we sat down with him. We did not feel rushed. As good as that was, it was not the highlight of the trip. While waiting for our turn, we met some new friends. Two of which just happened to be authors. One of which just happens to run a podcast. Hmmm. Any thoughts on why we went to ‘this’ meeting with the lawyer and not the meeting place? I wonder if Someone knew who we were going to meet.

One of these two individuals’ spouses has memory issues. The other is applying for their survivor’s benefits with the lawyer’s help. I wonder Who designed this meeting?

Since I have been retired, I have been hyper-focused on making sure that I take care of my husband and keep his medical stuff straight and on track. I have been hyper-focused on keeping our lives as smooth as possible. So hyper-focused that when my littles from across the pond arrived, I was not the fun American grandma. I was grumpy grandma. That changed yesterday.

On our way home from the lawyer, I was thinking about all this rain, the flooding, and then I thought about the muddy puddles in my yard. I decided on the way home that we were going to play in the muddy puddles. God gave them to us, why not play in them? So, when I got home, I changed into shorts, kicked off my shoes, and challenged the grandkids to a splash fest. I do not know how long we played, but we all needed showers when it was over with … and that is after washing off with the garden hose. I even got the other grandma to play in the muddy puddle. We all were muddy puddle winners.

Too often, the enemy gets grown-ups to think they have to be adults all the time. When in fact, Jesus tells us that we are to come to Him as children. In all these storms, there have been ugly skies, so dancing in the rain has not been possible … however … splashing in the muddy puddles … well now, that is an awesome stress reliever.

Today is His day. Today we are going to his house to worship him, whether in a church or a prayer closet. Today we are going to thank Him for his blessings and for the trials. Today, we give God the glory and enter His presence as children. Will you join me on the heavenly playground of muddy puddles?

Be blessed.

**And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:3-4

Dear Umoh,

I am pleased to personally congratulate you on taking 2nd Place in the first-ever Saturday Africa Author Challenge.

During the 24-hour challenge, you published your book:

"Deliverance and Healing - With Prayers"

Your participation helped make this first challenge meaningful, and I am delighted to recognize your achievement with a ₦2,000 reward.

Beyond the reward, I want to personally thank you for being part of the AfriKDP community.

We recently reached 100+ authors and 100+ books, and every author who chooses to publish with AfriKDP contributes to that milestone.

Your book is now part of a growing collection of African voices, knowledge, experiences and stories being made available to readers through our platform.

I encourage you to keep publishing and to continue sharing your work with your audience. Your author profile gives readers a place to discover your books and follow your publishing journey.

You can find your AfriKDP author profile here:

https://afrikdp.com/author/umohedem-9128

We would also love for you to share your achievement on social media and tag AfriKDP so we can celebrate your success with the wider community.

Congratulations once again, Umoh.

Thank you for trusting AfriKDP and for being part of this important milestone.

We are only getting started.

Warm regards,

Emmanuel Oluwasegun Taiwo
CEO, AfriKDP
michael@afrikdp.com
AfriKDP — Publish. Sell. Earn.

Welcome to Vision House Publishers

At Vision House Publishers, we are dedicated to bringing your Christian stories and messages to life. Our mission is to empower authors by providing a comprehensive publishing service that nurtures creativity while staying true to your vision and faith.

Whether you’re a first-time author or an accomplished writer, we partner with you every step of the way to ensure your voice is heard and your story resonates with readers. We believe that every book has the potential to inspire and transform lives, and we’re here to help you share your message with the world!

Ready to take the next step in your writing journey? Contact us today to learn how Vision House Publishers can help you achieve your publishing dreams!

Visit our website: visionhousepublishers.com

#VisionHousePublishers #ChristianPublishing #InspireThroughWriting

Publishing with Purpose

Have a message on your heart? A story burning inside that the world needs to hear?

At Vision House Publishers, we specialize in bringing Christian authors’ visions to life. From manuscript development to editing, design, and distribution, we walk alongside you every step of the way. Our mission isn’t just to print books it’s to publish purpose.

Every book we help create carries God’s truth, inspires faith, and touches lives around the world. Your story can become a beacon of hope, healing, and encouragement.

Start your publishing journey today and see your faith-filled vision come to life

Visit our website: visionhousepublishers.com

#VisionHousePublishers #ChristianPublishing #FaithInPrint #PublishWithPurpose #ChristianAuthors #GodsMessage #TransformingLives #FaithDrivenWriting #BookMissions #PurposeInPages

Matthew 17:14-20, 22-23

Here we learn that when Jesus had taken Peter, James and John up the mountain for the transfiguration He had left the other nine at the bottom of the mountain tasked with preaching and healing. And they come to a crowd of people waiting for them. And here, a father begs for help for his demon possessed son. He said I brought him to Your disciples and still he suffers.

Now here's where it gets sticky. Jesus shows frustration and rebukes his disciples, the father and the demon, which is Instantly cast out. And some wish to chide Jesus for His response to this father. It is not a coincidence that many of the churches that do so are the leftist liberal churches who have an issue with pretty much anything God has to say. He calls His own followers wicked and perverse. That seems kind of harsh, doesn't it?

Now understand it this way, Jesus has been casting out demons, restoring sight to the blind, voices to the mute and has just spent the day with Moses, Elijah and his inner circle apostles. He gave the apostles the authority to cast demons out and perform miraculous healing. They already had everything they needed, the authority. And in spite of all they had seen Jesus do, they still did not have the faith needed to cast this demon out.

So the disciples ask Jesus later why was this demon not cast out? And He tells them, “BECAUSE OF YOU!” How many times in scripture are we told that miracles aren't done and prayers remain unanswered due to the amount of faith the one asking has, or rather, the lack of it.

Maybe this possession was a little scarier than most. Casting out demons can be wholly frightening that I can say from personal experience will throw you for a loop. A good friend and brother in Christ named Rick was on a mission trip in some of the slums of the Philippines during a church service when a man sat next to him.

The man, it turns out was possessed, and when greeted by Rick announced this fact to him and all around him expressing the desire to manifest/appear during the worship service. Rick had never seen that before and needed to call in help from an elder there who did have experience with demons. And the demon was cast out of him then worship resumed.

Perhaps the violent actions of this demon were a little too intense for the apostles. They didn't appreciate the power and authority they possessed through faith, because they still had doubts.

Now here we have to mention the famous issue of verse 21. Verse 21 is part of a controversy that really isn't all that controversial at all. Verse 21 is not found in every manuscript of the New Testament books we have. And it's not because an evil force is trying to keep this information from the public. There is no grand conspiracy or plot to force acceptance of an inferior scripture.

The ĶJV-only groups make it seem like Satan contacted bible printers and created the censorship of this verse in a sneaky attempt to weaken Bible teaching on fasting and prayer. For more information look at my Rumble channel for the video, “Which Bible Should I Use?”

So why is verse 21 in some manuscripts and not others? The KJV was a Bible version, not a translation, and used a transcript called the Textus Receptus to write the English version of these Greek texts. Now this particular text was one of the earliest found in history, but it was not the oldest or even the most complete manuscript we had available.

Later on, manuscripts that were even older than the Textus Receptus were found these were the Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus. Some portions of these transcripts date back into the lifetimes of some of the authors of Scripture.

So while some want to see verse 21 as a deliberate attempt to weaken God's word, specifically any version or translation that is not the KJV; others see a verse that is not included in older copies because it was never there or was added as a footnote by a scribe who was adding an explanation to the answer Jesus gave.

So what is this missing verse?


Matthew 17:21
[21] Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

This is either: a. Jesus explaining why the apostles were unsuccessful in casting the demon out that was omitted from the original text. Or b. An addition of a scribe who explained here what Jesus intended to say but didn't. Or C. Has always been part of Scripture and the controversy is ridiculous.

A couple of things to consider: 1. this verse does not fundamentally change or alter scripture or the Gospel message. 2. This verse neither adds to nor takes away any other significant Bible teaching. 3. Defending the inclusion of this verse rapidly becomes a defense of the fragile KJV only crowd rather than a real objection to what's actually taught in the verse.

The KJV is a good Bible, but it is just a version, not a translation. It was never intended as a literal word for word translation of the original Greek. So does verse 21 belong here?

I believe so. Not because of any scriptural authority really, but due to the experience I have had in casting out demons. For many demons are stronger than others, and though we have authority to cast out demons, sometimes serious prayer and fasting are needed and are used by the exorcist to prepare.

It is here Jesus mentions the mustard seed sized faith we must have to ask a mountain to move and it will move. Jesus isn't asking for radical landscape design, He's asking His people to have the faith that if they ask, God will do.

Then He again warns them of His impending arrest and execution. It's coming He said, but keep faithful. They end chapter 17 with deep grief and mourning.



[14] When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying, [15] “Lord, have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers terribly; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. [16] And I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him.” [17] And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” [18] And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was healed at once. [19] Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, why could we not cast it out?” [20] And He *said to them, “Because of your meager faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
[22] And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be handed over to men; [23] and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.” And they were deeply grieved.

Matthew 17:14-20, 22-23

Here we learn that when Jesus had taken Peter, James and John up the mountain for the transfiguration He had left the other nine at the bottom of the mountain tasked with preaching and healing. And they come to a crowd of people waiting for them. And here, a father begs for help for his demon possessed son. He said I brought him to Your disciples and still he suffers.

Now here's where it gets sticky. Jesus shows frustration and rebukes his disciples, the father and the demon, which is Instantly cast out. And some wish to chide Jesus for His response to this father. It is not a coincidence that many of the churches that do so are the leftist liberal churches who have an issue with pretty much anything God has to say. He calls His own followers wicked and perverse. That seems kind of harsh, doesn't it?

Now understand it this way, Jesus has been casting out demons, restoring sight to the blind, voices to the mute and has just spent the day with Moses, Elijah and his inner circle apostles. He gave the apostles the authority to cast demons out and perform miraculous healing. They already had everything they needed, the authority. And in spite of all they had seen Jesus do, they still did not have the faith needed to cast this demon out.

So the disciples ask Jesus later why was this demon not cast out? And He tells them, “BECAUSE OF YOU!” How many times in scripture are we told that miracles aren't done and prayers remain unanswered due to the amount of faith the one asking has, or rather, the lack of it.

Maybe this possession was a little scarier than most. Casting out demons can be wholly frightening that I can say from personal experience will throw you for a loop. A good friend and brother in Christ named Rick was on a mission trip in some of the slums of the Philippines during a church service when a man sat next to him.

The man, it turns out was possessed, and when greeted by Rick announced this fact to him and all around him expressing the desire to manifest/appear during the worship service. Rick had never seen that before and needed to call in help from an elder there who did have experience with demons. And the demon was cast out of him then worship resumed.

Perhaps the violent actions of this demon were a little too intense for the apostles. They didn't appreciate the power and authority they possessed through faith, because they still had doubts.

Now here we have to mention the famous issue of verse 21. Verse 21 is part of a controversy that really isn't all that controversial at all. Verse 21 is not found in every manuscript of the New Testament books we have. And it's not because an evil force is trying to keep this information from the public. There is no grand conspiracy or plot to force acceptance of an inferior scripture.

The ĶJV-only groups make it seem like Satan contacted bible printers and created the censorship of this verse in a sneaky attempt to weaken Bible teaching on fasting and prayer. For more information look at my Rumble channel for the video, “Which Bible Should I Use?”

So why is verse 21 in some manuscripts and not others? The KJV was a Bible version, not a translation, and used a transcript called the Textus Receptus to write the English version of these Greek texts. Now this particular text was one of the earliest found in history, but it was not the oldest or even the most complete manuscript we had available.

Later on, manuscripts that were even older than the Textus Receptus were found these were the Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus. Some portions of these transcripts date back into the lifetimes of some of the authors of Scripture.

So while some want to see verse 21 as a deliberate attempt to weaken God's word, specifically any version or translation that is not the KJV; others see a verse that is not included in older copies because it was never there or was added as a footnote by a scribe who was adding an explanation to the answer Jesus gave.

So what is this missing verse?


Matthew 17:21
[21] Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

This is either: a. Jesus explaining why the apostles were unsuccessful in casting the demon out that was omitted from the original text. Or b. An addition of a scribe who explained here what Jesus intended to say but didn't. Or C. Has always been part of Scripture and the controversy is ridiculous.

A couple of things to consider: 1. this verse does not fundamentally change or alter scripture or the Gospel message. 2. This verse neither adds to nor takes away any other significant Bible teaching. 3. Defending the inclusion of this verse rapidly becomes a defense of the fragile KJV only crowd rather than a real objection to what's actually taught in the verse.

The KJV is a good Bible, but it is just a version, not a translation. It was never intended as a literal word for word translation of the original Greek. So does verse 21 belong here?

I believe so. Not because of any scriptural authority really, but due to the experience I have had in casting out demons. For many demons are stronger than others, and though we have authority to cast out demons, sometimes serious prayer and fasting are needed and are used by the exorcist to prepare.

It is here Jesus mentions the mustard seed sized faith we must have to ask a mountain to move and it will move. Jesus isn't asking for radical landscape design, He's asking His people to have the faith that if they ask, God will do.

Then He again warns them of His impending arrest and execution. It's coming He said, but keep faithful. They end chapter 17 with deep grief and mourning.



[14] When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying, [15] “Lord, have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers terribly; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. [16] And I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him.” [17] And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” [18] And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was healed at once. [19] Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, why could we not cast it out?” [20] And He *said to them, “Because of your meager faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
[22] And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be handed over to men; [23] and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.” And they were deeply grieved.

Life Of Charles G. Finney.
By
Aaron Merritt Hills

Part 1 - B

SENT OF GOD

Charles Finney found the old authors in his law books frequently quoting from the Scriptures. This excited his curiosity so much that he purchased a Bible, the first that he had ever owned, and hunted up every passage referred to. This led to careful reading and much meditation upon the Sacred Word. Here follow two facts that are profoundly important to all Churches and Christians, and especially to all who would ever be successful soul-winners. His pastor's name was Rev. George W. Gale, a graduate of Princeton College and Theological Seminary. His theology was hyper-Calvinistic and not yhe genui e Calvinism taught in Princeton at that time. Gale believed that man’s nature was so totally sinful that he was utterly incapable of any good; the will was incapable of a right choice; the soul was utterly passive in regeneration; ''there was no adaptation in the gospel to change his nature, and consequently no connection in religion between means and ends.”

"This Brother Gale sternly held; and consequently, in his preaching, he never seemed to expect, nor did he even aim at converting anybody by any sermon that I ever heard him preach. And yet he was an able preacher, as preaching was then estimated. The fact is, these dogmas were a perfect strait-jacket to him. If he preached repentance, he must be sure, before he sat down, to leave the impression on his people that they could not repent. If he called them to believe, he must be sure to inform them that, until their nature was changed by the Holy Spirit, faith was impossible to them. And so his orthodoxy was a perfect snare to himself and to his hearers." (Memoirs of C. G. Finney, pp. 59, 60.)

The pastor was in the habit of dropping into the
young lawyer’s office to see what impression his sermons had made on the lawyer’s mind. Finney was at this time leader of his choir, and of course their relations were familiar. With the keen, subtle, intellectual acumen which characterized him and a frankness bordering on to impolite bluntness, and probably with a touch of cynical irreverence, the lawyer satisfied the minister’s curiosity completely; for fifty years afterward he wrote: 'I now think that I criticised his sermons unmercifully. . . . Indeed, I found it impossible to attach any meaning to the terms which he used with great formality and frequency. What did he mean by repentance? Was it a mere feeling of sorrow for sin? Was it altogether a passive state of mind, or did it involve a voluntary element? If it was a change of mind, in what sense was it a change of mind? What did he mean by the term 'regeneration?’

What did such language mean when applied to a spiritual change? What did he mean by faith? Was it merely an intellectual state? Was it merely a conviction or persuasion that the things stated in the gospel were true? What did he mean by sanctification? Did it involve any physical change in the subject, or any physical influence on the part of God? I could not tell; neither did he seem to know himself. I sometimes told him that he seemed to begin in the middle of his discourse, and to assume many things which, to my mind, needed to be proved. I must say, I was rather perplexed than edified by his preaching.”
(Memoirs, pp. 7, 8.)

As one reads such words, one can not help wondering how many ministers now are as vague and misty as was Rev. Gale, and how many multitudes are still sitting in the pews and wondering what the ministers are talking about. Neither can one help reflecting that, with such a theology prevailing, it is little wonder that infidelity was widespread at the beginning of the century, and revivals were few, with seldom a conversion, and that only one in fourteen of the population of this country was even a professor of religion!

Everybody was told that they were absolutely helpless, and could do nothing to secure their own repentance or conversion; and they generally believed it. With one accord they were idly waiting, in imaginary helplessness, for a sovereign God to enable them to repent and believe; and thus whole generations were sweeping into hell. What appalling results can flow from a false theology!

The other striking fact was this: Finney read a great deal in his Bible about prayer and answers to
prayer and prayer promises; and yet he continually heard people pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and as often confess that they did not receive what they asked for. He heard them exhort each other to wake up and be engaged and pray earnestly for a revival of religion, professing that, if they were in earnest, they would have a revival, and the impenitent would be converted; but they would as continually bemoan their coldness and complain that they were making no progress. He says : '"This inconsistency, the fact that they prayed so much and were not answered, was a sad stumbling-block to me.'' ‘'On one occasion, when I was in one of the prayer-meetings, I was asked if I did not desire that they should pray for me. I told them, ‘No,' because I did not see that God answered their prayers. I said: ‘I suppose that I need to be prayed for—for I am conscious that I am a sinner—but I do not see that it will do any good for you to pray for me; for you are continually asking, but do not receive. You have been praying for a revival of religion ever since I have been in Adams [three years], and yet you have it not. You have prayed enough since I have attended these meetings to have prayed the devil out of Adams, if there is any virtue in your prayers. But here you are, praying on and complaining still.' " (Memoirs, p. 10.)

Some young people proposed to pray for Finney, among them the noble young woman who afterward became his wife. But the hopeless pastor remarked that it would do no good; he did not believe that Finney would ever be converted, since he had already sinned against so much light that his heart was hopelessly hardened! And what was the more, the choir was so much under Finney's influence that it was doubtful if they would ever be converted while their leader remained in Adams.

Fortunately for the kingdom of God, some one had more faith than the pastor, and laid hold of God for Finney’s conversion. To use his own words, he became 'Very restless.” A little reflection showed him that he was by no means in a state of mind to go to heaven, if he should die. He began to feel that there was something in religion of infinite importance, and that, if the soul was immortal, he needed a great change to be prepared for happiness in heaven. The great soul was approaching his Bethel: he was standing face to face with God, and confronting the decisive question whether he would accept Christ as presented in the gospel, or pursue a worldly course of life. Prayers were being answered at last; for God had his hook in Finney’s jaw, and was pulling with the mighty cord of Infinite Love.

God's Creation, 100 / evolution, 0
WAS THE BIBLE COPIED CORRECTLY?

One of the most common objections to Christianity is that the Bible has been copied so many times that we can no longer know what it originally said.

At first, that sounds reasonable.

After all, if a document has been copied by hand for centuries, wouldn't mistakes accumulate until the original message was lost?

The problem is that this objection ignores the evidence.

The New Testament is the most well-attested document from the ancient world. Today, scholars have access to more than 5,800 Greek New Testament manuscripts, over 10,000 Latin manuscripts, and thousands more in other ancient languages. In total, there are over 24,000 manuscript copies and portions of the New Testament available for comparison.

To appreciate how remarkable that is, consider other famous ancient works. The writings of Julius Caesar survive in about 10 manuscripts. The historian Tacitus is preserved in just a handful of copies. Yet few people question whether we know what those authors originally wrote.

Not only do we have an enormous number of manuscripts, but many of them are very early. Portions of the New Testament can be dated within decades of the original writings. Complete manuscripts appear far closer to the originals than those available for most ancient literature.

Because we possess so many copies from different regions and centuries, copyist mistakes are often easy to identify. If a scribe accidentally omitted a word, misspelled a name, or skipped a line, scholars can compare thousands of manuscripts and detect the error.

Think of it this way. If there were only one surviving manuscript, mistakes would be difficult to identify. But when thousands of manuscripts agree with one another, they function as checks and balances.

Critics often point to the existence of textual variants. However, the overwhelming majority are minor differences involving spelling, word order, or grammar. In Greek, changing the order of words often does not change the meaning of the sentence. Most variants are so insignificant that Bible translators simply note them in the footnotes.

Even skeptical textual scholars acknowledge that no major Christian doctrine depends on a disputed passage.

Then there are the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Discovered beginning in 1947 near the Dead Sea, these manuscripts included portions of every Old Testament book except Esther. Some of them were over 1,000 years older than the oldest Hebrew manuscripts previously available.

Critics expected significant corruption of the text over time.

Instead, they found remarkable consistency. The book of Isaiah, for example, was found to be substantially the same despite being copied over many centuries. The differences that existed were overwhelmingly minor and did not affect the message of the text.

The Bible was not preserved because people copied it perfectly.

It was preserved because so many copies were made that mistakes became detectable.

In fact, the manuscript evidence for the Bible is so extensive that scholars can compare copies from different countries, centuries, and language families to reconstruct the original text with a very high degree of confidence.

Every ancient document was copied.

The question is whether it was copied reliably.

When judged by the same standards historians use for every other ancient work, the Bible stands in a category of its own.

One thing I’ve been learning lately…

Don’t be afraid to learn from those who have gone before you.

Today I spent some time looking at the websites of other Christian authors, podcasters, and content creators—not to copy them, but to learn from them. And then it hit me…

They understood something I hadn’t fully considered.

People don’t browse websites the way they used to.

They scroll.

So… six hours later… I had completely redesigned my homepage.

Sometimes growth isn’t about starting over. Sometimes it’s simply being willing to learn, adapt, and keep improving what God has entrusted to you. I’m grateful for the creators who unknowingly taught me something today. There’s wisdom in observing others, celebrating what they’re doing well, and asking, “What can I learn from this?”

The new homepage is now live, and I’m genuinely excited about where it’s headed.

If you’d like to take a look, I’d love to hear what you think.

https://kathrinshaffer.com

The 28 Beliefs # 1
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration. The inspired authors spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to humanity the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the supreme, authoritative, and the infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the test of experience, the definitive revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God’s acts in history.